Council Info – November 13, 2019

Council Info is a summary of discussion and the major items presented at Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. You are encouraged to quote from and copy this information. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan review

Council approved a five-year review of the Region’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan. The review provides an opportunity to assess the current local context (ongoing challenges, current housing and homelessness data); consult with community partners; and update the strategic directions and actions. One of the strategic directions is to increase new affordable housing development in Waterloo Region, including development across private, public, and non-profit sectors. A steering committee comprised of senior staff and Councillors will work on this goal, including looking at innovative housing solutions and reducing barriers related to development. The Region currently operates and manages 2,814 community housing units across 65 sites.

Waterloo Region Housing Master Plan approved

The Waterloo Region Housing (WRH) Master Plan was approved by Council. This plan provides a framework for revitalization of the WRH housing stock, mapping out a 20-year timeline to:

1)    create 638 new WRH units over the next 11 years on five existing sites in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo;

2)    maintain and operate the current stock of WRH units in a state of good repair; and

3)    explore potential divestment options and partnerships as opportunities become available to the Region.

Region plans for temporary shelter overflow this winter

Regional Council approved a temporary shelter overflow response for the winter of 2019/2020 with a budget up to $407,000. Emergency shelters provide a safe, temporary place for people experiencing homelessness. In Waterloo Region, there are 245 spaces across seven shelters. Shelters across Waterloo region have faced ongoing capacity challenges over the past few years. If capacity at one shelter is reached, participants are referred to another shelter to fill all available beds. People are only referred to a shelter when there are no appropriate housing alternatives. This temporary shelter overflow response will provide a cost effective solution to meet the anticipated increase in need for shelter over the winter months.

Council approves Community Climate Adaptation (CCA) plan

Council approved the Community Climate Adaptation (CCA) plan, which identifies climate-related risks to Waterloo Region (affecting health, buildings, roads and other structures, water and the natural environment) and includes 36 adaptation actions to help our community prepare for and respond to these risks. The CCA plan acknowledges and connects the diverse work on climate change adaptation that is being undertaken and planned for by the Region, Area Municipalities and other stakeholders across the region.

Region wants residents to talk about growth

Council supports staff in gathering public input as part of the Regional Official plan (ROP) update. The Region will grow to 835,000 people and 404,000 jobs by the year 2041. Public meetings and an online forum, known as engagewr.ca, are some of the ways citizens can give opinions on how and where we grow. Community members are asked to comment on growth around ION rapid transit station areas, as well as topics like housing, the environment, future employment, transit/roads, urban and rural communities and more.  The ROP is a key document that guides long-term growth and development in the Region to 2041.

Council approves Regional Strategic Plan 2019-2023

The development of the Strategic Plan has been guided by Regional Council, and has been based on significant public and staff consultation throughout the process. The Strategic Plan, based on input, settled on five focus areas: Thriving Economy; Sustainable Transportation; Environment and Climate Action; Healthy, Safe and Inclusive Communities; and Responsive and Engaging Public Service. There are 22 strategic objectives and 70 supporting actions identified across the five focus areas. The Strategic Plan communicates the commitment to advance, measure and report on the progress on the specific actions within the plan. Ongoing dialogue with citizens and customers of regional services, area municipalities, partner organizations and other levels of government will be key to the success of the Region’s Strategic Plan.

Council awards Community Innovation Grant

Council approved $50,000 be awarded from the Community Innovation Grant to the Kinbridge Community Association for their Neighbourhood Table project. This project has been developed by a large group of community partners with the goal of creating connected neighbourhoods through communal dinning. The long term goal of the project is to create neighbourhood tables in five communities in Cambridge.

Tenders/Contracts: 

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

• $9,250,965 to Nova Bus, a division of Volvo Group Canada Inc. for 15 transit coaches.
• $3,281,906 to Finnbilt General Contracting Limited for Waterloo Landfill Pumping Station #3 replacement.
• $1,623,000 (estimated annual cost) as an extension of a tender with Green for Life (GFL) for the operation of the Materials Recycling Centre (MRC) to March 2. This will ensure a seamless transition to full producer responsibility which is currently planned to occur between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025.
• $650,000 to Scheidt and Bachmann GMBH for an Electronic Fare Management System (spare components) for a five-year term.
• $525,040 to Toromont CAT for Water supply system, standby power maintenance for a three-year term.
• $340,000 to the Region of Niagara as a contract extension for the purchase of blue box mixed fibre, plastic film and bags to March 2, 2024. This aligns with the end date of the curbside collection contract which will provide a seamless transition to full producer responsibility which is currently planned to occur between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025.
• $224,000 to ORBIS Canada Limited for Green Bins for a two-year term.
• $214,610 increase to Stantec Consulting Services Limited as an amendment to a previous tender for consulting engineering services for the Weber Street improvements (Forwell Creek Road to Northfield Drive) in the City of Waterloo for a revised total of $941,292.

Public meetings:

Talking Growth - Regional Official Plan Update Open House

November 18, 2019

Kitchener Public Library, 4-8 p.m.

November 27, 2019

Cambridge City Hall, 4-8 p.m.

November 28, 2019

Wilmot Recreational Complex, 4-8 p.m.

December 4, 2019

Heidelberg Community Centre, 4:30 – 8 p.m.

Preliminary design of Stage 2 ION will be presented to the public at Public Consultation Centre 5

November 19, 2019, 4-8 p.m.

Preston Memorial Auditorium 1458 Hamilton Street, Cambridge  

November 20, 2019, 4-8 p.m.

Sunbridge Hotel and Conference Centre, 30 Fairway Road South, Kitchener

November 21, 2019 2-8 p.m.

Cambridge City Hall (Bowman Room) 50 Dickson St, Cambridge

Next Council Meeting
December 11, 2019 at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact:

Bryan Stortz, Director, Corporate Communications, 519-575-4408
Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400