Council Info - Oct. 14, 2020

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.

Regional Council aims to keep current structure

Councillors will consider a resolution on November 25, 2020to keep the current composition of its 16 member Regional Council into the next term. This structure includes:

• One regional chair;
• All seven municipal mayors;
• Two Cambridge councillors;
• Four Kitchener councillors; and
• Two Waterloo councillors.

To approve this resolution it must be supported by at least four of the area municipalities; and those Councils must represent a majority of the electors in the Region.  

The Municipal Act requires the Region to review the number of members of Council representing each area municipality after every second election. Part of the review includes public input. Feedback results from the public also favoured keeping council at its current size and representation.

Region and its partners expand free access to dental care for seniors

The Region of Waterloo and local community health centres continue to work together to improve access to free dental care for seniors living on low income. The Ontario Ministry of Health has approved over $467,000 in capital funding to expand the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program at Langs Community Health Centre in Cambridge, which is already under construction and expected to open in December, and at the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, expected to open in March. The expansion will enable the clinics to provide dental care to more people, helping to alleviate the wait list for service. About 10,000 seniors in Waterloo Region may qualify for the service but provincial funding is limited. Public Health and its partners will use available resources in the most effective and efficient way to serve as many eligible seniors as possible.

Paperless Ontario Works will free staff to better meet client needs

Ontario Works, a social assistance program for people who need financial help, is moving towards a paperless system. Digitizing files will free staff to have more conversations with clients in order to better meet their needs, including connecting them to other services and supporting them into employment. Electronic file management will provide the Region with a secure, efficient, and less costly work processes. Ontario Works is funded by the Province and administered by the Region of Waterloo.

Tenders/Contracts:   

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

• $630,300 to IBI Group to provide engineering consulting services for detailed design, contract administration and construction inspection services for McQueen Shaver Blvd. Phase 2 and East Boundary Road Phase1.
• $474,714 to Frank Cowan Company Limited for the 2020/21 General Insurance Program for Waterloo Region Housing.
•  $439,588 will be amended to the existing Consulting Service Agreement with Dillon Consulting Ltd. for additional work required for the Regional Official Plan Review.

Next Council Meeting
November 4, 2020 at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact:
Bryan Stortz, Director, Corporate Communications, 519-575-4408
Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400