Council Info - October 30, 2019

August 01, 2025

Council endorses Smart Waterloo initiative

The Region and area municipal submission for the Canadian Smart Cities Challenge in 2019 focused on Healthy Children and Youth, and worked closely with technology, education and social services partners to develop solutions that would make Waterloo Region the best community in Canada for kids. Although Montreal won the challenge, the Region and its partners have been working to develop an updated Smart Waterloo Region plan. Based on feedback from community stakeholders and interest from project partners, Regional Council endorsed staff’s plan to move forward with the Smart Waterloo Region projects.

Council renews tax exemption for Veteran’s service clubs

Council agreed to continue to allow tax exemptions for properties owned by Veteran’s service clubs for another 10-year period starting Jan. 1, 2020. A new by-law for this exemption was passed and will now align with the by-laws at the local municipalities.

Children’s Centre rate reduction to end

The Region’s directly operated Children’s Centres have been participating in a fee reduction pilot program to increase the affordability of child care. Provincial funding for this program will come to an end on December 31, 2019 and full-day fees will increase as follows:

  • Infant: $64.70/day to $74.70/day
  • Toddler: $47.90/day to $50.90/day
  • Preschool: $45.20/day to $47.20/day

The Region of Waterloo directly operates five child care centres and charges program fees based primarily on recovering operational costs while balancing affordability for families in Waterloo Region.

Council approves Subwataershed Study

Regional Council approved the Upper Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (SWS). Cedar Creek is a perennial coldwater stream located within the City of Kitchener and Township of North Dumfries. The headwaters of the creek are located on the Waterloo Moraine which is the Region’s single most important drinking water source. The SWS is intended to guide and coordinate decision making by the Region, area municipalities, the Grand River Conservation Authority, and others involved in development planning and subwatershed stewardship and restoration.

Tenders/Contracts:  

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

  • $846,810 to various companies for snow removal at Waterloo Region Housing properties. Companies include: Guelph Power Sweeping, Frank’s Outdoor Maintenance, Bothelo Asphalting & General Maintenance Ltd., Conestoga Contracting Group Inc., Twin City Interloc Inc., and Kevin’s Outdoor Services.
  • $665,031 to Stantec Consulting Limited for the conceptual and detailed design and services during construction for upgrades to well houses located on Ottawa Street South in Kitchener and on Mannheim Road in Wilmot.
  • $575,000 to Stantec Consulting Ltd. to add additional contract administration and inspection services required for the William Street and Strange Street water system upgrades.
  • $408,352 to Frank Cowan Company Ltd. for the 2019/2020 General Insurance Program for Waterloo Region Housing.
  • $311,376 to Altec Industries Ltd. for one Hybrid Aerial truck.
  • $269,000 to Copperhill Group Ltd. for winter snowplowing at the Region of Waterloo Operations Centre and surrounding properties.
  • $119,100 to Bestco Construction Ltd. for additional funds for a dewatering pad for the Cambridge Operations Centre.

 

For your information:

Friends of the Waterloo Region Museum presented a cheque for $5,000 to Regional Council tonight. The donation will help purchase costumes for interpreters in Doon Heritage Village.

Next Council Meeting
November 13, 2019 at 7 p.m.


For more information, contact:

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