Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I know. >> Good afternoon everyone and welcome back. We are beginning our special council meeting on August the 10th, 2026. Individuals interested in participating in today's meeting were eligible to register online using the delegation registration form at www.kitchener.ca/delegation or via email at delegation@kitchener.ca. Any written comments received prior to the commencement of today's meeting have been circulated to members of council and will form part of the public record. The meeting live stream and archived videos are available at www.kitchener.ca/watchnow. Before we begin this afternoon's meeting, I'd like to acknowledge that today we're gathering on the traditional territory of the neutral Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize our responsibility to serve as stewards for the land and honor the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Kitchener today. Are there any disclosures of pecuniary interest? There being none, um we will do a little bit of a presentation. Uh just bear with me 1 second. So, this afternoon we'd like to acknowledge uh one of our uh amazing members of our office of our city clerk's office, um who has achieved the AMCTO executive diploma in municipal management equity scholarship. And uh we'd like to congratulate Mariah Blake on that. >> Okay. >> Mariah, as we all know, is a municipal professional with over 7 years of experience across local government, federal service, and the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as one of our community coordinators with the City of Kitchener, where she supports governance, legislative processes, and public engagement to help foster transparent and effective decision-making. Throughout her career, Mariah has worked at the intersection of policy, community engagement, and service delivery. Her experience includes supporting the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Youth at the federal level, coordinating complex municipal initiatives, and working directly with community members in frontline and nonprofit environments. This diverse background informs her collaborative approach and her commitment to connecting strategic priorities with community needs. Mariah is also passionate about local government, at equity in the workplace, and building strong communities from the ground up. A lifelong learner, she's committed to inclusive, holistic public service, and is proud to contribute to resilient, connected communities through both her professional and volunteer work. As this year's EDMM Equity Scholarship recipient, Maria will be enrolled in the program beginning this fall, where she'll develop further foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies required to be a successful local government manager. The program helps support those with three or more years of supervisory experience, mid-level managers, and high-level municipal employees on track uh to take on senior management or leadership roles. The EDMM Equity Scholarship is an annual program that'll accept applications from eligible individuals each spring for enrollment in the subsequent fall program. Registration for EDMM and other AMCTO education programs for the upcoming fall 2026 term opens well, it opened July the 2nd. So, with that, uh I just want to uh acknowledge Maria and say congratulations on your achievement. Okay, there don't appear to be any delegations here. Um there is a report under item 5.1, pre-approval of funding for the 2027 fleet capital three units. Uh does somebody care to move that recommendation? Moved by Councillor and a seconder? Councillor Chapman, thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. There being no mayoral business, we'll now move into uh in camera. There are a number of items listed on the in camera um agenda. I'll note that under 7.3, uh there is an additional reason for closed session, including information, example, a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality and has monetary value as an additional reason for the closed session. Does someone care to move the three items on the closed agenda? Moved by Councillor DeKnow, seconded by Councillor Schneider. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried. And actually we'll leave everything else till later. There we will we will come back. Like we'll do a recess now. And we may need to come back for an additional in camera item. Staff are still working through those details. And if we do we'll we'll deal with that after the recess. And anything else coming out of closed as well. So we may have to recess twice. So motion to recess moved by Councillor Stretch, seconded by Councillor Schneider. All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Good evening everyone and welcome to the resumption of the special council meeting for August 10th, 2024. Uh coming out of caucus we have two recommendations for consideration by council if I can ask uh Madam Clerk to uh please put the first one forward. And the first one pertains to uh item 7.2 city facility funding update. Recommendation is before you. Um can I have a mover, please? Moved by Councillor Stretch, seconded by Councillor Johnson. Any discussion? Just hang on, I got to switch. All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried, thank you. And if I can ask you to bring the second motion forward, please. And the second motion is with respect to item 7.3 water and wastewater public corporation. That staff be authorized to provide a response to the ERO. Um do I have a mover? Moved by Councillor Michaud, seconded by Councillor Daignault. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried, thank you. Uh can I have a motion for uh three readings of the bylaws? Moved by Councillor Schneider, seconded by Councillor Johnson. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried. Motion to adjourn, moved by Councillor Singh and seconded by Councillor Chapman. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried.