Waterloo City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026

Waterloo City Council's June 15, 2026 meeting included separate debate on community services fees and parking rates after both items were pulled from the consent agenda. Council also received the city's asset management annual review, debated an application to a provincial development charge reduction program, reviewed museum operations, and passed the remaining consent items and bylaw enactment.

Topics Discussed

1. COMMUNITY SERVICES FEES AND LEISURE ACCESS

Council separately discussed community services fees, including leisure access rates, after the item was pulled from consent. Councillors asked how staff set the fees and what weight was given to affordability for residents and community groups.

Councillor Vasic said she shared concerns raised on behalf of Councillor Row "around the general affordability challenges that many in our community face" and asked "what consideration was given in the process of setting these rates particularly as it relates to the fee for the leisure access fee."

Staff said the review considered cost escalation, comparisons with other municipalities, existing fee assistance, facility rental discounts and free-use pilots. Mayor McCabe said, "As you'll note in the report, we are, through the additional revenue generated from the fees and charges, we are proposing that $100,000 of that be essentially reinvested back into the fee assistance program, which does support low-income individuals with accessing both sports and rack and art programming."

Council also discussed the effect of rental fees on community organizations. Councillor Hanmer said, "some community groups can absorb the increase in facility rental fees. Others cannot," adding that "the cost of renting city space is already a significant barrier for many."

2. PARKING RATES AND PARKING SYSTEM DELAYS

Parking rates were also pulled from consent for separate discussion. Mayor McCabe said, "It's cheaper to park for three hours than it is to take a transit one one transit trip uptown or to anywhere else."

Council also heard that a parking permit management system has been delayed after the original vendor contract was terminated. Staff said a new procurement process is planned. On EV charging, staff said, "So the only EV charging station that kind of parking owns per se is the one that's in the water town square north lot," while chargers on William Street and Father David Bauer Drive operate through a partnership with Grand River Energy on city land.

3. ASSET MANAGEMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Council received the 2026 Asset Management Annual Review, which staff said meets Ontario Regulation 588/17 requirements. Staff told council, "The city has an annual infrastructure funding gap of almost $65 million, $43 million for tax-based funded assets, and $22 million for enterprise-funded assets."

Council also discussed project delivery capacity. Staff said, "We are adjusting project timelines as needed, focusing on manageable projects that can be delivered within existing staffing levels and when needed, using consultants and/or contract staff to advance these projects."

4. DEVELOPMENT CHARGE REDUCTION PROGRAM

Council debated whether to apply for provincial funding under the Development Charge Reduction Program. Staff said, "In exchange for the grant funding, the city would be required to reduce our current residential development charges for all residential categories by between 30% and 50% and hold those reduced rates for at least three years."

Staff said the proposed application would use a 30% reduction and seek funding for infrastructure tied to housing growth. They also noted, "Municipalities have been communicating the need to ensure that any DC reductions intended to lower housing cost and increase the rate of building come with funding to keep municipalities whole."

Several councillors questioned whether the program would actually increase housing supply and whether the city would face financial risk. Councillor Bodley asked, "When does the province and the federal government give us the money for that lost revenue?" He later said, "I know I note the exit ramps, but notwithstanding this being a negotiation, as Michael and and Brad had noted, if it is approved, as it is by the province and the federal government, I I not comfortable with it."

Councillor Vasic also opposed the measure, saying, "I feel like I had enough information to make that decision and I just don't feel like I have enough information," and added, "I just don't inherently believe that this is going to spur on housing."

Mayor McCabe said, "they there certainly are there certainly is a housing challenges and you know some people have called it a crisis but I did want to note that in 2024 the city of water did hit I believe our we hit 127% of our housing target that was set by the province." The motion carried with Councillors Bodley and Vasic opposed.

5. MUSEUM OPERATIONS REVIEW

Council received the 2025 museum operations review. Staff reported ongoing exhibitions, archival work, accessibility improvements and public programming. Staff also said, "The museum continued to strengthen its public profile throughout 2025," including a monthly "Throwback Thursday" segment on 570 News with Mike Farwell.

Looking ahead, staff said, "The most significant remaining recommendation from the museum strategic plan is the relocation of the museum to an uptown location to improve visibility, accessibility, and community engagement."

Councillor Roach said, "I know the museum wants a new home, but I really wish it would stay at Konos Stoa Mall or that there'd be some component that stayed there," arguing the current location still brings value because visitors encounter it while already at the mall.

Motions

• Consent Agenda (remaining items) — carried unanimously
• Policy FC012 revision / capital inflation assumptions — carried unanimously
• Development Charge Reduction Program application / in-principle 30% residential DC reduction contingent on provincial funding — carried; opposed by Councillors Bodley and Vasic
• EV charger partnership initiative — carried unanimously
• Bylaw Enactment — carried unanimously
• Adjournment — carried

Attendees

• Mayor McCabe
• Councillor Hammer
• Councillor Vasic
• Councillor Bodley
• Councillor Hanmer
• Councillor Wright
• Councillor Bass
• Councillor Roach
• Councillor Ray
• Councillor Freeman

Absent: - Councillor Row