City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting Summary

Two major threads dominated the meeting: (1) governance and procedural updates tied to public communications and recycling governance under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and (2) advocacy-related discussions around the Kingston stop on a proposed high-speed rail corridor. The council rose from a closed session, approved an addendum adding delegations and condolence motions, and moved forward with public-engagement efforts and rail-advocacy motions.

Key decisions and items of note: - The closed meeting was risen from without reporting. - An addendum adding delegations, condolence motions, and communications was approved. - Pecuniary-interest declaration regarding Report 16, Clause 3 was noted, with abstention from related discussions. - Public-input channels and communications plans were emphasized, including direct mail and online information portals.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Recycling - A Kingston-focused briefing described the transition of recycling costs from municipalities to producers under EPR, with aims of a unified system, higher recovery, and lower resident costs. - Direct quotes: - "It shifts the financial responsibility of recycling costs from municipalities to producers, which enables cost savings for municipalities, residents, and taxpayers." - "Allen Langdon emphasized ongoing collaboration and feedback from communities." - Public input opportunity: Residents were invited to provide feedback on the EPR transition and recycling programs, with collaboration encouraged through Circular Materials Ontario.

2) High-Speed Rail Advocacy: Kingston Stop and Corridor Route - Delegations urged inclusion of a Kingston stop and alignment with urban-core access, stressing Kingston’s regional importance and connectivity. - Direct quotes: - "There needs to be a stop in Kingston. It's obvious. It's not just for Kingston. It's for the several hundred thousand people that live on the existing 401 corridor in eastern Ontario." - "Kingston is the fourth busiest VIA Rail station in Canada with established travel demand within the Windsor-Quebec Corridor." - Public input channels: The public is encouraged to participate in Alto’s consultations and to share views on Kingston’s inclusion and station placement.

3) Public Communications and Direct Engagement - The council discussed ensuring the public is well-informed about rail plans and service changes, including potential direct-mail communications. - Direct quotes: - "I am happy to commit to a direct mail piece to the residents of Kingston." - "We direct everyone to the CM website where not only through information on the service delays, but also information on how to contact the collector." - Public input opportunities: Direct mail campaigns and website portals as primary channels for updates and feedback; ongoing coordination with communications teams.

4) Tree By-law Review and Rural/Environmental Feedback - The council examined the tree bylaw (including possible permits for large-scale tree removal) and emphasized rural input and environmental safeguards. - Direct quotes: - "What is the definition of clear-cutting? You know what size? What is the definition?" - "Trees are the most obvious asset in the city that can be used to mitigate climate change. The protection of the tree canopy is so critical." - Public input: A Rural Economic and Community Development Working Group involvement was proposed to gather farmer and rural input before finalizing amendments.

5) Procedural Decisions and Motion Debates on Rail and Public Engagement - Several motions addressed how to move forward with rail-related advocacy and public engagement, including amendments to wording and deferrals to future meetings. - Notable items: - Motion to defer the Kingston endorsement of the high-speed rail southern route was debated and Deferred for March 10, 2026. - Amendments to wording (e.g., changing "proposed Southern Road" to "Southern Route") were discussed and, in some cases, approved or deferred for separate motions. - Motions to extend the meeting and to allow additional delegations were approved to ensure broader community input and orderly process.

File Numbers / Bylaws Mentioned

• Report 16, Clause 3 (pecuniary interest).
• Zoning By-Law Amendment for 525 Princess Street and 565 Princess Street.
• 2018-15 (Tree By-Law).
• New Motion Number Three (related to Alto High-Speed Rail Southern Route) referenced in multiple sections.

Opportunities for Public Input

• Public input opportunities were highlighted in several sections, including:
  • Formal public consultations for the rail corridor and route decisions.
  • Public engagement channels via direct mail campaigns and online platforms.
  • Input from rural communities and farming groups via the Rural Economic and Community Development Working Group.
• Specific contact/participation channels cited:
  • Direct email channels and escalation points (examples include council@circularmaterials.ca and mayor@circulardomaterials.ca in related transcripts).
  • Public-information campaigns and open consultation sessions (roundtables/open houses/virtual sessions cited in other sections).

Motions Passed, Rejected, or Deferred (titles and outcomes)

• Motion to Rise from the Closed Meeting Without Reporting — Passed.
• Approval of Addendum (additional delegations, condolence motions, communications) — Passed.
• Motion to Improve Communication with Residents Regarding Recycling Services — Passed.
• Motion to Waive Procedural Rules for Additional Delegations (David Bucora) — Passed.
• Motion to Waive Procedural Rules for Additional Delegations (Nikki Boeck Hale) — Passed.
• Motion to Extend the Meeting — Passed.
• Motion to Recognize International Women’s Day (March 8, 2026) — Passed.
• Motion: Advocacy for Kingston Stop on Alto High-Speed Rail Southern Route — Passed.
• Motion: Defer the Decision on Kingston's Endorsement of the High-Speed Rail Southern Route — Deferred to March 10, 2026.
• Amendment to Change Wording: "The proposed Southern Route" to "A Southern Route" — Deferred (to be revisited via separate amendment).
• Other rail/engagement-related motions discussed but not finalized in this excerpt (e.g., Tricolor Labs initiative) with follow-up actions noted.

Councillors Present

• Mayor Paterson
• Councillor McLaren
• Councillor Ridge
• Councillor Tozzo
• Councillor Glenn
• Councillor Osanic
• Councillor Boehme
• Councillor Rich
• Councillor Sannick (Sanek)
• Councillor Strev (Strev)
• Councillor Stroph (Catherine Stroph)
• Councillor Oosterhof
• Deputy Mayor/Council leadership (names appear variably across sections; examples include Deputy Mayor Cinani/Shani, Deputy Mayor Shenani)

Notes: The transcripts provided include multiple meeting fragments across topics and years (rail, recycling, bylaws, and other items) with varying names for speakers and attendees. The list above reflects the names most consistently referenced in the supplied sections.