Okay, good evening everyone and uh welcome to the city council meeting for Monday, May the 4th, 2026. Uh thank you everyone for being patient uh while we just finished up our our other meetings and uh are able to to get going with this one. As we uh before we begin, I'd just like to say that individuals who are 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 this evening's meeting have been shared with members of council and will form part of the public record. The meeting live stream and archive videos are available at www.kitchener.ca/watch. Now before we begin this evening's meeting, I'd like to acknowledge that we're gathering on the traditional territory of the neutral Anesnabi and Hodneson 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 deeprooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Matei and Inuit in Kitchener today. And now I'd like to invite those who are able to stand and join in the singing of our national anthem. Oh Canada, our home and native land. True patri love in all of us come with glowing hearts we see the true north strong and free from far and wide. Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee. Thou keep our land. Glorious and free. Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee. Oh Canada, we stand on God for the Before we begin this evening's meeting, I'd like to take a moment to recognize several important uh days uh being observed during the month of May, including Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, Polish Heritage Month, and Croatian Heritage Month. Together, these observances give us an opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of communities that have long helped shape Kitchener in Canada. In fact, we just had the Polish community gathering outside at the corner of of Duke and uh Young uh for the raising of the Polish uh flag for uh their Constitution Day. Canadian Jewish Heritage Month recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish communities across the country. For generations, Jewish Canadians have strengthened our cultural life, our economy, and our public institutions, including right here in Kitchener. Asian Heritage Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the diversity, resilience, and contribution of people and communities of Asian heritage. Asian Canadians continue to play a vital role in shaping our city and our country through leadership, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community service. Polish and Croatian Heritage Months allow us to celebrate the traditions, stories, and lasting contributions of Polish and Croatian Canadians whose communities are an important part of Kitchener's social, cultural, and economic fabric. This month also recognizes National Youth Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of young people in our community, as well as the important role they play in shaping Kitchener's future. And later this month, we'll be acknowledging them through the Kayak Youth Awards. Later this month, we will also observe public works week, which honors the essential work of our public works professionals who help keep our city safe, connected, and running every day, often behind the scenes, and in all conditions, 24/7, 365. We're also observing mental health awareness week beginning on uh today, May the 4th. This week is an opportunity to recognize the importance of mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about well-being. May 5th uh also marks Red Dress Day, a national day of remembrance and action that honors missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people. The red dress serves as a powerful symbol and reminder of calling attention to lives lost, families affected, and the ongoing need for awareness, truth, and meaningful action. Together, these observances remind us of the strength of our diversity, the importance of inclusion, and the shared responsibility we all have to ensure everyone in our community feels valued and that they belong. And so, on behalf of the council, staff, and all of us at the city of Kitchener, I acknowledge these important observances and thank members of our community who help make our city a more inclusive and welcoming place for all. We also want to take a moment to recognize that May 3rd to 9th is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada. Emergency preparedness week is a national effort led by Public Safety Canada, provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, municipalities, indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector companies. This week, we encourage people in Canada to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their households during emergencies. Working independently and in close collaboration with our regional partners, the city of Kitchener is prepared to manage emergencies that may impact the safety of our community. We are all strongest when we work together. So, both this week and year round, I encourage everyone to learn about emergency readiness. Some easy steps we can all take are knowing the risks specific to our community to help you better prepare. Two, making a plan to help you and your family know what to do if an emergency occurs. Three, getting an emergency kit with basic supplies so you're prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during an emergency. for attending our emergency preparedness week event in the city hall retunda tomorrow between 10:00 a.m. and 3 pm where there will be fun displays from Kitchener Fire Emergency Management Ontario and our own emergency management team. Take the opportunity to sign up for Alert WR and also be entered to win a prize. And lastly, making sure you stay informed and setting yourself up for success so you can receive local emergency messages if and when they occur. I encourage everyone watching this council meeting this evening and those present in the council chambers to sign up for alert water region our local emergency messaging platform so you too can receive these important messages if an emergency occurs. You can learn more and sign up for Alert Waterlue Region at.ca/emergency planning. By taking a few simple steps, each and every one of us can be better prepared to face a range of emergencies anytime, anywhere. And working together, we can make our city stronger and more resilient. Next, I'd like to give uh notice of an all councsil meeting uh for the regional municipality of Waterlue and all seven area municipalities. Mayor and members of Kitchener City Council have been invited to participate in a joint meeting with the councils of the regional municipality of Waterlue and all area municipalities within the region on June 12th, 2026 at 2 p.m. to be held in the historic city hall at 46 Dixon Street in the city of Cambridge. And further notice of the meeting will be published at www. regionofwaterlue.ca. I'll now move to number two item uh sorry minutes for approval and on motion by councelor Chapman who's joining us virtually this evening. Uh the minutes of the regular meeting held April 13th 2026 and special meetings held April 13th and April 20th as mailed to the mayor and counselors be accepted. All those in favor opposed that's carried. Are there any disclosures of pecunary interest? There being none. Oh, there you are. Sorry, you were gone and then you were there. Anyway, go ahead, councelor Sing. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is for item 7.2B for the kitchen 2020, sorry, 201 new official plan as a family member member had delegated and sent in a written submission to staff. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, >> just for that that submission, I'll take a vote. So, okay. >> To that submission. >> Okay. I'm just trying to think. I guess we'll just Is there a specific address in in quote? >> Sorry. >> Mil Street. >> On Mil Street. Okay. Just you can put that on uh Thank you. Um, council will note there is one illumination uh being referred to file for community living month and actually that one already took place. And we'll now move into uh presentations and uh we have uh certainly a couple familiar faces uh who are uh uh here in the council chamber. uh not the least of which is uh Elellanar McMahon, former provincial cabinet minister and board chair of share the road cycling coalition uh to present an award to uh to the city of Kitchener and our transportation services staff. And she's joined by Dr. Jeff Cassello as well as Diane Freeman uh councelor in the city of Waterl who are board members of the share the road cycling coalition who are also in attendance. Welcome Elanor. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Lovely to see you. Lovely to be in Kitchener. And uh if I can't be in my own home community, mayor of Burlington, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here. And I'm so delighted to be here with all of you this evening. Good evening, counselors, mayor Verbanovic, members of council, committees, staff, ladies and gentlemen. Uh the mayor was gracious enough to introduce my colleagues who on the board of the share the road cycling coalition here with me both citizens of water region and you all know of course councelor Freeman who's here from water. We're honored to be with you today to congratulate the city of Kitchener on achieving a significant milestone your gold bicycle friendly community award. The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is Ontario's cycling advocacy and policy organization created in 2007 to unite cycling organizations from across the province, work with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to be more bicycle friendly and advocate for investment and engagement by all levels in government. Core to our mission and mandate our safety, education, and awareness campaigns. We brought the bicycle friendly community program to Canada in 2010 from the United States where it has been run by the League of American Bicyclists, a national organization based in Washington DC for close to 25 years. The awards recognize municipalities across Ontario that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating safe, accessible, and vibrant cycling cultures and communities. Municipalities who apply receive an in-depth report that honors their success and progress and provides practical information on how to focus investments and improvements. Bragging rights are important, but the real reward is the satisfaction of responding to residents, to people who want to ride more often, giving all the benefits that cycling represents. Communities are evaluated across five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, equity, and planning, and evaluation. Awards are granted at bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels, reflecting a community's commitment to improving conditions for cyclists and fostering a vibrant cycling culture. In December, we announced eight more award winners, bringing the total number of bicycle friendly communities in Ontario to 61, representing more than 10.8 8 million residents or nearly twothirds of Ontario's population. There are a number of attributes that bike friendly communities have. Things like a connected network and grid, connections to transit, safe places for people to ride, opportunities for economic development through tourism. All of which Kener has. Bicycle friendly municipalities exemplify innovation and dedication to creating a healthy, safe, and active community with important investments in cycling infrastructure, cycling education programs, and community engagement initiatives. The city of Kitchener joins a growing network of bicycle friendly communities across Ontario that are working to improve cycling for their residents who in growing numbers are choosing cycling as an affordable and convenient option for daily travel. We know from our provincewide polling that 68% of Ontarians or 9.8 million people are riding their bike at least monthly and that 22% of Ontarians or 3.2 million people are telling us that they ride their bike frequently daily or almost daily. But more than this, the bike friendly award demonstrates the degree to which municipal governments and staff are responding to those growing number of citizens who are choosing to ride every day. Because cities, after all, are for people. And people are what this award and the recognition and feedback it offers represent. A commitment to people, to their desire for safe, active communities and neighborhoods where people of all ages thrive. Cycling is one of the fastest, most efficient, cost-effective ways to travel. And it has a number of benefits that include enhanced health, connections to transit, and congestion mitigation. In almost 20 years of doing this work internationally, here in Canada, in Europe, and the United States, I've never seen a study that indicates giving our citizens safe places to ride, including our children on their way to school causes congestion. On the contrary, the bike in front of you is the car that isn't. Two decades ago, I lost my husband, OP Sergeant Greg Stalbert, while he was on a training ride cycling north of our home in Burlington. The motorist who killed him had five convictions for driving under suspension, four convictions for driving with no license, $15,000 in unpaid fines. Two months after he killed my husband, he hit someone else. As you can imagine, the impetus for our organization and our work was pretty clear. Two decades of progress have included three changes to the highway traffic, provincial cycling policy, and investments in infrastructure. We do work on behalf of people and on behalf of municipalities like yours, because it saves lives, because it enhances the economy, and because it makes communities like this one better places to live. And so, you're on your way to platinum now. We're here to help. It's not a oneanddone. Our organization works with municipalities just like this one across Ontario. We have the Ontario Bike Summit, shameless plug, in September in Toronto, which is a conference that is the largest of its kind in Canada. And we have guests from across North America. We look forward to seeing you there. In closing, congratulations, Mr. Mayor Kitchener, for prioritizing people, their safety, their quality of life. A big shout out to Darren Kruff, who's seen me here. Darren has worked really, really hard for this. So has his team. We've worked with them. And I know you're very proud of your staff here, Mr. Mayor, and he's one of your best, and we thank him very much for his dedication. And so, um, we have a little something for you, um, that honors your success. It's a sign proudly made by the staff at the city of Burlington. Shameless plug. You'll have to thank Maryanne the next time you see her. And, uh, we know that this will hang proudly in your city to recognize your work. >> And, uh, this is our gift to you. I think we're going to take a picture here. Staff tell me. So, congratulations to you all. We're very proud of you and we look forward to the continued work ahead. Platinum is just around the corner. Thanks everybody. Awesome looking sign. And if you're ever in a jam and Burlington can't help you, we have a wonderful sign shop in the city of Kitchener that that can help in the future. >> Bravo. >> Economic development. >> Good to see you. >> Why not? safe drive back to uh to Burlington. Say hello to Maryanne for me. >> Yes, take care. Okay, we'll now move into um delegations. And uh a note to uh to all delegations, the city values and encourages participation in dialogue in a democratic process that occurs in council and committee meetings and through written submissions and correspondence. It's important that these interactions remain respectful towards other members of the public, staff, and council. And in cases where dialogue is not respectful or a delegate interrupts the mayor, counselor, staff or other delegations, makes derogatory statements about the mayor, counselors, staff or others that are disrespectful, or uses language that is considered harmful or defamatory, the chair may interject and take necessary actions to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone, which could involve removal from the meeting. One last reminder, delegations are permitted to address council for a maximum 5 minutes, which will be displayed on the screens in front of you. When there is 30 seconds remaining in your time, you'll hear a small audio tone that will signal 30 seconds remaining. Please take that time to conclude your presentation as there will be a second tone at the completion of your time and the microphones will turn off shortly after the exceeded 5minute mark. Lastly, please do not take offense if following your presentation there are no questions from council. This is council's time to really listen and reflect upon the opinions and ideas shared with us from our community members. We'll now move on to item 6.1, outdoor public art commission near the Cowan Recreation Center. And I want to call on Carolyn Veron, our program assistant from Arts and Culture Industries to provide a brief presentation to introduce the artist who was commissioned uh for this portion of the uh public art commission or the specifically the outdoor public art commission near Cowan Recreation Center. And um then we have after you do your presentation, we have one delegation uh here or online uh the artist uh Mr. Pierre Busan. And with that, Caroline, I'll turn it over to you and say happy Constitution Day as well. >> Caroline's part of our Polish community. So, welcome. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, thank you through the chair. Thank you again. And, uh, good evening to everybody. Yes. Um, I'd like to just do a really quick brief introduction and then Pierre is waiting online and hopefully he'll fill in with a lot of details. So um like to briefly introduce the outdoor public art commission selected for the Cowan Recreation Center. As per the typical process for soliciting submissions for a public art commission, an open call posted in the fall of 2025 invited artists and artist teams to submit proposals for two outdoor sites located close to two entrances to the center. The call encouraged artists to think of engaging designs that would speak to the theme of sport. A citizen jury selected four proposals from the initial submissions to proceed to stage two where selected artists presented more detailed proposals. Both jury members and artists had an opportunity then to ask clarifying questions. After discussion, the jury selected the artwork entitled Let's Play, seen here on the screen by Pierre Busa. The artwork features whimsical cast bronze characters playing various sports. These characters will be installed in two groupings as you can see on the screen. Uh three at the west entrance and two at the north entrance. You have a full jury statement here which is included in the report. But just to summarize, uh the jury agreed that visitors of all ages will be drawn to these imaginative whimsical characters and that the proposed materials complement the facility well and are designed for longevity. Further, on April 20th, the arts and culture advisory committee endorsed this selection, and it is now my pleasure to introduce Pierre, who will share more details about the artwork. Welcome, Mr. Pus. >> Carolyn. >> Ah, there. There we go. You're you're you're now on. >> Welcome. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, can everyone hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Perfect. >> We can. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you so much, uh, everyone for having me here today. I'd like to to really thank Carolyn Baron um who's kind of spearheaded uh this with her wonderful team. Um so thank you again for having me here to present the let's play which is a such a series of specifically uh sports played at the Kitchener Cowan Recreation Center. Um we can go to the first slide. Thank you. Um and the first slide we have essentially the the characters kind of all lined up. uh uh these this is not the group uh groupings that we will see but um it's essentially to show the heights and the the relationship uh between all of them. So we have a soccer kicking beaver, a basketball dribbling dog, a lacrosse cheering squirrel, a volleyball passing raccoon and a cricket celebrating fox at the very end and also a child high-fiving said fox just to show the the heights as well. So in this the next slide uh we we we have a plan view of essentially the characters locations and character groupings as Caroline mentioned. Um so on the left hand side we have the west entrance the main entrance and on the right hand side we have the uh north or the back entrance. Uh so we have the groupings there and the in the the next renderings will show um other groupings. We want to go out of the next uh slide and the next four slides actually will will show all the characters um all their elevations in relation to one another their sizes. So if we just fire off the next four slides. So we have the side elevations, the back elevations and then the side as well. And on the next slide here we have essentially the first grouping of the three characters at the west side the the west entrance and this will also show essentially the visual relations and proportions to their position to their positions in relation to one another. So we want to go to the next four slides. Uh this is essentially the soccer playing beaver which is essentally the most prominent one. Uh he'll be the tallest one uh at standing at about five feet tall uh about 1.5 meters tall. Uh that was the soccer plane beaver in the back there. Uh and then in the the middle here we have the basketball dribbling pup. Uh also showing kind of some texture on on his his body there. Um and then on the the the far side we have a lacrosse cheering squirrel which is our smallest of characters with standing at about one meter tall which is about uh 3'4 in uh overall height. Um and also the all of the equipment is essentially um standard size. So, if uh a very diehard kind of lacrosse fan will kind of take pictures there, they'll notice that it's it's in and around the same size as a standard um stick. If we go to the next three slides, we have the the the back grouping, which shows the raccoon uh essentially doing an underhand volleyball pass, and also a the fox doing his uh cheering for his favorite cricket team. So yeah, we have those kind of fun and the goal of this these installations is essentially to bring a sense of play, whimsy, bring some smiles and laughter and remind us to really celebrate community and all of their shared sports. And then the last slide I believe just shows them. Uh, thank you all for your time and um, if there's any questions, please let me know. >> Awesome. Thank you very much, uh, Pierre and and and Carolyn. Um, they, uh, they look awesome. I can can see us dressing them up in like little uniforms when, uh, you know, the Olympics are happening or or whatever. I mean, some fun some fun ideas like that. Um, okay. Do we do we have any question? Well, let me turn this off. We have some questions. Councelor Johnson. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Actually, I do not have a question. I just wanted to uh to say a thank you on behalf of the committee. Is that okay? >> You please do. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Uh Mr. Pusant, it was an honor and a joy, frankly, to be part of the advisory group that um chose your artwork, Let's Play. It was really It was so much fun. We had wonderful submissions uh from many different artists and artist groups. It was um in fact I wish we could have have chosen all of them but I must say that the whimsy and the fun from let's play really stood out to the entire group. We were picturing all these different sports teams going and getting their pictures taken with these characters and um you know if they if they play lacrosse making sure they got they got a picture with the lacrosse player uh the basketball kids the volleyball um cricket etc. It is just so much fun. And I know that what you've created here is something that people from across the country and frankly um across North America when they come to Cowan to play sports are going to get pictures in front of and they're going to send it back and everybody's going to say that is the coolest public artwork I have ever seen before. So, just wanted to say a thank you on behalf of our committee that it it's uh it's going to be phenomenal and will be enjoyed for many many years. So, thank you so very much. And uh Mr. Mr. Mayor, when it's time to move this, I would like to move this as well. >> Okay. Um actually, it'll it'll coming out of finance committee. Okay. So, it' be moved by the chair and the vice chair >> typically. >> Okay. I will support it then. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, oh, it didn't go through fine. Okay, sorry. Then you can move it. There we go. Correction. Apologies for that. And I'll go to councelor Davey. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. When I when I first saw this, my my I was thinking for a second, my question was, you know, would um you know, we sort of missed the pool area and the water sports. center remembered. Oh, we have that other amazing mural that's going into that space. But, uh, I just wanted to say though, um, yeah, this is like, yeah, this this is the I think going to be one of the more impactful public art pieces we have in the city and only because it does like the kids are going to love it, right? A lot of times, you know, it's more, you know, something on a wall or a mural or something that they can't relate to. Kids will absolutely relate to this and they will love it. It'll be the most uh, photographed, I think, piece of public art that we have in the city. So, I'm happy to support. >> Okay. Thank you, councelor Davyy. Uh, councelor Deno. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And, uh, thank you, Pierre, for for your imagination on these five pieces. I will ask you a question that I will be asked um when these are installed. Why was there no cat? Um, I'm I'm being serious. I'm I'm going to get to ask that question. I'm just curious how we how come we didn't choose a cat as the one of the animals. I'll leave it there. But, uh, great work. Thank you. >> So, so Mr. Busan will answer your question. I see. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. Yeah. Appreciate that. >> Thank you kindly for that for for that very unique question. I don't think I've ever been asked that before uh ever, but uh to I don't want to spill any beans, but uh there might be some there might be a cat in the interior uh uh public art section uh when the time comes. >> Okay. I appreciate that. Thank I couldn't imagine we'd get away building this building without a cat. But I'll just I'll just leave it at that. >> I'm being honest. I would be ask I would be very surprised if there wasn't a secret cat somewhere someplace. >> Um I'll leave it at that. Councelor Schneider. >> Oh, go ahead. Sorry. >> Thanks, Mayor. No cat questions here. Uh Pierre, thank you so much. Um, I I think this artwork carries captures kind of the spirit of what our our Cowan Recreation Center is going to be all about. We have our staff are wearing hoodies and on the back of the hoodies it says connect, compete, belong. And I think this artwork captures that beautifully. And I can see so many pictures when there's tournaments there. Uh, people are going to love uh they're going to be shown everywhere. So, your work's going to go viral. I know it. Thank you. Okay, thank you very much. Uh there aren't any uh other comments. Um I'll just say I I love it as well. I think it'll be uh just as everyone has said, just something that's so wellreceived by both residents and and and visitors alike and a lot of fun insta moments uh for uh for for folks going forward. So it has been moved by councelor Johnson. Do I have a seconder? Councelor uh Schneider. Um, all those in favor, sorry, hang on. >> Try that again. All those in favor, >> can we do a recorded vote for this? >> We can do a recorded vote if you like. Okay. Recorded vote has been requested. And that is carried unanimously. Thank you everyone. Thank you Mr. Busan and uh thank you Carolyn. >> Okay. Um moving on then we'll move into reports of committees and we'll start with financing corporate services. Um councelor Davey back up. Yes, thank you group myself and seconded by counceloritis that the I believe seven items coming out of finance and corporate services committee be adopted and I would ask actually if we could take out um item 7.1E and vote on that one separately. Okay, thank you. We can do that. Um, so I'll deal with 71A to D first. All those all those in favor? Any opposed? That is carried. Um and on 71E I will um I will be uh since I wasn't at committee when we uh dealt with this this issue uh I too will be voting opposed to this. Um I I understand the the rationale behind the the project um and uh the intent. However, I I also believe that this is something that we don't need to be on the the leading edge on. Fundamentally, uh for me, um I uh I I have some concerns around uh where do we start drawing the line around um the the role of society in terms of having cameras that are are ubiquitous everywhere. and um and you know how that leads one thing to another uh potentially from a a citizen privacy point of view. Um this is um this is this is a would be a big step for for us as a community. It's very different than you know cameras that uh we have as an organization uh for example for for security purposes um where we have control over that and it's also not linked to to other systems um and as such um as uh I've stated previously I I won't be able to support this. Any other comments? >> Okay. Councelor uh Deno, >> can I ask a question? Uh Mr. Mayor? >> Sure. Um, so I'm not sure who who's going to answer this. Um, so I I met with uh WRPS last year um and some concerned residents in the de from the Deer Ridge area um regarding some of the the issue ongoing issues issues that are occurring down there, car thefts, breakins. Um and at that point in time um I can't remember the name of the program. It might have been a cam safe program um where WRPS can can reach out to the homeowners and access uh their cameras. Yeah, thank you. Thanks, Barry. Um and so yeah, I'll wait for delegates to come down. They're coming. Deputy Davis, welcome. >> Thank you very much. Um so yeah, so last year I met with uh with um Mr. Goodman and and uh David with some concerned uh residents of Deeridge and and they talked about or Mr. Goodman talked about uh CAM safe program. >> Yes. >> Go ahead. So I don't know why you keep turning off. >> Um go ahead. Try again. >> Um okay. Yes. Sorry. Is that what the program is called? >> Yes. Through through you mayor. Uh yes. Cam safe. It's a independent program. Uh it's not owned by WRPS. We just have access to it. Um where residents or business owners can register the fact that they have cameras. They can actually stay take still shots of what their cameras would show and they can upload it to this registry. It is just a registry system. Does not provide us access to cameras. Um and the onus is on the owner of the cameras to keep the information up to date. There's about 160 uh residents in uh Kitchener right now that have already registered on Cam Safe since uh we introduced it last year. >> Okay. and and so is that something that um whether it's city staff or regional staff could provide and I'm not sure what the education that has been provided um to some of our residents because we know a lot of people have a lot of homes have have uh door cams now um and so how do we get more people on board um to facilitate or to help um the police, you know, solve some of these these issues that that we're seeing, especially in in some of our our high affluent areas such as Deer Ridge or Hidden Valley. >> Thank you. Um, we have done a number of different communication strategies to draw people's attention to the CAMSafe program. Uh, we've gone doortodoor uh in some neighborhoods with like a door knocker campaign. Um, especially in neighborhoods where we've seen higher number of vehicle thefts happening. So, we've been putting door knockers to also encourage people to register for it. Um, private businesses. So, in our downtown cores, we've worked with all of the BAS uh to encourage um business owners as well to register through the program um for police. Does it provide um some bit of efficiency? Yes, it can because we can go into the database and see if there are people in a certain neighborhood where a crime has been committed um that maybe have registered their cameras. um it might give us an initial access to uh camera footage uh but it also means but it's still followed up by us going out doortodoor and conducting um a more in-depth uh uh search for for CCTV footage as well. >> Right. So, is there anything we can do um as a council or a staff to encourage more of our residents um who do have concerns about about these breakins, about the car thefts to encourage them to uh to, you know, look a little closely more closer at this this program? Is there anything we can do on our end? Um it is a public um portal so you could speak to your constituents uh about the Camsafe program and just direct them to CamSafe where they can register their cameras independently. Um sharing uh when we do a a media release on it or a reminder we do put out regular reminders about it to try and encourage more people to register. um registration in my opinion is is still low for that part of it. And again because it it's it's very much reliant on um the individuals going on and registering their cameras again if uh a resident moves or a business moves um or maybe the camera isn't working like the onus again is on the individual to keep that information up to date. >> Okay. Now, obviously, it's not connected necessarily to the CCTV uh pro um cameras, but in my mind, it's still another tool that can assist um WRPS in in some of their the crime or thefts or whatever. >> That's correct. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you, >> Councelor Singh. >> Yeah. No questions, just comments. Thank you very much. Um I think councelor Deno did did touch on an important topic point which is that we we need to facil facilitate partnerships wherever we can um and to you know take leverage on ensuring greater public safety and use of technology that can help make our residents uh feel safer and be safer. Uh as a counselor my priority is ensuring that that same priority which is a sense of safety in neighborhoods. Uh, and I think this program gives our our police service a better tool to investigate serious incidents. Uh, bringing offenders to uh I think quicker justice. Um, prioritizing resources uh within Walter Regional Police Service um you know to to quick uh conviction or you know conclusion of investigation and so that we can have again presence of our officers more in in neighborhoods where there there's requirement. We just went through a survey where it gave data that a residents uh in some cases may be perception that they don't feel as safe as they did in the past and residents where they responded they would like to see the presence of uh the police in in more areas and this is about that better uh management of of our resource. Uh this is you know again some of the comments or again even the perception that this is not about blanket surveillance. about targeted data which uh can be relied on informed placement areas where crime data shows higher risk. Uh councelor Deno has pinpointed there is a growing concern for residents in the fairway fair or fairway area uh and we have had number of incidents in in fairway mall that can address this very thing you know and you know where we have active roadways that go on and off onto expressway. The fact of the matter is I think this is a important tool within our tool belt to ensure greater safety and giving confidence to our residents and wherever we can ensure that and ensure that there's one less incident that's sufficient for me. Uh aside from you know that the concern about safety and all that. Um one of the items of this is the automated u plate reader license plate reader. This is something that's a technology that's already utilized by our police services. you know, as we're driving around, if there's a cruiser behind you that can automatically check and read your plate, this just has a camera that can do the very same thing. And I think that can allow for a quicker response um by those that we we ensure to protect our safety. I think this is a great way for us to data collect. The important thing of this item really stipulates it's a pilot project for us to see exactly how this is laid out within the city of Kitner. What added benefits we derive in the completion of this pilot project and then have a community dialogue to see how potentially we can you know advance this even further and I think this is a good step forward. >> Thank thank you councelor Singh councelor Davey. Yeah, I just wanted to reiterate uh my position from last week. Um and again, it's really important to preface, you know, my utmost respect for the challenging work that the police do. And I would love to give them every tool possible in the tool belt, but for me it has nothing to do with um with their intentions because as written um this isn't something that I'm trying to cause alarm or concern about because um exactly as it's written here today before us, it's not, you know, the surveillance state that I'm warning about. Um it is very it is very measured. My concern is that in terms of, you know, these surve in terms of surveillance states and the the dystopian future we sometime we read about in things like 1984, it's that they couldn't pinpoint exactly what point in time people lost their their freedom and their privacy. Um, and even though this isn't what, you know, the police are suggesting today, this starting us down that that very very path. And when you see again the advancements in artificial intelligence and the ability for you don't even have to have a human reviewing the surveillance any longer. You can have an artificial intelligence that's you know very with astonishing speed frighteningly separating things like demographics and locations and facial recognition etc. Uh this isn't something that I want to be I want to look back on um and say that it was something it was a path that I supported. I know it makes um the work of the police uh more challenging, but at the end of the day, I think that our privacy and our our freedoms come at a cost and and this is one of those costs. >> Thank you, Councelor Davyy. Councelor Initus. >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor Vanovic. And uh I want to reiate some of my comments from our committee meeting. Um first of all, I just do want to commend uh uh WRPS. I think our organization, our police force is second to none in the or in in Canada and I have the ultimate respect for everyone, everyone who serves uh for our community and uh for myself I feel like this is something that is a bit of something that we should have had at least further further public opinion on this. And it's not that I not sure whether or not this is something that the public will will uh you know accept in the in the in the long run. So I I don't I personally don't want to be in the forefront of that. But uh I rather I I think I think we learned a lot from uh the the speed cameras uh and how that was rolled out. Um not saying that this is going to be the exact same thing. It's just uh I rather air on the side of caution and uh quite frankly I feel like the areas of of of Fairview Mall and all that stuff, they have a huge property. Why can't they put their own cameras up and and and gather that information? But anyways, I won't be supporting this uh for for for several reasons stated as my concern with a growing need of a surveillance state as well. So, >> councelor Johnson. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I am speaking in support of this. I think that we've landed on a very good spot here and that um we're staff are going to report back after a period of one year from the start of the program to discuss the initial results of the CCTV ALPR program to inform the consideration of an extension of of the agreement. And I I think that this gives us the opportunity after a year to um make another decision. But I I will say much like councelor Danell, I have heard from many of my residents who do wish um that there was more uh public cameras in place um in uh in certain neighborhoods in in my ward. People there's been a lot of stolen vehicles, etc. And I do think that this is something that uh that many people are interested in. You're absolutely right. many people will not be interested um in this, but I think that um the with the fact that we're going to be able to review this after a year, I think is really important. And I watched uh recently watched um a video uh from uh from England about their CCTV cameras and the amount of crimes um where they've been able to to find the perpetrator because they're used on a on a wider basis there. So, um, there's good and bad aspects to to many things, but I would like to air on the side of caution here and be able to review this in a year. Thank you, >> Councelor Schneider. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, a lot of what I wanted to say was already said by councelor Singh and councelor Johnson. I am in support of this. Uh the one thing I do want to add is that uh point out once again it is a pilot program for a year and uh that there are checks and balances. This is not constant surveillance. There are very strict regulations as to when and how and why this system can be accessed. And uh I believe it's a tool that our uh wide old region police service uh now need uh with some of the crimes that are being perpetrated perpetrated in our u community here. Um and I know they care about our community. I mean I uh I pride myself in getting out at a lot of community events and uh always see a representative from Wola Regional Police supporting uh the good work that's going on in our community. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Schneider. Councelor Misho. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Everything has been said. I I too uh will support this. I I know that um there's some concern uh around uh the the um ability for people to lose their right, their privacy. Uh but this world has changed. Uh it's a lot bigger than it used to be and there's a lot more bigger problems. Um speaking to Ward 4, uh being close to the 401, they're happening all the time. people's cars are being robbed out of their driveways. So, if this is just a pilot, if it's a pilot for a year, see how it goes. See the results of this and and um if it if it's a deterrent, which I suspect it will be, um I I honestly would would wouldn't object to having more opportunities in more places for this. Thank you. >> Thanks. Um a recorded vote has been called and I I just do want to um add a couple uh additional points. you there was reference made to the um the resident survey that we had from Abacus uh presented earlier today and I just want to share some of that data uh because I think it is important for the the viewing audience to understand uh among those who said they felt very or somewhat unsafe in the community 23% of them said it was because of lack of police presence or an increase in crime 20% said it was because of homeless encampments and street presence presence of feeling unsafe. 13% said it was violence and serious crime uh has created their sense of fear. 11% attributed to drug activity, mental health crisis, and disorderly behavior that's caused safety concerns. 7% was break-ins and theft uh reducing their perceptions of safety. Uh 5% impact of the physical environment and design on safety. 4% were general feelings of of uh safety. and 1% were proximity to high-risk area changes uh to their feeling of safety and 3% was other and I just share that because I think it is important that we we consider it in the in in the context and you know much of what I hear from residents and I've heard a number who have expressed concerns um to me around the cameras and and some who have uh who have spoken in in favor of them. Um, but the thing I consistently hear from people is looking for more presence both in the downtown and in in suburban areas. Um, and I know that that that comes with a cost. Uh the reality is that uh you know as uh someone who sits on regional council um you know until the the debate of a capital issue this year I've always supported um those operational investments because I think they're absolutely key because as has been pointed out by many people the women and men of uh the water region police service uh do an outstanding job of of and are very dedicated to uh serving our community and uh those uh you frontline uh officers that are are feet on the ground day in and day out uh are working hard uh with an increased volume to to deal with the issues that we're dealing with. Um but I I I do think and and and you know councelor Davey has articulated it well. it's um at at what point does that transition happen um in terms of you know around loss of privacy and um you know I've traveled in other I was born in a country quite frankly where uh that l lack of privacy existed um not because of technology but because of people who were acting in that role uh in place of technology and I've also visited countries um in uh in in Asia where you know quite frankly cameras are being used and have crossed that line um in terms of uh you know detecting people and so it's not like it's a a potential that that technology already exists and and that's where my concern uh becomes as uh in terms of our community and our our country. So with that, a recorded vote has been called and that is carried. Okay, thank you very much. We will now uh move on to the um Have we done the balance of the report yet, councelor Davyy? We have. Okay. Thank you. So, we'll move on to uh planning and strategic initiatives committee. Councelor Singh, planning and strategic initiatives. >> That's okay. I was contemplating on your comments. Um just bear with me one sec. Um so items under the planning and strategic conditions committee from April the 20th move by myself uh and seconded by councelor Chapman other than the item for the official plan for one specific uh which I had declared conflict. So maybe we can get a mover in a second for that. Yeah. Okay. after that. Um, okay. So, let's do with everything except um 7.2B Mil Street portion. Um, so any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? That is carried. I'll need a mover for the North Street portion. Uh, moved by Councelor Stretch, second by Councelor Johnson. Thank you. All those in favor? Any opposed? That is carried with the noted conflict. Thank you, councelor Singh. Um any unfinished business? Any new business? I have um just a brief update on the uh under the mayor report. I'd like to share a brief update on the region of Waterlue's uh continued work related to uh water capacity and how um city of Kitchener staff um and is continuing uh to help uh prepare for what uh will come next in the next little while. Um, I can also add that, you know, meetings continue to occur um between um municipal uh mayors and CEOs as well as uh municipal mayors, the chair and and the CAOs. Um, and there will be an update uh there'll be further updates at a special regional committee meeting this uh this Tuesday, sorry, this Wednesday and then again on um May the 28th and then again also on uh Wednesday, June the 3 uh where uh on May the 28th tentatively um work around uh the region's 's uh strategy around um dealing with um you know trying to minimize the use of water as well as um some of the uh some of the other work that's being done around sorry that will happen on May the 28th and on the June date uh some reports are scheduled to come forward around risk uh the risk mitigation approach. Uh the region continues in addition to that to make progress on repairs to two regional supply wells and design work on a temporary solution at the Manheim water treatment plant. At that site, a new sidestream container will arrive this summer and begin testing immediately. That container is currently being constructed uh from at the supplier in Cambridge. These projects will add capacity back into the system, keeping it operating reliably and increase its flexibility as we head into the peak summer season. From a city of Kitchener perspective, staff are actively preparing for the next phase of water constraint management. This includes prioritizing the responsible use of water and delivery of municipal services through the summer. Our decisions are being guided by health, safety, equity, and the protection of public assets. And as an organization, uh, our staff and and the city are committed to adjusting operations where appropriate. In addition, city staff are initiating a local water allocation program for development applications and will work with the industry in the coming months to ensure any eligible projects can cons can proceed within the region's constraints. And staff look forward to updating council on this work in the weeks ahead. And lastly, staff across multiple divisions have provided feedback as the region works to evolve its communication strategy on this issue. Through all of these initiatives, city staff continue to represent Kitchener's interests across a range of regional technical planning, project, and communications working groups. And this coordination continues to be critical to staying aligned across municipalities and to keep uh council informed as regional work continues. Uh and with that, I'm happy to take any questions. Councelor Dave, is this on the water issue? >> Sort of. >> Okay. Sort of. Go ahead. Sort of. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sort of. Uh because I was actually going to bring it up at the very beginning of this meeting when you referenced um the all councsil meeting. My understanding is that agenda has not been well has I'm not sure it's been set but it certainly hasn't been sent out. Do you know if the water issue is if there's intention to have that because we will have more information by then. Do you know if the water issues going to be on the all council meeting agenda? >> Um I don't. Usually the agendas are set by the um the by the regional chair who uh and the who works with the regional CEO in consulting with the the area CEOs. Um ultimately it's uh her decision as to what's on that agenda. Um but certainly if it's council's desire, we can uh ask um Mr. Chapman to uh to ask the regional CEO to include that on the uh on the agenda. U by that point um based on the timelines that the region has indicated number of these decisions uh you know should have been made. Uh so um any presentation would probably focus on a summary of of the work that's been achieved at that point and and voted on by regional council >> and and providing the information. So I would presume to speak for council, but it's certainly an item that I think I mean I'm not sure what other items of higher priority would would bump that, but it's certainly my interest. Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Chapman. Uh, we'll take that under advisement and and pass that on to the the the regional uh the regional CEO. Councelor Johnson. >> Um, yes, Mr. Mayor, I do not have a question about the water situation. I have a general question for you. >> Yes. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um, as you know, Mr. Mayor, I made a presentation to regional council last week with regards to uh Morgate Cresant in Ward 8 and the postpone postponement of the uh regional housing project that was to um that was to happen there. And uh during my delegation, I had asked for urgency and trans transparency on this project and for consistent and clear communication. I'd ask for a community meeting with staff and counselors in attendance for residents to be able to ask questions and get clear answers and follow-up meetings on a regular basis in the neighborhood. I'd ask for a project manager or staff me member that residents will be able to count on as their contact for Morgate information and to prioritize residents for any suitable accommodation that comes up in their housing inventory for those that are not properly housed. Now, will you be able to raise this further with them, Mr. Mayor, on uh behalf of the of the Morgate residents of W 8? >> I can certainly uh I can certainly do that on your behalf uh at uh at committee tomorrow. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Any other questions on or any other new business? Any questions and answers? any well we'll move into then the administrative reports and the dangerous dog appeal committee who is bringing that one forward councelor Deno please go ahead >> yeah thank you Mr. Mayor um move the uh report. Do I need a seconder? >> Uh yes, you will need a seconder. >> Yeah. Uh seconded by councelor Johnston. Uh the dangerous dog appeal from what day it was now. >> Uh thank you. Pardon me. >> April 14th. >> April 14th. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. And moved by yourself, seconded by councelor Johnson. Yep. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried. Thank you. Um motion for the uh noise exemption for the Greek food festival. Moved by councelor Davey, second by councelor stretch. Uh all those in favor >> opa. Uh any opposed? That's carried. Thank you. Uh thank you everyone. Um thank you councelor Schneider for the OPA. Um items arising from in camera. Are there any items? Madame clerk? >> Uh through the chair. There is one motion arising from the encrama session on the screen. >> Okay. >> Any uh do I have a mover? >> So councelor David. >> Yeah. Sorry. You're just confirming it was up and down really quickly, but it's just with respect to the lease agreement. Correct. Okay, that's okay. Thank you. >> The extension of the lease. >> Okay. Moved by councelor Davyy, second by councelor stretch. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. Thank you. Um, nothing else there, Madame Clerk. Uh, any additional bylaws >> through this year? There is one bylaw to add to the agenda now that the committee reports have been approved. is with respect to the emergency plan bylaw. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there a mover and seconder? Moved by counceloritis, seconded by councelor Schneider. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. Um motion to adjurnn. Councelor Misho, Councelor Ooney. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed. That's carried. Thank you everyone. Have a good evening.