City Council Meeting: Operations, Taxi Regulation, and Investment Policy

Council focused on three main items: an operations and compliance report for Readercrest Home, a new bylaw to bring taxi regulation under municipal control starting in September 2026, and an investment policy update authorizing participation in the One Investment Program. Councillor Jimmy Hassan declared a conflict on the taxi item because he drives for Uber and did not take part in that discussion.

Topics Discussed

1. Readercrest Home operations and compliance

Council reviewed the March-May 2026 operations report for Readercrest Home under Administrative Policy Committee file 202602. Staff reported the home met the provincial requirement of "four hours of Direct Resident Care per resident per day" and provided 0.9 hours per resident per day in non-direct care, above the benchmark.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care inspected the home following "three critical incidents and two complaints," resulting in "two written notifications." Staff also said a later proactive compliance inspection found "no findings of noncompliance." On annual inspections, the report noted: "This inspection is intended to occur on an annual basis for each home in the province. However, we had not had one since 2023."

Readercrest operates with a $6.7 million municipal contribution. As of April 30, 35% of the budget had been spent. Staff said an apparent $143,000 overspend was timing-related and expected the position to be revised to about $100,000 under budget. Councillor Paul Chaves also congratulated staff after a best practices presentation was accepted for the Infection Prevention and Control Canada National Conference.

2. Taxi regulation to move from commission to the city

Council discussed a transportation services bylaw under which the city would assume responsibility from the Kingston Area Taxi Commission effective September 2026. Staff described the municipality's role this way: "The city's role is to establish and enforced minimum standards that protect the public interest. Our responsibility is to ensure vehicles are safe. Drivers are properly screened and licensed, insurance requirements are met. Accessible transportation services are available. And there are clear mechanisms for complaints, enforcement, and accountability."

The bylaw would apply to taxis only for now. Staff said transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft would be addressed separately in a broader review planned for 2027. Councillor Hassan declared a conflict of interest because he drives for Uber and did not participate on this item.

3. Taxi standards, appeals, and insurance

Staff said annual vehicle inspections would be required for each licensed taxi, with additional inspections possible after complaints. Driver renewals would continue to require vulnerable sector screening, driver abstracts, minimum driving experience, examinations, and mandatory training.

During questions about discipline and appeals, Councillor Gregory Ridge thanked staff for consultation work and asked where tribunal-style enforcement would fit in the new framework. Councillor Chaves asked whether appeals would be public, saying: "A worrying thing I had when I was on the commission was that tribunals were done in camera and behind closed doors. And then orders were issued. And that was the only thing that was issued publicly. Will appeals committees if there is a tribunal or appeal there. Those are public and of public record. Is that correct?" Staff said appeals would be public.

Council also discussed insurance responsibility. Councillor Wendy Stephen asked, "Who's responsible for insurance in regards to the industry? Is that the brokers or is it the plateholders." Staff said the city sets minimum insurance requirements, while higher requirements imposed by brokers are matters between brokers, plate holders, and drivers.

Staff also said no new taxi permits would be issued until the broader review is completed.

4. Investment policy update and One Investment Program

Council approved an update to the city's investment policy, file AP 26-001, including participation in the One Investment Program. Staff reported the city currently has about $175 million invested in government and corporate bonds through TD and CIBC Wood Gundy, earning about 4% annually, mainly from capital reserves.

Under the approved approach, staff said, "we're recommending a target of 25 percent of our 175 million. And that is set because we do still want to have some of the stability of investment income coming from the bonds themselves." The remaining 75% would stay in bonds. Staff said the strategy could add about $2.5 million to $3 million in annual investment income over 10 years, but also cautioned that equity investments carry more market volatility than bonds.

Councillor Stephen raised whether city investments should reflect community values, including fossil fuel holdings, saying, "money and morals don't always go together And I'm just concerned that we would be putting municipal money somewhere where Frankly We don't want it." Staff said there is no specific ESG policy at present.

5. Property maintenance review

Council also received a one-year review on pothole compliance and property maintenance. Staff reported that the amendments were reducing reactive enforcement demands and improving safety and accessibility, stating: "While enforcement remains necessary in select cases, the overall trend indicates that the amendments are achieving their intended outcome. Promoting timely property maintenance, reducing reactive enforcement demands... And improving safety and accessibility across the municipality."

Motions

Passed: - Investment Policy Update / One Investment Program (AP 26-001) - Bylaw authorizing the city to enter into an agency agreement between CHUMS Financing Corporation and Local Authority Services Limited as part of the One Investment Program

Received for information: - Pothole compliance and property maintenance one-year review

Discussed: - Transportation Services Bylaw / assumption of taxi regulation from the Kingston Area Taxi Commission - Readercrest Home operations report (Administrative Policy Committee 202602)

Attendees

The notes identify the following councillors as present or participating:

• Councillor Jimmy Hassan
• Councillor Gregory Ridge
• Councillor Paul Chaves
• Councillor Wendy Stephen