Waterloo Council Meeting Summary

Waterloo council approved an AI governance framework for internal municipal use, received a winter control services review, approved a childcare expansion at 2415 University Avenue East, and approved a mixed-use redevelopment at 446 Albert Street. Council also approved the May 11 minutes and the 2026 Arts Grant Report.

Topics Discussed

AI GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK (File: A-46)

Council approved a new AI governance framework policy for the Corporation of the City of Waterloo. Ryan Pan Pani told council, "today we're asking council to approve this policy. Its purpose is to establish rules and procedures for how the city will responsibly review and govern future use of artificial intelligence."

Staff said the policy governs how future AI proposals will be reviewed, not the deployment of any specific tool. Mayor Dorothy McCabe pointed to the city's existing disclosure practice for AI-generated website content, saying, "if you use our AI content search function on the website, there is a notification right there on it disclosing that it's generated by AI," and that users are directed to the exact webpage for a definitive answer.

Councillor Wright asked whether the city had already audited existing AI use, including "the lowhanging fruit where AI is in everything from emails to browsers." Staff said the city is taking "an organizational umbrella approach" and that individual technologies would likely come forward through separate working groups, while an overall inventory and reporting structure would still be needed.

WINTER CONTROL SERVICES REVIEW

Council heard a review of the 2025-26 winter season, including heavy snowfall, salt supply concerns, and operational strain. Staff said, "The last two seasons we've experienced over 200 cm of snow in Waterloo," which increased the amount of snow that had to be removed across the road network.

Councillor Bodley said this was "the year where I received substantially the most number of complaints about the state of some of the side streets in W 2." Councillor Freeman said snow buildup also affected emergency response: "not only is it a challenge for the plows, but it's also very much a challenge for emergency services."

Council discussed on-street parking interference, contractor capacity, and west-side service needs. Councillor Hanmer said staff completed "a feasibility study for a satellite service center on the west side of town" to address response times, salt storage, indoor vehicle storage, and staff operations. Staff also said they do not recommend a citywide windrow clearing program because of the scale of the work, estimated at about 30,000 driveways.

CHILDCARE EXPANSION AT 2415 UNIVERSITY AVENUE EAST (IPW2026-028)

Council approved Official Plan Amendment 75 and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-26-08 to permit expansion of an existing childcare centre at 2415 University Avenue East. The changes allow childcare as a primary use in the building, internal modifications, expansion of the outdoor play area, and site-specific setback permissions.

The expansion will bring the facility to 88 spaces. Mayor McCabe said, "really good to see more child care coming to the city," adding that "88 spaces is really great because we know there's a real deficit in Waterloo." Councillor Freeman also supported childcare near workplaces, saying it "helps to keep families together" and can reduce travel time between work and care.

Council also discussed water servicing. Staff said childcare centres are exempt from current restrictions on new net water use because of Ministry of Education requirements, though members still raised the value of conservation measures where possible.

446 ALBERT STREET REDEVELOPMENT (IPW2026-019)

Council approved Official Plan Amendment 49, Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-23-13, and a draft plan of subdivision for 446 Albert Street. Staff said the applicant is proposing "12 towers with 2,823 units and 3,590 bedrooms," along with 1,171 vehicle parking spaces, 1,739 bicycle parking spaces, about 6,600 square metres of non-residential floor area, and affordable housing equal to about 106 bedrooms.

Councillor Bodley said the proposal includes "a new public park, commercial services, opportunities for a daycare," describing amenities intended to serve both future residents and the surrounding community. Planning staff said the site is in a protected major transit station area where the city's goal is to intensify "in a transit supportive way."

Council's discussion included affordable housing, tower heights, pedestrian connections, contamination constraints, stormwater management, and geothermal servicing. Mayor McCabe asked why there was a holding provision on the geothermal system. Councillor Thornhill said, "this enables the bigger picture approval to move forward and for us to continue advancing the geothermal technical work behind the scenes."

Staff also noted a design change affecting pedestrian circulation. Amanda Wisneski said that between blocks one and two, "there's going to be no pedestrian connection all the way to street A" under the current plans, with movement likely redirected along street A or the emergency access route.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY ITEMS

Council approved the May 11 council meeting minutes and the 2026 Arts Grant Report through consent. At the opening of the meeting, council also marked the five-year anniversary of the June 6 London attack on the Afzaal family, and recognized Pride Month and Indigenous History Month.

Members shared community updates including Pride events, Indigenous History Month programming, a service centre open house, neighbourhood events, a church stairway public art project on William Street, and the Open Ears Festival.

Motions

• AI Governance Framework Policy (File: A-46) — approved
• May 11 council meeting minutes — approved
• 2026 Arts Grant Report — approved
• Official Plan Amendment 75 and Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-26-08, 2415 University Avenue East (Report IPW2026-028) — approved
• Official Plan Amendment 49, Zoning Bylaw Amendment Z-23-13, and Draft Plan of Subdivision for 446 Albert Street (Report IPW2026-019) — approved

Attendees

Councillors specifically identified in the meeting materials as present or speaking: - Mayor Dorothy McCabe - Councillor Wright - Councillor Bassic - Councillor Bodley - Councillor Hanmer - Councillor Freeman - Councillor Thornhill

Note: A complete attendance list was not included in the provided material.