Back to SearchKey decisions of Council is a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
City’s Vision Zero Strategy succeeding in creating safer streets
Council received an update on the progress of Kitchener’s Vision Zero Strategy, a four-year street safety plan aiming to eliminate all severe injuries and fatalities on City streets. First implemented in 2021, the plan focuses on evaluating the City’s street network to address key factors contributing to serious injury and fatal collisions, such as vulnerable street users, high-risk locations, and driving behaviours. Recent data indicates a declining trend in injury and fatal collisions from 2018 and 2022, with zero fatalities occurring on City streets in both 2022 and 2023.
To further enhance the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, new initiatives are being implemented through the Vision Zero Hot Spot improvement program. In 2024, the City will add four pedestrian crossover locations at Belmont and Henry Sturm, Kingsway and Greenfield, Park and Mt. Hope, Lawrence and Henry Sturm. The City will also add dozens of permanent traffic calming measures in high priority locations, including speed humps and cushions, as well as pedestrian islands. Other measures include almost 400 meters of sidewalk/multi-use trail infill, 40 additional seasonal narrowings, and 10 solar-powered speed advisory signs. In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, the City will also add five automated speed enforcement cameras in various school zones. Additionally, complete street design standards will be implemented in nine reconstruction projects scheduled for 2024. Kitchener’s Vision Zero strategy supports the City’s strategic plan objective to “Build a Connected City Together” by implementing a “Localized Transportation Safety Improvement Program.”
Kitchener shows great progress in achieving strategic goals
Council received a progress update on the city’s Strategic Plan, revealing that work has commenced on 18 out of 23 strategic actions planned for 2024, with one action—accelerating commercial business approvals—already completed. This significant progress demonstrates Kitchener’s ongoing commitment to building a city that reflects the needs and interests of its residents. Developed through extensive community engagement, Kitchener’s Strategic Plan establishes priorities and outlines over 30 actions to guide staff and Council toward a shared, long-term community vision. Progress on the plan’s implementation is reported to Council three times a year. For more information on the goals and actions in Kitchener’s Strategic Plan, visit the City’s website.
Council approves asset management plans, updated policy
Council has approved asset management plans (AMPS) to support the lifecycle of non-core city assets, including cemeteries, facilities, parks, trails, golf courses, fleet, and transportation infrastructure. Developing these plans, as mandated by provincial legislation, ensures effective management of these assets, and provides a valuable baseline to assess their replacement value, age, and condition, guiding future maintenance and replacement decisions. Current data indicates that half of these assets are in good to very good condition, 20 percent are in fair condition, and 30 percent are in poor to very poor condition. Over the next year, as proposed level of service (LOS) work is prepared in advance of the July 1, 2025 deadline, the City will update the infrastructure gap figure and continue to investigate methods to increase funding for renewal activities. Additionally, the Council approved an update to the City’s Asset Management Policy to align with the current asset management environment and comply with legislative requirements.
Kitchener Utilities takes next steps to evolve business model and develop Clean Energy Transition Strategy
Council received an update on Phase 2 of the Kitchener Utilities (KU) Clean Energy Transition Strategy, a visionary, long-term plan designed to transform the City’s energy businesses. This strategy aligns with the City's and community's climate change commitments, adapting to evolving global, national, provincial, and local energy landscapes.
Building on the successful engagement of Phases 1 and 2, which involved collaboration with customers, community members, stakeholders, committees, staff, and city councillors, staff have identified several themes and potential energy business activities. During Phase 2, staff will further explore these activities to recommend an integrated business approach that ensures KU's financial sustainability while delivering valuable services to Kitchener residents.
The final strategy will support the City's and community's 2021 commitment to TransformWR and advance the City’s strategic goal to "cultivate a green city together" by empowering residents and businesses to make climate-positive choices, while facilitating a seamless transition to a low-carbon future.
THEMUSEUM receives additional operating funding to continue serving Kitchener community
In a special session, Council approved interim operating funding of $300,000 for THEMUSEUM to ensure its continued operation and service to the community. This funding, available until October 31, 2024, will provide necessary cash flow while the museum's board and staff work on evaluating and enhancing their business model for future sustainability. Council also amended the motion to require THEMUSEUM to seek half of the funding—$150,000—from the Region of Waterloo. With an annual attendance of 75,000 to 100,000 visitors, THEMUSEUM is a vital cultural institution that significantly contributes to the economic vitality of both Kitchener and Waterloo Region.
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