Key Decisions of Council – Feb. 22, 2021

Key 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.

Hymn to Freedom Project

In honour of Black History Month, local community members gave a special presentation to Council focused on the Hymn to Freedom Project, an initiative that recognizes and celebrates some of the many contributions that Black Canadians have made in Canada. Lauris DaCosta, Marcia Smellie and Lisbeth Haddad created the Hymn to Freedom Project video: https://youtu.be/au8cJFU4o8A

Digital Main Street funding

Mayor Vrbanovic introduced a motion for the City of Kitchener and economic development partners to work with the Communitech Regional Innovation Centre and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre to renew and expand funding for the Digital Main Street Future Proof and Digital Service Squad Program as soon as possible. This would help local businesses adopt new technologies to support their digital transformation and adapt their business models due to COVID-19. The motion also called for the City and partners to explore opportunities to provide additional support to our main street business sector in adopting digital technologies and supporting Canada’s technology sector to develop and bring new technologies to market. These technologies could support businesses in Canada and globally to adapt to the new business realities following the impacts of COVID-19.

Compass Kitchener report endorsed

Kitchener City Council recognized the Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee accomplishments of 2020 and approved the 2021 work program. The 2021 work plan includes three priority areas:

• a citizen’s report card evaluating the implementation of the 2019-2022 strategic plan,
• a continued goal to maintain collaboration and ongoing communications among all of the City’s advisory committees, and
• providing input into the development of a public engagement strategy for the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

To learn more about Compass Kitchener and other city committees, visit City of Kitchener committees and boards.

Kitchener continues to ‘change for the good’ with new anti-idling bylaw

In keeping with the City’s strategic vision to create a healthy and livable community, Kitchener council has passed a new anti-idling bylaw, requiring motorists to turn off their engines after three consecutive minutes of idling, unless in traffic. The new bylaw is just one of several actions taken by the City as part of its Community Climate Action Plan to achieve its goal of 80 per cent reduction in community-level greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The bylaw, which is now in effect, makes certain exceptions, including during extreme weather conditions.

City of Kitchener improves development processes and helps keep residents informed

As our community grows, the City of Kitchener has made major changes to help residents understand impacts to their neighbourhoods and help developers navigate a new streamlined digital application submission, review and approval process. The City has completed a multi-year review of its development services and continues to implement improvements developed in consultation with community organizations, developers, residents and businesses.

For more information, contact:

Bethany Rowland
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca