Key decisions of Kitchener Council: Feb. 12, 2024

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.

Council approves program expansion to donate surplus computers and laptops to local community groups

Kitchener Council approved the expansion of a program to redirect end-of-lifecycle laptop and desktop technology assets from e-waste providers to make them available to local community groups and programs to be repurposed to support the local community. Partnering with existing programs such as The Working Centre’s Computer Recycling program is the most cost effective with the highest benefit to the community. The city will continue to donate directly to non-profit organizations as allowed with the existing procurement bylaw for disposition of surplus assets. Read the report online.

Land disposition framework approved by Council

Council adopted a land disposition framework to guide Council and staff when considering the sale or disposal of city-owned property and the acquisition of land. Surplus and underutilized City-owned lands provide opportunities to advance Council’s strategic objectives and are best managed as an asset portfolio with administrative oversight. The City owns more than 2,000 parcels of land which provide service to the community through the use of parks, recreation facilities, community centres, trails, natural areas, and the delivery of infrastructure, stormwater management, transportation and administrative services. A small number of City-owned parcels are underutilized or may not represent the best use of land. These parcels provide Council with an opportunity to establish a new portfolio of properties which can be comprehensively managed as asset to achieve strategic objectives. Read the full report online.

Council approves honorarium & reimbursement policy for committees of Council

Council approved an honorarium and reimbursement policy for advisory and quasi-judicial committees that aims to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion by recognizing and removing barriers that prevent members of the public from making a meaningful contribution to the City's decision-making process. To develop this policy, staff conducted comprehensive research including an environmental scan, a survey of over 30 municipalities, two internal surveys and a governance review. This policy will evolve and expand over time to ensure that all barriers to participation are eliminated for individuals. To learn more, read the full report online.

Council advances construction of 207 residential units

Council approved zoning by-law amendments, and adopted and forwarded official plan amendment applications to the Region of Waterloo for approval, to permit the construction of:

• 160 stacked townhouse units in a new multiple dwelling development located at 404-430 New Dundee Road,
• a vacant land condominium consisting of a mix of 14 single detached dwellings and 12 semi-detached dwellings fronting onto a private road at 448 New Dundee Road, and
• 21 residential units at 86 Pinnacle Drive in a revised development concept that consists of a duplex, a semi-detached duplex, and stacked townhouse dwellings.