Key Decisions of Kitchener Council: Sept. 30, 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. 

Kitchener’s Growing Together wins prestigious planning award  

The City of Kitchener’s Growing Together initiative has been named Project of the Year by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) in addition to receiving a Planning Excellence Award at the PlanON Awards on Sept. 25. The PlanON Awards is an awards program that honours the exceptional achievements of OPPI members who demonstrate professional excellence and a commitment to advancing the planning profession in Ontario. This awards program recognizes the important role the planning profession plays in shaping the quality, livability, and sustainability of communities for future generations. Read the news release online.

Council authorizes Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund recipients

Kitchener City Council approved dispersing funds for the recipients of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund. The City of Kitchener received $50,000 USD from Bloomberg Philanthropies to administer microgrants (each valued between $1,000 and $6,500 USD) to youth aged 15 to 24 to design, produce, and oversee urgent climate solutions.

Kitchener Utilities sets new gas rate effective Nov. 1

Council has approved a new Kitchener Utilities gas supply rate, with the rate increasing from 11.63 cents per cubic meter to 13.13 cents per cubic meter effective Nov. 1, 2024.

Kitchener Utilities has also adopted a new process, through which the supply rate will be adjusted every fiscal quarter, starting Jan. 1, 2025. This will provide rate stability and avoid spikes in pricing despite the volatility of the natural gas market. The supply rate increase will have an impact of about $30 annually for the average residential Kitchener Utilities’ customer. Read the report online.

Council supports major active transportation route wayfinding

Council approved moving forward with a project to develop wayfinding and branding for major active transportation routes across Kitchener. Eight major routes will connect Kitchener’s neighbourhoods, allowing people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, stroll or roll across our community. Staff will begin the project with public engagement on the proposed major routes and associated signs.

Council takes further action to enable more housing

Council’s approval of Zoning Bylaw and Official Plan Amendments will enable 436 new units of housing. Accelerating housing across the continuum is part of our vision of Building Kitchener Together.