City of Waterloo council summary (14)
** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at this evening’s council meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
2018 consolidated financial statements
Council received and approved the 2018 consolidated financial statements for the city. Financial statement highlights as well as full details are included in the council report. In addition to this council report, each year the city publishes a simple dashboard to show how the city is doing financially and to simplify the city’s finances. For more information visit the financial reports page of the city website.
Parkland strategy background document: research, analysis and visioning
Council received this strategy background document that includes information gathered in consultation with the community, stakeholders, staff steering committees as well as through extensive research. The report focuses on documenting the existing parkland and open space condition in Waterloo, as well as presenting potential opportunities to consider for the future. The complete report is available on the parkland strategy page of the city website. A draft strategy will be prepared in the fall of 2019 with the final strategy presented for approval by council toward the end of 2019.
2018 year-end capital report
Council received this report which provides a comprehensive summary of the status of capital projects in 2018. More information about capital spending and how building projects benefit the community can be found on the capital reports section of the city’s website.
Corporate climate change adaptation plan
Council endorsed this plan which outlines how the municipality will adapt its assets, operations and services to the impacts of climate change. Adaptation is an essential response to climate change and complements mitigation efforts (i.e., measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions). Council also directed staff to incorporate the actions outlined in the plan into the budgets, business plans and work plans as appropriate. Staff anticipate reporting to council every two years on the status of the plan with a plan review occurring every five years.
Brownfield tax increment grant program renewal
Council extended the city-wide brownfield community improvement plan program for a five year term and directed staff to report back to council prior to the end of this term with an update and further direction. The primary objective of the program is to remediate contaminated lands for redevelopment.
New active action park facilities design concepts
Staff provided an update to council on the four proposed park facility developments featuring three skateboard parks, one water-splash-play feature and one circuit bike park. Council directed staff to continue with the next phase of detailed design and community engagement. The first project to be implemented in the spring of 2020 is a skateboard park, water-splash-play park and several other outdoor play and gathering opportunities at the Albert McCormick Community Centre.
The concept plans for all four parks will be presented to the community at an event on June 22, 2019 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Waterloo Skate Park located at 100 Father David Bauer Drive. The event will include an opportunity for community input on each of the four park concept plans and will also feature skateboarding and bike demonstrations.
Asset management report cards
Council received report cards about the asset conditions of city utilities (water distribution, sanitary collection and stormwater). The report cards are intended to keep both council and the community informed about the efforts to sustain existing and planned infrastructure. The report cards share information about city utilities asset replacement value, current and projected condition and details of the current funding and the annual funding needed over the long term to meet target performance. The three report cards identify that if the average annual funding levels remain as is for all three areas, the average condition will drop over the next 25 years.
West side employment lands – funding release and project update
Council approved the release of $5,476,000 in funding to support the west side employment lands development project. The funding was approved as part of the 2016-2018 capital budget. These lands are a collection of properties that are approximately 43.6 hectares and located on the west side of Waterloo, east of Wilmot Line, north of Erb Street West, south of Columbia Street West and west of the hydro corridor. The lands will be developed as a business employment park, which will include support services for the park’s employees and nearby residents, a collector road and two local roads. The collector road will be the extension of Platinum Drive, which currently ends adjacent to Costco. The city will be in a position to start selling properties beginning in 2020 pending approval of applications. Given the size of this project, the city is required to enter into various agreements with adjacent owners including agencies such as Hydro One Networks Inc. and Union Gas. In order to move the project forward and meet timelines, council approved allowing the mayor and clerk to sign any required agreements and documents related to the development of these lands subject to the satisfaction of the city solicitor.
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Media contact:
Janice Works
Manager, Corporate Communications
519-747-8731
janice.works@waterloo.ca