City of Waterloo council summary (2)
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.
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community Culture and Recreation Funding Grant application
Council has approved the city’s grant application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a cost-shared infrastructure program between the federal government, provinces and territories, municipalities and other applicants. The city is submitting three separate projects for funding consideration: Albert McCormick Community Hub - community centre, library and indoor-outdoor sports park; RIM Park Community Hub - energy conservation and outdoor recreation modernization; and Waterloo Park heritage/cultural assets strategic refurbishments. The total cost of the projects is $30 million, with the city’s portion, if all three receive approval being $8 million. Application deadline is November 12.
Council also approved budgeting $2.5 million to contribute to the Wilfrid Laurier University Stadium project renovation, as well as $2.5 million to the University of Waterloo Columbia Icefield expansion and indoor track in support of their ICIP applications. A city capital contribution will provide for an annual community use allocation at both facilities.
Brownfields Financial Incentive Program
Council has approved two Brownfield Tax Increment Grants, one to Reid’s Heritage Homes Ltd for 119 Roger Street and another to HIP Developments for 70 King Street North. The city amount of the grant to Reid’s is capped at just over $2.3 million and to HIP Development at slightly more than $2.1 million, both are provided under the Brownfields Financial Incentive Program. The program is offered jointly by the city and Region of Waterloo and is designed to remediate and redevelop contaminated lands with a higher and more intensive land use based on defined eligibility criteria. If eligible, the remediation costs are financed through two incentive programs starting with the Region of Waterloo Regional Development Charge (RDC) Incentive program, followed by a Joint Tax Increment Program between the city and region on any remaining remediation costs that are not recovered through the RDC.
City of Waterloo Canada Day
Council has approved funding a new Canada Day program, that will see the city stage its own celebration. In the past, the University of Waterloo had staged a large scale and successful community-wide event. However, earlier this year the university informed the city it would longer be able to host the event. The new event will be smaller in scale and will feature a drone LED light show, rather than fireworks. The city conducted a community-wide consultation to gain insight on what kind of event the public would like to see. Close to half of respondents were open to the idea of doing something other than fireworks. Many people expressed concern about the impact of fireworks on the environment, as well as pets and wildlife. The drone LED light show will be the first of its kind in this area and offers a unique viewing experience. The event will be in Waterloo Park on July 1, 2020.
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex expansion – release of funds
Council has approved the release of more than $24.5 million to allow a request for tender and for the construction work to begin on the expansion of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre. The total cost of the WMRC expansion is $30.1 million, with the project receiving $5.6 million in funding previously. A major element of the project is the construction of a new two-storey community pavilion on the west-side of the property. The new pavilion is the future home of the city’s Older Adult Recreation Program (currently offered at the Adult Recreation Centre and Wing 404 RCAFA Rotary Adult Centre). Another major addition is the Civic Front on the east side of the building which will contain a large multi-purpose gym, complete with change rooms, washrooms, offices, storage rooms, a café and outdoor patio.
City of Waterloo response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
Council has approved a city action plan in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. The city is looking to play a significant role in establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non- Indigenous people. Getting to the point of mutually respectful relationships will take time and a commitment to listen, learn and take action on the part of non-Indigenous Canadians. Among the city’s actions, it is adopting a standard territorial acknowledgement statement that may be used at the beginning of a gathering, meeting, course or event. City staff will also receive training on the history and legacy of residential schools, as well as training to repudiate concepts that are used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and land. A full list of the actions can be found in staff report COM2019-032, page 115 of Council packet.
Media contact:
Tony Iavarone
Director, Corporate Communications
519-747-8513
tony.iavarone@waterloo.ca