City of Waterloo council summary (6)

The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday evening’s council meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

Asset management update
During an update on the city’s asset management activities since 2016, staff reported that the city has infrastructure valued at $2.3 billion or $50,500 per household. Council also received an update that the city has an annual infrastructure funding shortfall of $20-$23 million, of which $17 million is for tax base funded assets (e.g. roads, parks) and $3 to $6 million is for enterprise assets (e.g. water, stormwater). Based on the current asset inventory, an estimated 30 per cent of tax base assets and 20 per cent of enterprise assets are in poor or very poor condition. It is estimated that in 25 years, 75 per cent of tax base funded assets and 40 per cent of enterprise assets will be in poor or very poor condition, which is anticipated to be unacceptable to most stakeholders. On December 9, Finance staff will be releasing the proposed 2020-2022 budget which will include measured increased infrastructure reinvestments.  

Asset management public engagement results
The city conducted a public engagement campaign in 2019 on four of the city’s most extensive and costly infrastructure assets: city-owned facilities, roads, parks & trails and stormwater infrastructure. The campaign focused on levels of service in order to assist the city on how to prioritize the city’s limited infrastructure funding. The three key findings were: 1) overall satisfaction with the current performance of city assets is high, 2) green infrastructure asset investment is considered important, and 3) increasing infrastructure funding is important. 

Uptown public realm strategy
Council has approved more than $1.6 million in funding for public realm improvements in the uptown in conjunction with capital works and projects. Council approved a public realm strategy in March 2019. The strategy has five main themes – breathe: parks and open space; move: connectivity; frame: urban form; celebrate heritage; and inspire: public art plus culture. The priorities identified under the strategy: Laurel Greenway, shade structure in Uptown Public Square, Willis Way, and Civic Common. The funding released by Council will allow staff to either study the feasibility of a project, issue a request for proposal or construct it. 

Carnegie Library (40 Albert Street) funding release
Council has approved spending $3 million to renovate Carnegie Library to improve accessibility and to bring the facility in line with current building code requirements. The renovations are necessary prior to the arrival of a new tenant to the building. 

Climate emergency
Council has declared a climate emergency and has formally adopted a corporate emissions target of a minimum 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions below 2011 levels by 2050. Council also directed staff to investigate options for a Corporate Climate Action Plan commensurate with limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The plan will include a framework for carbon budgeting and reporting metrics, developed in partnership with Climate Action Waterloo Region; and appropriate accountability frameworks to embed the Strategic Plan’s guiding principles into all business departments, reports, and projects. Staff will report back to Council in 2020 with terms of reference for this plan and a proposed timeline for prompt implementation.

Staff will also review its recommendations of the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan as part of the Corporate Climate Action Plan. 

Winter control modernization review
Following a review by an outside consultant, the city could realize a savings of $3-5 million over the next 10 years if a number of recommendations outlined in the report are successfully implemented. The consultants have identified 20 improvements over four categories - plow route optimization, salt management, personnel and equipment allocation and the consideration of artificial intelligence. Staff will create an implementation plan in response to the recommendations and report back to council bi-annually. 

New splash pad for Waterloo Park west side
Council approved awarding a contract of just under $700,000 to Yard Weasels Inc. for the construction of a new splash pad and washroom on the west side of Waterloo Park. The new facility is expected to be ready for use by summer 2020. 

Formal public meeting

Development charge bylaw update
Council has approved the 2019 Development Charges (DC) Background Study dated October 17, 2019 and held a formal public meeting as required under the Development Charges Act. Development charges are paid by developers to fund growth related community-oriented projects such as libraries, parks, recreation centres, roads, water supply/wastewater, etc. Council will consider the draft DC by-law for approval on December 16, 2019, with new rates to come into effect December 31, 2019.

Media contact:
Tony Iavarone
Director, Corporate Communications
519-747-8513
tony.iavarone@waterloo.ca