City of Waterloo council summary January 29, 2024
** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday’s council meeting. The council meeting webcast is available on the City of Waterloo YouTube page. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
Office of the CAO, Waterloo Public Library and Corporate Services business plan presentations
The management teams from the Office of the CAO (Strategic Initiatives, Economic Development, and Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion), Waterloo Public Library and Corporate Services (Corporate Communications, Finance, Fleet and Procurement, Human Resources, Information Management and Technology Services, Legal Services, Legislative Services) departments presented their business plan to Council and fielded questions. The business plan and other budget documents are available at waterloo.ca/budget.
Council receives community feedback report and direct staff to bring additional budget reduction menu items on budget day
Staff provided an update on community engagement for the 2024-2026 budget with a report summarizing the results of the January 9, 2024 budget information session and the Engage Waterloo budget survey. The opportunity for staff to engage with residents to share information and get feedback is a valuable part of the budget process and provides an indication of public opinion for Council’s awareness and consideration.
The dominant theme of the feedback provided from both the budget information session and the survey was concern with the affordability with the level of the staff-tabled tax increase, and the potential impacts on the community. In consideration of this feedback from residents, received by staff and directly by Council, Council directed staff to present additional recommendations at the start of the February 12, 2024 budget day meeting that could, if approved, reduce the overall tax rate impact of the three-year budget.
Council approves application for residential development with 55 units
As part of the City’s commitment to advance housing, Council approved the application for a six storey multi-unit apartment building at 309 and 311 Hawthorn Street. The building will include 55 rental apartment units, including 10 bachelor, 25 one-bedroom, 15 two-bedrooms and 5 three-bedroom units. The development will also include 20 vehicle parking spaces and 38 bike parking spaces. This approval aligns with the City’s Complete Community strategic priority, advancing community vibrancy through strategic density and the City’s provincial Housing Pledge commitment to plan for 16,000 new residential units by 2031.
City of Waterloo asks province to review the financial arrangement between municipalities and the province
Councillor Freeman brought forward a motion asking the Province of Ontario to commit to undertaking a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario. The motion, unanimously approved by Council, recognizes that cities like Waterloo have had to make significant investments to support services in areas of provincial responsibility such as homelessness, the mental health and addictions crisis and support for asylum seekers and newcomers, at a time when inflation, rising interest rates and provincial policy decisions are impacting City finances. It further recognizes that property taxpayers, including those on fixed incomes, seniors, small businesses and more, are facing similar affordability challenges. The City of Waterloo would like the Province of Ontario to work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to review the financial arrangement between cities and the province.
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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca