City of Waterloo council summary June 19, 2023

** The council summary provides a snapshot of the major items presented at council. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting. The recorded meeting can also be viewed on the City of Waterloo youtube channel**

Council approves improvements to community grants process

Council approved the Neighbourhoods Grant Policy and the Sports and Recreation Grant Policy to support improvements to the City’s community grant structure and allow for flexibility to meet changing needs. Community Services staff looked at past grant applications, processes and applicant feedback to recommend improvements, which included dividing the existing Community Cash Grants program and the Neighbourhood Matching Fund into three distinct programs: a Neighbourhooods Grant, a Sports and Recreation grant, and an Arts Grant.

Staff will present the new Arts Grant Policy to Council for approval in fall 2023. The updated grant structure includes improved application processes, updated eligibility criteria, effective funding review, enhanced volunteer involvement and increased support of grant applicants.

2022 year-end Capital Report

Council received this report which provides a comprehensive summary of the status of capital projects in 2022. 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.

Fire Master Plan update

An updated Fire Master Plan will be finalized and presented to Council in fall 2023. To prepare for the 2024-2026 budget process, Fire Rescue Services received preliminary recommendations for the strategic procurement of equipment, and to begin an increase in staffing. To support public safety, Council has approved the release of 2023 funds (as approved in the 2023 Capital Budget) for a new fire truck. Council also endorsed a phased-in model to increase fire rescue services staff over four years, subject to approval as part of the 2024-2026 budget.

The recommendations of the updated Fire Master Plan will ensure that Fire Rescue Services has the capacity to meet our community’s growing needs for public education, fire prevention, enforcement of fire safety standards and the Ontario Fire Code, and emergency response in our changing and developing City.

-30-

Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Acting Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca