City of Waterloo council summary, May 9, 2022

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

Council approves investments in University Avenue Gateway

Council has approved spending close to $600,000 on enhancing the streetscape of University Avenue.

As part of this project, the city will work with Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) to activate the street as part of WLU’s planned redevelopment of the Faculty of Music building by creating a more people-focused area. Separately, the city will collaborate with the Region on future planned road work along University Avenue. These enhancements stem from the University Avenue Gateway Strategy (UAGS) that council approved in 2021.

Streetscape enhancements include wayfinding signs, streetscape planters and temporary street intersection markings. In addition, WLU is planning to remove the existing parking lot between the current Faculty of Music building and University Avenue and creating a new entrance plaza for the building/Laurier, complete with new walkways, seating, lighting, landscape features and a digital sign. WLU’s plans for the streetscape are generally consistent with the UAGS design principles of creating a more welcoming and pedestrian friendly space. WLU has approached the city to support its project, more specifically the enhancement of the proposed plaza area. With the city’s participation, WLU would be able to further improve the proposed design of the plaza area outside of the Faculty of Music.

Council approves a new Social Procurement Policy

As leaders in the community, the City of Waterloo is committed to supporting sustainable growth, equity, and an inclusive, vibrant community through the delivery of its services. As part of that commitment, Council has unanimously approved a new Social Procurement Policy.

The new Social Procurement Policy outlines how the City can leverage its spending to generate positive social and economic value through the procurement process. This policy will further strengthen the local economy by committing to providing opportunities for local businesses and diverse suppliers and by addressing barriers to equal opportunity by promoting a supplier community that exhibits leadership in social responsibility.

Council approves new development

Council has approved a zone change that will allow the construction of a six storey multi-residential building containing 93 residential units (108 bedrooms), 84 vehicle parking spaces and 58 bike parking space. The site is currently four lots, containing single detached dwellings and located at 310, 312, 314 and 316 Erb Street West.

Council considers enhancements to snow clearance

In recognition of the ongoing challenge presented by snow events, Council has directed staff to explore the possibility of bringing in contract help to assist with the clearance of intersections (crosswalk areas) within the uptown, sidewalks/trails and city-owned parking lots during high snowfall events.

The city will also implement a campaign to communicate service levels and clearance expectations during a snow event. The next council will also consider purchasing two municipal tractors in upcoming city budgets, as well as including ice and snow bylaw officers in the 2023 budget. The recent use of focused ice and snow bylaw officers was used through a pilot program.

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Media contact:
Tony Iavarone
Director, Corporate Communications
tony.iavarone@waterloo.ca