Council summary for Monday, March 18, 2019

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.

Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan
Council approved $319,000 to support the Emerald Ash Borer management plan which includes the removal of 800-1,000 ash trees infested by emerald ash borer and planting 700 replacement trees. A total of 1,046 ash trees were removed throughout the public city lands in 2018 due to the damage done by this insect.

Alexandra Park Expansion
Council approved the release of $206,000 toward the expansion of Alexandra Park. The funds will be used to begin the design and public consultation process for the park expansion. The expansion will provide additional recreational space and associated amenities to service the growth in the neighborhood. The remaining funding for the project will be considered by Council as part of the 2020-2022 budget.

Mary Allen Park Public Art Project
Council approved the release of $10,000 from the Public Art Reserve Fund to commission Public Art for Mary Allen Park. Mary Allen Park was redeveloped in 2017 and the addition of the Public Art was a planned addition to the park. Through community consultation and based on the city’s public art collection mandate, it was decided that the Public Art would be included in the form of a community harvest table. This harvest table will reflect the identity, history, and story of the neighbourhood and will be issued through a request for proposal.

Waterloo Park Master Plan Implementation
Council approved $530,000 in funding to be used for detailed design, public consultation and the first phase of park-wide way-finding signage for Waterloo Park as well as implementation of the proposed water play area on the west side of the Park. It may also be used to undertake public consultation and develop the functional design of two entries to the park including the entry east of Laurier-Waterloo Park LRT Station along Seagram Drive and the entry area from Erb Street and Caroline Street intersection near the Visitor and Heritage Information Centre.

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