MINUTES

Corporation of the City of Cambridge

Special Council Meeting

Meeting #:
Date:
, Immediately following Closed Session and prior to the Statutory Public Meeting
Location:
Council Chambers
Council Members In Attendance:
  • Councillor Shwery - Ward 1, 
  • Councillor Devine - Ward 2, 
  • Councillor Kimpson - Ward 3, 
  • Councillor Earnshaw - Ward 4, 
  • Councillor Roberts - Ward 5, 
  • Councillor Cooper - Ward 6, 
  • Councillor Hamilton - Ward 7, 
  • Councillor Ermeta - Ward 8, 
  • and Mayor Liggett 
Staff Members in Attendance:
  • David Calder - City Manager, 
  • Hardy Bromberg, Deputy City Manager - Community Development, 
  • Yogesh Shah, Deputy City Manager - Infrastructure Services, 
  • Cheryl Zahnleiter, Deputy City Manager - Corporate Enterprise, 
  • Bryan Boodhoo - City Solicitor, 
  • Sheryl Ayres - Chief Financial Officer, 
  • Danielle Manton - City Clerk, 
  • Jennifer Shaw - Deputy City Clerk, 
  • Michael Oliveri - Council Committee Services Coordinator, 
  • and Maria Barrantes Barreto - Council Committee Services Coordinator 
Others in Attendance:

  • Rutvik Shah, Network Technician

     

1.
Meeting Called to Order

 

The Meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.

2.
Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement

 

3.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

4.
Closed Session

 
  • Motion:25-004
    Moved byCouncillor Earnshaw
    Seconded byCouncillor Kimpson

    That in accordance with section 239 (2) (b), (e), (f), and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council to convene in Closed Session at 5:05 p.m. to consider the following subject matters:

    (b)  personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Advisory Committee Appointments);

    (e)  litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (Confidential Legal Update);

    (f)  advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (Confidential Legal Update);

    (k)  a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board (Confidential Sponsorship Update).

    In Favour (7)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Absent (2)Councillor Hamilton, and Councillor Ermeta
    Carried (7 to 0)

5.
Rise from Closed Session

 
  • Motion:25-005
    Moved byCouncillor Shwery
    Seconded byCouncillor Ermeta

    THAT Council rise from the Closed Session held on February 11, 2025 and reconvene in Open Session at 6:17 p.m.

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

6.
Reports

 

6.1
25-002-CRS Appointments to Advisory Committees

This item has attachments. 
1.25-002-CRS Appointments to Advisory Committees.pdf
2.25-002-CRS - Appendix A - Advisory Committee Appointment Policy ADM 045 .pdf
3.25-002-CRS Appendix B - Committee Vacancies.pdf
  • Motion:25-006
    Moved byCouncillor Kimpson
    Seconded byCouncillor Cooper

    THAT Report 25-002-CRS Appointments to Citizen Advisory Committees be received;

    AND THAT Confidential Appendices “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H”, “I”, “J” and “K” to Report 25-002-CRS be received and remain confidential;

    AND THAT the following individuals be appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Committee as voting members for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026: Barry Green and Heather Deyoe;

    AND THAT the following individual be appointed to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee as a voting member for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026: Ade Odusote;

    AND THAT the following individuals be appointed to the Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026: Peters Galen, as an alternate member, and Russ Loukes as a voting member;

    AND THAT the following individuals be appointed to the Environmental Advisory Committee as full voting members for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026: Aisha Lewis and Ken Bell. 

    AND THAT the following individuals be appointed to the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026: Natalie Majda, as an alternate member and Dr. Mario Thomas as a voting member;

    AND THAT the individuals listed as part of Confidential Appendix ‘I’ be appointed to the Youth Action Advisory Committee as voting members for the term of Council ending November 14, 2026;

    AND THAT the following individual be appointed to the Preston BIA Board of Management as a voting member for a six (6) month period until two full voting member positions are filled following a By-Election: Jeff Butler; 

    AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to notify all successful and unsuccessful applicants;

    AND THAT Council-Appointed Citizen Members to the City’s advisory committees who do not submit their signed Code of Conduct form within the first month after their appointment has been made shall forfeit their committee membership.

    AND THAT the following Member of Council be appointed to the Preston BIA Board of Management for a six (6) month period until two full voting member positions are filled following a By-Election: Councillor Shwery;

    AND THAT the following Members of Council be appointed to the Committee of Revision for the remainder of the Council Term: Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Hamilton, and Councillor Cooper;

    AND FURTHER THAT the following Members of Council be appointed to the Cambridge Public Library Board: Councillor Kimpson and Councillor Cooper.

     

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

7.
Motion to Waive Notice

 
  • Motion:25-007
    Moved byCouncillor Devine
    Seconded byCouncillor Hamilton

    THAT the notice requirements of section 9 in the procedure by-law be waived to consider the Motion re: City of Cambridge’s Response to Tariffs. 

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

8.
Motion to Suspend the Rules

 
  • Motion:25-008
    Moved byCouncillor Earnshaw
    Seconded byCouncillor Ermeta

    THAT section 10.16 of the Procedure By-law be suspended to consider and vote on the Motion re: City of Cambridge’s Response to Tariffs.  

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

9.
Motion

 

9.1
Motion re: City of Cambridge’s Response to Proposed Tariffs

This item has attachments. 
1.Motion re City of Cambridge’s Response to Proposed Tariffs.pdf
  • Motion:25-009
    Moved byMayor Liggett
    Seconded byCouncillor Ermeta

    WHEREAS the City is committed to supporting residents and businesses as we navigate the impacts of tariffs from the US government through continued engagement and consultation with the business community to better understand their evolving needs;

    AND WHEREAS the economic health and well-being of the Cambridge community, for both its residents and businesses, remains an utmost priority for Council; 

    AND WHEREAS Cambridge is home to a thriving business community representing small businesses, medium and large Canadian-owned companies and international firms that contribute to the strong and vibrant local economy. 

    AND WHEREAS both our small and large businesses provide important and necessary jobs to our City; 

    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 

    1.    The Mayor be requested to work with staff to conduct a comprehensive review and analysis focused on minimizing the impact of the tariffs on the Cambridge community; 

    2.    AND THAT the Mayor and staff be requested to work in partnership with economic development partners at the Chamber of Commerce, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), and the Business Economic Support Team Waterloo Region (BEST WR) as well as with municipal peers, Provincial and Federal levels of government to mitigate effects, advocate for businesses, and support our local economy; 

    3.    AND THAT staff be directed to review procurement policies and practices to determine the feasibility of a Buy Canadian products approach;

    4.    AND THAT staff be directed to continue to assess our operations and sourcing strategies to minimize disruptions and ensure City services and projects remain affordable; 

    5.    AND THAT the Mayor be requested to call on the federal and provincial governments to work with municipalities on measures to protect Canadian consumers and businesses;

    6.    AND THAT the Mayor be requested to continue to work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities Ontario, and the Ontario Big City Mayors in identifying and pursuing advocacy opportunities to Federal and Provincial governments for support and funding for Canadian businesses; 

    7.    AND further that the City Clerk be directed to send a copy of this motion to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, local and area MP’s, MPP’s and Heads of Council, The Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities;

    8.    AND THAT staff be directed to report back with key updates on the actions set out in this motion.

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

10.
Motion to Receive

 
  • Motion:25-010
    Moved byCouncillor Devine
    Seconded byCouncillor Hamilton

    THAT all presentations and correspondence from the February 11, 2025 Special Council meeting be received.

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

11.
Confirmatory By-law

This item has attachments. 
1.25-001 - Confirmatory By-law.pdf
  • Motion:25-011
    Moved byCouncillor Roberts
    Seconded byCouncillor Earnshaw

    That By-Law 25-001 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge be passed.

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)

12.
Adjournment

 
  • Motion:25-012
    Moved byCouncillor Hamilton
    Seconded byCouncillor Devine

    THAT the Special Council meeting does now adjourn at 6:33 p.m.

    In Favour (9)Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
    Carried (9 to 0)
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