MINUTES

Corporation of the City of Cambridge

Council Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

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, 
• Sheryl Ayres - Chief Financial Officer, 
• Danielle Manton - City Clerk, 
• Jennifer Shaw - Deputy City Clerk, 
• Rachel Latour - Administrative Assistant, 
• Bryan Boodhoo - City Solicitor, 
• and Sheena Pawliwec - Director of Finance and Deputy Treasurer 

Others in Attendance:

• Alana Russell - Director of Communications, Karen Pepper - Director, Mayor and Council Operations and Initiatives, Bob Bjerke - Chief Planner, Rob Martin - Fire Chief, Shannon Noonan - Manager of Transportation Engineering, Mike Launslager - Director of Economic Development, Bryan Cooper - Senior Planner - Policy, Laura Waldie - Senior Planner - Heritage, Shawn McConkey - Assessment and Tax Auditor, and Darren Hutchings - Network Administrator

   

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1.

Meeting Called to Order

The meeting of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge is held in Council Chambers and is live streamed to the City of Cambridge website. Mayor Liggett welcomes everyone present and calls the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. 

2.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None. 

4.

Presentations

4.1

Region of Waterloo re: Municipal Speed Camera Program Expansion

4.2

Kim Decker, CEO, YWCA Cambridge re: Temporary Emergency Shelter (Verbal Presentation only)

4.3

Bryan Cooper, Senior Planner re: 24-127-CD Form Based Zoning By-law Update - HAF Initiative No. 4

5.

Delegations and Consideration of Related Reports

6.

Closed Session

• Motion: 24-289
  Moved by Councillor Cooper
  Seconded by Councillor Roberts

  THAT in accordance with section 239 (2) (c), (e), (f), and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council to convene in Closed Session at 5:35 p.m. to consider the following subject matters:

  (c)  a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board (Potential Property Acquisition);

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

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

  (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 (Potential Property Acquisition) (Confidential Sponsorship Update and offer)

  In Favour (8)	Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Roberts, and Councillor Shwery
  Absent (1)	Councillor Hamilton

  Carried (8 to 0)

7.

Rise from Closed

• Motion: 24-290
  Moved by Councillor Shwery
  Seconded by Councillor Ermeta

  THAT Council rise from the Closed Sessions held on October 22, 2024 and reconvene in Open Session at 7:06 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)

8.

Consent Agenda

Note: Item 8.3  24-042-CRS Reserve and Reserve Fund By-law was pulled from Consent Agenda and placed under Consideration of Reports to be dealt with separately. 

• Motion: 24-291
  Moved by Councillor Cooper
  Seconded by Councillor Devine

  THAT all items listed under the heading of Consent Agenda for October 22, 2024, be adopted as recommended.

  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)

8.1

Council Information Package - October 4, 2024

8.2

24-053-CRS Fire Dispatch Agreement

8.3

24-101-CD Passing of Designation By-law for 105 Middle Block Rd

8.4

24-020-OCM Transfer to Southpoint Properties 2599745 Ontario Inc (Polocorp)

9.

Consideration of Reports

9.1

Corporate Services

9.1.1

24-042-CRS Reserve and Reserve Fund By-Law

• Motion: 24-292
  Moved by Councillor Shwery
  Seconded by Councillor Kimpson

  THAT Report 24-042-CRS Reserve and Reserve Fund By-law be received; 

  AND THAT the Reserve and Reserve Fund By-law 2-17, as amended by By-law 23-024, be amended by replacing Schedule A as per Appendix A to report 24-042-CRS; 

  AND FURTHER THAT the following reserve and reserve fund transfers as identified in report 24-042-CRS be approved. 

  In Favour (8)	Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, and Councillor Roberts
  Opposed (1)	Councillor Shwery

  Carried (8 to 1)

9.1.2

24-071-CRS Update to the 2025 Budget Process resulting from the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022

• Moved by Councillor Earnshaw
  Seconded by Councillor Kimpson

  THAT Report 24-071-CRS Update to the Budget Process resulting from the Strong Mayor, Building Homes Act, 2022, be received;

  AND THAT Council provide direction on the statutory time periods that may be shortened, being the 30 days Amendment Period and the 15 day Override Period. 
• Motion: 24-293
  Moved by Councillor Roberts
  Seconded by Councillor Hamilton

  THAT Council approve shortening the veto override period from the 15 days the legislation permits to 10 days.  The veto override period may not be required, but if it is shortening this period allows Council the opportunity to get the budget completed in a more efficient manner;

  AND THAT the following meetings are scheduled during the 30 day amendment period, November 7 is a day and evening meeting for delegations to come and present to Council, and November 21st at 9:30 a.m. has been scheduled as an amendment meeting for Council to consider the budget; 

  AND THAT we request that staff be directed to schedule a second amendment meeting on November 27th to be scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.; 

  AND FURTHER THAT we direct staff to change any additional 2025 budget meetings to begin at 5 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)
• Motion: 24-294
  Moved by Councillor Earnshaw
  Seconded by Councillor Kimpson

  THAT Report 24-071-CRS Update to the Budget Process resulting from the Strong Mayor, Building Homes Act, 2022 be received;

  AND THAT Council approves shortening the veto override period from the 15 days the legislation permits to 10 days.  The veto period may not be required, but if it is, shortening this period allows Council the opportunity to get the budget completed in a more efficient manner;

  AND THAT the following meetings are scheduled during the 30 day amendment period: November 7^th is a day and evening meeting for delegations to come and present to Council, and November 21^st at 9:30 a.m. has been scheduled as an amendment meeting for Council to consider the budget; 

  AND THAT we request that staff be directed to schedule a second amendment meeting on November 27th to be scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.; 

  AND FURTHER THAT we direct staff to change any additional 2025 budget meetings to begin at 5 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)

9.1.3

24-038-CRS Amendment to Development Charges By-law for Growth Studies and Development Charges Interest Policy

• Motion: 24-295
  Moved by Councillor Earnshaw
  Seconded by Councillor Cooper

  THAT Report 24-038-CRS Amendment to Development Charges By-law for Growth Studies and Development Charges Interest Policy be received;

  AND THAT Council approve the amending Development Charges By-laws in Appendix A to report 24-038-CRS;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approve the amended Development Charges Interest Policy in Appendix B to report 24-038-CRS.

  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)

9.1.4

24-056-CRS Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing

• Motion: 24-296
  Moved by Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Councillor Shwery

  THAT Report 24-056-CRS Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing be received;

  AND THAT Council support participation in the Region's property tax exemption program, as outlined in Appendix A, by providing a property tax exemption for the City's portion of the tax levy to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers for a period of 20 years starting in 2025;

  AND THAT staff report back to council following the first full year of implementation of the program to assess:
  • The outcomes of the exemption in the first year of the program.
  • The potential tax shifts/increases an exemption may create for other tax-paying properties.
  • The level of interest from for-profit developers for this affordable housing incentive and potential to include them in the program.
  • The appropriate duration of a property tax exemption program and potential sunset provisions.

  AND FURTHER THAT Council adopt the draft by-law, attached in Appendix B, to provide a property tax exemption to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers.

  In Favour (8)	Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, and Councillor Roberts
  Opposed (1)	Councillor Shwery

  Carried (8 to 1)

9.2

Corporate Enterprise

9.2.1

24-014-CRE Core Areas Transformation Fund Installation and Placemaking Request

• Motion: 24-297
  Moved by Councillor Roberts
  Seconded by Councillor Kimpson

  THAT Report 24-014-CRE Core Areas Transformation Fund Installation and Placemaking Request be received;

  AND THAT Council approve the funding request through the Core Areas Transformation Fund (CATF) for a new installation within the Cambridge Sculpture Garden.

  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)

9.3

Community Development

9.3.1

24-127-CD Form Based Zoning By-law Update - HAF Initiative No. 4

• Motion: 24-298
  Moved by Councillor Ermeta
  Seconded by Councillor Earnshaw

  THAT Report 24-127-CD Form Based Zoning By-law Update - HAF Initiative No. 4 be received;

  AND THAT Council direct staff to engage with the public and stakeholders on draft form based regulations;

  AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to Council through a future statutory public meeting on draft form based regulations as part of the ongoing new comprehensive zoning by-law review.

  In Favour (7)	Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, and Councillor Roberts
  Opposed (2)	Councillor Ermeta, and Councillor Shwery

  Carried (7 to 2)

9.3.2

24-115-CD, 40 Wentworth Avenue, Alteration to the Exterior of the Garage Structure

• Motion: 24-299
  Moved by Councillor Roberts
  Seconded by Councillor Shwery

  THAT Report 24-115-CD, 40 Wentworth Ave, Alteration to the Exterior of the Garage Structure, be received;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approve a Heritage Permit for the alterations to the exterior of the structure at 40 Wentworth Ave as outlined in Report 24-115-CD.

  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)

9.3.3

24-056-CD Delegated Authority By-law to Consent to Heritage Permits under the Ontario Heritage Act

• Motion: 24-300
  Moved by Councillor Kimpson
  Seconded by Councillor Roberts

  THAT Report 24-056-CD Delegated Authority By-law to Consent to Heritage Permits under the Ontario Heritage Act be received;

  AND THAT Council approve the proposed authority to consent to certain alterations to properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act to the Chief Planner or their designate, subject to full consultation with MHAC;

  AND THAT the Draft By-law, attached as Appendix A to this report, be enacted by Council;

  AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to take the necessary steps following the passage of the by-law to ensure its implementation.

  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)

9.4

Infrastructure Services

9.5

Office of the City Manager

10.

Other Business

11.

Motions

12.

Notices of Motion

12.1

Motion re: Lithium-ion Importation and Safe Use

Note: This Motion will be introduced on October 22, 2024 but will not be discussed until the Council Meeting on November 5, 2024.

12.2

Motion re: Chronic Homelessness, Mental Health, Safety and Addictions Crisis

Note: This Motion will be introduced on October 22, 2024 but will not be discussed until the Council Meeting on November 5, 2024.

13.

Correspondence

14.

Motion to Receive and File

• Motion: 24-301
  Moved by Councillor Shwery
  Seconded by Councillor Ermeta

  THAT all presentations and correspondence from the October 22, 2024, 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)

15.

Consideration of By-laws

Note: By-law 24-108 to report 24-101-CD Passing of Designation By-law for 105 Middle Block Rd was included as part of the supplementary addendum.

• Motion: 24-302
  Moved by Councillor Kimpson
  Seconded by Councillor Hamilton

  THAT the following by-laws listed under the heading of Introduction and Consideration of By-laws be enacted and passed:

  24-098 Being a by-law to amend Schedule ‘A’ of By-law 2-17, being a by-law for establishing and maintaining Reserve Funds and Reserves

  24-099 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-040, respecting Development Charges (Fire Protection Services)

  24-100 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-041, respecting Development Charges (Library Services)

  24-101 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-042, respecting Development Charges (Parks and Recreation Services)

  24-102 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-043, respecting Development Charges (Public Works (Facilities and Fleet))

  24-103 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-044, respecting Development Charges (Services Related to a Highway)

  24-104 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-045, respecting Development Charges (Stormwater Drainage and Control Services)

  24-105 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-046, respecting Development Charges (Wastewater Services)

  24-106 Being a by-law to amend By-Law 24-047, respecting Development Charges (Water Services)

  24-107 Being a by-law to provide a property tax exemption for certain affordable housing pursuant to section 110(9) of the Municipal Act, 2001

  24-108 Being a by-law to designate the stone farmhouse on the property located at 105 Middle Block Road as a property of cultural heritage value

  In Favour (8)	Councillor Devine, Mayor Liggett, Councillor Hamilton, Councillor Ermeta, Councillor Cooper, Councillor Kimpson, Councillor Earnshaw, and Councillor Roberts
  Opposed (1)	Councillor Shwery

  Carried (8 to 1)

16.

Confirmatory By-law

• Motion: 24-303
  Moved by Councillor Devine
  Seconded by Councillor Cooper

  THAT By-law 24-109 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge.

  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)

17.

Adjournment

• Motion: 24-304
  Moved by Councillor Earnshaw
  Seconded by Councillor Roberts

  THAT the Council meeting does now adjourn at 9:38 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)