REGIONAL COUNCIL MINUTES Wednesday, June 28, 2006 The following are the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held at 7:15 p.m. in the Regional Council Chamber, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario, with the following members present: Chair K. Seiling, J. Brewer, D. Craig, K. Denouden, T. Galloway, R. Kelterborn, C. Millar, J. Mitchell, W. Roth, J. Smola, B. Strauss, J. Wideman, and C. Zehr. Regrets: M. Connolly, H. Epp, J. Haalboom DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT None declared. Chair Seiling noted 2 plaques that have been received and circulated them to councillors. One was recognizing the Region’s commitment to the Canadian Forces Reserves and the other was with respect to the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan. CLOSED SESSION MOVED by W. Roth SECONDED by J. Brewer That a closed meeting of Council be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters: a) pending acquisition of property b) personal matters about an identifiable individual c) solicitor-client privilege d) labour negotiations e) labour relations CARRIED MOVED by J. Smola SECONDED by K. Denouden The Council reconvene in Open Session. CARRIED DELEGATIONS a) Catherine Fife appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program and provided her views on the proposed Option 1. She suggested amendments to the option in order to accommodate the special needs children and ensure continued funding for their programs. She stated by not increasing the funding there will be a Council - 2 - 06/06/28 decrease in the services provided. She suggested the additional funds could come from the Regional surplus and advised they will continue to lobby for funding. b) Rick Moffit, President, Waterloo Regional Labour Council appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program stating he was speaking on behalf of working men and women. He expressed concern that the most valuable citizens, children, are being used as hostages and stated there are other methods to deal with the Province on funding. He noted funding that has been given for the medical school and urged Council to continue to support the Best Start program. c) Uwe Kretschmann appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program and encouraged them to continue the funding. He noted the Region has spent money on the airport, medical school and other Provincial responsibilities and should continue this funding. d) Elizabeth Clarke, Executive Director, YWCA of Kitchener-Waterloo appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program. She provided an overview of their sites and the children in their programs. She stated the subsidies allow parents to afford to go to work or school and expressed concern if the subsidies were to be discontinued. She understands the frustration the Region has with the Province but urged councillors not to carry out the dispute with the most vulnerable citizens, the children. e) Edwin Laryea appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program stating he was disappointed with the recommendation from Committee. He advised Council needs to do what is best for the needs of the community and take this opportunity to demonstrate leadership. f) Donna Reid, Retired Teachers of Ontario appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program. She urged Council to continue to support the program and highlighted the advantages of early learning for children. She stated freezing subsidies will impact 600 children. g) Maud Gorbet appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program as a parent and President, Board of Directors, Hildegard Marsden Day Care in Waterloo. She questioned what message this decision will send to families in need and urged Council to spend the additional money to keep the program running. h) Diane Freeman, President, Board of Directors, Butterfly Learning Centre appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program. She stated a stronger message will be sent to the Province if Council funds the shortfall. She recognized the support the business community has given child care in the Region. i) June Anderson, Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, Small Steps to Success appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program and provided the perspective of how reduced funding for child care will affect women in Cambridge. She highlighted their program that has been in place since 1998. She requested Council to continue to support this program. j) Raj Gill appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program and asked Council to reconsider their position and continue the funding. The Region needs to pressure the Province to live up to their commitment but not by cutting the funding. 297330 Council - 3 - 06/06/28 k) Monique Kaptein appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program and provided her personal experience with the special needs program. She requested Council to continue the support that has been given to her children. There was clarification that the funding levels are remaining the same but with increased costs for the agencies providing the services, some reductions may be made. l) Karen Simpson appeared before Council with respect to the Best Start Program noting her son has cerebral palsy and his weekly hours are being reduced. She stated he has a right to child care as do other children. Chair Seiling advised he is trying to get a response from John Milloy, MPP with respect to the Baden School project. He is not aware of any other municipalities in the Province that have to subsidize the Best Start Program. Councillors debated the recommendation and requested clarification on a number of issues, including wage subsidies, number of children affected, handling of shortfall for emergency medical services and the 2005 surplus. The options were clarified for councillors information. It was noted there are no strategies under discussion related to the special needs programs. It was agreed that staff will come back with a report to the July 12th Council meeting to develop a clear plan to maintain the 2,600 spaces for the balance of 2006. MOVED by J. Smola SECONDED by J. Mitchell THAT Report SS-06-039, 2006 Best Start Funding Allocation Strategy - Revised Approach be referred to staff to bring a report back to the July 12, 2006 Council meeting to develop a plan for capping at the current service level of 2,600 spaces with consideration for funding options for special needs resources; AND FURTHER THAT the funding strategy for 2007 be developed and reported back on in the Fall of 2006. CARRIED MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS MOVED by B. Strauss SECONDED by C. Zehr THAT the following Minutes be approved: a) Council – June 14, 2006 b) Planning & Works – June 20, 2006 c) Community Services – June 20, 2006 d) Administration & Finance – June 21, 2006 CARRIED 297330 Council - 4 - 06/06/28 MOVED by W. Roth SECONDED by C. Millar THAT Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports. CARRIED FINANCE REPORTS a) F-06-047, T2006-011 Upgrading of the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant Instrument and Control Systems, City of Kitchener MOVED by J. Wideman SECONDED by J. Brewer THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of Summa Engineering Limited for the Upgrading of the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant Instrumentation and Control Systems, City of Kitchener at a total price of $1,169,383.00 including all applicable taxes. CARRIED b) F-06-048, T2006-027 Kitchener Zone 4 Pressure Monitoring Upgrades MOVED by J. Wideman SECONDED by J. Brewer THAT the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of H2 Ontario Inc., for Kitchener Zone 4 Pressure Monitoring Upgrades in the amount of $456,221.25 including all applicable taxes. CARRIED COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning & Works The Summary of Recommendations of the Planning and Works Committee was presented by Jim Wideman, Chair of the Committee. J. Mitchell requested Item #8 be taken separately. She expressed concern with the motion but noted since the Region is presently in negotiations she will pass her concerns on to staff. MOVED by J. Wideman SECONDED by B. Strauss THAT the Summary of Recommendations of the Planning and Works Committee, dated June 20, 2006, Items 1 to 7 and 9 and 10, and 2 reports from closed session, Items 11 and 12, be adopted as follows: The Planning and Works Committee recommends as follows: 1. THAT The Regional Municipality of Waterloo endorse Phase 1 of the East Side Community Structure Plan and 97/401/Industrial Area Expansion, described in Report 297330 Council - 5 - 06/06/28 No. P-06-069, dated June 20, 2006, as the basis for creating more employment lands to meet identified short-term economic development needs; AND THAT Phase 1 be circulated to the affected Local Municipal Councils for formal review; AND THAT Regional staff be directed to initiate amendments to the Regional Official Policies Plan to implement Phase 1, working collaboratively with Local Municipalities, the Grand River Conservation Authority and other key stakeholders; AND FURTHER THAT the East Side Community Structure Plan and 97/401 Industrial Area Expansion proceed to the completion of Phase 2, as described in Report P-06-069, dated June 20, 2006. 2. THAT The Regional Municipality of Waterloo interpret the boundary of the Doon Pinnacle Hill Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area, between Homer Watson Boulevard and Pinnacle Drive as shown in Attachment A of Report P-06-068, dated June 20, 2006. 3. THAT The Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept P-06-073, Monthly Report of Development activity for May 2006, dated June 20, 2006.