Council Meeting

That a closed meeting of the Council be held on February 25, 2026 at 4:05 p.m., in the Waterloo County Room, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters: Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and related to a proposed acquisition of lands in the City of Waterloo. *Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege relating to on-going litigation regarding the Encampment at 100 Victoria Street North, Kitchener. *Discussion related to a preliminary report of an Ombudsman investigation. In Favor (14) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Council reconvene into Open Session. In Favor (14) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

Referred That Council temporarily suspend the 1980 Council Wilmot Water Take Policy, rather than revoke it, until the Region’s new Water Supply Strategy is completed and presented to Council in 2027; That Council formally review the status of the 1980 policy upon receipt of the Water Supply Strategy in 2027, prior to making any permanent determination respecting revocation; That upon initiation of any increased draw from Wilmot wells , staff provide regular public reporting to Regional Council and the public, at a minimum quarterly, including but not limited to: total volume of water being taken; peak flow data; well performance indicators; aquifer health and drawdown monitoring data; commentary on whether continued suspension remains appropriate based on observed conditions; That staff establish and implement a monitoring framework to collect and publicly report data regarding: neighbouring private wells; surface water systems; agricultural water supply conditions; and any observed correlations associated with increased regional draw; That staff provide Council and the public with a clear definition of “surplus water” as used in Regional staff's SID Feb. 10 report on the 1980 water take policy, including: the modelling methodology applied; growth and demand assumptions used; safety factors and contingency thresholds; and alignment with Provincial permitting requirements; That staff provide clarification regarding the basis of the current statement that Wilmot’s growth to 205

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo defer the motion discussed under item 13.1 that was

That the following minutes be approved. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

Administration and Finance Committee recommends as follows: 1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct Facilities staff to explore the development of a Facilities Strategic Plan focused on the following five components: A complete inventory of all corporate facilities, including current usage, functional capacity, and condition; An analysis of operating and maintenance requirements and associated costs across all corporate facilities; A five- to ten-year capital outlook identifying required investments, lifecycle needs, and projected financial impacts; A review of accommodation standards and policies to support facilities planning and a demand analysis to clarify space needs; An evaluation of optimization opportunities, including consolidation, repurposing, or alternative service delivery options to ensure efficient and cost-effective use of corporate space; And that staff report back to Council with the findings, options, and recommended next steps. 2. The Council of the Region of Waterloo formally requests the Province of Ontario to affirm and support the continued election of the Regional Chair by the voters of the Region of Waterloo or appointed by Region of Waterloo Council, And that the province be requested not to impose or advance legislation that would replace an elected chair with a provincially appointed position, And that the province be further requested to consult with the Region of Waterloo and its area municipalities prior to any proposed changes to

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo: Authorize and direct the Commissioner of Community Services on behalf of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Waterloo Co-Operative Residence Incorporated (the “Owner”), and execute all documentation with respect to the purchase of two properties: 35 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, comprising a 12-unit student residential building containing 60 bedrooms on approximately 0.268 acres of land and being legally described as Plan 741, Lots 24 and 25; Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, being PIN 223261-0377-0001 (LT) and PIN 22361-0379, for the sum of $7,300,000; and 41 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, comprising a 14-unit student residential building containing 68 bedrooms on approximately 0.32 acres of land and being legally described as Plan 741, Part Lots 22 and 23; Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, being PIN 223261-0328-0001 (LT) and PIN 22361-0330, for the sum of $8,200,000 with all terms and conditions subject to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-26-009 dated February 25, 2026; Authorize and direct the Regional Solicitor to waive any due diligence conditions once satisfied, only to report back to Council if deemed necessary by the Regional Solicitor; Amend the 2026 Housing Services Capital program to add $17.158M financed through grant funding and reserves; Increase the 2026 Operating Budget for Housing Se

Library Committee recommends as follows: That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the expenditure of up to $50,000 for renovation and new furnishings for the Bloomingdale location, and that the budget be reallocated from three existing projects (20029 $36,200; 20031 $12,000; and 20033 $1,800) as outlined in PDL-CUL-26-004 dated February 19, 2026. In Favor (14) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, and J. Gowing

That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole. In Favor (14) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

the Region of Waterloo is experiencing increasing constraints and uncertainty related to municipal water supply and capacity; and Whereas residents and the development industry have raised concerns regarding water sustainability, growth pressures and the availability of clear and transparent public information related to long term water planning; and Whereas a previous council motion authorized only staff level discussions with representatives of the Waterloo Home Builders Association, Build Urban, and the Grand Valley Construction Association regarding water supply constraints in an initial technical exchange; and Whereas water supply planning is a fundamental core public interest issue that requires direct engagement by Regional Council to ensure transparency, accountability and informed decision making. Therefore, be it resolved: That Regional Council direct staff to convene a one day working session involving regional council, relevant regional staff and invited representatives of the development industry including the Waterloo Home Builders association, Build Urban and the Grand Valley Construction Association to provide a comprehensive briefing on the Region’s water supply; and The working session be educational and informational in nature inviting commentary from both council and the development industry on water sustainability, growth pressures and the possibility of new guidelines on the staging of development; and Staff report back to council following the working s

That Council agree to extend the February 25, 2026 meeting to 12:00 a.m. In Favor (10) J. Erb, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing Opposed (3) J. Nowak, D. McCabe, and D. Craig

WHEREAS all GRT riders start and end their journeys at a bus stop or station and expect reliable access to transit throughout the year, including during winter conditions; WHEREAS Winter 2025-2026 has seen increased winter operations and snow accumulation which has strained bus stop winter maintenance and accessibility, making it difficult for GRT riders to reliably access transit; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commissioner of Transportation report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee ahead of the Winter 2026-2027 season with: Options to enhance responsiveness of GRT bus stop winter maintenance service, including potential service level options and prioritization criteria; and Other opportunities to improve winter maintenance operations as part of the ongoing Area Maintenance Agreement review(s), in consultation with area municipalities. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo waive notice of motion as per section 70 of By-law 22-051, A By-law to Provide Rules for Governing the Proceedings of Council and its Committees, and to repeal By-Law 00-031, as amended. In Favor (3) S. Shantz, S. Foxton, and J. Gowing Opposed (10) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, and M. Rodrigues

That the following by-laws be approved. In Favor (13) J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That a By-law to Appoint an Acting Deputy Clerk, in the absence of the Regional Clerk and Deputy Clerk and repeal By-law 24-019, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-007, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That a By-law to Amend By-law 16-023, as amended, being a By-law to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways Under the Jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Lane Designation and Rates of Speed), be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-008, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That a By-law to Govern the Collection of Waste and the Provision of Waste Management Facilities in The Regional Municipality of Waterloo and to Repeal By-Law 17-007, as amended, By-Law 98-87 and By-Law 02-011 of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-009, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at this Meeting Held on February 25, 2026, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-010, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That a closed meeting of the Council be held on February 25, 2026 at 4:05 p.m., in the Waterloo County Room, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters: 1. Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and related to a proposed acquisition of lands in the City of Waterloo. 2. *Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege relating to on- going litigation regarding the Encampment at 100 Victoria Street North, Kitchener. 3. *Discussion related to a preliminary report of an Ombudsman investigation. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That Council reconvene into Open Session. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That the following minutes be approved. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That the Finance Reports item under 12.1 be received for information and approved. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of 2545224 Ontario Ltd. O/A T. Musselman Excavating Limited for T2025-219 - Columbia Street Watermains Westmount Rd to King St Waterloo, Ontario in the amount of $10,249,254.45 plus all applicable taxes as set out in report COR-TRY-25-005 dated February 25, 2026.

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of Stone Town Construction Limited for T2025-112 Turnbull Water Storage Reservoirs Renewal and Upgrades (PQ2025-08) in the amount of $11,011,173.50 plus all applicable taxes as set out in report COR-TRY-25-006 dated February 25, 2026.

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the procurement of thirty-four (34) Hybrid Transit Buses to replace buses at end of life from New Flyer Industries Canada in the estimated amount of $52,844,190.26 plus all applicable taxes as set out in report COR-TRY-26-007 dated February 25, 2026. The receipt of the buses is expected in 2027.

That the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee recommends as follows: 1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo repeal By-Law Number 17-007, as amended, of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, A By-Law to Govern Collection of Waste and the Provision of Waste Management Facilities in The Regional Municipality of Waterloo;And that Council approve the proposed Waste By-law provided in Appendix B of Report EES-WMS-26-001, to be effective on March 2, 2026. 2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (“The Region”) endorse the Wellesley Water and Wastewater Strategy (Master Plan) Final Report and authorize staff to post the Report for a 30-day public review, as outlined in report EES- WIM-26-002, dated February 10, 2026. 3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct and authorize the Regional Solicitor to take the following actions with respect to the expropriation of lands for road improvements to Victoria Street South (between Lawrence Avenue and Fischer-Hallman Road), in the City of Kitchener as detailed in report PDL-LEG-26-007, dated February 10, 2026. 1. Complete application(s) to the Council of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, as may be required from time to time, for approval to expropriate land, which is required for the construction of Road Improvements to Victoria Street South (between Lawrence Avenue and Fischer- Hallman Road), in the City of Kitchener and described as follows:Fee Simple Partial Taking: i. Part of Block 54, Plan

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo: 1. Authorize and direct the Commissioner of Community Services on behalf of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to enter into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Waterloo Co-Operative Residence Incorporated (the “Owner”), and execute all documentation with respect to the purchase of two properties: o 35 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, comprising a 12-unit student residential building containing 60 bedrooms on approximately 0.268 acres of land and being legally described as Plan 741, Lots 24 and 25; Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, being PIN 223261- 0377-0001 (LT) and PIN 22361-0379, for the sum of $7,300,000; and o 41 Columbia Street West, Waterloo, comprising a 14-unit student residential building containing 68 bedrooms on approximately 0.32 acres of land and being legally described as Plan 741, Part Lots 22 and 23; Waterloo, in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, being PIN 223261- 0328-0001 (LT) and PIN 22361-0330, for the sum of $8,200,000 with all terms and conditions subject to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor, as outlined in report PDL-LEG-26-009 dated February 25, 2026; 2. Authorize and direct the Regional Solicitor to waive any due diligence conditions once satisfied, only to report back to Council if deemed necessary by the Regional Solicitor; 3. Amend the 2026 Housing Services Capital program to add $17.158M financed through grant funding and reserves; 4. Increase the 2026 Operating Bud

The Library Committee recommends as follows: 1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the expenditure of up to $50,000 for renovation and new furnishings for the Bloomingdale location, and that the budget be reallocated from three existing projects (20029 $36,200; 20031 $12,000; and 20033 $1,800) as outlined in PDL-CUL-26-004 dated February 19, 2026. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

Whereas the Region of Waterloo is experiencing increasing constraints and uncertainty related to municipal water supply and capacity; and Whereas residents and the development industry have raised concerns regarding water sustainability, growth pressures and the availability of clear and transparent public information related to long term water planning; and Whereas a previous council motion authorized only staff level discussions with representatives of the Waterloo Home Builders Association, Build Urban, and the Grand Valley Construction Association regarding water supply constraints in an initial technical exchange; and Whereas water supply planning is a fundamental core public interest issue that requires direct engagement by Regional Council to ensure transparency, accountability and informed decision making. Therefore, be it resolved: a. That Regional Council direct staff to convene a one day working session involving regional council, relevant regional staff and invited representatives of the development industry including the Waterloo Home Builders association, Build Urban and the Grand Valley Construction Association to provide a comprehensive briefing on the Region’s water supply; and b. The working session be educational and informational in nature inviting commentary from both council and the development industry on water sustainability, growth pressures and the possibility of new guidelines on the staging of development; and c. Staff report back to council follow

That Council agree to extend the February 25, 2026 meeting to 12:00 a.m. In Favor (10): K. Redman, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf Opposed (3): D. Craig, D. McCabe, and J. Nowak

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo waive notice of motion as per section 70 of By-law 22-051, A By-law to Provide Rules for Governing the Proceedings of Council and its Committees, and to repeal By-Law 00-031, as amended. In Favor (3): S. Foxton, J. Gowing, and S. Shantz Opposed (10): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, and P. Wolf

That the following by-laws be approved. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf

That the meeting adjourn at 11:02 p.m. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, C. James, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, and P. Wolf