Special Council

THAT the Addendum to the Special Agenda of Council dated October 20, 2025, be added to the agenda as printed.

THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.

THAT the activation of a warming center at the Connection Centre be approved for funding in the amount of $350,000 for 2025 and 2026 and that the emergency accommodation response program be continued; Special Council Minutes 6 October 20, 2025 AND THAT the warming center be funded using the funds received from the recent HST audit of $196,000 and the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, net any potential donations. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the motion as follows:  there being funds available in the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve;  the funding being consistent with the use of the tax rate stabilization reserve as it is a one-time, non-recurrent funding;  the plan being a temporary initiative to address a gap;  clarification being provided that while the City has no physical building used as a shelter that there is an existing system that acts similar to a shelter to assist unhoused individuals;  the main aim being to get people into permanent housing;  the City of Waterloo and a few other municipalities who established temporary shelter locations being unable to close them down as they were eventually considered housing and could not be taken away;  there being concerns with the operational aspects of the program including security, funding, insurance, and rules regarding substance use in the facility;  there already being parameters established under the existing facility's operation to address most of the concerns noted with the exception of

THAT By-law 133-2025 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 133-2025 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the October 20, 2025, Special Council Meeting adjourn.