Council Connects - May 14, 2024

Region of Waterloo Presentation: Cambridge to Union Passenger Rail Connection

After recently completing the Community Consultation project phase, the Region of Waterloo has reached another milestone along the path to implementing Go Transit - Cambridge to Union Station rail service. The Region has conducted a detailed review of the strategic benefits of providing a GO Rail connection to and from Cambridge. They have assessed the overall economic benefits and impacts to the broader community and environment. Also considered are the costs of delivering the service and revenue made, as well as a projection of financing costs to determine how much funding is required, risks and issues related to project delivery, service plans, operations and maintenance requirements. Draft plans and maps have been provided and are available within the May 14 Council Agenda. Go Transit service from Cambridge to Union Station improves the city’s transportation network, connects commuters to jobs, supports economic development, and supports the planned intensification of key corridors and to enable development of transit-oriented communities.

Neighbourhood Area Speed Limit Implementation

Council approved the implementation plan for the Neighbourhood Area 40km/h speed limits across the City along with reducing School Zone speed limits to 30km/h. The move to lower speed limits follows a pilot project in 2021 that studied the benefits of reducing speed limits in four city neighbourhoods. The results showed speed was reduced by as much as 5.1 per cent.  Speed limits will be reduced in phases over the next two years, at a budgeted amount of approximately $589,000. Work includes new signage, removal of old signage, and installation throughout the city. This amount will be divided between the implementation years of 2024 and 2025, with all changes anticipated to be complete by fall 2025.This project is specific to city streets and does not include Regional roads. Council discussed the need for a city-wide traffic/speed management strategy, various traffic calming measures, and the importance of changing driver behaviour. An interactive map of the program roll-out is available on the City’s website.

Recommendation Report for Zoning By-law Amendment - 82-88 Beverly Street

A Zoning By-law Amendment was requested for a portion of the subject property to facilitate the development of two stacked townhome buildings with a total of 46 residential units. Planning staff recommended approval of the zoning by-law amendment application as it is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conforms with the policies of the Provincial Growth Plan, the Regional Official Plan, and the City of Cambridge Official Plan and meets the general intent and purpose of the City of Cambridge Zoning By-law 150-85. Council discussed affordability of housing, transportation, parks, and other aspects of the project in advance of offer their approval.

Speedsville Road Speed Limit

A speed limit assessment on Speedsville Road from Middle Block Road to Highway 401 was recently completed and the results of the assessment indicate a recommended speed limit to be posted at 60 km/h. A 60 km/h speed limit was approved by Council to be implemented on Speedsville Road from Middle Block Road to the Highway 401 overpass. The recommended revisions to the traffic signs will be funded from the 2024 Transportation Operating Budget at an approximate cost of $1000. Council expressed concern relating to ongoing speed and traffic management in the area.  

Proposed Amended Motion

Councillor Shwery requested to amend motion 24-019-CRS 2023 Year End Operating Update to reflect the tax-supported operating surplus of $2,111,948 be allocated in the amount of $251,700 to the Election Reserve, $500,000 to the Self Insurance Reserve, and $1,360,248 to be transferred to the Capital Works Reserve fund to reduce the debenture funding to capital for the Preston Auditorium Expansion Construction project and that the water surplus of $1,103,956 be transferred equally to the Water Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund and the Water Capital Reserve totaling $551,978 respectively; that wastewater surplus of $754,660 be transferred to the Wastewater Capital Reserve; the Idea Exchange surplus in the amount of $194,728 be transferred to the Facility Capital - Library Reserve in the amount of $115,000, the Library Rate Stabilization reserve in the amount of $55,000, and the Library Furniture and Equipment Reserve Fund in the amount of $24,728, as recommended by the Cambridge Public Library Board. Staff spoke to the motion and offered support and Council approved.

Capital Status and Forecast – December 2023

Councillor Kimpson posed questions to staff relating to the status of key construction projects that were categorized as complete in the Capital Status and Forecast report. City staff outlined the process for construction projects and that the City is obligated under the Construction Act to hold back 10% of each invoice (for services and materials) until the work is substantially complete. Substantial completion or substantial performance is commonly achieved when 90% of the work is finished. This statutory hold back is put in place to address any liens that may be applied against the project. After substantial completion projects are often moved from “In Progress” to “In Maintenance” status in the City project tracking system. Projects typically remain in the maintenance status for 6 to 12 months, allowing the City to resolve outstanding issues with the contractor, often called deficiencies. The City commonly includes a 2.5% maintenance in addition to the statutory hold back to ensure that deficiency work is completed in a timely manner.