City of Kingston
Council Meeting
Agenda

That the By-Law attached as Exhibit A to Repot Number 25-067, be given all three readings on February 4, 2025, in order to ensure that City of Kingston By-Laws correctly identify the South East Health Unit.

That Council acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Objection from Tim and Tracey Burley dated October 15, 2024 to the proposed designation of the property located at 4226 Florida Road, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest pursuant to Section 29(5) of the Ontario Heritage Act and having considered the objections set out in the Notice of Objection pursuant to Section 29(6), has decided not to withdraw the Notice of Intention to Designate the property; and

That Council give all three readings to the Designation By-Law for 4226 Florida Road, attached as Exhibit C to Report Number 25-041, and directs the City Clerk to serve a Notice of Passing as prescribed under Section 29(8) of the Act; and

That Council acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Objection from Marta Klar dated October 29, 2024 to the proposed designation of the property located at 262 Wellington Street, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest pursuant to Section 29(5) of the Ontario Heritage Act and having considered the objections set out in the Notice of Objection pursuant to Section 29(6), has decided not to withdraw the Notice of Intention to Designate the property; and

That Council give all three readings to the Designation By-Law for 262 Wellington Street, attached as Exhibit D to Report Number 25-041, and directs the City Clerk to serve a Notice of Passing as prescribed under Section 29(8) of the Act.

That Council direct staff to amend By-Law Number 2005-100, A By-Law for Prescribing Standards for the Maintenance and Occupancy of Property Within the City of Kingston (the Property Standards By-Law) to provide for a new maximum temperature which would require landlords or property owners of residential rental units with air conditioning systems to maintain a temperature not exceeding 26 degrees Celsius (26 °C) from June 1 to September 30; and

That staff report back to Council no later than Q2 2025 with the necessary amending By-Law to provide for a new maximum temperature for residential units with air conditioning systems as part of the Property Standards By-Law; and

That Council direct staff, in partnership with South East Health Unit, to develop a heat response strategy that would provide information and strategies on how people can access supports and services during the hot weather season, and present that strategy to Council no later than Q2 2025; and

That City Council request that the Province of Ontario amend the Residential Tenancies Act to introduce a maximum temperature standard of 26 degrees Celsius for all residential premises and to include cooling as a vital service: and

That City Council request that the Province of Ontario proclaim Bill 97, Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 into force to enhance tenants’ rights to install and use window or portable air-conditioners.

That Council direct staff to continue the Fines for Food program for up to five years and to provide annual reports on distribution and impact of the program to Council through the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee; and

That Council direct staff to enter into an agreement with Growcer and establish a Local Food Vertical Farm Project and direct up to $80,000 annually from the Fines for Food program toward this pilot for up to five years; and

That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute all documents and agreements related to the Fines for Food funding allocations and all other approvals outlined in Report Number 25-004, in a form satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.

Option 1:

That Council approve the Franchise Agreement with Enbridge Gas Inc. and draft by-law attached as Exhibit A to Report Number 25-064 and authorize the submission thereof to the Ontario Energy Board, for the designated geographic area in the existing Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity, for approval pursuant to the provisions of Section 9 of the Municipal Franchises Act; and

That Council request that the Ontario Energy Board make an Order declaring and directing that the assent of the municipal electors to the form of Franchise Agreement and draft by-law attached as Exhibit A to Report Number 25-064 is not necessary pursuant to the provisions of Section 9(4) of the Municipal Franchises Act.

Option 2:

That Council not approve the Franchise Agreement with Enbridge Gas Inc. and draft by-law attached as Exhibit A to Report Number 25-064; and

That Council direct staff to submit correspondence to the Ontario Energy Board reaffirming the City’s objection to the standard language in the Franchise Agreement and requesting an amendment to the Franchise Agreement to reflect the different service areas serviced by Enbridge and Utilities Kingston.

That as requested by Jennifer Bishop, VON (Ontario Branch), Kingston City Council proclaim May 18 – 24, 2025 as “VON Week” in the City of Kingston. 

Whereas the City of Kingston is a mid-size regional urban community surrounded by smaller municipalities that have limited community infrastructure and services; and

Whereas many residents of surrounding communities come into Kingston for work and leisure and access multiple services and infrastructures not available in their own communities; and

Whereas non-Kingston residents do not pay property taxes into the City and have been paying the same fees as Kingston property taxpayers; and

Whereas the City of Kingston has budget constraints and significant asset management and growth pressures; and

Whereas it is essential to ensure Kingston residents have equitable and prioritized access to City-owned facilities and services supported by their property taxes;

Therefore Be It Resolved That  staff be directed to review options for non-Kingston resident fees, charges, and registration/application restrictions, including but not limited to:

• Differential pricing structures for non-residents;
• Priority registration windows for Kingston residents for recreational programs, facility bookings, and other high-demand services; and
• Resident-only access periods or capacity allocations for specific city-owned facilities.

That staff report back to Council with recommendations for non-Kingston resident fees prior to Council’s consideration of the 2026 Fees and Charges By-Law and so these potential measures can be considered as part of the 2026 municipal budget process.