City of Kingston
Council Meeting
Agenda

2026-03

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

7:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Council Chamber

Council will resolve into the Committee of the Whole “Closed Meeting” at 6:00 p.m. and will reconvene as regular Council at 7:00 p.m.

 

Watch live on the City of Kingston website.

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1.

Call Meeting to Order

2.

The Committee of the Whole "Closed Meeting"

• That Council resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole “Closed Meeting” to consider the following item:

  1. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees - Organizational Update.

3.

Report of the Committee of the Whole "Closed Meeting"

4.

Approval of the Addendum

5.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests

6.

Presentations

1.

Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame

Roland Billings will present the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame inductees for 2026.

7.

Delegations

1.

Joe Gratton - Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent

Joe Gratton will appear before Council to speak to New Motion 2 with respect to Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent.

2.

Louis Gagnon - Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent

Louis Gagnon will appear before Council to speak to New Motion 2 with respect to Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent.

3.

Monica Parry - Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent

Monica Parry will appear before Council to speak to New Motion 2 with respect to Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent. 

8.

Petitions

9.

Deferred Motions

1.

Measles Vaccination Awareness

Moved by: Councillor McLaren

Seconded by: Councillor Glenn

Note: Deferred Motion 1 was deferred from the December 16, 2025 City Council meeting.

• Whereas the Pan American Health Organization has notified the Public Health Agency of Canada that Canada has lost its measles elimination status due to sustained transmission over more than one year; and

  Whereas measles is a dangerous but preventable disease for which an effective and safe vaccine is readily available, and more than 5,100 cases have been recorded across Canada in 2025, including 2,393 confirmed cases in Ontario as of November 1; and

  Whereas local data from Southeast Public Health indicates that as of October 17 measles immunization coverage among the school-aged population is 95.9% in KFL&A, 94.1% in HPE, and 81.3% in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, for an overall regional coverage of 90.7%, with adult vaccination status being more difficult to determine; and

  Whereas declining vaccination rates, vaccine misinformation, and the disruption of routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the re-emergence of measles in Canada; and

  Whereas municipal leaders play a role in supporting family physicians, public health officials, and community agencies in communicating clear and evidence-based public health information;

  Therefore Be It Resolved That Kingston City Council encourage all residents who are born after 1970, or who work in high-risk settings such as healthcare, early childhood education, or other environments where exposure risk is increased, to ensure that they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine; and

  That Kingston City Council affirm the safety and effectiveness of the measles vaccine, encourage residents to verify their vaccination status with their healthcare provider or Southeast Public Health, and urge the public to rely on credible health information and avoid sources that promote vaccine misinformation; and

  That staff be directed to post this messaging through the City’s communication channels in coordination with Southeast Public Health’s public information efforts; and

  That a copy of this motion be sent to Southeast Public Health, the Ministry of Health, and Senator Leo Housakos for their awareness.

10.

Motions of Congratulations, Recognition, Sympathy, Condolences and Speedy Recovery

11.

Briefings

12.

Report Number 11: Received from the Chief Administrative Officer (Consent)

All items listed on the Consent Report shall be the subject of one motion. Any member may ask for any item(s) included in the Consent Report to be separated from that motion, whereupon the Consent Report without the separated item(s)shall be put and the separated item(s) shall be considered immediately thereafter.

1.

Use of Optical Scan Vote Tabulators & Alternative Voting Methods for the Purpose of the 2026 Municipal Election, and 2026 Election Plan Enhancements and Considerations

(Report Number 26-047 from the City Solicitor)

(See By-Law Number (1), 2026-11)

• That the By-Law attached to Report Number 26-047 as Exhibit A, being “A By-Law to authorize the use of Optical Scan Vote Tabulators and Alternative Voting Methods for the Purpose of the 2026 Municipal Election”, be approved; and

  That Council direct Kingston Transit to provide free transit service to voters who show their Voter Card and are travelling to and/or from their voting place on any municipal election voting day.

2.

Proposed Renaming of a Private Road Known as Bayfield Lane to Skyfal Lane

(Report Number 26-016 from the Commissioner, Growth & Development Services)

(See By-Law Number (2), 2026-12)

• That “A By-Law to Approve the Renaming of the Existing Private Road from Bayfield Lane to Skyfal Lane, City of Kingston, County of Frontenac,” attached as Exhibit B to Report Number 26-016, be presented to Council for all three readings.

3.

2026 Interim Tax Levy

(Report Number 26-045 from the Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer)

(See By-Law Number (3), 2026-13)

• That the By-Law, attached to Report Number 26-045 as Exhibit A, be presented to Council for all three readings to provide for the levying and collecting of 2026 interim property taxes, including the following provisions:

  1. the 2026 interim tax bill be no greater than 50% of the 2025 taxes levied;
  2. the rates be as specified in Schedule A to the By-Law attached hereto;
  3. the due date for interim taxes be February 27, 2026;
  4. various payment options be provided; and
  5. late payment charges be added to taxes that are in default. 

13.

Report Number 12: Received from the Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies Committee

All items listed on this Committee Report shall be the subject of one motion. Any member may ask for any item(s) included in the Committee Report to be separated from that motion, whereupon the Report of the Committee without the separated item(s)shall be put and the separated item(s) shall be considered immediately thereafter.

1.

Better Homes Kingston Program Relaunch

(Report Number EITP-26-001)

• That Council approve a service level agreement between the City of Kingston and Sustainable Kingston that identifies the services to be provided by Sustainable Kingston and the associated funding issued by the City of Kingston for those services related to the Better Homes Kingston program; and

  That Council approve the appropriate agreements with Utilities Kingston that identifies the services to be provided in administering and promoting the Better Homes Kingston program; and

  That the Manager, Climate Leadership, be delegated the authority to execute Property Owner Agreements required to administer the Better Homes Kingston program, with said authority to be added to By-Law Number 2025-157, Delegation of Authority By-Law, as part of future amendments; and

  That Council direct staff to report back to the Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies Committee in Q1 2026 with amendments to By-Law Number 2021-23, A By-Law to Authorize the Undertaking of Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Works on Private Residential Property as Local Improvements under the Better Homes Kingston Energy Retrofit Program; and

  That Council authorize the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to close the project budget of $18,475,000 for the initial energy retrofit project and return funds to the original approved funding source, as outlined in Report Number EITP 26-001, after consideration for any final adjustments from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and

  That Council approve a capital budget amendment of $1,250,000 for the next phase of the Better Homes Kingston project to be funded through the use of municipal cashflow until recovered through loan repayments; and

  That Council approve a capital budget amendment of $225,000 for program rebates and administration of the Better Home Kingston project to be funded from the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund; and

  That Council approve a capital budget amendment of $260,800 for the Better Homes Kingston (Utilities Kingston incentive stream) to be funded from the Environment Reserve Fund.

14.

Committee of the Whole

15.

Information Reports

1.

New Official Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan and Water and Wastewater Master Plan Projects - Project Updates and Anticipated Milestones

(Report Number 26-014 from the Commissioner, Growth & Development Services, Commissioner, Transportation & Infrastructure Services and President & CEO, Utilities Kingston)

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the New Official Plan, Integrated Mobility Plan and Water and Wastewater Master Plan Projects. 

2.

Utilities Kingston and Better Homes Kingston Home Renovations Savings Incentives

(Report Number 26-024 from the President & CEO, Utilities Kingston)

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on incentive programs offered to Utilities Kingston natural gas customers under the Home Renovation Savings Program.

3.

Emergency Management Program Review 2025

(Report Number 26-038 from the Commissioner, Corporate & Emergency Services)

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the status of the City's annual Emergency Management compliance requirements for 2025.

16.

Information Reports from Members of Council

17.

Miscellaneous Business

Miscellaneous Business Items are voted on as one motion.

Moved by: Councillor Boehme

Seconded by: Councillor Tozzo

1.

Appointment to Sustainable Kingston

• That Councillor ___________ be appointed to the Sustainable Kingston Board for a term ending November 14, 2026.

2.

Proclamation - Multiple Myeloma Action Month

• That as requested by Claudia Trost, Myeloma Canada, the month of March 2026 be proclaimed as “Multiple Myeloma Action Month” in the City of Kingston.

3.

Cancellation of January 27, 2026 Council Meeting

• That the City Council meeting scheduled for January 27, 2026 be cancelled.

18.

New Motions

1.

Transit Service Review

Moved by: Councillor Boehme

Seconded by: Councillor Stephen

• Whereas multiple residents over the years have asked about the feasibility of ‘free transit’ or ‘no fee transit’ in Kingston; and

  Whereas the City of Kingston is currently in the process of a holistic transit review with an external consultant; and

  Whereas the concept of ‘free transit’ or ‘no fee transit’ could be added to the scope of the holistic transit review with Council direction; and

  Whereas having information regarding the feasibility of ‘free transit’ or ‘no fee transit’ would be valuable for future transit planning strategies as this information not currently available;

  Therefore Be It Resolved That Council direct staff to include as part of the ongoing Kingston Transit Service Review a review for informational purposes of ‘free transit’ or ‘no fee transit’ implementations in other transit systems and to provide information on the implications and applicability for Kingston Transit as part of this overall study.

2.

Supportive Housing at 1056 Palmerston Crescent

Moved by: Councillor Osanic

Seconded by: Councillor Chaves

• Whereas 1056 Palmerston Crescent has been purchased by the City of Kingston to be used for supportive housing; and

  Whereas the property is situated at a critical nexus of a primary school-travel corridor serving four distinct educational institutions, where the intensity of use must be balanced against the safety of vulnerable student populations and;

  Whereas the adjacent pedestrian pathway is a non-vehicular artery designed for student use to schools and for children enroute to the Woodbine Park sports and splash pad; and

  Whereas the nature of the pathway cannot be mitigated by lighting alone due to the inherent lack of physical buffers and direct proximity to school grounds; and

  Whereas legally prescribed medical cannabis use, including smoking, is permitted at the site and may occur, as it has at other transitional housing locations, and given the site’s proximity to an elementary school, Woodbine Park and splash pad, and its immediate adjacency to a pedestrian pathway used daily by children accessing these locations, there are precautionary concerns regarding children’s exposure to cannabis smoke, odours, and related activity; and

  Therefore Be It Resolved That Council direct staff to remove 1056 Palmerston Crescent from consideration for supportive housing; and

  That Council direct staff to initiate a process to dispose of the property to the private residential market, thereby restoring a high-demand housing unit to the local school catchment area for those seeking proximity to Westwoods’ educational infrastructure.

3.

Accessible Transportation Strategy

Moved by: Councillor Tozzo

Seconded by: Councillor Stephen

• Whereas the City of Kingston subsidizes Kingston Access Bus to provide accessible bus service, in addition to the conventional Kingston Transit service; and

  Whereas in 2025, the City of Kingston, through the Kingston & Area Taxi Licensing Commission, implemented an accessible taxi program to enhance service provided through the Kingston Access Bus; and

  Whereas similar private accessible services are now available to residents of Kingston; and

  Whereas the City of Kingston is looking at implementing an On Demand service, which could include accessible fleet, in the rural area in late 2026;

  Therefore Be It Resolved That City Council direct City staff to complete a comprehensive review of accessible transportation options, including subsidies to maximize resident access, and strategies to streamline and simplify access to accessible transportation services; and

  That City Council direct staff to explore opportunities to fund this expanded review of accessible transportation options through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund or other similar streams; and

  That as part of the review of accessible transportation options staff engage with relevant stakeholders and the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, as needed; and

  That City Council direct staff to report back to Council on preliminary options for expanded accessible transportation by Q4, 2026.

19.

Notices of Motion

20.

Minutes

Distributed to all Members of Council on January 9, 2026.

• That the minutes of City Council Meeting Number 2026-02, held Tuesday, December 16, 2025, be confirmed.

21.

Communications Package

Communications received and distributed between December 9, 2025 and January 6, 2026.

22.

Other Business

23.

By-Laws

• That By-Law Numbers (1) through (4) be given their first and second reading.

• That By-Law Numbers (2) through (4) be given their third reading.

1.

A By-Law to Authorize the Use of Optical Scan Vote Tabulators and Alternative Voting Methods for the Purpose of the 2026 Municipal Election

A By-Law to Authorize the Use of Optical Scan Vote Tabulators and Alternative Voting Methods for the Purpose of the 2026 Municipal Election 

First and Second Reading

Proposed By-Law Number 2026-11

(Clause 1, Report Number 11)

2.

A By-Law to Approve the Renaming of the Existing Private Road from Bayfield Lane to Skyfal Lane, City of Kingston, County of Frontenac

A By-Law to Approve the Renaming of the Existing Private Road from Bayfield Lane to Skyfal Lane, City of Kingston, County of Frontenac

Three Readings

Proposed By-Law Number 2026-12

(Clause 2, Report Number 11)

3.

A By-Law to Provide for a 2026 Interim Tax Levy; Payment of Taxes by Instalment; Penalty and Interest at One and One Quarter Percent Monthly on Tax Arrears

A By-Law to Provide for a 2026 Interim Tax Levy; Payment of Taxes by Instalment; Penalty and Interest at One and One Quarter Percent Monthly on Tax Arrears

Three Readings

Proposed By-Law Number 2026-13

(Clause 3, Report Number 11)

4.

A By-Law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on January 13, 2026

A By-Law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on January 13, 2026

Three Readings

Proposed By-Law Number 2026-14

(City Council Meeting Number 2026-03)

24.

Adjournment

• That Council do now adjourn.