The Kitchener Record
Portrait of Berry Vrbanovic

Berry Vrbanovic

Mayor · seen 2021-09-13 to 2026-09-28 · served 2018–2022, 2022–2026

20substantive motions movedof 356 meetings the minutes record them at
0procedural motions movedcounted separately, and never added to the above
0substantive motions secondedseconding is often a seat convention, not agreement
25meetings recorded absentof 356 they were on the record for
56–10recorded votes, for–againstrecorded votes are rare and a skewed sample

Vote count and office as published by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2022 municipal election results (Open Government Licence – Ontario). Everything else on this page is read from Kitchener’s own minutes.

In their own words, via the Town

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was elected in 2014 as the 68th Mayor of the City of Kitchener since its founding as the Village of Berlin in 1854. As Mayor, he also sits as a member of the council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served as a City Councillor from 1994-2014. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Mayor Vrbanovic moved to Canada as a young child. He is a graduate of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Coming from an immigrant family himself, he understands the challenges and issues facing the thousands of Canadians who have made Kitchener their new home. Mayor Vrbanovic was recently re-elected Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments and in April 2026 was appointed as the Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund Council. He also serves on FCM committees including its Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus, as well as with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Big City Mayors.

As published by Kitchener.

How they voted, where it was recorded (66) — most recent 40 shown

Special Council Meeting June 15, 2026
"That the Chief Financial Officer be delegated authority to submit an application for the Development Charge Reduction Program, in accordance with the outlined proposal in Financial Services Department report…
For · 10–1 · Carried
Council Meeting May 4, 2026
"That the commission and installation of a series of outdoor sculptures titled “Let’s Play!” by Pierre Poussin, as described in Development Services Department report DSD-2026-128 be approved;
For · 11–0 · Carried
Council Meeting May 4, 2026
"That the General Manager, Development Services be authorized to approve and execute 1-year lease extension agreements with Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region in accordance with the terms and conditions as discussed at…
For · 11–0 · Carried
Council Meeting May 4, 2026
"That the by-laws be given third reading, namely: 12.1.a Being a by law to assume certain lands within the City of Kitchener as public highway.
Against · 7–4 · Carried
Council Meeting March 23, 2026
"WHEREAS the City of Kitchener is home to individuals whose achievements in arts, sports, entertainment, and other fields have earned international recognition;
For · 10–0 · Carried
Council Meeting December 15, 2025
"That pursuant to Section 34 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2025-IV-024 be approved to permit the demolition of a shed, two additions, and belfry at the property municipally addressed as…
Against · 4–7 · Lost
Council Meeting December 15, 2025
“WHEREAS Staff retained N. Barry Lyons Consulting (NBLC) land economists to conduct an updated 2025 Residential Market Assessment (“report”) which analyzed the recent local market activity and conditions;
Against · 4–7 · Lost
Council Meeting November 10, 2025
"That the City of Kitchener, pursuant to Section 51 (31) of the Planning Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P 13 as amended, grant draft approval to Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-23201 in the City of Kitchener, for…
For · 8–2 · Carried
Council Meeting November 10, 2025
“That staff be directed to proceed with the land acquisition negotiations as outlined in the in-camera meeting discussions on November 10, 2025;
For · 8–2 · Carried
Council Meeting June 23, 2025
"That staff be directed to refer Path 2 initiatives to the Housing for All update for consideration and implementation, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD-2025-248;
For · 6–3 · Carried
Council Meeting June 23, 2025
"That having considered the proposed by-law and submissions made by the delegates, Council take no action on the city licensing of short-term rentals as regulation by several short-term rental platforms, such as AirBnB®…
For · 8–3 · Carried
Council Meeting May 5, 2025
"That City-initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA24/010/COK/MR, for the purpose of implementing a land use planning framework for 3 of the City’s Protected Major Transit Station Areas, including amendments to mapping…
Against · 8–3 · Carried
Council Meeting May 5, 2025
"That the Fireworks and Firecrackers By-law be amended to prohibit the sale of Fireworks within the city of Kitchener starting January 2026, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2025-052;
Against · 8–3 · Carried
Council Meeting April 7, 2025
"That the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute a conditional 3-year funding agreement to provide up to $300,000 of additional annual funding to THEMUSEUM, to align with THEMUSEUM’s next three fiscal…
For · 10–0 · Carried
Council Meeting March 3, 2025
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/24/012/K/ES for Imperial Oil Limited c/o LJM Developments requesting to add Policy 15.D.12.80 to Section 15.D.12 and to add Specific Policy Area 80 to Map 5 – Specific…
For · 3–8 · Lost
Council Meeting March 3, 2025
"WHEREAS Kitchener City Council strives to be accountable and transparent to the needs of the community; WHEREAS the City’s procedural by-law (Chapter 25 of the Municipal Code) deems the minutes to be the formal public…
Against · 5–6 · Lost
Council Meeting February 10, 2025
"That, in order to avoid project cost escalations and delays in opening the Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex, staff be directed to proceed with phase one of the two-phased construction of a new gymnasium at Schlegel…
For · 11–0 · Carried
Council Meeting December 16, 2024
“That the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment OPA24/013/COK/EP for the purposes of updating Inclusionary Zoning policies within Protected Major Transit Station Areas be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan…
For · 7–3 · Carried
Council Meeting December 16, 2024
"That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held to receive solicitor client advice with regards to the dispensing with the Biehn Drive and Sanitary Trunk Sewer Environmental Assessment as authorized by Sections 239 2…
For · 7–3 · Carried
Council Meeting December 16, 2024
"That the Biehn Drive and Trunk Sanitary Sewer Extension Class Environmental Assessment (EA) - Environmental Study Report (ESR), prepared by BT Engineering, dated November 2024, attached to Development Services…
For · 7–3 · Carried
Council Meeting December 16, 2024
"That Council receive the Queen Victoria Statue report; and, That staff be directed to take no further action associated with directions from Corporate Services Department COR-2022-253;
For · 7–3 · Carried
Council Meeting December 16, 2024
“That staff be directed to proceed in accordance with Development Services department report DSD-2024-508.”
For · 7–3 · Carried
Council Meeting November 18, 2024
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/019/T/ES requesting to amend Zoning By-law 2019-051, for the property municipally addressed as 60 Trussler Road, for 1000160668 Ontario Corp.
For · 6–3 · Carried
Council Meeting November 18, 2024
"That Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA24/022/K/ES requesting to amend Zoning By-law 85-1, for King Pine Kitchener Inc., for the properties municipally addressed as 864-876 King Street West, be approved, in…
For · 6–3 · Carried
Council Meeting November 18, 2024
"That pursuant to Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Permit Application HPA-2024-V-024 be approved to permit the partial demolition, the construction of a 3-storey addition, and alterations to the existing…
For · 6–3 · Carried
Special Council Meeting October 28, 2024
"WHEREAS on October 5th, 2020 City of Kitchener Council approved the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) on municipal streets in accordance with O.Reg. 398/19 under the Highway Traffic Act.;
For · 8–2 · Carried
Council Meeting September 30, 2024
"WHEREAS one person dies every 2.5 hours from the toxic drug supply in Ontario; and, thus far in 2024 within Waterloo region, 98 residents are suspected to have died from drug poisoning, or one un-prevented death every…
For · 10–1 · Carried
Council Meeting September 30, 2024
"WHEREAS the Province of Ontario intends the close the Consumption Treatment Services (CTS) Centre located in Kitchener when they introduce their Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs;
For · 11–0 · Carried
Council Meeting June 24, 2024
"Whereas the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada estimates 60,000 people suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Canada each year, and 9 out of 10 of those cardiac arrests result in death, and;
For · 4–3 · Carried
Council Meeting June 24, 2024
"WHEREAS Kitchener City Council has committed, through its Make It Kitchener 2.0 Strategy and 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, to a new arts and culture plan to provide public artists and organizations with the necessary…
For · 9–0 · Carried
Special Council Meeting May 13, 2024
"That the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to enter into an agreement with THEMUSEUM of Ideas Transcending Objects (“THEMUSEUM”) to provide THEMUSEUM with up to $300,000 to support cash-flow requirements until…
For · 10–1 · Carried
Council Meeting April 29, 2024
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA24/002/J/BB for 1000190771 ONTARIO INC. for the properties municipally addressed as 135-161 Jackson Avenue and 136 Brentwood Avenue be adopted, in the form shown in…
For · 6–3 · Carried
Special Council Meeting April 15, 2024
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/24/001/V/CD for Vicner Inc. be adopted, in the form shown in the Official Plan Amendment attached to Report DSD-2024-132 as Attachment ‘A’, and accordingly forwarded to…
For · 9–2 · Carried
Special Council Meeting December 14, 2023
"That the Mayor's Budget be received; and further, That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2024 Budget."
For · 9–1 · Carried
Special Council Meeting December 14, 2023
That Council declare a vacancy for the Office of Councillor, Ward 10; and further, That the City Clerk be directed to bring a report regarding methods to fill the Ward 10 Councillor Office to a January 8, 2024 Special…
For · 9–1 · Carried
Council Meeting December 11, 2023
"WHEREAS the City of Kitchener lacks the authority to set separate speed limits inside/outside school hours in locations where Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is installed; and;
For · 8–2 · Carried
Special Council Meeting October 30, 2023
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/23/012/W/CD, for the property municipally addressed as 83-87 Weber Street East, for Brigade Holdings Corporation requesting a land use designation change from ‘Market…
For · 10–1 · Carried
Council Meeting September 25, 2023
"That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA/22/004/V/KA for 1936026 ONTARIO INC. requesting a land use designation change from ‘Mixed Use’ to ‘Mixed Use with ‘Specific Policy Area 7’ to permit a 25-storey mixed-use…
For · 10–0 · Carried
Council Meeting May 29, 2023
"That the by-laws be given third reading, save and except for the By-laws related to 1770 King Street East, 815 and 825 Weber Street East, previously considered, namely: 15.1.a To further amend By-law No.
For · 9–2 · Carried
Council Meeting May 8, 2023
"That the number of permitted days for firework displays be reduced to only the day of celebration including Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali and must cease by 11pm, as outlined in Community Services Department…
Against · 8–2 · Carried

Meetings the minutes record them as absent from (25)

Special Council MeetingOctober 27, 2025
Special Council MeetingDecember 2, 2024
Community and Infrastructure Services CommitteeDecember 2, 2024
Finance and Corporate Services CommitteeNovember 25, 2024
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeOctober 7, 2024
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeSeptember 16, 2024
Special Council MeetingJune 17, 2024
Special Council MeetingFebruary 26, 2024
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeFebruary 26, 2024
Special Council MeetingJune 26, 2023
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeJune 5, 2023
Finance and Corporate Services CommitteeJune 5, 2023
Special Council MeetingJune 5, 2023
Special Council MeetingApril 24, 2023
Special Council MeetingJanuary 16, 2023
Council MeetingAugust 22, 2022
Finance and Corporate Services CommitteeAugust 8, 2022
Community and Infrastructure Services CommitteeAugust 8, 2022
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeJune 13, 2022
Planning and Strategic Initiatives CommitteeMay 16, 2022
Finance and Corporate Services CommitteeApril 25, 2022
Special Council MeetingNovember 29, 2021
Special Council MeetingNovember 15, 2021
Community and Infrastructure Services CommitteeNovember 8, 2021
Special Council MeetingNovember 8, 2021

Substantive motions moved (all 20)

“That staff be directed to proceed in accordance with Development Services department report DSD-2024-508.”
Council Meeting, December 16, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: “That the Chief Administrative Officer, or their designate, be authorized to declare a portion of City-owned lands located at 59 Bedford Road, Kitchener to be surplus to the City’s needs subject to the terms and conditions as set out in the in-camera report No. INS-2024-472 as discussed at the November 18, 2024 in-camera meeting of Council; and, That the Chief Administrative Offic
Council Meeting, November 18, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Municipal Funding Agreement for the transfer of Canada Community-Building Funds, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-302; said agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further, That the City Treasurer be delegated the authority to administer the provisions of the Municipal Funding
Council Meeting, June 24, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the 2024 pilot allowing alcohol consumption in select park be
Council Meeting, June 24, 2024 · Deferred
it was resolved: "That the applications to City Council for write-off, cancellation, reduction, or refund of taxes totalling $148,189.02 as attached to Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-161, be approved, pursuant to Sections 354 and 357 of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, c. 25 (“the Act”) ."
Council Meeting, April 29, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the By-law attached to Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-190 to delegate authority to adjust property taxes pursuant to Sections 354, 357, 358 and 359 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, to staff, be approved and presented to Council for enactment."
Council Meeting, April 29, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the 2024 Budgets for the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Belmont Business Improvement Area (BIA) be approved pursuant to Section 205 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-196."
Council Meeting, April 29, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener, grant approval to Part Lot Control Exemption Bylaw PLC24/001/K/TS for 387 &397 King Street East to exempt certain lots from Part Lot Control - Part of Lots 16 or 15 (Hueglin) & Part of Lots 17 (B. Moogk) & 18, South Side of King Street, Registered Plan 364, Part of Lot 19, South Site of King Street, Registered Plan 365, as outlined in Development Servi
Council Meeting, April 29, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved: “That the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) be authorized to execute such documentation necessary to affect the severance of a portion City-owned lands located at 1035 Ottawa Street North, and to declare such severed lands as surplus to the City’s needs; and, That the CAO be authorized to approve the disposition of such severed lands in the form of a donation to Habitat for Human
Council Meeting, April 29, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved that: "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee regarding an appeal filed by H. Tran, wherein the Committee affirms the Dangerous Dog Designation applied to the dog ‘Teddy’ by the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth, be ratified and confirmed with modified conditions, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-096."
Council Meeting, March 18, 2024 · Carried
it was resolved that: "That effective immediately Olufunmilayo Ajibade be appointed as the one (1) Arts Educator for the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for a term ending November 14, 2024; and further That effective immediately Julie Hall be appointed as one (1) Arts Organization for the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for a term ending November 14, 2024."
Council Meeting, March 18, 2024 · Carried
“That the committee appointments scheduled for today be
Special Council Meeting, December 4, 2023 · Deferred
it was resolved: "That the decision of the Dog Designation Appeal Committee regarding an appeal filed by O. Corbett, wherein the Committee affirms the Dangerous Dog Designation applied to the dog ‘Poppy’ by the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford Perth, be ratified and confirmed with modified conditions."
Council Meeting, November 6, 2023 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the 2024 Council and Committee Calendar, as attached as Appendix ‘A’ to Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-273, be approved; and, That the Mayor in consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer and the Clerk will be delegated the authority to schedule additional Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee (PSIC) meetings on Council meeting dates, where requi
Council Meeting, November 6, 2023 · Carried
"WHEREAS Kitchener approved the Housing for All strategy in 2020 with a commitment to enabling more housing options and supply across the full housing spectrum; and, WHEREAS between 2016 and 2021, Kitchener experienced a population increase of 9.9 percent and is forecasted to grow by 52% to 409,200 people by 2051; and, WHEREAS in March 2023, Kitchener Council approved a commitment to the Ontario g
Council Meeting, October 16, 2023 · Carried
it was resolved: “That the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to execute license extension agreements in accordance with the details set out in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-435, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.”
Council Meeting, October 16, 2023 · Carried
"That the General Manager, Infrastructure Services be authorized to execute a one-year lease extension and two further 1-year options for extension with Extend-a-Family at 91 Moore Avenue, with the terms and conditions discussed at the August 14, 2023 in-camera meeting, said agreement to be satisfactory to the City Solicitor."
Council Meeting, August 28, 2023 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the Municipal Housing Pledge attached as Attachment “B” to report DSD-2023-063 titled “City of Kitchener Municipal Housing Pledge” be submitted to the Province as the City of Kitchener’s Municipal Housing Pledge."
Council Meeting, March 20, 2023 · Carried
it was resolved: "That the Municipal Housing Pledge attached as Attachment “B” to report DSD-2023-063 titled “City of Kitchener Municipal Housing Pledge” be submitted to the Province as the City of Kitchener’s Municipal Housing Pledge." In Favour (11): Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor J. Deneault, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor A. Owodunni, Councillor
Council Meeting, March 20, 2023 · Carried
it was resolved: "WHEREAS the City of Kitchener is troubled by the removal of a Grade 3 elementary school teacher from her classroom in Chelsea, Quebec recently for wearing a hijab to work; and, WHEREAS the City of Kitchener denounces Quebec’s Bill 21 as discriminatory, offensive and feel it runs contrary to who we are as Canadians and residents of Kitchener. The City of Kitchener embraces and cel
Council Meeting, January 24, 2022 · Carried

In the record

331meetings recorded presentthe minutes record presence, not a rate
5conflicts of interest declareda member saying they should not vote on a matter
26,846votes in 2022Mayor, incumbent
Council Meeting August 28, 2023
on this item
Council Meeting May 29, 2023
with item 7.3
Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee May 15, 2023
with regards to the Official Plan Amendment Application OPA21/007/W/BB and Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA/21/010/W/BB, 1157 and 1175 Weber Street East, M
Council Meeting February 27, 2023
with item 7.3
Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee February 13, 2023
with regards to the Official Plan Amendment Application OPA22/02/F/BB, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA22/02/F/BB, 142-146 Fergus Avenue, 2467491 Ontario Inc

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