Thread by @LoveWilmot

This is the agenda for the Monday, July 15 Township of Wilmot council meeting, beginning at 7pm. Download the agenda package here - calendar.wilmot.ca/budget/Detail/… - and follow the meeting in this thread 👇 #ThisIsWilmot

This evening's council meeting is being broadcast live on @Rogerstv20, from 7pm to 9pm.

There will be several delegations this evening, including me. I'll be giving a presentation about my proposal for a Terry Fox memorial plaque in Petersburg.

Mayor Armstrong gets things underway. He asks for a moment's silence to remember the former New Dundee resident who died in a plane crash last week. Also wants to acknowledge the team that rescued two missing teenagers.

This evening's land acknowledgment is read by Cllr Gordijk.

First item of business is a zone change application. Some questions from Cllrs Hallman and Gordijk, answered by Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO). Recommendation to approve the application is carried.

The first delegation is Nancy Taves with a presentation about the 2019 New Hamburg Art Tour.

Slides for all of tonight's presentations are included in the full agenda package. The link is in the first tweet of this thread.

Cllr Pfenning thanks Ms Taves for her presentation.

Next is John Zehr to talk about New Hamburg Cruise Night.

Now it's my turn...

This is my proposed plaque design, and the suggested location. I'll be meeting with Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) to finalize the specific location and other details.

Thank you to Cllrs Fisher, Hallman and Pfenning for their words of support. The next speaker, Peter Roe, begins his presentation about Castle Kilbride by also saying he favours this proposal.

Mr Roe gives details of Castle Kilbride's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Tracy Loch (Castle Kilbride Curator/Director) with a Heritage Wilmot report, with a recommendation about the updated Heritage Register of Non-Designated Properties. Marg Rowell, vice-chair of the Heritage Wilmot Advisory Committee gives a presentation.

Ms Rowell is recommending 21 properties be added to the Register.

The update recommendation is carried.

Al Junker is speaking on behalf of Heritage Wilmot about designating St James Lutheran Church as a property of Historical and Architectural Significance. The recommendation is carried.

Now there's a presentation from the Wilmot Agricultural Society with a presentation about the New Hamburg Fall Fair.

newhamburgfallfair.ca - New fall fair website.

On to the consent agenda. Cllr Pfenning with some questions.

Cllr Hallman also has questions about the bylaw enforcement report.

Cllr Gordijk with a question for the bylaw officer.

Cllr Pfenning with a question for Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer) about the Operations report. Cllr Hallman with a request, which is addressed by Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance).

Cllr Pfenning with a question for Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) about the capital program, specifically the delay with some projects.

Several questions from Cllrs Hallman, Pfenning and Gordijk about various items mentioned in the reports listed in the consent agenda. These questions are directed at the relevant heads of departments.

Cllr Gordijk asks about schedules for completion of upgrades in some community centres. Notes that some RFPs haven't gone out yet.

Recommendations that the consent agenda reports be approved; carried.

Mayor Armstrong says that some of these questions that were just asked could have been answered over the phone, rather than in the council meeting. "Something to note for the future."

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) with a report about a Joint Service Delivery Study being conducted by a consultant on behalf of the four townships in the region.

Cllr Fisher says he's surprised that library services is included in the study.

Cllr Hallman with a question about funding.

Cllr Gerber asks about the relevance of this study in the context of possible "rationalization".

Cllr Pfenning says she's pleased with the collaboration with our neighbours. She also has a question about funding.

Acceptance of Petition for Drainage Works: carried.

Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) with a Township Zoning By-law Review update report. Cllr Gerber with a couple of questions.

Cllr Hallman shares some positive feedback from residents in Ward 1. Cllr Fisher asks who will set the standards for chickens in residential areas. Mr Martin: We will look at examples in other municipalities.

Cllr Pfenning with observations about backyard chickens, based on research she has conducted.

Next: zone change application for Donel Farms and Shantz Mennonite Church. Mr Martin with a report. Approved.

Notice of motions. This is from Cllr Gordijk.

Cllr Gerber: Asks if there is an issue that this is addressing. Cllr Gordijk says she received comments from residents about a project that was recommended for grant funding. Adds this only needs to be a short report.

Mr Kelly says that his department considers the township's strategic plan and 10 year capital plan. Says he objects to the first line of the motion because he thinks it implies that his side of the horseshoe isn't accountable and transparent.

Says that "It seems a bit heavy to me" that the motion suggests how reports should be written.

Cllr Hallman supports the motion's point that the public could be made more aware of projects being considered. Cllr Pfenning doesn't believe there's an implication that staff aren't doing their jobs. It will help the public understand the decision process.

Cllr Gerber says he doesn't believe the motion was intended to be accusatory. Mr Whittington believes the issue is one of communication. Discusses the number of grant applications and the success rate.

Mayor Armstrong says that council members can simply ask for information about projects that were rejected. Cllr Gordijk: "I did ask." Adds that Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) helped craft the wording of the motion.

Cllr Gordijk says that this is about showing the public how decisions were made. Elected officials owe that to the public. Cllr Hallman agrees.

Mayor Armstrong says the public can come to the township office to ask questions. Says this doesn't require a motion.

Cllr Hallman points out that our minutes are historical data in writing, which will satisfy the public. This archive will show people what questions were asked.

Cllr Pfenning says this won't add any extra work for staff. Says that in her own business she lays out options. This would simply be a small addition to the report. Not asking for additional analysis.

Cllr Fisher: We have to trust the highly-educated members of staff.

Vote in favour: Cllrs Pfenning, Gerber, Gordijk, Hallman. Against: Cllr Fisher and Mayor Armstrong. Carried.

Next motion, from Cllr Hallman. Questions from Mr Nancekivell and Mr Whittington for clarification.

Recommendation is carried.

Announcements: Cllr Hallman mentions next concert in the park in New Dundee. Praises staff for work on bandshell renovations.

Cllr Gordijk with news about Concert For Terry and A Night To Inspire.

Cllr Pfenning mentions her upcoming town hall. Talks about questions she heard while campaigning, particularly about lack of understanding what council does. Says her goal is to get more members of the public coming to meetings and being more engaged. Mayor Armstrong agrees.

Mayor Armstrong praises Warren Bechtold's successful, record-breaking childhood cancer BBQ.

We're adjourned at 9:33pm.