Thread by @LoveWilmot

Here's the agenda for the Monday, September 9 @WilmotTownship council meeting, which begins at 7pm. Read the agenda package at …ttownship.icreate6.esolutionsgroup.ca/budget/Detail/… and follow the meeting in this thread 👇

Mayor Les Armstrong gets the meeting started with a moment's silence in honour of hurricane victims in Canada and the Bahamas. He also mentions that it's Suicide Prevention Month.

Cllr Gerber reads the land acknowledgment this evening.

Acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting have been carried, with a suggested correction from Cllr Gordijk.

Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) with a report on the acceptance of a dog park petition, which is currently at 1,100 signatures. The online survey - launched today - already has 30 responses.

Resident Phyllis Wood is the first delegation this evening, with a presentation about the dog park pilot and the petition, which she started. Praises council for listening to residents.

Mrs Wood says it's not just dogs that are socializing; it's also the owners.

Cllr Hallman thanks Mrs Wood for caring about this so much.

Next up are Josh and Sophia, two young residents who have started a dog popsicle business that serves the dogs - and owners! - who use the park.

Resident Jen Sutherland is the next delegation who is grateful for the dog park because she can take her rescue there and let it run off-leash.

(Ms Sutherland is the new owner of Heritage Pet in New Hamburg.)

Next delegation is Josh. Says his stepdad used to drive to Kitchener to use the dog park there, but he prefers the local one because it's much easier to get to.

Mayor Armstrong: Recommendation to accept the report about continuation of the leash-free dog park. Cllr Gordijk with question for Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) about use of salt near the park.

Cllr Gordijk also has questions about dog tag fees and signage.

Cllr Pfenning with a question about the cost of fence rental and offsetting it against the purchase price. Mr Nancekivell says there wouldn't be a credit for the current usage.

Cllr Fisher says that people seem to be very happy with the park. Says he's heard comments from users suggesting separation for small and large dogs.

Recommendation is carried.

Next up was me, speaking about the @WilmotTerryFox Run this Sunday, hence the lack of tweets. This is the video I presented.

https://twitter.com/WilmotTerryFox/status/1171199265189896192?s=19

Tara Bedard (executive director of Immigration Partnership) and Karen Spencer (executive director of Family and Children's Services) are giving a presentation titled "Immigration Matters".

Slides from their presentation are in the full agenda package. Link in the first tweet of this thread.

Questions and responses between Cllr Pfenning and the Immigration Matters delegation.

Cllr Hallman mentions @100WomenWilmot and asks about the delegation's funding source.

Next: Consent Agenda - Acceptance of Petition for Drainage Works. Carried.

CAO Grant Whittington gives a report about the 2019 Work Program Mid-Year Review.

Questions, requests and comments from Cllr Gordijk to various senior staff.

Cllr Hallman with questions for Ms Mittelholtz about a Mannheim survey for residents.

Cllr Hallman with question for Mr Nancekivell about completion of work in the New Dundee community centre and concerns of local residents and coming events.

Additional questions and responses between Cllr Hallman and various senior staff, as well as public feedback that Cllr Hallman has received.

Cllr Fisher with a question for Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) about vehicle charging stations.

Cllr Fisher says he appreciates the amount of work being done by staff in the township.

Cllr Pfenning with a question about the community comments about the new playground fixtures and design in Constitution Park. Mr Nancekivell says the project is essentially completed. Says there's the possibility of further enhancements that can be discussed in the 2020 budget.

Cllr Gerber asks about the contractor who did the work in Constitution Park. Mr Nancekivell says they will not be doing further work.

Cllr Hallman and Mayor Armstrong both echo comments from Cllr Fisher, thanking staff for their work.

Next: Ms Mittelholtz with a report about the terms of reference for the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Engagement Committee.

Cllr Fisher asks about having more youth representation on the committee. Ms Mittelholtz says this is possible and suggests who could serve.

Cllr Gordijk thanks Ms Mittelholtz for her time and effort on these terms of reference.

Terms of Reference have been (enthusiastically!) accepted by council.

Next item: Heritage Designation of St James Lutheran Church in Baden. Cllr Gordijk for question for Tracy Loch (Castle Kilbride Curator/Director) about protection of designated buildings in light of the church in Doon that was demolished.

Recommendation is carried.

Mr Kelly with a report on a Rural Economic Development Funding Application. The deadline was today. Thanks Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) for his contribution.

Notice of Motion from Cllr Hallman about public engagement with regards to community landscape projects. She suggests giving opportunities for the public to give its input. Refers to the process she experienced during construction of the WRC splash pad.

Cllr Pfenning has a Notice of Motion about a proclamation that designates October "Zero Waste Month".

Announcements: Cllr Hallman with a list of New Dundee events, plus she notes that tomorrow (Tuesday) is Suicide Prevention Day, a cause that is near and dear to her heart.

Cllr Fisher with positive feedback from Tom Hinz about the success of this year's summer market. Mr Hinz thanked the township.

Cllr Gordijk mentions the Petersburg Optimists Breakfast in the Park; the last one was yesterday. Also mentions Sunday's Wilmot Terry Fox Run.

We're adjourned at 8:48pm.