Thread by @LoveWilmot

Here's the agenda for the Township of Wilmot council meeting on Monday, September 23, which starts at 7pm. Read the agenda package at …ttownship.icreate6.esolutionsgroup.ca/budget/Detail/… and then follow the meeting in this thread 👇

Mayor Armstrong begins this evening's meeting (a few minutes late) and asks for a moment's silence and thoughts for the environment. Cllr Pfenning reads the land acknowledgment.

Minutes from the previous meeting have been approved. No declarations of pecuniary interest.

Public meeting: Zone change application; report from Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO). Recommendation has been carried.

First delegation is Mike Scout. Congratulations present and previous council, as well as staff, for Wilmot placing 20th in @macleans's recent list of best places in Canada to live.

Mr Schout pledges $1.5m towards the development of the Wilmot Carbon Sink. Talks about his early career and how he became a community builder, leading up to him being environmentally conscious.

Mr Schout is speaking passionately about his inspiration for the carbon sink development.

Describes this project as "visible action" to alleviate flooding in New Hamburg. "It's one piece of a solution, not the total solution."

Mr Schout has described an ambitious environmental project; hopes it will be completed in 3 years. Estimates the budget to be $3 million.

Jeff Krete and Philip Holst from @DucksUnlimited are next up, also speaking about this project.

Cllr Hallman: "One of the reasons I ran is because I wanted to leave my community better than I found it." Thanks the presenters for their vision.

Cllr Pfenning echoes Cllr Hallman's apprection. Cllr Fisher says it's exciting to have this in our community. He thanks Mike and Christine Schout for their commitment to the community.

Cllr Gordijk thanks the Schouts for their commitment, and thanks staff for all their hard work.

Mayor Armstrong thanks Mr Schout for his leadership.

(Aside: you should really check out the agenda package for details of this amazing project.)

The recommendation is carried.

Next item: Climate crisis declaration report from Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance).

Presentation from Andreas Fuentes (Supporting Wilmot in Implementing a Carbon Budget and Declaring a Climate Emergency).

Next presentation is by Mary Jane Paterson (@ReepGreen).

Ms Paterson talks about the #MasonJarChallenge! Details coming up...

Cllr Fisher with a question about the size of the carbon footprint assessment for the "food" category of Reeps presentation.

Council discussion begins. Cllr Hallman comments she disagrees with the use of the word "crisis" rather than "emergency". Cites declarations by a similar sized municipality and also the Government of Canada.

Cllr Pfenning: Feels that emergency expresses a sense of urgency and agrees it is the right word. Thanks the Sustainability Committee, especially Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer).

Cllr Gerber asks Mr Fuentes for his thoughts. Mr Fuentes agrees that emergency is the correct word for the situation.

Cllr Gerber asks Mr Kelly for update on reaching the township's sustainability targets. Mr Kelly says that there are no details of cost impacts at this stage.

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) says this will be monitored.

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) says this will be monitored. Cllr Gerber with more questions about cost implications. Mr Fuentes responds again.

Cllr Fisher says he will be voting in favour of the wording change. "In an election year, it sends a message to candidates."

Recommendation - with word change amendment - is carried unanimously.

@thedaleykate and Nicholas Cloet (@RegionWaterloo Community Climate Adaptation Plan) form the next delegation.

Cllr Gordijk asks about level of engagement from the public for the Region's climate survey. Ms Daley responds.

Cllr Pfenning thanks the delegation. Says that she has seen the effects of climate change on her farm.

Next up: Proposed changes to council meeting schedule for October. Recommendation is carried. Cllr Gordijk thanks staff and council for their flexibility so council members can cheer on Lacey Smith, who has been nominated for Oktoberfest Woman of the Year.

Next three items are all carried.

Notice of Motion from Cllr Hallman.

Motion is carried.

Next Notice of Motion is from Cllr Pfenning. She challenges everyone here to take part. Motion is carried.

Cllr Gordijk brings forward a Notice of Motion that refers to Quebec's Bill 21 and asks for the Township of Wilmot to condemn it.

Announcements, beginning with Cllr Pfenning. (Sorry, too long for me to keep up with the list!)

Cllr Gerber mentions National Culture Day. Invites people to take a selfie with a prime minister statue.

Cllr Gordijk mentions the British Home Child memorial service. Also asks Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) for a report on drafting township declarations.

Talks about school Terry Fox Runs and thanks everyone who makes these events possible.

Cllr Gordijk: Mentions @WilmotMarket desperately needs volunteers. They are having a meeting @scrananddram.

Cllr Hallman echoes Cllr Gerber's praise for the Castle Kilbride celebrations at the weekend. Says she has her tickets for the Castle's Ghost Walk.

And we're adjourned at 9:34pm.