Thread by @LoveWilmot

There's a closed Township of Wilmot council meeting on Monday, October 28 at 6:30pm, followed by an open session of council, starting at 7pm. Read the full agenda package - including staff reports - at …ttownship.icreate6.esolutionsgroup.ca/budget/Detail/…. Follow the open council meeting in this thread 👇

Mayor Armstrong starts this evening's meeting with a moment's silence to think about who council members and township staff are here to serve.

The land acknowledgment is read by Cllr Gordijk.

No disclosures of pecuniary interest. A couple of corrections to the minutes from the previous council meeting. Minutes carried as amended.

Long Term Service Award presentation to New Dundee District Chief Brad Otterbien for 40 years of service. Mayor Armstrong presents a plaque for "exemplary service". Chief Otterbein receives a standing ovation from everyone here. The Mayor also presents a gift to the Chief's wife.

Chief Otterbein is giving a speech thanking his family and remembering the start of his career.

Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) also thanks Chief Otterbein and says he's looking forward to presenting his 50th anniversary service award.

Delegation: Fauzia Mazhar (Executive Director, Coalition of Muslim Women of KW), talking about the background to Quebec's Bill 21.

Ms Mazhar mentions that when she moved to Canada, she was proud of the country's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Points out that Bill 21 applies to all religious symbols. It means that people are being forced to choose between their jobs and their religions.

Ms Mazhar says Wilmot can join other municipalities in sending a message to the Quebec government.

Cllr Gordijk thanks Ms Mazhar and congratulates her on winning an Oktoberfest award earlier this month. Cllr Hallman also thanks the delegation.

Council is being asked to move Cllr Gordijk's Notice of Motion forward in the agenda so that it's closer to the presentation.

Cllr Gordijk reads an explanation of why she is raising this objection to Bill 21.

This is the Notice of Motion:

Cllr Gerber: Refers to the council discussion several months ago that sought to remove the religious component of the council swearing in ceremony.

The Notice of Motion is carried, with Mayor Armstrong's suggested addition of distributing it to the Prime Minister and our MP.

Next up is the Consent Agenda; all items are carried.

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) with a report on the Joint Service Delivery Review. Recommendation is carried.

Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer) with a report on the Wilmot Water Financial Plan. Question from Cllr Fisher; response from Mr Romany.

Recommendation to accept the report is carried.

Mr Romany now has a report about the Statement of Operations.

Question from Cllr Hallman; reply from Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance).

Comment from Cllr Gordijk asks for an amendment to a line of the financial report that refers to the township's grant program.

Mr Romany with a Capital Program Review report.

Question from Cllr Hallman about light replacements along the Nith River; response from Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services).

Recommendation to accept the report is carried.

Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works) now giving a report about the recommendation to award a work contract (Sanitary System Inflow & Infiltration Study). Carried.

Development Services report from Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) - Proposed Amendments to the Provincial Policy Statement.

Cllr Pfenning thanks Mr O'Krafka for his thorough report. Cllr Hallman also thanks him and his staff for their work on this report.

Mr O'Krafka with a report on Proposed Changes to the Aggregate Resources Act. He observes that the province seems to be moving towards industry self-regulation, which diminishes the public's role in the process.

Cllr Pfenning says she agrees with Mr O'Krafka's concerns.

In response to Cllr Gerber's question, Mr O'Krafka says it's frustrating at the staff level because right now everyone is in the dark about the changes.

Cllr Hallman agrees that the process should be transparent.

Resident from Shingletown is a delegation representing Citizens For Safe Water (sorry, missed his name). Has some comments and suggestions for the township's response to the proposed changes.

Rory Farnan is another delegation in response to the proposed provincial changes. Refers to the Region of Waterloo's concerns about them. Talks about the threats to communities.

Mr Farnan suggests that the township implements Interim Control Bylaw.

Recommendation to receive the report and forward it to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Carried.

Mr Nancekivell with a report on the New Hamburg Arena Architectural/Engineering Re-commissioning Study. Afterwards, he hands over to Mr Kelly, who talks about a proposed grant application the Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) Community, Culture and Recreation Stream.

Cllr Fisher asks if there are any estimates for staffing costs, Zamboni purchase, etc for the revamped facility. Mr Nancekivell responds.

Cllr Pfenning thanks staff for listening to the community with regards to the community centre's use. Asks if it would be worth considering public consultations soon, regardless of the funding application.

Mr Kelly says it would be premature to implement a consultation process until the township knows if it is receiving funding.

Cllr Gerber comments that he understands how long the process takes, having been involved with the Wilmot Rec Complex alongside Cllr Fisher and then-Cllr Armstrong.

Comments and questions from Cllrs Gordijk and Hallman. Cllr Hallman says she's spoken to local user groups; asks if they could provide letters of support for the application. Mr Kelly says yes, and mentions that the deadline is fast approaching.

Delegation: Aaron Fewkes, president of The Community Players of New Hamburg. Says that his management team has been diligently reviewing the report since Wednesday. He thinks there are some good points in the proposed hybrid plan, but - according to the plan in the report...

...there doesn't seem to be a space for TCP. Mr Fewkes goes through how TCP productions are put together, and offers suggestions for how the township could help by considering their needs.

Sherry Robinson - also from TCP - adds her observations.

Mayor Armstrong points out these are very rough drawings at this stage.

Mr Fewkes asks if the drawings will be part of the funding application. Mr Nancekivell: Yes.

Cllr Hallman asks Mr Kelly if it conceptual drawings are regarded as definitive when included with funding applications. Mr Kelly answers by saying the finished WRC construction doesn't match the original drawings "to a T".

Mayor Armstrong says it's very rare we have the luxury of our local MP being present to hear our concerns and needs. (@votetimlouis is in the public gallery.)

Recommendation to accept the report and proceed with the application: Carried.

Announcements:

Cllr Hallman mentions the Interfaith Counselling Centre's Suicide Awareness fundraising breakfast. Tickets are available.

Says how much she enjoyed the Big Brothers Big Sisters fashion show fundraiser with Cllrs Pfenning and Gordijk.

Cllr Gordijk thanks Tim Louis for performing at the fashion show.

Says that she's hoping for a good turnout at TCP's Calendar Girls as all proceeds from 50/50 sales are being donated to the Wilmot Terry Fox Run.

Thanks all candidates in the federal election and volunteers.

Cllr Fisher mentions the St James Church designation ceremony this coming weekend.

Cllr Pfenning talks about the climate migration presentation coming up at St Agatha Community Centre.

And we're adjourned at 9:04pm.