The third of four Budget Ad Hoc Committee meetings is scheduled to begin at 7pm on Tuesday, January 21 (originally scheduled for yesterday, but some council members were attending the #ROMA2020 conference). Agenda package: calendar.wilmot.ca/default/Detail…. Follow the live tweets here 👇 
Cllr Hallman reads the land acknowledgment to get the meeting started.
No declarations of pecuniary interest.
Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) with a report about the 2020 Capital Budget. The staff report is on page 3 of the agenda package.
Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) with a report about the 2020 Capital Budget. The staff report is on page 3 of the agenda package.
Cllr Gordijk apologizes for not giving Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) advanced warning about questions to department heads, due to some members of council attending @ROMA_Ont.
@ROMA_Ont Members of council note that they're pleased to see that 27 municipalities that applied for the Municipal Modernization Program were approved (including Wilmot).
@ROMA_Ont Re: new by-law enforcement vehicle - Cllr Fisher asks if there are grants available for electric vehicles. (see page 10 of the agenda package)
@ROMA_Ont In reply to Cllr Pfenning's question, Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) explains the style of vehicle that's required, which comes down to storage capacity.
@ROMA_Ont On to the Corporate Branding Exercise / Website Refresh. Cllr Gerber asks how a new logo design will affect the township-wide signs, many of which were installed within the last few years; references the stylized "W" and crest.
Ms Mittelholtz says that this is a branding review exercise, and will involve public and council focus groups.
Cllr Pfenning says she's pleased to see this coming forward now.
Cllr Hallman asks if the public will have input into the website refresh process. Ms Mittelholz says this won't be as big a change as the previous redesign. (In design parlance, this sounds like a usability audit)
Cllr Hallman asks if the public will have input into the website refresh process. Ms Mittelholz says this won't be as big a change as the previous redesign. (In design parlance, this sounds like a usability audit)
Cllr Fisher asks about having video capability. Ms Mittelholz this will be discussed with the township's communication specialist.
(I'm skipping the reports where there are no questions from council.)
Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer) responds to Cllr Hallman's question about the Corporate Phone System Replacement.
Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) answers Cllrs Fisher and Gordijk's questions about Women’s Washroom Renovations.
Fire Prevention Vehicle: Cllr Pfenning asks if it's possible to have electric vehicles. Chief Leeson says that these vehicles need to run for hours and hours, and battery life isn't there yet.
In response to Cllr Fisher's question about buying used fire vehicles, Chief Leeson says that the township always buys new ones for front-line use.
Moving on to Public Works: Several vehicles are being replaced.
Radar Speed Display Signs: Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works) clarifies for Cllr Gordijk that the two new signs will bring the township's total to six.
Cllrs Gordijk and Hallman comment that residents in their respective wards were pleased to see this in 2020 budget.
Cllrs Gordijk and Hallman comment that residents in their respective wards were pleased to see this in 2020 budget.
Cllr Fisher asks if leaving a speed sign in one place for a long time diminishes its effectiveness. Mr Molenhuis acknowledges that it can be seen as a temporary measure, but it does alert drivers to how fast they are travelling.
Cllr Hallman says she's spoken to @WRPSToday about this in other township's, and speed radar signs seem to be effective for visitors to areas, rather than residents.
@WRPSToday Church and Wilmot Streets Reconstruction - Cllr Gordijk asks about kerb extensions (bumpouts) as a traffic calming measure, based on discussions she heard at @ROMA_Ont.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont Notre Dame Drive Reconstruction - Cllr Gordijk thanks Mayor Armstrong because residents in St Agatha feel their concerns have been heard, especially the St Agatha Catholic Church community. (This is a regional project, and Les Armstrong serves as Wilmot's regional councillor.)
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont Surface Treatment Program - Cllr Gordijk asks for clarification on why Columbia St is included. Residents saw this listed and were concerned that it sets a precedent. Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) says that this is for the emergency exit only.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont Cllr Gordijk also asks if the surface treatment is replacing tar and chip on Wilmot Line, rather than resurfacing with something else.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Moving on to Parks, Facilities & Recreation Services.
Cllr Hallman asks about Community Centre Washroom Floors. Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) describes the surfaces that will be used for these upgrades.
Cllr Hallman asks about Community Centre Washroom Floors. Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) describes the surfaces that will be used for these upgrades.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Dog Park - Cllr Pfenning mentions that residents have asked if they can fundraise for this project. Ms Mittelholtz says she's had conversations with Mr Nancekivell about the project, but it's too soon to say when they should begin.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Admin Complex – Office Layout Design and Renovations: Cllr Pfenning asks about flexibility with the budget for this project ($274k) as projects of this nature can come with surprises.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Cllr Hallman asks if Mr Nancekivell has any pictures of what the Haysville CC Playground Replacement will look like. Mr Nancekivell says he can distribute some.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Additional Funding – Artificial Sports Field at Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School: Cllr Pfenning asks about plastic turf with regards to environmental issues. Mr Nancekivell says he can't comment on that as he doesn't have information about micro-plastics, etc.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Additional Kitchen Renovation Funding (St Agatha): Cllr Gordijk thanks Director of Facilities & Recreation Services (Amber) for her work on this, which is being well received by St Agatha residents.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Reforestation Program - Lots of questions from Cllrs Hallman, Gordijk and Pfenning, which Mr Nancekivell and Mr Kelly reply to.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) Inventory - Cllr Gordijk asks Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) if roads can be included in this, such as Wilmot Line. Mr O'Krafka says council can have input on this.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Mr Kelly gives a report on the Ten Year Capital Forecast (2020-2029). The staff report begins on page 86 of the agenda package.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Mayor Armstrong points out that a (budgeted) study of what to do with Wilmot Line should be included as part of the forecast. Says this needs to be in conjunction with the region. Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) says the City of Waterloo would also be included.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Cllr Gordijk disagrees, as the region and Waterloo might think that we're moving forward with some work on the road.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Cllr Gerber thinks the study should be budgeted for so that it's there to begin the conversation.
Cllr Pfenning: We need to decide what to do with Wilmot Line and determine how best to deal with it.
Cllr Pfenning: We need to decide what to do with Wilmot Line and determine how best to deal with it.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Mr Whittington: In conversation with the CAO of Waterloo, this doesn't seem to be a priority.
@WRPSToday @ROMA_Ont @kthomason Cllr Pfenning suggests planning for a relocation of fire station 3 (New Hamburg), which could have become inaccessible during the recent flood. A conversation follows, involving Chief Leeson and Mr Whittington.
Mayor Armstrong thanks staff for their work on both reports.
There follows a conversation amongst council about popcorn that I don't understand.
And now we're adjourned (9:38pm).
There follows a conversation amongst council about popcorn that I don't understand.
And now we're adjourned (9:38pm).
