Thread by @LoveWilmot

Here's the agenda for the February 10 Wilmot council meeting. It includes a number of items that were deferred from the January 13 meeting, which ran past 11pm. Get the full agenda package at calendar.wilmot.ca//townshipcalen… and follow the live tweets here 👇

Mayor Armstrong gets proceedings underway at 7:06 pm and asks for a moment's thought for upcoming family day, and also those affected by the coronavirus around the world.

Coun Gordijk reads the land acknowledegment.

Coun Gordijk declares a pecuniary interest from the previous council meeting, and she has been advised by the clerk that she can't vote to accept the minutes resulting from that meeting.

Mayor Armstrong and Coun Fisher have minor corrections to those minutes.

Now addressing a zone change application for a property on Wilmot Street, New Hamburg. Report from Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO). No comments or questions from council. The property owner is here, but chooses not to address council. The application is approved.

Next up is a presentation from the Youth Action Council. The group's members are here to introduce themselves and talk about the YAC's activities.

Coun Hallman thanks everyone who came to speak today at the YAC presentation. She invites the group to display their artwork at this year's Canada Day in Wilmot, which she organizes.

Coun Gerber says that the annual YAC introduction is a highlight of Wilmot council's year. Says we have platinum youth here in the township.

On to the consent agenda. Coun Hallman says she has questions for several of these items; Coun Gordijk says she has a couple, too. That means the items will have to be pulled from the consent agenda so they can be discussed individually.

The remaining items on the consent agenda have been approved.

Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services) is giving a report on amendments to the procedural bylaws. She discusses issues that had been raised by council about the inclusion of religious content in the 2018 inaugural meeting.

Coun Gordijk is reading a statement that addresses the religious content, stating that municipal meetings and ceremonies should be neutral. Quotes from the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on council meetings in a different municipality.

Coun Gordijk asks staff to get a quote from the township's solicitor to provide their expert advice as neither staff nor council members are legal experts.

Ms Mittelholz says that there were no prayers at the last inaugural meeting. Says that the two ministers from local churches who were invited to speak weren't expected to speak on religious topics.

Coun Gerber says get legal advice is an over-reaction and agrees with the proposed amendments to the procedural bylaws. Makes reference to council's condemnation of Quebec's Bill 21.

Coun Hallman says it costs nothing to request a quote for a legal opinion.

Coun Gerber repeats that requesting legal advice is redundant.

Coun Gordijk says that if council does not agree to request a quote from the township's solicitor, she asks for this matter to be deferred. She says that she would consider getting her own legal advice.

Coun Pfenning says the key here is that there are people who would be excluded if there were religious ceremonies as part of council proceedings. This isn't a matter of banning people of faith from council chambers.

Coun Pfenning: There's a distinction if the township actually invites religious leaders to participate.

The recommendation to accept the draft procedural bylaw has been passed. Yay: Councillors Pfenning, Gerber, Fisher and Mayor Armstrong. Nay: Councillors Gordijk and Hallman.

Deputy Clerk Tracy Murray is giving a presentation about the forthcoming Information & Legislative Services Governance Policy. (See pp 358-378 of the agenda package.)

Coun Pfenning: Not entirely clear on the decision-making process on what comes to council and what staff are expected to take initiative on.

Discussion between Ms Murray and Coun Pfenning for clarification.

Recommendation to accept the governance policy: Carried.

Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) is now presenting the township's 2020 budget. Discusses changes to funding from upper levels of government and how that affects the way the township funds its activities.

(See pp 379 to 394 of the agenda package for details.)

Ends his presentation by thanking staff and council for their work to prepare a fiscally responsible budget.

Mayor Armstrong also thanks staff for their work. This is echoed by Coun Hallman - who asks for a copy of his presentation so that it can be given to residents - and Coun Fisher.

Recommendation to pass budget is carried unanimously.

Mr Kelly is now discussing the HR Management Administrative Directive, and Governance Policy for Hiring Personnel Recommendation.

Coun Fisher says it's important that council has input in hiring senior staff.

Coun Pfenning says she's happy this is being updated, as much has changed since the current version was implemented in 2001.

Recommendation to repeal the current by-law and receive the new details for information purposes: Carried.

Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works) with an operational report. Recommendation that the Water Supply Agreement with the Townships of Perth East and East Zorra-Tavistock be received for information;
THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the agreements: Carried.

Lacey Smith gives a Recreation Programming update.

Questions from Councillors Fisher and Pfenning, which Ms Smith responds to.

Questions from Councillors Hallman and Gordijk about programming and visitor numbers for Tracy Loch (Castle Kilbride Curator/Director), following her activity report.

On to Notice of motions, which were deferred from the previous council meeting.

Coun Hallman says she has received about 20 positive comments in support from residents for the proposal of live streaming council meetings for residents who are unable to attend.

The motion to have a report for live streaming is carried.

Coun Gordijk says she supports Coun Hallman's motion, as she's seen other municipalities in the Region have launched similar recognition programs.

Coun Hallman clarifies this is in addition to the Citizen of the Year program, and will recognize good citizens throughout the year.

Motion is carried.

Announcements: Coun Gerber is speaking in recognition of Scott Nancekivell (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services), who is retiring. This is his final Wilmot council meeting.

Coun Fisher says he also appreciates all of Mr Nancekivell's work over the years. Offers retirement advice.

Coun Hallman forces Mr Nancekivell to promise he'll join her under the bucket at the splashpad. Coun Gerber says he wants that in the minutes.

Mr Nancekivell thanks this council and the ones before it. Lists the projects he's most proud of over the years. Says he's worked with many great people. Grateful to have had the opportunity to build his career in Wilmot. Introduces his successor, Ms Sandy Jackson.

Coun Fisher mentions free swim and free skate at the WRC on Family Day.

Coun Hallman mentions the Polar Plunge last Saturday, which she and I took part in, raising $400 for @SOOntario athletes.

https://twitter.com/LoveWilmot/status/1226286056888262657

@SOOntario Coun Pfenning mentions Wilmot Heritage Day on February 22.

And we're adjourned at 9:30pm.