Thread by @LoveWilmot

This evening's Township of Wilmot council meeting kicks off at 7pm, so here's the agenda. Watch the meeting as it happens at youtube.com/channel/UCcA8f…, or follow along with this thread 👇

Mayor Armstrong gets the meeting underway. He asks for a moment's silence and thoughts for our collective experience during the pandemic. He warns that we need to reduce our social interactions. "Please do your part and stay home. It's the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19"

Coun Pfenning reads the land acknowledgement.

No additions to the agenda nor declarations of pecuniary interest.

No corrections to the minutes from the last council meeting.

We now have a presentation about the Strategic Plan Update by Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services/Director of Information and Legislative Services). The full report in on page 22 of the agenda package.

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) picks up the presentation by talking about the 2013 Strategic Plan.

Tracey Murray (Deputy Clerk) and Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) add their contributions.

Ms Mittelholtz outlines how aspects of the Strategic Plan will be implemented.

Challenges posed by the coronavirus have been touched on by most of the presenters.

Mayor Armstrong praises Township staff and the community for it's hard work putting this together, and he also mentions the contributions from Councillors Gerber and Hallman.

Coun Hallman and Coun Gerber mention that they're pleased to see this updated.

Coun Pfenning thanks the committee and staff for their work, as does Coun Fisher. Coun Gordijk says it's amazing what has been accomplished in putting this complex document together during the pandemic.

Coun Gordijk points out that the procedural bylaw is referred to as being a complete project, but she thinks it isn't because it hasn't been reviewed by legal counsel.

Coun Hallman says she's alarmed that Wilmot's code of conduct update is being deferred to the next term of council. It hasn't been updated since 2007, even though the municipal act has changed several times since then. She wants this referred to the Integrity Commissioner.

Ms Mittelholtz says that a full schedule due to the pandemic means several items have been deferred.

Coun Hallman asks the CAO to treat this as a priority. Adds her training at @AMOPolicy covered this with reference to the municipal act.

Coun Gerber suggests that the code of conduct should at least be ready at the beginning of the next term of council, rather than waiting until the next council is in place, which would delay it further.

Coun Hallman asks if there has been any progress hiring a consultant for the PM Path. Ms Mittelholtz says that no consultancies showed a formal interest, so the committee will be meeting to discuss next steps.

Coun Gordijk praises "the two Andrews" and Coun Pfenning for their work on the trails in recent weeks. She agrees that the code of conduct should be updated before the next council is sworn in, otherwise it could be 2023 before it gets updated.

Recommendation to endorse the Strategic Plan and the work plan be approved: Carried.

Next is the consent agenda. No items have been removed by council to be discussed separately as part of the main agenda. The consent agenda is carried.

Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) is discussing a zone change application that was first before council at the previous meeting. The new report covers some of the concerns raised by members of the public.

Coun Pfenning says she supports this proposal because it addresses the goal of inclusivity, which coincides with the just-approved Strategic Plan.

The zone change has been approved by council.

There's now a report from Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) regarding the purchase of a new Triple Combination Pumper truck. The purchase - at a cost of $773,539 - has been approved by council.

There are no Notices of Motion, so we're on to announcements.

Coun Gordijk mentions that Suicide Action Wilmot Wellesley's "Overwhelmed" video, which will be shared on @ICC_NewHamburg's social media this Wednesday morning.

Coun Gerber highlights Movember, and laments his inability to support the cause with his own facial growth. He praises Mr Kelly's attempt. Coun Hallman says she's made a financial contribution to Mr Kelly.

Coun Hallman offers Diwali greetings to Wilmot residents.

She says that it's #TransgenderAwarenessWeek, and she's received messages from people who praised the Township for raising the Pride flag a few months ago.

Mayor Armstrong says he was pleased at the respectful but safe turnout at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day last week.

Coun Pfenning says she acknowledges the pain that people may be feeling right now as they're unable to grieve and mourn lost loved ones during the pandemic.

We're adjourned at 8:05pm.