Thread by @LoveWilmot

There's a closed meeting, followed by a regular council meeting this evening. Get the agenda package at bit.ly/2NAZDyQ and then watch the regular meeting on YouTube - bit.ly/3lIhHnr. You can also follow along here 👇

There was also some additions to the agenda package.

https://twitter.com/JennPfenning/status/1374128510214750212

Mayor Armstrong starts the meeting by asking for a moment's silence in memory of Ron Doyle, who passed away last week. He was a local entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Coun Hallman reads the land acknowledgement.

The two additions have been formally added to the agenda.

Coun Pfenning (related to the closed meeting) and Coun Gordijk (Hallman Pit) each have declarations of pecuniary interest.

The minutes from Monday, March 1 have been approved.

Now we have a public meeting about the zone change application for 73 Hincks Street, New Hamburg. Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) is presenting his report.

No objections were received from the public, and there are no delegations to speak about it today.

Council has voted to approve the zone change.

Now we have a number of delegations about the Hallman Pit.

First to speak is Russell Bramley, who represents True North Safety, a construction safety training company retained by Citizens for Safe Ground Water. He reviewed a transportation impact study.

Although he hasn't conducted an on-site study, he says that Queen St/Witmer Rd intersection would offer poor sight lines for vehicles leaving the Hallman Pit.

Next speaker is Ed Dupej. He refers to two reports that he discussed at a public meeting a year ago. He says that Witmer Rd needs to be rebuilt from the pit entrance to Queens St.

He also cites a number of statistics about traffic impact increases, as well as potential delays to emergency vehicles. He proposes an alternate route from the pit.

Next is Rory Farnan, secretary for Citizens for Safe Ground Water. He talks about the focus of tonight's delegations, which is impact studies.

Next is Samantha Lernout from CFSGW. She has a young family, and has concerns about the impact of all-day truck traffic (6am-7pm, Mon-Fri; 6am-6pm, Sat; 300 days a year).

She also has concerns about emergency vehicles being impeded, especially if they're stuck behind pit vehicles, which won't be able to move to the side of the road.

Ms Lernout proposes a similar alternate route to the one suggested by Mr Farnan.

The next speaker is Yvonne Zyma. She says she values the heritage and nature in Wilmot, and she thinks the Hallman Pit will have a negative impact on the area. She's giving a photo tour of what would be impacted by the pit.

She doesn't want the application to be approved because of what she says will be a negative impact on nature.

Linda Laepple (Laepple Organic Farm) is the next speaker. She's worried about the negative economic impacts of aggregate extraction. She asks for council to implement an interim control bylaw.

Up next is Paula Brown from Baden. She talks about her family's improved quality of life since she moved to Wilmot. Ms Brown reiterates some of the concerns raised by previous delegations. "In Wilmot, you can both relax and engage."

Ms Brown is against the pit application.

David Bruegger (?) is next up, and he is against the pit application because of the amount of traffic and the noise that would result. He mentions his concerns about the threat to safe drinking water. He wants the zoning to remain as agricultural.

Stephanie Goertz is the next delegation. She asks if there are better alternatives to concrete and asphalt, and do we need another pit? Ms Goertz talks about eco-friendly alternatives to traditional concrete, and new innovations that positively impact the environment.

The next speaker is Ruth Rosner (sp) from Shingletown, who mentions dangers posed by large dump trucks. She says to council, "This application requires much more oversight on your part."

Next is Martha Bruegger (sp) who is talking about her morning walks in Shingletown, and the wildlife she encounters. She says there are no shoulders on the road, so cars go around her while she's walking. She says the road can't be widened.

That was the last delegation.

Coun Pfenning thanks everyone who took the time to inform themselves and came to delegate tonight. She says council will be taking their comments very seriously.

There will now be a 5-minute "bio break".

We're back, with the consent agenda. No items are being pulled for discussion, and the consent agenda has been passed by council.

Grant Whittington (Chief Administrative Officer) is presenting the 2020 – 2021 Work Program report. He praises staff for their work throughout COVID. The full report starts on page 77 of the agenda package.

Aaron Fewkes, president of The Community Players of New Hamburg, is a delegation. He begins with the history of TCP and its productions, which take place in the NH Community Centre. TCP invested $180,000 in venue upgrades.

Mr Fewkes is talking about the financial - and other - challenges posed by COVID. TCP will be producing two-person plays in a series called Take Two.

He mentions a joint ICIP grant application with the Township, which was denied.

TCP mentions a recent ICIP application debrief meeting with Township staff. He says he hopes council will affirm its support for TCP's work, and that the work program will be amended to include its needs.

Coun Gordijk asks if Mr Fewkes has a concrete plan in mind, or if he's just asking for support. He says the latter. Coun Gordijk says he has her support.

Coun Pfenning thanks Mr Fewkes and says he has her support. "We want to see you continue in our community."

Mr Whittington says TCP has the support of the Township, and calls them a major stakeholder.

Coun Hallman says she fully supports Mr Fewkes' request for continued conversations with Township staff.

Coun Gordijk suggests to Mr Whittington that the work program be amended as suggested. She asks if there are any local venues that can be used temporarily.

Coun Pfenning says it's important that the work program should contain a line item as suggested by the wording used by Mr Fewkes. This will be sent to Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services/Director of Information and Legislative Services).

Coun Fisher says he doesn't have a problem adding it to the work program, and he appreciates everything that TCP adds to the township.

Coun Gerber asks for clarification about what exactly the Township is committing itself to.

Ms Mittelholtz says that the wording would refer to consultation with TCP about storage space.

Mr Fewkes says it's not a commitment to, but a pursuit of growth and support alongside other arts and culture partners.

Coun Fisher says he agrees that it's important to explore options and support.

Mayor Armstrong voices his approval.

Coun Gordijk says that council hasn't been receiving senior management team reports, and she asks if this is due to COVID. Mr Whittington confirms that that is the reason.

She asks Mr Kelly if cheque reports can begin again.

Coun Pfenning says that the corporate culture review was deferred from 2020, and now it's been scheduled for the end of 2021. She asks why it's so late in the year.

Mr Kelly says the outside consultant suggested pushing it back until a time when COVID calms down.

Coun Hallman mentions that the car pool parking spot sign motion that was passed by council when Scott Nancekivell was Director of Facilities & Recreation Services is still not on the work program. Sandy Jackson says that she is still researching this.

Coun Hallman says she would still like it to be documented, even if it gets deferred.

She asks Mr Whittington about the crime prevention committee, which she would like to be added to the timetable, as committees are now meeting via Zoom.

Coun Gordijk thanks Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) for the signage around the township regarding green light information (for volunteer firefighters). Chief Leeson thanks her for pushing for this to happen and staff for making it happen.

Coun Pfenning comments that every year staff puts in a lot of work preparing this plan, and she hopes residents take the time to review it. The projects on it will impact life in our community, and she would love to talk to residents about the plan.

The recommendation to approve the work plan has been carried.

Ms Mittelholtz is presenting a report about Award of Contract, Request for Proposal (RFP) 2021-01 - Electronic Agenda and Meeting Management Solution.

Coun Hallman says she and some fellow councillors attended AMO and learned about the proposed platform.

Coun Fisher asks if Ms Mittelholtz has any idea about cost savings. She says eSCRIBE has produced an ROI document. She adds that it will save a lot of staff time when it comes to preparation of meeting documents.

Coun Gordijk asks if the quoted fee is a subscription or a one-off cost. Ms Mittelholtz and Mr Kelly say the annual fee will be incorporated into the operating budget for IT services.

The recommendation to award the contract to eSCRIBE is carried.

Mr Molenhuis is presenting a report about the Automated Speed Enforcement Program – Update and Endorsement of Additional Location, which will be outside Sir Adam Beck P.S. in Baden.

Coun Fisher asks if it will be enforced 24/7, or just during school times. Mr Molenhuis says that they will be present throughout the day and year.

Coun Gordijk asks about the priority listing for locations, and asks if Forest Glen PS could be moved up as there are younger students there. Mr Molenhuis says that the list is flexible.

The recommendation is carried.

Next is the Annual Surface Treatment Program – Award of Contract, presented by Mr Molenhuis.

The recommendation to award the contract to Cornell Construction Limited of Brantford is carried.

Next: RECOMMENDATION THAT Report 2021-06 be received for information; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a Municipal Access Agreement (MAA) with Mornington Communications Co-operative Ltd.

Carried.

Next: RECOMMENDATION THAT Council approve participation in the co-operative tender with the Grand River Co-operative Purchasing Group (GRCPG) for supply and placement of Pavement Markings by Guild Electric for a term of one year, from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.

Carried.

Mr Martin with a report about a zone change application, which was the topic discussed in a public meeting last October.

Resident Ceri Nelmes is a delegation on this application. She has concerns about it.

Some of Ms Nelmes's slides. "We want to feel like we matter." She adds that she wants to feel safe, and her safety is now at risk.

Ms Nelmes is clearly very upset and is in tears during her presentation.

Craig Nichols and Cindy Moser are the next delegation. Mr Nichols says he is angry and upset. He has three daughters who use the swimming pool in his yard. He's worried about windows of the proposed property that will be in arm's length from the pool.

Mr Nichols says that he may have to move because of this proposed property. He is also audibly upset. "You need to vote as if this was being put next to your property." He's worried about "6 families staring at his daughters."

The next delegation is the developer Sam Head, Dryden Smith and Head. He says that he appreciates the comments from residents, but the guidelines allow for what has been proposed. He says he's asking for minor variances, and he's following provincial policy.

Dan Fleischman is next to speak. He moved to New Hamburg from Kitchener seven years ago. He says the neighbours are the best. Building six residences on a space where there is just one is wrong.

Craig Nichols has returned. He says not once has anyone knocked on his door to discuss what has been planned.

Coun Gordijk asks for clarification about the property line post-severance. She asks if Mr Martin can explain the application's details. He says that the reductions are appropriate for this property. There would be one building with four units, and one with two (potentially).

Ceri Nelmes is speaking again. She asks what Wilmot wants to be known as, and that she says she has to leave. Ms Nelmes says that the language used in the discussion about the zoning application that has been used isn't easy to understand. She feels she is being forced out.

There is now a motion to extend this council meeting past 11pm, which is carried.

Coun Pfenning says she hears the anger and frustration of residents. She says she will be voting in favour of the motion because the proposed property might result in an affordable property for people like her adult sons who are employed, but can't afford to live here.

Coun Hallman says she listened with intent to the delegations. She says that we must intensify development to avoid urban sprawl. She shares the story of her own family who moved here from Italy and shared a home. She says that WR is running out of places for people to live.

Coun Fisher says he will also be supporting this application. Intensification has been passed down from Regional council and the province.

The recommendation to accept the application has been carried.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) is presenting a report about naming four streets in the Employment Lands.

Coun Fisher says he's happy with all the names. He says that three names are of people, while one is a business, and he asks Mr O'Krafka to talk about the reasoning. He replies that it was generational, and also significantly different from other roads in the region (for 911).

Mayor Armstrong shares a Vernon Erb story from when he was a police officer, who came at 3:30am to help one of his drivers who was involved in a road accident.

The recommendation is carried.

Correspondence has been received for information.

Integrity Commissioner Report Nos. IC-2020-03, IC-2020-04 and IC-2021-01, and

Integrity Commissioner Annual Report 2020

Announcements:

Coun Gordijk mentions the shootings in Atlanta when 8 people died, inc 6 Asian women. "Anti-Asian racism is a growing concern, not just in U.S., but also in Canada."

"There are people with Asian heritage living in our community." Incidents in the news and close to home are causing them and her to be concerned.

She talks about a local resident whose young son came home in tears when one of his friends said they couldn’t play together because their skin colour didn’t match. Coun Gordijk says kids learn their behaviour from us.

"Yesterday was the Int Day for Elimination of Race Discrimination, and we were told to take action and speak up." She says we need to speak out when we see racism, like the white supremacists last summer who came to Baden to intimidate people.

"We need to say, you and your hate are not welcome here. Our words tell the world what we refuse to tolerate and our silence shows what we are willing to accept."

She has an announcement about Wilmot Terry Fox Run fundraisers.

The Greenwood Rod & Gun Club is hosting a Fish Fry take out on Friday, April 2 from 4pm. It’s $15 for 2 pieces of fish, with chips and coleslaw.

Coun Pfenning says that yesterday was a day of awareness for two separate important things: Down Syndrome and ending racism.

"Globally there are hundreds of thousands of people born with this genetic anomaly. In Canada, approx 1 in 750 children are born with it."

She says people with Down Syndrome are "some of the most warm-hearted people on earth" and they "can teach most of us how to be better human beings."

March 21 is also been designated for ending racial discrimination. "The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in 1960."

"We often think of racism as an extreme type of event. But racism is far more subtle. We have to learn not to tolerate differences, but to celebrate them and embrace them. Listen with our hearts."

Today is #WorldWaterDay. UN Sec-General says water means protection. "When I think about water, I think about the incredible privilege I have in having access to the purest water right in my home."

"It is a right most of us take for granted. It shames me that there are communities in Canada whose water has been polluted for decades. Govts have promised action for a long time. Today is a day to demand better."

"All levels of govt must put aside jurisdictional differences and make it happen now. I am calling on @TimLouisKitCon MP and @mikeharrisjrpc MPP to take decisive action to end all boil water advisories and ensure clean drinking water for everyone in this country. No more delays."

Coun Hallman mentions the fish fry at the Wilmot Rod & Gun Club on Good Friday.

Castle Kilbride is taking bookings for tours starting in April.

She talks about transgender rights, and recommends the Disclosure documentary on Netflix.

She also talks about the Atlanta shootings.

She asks Mayor Armstrong if he can share something he's learned from his anti-racism education. He says that it's clear that we have a long way to go. He wants to get to a point where we don't see colour and just see the person.

Coun Hallman thanks the mayor for sharing.

Mayor Armstrong talks about the business that arose from the earlier closed meeting, which was about the donation of land.

We're adjourned at 11:34pm.