Thread by @LoveWilmot

This evening's council meeting begins at 7pm. The full agenda is at calendar.wilmot.ca//townshipcalen…. Watch live at youtube.com/channel/UCcA8f… or follow along here 👇

Mayor Armstrong starts by thanking everyone who has already received their COVID vaccinations.

Coun Fisher reads the land acknowledgement.

Coun Hallman has asked for her written statement to be included to the minutes for the July 5 special council meeting.

The minutes for the previous two council meetings have been approved.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) introduces Phil Holst, who is giving a presentation with a Mike Schout Wetland Preserve Approvals Update.

Coun Pfenning asks when she can sign up to start planting trees. Mr Holst says that he's making a list, and he's looking forward to seeing her on site.

Coun Fisher says this is a unique project, and he thanks Mr Holst, Mr Schout and Mr O'Krafka for their hard work. He asks how rare this type of project is. Mr Holst says the leadership from the Township is one of the things that makes it unique.

Mr Holst says that Elmira is working on a similar project.

Coun Gordijk says she's really excited about this come to fruition, even though she isn't much of a trail walker. She asks for clarification about access to the trails from the parking lot, which Mr Holst provides.

Sandy Jackson (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) thanks Mr Holst for his presentation, and she says that his enthusiasm is infectious, as is that of Mr O'Krafka. Mayor Armstrong echoes her comments.

Consent agenda is next; no items are pulled for discussion, so all of them are carried.

Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services/Director of Information and Legislative Services) is now presenting a report about the Proposed Procedural By-law updates.

Coun Gordijk thanks Ms Mittelholtz for all of her work, as she has had to work with input from a lot of people. She says that the last meeting showed that delegations can work within a five-minute timeframe.

Ms Mittelholtz says that she will address an issue about calling on members of council to speak in order of hand raising, rather than by ward number.

Coun Hallman thanks all of council and staff for all the work that has got to this version of the procedural by-laws. She says that she's spoken with local Indigenous residents who have asked for the land acknowledgement to be more easily accessible on the Township's website.

Ms Mittelholtz says she has heard from several people who have asked to "borrow" Wilmot's land acknowledgement.

Coun Hallman says she's heard from residents who are concerned about the speaking time for delegations. Ms Jackson says that most people at the previous meeting didn't use their full five minutes.

Ms Jackson says that one of the First Peoples Group's recommendations was to improve public engagement. She suggests that there are better mechanisms for people's voices to be heard, such as public information centres.

She says that the public should be assured that council does read the information that they provide.

Coun Hallman asks Ms Mittelholtz if the procedural by-law can allow for discretion if members of the public ask for longer speaking time. Ms Mittelholtz says her office can work with groups of people to ensure they're heard.

Mayor Armstrong says that there is some room for leniency when applying the rules.

Coun Pfenning thanks Township staff for doing an excellent job of clarifying and addressing people's concerns. She's looking forward to working with everyone to the next steps of improving public engagement.

Coun Hallman asks Ms Jackson if the Township's solicitor has reviewed the by-laws; she says they have. Ms Jackson also praises Ms Mittelholtz for her thoroughness.

The Proposed Procedural By-law has been carried by all five councillors.

Deputy Clerk Tracey Murray is giving a presentation of the Records Retention report.

Summary: The Township of Wilmot continues to be dedicated to continuing to provide responsible, transparent governance. The implementation and update of the Records Management Program will continue to support the efficient management of...

...and cost-effective records retention as the Township continues to grow.

Ms Mittelholtz thanks Ms Murray for her passion on this project and acknowledges all of her work. Mayor Armstrong thanks Ms Murray for "a job well done".

Carried by all five councillors.

Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) is now discussing the Development Charges Update Study report.

From the summary: A public meeting was held to receive public input on the Township of Wilmot’s proposed development charges (D.C.) by-law update and background study. After the public meeting, members of the development community provided general comments on the study.

Coun Fisher asks about library services: Has there been any discussion with the Region about service delivery? Mr Kelly says not that he is aware of. Ms Jackson says there has been limited discussion since she's been interim CAO.

The recommendation is carried.

Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works) presents the Wilmot-Waterloo Boundary Road Maintenance Agreement report, and highlights Wilmot Line.

Coun Gordijk asks how the study will be affected by the moratorium on development within the Haldimand Tract. Mr Molenhuis discusses environmental assessment and discussion with Indigenous communities.

Coun Pfenning asks if Mr Molenhuis can clarify for residents what environmental assessment means. He says that, using Wilmot Line as an example, the study would look at materials and traffic calming. This would be presented to the public.

EAs are a structured process that allows for public input.

RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve and enter into an agreement with the City of Waterloo for the maintenance, repair and capital services for Wilmot Line; and further...

...THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the attached Boundary Road Agreement between the City of Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot.

Carried.

The report into the Aggregate Zoning Status Review has been deferred to allow time for further study.

Grand River Conservation Authority - Environmental Registry Posting 019-2986: Regulatory proposal (phase1) under the Conservation Authorities Act and Township of Wilmot – Annual Ombuds Report have been received for information.

Announcements: Coun Pfenning says next week is National Drowning Prevention Week. She notes that over 400 Canadians die by drowning every year, and one is too many. She talks about ways to stay safe around water.

Coun Pfenning says her comments are from the Lifesaving Society's website lifesavingsociety.com

Coun Hallman asks people to #SupportLocal at a time that the Township is hopefully moving into Stage 3.

Coun Gordijk talks about Warren Bechthold's donation-collecting event on Thursday, July 15 outside his business in Petersburg. "Last year, he raised an astonishing $22,000 in just a few hours."

Coun Gordijk also mentions that @tcpnh is looking for volunteers.

Mayor Armstrong says he's looking forward to the Region and Township entering Stage 3, especially as he needs a haircut.

We're adjourned at 8:20pm.