Thread by @LoveWilmot

Tonight's council meeting (7pm) is preceded by a closed meeting (4:30pm). Get the full council agenda at calendar.wilmot.ca/default/Detail…, watch live at youtube.com/channel/UCcA8f…, or follow along here 👇

Mayor Armstrong starts the meeting by asking for a moment's silence to reflect on Canada's first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Coun Gordijk reads the land acknowledgement.

No additions to the agenda nor disclosures of pecuniary interest. The minutes for the previous meeting have been approved. Coun Hallman asks for an amendment, based on comments she's received from residents; that motion is carried.

There's now a Public Meeting about a Draft Plan of Subdivision Application and Zone Change Application - 1012 Snyder’s Road West, Baden (p17 of the agenda package)

From the staff report: "Notice of a Public Meeting was given to property owners within 120 metres of the subject lands on August 26, 2021. The following is a summary of comments received prior to the Public Meeting."

Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) is discussing the application that would lead to the building of a new subdivision. No decision will be made this evening; it's just for information.

There are a number of comments from members of the public included in the staff report.

Pierre Chauvin (MHBC Planning) is the first delegation, on behalf of the applicant. He's describing the proposed design of the subdivision. There would be between 245-296 single detached and townhouse residential dwellings.

Coun Gordijk asks if there would be community park for families that would be living in this subdivision. She refers to the school block in the plan. Mr Chauvin says there would be trails, but not a park.

Coun Fisher also comments on the lack of park or green space. He says he's received a number of calls from his Baden constituents asking about the type of homes. Mr Chauvin says he could consult with Township staff to address the park issue.

Mr Chauvin hopes to have council approval by the second quarter of 2022.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) says there is an existing park in Baden nearby - Goldschmidt.

Coun Hallman comments on the need for more homes in the Township so that the next generation can remain in the community. She asks Sandy Jackson (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) if Goldschmidt Pk can be improved for families. Ms Jackson says this can be looked into.

Next speaker is Penny Collins, who has lived in Baden for 16 yrs. She discusses her community involvement. She appreciates growth because she took advantage of it herself. Says the open spaces in the plan aren't true public space because they're for subdivision residents.

Coun Hallman thanks Ms Collins for her insight and input.

The next speaker is Stephanie Goertz, who says that this subdivision doesn't align with the Township's emission targets. She says this wouldn't be a walkable community, and she also talks about green space and "complete neighbourhoods".

Coun Pfenning asks what specifically would improve walkability in this area of Baden. Ms Goertz says there is no healthcare (doctors) or grocery stores nearby. She says that infrastructure needs to be built in to plans like this.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) says that there have been initiatives to sell food in the area, but it would need to be supported by the public. He says it's chicken/egg - there needs to be retail infrastructure and residential support.

Mr O'Krafka says there used to be no dentists in the area, now there are a few. There has been growth, but it doesn't happen overnight.

Mayor Armstrong says he's had several enquiries over the years from doctors who were thinking about opening offices in Baden, but they never came to fruition.

Coun Gordijk asks about environmental concerns and the Township's commitments to Net-Zero. Should we looking at revisiting our parks masterplan? Some people - like her - prefer parks to trails.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) says building in Baden allows for density with fully serviceable infrastructure. The comments about overwhelming the community were also said about the Activa development behind Castle Kilbride, but that didn't happen.

Coun Pfenning suggests that Coun Gordijk should walk with her on the trails so that she can enjoy them.

Kaitlyn Leece is the next speaker, talking about energy efficiency and different types of housing. Ms Leece also mentions open spaces. The types of housing being proposed would be unaffordable/inaccessible to the average person in the region.

Coun Pfenning says Ms Leece raised some excellent points.

Natasha Salonen is the next delegation and says she appreciates Ms Leece's comments about affordability. Says we don't have the infrastructure to accommodate the influx of people that this subdivision would bring. She lists some statistics about access to local healthcare.

Ms Salonen mentions local waiting lists to register with doctors. She suggests following Goderich's methods of enticing doctors to the community. The proposal states that Waterloo-Oxford would not take students from this development, who would be bussed to other communities.

The report about this proposal has been received for information. The final decision is some time away.

Marg Rowell, Heritage Wilmot Vice-Chair, is giving a presentation about the Register of Non-Designated Properties (p39). Heritage Wilmot is proposing the addition of 17 properties to the Register.

Tracy Loch (Director/Curator) is presenting her report about the Non-Designated Heritage Register Update.

Coun Fisher talks about the importance of heritage buildings and structures. He praises all of the Heritage Wilmot committee who contributed to the report. He and Coun Pfenning are members of the committee.

There is a letter with an objection to the proposed inclusion of one of the properties.

The recommendation is carried.

Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) is presenting a proposed Procurement By-Law Update (p112). The by-law was last updated in 2016.

Coun Pfenning thanks the Corporate Leadership Team for preparing the report and recommendations. She asks for stronger language on the environmental priority in the procurement policy.

Mr Kelly suggests this wording as an amendment to the recommendation.

Coun Hallman asks if this is aligned with other local municipalities. Mr Kelly says North Dumfries has updated to similar figures, but Wellesley hasn't. He outlines where council would maintain decision-making authority.

Coun Gordijk asks about a simple reporting mechanism so that council is kept up-to-date with procurement. Work plans are quarterly, but an email would suffice in this situation. Mr Kelly agrees.

Mr Kelly confirms for Coun Gordijk that yes, that is a bunny in the background.

(No, I have not started drinking. Yet.)

RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Report COR 2021-032, regarding the update to the By-Law for the Procurement of Goods and Services and Disposal of Surplus Goods, be received for information purposes; and further THAT an updated by-law be adopted, with an effective date of Oct 1 '21.

Carried

Correspondence: An Integrity Commissioner's Report has been received for information (p140). Complaints against Coun Gordijk have been dismissed.

No notices of motions.

Announcements: Coun Pfenning mentions a program at Castle Kilbride's interactive history experience.

Coun Pfenning talks about the Healing of the Seven Generations memorial walk on Sept 30, starting at 300 Frederick St and heading to Victoria Park. There will be a sacred fire to honour the children who didn't make it home from residential schools.

Coun Fisher mentions the planting of 100 trees at Beck Park last week. He thanks Home Hardware, Ms Jackson and Geoff Dubrick.

Coun Hallman highlights Let's Tree Wilmot: facebook.com/letstreewilmot…

Ms Jackson says that the Township has been working hard to produce learning opportunities on Sept 30 (Orange Shirt Day) for staff regarding residential schools, as a step towards reconciliation.

Coun Gordijk asks if some of the resources that were made available to staff and council could be put on the Township's website.

And we're adjourned at 9:09pm.