Thread by @LoveWilmot

Here's the agenda for this evening's Wilmot council meeting, which begins at 7pm. Read the full package at calendar.wilmot.ca//townshipcalen…, then watch live at youtube.com/channel/UCcA8f…, or follow along here 👇

There are a couple of additions to this evening's agenda.

Mayor Armstrong begins the meeting by acknowledging #MuslimHeritageMonth.

Cllr Fisher reads the territory acknowledgement this evening.

Cllr Gordijk thanks Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services/Director of Information and Legislative Services) for adding the new Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging page on the Township's website. wilmot.ca/en/living-here…

Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer) introduces a delegation by Mary Jane Patterson (Exec Director, @ReepGreen). She's giving a presentation of the Reep Green Solutions Impact Report 2020-2021 (p31 of the agenda package).

Some slides from Ms Patterson's presentation this evening.

Cllr Gordijk thanks Ms Patterson for her presentation. She asks about the rain garden program, which she'd like to see more of. What is involved?

Ms Patterson says the best way to encourage rain gardens is to have an example one in the community. She explains some details.

Next is the Consent Agenda: Draft Procedural By-law Amendment - Notice of Public Meeting (p47). Recommendation: THAT the Director of Information and Legislative Services proceed with a Public Meeting at the Regular Council Meeting on Oct 18, 2021.

The draft Procedural By-law - which specifically addresses delegations - is on p50 of the agenda for tonight's meeting, so it can be reviewed by the public and then discussed in the Oct 18 meeting.

Cllr Hallman asks if "land acknowledgement" could be changed to "territory acknowledgement" in the proposed procedural by-law. Ms Mittelholtz says this is excellent feedback and it will be changed.

Next: Mr Romany presents a report about the IT Master Plan & Cyber Security/Disaster Recovery Plan, with an award of contract (p53).

Cllr Fisher asks if there was any discussion with other Townships about reducing costs with joint services.

Mr Romany says he doesn't know what services the other Townships require or use.

The award if contract is approved by council.

Cllr Pfenning thanks the Township's IT staff for making it possible to continue working virtually, such as online meetings. Mayor Armstrong echoes those comments.

Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) introduces the Project Grand River report, the proposed merger between Kitchener Power and Waterloo North Hydro. "Presentations will be made at the meeting by Jerry Van Ooteghem, President and CEO of KWH, Jim Phillips, Chair of the KWH Board."

A slide with stats from the delegations' presentation.

Cllr Hallman asks where the public can find out more information. Mr Kelly says there is a lot of information at connectinglocalpower.ca about the merger.

Next up is Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) to discuss the Shared Township Fire Services Training Program Service Level Agreement between the Region's four Townships. (p57)

From the report: "The direction was given to the Four Fire Chiefs to develop joint programs based on the recommendations found in the KPMG report that provide operational efficiencies."

Cllr Gordijk suggests involving the Township's communication specialist in the education pieces that will be distributed in the media. She asks if social media will still be used at the same time. Chief Leeson says that FB and Twitter will still be used.

Chief Leeson says that the Waterloo Region Rural Post offered free space for messaging, as did Baden Outlook. Ms Mittelholtz emphasizes that social media will continue to be communication platforms.

Cllr Hallman asks Sandy Jackson (Acting CAO) if she can work with departments and the incoming CAO can look at communication strategies.

The staff report about alternative voting methods is being discussed now. "This report is to provide Council with information to make an informed decision regarding the use of an alternative voting method for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election."

Deputy clerk is presenting the staff report.

Here are the responses to the various voting methods that were discussed.

Ms Murray responds to Coun Fisher's question about another municipality in the Region by explaining a glitch that occurred during the last municipal election. She says cannot confirm costs involved at this time.

Coun Hallman says she's heard from some residents who have said that if voting is online, then they won't vote, while some have said that if it's in person, *they* won't vote. This addresses that issue.

Ms Mittelholtz says there are no plans to change wards at this time.

Coun Gerber asks if participation rates have increased with online voting. Ms Mittelholtz feels that if people are going to vote, they'll do so regardless of the method.

Coun Gordijk says that the Township's voting population has grown about 900 people between recent elections, and she asks Ms Mittelholtz if there is a number that would trigger an examination of the boundaries and/or number of councillors.

Ms Mittelholtz replies that it's a matter of where the population grows, and if it looks "off balance" across the wards. The review process typically takes a couple of years.

Recommendation: "THAT Council approve, in-principle, the alternative voting method of Internet and Paper Voting for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections;"

"and further, THAT Council delay the final decision and adoption of an authorizing By-law until staff report back to Council on vendor solutions and pricing."

Carried.

Coun Hallman tables a motion to be discussed at the next meeting, about telecom towers. She's asking staff to prepare a report about public consultations and location of future towers.

Coun Gerber mentions the opening ceremony for the new artificial turf field at W-O on Thursday.

https://twitter.com/WOCarpeDiem/status/1445075942762819599

Whoops! I missed this. Mayor Armstrong is giving his update on his Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism education. The following items are listed in the agenda addition as resources that were made available to Township staff on Sept 30 (National Day of Truth & Reconciliation).

Coun Hallman asks if there is anything Mayor Armstrong's learned or unlearned that he can share with council. He reads from a prepared response about working with First People's Group and trying to understand about the children who didn't return from residential schools.

Coun Hallman thanks Let's Tree Wilmot for their work in New Dundee last weekend.

She acknowledges that Oct 4 is #MMIWG2SDayofRemembrance, and that RCMP estimates that 1,000 Indigenous women are missing.

https://twitter.com/AngieHallman/status/1445091770447052811

Coun Pfenning says that it's Zero Waste Month, and she hopes that everyone will bring their mason jars to the next meeting so council can discuss them.

We're adjourned at 8:31pm.