Thread by @LoveWilmot

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

Mayor Armstrong begins by thanking Wilmot's volunteers. #NationalVolunteerWeek

Coun Gerber reads the territorial acknowledgement.

Business gets underway with a presentation by Mike Arndt about the 2021 Audited Financial Statements (p197). Introduction by Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance).

RECOMMENDATION
THAT Report COR 2022-016 regarding the 2021 Audited Financial Statements be received for information purposes.

Carried.

Next is an addition to the agenda: Kitchener Power Corporation Annual Report presentation.

(I'm not repeating what is being said in the presentation, because it's basically verbatim what's on the KPC slides.)

On to the consent agenda. No items are removed for discussion, and they're all the reports are approved.

Next is Ashton Romany (Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer) with his presentation about the Statement of Operations report. No questions from council.

RECOMMENDATION
THAT Report COR 2022-019 Statement of Operations as of March 31, 2022, as prepared by the Manager of Finance /Deputy Treasurer, be received for information purposes.

Carried.

Next is Dawn Mittelholtz (Director of Clerk's Services/Director of Information and Legislative Services) with the report into the Return to In-person Council Meetings.

A two-phase return to in-person meetings is proposed.

Coun Hallman says she's not comfortable with a return to the horseshoe on May 16. She suggests revisiting this in the fall. She doesn't support the recommendation.

Coun Gordijk agrees, plus she said that she doesn't want to cut residents off from participating as the first phase return would not include virtual participation. This would be for just 3 meetings, so she is not in favour of this motion.

Coun Pfenning says this is not the right time to return to the council chamber in person. She would like to wait until the technology is in place to allow public participation. She is also not in favour of accepting this report.

Coun Fisher agrees with his colleagues, and he says council is setting an example for the public.

Coun Gerber is also in favour of waiting for a hybrid model to allow full participation.

This is the proposed amended motion.

Coun Gordijk asks if the bylaw should include an option for council members to choose to participate virtually if they are not personally comfortable with possible risk of exposure. Sharon Chambers (CAO) says concerns can be taken into account.

Coun Pfenning asks if this motion should come back to council to review it when the hybrid technology has been implemented. The way the motion is written implies that as soon as it's ready, council *will* be going back.

Coun Fisher agrees and adds that it would allow for assessing the COVID situation when the technology is ready.

This is the amended motion that will be voted on.

Carried.

Next: Third Ice Pad Location Follow Up Report, presented by Sandy Jackson (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services). This was due to council requesting a study into the proximity of the proposed 3rd ice pad to the Nachurs Alpine Solutions facility on Nafziger Road.

Megan Silcott and Carrie Sciarra are delegating on behalf of Nachurs Alpine. Ms Sciarra says none of the chemicals at NA are explosive. She outlines the health and safety procedures, adding there has never been a significant event there.

Coun Hallman thanks Ms Sciarra and Ms Silcott for helping to put the community's mind at rest.

This is the recorded vote.
Yay: Hallman, Gordijk, Fisher, Gerber, Pfenning

After some discussion, Ms Mittelholtz reads from the Municipal Act that the Mayor is not required to vote, but he points out that he would have voted "yay" in any case.

Next: Infrastructure Standards and Specifications Manual for Public Works and Engineering report from Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works).

Coun Hallman says it's imperative that Let's Tree Wilmot has the opportunity to provide input. Mr Molenhuis says that there has been informal dialogue into tree species. He adds that he would want council guidance about broader community consultation.

Announcements: Coun Hallman thanks the community and the organizers of the clean-ups around the township at the weekend.

Coun Fisher also praises the clean up in Baden on Saturday, and he thanks Ms Jackson for her contributions, as well as Tim Hortons for refreshments.

Coun Pfenning says that the sustainability committee plans on making this an annual event.

We're adjourned at 9:11pm.