Council Meeting Agenda
Council Meeting

Monday, December 16, 2024

6:30 P.m. - 11:30 P.m.

Council Chambers - Hybrid

60 Snyder's Road West

Baden, Ontario

N3A 1A1

This meeting will be held in-person and electronically in accordance with Section 238 (3.3) of the Municipal Act, 2001. Please subscribe to the Township of Wilmot You Tube Channel to watch the live stream or view after the meeting.
Delegations must register with the Legislative Services Division. The only matters being discussed at this meeting will be those on the Agenda.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on December 16, 2024 be called to order at 6:30 p.m.

2.

CLOSED SESSION

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT a Closed Meeting of Council be held on December 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilmot Administrative Complex, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (b) of the Municipal Act, 2001, to consider the following: 

  • Striking Committee- Section 239(2)(b) Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

3.

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION

Council will reconvene in Open Session at approximately 7:00 p.m. and continue with the Agenda as presented.

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Council reconvenes in Open Session at X:XX p.m.

4.

TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mayor N. Salonen

5.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

6.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT the Agenda as presented for December 16, 2024 be adopted.

7.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT

Members of Council and members of the Township’s local boards are required to file a written statement when they have a conflict of interest. If a conflict is declared, please review the Policies and Rules for Council  and complete the Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest Form.

8.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT the Minutes of the November 25, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and December 9, 2024 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

9.

DELEGATIONS

Pursuant to Council’s Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address Council for a maximum of seven (7) minutes. General Interest Delegation are included below. Only three General Interest Delegations are permitted at each Regular Council Meeting. General Interest Delegations must register by noon on the Monday prior to the Council meeting date. Specific Interest Delegations are only permitted to discuss matters listed on the Council agenda as staff reports; informal and formal public meetings; notice of motions; and by-laws. All Specific Interest Delegations where possible are encouraged to register prior to the start of the meeting. For Specific Interest Delegates who are attending in-person, registration is permitted up to the start of the meeting. Specific Interest Delegates who are interested in attending virtually must register by 12:00 p.m. on December 16, 2024, in order to participate electronically.

9.1

General Interest Delegations

9.1.1

Fight for Farmland Petition to Council

Kevin Thomason

9.1.2

Segal Construction- Housing 

Daniel Segal on behalf of Segal Construction.

9.1.3

Seasons Greetings

Barry Wolfe

9.2

Specific Interest Delegations

10.

CORRESPONDENCE

10.1

2024-01 Closed Meeting Investigation– Final Report from Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP

10.2

2024-02 Closed Meeting Investigation- Final Report from Aird & Berlis LLP

10.3

Correspondence from Amber Grant Regarding Speed Complaint

10.4

Correspondence from Mike Rice in Regards to Concerns Regarding Proposed 50.8% Tax Increase in Wilmot Township Draft Budget

10.5

Petition received from Kevin Thomason Regarding being an Unwilling Host

11.

CONSENT AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Consent Agenda Items 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 be approved.

11.1

COR-2024-57 - Committee Appointments to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) (2025)

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Report COR-2024-57 Committee Appointments to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) (2025) be received for information; and

  THAT Karen Hutcheson and Claire Gourlie be appointed to represent the Township of Wilmot on the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) for a 4-year term, on until a successor is appointed ending December 31, 2028.

11.2

DS-2024-17 - Billboard Sign Renewals

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Report DS-2024-17 be endorsed.

11.3

FS-2024-07 - Fire Service Boundary Agreement Blandford-Blenheim

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Report FS-2024-07, regarding the Boundary agreement between the Township of Wilmot and the Township of Blandford-Blenheim be received: and further

  THAT the agreement has changed from a per capita agreement to a fee for service agreement: and further

  THAT the agreement has been reviewed by both parties, including a legal review; and further

  THAT the Mayor and Municipal Clerk be authorized to sign the Execution Agreement.

11.4

IS-2024-42 - Assumption Process for Storm Outlet in MAK Subdivision

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Council authorize the Mayor and CAO to execute the purchase and sale agreement for Part 1 on 58R-22163, subject to the approval of the Director of Infrastructure Services, for the amount of twenty-four thousand Canadian dollars.

12.

REPORTS

12.1

CAO-2024-13 - Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Recruitment Options

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Report CAO-2024-13 be received by Council for information; and,

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with Option # ____ for CAO Recruitment.

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT as per Corporate Governance Policy HR-002 Policy on the Hiring and Termination of Township of Wilmot Employees Councillors _____________ and ______________ be appointed to the interview panel for the hiring process for the position of Chief Administrative Officer.

12.2

CS-2024-34 - Community Grants Program

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT Report CS-2024-34, Community Grants Program be received for information; and,

  THAT Council approve amendments and Policy to the Community Grants Program for implementation in 2025 as presented in this report.

13.

BY-LAWS

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT By-Laws as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council. 

13.1

By-Law 2024-59 Being a By-Law to Authorize the Mayor and Clerk Entering Into an Agreement with the Township of Blandford-Blenheim for Boundary Fire Coverage

14.

NOTICES OF MOTION

14.1

Notice of Motion Regarding the Historical Financial Position of Wilmot Township

Councillor H. Sidhu will introduce the Notice of Motion. 

• RECOMMENDATION

  WHEREAS Wilmot Township is currently facing a deeply challenging financial position and a significant infrastructure gap. 

  WHEREAS members of the public do not have a comprehensive document to reference outlining the historical position of Wilmot Township.

  WHEREAS to better inform Council and the public about the factors that have contributed to this situation, it is essential to compile a comprehensive historical report on the Township's financials. This report will provide valuable context, highlight trends, and identify key policy decisions that have influenced our current financial standing. 

  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Wilmot Township Council directs staff to prepare a report on the Township's financials over the past two decades, including a high-level summary that provides an overview of the following:

  1. The status of reserves over time, including growth, depletion, and annual balances;
  2. Annual tax increases;
  3. Annual debt levels;
  4. Annual operating and capital budgets;
  5. Annual actual operating and capital expenditures;
  6. Annual contributions to reserves;
  7. The Township's investments, including how they have been allocated and any returns or losses;
  8. Investments spent within the community and their impact;
  9. Analysis of spending habits, including any notable trends or shifts; Policy improvements made in response to financial challenges; and
  10. The Township's current financial position, including debt levels, revenue sources, and expenditures.

  AND THAT the report include an explanation of how these factors have contributed to the current infrastructure gap and financial challenges; 

  AND FURTHER THAT this report be made available as a resource to improve transparency and understanding of Wilmot Township's financial history and present poor condition; and, 

  AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to Council in Q2 after budget deliberations, or sooner, if possible. 

15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

16.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

17.

CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT the Confirmatory By-Law as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council. 

18.

ADJOURNMENT

• RECOMMENDATION

  THAT we do now adjourn to meet again at the call of the Mayor.