Council Meeting Minutes

Council Meeting

Meeting #:
Date:
-
Location:
Council Chambers - Hybrid
60 Snyder's Road West
Baden, Ontario
N3A 1A1
Members Present:
  • Mayor N. Salonen
  • Councillor S. Cressman
  • Councillor K. Wilkinson
  • Councillor H. Sidhu
  • Councillor L. Dunstall
  • Councillor S. Martin
Staff Present:
  • Acting CAO / Director of Corporate Services/CFO, G. Clark
  • Director of Infrastructure Services, J. Molenhuis
  • Director of Development Services, H. O'Krafka
  • Director of Community Services, C. Catania
  • Manager of Legislative Services / Municipal Clerk, K. Bos
  • Supervisor of IT, K. Jeffreys
  • Administrative Clerk, Candice Greenley

1.
CALL TO ORDER

  
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Cressman

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on November 25, 2024 be called to order at 7:05 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

2.
TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  

Councillor K. Wilkinson read the Territorial Land Acknowledgment.

3.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

  

Item 7.2 - Specific Interest Delegations

  • 7.2.1 - Item 10.1 - COR-2024-56 - Council-Staff Relations Policy
    • Barry Wolfe 
  • 7.2.2 - Item 12.2 Notice of Motion Regarding the Working Group for the Future of the Prime Ministers Path 
    • Barry Wolfe 

Item 8 - Correspondence

  • 8.2 - Correspondence from Mike Rice Regarding the Notice of Motion re: the Working Group for the Future of the Prime Ministers Path

4.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved by:Councillor K. Wilkinson
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dunstall

    THAT the Agenda as presented for November 25, 2024 be adopted, as amended.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

5.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT

  

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

6.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor H. Sidhu

    THAT the Minutes of the November 4, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

7.
DELEGATIONS

  

8.
CORRESPONDENCE

  

9.
CONSENT AGENDA

  

Councillor S. Cressman pulled Item 9.2 COR-2024-55 - Petition for Drainage Works by Owners- Trustee of Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church.

  • Moved by:Councillor H. Sidhu
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Cressman

    THAT Consent Agenda Items 9.1, and 9.2 be approved.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

9.1
COR-2024-54 - 2025 Council Meeting Schedule and Committee of the Whole Terms of Reference

This item has attachments.  

  • THAT Council approves the 2025 Council Meeting Schedule as attached to Report COR-2024-54; and,

    THAT Council adopts the Committee of the Whole Terms of Reference as attached to Report COR-2024-54.

9.2
COR-2024-55 - Petition for Drainage Works by Owners- Trustee of Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church

This item has attachments.  

Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:

  • Progress on the Nicklas Drain engineer report.

  • THAT the Petition for Drainage Works by Owners Trustee of Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church be accepted; and further,

    THAT K. Smart Associates Limited be appointed as the engineer firm to prepare a report with instruction as per Section 8(4) of the Drainage Act to include the Trustee of Grace Mennonite Fellowship Church petition in the Section 78 report for the Nicklas Drain.

10.
REPORTS

  

10.1
COR-2024-56 - Council-Staff Relations Policy

This item has attachments.  

The main motion was brought forward by Councillor L. Dunstall, seconded by Councillor S. Martin THAT Report COR-2024-56 Council-Staff Relations Policy, be received for information; and, THAT the Council-Staff Relations Policy included as Attachment 1, be approved effective January 1, 2025.

Acting CAO / Director of Corporate Services / CFO, G. Clark introduced the report.

Delegate B. Wolfe addressed Council.

A motion to defer was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT consideration of the motion be deferred until such time that the CAO role is filled permanently. The motion was defeated. 

Council asked and received a response from staff on the following:

  • The spokesperson of the Township;
  • Responsibilities of the Corporation versus the responsibilities of Council;
  • Definition 3.4 "Routine Matter";
  • Definition 3.5 "Non-Routine Matter"; and,
  • Council Members access to information.

A motion to reconsider was brought forward by Councillor L. Dunstall, seconded by Councillor K. Wilkinson THAT Council reconsider the motion to defer the item until such time that the CAO role is filled permanently. The motion carried. 

The motion to defer was now back on the table which was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor H. Sidhu THAT the consideration of the motion be deferred until such time that the CAO role is filled permanently.

A motion was brought forward by Councillor S. Cressman, seconded by Councillor L. Dunstall, THAT the motion be amended to strike out 'such time that the CAO role is filled permanently' and replace it with 'the January 27th Regular Council Meeting'. The motion carried.

Council now voted on the motion to defer, as amended.

THAT the consideration of the motion be deferred until the January 27th Regular Council Meeting. The motion carried. 

  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Martin

    THAT Report COR-2024-56 Council-Staff Relations Policy, be received for information; and,

    THAT the Council-Staff Relations Policy included as Attachment 1, be approved effective January 1, 2025.

    Motion Deferred

11.
BY-LAWS

  
  • Moved by:Councillor S. Cressman
    Seconded by:Councillor H. Sidhu

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously

12.
NOTICES OF MOTION

  

12.1
Notice of Motion Regarding the Potential Installation of a Veteran's Crosswalk

This item has attachments.  

Councillor L. Dunstall introduced the Notice of Motion. 

Council asked and received a response from Councillor Dunstall on the following:

  • Confirmation on the proposed location.
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Cressman

    WHEREAS generations of Canadians have served our country and the world during times of war, military conflict, and peace. Through their courage and sacrifice, these men and women have helped to ensure that we live in freedom and peace, while also fostering freedom and peace around the world; and,

    WHEREAS every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict, and peace; and,

    WHEREAS the Royal Canadian Legion’s mission to promote remembrance is a year-long commitment, they endeavour to promote it through programs, services, and resources; and,

    WHEREAS the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 532 New Hamburg has locally promoted the objectives of the Royal Canadian Legion’s mission since 1952; and,

    WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot has previously partnered with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 532 New Hamburg on their Memorial Banner Programme which displays 125 memorial banners to honour veterans, past and present, that served to protect our peace and freedom; and,

    WHEREAS municipalities such as Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, City of Calgary, City of Belleville and Municipality of Chatham-Kent have installed Veteran’s Crosswalk to provide a year-round reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to keep our communities safe.

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Staff be directed to report back on February 3, 2025 with more information on the potential installation of a permanent Veterans Crosswalk to be installed before November 2025 at the pedestrian crossing located on Huron Street in New Hamburg across from the New Hamburg Cenotaph; and,

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Staff Report include information on the cost of the installation and maintenance of the Veteran’s Crosswalk, including information on partnering with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 532 New Hamburg for funding; and,

    THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Staff Report includes information on the feasibility of the Veteran’s Crosswalk being located on the Regional Municipality of Waterloo road known as Huron Street in New Hamburg.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

12.2
Notice of Motion Regarding the Working Group for the Future of the Prime Ministers Path

  

Councillor L. Dunstall introduced the Notice of  Motion.

Delegate B. Wolfe addressed Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor K. Wilkinson

    WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot awarded the contract for consulting services to Land Use Research Associates Inc (LURA) for the Public Engagement Process for the Future of the Prime Ministers Path; and,

    WHEREAS the consultants have been tasked with the creation of a working group to ensure broad and fair representation in the Prime Ministers Path discussion.

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council directs LURA to bring back a Terms of Reference to Council which stipulates that members of the working group must be residents of the Township of Wilmot.

    Motion Carried

13.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

Mayor N. Salonen provided announcements on:

  • International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25th
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3rd 
  • National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - December 6th
  • Canada Post Strike
  • Prime Ministers Path Engagement Project
    • Community tea circles on December 12th, 2024 and January 13, 2025 
  • Thank you to Waterloo Regional Police Service for partnering with Council to offer a community conversation on public safety on November 18th
  • Baden Santa Claus parade - Saturday, November 30th at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
  • Wilmot Fire Department Toy Drive
    • New Hamburg Santa Claus Parade - Sunday, December 1st
    • Wilmot Recreation Complex - Friday, December 13th
  • New Hamburg Santa Claus Parade - Sunday, December 1st
  • New Hamburg Firebirds Teddy Bear Toss game - December 6th 
  • Community Care Concepts’ Annual Christmas Benefit Breakfast -December 14th from 8 AM – 11 AM at the New Hamburg Legion 

14.
CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved by:Councillor S. Cressman
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dunstall

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously

15.
ADJOURNMENT

  

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously
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