Special Council Meeting Minutes

Special 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 H. Sidhu
  • Councillor L. Dunstall
  • Councillor S. Martin
Staff Present:
  • Director of Corporate Services/CFO, G. Clark
  • Director of Community Services, C. Catania
  • Acting CAO / Director of Development Services, H. O'Krafka
  • Fire Chief, R. Leeson
  • Manager of Legislative Services / Municipal Clerk, K. Bos
  • Desktop Support Technician, R. Ubhi

1.
CALL TO ORDER

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

    THAT the Special Council Meeting on June 16, 2025 be called to order at 6:02 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously by All Members Present

2.
TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  

Councillor S. Cressman read the Territorial Land Acknowledgment. 

3.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

  

There were no additions to the Agenda.

4.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved by:Councillor S. Cressman
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Martin

    THAT the Agenda as presented for June 16, 2025 be adopted.

    Motion Carried Unanimously by All Members Present

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

  

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

6.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

At this time Mayor N. Salonen adjusted the Order of Proceedings to address Announcements. 

Mayor N. Salonen provided announcements on:

  • Township of Wilmot's successful application to the Ontario's Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund Stream 1: Repair and Rehabilitation for a grant up to $379,650.00 towards the refrigeration plant retrofit project at the Wilmot Recreation Centre. 

7.
PRESENTATIONS

  

7.1
Fire Services Education Session

This item has attachments.  

Fire Chief, Rod Leeson presented the Fire Services Education Session. 

Council asked and received a response to the following:

  • Clarification on the training requirements for volunteer firefighters versus full-time firefighters; 
  • Potential for training opportunities at the adult lifestyle communities within Township of Wilmot; 
  • Wilmot Fire Departments training on grain bin extractions; 
  • Planning for agricultural buildings and operations risk;
  • Clarification on cost recovery for certain activities; and,
  • Similarities and alignment of community risk assessments across area municipalities. 

7.2
Municipal Finance Education Session

This item has attachments.  

Director of Corporate Services / CFO, Greg Clark presented the Municipal Finance Education Session. 

Council asked and received a response to the following:

  • Clarification on variance contingencies and if they are included in the budget at what rate; 
  • Clarification on how the reserve funds are allocated;
  • Is there a limit on the amount that can be within a contingency reserves; 
  • Municipalities ability to adjust the ratio of tax rate for different assessment types; 
  • Clarification on the MPAC assessment being revenue neutral;
  • Clarification on new construction, and renovations being reassessed; 
  • Clarification on the operating impact of developers paying for parkland development, and the Township incurring the ongoing operating expenses;
  • Clarification on user fees versus tax based funding for water and wastewater infrastructure; and, 
  • Clarification if the Township issues receipts for charitable donations. 

8.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

Councillor S. Martin provided an announcement on the Wilmot Canada Day event at Norm Hill Park on July 1, 2025. For more information visit: https://www.wilmot.ca/en/things-to-do/canada-day.aspx 

Councillor L. Dunstall provided an announcement on the New Hamburg Board of Trade first ever Downtown New Hamburg Food and History Walking Tour. It will take place on Sunday June 22nd from 12:30-3 p.m.

9.
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 by All Members Present

10.
ADJOURNMENT

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

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously by All Members Present
No Item Selected