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, J. Bunn
  • Supervisor of Legislative Services / Deputy Clerk, K. Bos
  • Desktop Support Technician, R. Ubhi

1.

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

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on October 7, 2024 be called to order at 5:00 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

2.

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

    THAT a Closed Meeting of Council be held on October 7, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Wilmot Administrative Complex, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (b) (e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, to consider the following: 

    • Municipal Drain- Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality;
    • Special Charges- Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
    • Manager of Communications & Strategic Initiatives - Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; and,
    • Personal Matter-Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose which relates to personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
    Motion Carried Unanimously

3.

  
  • Moved by:Councillor S. Cressman
    Seconded by:Councillor K. Wilkinson

    THAT Council reconvenes in Open Session at 7:00 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

4.

  

Mayor N. Salonen read the Territorial Land Acknowledgment.

5.

  

We had the following additions to the Agenda:

Delegations

  • Item 12.1 - IS-2024-34 - Carmel-Koch On-Road Winter Parking 
    • Kevin Thomason
  • Item 12.2 - IS-2024-36 - Oxford Waterloo Road Bridge 37/B-OXF – Option 2 Follow-up Report
    • Kris Sanger

6.

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

    THAT the Agenda as presented for October 7, 2024 be adopted, as amended.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

  • Moved by:Councillor K. Wilkinson
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Martin

    THAT the Minutes of the September 23, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

11.

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

    THAT Consent Agenda Item 11.1 be approved.

    Motion Carried Unanimously
  • THAT Council authorize the Director of Infrastructure Services or their designate to Enter into Municipal Access Agreements with Utilities seeking to maintain or install utilities within the Municipal Right of Way; and further,

    THAT the fees and charges associated with the Municipal Access Agreement be removed from the 2025 Fees and Charges By-Law and a reference to Schedule B of the Municipal Access Agreement be included in the 2025 Fees and Charges By-Law.

12.

  
  • A motion was brought forward by Councillor L. Dunstall, seconded by Councillor S. Martin THAT Council endorse the proposed on-road parking plan on Carmel-Koch Road, including the realignment of its intersection with Wilmot Line, to support public use of the Schneider Lands Bush Trail and enhance safety measures for pedestrians, motorists, and road operations; and, THAT the capital and operating figures required to implement the plan be put forward in the 2025 Budget for consideration.

    Director of Infrastructure Services, J. Molenhuis introduced the report.

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

    • The proposed intersection realignment;
    • Potential ongoing operational costs;
    • Scalability of the project; and, 
    • Approaching rare Charitable Research Reserve to assist with the parking costs.

    Delegate K. Thomason addressed Council.

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

    • Implications of not approving the proposed on-road parking plan.

    A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Wilkinson, seconded by Councillor L. Dunstall THAT Council refers the consideration of this motion to the 2025 Budget process. The motion carried.

     

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

    THAT Council endorse the proposed on-road parking plan on Carmel-Koch Road, including the realignment of its intersection with Wilmot Line, to support public use of the Schneider Lands Bush Trail and enhance safety measures for pedestrians, motorists, and road operations; and,

    THAT the capital and operating figures required to implement the plan be put forward in the 2025 Budget for consideration.

    Motion Referred
  • Director of Infrastructure Services, J. Molenhuis introduced the report.

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

    • Parking; and, 
    • Township of Blanford-Blenheim contribution to the operational and capital expenses.

    Delegate K. Sangers and G. Sangers addressed Council.

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

    • Road access to the east-side of the delegates property; and, 
    • Farming access for the farms on Waterloo-Oxford Road of the south parcel.

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

    • Farm access;
    • More details on Option 1;
    • Signage indicating wildlife sanctuary and the implications; 
    • The potential to move the turn around; and,
    • Comments received from residents.

    Council agreed through consensus to provide direction to Staff to work with the property owners adjacent to Waterloo-Oxford Road and investigate the feasibility of moving the turnaround in Option 2 east. 

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

    THAT Council endorse alternative 2, a gravel surface multi-use trail beginning just east of the existing driveway access to property 966637 Oxford Waterloo Road, Plattsville continuing over the bridge and terminating before the intersection of River Road with a proposed turnaround for road maintenance purposes located just west of the beginning of the trail section on the west side of the bridge;

    east of the driveway and,

    THAT the financial considerations of $100,000 capital and $5,000 operating costs be carried forward to Budget 2025 for consideration.

    Motion Carried

13.

  

Mayor N. Salonen provided announcements on:

  • One-year anniversary of Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel
  • Ontario Agriculture Week- October 7 to 13, 2024
  • Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health partnership with Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre to open new location in Baden
  • World Mental Health Day and Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health- October 10th
  • Battle of the Barns- October 10th
  • Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Recruitment- applications close October 21st
  • Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Lottery Information Session- October 16th
  • Floating Pumpkin Patch at Wilmot Recreation Complex- October 20th
  • Staffing Recognition and Announcement

Councillor L. Dunstall provided an announcement on:

  • MPP Mike Harris announcement October 7th on lottery licensing eligibility

Councillor S. Martin provided an announcement on: 

  • Let's Tree Wilmot Event- October 2nd
 

14.

  

There was no business arising from closed session. 

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

    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

16.

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

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously