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:
  • Chief Administrative Officer, S. Chambers
  • Director of Community Services, C. Catania
  • Director of Corporate Services/CFO, G. Clark
  • Director of Infrastructure Services, J. Molenhuis
  • Director of Development Services, H. O'Krafka
  • Manager of Legislative Services / Municipal Clerk, J. Bunn
  • Supervisor of IT, K. Jeffreys
  • Manager of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, D. Kell
  • Candice Greenley

1.
CALL TO ORDER

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

    THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on June 10, 2024 be called to order at 6:00 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously, By All Members Present

2.
CLOSED SESSION

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

    THAT a Closed Meeting of Council be held on June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wilmot Administrative Complex, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (h) of the Municipal Act, 2001, to consider the following: 

    • Confidential Information Supplied in Confidence from the Province of Ontario - Section 239 (2)(h) - Information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any item.
    Motion Carried Unanimously, By All Members Present

3.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSNION

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

    THAT Council reconvenes in Open Session at 7:18 p.m.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

4.
TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  

Mayor N. Salonen read the Territorial Land Acknowledgment.

5.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

  

There were the following additions to the agenda:

  • Item 10.1 - Delegation regarding Item 15.3
    • Rory Farnan
    • Kevin Thomason
    • Stewart Snyder
  • Item 11.1 -  Correspondence from Enbridge Gas Regarding the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act

6.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

  
  • Moved by:Councillor H. Sidhu
    Seconded by:Councillor K. Wilkinson

    THAT the Agenda as presented for June 10, 2024 be adopted.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

7.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT

  

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

8.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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

    THAT the Minutes of the May 27, 2024 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

9.
PRESENTATIONS

  

9.1
2024 Community Grants Presentation

This item has attachments.  

Mayor N. Salonen presented the 2024 Community Grants cheques to the organizations in attendance.

9.2
Sustainable Waterloo Region- 2023 Update to the Community

This item has attachments.  

Tova Davidson, Executive Director of Sustainable Waterloo Region presented on the 2023 Update to the Community.

Council asked and received answers regarding the following:

  • Recommendations for sustainability initiatives for buildings;
  • The cost of the Microforest Program; and 
  • Managed woodlots.

9.3
ClimateActionWR- 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report 

This item has attachments.  

Kyra Chisholm, Plan Manager of ClimateActionWR presented the 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. 

Council asked and received answers regarding the following:

  • Anti-Idling policies; and
  • Advocacy for expanded public transportation services.

10.
DELEGATIONS

  

11.
CORRESPONDENCE

  

Councillor S. Martin pulled Item 11.1 Correspondence from Enbridge Gas Regarding the Keeping Energy Costs Down Act for discussion.

12.
CONSENT AGENDA

  

Councillor K. Wilkinson pulled Item 12.1 IS-2024-18 - Knipfel Private Drinking Water System Conversion Update.

  • Moved by:Councillor H. Sidhu
    Seconded by:Councillor K. Wilkinson

    THAT Consent Agenda Items 12.1, and 12.2 be approved.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

12.1
IS-2024-18 - Knipfel Private Drinking Water System Conversion Update

This item has attachments.  

Council asked and received answers from staff regarding the following:

  • The proposed interim billing structure; and
  • The inclusion of water main improvements, storm sewers and road reconstruction in the project.

  • THAT Report IS-2024-18 - Knipfel Private Drinking Water System Conversion Update be received for information.

12.2
CS-2024-05 - Video Streaming Agreement at the Wilmot Recreation Complex Optimist Pad

This item has attachments.  

  • THAT Report CS-2024-15, Video Streaming Agreement at the Wilmot Recreation Complex Optimist Pad by received for information; and

    THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the New Hamburg Hockey Association and Wilmot Girls Hockey Association for the provision of Video Streaming at the Wilmot Recreation Complex Optimist Pad.

13.
REPORTS

  

13.1
COR-2024-29 - Tax Billing Communications

This item has attachments.  

Director of Corporate Services/CFO, G. Clark presented the report.

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

    THAT Report COR-2024-29 - Tax Billing Communications be received for information.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

14.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION

  

There was no business arising from closed session. 

15.
NOTICES OF MOTION

  

15.1
Councillor L. Dunstall Regarding Catch and Release Justice in Ontario

  

Councillor L. Dunstall provided an introduction to the Notice of Motion.

Council asked and received a response on the following:

  • Clarification on the intention of the motion.
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dunstall
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Martin

    WHEREAS this council believes that the safety of our community and its protection from crime in all its forms is of utmost importance; 

    WHEREAS the number of charges laid for failure to comply with court orders – primarily failure to comply with the terms of a promise to appear, undertaking, recognizance, probation order, or peace bond – are steadily on the rise in the province of Ontario; and,

    WHEREAS Police Services across Ontario are exhausting precious time and resources having to manage the repeated arrests of the same offenders, which in turn, is impacting their morale, and ultimately law-abiding citizens who are paying the often significant financial and emotional toll of this broken system.

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Wilmot send a letter to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; the Hon. Arif Virani,  Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; the Hon. Doug Ford, M.P.P., and Premier of Ontario; Hon. Doug Downey, M.P.P. and Atorney General of Ontario; and, the Hon. Michael Kerzner, M.P.P. and Ontario Solicitor General, advocating for meaningful improvements to the current state of “catch and release” justice in the Ontario legal system.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

15.2
Councillor H. Sidhu Regarding an Agricultural Advisory Committee

  

  • A motion was brought forward by Councillor H. Sidhu, seconded by Councillor K. Wilkinson WHEREAS there is a desire to provide the agricultural community with an opportunity to provide advice and recommendations to Council on a range of agricultural issues that impact the Township of Wilmot; and, WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot Committee Governance Policy outlines the appropriate procedure for the exploration and creation of new advisory committees. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to report back to Council at the July 29, 2024 Regular Council Meeting on municipal best practices as it relates to the creation of a Agricultural Advisory Committee.

    Councillor H. Sidhu provided an introduction to the Notice of Motion.

    Councillor K. Wilkinson spoke in support of the Notice of Motion.

    Council asked and received a response on the following:

    • Clarification on the advocacy role of this Agricultural Advisory Committee; 
    • If this Committee could be a component of the Strategic Plan process; and
    • The current pressures on the Development Services department.

    Director of Development Services, H. O'krafka provided a response. 

    An amendment was brought forward by Councillor S. Cressman and seconded by Councillor L. Dunstall THAT Council amends the motion to strike out July 29, 2024 and insert September 2024. The motion carried.

    Council now voted on the main motion as amended.

    WHEREAS there is a desire to provide the agricultural community with an opportunity to provide advice and recommendations to Council on a range of agricultural issues that impact the Township of Wilmot; and,

    WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot Committee Governance Policy outlines the appropriate procedure for the exploration and creation of new advisory committees.

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to report back to Council at a Regular Council Meeting in September 2024 on municipal best practices as it relates to the creation of a Agricultural Advisory Committee.

    Motion Carried Unanimously

15.3
Councillor H. Sidhu Regarding an Amendment to the Procedural By-law to increase opportunities to speak at Council Meetings

  

  • Councillor H. Sidhu provided an introduction to the Notice of Motion.

    Delegates R. Farnan, K. Thomason and S. Snyder spoke to Councillor H. Sidhu's Notice of Motion Regarding an Amendment to the Procedural By-law to increase opportunities to speak at Council Meetings. 

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

    • The timeline necessary to report back.

    An amendment was brought forward by Councillor L. Dunstall and seconded by Councillor S. Martin THAT Council amends the motion to strike out July 29, 2024 and insert September 2024. The motion was defeated.

    Moved by:Councillor H. Sidhu
    Seconded by:Councillor K. Wilkinson

    WHEREAS Council meetings provide the public with an opportunity to present information to their elected representatives; and,

    WHEREAS within the current Procedural By-law, members of the public are only permitted to delegate on select matters included in the Council meeting agenda.

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to directed to report back to Council at the July 29, 2024 Regular Council Meeting on municipal best practices and recommended changes to the Procedural By-law as it relates to permitting up to 3 registered delegates at each meeting to speak to any matter of public interest within the jurisdiction of the Township.

    Motion Carried

    Councillor H. Sidhu, assumed the position of Chair at this time

    A motion was brought forward by Mayor N. Salonen, seconded by Councillor S. Cressman THAT Council waive notice to consider the following Notice of Motion. The motion carried unanimously.

    Mayor N. Salonen provided an introduction to the Notice of Motion. 

    A motion was brought forward by Mayor N. Salonen, seconded by Councillor K. Wilkinson. 

    WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors;

    WHEREAS nominations to the Board of Directors must be supported by a resolution that indicates the municipal Council’s acknowledgment or support of any such nominations; and further,

    WHEREAS the nomination period ends on Monday June 24, 2024 at 12 p.m. (ET).

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council for the Township of Wilmot for nominates Mayor Natasha Salonen for the Director position on the Rural Caucus on the AMO Board of Directors for the 2024-2026 term.

    The motion carried unanimously.

    Mayor N. Salonen resumed as Chair at this time.


16.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

Mayor N. Salonen provided announcements on:

  • Italian Heritage Month in Ontario- June 
  • Bike Month in Ontario- June 
  • New Hamburg Legion's Decoration Day
  • 80th Anniversary of D-Day 
  • Summer Registration for programs at the Wilmot Recreation Complex 
  • Cruising by the Pond 
  • Open Gym Drop-ins at Wilmot Recreation Complex 
  • Pick-up Ball Hockey and In-line Hockey at Wilmot Recreation Complex 
  • Quiet Hours at Castle Kilbride 
  • Interfaith Counselling Centre Gala
  • National Indigenous Peoples Day- June 21st 
  • Wilmot Canada Day Event- July 1st at William Scott Park 

Councillor L. Dunstall provided an announcement on:

  • Wilmot Canada Day Event- July 1st at William Scott Park

17.
CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

This item has attachments.  
  • 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

18.
ADJOURNMENT

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

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

    Motion Carried Unanimously
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