Council Meeting Minutes

Council Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

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 Community Services, C. Catania
• Director of Development Services, H. O'Krafka
• Director of Infrastructure Services, J. Molenhuis
• Manager of Legislative Services / Municipal Clerk, K. Bos
• Fire Chief, R. Leeson
• Desktop Support Technician, R. Ubhi
• Administrative Clerk, C. Greenley

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

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

  THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on January 27, 2025 be called to order at 7:03 p.m.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

2.

TERRITORIAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mayor N. Salonen read the Territorial Land Acknowledgment.

3.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

       

Item 7.1.1.2 Specific Interest Delegation Regarding Item 10.3 Philip Wendland

Item 8.1 Correspondence from Doug Jordan Regarding Staff Report IS-2025-02

Item 12.2 Councillor K. Wilkinson Notice of Motion Regarding the Review of Current Subsidies and Grants with a Five-Year Reduction Plan

4.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

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

  THAT the Agenda as presented for January 27, 2025 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 MEETINGS

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

  THAT the Minutes of the December 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, January 6, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting, and January 7, 2025 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

7.

DELEGATIONS

7.1

Specific Interest Delegations

7.1.1

Item 10.3 Report IS-2025-02 -Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval

7.1.1.1

Herb Brenneman

7.1.1.2

Philip Wendland

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

8.1

Correspondence from Doug Jordan Regarding Staff Report IS-2025-02

9.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

  THAT Consent Agenda Item 9.1 be approved.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

9.1

COR-2025-01 - Award of Contract for Gasoline and Diesel Supply for 2025

• THAT Council approve participation in the Grand River Co-op Purchasing (GRCPG) contract for supply and delivery of gasoline and fuel, for the period March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2030, with three (3), one (1) year renewal options as described in Report COR-2025-01 Co-op Contract for Supply of Gasoline and Diesel Fuel.

10.

REPORTS

10.1

COR-2025-04 - 2025 Interim Tax Levy

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

• Clarification on when we will communicate to residents the portion of the tax levy as directed to the Township of Wilmot, Region of Waterloo and School Boards.

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

  THAT Council adopt the 2025 Interim Tax Levy By-Law to set the due dates for the interim billing of property taxes for 2025 as described in Report COR-2025-04 - 2025 Interim Tax Levy; and,

  THAT Council direct Staff to commence a communications effort to notify residents of planned changes to tax due dates for 2025, and to encourage increased participation in the Township’s pre-authorized payment program for taxes.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

10.2

CS-2025-01 - 2024 Special Event and Facility Subsidies

Director of Community Services C. Catania provided an introduction to the report.

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

  THAT Council directs Staff to continue facility use subsidies and in-kind staff costs for legacy facility bookings, by affiliated groups and special events taking place at Township facilities in 2025 as described in Report CS-2025-01 - 2024 Special Event and Facility Subsidies; and,

  THAT Council directs Staff to review the affiliation policy and report back to the Committee of the Whole in September with details including participation rates, residency and fees and charges.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

10.3

IS-2025-02 - Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval

Director of Infrastructure Services J. Molenhuis provided an introduction to the report.

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

• Clarification on a successful grant application would result in a cost saving to the users of the system;
• Clarification on if funding sources will be impacted by the Provincial and Federal election; and,
• Clarification on the start date of the project to meet the grant requirements.

Delegate H. Brenneman addressed Council.

Delegate P. Wendland addressed Council.

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

• Whether moving forward with design option 1.a. only is a feasible option;
• How residents might be compensated in the future for costs incurred to install the system;
• Whether the proposed engagement plan could be a question and answer format;
• Clarification on the funding system for previous road projects;
• Clarification on the cost considerations included in the Staff Report; and, 
• Whether questions and answers from the January 6th Committee of the Whole meeting could be transcribed and made available for the public.

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

  THAT Council received report IS-2025-02 Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval; and, 

  THAT Council directs Staff to proceed with the detailed design for replacing the Knipfel Private Distribution Water System with a new municipal watermain and services that meets current municipal and provincial design and safety standards, including design for service connections for all existing users and properties fronting the proposed watermain layout in northeast Petersburg, Notre Dame Drive, and Snyder’s Road East as described in Report IS-2025-01 Knipfel Private Drinking Water System Update; and,

  THAT Council directs staff to proceed with the public consultation process as presented in Report IS-2025-02 Knipfel Private DWS System - Design Approval for the detailed design for replacing the Knipfel Private Distribution Water System.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

11.

BY-LAWS

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

  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

11.1

By-law 2025-05 Interim Tax Levy

12.

NOTICES OF MOTION

12.1

Councillor L. Dunstall

12.1.1

Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding

Councillor L. Dunstall introduced the Notice of Motion. 

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

  WHEREAS, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot supports the Town of Aurora’s motion to Request the Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding;

  AND WHEREAS, municipalities face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development;

  AND WHEREAS, the current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment;

  AND WHEREAS, the Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not directly shared with municipalities;

  AND WHEREAS, the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs;

  AND WHEREAS, redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers;

  AND WHEREAS, a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, supporting local economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents;

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT; the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot formally requests the Provincial Government to consider redistributing a portion of the Land Transfer Tax collected on property transactions to municipalities;

  THAT, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot calls on the Federal Government to allocate a percentage of the GST collected on property sales to municipalities;

  THAT, this redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST should be structured to provide predictable and sustainable funding to municipalities, allowing for better long-term planning and investment in infrastructure projects that benefit local communities, thus ensuring that local governments receive a fair share of the revenue to address critical infrastructure needs;

  THAT, copies of this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Member of Parliament Tim Louis and Member of Provincial Parliament Mike Harris. 

  Motion Carried Unanimously

12.1.2

Funding Support for Rural Infrastructure

Councillor L. Dunstall introduced the Notice of Motion. 

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

  WHEREAS Ontario’s small rural municipalities face insurmountable challenges to fund both upfront investments and ongoing maintenance of their capital assets including roads and bridges and water wastewater and municipally owned buildings including recreational facilities and libraries; and

  WHEREAS in 2018, the Ontario government mandated all Ontario municipalities to develop capital asset management plans with the stipulation that they be considered in the development of the annual budget; and

  WHEREAS small rural municipalities are facing monumental infrastructure deficits that cannot be adequately addressed through property tax revenue alone; and

  WHEREAS the Ontario Government has committed $9.1 billion to Toronto alone to assist with operating deficits and the repatriation of the Don Valley and Gardner Expressway; and

  WHEREAS small rural Ontario cannot keep pace with the capital investments required over the next 20 years unless both the Provincial and Federal Governments come forward with new sustainable infrastructure funding; and

  WHEREAS it is apparent that both the Federal and Ontario Governments have neglected to recognize the needs of small rural Ontario; and

  NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Wilmot Council call on the Ontario and Federal Government to implement sustainable infrastructure funding for small rural municipalities;

  AND THAT small rural municipalities are not overlooked and disregarded on future applications for funding;

  AND THAT both the Federal and Ontario Governments begin by acknowledging that there is an insurmountable debt facing small rural municipalities;

  AND FINALLY THAT this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Member of Parliament Tim Louis and Member of Provincial Parliament Mike Harris.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

12.1.3

Mandatory Financial Training for Elected Officials in Ontario

Councillor L. Dunstall introduced the Notice of Motion. 

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

  WHEREAS the Municipal Act Section 224 states it is the role of council to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and,

  WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities are required by Section 289 and 290 of the Municipal Act to plan balanced operating budgets. This means that expenses must equal revenues every year and they cannot borrow money to fund operating expenses; and,

  WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities face increasingly complex challenges without the financial tools to solve them. Property taxpayers, including people on fixed incomes and struggling small businesses cannot afford to subsidize income redistribution, investment for those most in need, and significant capital investments; and,

  WHEREAS in Ontario, municipalities manage nearly half a trillion dollars worth of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, water and wastewater, recreation facilities, social housing, public transit, and more; and,

  WHEREAS in Ontario, Councillor's are required to complete mandatory training as set out in other provincial legislation, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.;

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

  THAT Township of Wilmot Council requests that the Province of Ontario amends the Municipal Act, 2001 to address the financial obligations of members of council and members of local boards and recommend the amendment as required that Members of Council, and local boards should have mandatory training on the financial integrity and management requirements.

  AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Member of Parliament Tim Louis and Member of Provincial Parliament Mike Harris.

  AND FINALLY THAT the Township of Wilmot direct staff to schedule a training session on financial integrity and management for the Township of Wilmot Council and Corporate Leadership Team to occur within the next quarter.

  Motion Carried Unanimously

12.2

Councillor K. Wilkinson Notice of Motion Regarding the Review of Current Subsidies and Grants with a Five-Year Reduction Plan

Councillor K. Wilkinson introduced the Notice of Motion. 

Council asked and received answers from Staff on the following:

• Confirmation that the 5% reduction is on the overall subsidy not per grant;
• Clarification regarding which community groups are included in this subsidy reduction; and,
• Confirmation on when Council can expect to receive the review on the affiliation policy report.

A motion was brought forward by Councillor S. Cressman seconded by Councillor L. Dunstall THAT consideration on the motion be deferred until the September Committee of the Whole Meeting at such time Staff report back on the Affiliation Policy. The motion defeated. 

Council asked and received answers from Staff on the following:

• Confirmation that Staff will be meeting with the affiliate groups in March 2025.

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

  WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot Council approved the Community Services Department Affiliation Policy on December 12, 2022;

  WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot recognizes the importance of community groups who provide recreation, leisure and/or wellness programs and services that benefit Township residents and enhances the overall quality of life within the community;

  WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot is committed to maintaining fiscal responsibility while ensuring essential services and programs are accessible to residents;  

  WHEREAS the current subsidies and grants represent a significant portion of the Township’s budget, and a phased approach to subsidy reduction can promote self-sustainability while lessening the tax burden on residents; and  

  WHEREAS a reduction of subsidies will encourage more equitable cost-sharing by shifting a portion of the financial responsibility to users, where appropriate, while preserving services for those in need.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

  THAT Council directs staff to conduct a comprehensive review of all current subsidies and grants provided by the Township of Wilmot, identifying:

  • Total annual expenditure.
  • Beneficiaries of these subsidies and grants.
  • Economic and social impact of reducing or eliminating specific subsidies;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Staff to plan and implement a phased five-year subsidy reduction starting in 2026, with the suggested following target milestones:

  • Year 1: 5% reduction of total subsidies.
  • Year 2: Additional 5% reduction (10% cumulative)
  • Year 3: Additional 5% reduction (15% cumulative)
  • Year 4: Additional 5% reduction (20% cumulative)
  • Year 5: Additional 5% reduction (25% cumulative)

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Staff to engage with Affiliated Organizations to ensure any reductions prioritize the retention of essential services and minimize the impact on vulnerable populations;

  AND FINALLY THAT Council directs Staff to provide annual progress reports which include the following:

  • Savings realized for taxpayers.
  • Adjustments made to programs to accommodate reduced subsidies.
  • Feedback from users and stakeholders regarding the changes.
  Motion Carried

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor N. Salonen provided announcements on:

• International Holocaust Remembrance Day- January 26^th 
• Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action on Islamophobia- January 29^th
• ROMA Conference Attendance and Advocacy efforts.

Councillor S. Cressman provided announcements on:

• Heritage Day on February 15, 2025 being held at New Dundee Community Centre

14.

CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

• 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

15.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

  Motion Carried Unanimously