COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, October 08, 2024 at 5:45 P.m. - 6:45 P.m.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

4805 William Hastings Line, Crosshill, Ontario N0B 2M0

Council Present:

• Mayor Joe Nowak
• Councillor Shelley Wagner
• Councillor Lori Sebben
• Councillor Derek Brick
• Councillor Claude Hergott

Staff Present:

• Municipal Clerk, Grace Kosch
• Chief Administrative Officer, Rik Louwagie
• Deputy Clerk, Amy Harron
• Director of Public Works, Chris Cook
• Director of Recreation, Danny Roth
• Fire Chief, Paul Redman
• Director of Planning, Tim Van Hinte
• Chief Building Official, Darryl Denny
• Treasurer, Jeff Dyck

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1.

Meeting called to order

2.

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to begin by acknowledging the land on which we gather today is the land traditionally used by the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples. We acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today.

3.

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest (if any) in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

4.

Delegations

• Resolution Number: 1
  Moved by: Derek Brick
  Seconded by: Claude Hergott

  That the Council of the Township of Wellesley accept Doug Spooner, Darryl Spencer and Theresa Mendler as delegations.

  CARRIED

4.1

Doug Spooner, Acting Transportation Commissioner for the Region of Waterloo, Darryl Spencer, Manager, Transportation Engineering, Theresa Mendler, Manager, Processing Centre (Automated Enforcement) re: Municipal Speed Camera and Administrative Penalties

Commissioner Doug Spooner spoke from a powerpoint presentation regarding municipal speed cameras and the administrative penalties program. Mr. Spooner provided statistics and data on speeding issues across the Region of Waterloo and the benefits of municipal speed cameras.

CAO, Rik Louwagie asked what level of input would the Townships have in identifying community safety zones?

Mr. Spooner responded that the Region of Waterloo has a policy regarding designating Community Safety Zones that the Townships can each adopt or adapt as they see fit for their municipality.

Mayor Nowak asked how the Linwood School could be designated a Community Safety Zone?

Mr. Spooner responded that the Linwood School could be designated as a Community Safety Zone as it does not front directly onto a Regional Road. Mr. Spooner added that this has been noted by the Township and it is under review. 

Mayor Nowak asked if the cameras are currently being rotated?

Mr. Spooner responded that the plan is not to rotate the cameras any longer outside of the pilot and cameras will be permanently placed.

5.

Public Meeting

5.1

Motion to convene public meeting

• Resolution Number: 2
  Moved by: Shelley Wagner
  Seconded by: Lori Sebben

  That the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourn to hold a public meeting with respect to Zoning By-law Amendment 05/22.

  CARRIED

5.2

Zoning By-law Amendment 05/22

Mayor Nowak asked the Clerk advise at to the method of advertising.

Municipal Clerk, Grace Kosch stated that notice was provided to the Woolwich Observer and on the Township website.

Mayor Nowak stated any person who wants further notice of the passage of a by-law should give in writing, their full name, address and postal code to the clerk prior to leaving the meeting.

Mayor Nowak asked the Director of Planning bring forth the application and report.

Director of Planning, Tim Van Hinte spoke from a powerpoint presentation providing background information on the application and the planning process pertaining to an application of this nature. Director Van Hinte also provided detail on the amendments to the original application.

Mayor Nowak asked does the Applicant wish to make comments.

Greg Romanick, Senior Planner, Stantec spoke on behalf of the applicant from a powerpoint presentation.

Mayor Nowak asked are there any persons who wish to make oral or written submissions in opposition to the proposed by-law. If so, would they please give their names, addresses and postal codes to clerk.

Brett Bartlett, 3524B Nafziger road, Wellesley spoke in opposition.

Andrew Kipp, 3524A Nafziger Road, Wellesley spoke in opposition.

Mayor Nowak asked are there any persons who wish to make oral or written submissions in support of the proposed by-law other than the applicant. Give names, addresses and postal codes to clerk.

No one came forward.

5.3

Motion to adjourn public meeting

• Resolution Number: 3
  Moved by: Shelley Wagner
  Seconded by: Lori Sebben

  That the public meeting with respect to Zoning By-law Amendment 05/22 adjourn and the Committee of the Whole meeting resume.

  CARRIED

6.

Recreation Committee

6.1

Minutes from the previous meeting

• Resolution Number: 4
  Moved by: Lori Sebben
  Seconded by: Claude Hergott

  The minutes from the previous Committee of the Whole Meeting be approved as presented.

  CARRIED

1.

Minutes of the September 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting

6.2

Service Board Reports

Hawkesville - no report

Heidelberg - no report

Linwood - Golden Ticket event on Saturday November 2nd at the Linwood Community Centre. 600 raffle ticket 200 dance tickets $25 each available.  

St. Clements - no report

Wellesley - no report

6.3

Staff Reports

6.4

Director Update

Director of Recreation, Danny Roth provided an update including available ice time, programming and the closing of outdoor facilities such as the splash pad and the outdoor washrooms with the exception of the Bill Gies Recreation Centre outdoor washroom. Director Roth also noted a successful Trillium Grant of $70,900.00 to expand programming across the Township facilities.

Mayor Nowak asked what type of programming will be available?

Director Roth responded that fitness programming will begin with yoga and low and high impact classes.

Mayor Nowak requested a report on how the building is being utilized.

6.5

Accounts/Financial Statement

7.

Planning & Development Committee

7.1

Staff Reports

1.

P. & D. 15/2024 - Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-22501, Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA 05/22, Applicant: Strohvest Ontario Inc., Location: Gerber Road - Motion Required

• Resolution Number: 5
  Moved by: Lori Sebben
  Seconded by: Shelley Wagner

  That the Council of the Township of Wellesley receive the information from the public meeting and refer the information to staff for consideration.

  CARRIED

2.

P. & D. 16/2024 - Community Improvement Plan Update - Award of Contract - For Information

Director of Planning, Tim Van Hinte stated that this for information report is to provide Council with the results of the request for quotation process and provide Council with the successful bidder, Nethery Planning. 

• Resolution Number: 6
  Moved by: Derek Brick
  Seconded by: Lori Sebben

  That the Council of the Township of Wellesley receive this report for information.

  CARRIED

7.2

Asset Management Plan Phase 3 Presentation - GIS and Asset Management Technician, Ethan Westbroek

GIS and Asset Management Technician, Ethan Westbroek spoke from a powerpoint presentation providing Council with the next steps in the Asset Management Plan which is Phase 3. Mr. Westbroek stated that Phase 3 will include a data refresh, financial strategy modelling and staff workshops, with the target adoption by Council in March 2025.

7.3

Director Update

Director of Planning, Tim Van Hinte provided an update including the Community Improvement Plan, Harmonized High Performance Standards in partnership with all Municipalities within Waterloo Region, and the forthcoming Provincial changes to the land use planning framework including the new Provincial Planning Statement.

Chief Building Official, Darryl Denny provided an update on the activity within the Building Department and the volume of permits being issued.

8.

Road & Bridge Committee

8.1

Staff Reports

8.2

Director Update

Director of Public Works, Chris Cook provided an update including the Planting Roots Tree Giveaway, the progress of the Queens Bush Road reconstruction and the Posey Line culvert replacement.

9.

Property & Fire Committee

9.1

Staff Reports

9.2

Director Update

Fire Chief, Paul Redman provided an update including Squad 52 that is live in the St. Clements Station, recruitment is currently underway and a report on the Open House in Linwood. Chief Redman also noted that the CPR training course that was made available to the public across the Township will be hosted again this year so keep an eye out for those dates.

10.

Administration/Finance & Personnel Committee

10.1

Staff Reports

10.2

Director Update

Treasurer, Jeff Dyck provided a report including the 2025 budget preparation and that the Deputy Treasurer role has been filled.

11.

For Information Package - no package distributed

12.

Unfinished Business

12.1

Kite Fighting - Verbal Update from CAO, Rik Louwagie

Chief Administrative Officer, Rik Louwagie provided further information from a previous conversation regarding kite fighting. CAO Louwagie noted that he has spoke with Waterloo Regional Police Services and there are no provincial regulations prohibiting the activity and as municipal property is public no trespassing can be enforced. CAO Louwagie noted that the Township does not currently have a by-law that restricts use in public parks and a by-law could be prepared however it would only be enforced by the Township By-law Officer.

Councillor Sebben preferred to prohibit the activity across the Township, noting that the kite fighting strings are much different than regular kite strings. 

Councillor Hergott asked how to differentiate between kite flying and kite fighting?

CAO Louwagie stated that it would have to be defined clearly in the by-law.

Councillor Wagner agreed with Councillor Sebben supporting prohibition Township wide.

Council provided staff direction.

12.2

Accidents on Hessen Strasse Road - Councillor Hergott

Councillor Hergott requested that staff request a report from the Waterloo Regional Police Service on the intersection including recommendations from the traffic branch on potential improvements and their impact.

Council provided staff direction.

13.

Other Business

14.

Closed Session

14.1

Motion to convene closed session meeting

• Resolution Number: 7
  Moved by: Derek Brick
  Seconded by: Claude Hergott

  That this portion of the meeting be closed to the public in order to consider the following:

  Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act – personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees re: exit interview

  CARRIED

14.2

Motion to adjourn closed session meeting

• Resolution Number: 8
  Moved by: Shelley Wagner
  Seconded by: Lori Sebben

  That the closed session meeting does now adjourn and the Committee of the Whole Meeting resume.

  CARRIED

15.

Next Meetings

Council Meeting October 22, 2024 6:45 pm
Committee of the Whole Meeting November 12, 2024 5:45 pm
Council Meeting November 26, 2024 6:45 pm

16.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: 9
  Moved by: Shelley Wagner
  Seconded by: Lori Sebben

  That the Committee of the Whole meeting does now adjourn.

  CARRIED