[1:04] Check, check.
[3:34] Marie, do you just want to give me confirmation that
[3:36] you're hearing and seeing me? Okay? And then give me
[3:38] the same back. Yes, I can hear you. Can you
[3:45] hear me okay? Yeah, I'm hearing you fine. And now
[3:50] I'm seeing you. Okay, thanks, Marie. You can turn both
[3:53] off and we'll queue you back in. Sounds good. Thanks.
[9:28] I will now call this meeting to order. I have
[9:30] an announcement I wish to note for council. And the
[9:33] public that item 8.4, the transportation master plan, will be
[9:37] considered prior to item 8.3 regarding the budget. I have
[9:44] a motion moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Cheney,
[9:47] that the agenda be approved as amended. All in favor?
[9:51] That motion is carried. Any declarations of pecuniary? Interest seeing
[9:56] none, we'll move on to community announcements. Who would like
[9:59] to start councilor? Brennan. Thank you. Through you. It's a
[10:04] short list. I guess. Everybody's anticipating Christmas. Anyway. East well
[10:11] Family Health Team is continuing its series of virtual workshops
[10:14] on a variety of different topics and you can consult
[10:16] their website for more information. And you can enjoy breakfast
[10:20] with sand at the Aaron Legion on Saturday, December the
[10:23] 14th. In a couple of days from 08:00 a.m. to
[10:27] 11:00 a.m. adults $10 children under nine $8 and should
[10:32] be a good time had there and of course, the
[10:34] money goes to a good cause. And that's all I
[10:37] have. Thank you. Very much. Looking around. Nobody's got anything
[10:41] else. I guess we're going to have a quiet weekend.
[10:45] We'll move on to then adoptions of the previous meeting
[10:47] minutes. I have a motion. Moved by Councilor Brennan. Seconded
[10:50] by Councilor Ehlerd. The council hereby adopts. The following meeting
[10:53] minutes as circulated November 27 regular council meeting December 1
[10:58] education and training session all in favor? That motion is
[11:02] carried. Councils or any business arising from the minutes. I
[11:07] don't see any eyes. So we have. No delegations today,
[11:11] so we'll start with first report, item 8.1. I have
[11:15] a motion moved by Councilor Cheney, seconded by Councilor Ryan.
[11:18] The council hereby receives. Report Pd 20 25 33 proposed
[11:23] amendment to heritage. Designation bylaw 23 56 92 Trafalga Road.
[11:29] For information and that notice of the proposed amendment be
[11:32] given to the property owner in accordance with the Ontario
[11:35] Heritage act. I'll now invite David Waters, manager of planning
[11:38] and development, to please proceed with your report. Thank you,
[11:41] Mr. Mayor report PD 20 25 33 before you recommend.
[11:45] Council support amending the legal description of heritage designation bylaw
[11:49] 23 56 that applies to the building located at 92
[11:53] Trafalga Road in Hillsburg. In November 2023, council passed bylaw
[11:57] 23. 56 to designate the building at 92 Trafalgar Road
[12:02] under part four of Ontario Heritage Act. The property owner
[12:06] appealed the bylaw to the Ontario Land Tribunal, and prior
[12:10] to the hearing the town's lawyer discovered that the legal
[12:12] description was incorrect. And advised to await the outcome of
[12:17] the hearing before amending the bylaw. A hearing was held
[12:20] earlier this year, in which the appeal against the bylaw
[12:23] was dismissed by the tribunal after the OLt decision was
[12:27] issued, staff initiated the process to amend bylaw 23 56
[12:32] as prescribed. By section 30.1 of the Ontario hair. Jack.
[12:37] The town's heritage committee was consulted on November 24 and
[12:40] supported the staff recommendation to amend the legal description of
[12:43] the bylaw and to issue notice to the property owner.
[12:47] Substitute council approval. Amending the legal description of a herdsh
[12:49] by law is considered a minor. Amendment. Under the act,
[12:53] only issuing notice to the property owner is required. The
[12:57] steps for implementing a minor amendment are listed on the
[13:00] top of page two of your staff. Report. Following the
[13:03] 30 day objection period, staff will report back to council
[13:06] in the new year with a bylaw for adoption. The
[13:09] amending bylaw is subject to appeal following counsel passing it.
[13:14] In conclusion, it is recommended that council issued notice to
[13:16] amend the legal description of bylaw 23. 56 for the
[13:20] building at 92 Trafalga Road. This concludes my presentation, Mr.
[13:24] Mayor, and welcome questions from council. Thank you. Council, do
[13:28] you have any questions for Mr. Waters? No. Any sage
[13:33] leewards, Councilor Cheney are all good. Okay. Well, as the
[13:38] motion has already been read, I will now call the
[13:40] vote. All in favor? That motion is carried. Moving on
[13:44] to item 8.2. Thank you, David. I have a motion
[13:48] moved by Councilor Brennan, seconded by Councilor Ryan. That council
[13:51] receives report number f 2025 24 draft 2024 financial statements
[13:56] for information and that council approves the draft financial statement
[14:00] sending December 31, 2024, as presented in Appendix A, and
[14:04] that council direct staff to circulate and post copies of
[14:07] the 2020. Four financial statements as required by the Municipal
[14:10] Act 2001. I'll now invite Rob Adams, the CIO to
[14:14] please introduce this item. Thank you very much, your worship,
[14:18] members of council. Before you today are the draft 2024
[14:25] financial statements. For information. Once the approved draft has been
[14:30] finalized and circulated and posted as required under the Municipal
[14:34] act, the financial information returns. FIRs will then be completed
[14:40] and filed with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. RlB LLP
[14:45] completed the 2024 audit of the town's financial accounts and
[14:49] records. Part of the delay this year. Was in not
[14:54] having a tax supervisor to respond to a number of
[14:58] tax inquiries as well as some challenges we had with
[15:02] the portal for transmitting files. These items will be rectified
[15:06] in 2025, as we now have a tax supervisor in
[15:10] place. And. We as well will be sending files. In
[15:16] an email format to ensure that they're received in timely
[15:19] fashion. Murray short, partner. RLB LLP is here virtually. And
[15:27] today we'll present the 2024 town of Air and draft
[15:31] financial statements. If there are any questions, Murray will be
[15:35] more than happy to respond. At the end of the
[15:38] presentation. And good afternoon to Murray. And thank you for
[15:43] presenting the draft financial statements. So if you want to
[15:47] take it away. Murray, over to you. Sure. Thank you
[15:50] very much. And thank you for the opportunity to present
[15:52] the draft financial statements. As I did last year. What
[15:57] I would propose to do is walk through the presentation.
[16:00] That is now up on screen, or at least the
[16:02] cover pages up on screen. This presentation does show the
[16:06] primary statements for the town for the year ended December
[16:09] 31, 2024. I would propose not to then walk through
[16:14] the full set of financial statements. That's also included in
[16:17] the council package. Doing so would kind of duplicate efforts,
[16:20] but happy to answer any questions. On the rest of
[16:23] the financial statements that I don't cover in the presentation.
[16:27] Should there be any. So with that, if we could
[16:28] jump to the next slide, please. This is just an
[16:31] agenda so we can jump right on to the next
[16:33] slide. Still. This is just a bit of an overview
[16:37] of our audit. So the primary thing to communicate here
[16:41] is that there was no significant changes to our audit
[16:44] plan. From what was communicated to council around this time
[16:48] last year leading up to the 2024 year. End, we
[16:52] did send a free audit communication letter to council for
[16:56] information. Just highlighting some of the details. Of our audit
[17:00] plan for that year. And no significant changes in terms
[17:05] of the auto plan? No. Significant internal control deficiencies to
[17:10] communicate. And no independence issues, meaning that. We are able
[17:15] to satisfy our obligations as augers to issue our independent
[17:19] auditors report. Down to the bottom of the slide here.
[17:23] You'll see we just list kind of some. Highlights of
[17:26] some of the entries that we did make to complete
[17:29] our audit. These are pretty standard. Entries that we would
[17:32] have made in the prior year as well, so nothing
[17:36] too significant from that. Standpoint. Moving on to the next
[17:40] slide. It is a clean audit opinion, so. In the
[17:45] audited financial statements themselves. The draft all refinancial statements you'll
[17:49] see the two page audit report. These two bullets cover
[17:53] the primary message, though, from that which is that the
[17:56] financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with canadian public
[18:00] sector accounting standards, and that our audit was conducted in
[18:04] accordance with the applicable. Auditing standards relative to our audit
[18:09] of the financial statement. So that is the clean audit
[18:12] opinion. You're looking for. Us to provide. We have done
[18:16] the work and analysis and planning and procedures that we
[18:20] needed to do in order to satisfy ourselves. If that
[18:22] is the case. Next slide. Just gives kind of a
[18:27] bit of information on the statement of financial positions. So
[18:30] this is the balance sheet for the municipality at the
[18:34] December 31 year end, with comparative numbers from the prior
[18:38] year end being December 31, 2023. Some of the key
[18:42] items to look at are cash. And investments, taxes, receivable
[18:47] long term debt and then ultimately the tangible capital assets
[18:51] and accumulated surplus. And if we jump to the next
[18:54] slide. You will see that statement here. I'll just point
[18:59] out. A few numbers on this page, we will get
[19:03] to some of the graphs that highlight some of. The
[19:06] changes over time. If you combine cash and portfolio investments,
[19:10] the top two lines in financial assets. Those totaled about
[19:15] 27.9 million at the end of 2024 versus 39.3. The
[19:20] year before, so that's a fairly significant decrease. And largely
[19:24] related to. The wastewater project and the timing of money
[19:30] coming in. Related to that versus the money going out.
[19:34] So more spent in the year on that project then.
[19:37] Came in during the year. Taxes receivable, you can see
[19:41] is up by about a million dollars. That number has
[19:44] crept up. And when we see the graph, you'll see
[19:46] that that number is higher. Than we'd like to see
[19:50] generally. I think that probably relates to the comments about
[19:53] being without a tax supervisor. For a chunk of period
[19:57] of time. And so less, maybe lesser focus on collections.
[20:04] Trade and other receivables you can see are down. That
[20:06] is largely because of HST. Rebates that the municipality is
[20:09] entitled to less outstanding on those HST rebates. At the
[20:13] end of this year, offset in part by higher grants
[20:18] receivable at this year and the last year related to
[20:21] the earring community center and. The grant funding received for
[20:26] some of the work there. In the liability section, you
[20:30] can see the deferred revenue line, the middle of the
[20:33] three. Liabilities line is down. That includes your development charges
[20:36] as well as. The charges for the wastewater project in
[20:41] particular, and that's the reason that it's down by about
[20:45] twelve or $13 million. That corresponds pretty closely with the
[20:49] decrease in cash that you see up above. So again,
[20:53] the wastewater project, net of an increase in other development
[20:57] charges, is the reason for. The decrease in deferred revenue
[21:00] and then long term debt, you can see, has decreased
[21:03] that's just because the existing loans that the town has
[21:05] had for the last several years have continued to be
[21:08] paid down based on their repayment schedules. The net financial
[21:12] asset line you can see is up. So overall, despite
[21:15] the decrease in cash and investments. The financial position of
[21:19] the municipality has increased. So, basically. The decreases in liabilities,
[21:25] exceeding the decreases in cash. And so the municipality actually
[21:29] is. In a better financial standpoint. From the case of
[21:34] its kind of liquidity, if I can put it that
[21:37] way. Just at the bottom of the page, we have
[21:39] the tangible capital assets. So with all of the wastewater
[21:42] project activities going on and the continued expenditures on that
[21:47] in the year. You can see the tangible capital assets
[21:49] have increased by over $70 million, up to 226,000,000 and
[21:55] correspondingly, the accumulated surplus on the year has increased. As
[21:58] well. Next slide. Shows the graph regarding the cash position
[22:05] of the municipality. So what we're looking at here. Is
[22:07] a comparison of the cash. Being the green bar versus
[22:12] the annual cash outflows being the yellow. And so, in
[22:16] each of the past five years. Your cash position or
[22:19] cash and investments combined, in this case, have exceeded the
[22:23] amount of cash that you spend in the year so
[22:25] you have enough to cover a full year's cash outflows.
[22:28] Based on. The cash on hand. This excludes. The Wastewater
[22:35] project as a kind of self financing project. So we
[22:39] kind of back that out when I presented the financial
[22:43] statements in these graphs last year. It became apparent that
[22:47] having the wastewater project in some of these graphs really
[22:50] kind of skewed the results and made it hard to
[22:52] kind of draw any inferences from them. So I will
[22:55] try to point out. Where we've removed the wastewater project
[22:59] from these graphs and kind of looking at the rest.
[23:01] Of the municipality isolated from that project. The green line
[23:07] in this case. Is the trend line for the town
[23:11] of Urine as a percentage. Of the cash outflows that
[23:15] are held in cash and cash equivalents. The blue line
[23:18] being the average of early municipalities. So this shows that,
[23:22] on average, the town holds a fair amount more in
[23:26] cash and investments relative to its expenditures than other municipalities
[23:31] would tend to do. So again. Strong financial position from
[23:35] that standpoint. The next slide is the one I mentioned
[23:39] in terms of taxes receivable. We have seen a trend
[23:44] from 2021 to now across all of our municipalities where
[23:49] taxes receivable have tended to creep up. You can see
[23:52] that the town of Uran has had a similar experience,
[23:55] but more pronounced than what we're seeing across our other
[23:58] municipalities. Over to the right of the screen, you'll see.
[24:02] What the ministry considers to be low, moderate and high
[24:06] risk, although. It's probably very small on people's screens, so
[24:09] I apologize about that, but anything above 15% would be
[24:14] considered high risk. The town of Urine is in that
[24:17] category at about 19.6 but hopefully with the additional staffing
[24:21] as mentioned. More of an increase in collections going into.
[24:27] 2025 and 2026, which hopefully will make a difference from
[24:31] that standpoint. This is looking at taxes receivable as a
[24:34] percentage of total tax levied. So of course, Miss validity
[24:38] collects taxes to distribute to the county and school boards
[24:41] as well. Looking at all of those taxes collected and
[24:45] the taxes receivable portion that the municipality is on the
[24:48] hook. For collecting relative to all three levels. That are
[24:53] being collected for there. Next slide. Is the long term
[24:59] debt position. So the green line being the town of
[25:02] Erin, the blue line. Being the average row of the
[25:04] municipal clients. And you can see that, on average, over
[25:08] each of the last five years, your debt position has
[25:11] been better, meaning you've had less debt relative. To your
[25:15] tax base compared to our other clients. So that is
[25:19] certainly a positive and speaks to again the stronger cash
[25:23] position that you do have. Next slide, please. So this
[25:28] is your expenditures on capital asset additions again, backing out
[25:33] the wastewater project. Once we include that, then the Green
[25:37] line is well in excess of, and it's really not
[25:41] kind of looking at what you're funding yourself in terms
[25:43] of tax and other revenue. Sources. And so backing that
[25:48] out, then this is kind of giving a better comparison
[25:50] to our other clients. And you can see that. With
[25:54] some variability that your expenditures relative to your tax revenue,
[25:58] pretty consistent across. The five years. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower,
[26:03] but generally following the same ballpark in terms of trending.
[26:10] Next slide. This shows capital asset additions relative to budget
[26:16] and relative to amortization. And again, excluding the wastewater project,
[26:22] which would skew the results. And I think what I
[26:27] would draw from this, comparing the blue versus the yellow
[26:30] lines, the blue is your capital asset addition. So the
[26:33] purchases of new capital assets and construction of capital assets.
[26:38] Relative to the yellow, which is amortization. And in each
[26:41] of the five years. Your capital asset additions exceed amortization.
[26:47] Once the wastewater project does come on stream and has
[26:49] completed, your amortization will jump up and so we'll kind
[26:53] of see. What the impacts will be there, although obviously
[26:56] we'll have. A long, useful life. And so it'll be
[26:59] amortized slowly, over time. But we'd. Expect to see an
[27:03] increase there, but generally excluding that project, you can see
[27:07] that the municipality is. Spending relatively well compared to its
[27:12] amortization on capital asset additions. Next slide just gives some
[27:19] information on the statement of operations. So this is the
[27:21] income statement. If you will for the township, showing the
[27:24] revenues and expenses relative to budget. Showing the expenditures by
[27:29] department and then the annual surplus and the change in
[27:33] the accumulated surplus on the air. And so if we
[27:36] jump to the next slide. This is that statement. And
[27:41] so just again, to highlight a few numbers, taxation, revenue
[27:45] up. About 5% year over year, but about 3% on
[27:51] your base tax. The additional increase coming from higher supplemental
[27:57] taxes in the year. Fees and user charges. Fairly consistent
[28:02] grants, you can see, are up fairly significantly for two
[28:05] reasons. One of them being. More money drawn from your
[28:09] Canada Community building fund or your gas tax funding is
[28:12] what we still tend to call it. To the tune
[28:16] of about $1.5 million, as well as the ISIP grant
[28:20] for the Air and community center that I have referred
[28:22] to earlier, that was about $1.7. Million. So those two
[28:26] things leading to the increase in grant revenue and then
[28:29] other income is just. The. Money? Well, 67 million. Of
[28:34] that, 73 million is coming from the wastewater project. So
[28:38] the funding for the wastewater project. Is recognized as revenue.
[28:43] Tends to kind of ski revenues fairly significantly relative to.
[28:48] Budget. When you compare the expenses, but it is revenue
[28:53] under public sector accounting standards, and so that is the
[28:56] reason for that number being as high as it is.
[29:00] We look at expenses. I'll just highlight a few changes.
[29:04] General government. Expenses, you can see, are up by about
[29:07] 700,000. That's a combination. Of. Staffing it and consulting costs
[29:17] in particular. Environmental services, you can see, is up by
[29:20] about 470,000. A lot of that related to water main
[29:26] repairs incurred in the year and then recreation services up.
[29:31] Largely because of staffing. So with increased services, Increased hours
[29:35] of activity and so on, that recreation services increase so
[29:39] overall expenses higher than prior year. And higher than budget.
[29:44] But offset by the increases in revenue, so you wind
[29:47] up with a comparable surplus on the year. Again largely
[29:51] being because of the wastewater project. Next slide. Shows. The
[29:59] expenditures by department. So looking at. The various departments and
[30:06] how they contribute to the total expenditures for the municipality.
[30:11] And not surprisingly, transportation, environmental and general government being the
[30:16] three largest. And if we jump to the next slide.
[30:20] This will show the change over time. But generally. Pretty
[30:25] consistent makeup of your expenditures. By department over the last
[30:29] five years. Next slide just gives information. The changes statement
[30:35] of changes in net assets and if we jump to
[30:37] the next slide again, This is that statement. So it
[30:41] takes the annual surplus back, so all of the tangible
[30:44] capital asset activity towards the top. And so once you
[30:49] kind of take that into account in terms of acquisition
[30:53] and amortization, of capital assets. It really kind of winds
[30:57] up showing the change in that financial position that I
[30:59] mentioned. So the increase in your net financial assets from
[31:03] 8.4 million to just under 10 million. Again, a strengthening
[31:07] of your financial position outside of your capital asset activity,
[31:12] and that certainly is positive. And then the next slide.
[31:17] Just breaks down the changes in cash that the organization
[31:20] has from various sources, and if we jump to the
[31:24] next slide again. Just a lot of information on this
[31:28] page. I will just mention a few numbers. So about.
[31:35] 40% of the way down. From the top you see
[31:37] a 63,000,755. That's your cash flow from operations, including the
[31:43] collection of monies for the wastewater project. Just below that,
[31:47] you have 74,000,074.8 million in capital asset additions. So that's
[31:53] a decrease in your cash on the cap. Capital activities
[31:56] front. And so those two things netting out to about
[32:00] an $11 million decrease in cash. Further decrease because of
[32:06] purchases and investments. So your investments increased by about three
[32:08] and a half million. And so overall, your cash position
[32:11] decreased by about 14.8 million. But still in a strong
[32:16] position at about 16.7 million overall. So despite all of
[32:22] the activity in the capital asset additions, Exceeding the amount
[32:28] of cash collected for that wastewater project just because of
[32:30] timing. The financial position for the municipality still continues to
[32:34] be strong. Next slide, please. So. This is the description
[32:42] of the schedule of accumulated surplus. So it takes the
[32:46] total accumulated surplus and breaks it out by. Various components.
[32:51] And so if we go to that next slide, You
[32:54] can see that amount here. So $236,000,000 total accumulated surplus,
[33:00] of which 226,000,000 is your investment in tangible capital assets.
[33:05] And so that's obviously the greatest component of the total.
[33:11] There is a general fund deficit of about a million
[33:13] dollars. But that's a million dollars. Better than the year
[33:16] before. As it was 2 million in the prior year.
[33:20] And then down towards the bottom, we have the reserves
[33:23] or reserve funds. This excludes. Obligatory reserve funds that we'll
[33:28] see on a future slide. So these are the discretionary
[33:31] reserve funds set aside by council and you can see
[33:34] that the reserves are up by about 430,000. Reserve funds
[33:40] down by about 200,000. But in total, strengthening of your
[33:45] reserves and reserve funds overall. And then if we go
[33:49] to the next slide. So deferred revenue represents obligatory reserve
[33:56] funds and other revenues received in advance. So these are
[33:59] monies that you've received as an organization but haven't yet
[34:03] spent the reason that they are excluded from the reserve
[34:07] funds on the previous pages. They are mandatorily held in
[34:13] reserve funds based on agreements or legislation. So your gas
[34:18] tax agreement, the development charges act and so on. And
[34:21] if we go to the next slide. This shows those
[34:26] obligatory reserve funds. You can see they are down by
[34:29] about 12 million. Dollars again because of the wastewater plant
[34:34] project. So at the end of the year, the municipality
[34:38] had actually spent more than it collected on the project
[34:40] just because of the timing of receipt of contributions to
[34:45] the tune of about $8.6 million. The development charge is
[34:49] on the top line or all the rest of your
[34:50] development charges and those have increased very substantially because of
[34:54] development in the municipality. Totaling about $22 million of contributions,
[34:59] coming in net of about $1.6 million spent so your
[35:04] development charges outside of the wastewater plan have strengthened pretty
[35:08] significantly. The wastewater plant contributions in a bit of a
[35:12] deficit at the end of the year, and so these
[35:14] deferred revenues down by. About 16 million or. Sorry, 13
[35:19] million. And that corresponds largely to the decrease in cash
[35:24] that I had mentioned earlier. So the next slide is
[35:28] the last graph that I'll present today. This is combining
[35:32] all of the reserves and reserve funds. So the ones
[35:34] that are included in your accumulated surplus as well. As
[35:37] the obligatory reserve funds that are included in deferred revenue.
[35:41] So this is taking all of those reserve funds that
[35:43] are set aside for future expenditures. And comparing them to
[35:47] your total tax revenue. And when you look at the
[35:51] green line, which is the Tanavir and hos that you
[35:53] have significantly more set aside in those reserve funds. Than
[35:58] the average or other municipalities. And so that certainly speaks
[36:03] to the forethought and planning by the municipality in terms
[36:07] of setting those funds aside as well as the growth
[36:11] in the municipality, that's kind of leading to those development
[36:14] charge increases and so on. So the last slide. I
[36:21] have is just kind of a next step. So subject
[36:23] to council's approval of the draft financial statements today, then
[36:28] that will allow us to finalize our audit report and
[36:31] issue our final financial statements. For the municipality. And then,
[36:38] as mentioned, In the introductory comments. That will also allow
[36:42] us then to file the financial information return on your
[36:45] behalf to the Ministry of Municipal affairs and Housing. And
[36:49] so with that, I am happy to answer. Any questions?
[36:53] Thank you very much, Murray. Council, do you have any
[36:54] questions? Councilor Brennan? Thank you. Through you. Thank you, Marie.
[36:59] Comprehensive presentation, as always. Just from an auditing point of
[37:05] view. With the exception, I guess. Of outstanding taxes, that
[37:10] being at that 19% level. Is there anything else that
[37:14] you think we need to worry about in particular or
[37:18] to be cautious? About. No, I think the municipality is
[37:22] in a strong financial position. Obviously, the kind of magnitude
[37:25] of the wastewater project. Is just massive and it's kind
[37:31] of beyond what we would see. In most any of
[37:35] our other reusable clients. Is there some risk there, just
[37:40] in terms of timing of cash flows and so on?
[37:42] That would be the one thing I would kind of
[37:45] look into. Not that there's kind of a. Risk from
[37:47] the standpoint. Of collectability or anything along those lines, but.
[37:54] It's just such a massive project. That kind of dwarfs
[37:58] the rest of your financial operation. So that would be
[38:00] one to kind of keep a very close eye on
[38:03] from a cash flow standpoint. Otherwise, no, I mean the
[38:06] taxes. Receivable are high. They've crept up. As I said,
[38:09] that's consistent with. What we've seen with other municipal governments.
[38:13] I think a bit of a focus going forward. And
[38:17] the right staff. Thinking your tax department will make a
[38:21] difference there. Thank you. Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Murray on
[38:29] page 53 of your report. Can you further explain the
[38:34] statement of changes in net financial assets? That differ from
[38:38] our budget in 24 to our 24 actual. Yes. I'm
[38:47] assuming you're referring to the tangible capital assets. The acquisition
[38:52] of tangible capital. Assets and the difference in the annual
[38:55] surplus. Yes. I think. The capital budget for the town
[39:03] and staff may need to jump in, and I know
[39:05] the director. Of finances is unavailable to be here today.
[39:11] But. The capital budget. Showed. A relatively small amount. For
[39:19] the wastewater project in there. So that difference is basically
[39:23] largely because of the wastewater project. The net of the
[39:26] acquisitions and. The surplus is pretty comparable, which shows that
[39:32] kind of whatever. You're spending on the project. Is ultimately
[39:38] covered. By the contributions towards it. So it's not that
[39:42] the municipality is on the hook, but. It's just that
[39:44] the capital budget showed kind of a relatively small. Amount
[39:49] going towards that project relative to what was actually spent.
[39:53] Okay. Thank you. And then looking forward. Like, into, like,
[39:57] 25, 26. Would we expect that to be altered, or
[40:02] would we be waiting until that came on board? The
[40:05] large asset being the wastewater plant. In terms of the
[40:10] expenditures. I believe that the budget would be created with
[40:16] the anticipation of what the amounts that are expected. To
[40:19] be collected and then ultimately spent on the project. So
[40:22] the last couple of years that's. Been in the $65
[40:24] to $70 million range. To be honest. Because we're auditors
[40:31] and we look backwards at historical financial statements. I haven't
[40:36] looked at your 2025 capital budget to know what was
[40:38] in there and we haven't obviously audited 2025 yet. Since
[40:42] we aren't quite to the end of the year to
[40:44] be able to do so. But I'm not sure that
[40:47] I could answer what's in your capital budget, but. It
[40:51] should be based on what's anticipated to be spent, but
[40:54] that would then be offset. By the funding collected for
[40:58] going towards that project. So that part should be soft
[41:02] in terms of funds in versus funds out anyway. Thank
[41:06] you. I have one little question. I think about the
[41:10] taxes receivable as a percentage of the total tax levied.
[41:17] And the actual 2024 penalties and interest on taxation. So
[41:22] I would assume if our taxes receivable goes up that
[41:26] our penalties and interest should go up as well, and
[41:29] it actually went down. Is that because it's not accrued?
[41:32] And it's only what's actually paid in the year and
[41:35] anyone who hadn't. Paid by the year end of 2024,
[41:37] would actually be recovered in 2025. Financials. It should be
[41:44] accrued by your system. What might. Be. Part of. The
[41:52] change versus prior year. Maybe the timing of supplemental taxes
[41:56] as part of the explanation. I would have to defer.
[42:02] I don't have this at my fingertips, but I know.
[42:05] That some municipalities. Have. Waived interest in penalties for periods
[42:11] of time, particularly kind of post co, during and post
[42:14] Covid. So I'm not sure if that has some bearing
[42:17] on it, but anything that has been accrued in your
[42:19] system should be recorded. In the revenues. So unfortunately, I
[42:24] can't give you more of an answer than that. But
[42:26] it is something. We could look into with your finance
[42:29] team and report back, if that would be. I'm just
[42:33] curious if the amount receivable is higher. I would have
[42:37] expected the interest to be higher as well. Yeah, it's
[42:41] a good point. I'm sorry. It's not one directly at
[42:44] this point in time. But we can mention to your
[42:47] director of finance. So that's something that council may want.
[42:50] More information on. Okay, thank you. Last chance for questions
[42:54] from the horseshoe. Seeing no more questions. Thank you very
[42:58] much, Murray. Sure. Thank you. Rob, did you want to.
[43:02] Yes. I just wanted to thank. Murray on behalf of
[43:05] staff for. All the good work. You and your team
[43:07] at RlB Ado. Thank you for helping us. With the
[43:11] audit. And as well, thank you for your very positive
[43:16] presentation. It's good to know our finances. Are in good
[43:20] shape and the municipality is doing well. Despite the fact
[43:23] we have some very significant projects going on, we continue
[43:27] to be healthy and we do have our eye on
[43:30] our taxes receivable. It is a priority and we've got
[43:34] a great new staff hire in place that I'm sure.
[43:39] Is already starting to tackle that and moving in the
[43:41] right direction, so thank you. Great. Thanks. All right. As
[43:46] the motion has already been read, I will now call
[43:48] the vote. All in favor. That motion is carried. Next,
[43:52] we're moving on to item 8.4. So this is the
[43:55] change in the agenda we approved at the beginning. I
[43:58] have a motion moved by councilor alard, seconded. By Councilor
[44:01] Cheney. That report number 2025. Two transportation Master Plan B
[44:05] received for information and that council endorses the transportation master
[44:09] plan and directs staff to report to council. In the
[44:13] second quarter of 2026 with an implementation plan to address
[44:15] the recommendations provided in the report. I'll now invite Brian
[44:20] Kavanaugh, director of infrastructure services, to please proceed with your
[44:23] report. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We're very pleased to present
[44:28] the town's first transportation master. Plan. This has been a
[44:33] major effort in undertaking that's been underway for about a
[44:36] year, and it marks an important milestone for the community.
[44:40] I want to start by acknowledging the people who helped
[44:42] make this possible. Daniel Tunio has been instrumental. His commitment
[44:47] and steady project management have kept this work moving. And
[44:51] a sincere thank you as well to Mohammed and his
[44:53] team at 30 forensics for bringing their expertise and thoughtful
[44:57] analysis to the table. As you'll have seen, the master
[45:02] plan, or master plans in general, really tend to be
[45:05] detailed and ambitious by nature, and this TMP is no
[45:09] exception. In my experience, the biggest challenge with plans like
[45:14] this isn't so much the content, but rather. The risk
[45:18] that they become so large and complex that they're difficult
[45:21] to keep front and center as we move forward with
[45:24] our day to day activities. And I think that the
[45:27] key to avoiding that issue is a strong, practical implementation
[45:33] plan to carry the work forward. That means taking the
[45:37] recommendations and. Layering in a few critical elements. A realistic
[45:42] look at funding and how to sequence the investments. Clear
[45:47] project prioritization so that we know what needs to happen
[45:49] first. Alignment with the county's direction and initiatives. Opportunities to
[45:56] tie this work into other works, such as the Hughes
[45:59] grant that presents important synergies. And finally. A need to
[46:06] look at strategy for some of the more complex items,
[46:09] such as the truck detour. Route, which is in and
[46:12] of itself a significant project. I don't want to get
[46:15] ahead of the presentation, so with that, I'll turn. It
[46:17] over to Mohammed to cover the TMP process and the
[46:21] key findings.
[46:35] Thank you, Brian, for introducing me. And I would like
[46:38] to thank you, everyone, for inviting me today. And through.
[46:41] Mayor very happy and glad and proud to be here
[46:45] to present. Your as brand said, it's historic first transportation
[46:50] master plan and it's very important. And over time you
[46:54] will see the importance of this document, and we are
[46:57] happy to present here. I would like to thank you
[46:59] in addition to Bran and Daniel. To number of counselors
[47:04] and mayor who were heavily involved in participating through the
[47:07] process and all the residents that really were attending two
[47:13] public meetings, which is amazing to see for such a
[47:16] relatively small community. And well, attending these public meetings. It's
[47:20] good to see that. I do this type of work,
[47:23] and to see, like, 50, 60 residents attending public meetings.
[47:28] You should be proud of this. So I would like
[47:30] to thank you residents for providing inputs through the process.
[47:34] So. We'll jump to the early present. I mentioned. Introduction
[47:43] here in addition to me, and I will go through
[47:48] what we did through this process, a little bit about
[47:51] policy, how this transportation master plan align with your other.
[47:57] Planning policy documents. What is really the next steps and
[48:01] strategic framework, as Brian said, How to get there from
[48:06] here. It is the plan. But how to go to
[48:10] the implementation and keep going. This is just plan that
[48:14] will go for many, many years ahead. In addition, my
[48:18] name is Mohammed Dalibarcichen as brand. Consulting project manager on
[48:23] the project, and I really thank you to get through
[48:27] this year working with you. And to produce this report
[48:32] together. With town. A little bit about transportation. Master plan,
[48:38] what it means and what it is. It is generally
[48:43] like blueprint planning document for municipality. To work with other
[48:50] planning documents. It is vision, it's long term plan. So
[48:54] typically transportation master plans like. Other master plans. They should
[49:01] be updated in general, like. Five to six years, seven
[49:06] years. To really revisit and see what is implemented and
[49:11] what can be moved forward with the next phases. It
[49:15] looks for in general, what is the plan for long
[49:18] horizon? In our case, we look here up to 2051.
[49:23] So typically, these master plan documents, they always look as
[49:26] you probably realize it's. 2131-4151 that's how we look in
[49:30] Canada for any planning. So that we are all aligned
[49:33] with taking. Those inflation growth, employment growth. So these planning
[49:38] documents are always goes those ten years, that's why we
[49:41] presented. This through the transportation master plans. It is again
[49:47] we follow as a transportation master plan. It is regulated.
[49:52] The processes prescribed by provincial municipal class caster plan process.
[49:58] So in this case we did follow. That process. What
[50:02] does it mean? Most important, as I mentioned at the
[50:04] beginning, Is that consultation and stakeholder involvement in addition to
[50:10] the public meetings. We had key stakeholders. There are conservation
[50:16] areas. They were participating in public health. Definitely county is
[50:22] the key stakeholder who. Were meeting with us and providing
[50:26] inputs, and we presented. Stages of the projects and coordinated
[50:31] with them. Then. Definitely. Council and the town staff. So
[50:37] that's what means. That transportation master plan process. Meet first
[50:42] two phases of that planning process. So if town decide
[50:48] to take some projects identified from master plan process master
[50:53] plan document. Then. Some of these requirements or some of
[50:59] these steps that we took through the transportation master plans,
[51:02] they're already satisfied. Like particularly consultations, if you end up
[51:05] doing the environmental class process starts changing a little bit
[51:10] now in Ontario, but that public consultation stakeholder. Is already
[51:15] kind of met some of these criteria, so that's why
[51:18] I would like to highlight. That. We follow the process.
[51:23] There are those notices. Identified with Ministry of Environment. And
[51:30] they are all already aware that you are undertaking this
[51:33] project, and when everything is done, there will be notice
[51:36] of completion, and they will get noticed that projects is
[51:39] completed. So that's the process. We met that process and
[51:43] I mentioned other master plans, so it's pretty much if
[51:46] you decide to go for water master plan or. Sewage
[51:50] master plan. It's the same process. It is really beneficial
[51:54] for the town to have documents like this. You will
[51:58] see. Many through my presentation and in document key as
[52:03] the strategic planning. It's the vision. It's the sustainable development,
[52:07] it's growth. It's consultation and engagement, and it's really the
[52:12] vision for the town to take. Next step. And, yes,
[52:15] identify some opportunities here and how you can work. With
[52:19] other stakeholders. It's important to work with provincial, in this
[52:24] case county and neighboring municipalities because number of your roads
[52:29] you are sharing with other municipalities. There is all major
[52:33] roads are county roads. So this document is well needed
[52:36] for the town to be kind of equal player with.
[52:42] Other municipalities, county and as well as a province, and
[52:45] to have. Including developers. So developers. Are really looking for
[52:52] this type. In addition to official plan, they always look
[52:55] for transportation master plans. As well as other master plans.
[52:59] What do you have? What you have identified so that
[53:01] they can really see what to expect and what to
[53:04] meet. When they come to really invest in the town.
[53:11] So, transportation master plan. I'm just trying to tell again
[53:13] how it's important and. What we went through. Those are
[53:16] three phases that we went through the process. First phase
[53:20] was really when we started looking what is within the
[53:23] town, existing condition, opportunities. Then we met with key stakeholders,
[53:31] including county, and we met with public in February. That
[53:36] was first round of public meetings. Was really great turnout,
[53:40] as I mentioned. Second phase was when we learn everything
[53:44] from. Water challenges and needs. We started really looking what
[53:49] are areas for improvements? We look? For what population and
[53:55] current situation. Then we look. What is planning for the
[53:59] growth? As you know, town is planning to grow more
[54:03] than double in next 2030 years. So how to accommodate
[54:07] that in regard to transportation network. Active transportation is critical
[54:14] and important component which means everything. What is now not
[54:18] car. It is related to the walking, biking and so
[54:22] on. All those nice what town already has. And opportunities
[54:27] for work with county and other municipalities to get to
[54:29] the next level. Then. We had. After that, we have
[54:34] the second round of the public meeting when we presented
[54:37] a little bit more water opportunities. And what are the
[54:40] plans for the town? We met the second public meeting.
[54:43] In October was again well attended. And here we are
[54:46] now. With pretty much the full document. Challenges are, as
[54:52] I mentioned, urban growth for the town. Town is growing.
[54:55] There is number of four significant number of new subdivisions.
[55:01] And town has to accommodate that and to keep growing,
[55:04] working together with developers, working together with province. With county
[55:09] and so on. As I said. How people travel. We
[55:14] look how people travel within the town and area. So
[55:18] it is still. Car driven community. So it's most of
[55:22] trips in county, in the county and town hour. By
[55:26] car. So going forward, back to that active transportation, transit,
[55:32] you probably hear those everywhere around. It's just about transit
[55:36] and active transportation. So it's good, actually, that we are
[55:39] talking here. In first transportation master plan for the town.
[55:43] That multimodal component. Which keep talking about that multimodal for
[55:48] everything. What you going through, the planning that it's really
[55:52] focused not only on the car. So that's. That terminology
[55:55] is important. Multimodal multimodal that you invest in the people
[56:00] walking, connecting communities by trails, by active transportation, sidewalks, pipelines,
[56:06] everything. That you can really focus more on healthy side
[56:09] of moving around. So it's active transportation. And. From this
[56:15] document get into more funding on these type of projects.
[56:22] So. There is definitely a Villuk transit. What is there?
[56:24] What can be? There? Yes. Town has to work more
[56:27] with county and county has to work with province. How
[56:31] to get more connection, more transit opportunities to the account.
[56:37] Through the county. And as we see around not far
[56:40] from here, everything is about transit. Is it? Go. Transit
[56:43] expansion. Is it the other modes of transportation or transit?
[56:48] So I work a number of these more rural transportation
[56:52] master plans these days, and everyone is actually trying to
[56:56] get connection. To the transit at least if you don't
[56:59] have it, so at least to have some. Connection from
[57:02] your community to first transit hubs. So you should work
[57:06] with county and other local municipalities around you with promise
[57:11] how you can get something so transportation master plan, touch
[57:14] a little bit. About everything, so. This is collect trial
[57:18] and but it's also opportunity from here to take it
[57:21] to the next step. So that's why we kept that
[57:24] taxi transportation and transit and hopefully next one or next.
[57:28] One, you will really have to have some sort of.
[57:33] Transit in your community? Is it going to be on
[57:35] county level or something? But. It should be next step.
[57:40] Vision is good to have vision, and I recommend we
[57:43] establish typically transportation mushrooms plan. They establish some vision. So.
[57:49] We work with town to have something. This really again,
[57:52] back to that multimodal. It's healthy community connecting people, connecting.
[57:59] Airing with other municipalities, with surrounding areas. So. It is
[58:04] blueprint that you will carry forward. It's important part of
[58:09] official plant so transportation master plan. Typically there is one
[58:13] section in official plan that includes some components from the
[58:17] transportation master plan. So that vision. Is kind of established,
[58:23] so it's good to have it and. It's to work
[58:26] around that and. We came with one that fit for
[58:30] town of Arin, for this community. I did mention a
[58:35] number of these other planning documents. One of the key
[58:38] is definitely official plan. The other one is growth management
[58:43] strategy that you already have. And the town of Varian
[58:47] parks, recreation, culture, master plan. There are also other important.
[58:53] Like county Transportation Master Plan, county official plan. Through this
[58:58] process. We did work closely and look into their transportation
[59:03] master plan because it's. Its key actually starting points that
[59:07] we start what county is planning, how they planning into
[59:11] those same like we said, 31 41. Their transportation master
[59:16] plan was done a couple of years few years ago.
[59:19] And their plan went up to 41. So those thresholds
[59:23] are moving fast. So we did look. And collaborated that,
[59:29] let's say, whatever we are proposing as a town. Let's
[59:33] say road network improvements or sidewalk improvement, how it fit
[59:37] with county plan so that. Whatever they're planning on their
[59:42] county roads, that there is some sort of. Link or
[59:47] connection or that they work to each other so that
[59:51] you just end with sidewalk on one part. You don't
[59:53] have connections because county didn't plan or. View the plan
[59:59] and county didn't. So it's always collaboration and we always
[1:00:03] look. What county or region or other municipalities with regard
[1:00:08] to their plans, how it fits together. And those are
[1:00:13] key. Planning policy documents that we look. And definitely official
[1:00:19] plan that they have. Through the transportation master plan, there
[1:00:23] was opportunity to look really the road classifications. What town
[1:00:28] has it's? One of the key, particularly for rural municipalities
[1:00:32] to have to revisit when we go back and look
[1:00:34] what is the industry standards and what county has and
[1:00:38] that you can take. Because transportation master plan should be.
[1:00:42] Documented with your other, let's say, projects and studies. That.
[1:00:48] Has meet industry standards and that they also talk to
[1:00:51] the. Road classification. In this case in Canada, or mostly
[1:00:57] in area around Erin, most roads are classified as arterials.
[1:01:02] Collectors and locals. Some municipalities have a little bit sub
[1:01:07] additional to this one, rural urban, which is all good,
[1:01:10] but we were trying to see what is by transportation
[1:01:13] associations of Canada. What town has so, what county has
[1:01:17] so that really, that. Road, if it's collect a road
[1:01:21] that on the other municipality is also the same terminology.
[1:01:25] It's kind of like industry trying to align it. So
[1:01:29] arterial roads within the town are currently all under county,
[1:01:33] and they are identified here. On the map as a
[1:01:36] blue color, as you can see. It's significant number of
[1:01:40] roads or significant road network is actually county. So. They
[1:01:46] are key stakeholders. And working with you going forward. And
[1:01:50] collector roads and local roads are under town jurisdiction. So
[1:01:56] why this is important town is undertaking every few years.
[1:02:01] That road needs study how that fit for your, let's
[1:02:04] say. Road improvements, salting maintenance and so on, so. These
[1:02:10] classifications is extremely important to carry forward. It's, let's say,
[1:02:13] adjust it to the industry that. When you go and
[1:02:17] update your road needs study that follow this road classification
[1:02:21] so that there is. You'll have these roads just classified
[1:02:26] as a local collector or arterial so that other studies.
[1:02:30] Follow that, so. There is no kind of overlapping. Road
[1:02:35] classification, we identify what we think that should be based
[1:02:38] on the road classification is based on. Right of way
[1:02:42] volumes. Type of road connectivity and so on. Typically, arterials
[1:02:48] are the highest. They connect major communities with highways, freeways,
[1:02:52] freeways and so on. Collectors connect local areas. With arterial
[1:02:57] roads and so on. So we identify few of these
[1:03:00] roads that town can consider to work, maybe with. County
[1:03:07] through the meetings with county, there is the process how
[1:03:10] you, for example, one collector road is transferred to county.
[1:03:15] So there is needs to be work with that. In
[1:03:18] some cases it happened over years. Sometimes it can be
[1:03:22] worked together, how to expedite or ensumble these roads that
[1:03:26] we identified. For this bypass may be good opportunity for
[1:03:29] county. To. Take some of town roads if it makes
[1:03:35] sense and how the town and county agree. So we
[1:03:40] look for these couple of these roads that. Can be
[1:03:44] conversation with county about that and also some maybe local
[1:03:48] road that can be converted to them what it means
[1:03:52] once you upgrade road from lower to higher, there is
[1:03:55] some investment required because you have to make it up
[1:03:57] to next standard. A little bit, maybe to work on
[1:04:02] the sidewalks on the one road, on the one side
[1:04:05] of the road or the look and the drainage improvements
[1:04:09] and so on, so that's typically involved. And there is
[1:04:11] always cost involved. We identified a couple of these. And.
[1:04:19] Through the study transportation master plan together with project team
[1:04:23] from the town, we look for. A few. Or in
[1:04:26] this case, it was. Eleven major intersections. That town said
[1:04:32] there may be some operational issues, so we did additional
[1:04:35] study on them operationally, we'd call it. Level of services.
[1:04:39] Is there need for maybe the signals? Stop signs, improvement
[1:04:44] for left turns and so on. So we did study.
[1:04:48] A few of these intersections. And there is that additional
[1:04:50] attached report. As part of transportation master plan, and we
[1:04:55] identify some potential improvements. In some cases, we identify that
[1:04:59] it should be monitored and so on. So. Definitely. Again,
[1:05:05] as you can see. It is what it is. Some
[1:05:10] of these intersections are also. On. Maybe one leg is
[1:05:15] a county road, one leg is town road. So it's
[1:05:18] constantly in your case. You will need to work with
[1:05:23] county for a number of things, which is also a
[1:05:25] good thing. They can help you. And they also recognize
[1:05:30] and maybe. They will probably go to their update of
[1:05:33] their transportation master plan so they will take your transportation.
[1:05:37] Master plan and see what you already identified from your
[1:05:40] site for improvements. So, same like we did. Took their
[1:05:44] transportation. Master plan. With regard to the there is. A
[1:05:51] lot of unpaved or gravel roads within the town, and
[1:05:54] there is always with more rural communities. I wouldn't call
[1:05:59] it challenge, but it's reality, so it's always good to
[1:06:02] see. Sometimes. You have a high level of traffic even
[1:06:08] on these gravel roads, because. In some areas you have
[1:06:12] paved road that's really continue. The next section is unpaved.
[1:06:15] Road and people just. Continue traveling through Dun paved Road
[1:06:20] just to reach from point a to point b. Which
[1:06:24] again, unpaved road can be safety issue. People continue traveling
[1:06:28] with higher speed than they supposed to be. So we
[1:06:31] identify a couple of these that. The town. Maybe look
[1:06:34] again to work. With. County. Is there opportunity to maybe
[1:06:40] look in the future to paved some of these roads?
[1:06:45] Some of them really make sense that will connect. As
[1:06:48] you can see, if there is, for example, arterial and
[1:06:50] a collector and ended from paved road that it's quite,
[1:06:55] let's say, busy and. There is unpaved road and connecting
[1:06:59] again two 3 km or five as again paved road.
[1:07:03] So that section almost makes sense that it's candidate for
[1:07:06] the first to get and to be paved because, as
[1:07:09] I said, it's continued traffic through these areas. The very
[1:07:14] was number of conversation about these truck bypass. We did
[1:07:19] a first public meeting, I remember. First residents who came
[1:07:22] started asking about. Arin village and heavy trucks or commercial
[1:07:29] vehicles going through the village. Yes. Just like there is
[1:07:36] a number of developments in the area, but there is
[1:07:39] also a number of developments that is not related to
[1:07:42] town of Farin. But as I said, this is the
[1:07:45] major. Collector. I'm major arterial, major county road that. These
[1:07:52] heavy vehicles, they don't have other opportunities to go anywhere
[1:07:54] else at the moment, and that road is designated as
[1:07:58] arterial road to take more heavy vehicles rather than. Collector
[1:08:03] rows. So. Then we met with mayor and have a
[1:08:09] number of meetings with. County. Try to really look some
[1:08:14] feasibility. What would be. Potential bypass of. This interesting through
[1:08:21] my work. Every community has bypass, and then once you
[1:08:25] have it, Let's say this year you study it, it
[1:08:29] will stay for another 20 years. Everyone's. Talking. Bypass. So
[1:08:35] then we did additional studies in order really to see.
[1:08:39] How really percentage of these heavy trucks or commercial vehicles
[1:08:44] is through the town. And Hillsburg. Fortunately or unfortunately. There
[1:08:51] is based on industry more than 10% trucks. Through these
[1:08:57] village. In Hillsburg, which really, based on my work in
[1:09:00] the industry, It means something needs to be done, because
[1:09:04] those urban cores have over 10% of heavy vehicles. So
[1:09:09] it needs to be regulated to the sum. So then.
[1:09:14] We work for potential bypass. At these two villages. What
[1:09:20] we did. Our study included just traffic operational. We didn't
[1:09:25] look for really the design. Of intersections. And improvement of
[1:09:31] roads. So that will be next. But in general, based
[1:09:35] on the volumes, there is need. For improve and detour
[1:09:39] this heavy vehicles. We identify a couple of corridors and
[1:09:42] we identified. These roads will need additional work or studies
[1:09:48] together with county, including intersections, in order now to accommodate
[1:09:53] these vehicles because, as I said, these trucks. They stay
[1:09:58] on arterial road. Who suppose that road is supposed to
[1:10:01] take? These vehicles. Now, if we detour them on the
[1:10:05] lower. Classification road. They need. These roads need some improvement.
[1:10:11] So will intersections needs to be improved or surface of
[1:10:15] the road in order to take a more heavy load.
[1:10:19] Of the trucks. There is a lot of details. In
[1:10:23] the report about detours. Sorry. I jump here talking about
[1:10:28] taxi transportation. But I will go back. Active transportation. There
[1:10:33] is another actually, from the public meeting we learn a
[1:10:37] lot of. Good. I like when people residence particularly talking
[1:10:42] about not only about cars, how we can go from.
[1:10:46] Our street to walk on our road to the main
[1:10:49] street. Because the main street or the village. Has already
[1:10:52] sidewalk. But from our side street, we don't have sidewalks
[1:10:56] together. So it's good to hear that. So we identified
[1:11:00] particularly couple of. These. Site local. Areas. Where already developed
[1:11:10] streets for potential sidewalk. Improvements, or in many cases, to
[1:11:16] build them, as well as how these new sidewalks will
[1:11:20] fit into proposed subdivisions in many cases or in all
[1:11:23] cases. New proposed subdivisions they already have developed and proposed
[1:11:28] their sidewalk. So that, again, as I said, if they
[1:11:32] build sidewalk to. Already. Down street that. There is sidewalk
[1:11:39] connections from their subdivisions to another street or to the
[1:11:43] Arin village. And so on. So we identify a number
[1:11:46] of these active transportation improvements, including trails and sidewalks. I
[1:11:53] think. We carry them and talk about. That through our
[1:11:58] report. I jump here. But those are 2d tools. Yes.
[1:12:06] There was just back to Hillsburg. We look for that.
[1:12:11] We know that you received. The town received that new
[1:12:16] applications for that. Pit. That. Will have additional daily 150
[1:12:24] trucks, as you know, so we'll look and include it
[1:12:27] here. It's also kind of like. Came in right time
[1:12:30] to justify more need for this bypass or need improvements
[1:12:36] to move heavy vehicles. From the. Core of the Hillsborg.
[1:12:43] So that will help. Our feasibility study. Look for ten
[1:12:48] years and that will help. Actually. To really keep. More
[1:12:55] commercial vehicles on the. 8th road rather than going through.
[1:13:03] The Trafalgar road through the Hillsburg, so. There is also
[1:13:07] conversation in report about that one, but we did include
[1:13:10] and look for that proposed. Pit in the Hellsburg. Number
[1:13:17] of policies that we look as a part of transportation
[1:13:19] plan. We did. And talk with county about parking, active
[1:13:27] transportation. Definitely. There was a number of comments from residents
[1:13:32] about speeding and concerns with new subdivisions. Many municipalities across
[1:13:37] Ontario and in general. Are incorporating or trying to address
[1:13:43] speeding through different type of measures. It could. Be used
[1:13:49] to have. Until recently, those municipalities were working on that
[1:13:53] speed camera programs. Now it's, a little bit different story,
[1:13:57] but everyone is looking. For the mayor. Also mentioned at
[1:14:01] one meeting that was with us, road safety action plan.
[1:14:06] What is now communities are looking. They developed that plan
[1:14:09] that include traffic calming policies that include. Speeding policies to
[1:14:15] the some level, even these detours. Yes, the speed around
[1:14:21] school zones. So that road safety action plan. Plans should.
[1:14:28] In the past, it used to be you look individually.
[1:14:31] Now it's part of road safety. Action plan that you
[1:14:34] can work on. All of those around schooled traffic calming
[1:14:37] policy. Speed enforcement and so on, so. We have that
[1:14:43] recommendations in our transportation master plan, and town will need
[1:14:48] some smaller study about that. One to develop it in
[1:14:51] more details. So that. Municipality never will stop receiving speeding
[1:14:58] concerns. But once you have some programs, you can always.
[1:15:03] Follow them and how? Together. Roundabouts. There was some roundabouts.
[1:15:09] They are coming through new subdivisions. Many municipalities are in
[1:15:13] favor and to move forward with them. And they are
[1:15:16] nice and they are good to have in communities. They're
[1:15:19] more safe and. We also develop. Some. Small. Section there.
[1:15:25] What town can work together also with developers, particularly how
[1:15:30] to have them in the community. So, yes, they take
[1:15:35] a little bit more land for developers to build, but.
[1:15:38] It is from our transportation traffic perspective, they are more
[1:15:41] safe. They can be really nice. Entry feature to the
[1:15:45] community, and they slow traffic. Also, the reduced pollution and.
[1:15:50] It's really proved that they are more safe than other.
[1:15:54] Traffic control. Their station mass plan is planning documented. It's
[1:15:59] really high level. When we look to the cost. So
[1:16:02] we didn't go there. And look now into details. What.
[1:16:08] This will be overall cost for everything. So that typically,
[1:16:12] what, transportation? Looks. But. It gives some high level cost
[1:16:20] for municipality to take the next steps to plan for
[1:16:23] some of these programs or improvements for their capital projects,
[1:16:29] take one by one. But again, when identify what to
[1:16:33] move forward. It needs to be. Look on the broader
[1:16:37] case. From here. Where we are going, this is pretty
[1:16:43] much almost final step of the transportation master plan. It's
[1:16:49] presenting here. After this. Once everything is pretty much approved,
[1:16:55] there will be additional notice. Of completion there is. 30
[1:17:00] day review for the Public. And if any changes, update
[1:17:04] and implementation program resist was identified. And by the time
[1:17:11] you turn around, it's another five years, and. You will
[1:17:15] see what is addressed from previous one and incorporated your
[1:17:19] official plan and work with county and that's typically how
[1:17:23] transportation master plan. Fit from here. And definitely, as I
[1:17:28] said, Developers will work with you on a little bit
[1:17:32] more streamlined, and when they see what you already have
[1:17:36] identified in this document. If I went or. That's all
[1:17:40] for me. I'm happy here to answer questions. Thank you
[1:17:43] so much. Thank you very much. Council, any questions? Councilor
[1:17:51] Ryan. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you very much for
[1:17:54] the presentation. Daniel and Brian, thank you for your work.
[1:17:59] I have a few questions, but they may be overarching,
[1:18:02] so I'll just try. To touch on them, if that's
[1:18:03] all right. Really like that. We started on this, that
[1:18:08] truck bypass. Getting trucks out of Iran village. I'm sure
[1:18:13] we'll save a life sooner than later. I think it's
[1:18:16] worth the cost of this study. You can go down
[1:18:19] there in. Any given day and watch the trucks go
[1:18:21] through and you just cringe, and I think you saw
[1:18:23] that with your studies. County of Wellington probably is ready.
[1:18:26] Agreed on that. So I know this may not be
[1:18:30] able to be answered right now, but that portion of
[1:18:32] the transportation master plan may have to be segmented out,
[1:18:35] possibly as a separate project, so that it can go
[1:18:38] ahead with separate granting. In terms of. The different roads
[1:18:45] and how the interface. Will we get before this goes
[1:18:48] out to the general public for review like an executive
[1:18:51] summary? By dates or by priority. Will this look different?
[1:18:58] Because while it is wonderful, It's a really big study,
[1:19:02] and I don't know that we'll get the engagement we
[1:19:04] want from the public unless we can simplify it down
[1:19:07] with a few more. Graphics or somehow simplify it. A
[1:19:11] very complicated document. So can I answer now, please? Yeah.
[1:19:16] With regard to the. I agree. There is already kind
[1:19:18] of separate report about detours, but it's just traffic part.
[1:19:24] Yes. The town will need to work with county on
[1:19:26] the next step. But that it's good to have that
[1:19:30] detour or truck detour as a separate traffic study. With
[1:19:35] regard to the identifying. Yes, we can work with. Town.
[1:19:41] Whatever kind of what we put in phases this implementation.
[1:19:46] Our recommendation is to really be realistic in what you
[1:19:50] can achieve in first phase and kind of like one
[1:19:53] to five years. You can go ten years. But we
[1:19:59] can do those kind of some graphic or list of
[1:20:02] these improvements. Thank you. That's great. Thank you, Brian. Did
[1:20:06] you want to comment on that, Siri? Mr. Mayor? I
[1:20:09] would certainly agree that this is a large, cumbersome document,
[1:20:13] and as part of the implementation plan that we're recommending
[1:20:17] completing. We would certainly put something together that is digestible
[1:20:20] for the public. And. Is clear, concise and relatively brief.
[1:20:28] In its form. So that the community can fully understand
[1:20:32] it and can read a relatively short document. Okay, that's.
[1:20:36] Wonderful. Through you. Mr. Mayor, if I may. And then
[1:20:39] the developers that are doing new housing developments, they each
[1:20:43] have their own independent traffic study. How did those interface
[1:20:47] with this document? Through mayor it's the graphic impact studies.
[1:20:52] Those are called what developers are doing when they submitting.
[1:20:58] Site plan applications. Transportation master plan doesn't go into these
[1:21:03] details intersection by intersection. What developers are doing. Block, block,
[1:21:08] block, street by streets. The translation master plan in general.
[1:21:12] Look, let's say this is the area of subdivision, and
[1:21:14] it's going to be residential, commercial and. We just generate
[1:21:18] number of trips overall. But once town received those applications,
[1:21:25] there are all details for every single intersections. So that's.
[1:21:33] How? They are a little bit ahead. With this, but
[1:21:37] we look for the size of proposed development and for
[1:21:41] the future. How that in ten or 20 years, some
[1:21:45] of them already will be built. So we already included.
[1:21:49] That growth factor that these subdivisions. Will be already like
[1:21:53] existing subdivisions. So that's. I think we use 2.3 growth.
[1:21:57] Factor. Very conservative for every ten years. Thank you. Councilor
[1:22:05] a lord. And then Councilor Rennon, thank you. Through Mr.
[1:22:07] Mayor. Brian and Daniel, thank you so much for your
[1:22:12] commitment to this project. I know it was incredibly onerous
[1:22:17] because. Of our antiquated or completely nonexistent systems. So to
[1:22:23] get to this point, and have actual data is quite
[1:22:26] an accomplishment. So thank you very much. And Mohammed, thank
[1:22:29] you to your team for working with the team here.
[1:22:34] It's a bit of a beast. So it's kind of
[1:22:37] hard to know how to break it down and comment
[1:22:40] on it. But I'd have to say that the timing
[1:22:44] of this, it should have been done 20. Years ago,
[1:22:47] but anyway. It couldn't be better right now, as Brian
[1:22:51] and his team tackle how to connect the existing residents
[1:22:56] to the sewer connection. And with all that construction, how
[1:22:59] do we make the town a better place with sidewalks
[1:23:02] and proper stop signs. And safety measures. So it's a
[1:23:08] lot of work. It's a lot of moving pieces to
[1:23:10] put together to build a community. Another point besides getting
[1:23:16] into specifics, is. Managing the sensitivity around these issues.
[1:23:25] So some of these changes. Will positively impact some residents
[1:23:30] and their quality of life, and in some cases, In
[1:23:33] a very negative way. So how do we become sensitive
[1:23:39] to that and manage these changes and explain it? And
[1:23:44] environmental assessment studies and all that. So that's a huge
[1:23:49] nut to crack. And I guess the goal of today
[1:23:55] is just to accept this report. Besides getting into real
[1:24:00] specifics right about the road widening and how we would
[1:24:03] possibly do a road widening on Main Street. And truck
[1:24:08] detours. I think the goal today is. Am I correct
[1:24:12] just to accept this? Yes. Study. And then. I think
[1:24:20] to inform the residents about what happens next. And so
[1:24:24] we endorse the report, and then there's a 30 day
[1:24:27] review when does that 30 day review start? Once we
[1:24:32] issue the notice of completion, it starts from there. And.
[1:24:40] At their holidays time, so it can go even 40.
[1:24:43] It's not really that has to be, but typically it's
[1:24:46] not first time that this happened through the holidays. You
[1:24:50] just give those extra days. But it starts with notice
[1:24:52] of completion is issued, notice goes to. The Ministry of
[1:24:58] Environment. And typically it starts from the day we say,
[1:25:01] let's say December. 17, its notice is out. It's published.
[1:25:05] Social media goes to ministry stakeholders, and from 17 to
[1:25:08] 30 days. Thanks for the clarification. I'd like to see
[1:25:12] it delayed the start of. The public input period start
[1:25:18] middle of January so people have a time to get
[1:25:21] back in the swing of thing, so we don't impede
[1:25:24] that. And then what happens? I understand in Q two.
[1:25:31] There's an implementation plan that comes back to council. How
[1:25:36] do residents provide input between. The 30 day period and
[1:25:44] when the report comes back to council. So technically, how
[1:25:48] the study is, scope is after 30 days, and once
[1:25:53] it's connected, we see what our comments and everything implementation
[1:25:57] plan will be. It's kind of out of scope. Of
[1:26:00] the study, so you take it. For the next steps.
[1:26:04] How are you going to implement and work on the
[1:26:06] front, but pretty much transportation master plan. Based on the
[1:26:10] scope, it's ending after 30 days. And we revisit comments
[1:26:16] from here, get input with comments from the public, stakeholders,
[1:26:20] everything. What we received through 30 days. And see what
[1:26:24] our updates or trainers needed. As it is now. Then
[1:26:29] after that. It's pretty much study is done. And then
[1:26:34] that 30 day period is when council comments also. Yeah,
[1:26:38] okay. So it's all together. And when the implementation plan
[1:26:43] comes back, then. It's sort of divided more into digestible
[1:26:49] chunks that we can really comment on. Exactly where we
[1:26:53] want the sidewalk. And look at connections. So breaking it
[1:26:58] down. Into more digestible chunks at that point. Yeah. Through
[1:27:04] mayor. Yes. We can work with Brian and Daniel and
[1:27:07] team. However. We would like to present. It those in
[1:27:12] whatever, in stages and phases for implementation. Okay. Because I'm
[1:27:15] finding it just so huge to digest. And looking into
[1:27:21] our crystal ball and seeing what's going to happen in
[1:27:23] the future. So I don't know how we can manage
[1:27:26] that. And then what other studies need to be initiated
[1:27:31] after that? You were talking about the road safety. Action
[1:27:34] plan. I've got lots of feedback from a group of
[1:27:37] concerned citizens in Pine Ridge. Area, and they're impacted by
[1:27:42] 850 new homes in their backyard now. And seeing the
[1:27:48] impact. Of that traffic. Which really. Wasn't studied during the
[1:27:56] November intersection studies. So is there smaller studies as a
[1:28:02] result of this big study? So. Some of. These. What
[1:28:07] is identified here? That town will need to undertake another
[1:28:11] study. Let's say, plan it for next year or. Year
[1:28:14] after. When to undertake road safety study. So it is
[1:28:22] identified here that. The town can take as a separate
[1:28:26] study. It's up to. Town. Will they put it to
[1:28:31] do it next year or year after? But that's pretty
[1:28:34] much. How it is recommended. Okay. Thank you. It's just
[1:28:40] trying to break it down into digestible. Chunks without losing.
[1:28:45] View of the bigger plan, but make it more understandable.
[1:28:51] So we can again. Typically because we see number of
[1:28:55] these similar road. Safety studies that municipalities. Are undertaking. It
[1:29:03] used to be until almost until. Yesterday's number of these
[1:29:08] studies were supported by. These funds. From speed cameras. It's
[1:29:14] kind of a lot of misunderstanding that they were used
[1:29:16] for good. Reason to improve speeding and address it. So
[1:29:23] they arranged what we've seen from other neighboring municipalities between
[1:29:26] 50 and 100,000. What some other responses were taking, like
[1:29:31] 50,000 from funds that they get it from the speed
[1:29:35] cameras program. So that depends how you would like, how
[1:29:39] town would like to scope, to look. Traffic calming policy.
[1:29:42] To look, school zones to look. Speeding through on any
[1:29:47] streets, so. You can go to town, can go work
[1:29:53] independently through these, but. Also, it's recommended these days to
[1:29:57] put it as a package and really look as a
[1:29:59] one study. Road safety study. Thank you. That's a great
[1:30:02] segue. As we go into budget discussions right after this.
[1:30:06] So what do we have to actually implement next year?
[1:30:10] Thank you for. All your work on this, and I
[1:30:14] think it's just an understanding that by endorsing this study.
[1:30:19] We're not endorsing. Every single suggestion in this plan. Thank
[1:30:24] you. And through your mayor, it is important. That's why
[1:30:28] I mentioned a number of times it is planning study.
[1:30:32] In communication with residents. That what is identified here, it
[1:30:37] doesn't mean it will be tomorrow. In five years. You
[1:30:40] have our town. It's planning study. Undertake number of independent,
[1:30:46] separate projects together. And now it's just implementation how to
[1:30:51] get there and look for fundings and capital. Projects and
[1:30:54] so on. I think Mr. Kavanaugh had some comment. If
[1:30:59] I may add, for clarity, the implementation plan is intended
[1:31:03] to be completed by staff. In Q two, and it
[1:31:07] would essentially serve as a roadmap of where we're going
[1:31:11] with this huge document, and, as you say, break that
[1:31:14] into digestible pieces and give clarity. As to what additional
[1:31:19] studies are required, what can be implemented as relatively low
[1:31:23] hanging fruit, and what will take significantly more time and
[1:31:26] effort. To invest in. Councilor Brennan. Thank you. Through you.
[1:31:31] Thank you for the presentation. Having lived through the birth
[1:31:36] of one of these things before. Which hopefully will come
[1:31:39] to fruition in the new year. There's a long road
[1:31:42] ahead of us. The only thing you really know is
[1:31:45] that. Reality has a way of unwinding in unexpected directions.
[1:31:53] And doesn't really care about what we planned. But there
[1:31:55] was one thing that just caught my eye, and I
[1:31:58] was curious about, and you may not be able to
[1:32:01] comment on it, but the truck detours that we were
[1:32:03] looking at for the village of Aaron. Obviously 9th line
[1:32:07] and 52 is a real bottleneck there with that convoluted
[1:32:12] intersection. That we have. And there is plans in here.
[1:32:14] I see. To repair that. Hopefully soon. I think it
[1:32:19] said 120 26. The county was looking at doing that,
[1:32:21] which is great. But what I noticed on the other
[1:32:25] end of as you go out 52, you're going to
[1:32:29] have to intersect with Winston Churchill. And I see something
[1:32:32] for Winston Churchill in 124. I see. Something for 52
[1:32:35] and 9th line. I don't see anything. For 52 and
[1:32:39] Winston Churchill. Which I would think logically. If we're going
[1:32:45] to have a directing truck traffic through there making that
[1:32:48] left turn on. To Winston church was going to be
[1:32:50] require some sort of modification of that intersection. I wanted
[1:32:55] to add. Any comment? Yes. What we identified there is
[1:33:00] kind of operational based on number of trucks detouring, but.
[1:33:05] Definitely the next step. Or maybe through the environmental assessment.
[1:33:10] It needs to be. Look. Geometry of each of these
[1:33:13] intersections. And. In most cases, almost all of them will
[1:33:18] need some sort of widening and improvements. Because. They are
[1:33:25] not arterial roads. Some of them are meeting with arterial
[1:33:28] road. Like you said, Winston Churchill. But. The additional study.
[1:33:34] When they will look, geometry will identify more. And. The
[1:33:40] important is again to work with county on that. Thank
[1:33:43] you. And I guess peel to it, in that case.
[1:33:46] Yeah. And I think just to bring council up to
[1:33:50] speed. The county was working with Peele Region to work
[1:33:53] on Winston Churchill at that specific intersection, but they have
[1:33:56] not made any recommendations to change that intersection yet. And
[1:34:01] on 9th line where it hits Bush Street. They're planning
[1:34:04] to put in a three way. Signal or four way
[1:34:08] signal and remove the slip lane. So there is some
[1:34:11] work already being done. So having. This in front of
[1:34:14] county. Now is a really good time, so that. They
[1:34:19] can see the big plans. Anyway, I just thought I'd
[1:34:22] comment on that since you brought that. Councilor Cheney. Thank
[1:34:26] you through Mr. Mayor. Thank you Mohammed and staff for
[1:34:30] this. Late reading. And further on to what council Ehler
[1:34:37] said about timing. I mean, the best time to plant.
[1:34:40] A tree was 40 years ago. The next best time
[1:34:42] to plant a tree is today, so here. We are.
[1:34:46] And it's a fluid document, and we're growing till 2051.
[1:34:52] So it's good to know that there'll be segments and
[1:34:55] planning, and this isn't all going to happen at once.
[1:34:58] It can't afford anything, let alone some of it. But
[1:35:02] thank you. It gives us a place to start. And
[1:35:08] something name for it because we don't plan. Nothing happens.
[1:35:11] So thank you. And we look forward to all the
[1:35:13] other little clusters of improvements as we move through this.
[1:35:18] And I have just a few comments, too, with respect
[1:35:21] to the growth plan. I mean, we're looking at, I
[1:35:23] think it's 2.3% is what's in the report, but if
[1:35:26] we look at just this year, I think we're up
[1:35:28] 10%. So I don't know if you can spread that
[1:35:32] number evenly over the period from 2021. To 2051. I
[1:35:36] think you're going to see it front loaded. And how
[1:35:39] does that. Affect this sort of a plan, because right
[1:35:42] now, when you're looking at long term, well, your long
[1:35:44] term might actually be your midterm, and your midterm might
[1:35:46] be part of your short term, so I don't know
[1:35:49] how we address. The growth that we're seeing, maybe the
[1:35:52] houses are going to stop for a while, but. We
[1:35:54] just had two more subdivision approvals come from county today.
[1:35:59] So. I'm a little worried that our timelines that we're
[1:36:02] predicting here might be. Lagging. The actual growth. Yeah. We
[1:36:10] did look, actually, and I wanted to mention the development
[1:36:13] charges report. And. They go very important. Back to the
[1:36:18] importance of TMP. With next development charges report they will
[1:36:22] really take transportation master plan and look what is identified
[1:36:26] so we look in the development charges and particularly when
[1:36:29] these subdivisions will be pretty much completed and most of
[1:36:32] them will be completed exactly as you said. And that's
[1:36:36] incorporated in that growth factor. Most of this will happen
[1:36:40] in next 1015 years as you said. So. Let's look
[1:36:46] into this growth and plan for the future. Roads and
[1:36:50] most of these would be good. The improvements to happen,
[1:36:53] let's say, in between. 15 years. Yeah. I just think
[1:36:57] we need to have it done. Before that happens. Not.
[1:37:02] Start it that far out? Another concern I had is.
[1:37:07] I understand the intersections and why they're on the list,
[1:37:10] but I don't think topography was taken into consideration for
[1:37:13] some of these intersections because if you're on a bus
[1:37:16] or a piece of farm equipment, or you're racing down
[1:37:19] one of these hills like Trafalgar Road. I don't think
[1:37:21] you can stop halfway down the hill or go. Up
[1:37:23] halfway up the hill, so. I don't know how much
[1:37:27] topography was looked at for some of these. Did you
[1:37:30] want. To comment, Brian, if I may, I think that
[1:37:33] to an extent, some of these recommendations are somewhat conceptual
[1:37:37] at their level of development. Nothing in this plan would
[1:37:40] be implemented without further review and detailed additional investigation. So.
[1:37:47] Absolutely. I take your comment to heart. I think another
[1:37:50] round of review to finalize recommendations. And plans, if that's
[1:37:55] fair. Mohammed, I think that this is the initial step
[1:37:59] and there's more work to be done. Thank you. Looking
[1:38:04] also at collector roads being upgraded to arterial. Most of
[1:38:07] those are rural roads that you're. Upgrading where there's already
[1:38:12] good arterial roads around. That you could direct traffic to,
[1:38:16] so I was just kind of wondering. What's the thought
[1:38:19] behind increasing a collector to arterial if they're already two
[1:38:22] arterial? Roads that are in the area. Just in some
[1:38:27] cases, you have this. By providing better link or shorter
[1:38:33] links, you help from the other. Roads. So in some
[1:38:37] cases, what you recommend here. In general, there are not
[1:38:41] heavy traffic volumes within town yet. Perception is yes. Residents
[1:38:48] thinks it's a lot of cars, new subdivisions, but they
[1:38:51] are still most of them are within. Criteria for these
[1:38:54] type of roads, arteries and collector. They can take much
[1:38:58] more than what currently it's taking in some cases when
[1:39:02] we look. These, let's say gravel that we said. They
[1:39:07] already have the larger number of vehicles that they shouldn't
[1:39:10] have in these type of roads. So it's back to
[1:39:12] that safety. There are different criteria, different warrants when we
[1:39:16] are looking for that. And through my latest work in
[1:39:20] forensic, we see number of actually incidents happening on the
[1:39:24] gravel roads. Just. It takes one person to speed 80
[1:39:29] or 100 because it's very open, but it's not built
[1:39:33] for 100. So sometimes it's a little bit recommended to
[1:39:37] be proactive in some of these that makes sense. Definitely
[1:39:41] based on the volumes, it's not warranted, but based on
[1:39:44] helping another collector or another road to build this one.
[1:39:49] We identify that one, but again, it will need. To
[1:39:53] be a little bit look into more details. And on
[1:39:57] road surface upgrades. I would assume if you're going from
[1:40:00] gravel to asphalt, you're probably going to get people increasing
[1:40:04] their speeds as well. And how do we manage? That
[1:40:08] sort of enforcement because. We don't have cameras. We don't
[1:40:11] have enough police officers. We can't. Be there. I don't
[1:40:15] think anyone's going to want speed bumps on a back.
[1:40:17] Road either when you're driving a fire truck or a
[1:40:20] snowfluer. A load of hay down the road. I just
[1:40:23] kind of look at. It's a nice convenience for residents,
[1:40:27] but it's a higher maintenance cost. And the speeds increase.
[1:40:31] So to me, it almost looks like it's a safety
[1:40:34] hazard versus a safety benefit. Do you have any comments
[1:40:37] on something like that? Again, there are regulations, there are
[1:40:41] speed limits and those what we have and people supposed
[1:40:45] to follow. Them. Same for the gravel. If it's 60,
[1:40:51] should be 60 and people will speed and gravel road
[1:40:55] over 60 or 80 on the paved road. Back to
[1:41:00] the safety. There is more calic what we see, the
[1:41:05] speeding on these open gravel roads than on the paved
[1:41:08] roads. Based on my latest work, like with King Township
[1:41:14] or seven or city of Kawarta Lakes. Or county of
[1:41:17] Ranfu. All of these automation have a lot of gravel
[1:41:20] roads through their communities. Because they are rural and everyone
[1:41:24] has that challenge with gravel roads. Yes, you have to
[1:41:27] maintain them. But the safety. Is a little bit because
[1:41:31] not only about surface of the road, there are ditches.
[1:41:35] There is more. In addition to Ashwell, there is additional
[1:41:37] cost to improve ditches and widen them and to make
[1:41:41] them up once. You call it collector. But they're more
[1:41:44] saved because they are a little bit wider and more
[1:41:47] once you bring them to the next level, even if
[1:41:50] it's a little bit more. Over that speed. What to
[1:41:54] be mentioned? Because you are not just improving surface, you're
[1:41:57] improving. On the right of way. I don't know how
[1:42:01] you could pay for it all. Brian, did you want
[1:42:04] to. If I may add, aside from the financial considerations,
[1:42:08] there are some benefits. To paving roads, such as the
[1:42:12] opportunity to implement traffic calming measures to get the lane
[1:42:15] width done. Properly to have the right stop controls added
[1:42:19] as needed. And I think another benefit, when we think
[1:42:22] of activ. Active transportation is the opportunity for a paved
[1:42:26] shoulder where possible, where space permits for active transportation facilities.
[1:42:32] Either separated or through traffic markings. But there are certain
[1:42:35] benefits as well to consider. So the potholes in the
[1:42:38] washboard at the stop signs are not natural control methods
[1:42:42] that the roads department puts out every year. It does
[1:42:44] work. Sir. Councilor Ehler. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, just a
[1:42:50] point of clarification. You mentioned that we received. Two applications
[1:42:55] for subdivisions that those are not new subdivisions. It's just
[1:42:59] a continuation in the process. Of subdivisions that. Are on
[1:43:05] the drawing board. So just for clarification, for anybody listening,
[1:43:10] Thank you for that. Yeah. They've just gone through the
[1:43:11] next step and they got approved. At county councilor Ryan.
[1:43:15] Thank you. Through Mr. Mayor. A couple of technical questions.
[1:43:21] If the detour was to go around here in village,
[1:43:24] would that portion of 124 be assumed? By the town.
[1:43:29] Again. It needs significant fortweet county and what county
[1:43:38] will take over from beginning or will town in some
[1:43:44] cases, town needs to take it from the county. So
[1:43:48] it's a process and negotiations. And what two sites agree?
[1:43:52] Okay. But in essence, if we were to do that,
[1:43:55] that's part of the negotiation and the planning studies, and
[1:43:58] then we would have to look at funding for that,
[1:44:00] correct? Yeah. Mr. Kavanaugh do you want to comment on
[1:44:03] that? I can hope on that one, too. Through you,
[1:44:05] Mr. Mayor. I wouldn't necessarily. Assume that roads would be
[1:44:09] downloaded to the local municipality for the purposes of a
[1:44:13] truck route. That may form part of the discussion, but.
[1:44:19] I would not assume that would be so. And for
[1:44:21] the Aaron bypasses everything that's proposed is a county road
[1:44:24] right now. So. There wouldn't necessarily be any changes or
[1:44:29] just be negotiations. Are they prepared to spend some money
[1:44:31] on intersection upgrades or. Any of the turn lanes or
[1:44:35] roundabouts, if required. And for Hillsburg. Anything we're looking at
[1:44:41] right now would be a town owned road. Unless we
[1:44:44] can somehow. Get the county to want to take them
[1:44:47] on, which might be a more difficult conversation because they're
[1:44:51] not part of those right now. Thank you. One more
[1:44:54] question. Yeah, please, Mr. Mayor. Those costs that are identified
[1:44:59] as approximates. They're in 2024 numbers. And it's just really
[1:45:05] to give us an idea of, if you're looking at
[1:45:07] this so much per kilometer. Are they? Very approximate. Yeah,
[1:45:12] they are. Based on another consultant work with them. They
[1:45:17] do detail design and overseas construction, so they are based
[1:45:21] on. Area. Ontario cost per unit. Okay, thank you. And
[1:45:27] just to help you, some costs came down this year
[1:45:29] in roads and bridge construction. Just because there's not as
[1:45:32] much construction going on. And the engineering and construction firms
[1:45:36] are a little hungrier than they were a couple of
[1:45:38] years. Ago. Any other questions? All right, well seeing. Thank
[1:45:43] you very much for your presentation. And thank you, Brian.
[1:45:45] Seeing as the motion's already been read, I will now
[1:45:48] call the vote. All in favor? That motion is carried.
[1:45:52] Now the big report. Sorry. I'm laughing here too much
[1:45:57] right now. I have a motion moved by Councilor Brennan,
[1:46:06] seconded by Councilor Cheney. The council hereby? Receives report number
[1:46:09] f 2025 25. Final draft 2026 budget and 2027 and
[1:46:14] 2029. Forecast for information. And the council receives the proposed
[1:46:22] 2027 and two 2029 forecast, and that bylaw 25 79
[1:46:26] to adopt the 2026 budget for purposes of the municipality
[1:46:30] as listed on the December 11 2025 agenda be approved.
[1:46:35] I'll now invite our CaO and finance head for the
[1:46:38] day. To please deliver. His presentation. Thank you very much.
[1:46:44] Your worship, members of council, I'm delighted to do my
[1:46:47] very best to fill the shoes. Of our treasure and
[1:46:50] deputy treasurer. I'll do my very best to answer questions.
[1:46:56] With my knowledge, although limited as it is. I wanted
[1:47:01] to start off the budget presentation by. Saying that the
[1:47:05] audit report, which. Followed just before indicated. The municipality is
[1:47:11] in very good financial condition. In great financial shape and
[1:47:16] continues to hold strong, and that's a good way to
[1:47:19] start. The conversation into our budget. Our revenues continue to
[1:47:24] climb through new assessment, although that has started to slow.
[1:47:30] And this budget that council has in front of it
[1:47:33] is an adjustment accordingly in a very measured way. Without
[1:47:39] reducing the quality services our residents count on. Or neglecting
[1:47:45] the management of the huge infrastructure projects. And growth planned
[1:47:49] in the community. And I think our auditor actually spoke
[1:47:53] to the magnitude of the projects that are going on
[1:47:57] in our municipality and the significance of those, so unlike
[1:48:01] many other municipalities the size of the infrastructure. And growth
[1:48:05] projects is significant. So in light of those things, Staff
[1:48:12] have brought forward a budget. It has no new staff
[1:48:15] hires in it. It has no new services. Let's keep
[1:48:20] things going and continue the great service. We'll focusing on
[1:48:26] maintaining those services. That residents have come to depend on
[1:48:31] and count on. Just to maybe take you through a
[1:48:35] little bit. The property assessment. The government has announced the
[1:48:41] continued postponement of provincial wide assessment updates and so property
[1:48:45] assessments for 2025 and 2026. Will continue to be based
[1:48:51] on the full phased in January 1, 2016. Current values.
[1:48:59] As well. It's important to note that the bank of
[1:49:01] Canada. Interest rates. They are working to ease interest rates
[1:49:08] and the financial pressures in Canada. And inflation is starting
[1:49:12] to come down. The bank projects that inflation will stay
[1:49:15] around 2% until the end of 2025. Which is good
[1:49:19] news. Ending line with their preferred. Core inflation measure, so
[1:49:24] that's really positive for the economy. On October 30, the
[1:49:29] bank of Canada reduced its interest rates by 25 basis
[1:49:33] points. And so this lowered the prime rate to 4.45
[1:49:39] as well. Other good news is that inflation is currently
[1:49:42] at 2.2, which is lower by 0.2 from the previous
[1:49:47] month. So it's trending in the right direction, which is
[1:49:50] extremely positive. And we also believe that there may be.
[1:49:55] Further reduction in interest rates in December of 2025. So
[1:50:01] these are positive signals for the economy. Zeroing in on
[1:50:06] this particular area in Wellington county in front of you
[1:50:11] in the presentation, you have the draft tax rates being
[1:50:14] proposed. In some cases, adopted, as you can see. They
[1:50:20] range from about 2.7 up to 4.1. And they're in
[1:50:24] the kind of three, five to 38 category. Our budget,
[1:50:31] proposed at 3.8, is right in line with kind of
[1:50:35] the average. And what does this mean as far as
[1:50:41] impact on residents with recommended 3.8% tax? Increase. Well, what
[1:50:47] this means is. That on an average house valued at
[1:50:51] a million dollars, the taxing pack would be about. $124.20,
[1:50:57] and that equates to about a cup of coffee per
[1:51:03] week. So the incre. Increases. Well, significant. Is very minor
[1:51:10] when spread out across the entire. Year. For an average
[1:51:15] residential. Property. The town's historical assessment. Continues to grow. And
[1:51:23] as you can see, there's an upward trend, a steady
[1:51:26] upward trend. And we expect that to continue. As well.
[1:51:31] The tax rate trend continues to head in an upward
[1:51:36] fashion, almost mirroring the growth and assessment. So a very
[1:51:39] stable and thoughtful adjustment. As far as the distribution of
[1:51:46] assessment, you can see that most of the assessment, in
[1:51:50] fact, 82% is on the residential. Properties. With farmland being
[1:51:57] second with 13.63. One of our focuses is to try
[1:52:02] to develop more industrial, commercial. Obviously growing those assessments will
[1:52:08] impact the municipality positively as they provide lots of tax
[1:52:13] revenue without the corresponding costs. How does all this break
[1:52:18] down? And I think this is a really important slide
[1:52:21] for residents to see and to make note of when
[1:52:25] the town of Aaron collects a tax dollar. 59% goes
[1:52:32] to the county, so 59% of every tax dollars going
[1:52:36] into the county, so. Almost 60%. 13% is going to
[1:52:41] the board of education. Pay for schools and educating our
[1:52:45] young. And only 28% of that tax rate goes to
[1:52:51] the municipality. So despite providing a lot of services to
[1:52:56] the local community and services that people count on, Where
[1:53:01] a very small percentage of the actual. Portion that is
[1:53:04] taxed on residential homes. And other properties. As far as.
[1:53:12] Revenue. We rely primarily on tax revenue, but we also
[1:53:17] have fees and charges, and we've worked diligently to ensure
[1:53:21] that fees and charges are up to date and that
[1:53:24] we're actually collecting from users for the cost of those
[1:53:28] services as best we can. As well we are doing
[1:53:32] everything we can as staff to. Try to look for
[1:53:34] grant opportunities, and we've been very successful, including the infrastructure
[1:53:39] grant funding. We got for new infrastructure in the millions
[1:53:42] of dollars, but there are many other grants that we
[1:53:45] are actively pursuing as staff to try to augment and
[1:53:49] assist. How does all this break down on a property
[1:53:54] tax? Around the different services. As you can see, the
[1:53:59] typical ones of corporate and administrative services collecting the taxes,
[1:54:04] et cetera. Is a portion as well. Community services is
[1:54:09] about 17%. Water and wastewater is about 18%, total roads,
[1:54:15] about 15%, and emergency services. And then some smaller ones
[1:54:21] as identified on the chart here, as you can see.
[1:54:25] A lot of the services being provided. Are directly related
[1:54:29] to the department. Appropriate. If we go to the capital
[1:54:35] project expenditures, you can see that. The vast majority of
[1:54:39] our infrastructure expenditure, 61%. Is on water infrastructure. 28% is
[1:54:48] on roads, infrastructure, and 8% on fire and emergency services.
[1:54:53] With very minor on the other categories. So, in conclusion,
[1:55:00] Staff. Want to thank council, and I certainly want to
[1:55:04] thank all the department heads and our finance staff. For
[1:55:08] their terrific work in putting together this budget. The budget
[1:55:12] at 3.8%, is keeping within the range of similar municipalities
[1:55:17] within the county. It offers. A fiscally responsible budget. While
[1:55:24] still preparing us for the growth. And the infrastructure that
[1:55:29] continues to be built in the community. So with that,
[1:55:33] I'm glad to answer any questions members of council may
[1:55:36] have, and I know, department heads are also available if
[1:55:39] there's anything specific to them. And we look forward to
[1:55:43] your questions and discussion. Thank you, Rob, if you wouldn't
[1:55:48] mind. Well, I got it. Just so there's a new
[1:55:51] slide that's not in our package that you had up
[1:55:54] there, that's just before the capital expenditures. That one there.
[1:56:02] One thing kind of caught my eye here, and I
[1:56:03] just wanted some clarification. So infrastructure. Water, infrastructure, wastewater. That
[1:56:09] usually doesn't come on the tax levy, right? That's usually
[1:56:12] a charge to water and wastewater services. I see Brian's
[1:56:15] nodding with me. So maybe Brian can comment through Mr.
[1:56:19] Mayor, those are rate based expenses. Okay, so it's. Not
[1:56:23] taxed, it's user fees. Thank you. Who would like to
[1:56:27] start? Questions? Councilor, I. And you have a computer full
[1:56:31] of questions today.
[1:56:42] Thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor. Thanks, Rob. Excellent presentation.
[1:56:45] And Wendy. Our treasurer is obviously in. All of the
[1:56:50] department heads have put in an enormous amount of work.
[1:56:54] I think we built a great base. I think that
[1:56:57] we have excellent staff. I still am concerned with our
[1:57:00] expenses. And. Hearing the report from RLB is very reassuring
[1:57:08] that we have strong financials. I am positive about what
[1:57:13] we're hearing about the econom. Economic or optimistic about the
[1:57:17] economic outlook, but I'm not totally convinced yet, and I
[1:57:21] would like to. See us, look at our departments. And
[1:57:26] I realize everyone's cut back, but looking into this next
[1:57:30] year, I really want to. See some caution. In particular
[1:57:34] areas. Looking. Forward. I guess I'm going to threw you,
[1:57:42] Mr. Mayor, pick on Brian's department. The one thing that
[1:57:46] does concern me particularly is a roads operating budget. And
[1:57:50] I know we've moved our operating budget over and taken
[1:57:53] it out of reserves because we're building our infrastructure. I'm
[1:57:57] just wondering if you could speak to that in terms
[1:57:58] of 2026 27 and. Out and how sustainable that would
[1:58:04] be. As a matter of managing our finances. Through Mr.
[1:58:09] Mayor, I think that the current proposed funding. Meets the
[1:58:15] intention of the reserves that are being utilized. And I
[1:58:17] think that as a staff group, we're always looking. For
[1:58:22] different revenue tools and in managing our expenses. So we've
[1:58:26] talked briefly this afternoon about. The fill pit and other
[1:58:33] revenue sources. That relate to our roads and can provide.
[1:58:38] Additional revenues. We're always looking in addition to. Improving our
[1:58:44] expenditures and decreasing our expenditures. We have a few contracts
[1:58:48] with respect to some material items. And other services that
[1:58:52] will, I think, provide an opportunity to decrease our expenses.
[1:58:57] So I'd say a fluid discussion, that as we move
[1:58:59] forward, We're balancing. Ideally, increased revenues. Small decreases to expenditures.
[1:59:07] And then decreasing the need to access those reserves as
[1:59:10] well. Okay. Thank you, Brian. Through, Mr. Mayor. With looking
[1:59:17] forward. Will we continue? To access our capital reserves for
[1:59:23] transportation to fund our operating side. I think that would
[1:59:29] be explored annually. And the need to access those reserves.
[1:59:34] I think ideally that would not be the case, and
[1:59:37] that would be our goal moving forward. Okay, great. Thank
[1:59:40] you very much. I have some other questions, but I'll
[1:59:43] allow some others to go ahead. I was just. Going
[1:59:45] to ask for a clarification. Were you asking? Operating costs
[1:59:48] from reserves or capital costs from reserves? No, they operating
[1:59:52] the moving from operating into taking it from capital. Okay,
[1:59:56] I thought it was for the capital cost, so maybe
[1:59:59] I. Was confused about that, okay? Thank you. Who would
[2:00:04] like to jump in here? Councilor Brennan. Councilor Hillard thank
[2:00:10] you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councilor Brennan. Thanks, Rob and
[2:00:17] the staff for going back at this budget after the
[2:00:20] last meeting. We're making great progress. This year was incredible,
[2:00:27] with the improvement in customer service and the dedication of
[2:00:31] staff at every level. And the construction woes and getting
[2:00:36] through that. And so it really has been incredible year.
[2:00:40] So it's nice to. Wrap the year up in that
[2:00:43] manner, but I'm still not comfortable with this budget. It's
[2:00:47] hard to explain. We're not hiring anybody new, and we're
[2:00:52] not supplying any new services next year. So. It's hard
[2:00:57] to explain a tax increase and then dipping into reserves.
[2:01:02] So I'm still not comfortable with this approach. Using any
[2:01:07] of the tax stabilization reserves really represents that we're overspending.
[2:01:12] So we need extra funding. We don't know what 2026
[2:01:16] is going to be like. It might be really rough.
[2:01:19] And we have to manage our risk, so we have
[2:01:21] to have an extra cushion to fall back. On if
[2:01:25] things get really nasty, which I hope they don't. The
[2:01:29] housing market slowed. That's our revenue stream, is new taxation.
[2:01:37] So if that. Slowed. We have to slow down our
[2:01:40] spending, too. So I'd like to see less of a
[2:01:44] reliance. On our tax stabilization return. Which tax stabilization. Account,
[2:01:53] which I guess. The only solution is to cut back
[2:01:56] on expenses further. But I don't have a specific. Suggestion
[2:02:01] for it. Thank you. Councilor Brennan, you're ready. Thank you.
[2:02:06] Through you. Just a couple of comments I would like
[2:02:12] to go back to. The slide. You don't have to
[2:02:17] go to it. I think I can speak adequately to
[2:02:21] the distribution among the taxpayers. No, not that one. I'm
[2:02:29] talking about. The assessment? That's the one. So if you
[2:02:33] look at this, 82% is residential. And for people who
[2:02:41] don't understand quite how the tax thing works. Residents pay
[2:02:44] the equivalent of one dollars, let's say. Obviously they pay
[2:02:49] more than a dollar, but you take the residential rate
[2:02:52] as one. 82% is residential. 14. Percent. Just over 14%.
[2:03:02] Is farmland and managed forests. Farmland pays 00:25 of the
[2:03:08] tax rate. Manage force pay a diminished rate as well.
[2:03:16] So what we really need to do is to look
[2:03:18] at the industrial and the commercial aspects here. Which are
[2:03:22] about. Just 4%. A little under 4%. That's what we
[2:03:27] got to grow because they pay 1.35 and 2.1 times
[2:03:32] the tax rate, so we need to be looked. At.
[2:03:38] As we're developing these new subdivisions and that sort of
[2:03:40] thing, we need to be looking at? How do we
[2:03:42] get commercial industrial enterprises in there? And how do we
[2:03:47] try and ensure that they are successful. I mean, businesses
[2:03:52] that don't succeed don't pay taxes, so that's of no
[2:03:56] use to us, so. As we're approaching the developments, I
[2:04:00] hope that what we're looking at is to say to
[2:04:02] the developers, we have gaps. You can't buy kids clothes
[2:04:07] here. You can't buy men's clothes here. You can't buy
[2:04:10] shoes. You can't buy jewelry. You got to go somewhere
[2:04:13] else. Those are the kinds of commercial enterprises that are
[2:04:17] the best chance of succeeding because they're going to fill
[2:04:19] a gap, and I hope that as we go forward
[2:04:21] with our economic development programs, We're looking at advising the
[2:04:26] developers along those lines. Obviously, we don't always get what
[2:04:30] we want, but I think the more we push towards.
[2:04:34] That the better off they're going to be, because the
[2:04:36] better chance those businesses will be. Successful. Then. I look
[2:04:44] at the tax stabilization fund and, yeah, we're taking $57,000
[2:04:49] out. Of it on this budget. That's about point a
[2:04:53] little over half a percent. To have the tax rate.
[2:04:57] The tax rate is approximately $100,000. Per percent. So I
[2:05:04] think that leaves us $330,000. And change in that tax
[2:05:11] stabilization fund. And it was put together when we're having
[2:05:14] good years. Specifically for when we would have bad years
[2:05:17] and when we could take that money and do something.
[2:05:20] With it and I hope that 3.8. I would like
[2:05:25] to take $30,000 out of that, bring it down to
[2:05:28] 3.5. I think every dollar is important. To families in
[2:05:33] the economy that we're going through now. And the overall
[2:05:38] budget. Am I happy with it? As councilor Elark said,
[2:05:43] no, I'm not happy with it either. I hate to
[2:05:46] see us going over 3%. I would like to see
[2:05:51] us be down much lower than that, but reality is
[2:05:55] what reality is. I think, though, that what we need
[2:05:58] to put in place both staff and council in 2026.
[2:06:04] Is a real strict adherence to our budget. We cannot
[2:06:07] afford to go over in 2026. And so I hope
[2:06:13] that we will look at this and at the first
[2:06:15] sign. We're having difficulty in meeting the budget. Then we
[2:06:20] look and we say, okay, what can we reduce because
[2:06:23] we need to come in absolutely on budget in order
[2:06:25] to get through this year. So that 2027. We can
[2:06:30] have a better year and not a worse year. I
[2:06:33] guess I need to make. An amendment, so, yeah, I
[2:06:40] would move an amendment. That we utilize money from the
[2:06:44] tax stabilization fund to reduce the tax rate to 3.5.
[2:06:49] Okay. Do we have a seconder for that? All right.
[2:06:55] The motion fails. You're seconding it. All right. Should we
[2:07:02] vote on it now? I guess no. First discussion. Any
[2:07:05] discussion? Okay. Any discussion on the motion. Councilor Ryan thank
[2:07:11] you. Councilor Brennan really good points. Appreciate your wisdom and
[2:07:17] your history with the town of Aaron. I agree. We're
[2:07:22] in the residence. Of 3.3% is quite a bit. I
[2:07:28] would prefer to see us wait till the end of
[2:07:30] this year. See where expenses come in. Put this off
[2:07:33] a few weeks and then relook at our budget in
[2:07:35] January. As we have an outturn for coming out. Councilor
[2:07:40] Ehler, did you want to comment? Thank you, sir. You.
[2:07:47] Mr. Mayor, this might not be specifically to that point,
[2:07:50] but can I continue? Okay. So, Councilor Brennan, thank you
[2:07:56] for bringing that forward. About the gap in our overall
[2:08:00] strategy, about industrial and commercial and changing our tax base,
[2:08:04] which is so important as we go forward and grow.
[2:08:08] But I haven't seen a plan and what our goal
[2:08:12] is. So we're looking at a three year. We're sitting
[2:08:15] here looking at the next twelve months, which is pretty
[2:08:17] short sighted. When do we start looking at. A proper
[2:08:21] three, five year, ten year forecast and having exactly how
[2:08:25] we're going to achieve. Industrial and commercial growth and what
[2:08:28] our goals are. So that concerns me. Looking at the
[2:08:31] next twelve months and trying to fill gaps and move
[2:08:34] $10,000 here and there. It's really not achieving much like
[2:08:39] what's going to happen in the next. 3510 years, and
[2:08:42] we don't have that in this documentation to. Make. Wise
[2:08:48] decisions. All right, Councilor Brennan, thank you. I would just
[2:08:56] like to address councilor Ryan's because. Your point? Because the
[2:09:01] treasurer is not here. And I don't know we have
[2:09:05] anybody from the finance department. But I rather suspect that
[2:09:10] in January we won't know. We will not have much
[2:09:14] more knowledge than we have right now. Because year end
[2:09:18] takes time to come together. Maybe Rob has an idea
[2:09:22] on that. Yes. It will certainly be later into the
[2:09:28] year. It may be even at the quarter of the
[2:09:31] year. Before we have all the bills that are in,
[2:09:34] have put them through the financial system and be able
[2:09:36] to provide that kind of information. But a couple of
[2:09:41] things. Number one, municipalities do from time to time have
[2:09:45] a budget deficit. They work that into their existing budget
[2:09:50] or they spread it over a number of years. I
[2:09:54] feel quite confident, having talked to our treasurer, that we
[2:09:57] will be able to manage it. With the rate stabilization
[2:10:02] that's available. And. With possibly spreading it over a couple
[2:10:06] of years. As well as fiscal restraint this year and
[2:10:12] managing very effectively to the budget this coming year. We'll
[2:10:16] be able to manage that. Just maybe on another note.
[2:10:22] We are expecting an upturn in our commercial assessment. We
[2:10:27] have Solmar, who has a very large commercial development. They
[2:10:31] have deadlines and commitments. To retailers. And so we will
[2:10:36] be having commercial. Come online in the not too distant
[2:10:40] future. In fact, today I was actually at a meeting
[2:10:45] with the investor, who's interested. In putting a large manufacturing
[2:10:51] facility. Through a partner in the community, and so he's
[2:10:55] looking for property and as well. I had another individual
[2:11:00] who was interested. In a hotel for the community. And
[2:11:06] has actually been in discussions and has a property of
[2:11:09] interest. So the municipality is actively pursuing the industrial commercial.
[2:11:14] We have some really good leads out there, and I'm
[2:11:17] confident that we will be able to grow that industrial
[2:11:20] commercial. But as councilor Brennan said, that's kind of a
[2:11:23] key secret that we need to continue. To work on.
[2:11:27] We know the residential growth will happen, but we need
[2:11:30] to focus on the industrial commercial and our strategic plan
[2:11:33] for economic development. And our officer are working vigorously to
[2:11:38] achieve those goals. Yes, Councilor Brown. Sorry. One other point
[2:11:43] that I should have made and didn't when I'm talking
[2:11:46] about delaying this. We used to do our budgets in
[2:11:52] February and March. One of the problems we found was
[2:11:56] that by the time we set our budget, people like
[2:12:01] Brian's department. Had to go out and do projects they
[2:12:06] couldn't start until. The tax budget was done. And by
[2:12:12] that time, The contractors were all busy with other ones,
[2:12:16] and we were paying through the nose. To get projects
[2:12:19] done because. It's supply and demand. So that was one
[2:12:24] of the reasons we moved to bringing the budget to
[2:12:27] try and get it done by year end. So that
[2:12:31] we don't encounter that same problem in the new year,
[2:12:34] and I don't. Know if you have any comments on
[2:12:36] that, Brian. Mr. Mayor, I think other municipalities have done
[2:12:41] similarly to move up their budget to November or December.
[2:12:44] For that specific purpose. All right, Councilor Ryan, thank you.
[2:12:54] So the difficulty I have is we had a deficit
[2:12:57] in 2025, and I need more reassurance. That we're going
[2:13:01] to meet that with interim targets before we get to
[2:13:04] Q three, which is three months after the fact. And
[2:13:09] right now, we're still discussing the amendment. So we're not
[2:13:14] to that part yet. Unless there's any other discussion. On
[2:13:21] taking a little bit more out of the tax stabilization
[2:13:23] fund. I will call a vote. All in favor? And
[2:13:28] the motion fails. All right. Sorry. Now, Councilor Ryan. Through
[2:13:35] you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Thanks, everyone, for maintaining, like,
[2:13:40] a really open mind. We have a really good base
[2:13:43] to work from. Innovation comes from optimism and creative resourcing.
[2:13:49] I really am connected to Aaron's success, as all of
[2:13:53] you are. I want to see ourselves set ourselves up
[2:13:58] with cautious optimism. I would like to put forward. The
[2:14:03] consideration that we look at year end as we have
[2:14:06] it, our best projection. Then review perhaps even this exact
[2:14:10] same budget. But we know exactly what we're deciding on.
[2:14:15] Okay, so are we making a motion, then, with that?
[2:14:21] Do you mind if I ask councilor if we can
[2:14:23] just walk through that proposed motion one? More time.
[2:14:34] Thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor. Nina, thanks for your
[2:14:37] help with this earlier. I will just get this up.
[2:14:41] On the. Did you want me to read that one,
[2:14:44] councilor? Sorry. I do have the one handy that. I
[2:14:46] provided earlier today. Yes. Thank you. So the motion.
[2:14:56] Councilor Ryan is alluding to is that report number f
[2:15:00] 2025 25. Final draft 2026. Budget and 2027 to 29
[2:15:06] forecast be deferred to the January 22, 2026 council meeting
[2:15:12] pending an update to incorporate any known or anticipated. 2025
[2:15:17] yearend expenses and revenues. Thank you. Do we have a
[2:15:22] seconder for the motion? You can ask for
[2:15:31] a friendly amendment to the mover. So if it's a
[2:15:34] friendly amendment. Is it a minor amendment? Let's chat it
[2:15:38] through. Do you want to maybe suggest and we can
[2:15:39] go from there? Microphone, please. Friendly amendment. To councilor ryan.
[2:15:49] Amended in somehow that. We avoid? Any. Anything taken
[2:15:59] out of the tax stabilization reserve. But somehow account for
[2:16:05] the deficit that we're going into. Taking into 2026 and
[2:16:11] not spreading it over the next few years, as Rob
[2:16:14] suggested, we're just pushing the problem down the road, so
[2:16:18] I don't know how we massage that. Do you accept
[2:16:22] the. Friendly suggestion. Through you, Mr.
[2:16:32] Mayor, my friendly response. Would be. I don't necessarily think
[2:16:38] we need to totally miss the tag stabilization. Because that's
[2:16:43] what that fund is for. But I do want us
[2:16:46] to look at. What our closest, best estimate is on
[2:16:50] your end versus what we're going into the new year.
[2:16:54] And I would like that as to look at that
[2:16:57] in January so that it doesn't impede staff's progress. Yeah.
[2:17:01] And I think part of what you're saying is we
[2:17:02] don't know what. The deficit is going to be at
[2:17:04] year end, probably until march, and we don't know. If
[2:17:09] we're going to come even or if we're going to
[2:17:10] have a little surplus. Where I think we're all thinking
[2:17:13] we're going to have a little hefty. Deficit. I'm hoping
[2:17:18] that we have a real mild winter and Brian just
[2:17:21] keeps all the salt. And sand in the domen. We
[2:17:23] got lots of reserves for next year. So where do
[2:17:27] we sit on this, Madam Clerk? So, Councilor Ryan, as
[2:17:32] the mover of the motion. I kind of lean to
[2:17:34] you to sort of advise we read out loud the
[2:17:37] motion. That you had moved. Councilor Ehler had provided some
[2:17:40] additional wording, and so we look. To you as a
[2:17:42] mover to whether we want to make further amendments to
[2:17:45] that or you would like to keep your motion as
[2:17:46] it was. Originally. And in that consideration, councilor Ehler had
[2:17:52] suggested around avoiding taking anything from tax stabilization reserve and
[2:17:57] to account for deficit as part of that deferral. So,
[2:18:00] looking to you, whether you like to incorporate that or
[2:18:02] keep the motion as you had proposed it. Through you.
[2:18:06] Mr. Mayor, may I look to you as a clerk
[2:18:08] for some direction on this? And I would love a
[2:18:14] piece of clarification, if that's okay. First. Sorry. Councilor Ehrlord,
[2:18:20] were you looking to not take anything out of tax
[2:18:22] stabilization? We're going over 3.8%. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for
[2:18:29] clarification, my main concern is pushing the problems down the
[2:18:33] road. We're going to have the same problem come January
[2:18:36] and we sit around the table and we're discussing the
[2:18:38] same problems. So, do we decide tonight on a solution?
[2:18:45] That. Sort of solves the problem of pushing the problem
[2:18:50] down the road. And. Sort of spreading the costs out
[2:18:55] over many years. Of overspending in 2025 and again overspending
[2:19:01] in 2026. I'm looking to our chief financial officer for
[2:19:06] the day for some guidance here. A couple of things.
[2:19:11] First of all, staff do their very best to identify
[2:19:15] what is required in a budget. Sometimes. There are unanticipated.
[2:19:22] Expenses such as a bad winter. I hate to say
[2:19:26] it, because this one started off early. But. Sometimes. We're
[2:19:33] required to deliver the service so people can be safe
[2:19:37] and drive on safe roads. And sometimes the winter is
[2:19:40] bad and our costs run over. There are a variety
[2:19:44] of different things that happen in a municipality. From a
[2:19:48] budget standpoint, staff have presented a budget to council that
[2:19:53] maintains the existing services. If we're to make any changes
[2:19:59] further. We will be diminishing some level of service. In
[2:20:04] some part of the organization to accomplish. The goal, if
[2:20:09] the goal is to deal with the entire amount of
[2:20:12] the deficit, which we don't know what it will be.
[2:20:16] In this year, it is practiced in many municipalities that
[2:20:20] the deficit will be managed after the budget. Has passed,
[2:20:24] and it sometimes happens over a couple of years to
[2:20:27] make it more manageable, but. Part of this year's budget
[2:20:31] will be the initiative of senior leadership team to help
[2:20:35] manage. That deficit into this year as well. But. Staff
[2:20:42] have gone at this budget multiple times. Cutting an awful
[2:20:47] lot out and being very innovative and creative. In how
[2:20:51] we manage things. To go further. Would. Council needs to
[2:20:57] know that it will affect the level of service. Across
[2:21:01] some part of the organization. All right. That being said,
[2:21:04] Councilor Bennett, please. Thank you. If I may confer with
[2:21:13] the clerk here for a second. The amendment to the
[2:21:17] amendment. The friendly amendment to the friendly response. I'm wondering.
[2:21:25] And you correct me if you feel differently about this.
[2:21:28] I'm wondering if we need that. Friendly amendment. What your
[2:21:33] amendment is, is to defer this until January when we
[2:21:37] would decide on the budget. As a whole, presumably having
[2:21:41] more information. But your amendment to the amendment is basically
[2:21:47] what we would do. On that date.
[2:21:58] Please, Rob. This is a confusing one. I feel like
[2:22:00] I'm playing ping pong. Maybe. Your worship. Just. By vast
[2:22:04] experience having sat in your seats. It doesn't sound to
[2:22:08] me like there is a seconder for the original motion
[2:22:14] and that the amendment? Well, friendly. Is changing. The amendment
[2:22:20] that was put by Councilor Ryan. At this point, I
[2:22:25] would say we don't have anything in the floor unless
[2:22:28] there's. A second or to the motion that was put
[2:22:31] by Councilor Ryan. So is there a secondary to councilor
[2:22:35] Ryan's motion. Okay. So that motion fails.
[2:22:46] And now councilor Ehler. Did you have? A motion. Is
[2:22:53] this going to be a formal motion? The friendly amendment?
[2:22:55] Is it a motion? Has to be an amendment to
[2:22:59] the original. So we are on the main motion that's
[2:23:06] outlined in the report at this point, so we're back
[2:23:08] to the main motion, which is just saying that you
[2:23:11] receive the report that you receive the proposed 2027 to
[2:23:15] 29 forecast and they you prove the bylaw would be.
[2:23:18] 2026 budget. So we're on the main motion right now.
[2:23:25] Lord adams. Just while everyone's thinking. It's kind of like
[2:23:32] any negotiations. No one's entirely happy with the result, and
[2:23:39] I can see that. There are slightly different views around
[2:23:43] the table. But I can say that staff have worked
[2:23:48] extraordinarily hard to try to bring in the best budget
[2:23:51] we can. This budget is not perfect. No budget is,
[2:23:56] but it does keep the tax rate. To a very
[2:24:00] reasonable amount, certainly in keeping with other municipalities. It does
[2:24:05] do what we can to protect ourselves with some rate
[2:24:08] stabilization to deal with any deficit. And it does allow
[2:24:13] us as staff to continue to provide good, quality service
[2:24:17] to residents that they've come to depend on. Without having
[2:24:21] to make significant changes to the levels of service. It
[2:24:25] also allows us to continue to manage very effectively all
[2:24:30] the infrastructure that will continue to be built, and we're
[2:24:34] building a lot of infrastructure. Despite the fact the economy
[2:24:37] might be slowing, the infrastructure won't be. It will continue
[2:24:41] on. And as well, it helps position us for the
[2:24:46] growth that well may be delayed will inevitably be coming,
[2:24:51] and I think tonight. The transportation master plan is a
[2:24:56] good example of how, if we make these investments. If
[2:25:01] we do the things that we need to do in
[2:25:04] advance. It makes it a lot easier. I heard comments
[2:25:08] that it would have been nice to have that transportation
[2:25:10] master plan sooner. Maybe would have helped with things, and
[2:25:14] I think staff are trying to. Stay steady as she
[2:25:17] goes. This is not a perfect budget, but it's a
[2:25:21] compromise on a number of fronts, and it's a fair
[2:25:25] budget and it provides a lot of value. To taxpayers,
[2:25:28] and it helps maintain the course that we're on. Reflecting,
[2:25:32] however, the environment that we're in. All right. Any comments
[2:25:37] or questions? On the original motion.
[2:25:50] Okay. Then, I guess. Should. Councilor Brennan. I don't think
[2:25:57] we've dealt with your point. If you're going to put
[2:26:03] your motion on, we have to do it before we
[2:26:04] do. This one. I don't have a motion formulated. Okay.
[2:26:14] Would you like to take a quick recess? Okay.
[2:26:24] Let me read it one more time. Here. All right,
[2:26:28] so we all know what we're voting on here. Moved
[2:26:31] by councilor Brennan. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. The council hereby
[2:26:34] receives report number f 2025 25. Final Draft 2026 Budget
[2:26:41] and 2027 to 2029 forecast. For information. And that council
[2:26:48] receives the proposed 2027 to 2029 forecast, and that bylaw
[2:26:53] 25 79 to adopt the budget for the purpose of
[2:26:57] the municipality as listed on the December 11, 2025 agenda
[2:27:01] be approved. So. We're saying if we vote for this,
[2:27:06] we're going for what's been presented by staff. Okay, so
[2:27:09] we're all clear, and now we just have to decide.
[2:27:15] If. There's any other motions, I'd suggest we do it
[2:27:20] now. Then, if you think. This motion is going to
[2:27:22] fail. All right? Nobody's jumping with their hands up either
[2:27:26] way. So. As the motion has already been read, I
[2:27:35] will call a vote. All in favor? That motion has
[2:27:38] carried. We are now on to correspondence. Is this going
[2:27:48] to be an amendment? Oh, this one. Sorry. Okay, we
[2:27:55] have the activity list. I have a motion moved by
[2:27:57] councilor. A lard seconded by Councilor Brennan. That council receives
[2:28:00] the activity list for information. Any questions or concerns on
[2:28:04] the activity list. Councilor Ryan. Thank you, sir. Just a
[2:28:11] quick comment that Jennifer McPetry had dressed with me that
[2:28:16] we are looking at. The tree bylaw that they needed
[2:28:19] more time with the Environmental Sustainability Action Committee coming on
[2:28:23] board. And that's why that income forward and that's more
[2:28:25] to bring that forward for the public's attention. Thank you.
[2:28:29] Okay, and thank you very much. Any other comments or
[2:28:33] questions on the activity list. Jumping on to. All those
[2:28:39] in favor? Sorry. Thank you. I'm too keen for the
[2:28:44] next one. We have a correspondence, item 9.29.3 on the
[2:28:48] conservation Authority regional consolidation. We have an original.
[2:28:58] Motion. Just to receive this. But I'm going to ask
[2:29:04] before I read that motion. That if council would consider
[2:29:08] receiving for information and that the conservation that a Conservation
[2:29:14] Authority Regional Consolidation Task Force be established, comprised of two
[2:29:18] members of council and three staff members, to review and
[2:29:22] provide recommendations regarding the regional consolidation matters. Just to give
[2:29:27] you some context. I didn't feel I was in a
[2:29:31] position to do that for everyone. I think everyone. Should
[2:29:33] have some input. And if we get two counselors, and
[2:29:36] I'm flexible on who. It would be. That it would
[2:29:39] be good that there is a formulated answer that goes
[2:29:42] back that's truly our answer, not something concocted by someone
[2:29:45] else. So if everyone's okay with that. The original movers
[2:29:49] and seconders were councilor Ryan, seconded by councilor Cheney. Would
[2:29:54] you take that amended motion? Through you, Mr. Mayor? Yes.
[2:29:59] And may I ask one question, clarification. Regarding the credit
[2:30:04] valley and the amalgamation by the changeover. Will that affect
[2:30:09] what we're doing with our wastewater plant and our relationship?
[2:30:12] Or is that a whole other issue? That part should
[2:30:15] be untouched. It's a lot of other stuff, primarily around
[2:30:19] planning. Building code where people can go, how fast things
[2:30:24] are going to be permanent. And there was no roundtable
[2:30:27] discussion, but. If you're okay with the motion now, we're
[2:30:31] not going to vote on it. Just yet. Councilor Taney,
[2:30:33] is it okay for you or. Do you want to?
[2:30:38] I'm not sure how this question is going to fit
[2:30:39] anyway. But. This mandate came from above. And they seemed
[2:30:46] to get what they want. Yes, we should put a
[2:30:49] fight up. Or we should have a delegation to figure
[2:30:52] out what our questions or whatever going forward. But. The
[2:30:59] conservation authorities in my mind. Have done well by its
[2:31:03] citizens, and we're part of several conservation authorities. I think.
[2:31:12] We need to discuss before we give our answer. But
[2:31:15] I'm a little pessimistic on our odds, but hopefully we
[2:31:18] can help. People see the right away. Okay, so I
[2:31:22] take it that's an okay second, then. Sure. Thank you.
[2:31:25] Okay, so maybe I can do a little bit of
[2:31:29] a background. I was in Collingwood. For the regional engagement
[2:31:35] session for the conservation authority. Regional consolidation. What came out
[2:31:41] of it. I got a much better feeling from it
[2:31:45] after being at the roundtable. Versus what? Seeing all the
[2:31:48] comments that are out there. And what's come up now
[2:31:51] is. Instead of. The conservation or the Ministry of Environment,
[2:31:58] Parks and Parks has basically said, look, if you're just
[2:32:00] going to say no. You don't like it. You want
[2:32:02] everything to stay the way. It is. Your comments are
[2:32:05] likely not going to get you very far, but if
[2:32:07] you come. With very specific things that you would like
[2:32:11] to keep to take out that you like about it.
[2:32:14] That you don't like about the conservation areas, our conservation.
[2:32:20] Act right now that those are the kind of things
[2:32:23] that. They would react better to. As proposed. So they're
[2:32:28] looking for constructive criticism. Not just criticism. And while we
[2:32:35] were there, certain ideas came up, like we use a
[2:32:39] cloud permit. For the municipality. Well, most conservation authorities don't
[2:32:45] do anything like that, and nothing is standardized. From one
[2:32:47] conservation authority to the other. Some conservation authorities. Their permits
[2:32:51] are over 120 days before they're granted. I think CVC
[2:32:54] is, other than our trail permit for wastewater, that's generally
[2:32:58] a much quicker approval for the larger municipalities, some municipalities
[2:33:04] or some conservation authorities, I think they have 17 staff.
[2:33:08] CVC is over 200 and. 70 staff. So. It's hard
[2:33:13] for the little guys to compete with the big guys,
[2:33:15] and I kind of see this as maybe what the
[2:33:18] idea is. I just think it kind of is a
[2:33:20] baseball bat. To small municipalities like us who will get
[2:33:24] left out. And it doesn't solve any problems. For mono
[2:33:28] or amaranth, where they're still stuck with three conservation authorities,
[2:33:31] no matter what you do. So I'm hoping that. There
[2:33:37] will be a couple counselors. I'm willing to do it,
[2:33:39] but I'm also willing to keep my nose out of
[2:33:41] it and just provide documents that would be helpful just
[2:33:44] to get something out there. And the deadline for comments
[2:33:47] is December 22. So it's coming fast at us. And
[2:33:51] that's why I asked to put this. On this agenda
[2:33:53] just to see we might not be able to come
[2:33:55] up with a response even. But I think we should
[2:33:58] at least try. Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Through Mr. Mayor.
[2:34:06] I think it's really important we make a response. We
[2:34:09] are identifying as a green town, it is our single
[2:34:13] biggest asset that we stay green. I guarantee that we
[2:34:17] will be looking good as a green town in about
[2:34:19] ten years as the rest of the communities build out,
[2:34:22] so. I would support this. I'll happy to give feedback.
[2:34:27] Some feedback is better than nothing. Councilor Brennan. Thank you.
[2:34:31] Through you. Yeah, I agree with that. The problem with
[2:34:36] consolidation is that. Individual. Needs tend to get lost in
[2:34:43] the shuffle. If the individual. Conservation authorities, as they exist
[2:34:52] now, are doing an adequate job for their local constituents.
[2:34:57] Then bringing in an umbrella over top of them just
[2:35:00] adds to the bureaucracy. I don't see how it adds
[2:35:04] to the efficiency. There are other things that can be
[2:35:09] done. Such as what? You mentioned from a planning point
[2:35:12] of view. There are things that can be done. To
[2:35:16] bring. Different conservation authorities into alignment as much as is
[2:35:21] feasible. And profitable to do. So, yeah. I think we
[2:35:29] need to provide a good response. And to give a
[2:35:32] little additional feedback, I think we're going. From just under
[2:35:36] 300. Board members across Ontario to less than 100. So
[2:35:41] there will be a lot of municipalities that will be
[2:35:43] left off. And if you want to talk to somebody
[2:35:47] from Peel, Lake Peele is the biggest contributor to CVC.
[2:35:50] Well, if. They're not going to want to diminish their
[2:35:53] voice on the board, so they're going to lobby that
[2:35:56] all of they have a heavier weight than Orangeville. Kaladin.
[2:36:02] Mono. Who else do we have on the board from
[2:36:04] out here? Myself and CVC. And then. We've got James
[2:36:08] Sealy from puss lynch representing Aaron on the Grand river
[2:36:12] and. That board is going to be decimated to by
[2:36:14] the number of people who come in. Our voice is
[2:36:18] going to be diminished if we don't find a solution.
[2:36:21] Councilor Ryan. Through you, Mr. Mayor. The other really important
[2:36:26] thing to remember is this is overriding. Species at risk
[2:36:31] is overriding. The stop gaps between climate change, which is
[2:36:35] happening now. That's the canary and the coal mine. Albeit
[2:36:40] that some of the conservation areas are slow on permitting,
[2:36:43] but they provide a buffer for our environment. And between
[2:36:49] economies and more homes, can't make up for the air
[2:36:52] we breathe. We need clean air, and we need weather
[2:36:55] mitigation and conservation authorities. These wetlands actually do that? And
[2:37:01] another comment on how they are funded. Now, CVC is
[2:37:05] primarily funded by the levy system. And the special levy
[2:37:08] from peel. But when you get to many of the
[2:37:10] smaller conservation authorities, there's 60% or 70% self funded by
[2:37:16] parks that they have, by campgrounds, by leasing land. So
[2:37:20] you can't treat everyone the same in these situations. And
[2:37:25] we're kind of unique, I think. The rural gem, the
[2:37:29] green gem on the side of the GTA and the
[2:37:31] CVC, but. Then when you add us to the Grand
[2:37:33] River Conservation Authority, we're pretty much the same. As two
[2:37:36] thirds of it. Councilor Bernard. Yeah. My experience when I
[2:37:42] went from Grand river to CVC, I was amazed at
[2:37:46] the difference in terms of internal funding. That Grand river
[2:37:50] has a vast array of parks. And facilities that generate
[2:37:55] a lot of revenue that at the time I joined
[2:37:58] CVC, they didn't have anywhere near. In fact, they were
[2:38:01] just embarking on creating. A program. To encourage that kind
[2:38:08] of thing, and they still think they're nowhere near to
[2:38:11] the same. Extent. And as we're talking about budgets, the
[2:38:15] reserves are very late on most conservation authorities and they
[2:38:19] have a lot of capital improvements that need to be
[2:38:22] maintained. Cbc right now. Its operating costs are almost equivalent
[2:38:26] to what the levy is. All right, well. Anyone else
[2:38:31] want to comment on this? It sounds like we have
[2:38:34] some positivity here, so. I'll call the vote. All in
[2:38:36] favor for that? That motion is carried. Thank you very.
[2:38:40] Much, and I'll let you fight amongst yourself on who
[2:38:42] wants to do it. I'm happy to help, though, all
[2:38:47] right. I think we're on. To. That one? Yeah. Okay.
[2:38:55] Yours is so pretty. It's got more colors. I will
[2:38:59] now move on to passage of the bylaws. I have
[2:39:00] a motion moved by. Councilor Alard, seconded by councilor Cheney
[2:39:04] that the bylaws numbered 25 79. And 25 80 are
[2:39:07] hereby passed. All in favor? That motion is carried. Thank
[2:39:11] you very much. We are adjourning at 05:29. P.m.