I'd like to call this meeting to order. I have
a motion moved by councilor. Brennan seconded by Councilor Cheney.
The agenda be approved as circulated. All in favor that
motion is carried. Councilor, are there any declarations of pecuniary
interest? I see none. We will now proceed into closed
session and council will reconvene into open session at. Three.
P. M. I have a motion moved by Councilor Ryan,
seconded by Councilor Cheney. The council proceeds into closed session
at the hour of 02:00 p.m. to discuss matters under
the following exemptions in the Municipal act, section 2392, pertaining
to litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals
affecting. The municipality or local board with respect to an
Ontario land tribunal matter. All in favor that motion is
carried. We are enclosed.
All right. I have a motion moved by Councilor Ryan,
seconded by councilor Brennan, that the meeting be reconvened into
open session at the hour of 03:00 p.m. all in
favor? That motion is carried. We will now report out.
I have a motion moved by councilor Cheney, seconded by
councilor. Ryan that staff proceed as directed. All in favor?
That motion is carried. Moving on to community announcements. Councilor
Ryan, I think you're up to bat. Thank you. Good
afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Mayor Dane. Family Day is coming
up in Erin at Aaron Center, 2000. It's Monday, February
16. Ten to 03:00 p.m. it's a free, fun event,
and it's sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aaron and
the town of Aaron. On Wednesday, January 28, the Chamber
of Commerce is having a planning session for all members
or those wishing to be new members, seven to eight
at rural commons. And on Monday, January 26, the Aaron
Agricultural Society is hosting its AGM 06:30 p.m. reception 07:00
p.m. meeting start new members are welcome to come out
and it's at the air and fairgrounds. At the end
of the month, coldest night of the year is being
hosted by EWCF. And that's on February 20 eigth. Teens
are looking for sponsorship now, and that will be held
from 40 08:00 p.m. at Aaron Center 2000. And one
last thing is our transportation master plan. Is still up
for public comment until February 13, and you can find
that on the errand. Engage site and. Your comments are
welcome, and we hope that you weigh in on. Thank
you. Thank you very much. And you're all good. Councilor
Cheney anything? Todd moving on. We will now adopt the
previous meeting minutes. I have a motion moved by Councilor
Cheney, seconded by councilor Brennan. The council hereby adopts the
following meeting minutes as circulated. December 11 Regular Council meeting
and the confidential minutes of the closed sessions held on
November 27 and December. 1st 2025 all in favor? That
motion is carried. Council. Any business arising from the minutes.
I see no hands. We have a presentation from Credit
Valley Conservation. I have a motion moved by Councilor Brennan,
seconded by Councilor Ryan that the presentation by credit Valley
conservation regarding the 2026 draft budget be received for information.
I'll now invite Terry Laru, CEO, and Andrew Kett, director
of corporate services, to come up to the podium and
deliver their presentation. You already got it. You got me.
Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, Mary and members of
council, I'm Terry le Roux, CEO of Credit Valley conservation.
And as mentioned, I'm joined by Andrew Kett, our director
of corporate services today. We'll walk you through the 2026
draft budget with a particular focus on what matters most
to our municipalities, our shared watershed priorities, local service impacts,
and the invest. Investments that keep residents safe, healthy and
resilient. I may need a tutorial on the clicker. No
see. There you go. Got it. CBC is a watershed
based organization that provides programs and services that further the
conservation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources. We address
climate change risks and protect people and property. Our jurisdiction
spans nearly 95,000, is home to more than 1 million
residents. This is a rapidly growing, highly urbanizing watershed, one
that places increasing pressure on natural systems, water resources, and
recreational lands. Very recently, the province created the Ontario Provincial
Conservation agency with directive making authority Bill 68 that enabled
this establishment received royal assent on November 27, 2025. OPCA
will lead the implementation of a single digital permitting platform,
streamlining and standardizing service delivery and is overseeing the implementation
of a regional watershed based consolidation of conservation authorities. The
province is pursuing this consolidation of Ontario's 36 conservation authorities
into seven regional bodies for CDC. This means a merger
with conservation Halton Hamilton Conservation Authority and Niagara Peninsula Conservation
Authority as the Western Lake Ontario Regional ca. The CBC
board opposes this consolidation and is very concerned with the
loss of local voice and local governance. At this time,
I would like to stress that there are no impacts
of this decision by the government. To the 2026 budget.
CBC will continue delivering all programs and services, and we
are actively participating. In ongoing dialogue and communication. On this
matter, our focus remains ensuring continuity, stability and strong municipal
service. Delivery. So, across our watershed, in all program areas,
we're responding to three major trends, accelerating climate impacts increasing
natural hazard risks, population growth and demand for green space.
And our 2026 budget reflects investments that directly address these
pressures. Our watershed models show a future that is wetter,
wilder, and less predictable. This includes intense storms. And flooding,
heat waves and resultant impacts to people in the environment.
This affects every part of our mandate, from stormwater and
flood forecasting to forest health trail. Systems and public safety.
CBC specializes in identifying and mitigating natural hazards such as
flooding and erosion. However, we also have deep expertise in
green and natural infrastructure, both on our own lands as
well as on municipal and private lands, and we apply
this expertise to address and mitigate the impacts of climate
change. And foster resilient communities. CBC is the local leader
in watershed science. Our work informs science based decisions about
how to respond. To climate change in our communities. In
2026, we will work with the town of Aaron to
conduct in stream monitoring to help maintain the health and
function of the west credit River and fulfill the town's
compliance and data reporting. Requirements. We'll implement new climate smart
tree planting guidelines, update natural heritage and water resource mapping,
and launch an online watershed hub to share real time
environmental insights. These initiatives support municipal planning, climate, mitigation and
long term infrastructure decisions. In our science based performance targets
continue to emphasize accountability and transparency. In 2026. This includes.
Monitoring 90% of scheduled environmental stations, providing 100% access to
up to date data sets for municipal partners advancing towards
our 50% corporate GHD reduction goal by 2030 and conducting
inventories of 190 natural areas. These measures directly support municipal
climate asset. Management and environmental reporting needs. And then we
have intensifying weather events to deal with. These are increasing
risks across our watershed flooding, erosion, ice jam hazards and
infrastructure impacts. But CBC's core strength is public safety. Everything
we do in hazard identification and risk reduction is focused
on protecting residents and support. Supporting your municipal emergency management
staff from real time flood warning systems to modernizing floodplain
maps and updating RDF curves. We give municipalities the tools
to plan resilient infrastructure housing and growth. Key service improvements
in this area for 26 include enhanced flood forecasting, including
new ice jam prediction capability. Continued implementation of our riskbased
planning and permitting framework. Expanded green infrastructure, training for municipal
partners, and completing comprehensive updates to the CTC source protection
plan. These are essential services that protect public safety and
ensure responsible growth. Our service. Performance expectations remain high under
this area, in 2026, we will have 99% uptime. Of
our real time flood monitoring network. 95% of permits issued
on time. 90% customer satisfaction from development applicants. And continued
modernization of floodplain mapping. These targets support predictable development, review
timelines, and reduce municipal risk. And growth across the watershed
is accelerating, bringing tremendous opportunity but also real pressure. More
residents are relying on natural areas for recreation and well
being, and at the same time, more people, homes and
infrastructure. Need protection from natural hazards. Our parks and lands
programs are essential to delivering safe, high. Highquality public spaces
in managing growth responsibly, they ensure natural areas are cared
for accessible and resilient in the face of increasing use.
And at the same time, CBC plays a critical role
in enabling growth itself. We help ensure that the watersheds
much needed housing infrastructure and community development is. Safe, resilient,
and ultimately results in greener, more livable communities. Major initiatives
in 2026 that respond to population growth include accelerating land
acquisition to protect natural areas before they're lost. Implementing our
invasive species strategy and forest management plan. Climate Ready Forest
project, which will optimize private plantations for climate resiliency. And
completing and opening the gym. Toby Lakeview Conservation Area in
Mississauga and advancing the pits to parks project in Kalidan.
These projects improve public access, support, climate resilience, and strengthen
ecosystem health. In our 2026 land based service targets demonstrate
continued growth and strong impact. We'll manage 2867 CDC land
restore and care for 190 green space. Welcome more than
1.2 million visitors to our conservation areas and engage over
28,000 people in our community programs. At this point, all
hand things over to Andrew to take you through the
budget framework and the key levy impacts for the town
of Urine. Great. Thank you, Terry.
So if you bear with me and sharpen your pencils,
I'll take us through. Some of the high level numbers
for our 2026 budget. On screen, you'll see our gross
budget, revenue and expenditures. I'll note that. The top line
fees. Are up slightly 14.6% this year. Municipal apportionment is
at 3.5% increase. And our overall gross increase is 4.5%.
Also of note is the base funding from the province,
which remains static at. $96,000 as it has for many
years. The slight decrease in source protection funding is due
to an increase that we received in 2025. Which. Has
now ended for 2026. Next, the same information. But with
the chart and noting that municipal apportionment does make up
the majority of our funding. And in terms of expenses,
our personnel expenses. Are in the majority as well. Our
programs and services are personnel heavy and we do extensive
work. Throughout the watershed. This slide shows the change in
the modified current value assessment. And so this is the
formula that the province provides to all conservation authorities based
on MPAC assessment data that determines how we apportion our
levy between our participating municipal. Municipalities. So Credit Valley Conservation
has seven participating municipalities, and you'll see the change. In
the numeric change as well as the percentage change on
the chart. For the town of Aaron this year. The
MCVA is increasing at 2.8% and you'll see the other
municipalities. Are up or down, depending on the assessment of
the impact assessment in their jurisdictions. This slide shows the
total municipal levy apportioned by municipality. The region of Peel
is at the top. Representing the overwhelming majority of our
municipal levy. You'll note the town of Aaron. Our 2026
apportionment is $93,170, or an increase of 5.1% this increase,
as noted, is partly due to our 3.5% municipal apportionment.
Increase and that adjustment in the modified current value assessment
from the. Mpac assessment. This, split it out into the
two types of apportionment. The first is the general levy
town of Erin's. General levy is increasing by 5.0% or
about $3,577. And the shared special levy. Also, using the
modified current value assessment apportionment increasing at 5.5% or just
under $1,000 for 2026. And this slide. Is a requirement
as per our budget regulation. So it's prescribed by the
province that we break out the apportionment. Into category one
or mandatory programs and services from the Conservation Authorities act,
and category two or municipally requested programs and services. And
so you'll note the breakdown for the town of Aaron.
69,000. Approximately. For the category one in general and administrative
programs. And 23. Thousand, approximately for category two programs and
services. My final slide is our forecast. And I'll note,
as Terry mentioned, off the top, There are many legislative
changes that are impacting our business have been impacting our
business for many years and will continue into the near
future. Our 2027, 2028 and 2029 forecast is at three
point. Six 3.0 and 3.0%, respectively. These are based on
a number of assumptions, including assumptions around inflationary increases and
cost of living allowance for our personnel expenses, however. There's
considerable uncertainty, in particular around the impacts to 2027 and
beyond. From the decisions made by the province and whether.
That's the new provincial agency. And changes that they may
have for our business, or the proposed consolidation of conservation
authorities into regional bodies, which, of course, Would have many
impacts that are as yet not very well understood. So
our forecast. 3.6% for next year, but please note that
there are many assumptions there and that's a living number
that will be refined as we go along and hear
more from the province. And with that, I'd like to
turn it back to Terry to close our presentation. Thank
you, Andrew. So within our budget, we do have, in
our organization, we do have additional future funding pressures. Land
acquisition is something that's critically important to the CBC board,
but it is not something that we have funds for.
So when we pursue the acquisition of new lands, we're
typically looking to work with Greenland securement program through the
region of. Peel and partner with our CBC foundation for
funds raised. We also have. Needs at several of our
conservation areas for recreational infrastructure. These are the dreams and
schemes to build to address those population growth and the
recreational needs. The vision of the credit validity trail, the
100 km from the headwaters in Orangeville, Mono to Lake
Ontario. Is a cost as well as additional land care
costs in the northern and rural watershed, and then our
watershed plan, which we will start implementing next year. But
I am happy to say we are very good at
securing external funds. And so a few examples here to
give you a flavor. Recent acquisitions that we had were
3.2 million through the investing in Canada infrastructure program and
that was for seven trail projects across the watershed. 900,000
from FCM for enhanced tree planting and some training and
then 4.1 million for the public realm recreational components at
the new Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation area. And that concludes
our budget presentation. Thank you very much, Terry and Andrew.
As the motion. Oh, sorry, I'm not going to deliver
any questions. We want to start. John. I'm sure I'll
have questions. Thank you. Through you. Thank you for the
presentation. We did make a submission to the province. I
hope you got a copy of it. Can we do
that? Thank you. Since I hadn't seen you since it
happened. Congratulations on the permanent sphere appointment. Thank you. Council,
Ryan. Thank you to you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Terry.
And Andrew. How will this increase affect us, specifically in
Aaron, and I'm just not clear why we have such
a bigger increase in the other areas, and I realize
it's set out by other factors, but could you more
fully explain that, please? Yeah. Thank you. And through mayor
yeah. So as noted, part of the reason that the
town of Errands increase is above our 3.5% gross increase
for the apportionment is due to that current value assessment
formula. So this is a formula that is based on
the impact property. Valuations in your municip. Municipality, and then
it's modified for the watershed context of conservation authority work.
So from a baseline of zero. Aaron's assessment in that
formula went up 2.8%. And it's that extra 2.8%. That
is resulting in the gap between our 3.5% apportionment increase
and Erin's at five. Really? Some years that go up,
some years they go down, for example. We were just
speaking with Orangeville yesterday. And their impact assessment went down
slightly relative to the other municipalities. But in this case,
for Aaron that impact valuation is what's driving the increase.
Thank you very much. So to confirm it's because of
the land value. Allocation in Aaron. Is that correct? That's
correct, yeah. The valuation of the municipal land base. And
then there's a formula set out. In our regulation, our
budget regulation. That determines how that's computed by the province.
But, yes, that's correct. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, one more
question, please. What determines if we had a property in
Aaron? How would we get partnership with CVC to purchase
that for recreational use or pits to park use, that
kind of thing. What would be required? To make that
happen. Through you, Mr. Mayor. That's so wonderful. I love
the hopefulness in that question. I love that. It really
just starts with a conversation, so definitely, you can always
reach out to me. I know. A lot of municipal
staff have close contacts with our staff as well, but
it truly just starts with identifying if there's an opportunity,
a property that's available, and then we can. Just sit
down and talk about what the options are. Okay. Thank
you. One more quick question. Because we're doing our wastewater
plant and the monitoring. Of the west credit is so
sensitive. This is our general proposal. We have additional funds
and increases. For the town of Aaron outside of this
budget. For our particular monitoring on the west credit. We're
already doing that. We have a contract. With CBC for
those services now, so we're covered. I think it's a
three. Year renewable or five year renewable contract that we're
already doing. Okay. Thank you. And through Mr. Mayor, my
final question, I believe may be for our treasure, Wendy
Parr. Wendy, is this. Additional. Amount covered in our 2026
budget. Through you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, we do get the
fees from CVC ahead of time, and they are exact.
They should be exact in the budget, one. And one
of the few things that is. Thank you. Councilor Cheney.
You're good. All right. Well, thank you very much, both
for coming and good to see you again. Sorry I
missed the end of last week's meeting. As the motion
has already been read, I will now call the vote.
All in favor? That motion. Is carried. Safe trip back
to the cities. We have our quarterly wastewater project update.
I have a motion moved by Councilor Cheney, second by
Councilor Ryan, that the presentation by the director of infrastructure
services regarding the wastewater system. Project we received for information.
I will now invite Brian Kavanaugh to please proceed with
his presentation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council, I'm
happy to provide you with our quarterly update. Of the
wastewater projects. This will be. A construction heavy presentation, and
I look forward to moving towards more operations style presentations
in the future. We'll cover an update on the construction
schedule, as well as a financial update and further update
on the Hughes project as well. The Hillsburg gravity sewer
is complete as previously reported. Delorea. Cataract trail. Linear works
are proceeding well. We have been busy through the winter
with construction. I think the one challenge that's arisen is
additional bedrock, a little more so than we expected. So
a little bit heavier equipment required. To break up some
rock takes a little more time, a little more effort.
So our focus has been on mitig. Mitigating schedule impact
there. And I'm happy to say that so far we
have mitigated those schedule impacts. So we do remain on
schedule at this point for April of 2026 for the
Main street to side Road 17, section. As well as
the end of the year for side road 17 through
to Trafalgar. So, so far, so good. And good progress
on this project. The Aaron village. Gravity, sewer and force
mains are largely complete. We've been focusing on restoration. The
crane at Water street was removed. At long last week,
which is fantastic. We are. Continuing. Continuing with restoration at
that intersection. With an ion, completing restoration by the end
of February. And then we would move into minor deficiency
work. As weather permits in the spring and the summer.
The Dundas Street east gravity sewer is largely complete as
well. There remains a few bays of sidewalk to be
done, a little bit of boulevard restoration, and that work
again will be completed as weather permits in the spring
and the summer. The air and village pumping station is
progressing well. We'll be commissioning shortly. Followed by implementation of
low flow modifications, so that essentially. Is swapping out the
large pumps for a couple of small pumps to accommodate
a lower flow. Followed by a second round of commissioning
with those low flow pumps installed. And we are looking
at a date of March of this year for the
completion of the pumping station. The water resource recovery facility
is progressing well. We are imminently proceeding towards. Commissioning with
water. I believe that will be next week. We would
then proceed to commissioning with sewage. With completion date targeting
the end of February 2026, noting, of course, that with
commissioning. Construction has been done diligently with every effort to
make things go smoothly, but you never know, with commissioning,
sometimes hiccups appear along the way, and if we encounter
items that need some tweaking and refinement. We will certainly
do that. So I'll keep you apprised of the schedule
as we go? Hopefully. Commissioning is smooth. But our priority,
I would say, is to absolutely get this right so
that it works properly and then the second priority is
moving as quickly as we can. I've noted as well
that the cooling system is due for completion in the
spring of 2026 and that operations remain contingent on MEC
approval for operating without that cooling system. So we remain,
as always, committed to being 100%, fully. In line with
the requirements of the ministry. The effluent sewer and outfall
is complete and. As just mentioned, the arrangement with CVC
for reporting on water quality and various water factors is
in place and that material is accessible on our website.
Quick run through the project financials. You'll note that this
is up to date as of the end of September
of last year. The invoices do take time to come
in and be accounted for, so I would say. That
the progress is a little bit more advanced than what
we'll see on this slide. The linear works are in
at 94% spent. As of September, the spending on the
Allora Cataract trail was minimal. But as I mentioned, the
progress is quite substantial. The switch. Pumping station is in
at 82%. The recovery facility at 95%. Design and construction
management 98 and 85%. And that gives us an overall
spend of 85%. A quick update on the Hughes grant.
As previously mentioned, the duty to consult and the transfer
payment. Agreement. Are both complete and in place. The project
design services have been awarded to Ainley and their work
is progressing well. They've been doing geotech subsurface investigations. Reviewing
property lines and surveying requirements. Various other studies and data
gathering as well as preliminary design, and that leads us
towards the feasibility review as to which roads can be
serviced and in what ways. From a technical perspective, We
are in the very early stages of a draft sanitary
sewer connection bylaw. We generally start with industry standards and
then look at what sort of unique factors can make
this a made an errand solution that works well for
the municipality specifically, we would then. Bring various options to
the public in the form of an information center to
share information. Receive resident feedback and then work towards finalizing
a bylaw. We have construction services procurement aiming for the
spring and then finally construction beginning this summer and through
to 2028. Happy to take any questions. Council. Who'd like
to start with questions? Councilor Cheney. Thank you. Thank you,
Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Brian, for the update. The air
and bumping station. In theory. You've got March 26. Will
there be printing up and remediation or something in the
summer after that, or is that? Pretty much it. And
then I guess a park will be rebuilt at some
point as well. Yeah, I've been working closely with the
director of community services on the park restoration plan. We
have a preliminary design in place, and we have the
Lions Club on board, so that's progressing well. I would
expect that that work is done in the summer this
year when. Weather permits. So the march date for the
pumping station, as you mentioned, is the functionality of the
pumping station itself, followed by that pretty nut phase and
the park completion in the summer. Good news. Thank you.
Councilor Ryan. Thank you through, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Brian.
It's great to see that crane removed. I can't tell
you how much pleases me personally. Personally. But it has
also seemed. To have. Brought forward a new breadth of
hope within our community once the construction has shifted. People
are now bringing forward new ideas for our community. So
really appreciate the work you've done. A couple of things.
I wanted to address. The project financials. Are we on
track for our budget? How are we looking with that?
Yes, I'd say we are on track for the numbers
as shown. It's progressing well, I don't expect. Any significant
changes. I think the Allora Cataract trail in particular. We've
been managing the financials. Within the budget and contingency. That's
early on and has perhaps more potential for change along
the way, but it's progressing well. The other. Pieces. I
don't foresee significant financial change as well. Okay. Thank you.
Through you, Mr. Mayor. So with tariffs, we need these
components, like, for instance, the cooling components that are coming.
Do we know if that will be impacted and change
our budget. It's a good question. I believe. That the
purchase of those significant components came prior to the tariffs
being introduced. So we're not expecting. Any tariff impacts. I
think there's been an effort as well. To mitigate those
concerns contractually, but at this point, I don't expect. A
significant challenge there. Okay, that's super. And then, regarding the
cooling system, I know that. You and others on staff
have had lots of back and forth with our different
environmental group and particularly the friends of the rest credit.
Their concern is that the Brook trout will be protected,
and I've reassured that group that that's our concern here
too, at the town of Aaron. Is there more information
specific to the cooling component? Anything else you can add
to that I know. That you've communicated with the group
and reassured them that that is happening. Yeah, absolutely. I
think transparency. Is really important. We do expect to receive
additional details in the next week or so regarding the
cooling system. And I've shared with the stakeholders that we
are very happy to share all of that. Information so
that as soon as I get it, they will have
it and happy to meet with them and have ongoing
discussions. Our management of this item is largely through coordinating
closely with the Ministry of environment, conservation and parks and
we are 100% committed to meeting all of their requirements
environmentally. So we look forward to continued transparency and diligence
on the environmental front. Okay. Thank you, Brian. We really
appreciate that. Thank you. With the startup of the plant
and the low flow, I'm assuming it's considered quite low
coming from Solemar to feed. Will we be trucking from
Solmar initially to get the plant going? That's a good
question. I think there's largely from a risk management perspective.
We would like to haul from the Walmart holding tanks
to the plant directly so that we can focus our
efforts on the plant and the biology of the plant
and not worry about the linear system and the pumping
station all at the same time. So it's really introducing
one. Tricky piece at a time, focusing on it very
carefully, and then. Introducing the additional pieces after we're satisfied
with the plant itself, then we would bring the linear
works in the pumping station online after that. And the
plant, I assume, has to work on a continuous operation,
not a batch operation. So you're not feeding it in,
processing it in them, feeding another. But it's kind of
a continuous flow through the whole plant, so you have
to have that minimum. To work with. Yeah, there is
that. Definitely that consideration. We're comfortable that with the modifications
we're introducing that we can manage. The flows that we
will have. Being lower than this type of plant would
typically receive, but the modifications will allow us to do
that on a continuous flow basis. If you were getting
a guess what percentage of plant capacity solar is going
to contribute to start with is that 5% or 10%
of total plant capacity to start with, or even less.
Than that at the beginning. It's in that neighborhood. I
don't have a specific number, but that's a reasonable sort
of guesstimate. So we have potential to get lots more
in there, and it might even work more efficiently. With
more. It will be easier with a larger flow. It's
tricky at this volume, and I'm confident that with the
changes we make, it will be successful, but it's not
easily. Accommodated. Thank you very much. I think. Oh, you
got another one, Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Three. Mr. Mayor.
Brian, regarding the Hughes Grant and the next steps. Is
there some kind of a timeline when we'll be introducing
that bylaw? We'll be working on a draft over the
next few months. And. I think it's sort of feasibility
study first to understand what we're doing and. Where? And
then we'll turn to the draft of the bylaw. And
then work towards getting. A draft. Not so much a
draft bylaw, but considerations out to the community in the
form. Of a public meeting and start. To understand the
interests and the concerns of the community so that we
can incorporate those items into the bylaw and make sure
that it's something that's going to work for residents as
best as we possibly can. So starting in the next
few months and hopefully public information center. Perhaps this summer.
Okay. Thank you very much. If there's no other questions.
Thank you very much, Brian, for your questions. As the
motion has already been read, I will now call the
vote. All in favor? That motion is carried. We will
now move on to reports starting. With item 10.1. I
have a motion moved by councilor Ryan, seconded by councilor.
Cheney that report number ED 2026. One digital makeover grant
policy be received for information and. That council approves the
digital makeover grant program policy as presented in Appendix A.
I'll now invite Marina Mehto of economic development officer in
Crystal, Maine's executive director. Of the business centered welfare Wellington
to please proceed with your presentation. Good afternoon, mayor and
members of council. Today we're thrilled to be presenting the
proposed digital makeover grant program as this could be such
an exciting opportunity for many of our businesses. I'll begin
with a bit of a background in rationale, and then
I'll turn. It over to our partner from the business
center, Guelph Wellington, to walk through. The program delivery and
the business facing component. Small businesses consistently tell us that
digital tools are no longer optional. However, many of them
lack the time, expertise and capital. Needed to invest strategically.
This creates a gap between business needs and business capacity,
particularly for smaller enterprises. This proposed program is directly informed
by our business retention and expansion efforts across both the
downtown and equine sector studies as well as the agriculture
interviews that we're currently conducting business. Businesses consistently identified marketing
and digital capacity as a challenge. The digital Makeover grant
program is a direct response to what businesses told us
that they need. The program combines two key elements, funding
and expertise. Rather than offering grants alone, repairing funding with
professional advisory support to ensure strong outcomes. At this point,
I'll turn it over to Crystal Maines, the executive director
of the business center wealth Wellington to introduce the business
center and to walk through the program from a delivery
and business perspective. Thanks, Mina. Thank you. Mayor council staff
thanks for having me today. For those of you I
haven't had the pleasure of meeting. My name is Cristel,
and I am the executive director of Business center. Guelph
Wallington. We are an organization, not for profit, that's been
around for 26 years, and we serve both Guelph and
Wellington county. And our mandate is to support entrepreneurship. We
support entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs at growth stages, ideation stages, and we
also support our existing businesses with growth strategies and how
to get to the next level with their business models.
This program I've had the pleasure of working when sitting
with Marina. We work on several committees together. And this
program very much mirrors a program called Digital Main street
that you may have heard of a few years ago.
It was a fragmential program. It started off as a
provincial program through the Ontario business improvement. Association and then
received some top notes from federal money and was a
very successful program. What it did was it matched entrepreneurs
with $2,500 grants to do just as Marina mentioned to
upgrade their digital platform and respectfully. In today's economy. We
all see what's going on in the news. We all
see what's going on. Our own economies and our own
communities. The need for having. A digital presence is more
important every day. And so what we're trying to do
here, is to encourage the local community in both Erin
and Hillsburg to be able to take advantage of some
of those upgrades. So we've taken the program that is
now defunct, unfortunately digital. Main street lost its funding a
couple of years ago, but having business. Center was the
delivery agent for this region as well on that program,
and so we're very well versed on what's required in
order to make this program successful. The idea being is
that. There will be $500 to $1,000 grants available. The
business center will manage this. Program. As far as helping
get clients in, there will be an intake form. There'll
be an assessment as to. What type of platform upgrades?
What are they looking to do digitally? Is it a
new marketing strategy? Maybe they have to update their website.
Maybe they'd like to go online with their website. And
open up their shopping capacity for people to be able
to shop online as opposed to in store. And then
what we'll do is we'll take that. We'll basically create
a roadmap, if you will match that. With the grants.
We'll also provide direction with local. Providers digital provider services.
So. We're looking to help small businesses. Help small businesses.
So we have a list of local providers that will
be able to say, yes, I can take that. I
can do that upgrade for you and the grant money
will cover the cost of that. I was going to
say. Do you want to explain the financials of it?
Yeah. But that's kind of how it works, and it's
very simple model, but happy. To be part of this.
And I didn't advance the slides. All right. Thank you,
Krista. So the total financial commitment is $11,294.91, inclusive of
non reimbursable. HST, and this includes approximately $9,005 in direct
grant funding as well. As about 2200. And $89 in
advisory support. The program is funding within the existing economic
development allocations. From a governance perspective. The program is jointly
administered a review panel of town staff and business Center
Guelph Wellington staff will ensure eligibility compliance as well as
consistency. Council approval is required for the policy. In closing,
this program provides a structured, fiscally responsible way to support
local businesses. It is evidence based, aligned with council's economic
development priorities and designed for measurable impact. Staff recommend that
council approved the policy, and we're happy to answer any.
Questions that you may have. Thank you very much. Who
would like to kick off questions? Okay, well. You're happy
to, Councilor Wright. Thank you. Through. Mr. Mayor. Nice to
see you. Christell. And thank you, Marina, for the report.
Hope your drive was good. Good. Two things on this.
When you were doing the study with our equine sector,
did you find anything that stood out? Could you nudge
that sector to be further digitized? Any kind of comments
or. What did that look like? When it comes to
digital marketing. We've seen that the topic has come up
with all three. Sectors, the downtown equine as well as
agriculture. It seems like most businesses could help some support
in digital marketing. And then, in terms of further highlights
specific to the Ethwine study, we will soon have our
business french, and we'll share the specific results. About that
study and the agriculture one, maybe in a couple of
months. That's super. And will we be able to apply
this to our downtown, say, an errands? So that we
could have open wifi, like for our seated areas and
our street. Events, that kind of thing. Going on in
the village of Erin. Do we apply for this? It
could potentially upload one more project. Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. We
know the people that can make that happen. That would
be wonderful. It's been shown that that really brings people
in and creates that longer stay would dovetail really well
with our tourism strategy. And one more question, please. To
you, Mr. Rare. So how will this be communicated? Like,
for example, this next week, the chamber of commerce is
having a planning session. Are we involved in any of
that locally to get the good word out? So I've
had preliminary conversations with our communications department as well as
HR to come up. With a strategy to post information
on our socials as well as LinkedIn. I'll also be
in touch with the chamber and ask them to distribute
through their newsletter. I'll be at the planner event, so
I will share this announcement as well. And then the
business center has also offered to share some materials. That's
great. And the timing of this is. What's our deadline
like? When's it cut off for this? Sort of support.
So we would like to get started. If it is
approved as soon as the policy is approved and start
marketing right away. And we'll have until the rest of
the year to fill the spots. But I'm. Sure they'll
be filled much. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Brennan. Thank
you. Through you. Thank you very much for the presentation.
Is it the intention for this to be an ongoing
program? Year after year sort of thing. This year is
sort of a pilot year, but. I think this will
be a very successful program, and I would like to
see it live on. Especially because this is not only
a business retention initiative, but initiative, but also an expansion
initiative. We have a lot of home based businesses that.
Could use additional support, and I think there's a lot
of opportunity for those businesses to expand. To a physical
store location, which. Would then help with the commercial taxpayers.
Okay, assuming that we go forward. Are there any startup
costs that are sort of one time issues for us,
or would we look at the same sort of ratio.
2200 to 9000. Going forward. As an expense. I think
we would be looking at a similar ratio going forward.
But then that also depends on how much we expand
the program. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Jane. Thank you.
Through you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. Just
wondering how we come up with the numbers. If they
said there was a $27,000 program. But it's been spelled
out so delicately. I just. Wondered. How it got divided
up that finally. What the process was. So when it
comes to advisory support, we got the estimate from the
business center. And then we talked about what would be
a good, reasonable amount for each grant. Our goal was
to help at least ten businesses in this first year,
and that's how we came up with it. Through you,
mayor, just to answer further. Answer that. The going rate
for any type of digital upgrades tends to be 2500
plus. So the thousand is complementary, certainly. And we originally
said, well, we'll give 500. Dollars grants. But respectfully, when
you're working with service providers, this could be minimum $1,000.
So we thought that will give the entrepreneurs a good
leg up on the projects. That they need to build
and go forward with. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. And
I just like to see us put some guardrails in
that. We're dealing with businesses that meet. Zoning and bylaw
compliance. Not just anyone. Who can. Apply gets the money,
but they're actually in good standing with the community as
well. That'd be my only concern. And that's outlined in
the policies, so it's. A requirement for. Excellent. Makes me
very happy. Yeah. If I may, through you too, Mr.
Mayor. That it is. Absolutely. One of requires even the
businesses that we deal with at the business center, they
have to have you registered? There's a whole criteria, as
Marina mentioned, is spelled out policy. But that will be
part of the application process as well. So everybody will
have to fill out an application and we'll make sure
and check that everybody is, in fact, good. I. 'm
very happy. Any other questions before we go to a
vote? Thank you both for your presentation. As the motion
has already been read, I will call the vote. All
in favor? That motion is. Carried. Here you go. Another
project for the year. All right. Thank you. Okay, the
next item is ten point. Two. I have a motion
moved by councilor Cheney, seconded by councilor Brennan. That council
receives report number PD 2026 one recommendation report site alteration
application SAO 223-9516 side Road 27. 177-2853 Ontario, Inc. For
information and that the town be authorized to negotiate and
finalize the site alteration agreement substantially in the form as
attached as appendix A, subject to such revisions as may
be necessary to the satisfaction of the Director of infrastructure
services and town engineer, and that the mayor and town
clerk. Are hereby authorized to execute the site alteration agreement
once in its final form. And the council direct staff
to initiate an amendment to the site alteration bylaw 1630
exempting site alteration applications. From the maximum terms for permits
prescribed in section 32, subject to having a longer specified.
In the agreement. In accordance with section 21 of bylaw
1630, I'll now invite David. Waters, manager of planning and
development. To please proceed with your report. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor. Report PD 2026 one before you recommends council approve
a site alteration application to facilitate the rehabilitation. Of the
former Hillsburg pit on side road 27 and 8th line
at the council meeting of October 9. Council passed a
resolution referring report PD 20 25 26 back to staff
to assess the impact of the post hall route for
the side Road 27 site alteration application as part of
the TMP. Study process. The TMP was endorsed by council
at their December 11 meeting, and with its completion, staff
are reporting back to council on the sidewalk. 27 site
alteration application in accordance with council direction received in October
of last year. One of the TMP recommendations is a
proposed truck detour to bypass Main street in Hillsburg. The
Hillsborg Truck detour introduces a new public road from side
Road 27 east to 8th. Line. The route then continues
south on 8th line to Wellington Road 22 as shown
on Appendix B to the staff report. The purpose of
this room is to divert trucks away from Hillsburg's main
street while providing a continuous corridor for goods movement. Proposed
Hillsburg truck detour, save and accept a new public. Road.
Is the same hall route as the one approved by
the minister. Of natural resources in forestry as part of
the aggregate license for the Hillsburg pit back in the
day. This required 8th line southeast side Road 27 to
Wellington, Road 22 to be upgraded to hall. Sand and
gravel from the subject lands. Should the town decide to
implement the Hillsburg truck detour in the future. The TMP
recommends that geometric and traffic operational movements at critical intersections
be determined. In addition to monitoring the 8th line and
Willington Road 22 intersection for turn lanes or minor intersection
control upgrades. In addition, the applicant has agreed to the
$2 tipping fee as prescribed by the town's. Site alteration
bylaw. The attached. Site alteration agreement has been revised to
reflect this. An additional clause has been added to the
agreement for paragraph 20. To limit the tipping fee payable
to the town over the life of the project. The
town's site. Alteration bylaw requires works to be completed within
24 months. No further extension is permitted by the bylaw.
Seeing that the agreement is for 20 years, an amendment
to bylaw 1630 is required to enable the proposed fill
operation to continue operating beyond two years. Therefore, staff are
seeking direction from council to amend the town site alteration
bylaw. In conclusion, it is recommended that the mayor and
clerk be authorized. To execute the site alteration agreement in
its final form and that staff present an amendment to
bylaw 1630. At the February 26 council meeting to exempt
site alteration applications from the maximum terms for permits subject
to having a longer term specified in agreement. This concludes
my presentation. Mr. Mayor. The applicant is in attendance today
to answer any questions from council. Thank you very much,
Mr. Waters. Who would like to ask questions? Councilor Brennan.
Thank you. Through you. Good. Hello, and thank you, David.
I just don't understand the upside limit to $10.7 million.
I don't understand the purpose of that. Pardon me. The
agreement is for $2 a meter. The survey requires exactly
one half of that in cubic meters and because. The
amount of amount of dirt on a truck can vary
depending on the size of the truck. And the type
of material, whether it's a rock or whether it's topsoil.
That's the exact $2 aggregate for the life of the
project rather than a guess. So that over the life
of the project, the amount of money paid is exactly
as agreed in the agreement. Not a guess. Forgive me
for not following this correctly, but you bring in. Let's
just use 10 truckload. Easy figuring thing. So we're talking
about $20? Yes. All right. So if you bring in.
Less than. $10.7 million worth. You won't pay $10.7 million.
No. If you bring in more than $10.7 million worth.
Why is there a limit? There will be no variance
on the amount that comes in versus the actual. Agreement.
The survey. What's in the truck is difficult to be
exact on how much is in the truck. When it's
in the ground that a survey has done, it is
specific. And the specifics are for exactly. And I can't
remember the exact number of $10. Million in fees, okay?
For the sake of argument, we get to the end
of the thing and you find out that. Wasn't enough.
You need more. How do we do that? The survey
is the survey. This is a finite, precise number. Okay.
All right. Now. The other thing. That I was kind
of wondering about. We talk about? An initial three year
term. And then we go to 17 years. And I
understand. Three years in will give us some benchmarks. We
know how things are going. Find out where. There are
bugs, if there are any bugs or that sort of
thing. But then 17 years is an awfully long commitment.
I would be a lot happier if we were meeting
somewhere in the middle of that. Say maybe 2036 instead
of 2035 or 2045. Not to hold it up, but
to say, are things still going the way we anticipated
they would? Go. Is $2 still a reasonable fee. 17
years is a long time. For that to have been
set in stone at the beginning. So. That would be
a question. What would be wrong with us having an
interim between that 2028 and 2045 for review? Purposes. It's
a fair question. I'll do this illustration. We're going to
build a house. We're halfway done building it, and now
we're going to change the terms of the agreement to
build it or the specifications for it. How do we
do that? Ten years in advance. Versus. Let's write the
specification and adhere to it. 17 years is a long
time. It is. Then. I had. A question around.
The cupic, the qualified person in charge to monitors everything
like that. And quarterly reports. That sounds. Absolutely fine to
me. Except that. There's a clause in here, a list
of any incidents involving a breach of the agreement. Or
the appendices. That would be reported on a quarterly basis.
If there's a breach of the agreement, I want to
know about it the next day. I don't want to
wait till the end of the quarter to say, oh,
by the way. Two and a half months ago. We
screwed up. We brought in contaminated material or whatever. There
is also an additional provision within the agreement that we
report any single truck on any single incident immediately. That's
what I was looking for. All right, thank you. Who's
next? Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Through, Mr. Mayor. Thanks, Jay,
for coming out to us. I have a list of
things here I have to say I do appreciate. You
bringing forward? And coming forward to it as a citizen,
the community. I don't regret you looking at your business
and trying to make a business out of it. It
makes some economic gain. Where I have overall. Concerns is
where this property is located and how it impacts our
headwater's water. It's not something that we can correct if
inadvertently someone sends up to your pit. Contaminated soil. Is
there any scenario by which we were just talking the
conservation authority. Is there any scenario where we could do
something differently than bring topsoil in. The process for monitoring
material before it ever gets to the property. Is sophisticated
and mandated. By environment. In the possible rare exception that
something turns up that shouldn't. That's reported immediately and dealt
with and remediated immediately. The location of the property. Does
not have an outflow to the headwater. And beyond. What
exists currently. I don't know if I'm correctly addressing your
concern. But the regulations and monitoring systems that are in
place for this type of work are very sophisticated. And.
Change over time and grow over time as we learn
more. If part of the agreement stipulates that we have
to be on top of the regulations. Regardless of how
they change over time. Okay. That's important. And thank you
for that. So we have five pillars. One's environmental stewardship,
one's community vitality. Good. Governance, economic development and infrastructure. We're
looking at. Putting a which is later on our agenda.
A new park. At new recreation facility down the road
from where 150 trucks per day. For 15 to 17
years will pass. A truck every three minutes. I'm not
sure that. That's sustainable. I don't think it demonstrates environmental
stewardship or community vitality. And then again on the corner.
We have an industrial land which we hope to attract
smart green technology. I don't think this is in keeping
with our overall vision for our town, and I would
like to look at a scenario where we could work
with you to do something different. Is that a possibility?
The truck count. Determines the duration of the project. We
can go much faster. But it means more trucks. We've
already said. Okay, we're going to limit the truck counts.
How much more? Can we do? Sure. We're more than
willing to talk about how to do that. One aspect
of this conversation is when the trucks leave, they're empty
and they're much lighter and. They could possibly go out
by a different route and so on. And those kinds
of conversations, absolutely. Are welcome. Well, thank you for thinking
about that. There isn't an alternate route, as I'm sure
you're probably quite aware, because that is your business. There's
a gravel road. It doesn't appear there's an alternate route
right now where a truck can operate. But I may
be mistaken. The road from the pit 222 cyber is
actually paved. And the gravel road is north of the
pit, and that's the bypass. I think that. You're putting
in place. Am I correct? It's in our transportation master
plan. But maybe I defer this to our director of
infrastructure. When would that bypass come to be? Within reason.
Three, Mr. Mayor. The hall route would follow the truck
route that is existing. It's Underwood 27 over to 8th
line down to Wellington Road 22. So those are. An
existing route that's in place. And if modifications were required.
To improve that route as identified in the transportation master
plan. For example, there would be a monitoring of the
intersection of Wellington Road 22 and 8th line for potential
future improvements not expected to be required in the near
term, but monitored for the future. And I would suggest
as well that in relation to potential improvements at Barber
Field, I think there's an opportunity through that process. To
make improvements to 8th line as well, which would likely
involve dedicated turn lanes into and out. Of that facility
to ensure safety and really to minimize that potential impact
of being rear ended by a truck, so. You'd want
turning lanes on 8th line for the safety of users
of that facility. Thank you, Brian. That's helpful. And once
again for the public to understand. A truck every three
minutes. And traffic coming out of barber field. And we
expand it. Those are cars full of kids. And they're
turning out and they're rushing to sports. It's not a
good mix. I don't think it's a safe mix. I
don't think it's. Sustainable for our community. I would like
to also ask where we might be with the credit
Valley conservation changing over to the OPCa. Where now instead,
37 conservation authorities. Were having seven. And who's watching our
water? Who's watching this particular pit and. I know you
will do a good job of that, but it's really
crucial to our area to keep the water clean. The
pit itself is outside of the watershed. The portion of
the property that is. Within conservation watershed. Is, in fact,
Not going to be touched by us, and there's no
outflow to that at all. But. There is groundwater there,
like in surface water, that. Is pretty. Yeah. So it
will be within the overall watershed, correct? Correct. My concern
extends beyond. This application to a bigger concern about this
conservation authority oversight, because if we have this big change
coming forward. I'm curious to see if there's a problem,
how that be affected, but that's for public information. If
I might add, I believe that falls under Moe and
not CVC. So it's a mystery of environment. Who would
be the monitoring? And enforcement, not CBC, for this. Right.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Okay, one more question, please. If
we're not to pass this as a council. Can. Perhaps,
David, would you be able to explain what the process
is? If the town of Aaron doesn't pass the applicant
change. What happens then? Through Mr. Merits my understanding in
speaking to the applicant. That he will pursue an approval
through the Ministry of Natural Resources in forestry, which. Is
a different process altogether than what the town has, so
they will be in charge of issuing the permit at
the end of the day. And then in your experience.
Thank you, David. In your experience, does that go ahead
right away. What's the length of time for that to
take place? Through you smear. I understand. It was quite
a lengthy process back in the day. And it has
been sort of streamlined. To provide for a decision sooner
than later, but I can't actually tell you how long.
That will take. Perhaps Mr. Figuer can provide some insight
in that. When we entered into conversation. With the town.
The estimate for this process would be 18 to 24
months. It's turned into 60 months. At that time, the
Ministry of Natural Resources process was five years. Currently, MNRF
is saying it's not one year. Pardon me. Mystery of
natural resources says we can go through the process with
them in twelve months. Twelve months? Thank you, Jay. Thank
you. That's it for me per minute. Councilor Cheney. Thank
you through Mr. Mayor. Jay, thank you for your presentation.
Some of my questions have been asked about tipping fees.
And upper limits. But further to maybe what Councilor Ryan
was saying about protecting the aquifer or the water. I
guess there's no way to put a membrane. Between what
you're bringing in and the water that's there. Perhaps more
importantly, What's being brought in is. The correct thing to
have a proper percolation of water to protect the watershed.
Is what's required. A clay membrane is what's required in
a contaminated fill site. And so on. That's exactly what
you don't want. Containing. All the. Materials within.
A bucket doesn't solve the problem. Putting the right things
in the bucket does, and that's the approach to take.
I presume the right percolation or whatever. Okay. The other
question again is back to transportation. Because there is a
theory of 27 going west to Trapalga for a truck
route that would add more. Trucks on the road at
some time in the future, which would then add to
more traffic and so on. So that was. My only
concern in the future. Not two years down the road,
but maybe six. But. There's a theory that Trafalgar 27,
which is not open yet to the 8th line and
down would be a truck hall route, which you just
add more trucks. To that same area. So that's just
a question, just a concern. I'm just trying to get
that question councilor Brennan had about that absolute number is
that because the site alteration plan is a certain volume
to get the contouring that you're looking at, and that's
why. It's absolutely precise. It's going to be within a
couple of meters of that. That's exactly correct. This is
how high. I was just trying to get that figured
out in my hand. Okay, thank you. Councilor Cheney and
then councilor Ryan. Thank you. Through again. And. I presume?
In most pits. The original topsoil has been. Piled away,
so you'll be bringing some of that back when it's
done or. I realize the star Asians are all different
and it's never going to be back. To what God
created for us. But we do have the original topsoil.
To then put on top when you're done filling, correct?
For new licenses. That's exactly correct. For old licenses like
this, the Tutsoil was often sold. And there isn't enough
to do the job, so we will have to import
some topsoil. In order to complete. The topping of it.
Thank you. Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Through Mr. Mayor. It
may be a typo, but we have a new fee
structure in here that says tipping. Fees are $2. And
this contract is at $2. So I think we need
to address that at least. And also the fact that.
$2 for 17 years. Sure to gas the cost of
implementing road repairs. That would all go up. How does
that sit? How does that make sense? We've agreed to
pay for the road repairs. In addition. Defeat isn't required
to do any of that work. Thank you. I didn't
understand that. That's in the agreement, yes. Just regarding the
fees. We were in discussions and negotiations on this prior.
To. This new fees and charges bylaw being produced. And
so it's just a timing matter. But the fees that
were agreed to in disagreement were negotiated prior to this,
and these fees won't. Take place until they're passed anyway.
But staff feel that they're. Reasonable at this time.
And I might just have. I don't know if this
is a finance question or. A planning question. The fees
that would come in if at the annual rate you
proceed. At the forecast rate. Where would this put this
in as a revenue generator for the town like do
we have other businesses that pay more taxes than this,
or would this be on the high? End of any
taxpayer equivalent in the town. Through you, Mr. Mayor. The
fees. Would be. Under planning revenue, I think. No. And
I would put it under other revenue. I understand it
would be under the roads. Roads, revenue. Okay, yeah, that's
my understanding. We had that discussion before. Okay, so there
would. Potentially, we'd be building up some reserves in our
roads department, which probably would be helpful. Down the road.
Okay, thank you. Sorry, Rob. I was going to say
this is a significant amount. Of revenue for the municipality.
And so it does have a positive impact on. Our
finances. My name is cliff amber.
Next door. For the last 40 years. And unfortunately, I
didn't get an email. Until an April sent to me
yesterday. So I didn't have an opportunity. To. This is
just not the right. This is just not the right
place for this in time, unfortunately. This is a mistake
from the town of Europe. You're inviting. Hundreds of days.
From. Thousands of years. Sorry, sir, I don't mean to
interrupt, but unfortunately we don't. Have a delegation for me,
sir, we're happy to take. We're happy to take. Your
comments in writing, sir. We will be more than happy
to receive them. And we'll accommodate that and we'll note
of her record. Thank you, sir. Okay, where were we?
Sorry. If there's no other questions. Councilor Ryan. Thank you.
Through Mr. Mayor. One more comment I would like to
add, and this is Jenner consent. I believe this is
not in the best interest in the town of Aaron.
I think that we need to look at bigger picture.
A track green business. Work with the business owners who
are here. Properties come up with a better plan. I
think this sheer amount of traffic is going to be
an issue for us to manage. I do recognize that
we're bringing income in, but at what cost? And then
what is the administrative cost to manage that. I think
that we have a real opportunity here in Aaron to
do things differently. When this pit went in 45 years
ago, 50 years ago. The community wasn't urbanized. We've already
listened to a full scale presentation from the credit valley
of the pressures that our community is under, and we're
paying more money. For it. But it's pressurized for recreation.
It's pressurized from weather change. Green spaces are needed, and
this is a perfect opportunity for the town to look
at doing something. Different, something a little bit more innovative,
something that isn't being done, but also working with the
owners. So it's not just an either or, because I
don't think 150 trucks a day is what we want
in Aaron. I think there's noise. There's. Pollution. There's traffic,
and it's an issue. I just want to kind of
come onto that. There's lots of trucks can come through.
Air. And now and pay us nothing to go to
a fill site north of Aron. They can go to
Grand Valley, they can go to Orangeville. They can go
through our community. With no feeds here. We are actually
getting the same traffic that could be going through town,
but there is a little bit of an economic benefit,
and I love the idea of a green vital growth.
We have not seen any of that on our term
of council in this community. We've seen almost no business
growth in our term of council, and we're struggling. With
higher taxes on the residents, this is one of the
few ways we might get a little bit of relief
to the taxpayers for some income for heavy equipment for
the Rose department or a replacement of bridges because. We
have. I don't know what our reserve balance is, but
if you look at our inventory of bridges. There's a
lot of work that's going to be coming up. In
the future. We have some brand new ones out in
the country. You got some really old ones, I believe
on the first line, you hit three of them in
a row and. The sides are coming off. The rebar
has fallen out. We have to replace three bridges on.
A road that have less than 20 people, and that
money's got to come from the community to pay for
that. And this is a little bit of a buffer
for the taxpayers, too. So I understand the vision, but
this can happen. Without our support as well as opposed
to with our support. And if it goes to the
M and R. Those same trucks will be going down
the road without us getting any benefit at all. Here.
We've got a road repair plus some income and. It's
always tough when it's next door to you that you
have something there. But if the controls are in place,
an Moe is going to enforce them. Moe's got some
of the toughest rules in Ontario. It's a lot tougher
than the provincial. Government and the OPP. So I guess
you have to consider, what are the alternatives that are
there in front of us. Because I don't see a
lot of business coming to this town. Nobody was bought
that. Lot at the corner of barber field. Is it
because it's too expensive? We're just not getting the growth
in the industry that we need, and I don't. Know
what the answer is. We're trying. Marina, we were in
Toronto. For a conference to try to bring in some
new industry. I think we have one restaurant chain. That's
kind of coming to town. That's always been able to
attract. In what, twelve months? So I don't know. The
goal is there, but the actions have not happened. And
how long can we afford? To hope that this happens.
This is here in front of us as a check.
That's going to come to the town and maybe it's
not the perfect solution, but it's. A lot more money
than. We had if it's going to M and R,
so that's my concern. Go ahead. Do you have a
comment? Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your comments. Respectfully, I
don't agree. Respectfully, our environmental stewardship. Strategic pillar for 2025
and beyond. Breed's champion a prosperous environment through impactful sustainability.
And unwavering commitment. To natural preservation. It isn't that I
begrudge us having economy. I think it's absolutely. Necessary. It's.
What's that economic driver look like? What's that check look
like? And I do respect that. Your comments are well
taken. I respect where you're coming from because I know
you've. Experienced in this area. I don't think this is
our fit, and I don't think this is how we
lead. We need to lead differently. We have the potential
here to. Be this great green community and attract green
attraction things. Aren't going. We shouldn't be taking the best
of the worst. We need to. Come up with more
innovation. But at what point do we decide which businesses
come to our town? And which don't. I mean, it's
not going to be our job going forward. That we
have three marijuana shops. Do we want them? Who gets
to decide what businesses come to town. Is that our
job? If somebody's acting within the bylaws, within the rules,
are. We going to stop them just because we don't
like it? I don't know. At what point? It's our
point. It's our point, our position to do that. And
unless we have an alternative, what are we going to.
It's great to say we want something different, but there's
nobody lining up to do it. And this is the
closest thing to pitts to parks. I think you're going
to get. The only thing you're not getting at the
end of the day is a park, but you're getting
rehabilitation. Otherwise you're left with a hole in the ground.
I just am very confused. I understand the visions there,
but I've seen zero action that can deliver on what
you're hoping to see. And that's what scares me, is
we could sit here another 20 years and not have
anything. And this is something here in front. Of us.
So, councilor Cheney, is that something? Yes, thank you. Through
Mr. Mayor. Just a question. If it goes to mnr,
Do we lose any of the deal that we have
sitting in front of us financially? We'll let David answer
that because. His expertise there. Through, Ms. Mayor? Yes. All
the revenue would be going to the province. And also
the approval as well. Get a follow up. Just throwing
this out there. If. There is such. A concern with
going forward. In theory, we would have to buy the
pet to let this man not make any more money.
And then we'd have to figure out how to rehab
it. Is that correct? In my mind, that would be
a good economic decision for the town. We just don't.
Have the capital. I don't think to buy it, but
to do the same process would probably be good, and
then we could make a park at the end of
the day. So obviously, lack of financing. Is our deal
at this point. Councilor. Thank you to you, Mr. Mayor.
David, when I was researching about. The M and R
and the rules relating to gravel pits and said there
was a portion reimbursed back to the municipality, but perhaps
I misunderstood. Can I answer that one? Through smear? I'm
not familiar with that, but. 0.4%. What would that be
in revenue? $40,000 over the life of the project. Thank
you. I think you get more taking gravel out of
the ground than you do. Bringing exactly the same back
in. All right. Any other comments or questions? All right.
Since. No other questions. I'll now call the vote. All
in favor? That motion is carried. All right, moving on
to fees and charges. Update. We now have item 10.3.
I have a report number f 2026. One 2026. Fees
and charges update be received for information and that bylaw
26 one to establish fees and charges for various services
provided by the corporation of the town of Aaron and
repeal bylaw 24. 36 and its amending bylaws as listed.
On January. 22nd 2026 agenda be approved. I'll now invite
the town's director of finance. Wendy Par to please proceed
with your report. Okay, sir. You. Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon,
Mayor Dane. Councilor's staff and members of the public here
today. The Municipal Act 2001 section 391. Part twelve allows
municipalities to charge fees for services. The current fees and
charges by law 24 36 was passed in 2024, with
amendments approved by council in December 24 and February 2025,
relating to community services. All departments were involved in the
preparation of this document. Most departments have not been reviewed
since the 2019 bylaw was passed and therefore involved a
great deal of time and research. Fees and charges. Comparisons
to other municipalities of a similar size were utilized as
a resource. Inflation factors. Provincially mandated amounts, as well as
an analysis of the financial impact to the town. By
analyzing the requirement of staff time, any additional materials or
external costs and credit card fees. The building department fees
and charges were updated in September 2023 and have been
included here as the future goal is to have all
fees and charges in one document for ease of reference.
Directors from each department are here today to answer questions
related to their section of the bylaw. And in conclusion,
we ask that council approve the fees and charges. Bylaw
26. Zero one as listed in the. 2000 January 22,
2026 agenda thank you. If there's any questions, we can
take those. Now. Who would like to start us off?
Councilor Ryan. Thank you through Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Wendy.
Big job to have done. So thanks for doing that.
A couple of questions for clarification. I don't think it
will change it much. But regarding. The kennel charge. It's
more expensive from April to December. Is that because the
animals are outside? I was just curious about that. It's
not a big deal. From page 85.
I will let martina. Our bylaw officer answer that question.
Thank you. Thank you. And through Mr. Mayor, I believe
you're. Asking about the kennel license fee increase. So we
did this after we looked at our municipal comparators and
that their fees for licensing for kennels. So we increased
it in accordance with other Wellington county municipalities. Thank you,
Martin. Why is it different between January to 31st? $150.
And then it's different from April 1 to December 31.
Yes. Through you, Mr. Mayor. So. To clarify. The dog
and kennel bylaw that we have. In the bylaw. It
currently has different charges from January 1 to that time
period. As a late fee. So after the annual, every
annual. License fee is. A certain set fee, but after.
The March 31 it increases as a late fee. Okay.
Thank you. Councilor Brennan. Thank you. Maybe to hopefully shed
a little light on that. Long, long time ago. We
used to do budgeting in March. As of April 1
was the. And if you look at the provincial government.
That's the schedule on which they operate, and I believe
that that's where. The fee differentials originated and they have
just been in the same structure. Since then. Practically speaking.
You're due to have your license in place on January
1 of the year and on January 2. If you
have it, then you are late. Quite frankly, I think
we should at some point look at abolishing that because
it's. A relic from a long time ago when, unfortunately,
I was still here. Any other comments or questions. Councilor
Wright, thank you. Through Mr. Mayor. Wendy, related to the
fees. For Shamark Room in Center 2000 theater. As page
93 94. In the past. We've had a non for
profit or charitable group discount. Is that somewhere else? Is
that still available within the town of Aaron? Through you,
Mr. Mayor. We've cleaned up our rates to be in
line with what we offer, so. There are fees for
each of the groups that we have a non for
profit rate. If you look goes on to the next
page for the upper Shamrock room. We also have meeting
rates which are cheaper than full party rates. So it
really depends on what the purpose of the room is,
but this is based on what we've actually been charging.
Over the last year, so we wanted to line it
up with the fees that are currently. In our recreation
software. Thanks, Jan. For clarification, is there a not for
profit discounted rate? For some of them, yes, but not
for all of them. So, again, depending on what they're.
Using it for. There is a discounted rate, so there's
the ones for a private room. You'll notice that that's
considered. The profit route. Then there's the not for profit,
which is the not private. Okay, thank you. And then
specifically at Aaron Center 2000 theater, is there a discounted
rate for the charitable group still. There's a private fee,
which is considered also the non resident fee, and then
there's. The resident fee, which would be the not for
profit fee. Okay, thank you. Looking around for more questions,
more questions. Seeing as there are no more questions and
the motion has already been read. I will call the
vote. All in favor? That motion is carried. We next
of item 10.4. I have a motion moved by councilor.
Ryan, seconded by councilor Brennan. That council receives report number
PD 2026. Two short. Term rental accommodation status for information
and staff be directed to proceed with official plan and
zoning by law amendments to regulate short term rentals as
outlined in the report. I'll now invite Martina, our municipal
law enforcement officer, to please proceed with the report. Thank
you, Mr. Mayor. Good afternoon, mayor and members of council.
The purpose of this report is provide counsel. With an
update on short term rental accommodations, or strs, and to
seek direction to proceed with regulating them through. Official plan
and zoning bylaw amendments. This approach is intended to balance
permitting strs in the town of Aaron while protecting neighborhood
character and aligning with the town's enforcement capacity. In June
2025, council approved a notice of motion requesting a work
plan to regulate sdrs. Due to their increasing presence in
the town of Aaron. In September 2025, staff presented a
work plan to council and receive direction to prepare draft
regulatory framework. This report presents staff recommended. Approach for regulating
STR which delivers a maiden errands solution. Staff benchmarked several
Ontario municipalities to understand how STR are being regulated. The
majority regulate STR is primarily through zoning rather than licensing.
While some municipalities use licensing bylaws, this approach is most
commonly found in seasonal or tourism based communities such as
cottage country areas. And they require significant staffing, inspection and
enforcement resources. Within Wellington county, Str ares are largely unregulated,
with Senator Wellington being the only municipality actively reviewing a
licensing option at this time. Staff recommend regulating STR through
the town's official plan and the comprehensive zoning bylaw supported
by existing bylaws. This would allow the town to clearly
define short term rentals. Identify where they are permitted and
establish zoning regulations such as parking, bedroom limits, and principal
residence requirements. This process. Would take approximately nine months, during
which STR complaints would continue to be addressed on a
complaint basis. Any issues related to noise, parking, or property
standards will continue to be addressed using existing town bylaws
unauthorized or noncompliant strs will be addressed through zoning enforcement.
There are no fees proposed to operate an STR under
zoning. Fees are a part of a licensing bylaw set.
Fines are established within the town's property standards, noise and
parking bylaws and may be issued where applicable. Enforcement of
the zoning bylaw is governed by the Planning act, which
does not permit set fines and fines are the jurisdiction
of the court. If the town pursues prosecution. Following the
issuance of a notice of violation that has not been
complied. With. In such cases, enforcement may only be escalated
through the court process, where there's continued noncompliance. A licensing
program would require additional staffing, inspection, and enforcement demands that
exceed current operational capacity to support this. Fire services and
building services both advise they are not positioned to support
a licensing regime at this time. Using land planning tools
allows the town to regulate short term rentals effectively using
existing resources this approach is cost effective, aligns with best
practices, and protects neighborhood character. It also provides clar. Clarity
and fairness for residents who want to operate short term
rentals in a regulated and appropriate way. Following today's meeting,
staff will proceed with drafting the official plan and zoning
bylaw amendments. And present them to a statutory public meeting
in the second quarter of 2026. The estimated cost is
approximately $6,000, which includes advertising and legal review. These funds
are already included in the 2026 planning. Operating budget. Staff
are recommending that council received the report and direct staff
to proceed with drafting official plan. And zoning bylaw amendments
and presenting them to a statutory public meeting. Thank you
and we welcome any questions? Thank you very much, Martina.
Who would like to start off? Questions? Anyone? Councilor du
Cheney. Thank you through Mr. Mayor. Marquina, thank you for.
Your. Wonderful work. So if it's done through bylaw and
then someone's fined. Will we go through that process? or
their teeth to any of the penalties and is it
going to cost us more In legal fees than we
are going to get on the fines. That's always been
a problem in bylaw and especially around here. Is looking
after and getting back from the infractions. Yes. So through
you, Mr. Mayor, to clarify. We already have existing set
fines in our property standards, parking and noise bylaws, so
those are ticketable offenses that I do have the teeth
for the enforcement on that currently through the zoning bylaw.
There are no set lines, as the planning act does
not allow for them. So the only option is to
proceed with the court process, and that is currently what
we. Are utilizing when we receive complaints now that strs
are not in compliance. So it would be the same
enforcement pattern. Thank you. And if I may, I just
want to add that Martina does absolutely tremendous work, and.
We've seen a lot of success when Martina does reach
out. To owners of short term rentals and advises them
non compliance. We've seen success that they've been taking down.
And so I do want to note that we don't.
Anticipate that every time that we receive a complaint and
address that we will be having. To take it to
the courts. Of course, that is the option. And council
is aware that we do have a set amount set
aside in our budget. To address those, and we're certainly
prepared to address those. But we have seen success in
the past in addressing those right away and hope to
continue to do so. Councilor Brennan. Thank you. Through you.
Thank you for the report. I assume that we're going
to look at this if we're going with a zoning
approach to it that it will be. Specific current zones
that we have, as opposed to one off special use.
Three years? Mayor that is correct. Council Brendan we will
look at the existing zones and then determine which ones
are appropriate for Str. What? Impact will we anticipate
having on those that are operating where we decide we
don't? Want them. That's a question regarding whether there are
legal non conforming. But at the moment they're not a
permitted use, so you don't have any legal nonconforming. Status
unless, in a previous bylaw they were permitted, which I
don't think they were. Thank you. Councilor Ryan.
Thank you to you, Mr. Mayor. Thanks for your work,
Martina and David, I think it's. Really important from a
safety. Overview with fire, knowing what's where and also to
manage it in our town. When you're looking at the
zoning, will you also consider what's already existing for agritourism
and the sectors that have been developed for tourism. That's
correct. Three, Miss Mayor. That is correct. I mean, there
are a number of these. Str that are not in
conventional dwellings, that are in the rural area. And definitely
we will be looking at those. Okay. Thank you. It
would be more appropriate to revisit bylaws if we have
amps in place. Or is that not even an appropriate
time to revisit this through you, Mr. Mayor? Yes. Sorry.
Can you repeat the question? I'm so sorry. Would it
be more appropriate to revisit bylaws if we have amps
in place. Yes. If we proceed with Amps, it'll be
easier for enforcement to have other bylaws. Come into place
because there will be more teeth to the enforcement and.
They'll be supporting legislation for that. And currently any zoning
bylaw and fractions. The money does not stay with the
town. Is that correct, that any funding goes back to
either the county or the province? Through you. So, just
to clarify, When we prosecute under zoning. It's pursuant to
the planning act. And. That is where it's all determined.
But. Sorry, I'm not okay today. I'm so sorry. I
don't know. Why? Yes, please. So thank you. So, Martine,
if you could just help us. So, for zoning infractions.
Which are currently pursued at the courts. If the courts
find that the applicant is not yet. Thank you. Yes.
If we go through the court process, any amount that
we get if a conviction is registered. Does come back
to us, but also the courts get a portion of
it. But we do get the fees back. I believe
you are thinking of the parking tickets. Sorry. I was
thinking of parking, but in general, I was thinking for
enforcement, if we were paying. Using taxpayers dollars to do
enforcement or checks, and the money's not coming back. Into
the community. We're basically doing somebody else's job for them
and that's. Kind of what I was trying to get
at. Yes. So. We have a budget set aside for
prosecutions for this purpose. As Nina mentioned before, our current
compliance is very good. When I do get complaints on
this. So we have not had to get to that
point with any non compliance properties to get to court.
But if we ever do get to court. We would
get that money back if it would. Conviction is registered.
I had one question. So part of the reason I
think I brought this forward at the very very beginning
was to try to protect the town from liability. If
for some reason there's a fatality at one of these
Airbnbs. And we're allowing them to act. Does this give
a little more teeth to us if something happens. I
hate to say it. Ideally, I'd love the fire department
to make sure there's. A smoke detector. In every one
of these and that they're not fire hazards to start
with because some of these are just a little shady
looking to me when I see them out in the
field. And I don't want to see the town have
a lot of liability, so I'm hoping this puts a
little bit of protection to the town that we're not
going. To. Be always named. Every time there's some incident
on a case. Yes. If we go through it forward
with the zoning approach, we will list requirements. For operating
sdrs, such as principal residence requirements, bedroom limits and things
like that. But we will continue on a complaint basis,
so. If I'm not made known through a complaint that
there is one operating. Then. Once I get one, that's
when I would go and make sure they have regulations
matched. Whatever we decide to put in. Thank you, Councilor
Renna. Thank you, sir. You brought something. Up. I'll turn
to our fire chief for a little advice. The new
carbon monoxide. Alarmed regulations that would apply in these cases,
I presume. Through you, Mr. Mayor. Yes. In every residence.
That applies as of January 1. Carbon oxide alarm on
every level of the home. And any fire complaints that
come through, including strs. We're another mechanism we can use.
We can use a fire code. Late charges, pursue it
that way and gain compliance. Thank you. Any additional questions?
Thank you very much, Martina. There are no further questions
and the motion has been read. I'll call a vote.
All in favor. That motion is carried. Thank you very
much. All right, we're moving on to item 10.5. I
have a motion moved by. Councilor Brennan. Seconded by councilor
Ryan that report number CS 2026. One town, Errand. Tree
protection policy be received for information and that council endorses
the proposed tree protection policy as attached in appendix a.
As a guiding framework for conservation protection and enhancement of
tree canopy and natural heritage within the municipality. And that
the policy be applied to all town led projects and
referenced in the review of development. Applications to support alignment
with the town's environmental community and planning objectives. I'll now
invite Jennifer McPetry, director of. Community services to please proceed
with your report. Good afternoon, mayor and council. Today
I'm presenting a high level overview of the towns of
Aaron tree protection policy. This policy is intended to support
conservation and enhancement of our tree canopy in a way
that reflects Erin's rural culture, a character, operational capacity, and
long term stewardship goals. This is not a bylaw, but
rather a guiding framework that sex expectations supports education and
strength and decision making. For town led projects and develop.
Development applications. The purpose of the tree protection policy is
to provide clear, consistent guidance on how trees are protected.
Managed and enhanced across the town. The policy was intentionally
designed to be educational and principle based. It reflects our
rural landscape, recognizes our current operational resources, and focuses on
encouraging. Responsible stewardship rather than punitive enforcement. This approach allows
the town to lead by example, particularly on municipal lands
and through the planning process while supporting residents and developers
in making environmentally responsible decisions. This slide speaks directly to
a common question that has been raised and why a
policy rather than a bylaw at this time. First, the
rural reality. Aaron is geographically. Large, with many private properties
spanning multiple areas. With one bylaw enforcement officer and a
comprehensive regulatory bylaw would be extremely challenging to enforce. Consistently
and equitably across the municipality. Second, a full bylaw would
require significant additional resources, including permitting systems, inspections on an
arborist and ongoing administration, which would have financial and staffing
implications. Instead, this policy focuses on education and guidance. It
establishes standards for the town, projects and development, reviews promotes
best practices and allows flexible for site specific and rural
conditions without creating an administrative burden on the town that
we cannot realistically sustain at this time. At its core,
this policy is about protecting what makes Aaron, Aaron the
trees are a defining part of our rural identity and
our natural heritage. Our vision recognizes trees as an essential
infrastructure supporting carbon sequestrian air quality, wildlife habitat and climate
resilience. This policy helps to ensure that Aaron. As a
community grows and evolves, we're not losing the environmental integrity.
The resident's. Value, but instead strengthen it in a thoughtful
and sustainable way. The policy applies in three key areas.
First, that all trees on town owned property are managed
properly, ensuring the municipality leads by example. Second the development
applications under the Planning act, including subdivision site plans and
property access permits. This gives staff a consistent framework to
access tree impacts and. Mitigation through existing planning tools and
third, it represents a long term commitment to growing and
maintaining Aaron's overall tree canopy rather than reacting on a
case by case basis. It's important to note that this
policy does not replace or conflict with the county authority.
Wellington county already regulates woodlands that meet specific size and
density thresholds under their existing bylaw. And where those thresholds
apply, the town policy would support compliance. Within town jurisdiction.
This policy guides trees on municipal lands and those affected
through development applications and the intent is collaboration, shared monitoring,
consistent forestry practices, and alignment between the town and county
wherever possible. A key principle of the policy is a
no net canopy loss. This means where trees are removed.
Through development or municipal projects. The expectation is replacement or
planting or a cash in lieu. Contributions would happen. And
the goal is not simply to replace what is lost,
but ensure that Erin's canopy remains strong and continues to
grow over. Time, even as development occurs. The replacement requirements
are based on industry standards and measurements and specifically a
diameter at breast height and measured by 1.3 meters above
grade. This provides a transparent, consistent, and defensible way to
assets tree value and determine appropriate replacement aligned with best
practices in forest and planning. And community education is a
cornerstone of this policy. The town will work collaboratively with
the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee to encourage tree protection and
planting on private lands. This may include recognition programs, small
grants workshops on proper tree care and partnerships with schools
and local environ. Environmental groups. The intent is to build
a culture of stewardship where residents can see themselves as
active partners. In protecting Aaron's tree canopy. In closing, this
policy provides a strong foundation that allows the town to
act. Responsibly today, while leaving room for future evolution, should
counsel or the community wish to explore regulatory bylaw in
the future. This would policy establishes principal data and practices
that would inform that discussion for now. It balances environmental
leadership with operational reality and positions Aaron, to protect and
enhance the tree canopy in a way that's practical, equitable
and sustainable. At this time, I'll take any questions you
have. Who would like it to kick off? The questions
for Jennifer. Councilor Brennan, thank you. Through you. Thank you
very much. This is absolutely wonderful. I just want to
point out something. That wasn't in the slides so much,
but is in the report. And that is the consultation.
With the environment committee and with the tree trust. I
think that. That's something that's kind of a model that
we should imitate wherever we can. It's not always practical,
but wherever we can, let's consult those people in. Forming
our policies in the future. So well done. Thank you.
We'll start with Councilor Cheney, then councilor Wright. Thank you.
Through Mr. Mayor. Jennifer thank you for the report. It
does more or less come across as. A consultation process.
For subdivisions or developments. But not so much on penalties.
So what if someone just comes in and mows down
a bunch of trees? On our proposed development. What do
we do and what can we do and how can
we don't? Thank you. Through Mr. Mayor. I would assume,
and I'm looking over at the planning director as well,
to support this. Conversation that through our development application process,
when we are working with developers, there is a requirement
that if they are taking trees down that they would
replace it. How that works. In collaboration with our partnership
with the town as the developers. Come on. Then we
would need to establish that framework and follow up as
needed. Really? The development process, the application process right now
allows us to set these standards and tell them, and
this has already been something that's been in practice in
principle, but we haven't had a written policy that if
you cut down a tree. You need to replace a
tree. So this is just helping us enhance that. Thank
you. So, would we go through. When something comes up
for development, do we go through the process of putting
snow fence around a tree like they do in Oakville
or Toronto, so they know that they're not supposed to
cut down that tree or those 17 trees. Through you,
Mr. Mayor. Again, a case by case basis. If it's
smaller trees, there could. Be just a replacement. If it's
more of a larger tree we don't have. A process
in place right now for protecting of heritage trees where
you would take that tree and build around it. So
consideration would need to be made for those types of
situations, which would be on a. Case by case basis.
Thank you. The reason I asked. It's spilt milk now,
but. There was 810. Twelve very mature maples that were
just mowed down and it's. All gone. Councilor Ryan. Thank
you to you, Mr. Mayor. Thanks, Jen, for championing this
and your work consulting with ESAC. As councilor Brennan said,
ESAC played a really important role and also treat trust
Canada which has enacted bylaws in center Wellington, and they're
holding their tree canopy. Really? Well, a couple of comments,
a mature. Tree is a lot more valuable than six
new trees. So I think whatever we can do to.
Have this. I believe what councilor Cheney was leaning towards
is making clear as we're approving planning. Those mature trees
are really important to keep for all the reasons you've
stated, and it's a really good report. I think we
need to lean towards looking at a bylaw. I think
this is an excellent start. And then, of course, with
bylaws, the enforcement of it. My last question was, I
was wondering, how is this going to be communicated out
now to our public. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor,
we are prepared with a press release to share that
this is happening. And then we'll be working closely with
ESAC to help with the education piece. We really do
want to work with that group who is very much
a champion for environmental stewardship. Within the community to help,
whether it be on. Earth Day help with tree planting
type of events in the community. We have one planned
for the spring. So continuing to do engagement methods to
get the word out there about the policy, but not
only that. But really the education piece that we're looking
for, which is to champion building. And putting in more
trees. That's excellent. And I believe treetrust is having. A
trees designation day as well. I'm not sure the date
for that yet. In 2026. So that might be a
good audience as well. Thank you for your work. Thank
you. I have a question that you may not be
able to answer and I don't know. If anyone on
staff can, but we have some managed or conservation forests
in the town of Aaron. Which give certain residents breaks
on their taxes. And some of those forests have come
down and it doesn't seem like. Anyone manages them, so
I don't think this applies to this. But I would
maybe ask staff to look at who's in charge of
that. And actually, at some point, do we get the
county or the conservation authorities to have a new inventory
of those. Or maybe they're on the tax role. And
then next time the roast department goes by and they
don't see a forest, they put a little checkmark on.
It and say that the forest is gone or something,
because it seems that that's more and more happening in
the rural areas, especially with a lot of the red
pine forests getting to that. Certain age of 50 or
so years where they're starting to come down and people
want to clear the land and put a new field
in. So it's a different type of tree trust, but
especially down near the Holton Aaron town line, there's been
quite a bit that's come down. So I don't know
how we manage it or how. We look at it,
but maybe that's something staff could come up with. An
idea of what we can do, just to monitor that
and make sure if somebody's getting a tax benefit for
an empty field that they shouldn't be. That it's taken
care of. So, any other questions? Seeing none. Thank you
very much, Jennifer. As the motion has been read, I
will call the vote. All in favor? That motion is
carried. You get to stay, don't you? Onto item 10.6.
I have a motion moved. By councilor Cheney, seconded by
councilor Brennan. The council. Council receives report number CS 2026
2025. Parks and recreation Master plan update community engagement summary
and next steps for community center development. For information and
the council endorses Barber Field as a preferred location for
the future multifaced community center in campus and the council's
direct. Staff to proceed with conceptual architecture design and class
D cost estimates for phase one and phase two. Of
the proposed community center and surrounding recreation campus utilizing existing
capital funds. Please proceed with. Your report. Excuse me. Thank
you, Mr. Mayor, for my second report today. We were
bringing forward an update to the parks Recreation master plan,
including key findings from our community engagement and recommended next
steps this update ensures that our recreation planning continues to
reflect how Aaron is growing and how its residents need
changing. Needs are changing. Sorry. Today I'll briefly walk you
through why this update is needed. What? We've achieved since
the original plan. What we've heard from the community priority
needs. And recommendations, recommended directions. And finally, the next steps.
We're seeking council's support on. The purpose of the master
plan update was originally approved in 2019 with a ten
year horizon. Since then Aaron has continued to grow, and
community expectations around wellness, accessibility and public spaces have evolved.
This update ensures that the plan remains aligned with council's
broader policy framework, including a corporate strategic plan. The transportation
master plan and the official plan. Most importantly, it gives
us an evidencebased framework. To guide investment plan. Proactively for
growth and ensure recreation services reflect what residents actually want
and need. Since 2019, staff have made strong progress implementing
the original plan. We've expanded programming beyond traditional ice based
services, increased revenue while improving facility utilization, and advanced approximately
85% of the original master plan recommendations. We've also strengthened
community partnerships, invested in extending the life of existing facilities,
and approved customer service. Access and communication. This demonstrates that
the plan has been both practical and effective. Community engagement
was a key part of this update and helped ground
the recommendations and real resident feedback we used multiple engagement
methods to reach a broad cross section of the community,
including an online survey. Targeted stakeholder outreach and opportunities for
residents to share priorities and concerns. Engagement was intentionally designed
to capture voices that don't always participate, including older adults,
rural residents, families and people who may use recreation differently
than our traditional sport users. The feedback we received provided
both quantitative data and qualitative insight, helping us understand not
just what residents want, but why? And this input directly
informed the priority needs facility direction and phasing approach that
you'll see in the following slides. As part of the
update, we revisited all 67 recommendations from the original 2019
plan. Each one was assessed for progress, challenges, and next
steps. Key areas of advancement included facility upgrades, expanded programming,
and improved service delivery through partnerships. This review. Helped identify
what's working well and where new pressures and gaps have
emerged. Community engagement shows some clear shifts between. 2021 and
2025, residents are placing a stronger emphasis on wellness, inclusion
and accessibility. There's a growing demand for modern indoor recreation
spaces, including flexible, multiuse facilities and programming that serves a
wider range of ages and abilities. We also saw broader
participation from older adults and rural residents. Overall expectations have
evolved. People want more variety, more access and better design
spaces. From the engagement, several clear priorities emerged. Priorities included
a new pool, which was not identified in the previous
study, but is now identified as a high priority. Ice
ring capacity and size, walking track and fitness spaces, multipurpose
rooms and programs, and our outdoor amenities included trails and
connectivity, playgrounds and splash pads, outdoor courts such as pickleball
tennis and basketball. Notably, residents are traveling out of town
for swimming and programs, which indicates unmet local demand. This
update also reconfirms that the 2020 Barber Fields feasibility study
remains valid in contact what has changed since the scale
is the demand. Community support for a modern recreation hub
has increased, and indoor aquatics has emerged as a significant
new factor. The implication is not that the concept was
flawed, but rather that phasing design and cost assumptions need
to be updated to reflect our growth, accessibility expectations and
current construction costs. Looking ahead to 2025. To 2035. The.
Recommended direction is strategic phased approach. It is recommended that
Barbara Fields would advance as the primary recreation hub, with
phase one focused on our arena gym, walking loop and
multipurpose rooms. Aquatics would be explored as a potential for
a future phase. At the same time, the Aaron community
center would continue to play a key vital role alongside
the ongoing renewal of parks Fac. Facilities, courts, and trails.
This approach balances growth, affordability, and long term sustainability. Facilities
alone don't create value. The programming and the partnerships do.
The key directions included expanding youth, fitness, adult and inclusive
programming. Strengthening our partnerships with the schools, clubs, health agencies,
and improving affordability and access and using data to guide
decisions. There's a strong focus on improving marketing and digital
engagement, so residents are aware of what's available. Today we're
asking council to receive the master plan update, endorse the
updated priorities. And direction and support the next steps, including
the detailed design, phasing and costing and funding and partnership
exploration. In closing this positions Aaron to grow intentionally, inclusively
and sustainably. It reflects what our community has told us
it builds on strong progress to date and gives council
a clear roadmap. For informed decision making. And at this
time, I'm happy to answer any of your questions. Thank
you very much, Jennifer. Who would like to start? Okay,
maybe I will go get Councilor Ryan. Go right ahead.
Through you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Jennifer. Great report, great
research. A couple of questions. The double gymnasium that's proposed.
What would that be used for? So that I have
better understanding. Mr. Mayor. An old gymnasium would be used
for a multi sport programming. It could be anything from
basketball, which is a standard practice. You could use both
half court and full court. There would be the option
of all of our racket sports, which includes pickleball, badminton,
You can opt for indoor tennis if you'd like. There's
also opportunities for indoor soccer programs, multisport programs. Right now,
the only option for us to use gymnasiums is within
the schools, which we pay a rental fee for. So
we do have that as an option, and then obviously
the indoor recreation center. Through the agricultural center is our
other option, but obviously not being a gym space, basketball
is limited. Okay. Thank you very much. And. Is there
any consideration maybe, perhaps in phase two or three of
incorporating? Town hall buildings within a multi use facility. Through
you, Mr. Mayor. In the original barber field study, that
was a consideration that was added at a late stage
of the program. I think I would look to the
CAO for consultation on whether that's something that they would
want to reconsider for the purpose of the master plan.
This time it wasn't. Something I took a deeper dive
into. The focus of this was primarily on the recreation
services. And amenities. Okay, thank you very much. And then
my third question is it stems around the $200,000 figure,
around the design. Work. Seems like a big fee. I
was just wondering, what are the implications if we were
to. Say, consult with Wilmont or a newer facility somewhere
else and utilize if they were in agreement their plans
and then modify them. Is that a possibility or is
that totally undoable? What's involved there? Three, Mr. Mayor. Architects
own their property and often, well, you can go online
and you can take a look at what's out there.
And you can read reports on how much has been
spent. You can absolutely use that as a starting point
to look at what you like and what you don't.
Like. But when we start looking at what our amenities
are going to look like and we want revisions to
those a we would have to work with the architect
that was. Involved at the time to see if they'd
be willing to share their plans, and then. You would
still be paying a cost for revisions. Truly, I think
what we would be looking for is something that's unique
to us. It's not a bad starting point to create.
A conversation at this level to determine what we're looking
for. I think we've started that conversation through this work
that's already been done and would feel comfortable going out.
To an early. Design phase. This would not. At the
$200,000 mark, you're looking at a class D. Estimate. We're
not looking at specific sizes of a room or all
of the HVAC. And plumbing and everything that needs to
be considered into the facility we're really looking at. That
high level design of is it a double gymnasium or
a single gymnasium? Is it one pad? Or two pad.
What does the layout look like? And considerations need to
be made for the type of property that is on.
If you're putting windows in. Where does the sun come
up and down if it's an ice rink? That's beside
it. These are all considerations that you want to have
that are unique to your property. So utilizing somebody else,
really great for a conversation starter, but probably not where
we want. To go when we start looking at what
a true cost estimate looks like for our community. Thank
you. Maybe if I could just jump in. I think
one of the things that is very effective to help
council kind of understand and conceptualize where things are going
that I've seen happen. And participated in the past is
identifying facilities that are within. The similar scope and design
that are fairly current and going on a bit of
a road trip. With council. To actually take a look
at those facilities. I don't think it's enough just to
look at the drawings. I think you need to go
and have a look and feel, and there are facilities
that are fairly nearby. That have been recently built to
have the latest and greatest in. And it really gives
the council an opportunity to understand more what it's going
to look like. And really visualize it. So I think
as part of the process, I would suggest that. We
plan a bit of a road trip with council to
take a look at some of these. Facilities. Councilor Cheney.
Thank you through Mr. Mayor. Jennifer, thank you for the
report. Very inclusive. Really hard to read. My old eyes.
Taking what councilor Ryan has said about. Trying to take
something and put it on our footprint. I mean, 200,000
sounds like a lot. But if it's going to be
a $50 million building, Which it certainly could be, depending
on how crazy we want to build. It could be
money well spent. And as you said, It's the owner
of the architect. So I think consultation. On. What we
want. With this $200,000 thing. Can this be? Done. In
components. I mean, yes, we may not need two ranks
now, but. We would obviously do one pad. With all
the stuff. Bells and whistles. Ready to add the second
pad? And someday, 37 years down the road, a swimming
pool. How? Can. That be pictured off the bat, but
ready for somewhere far in a distance through you, Mr.
Mayor. Yes. The intention for this one was to do
a phased approach. If, specifically, if we're looking at a
swimming pool. So what would be considered in phase one
and what would be considered in phase two when you're
going through those drawings. And again, it's very important. That
we had something that's unique to us to help us
build in what's the cost now with phase one. And
what's the cost later with phase two? So that we
have an idea as to how to work with that.
Right now, the recommendation is to bring both ice pads
on, but you don't necessarily have to. Activate both ice
pads. It could be used more as an open space
if you don't. Want to pay for the refrigeration of
it. That could be a consideration, but to do a
double plant makes sense. It's financially in our best interest
if we're going to be adding it in. The future
to consider doing the construction of both at the same
time. With all the equine in the area, do we
build a saddle dome? Is that what we're going to
do. Councilor Brennan. Thank you. Through you. Yeah, that one's
going down in flames. If we're going to look at
a phase, approach the discussion that we've just been having.
It's really important to know where you want to be.
Those many years in the future in order. To construct
things so that it is expandable in the easiest way.
But. Have we fleshed out what we might do with
the current facilities we have, how we might change them
or modify them? Or is that something to be decided
at a later date? Through you, Mr. Mayor. So the
recommendations on the master plan do incorporate keeping center 2000
alive and well and continue to utilize that facility as
we continue to grow. Hillsburg is a consideration. For replanning
or repurposing of it, as you know, that is inaccessible
to the second floor at this time as well as
it is aging infrastructure. We do know that there's a
need for other things in the community, so it may
not be used as a rink in the future. The
cost to turn that into. An actual full size rinks
that are over ten can utilize would be much too
costly, so there is a potential to repurpose that building
rather than remove it altogether. But it wouldn't be continued
as an ice rink per se at that time. Sorry.
So if I'm understanding it correctly, Where we want to
go or where we think we're going is that senator
2000 will remain pretty much more or less in the
same kind of operation it has today. Correct. Okay, thank
you. Councilor Ryan. You want to jump in? I got
a few questions after. Thanks to you, Mr. Mayor just
one other question. Following up with what councilor Brennan said
about the usage, Where would our theater be? Would it
stay at Aaron Center 2000 in that size? And are
we looking at expanding that. In proportion to the community
expanding. Through. Mr. Mayor, at this time, there's no consideration
to improve or change the theater location. As you're aware,
we're currently in the midst of doing the theater renovations,
and. They should be completed by April of this year
with new lighting, new sound in the theater seating. By
the end of the week. So that will be a
really great space that's been well underutilized over the last
few years with all. Of the outdated equipment in that
space. So we will look at expanding that and utilizing
it well. But at this time, there's no plans to
have into secondary theater or a bigger theater. I think
we just need to utilize the one we have. Really?
Well, thank you. Councilor Cheney, just to comment. If you
think the Hillsburg arena is small now, you should have
seen how cold and small it was in its original
form. Ever since it came on council, I haven't been
convinced that Barbara Field to write location. For a multi
use facility. There seems to be a lot of space
where the old senior, where the senior center was proposed.
For at center 2000 in the high school. And rejigging
the baseball diamond or parking lot. There might be room
for another twin pad. Down at the bottom of the
hill, and that seems to be quite. A gathering, at
least, of high school students from not just Aaron but
across the county and might be an ideal place because
we have the seniors in there as well for an
aquatics facility, so. I really don't want to see that.
We eliminate other potential locations on the list and. I
did like. Councilor ian was reading my mind. I kind
of like to see a few other examples of recent
builds with what these facilities are costing. Is it $50
million for a single pad in a pool, or is
it $100 million? I'm not getting the quantum to know
where. We are. So I would really like to see
a few examples before. We kind of say we're going
to go along with class d estimates on something that
we want, but we know we can't afford. And I'm
trying to think, how can we do something staged? Almost
has to happen if we got to do this for
the new developments as they come on, because we're not
going to get our development charges until they're all occupied.
So how do we do this? Properly, financially, that we
can start doing some stuff for the new residents in
Solmar. But then it'll be ready for the rest of
the new residents, so I'm kind of. Lost on what
the best way is. Sir, to answer your question, I
mean, it does say. We keep the Hillsburg arena for
x number of years, so it doesn't mean. If we
don't plan now. We'll never have shovel ready money come
to us at some point. If they're ready to throw
buckets of money at us. What we can afford. Nobody
knows what they can afford. But we're not buying it
this year. But. There's still going to be concepts. That's
why I'm trying to get us. What should we be
proposing as this? Cost estimate as something that we believe
as council is affordable to the taxpayers. Because right now,
if we give our wish list and I look at
what the recommendations are, I don't think we can afford
it. And I think doing this exercise to try to
make. A custom errand solution is going to be a
very expensive solution versus going and seeing with Sega spent
so much. Wilmont spend X Kingston spend X on these
and say, okay, they got a pool and a twin
pet or a pool and a single pad with a
track and it cost X. Is that good enough for
what we need, or do we need to build the
Cadillac? That has all the bells and whistles. Which we
can't afford, and then we have to go back to
the other one anyway. I don't know where. Top of
the prices. Well, I don't think that through you. I
don't think this $200,000 program is going to start next
week. This is just saying, yes, we should. Is that
not correct? Three. Mr. Barry. No, we wouldn't start this
right now. If you endorse this. Today. The next steps
would be that we would need to look at going
out for an RFP. For somebody to come in to
do the design drawings with that when you're doing the
cost estimate. It really is the first step. Class D
is essentially the most basic drawings that we would get,
but we would start to get an idea. As to
what we're looking at in terms of a price point
and if at that time you feel that the price
point for what amenities we put together, whether it be
for phase one, phase two, or as a combination. Then
you can look at eliminating things. You can say, we
don't need a double gymnasium. We only want a single
gymnasium. We don't want a walking track we don't want.
A double pad of ice drink. We just want a
single pad. Those are considerations that you can look at
when you have a better idea as to what this
is going to cost you again. Absolutely. You can do
some unique things, like go around and grab recent. Proposed
construction projects and look at what they've cost. But to
Rob's point, there's very many unique things that can come
up, which there might be more green initiatives that were
put into his solar panels, things that drive up the
cost, that perhaps these are things that we want. Perhaps
they're not. These are considerations that, at this point, we
don't. Have any drawings or any type of cost estimate
to take us to that next. Step. So if this
is the direction that council wants to go to see,
Where it will take us. We need to start that
journey. And this price point, which was budgeted. From in
2025 to use that money to go towards these drawings.
That would be the recommendation at this time and location
wise, we can discuss if that's something you wanted to.
Come back as part of the report. When they do
come back with the drawings, you could do. That as
well. Sorry, Councilor Ryan. Thank you. Through Mr. Mayor in
follow up to what the mayor was getting at, like,
the location. Is probably fairly key. And. How do the
architectural drawings. If they're going to design something, they need
to know the location first. Through you, Mr. Mayor. It
would be ideal for us to solidify a location. It
will also impact our timelines if we need to purchase
land and then we need to have it zoned. These
will slow down the process, which is why, for many
reasons, Barbara Field was chosen as the preferred location as
it is already town property and zoned for this type
of use, so that would speed up the process, if
that's the direction that we want to go. Recognizing development
was coming on quickly. So recognize it has slowed a
little bit at this time. So if we want to
pause and take the time to explore other locations before
going out for estimates. That's absolutely something that can be
considered. I'm thinking on the drawings, that's sort of our
wish list of what we want, but. There's still examples
of costs out there, of things that are maybe close
to what we want. And I think that's what I
think we should have before we make our final. Checklist.
For this design work is okay. We can afford a
single pad. We can't afford a double. We can afford
a pool and. We can afford a gym, but if
we kind of go out and give the wish list
without. Knowing what we can sort of afford, I feel
that we're going to come back and have to redo
it anyway. Because. I'm really concerned the revenue is going
to come in from DC's over a real long period
of time that we're probably going to have to do
a very staggered build. And if we're going to do
a staggered build, we have to know what the cost
is of the most important piece. What do we start
with and how does it look as opposed to. The
overall picture. And maybe we start off with a pool,
or maybe we start off with a larger rink. But
knowing what a larger rink costs, I think is important
in today's market. Yeah, your worship. I think. You're certainly
considering the important elements in this decision, and it is
a big one. Two things. I just wanted to really
draw to council's attention. You have an opportunity to build.
A recreation facility, a new one for this community. That
opportunity is here for you to seize. And you're in
the position where. You're going to have a lot of
growth. There's no question about it. The infrastructure is 85%
in place, and it's going to happen. And so the
advantage is that we can collect DC monies from those
developments to be able to build this new facility. So
it's not like the town itself. Is going out and
lifting. This big. Task on its own. We're going to
get a lot of revenue from the developments, how these
things typically work. Is you work at doing the things
that Jen has just outlined. And it takes some time
to go through the process to be able to get
some grant funding. To be able to do construction. Most
of you probably know the Alder recreation facility, which is
out the west end of Orangeville. My experience, there was.
Well, we were in a position just like this. We
wanted the project to happen. We knew that we had
to start on it sooner rather than later because it
takes time to do the development. The other thing is
that. The developments in town. The construction of homes will
happen over time, and you can't wait. For that all
to happen, collect the dcs and then do the project,
because you'll be out of sync with community needs. You'll
have people who can't get into figure skating programs. Can't
have their kids in hockey, and you have a lack
of facilities. So the way to bridge it is. To
collect dcs as you go start your project, and then
if you need to borrow temporarily. In the short term,
it's easy to manage. To bridge that gap until you
collect all the dcs that are required and. There's some
formulas that municipalities use regularly to make those things happen.
But a couple of things that it's important for council
to know. If we don't. Have direction on building new
arenas. We can't collect dcs on those things. If we
don't have plans started. We can't move towards the ability
to apply for grant funding. That might come up. And.
It may be a year or two, but we need
to get our ducks in a row on this. So
what I might suggest is. If council is okay with
the motion. As read. We maybe add in that staff
will bring back. A report. On examining. Center 2000 property
and seeing what the pros and cons are, that. Property
are relative to Barber field and that staff. Would also
organize. Council to go in and visit some sites of
other facilities so we can start to really help. Guide
what those drawings would look like if we could add
those elements into this. I think it may address the
concerns that have been raised tonight. I think the one
thing it doesn't address is the costs. So going out
to see a site not knowing. What the costs are.
I think those are like to me. I'm scared if
we have an $80 million facility, and then we have
to maintain it and staff it and operate it. And
go forward. What are other people doing for that? And
that's scary for me. And for what it's going to
do to our tax levy because we are never recovering
100% of the cost of parks and rec from user
fees. That's always a lot of the operating cost. That's
coming from the tax levy and I don't know. Where
that's sitting. Councilor Brennan, thank you. Through you. To go
along with what the CAO was just talking about. If
we're going to look at the feasibilities around center 2000
versus. Barbara Field, and we're going to talk about maybe
looking at some other facilities. And other locations that are
built up, how difficult would it be? To gather cost
estimates on those facilities. And that will give us at
least a ballpark figure. To work with. So I think
we could go ahead on the basis that Rob was
just talking. About. And add in there that we're going
to come up with. In Whippy. They did, blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah, and it cost them x, y, et
cetera. Yes, staff can certainly reach out to our contacts,
and municipalities are very willing to cooperate and help. And
I've actually done these things many times in the past,
and we'll go out and we'll look at facilities and
we'll say, this is an $80. Million facility or this
100 million dollar facility. It has these components in. It
if you take this component out so council can really
get a feel for it as well. We can ask
their staff. What kind of cost recovery do they have
on their arena or their pool? What are the costs?
Annually and how many homes are helping to support that?
Because remember, we're going to have tax revenue. From. Probably
double the population now. That we'll be able to support
these kinds of programs. So the mayor is asking some
really good questions about how are we going to manage
it in the tax dollars that we're going to have.
And getting some of that information might just address and
help paint a picture. For you on how it happens.
It seems like a big step now, but the alternative
is. If we don't do anything. We're going to have
double the population, and we'll have people upset that they
don't have services that they expected in the community. And
perhaps one of the biggest economic drivers of getting industry
to your community is when you have good recreation facilities.
At three, Mr. Mayor. The other pieces that we did
do SMC imperrisons already. For a DC study about a
year ago, so I do have comparables that I can
share. With council after this meeting. Would be helpful. I
don't want anyone to get the idea that I don't
want to build. Anything, but I don't know what the
checklist of what the wish list is, and. How much
other people have paid for that wish list, so that's
where I'm trying to balance. Is there an example out
there that has 90% of what we want and it
cost x, and they built it two years ago, and
that's where I'm trying to go to. I mean. Whether
it's work outside or steel or concrete. That's aesthetics and
other things, but do we have a functioning facility? If
it's $200 million, I'm probably not going to support it,
and I don't think we could operate it, but if
it's $80 million. That may be something that falls into.
Our ability. Your worship. It's kind of as simple as
you want to buy a new car and. You need
to go out and take a look at some, find
out what the prices are, what does it cost to
run it? And then once you've done a bit of
assessment, you get some more comfort on what exactly it
is you want. So I think what you're expressing. Is
really important in the process. That council probably needs to
spend some time going out and seeing facilities getting some
information. And. As staff, we're glad. To facilitate those things,
to give council some comfort so we can come back
to a future meeting. And really flush out what it
is we want. And I don't know if I'm the
only one who feels that way, so. I'm happy to
hear other opinions. I'm scared of the big budgets that
we can't afford. It's not that I don't want to
build anything. I just want to have a better idea
what we can put into the checklist to go to
these architects. Three of us. Mayor, for a comparison, a
recent recreation bill not too far from here, which includes
a double rank swimming pool, gymnasium and multipurpose base was
around $110,000,000. That's a bit from each residence. The DCs
were building another. How many more? 4000. More homes. So
that's a lot of dcs per new home. I'm trying
to do the math. And trying to know. What road
luck. We're going to have to fight to get those
dollars. Okay. Thank you. If we have an interim step
that we can look at a few examples. I would
be happy. To go to the last direction. But for
right now, I'm only comfortable with the recommendation at the
top. And then wait. To see what comes in between?
I don't know. If anyone else. Has. I mean, if
everyone else is going to go with it, I'm not
going to. Fight it, but I kind of think. We
need to know a bit more. So while council considers
their options, I want to just sort of summarize from
a procedural standpoint. So we do have a motion on
the floor as outlined in the report. Council can either
vote on that motion or council can also consider referring
this report back to staff. To include some of the
information that you have discussed tonight, such as. Municipal comparators,
including their amenities, alternate locations within the town of Aaron,
and cost implications. So these are some of the options
before council. Councilor. Thank you, Nina, for that. If we
were to refer this back to staff. Could we refer
back to? Perhaps that's not possible. Come back to the
next meeting. But. The meeting after that. Would there be
time in between to look at some actual items with
a price tag on them. Which part of this recommendation
would be acceptable, then? I think some time would be
required to pull together the information. So. I would probably
say our second meeting in February. We could have a
report back to council. On what costs are for facilities
that have been built recently. What their operating costs might
be. A little bit of analysis. We might even find
an opportunity to go and visit a couple of them.
Mr mayor. Responding to the CAO. I think that's a
really good idea. This is an extensive report. However, if
we're looking at. $110 to $180,000,000 commitment. I think that.
It would be prudent. Council take a deeper dive into
it. And what this looks like? Councilor Cheney, you had
your hand up. Councilor Brennan had his hand up. Sorry.
Thank you. Through you. Yeah. And if we can come.
Back with something. Roughly the end of February or the
first meeting in March. I mean, delaying this until. A
march or an April date. I don't think. Asked the
question, does that really impact us from the development charges
viewpoint? Or is that something we can comfortably do? I
think if we're back to council late February or at
the latest, late March, I think we still have an
opportunity to. Address our development charges, but I wouldn't want
to push it much further than that. And I guess
whatever we decide now, Is the plan that the next
council has to decide whether they're going to build or
not. It's not just what we're doing. Do we want
to make sure it's? Something that's palatable for the next
group to take on as well. All right. Wait through
you, Mr. Mayor. The site servicing master plan happened 15
years ago, and that went through. Several councils before we
got the sewer system. So you got to make a
decision, and we got to go ahead. And somewhere down
the road it'll happen. But if you don't start, then.
We're just playing in the dirt. I don't disagree. I
don't want to make the Tajima hall that somebody else
has to pay for and deal with. That's what I'm
always scared of. Something of the wastewater treatment plan is
a good example. I think it was $80 million when
we got elected, and it's a little higher now. But
that's why nothing happened in the because nobody wanted to
spend any money. And sway. Hillsburg arena was condemned and
rebuilt in 76 and now it's semi useless. Now correct?
1000. The rink is a lot older than 2000. All
right. Councilor Brennan, thank you. Through your question for the
clerk. So it sounded like we need some sort of
an amendment. So I think a motion to refer would
be appropriate and takes precedence over the main motion, so.
I have some drafted wording and if council is agreeable,
we would just need a mover. And a seconder. So
it would be along the lines that report number cs
2026. 225 parks and recreation master plan update. Be referred
back to staff for inclusion on the February or March
council agenda and that it include municipal comparators, including their
amenities, alternate locations within the town of Aaron, and the
cost implications. So moved. Councilor Han seconded. All right.
As there is an amendment referral. Back to all in
favor. That is carried. Thank you. So we do have
to do anything on the main amendment now, this is
so nice. Thank you very much, Jennifer. All right, we're
on to. Oh, I get to wear a different hat
today. Playing the part of Councilor Ryan is Mayor Dan.
We have a noticed emotion being introduced by Councilor Ehler
that will be considered our next. Meeting which I will
now read out. Councilor Ehlerd is unexpectedly await today and
censor. Regards. So, whereas community events play a vital role
in fostering connection, supporting volunteers, promoting local organizations, and strengthening.
The social and economic fabric of the town of Aron.
And whereas there is no consistently updated trusted and centralized
hub for community information within the existing town of air
and online platforms. And whereas volunteers, community groups and event
organizers rely on clear, consistent and accessible municipal. Support to
provide their activities effectively. Therefore, be it resolved that council
direct staff to prepare and present a report regarding the
creation of a community events information hub calendar that would
serve as a one stop shop for residents and tourists.
To discover events happening within the town of within the
town and that the report includes consideration. For, but not
limited to, governance, accountability and ownership, including an overview of
internal rules, responsibilities, and workflows across departments. Defined department ownership
is requested to ensure consistency, accuracy and sustainability. Operational process,
including procedures for event eligibility, event submission, and improve internal
scheduling communication integration, including promotion and outreach plans to foster
a collaborative spirit and build value for organizations. Implementation and
timing, including integr. Integration with a new website and processes
to ensure a smooth and a successful website launch and.
Resource implications, including confirmation that. Implementation can be achieved through
the internal resources and the council approved budget. All right.
On the activity list. I have a motion moved by
Councilor Cheney. Seconded by councilor. Brennan the council receives the
activity list for information. Are there any questions regarding the
activity list? All right. As the motion has been read,
I will call the vote. All in favor? That is
carried. We'll now move on to the passage of bylaws.
I have a motion moved. By councilor Ryan, seconded by
councilor Cheney, that the bylaws number 26 one and 26.
Two are hereby passed. All in favor?