Hello folks. I'd like to call this uh
meeting to order and we'll start with uh
uh land acknowledgement. Uh councelor
Revo.
>> Thank you through you. The lands we know
» Thank you through you. The lands we know
today as the township of center
Wellington have been home to indigenous
people since time memorial. We
acknowledge that we're on the treaty
lands and the traditional territory of
the Anesnabi and the Hodnachoni. With
increasing encroachment by
non-indigenous settlers in the township
of center Wellington, the Anesnabi and
the Hodneson couldn't continue their
traditional lifestyles and settled in
their villages along the Credit River
and the Grand River valleys. These
indigenous nations uphold their treaty
rights within our jurisdiction. Today,
the township of Center Wellington
remains home to indigenous peoples from
all across Turtle Island. We're grateful
to have the opportunity to share and to
respect Mother Earth and we're committed
to building constructive and cooperative
relation.
» Uh thank you councelor Evoy. I'm going
to move down to item three addendums and
corrections to the agenda and I'll look
to Tyler here to speak to that.
>> Excellent. So through the mayor we do
» Excellent. So through the mayor we do
have one addition for myself would be to
item 10.1. It's a delegation uh for item
12.4 for Randy Bane Fergus Allegian. Um
so if I could get it'd be we would need
to take a motion for that. Um the
council of the township of Senator
Wellington amends the agenda to include
10.1 delegation item 124 Randy Vain
Fergus Allore Legion.
I see councelor Evo and a secondary
councelor McDonald. Uh any further
comments or questions? Uh seeing none,
all those in favor of that. Thank you
very much. That's so moved.
>> Council Wil.
» Council Wil.
>> Councelor Wilton.
» Councelor Wilton.
>> Thank you, Mayor Waters. I would also
» Thank you, Mayor Waters. I would also
like to add a notice of motion to I
believe it's 14.1. And to do that, I
understand I'd need to request to uh
wave procedural bylaw to uh account for
not giving notice on the agenda.
Thank you.
» Uh I look for support on that. Uh yes,
sorry. Would you like to care to speak
to that, Tyler?
Perfect. So through the mayor, just uh
from a procedural standpoint, in order
to wave the most provisions within our
procedural bylaw, we need to take a vote
on that, which would need two/3 vote. So
um I do have a motion if you'd like me
to read it out and then we can see where
it goes from there. Excellent. So uh the
motion will read that the council of the
township of San Wellington waves a no
provisions for the no motion, councelor
Wilton. Uh and I believe it's on data
centers. Correct.
» Okay. So again, I look to council for
support on this. Councelor Adams
seconder. Uh well, I guess you councelor
Kratic. Um any further comments or
questions? Seeing none, all those in
favor? And that's so moved.
>> Okay.
» Perfect. Now with that with that going
ahead uh and being um put onto the
agenda again, we need to just make the
amendment to the agenda. So uh the
council of the township of center
Wellington amends the agenda and include
item 14.1 the notice of motion council
well data centers and then the item
would be listed and then be brought
forward on the the next agenda. So the
August 24th meeting just so everybody's
aware.
>> Okay. Yes.
» Yeah. I need a mover on that. Uh
councelor Wilton
>> and seconder on that councelor
» and seconder on that councelor
Jefferson. Any further comments or
questions? Seeing none. All those in
favor that so moved. Okay. So, are we
finished now in that little uh circle of
funds?
>> We are.
» We are.
>> Okay. So, now um uh let's go down to
» Okay. So, now um uh let's go down to
disclosure of pecuniary interests.
Okay. Seeing none. And uh now we'll
moved into uh close session or I'll read
this that the council township of center
Wellington convene into close session in
accordance with section 2392 AE and F of
the municipal act uh 2001 as amended to
consider a the security of a property of
a municipal or local board. Uh E
litigation or potential litigation
including matters before administrative
tribunals affecting the municipality or
local board. F advice that is subject to
solicitor client uh privilege including
communications necessary for that
purpose. Recommendation that the council
of township of center Wellington convene
in close session in accordance with
section 2392A
and F of the mun act 2001 as amended to
consider a the security of property of
the municipality or local board. E,
litigation or potential litigation
including matters before administrative
tribunos affecting the municipal
municipality or local board and F uh
advice that is subject to solicister
client privilege including
communications necessary for that
purpose. Do I have a mover for that?
Council Kratic second on that.
Council McDonald, any further comments
or questions? Seeing none, all those in
favor and we are going to move into
close and we uh we expect to be back
here around 4
Okay. Uh we're going to read convene in
back into open session and matters
arising from close session. Uh I'm going
to read the following paid parking
discussion on paid parking as well as
potential solutions. Any questions
concerning this uh please forward it to
our clerk's office. So uh our clerk may
become very popular that way. So um uh
public meetings to consider zoning
amendments.
Uh none a presentation and announcements
uh delegations and
>> and at this point in time
» and at this point in time
>> Randy
» Randy
>> Yep. I would like to ask uh Randy Bain
» Yep. I would like to ask uh Randy Bain
and to come up to uh uh to speak to
council and uh welcome Randy. do
apologize for our uh [gasps]
I appreciate you bearing uh uh time with
us.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you.
» Okay. Thank you.
me back if I didn't.
>> The um I just actually wanted to say
» The um I just actually wanted to say
this is probably the last council
meeting that I guess I'm going to be at.
I don't know if you guys have any more,
but um I wanted to say thank you all
because I remember when I was on council
in another town 3 months after I was on
a gentleman walked up to me from the
public and just said thank you for your
service. I used to hear that a lot with
my when I was with customs, but when it
means a lot more than this because I
know that you guys, you know, you go
through a lot and everybody seems to
think that counselors are powerful and
get paid tons of money except maybe the
mayor, but that's about it. But all that
Sorry, Sean, that slipped or Mr. Mayor,
sorry, that slipped. But no, I I just
wanted to say thank you all. You you've
all done a great job and I wish you all
the very best and thank you for
everything and uh thank you for your
consideration of matters that have been
brought forward. I really appreciate it.
That's all.
» Sure.
>> Delegation item.
» One last thing. I want to thank both
yourself, um, Councelor McDonald, and
all the members of council for
supporting this particular issue. It was
very important to a lot of people. So,
thank you very much. And the reason I
mentioned the mayor and council McDonald
specifically as well is because they
actually met me for coffee and talked to
me. So, you know, I figure if they can
make enough time to talk to me, it's got
to mention something. But I appreciate
all the council support so much.
>> Thank you, Randy. And uh we have a
» Thank you, Randy. And uh we have a
notice of motion. Any further comments
or questions as it relates to uh anyways
uh all those in favor? That this so
move. Thank you very much folks.
Appreciate it. So,
okay. Now, we're going to go down to
consent uh items. Uh item, sorry,
>> no consent.
» no consent.
>> No consent. And then, uh consideration
» No consent. And then, uh consideration
of reports. Uh item 12.1 uh authority to
execute growing Canada's community
canopies, urban forestry plans, and
studies grant agreement. And uh they're
okay. I was going to say looking for
Lucas, but I I see Adam. Oh, welcome.
>> Yeah. Thank you very much, Mayor Waters.
» Yeah. Thank you very much, Mayor Waters.
So, through you, great news. Uh, we
received notice that we were successful
in our grant application for the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Growing Canada's Community Canopies
grant program. Uh, so this is for a
project where we'll be doing a detailed
inventory of our urban tree um system
and canopy and um adding that to our
asset register, building this into our
natural asset management program. It's
expected to strengthen our um urban
canopy and to allow us to better manage
our urban canopy. Um the grand funding
total was uh just north of $89,000
and that's being supported by an inind
staff contribution um to round out the
project and uh the report before you is
just seeking authority to execute the
agreement so that we can get started.
Thank you.
>> Council comment questions. Councelor
» Council comment questions. Councelor
Wilton. Thank you, Mayor Waters. Just a
quick comment to congratulate the team
and I think that's great to do this
project and the I know when I met with
somebody from the Green Municipal Fund,
they knew of Center Wellington and they
were excited about the project. So, that
was good to hear. So, I yeah, happy that
this is uh announced today.
Congratulations.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Any council a boy.
» Any council a boy.
>> Thank you, sir. Just a quick question.
» Thank you, sir. Just a quick question.
Obviously, I'll preamble with
congratulations as well. Does our um
commitment to planting a double or
triple where we take one out, does that
fall under the same $89,000 grant or is
that outside of?
>> Yeah. So, the the grant project, the
» Yeah. So, the the grant project, the
project we applied for with the grant
does not include any new tree plantings.
We have separate um budgets and programs
that we use to grow urban canopy and
plant new trees.
Uh any further comments or questions?
Uh thank you very much for your
presentation. I'll read the
recommendation that the council of
township of central Wellington receives
the authority to execute growing
Canada's community canopies urban
forestry plans and studies grant
agreement report and that the council of
the township of central Wellington
authorized their chief financial officer
and treasur to execute the grant
agreement and any related documents uh
with the federation of Canadian
municipalities for growing Canada's uh
community canopies urban forestry plans
and studies funding program for center
Wellington urban forestry resilience and
natural asset management initiative. Do
I have a mover for that? Councelor
McDonald. Second on that, councelor
Jefferson. Any further comments or
questions? Seeing none, all those in
favor? So move. Thank you very much for
that. Item number 12.2, request for
tender number 48-26,
ashvaultting of various roads report.
And I I see Adam there to speak to this.
Yes, thank you, Mayor Waters. And
through you, this report provides
recommendations and seeks council
approval for award of request for tender
48-26
regarding the ashvaulting of various
roads in the township. Recommendations
are that council award request for
tender 48-26 to Cox Construction Limited
at a contract price of 2,768,878.98
including contingency and excluding HST
and that the council of the township of
center Wellington approves a single
source contract for roadbased
stabilization bioresin to biodeies
incorporated and that the funding for
the applicable projects be revised is
detailed in the report and further that
the council of the township of center
Wellington direct staff to negotiate
expanded scope with a successful
proponent for sections 2 and 13 within
the existing approved budget envelope.
The RFT was issued in accordance with
the township's purchasing and
procurement bylaw where the township to
re receive three responses. award to
this vendor would be based on the lowest
cost compliant bid. And while the total
project cost is estimated to be
approximately $823,500
under budget based on the tender
results, staff are seeking council
direction to expand scope of sections
two uh Aramasa West Gapfra Town Line and
sections 13 Brid Street and Tower Street
subject to MTO approval within the
approved budget envelope as detailed in
the report. And with that, I'm happy to
field any questions the council may
have.
>> Thank you, Adam. Comments or questions?
» Thank you, Adam. Comments or questions?
Councelor McDonald.
>> Well, first a compliment. I was at the
» Well, first a compliment. I was at the
Good Roads conference when BDT was
recognized for the award and
congratulations to our staff member Adam
Gilmore who was part of that initially
and Colin's team
um is definitely rewarding. Uh, my
question is, um, what about the
Jefferson Community Center in the Arena
parking lot? Potentially, I'm not seeing
it on the list.
Yep, I can take that one. So, thank you,
Council McDonald, for the question
through the mayor. So, um, we have, um,
we're building our our, uh, 2027 draft
budget, and we are anticipating that we
will have a request for a top up, um, in
the budget, uh, in 2027 to complete the
repaving and some improvements of the,
uh, Jefferson Community Center parking
lot.
>> Uh, additional questions. Councelor
» Uh, additional questions. Councelor
Wilton.
>> Thank you, Mayor Waters, and through
» Thank you, Mayor Waters, and through
you. Uh just a question about section
13, the Bridge Street and Tower Street.
I thought that was always going to be a
full kind of um not replacement but a
grind it up and replace it kind of
ashwalting thing. So I I was surprised
to see this as an expanded scope because
I thought those sections were going to
be replaced ashvault to edge of ashalt
to edge of ashalt.
>> Uh yeah, thanks for the question and and
» Uh yeah, thanks for the question and and
through the mayor. Um yeah, the uh the
scope as presented to the ministry um is
basically what we call edge of pavement,
edge of pavements um from uh Bellside
and Tower right down the hill right to
Bridge Street and then uh Bridge Street
to St. David um or pretty close to the
Queen Street entrance there. Um the uh
the proposal as part of our application
to MTO um was to basically there's a a
section of pavement um kind of the
northbound lane uh that's really
deteriorating rapidly. Uh so we've
proposed to to resurface that section
only. Uh with the kind of you know
additional funds that could potentially
be available here. Uh we would do that
section. So from kind of the south leg
of Bellside um to the
basically the uh the Zair's entrance
there uh we would do the full width of
that section instead of just the kind of
that seam that's um deteriorating. So so
that would be the additional work. We've
had some preliminary conversations with
MTO and uh uh they do seem supportive.
So um subject to the outcome today we'll
be following up with MTO.
>> Yeah. Yep. Councelor Adams.
» Yeah. Yep. Councelor Adams.
Thank you through you. Um, yeah, it's
great to see that expanded scope and
within budget. That's great. I actually
had a a resident reach out and ask about
line painting. We have good weather. We
see lots of line painting happening. We
don't we're not outline painting roads
that are planning to be uh constructed
or ashvalted this year. Correct.
>> Yeah. Uh through the mayor. Uh yeah,
» Yeah. Uh through the mayor. Uh yeah,
great great question. Uh so uh yes, we
haven't done any line painting on on the
segment of of Highway 6 bridge tower uh
that's planned to be resurfaced. So uh
yeah, definitely line painting will just
happen once this year and that'll be
after the resurfacing project.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Any further comments or questions or
» Any further comments or questions or
Okay, councelor Jefferson.
>> Thank you, Mayor Waters. My question is
» Thank you, Mayor Waters. My question is
just in regards to the Fergus Curling
Club parking lot and has the time frame
of that been kind of discussed with the
contractor so that it's not interrupting
any events and things that are going on
in the downtown core. Thank you
>> through the mayor. Uh so yeah, timing
» through the mayor. Uh so yeah, timing
exact timings to be determined. So um uh
the way things progress is after
contract award we have a
pre-construction meeting with the
contractor and at that meeting they set
out their schedule and uh for our review
um and uh we do understand that that
they they do want to move quickly on the
projects which is good news and uh we'll
definitely be mindful of any conflicts
with the curling club. I know they've
got uh looks like some construction
happening um on the exterior, maybe even
the interior of the building as well.
So, um it is something that we should be
mindful of as we're uh reviewing that uh
that schedule. So, appreciate that.
>> Uh councelor McDonald,
» Uh councelor McDonald,
>> just a thank you, Mayor Waters. Just a
» just a thank you, Mayor Waters. Just a
quick question about um are we painting
lines like at the stop signs now on our
internal streets?
I feel like I saw one at Walser and
Keating and I'm Is that Yeah.
>> Uh yeah. Uh through the mayor. So uh
» Uh yeah. Uh through the mayor. So uh
yeah, we're actively um it's like an
annual maintenance thing uh doing the
stop blocks or stop bars at uh at
intersections. We um uh certainly we
don't do every intersection uh for stop
blocks, but uh anytime where uh there's
a local street kind of running into a
collector road, um that's that's what
we've identified for for stop blocks. Um
typically if it's two local streets kind
of connecting, um yeah, we don't
typically or if it's a four-way stop,
we're definitely doing stop blocks at
those. But uh it's usually intersection
with a collector. Yep. Yep.
Uh, a followup
>> followup. And, um, are we going to be
» followup. And, um, are we going to be
just on painting and roads and, uh, are
we going to be painting more accessible
spots in our downtown cores eventually
with the nice weather or Yeah.
>> Yeah. Uh, through Yeah. through the
» Yeah. Uh, through Yeah. through the
mayor. No, thanks for the question. Uh,
so yeah, so there we do have plans for
um additional accessible parking spaces.
uh Smith Street. So, we have the
reconstruction of Smith Street that's uh
going to be starting later this month.
Um there are two accessible parking
spaces in front of uh St. John's Church.
Um so, those uh are kind of in the
works. They're being specifically
designed uh with accessibility in mind
and uh so yeah, we're excited to get get
that uh implemented this year.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
» Yeah. Yeah.
>> Councelor Evo,
» Councelor Evo,
>> thank you through you, sir. um not to go
» thank you through you, sir. um not to go
dive too deep into your schedule. I've
heard from a couple of people who have
an opportunity to read the report and
I'm wondering is there an opportunity
for expansion? Obviously, we're not
covering everywhere here. And what are
we looking at when the public can see
when certain roads might be being
addressed as we go forward, especially
roads that have been taken a bit of a
beating with construction?
» Um yeah. Yeah. Uh no, thanks for the
question, Council Reo through the mayor.
Uh yeah. So um yeah, the priority of
roads uh kind of falls through the asset
management plan. Uh so we we uh we take
that risk based approach where we're
looking at um you know uh consequence of
failure times probability of failure,
right? So so that's what informs us in
terms of of priority of um kind of
applying dollars to capital
improvements. Um so so yeah so we have
our road needs study that helps with
that uh and and then our priorities
within the asset management plan. So
that's what informs kind of the timing
and the sequence uh of capital projects
for roads uh when it comes to rehab and
replacement
» and through the mayor just to expand on
that in terms of if there are residents
interested in looking at where things
are forecasted to land in terms of
future capital projects I would suggest
they look no further than our published
budget book which available online uh
that does have our 10-year forecast
available there for review. Um the
caveat to that is obviously that is
reviewed annually and things are subject
to change as kind of those priority
sequences change through asset
management planning and that risk
assessment.
>> Councelor Jefferson.
» Councelor Jefferson.
>> Thank you again Mayor Waters. Um my
» Thank you again Mayor Waters. Um my
question is just in regards to the Six
Line East. Um with the application of
the BDT love the product. It's um really
appreciate what it does. But would the
application of the BDT significantly
expand the construction time frame for
like the lane closure or the road
closures with that project? Like does it
extend it out at all or is it just
minimal kind of time frame? Thank you.
>> Oh, thanks for the question uh councelor
» Oh, thanks for the question uh councelor
Jefferson and and through the mayor. Uh
quick answer is no. So uh uh so yeah, it
doesn't really extend uh the time frame
for construction. Uh the BDT application
is is really uh quick and efficient.
It's basically um a process of uh the uh
a pulverizer machine that's already
there kind of pulverizing the existing
ashvalt kind of uh grinds it up. Um a
tanker truck kind of hooks up to the
pulverizer and mixes the BDT into the
aggregate and the the recycled ashvalt
that's there. So, um, so it's a really
quick, uh, process and, uh, you know,
there's, as the report states, lots of
benefits in terms of cost savings, life
cycle cost savings and environmental
benefits from the product as well. So,
yeah.
>> Okay. Any other further comments or
» Okay. Any other further comments or
questions from council? Okay. Thank you,
Adam. I will read the recommendation
that the council of township of central
Wellington receives a request for tender
number 48-26
ashvaltting of various roads to 2026
report and that the council of township
of central Wellington awards request for
tender 48-26
regarding the ashvaltting of various
roads 2026 to Cox Construction Limited
at a contract price of 2,768,878
uh 98 in including contingencies and
excluding HST and that the council of
township of center Wellington approves a
single source contract for this fly
application of roadbased stabilization
bioresin to uh biodusion
technologies incline
east Wellington road 21 to uh side road
10 at a contract price of 250,000
excluding HST and that the funding for
applicable uh projects be revised as
outlined in report FIN 2026-17
dated 30th uh July 2026 and that council
the township of center Wellington direct
staff to negotiate expanded scope with
successful bed for section 2 and 13
within existing uh the existing approved
budget envelope and the subject to uh
ministerial approvals as detailed in
report FIN 2026. 6-17. Do I have a mover
for that? Councelor Wilton. Second on
that. Councelor Evoy. Any further
comments or questions? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That is so move. Thank
you. We'll move down to item 12.3, RFP
2826,
community service fee study. And I still
see Adam in place.
>> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Waters. And again
» Yes. Thank you, Mayor Waters. And again
through you. This report provides
recommendations and seeks council
authorization for staff to negotiate and
award request for proposal 28-26
regarding the community services fee
study to Watson and Associates Economist
Limited to a project upset limit of
$75,000 inclusive of all applicable
taxes and that the council authorize the
managing director of community services
to execute a contract with Watson and
Associates if negotiations are
successful. Staff are also requesting
that the funding for this project be
revised as detailed in the report. Uh so
just a little bit of detail, an
invitational RFP was issued to three
vendors. However, only one submission
was received. The response was scored by
the selection committee who recommends
negotiating and if successful executing
a contract with the responding proponent
to an upset limit of $75,000.
The recommended upset project upset
limit uh exceeds the approved budget
allocation of $40,000 in its current
state and if endorsed by council is
recommended that the shortfall of
$35,350
be funded from the general capital
reserve. And with that, I'm happy to
take any questions the council may have.
>> Thank you, Adam. Comments, questions? Uh
» Thank you, Adam. Comments, questions? Uh
councelor Adams.
>> Thank you. Um just a couple just a
» Thank you. Um just a couple just a
question. Um
it looks we're not quite double but
we're almost double of like what are we
had budgeted for this in terms of only
receiving that response like did we have
others like do could we see that others
kind of um what's the word for it like
had uh like downloaded or showed any
expression of interest or anything up
until the point of maybe not submitting.
Um was it related do we think like is
there other competitors out there? Um,
is it the timing of me when we put out
the RFP? Like if if we like if we were
to like send this back and put it post
it for a longer time, do we think we
could have a chance of seeing others?
» Yeah, thank you for the question, uh,
councelor Hams. Um, I can't really
comment on any of the conversations with
the the non-responding proponents as
we'd only received the one. Um, and it
would be speculating to say if the the
scenarios were changed in terms of
timing, duration, other things of that
nature, if we'd have a different result.
Um, what I can say is that the
invitational proponents were
investigated uh in advance of to
determine whether or not this would fit
within their their skill sets. Um, and
it was deemed that that was hence the
the rationale for kind of the the
invitational to the three proponents.
Um, but with only having the one
submission, uh, we're kind of at the
liberty of what's in front of us
presently. Councelor
Welton.
Uh
>> just to follow up on councelor Adam's
» just to follow up on councelor Adam's
question then. Uh is there a reason it
wouldn't have gone out to just an open
bids and tenders like RFP process and
maybe there's people out there we aren't
aware of? Thank you.
>> Uh again I think it was just based on a
» Uh again I think it was just based on a
uh kind of an environmental scan in
terms of who some of the players within
this space are. uh hence the the
rationale for the invitational RFP. Um I
don't think be anything beyond that that
was specifically precluding anyone else
from uh perhaps bidding other than the
fact that it was invitational only. So
we wouldn't I couldn't say definitively
whether or not if it went out to an open
invitation if we would have any
different results.
» Uh councelor Eway
>> thank you through you. Actually, that's
» thank you through you. Actually, that's
exactly what was my question. Both my
colleagues just asked and I'd like to
actually take it to the next level and
ask how we go about expanding that
search. I feel like we're being held to
this one, especially that it's so much
more expensive because it's the only one
we have. What are we looking at timing
wise? If we actually did, so I get that
we didn't, how can we uh expand that
search so that we can have more than one
offer to look at?
Yeah, through the mayor. Um, we're
certainly not obligated, understanding
that we are over budget to award. Uh,
however, with just having that one
proponent respond, uh, we thought within
the the confines of the negotiation room
we have within the RFP document that we
would put the request forward to council
and it is of course council's decision
to determine whether or not which way we
we proceed on that basis.
>> Yes, sir.
» Yes, sir.
>> McDonald.
» McDonald.
you, Mayor Waters. Um, without knowing
all the details because it hasn't gone
out yet, um,
I I would like to see in the summary
when you are talking to them, whoever is
chosen, um, to keep in mind our
charitable organizations. And I've
noticed in other municipalities that
their fees are being waved um because
they are volunteer associations for
instance things like fundraising for
hospice or things like that um that
could have a real impact in our
community if they're if they don't have
the hardship of the fees. So I I would
like the vendor to explore that as well.
Um I don't know if I can ask that.
Yeah. Um, yeah. So, just to respond to
that, uh, councelor McDonald and through
the mayor. So, we actually did work into
the scope, um, of this assignment, um,
an assessment of what we're referring to
as equity deserving groups in the
community and whether we should be
offering uh, any type of subsidies to
equity deserving groups. um whether
that's uh fees for events um fees for
programs but uh that is part of the
scope of the assignment.
» Any other Yes, councelor Adams.
>> Thank you to you. I actually do
» Thank you to you. I actually do
appreciate that expanded scope. I know
it's things that we have brought up and
talked about when we kind of talk about
um the fees and such of our recreational
facilities. [gasps] Do we feel like that
that's largely why we're seeing that is
just because of that expanded scope?
» Uh, thank you for the question and
through the mayor. Um, we when we
originally set the budget for this
project, it was more of a parks and
recreation fee study looking at use of
our recreation facilities and parks, but
to expand it to community services adds
a significant scope to to the project.
Um, and just for um council's um
information, um our procurement uh rules
allow us to do invitational procurement
up to $100,000.
Um, and in our procurement documents, we
always have a a a piece in there that
allows us to negotiate with with the
most qualified bidder. So, that's what
we're bringing forward to to council for
consideration today. Um the other option
which does delay the process would be to
just open it up to an open request for
proposal and uh see who else comes to to
the to the table. But my assumption is
that we would still need additional
funding over and above the budget of
$40,000 given the expanded scope.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Okay. Um any other comments or
» Okay. Um any other comments or
questions? Uh yes, Councelor Welton.
Does it really I guess thank you Mayor
Waters and through you. I'm curious
about what you've just said there and
kind of where we're at. 40,000 to 75,000
is almost doubling. Um is there any way
we could put more of a cap on it? So
it's more like 50,000 like another
10,000 over or is that not possible at
this stage? I'm just concerned that
we're spending a lot of money on a
consultant again. So yeah, thanks.
>> Uh through through the mayor, um without
» Uh through through the mayor, um without
going into too much detail, I think the
concern is that we've asked for some
fairly significant engagement through
this process. There's a lot of groups
that would be impacted by changes to
fees and we need those those those
groups to provide input through this
process and that is that enhanced
engagement was really added to the
additional scope of work that we added
into into the the work in in addition to
expanding from parks and recreation to
community services. So I would I would
be hesitant to go down as far as
$50,000. um staff feel that setting a
cap of 75,000 is appropriate given given
the scope of work.
» Sorry, maybe I missed it, but I didn't
see engagement in the summary. So, is
that included in the report that we're
had before us today? Thank you.
>> Yeah, so we didn't highlight it in the
» Yeah, so we didn't highlight it in the
report, but it is part of the scope of
work that went out. So, we had um I
believe we had um one-on-one
um meetings with all members of council.
We also had I think four meetings with
um equity deserving groups in the
community and community um uh
organizations um to solicit feedback.
» All right. Thank you. in light of that
then would you be able to expand a
little bit more on that equity deserving
groups and the pieces you're talking
about there I know we have a lot of
events and activities across our
township so I appreciate just knowing a
little bit more what your thinking is
there thank you
>> yeah so thanks councelor Wilton so
» yeah so thanks councelor Wilton so
through the mayor so you know we're
still defining who like what who those
groups will be that we'll speak to but I
think what we've identified is like you
know there have been some delegations to
council about events right and some of
our major event organizers that are
community organizations, not forprofits,
for example. So, I think we would want
to be speaking to, you know, one or more
of those not for-profit community
organizers of events. Um, given that
we've received a lot of feedback related
to events and fees and um and and you
know, uh maybe um you know uh deviating
from from the fees that are outlined in
our fees and charges bylaw. So, that
would be one of the major groups we we
would be considering speaking to.
uh through the mayor and just add to
Adam's comment from a high level
perspective when this fee study comes
back to council for approval. Council
will have to start making decisions on
the degree in which fees are going to be
subsidized for different groups and I
think the the fee calculation itself in
terms of council understanding what the
full cost of providing a service is is
important but also the input from
various groups and and what they are
expecting from from this process. So
it's it's understanding full cost and
and making decisions around fee
subsidization.
>> Councor Evo,
» Councor Evo,
>> thank you through you, sir. Uh
» thank you through you, sir. Uh
respectfully, I keep hearing one or two
groups. We'll talk to the one group,
we'll talk to our group, we'll talk to
one or two groups. I would be remiss if
we didn't find a way to talk to all of
them because someone who's going to get
left out is going to wonder why they're
left out and they're all equally
important in I know this council's
opinion. Um so I think it's important
that we make sure that we look at all
the groups that are hosting. I know it
might take a little bit more time, but I
would be very remiss if we left some of
them out in those conversations.
>> Councelor Adams,
» Councelor Adams,
>> thank you. I think just a quick
» thank you. I think just a quick
clarification. Um, the assessment of the
potential fee subsidies, not just for
events. It would be for like all the
fees, right? Like including like our
recreational fees for individuals or
families and such.
>> Uh, through the mayor. That's correct.
» Uh, through the mayor. That's correct.
>> Thank you.
Did I see your hand? Councelor Alton.
» Thank you, Mayor Waters. Uh, I guess in
terms of the assessment of the cost, I
understand that that's
also be an analysis of the benefits, for
example, does an event or
yeah, an event, I guess, bring economic
benefits to the community or social
benefits or something like that? I'm not
sure if that's beyond the scope or if
that's included. Thank you
>> through the mayor. Um both through this
» through the mayor. Um both through this
study and through the future event
policy that staff are developing that
that will be a a significant
consideration for for council. Um you
need to understand that to to make a
decision. So so that'll be that'll be
part of the discussion.
>> Uh councelor Evo.
» Uh councelor Evo.
>> Thank you to you one more time. Uh I'm
» Thank you to you one more time. Uh I'm
assuming that we will have uh ms miss uh
[laughter] Kristen your last name you
knew nasty name I don't know how to
pronounce it I apologize uh to make sure
that Kristen is on this team to create
kind of questions and survey we're going
to create to ask the people given her
robust experience in this space
» uh through the mayor yes appropriate
staff will be brought onto the committee
both from a community services
perspective and a communications and
engagement perspective. Any
further comments or questions as it
relates to this? So, I'll read the uh
recommendation that the Council of
Township of Central Wellington receives
the RFP 28-26 community service fee
study report and that the Council of
Township of Central Wellington
authorized staff to negotiate and award
RFP 28-26 community service fee study to
Watson and Associates Economics uh
economist limited to project upset limit
of 75,000 inclusive of nonrebate taxes
and that the council authorized a
managing director of community services
to execute a contract with Watson and
associate if negotiations are successful
and that the funding uh for this project
be revised as outlined in report then
2026-8
dated July 30th 2026. Do I have a mover
for that? Councelor Evo secondary
councelor McDonald any further comments
or questions? Seeing none all those in
favor that is so moved. Thank you. Item
number 12.4 four non-standard uh
decorative crosswalk honoring veterans
report from Mr. Colin Baker.
It's
>> uh thank you Mayor Waters and members of
» uh thank you Mayor Waters and members of
council. So uh pleased to be here this
afternoon to uh present this report and
uh really uh the purpose of the report
is to provide council with the
background information uh regulatory
Ontario traffic manual uh context uh a
bit of analysis
um and staff recommendation regarding
the implementation of a non-standard
decorative crosswalk to honor veterans
within the township of center
Wellington. Uh so the crosswalks as
proposed uh would provide a visible uh
and meaning meaningful form of public
recogni recognition for veterans while
also u considering uh vehicle and
pedestrian safety uh accessibility uh
maintenance considerations durability uh
financial impact and the township's
responsibility as the uh uh local road
authority. So um do want to thank uh uh
Randy Graham and Don Cubbage uh for
their time and uh for meeting and uh
appreciate uh Randy Bain's uh
involvement as well. We've had uh uh
some good discussions with them and uh
uh feel we've selected uh locations
community and also will will uh stand
for the test of time as well. So, um,
and just for for council's, uh,
information, uh, we do have the the
design as a as attachment A. So, uh,
they're pretty typical in in most
communities where it's, uh, still the
standard kind of what we call the ladder
crosswalk. Um, but in between the white,
um, bars of the ladder, there's the red,
uh, it'll be colored red and, uh, the
silhouette of the vest and also um, uh,
some text as well in that. Uh I believe
it's less less we forget um in that uh
in that text. Um locationwise um there's
no difference from the uh uh the
proposed locations um in Allora. So just
being just out front here um at the
adjacent to the Senate. So basically the
uh the access uh and egress to the uh
little parking area in front and um a
bit of a little bit of a change to the
Fergus locations. Uh the initial
conversations were about uh um Tower
Street. So kind of uh the north leg of
tower um between the tennis courts and
the senate. Uh just kind of doing a
little bit of of discussions with uh uh
the vendors that that do this sort of
thing. Um and kind of the conversation
was that you know with the volume of
traffic at that intersection that the
crosswalk may not um we may not last as
long as we would like. Uh so so the
thinking and this was uh uh uh you know
discussed with the legion uh the Fergus
Legion was moving that to um what we
call Norman Craig square. So the
entrances to the square there it kind of
at the sides of the Senate and uh and
doing a similar design at the uh the
entrances to both entrances to Norman
Craig Square. So um so yeah so from
staff's perspective we're we're
supportive of uh both locations and uh
with the low traffic volumes there we
feel that uh uh we don't have to go to
uh the thermal plastic which is a much
more uh expensive and um uh a little
more complicative of an installation. We
can use uh just a kind of a regular um
sidewalk or regular crosswalk marking uh
paint uh for them. So uh so yeah so
staff are supportive of
locations and uh and going with that uh
that method. So uh so yeah really the
recommendation before council is uh to
direct staff to proceed uh with with
implementation. Uh we do have a budget
estimate um included as well of $40,000.
That's a probably bit on the high side.
I think that's more based on going with
the uh the durable uh thinking, you
know, a higher traffic. But if we can
use the paint, um yeah, we're fairly
confident that it'll be a lower cost if
we're going with just our regular
painting process. But uh this is a
budgetary estimate. We do want to have
um a warranty on this as well, just so
that uh if there's any touch-ups that
are required in the spring. Um you know,
the vendor that put it in initially will
be out early in the spring doing any
sort of paint touch-ups that may be
required. So, um I think that's it. With
that, I'll be be happy to answer any
questions council may have. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Colon, uh councelor McDonald.
» Thank you. Colon, uh councelor McDonald.
>> To you, Mayor Waters. Thank you so much
» To you, Mayor Waters. Thank you so much
to your team. I was so impressed to see
two. We had asked for one, but two in
each town. Beautiful. Um, you know,
eventually maybe we could do a small one
out in Bellwood, but I I I think you did
a beautiful job and I really appreciate
you meeting with the legions and
organizing that. And thank you so much,
>> Counc
» Counc
Thank you. Uh, thank you. Also, I echo
uh council McDonald's comments. It's
great to see you here. Uh Randy and Don,
thanks for spending time on this. Uh we
had spoken about uh from a financial
lens uh we had spoken about the Legions
owning a certain degree of
responsibility financially with regards
to upkeep. I'm wondering what that is,
how much of a hardship that is on them,
and where the budget landed with that
piece.
>> Yeah. No, great great question. Uh no,
» Yeah. No, great great question. Uh no,
thanks for the question and uh through
through the mayor. So uh yeah, so both
legions expressed an interest to to
support. Uh I think just the way uh
their governance is structured, they
can't provide a firm commitment,
long-term commitment. Uh but what um but
they're both encouraging is for the
township to uh um just to you know
request a contribution each year to the
maintenance of these. So um kind of you
know so I think that's that's still a
possibility and that's on the table. So,
uh certainly, yeah. Yeah, we we would be
open to doing that. I think we it's like
$500 or something was kind of the amount
suggested. Um I think per per legion.
So, uh so we would certainly uh you know
uh take that opportunity for sure.
>> Any uh further comments or questions?
» Any uh further comments or questions?
Councelor Walton.
>> Thank you, Mayor Waters. And through
» Thank you, Mayor Waters. And through
you, I'm just curious if that $40,000 is
high like like it's there's wiggle room
within that. Is there was there any
discussion of putting a crosswalk out in
Bellwood by the Senate there or is there
not really an appropriate place for a
crosswalk there? Thanks.
» So, uh yeah, through the mayor. Um yeah,
so that uh that didn't come up in the
conversations with the with the legions.
Um and uh you know I I do in the report
kind of outline some criteria where um
you know staff feel would be appropriate
to to locate them and uh just given you
know like part of it is the low traffic
volumes. So we can get some long
longevity like we feel with the
locations as proposed we should get kind
of five to seven years out of these
without having to replace them at kind
of a similar cost of the original
installation. So, um, and the other one
was to was making sure they're at, um,
controlled crossings as well. So, um,
looking at places where, and what
basically that means is is there's a
stop sign or, um, a street light kind of
already there that it's not like a
uncontrolled, which might be like a
midblock crossing of some sort. So uh so
just based on that criteria you know
um that's why these locations very are
very suitable for um uh the initial
installation for sure.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Any further comments or questions from
» Any further comments or questions from
from council? Okay. Thank you Colin. Uh
on on behalf of uh council, I'm very
proud to read this recommendation that
the council of township of center
Wellington receives the non-standard
decorative crosswalk honoring veterans
report and that the council of township
of center Wellington direct staff to
implement non-standard decorative
crosswalks at the Allora and Fergus
Senate Taffs as described in report
number IS-2026-21
and that the estimated cost of 40,000 in
excluding HST for the initial
installation of veterans crosswalk be
funded from the general capital reserve.
Do I have a mover for that? Councelor
Welton. Secretary on that. Councelor
Evo. Any further comments or questions?
Seeing none, all those in favor? That's
unanimously approved. Thank you. Um, so
I'll go down to item 12.5, delegation of
authority regarding DC deferral
agreements. And uh I see Brett uh uh
coming to the election. Uh welcome
Brett.
>> Thank you Mayor Waters. Um to you. Uh
» Thank you Mayor Waters. Um to you. Uh
this report is seeking uh council to
delegate authority to execute
development charge deferral agreements
to the CEO um during the restricted acts
period um when we're in a municipal
election which takes effect soon. And so
that would cover the period from July
30th, this meeting, until October 1st.
Um, as council is aware, in March of uh
26, we adopted a new development charge
bylaw that includes a development charge
deferral bylaw that specifically
describes the um criteria under which
the CAO could be delegated the
authority. So, but council also having
heard from the development community
about the magnitude of the increase in
the charges, um we provided for the
bylaw not to take effect until October
1st. So, what we're asking for is for
that time frame to come into effect on
July 30th so that the CAO can execute
those agreements during this restricted
act period. and then October 1st, the
CEO would have the authority already to
execute them. So, we're bringing it
forward early. Um, we are the
recommendation is conditional upon those
criteria still being met.
>> Thank you, Brett. Uh, comments or
» Thank you, Brett. Uh, comments or
questions from council?
Thank you for that very thorough update.
And I'll read the recommendation that
the council of township of central
Wellington receives the delegation of
authority regarding DC deferral
agreements report and that the council
of township of central Wellington
delegates the authority of to the chief
administrative officer to execute
development charge deferral agreements
provided such agreements are consistent
with
policy contained within bylaw 2026-23
for the period between July 30th 2026 6
and October 1st, 2026. Do I have a mover
on that? Councelor Katic. Second on
that, Councelor Adams. Any further
comments or questions? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's so moved. Item
number uh 12.6 lease of office space uh
8460 Wellington Road 19, Belwood. And uh
Dan Wilson, our CEO, is approaching the
lectern to speak to this.
Thank you, Mayor Waters. Uh, this report
is in relation to the lease of um 8460
Wington Road 19 um to Canada Post um
also known as our West Carafa office. Um
as you know, in June of 2023, council
approved a lease agreement with the
existing postmaster. Um that postmaster
is retiring and is terminating her lease
with us effective October 1st of this
year. Uh we have started um
communicating with Canada Post about
their future plans for Bellwood. U have
not had a response yet, but um given
that we're approaching the election um
with the restrictive periods potentially
in place, we just wanted delegated
authority to enter into a similar lease
agreement for this property in
substantially the same form as the
current agreement. Um just in case we
needed to enter into something prior to
October 1st.
Okay, thank you uh CEO Wilson on that
report. Councelor Wilton,
>> thank you Mayor Waters. Um appreciate
» thank you Mayor Waters. Um appreciate
the report. Just am concern about the uh
lack of Canada Post uh spot out in
Bellwoods. So I'm just curious as you go
through the um negotiations if there's
anything that can help a new occupant
take over that Canada Post job. Like
snow clearing I think was the
responsibility of the uh Canada Post
person instead of the township. But
maybe there's things we can do to help
make that a little bit easier for a
rural post office. I'm not sure what's
possible, but I'm just saying as you if
a negotiation happens, then that would
be great just to make sure we help as
much as we can to service Bellwood in
that in that regard. Thank you.
>> Uh through the mayor, yes. Um once we
» Uh through the mayor, yes. Um once we
find out what their plans are for
Bellwood, we'll we'll have negotiations
or discussions with them, including what
their long-term vision is for for mail
in in Belwood. So, so we're looking
forward to the conversation.
» Any other comments or questions? Um, and
again, I'd like to thank obviously staff
and going back to uh obviously the
situation that happened in Bellwood in
terms of the the fire and uh and and
staff and council's response to helping
out the the community there because uh
uh we demonstrated that as a community
we came all together to figure out that
and and we know that that space is a
very important space for the community.
So again, I'd like to again thank
council and staff for their uh uh their
sort of really in felt heartfelt uh uh
sort of a role in that uh that program
because that was important and it's
obviously as we know it's an important
part of the the community. So again,
thank you for that. So, I'll read the uh
I'll read the recommendation that the
council of township township of center
Wellington receives the lease of office
space 8460
Wellington Road 19 Bellwood report and
that the council of township of center
Wellington delegates authority to the
chief administrative officer to enter
into an agreement related to the lease
of the portion of 8600
Wellington Road 19 Belwit for the
operation of a post office in Belwood
area subject to review by the township
solicitor. Do I have a mover for that?
Councelor Adams. Uh seconder on that,
Councelor McDonald. Any further comments
or questions? Seeing none, all those in
favor? That is so moved. Okay. Now we uh
move down to bylaws.
Okay. And then notice of motion.
Councelor Wilton.
>> Thank you, Mayor Waters. Just read this
» Thank you, Mayor Waters. Just read this
into the agenda for today. uh given the
rapid growth of AIdriven systems, cloud
computing and digital infrastructure has
accelerated the development of new and
large-scale data centers to meet
industry defined needs and the fact that
the province of Ontario has not yet
established a provincial regulatory
framework for AI for the AI data center
industry. There is cause to exercise
caution regarding the introduction of
data centers within the township of
center Wellington.
A therefore the council of the township
of center Wellington direct staff to
undertake a review and study costing no
more than $49,999
of staff time only of the township's
land use planning policies in relation
to artificial intelligence AI data
centers pursuant to section 38 of the
planning act applicable to all zones
where the use is permitted in the
township of center Wellington including
but not limited to its official plans
and zoning bylaw and any required
changes to the township's land use
planning policies mapping and regulatory
framework with consider consideration of
but not limited to the following. One,
existing official plan policies and
zoning bylaw permissions and
regulations. Two, energy use and the
impacts to power grids. Three, water use
and the impacts to long-term drinking
water quality and quantity. And four,
noise and light pollution impacts.
B, that staff be directed to report back
to council on the items listed above in
A in Q3 of 2027.
and C that staff be directed to prepare
for council's consideration at the
council meeting on September 28th, 2026
an interim control bylaw under section
38 of the planning act proh prohibiting
the use of AI data centers within the
study area described in a above. Thank
you.
» Okay. Um Okay. Uh we sorry
>> just to be listed.
» just to be listed.
>> Yeah. Yep. Okay. So, um, uh, in terms
» Yeah. Yep. Okay. So, um, uh, in terms
of, uh, comments or questions as it
relates to that, probably nothing we can
do at this point.
[snorts]
So, through the mayor, um, as pre
previously stated, this will be listed
on the August 24th agenda, um, for
discussion and potential debate.
Presumably, we'll have a mover and we'd
be looking for a second at that point
before uh, it gets put on the floor.
So that if you have any further uh uh
contemplations on that you can at that
time bring it forward. Okay. So at this
time we're looking forward to moving
that to uh to next meeting.
>> Okay. Do we have a mover on that?
» Okay. Do we have a mover on that?
>> No, we do.
» No, we do.
>> Okay. Sorry.
» Okay. Sorry.
>> Yet.
» Yet.
>> Okay. [gasps and sighs]
» Okay. [gasps and sighs]
Um
motions uh where notice have been given.
Confirmatory bylaw. Bylaw to confirm the
actions of council. Recommendation that
the council bylaw 2026-61
to be confirmed the proceedings of
council at its meeting held July 30th
2026 be introduced a first, second and
third time and pass and open council. Do
I have a mover for that? Councelor
Wilton second on that. Councelor
McDonald, any further comments or
questions? Seeing none, all those in
favor? That is so moved. And then uh
adjournment. Do I have a mover for that?
Councelor Kra. All right. Okay. Who's
the seconder on that? Councelor Adams.
Any further comments or questions as it
relates to adjournment? Uh, all those in
favor? So moved and thank you very much
and have a very good night for everyone.