December Strategic Decisions of Council

Council Meeting Date: December 15, 2025

Consent Agenda Items

Quarterly Procurement Report Q3 - 2025 (July 1 - September 30, 2025) Report
Ombudsman Ontario
Victoria Park Seniors Centre Constitution Updates
Heritage Designation Recommendation - 179 Victoria Crescent, Elora
Heritage Designation Recommendation - 64 Colborne Street, Elora
Heritage Designation Recommendation - 7324 Wellington County Road 21, Pilkington
2026 Draft Council and Committee Meeting Schedule

Strategic Decisions from Council

Strong Mayor Powers - Amendments to the Procedure By-law
On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs announced the expansion of strong mayor powers to 169 municipalities, including the Township of Centre Wellington. At the April 28, 2025 Council meeting, staff outlined the new powers and authorities granted to the Mayor and how these powers will be implemented and the processes established to ensure compliance with the legislation. 

Staff with assistance from SV Law reviewed the current procedure by-law and received Council approval of the draft document. The amendments include the addition of definitions related to the budget, changes to the appointment of committees and ad hoc committees, the inclusion of budget meeting provisions and amendments, and a process for the Mayor to bring forward items that potentially advance a Provincial priority. 

Report to Council

Final Community Engagement Charter and Strategy
The Township of Centre Wellington is committed to advancing its practice and culture of engagement across the organization and the Township. A community engagement strategy is essential for ensuring that municipal decision-making is informed, transparent, and reflective of the community’s needs and priorities. By establishing a consistent and structured approach to engagement, the Township can create meaningful opportunities for residents to contribute their perspectives, enhance understanding of municipal initiatives, and strengthen public trust in the decision-making process. A formal strategy also supports more effective project planning and implementation, as initiatives developed with resident input are more responsive, equitable, and aligned with Council, staff and community expectations. 

Council approved the Community Engagement Charter and Strategy, and directed staff to proceed with the Action Plan, staff toolkit, and templates. 

Review the Community Engagement Charter and Strategy here

Activation of Tiered Response Letter of Agreement
Council delegated authority to the Fire Chief to sign the Letter of Agreement with Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service for the Activation of Tiered Response.  This agreement outlines how CW Fire Rescue Services agrees to respond to medical emergencies within the Township when tiered by Cambridge Ambulance Communications Centre on behalf of Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service. 

Report to Council

Parking By-law and Transition to AMPS
Council approved staff to move forward with:

• A by-law to establish an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)
• A by-law to regulate the parking or stopping of vehicles on highways, public parking lots and private property within the Township  
• Repeal Parking By-law 6000-23 effective upon the in-force date of the Parking By-law, subject to the transitional provisions described in this report and set out in the AMP By-law;
• Repeal By-law 2022-32 effective upon the in-force date of the new Parking By-law

The purpose of the report was to receive Council’s approval on a new Parking By-law and a new general Administrative Monetary Penalty (“AMP”) By-law to fully transition municipal parking enforcement from the Provincial Offences Act (“POA”) regime to an administrative model that is procedurally efficient, cost-effective, and consistent with current provincial legislation and best practices. 

The approved Parking By-law consolidates and modernizes Township rules, clarifies application across local and County highways within the Township, and introduces targeted amendments to support safety, accessibility, and operational effectiveness. The proposed AMP By-law establishes a single administrative penalties framework that designates the new Parking By-law at the outset, with flexibility to add other by-laws in the future.

After a thorough and productive discussion, Council considered feedback from residents and directed staff to:

• Amend the policy associated with the parking exemption program to include 4 registered vehicles per household for Centre Wellington residents after January 5, 2026.
• Amend the parking by-law to provide exceptions to “no parking between 2 am and 6 am during November through March” for municipal parking lots located at 160 Provost Lane, Menzies Lane, and 25 Metcalfe

Report to Council