Strategic Decisions by Council - April 13

Council Meeting Date: April 13, 2026

Consent Agenda Items

Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Transfer Payment Agreement
2025 Community Partnership Program Update
Intent to Demolish, Listed Property - 22 Carlton Place, Elora
2026-2028 OSUM Executive Committee

Strategic Decisions from Council

Growing Canada’s Community Canopies – Urban Forestry Plans and Studies Grant Submission
Council authorized staff to apply to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for funding under the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative in support of the Urban Forest Resilience and Natural Asset Management Initiative.  The proposed project will include an urban forest assessment and analysis that will strengthen the Township’s tree inventory, canopy analysis, and integration of urban forestry data into GIS and natural asset management practices. The project would run from June 1, 2026, to August 30, 2027. Staff are requesting $89,160 in grant funding, and the Township will contribute $22,300 of in-kind support for staff time from the Urban Forestry operating budget, for a total project cost of $111,460.

Report to Council

Water Capacity Buy-Back Program
The Water Capacity Buy-Back Program is designed to help businesses and institutions in Centre Wellington use less water on a permanent basis. Through the program, eligible industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) water users can receive financial support after completing a Municipal Water Audit and implementing recommended improvements to reduce water use.

This initiative builds on the Township’s existing Water Audit Program, which provides participants with a detailed review of how water is used in their facility and identifies opportunities for efficiency, such as equipment upgrades or process changes. The Buy-Back Program then offers an incentive to move forward with those improvements, resulting in measurable and lasting water savings.

As Centre Wellington relies on groundwater to meet its municipal water needs, conserving water is essential. By reducing overall demand, this program helps preserve available system capacity and can delay or reduce the need for costly infrastructure expansions in the future.

By endorsing the program, Council affirmed its commitment to using water resources efficiently and responsibly to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Report to Council

Donation, Sponsorship and Naming Rights Policy
This report introduces an updated policy that brings together donations, sponsorships, and naming rights into one clear and consistent framework. The goal is to improve how the Township manages community contributions by making the process more transparent, accountable, and aligned with Township priorities.

The update recognizes that donations are different from sponsorships and naming rights, as they do not involve promotional benefits and may be eligible for tax receipting. The policy now clearly defines these differences, sets out how donations are reviewed and accepted, and ensures they meet legal and reporting requirements.

It also strengthens oversight by defining when agreements are needed, clarifying how restricted or confidential donations are handled, and requiring Council approval for donations that could impact budgets or project scope.

Report to Council

Service Financing Commitment Agreement with Westbow Fergus GP Ltd and Salem Development Company
Council approved a funding strategy for an agreement with Westbow Fergus GP Ltd and Salem Development Company to move forward with the detailed engineering design needed to service the South Fergus lands.

This agreement allows the Township to begin designing key infrastructure—such as roads, water, wastewater, and stormwater systems—required to support future residential and commercial development. Costs for this work will be shared between the Township and the developers.

The agreement is also an important step in leveraging previously secured provincial funding under the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) and ensuring that the required infrastructure design work can proceed in advance of subdivision applications. 

The scope of work under the agreement relates exclusively to the engineering and design of external works. Construction is not included at this stage and would be subject to future Service Financing Agreements. The engineering work covers multiple infrastructure corridors required to service the South Fergus lands, including:

• Guelph Street Corridor:
• Road reconstruction and urbanization from Elora Street to south of Cummings Crescent
• Installation of new watermains, sanitary forcemains, storm sewers, curbs, sidewalks, multi-use paths, streetlighting, and related appurtenances
• Extension of municipal services through Ferrier Park and Guelph Street to Union Street.

• Union Street Corridor:
• Road reconstruction and urbanization between Guelph Street and the Fergus Wastewater Treatment Plant
• New water, sanitary, and storm infrastructure, along with pedestrian facilities and street improvements.

Advancing this agreement is an important step in supporting growth in South Fergus, making use of previously secured provincial funding, and ensuring the necessary infrastructure planning is in place before development begins.

Report to Council