Strategic Decisions by Council in June

Council Meeting Date: June 16 & 30

Strategic Decisions from Council

Consent Agenda Items

Appointments to the Groves Memorial Community Hospital Board of Directors

Appointments to Heritage Centre Wellington

Toll Booth - Elora Firefighters

Toll Booth - Fergus Firefighters

Zoning By-law Amendment RZ05/24 - 6235 Guelph Street, Nichol (Aypa Power)

Riverfest Elora 2025 By-law Exemption

BIA Board Composition Update

The Township was notified that the original by-law establishing the Elora Business Improvement Area (BIA) indicates the membership on the Board shall consist of four (4) members appointed by Council, one (1) of whom shall be a member of Council. The Township has appointed, in error, more Elora BIA Board of Management Members than actual existing Board positions allowable under the establishing by-law.

Council approved rescinding the appointments of the directors for the Elora Business Improvement Area Board of Management, appointed an interim Board of Management, and will assist the new, interim Board with arranging an Annual General Meeting to elect a Board that would be in compliance with By-law 3073-1992. Further, staff will immediately work with the newly appointed Board of Management to update By-law 3073-1992 to comply with the Municipal Act, 2001 and reflect the desired composition of the Elora BIA Board of Management.

Report to Council

Belwood Hall Renovation
Council directed staff to proceed with the preparation of construction ready documents for the full scope of the Belwood Hall Renovation.

ATA Architects Inc. was engaged to address both accessibility needs and several critical facility components that are nearing or have reached the end of their useful lives. The full scope of work includes:

• Washrooms
• Entrances
• Main Hall
• Servery/Kitchen
• Stage Area
• Septic System
• Structural Review

Learn more about the Belwood Hall Renovation

BT Corner Restoration Community Partnership Project
BT Corner is located at 215 Bridge St., Fergus, and is maintained by the Fergus Horticultural Society as part of their program. The location needs upgrades, and this is a project that the Fergus Horticultural Society has had in its goals for the past two years.  In January of 2025, staff were approached by the Fergus Horticultural Society and a private Donor with a proposal and budget. 

Scope of Work includes:

• Replacement of stone dust with decorative paving stones
• Updated lighting fixtures
• Updated plantings
• Placement of armour stone around graden
• Existing pavers, plants, and memorial stones are to remain

Council authorized the BT Corner Restoration Community Partnership Agreement and directed staff to execute the renovations as outlined in the Agreement.

View the report and agreement

Active Transportation and Mobility Plan (ATMP) - Preliminary Preferred Alternative
The purpose of this report was to present the preliminary preferred ATMP network alternative and policy recommendations, and to provide Council with an opportunity to review and comment on the Draft ATMP Report, which documents all aspects of the Study. The Draft ATMP Report can be downloaded from the project website.

The ATMP is a forward-thinking plan that provides a path for improving active transportation and mobility in the Township. The preliminary preferred network alternative and policy recommendations were developed through direct engagement and feedback from Centre Wellington's diverse community. The capital implementation plan has identified priority projects to be implemented in the near term, which are expected to have an immediate positive impact on the active transportation and mobility network.

Township Staff will return to Township Council at the July 14, 2025, meeting seeking endorsement of the preferred network alternative and policy recommendations, and authorization to publish a Notice of Study Completion as required through the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study process.

Review the Draft Active Transportation and Mobility Plan

2025 Asset Management Plan
Municipalities are required to have an Asset Management Plan in place for July 1, 2025 that builds on the requirements legislated for the 2022 and 2024 milestone years. The update for 2025 requires municipalities to have levels of service metrics in place that establish targets for each of the following 10 years for all asset categories.

Asset management planning is not only a legislative requirement, but it is also a best practice for municipalities in Ontario. While Centre Wellington has always conducted asset management planning exercises, the legislation has very specific requirements. A continuous improvement approach is needed to constantly refine, update, and improve practices going forward. Asst management must become part of day-to-day operations.

Council approved the 2025 Asset Management Plan

2026 Budget Recommendations
Staff presented several recommendations for the Council to consider as it prepares for the 2026 Budget deliberations. After extensive discussion, the 2026 Budget Recommendations were postponed to provide Council more time for review and consideration.

2026 Budget Recommendation Report to Council

Use of Indigenous-Themed Names, Logos and Imagery Within or on Township Facilities and Properties Update
Staff have continued working with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Working Group and have engaged with the following partners/groups on this project and others:

·         Jody Harbour with Grandmothers Voice, an organization that aims to unite Indigenous voices and serve as a beacon for building awareness and fostering connectedness

·         Kevin Sandy, a member of the Lower Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan, Haudenosaunee, from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Kevin provides enriched cultural learning and educational experiences that are informing the work.

·         Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and have adopted a Human RightsBased Approach Framework, as recommended by the OHRC, to guide the development of this work.

These efforts have led to the creation of a Centre Wellington Reconciliation-Focused Policy Pathway to Respectful Representation. This pathway sets the context for the Township’s work, recommends education for the community now and into the future, supports the development of a draft policy, and includes recognition of community contributions to the process.

The Working Group and Township staff have consulted with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and adopted a Human Rights-Based Approach Framework for Policy Development. This framework has informed a structured five-phase implementation plan

·         Phase 1: Setting the Context

·         Phase 2: Community Education

·         Phase 3: Drafting and Consulting on the Policy

·         Phase 4: Community Acknowledgement

·         Phase 5: Ongoing Education and Integration

Phase 3 is now active and staff have posted the draft policy on Connect CW for residents to review and provide comments for the next six weeks.

Review and Provide Comments on the draft policy

Elora Greenspace Sculpture Addition
Council approved the installation of a new sculpture, "Mo, the Moose Fawn", in the Elora Green Space and a plaque recognizing the sculpture in memory of Stephanie Minarovich.  The sculpture, which stands at 5 feet tall and is made from repurposed metal and found objects, would be installed in the Green Space, enhancing its cultural and aesthetic value.

View the Report to Council

Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan - Notice of Study Completion
Council endorsed the Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan, and directed staff to bring forward programs, studies and projects included in the Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan for consideration in capital and operating budget deliberations.

The WWSMP has been prepared under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process for master plans. The WWSMP addresses the MCEA Phase 1 (purpose statement) and Phase 2 (alternative assessment) and has included public and agency consultation. The WWSMP provides a summary of recommended water and wastewater studies and projects and recommended Class Environmental Assessment (EA) schedules.

Review the Council Report