Strategic Decisions by Council in May

Council Meeting Date: May 12 & 26, 2025

Strategic Decisions from Council

May 26^th Council Meeting Consent Items
Bridge and Transportation Network Study for Bridges 21-WG, 29-WG, and 30-WG: Study Initiation
Zoning Amendment RZ003-2025 Decision Report - 7735 Sixth Line, Nichol
Operating Results - March 31, 2025
Capital Projects Status - March 31, 2025

Parks and Recreation Plan Draft Report
In 2024, the Township initiated an update to its Parks and Recreation Plan to develop a long-term strategy to guide parks and recreation growth and development over the next 30 years. This Plan establishes direction for the provision of parkland, recreation facilities, services, programs, and service levels within the Township.

Council directed staff to receive community feedback on the document via Connect CW, presentations to the Healthy Communities Advisory Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and at the May 29, 2025, Key Township Open House, and return to Council at the July 14, 2025, Council meeting with Final Reports for Council's consideration.

To review the draft report, and provide comments, view the Report to Council here

Traffic Calming Policy Update
Council endorsed the Traffic Calming Policy, as presented by staff. 

The purpose of the Policy is to establish a framework for implementing measures that enhance road safety and encourage drivers to reduce their speed within the Township of Centre Wellington. This policy aims to improve safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, while ensuring the efficient flow of traffic. 

Review the Traffic Calming Policy here


Fergus WWTP UV Upgrades
Council approved the award of the Contract for the supply and installation of a Trojan UV system for the Fergus Wastewater Treatment Plant to Finnbilt General Contracting Limited.

At the Fergus Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system is used between May and September to treat wastewater effluent prior to discharge to the Grand River, which is required for compliance with the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for the facility. The existing system has reached the end of its service life and is experiencing declining performance and reliability. To ensure continued compliance with the ECA, the UV system needs to be replaced. 

Report to Council

Request for Proposal #05-25 / General Contractor - Craighead Cottage Renovation
Council awarded Request For Proposal #05-25 General Contractor - Craighead Cottage Renovation to N1 Construction Ltd. at a total upset limit of $830,000.00, excluding HST.

In 2023, Council approved the use of the Township-owned farmhouse at 965 Gartshore Street, Fergus, to house healthcare professionals. The farmhouse has been well utilized, often at full capacity. With the construction of the new Operations Centre approaching, staff recommend relocating accommodation to Craighead Cottage at 495 Union Street West. Renovations are planned for the heritage-designated cottage, with construction expected from May to September 2025. 

This move supports the Township's commitment to healthcare recruitment, in partnership with Groves Memorial Community Hospital, amid high demand for medical professionals. Future long-term use will be reviewed. 

Report to Council

Decision Report - RZ05/24, 6235 Guelph Street, Nichol, (Aypa Power)
Township planning staff recommended that Council approve planning application RZ05/24 to allow a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility on a portion of the land at 6235 Guelph Street, Nichol. Such a facility would contribute to meeting the Province's goal to procure sufficient energy generation and energy storage facilities to ensure Ontario's long-term power supply as the Province grows. 

Following a deferral of the decision from the May 12^th Council meeting, Council approved the recommendation that the County of Wellington adopt an Official Plan Amendment (File OP-2024-04) to allow a BESS facility at 6235 Guelph Street, Nichol.  Council also approved the application to amend Township Zoning By-law 2009-045 to allow the storage facility. 

Report to Council

Recreation Priority Registration
The Recreation Priority Registration Policy prioritizes Centre Wellington residents by granting early access to registration for high-demand Township recreation programs. The Council approved implementation will begin in August 2025 with a phased rollout.  This policy was brought forward as the Township often experiences unprecedented demand for certain recreation programs such as pickleball, swimming lessons, day camps and shinny hockey.

This policy aims to address resident concerns, improve resident access, and maintain program sustainability by balancing local needs with ongoing non-resident participation. To support implementation, staff recommended updates to the RZone – Respect and Responsibility Policy to reflect current language and contact details. 

Draft dates for the phased implementation schedule:

• Pickleball Programs – August 2025
• Swimming Lessons – September 2025
• Shinny Hockey Programs – October 2025
• Day Camp Programs – March 2026

Report to Council

New Township Operations Centre Update - Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract Award
Council made the following decisions regarding the New Township Operations Centre:

• Approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price and Overall Construction Budget for the new Operations Centre of $25.7 million.  This price includes all costs to project manage, build, furnish and commission the new Operations Centre.
• Authorized staff to reach an agreement with the Design-Builder (Ball Construction Ltd.) on the Guaranteed Maximum Price in the form of a change order to the existing Design-Build
• Directed staff to proceed with construction of the new Township Operations Centre with substantial completion anticipated by December 2026
• Directed staff to further investigate solar power generation opportunities for the site and report back to Council with a recommended option and financial analysis;
• Directed staff to apply for grant funding through the Municipal Fleet Electrification Grant Fund offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to fund the cost of proposed EV charging stations and electrification of the Township's existing vehicle fleet
• Directed staff to investigate a total debt issue of $33.9 million dollars, to be drawn as needed to satisfy the debt-supported capital needs for the 2025 and 2026 calendar years, and return to Council with the necessary financing, debt policy, and any associated by-laws once established.

To support a comprehensive understanding of the significant planning and effort invested in the Operations Centre project, the Report to Council outlines key areas of focus, including site preparation, sustainability and green building features, grant funding opportunities, on-site photovoltaic power generation, sourcing of Canadian products, value engineering, project scheduling, and upcoming Council engagement points.

Request for Tender #33-25 / Colborne Street Reconstruction
Council awarded Request For Tender #33-25 regarding the reconstruction of Colborne Street, Elora to Drexler Construction.  Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

The reconstruction of Colborne Street from John Street to Wilson Crescent, Elora, includes the upsizing of the sanitary sewer from a 200mm to a 300mm, upsizing the 150mm cast iron watermain to a 300mm PVC watermain and upsizing various sections of undersized storm sewer to convey a 5-year storm event. The reconstruction will create an urban cross-section, matching the areas to the east and west of the project limits, adding curb and gutter to both sides of the street. The scope also includes sidewalk on the south side of Colborne, connecting previous dead ends of sidewalk and enhanced line painting at the intersection of Colborne Street and Irvine Street. 

Report to Council

Paid Parking Program
The approved Downtown Parking Strategy recommends the implementation of paid parking in both the Elora and Fergus downtown areas. Paid parking can be an effective tool that can assist with:

• Demand management: Encouraging turnover, discouraging long-term parking in high-demand areas, and promoting parking in low-demand areas.
• Reducing congestion.
• Supporting alternative active transportation modes.
• Generating revenue for future parking infrastructure, transportation initiatives, and other community benefits.

Staff brought forward two options for Council’s consideration, and Council directed staff to proceed with Option 1, authorizing staff to initiate a Downtown Paid Parking Program in Elora.

Program Overview: The recommended Paid Parking Program will include two distinct parking zones:

• Zone 1: Paid parking with high turnover (3-hour time limit).
• Zone 2: Paid parking for longer-term parking (current by-law: up to 24 hours).

Additional Features:

Free Resident Parking:

• Centre Wellington residents may register their license plates for free parking (limits being investigated regarding the number of license plates per household).
• Residents would be exempt from paying for parking in Zones 1 and 2 however, they will still be required to adhere to the Highway Traffic Act and established rules regarding time limits and turnover in these zones. Otherwise, tickets will be provided.

Hourly Parking Fees:

• While differing parking prices for Zones were contemplated, staff's recommendation is to have a consistent charge of $3.00 per hour, with a daily maximum in Zone 2 of $15.00 (half of the 10 hours that paid parking is being enforced daily).
• Paid parking would be in effect seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Parking Permits:

• Non-residents regularly accessing Elora downtown would have the opportunity to purchase a parking permit for longer time frames. Staff are investigating pricing (the current recommendation is to charge $125 monthly for this permit). Permit holders are not guaranteed a parking space (first come first first-served).

Future phases (i.e. Fergus paid parking and/or amendments to Elora) will be reassessed at a later date, informed by the results of Phase 1 and further consultation with downtown businesses and the BIAs. 

The current year-round Parking Enforcement Program will continue, as approved by Council.

Learn more about the Elora Paid Parking Program, set to begin in the Fall, here.