February 12 Strategic Decisions by Council

Council Meeting Date: February 12, 2024

Strategic Decisions from Council

Changes to Open-Air Burning By-Law
Council approved the proposed changes to By-law 2019-35, which regulates the setting of open-air fires in the Township.
The current system allows for 3 classes of burning:

• Class A - smaller campfire size fires in side or rear yards (front yard campfires are not permitted)
• Class B - larger fires with in a 2m x 2m size
• Class C for rural burnings 6m x 6m in size

Council approved a new class – Class D – slows festival and event organizers the opportunity to have an approved open-air burn on a specific date.

All three of these permits are issued for the calendar year.

Report to Council

RFP#59-23 Fire Pumper Truck
Council awarded the purchase of 1 (one) new purpose-built Fire Pumper truck with an enclosed side pump panel to Dependable Emergency Vehicles to Dependable Emergency Vehicles.

Report to Council

Community Improvement Plan 2024 Implementation Report
Council approved the implementation plan for the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), approved by Council in November 2023.  The implementation plan sets roles and responsibilities and provides direction about how program elements should be delivered. 

Review the Report to Council for more information on the administration of the Community Improvement Plan

Heritage Permit Application (HP2024-01) - 27-43 West Mill Street, Elora
Council approved a current heritage permit application for the addition of a balcony on the second storey of the front facade facing West Mill Street, generally reinstating a historic balcony that once existed at the property but was subsequently removed.

Report to Council

Decision Report RZ013/22 - 223 St. Andrew St. E., Fergus
Council approved a development application that has been received to facilitate a mixed-use commercial/residential development on the northeast side of St. Andrew St. E. and Gowrie St. N. in the downtown core of the Fergus Urban Centre. The applicant responded to submissions made through the public consultation process and updated the development plans as a result. The overall height request remains at five storeys. Township staff recommended approval of the application with site-specific provisions to help achieve greater compatibility within the existing neighbourhood and streetscape. The site is within a designated Urban Centre in the downtown core of Fergus on a collector road, one block from a major arterial road, and is a suitable location for a mixed-use development with increased density. The development will assist in filling a need for rental housing in the community.

Report to Council

Electric Vehicle (EV) ChargeON Program
The Ontario Electric Vehicle (EV) ChargeON Program provides funding for the installation of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Ontario communities outside of major cities. The Township has applied for grant funding to maximize available funding through the installation of four (4) charging stations in Fergus and four (4) charging stations in Elora, for a total of eight (8) charging stations in Centre Wellington. The provincial funding amount for the project was capped at 75%.  To support the application and ultimately allow for eligibility for grant funding, the Township will need to provide a commitment to the remainder of the project costs. As grant funding is capped at 75%, the Township will need to commit to a contribution of 25% of the total project costs.

Council committed to a $21,500 contribution in support of a grant application to the Ontario Electric Vehicle (EV) ChargeON program. 

Report to Council

Update on Township Water Supply Projects
Council received for information an update on Township Water Supply projects, specifically on:

• Fergus Well F2 and Well F5 Replacement Program
• New Well Exploration Program
• 2023 Wellfield Capacity Assessment
• Permit to Take Water License Renewal

Next Steps include:

Short term (2024 and 2025):

• Complete MCEA studies for Well F2R and New Well Areas 3 and 7.
• Apply for and receive updated Permit to Take Water prior to June 30, 2024.
• Finalize plan for turbidity treatment and implement treatment system for Wells F5 and F5R.
• To satisfy Source Water Protection requirements under Ontario's Clean Water Act, undertake computer groundwater modelling to update Wellhead Protection Areas and Tier 3 Water Quantity Model for all wells, including future wells at Areas 3 and 7.
• Design, permit, and construct a new water pumping and treatment facility at Well F2R and connect it to the distribution system.

Longer term (beyond 2025):

• Complete required Source Water Protection updates and amend Source Protection Plans to include revised Wellhead Protection Areas.
• Amend Permit to Take Water to include new wells at Areas 3 and 7.
• Design, permit, and construct a water pumping and treatment facility at Area 7 and connect it to the distribution system in the 2026 timeframe. The Area 3 system will be designed and constructed later, in the 2030 to 2035 timeframe.

Report to Council

Kendra Martin  | Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Communications

Township of Centre Wellington | 1 MacDonald Square, Elora, ON  N0B 1S0

519.846.9691  x220  centrewellington.ca
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