Strategic Decisions by Council - March 24th

Council Meeting Date: March 24, 2025 

Strategic Decisions from Council

 Consent Agenda Items

Code of Conduct Complaint 2024-03 and MCIA Application 2024-02
Appointments to the Fergus and Elora Business Improvement Area Boards of Management
Fergus and Elora WWTP Performance Reports and Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Annual Reports
Treasurer's Statement of 2024 Council and Committee Remuneration & Expenses
Treasurer's Annual Statement: 2024 Investments
Treasurer's Annual Statement: 2024 Interest-Free Loans

Community Investment Fund Recipient Recommendation
Council approved the Community Investment Fund allocations as recommended by the Healthy Communities Advisory Committee.  The Community Investment Fund provides financial and supportive services to enhance the quality of life in the Township of Centre Wellington by fostering, strengthening and stimulating wider community appreciation and participation in the community.

During the 2025 budget deliberations, Council allocated $113,000 from OLG reserves, as per the policy, and $23,150 from property tax subsidization to invest a total of $136,150 to community-driven initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Township of Centre Wellington. These funds were invested in three streams:

• Annual Specific Stream = $23,150
• Community Impact Stream = $56,500
• Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events Stream = $56,500

A total of 50 applications were received across all funding streams, requesting a combined $225,235 in support:

• 8 applications under the Annual Specific Stream
• 18 applications under the Community Impact Stream
• 16 applications under the Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events Stream
• 8 applications deemed ineligible

Report to Council

Asset Management Levels of Service Framework
In late 2024, and the first quarter of 2025, staff have been working in concert with SLBC Inc. to develop a Levels of Service (LOS) framework that would be compliant with O.Reg. 588/17 asset management (AM) requirements and facilitate the long-term service delivery target setting for the Township of Centre Wellington. 

To facilitate the timely delivery of an updated LOS Framework, the engagement had focused on:

• Reviewing the existing LOS measures from the 2022 AM plan
• Adding new measures for assets that were not included in the 2022 AM Plan
• Setting proposed LOS for each measure
• Outlining the lifecycle costs to meet the proposed LOS
• Developing a graphic to support marketing the process for setting the proposed LOS
• Developing an implementation plan to support the Township’s implementation of the LOS framework

Each of the above was conducted in a manner that took into consideration the following:

• Community Expectations
• Legislative Requirements
• Strategic Planning
• Available Resources
• Financial Constraints

Council endorsed the draft levels of service as presented in the report and directed staff to utilize the framework when drafting the 2025 asset management plan update. 

Report to Council

Municipal Endorsement of County of Wellington OPA 126
The Township's requested settlement area boundary expansions are being implemented through County of Wellington OPA 126. The required notice for OPA 126 was given in December 2024 in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act. In addition, the County held a public open house on March 3, 2025 and the required statutory public meeting was held on March 13, 2025. 

Staff’s position is that OPA 126 provides appropriate urban centre boundaries for Fergus and Elora-Salem that are adequate to accommodate an appropriate range and mix of land uses to meet projected needs, and the recommended adoption of the boundaries proposed by OPA 126 with no additions except for 264 First Line.  This parcel is the only remaining parcel of land from Plan 88 south of the river that is not already included in the Elora-Salem Urban Centre.  The inclusion of this parcel within the Aboyne Village Plan 88 and the fact that it is the only parcel not already in the urban centre distinguishes this property from other requests to add unserviced land on the fringes of the urban centre.

Council endorsed the report and authorized the Managing Director of Planning and Development to submit the comments outlined in the Report to Council to the County of Wellington.