Council Meeting

THAT the Regular Council Meeting held on February 24, 2025 be called to order at 7:00 p.m.

THAT the Agenda as presented for February 24, 2025 be adopted, as amended.

THAT the Minutes of the January 27, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and the February 3, 2025 Committee of the Whole be adopted as presented.

THAT Consent Agenda Items 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 be approved.

THAT Council approve a variance to Township Sign By-law 2002-68 as it applies to the billboard sign located at 374 Hamilton Road, New Hamburg, to increase the maximum allowable percentage of non-Wilmot based content from 20% to 50% of the total sign face subject to the following conditions to be noted on the billboard approval: If all billboard spaces are occupied and a Wilmot based business or businesses request to be located on the billboard, the first available vacancies be made available to the Wilmot business or businesses prior to the installation of any additional non-Wilmot content; and If a Wilmot based business has requested to advertise on the billboard, no contracts for advertisements on the billboard for non-Wilmot based content be renewed until such time as the Wilmot based business has been accommodated on the billboard.

THAT By-Laws as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council.

WHEREAS Governance Policy HR-002 Hiring and Termination of Employees was issued on November 18, 2019; and, WHEREAS this policy applies to the hiring of all positions for the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot; and, WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and adaptability in its workforce; and, WHEREAS turnover in staff positions presents an opportunity to evaluate organizational needs and align resources with current priorities; and, WHEREAS Council recognizes the importance of maintaining a lean and effective workforce while ensuring essential services are delivered to the residents of Wilmot. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs Staff to report back to the April Committee of the Whole with recommendations for amendments to the Governance Policy HR-002 Hiring and Termination of Employees which considers the following: A municipal scan of Hiring and Termination of Employees policies; Reviewing every staff position that becomes vacant due to turnover; Requiring Staff to present to Council a justification for the continuation, modification, or elimination of the position. This presentation must include: A detailed analysis of the position’s roles and responsibilities; An assessment of how the vacancy impacts service delivery and departmental objectives; Options for restructuring or redistributing duties within the department; A recommendation for Council consideration to: Endorse the continuation and

WHEREAS Lean Government adapts manufacturing principles to public sector processes, focusing on efficiency, waste reduction, and service improvement through streamlined workflows and continuous improvement; and, WHEREAS Municipalities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and Peterborough have adopted these methodologies to optimize operations; and, WHEREAS the adoption of Lean Government principles brings about several notable benefits: Increased Efficiency: Streamlines operations, saving time and resources. Cost Savings: Reduces costs by eliminating waste without compromising service quality. Improved Service Delivery: Enhances responsiveness and reliability of public services. Employee Engagement: Boosts morale by involving staff in decision-making and problem-solving to promote continuous improvement Improved Permitting Processes: Reducing the time, it takes to issue building or business permits by eliminating unnecessary steps and standardizing workflows. Efficient Budgeting: Implementing Lean principles to create more transparent and efficient municipal budgets. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs Staff to report back at the June Committee of the Whole Meeting with more information on the Lean Government Program.

WHEREAS The United States government has indicated a potential 25% tariff on Canadian made goods as of March 2025; and, WHEREAS the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s U.S. Tariff Exposure Index has ranked that Waterloo Region would be the 4th most vulnerable community in Canada to U.S. tariffs; and, WHEREAS the potential of these tariffs would have an immeasurable impact on Wilmot residents and local businesses during a time of economic hardship. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs Township of Wilmot staff to explore options for limiting the impact of the potential United States’ sanctioned tariffs on Township Services; and, FURTHER THAT Council directs Township of Wilmot staff to review our current procurement process for opportunities to increase made in Canada provisions; and, FINALLY THAT Township of Wilmot Council formally requests that the Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), through the Business Economic Support Team Waterloo Region (BEST WR), develop an action plan to support Waterloo Region businesses, including Wilmot businesses, and our collective economic interests.

THAT Council appoints Brian Roth to the Wilmot Canada Day Event Task Force for a term expiring December 31, 2026.

THAT the Confirmatory By-Law as attached to this Agenda be read a first, second and third time, and finally passed in Open Council.

THAT we do now adjourn to meet again at the call of the Mayor.

WHEREAS Governance Policy HR-002 Hiring and Termination of Employees was issued on November 18, 2019; and, WHEREAS this policy applies to the hiring of all positions for the Corporation of the Township of Wilmot; and, 6 WHEREAS the Township of Wilmot is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and adaptability in its workforce; and, WHEREAS turnover in staff positions presents an opportunity to evaluate organizational needs and align resources with current priorities; and, WHEREAS Council recognizes the importance of maintaining a lean and effective workforce while ensuring essential services are delivered to the residents of Wilmot. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs Staff to report back to the April Committee of the Whole with recommendations for amendments to the Governance Policy HR-002 Hiring and Termination of Employees which considers the following:  A municipal scan of Hiring and Termination of Employees policies;  Reviewing every staff position that becomes vacant due to turnover;  Requiring Staff to present to Council a justification for the continuation, modification, or elimination of the position. This presentation must include: o A detailed analysis of the position’s roles and responsibilities; o An assessment of how the vacancy impacts service delivery and departmental objectives; o Options for restructuring or redistributing duties within the department; o A recommendation for Council consideration to:  Endorse th

10 THAT Council appoints Brian Roth to the Wilmot Canada Day Event Task Force for a term expiring December 31, 2026.