Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated

THAT the minutes from the December 7, 2022 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT Council enact by-law 89-22 to authorize the execution of an agreement between the Corporation of the Township of Zorra and the Embro Lawn Bowling Club; AND THAT Council enact by-law 88-22 to authorize the execution of an agreement between the Corporation of the Township of Zorra and the Thistle Theatre; AND THAT Council direct staff to enter negotiations with Kintore & Thamesford Scouting regarding rental facilities.

THAT Report 2022-207 from the Tax Collector/Deputy Treasurer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the contract position of the Chief Administrative Officer receive the annual cost of living increase as outlined in policy 300-40.

THAT Report 2022-214 from the Director of Finance be received and filed; AND THAT Council direct staff to amend Policy 200-10 "Business and Travel Expenses" to update the meal allowance to $100/day with the exception of specific situations and that the Chief Administrative Officer has the right to monitor expenses; AND FURTHER THAT the technology allowance for Council members be consolidated into the annual salary for Councillors, the Deputy Mayor and the Mayor and that the wage by-law reflect these changes.

WHEREAS the Swift Reserve was set up in 2019 for the purpose of achieving increased access to broadband internet in Zorra Township; WHEREAS the Government of Ontario, through the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program has committed nearly $4 billion to connect every region in Ontario to reliable, high-speed internet by the end of 2025; WHEREAS the Township of Zorra is committed to ensuring fibre internet be achieved down every road in the municipality, however at this time there is no immediate use for the funds in the reserve, and additional infrastructure needs may be identified; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff prepare a report to identify alternate options for the use of the current funds set aside in the Swift Reserve for broadband to achieve improved overall fiscal responsibility to the municipality; AND THAT the swift reserve remain in place at $175,000 annual contribution, and is renamed to Infrastructure Projects Reserve for the purpose of new and existing infrastructure projects, as identified through the asset management process.

THAT Report 2022-217 from the Director of Finance be received and filed; AND THAT Council approve the amendments to the 2023 Capital Budget as listed in Report 2022-217, as amended.

THAT the allocation of $25,000 to lease a 1,400 square foot shop in Thamesford to store and maintain recreation department equipment be removed from the 2023 operating budget.

THAT Report 2022-218 from the Director of Finance be received and filed; AND THAT the new seasonal Park Attendant position be removed from the 2023 operating budget.

THAT Report 2022-218 from the Director of Finance be received and filed for information purposes only.

That Report 2022-212 from the By-law Enforcement Officer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2022-198 from the Legislative Coordinator/Deputy Clerk be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2022-216 from the Legislative Coordinator/Deputy Clerk be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council direct Township Staff to develop the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan in-house utilizing the previous Strategic Plan as a guideline; AND THAT Council approve of the strategic plan timeline as indicated in Report 2022-220.

THAT items 10(a) and (b) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT items 11(a) - (d) be received and filed for information purposes only.

WHEREAS the Township of Zorra is a top ten municipality in Ontario for aggregate extraction. AND WHEREAS many aggregate pits are accessed from Township gravel roads, which require extra maintenance and are often damaged by high volumes of heavy truck traffic. AND WHEREAS residents who live and drive on “aggregate access roads” are negatively impacted by the compromised conditions of those roads. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Public Works staff prepare a report, identifying all Zorra Township gravel road sections which provide access to one or more active aggregate pits, to be presented to Council no later than the April 5, 2023 Council meeting. AND THAT this report includes but is not limited to the following information for each “aggregate road section”: The length between the two nearest paved crossroads. The number of active aggregate pits. The extra maintenance work (grading, graveling, dust suppressant) on “aggregate roads” compared to typical gravel roads of the same length and the 2022 cost of that extra work. The estimated cost to upgrade and pave the full section to the highest load rating (year-round or load restricted) of the nearest paved crossroads. The estimated annual cost of maintenance once it is paved. The estimated lifespan of the pavement before replacement is required.

THAT by-laws 87-22, 88-22, 89-22, and 90-22 be taken as read a first, second and third time and finally passed; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT By-law 91-22, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held December 21, 2022, be read a first, second and third time this December 21, 2022; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT this session of Council be now adjourned and herewith closed at 7:04 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for January 18, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Township Municipal Office.