Mathieu Goetzke, Acting CAO, provided an introduction to the presentation. A copy of the presentation is attached to the agenda. He provided an update to the status of ongoing work, and spoke to current needs to address the water capacity issues.
Amy Shaw, Director, Water and Wastewater operations, spoke to the preliminary list of projects outlined in the report being proposed, and associated costs. She elaborated on next steps and long-term strategies.
Kate Konopka, Commissioner, Human Resources, spoke to the proposed new FTEs for the purposes of addressing the water capacity issues.
In reply to a question, A. Shaw indicated the request for more staff is a preliminary ask, and that the need for more can be expected to maintain infrastructure.
Responding to a question from Council, Nicole Sapeta, Senior Engineer (Water), provided greater clarity to the capacity needs based on measured data.
Replying to a question, Wayne Steffler, Commissioner Corporate Services/Chief Financial Officer, explained the capital budget implications of the projects. A. Shaw added that certain projects have actively been under construction, but are being accelerated.
In response to a question, related to the Wilmot water policy, N. Sapeta spoke to the holistic approach of managing the water supply, and the plan to optimize water through reallocation, with a recognition that technology has advanced. N. Sapeta confirmed that water will still be available in Wilmot through to 2051 to meet needs. The numbers related to water were drawn as a result of the ongoing water supply strategy.
Replying to questions, Jenny Smith, Director, Corporate Strategy, Performance and Resident Experience, spoke to the communications work being done and ongoing, and expressed that there is a stress on staff currently, which is why additional staffing is being requested.
In reply to questions from Council, Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development, and Legislative Services, provided greater clarity to planning tools available and the opportunities for development applications that are still an option.
Responding to questions, A. Shaw spoke to work being done with technical working groups and other consultants and experts whose opinions are being sought. She added that for the vast number of solutions, staff do not believe firms may not be the best long-term option, with a specific need for consistent engineering and planning, and managing some of the smaller projects on the asset management side. A. Shaw expressed concerns with availability of consultants versus full-time staff. K. Konopka spoke to recruitment being expedited. Staff were asked to have the technical working group to be made public, and A. Shaw indicated she would confer with the members prior to posting. M. Goetzke indicated staff will look to see how much more consultants can be relied upon in the interim, with acceleration of the hiring of staff as an addition to consultant work.
Replying to questions, A. Shaw spoke to the plan to share data.
In reply to questions, A. Shaw clarified the numbers related to the projects and associated water capacity. W. Steffler spoke to the financial plan to deal with this issue, indicating the majority of the projects are within the capital budget and are being moved up a year, with an impact on the reserve budget. Ryan Snider, Manager, Water Operations and Maintenance, spoke to the timing of projects and work that can be done.
Responding to questions, N. Sapeta spoke to the process of the identification of projects.
Councillor Harris assumed the Chair at 11:11 p.m.
M. Goetzke provided further information on the long-term planning implications of the water capacity issue. N. Sapeta clarified the deferral of water pipelines from Lake Erie.
K. Redman assumed the Chair at 11:13 p.m.
Staff were asked to consider for relevant job descriptions, to have a requirement of the understanding of the two-tiered municipal structure, and work with area municipalities.
Staff were asked to ensure industry experts and financial partners were consulted, as it pertains to the motion put forward by Councillor James. C. James clarified that consultation is meant for the development community, but is to be publicly available. Council generally spoke in favour of the proposed analysis being easily-readable for the public.
Responding to questions, M. Goetzke spoke to professional obligations related to approving developments and signing Form 1s, and A. Shaw provided clarity as to the signing of Form 1s, and the proposed liability. Staff strenuously expressed concerns with regard to signing or approving documents with implications for the water system.