The Dufferin County Record

Council Meeting

April 23, 2026

Who was there

Present (14): John Creelman, Guy Gardhouse, Chris Gerrits, Shane Hall, Earl Hawkins, Janet Horner, Gail Little, James McLean, Wade Mills, Fred Nix, Philip Rentsch, Steve Soloman, Todd Taylor, Darren White

Taken from the roll call in the town’s own minutes. The minutes record who was not there and almost never why.

What was decided (22 motions)

22 carried, 0 recorded otherwise. Every motion below is printed as the minutes print it.

the agenda and any addendum distributed for the April 23, 2026 meeting of Council, be approved.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor White
Carried
the minutes of the regular meeting of Council on April 9, 2026, be adopted.
Moved by Councillor Horner, seconded by Councillor Creelman
Carried
T HAT the report from the Chief Paramedic Services, Report No. PS- 2026-008, 2025 Annual Report, dated April 23, 2026, be received .
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
the report from the Manager of Corporate Finance, Treasurer , Report No. CS- 2026-010, Annual Development Charges Report, dated April 23, 2026, be received .
Moved by Councillor Horner, seconded by Councillor Mills
Carried
the report from the Manager of Corporate Finance, Treasurer and the Procurement Manage r, as amended , Report No. C S -202 6 -00 9 , F irst Quarter Procurement R eport , dated April 23 , 2026 , be received.
Moved by Councillor Gerrits, seconded by Councillor Little
Carried
the report from the Director of Community Development and Tourism, Report No. PD-2026-017, Proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, dated April 23, 2026, be received; AND THAT the commenting letters included as attachments, as amended, be submitted to the respective Environmental Registry of Ontario portal.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to approve proceeding with recruitment for existing vacant positions that are operationally required.
Moved by Councillor Gerrits, seconded by Councillor Mills
Carried
Council has implemented a consent agenda and direct-to-Council meeting structure; AND WHEREAS some members of Council have identified that the current format is not effectively supporting discussion and decision-making; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to bring forward a report, no later than the June 28, 2026 Council meeting, to explore alternative approaches, including but not limited to: • replacing one regular Council meeting per month with one or more standing committee meetings; • establishing a reduced number of standing committees; • alternative approaches to identifying items requiring more in-depth review; AND THAT the report provide options for Council’s consideration.
Moved by Councillor Rentsch, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
By-Law 2026-37 through to By-Law 2026-39, inclusive, be read a first, second and third time and enacted.
Moved by Councillor Mills, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
By-Law 2026-40 be read a first, second and third time and enacted.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
the meeting adjourn.
Moved by Councillor Gardhouse, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
THAT the agenda and any addendum distributed for the April 23, 2026 meeting of Council, be approved.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor White
Carried
THAT the minutes of the regular meeting of Council on April 9, 2026, be adopted.
Moved by Councillor Horner, seconded by Councillor Creelman
Carried
THAT the report from the Manager of Corporate Finance, Treasurer, Report No. CS-2026-010, Annual Development Charges Report, dated April 23, 2026, be received.
Moved by Councillor Horner, seconded by Councillor Mills
Carried
THAT the report from the Manager of Corporate Finance, Treasurer and the Procurement Manager, as amended, Report No. CS-2026-009, First Quarter Procurement Report, dated April 23, 2026, be received.
Moved by Councillor Gerrits, seconded by Councillor Little
Carried
THAT the report from the Director of Community Development and Tourism, Report No. PD-2026-017, Proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, dated April 23, 2026, be received; AND THAT the commenting letters included as attachments, as amended, be submitted to the respective Environmental Registry of Ontario portal.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to approve proceeding with recruitment for existing vacant positions that are operationally required.
Moved by Councillor Gerrits, seconded by Councillor Mills
Carried
THAT the report from the Chief Administrative Officer, Report No. CAO-2026-014, Program Review Update 3, dated April 23, 2026, be received; AND THAT staff be directed to create an assessment matrix for Council’s use to individually review and prioritize recommendations within the report; AND THAT staff schedule up to two Council workshops, as soon as possible, to review priority items and low-hanging opportunities and to begin decision-making on the recommendations.
Moved by Warden Post, seconded by Councillor Mills
Carried
WHEREAS Council has implemented a consent agenda and direct-to- Council meeting structure; AND WHEREAS some members of Council have identified that the current format is not effectively supporting discussion and decision- making; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to bring forward a report, no later than the June 28, 2026 Council meeting, to explore alternative approaches, including but not limited to: • replacing one regular Council meeting per month with one or more standing committee meetings; • establishing a reduced number of standing committees; • alternative approaches to identifying items requiring more in- depth review; AND THAT the report provide options for Council’s consideration.
Moved by Councillor Rentsch, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
THAT By-Law 2026-37 through to By-Law 2026-39, inclusive, be read a first, second and third time and enacted.
Moved by Councillor Mills, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
THAT By-Law 2026-40 be read a first, second and third time and enacted.
Moved by Councillor Nix, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried
THAT the meeting adjourn.
Moved by Councillor Gardhouse, seconded by Councillor Gerrits
Carried

The town’s own record

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