Council Meeting

Be it hereby resolved that the agenda for December 17, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as printed, and circulated.

Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes Be it hereby resolved that the minutes of the December 3, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council be adopted, as printed and circulated.

Be it hereby resolved that Council move into Public Meeing under the Planning Act to consider application for Zone Change ZN1-25-07 for the Township of Blandford-Blenheim, regarding ARUs; and further, That Mayor Peterson Chair the Public Meeting.

Be it hereby resolved that the Public Meeting by adjourned and that the Regular Meeting of Council reconvene.

Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes Be it hereby resolved that the Council of the Township of Blandford- Blenheim approve-in-principle the proposed Zoning By-Law amendment (File No. ZN 1-25-07) to introduce amendments to Township Zoning By- Law No. 1360-2002 and that the By-law be brought back to a subsequent Council meeting for adoption.

WHEREAS the Government of Ontario recently approved Bill 68, which establishes the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency; AND WHEREAS the Government of Ontario is proposing the consolidation of the province's 36 conservation authorities into seven regional conservation authorities, including the Grand River Conservation Authority(GRCA), which will be amalgamated amongst eight current authorities to become part of the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (LERCA); AND WHEREAS the 38 municipalities within the GRCA watershed boundaries today and the 81 municipalities that are proposed to make up the LERCA in 2027 will be levied to fund both the regional conservation authority as well as the provincial conservation agency; AND WHEREAS the new organizations will result in the degradation of local governance, local fiscal accountability, local service delivery, local environmental focus and unprecedented funding by local municipalities of both a large regional authority and a provincial agency; AND WHEREAS the GRCA Board of Directors has responded to Bill 68 and the proposal for Conservation Authorities consolidation with a constructive and thoughtful alternative that retains local governance, local service delivery, local environmental focus and local fiscal accountability while responding constructively to the Government of Ontario's concerns about accountability, planning and responsiveness; Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT th

WHEREAS the Conservation Authorities Act (1946) enables municipalities to establish local conservation authorities, and when municipalities choose to form such authorities, they assume responsibility for governance and funding through the appointment of a Board of Directors and the provision of an annual levy to cover expenses; AND WHEREAS the Township of Blandford-Blenheim established the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority with other consenting municipalities within the watershed (initially formed in 1947); AND WHEREAS local municipalities currently provide approximately 35% of total conservation authority funding, while the Province of Ontario provides approximately 2% (2026 budget); AND WHEREAS municipalities have governed their respective conservation authorities for decades, tailoring programs and services to local watershed needs, maintaining accountable service standards, and ensuring fair and predictable costs for ratepayers; AND WHEREAS conservation authorities collectively own and manage thousands of acres of land. Many of these properties were entrusted to the UTRCA for long-term protection, stewardship, and the public good, with the expectation that such lands would be cared for by locally governed Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes conservation authorities; AND WHEREAS Bill 68 (Schedule 3) proposes the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, a Crown corporation that would assume governance responsibilities and consolidate Ontari

Be it hereby resolved that the general correspondence items be received as information.

Be it hereby resolved that Report CBO-25-12 be received as information.

Be it hereby resolved that Report FC-25-20 be received as information.

Be it hereby resolved that Report TR-25-15 be received as information; and further, Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes That Council instruct the Treasurer to bind the renewal for the Township’s municipal insurance with Intact Public Entities.

Be it hereby resolved that Report DC-25-20 be received as information; and, That Council adopt the revisions to the Municipal Alcohol Policy, as presented in Report DC-25-20.

Be it hereby resolved that the Minutes from the November 19, 2025 Closed Session be adopted, as printed and circulated.

Be it hereby resolved that Council move into Closed Session under the authority of Section 239 of the Municipal Act at 3:02 p.m. to discuss: a. CAO-25-35, the education or training of members of the council, a local board or committee [s. 239 (3.1)]. Re: Council Education & Training Session.

Be it hereby resolved that Council does now adjourn from Closed Session and resume into Open Session at 4:01 p.m.

Be it hereby resolved that Council receive information as presented regarding Report CAO-25-35 – Council Education & Training Session.

Be it hereby resolved that Council move into Closed Session under the authority of Section 239 of the Municipal Act at 4:57 p.m. to discuss: a. CAO-25-36, personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees [s. 239 (2)(b)]. Re: CAO Annual Performance Review. Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council Minutes

Be it hereby resolved that Council does now adjourn from Closed Session and resume into Open Session at 5:08 p.m.

Be it hereby resolved that Council provide direction regarding Report CAO-25-36 – CAO Annual Performance Review.

Be it hereby resolved that the following by-law be read a first and second time: a) By-law 2525-2025, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council.

Be it hereby resolved that the following by-law be read a third and final time: a) By-law 2525-2025, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council.

Whereas business before Council has been completed at 5:09 p.m.; Be it hereby resolved that Council adjourn to meet again on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.