Council Meeting

THAT the April 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting Agenda BE APPROVED as circulated.

THAT Council ADJOURN its Regular Meeting at 5:06 p.m. in order to sit as the Court of Revision under the Drainage Act to consider the Roulston Drain 2025; AND THAT the following two (2) members of Council BE APPOINTED to the Court of Revision: Councillor Tom Heeman and Deputy Mayor Michelle Smibert; AND THAT Councillor Paul Mitchell BE APPOINTED to sit as a member of the Court of Revision, as the representative for the Township of Zorra; AND THAT Thames Centre Council member Deputy Mayor Smibert be named Chair of the Court of Revision.

THAT the Court of Revision, having met on behalf of the Roulston Drain 2025, hereby AGREES to CONSIDER the late appeal from Denise Fluttert.

THAT the Court of Revision acknowledges the two appeals received and heard with respect to the Roulston Drain 2025 assessments outlined in the Engineers Report dated December 4, 2025; AND THAT the Court of Revision, having considered the appeals hereby DISMISSES the appeals and confirms the schedule of assessments as prepared by Spriet and Associates and submitted with the engineers report; AND THAT the assessment schedule BE ADOPTED as presented; AND THAT the Clerk BE DIRECTED to bring forward the by-law for the third and final reading at the next regular Council meeting.

THAT the Court of Revision BE CLOSED at 5:44 p.m. in order to reconvene the Regular Meeting of Council.

THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council, held on March 23, 2026, BE APPROVED as circulated.

THAT Consent Agenda Item 9.1 through 9.20 BE RECEIVED for information.

THAT Report No. PW-DR-005-26 of the Drainage Superintendent, dated April 7, 2026, concerning requests received for drainage improvements, BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT the request for improvements, under Section 78 of the Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, for new drainage works, in relation to the property located inside CON 4 SRT PT LOT 21 (former township of North Dorchester) BE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED; AND THAT Mr. M. P. Devos, of Spriet Associates, BE APPOINTED the Engineer to investigate and prepare the necessary drainage report.

THAT Report No. PW-DR-006-26 regarding Dundas Street Drain – Award be RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council hereby APPROVE the awarding of the Dundas Street Drain to Cassidy Construction London Ltd. as per their submitted bid for the sum of $449,129.80 including HST.

THAT Report No. PW-DR-007-26 Crinklaw Drain – Award BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council hereby APPROVE the awarding of the Crinklaw Drain to De Jong Excavating as per their submitted bid for the sum of $79,828.85 including HST.

THAT Report No. PW-014-26 Dorchester and Thorndale Wastewater Treatment Plants – 2025 Annual Reports, provided by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) through the operations and maintenance contract, BE RECEIVED for information.

THAT Report No. CSF-006-26 BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council hereby APPROVE the awarding of the Wading Pool Replacement Project to Hollandia Pools & Spas at a cost of $268,500.00 (including provisional item) plus HST.

THAT Report No. CSF-007-26 regarding Thorndale Optimist Concession Stand Agreement Extension BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council DIRECTS the Mayor and Clerk to enter into the proposed Agreement extension (attached) with the Thorndale Optimist Club for continued use of the concession stand in the Fieldhouse located at Thorndale Community Park.

THAT Report No. CSF-008-26 regarding Community Pool Passes BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council APPROVES staff establishing Community Pool Passes for the Dorchester Community Pool for the 2026 season, with 5 passes made available at the Dorchester Library and 5 more available at the Thorndale Library.

THAT Report No. CSF-009-26 regarding Community Services & Facilities Master Plan – Progress Report and Recommended Updates BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council APPROVES the following changes to the Community Services & Facilities Master Plan for the April 2026 Update:  Ensure wording is consistent throughout document, in regards to ensuring “that playgrounds in Dorchester and Thorndale are located within 800 metres of residential areas”  Update “Active Parkland Supply” (Table 2) to include Dorchester Conservation Area, Mill Pond Conservation Area, Boardwalk by Mill Pond Park, Foxborough subdivision SWM pond and Thorndale Dog Park, along with any/all reference to the amount of active parkland being updated from 57.1 to 89.7 hectares, with the current service level updated to 5.98 hectares per 1,000 residents.  Update “Planned Active Parkland” (Table 3) to include Eva/Ida greenspace as a Neighbourhood Park  Revise Boardwalk at Millpond from a Community Park to a Neighbourhood Park (Table 3)  Update Recommendation #2 to “maintain current service level of 5.0 hectares per 1,000 residents”  Revise location of Skate Park from FlightExec Centre to Dorchester Community Park (Table 4)  Reference partnerships with Middlesex County Libraries in Dorchester and Thorndale (Table 7)”

THAT Report No. CAO-006-26 regarding Canadian Plowing Organization Sponsorship BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council APPROVE a bronze level sponsorship in the amount of $1,000 to support the Canadian Plowing Organization for the 2026 Canadian Plowing Championship being held in Middlesex County.

THAT By-laws 33-2026 and 34-2026 be read a first, second and third and final time and BE ADOPTED.

RESOLVED THAT Council ADJOURN to Closed Session at 6:19 p.m. pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, in order for Council to consider advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose with respect to Agenda Item 19.1, "FS-006-26 - Financial Update and Action Plan".

THAT Report No. FS-006-26 Financial Update and Action Plan BE RECEIVED for information; AND THAT Council APPROVE an increase to the consulting budget in Financial Services for $15,000 to be funded from the Tax Stabilization Reserve, to support completion of the 2024 Financial Statements and related year-end reporting work.

THAT By-law 35-2026, being the Confirmatory By-law, be read a first, second and third and final time and BE ADOPTED.

RESOLVED THAT the Regular Council Meeting ADJOURN at 7:28 p.m.