Highlights from the Feb. 1 Council Meeting

Woodstock – Thursday’s Council meeting was brief, with only a few items on the agenda.

Annual Building Report for 2023

Council received the annual building report that outlines construction activity from the previous year. In 2023, there was a dramatic increase in construction activity, totaling approximately $280 million, which is up $80 million over 2022. This increase is in part thanks to significant commercial and industrial sector developments including two new hotels, a new medical office and a new 15,135 sq. m. manufacturing facility. Residential construction made up 47 per cent of the total construction value which includes the construction of 370 units. The number of residential units fell just short of the 403 unit target assigned to Woodstock by the province for 2023. Staff continues to work through data reporting challenges to secure the City’s portion of the $1.2B Building Faster Fund.

New Accessibility Advisory Committee Member

Anita Griffioen has been appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term. The committee is a group of volunteers who provide input related to removing barriers for people living with a disability so they can access programs and services offered by the City. The Committee also supports the development of the annual accessibility plan, which is required under AODA and reviews accessibility concerns received from the public.

Upcoming Budget Meetings

An overview of the 2024 Operating budget will be presented to Council at their next meeting on Feb. 15 starting at 7 p.m. Detailed budget presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 22. The Police Board, Library Board and Woodstock Art Gallery Board will present their budgets on Thursday, March 7 and final budget approval is scheduled for Thursday, March 21.

Details about these items, or any of the other topics discussed during the council meeting, can be found at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings of the meetings are posted online following the meetings.

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