Highlights from the Dec. 12 Council Meeting

Woodstock – Council Chambers was packed on Thursday night with members of the public interested in the final capital budget discussions that made up the majority of the Council meeting. 

Capital Budget

The 2025 capital budget has now been adopted. The projects identified support the maintenance or replacement of existing assets as well as funding for new or growth-related capital assets.

Some of the notable initiatives included in the 2025 capital budget are:

• Phase two of the Downtown Streetscape Masterplan which includes the section of Dundas Street between Light and Graham Streets. Staff will now prepare the tender documents. Once the tender is awarded, construction could begin as early as July 2025 after phase one is completed.
• Eight new outdoor pickleball courts at Cowan Fields at 1459 Devonshire Ave. Staff can now prepare the tender for construction to take place late summer 2025.
• A new sport themed spray pad at the Cowan Sportsplex at 895 Ridgewood Dr. This spray pad will be built on the east side of the new pavilion between fields one and two. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2025.
• Expansion of Southside Park into the former Golf North lands south of Parkinson Road. Staff will be working with park planners to create a first phase design to link the parks together. Some of the features users of the park can look forward to include paved trails, a pavilion, playground, community and pollinator gardens, respite area and public art.
• Change room expansion at Southside Aquatic Centre to provide additional space and an improved user experience for swimmers and their families.
• Annual roads program that continues to repair and replace City streets as well as the underground infrastructure where needed in accordance with the City’s asset management plan.
• Stormwater management program which ensures appropriate infrastructure is in place to minimize the effects of flooding and improve water quality.

In 2023, changes were introduced under the strong mayor legislation, which shifts the authority of the budget to the head of Council. Mayor Acchione provided direction to staff to maintain the historical process where staff prepares and presents the budget for Council’s consideration. Last night, the mayor also waived his right to veto the amendments proposed by Council, which finalizes the capital budget process for the year.

Funding for capital budget projects comes from a variety of sources including a contribution from the revenue fund (or operating) budget, reserve funds, debt and various capital grants.

Strategic Priorities Mid-Term Update

Council also received a report with an update on progress towards the action items identified through the City’s strategic priorities realignment workshop. November marked the half-way point of this term of Council, which makes it an opportune time for a progress report and allows Council to consider the details as they prepare for the revenue fund (operating) budget cycle. Additional information about the Strategic Plan and re-aligned priorities can be found on the City’s website.

Community and Social Well-Being Fund

The Mayor’s Community and Social Well-Being Task Force brought forward a report asking to carryover the balance of the 2024 community and social well-being reserve. Requests for funding were received, however the task force was not able to meet to discuss the merits of the proposals prior to the final Council meeting of the year. The reserve fund is topped up annually to $150,000. In 2024, Council approved $100,000 for encampment clean ups by the City and $500 for the Woodstock Baptist Cemetery for a clean-up on their property. The remaining $49,500 will be available to spend in 2025 and the task force will meet early in the new year to consider the outstanding funding requests.

Additionally, the task force plans to define terms of reference and create clear guidelines for future funding recommendations.

Details about all the agenda items and 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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