Please note that due to technical difficulties, the livestream and recording for the August 5th Regular Meeting of Council was unavailable. 

In place of the livestream and recording, catch up with what happened at this weeks East Zorra-Tavistock Council Meeting with a quick read of the meeting highlights below. 

During the Meeting

• The meeting began at 9:30am, following the attempt to resolve the technical difficulties that resulted in the meeting livestream and recording not being available. Deputy Mayor Smith and Councillor Van Wyk who were both present online were unable to participate in the meeting due to the technical difficulties at the Township Administration Building. 
• A Public Meeting was held in accordance with the Drainage Act for the Tavistock Drain 1979 (The Glasgow Warehouse Inc. Minor Improvement). Curtis MacIntyre from K. Smart Associates Limited presented the drainage engineering report. Following the closure of the Public Meeting, Council considered and adopted the engineer's report and gave the Provisional By-law the first and second reading in accordance with the Drainage Act.  
• April Nix, Manager of Policy and Planning and Justin Waud, Policy Planner from Oxford County Planning presented an update to Council regarding the New Official Plan that Oxford County is working on. The presentation provided background information on the County's current Official Plan, as well as visioning opportunities for the public and a project timeline. 
• Ronda Stewart, Economic Development Director from the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (ROEDC) provided a presentation to Council surrounding the work completed in 2026 by ROEDC, as well as a look ahead. Highlights included the Rural Down Town Project, Rural Mayor's Breakfast, Oxford County Career Expo, Discover Rural Oxford, the Tourism Innovation Grant, and marketing and communications work. 
• Council received a number of Correspondence for Information Items. Included was a letter from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Parkland development planning use regulation amendments. Director of Building and Development Services, Chief Building Official John Scherer provided a brief summary to Council.
• Council approved the request from the Tavistock Agricultural Society to deem the 2026 Tavistock Fall Fair as an event of municipal significance, and approved their request for an exception to the Municipal Alcohol Policy.   
• Staff Report OT-2026-04 Petition for Extension of the Raymer-Zinn Drain was reviewed with Council by Engineering Technologist, Drainage Superintendent Claire Ohrling. Council accepted the signed drainage petition and appointed an engineer to prepare a report in accordance with the Drainage Act. 
• Staff Report PR-2026-01 Recreation Update was reviewed with Council by Parks and Recreation Supervisor Matt Lamers. 
• Staff Report CAO-2026-14 August Monthly CAO-Treasury Report was reviewed with Council by Chief Administrative Officer, Treasurer Karen DePrest. 
• The Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Van Wyk regarding Stormwater Managment Pond Walking Trails was deferred to the September 2nd Regular Meeting of Council in accordance with the Procedure By-law as Councillor Van Wyk was unable to participate in the meeting due to technical difficulties at the Township Administration Building.  
• Council adjourned to the Closed to the Public Session as authorized under Section 239 of the Municipal Act for the Closed Session Agenda Items. 
• Council reconvened to the Open to the Public Session, and adopted a resolution directing staff to amend and increase the reserve bid price for the 90 Loveys Street property to $550,000 following the completion of the Record of Site Condition - Phase 2 assessment. Staff were also directed to provide a copy of the Record of Site Condition Phase 2 once approved by the Ministry in the public tender package.   

By-laws 

• Council considered and approved the following By-laws:
  • By-law 2026-11 Timms Creek Drain (third and final reading)
  • By-law 2026-28 Oxford County Library Board Innerkip Library Lease
  • By-law 2026-29 ZN2-25-09 (McKay)
  • By-law 2026-30 Tavistock Drain 1979 (The Glasgow Warehouse Inc. Minor Improvement) - First and Second Reading Only 

Next Council Meeting

The next regularly scheduled East Zorra-Tavistock Council Meeting is set for Wednesday September 2, 2023 at 9:00am.