Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 28th day of March, 2023 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the minutes of the Council Meeting held March 14th, 2023 be adopted as circulated.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Director of Community Services contained in Report No. PLAN-2023-03 and approve to allocate 60% ($45,450.00) of the existing parkland funds towards parkland related items in the 2023-2026 East Ferris Strategic Plan.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Director of Community Services contained in Report No. PLAN-2023-04 and approve the request to purchase a section of unopened road allowance by Danielle Magnusson in accordance with the policies contained within By-law No. 2218; AND THAT Council acknowledge that this section of road allowance was deemed surplus on June 22, 2021 by Council Resolution 2021-189.

THAT By-law No. 2023-11 being a By-law to establish fees and charges for services or use of Municipal Property be read a third time and passed this 28th, day of March, 2023; AND THAT said By-Law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk, and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following By-law at this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to establish the Remuneration for Members of Council, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-14; And THAT said By-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of March 28th, 2023.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris support the resolution from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent regarding reducing of municipal insurance costs.

WHEREAS Section 284 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O., c.25, as amended, requires that the Treasurer of a Municipality shall in each year on or before March 31 st provide to the Council of the municipality an itemized statement on remuneration and expenses paid in the previous year; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the 2022 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses itemized for each Member of Council and Member of Local Boards and Committees, as submitted.

WHEREAS improved financial stability allows municipal residents to participate, contribute, and invest in their local economies and communities; AND WHEREAS poverty puts additional pressure on municipalities, who are responsible for delivering necessary and strained public and social services to support residents who are struggling with the consequences of inadequate income; AND WHEREAS food insecurity has a detrimental impact on physical and mental health; AND WHEREAS adequate income is an important social determinant of health that greatly impacts food security and other social determinants of health such as mental health, housing and transportation; AND WHEREAS the 2022 Cost of Eating Well report shows that households reliant on social assistance do not have enough money for the costs of living, including food; AND WHEREAS 67% of households in Ontario with social assistance as their main source of income experience food insecurity; AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris support efforts to raise awareness about, and work to reduce, health inequities, including food insecurity; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Municipality of East Ferris endorse the letter from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and call on the Province of Ontario to: legislate targets for the reduction of food insecurity as part of the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy; and increase social assistance rates to reflect the costs of living, and to index Ontario Works rates to inflation going fo

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated March 28th, 2023 in the amount of $1,156,135.58.

THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 7:29 p.m., under Section 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter pertaining to: Labour relations or employee negotiations.

THAT we do now adjourn this In-Camera meeting at 7:53 p.m. and return to our regular session of Council.

WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law at this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to confirm the proceedings of Council from March 14th, 2023 to March 28th, 2023, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-15; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT we do now adjourn at 7:54 p.m. and meet again on April 11th, 2023.