Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 25th day of June, 2024 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 11th, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Fire Chief contained in Report No. FD-2024-02 and approves the purchase of services from Hodgson Electric to supply and install all materials and labour to renovate the washroom and construct a new clean room for bunker gear at the Astorville Fire Hall in the amount of $27,238.99 plus HST.

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 authorize an agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (the “agency”) as represented by the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario for an economic development intern under the Northern Ontario Development Program, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-25; 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 amend By-law No. 2023-55 being a by-law to govern the proceedings of Council, Local Boards and Committees of either, the conduct of its members, the calling of meetings and to establish rules of order, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-26; 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 authorize the execution of an agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for the Municipal Funding Agreement on the Canada Community-Building Fund, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-27; 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 authorize a lease agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure for 1990 Corbeil Road, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-28; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Municipality of West Nipissing regarding the Province of Ontario assuming responsibility for the Champlain Bridge rehabilitation; AND FUTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Ministry of Transportation.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit regarding restricting youth access to nicotine pouches and urges the Ontario government to take immediate steps to restrict youth access to these products by amending provincial regulation to require that nicotine pouches, like Zonnic, be only available for purchase at pharmacies and kept behind the counter; AND FURTHER THAT until the regulatory gap is closed the Municipality of East Ferris urges the federal government to take immediate steps to restrict youth access to these products by: Suspending the sale of nicotine pouches, or reclassifying nicotine pouches (including flavored pouches) as a prescription product available only behind the counter at pharmacies; and Establishing a temporary moratorium of approval of any more nicotine pouch products, or any new category of nicotine products, under the Natural Health Product Regulations, unless the products are sold on a prescription basis; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Ontario Minister of Health, Sylvie Jones, and MPP Vic Fedeli.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the letter received from the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce regarding the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP); AND FURTHER THAT a letter of support signed by the Mayor on behalf of Council be sent to the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris contributes $500.00 to the 2024 Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of June 25th, 2024.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated June 25th, 2024 in the amount of $1,816,638.53.

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 June 11th, 2024 to June 25th, 2024, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2024-29; 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 6:32 p.m. and meet again on July 9th, 2024.