Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 8th day of July, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 10th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

THAT the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris' Financial Statements for the year ended December 31st, 2024, be accepted as prepared and presented by Baker Tilly, SNT, LLP, Municipal Auditors.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris approved moving forward with the East Ferris Community Centre roof project in its entirety over the 2025-2026 years; AND FURTHER THAT J.G. Fitzgerald and Sons be awarded the project in the amount of $545,205.00 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 amend By-law No. 2021-60 as amended, (Kearns - Blanche Road), for the purpose of rezoning the property to a Rural zone from the existing Conservation zone) BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-36; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Township of Black River-Matheson in their request to the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to : 1. Defer full implementation of the certification regulation for rural and northern municipalities, 2. Provide exemptions or alternative compliance pathways tailored to the needs and limitations of small, remote fire services, 3. Increase funding and training supports for municipalities outside major urban centres. AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to The Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General, The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Honorable Vic Fedeli, MPP, Nipissing.

That the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury in their call on the Government of Canada and all federal parties to increase the eligibility threshold for the Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) program from $20,000 to no less than $40,000 annually for a single-person household; AND THAT Council urges Veterans Affairs Canada to review all income support programs with the intent to modernize eligibility criteria in line with the current cost of living across Canada; AND FURTHER THAT this motion be forwarded to the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Honourable Pauline Rochefort, MP for the Nipissing-Timiskaming District.

THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the the Municipality of Tweed in their request that the province amend Ontario Regulation 391/21:Blue Box so that producers are responsible for the end of-life management of recycling product from all sources; AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and the Honorable Vic Fedeli, MPP for the Nipissing District.

WHEREAS the Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race is returning to the Municipality of East Ferris on Saturday, August 16, 2025, as a charity cycling event in support of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation; AND WHEREAS the event has already raised $8,000 in support of patients undergoing rehabilitation from heart health and stroke-related conditions, including Aphasia; AND WHEREAS the race is organized by local volunteers in partnership with Discovery Routes and offers a unique cycling experience through East Ferris and surrounding areas, promoting health, tourism, and community spirit; AND WHEREAS the organizers have requested financial support of $500 to assist with event-related expenses such as hall rental, catering, permit fees, safety planning, and temporary signage, as well as assistance with traffic control and public notice distribution; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris hereby supports the Voyageur 200 Gravel Bike Race and approves a donation in the amount of $500 toward the 2025 event; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be provided to the organizers of the Voyageur 200.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of July 8, 2025.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated July 8, 2025 in the amount of $1,084,442.65.

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 10th, 2025 to July 8th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-37; 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 7:12 p.m. and meet again on August 12th, 2025.