Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 22nd day of April, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 25th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

WHEREAS no public input was received at the public meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee meeting held April 16th, 2025 for file No. C-2025-01 (Municipality of East Ferris) for the lands described as EAST FERRIS CON 10 PT LOT 15 PCL 1447 on what is locally known as 31 Champagne Road; AND WHEREAS The Municipality has applied for a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the property from Rural (R) to Institutional (I) Special Zoning in order to permit the construction of a new Municipal Fire Hall; AND WHEREAS the application is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, 2024; AND WHEREAS the application is in conformity with the policies contained within the Official Plan for the Municipality; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves the recommendation from the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting held April 16th, 2025 by Resolution No. 2025-03.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation of the Fire Chief in Report No.FIRE-2025-02 and authorizes staff to to negotiate a purchase agreement with Battleshield Industries Limited for the design and purchase of a new pumper truck; AND THAT Council requests that staff return to Council for approval of the agreement and purchase price.

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, Nosbonsing Curling Club Inc., and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for renovations to the curling rink , BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-26; 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 his Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs for restoration of the Cenotaph, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-27; 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 the execution of an 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 the Solicitor General for the 2024/2025 Fire Protection Grant , BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-28; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

That Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers be approved to attend the Rural Healthy Democracy Forum hosted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) on June 11th, 2025.

THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by the Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services urging action from the Provincial Government to immediately develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to address the rising levels of poverty in Ontario, in particular for those on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programs; AND THAT the Provincial Government be requested to: 1. Increase Ontario Works rates to match the ODSP rate increases that have already been made and be indexed to inflation; 2. Commit to ongoing cost of living increases above and beyond the rate of inflation to make up for the years they were frozen; AND FUTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded the Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris adopted Policy No. GOV-FLAG on July 13th, 2021; AND WHEREAS Part 4, Section 1 prescribes for flag raising requests; AND WHEREAS a request was made to fly the Pride Flag from resident Jack Doherty for a one month period; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris, in accordance with the Municipality's Flag Policy, agrees to raise the Pride Flag for 1 day on the first business day of June: Monday, June 2nd, 2025.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of April 22nd, 2025.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated April 22nd, 2025 in the amount of $617,466.64.

THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 6:04 p.m., under Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter before the Human Rights Tribunal: (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.

THAT we do now adjourn this in-camera meeting at 6:21 p.m. and return to our regular session.

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 25th, 2025 to April 22nd, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-29; 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 6:22 p.m. and meet again on May 13th, 2025.