Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 14th day of January, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of December 10th, 2024 and Special Council Meeting of December 17th, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

WHEREAS the Lake Nosbonsing OPP Detachment Board Community Representative Advisory Committee at it's meeting of December 16th, 2024 reviewed applications for the Community Representative vacancy; AND WHEREAS as per the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, the successful applicant must be jointly appointed by all 3 member municipalities; AND WHEREAS the Committee recommends to Council for the Municipality of East Ferris that Brian Linn be appointed to the Lake Nosbonsing OPP Detachment Board as the community member who is neither a member of the council of, nor an employee of, any of the above municipalities, jointly appointed by all of the above municipalities; AND WHEREAS this appointment shall be for the remaining 2022-2026 term of Council; NOW THEREFORE be it hereby resolved that Council approves of this recommendation.

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 levy Interim Tax Rates and Charges, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-01; 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 temporary borrowing from time to time to meet current expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-02; 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 set 2025 Tax Ratios for prescribed property classes, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-03; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law and this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to authorize the purchase of land at 31 Champagne Road from Rene and Linda Champagne, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-04; 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 an agreement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as Represented by the Office of the Fire Marshal, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-05; 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 appoint Community Emergency Management Coordinators, Chairs and Information Officers, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-06; 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. 2021-60 (Barbara Breault - 2667 Highway 17 East) as amended, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-07; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

That Council directs staff to seek a delegation to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board in regards to the Housing Targets Report, and services to East Ferris.

That the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris is in support of the letter received from FONOM calling on the Government of Ontario to immediately address the funding shortfall in child welfare by providing emergency stabilization funding to Children's Aid Societies; And that the Municipality of East Ferris requests that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services undertake a Province wide service review, including the funding model; And further that this resolution be forwarded to: The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of January 14, 2025.

THAT Council approve the 2025 Membership list as amended to include the Northern Ontario Women's Caucus, and presented at the Regular Meeting of Council held January 14th, 2025 .

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris has no objection to the East Ferris Carnival Committee hosting the 2025 Winter Carnival from February 13 th to February 16 th , 2025; AND FURTHER that Council declares this a municipally significant event and has no objections to the applications for appropriate licences.

That the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports Councillor Champagne's initiative in the nomination and application process for Kraft Hockeyville; AND THAT Council agrees to promote this application and seek public support at the 2025 Winter Carnival.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated January 14, 2025 in the amount of $1,030,688.95.

THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 6:46 p.m., under Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter pertaining to (d) Labour relations or employee negotiations - regarding Staff Performance Review.

THAT we do now adjourn this In-Camera meeting at 7:56 p.m. and return to our Regular session.

That Council for the Municipality of East Ferris has completed the CAO Performance Appraisal for 2024 and that the CAO's performance has been deemed to be excellent.

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 December 10th, 2024 to January 14th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-08; 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 8:00 p.m. and meet again on January 28th, 2025.

Whereas Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to pass three readings of the following by-law and this session; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to authorize the purchase of land at 31 Champagne Road from Rene and Linda Champagne, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-04; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.