Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 25th day of April, 2023 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the minutes of the Council Meeting held April 11th, 2023 be adopted as circulated.

WHEREAS no public input was received at the public meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee held April 19th, 2023; AND WHEREAS a request has been received by James and Christine Ware to close and purchase the original shoreline road allowance abutting 664 Hemlock Island; AND WHEREAS By-law No. 2015-35 provides policies and procedures for the disposition of Shoreline Road Allowances in the Municipality of East Ferris; AND WHEREAS the request would comply with the policies set out in By-law No. 2015-35; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of the recommendation from the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting held April 19th, 2023, under Resolution No. 2023-15 and approve the request made by James and Christine Ware to close and purchase the original shoreline road allowance abutting 664 Hemlock Island and proceed in accordance with applicable regulations, policies and procedures set out in By-law No. 2015-35.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Municipal Engineer contained in Report No. R-2023-03 and approve that Tender EF-2023-02 for Winter Sand in the amount of $56,952.00 including H.S.T. be awarded to A. Miron Topsoil Ltd for 2023.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Municipal Engineer contained in Report No. R-2023-04 and approve the Request for Quotes EF-2023-01 for the supply and application of dust control and road stabilization materials to be awarded to Pollard Hwy Products in the amount of $55,263.78 including H.S.T. for the volume required by the Municipality of East Ferris.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the Municipal Engineer contained in Report No. R-2023-05 and approve the Request for Proposal EF-2023-03 for the preparation of a Culvert Needs Study to be awarded to McIntosh Perry with an upset limit of $72,412.00 before taxes; AND THAT the work be limited to Road Culverts location on municipally maintained roads, more specifically excluding all driveway culverts.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the CAO/Treasurer contained in Report No. CAO-2023-03 and award the Pay Equity & Compensation Review to Pesce & Associates Human Resources Consultants at a price of $24,500 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 require that retail business establishments in the Municipality of East Ferris close to the public on certain days, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-17; 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 April 25th, 2023.

WHEREAS Enbridge recently made an announcement of their intention to begin charging third-party contractors and other utilities $200 CAD (plus applicable taxes) for utility locates where a field locate is required; AND WHEREAS third-party contractors include Ontario municipalities; AND WHEREAS these locate requests are only required as Ontario municipalities have allowed utilities to use municipal right of ways at no charge to the utilities; AND WHEREAS this announcement of new downloaded costs will negatively impact the budgets of Ontario municipalities; AND WHEREAS if Enbridge is successful in implementing this new charge, a precedence is set for other utility companies to also begin charging for locates; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Municipality of East Ferris strongly opposes these utility locate costs being downloaded to Ontario municipalities by Enbridge Gas or other utilities; AND THAT the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery make it clear that these costs must be borne by the utilities themselves; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, Minister of Energy Todd Smith, Premier Doug Ford, MPP Vic Fedeli, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated April 25th, 2023 in the amount of $491,229.26.

THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 7:20 p.m., under Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter pertaining to: Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; Labour relations or employee negotiations.

THAT we do now adjourn this In-Camera meeting at 7:48 p.m. and return to our regular session of Council.

WHEREAS Council reviewed the in-camera minutes from the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee meeting held April 18 th , 2023 regarding the “Volunteer Recognition Program” Nominations; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of the recommendation from the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee and approve the five nominations selected: Sheila Porter – Club Action 50+ Cecile Barham – Club Action 50+ Melodie Contant – Organizing of the Astorville Village Christmas Fête Youth Editorial Committee: Zoeanne Dubien, Josee Blahut, Krysten Ball, Sauvee Perron, Nyla McNamara and Garette Tran East Ferris 2023 Carnival Organizing Committee: Eric Point, Patty Point, Patrick Brochu, Renée Baker and Guy Clouthier.

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 April 11th, 2023 to April 25th, 2023, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-18; 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 7:52 p.m. and meet again on May 9th, 2023