Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 12th day of December, 2023 be adopted as prepared.

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of November 28th, 2023 be adopted as circulated.

WHEREAS at their meeting of December 5th, 2023 the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee reviewed the Final Culvert Inspection Report dated June 2023 as prepared by McIntosh Perry; AND WHEREAS the Committee recommends Council accept the Final Culvert Inspection Report; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of this recommendation.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris directs staff to prepare an amendment to our Fees and Charges By-law No. 2023-11 to incorporate the new proposed building permit fees in Appendix 'A' to Report No. CBO-2023-01.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the CAO/Treasurer contained in Report No. CAO-2023-07 and suspend the municipality's Covid-19 Vaccination Policy approved on October 12th, 2021 (Policy No. GOV-007).

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation from the CAO/Treasurer contained in Report No. CAO-2023-07 and award the Request for Proposal – Library Renovations to DL Building Group, at an upset limit of $55,000, and directs staff to negotiate the scope of work based on operational priorities.

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 a Plan Review Agreement between the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority and the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-52; 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 for Category 2 and 3 Programs and Services between the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority and the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-53; 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 the Minutes of Settlement between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and 1851477 Ontario Inc. BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-54; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT By-law No. 2023-55 being a By-law to govern the proceedings of Council, Local Boards and Committees or either, the conduct of its members, the calling of the meetings and to establish rules of order , BE READ a first and second time this 12th day of December, 2023.

WHEREAS the 2024 FONOM Conference is being held at the Holiday Inn in Sudbury May 6 - May 8th, 2024; BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that all members of Council are approved to attend the 2024 FONOM Conference:

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of December 12th, 2023.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Municipality of Wawa regarding the request of the Government of Canada to support Bill C-310 and enact amendments to subsections 118.06 (2) and 118.07 (2) of the Income Tax Act in order to increase the amount of the tax credits for volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer services from $3,000.00 to $10,000.00.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Town of Aylmer regarding the request of provincial consideration for amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, to ensure that all tenants benefit from protections intended to preserve affordability.

THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution received from the Town of Orangeville regarding the call upon the provincial government to urgently a t least double Ontario Works rates and index rates to inflation, answering calls already made by “Raise the Rates” campaign and the “Income Security Advocacy Centre”; to commit to ongoing cost of living increases above and beyond the rate of inflation to make up for the years they were frozen, and to commit to jointly working between the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services and the Ministry of Health on the best methods of assessing client needs and then matching those in need to the services they require.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris has no objection to the East Ferris Carnival Committee hosting the 2024 Winter Carnival from February 15 th to February 18 th , 2024; AND FURTHER that Council declares this a community festival and has no objections to the applications for appropriate licences.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated December 12th, 2023 in the amount of $743,322.21.

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 November 28th, 2023 to December 12th, 2023, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2023-56; 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 7:34 p.m.