Council Meeting

THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 13th day of May, 2025 be adopted as amended, with the addition of: 4a) Amendment of the Council Vacancy Policy

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 23rd, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

THAT the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of May 8th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

WHEREAS the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, Section 4 prescribes for the exclusions where a pecuniary interest does not apply; AND WHEREAS section 4(g) states " by reason of the member being eligible for election or appointment to fill a vacancy, office or position in the council or local board when the council or local board is empowered or required by any general or special Act to fill such vacancy, office or position"; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that Policy No. GOV-07, Council Vacancy Policy, passed at the special meeting of Council on May 8th, 2025 be amended to remove the requirement for a member of Council to declare a pecuniary interest, if nominated for the Mayor's seat.

THAT the following list of names be adopted as the 2025 Mayoral Vacancy Nomination Slate: - Councillor Richard Champagne - Councillor Steven Trahan

WHEREAS the seat of the Mayor was deemed vacant at the Special Meeting of Council May 8th, 2025; and WHEREAS Council voted amongst its membership to appoint a new Head of Council on May 13th, 2025; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Municipality of East Ferris, by way of public vote, does now name Richard Champagne as Mayor for the remainder of the term of Council, effective upon the passing of an appointment By-law and completing the Declaration of Office; and FURTHER THAT a By-law appointing Richard Champagne as Mayor be brought forward to the May 27th meeting of Council.

THAT Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Battleshield Industries Limited for the design and purchase of a new 2025 pumper truck in the amount of $736,715.00 plus HST as per the specifications listed in Appendix A of Report to Council No. FIRE-2025-03.

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, (Municipality of East Ferris - Champagne Road/Corbeil Road, for the purpose of constructing a Municipal Fire Hall) BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-30; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Deputy Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris directs staff to review the Proximity Guidelines and provide feedback through the survey conducted by the Railway Association of Canada.

THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by the City of Cambridge formally requesting the Provincial Government to consider redistributing a portion of the Land Transfer Tax collected on property transactions to municipalities and calling on the Federal Government to allocate a percentage of the GST collected on property sales to municipalities; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Right Honourable Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MP Pauline Rochefort and MPP Vic Fedeli.

THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by the City Richmond Hill petitioning the Provincial government to implement provincial regulations to restrict the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals and license zoos in order to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native (“exotic”) wild animal population; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Solicitor General, and the Ontario Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry.

THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by Town of Georgina urging the Province of Ontario to work with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a provincially endorsed set of Best Practices for snow and ice management; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition, MPP Vic Fedeli, and the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.

THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by the Township of Champlain calling upon the Government of Ontario to increase surveillance and spot checks of all heavy vehicles travelling on Ontario roads, as well as monitoring the testing standards maintained by privately-owned heavy licensing facilities; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ontario Provincial Police, MPP Vic Fedeli, and the Ontario Good Roads Association.

THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of May 13th, 2025.

THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated May 13th, 2025 in the amount of $351,626.25.

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 22nd, 2025 to May 13th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-31; AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Deputy Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

THAT we do now adjourn at 6:19 p.m. and meet again on May 27th, 2025.