THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

-
Municipal Office Council Chambers
PRESENT:
  • Pauline Rochefort, Mayor
  • Terry Kelly, Councillor
  • Steven Trahan, Councillor
  • Rick Champagne, Councillor
  • Lauren Rooyakkers, Deputy Mayor
STAFF PRESENT:
  • Jason Trottier, CAO/Treasurer
  • Kari Hanselman, Clerk
  • Kim Rose, Deputy Clerk

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-41
    Moved byCouncillor Champagne
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 11th day of February, 2025 be adopted as amended by adding the following:

    -Item 14. b. Amend 2025 Budget Resolution from February 10th, 2025 Special Meeting 

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

3.
Accepting the Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s):

 

a.
Approval of Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of January 28th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - January 28 2025.pdf
  • 2025-42
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 28th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

4.
Business Arising from the Minutes

 

None for this session.

5.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest- Pecuniary Interest Thereof

 

None for this session.

6.
Announcements and Updates from Council Members

 

Councillor Champagne advised Council that discussions were had with the Clerk for the Municipality of Powassan, and the organizer of the Kraft Hockeyville bid for the Trout Creek Community Centre. Councillor Champagne would like East Ferris to support the efforts for Trout Creek. 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted that it is nice to see many snow sculptures around the community in support of the Winter Carnival. 

Councillor Trahan reminded residents of the Winter Carnival events occurring this weekend and also noted that February 15th marks National Flag of Canada Day.

Council agreed by unanimous consent to table the notice of motion by Mayor Rochefort and to table a motion by Councillor Champagne. 
 

7.
Delegations to Council:

 

None for this session.

8.
Committee Reports:

 

a.
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

 

None for this session.

b.
Emergency Management Program Committee

 

None for this session.

c.
Fire and Emergency Services Committee

 

1.
Minutes of January 28th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Fire Committee Minutes January 28th, 2025.pdf
2.2024 Annual Review and Statistics - Council(1).pdf

2.
Recommendation(s) from Minutes

 
  • 2025-43
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    WHEREAS the East Ferris Fire and Emergency Services Committee recommends that Council approve the East Ferris Fire and Emergency Services 2024 Annual Review and Statistics Report as amended;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of this recommendation.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

d.
Planning Advisory Committee

 

None for this session.

e.
Committee of Adjustment

 

None for this session. Next meeting: February 25th, 2025.

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

 

1.
Minutes of January 30th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Recreation Minutes - January 30, 2025.pdf

2.
Recommendation(s) from Minutes

 
  • 2025-44
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    WHEREAS the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee recommends to Council that the construction of a community playground/park in Astorville be included in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan under the item ‘Pocket Parks’;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of this recommendation.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort
  • 2025-45
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    WHEREAS the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee recommends to Council that staff be directed to apply for ParticipACTION funding and that should the funding application be unsuccessful, that the Municipal budget supports ParticipACTION events in the amount of $2,000;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of this recommendation.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort
  • 2025-46
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    WHEREAS the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee recommends to Council that staff be directed to apply for Celebrate Canada funding and that a community event be planned for July 1st, 2025;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves of this recommendation.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

None for this session.

11.
Notice of Motions

 

a.
Mayor Pauline Rochefort

This item has attachments. 
1.City of North Bay Centennial Draft Motion.pdf
  • 2025-47
    Moved byCouncillor Champagne
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    WHEREAS on April 14, 1925, North Bay received “City” status with a population of over 12,000;

    AND WHEREAS this year the City of North Bay is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a leading City in Ontario and Canada;

    AND WHEREAS North Bay has grown and evolved into a beautiful full-service City that all neighbouring communities enjoy collaborating with;  

    AND WHEREAS many East Ferris residents travel daily into North Bay to attend school, work or participate in recreational activities;

    AND WHEREAS many East Ferris residents look to North Bay for numerous services and products;

    AND WHEREAS recognizing North Bay’s Centennial creates an opportunity to reflect on North Bay’s past, present, and future;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council for the Municipality of East Ferris, on behalf of its citizens, wish the City of North Bay and its residents a happy birthday and wish them all the best as they celebrate this milestone.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

b.
Councillor Rick Champagne

 
  • 2025-48
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    WHEREAS the Trout Creek Community Centre, an arena located in the Municipality of Powassan, is a vital gathering place for the local community and regional hockey and skating enthusiasts;

    AND WHEREAS the Community Centre is in need of essential roof repairs to ensure continued operation and the safety of its patrons;

    AND WHEREAS a nomination for the Kraft Hockeyville competition has been put forward, providing an exciting opportunity for Trout Creek and the Municipality of Powassan to showcase their community spirit and passion for hockey;

    AND WHEREAS it is important for the Municipality of East Ferris to lend support to Trout Creek in their bid for the Kraft Hockeyville title, recognizing the positive impact such an achievement will have on the entire region;

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris hereby expresses its full support for the Trout Creek Kraft Hockeyville bid; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that East Ferris pledges to share information to social media and urges our residents to post images and stories to the Kraft Hockeyville website to help the Trout Creek Community Centre secure the much-needed roof repairs and further strengthen the local hockey culture.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

12.
By-laws:

 

None for this session.

13.
Correspondence and Information Items:

 

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-49
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of February 11th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

b.
Amend 2025 Operating Budget Resolution: February 10th Special Meeting of Council

 

Mayor Rochefort requested that a note be added to these minutes advising the public that 3.15% of the 6.31% total tax levy increase (50%) is attributed to increases from agencies, boards, and commissions of which Council for the Municipality of East Ferris has no control over.

  • 2025-50
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deliberated the 2025 operating budget at a special meeting of Council held on February 10, 2025;

    AND WHEREAS at the said meeting Council passed Resolution 2025-38 approving the 2025 operating budget in the amount of $9,963,649.00 resulting in a tax levy increase of 6.31%;

    AND WHEREAS the total operating budget amount included in the Resolution should have been stated as $9,948,432.00;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves the amended 2025 operating budget amount to $9,948,432.00 resulting in the same tax levy increase of $436,439.00 or 6.31%.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-51
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated February 11th, 2025 in the amount of $318,484.84

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

16.
Other Business

 

None for this session.

17.
In Camera (if required)

 

None for this session.

18.
Confirmatory By-law

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-14: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-14 Confirmatory - January 28th to February 11th, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-52
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    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 January 28th, 2025 to February 11th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-14;

    AND THAT said by-law be signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Seal of the Corporation.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

19.
Adjournment

 
  • 2025-53
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn at 5:43 p.m. and meet again on February 25th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort
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