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
  • Kim Rose, Clerk

1.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Rochefort called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-103
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 22nd day of April, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

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

 

a.
Approval of Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 25th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - March 25 2025.pdf
  • 2025-104
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 25th, 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

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted that a Youth Tradeshow would be running parallel to the East Ferris Tradeshow on May 24th. Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers advised that registration forms are available at the East Ferris Public Library. Mayor Rochefort added that registrations and sponsorship opportunities for the Tradeshow are also open. 

Councillor Champagne urged all residents to vote in the upcoming Federal election. 

Councillor Trahan thanked the Public Works Department for a job well done on the grader. 

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

 

None for this session.

d.
Planning Advisory Committee

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - Planning Advisory Committee_Apr16_2025 - English.pdf

Minutes of April 16th, 2025 

1.
Recommendation(s) from Minutes

 
  • 2025-105
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    WHEREAS no public input was received at the public meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee meeting held April 16th, 2025 for file No. C-2025-01 (Municipality of East Ferris)  for the lands described as EAST FERRIS CON 10 PT LOT 15 PCL 1447  on what is locally known as 31 Champagne Road;

    AND WHEREAS The Municipality has applied for a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the property from Rural (R) to Institutional (I) Special Zoning in order to permit the construction of a new Municipal Fire Hall;

    AND WHEREAS the application is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, 2024;

    AND WHEREAS the application is in conformity with the policies contained within the Official Plan for the Municipality;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council approves the recommendation from the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting held April 16th, 2025 by Resolution No. 2025-03.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

e.
Committee of Adjustment

This item has attachments. 
1.Meeting Minutes - Committee of Adjustment_Apr16_2025.pdf

Minutes of April 16th, 2025

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

 

None for this session.

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

a.
Report No. FIRE-2025-02: Fire Truck Purchase

This item has attachments. 
1.Report to Council - Fire Truck Purchase (Battleshield).pdf
  • 2025-106
    Moved byCouncillor Champagne
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation of the Fire Chief  in Report No.FIRE-2025-02 and authorizes staff to to negotiate a purchase agreement with Battleshield Industries Limited for the design and purchase of a new pumper truck; 

    AND THAT Council requests that staff return to Council for approval of the agreement and purchase price.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

11.
Notice of Motions

 

None for this session.

12.
By-laws:

 

a.
By-Law No. 2025-26: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-26 Agreement with NOHFC-Curling Rink Renovations FULL.pdf
  • 2025-107
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    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 between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris, Nosbonsing Curling Club Inc., and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for renovations to the curling rink, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-26;

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

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

b.
By-Law No. 2025-27: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-27 Agreement with Minister of Veterans Affairs for Cenotaph Restoration FULL.pdf
  • 2025-108
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    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 between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and his Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs for restoration of the Cenotaph, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-27;

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

     

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

c.
By-Law No. 2025-28: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-28 Fire Protection Grant Agreement (Additional Funds) FULL.pdf
  • 2025-109
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    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 between the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris and his Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of the Solicitor General for the 2024/2025 Fire Protection Grant , BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-28;

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

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

13.
Correspondence and Information Items:

 

a.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

This item has attachments. 
1.OMAFA 2025 Ltr to Municipalities Agricultural System.pdf

Re: Agricultural System Implementation

b.
Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth

This item has attachments. 
1.774-2025-35 - Northern Ontario municipalities.pdf

Re: New Minister, George Pirie

c.
AMO Communications

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO Communications March 20th, 2025.pdf
2.AMO Communications March 27th, 2025.pdf
3.AMO Communications April 3rd, 2025.pdf
4.AMO Communications April 10th, 2025.pdf

Re: Communications of March 20th and 27th, and April 3rd and 10th, 2025

  • 2025-110
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byMayor Rochefort

    That Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers be approved to attend the Rural Healthy Democracy Forum hosted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) on June 11th, 2025. 

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

d.
City of North Bay

This item has attachments. 
1.City of North Bay - Motion - 2025 FONOM Executive Award.pdf

Re: 2025 FONOM Executive Award Nomination - Vic Fedeli

e.
City of Peterborough

This item has attachments. 
1.City of Peterborough - Use of X.pdf

Re: Use of X Social Media Platform

f.
Municipality of Callander

This item has attachments. 
1.Invitation to Blue-Green Algae Information Session – April 27, 2025.pdf

Re: Invitation to Blue-Green Algae Information Session

g.
Township of Howick

This item has attachments. 
1.Accelerated High Speed Internet Project.pdf

Re: Installation of New Utility Poles through Accelerated High Speed Internet Project

h.
Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services

This item has attachments. 
1.PELASS Resolution - Ontario Works Financial Assistance Rates.pdf

Re: Ontario Works Financial Assistance Rates

  • 2025-111
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    THAT Council of the Municipality of East Ferris supports the resolution passed by the Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services urging action from the Provincial Government to immediately develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to address the rising levels of poverty in Ontario, in particular for those on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programs; 

    AND THAT the Provincial Government be requested to:

    1. Increase Ontario Works rates to match the ODSP rate increases that have already been made and be indexed to inflation;
    2. Commit to ongoing cost of living increases above and beyond the rate of inflation to make up for the years they were frozen;

    AND FUTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded the Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

i.
Various Municipalities

 

Re: Strong Mayor Powers

j.
Resolutions of Support

This item has attachments. 
1.03-25 Standing for Canada_East Ferris_Support.pdf
2.County of Lennox and Addington - Municipality of East Ferris resolution re Standing for Canada.pdf

Re: Standing for Canada

k.
East Nipissing-North Parry Sound Veterinary Services Committee

This item has attachments. 
1.East Nipissing North Parry Sound Vet Services Committee - Letter.pdf

Re: Annual Contract Fees for Large Animal Veterinary Services

l.
Jack Doherty

This item has attachments. 
1.Flag Raising Request - Pride (Jack Doherty) POST.pdf

Re: Flag Raising Request

  • 2025-112
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris adopted Policy No. GOV-FLAG on July 13th, 2021; 

    AND WHEREAS Part 4, Section 1 prescribes for flag raising requests; 

    AND WHEREAS a request was made to fly the Pride Flag from resident Jack Doherty for a one month period; 

    NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris, in accordance with the Municipality's Flag Policy, agrees to raise the Pride Flag for 1 day on the first business day of June: Monday, June 2nd, 2025. 

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-113
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of April 22nd, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-114
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated April 22nd, 2025 in the amount of $617,466.64.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

16.
Other Business

 

None for this session.

17.
In-Camera Session (if required)

 
  • 2025-115
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 6:04 p.m., under Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter before the Human Rights Tribunal:

    (e)  litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort
  • 2025-116
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn this in-camera meeting at 6:21 p.m. and return to our regular session.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort

18.
Confirmatory By-law

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-29: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-29 Confirmatory -March 25th, to April 22nd, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-117
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Champagne

    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 March 25th, 2025 to April 22nd, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-29;

    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

 
  • 2025-118
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn at 6:22 p.m. and meet again on May 13th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Rochefort
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