THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

5:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Municipal Office Council Chambers

PRESENT:

• Rick Champagne, Mayor
• Lauren Rooyakkers, Deputy Mayor
• Terry Kelly, Councillor
• Steven Trahan, Councillor
• Nick Brazeau, Councillor

STAFF PRESENT:

• Jason Trottier, CAO/Treasurer
• Kim Rose, Clerk

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1.

Call to Order

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

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• 2025-155
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 10th day of June, 2025 be adopted as prepared.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

3.

Accepting the Minutes of the Previous Meeting(s):

a.

Approval of Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 27th, 2025

• 2025-156
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 27th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

4.

Business Arising from the Minutes

a.

Resolution to Proceed with Filling Vacant Council Seat

• 2025-157
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

  WHEREAS Council declared a seat vacant in the Office of Council on May 27th, 2025; 
  
  AND WHEREAS Council is required to fill the vacancy as per Section 263(5) of the Municipal Act; 
  
  AND WHEREAS Council adopted the Council Vacancy Policy that establishes the process for filling a vacant seat on May 8th, 2025;
  
  NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that Council proceeds with Option 6.1(b) of the Council Vacancy Policy to appoint an election candidate who received the most votes in the last municipal election but was not elected; 
  
  AND FURTHER THAT election candidate, Nick Brazeau be appointed to Council for the remainder of the Council Term, upon the passing of an appointing by-law and verbal declaration of Oath of Office.  

  Carried Mayor Champagne

b.

By-law 2025-34: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

• 2025-158
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Deputy 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 appoint Nick Brazeau as Member of Council for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-34;

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

  Carried Mayor Champagne

c.

Oath of Office - Nick Brazeau

Councillor Brazeau was invited to take his seat at the Council table. Councillor Brazeau then made a verbal declaration by reading the Oath of Office and signing the same. Upon completion, Councillor Brazeau remained at the table as an official Member of Council. 

d.

Bell Fibre Update

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers requested an update regarding the installation progress of fibre internet. CAO Jason Trottier advised that there is no update from Bell at this time, and that Netspectrum has paused work in East Ferris for 2025. Further updates will be provided for the 2026 year, when information becomes available. 

e.

Municipal Staff/Volunteer Christmas Party

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted that she would like to see adjustments made to the annual Christmas Party. Council agreed to pass the following resolution: 

• 2025-159
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  THAT Council directs Staff to review options in lieu of a dance for the Municipal Staff and Volunteer Christmas Party; 
  
  AND FURTHER THAT information be brought forward to a future meeting of Council for discussion. 

  Carried Mayor Champagne

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest- Pecuniary Interest Thereof

None for this session.

6.

Announcements and Updates from Council Members

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted the following: 

• Francophone Flag raising ceremony for Saint Jean Baptiste Day on Tuesday, June 24th. Staff will advertise the time of the ceremony on the Municipal website and social media.
• June is ParticipACTION month. There are activities planned for residents including Youth Tennis, Pickleball and Yoga in the Park.
• East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services held live training over the weekend, which was well attended and well organized. 
• The Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters are hosting an Open House for their new Youth Outdoor Club this weekend. Information can be obtained from the Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters. 

Councillor Trahan thanked the East Ferris Fire & Emergency Services as well as all fire departments that attended the live training session. He noted the valuable experience of this training. Councillor Trahan thanked the OFM and the Ontario College of Firefighters. 

Mayor Champagne noted that the Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters annual Pike Tournament was successful and well attended. Participants remarked on the newly constructed South Shore boat launch. Mayor Champagne also advised Council that the  Mattawa River Canoe Race will be happening June 14th and that Council is welcome to attend to cheer on participants as they pass Macpherson Park. 

7.

Delegations to Council:

a.

Floyd - re: Pride

Floyd (no last name provided) presented a delegation to Council seeking their support in flying the Pride Flag for 30 days. Council thanked Floyd for his speech, noting that it was well done. Council advised that as per the Flag Policy, this discussion would resume upon a request to fly the Pride Flag in 2026. 

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

None for this session.

e.

Committee of Adjustment

None for this session. Next meeting June 18th, 2025.

f.

Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

None for this session.

g.

Striking Committee

None for this session.

9.

Board Reports:

a.

Library Board

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers provided an update on Library activities for the months of May and June. 

b.

OPP Detachment Board

The Clerk noted that the proper Quarterly Report for East Ferris will be brought forward to the July 8th meeting of Council. 

c.

Cassellholme, DNSSAB, Health Unit and NBMCA

1.

District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board

Council discussed the need for Childcare in East Ferris and noted that there are funding streams available through DNSSAB. 

2.

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

2024 Financial Statements

3.

Cassellholme

Board of Management Minutes of April 24th, 2025  & Annual General Meeting Minutes of April 24th, 2025

10.

Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

a.

Report No: PLAN-2025-04

• 2025-160
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation of the Director of Community Services in Report No.PLAN-2025-04 and awards the tender for the partial roof replacement at the East Ferris Community Centre and Arena to J.G. Fitzgerald & Sons Ltd. in the amount of $147,985.00 plus HST.

  AND THAT Council directs staff to proceed accordingly.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

11.

Notice of Motions

None for this session.

12.

By-laws:

None for this session.

13.

Correspondence and Information Items:

a.

AMO Communications

re: Communications of May 29th & June 5th, 2025

b.

Ministry of Infrastructure

re: 2025 ROMA Delegation Letter of Thanks

c.

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

re: June - Seniors Month Proclamation

• 2025-161
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

  WHEREAS June is Seniors Month in Ontario; 
  
  AND WHEREAS this year's theme is "Fit, Active and Healthy Seniors" highlighting the importance of supporting our older adults through programs and initiatives that promote wellness, social engagement, and education; 
  
  AND WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris remains a strong ambassador for seniors health and wellness; 
  
  NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris declares June as Seniors Month in East Ferris.  

  Carried Mayor Champagne

d.

Ontario Provincial Police

re: Realignment of Municipal Policing Bureau and Financial Services Unit

e.

District of Parry Sound Municipal Association

re: Supporting Municipal Ethics Through Access and Education

f.

Joanne Rodgers

re: Request for Noise By-law Exemption 

• 2025-162
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers
  Seconded by Councillor Trahan

  WHEREAS Joanne Rodgers has made a request to the Municipality for an exemption under Section 4 of Municipal By-law 2015-33; a By-law to Prohibit Excessive Noise;

  AND WHEREAS with Joanne Rodger’s request, the exemption would only apply from Friday, September 5^th, 2025 at 11:00 p.m. to Sunday, September 7^th, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. for the purpose of a backyard family reunion to be held at 747 Derland Road;

  BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Council for the Municipality of East Ferris approve the request received from Joanne Rodgers and grant an exemption of Municipal By-law No. 2015-33 for Friday, September 5^th, 2025 at 11:00 p.m. through Sunday, September 7^th, 2025 at 2:00 a.m.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

14.

Action Items:

a.

Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

• 2025-163
  Moved by Councillor Kelly
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of June 10th, 2025.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

b.

Boards & Committees Update

• 2025-164
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Councillor Kelly

  WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris appointed a Member of Council to a vacant seat on June 10^th, 2025;

  AND WHEREAS as a result of said appointment, Council deems it expedient to reorganize the appointment of members to certain Boards and Committees;

  NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the following Members of Council be appointed to the following Boards and Committees for the remainder of the Council Term:

  Public Works and Infrastructure Committee: Mayor Champagne, Chair and Councillor Brazeau, Vice-Chair

  Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee: Councillor Trahan

  North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority: Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers;

  AND THAT all other appointments to Boards and Committees remain.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

15.

Approval of Accounts Payable

• 2025-165
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT Council approve the general accounts for the Municipality of East Ferris as indicated in the cheque register(s) dated June 10th, 2025 in the amount of $579,342.67.

  Carried Mayor Champagne

16.

Other Business

None for this session.

17.

In Camera (if required)

None for this session.

18.

Confirmatory By-law

a.

By-law No. 2025-35: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

• 2025-166
  Moved by Councillor Brazeau
  Seconded by Councillor 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 confirm the proceedings of Council from May 28th, 2025 to June 10th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-35;

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

  Carried Mayor Champagne

19.

Adjournment

• 2025-167
  Moved by Councillor Trahan
  Seconded by Councillor Brazeau

  THAT we do now adjourn at 6:05 p.m. and meet again on July 8th, 2025.

  Carried Mayor Champagne