THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

-
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

1.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Champagne called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-220
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 28th day of October, 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 October 14th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - October 14, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-221
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of October 14th, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

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

 

Mayor Champagne and Councillor Trahan noted that the delivery of the new fire truck is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29th and will be showcased at the Astorville Fire Hall on Halloween. Mayor Champagne reminded residents that donations for the Halloween event at the Astorville Fire Hall are being accepted at the Municipal Office. 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers advised that the Halloween Skate hosted at the East Ferris Community Centre on October 26th was a success, and shared her appreciation of the Business Spotlights posted during Small Business Week. 

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

 

None for this session.

e.
Committee of Adjustment

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - Committee of Adjustment_Oct15_2025 - English.pdf

Minutes of October 15th, 2025.

  • 2025-222
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    WHEREAS the Committee of Adjustment noted that a significant percentage of minor variance applications being received are seeking exemptions from Section 3.2.7 of Zoning By-law 2021-60;

    AND WHEREAS Section 3.2.7 of Zoning By-law 2021-60 regulates the floor area of accessory structures to residential uses in rural and residential zones;

    AND WHEREAS Section 3.2.7 of Zoning By-law 2021-60 currently regulates accessory structure size based on lot area, with a maximum accessory structure floor area ranging between 960 sq. ft. on lots under 1.5 acres in lot area to 1600 sq. ft. on lots greater than 10 acres in lot area;

    AND WHEREAS the Committee of Adjustment has been supportive of all applications submitted for an exemption to Section 3.2.7 since the adoption of By-law 2021-60 by East Ferris Council on January 11, 2021;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris concurs with the recommendation from the Committee of Adjustment that a review of provision 3.2.7 of Zoning By-law 2021-60 be undertaken to determine whether it would be appropriate to increase the maximum permitted floor area for accessory structures to residential uses on all lots in rural or residential zones; 

    AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Community Services be directed to prepare a report for Council for consideration. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

This item has attachments. 
1.Recreation Minutes - October 23 2025.pdf

Draft Minutes of October 23rd, 2025.

1.
Resolution(s) from Minutes

 
1.
Resignation from Committee: Donna St. Martin
This item has attachments. 
1.Letter St. Martin.pdf
  • 2025-223
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council for the Municipality accepts the letter of Resignation from the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Committee; and

    THAT Council declares the seat as vacant; and

    FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to advertise for the position of a Committee Member to fill the vacancy. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne
2.
Committee Mandate
This item has attachments. 
1.Draft TOR for Recreation and Events Committee .pdf
  • 2025-224
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris concurs with the request of the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Committee; and

    THAT the Mandate for the Committee under the Terms and References for Boards and Committees be amended as presented.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

a.
Library Board

 

None for this session.

b.
OPP Detachment Board

 

None for this session.

c.
Cassellholme, DNSSAB, Health Unit and NBMCA

 

None for this session.

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

a.
Report No. PLAN-2025-06: Lake Access Location Review

This item has attachments. 
1.PLAN-2025-06 - Lake Access Report - Public Feedback Follow Up.pdf
  • 2025-225
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris declares certain road allowances as surplus, as delineated in Appendix One of Report Number PLAN-2025-06; and

    THAT the remaining road allowances not be declared surplus at this time.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

11.
Notice of Motions

 

None for this session.

12.
By-laws:

 

a.
By-Law 2025-45: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-45 - Closure and Conveyance - Magnusson (PML-2022-03).pdf
  • 2025-226
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    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 close and convey a part of the road allowance adjacent to 45 Scottsfield Road, described as part of the road allowance between Concession 6 and 7, parts 1,2, 3 and 4 plan 36R15340 Township of East Ferris, District of Nipissing BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-45;

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

    Carried Mayor Champagne

b.
By-law 2025-46: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-46 - Closure and Conveyance - Champagne and Duquette (PML-2021-05).pdf
  • 2025-227
    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 close and convey a part of the road allowance adjacent to 324 South Shore Road, described as part of the road allowance between Concession 2 and 3, being parts 11, 12 & 13 plan 36R15236; Township of East Ferris; District of Nipissing AND to close and convey the former colonization road, being parts 3, 4, 7 & 10 plan 36R15236 & part 1 plan 36R14891; Township of East Ferris; District of Nipissing BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-46;

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

    Carried Mayor Champagne

13.
Correspondence and Information Items:

 

a.
AMO Communications:

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO Watchfile - October 16th, 2025.pdf
2.AMO Watchfile - October 23rd, 2025.pdf

re: Watchfile of October 16th and 23rd, 2025

b.
Rural Ontario Municipal Association

This item has attachments. 
1.ROMA Delegation Requests.pdf

re: Delegation Requests Open for ROMA 2026 Conference

c.
Municipality of Bluewater

This item has attachments. 
1.Municipality of Bluewater-Keep Climate Change as a Foremost National Priority.pdf

re: Keeping Climate Change as a Foremost National Priority

d.
City of Dryden

This item has attachments. 
1.City of Dryden - Swim to Survive.pdf

re: Swim to Survive Training

  • 2025-228
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the City of Dryden, urging the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Education, to incorporate mandatory water safety and Swim-to-Survive training into the elementary school curriculum for all Ontario students; 

    AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Minister of Education of Ontario, and local Members of Provincial Parliament.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

e.
Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal

This item has attachments. 
1.Support Resolution - Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).pdf

re: Amendments to Ontario Infrastructure Fund

  • 2025-229
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal urging the Province of Ontario to introduce amendments to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, as outlined in their correspondence if October 14th, 2025. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

f.
Town of Plympton-Wyoming

This item has attachments. 
1.Plympton-Wyoming Resolution - Conservation Fee Freeze(1).pdf

re: Reconsideration of Conservation Authority Fee Freeze

  • 2025-230
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Town of Plympton-Wyoming, urging the Province of Ontario to reconsider the fee freeze mandate and to implement a funding framework that protects municipal taxpayers from cost recovery deficits, while supporting a sustainable and balanced approach to conservation authority financing.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-231
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of October 28th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

b.
Resolution for Funding Submission: NOHFC

 
  • 2025-232
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT Council for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris authorizes staff to submit a funding application for the new Corbeil Fire Hall and Training Centre to Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation’s (NOHFC) Enhance Your Community Program for the maximum contribution of $2,000,000;

    AND THAT Council commits to contributing the minimum applicant cash contribution required by NOHFC plus any cost overruns, if applicable.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-233
    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 October 28, 2025 in the amount of $981,649.31.

    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. 2025-47: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-47 Confirmatory - October 15th, 2025 to October 28th, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-234
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    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 October 15th, 2025 to October 28th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-47;

    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

 
  • 2025-235
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn at 6:15 p.m. and meet again on November 12th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne
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