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
STAFF PRESENT:
  • Jason Trottier, CAO/Treasurer
  • Kim Rose, Clerk

1.
Call to Order

 

Upon the meeting being declared open, Clerk Kim Rose introduced an Appointing By-law and administered the Oath of Office for the appointment of Richard Champagne to Head of Council.

a.
By-law 2025-32: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-32 Appoint Mayor for Remainder of Term.pdf
  • 2025-140
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    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 appoint Richard Champagne as the Head of Council for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-32;

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

    Carried Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers

b.
Oath of Office - Richard Champagne, Mayor

 

Mayor Champagne read the Declaration: Oath of Office 

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-141
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 27th day of May, 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 13th, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - May 13, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-142
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 13th, 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

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers, Councillor Trahan and Mayor Champagne all noted the success of the 10th Annual East Ferris Tradeshow. 
Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers also noted the Youth Entrepreneur Tradeshow and thanked organizer, Stephanie St. Louis. The Deputy Mayor reminded the public that the Pride Flag will be raised at the Municipal Office on June 2nd, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. and East Ferris Pride t-shirts are available for purchase. All are welcome to the event. 

7.
Delegations to Council:

 

a.
Kevin Erickson: 48 Sunrise Lane

This item has attachments. 
1.Delegation Sunrise Lane_Redacted.pdf

Mr. Kevin Erickson presented a delegation to Council regarding a small piece of Municipally owned land at 48 Sunrise Lane. 

  • 2025-143
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris defers item 7(a) to staff for a Report to Council. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

b.
Jessica Dion, Baker Tilly SNT LLP

This item has attachments. 
1.Draft Financial Statements.pdf
2.Comparative Analysis - East Ferris 2023 - revised.pdf

Jessica Dion presented the 2023 Financial Statements for East Ferris. 

  • 2025-144
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris' Financial Statements for the year ended December 31st, 2023, be accepted as prepared and presented by Baker Tilly, SNT, LLP, Municipal Auditors.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

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

 

1.
Minutes of May 21st, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Planning Minutes - May 21st 2025 (002).pdf

2.
Recommendation(s) from Minutes

 
  • 2025-145
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    WHEREAS no public input was received at the public meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee held May 21st, 2025 for file No. C-2025-03 (Kearns)for the lands described as Lots 17 & 18, Concession 3, Reference Plan No. 36R-9058, Parts 1 and 2, Parcel 15790 on what is locally known as Blanche Road; and

    WHEREAS the applicant has applied to amend the Municipality's Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 2021-60, as amended to rezone the subject parcel of land from the existing Conservation (O2) zoning to a Rural (R) zone in order to permit a future residential use on the property; and 

    WHEREAS the application is consistent with the Provincial Planning 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 May 21st, 2025 by Resolution No. 2025-105.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

e.
Committee of Adjustment

 

 None for this session.

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

 

None for this session.

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

None for this session.

11.
Notice of Motions

 

None for this session.

12.
By-laws:

 

None for this session. 

13.
Correspondence and Information Items:

 

a.
Ministry of the Solicitor General

This item has attachments. 
1.Ministry of the Solicitor General re Cost Recovery Model Review.pdf

re: OPP Cost Recovery Model Review and June 2025 Webinars

b.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

This item has attachments. 
1.MMAH Municipal Notification Letter 1.pdf

re: Bill 17 - Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025

c.
Association of Municipalities of Ontario

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO 2025 Conference Delegations.pdf

re: 2025 Conference Delegations

  • 2025-146
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris directs staff to register for and prepare a delegation at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario regarding natural gas in East Ferris. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

d.
AMO Communications

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO Watchfile - May 15th, 2025.pdf
2.AMO Watchfile - May 22, 2025.pdf

re: Communications of May 15th & 22nd, 2025

e.
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

This item has attachments. 
1.FONOM Media Release May 15th, 2025 (1).pdf

re: Media Release - FONOM Applauds "Tariff and Northern" Focus of 2025 Ontario Budget

f.
Town of Orangeville

This item has attachments. 
1.Orangeville re Bill 5.pdf

re: Responsible Growth and Opposition to Bill 5

  • 2025-147
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris supports the Town of Orangeville's opposition the provisions in Bill 5 that would reduce environmental protections or override municipal planning authority; and

    THAT the Municipality of East Ferris urges the Province of Ontario to advance housing and infrastructure growth through policies that respect sound environmental planning principles and uphold the planning tools available to local governments; and

    THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to: the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-148
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of May 27th, 2025.

b.
Declaration of Vacant Council Seat

 

The decision on how to proceed with filling the vacant seat of Council is deferred to the next meeting of Council. 

  • 2025-149
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    WHEREAS Councillor Champagne was appointed as Mayor at the May 27th, 2025 meeting of Council leaving his seat as Councillor vacant; and 

    WHEREAS as Section 262(1) of the Act prescribes for the declaring of vacancies of office; and

    WHEREAS Council must declare the Council seat as vacant prior to beginning the process of filling the vacancy;

    NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Municipality of East Ferris formally declares a Council seat as vacant.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

c.
Resolution: RBC - Amendment of Banking Signing Authorities

 
  • 2025-150
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Kelly

    THAT the following be approved as financial signing authorities for the Corporation of the Municipality of East Ferris effective May 27th, 2-25 as follows: 

                  One of                 Mayor - Richard (Rick) Champagne

                                              Deputy Mayor - Lauren Rooyakkers

                   And One of         CAO/Treasurer - Jason Trottier

                                              Clerk - Kari Hanselman

    Carried Mayor Champagne

d.
Appointment of Mayor to Lake Nosbonsing OPP Detachment Board

 
  • 2025-151
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT Mayor Rick Champagne be appointed as Council Representative on the Lake Nosbonsing OPP Detachment Board for the Municipality of East Ferris for the remainder of the Term of Council.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-152
    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 May 27th, 2025 in the amount of $198,652.66.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

16.
Other Business

 

a.
Bell Fibre Update - Discussion

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers sought an update for the Bell Make Ready fibre optic project in East Ferris. Staff will invite Bell to an upcoming meeting of Council for an update on where the project is at.

b.
Municipal Staff & Volunteer Christmas Party - Discussion

 

This item will be discussed during 2026 budget deliberations. 

c.
AMO Municipal Rep Day - Discussion

 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers provided information to Council regarding the educational programing designed for youth through AMO. 

17.
In Camera (if required)

 

None for this session.

18.
Confirmatory By-law

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-33: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-33 Confirmatory -May 14th, 2025 to May 27th, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-153
    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 confirm the proceedings of Council from May 14th, 2025 to May 27th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-33;

    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

 
  • 2025-154
    Moved byCouncillor Kelly
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT we do now adjourn at 6:30 p.m. and meet again on June 10th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne
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