THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF EAST FERRIS

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

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

1.
Call to Order

 

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

2.
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • 2025-257
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT the draft agenda presented to Council and dated the 9th day of December, 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 November 25, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Regular Meeting Minutes - November 25, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-258
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

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

 

Councillor Trahan spoke to the Light Up the Park event that occurred on November 26th. He thanked everyone involved in making the event a great success. 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers noted that the annual Municipal Staff and Volunteer Christmas Party was well attended. She thanked all staff and volunteers. 

Mayor Champagne agreed that both events were excellent. 

Deputy Mayor Rooyakkers and Councillor Trahan have been attending virtual sessions hosted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

7.
Delegations to Council:

 

a.
East Ferris Horticultural Society - Year in Review

This item has attachments. 
1.EFHS pres to EFMO Dec 9.25.pdf

James Bissonette, on behalf of the East Ferris Horticultural Society, presented a year-end review. Council deferred the request for 2026 funding to the budget meetings scheduled in late January.

8.
Committee Reports:

 

a.
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee

 

None for this session.

b.
Emergency Management Program Committee

 

1.
Minutes of Emergency Management Program Committee and Municipal Emergency Control Group Joint Meeting

This item has attachments. 
1.EMPC MECG Minutes November 26, 2025.pdf
1.
Resolution Arising from Minutes
This item has attachments. 
1.Agreement wih East Ferris EOC.pdf
  • 2025-259
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    WHEREAS the Municipality of East Ferris and the Township of Chisholm hold an agreement to establish the framework for the use of the East Ferris Community Centre as the Township of Chisholm’s secondary Emergency Operations Centre;

    AND WHEREAS the Agreement was originally signed in 2014 by both municipalities;

    AND WHEREAS the provisions of the Agreement have not changed;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of East Ferris concurs that the Agreement shall remain in place until one of the parties terminates the agreement, as per the termination clause;

    AND FURTHER THAT the Community Emergency Program Committee  be directed to review this Agreement on an annual basis. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

2.
Informational Report to Council

This item has attachments. 
1.Annual EMPC Report to Council Final.pdf
  • 2025-260
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    THAT the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the Annual Informational Report from the Emergency Management Program Committee as presented.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

c.
Fire and Emergency Services Committee

 

None for this session.

d.
Planning Advisory Committee

 

1.
Minutes of December 3rd, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - Planning Advisory Committee_Dec03_2025 - English.pdf
1.
Resolution Arising from Minutes
 
  • 2025-261
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byCouncillor Trahan

    WHEREAS the land owner(s) of the lands described as Part Lot 14, Concession 13, Reference Plan No. NR-83, Part 1, Parcel (PIN) 491830701 have requested approval for a Temporary Use By-law under section 34 and 39 of the Planning Act, in order to temporarily permit one (1) model home on the corner of Centennial Crescent and Hwy 17 on the property for a period of up to three (3) years;

    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;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the application for a Temporary Use By-law be approved; 

    AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a by-law be brought forward for consideration at the next regular meeting of Council. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

e.
Committee of Adjustment

 

f.
Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee

 

None for this session. Next Meeting January 8th, 2026.

g.
Striking Committee

 

None for this session.

9.
Board Reports:

 

10.
Departmental Reports & Resolutions:

 

a.
Report No. Clerk-2025-04: Appointment of an Integrity Commissioner

This item has attachments. 
1.Integrity Commissioner 2025 RTC.pdf
  • 2025-262
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris accepts the recommendation of the Clerk to appoint David Boghosian of Boghosian + Allen LLP for the role of Integrity Commissioner;


    AND THAT Council authorizes staff to prepare an agreement and by-law to be presented at the January 13th, 2026, Council meeting.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

11.
Notice of Motions

 

None for this session.

12.
By-laws:

 

a.
By-Law No. 2025-50: 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-50 Fees and Charges FINAL Reading with Schedules.pdf
  • 2025-263
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to the final reading of the following by-law at this session;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law with respect to the establishment and requirement of the payment of fees for information, services, activities and the use of the Corporation's property, BE READ a third and final time, passed and numbered 2025-50;

    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 No. 2025-54: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-54 TPA Minister of Sport.pdf
2.CSRIF_STREAM1_TPA_EastFerris_2024-08-1-2991106979_Approved.pdf
  • 2025-264
    Moved byCouncillor Brazeau
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers

    WHEREAS Council for the Municipality of East Ferris deems it expedient to the final reading of the following by-law at this session;

    BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT a By-law to authorize 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 Sport, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-54;

    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.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

This item has attachments. 
1.Ministry of Municipal Affairs Bill 17 HOC SIGNED EN.pdf

re: Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act (Bill 17)

b.
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM)

This item has attachments. 
1.FONOM Welcomes Federal Support for Steel and Lumber Sectors (1).pdf

re: Media Release - FONOM Welcomes Federal Support for Steel and Lumber Sectors Impacted by U.S. Tariffs

c.
FONOM

This item has attachments. 
1.FONOM and NOMA conclude Hill Days - Dec 3 2025.pdf

re: Media Release - Northern Ontario Hill Days

d.
FONOM

This item has attachments. 
1.FONOM Support Request.pdf

re: Request for Support - HWY 11 & 17 Phased 2+1 Program

e.
AMO Communications

This item has attachments. 
1.AMO Watchfile November 27, 2025.pdf
2.AMO Watchfile December 4, 2025.pdf

re: Watchfile of November 27th and December 4th, 2025

f.
City of Brantford

This item has attachments. 
1.Professional Activity (P.A) Day on Municipal Election Day – School.pdf

re: Professional Activity Day on Municipal Election Day

g.
Municipality of Calvin

This item has attachments. 
1.Calvin Resolution 2025-345 Strengthening Self Defence Protections and Addressing Rising Home Invasions in Ontario.pdf

re: Strengthening Self-Defence Protections and Addressing Rising Home Invasions in Ontario

h.
East Ferris Winter Carnival Committee

This item has attachments. 
1.Request Carnival Committee_Redacted.pdf

re: Declaring the Carnival as a Municipally Significant Event

  • 2025-265
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT Council for the Municipality of East Ferris has no objection to the East Ferris Carnival Committee hosting the 2026 Winter Carnival from February 12th to February 15th, 2026;

    AND FURTHER that Council declares this a municipally significant event and has no objections to the applications for appropriate licences. 

    Carried Mayor Champagne

i.
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

This item has attachments. 
1.MPAC Levy.pdf

re: 2026 Municipal Levy

14.
Action Items:

 

a.
Approval of Correspondence and Information Circulated with the Agenda

 
  • 2025-266
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT Council approve the Correspondence and Information as circulated with the agenda of December 9th, 2025.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

15.
Approval of Accounts Payable

 
  • 2025-267
    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 December 9th, 2025 in the amount of $400,810.35.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

16.
Other Business

 

None for this session.

17.
In Camera (if required)

 
  • 2025-268
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT this meeting proceeds to In-Camera session at 6:15 p.m., under Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 in order to address a matter pertaining to the potential sale and related negotiations of the surplus pumper truck: 

    (k)  a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. 2001, c. 25, s. 239 (2); 2017, c. 10, Sched. 1, s. 26.

     

    Carried Mayor Champagne
  • 2025-269
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Rooyakkers
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT we do now adjourn this In-Camera meeting at 6:28 p.m. and return to our regular session of Council.

    Carried Mayor Champagne

18.
Confirmatory By-law

 

a.
By-law No. 2025-55: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 2025-55 Confirmatory - November 25th, 2025 - December 9th, 2025.pdf
  • 2025-270
    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 November 26th, 2025 to December 9th, 2025, BE READ a first, second and third time, passed and numbered 2025-55;

    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

 
  • 2025-271
    Moved byCouncillor Trahan
    Seconded byCouncillor Brazeau

    THAT we do now adjourn at 6:29 p.m. and meet again on January 13th, 2026.

    Carried Mayor Champagne
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