Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: February 24, 2026
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2026/Environmental Task Force - 24 Feb 2026 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes February 24, 2026
Environmental Task Force Notes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Council Chambers
Present:
Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl (Chair); Councillor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Bruce Moore; and Marlene Spruyt.
Absent with Regret:
Mike Ward and Katie Surra
Also Present:
Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager, Dipl.M.A. Dipl.M.M., and
Darwyn Sproule, Public Works Manager, P. Eng.,
Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:10 am.
Traditional Land Acknowledgement We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for Mother Earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the Township of North Frontenac is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None noted.
Environmental Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated December 23, 2025 as approved via email and received for information at the January 16, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council.
No comments.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
- Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra and John Inglis Moore provided an overview of the “Short Term Rentals - Recommended By-law Components” document as provided in the Agenda package. He noted there are proposed key definitions, including definitions to differentiate between commercial and Page 1 of 3
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes February 24, 2026
non-commercial Short-term Rentals (STR). Accommodations which are rented less than 4 weeks per year would be considered non-commercial. Any property owner renting more than 4 weeks per year would require a license. He noted without regulations there is a rapid growth in the number of rentals within the Township. Developers often look for municipalities without regulations when they are investing in properties and these municipalities become a target. Moore noted commercial tourist establishments are subject to regulations and it is unfair that others providing accommodations to the public are unregulated. It is recommended the program be cost neutral and the people benefitting from the rentals pay for the costs of licensing. The proposed By-law could look to address environmental concerns, including concerns with overuse of septic systems and overcrowding of lakes and public safety concerns. There are some suggestions to limit the number of licenses granted each year and to include restrictions and requirements in the proposed By-law with respect to number of rentals per property, parking, septic inspections, occupancy limit and minimum stays.
The Task Force is generally in favour of the proposal. Some concerns and considerations raised were as follows: costs to implement and enforce the program, including new staff requirements and impact on current staff. lack of a business plan to ensure revenue neutral. regulating the minimum stay - suggested this be removed and address in the future if warranted. how to determine the number of licenses to grant annually. lack of implementation details. consider a phased approach (incremental regulations). lack data with respect to the current number of STR in the Township. what licensing fee should be charged.
Councillor Inglis will prepare an Administrative Report to be provided to Council with the assistance of the sub-committee which will include the “Short Term Rentals - Recommended By-law Components” as amended to incorporate suggestions made by the Task Force. The Administrative Report will recommend Council endorse implementing a By-law and instruct staff to complete research on implementing an STR By-law, including details the cost of implementing and administering the By-law, recommended number of licenses to be issued annually, fees, enforcement, etc.
2.Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler
Mieske and Sproule provided an overview of the draft Administrative Report re:
Mandatory Septic Inspection Proposal. The report provides an overview of the legislation,
rationale for the program, implementation, education, etc. It also provides information on
the estimated costs to implement the proposed program and options for Council to
consider on how to implement the proposed program.
The Task Force discussed the draft report and requested some clarification on some of the details including the costs for the Teranet data and if it is required; who can complete Page 2 of 3
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes February 24, 2026
inspections, exemptions, etc. Sproule advised he has received some additional information since the preparation of the report including more details on the estimated costs which he will implement into the report prior to providing it to Council. Additional information for clarification will also be added based on the discussions. It is anticipated the report will be provided to Council at the March 20, 2026 Council Meeting.
Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Asselin advised he received some additional information on rebates and the load displacement system which he will add to the report to be provided to the Task Force at the next meeting.
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Deferred.
Carrying Capacity of Lakes Deferred.
Community Engagement Deferred.
New Business
a) High Speed Train
Deferred to next meeting.
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m. until March 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Chair
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