Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: August 26, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2025/Environmental Task Force - 26 Aug 2025 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes August 26, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Ange Defosse (electronic); Bruce Moore
(electronic); Marlene Spruyt; and Katie Surra (electronic)
Absent with Regret:
Mike Ward
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 9:00 a.m.
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 July 29, 2025 as approved via email and being provided to Council for information at the August 28, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
No comments.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
- Short Term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis Moore advised the sub-committee is working on a discussion paper using the solid Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes August 26, 2025
research previously completed by the lake associations for review by the Task
Force. This document will include:
why short term rentals should be regulated, including concerns raised by short-
term rentals and the rationale for taking action.
different approaches used across the Province to regulate short term rentals to
determine what would be the best approach for North Frontenac.
elements to be included in the By-law.
He advised he anticipates this paper will be ready for review by the Task Force at
the November meeting. Once approved by the Task Force, it will be provided to
Council for discussion and consideration and to provide direction to staff on a
proposed By-law and legal review.
Councillor Huetl advised Council is receiving a presentation from Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development regarding a Municipal Accommodation Tax. He will ask if this can be applied to Air B&Bs. He noted he will provide an update at the next meeting.
Note: Moore left the meeting at this time.
- Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt The Public Information Sessions are being held tomorrow at 3:00 pm at the Clar- Mill Hall and 7:00 pm at the Township office.
The Public Works Manager advised he has been working with Cambium and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to ensure there are not any concerns with the proposal and the waste site and that changes to the Certificate of Approval are not required.
Deputy Mayor Inglis advised Council has approved Lisa Asbreuk, Partner, Cunningham Swan who specializes in energy projects to review the proposal and lease agreement.
Asselin explained what a risk assessment is and how it would apply to this project. A risk assessment analyzes possible risks based on the probability assigned (chance of occurrence) and the impact of the occurrence should it happen. These are assigned a high, medium and low rating and then the risks are reviewed based on this rating. For risks that are low for both criteria you may choose to accept the risk and in cases where it is high or medium for both criteria you may choose to avoid or mitigate the risk. These risks would be determined by the technology used in the project and site specific risks.
With respect to technology there has been continuous changes and improvements which reduce risks. Since 2018 there has been a 98% reduction in incidents due to the changes in the technology used for battery storage facilities and lessons learned from previous incidents. The type of batteries being used and the way the Page 2 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes August 26, 2025
batteries are stored has reduced the occurrences and impacts. In the cases where there were serious impacts some of the factors leading to these impacts include housing the batteries in buildings that were not designed for this purpose or in containers; the chemical make-up of the batteries; and the techniques used to manage these incidents. Batteries are now housed individually in a sealed container with venting and HVAC systems which reduces the spread of fire between batteries; the chemicals used to make the batteries has changed; and water is no longer used and the batteries are left to burn out reducing the risk to ground water contamination. It is important when researching these projects individuals research similar types of batteries, storage type and emergency response plans.
A risk assessment cannot be completed at this time as the project details are unknown at this time and it is just a concept. If IESO approves the project, the proponent will be required to have an independent third-party who specializes in energy storage complete a risk assessment. This will identify risks and formulate mitigation strategies which will need to be incorporated into the design.
An emergency response plan will also need to be completed which will use information from the risk assessment to ensure there are appropriate responses should there be an incident. This includes training and support for the local fire department prior to operation and when it first starts to operate.
If the risk assessment is completed and the risks are determined to be too high there are opportunities for the Township to not proceed with the project. The Task Force would like to understand what these opportunities are.
The Public Works Manager was asked to look at opportunities for Task Force Members to attend an existing BESS site.
Note: Surra and Defosse left the meeting at this time.
- Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Asselin presented the presentation he prepared for Council to the Task Force.
Note: Asselin and the Public Works Manager left the meeting at this time.
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Councillor Huetl advised there hasn’t been any further updates from the MPs or MPPs.
Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler Council has requested staff to prepare a report to Council regarding this matter. Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes August 26, 2025
The report and Council’s direction will be provided to the Task Force once completed.
b) Quarterly Newsletter
- Content for Fall Edition
This item was deferred until the September 30, 2025 meeting.
New Business
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 10:56 a.m. until September 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair
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