Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: May 27, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2025/Environmental Task Force - 27 May 2025 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes May 27, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Ange Defosse; Bruce Moore; Marlene Spruyt;
and Mike Ward.
Absent with Regret:
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 9:03 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 declared.
Presentation
a) Meghan Ward, PhD Candidate - Invasive Species
The Task Force received the presentation from Meghan Ward regarding invasive species and thanked her for the very informative presentation. The Task Force invited Ms. Ward to attend Summerfest on July 19, 2025 to raise awareness and provide education on invasive species.
Environmental Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated April 29, 2025, as approved via email and received for information at the May 15, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes May 27, 2025
Business Arising
a) Council Resolution #168-25 - Battery Storage Project Moved By Roy Huetl Seconded By Vernon Hermer Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Minutes of a Meeting of the Environmental Task Force dated April 29, 2025; And That Council requests the Task Force wait until after the next Council meeting before providing information to the public on battery storage projects. Carried
Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he attended a site visit with some other Council Members and Township staff at the 506 Waste Site property to look at a proposal from Alectra. Alectra will be attending the June 12, 2025 Council Meeting to discuss the proposal of a potential lease for a battery storage facility.
The Task Force Sub-committee has created an information sheet with general information to be added to the Township’s website. This information is general and would apply to any battery storage facility. The Task Force noted the public will be concerned about fire risks. Additional information can be added to the FAQ sheets. Asselin asked the Task Force to let him know what needed to be added. The Sub- committee will wait to provide information to the public as requested by Council.
Deputy Mayor Inglis and Councillor Huetl encouraged everyone to attend the June 12, 2025 Council Meeting to hear the presentation from Alectra.
b)
Council Resolution #145-25 - Mandatory Septic Inspection - Solicitor Advice
Moved by Councillor Regent Seconded by Councillor Good
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information Councillor Huetl’s
Administrative Report entitled “Environmental Task Force - Mandatory Septic
Inspection Proposal " on behalf of the Environmental Task Force;
And That Council instructs the Clerk/Planning Manager and Public Works Manager
to complete research on a potential mandatory septic inspection program on
properties at the time of sale and report back to Council for future consideration;
And That the costs for Solicitor’s advice is to be taken from the Operating
Contingency Reserve.
Carried
The Sub-committee agreed to provide information to the Public Works Manager and Clerk/Planning Manager to include in the Administrative Report being provided to Council on the proposed Mandatory Septic Inspection By-law.
c) Work Plan Update
- Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt See 6a) above.
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes May 27, 2025
Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt The Task Force reviewed the report provided to the Task Force on two proposals for the Municipal Office Complex. The Task Force discussed the environmental and cost benefits of the project and determined it was worth proceeding with a recommendation to Council to consider the proposal. It was noted the cost/benefit projections are not accurate. Asselin will update the model to be more precise and the data included in the report to Council. Deputy Mayor Inglis will complete an Administrative Report to Council outlining the proposal and recommending the Public Works Manager proceed with issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP). If approved by Council, and the RFP is issued, the Public Works Manager, Treasurer and Deputy Mayor Inglis will review the RFP.
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Councillor Huetl advised it has been difficult coordinating the meeting with the Mazinaw Property Owners Association, local MPs and MPPs and Addington Highlands Township.
Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler See section 6b) above.
Carrying Capacity of Lakes - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra. Ange Defosse and Mike Ward Moore advised this is a complex matter and suggested this be set aside for now. The Task Force agreed to put this item in the parking lot, for future discussions.
Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis The Task Force discussed the report provided in the Agenda package. It was noted, corporations are purchasing properties within municipalities that do not regulate short- term rentals. The Task Force was advised North Frontenac has a larger percentage of short-term rentals in relation to other properties than most other rural municipalities. Some of the disadvantages of short-term rentals include increased burden on roads, over-use of septic systems, noise and are in competition with resorts which are regulated. It was noted 59 rural municipalities are regulating short-term rentals.
Moore advised he would like to provide a report to Council to proceed with drafting a By- law. There were concerns that more information was required to be provided to Council before they could make a decision. Including the financial implications, staff impacts, enforcement, etc.
Moore noted the Sub-committee would like a commitment from Council before completing more work at the Sub-committee level. The Task Force agreed to provide Council with information to determine if they are interested in regulating short-term rentals before more work is completed by the Sub-Committee. The Secretary will put the report provided by the Sub-committee into the Township format and provide the report to Council. The recommendation will be for Council to endorse the need for a Short-term Rental By-law and the Task Force continuing with investigating the details for regulating Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes May 27, 2025
short-term rentals..
New Business
a) Councillor Huetl - Buckshot Lake Association re: Promotion of Catch and Release Fishing
Councillor Huetl advised he added this to the Agenda as a matter of interest. It appears there is a decline in the walleye population in Buckshot Lake. They are suggesting implementing a volunteer catch and release program with prizes being given for the largest walleye that is caught and released.
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 11:32 a.m. until June 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair, Environmental Task Force
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