Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: January 28, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2025/Environmental Task Force - 28 Jan 2025 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes January 28, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Ange Defosse; Marlene Spruyt; Mike Ward; and
Katie Surra
Absent with Regret:
Bruce Moore
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 9:05 a.m.
Traditional Land Acknowledgement
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None noted.
Environmental Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated December 17, 2024 as approved via email and received for information at the January 10, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt
Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward
Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler
Carrying Capacity of Lakes - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra and Mike Ward
Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra and John Inglis
Battery Storage Opportunities Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he has been communicating with two companies one being Innergex in Montreal and the other Alectra in Mississaga about solar energy and battery storage within North Frontenac. Alectra’s land agent has reviewed maps and identified Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes January 28, 2025
three potential properties that may be suitable. Once the property owner is agreeable to having the battery storage placed on their property the proponent would approach the Township to ensure they were agreeable. Many municipalities are wanting to be “hosts” and therefore it has become quite competitive. He advised he sees two challenges one public support and the other is fire safety. This is in the very early stages. Inglis advised he needs more information before providing a formal update to Council.
Asselin advised he attended a meeting on nuclear energy. He advised proponents North Frontenac is interested in discussing energy options.
- Net Metering Asselin provided an overview of how net metering works. The owner receives the same cost per kilowatt hour at the lowest rate (tiered billing) when they put energy into the grid. However; there costs to purchase energy is based on the tiered billing. Therefore; hydro has the advantage. He noted this is the model for residential use and it may be different for the Township.
The existing program for the current MicroFit system generates approximately $5,000 per year in revenue. However; this program is no longer available. Inglis advised the sub- committee is gathering information on the Township’s current energy use. He is considering requesting the Township have two contractors review the information and provide a proposal. They will need to look at a business case to determine if the project is feasible. It would take 10 years for the Township to recoup the capital costs. However; Council should not just consider the cost but also the environmental benefit of producing green energy which offsets fossil fuel generation.
Invasive Species Councillor Huetl advised the meeting with Addington Highlands and provincial representatives has not been scheduled yet.
Septic Inspection Program Councillor Huetl advised the sub-committee met last week with representatives of the North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance (NFLAA); Eric Kohlsmith, Inspector, Misssiippi-Rideau Septic System Office; and Township staff to look at options for a septic inspection program. He noted a full mandatory inspection program would not be supported at this time but there may be opportunities to implement a pilot project starting with some specific properties. The sub-committee discussed some options and the pros and cons of each including the sale of property, mandatory pump-out with reports provided to the Township; lake trout sensitive lakes, high development areas, Airbnb, etc. The biggest challenges are the costs to administer and enforce the program.
There was also a discussion on how to promote the current voluntary program and the
importance of septic health in general. The NFLAA is very supportive of this and some
suggestions included a booth at Summerfest, information included in the tax bill mailing,
lake association newsletters, Township social media, etc.
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes January 28, 2025
Carry Capacity No update.
Short-term Rentals Inglis advised a future meeting is being arranged and will include some members of the public who have completed some work on this in the past. Also, he will be obtaining information from the CAO on current complaints/concerns.
New Business
a) Task Force Procedures
Councillor Huetl provided an update on the role of the Task Force. He advised the Task Force provides ideas for their workplan to Council for consideration. The approved workplan allows the Task Force to focus on specific projects/tasks. The Task Force gathers information and data and provides recommendations to Council on how to implement the projects/tasks in the workplan. Council decides if the recommendations put forward are implemented. However; proposals put forward by the Task Force are generally more supported than if brought forward by individual Council or public members.
He noted everyone is encouraged to have opinions and provide recommendations at the meeting. However; when discussing or providing an opinion outside of the Task Force it needs to come from you as an individual and not as part of the Task Force.
Also, if Members have suggestions for agenda items or as additions to the workplan they should provide these to the Chair for inclusion in the Agenda.
b) Ontario Municipal Fleet Snapshot Survey
The PWM advised he participated in a survey in mid-2024 which examined the electrification of municipal fleets. He noted there were some interesting results which are detailed on the attachment in the Agenda.
He also noted the Township is currently preparing the site for two EV charges that will be placed in the parking lot. These are intended for public use.
c) Earth Day - April 22, 2025 Link to Earth Day Canada Website: https://earthday.ca/april-22/
The PWM advised the Land O’ Lakes Garden Club and Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes held a litter pick-up day last year along Township roads in North Frontenac and Addington Highlands. They have contacted him about holding a similar event on April 26, 2025. This request will be considered by Council at the January 31, 2025 Council Meeting. He advised if approved, the event will be promoted on the Township’s social Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes January 28, 2025
media accounts.
The Task Force discussed a potential declaration by the Township to recognize Earth Day. Also, the Township may want to consider some promotion and events to support the declaration, including potentially turning of lights for one-hour; promoting environmental initiatives, etc. The Task Force decided to recommend Council consider a Mayoral Declaration and will discuss initiatives and promoting ideas at the next meeting.
d) Septic Re-inspection Report for 2024 to Council on January 31, 2025 Update for Public Works Manager
The PWM advised the 2024 report will be provided to Council at the January 31, 2025 Council Meeting. He is also recommending the voluntary program continue for 2025. More information will be available after the Council Meeting.
Adjournment
a) Meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Recommendations Be It Resolved That Council receives the January 28, 2025 Environmental Task Force Notes for information; And That Council declares April 22, 2025 as Earth Day; And That Council instructs the Clerk to prepare a Mayoral Declaration and once approved by the Mayor to include a copy on the Township’s social media accounts.
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair, Environmental Task Force
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