Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: April 29, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes April 29, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Paul Asselin; ;
Bruce Moore; and Marlene Spruyt.
Absent with Regret:
Councillor Fred Fowler; Ange Defosse; 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 9:00 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 declared.
Environmental Task Force Notes
a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated March 25, 2025 as approved via email and received for information at the April 25, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
- Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt
The report included in the Agenda package was provided to Council and the recommended motion was passed by Council. The Resolution directs staff and the Task Force to continue discussions with potential proponents and once more information is provided to Council in the future they will consider if they are a willing host. Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he will continue discussions with Alectra and Energex and if there is a Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes April 29, 2025
proposal it will be provided to Council.
The Task Force discussed options to provide general information to the public on battery storage projects, such as the benefits of projects, address frequently asked questions, identify risks, etc. Information can be provided through social media, Township website and the Lake Associations. The website can have a page set-up for this and interested residents can subscribe to receive updates. The sub-committee will work on information which can be provided to the public.
Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he has discussed the potential of adding solar panels to the roof or free standing at the Township office complex. The goal would be to create enough energy to entirely offset the energy used on an annual basis. The project would put clean energy into the grid and reduce the amount of energy that may need to be generated by other sources. Once a proposal is received the capital cost and the time to recover these costs can be determined. The Task Force agreed they would like Deputy Mayor Inglis to continue investigating this, for future discussion.
Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Councillor Huetl advised the meeting with the Mazinaw Property Owners Association, local MPs and MPPs and Addington Highlands Township has not been scheduled yet. He will provide an update following this meeting.
Meghan Ward, currently completing her Ph.D. on invasive species, will be providing a presentation to the Task Force at the May 27, 2025 meeting.
Councillor Huetl advised the Quinte Conservation Authority has a solar trailer boat cleaning station which they have offered to municipalities within the watershed on a rotating basis to help with the spread of aquatic invasive species. The cost for the boat wash station is $300 per week and Council approved getting the boat wash station for up to three weeks . This will encourage boat washing and be an opportunity to provide education to the public.
- Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler The report included in the Agenda package was provided to Council and the recommended motion was passed by Council. The Resolution directs staff to complete research on implementing the mandatory septic inspections for properties at the time of sale and report back to Council. Councillor Huetl advised this is a start and the sub- committee will continue to look at other options. Also, we need to continue promoting the voluntary inspection program. Moore noted it is important to get a full mandatory inspection in place as this proposal does not address the issues and wanted to know how to proceed to the next steps. Councillor Huetl advised he would like to look at options to include mandatory inspections for short term rentals.
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes April 29, 2025
Carrying Capacity of Lakes - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra. Ange Defosse and Mike Ward Moore advised they haven’t spent time on this. He noted it will require support from other levels of government. The sub-committee will put together information and provide a report to the Task Force at the end of the summer.
Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis Deputy Mayor Inglis advised he met with the sub-committee and some invited guests to discuss this matter and review a proposal titled " A Case for Action". This is a first step, if agreed by the ETF and subsequently Council, on how to move forward with regulating short term rentals. The sub-committee suggested some amendmentswhich were implemented, the members were asked to send any further adjustments and the “Case for Action” is now ready to be shared with the ETF. Moore noted that further to the inputs received that short-term rental platforms are targeting municipalities that are not regulated. Therefore the number of rentals continue to increase including the on-going concerns with over-use of septic systems and other environmental impacts. He also noted licensing could be implemented at no cost to the municipality. It was the consensus of the Task Force to have the “Case for Action” circulated and to discuss at the next Task Force meeting.
b) 2025 Invasive Species Forum: Detecting and Controlling Phragmites - Update from Public Works Manager
Sproule advised he attended a training session on phragmites which focused on trying to determine occurrences, management through cutting or spraying and the implications of not having an action plan. The Public Works department will be mapping the occurrences along Township roads this summer to determine the extent of the issue.
New Business None.
Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Recommendations to Council
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 approves the Task Force providing general information to the public on battery storage projects on the Township’s website, social media and to the lake associations and comments and questions shall be directed from the public to the Clerk who will provide these to the Task Force for future communication efforts.
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North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes April 29, 2025
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair, Environmental Task Force
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