Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: July 29, 2025
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2025/Environmental Task Force - 29 Jul 2025 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes July 29, 2025
Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Council Chambers
Present:
Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Deputy Mayor John Inglis; Councillor Fred
Fowler; Paul Asselin; Marlene Spruyt; and Mike Ward.
Absent with Regret:
Ange Defosse; Bruce Moore; and Katie Surra
Also Present:
Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager and Darwyn Sproule, Public
Works Manager.
Call to Order The Chair called the Meeting to order at 9:05 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 June 24, 2025, as approved via email and received for information at the July 10, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.
No comments.
Business Arising
a) Work Plan Update
- Battery Storage Opportunities - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt The Task Force discussed the Public Information Sessions which are scheduled for August 27, 2025 with one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Details on the times and location will be provided closer to the date. The Task Force Members Page 1 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes July 29, 2025
were encouraged to attend. Some Council Members and applicable staff will also be in attendance.
The FAQs have been posted on Engage Frontenac page. The Task Force requested details on the Engage Frontenac activity. The Clerk advised she would provide these details.
The Public Works Manager advised they are working on the draft lease agreement in parallel with the public consultation process. After the public consultation process, the lease agreement will not proceed if Council does not support the project.
Task Force Members advised they are hearing positive comments on the project with respect to green energy and community benefit funding. Some concerns raised include clean-up of the site at the end of the project and safety.
The Task Force requested the Public Works Manager to discuss the potential of a volunteer expert to review the contract. They also suggested reviewing contracts with other municipalities. The Task Force also felt the agreement should be reviewed by the Township’s solicitor or someone who specializes in this type of project.
- Net Metering - John Inglis, Paul Asselin and Marlene Spruyt Asselin advised he is preparing the presentation to be provided to Council at the August 28, 2025 Council Meeting. The presentation will address many of the questions raised by Council and provide more details on revenue, costs and return on investment.
The Public Works Manager advised there will be a report to Council on the Micro-fit panels that are currently located on the Municipal Complex. The report includes the past 10 years of income and costs. The current contract is in place until 2033 and the Township is receiving $0.54 per kilowatt hour. Council will consider options at the August 7, 2025 Council Meeting.
- Invasive Species - Roy Huetl, Fred Fowler and Mike Ward Councillor Huetl advised he met with Mazinaw Property Owners Association, the local MPs and MPPs, other local politicians and the Ministry of Natural Resources policy advisors (MNR) on July 16, 2025 regarding Eurasian Milfoil.
The MNR advised they do not have a budget to assist with the control of invasive
species. They advised Eurasian Milfoil has been present in Ontario for 80-90 years
and it is not included on the top 10 invasive species list. They noted it finds its
equilibrium and there isn’t much that can be done to control it. They noted it
provides a habitat for fish. They advised may do a case study at Mazinaw Lake.
However; they have very limited resources and staff.
Page 2 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes July 29, 2025
Ric Bresee, MPP, Hastings-Lennox and Addington, advised he would suggest to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks about adding an additional charge of $2.00 per car into Bon Echo Provincial Park to assist with controlling Eurasian Milfoil.
The Task Force noted there isn’t much they can do except potentially provide education on invasive species and how to limit the spread within the lake and to other lakes. Meghan Ward’s booth at Summerfest well received and provided a great opportunity to provide education to local residents and visitors on invasive species. There may be an opportunity to include this in the quarterly newsletter.
Councillor Huetl advised he would provide a report to Council on opportunities for the Township to provide education on invasive species, including Eurasian Milfoil.
Septic Inspection Programs - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Roy Huetl and Fred Fowler The volunteer septic inspection program is underway and residents are being encouraged to participate. There haven’t been any sub-committee meetings regarding the Mandatory Inspections.
Short-term Rentals - Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis The sub-committee has not met since the last Task Force meeting. They need to consider the elements that should be incorporated into a potential Licensing By- law. This is a complex matter and there are a lot of things to be considered. The Task Force requested information from the CAO on number and type of complaints received with respect to short-term rentals.
b) Quarterly Newsletter
The Task Force discussed including educational material on Eurasian Milfoil in the fall newsletter. It was determined this would be a better topic for the next spring edition. The Task Force requested this be added to the next Agenda for further discussion.
New Business
a) Recycling of Beer and Liquor Containers
The Task Force discussed the closure of the Sharbot Lake and Northbrook Beer Stores this fall and the loss of these options for returning empty beer and liquor containers. It was noted North of 7 is a depot for the returning of containers. Also, there are community groups who collect containers at the waste sites to raise funds to help with their services and programs. It was suggested this and other recycling information may be an option for the fall newsletter.
Adjournment Page 3 of 4
North Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes July 29, 2025
a) Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. until August 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Councillor Roy Huetl, Chair
Page 4 of 4
