Body: Council
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Regular
Date: February 6, 2026
Collection: Council Minutes
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Document Text
North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
Regular Council Minutes 9:00 AM - Friday, February 6, 2026 Council Chambers
Present:
Mayor Gerry Lichty; Councillor John Inglis; Councillor Wayne Good;
Councillor Vernon Hermer; and Councillor Fred Fowler
Absent with Regret:
Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl
Also Present:
Corey Klatt, Chief Administrative Officer, Dipl. M.A.; Brooke Drechsler,
Deputy Clerk/Assistant to the Planning Manager, Dipl. M.A.; Darwyn
Sproule, Public Works Manager, P. Eng.; and Kelly Watkins, Treasurer,
Dipl. M.A., M.M.
Call to Order The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:18 a.m.
Approval of Agenda
a) February 6, 2026 29-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council approves the Agenda dated February 6, 2026, as amended. Carried
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None.
Closed Session
a) Closed Meeting of Council 30-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council retires to Closed Session at 9:18 a.m. to:
a. Adopt Minutes of Closed Meetings held January 16, 2026;
b. Discuss Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative
tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, specifically an Ontario Land
Tribunal File.
Carried
Rise and Report (Overview of the Closed Session by the Chair)
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North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
The Mayor advised that, during Closed Session, Council adopted Minutes of a Closed Meeting held January 16, 2026; and discussed Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, specifically an Ontario Land Tribunal File.
Note: Adam Robinson, Director of Emergency Service/Fire Chief; Brooke Ross, Manager of Community Development; and Don Reed, Chief Building Official, joined the meeting at this time.
Business Profile
a) Nate’s Tires 31-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Business Profile of Nate’s Tires provided by the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). Carried
Presentations
a) Eric Kohlsmith, Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office: Septic Re-inspection Results 32-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the presentation from Eric Kohlsmith, Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office, regarding 2025 Re-Inspection Results; and thanks him for his time spent today. Carried
b) Public Works Manager - Administrative Report: 2025 Septic Re-Inspection Program and Proposed Program for 2026 33-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Public Works Manager’s Administrative Report entitled “2025 Septic Re-Inspection Program and Proposed Program for 2026”; And That Council approves the continuation of a voluntary Septic Re-Inspection Program, in partnership with the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office (MRSSO) for the 2026 season; And That Council approves the Public Works Manager (PWM) signing the 2026 Agreement with MRSSO for septic re-inspection services on behalf of the Township; And That Council instructs the PWM to place a copy of the 2025 Sewage System Re- inspection Program Report on the Township’s Website; And That staff shall assist MRSSO with arranging presentations for Lake Associations Page 2 of 9
North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
participating in the 2026 program. Carried
Delegations
a) Ontario Federation of Trail Riders and Bytown Motorcycle Association: 2026 Agreement with North Frontenac 34-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the presentation from Lisa Thompson, Executive Director with the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders, regarding the proposed 2026 Agreement with the Township; and thanks her for her time spent today. Carried
b) Manager of Community Development: By-Town Motorcycle Association (BMA) - 2026 Agreement Renewal 35-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “By-Town Motorcycle Association (BMA) - 2026 Agreement”; And That Council agrees to reduce the annual fee from $6,500 to $3,000; And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to sign the 2026 Agreement with the BMA to honour the OFTR trail permit on the Crown Roads within the North Frontenac Parklands.
For: Mayor Gerry Lichty, Councillor Wayne Good, Councillor Vernon Hermer, and Councillor John Inglis Against: Councillor Fred Fowler Carried 4-1 on a recorded vote
c)
Ottawa Valley ATV Club: 2026 Agreement with North Frontenac
36-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the presentation from Jon Wilson, President and Trail Master with the Ottawa Valley ATV Club, regarding the proposed 2026 Agreement with the Township; and thanks him for his time spent today. Carried
d) Manager of Community Development: Ottawa Valley ATV Club (OVATVC) - 2026 Annual Agreement 37-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “Ottawa Valley ATV Club (OVATVC) - 2026 Page 3 of 9
North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
Annual Agreement”; And That Council approves the annual fee of $6,500; And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to sign the 2026 Agreement with the OVATVC to honour the Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs trail permit on the Crown Roads within the North Frontenac Parklands.
For: Mayor Gerry Lichty, Councillor Wayne Good, Councillor Vernon Hermer, and Councillor John Inglis Against: Councillor Fred Fowler Carried 4-1 on a recorded vote
Adoption of Minutes
a) Minutes of the Meeting(s) to be adopted by Council 38-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council adopts the Minutes as circulated, of:
A Public Meeting of Council held January 16, 2026; and
A Regular Meeting of Council held January 16, 2026. Carried
Business Arising Out of Minutes None.
Communications
a) Clerk’s Administrative Report - Communications ‘A’ Section 39-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information Section ‘A’ Items of the Clerk’s
Administrative Report entitled “Communications of Interest.”
Carried
b) Communications ‘B’ Section - Action Items
B1.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs re: Township’s Financial Information Return
40-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information an email dated January 7, 2026,
from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing providing the following financial
indicators:
the Financial Indicator Threshold Report, which was calculated using the North
Frontenac 2024 Financial Information Return (FIR) data; and
the Municipal Financial Profile for North Frontenac.
Carried
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North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
B2.
ALTO re: Corridor Map and Virtual Engagement
41-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Whereas Council received for information an email dated January 20, 2026 from Joel Wiebe, Senior Advisor, Community Relations with ALTO, advising the online consultation platform is available for the public to provide additional feedback and explore the interactive corridor map for the high-speed rail (HSR) network between Toronto and Quebec City with a possible route coming through the Township of North Frontenac; And Whereas the Township of North Frontenac’s Official Plan’s Vision Statement of North Frontenac Council is to preserve the unique and pristine natural environment to promote a strong, resilient rural community; Now Therefore Be It Resolved That with the limited information and consultation that has been provided to date, the Council of the Township of North Frontenac does not support the proposed corridor going through the Township of North Frontenac; And That Council directs staff to provide this motion to The Honourable Steve Mackinnon, Federal Minister of Transportation; The Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; MP Scott Reid; The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; MPP John Jordan; and Mark Imbleau, the President of Alto. Carried
Council, CAO, and Managers’ Administrative Reports
a) Clerk/Planning Manager: Declaration of Council Member Office to be Vacant as per Municipal Act, Section 259 42-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Clerk/Planning Manager’s Administrative Report entitled “Declaration of Council Member Office to be Vacant as per Municipal Act, Section 259”; And That, in accordance with Section 262 of the Municipal Act, Council declares the office of Councillor for Ward 1 vacant; And That per the Township’s Procedural Policy, Council instructs the Clerk to offer the position to Mike Hage as the candidate from Ward 1 who had the highest number of votes in Ward 1 at the previous election; And That if Mr. Hage is agreeable to accepting the position to invite him to the February 27, 2026 Council Meeting to take the Oath of Office; And That if Mr. Hage declines the position, the Clerk is instructed to advertise the vacancy as set-out in the Procedural Policy. Carried
b) Chief Administrative Officer: Complaint Files - 2025 Annual Report 43-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Chief Administrative Officer’s Page 5 of 9
North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
Administrative Report entitled “Confidential Complaint Files - 2025 Annual Report”. Carried
c) Chief Building Official: Building Department Annual Activity - 2025 44-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Chief Building Official’s Administrative Report entitled “Building Department Annual Construction Activity 2025” Carried
d) Clerk/Planning Manager: Planning Department Year End Report for 2025 45-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Clerk/Planning Manager’s Administrative Report entitled “Planning Department Year End Report for 2025". Carried
e) Clerk/Planning Manager: Shore Road Allowance Closure and By-law - Kerr 46-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Clerk/Planning Manager’s
Administrative Report entitled “Shore Road Allowance Closure and Sale By-law – Kerr";
And That, as required by By-law #2025-04,
All That Part of the Shore Road Allowance abutting Kashwakamak Lake adjoining Lot
308, Registered Plan 1045, formerly in the Township of Barrie, being Part 1 on
Registered Plan 13R-14741 (Kashwakamak Lake)
be declared as surplus and sold to the adjoining owners. An appraisal of the property are
not necessary as this is a Shore Road Allowance;
And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to Stop-up, Close and Sell
this portion of the Shore Road Allowance.
Carried
Note: The CBO left the meeting at this time.
f) Pothole Prevention and Repair Program (PPRP) and Transfer Payment Agreement - Update 47-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Public Works Manager’s
Administrative Report entitled “Pothole Prevention and Repair Program (PPRP) and
Transfer Payment Agreement - Update";
And That Council authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to sign the Transfer
Payment Agreement (TPA) for the Ministry of Transportation’s Pothole Prevention and
Repair Program (PPRP) on behalf of the Township;
And That Council direct staff to collect, complete, and submit all required documentation
Page 6 of 9
North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes February 6, 2026
and reports required by the program. Carried
g) Public Works Manager: Update to Civic Addressing and Private Lane Naming Procedure - By-law 48-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Public Works Manager’s
Administrative Report entitled “Update to Civic Addressing and Private Lane Naming
Procedure - By-law";
And That Council approves revising the civic addressing and lane naming policy;
And That Council will consider an updated By-law later in the meeting.
Carried
External Committees/Local Boards/Task Force Notes and Reports
a) Housing Advisory Task Force 49-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Notes of a Meeting of the Housing Advisory Task Force held January 14, 2026. Carried
b) Economic Development Task Force 50-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer
Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Notes of a meeting of the Economic Development Task Force held January 19, 2026; And That Council approves the EDTF 2026 Work Plan. Carried
Giving Notice of Motion (By a Member of Council to the Clerk for Council’s consideration for inclusion on the next Meeting Agenda) None.
Motions, Written Notice of which has been Given (By a Member of Council and approved by Council at a prior Meeting)
a) Councillor Hermer - Review of Procedural Policy, specifically Electronic Attendance at Open and Closed Council Meetings 51-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis
Whereas at the Council meeting on January 16, 2026, Councillor Hermer served a Notice of Motion to discuss the Procedural Policy, specifically Section 6.6 Electronic Participation in Open and Closed Meetings, at the February 6, 2026, Council Meeting; Page 7 of 9
North Frontenac R
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