Body: Council
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Regular
Date: January 16, 2026
Collection: Council Minutes

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Document Text

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

Regular Council Minutes 9:00 AM - Friday, January 16, 2026 Council Chambers

Present:
Mayor Gerry Lichty; Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl; Councillor John Inglis; Councillor Wayne Good; Councillor Vernon Hermer; and Councillor Fred Fowler Absent with Regret: Councillor Stephanie Regent
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.; Adam Robinson, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief; Brooke Ross, Manager of Community Development, Dipl. M.A.; and Kelly Watkins, Treasurer, Dipl. M.A., M.M.

Call to Order The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

Approval of Agenda

a) January 16, 2026 4-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council approves the Agenda dated January 16, 2026, as circulated. Carried

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None declared.

Business Profile

a) Lyons Heating and Cooling 5-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Business Profile of Lyons Heating and Cooling provided by the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). Carried

Presentations Page 1 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

None.

Delegations

a) Sarah McCullough, Youth Program Supervisor, Rural Frontenac Community Services 6-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the presentation from Sarah McCullough, Youth Program Supervisor with Rural Frontenac Community Services entitled “Rural Frontenac Community Services Youth Program - Enabling Youth to Live Rural Life to its Fullest”; and thanks her for her time spent today. Carried

Adoption of Minutes

a) Minutes of the Meeting(s) to be adopted by Council 7-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer

Be It Resolved That Council adopts the Minutes as circulated, of:  A Special Meeting of Council held December 4, 2025;  A Public Meeting of Council held December 12, 2025; and  A Regular Meeting of Council held December 12, 2025. Carried

Business Arising Out of Minutes None.

Communications

a) Clerk’s Administrative Report - Communications ‘A’ Section 8-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

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.
Township of South Frontenac re: Request for Support - Defend Local Autonomy 9-26 Moved by Councillor Fred Fowler, Seconded by Councillor Vernon Hermer

Be it Resolved That Council receives for information a Resolution approved by South Frontenac Council at their meeting held December 9, 2025 directing South Frontenac staff to submit a formal letter of objection to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, expressing their concern with the “Strong Mayor” model; Page 2 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

the proposed consolidation of Conservation Authorities; and the municipal planning implications of Bill 60, the “Fighting Delays, Building Faster” Act, as all represent a systematic erosion of municipal democratic agency and local environmental oversight;
And That North Frontenac Council supports the objections presented by the Council of South Frontenac; and directs North Frontenac staff to provide this resolution of support to the Premier of Ontario; the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); and the Township of South Frontenac. Carried

Council, CAO, and Managers’ Administrative Reports

a) Clerk/Planning Manager: Shore Road Allowance and By-Law - Strong 10-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Clerk/Planning Manager’s Administrative Report entitled “Shore Road Allowance Closure and Sale By-law – Strong"; And That, as required by By-law #2025-04:  All That Part of the Shore Road Allowance lying in front of Lot 286, Registered Plan 1044, geographic Township of Barrie, being Part 1 on Registered Plan 13R- 12429 (Kashwakamak Lake); be declared as surplus and sold to the adjoining owners. Appraisals of the properties are not necessary as these are Shore Road Allowances; And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to Stop-up, Close and Sell the Portions of the Shore Road Allowances.
Carried

b) Manager of Community Development: Rental Agreement with the First Resource Management Group Inc. (Mazinaw-Lanark Forest Inc.) for Rental of Office Space at the Barrie Community Hall 11-26 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 “Rental Agreement with the First Resource Management Group Inc. (Mazinaw-Lanark Forest Inc.) for Rental of Office Space at the Barrie Community Hall”; And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Agreement with the First Resource Management Group Inc.
Carried

c) Manager of Community Development: Draft Rink Board Advertising Policy 12-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “Draft Rink Board Advertising Policy”; Page 3 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

And That Council approves the Rink Board Advertising Policy; And That Council will consider a By-law later in the meeting to adopt the Policy; And That funds from this initiative will be placed in the Recreation Sustainability TCA Reserve Fund for future initiatives.
Carried

d) Manager of Community Development: 2026-2029 Helipad Agreement with Ornge for Plevna and Ompah Helipads 13-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Manager of Community Development’s Administrative Report entitled “2026-2029 Helipad Agreement with Ornge for Plevna and Ompah Helipads”; And That Council authorizes the Manager of Community Development to sign the 2026- 2029 Helipad Agreements with Ornge for Plevna and Ompah Helipads. Carried

e) Manager of Community Development: Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - 2025 Annual Report 14-26 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 “Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - 2025 Annual Report”. Carried

f) Treasurer: 2026 Insurance Renewal 15-26 Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Treasurer’s Administrative Report entitled “2026 Insurance Renewal”; And That Council instructs the Treasurer to provide Council with an update on a potential Joint Request For Proposal prior to the 2027 Insurance renewal. Carried

g) Treasurer: Final Tax Rate By-Law and Regulation 284/09 16-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Treasurer’s Administrative Report entitled “Final Tax Rate By-Law and Regulation 284/09”; And That in accordance with Ontario regulation 284/09, Council recognizes and adopts expenses excluded from the 2026 approved Budget such as amortization and post retirement benefits identified in this report; And That Council approve increasing the minimum notice amount from $10 to $20 for arrears notices on unpaid taxes; Page 4 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

And That the 2026 Final Tax Rate By-law for the Township of North Frontenac be considered later in the meeting. Carried

External Committees/Local Boards/Task Force Notes and Reports

a) Housing Advisory Task Force 17-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Notes dated December 10, 2025 of the Housing Advisory Task Force (HATF);
And That Council approves the 2025-2026 HATF Work Plan. Carried

b) Economic Development Task Force 18-26 Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Notes dated December 15, 2025 of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF); And That Council approves the EDTF updated Terms of Reference; And That Council approves of the EDTF not advertising to fill the vacant position on the EDTF at this time.
Carried

c) Environmental Task Force 19-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Notes dated December 23, 2025 of the Environmental Task Force. Carried

Giving Notice of Motion (By a Member of Council to the Clerk for Council’s consideration for inclusion on the next Meeting Agenda)

a) Councillor Hermer - Review of Procedural Policy 20-26 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Fred Fowler

Be It Resolved That Councillor Hermer serves 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 Carried

Motions, Written Notice of which has been Given (By a Member of Council and approved by Council at a prior Meeting)

Page 5 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

a) Resolution #433-25: Deputy Mayor Huetl - Amendments to Official Plan and Zoning By-law (Rural Co Operative Designation on Waterfront Properties) 21-26 Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis

Whereas at the meeting held December 12, 2025, Council received a Notice of Motion from Deputy Mayor Huetl regarding amending the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to discourage Rural Cooperatives on Waterfront Properties to be considered at the January 16, 2026 Council Meeting;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That Council instructs the Clerk/Planning Manager to review options to amend the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to discourage Rural Cooperatives on waterfront properties; and report back to Council. Carried

Council Portfolio Verbal Reports

a) Each Council member has a portfolio for which they are responsible and provided a verbal report for information purposes.

Introduction and Reading of By-laws

a) By-law(s) to be Considered: 22-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That leave be given the Mover to introduce the following By-law(s) that have been circulated to all members of Council:  #2026-01 To Authorize Borrowing to Meet Current Expenditures;  #2026-02 To Adopt Fees and Charges By-law;  #2026-03 To Close, Stop Up and Sell Shore Road Allowance;  #2026-04 To Sign Lease Rental Agreement with First Management Resource Group Inc.;  #2026-05 To Adopt Rink Board Advertising Policy;  #2026-06 To Adopt Final Tax Rate. And That these By-law(s) be read a first, second and third time and finally passed.
Carried

Public Forum The Mayor invited questions and comments from the public attending the meeting in person and virtually. These Public Comments will not form part of the Council Minutes.

Note: The DESFC, MCD and PWM left the meeting at this time.

Closed Session

a) Closed Meeting of Council 23-26 Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis Page 6 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

Be It Resolved That Council retires to Closed Session at 10:31 a.m. to: a. Adopt Minutes of a Closed Meeting held December 12, 2025; b. Discuss Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, specifically an Ontario Land Tribunal File; and
c. Discuss personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. Carried

Rise and Report (Overview of the Closed Session by the Presiding Officer) The Mayor advised that, during Closed Session, Council: a. Adopted Minutes of a Closed Meeting held December 12, 2025; b. Discussed Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, specifically an Ontario Land Tribunal File; and
c. Discussed personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

Confirmatory By-law

a) Confirming By-law #2026-07 24-26 Moved by Councillor John Inglis, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl

Be It Resolved That By-law #2026-07 being a By-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of Council for its Regular Meeting held January 16, 2026 be read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.
Carried

Adjournment

a) Motion to Adjourn 25-26 Moved by Deputy Mayor Roy Huetl, Seconded by Councillor John Inglis

Be It Resolved That Council adjourns the Meeting at 12:07 p.m. until February 6, 2026 or at the call of the Chair. Carried

Mayor Page 7 of 8

North Frontenac Regular Council Minutes January 16, 2026

Clerk

Page 8 of 8

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