Body: Council Type: Minutes Meeting: Regular Date: February 3, 2026 Collection: Council Minutes Municipality: South Frontenac
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Document Text
Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026
Township of South Frontenac Council Meeting Minutes
Meeting #2026-03 Time: 6:45 PM Location: Council Chambers/Virtual Via Zoom Present: Ray Leonard, Steve Pegrum, Norm Roberts, Randy Ruttan, Ron Sleeth, Scott Trueman, Adam Turcotte, Mayor Ron Vandewal Regrets: Doug Morey Staff: Louise Fragnito - Chief Administrative Officer, James Thompson - Clerk, Heather Woodland - Deputy Clerk, Kyle Bolton - Director of Public Services, Troy Dunlop Manager of Engineering and Capital Projects, Delbert Blakney - Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Stephanie Kuca - Director of Finance and Treasurer, Melia Edgar
- Deputy Treasurer
1
Meeting to Order
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-01 Moved by Councillor Sleeth Seconded by Councillor Leonard That the Council meeting of February 3, 2026 be called to order at 6:45 p.m. Carried
2
Approval of Agenda (and Addendum)
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-02 Moved by Councillor Roberts Seconded by Councillor Turcotte That the agenda be amended to include the addendum. Carried Resolution No. [2026-03]-03 Moved by Councillor Ruttan Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pegrum That the agenda as amended be approved. Carried
3
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
a)
There were none.
4
Committee of the Whole “Closed Session”
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-04
Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 Moved by Councillor Leonard Seconded by Councillor Sleeth That Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole “Closed Meeting” to consider the following items: (a) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board. (b) Approval of the November 18, 2025 Committee of the Whole “Closed Meeting” minutes. Carried b)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-05 Moved by Councillor Ruttan Seconded by Councillor Trueman That Council rise from Committee of the Whole “Closed Meeting” without reporting. Carried
5
Recess (If Required)
6
Roll Call
a)
The Deputy Clerk conducted roll call.
7
Ceremonial Presentations
a)
There were none.
8
Public Meeting
a)
Not applicable.
9
Delegations
a)
There were none.
10
Briefings
a)
There were none.
11
Reports from Administration
a)
Community Risk Assessment Resolution No. [2026-03]-06 Moved by Councillor Turcotte Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pegrum That Council receive the Community Risk Assessment as presented in Report 2026-011. Carried
b)
Election Sign By-law Resolution No. [2026-03]-07 Moved by Councillor Trueman Seconded by Councillor Roberts That Council approve the proposed Election Sign By-law and associated administrative amendments to By-law Number 2000-01;
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Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 That By-law Number 2026-05, attached to Report Number 2026-012 as Exhibit A, being “A By-Law to Regulate Election Signs in the Township of South Frontenac” and By-law Number 2026-06, attached to Report Number 2026-012 as Exhibit B, being “A By-law to Amend By-law Number 2000-01 be given first and second reading; That By-law 2026-05 and By-law 2026-06 be presented to Council for third reading. Carried c)
Assume and Dedicate Lands as Public Highway – Hinchinbrooke Road Resolution No. [2026-03]-08 Moved by Councillor Roberts Seconded by Councillor Sleeth That Council approve By-law 2026-03 to dedicate land as public highway; That By-law 2026-03, attached to Report Number 2026-004, as Exhibit A, being a By-law to Assume as Common and Public Highway Certain Lands in the Township of South Frontenac, Pursuant to Section 31(6) of the Municipal Act, 2001, be given first and second reading; and That By-law 2026-03 be presented to Council for third reading. Carried
d)
2026 Interim Tax Levy Resolution No. [2026-03]-09 Moved by Councillor Ruttan Seconded by Councillor Trueman That By-law 2026-04 being a By-law to establish interim property taxes for 2026, be given first and second reading; and That By-law 2026-04 be presented to Council for third reading. Carried
e)
Award of RFP PS-P03-2025 - Centennial Park Renovation Design Resolution No. [2026-03]-10 Moved by Councillor Turcotte Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pegrum That Council award PS-P03-2025 Centennial Park Renovation Design and Administrative Services to IN Engineering & Planning for the successful bid of $94,865.76 (including non-rebatable HST). Carried
12
Reports from Advisory Committees
a)
There were none.
13
Information Reports
a)
Bulk Water Station Update
b)
Road 38 Reconstruction – Phase 1 Update
c)
Award of Tender # PS-2025-10 – Sydenham Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
14
Committee of the Whole
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Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 a)
Not applicable.
15
Communications
a)
Received from Darcy Pickard, dated January 30, 2026, regarding the Proposed Motion with respect to the proposed Alto Southern Corridor route.
b)
Received from Tracy Bertrim, dated February 2, 2026, regarding the Proposed Motion with respect to the proposed Alto Southern Corridor route.
c)
Received from the Save South Frontenac Committee, dated February 2, 2026, regarding the Proposed Motion with respect to the proposed Alto Southern Corridor route.
16
Tabling of Documents
a)
There were none.
17
New Business
a)
Proposed Motion regarding Location of April 7, 2026 Council Meeting Resolution No. [2026-03]-11 Moved by Mayor Vandewal Seconded by Councillor Leonard That notwithstanding Section 4.7. of By-law Number 2025-21 (Council Procedure By-law) that the April 7, 2026 Council meeting be held at the Verona Lions Hall, 4505 Sand Road to accommodate a statutory public meeting held in accordance with the Planning Act (Hartington Subdivision Phase 2). Carried
18
Notice of Motion
a)
Proposed Motion regarding proposed Alto Southern Corridor Note - this item was considered prior to the consideration of business item 11. Reports From Administration. Mayor Vandewal vacated the Chair. Deputy Mayor Pegrum assumed the position of Chair.
Resolution No. [2026-03]-12 Moved by Mayor Vandewal Seconded by Councillor Leonard That Council waive the rules of Section 16 of By-law Number 2025-21, (Council Procedure By-law), to allow Council to vote on the Notice of Motion regarding Alto’s proposed southern corridor route at this meeting. Carried Resolution No. [2026-03]-13 Moved by Mayor Vandewal Seconded by Councillor Trueman Whereas Alto, a federal crown corporation, whose role is to establish a highspeed rail (HSR) network between Toronto and Quebec City has recently released possible route options with one coming through the Township of South Frontenac; Whereas Alto has stated that the proposed southern corridor, in agricultural and resort areas with higher population density, simplifies construction and operations; and
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Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 Whereas South Frontenac takes pride in its rural character, the protection of environmentally sensitive areas, its agricultural lands and its many natural features including the UNESCO-designated Frontenac Arch Biosphere; Therefore Be It Resolved That with the limited information and consultation that has been provided to date, the Council of the Township of South Frontenac will not support the proposed southern corridor going through its Township; That Council formally supports that a better suitable corridor and proposed stop would be within the boundaries of the City of Kingston which is the regional urban centre, economic hub as well as the transportation node for southeastern Ontario; and That staff be directed that this motion be sent to the Hon. Steve Mackinnon, Federal Minister of Transportation, The Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, MP Mark Gerretsen, MP Scott Reid, Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, MPP John Jordan, Martin Imbleau, the President of Alto, Mayor Bryan Paterson, City of Kingston and neighbouring municipalities within the proposed HSR corridors. Carried b)
Mayor Vandewal resumed the Chair.
c)
Proposed Motion regarding Support for Prioritization and Funding of Kingston Health Sciences Centre Redevelopment Project Resolution No. [2026-03]-14 Moved by Councillor Leonard Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pegrum That the Council of the Township of South Frontenac extend their support to City of Kingston Council Resolution Number 2026-32; Support for Prioritization and Funding of Kingston Health Sciences Centre Redevelopment Project which reads as follows: “Whereas the Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is the largest acute care and cancer centre in Southeastern Ontario, serving more than 500,000 residents across a broad regional catchment area including Lennox & Addington, Frontenac, Hastings, Prince Edward County, Leeds & Grenville, and more; and Whereas KHSC’s primary hospital site Kingston General Hospital (KGH) is operating in an aged, constrained facility, with critical infrastructure that no longer meets modern health-care standards for patient safety, accessibility, and clinical innovation; and Whereas the proposed KHSC redevelopment project, including a major rebuild of KGH and the Cancer Centre of Eastern Ontario, will strengthen regional access to emergency services, surgical care, maternal and pediatric care, cancer care, and specialized programs that local hospitals rely on; and Whereas ensuring the Province of Ontario prioritizes and funds the KHSC rebuild will provide significant benefits to all municipalities in the region, reducing service backlogs, improving patient care, and supporting equitable health-care outcomes; and Whereas the City of Kingston is continually advocating with the province for the KHSC rebuild and within our capacity helping them on land potential in the city’s west end; and Whereas a unified regional voice is essential to demonstrate to the provincial government the urgency and broad community support for investment in modern, resilient, and future-ready hospital infrastructure in Southeastern Ontario; and Whereas the province is currently consulting Ontarians about their 2026 budget priorities and this is a time for Kingston and neighbouring communities to express their continued support for this project to have it included in their budget;
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Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 Therefore Be It Resolved That Kingston City Council formally requests the support of neighbouring and partner municipalities across Southeastern Ontario in advocating to the Province of Ontario for the prioritization and full funding of the Kingston Health Sciences Centre Redevelopment Project; and That Kingston City Council request supporting municipalities to write a motion of support to be sent to the Honourable Doug Ford, M.P.P., Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, M.P.P, Minister of Health, the Honourable Kinga Surma, M.P.P., Minister of Infrastructure, Deborah Richardson, Deputy Minister of Health, Michelle E. DiEmanuele, Ontario Secretary of the Cabinet, Ted Hsu, M.P.P., Kingston and the Islands, John Jordan, M.P.P., Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, Ric Bresee, M.P.P., HastingsLennox and Addington and Steve Clark, M.P.P., Leeds-GrenvilleThousands Islands and Rideau Lakes, urging immediate advancement of the KHSC rebuild in the provincial capital plan; and That a copy of this motion be shared with the following municipal governments: Loyalist, South Frontenac, Greater Napanee, Frontenac Islands, Gananoque, Leeds & the Thousand Islands, Belleville, Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Brockville, Prescott, Smiths Falls, North Grenville and any other municipalities that rely on KHSC for specialized care.”
Carried 19
Approval of Minutes
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-15 Moved by Councillor Roberts Seconded by Councillor Sleeth That the minutes of the January 13, 2026 Council meeting and the January 22, 2026 Special Council meeting be approved. Carried
20
Approval of By-laws
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-16 Moved by Councillor Ruttan Seconded by Councillor Turcotte That By-laws Numbers (1) through (4) be given third reading. Carried
b)
Summary of By-laws:
- By-law 2026-05 - A By-Law to Regulate Election Signs in the Township of South Frontenac
- By-law 2026-06 - A By-Law To Amend By-Law 2000-01, “A By-law to regulate the use of and traffic, parking and stopping on highways and bridges under the jurisdiction of the council of the Corporation of the Township of South of Frontenac, pursuant to the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter M.45, as amended”
- By-law 2026-03 - A By-Law to Assume as Common and Public Highway Certain Lands in the Township of South Frontenac, Pursuant to Section 31(6) of the Municipal Act, 2001
- By-law 2026-04 - A By-Law to provide for an Interim Tax Levy; Payment of taxes; To provide for penalty and interest of 1.25% on tax arrears per month
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Minutes of Council February, 3, 2026 21
Committee of the Whole “Closed Session”
a)
Not applicable.
22
Confirmation By-law
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-17 Moved by Councillor Roberts Seconded by Councillor Trueman That By-law 2026-07, being a by-law to confirm generally all actions and proceedings of the Council of the Township of South Frontenac, be given first and second reading. Carried Resolution No. [2026-03]-18 Moved by Councillor Leonard Seconded by Councillor Roberts That By-law 2026-07, being the confirmatory by-law, be given third reading, signed and sealed. Carried
23
Date of Next Meeting
a)
The next Council meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
24
Adjournment
a)
Resolution Resolution No. [2026-03]-19 Moved by Deputy Mayor Pegrum Seconded by Councillor Ruttan That the Council meeting of February 3, 2026 be adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Carried
Ron Vandewal, Mayor James Thompson, Clerk South Frontenac is a welcoming and thriving rural community
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