Regular Meeting of Council

That the agenda for the Regular Meeting of Council of March 11, 2025 be approved as circulated.

That Council for the Municipality of Highlands East approves the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of February 11 and Special Council Meeting of February 19, 2025.

That Council receive the presentation as delivered by pl.ural pertaining to the Highlands East Draft Trails Strategy Plan at the March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.

That Council receives the Building Department - Monthly Operations Report- as submitted by the Chief Building Official, as information only.

That Council receives the monthly operations report for the By-law Department as submitted by the By-law Officer.

That Council receives the report "Short Term Rental Licencing Report - February 2025" from the Director of the Short Term Rental Licencing Program.

That Council receive the Delegation of Authority - Appeals Committee for Short Term Rental Licencing Program report prepared by the Junior Planner/Director of STR Licensing and further; That staff recommend Council pass the following resolution: Whereas Highlands East Council passed By-Law 2024-32, being a By-law to License, Regulate and Govern the Operation of Short-Term Rentals in the Municipality of Highlands East; And whereas Section 189 of the Municipal Act, 2001 sets out the authority and conditions for the transfer of a lower-tier power, in whole or in part, to an upper-tier municipality; And whereas the Council of the County of Haliburton has passed By-law No. 4291, being a By-law to Empower the Corporation of the County of Haliburton to Assume Authority for the Administration of Business Licensing Appeals in Respect of Short-Term Rental Accommodations, pursuant to Section 189 of the Municipal Act, 2001; And whereas the Council for the Municipality of Highlands East considers it desirable and in the public interest that the County be responsible to provide the function of hearing appeals in respect of Short-Term Rental licensing decisions; Now therefore be it resolved that Highlands East Council hereby consents to the passage of County Bylaw No. 4291, being a By-law to Empower the Corporation of the County of Haliburton to Assume Authority for the Administration of Business Licensing Appeals in Respect of Short-Term Rental Accommodations, pursuant to subsection 189(2)

That Council receives the Fire Department Monthly Operations Report as prepared by the Fire Chief, for information only.

That Council receive the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Monthly Report as submitted by the Property Supervisor as information only.

That Council receives the report "2025 Cemetery Price List" as provided by the Municipal Clerk and further; That Council approves the Cemetery Price List and; That the price list comes into effect on this date with the approval of the bylaw at this meeting.

That Council receive the report Updated Cemetery Bylaw as provided by the Municipal Clerk and further; That the Bylaw be sent to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) for review and approval once the notice previsions are completed.

That Council receive the report Request for Waiving of Fees and Rental Applications for the Wilberforce FUNraising Group and further; That Council chooses Option 1 regarding the request to waive fees, as below; Option 1 : Approve the request to waive fees for photocopying and hall rentals by the Wilberforce FUNraising Group for the remaining term of Council, subject to annual review, while maintaining the requirement for completed rental applications and insurance coverage, as amended.

That Council receives the Environmental Monthly Report- March, 2025 as submitted by the Environmental Supervisor.

That Council receive the 2024 Annual Summary Reports- Cardiff and Dyno as submitted by the Environmental Supervisor and further; That Council approve the CAO/Treasurer to sign the Annual Reports for the Cardiff DWS & Dyno DWS, to be true and accurate on behalf of the Municipality.

That Council receives the Public Works Monthly Update as prepared by the Public Works Manager for information purposes only.

That Council receives the report Agreement - McPherson-Andrews Contracting Re: McColl's Bridge Replacement as provided by the Public Works Manager and further; That Council authorizes the municipality to enter into an agreement with McPherson Andrews Contracting Ltd. to complete the bridge replacement of McColl's Bridge in the 2025 budget year and further; That the bylaw be approved at this meeting.

That Council receives the 2025 Proposed Waste Site Hour Operational Changes report as prepared by the Public Works Manager and the Operations Supervisor-Landfills and further; That Council approve the recommended changes to the 2025 Proposed Waste Site Hour Operations to take effect May 1st, 2025.

That Council receives the Planning Department Update - February, 2025 as prepared by the Junior Planner, as information.

That Council receive the report, "Update to Municipal Land Disposition Policy" as prepared by the Junior Planner and further; If Council have no concerns or proposed amendments to the policy as presented, the policy be adopted by by-law at today's meeting of Council.

That Council approves in principle an application to close and purchase the shoreline road allowance from John and Sharon McCracken and direct staff to forward to the Municipal Solicitor for circulation and further; That prior to rendering the land surplus to municipal need and permitting the disposition of the shoreline: 1. The applicants provide a plan of survey that provides the setback distances from the dwelling and other structures on the lot to the high water mark of Paudash Lake; 2. A site visit is completed by a Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer; 3. The applicants apply for and receive a zoning by-law amendment to recognize the existing and/or proposed footprint of the dwelling and boathouse that are located on the municipally owned shoreline road allowance, if required.

That Council approves in principle an application to close and purchase the shoreline road allowance from Johnathan and Erin McQuoid and direct staff to forward to the Municipal Solicitor for circulation and further; That Council supports the request to purchase the shoreline road allowance portion located in front of the applicants' proposed dwelling with the Municipality retaining the other portions of frontage that are environmentally protected and further; That prior to rendering the land surplus to municipal need and permitting the disposition of the shoreline: 1. The applicants provide a plan of survey that illustrates the dry-land portion of the shoreline road allowance to be purchased; 2. A site visit is completed by a Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer; 3. The applicants apply for and receive an amendment to their existing severance agreement to address the vegetation removals and any planned alterations to the shoreline.

That Council approves in principle an application to close and purchase the shoreline road allowance from Chris Yaccato and direct staff to forward to the Municipal Solicitor for circulation and further; That prior to rendering the land surplus to municipal need and permitting the disposition of the shoreline: 1. A site visit is completed by a Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer; 2. The applicants apply for and receive a zoning by-law amendment to recognize the existing and/or proposed footprint of the dwelling and boathouse that are located on the municipally owned shoreline road allowance.

That Council receives the report "Request to Purchase Flooded Shoreline Road Allowance - Cecchetto" from the Junior Planner as information, and further; That Council renders the flooded portion of the shoreline road allowance located underneath the applicants' boathouse surplus to municipal need, and forward their request to the Municipality's solicitor, and; That the proposed disposition shall be subject to the following conditions: 1. That the property owner prepare an updated survey of the portion of shoreline to be purchased, together with a confirmation of the area by their surveyor, and; 2. That the property owner pay the assessed market value of $8.20 per square foot plus any applicable legal, survey, or consulting fees required to facilitate the disposition.

That Council receives the report, "Request to Purchase One Foot (0.30 m) Reserve - Robalino" prepared by the Junior Planner as information, and further; That Council accepts the proposed location of the 0.3 m reserve disposition as illustrated on the attached sketch and directs that the following be completed prior to considering a by-law for the disposition: 1. That the applicant have a reference plan of survey of the portion of 0.3 m reserve prepared to facilitate a transfer; 2. That the draft reference plan of survey be reviewed by the Municipality's solicitor prior to registration, and; 3. That the applicant apply for and receive an entrance approval from the Public Works Department confirming that the location is appropriate for safe ingress and egress from the property.

That Council receives the report, "Request to Purchase Original Road Allowance - Mistiouk, Haeber and Currie" as prepared by the Junior Planner as information; and further; That Council wishes to proceed with option 3: 3. Council defers this request and directs staff to attend the site in the spring and provide Council with more information on the road allowance prior to making a decision, as amended.

That Council receives the report, "Consent Pre-Consultation for New Lot and Right-of-Way - Lands of Bessette" prepared by the Junior Planner and further; That Council supports the consent proposal in principle, subject to the municipal conditions outlined in this report.

That the General Accounts for the month of February, 2025 in the amount of $477,693.79 be approved.

That Council receives the 2025 Budget Report as submitted by the CAO/Treasurer and further; That Council approves the Budget Estimates and Tax Rate Bylaws at this meeting.

That Council receives and approves the 2024 Council & Committee Remuneration and Expenses Report as per Section 284 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 as submitted by the CAO/Treasurer.

That Council receive the report, Review of Council Remuneration Bylaw, as prepared by the CAO/Treasurer and further; That Council direct staff to increase the personal health account to the maximum of $2,000.00 and futhermore; That Council direct staff to present a bylaw at the next regular meeting of Council for establishing the revised Council remuneration rates as provided in the staff report be effective as of January 1, 2025, as amended.

That Council receive the Administration Monthly Report- March, 2025 as submitted by the CAO/Treasurer.

That Council receive the (AGCO) Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario- Highlands East Training Sessions report as submitted by the Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk as information only.

That the 2026 Municipal Election Voting Method Report for Highlands East as prepared by the Municipal Clerk be received as information and; That the voting method utilizing internet/telephone for the 2026 municipal election be approved and; That Council authorizes staff to proceed with the issuance of a joint RFP with any local municipality utilizing internet/telephone voting for the 2026 election and further; That a by-law be brought forward to Council authorizing the alternative voting method as required by the Municipal Elections Act as amended Section 42(1b).

That the Council for the Municipality of Highlands East receives correspondence from the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus and ratifies the following: Whereas the Canadian government is currently in negotiations with the United States (U.S.) government on their proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S.; and Whereas Canada’s Prime Minister and Ontario’s Premier have outlined several plans to combat the impact that the proposed tariffs would have on Ontario which focus on strengthening trade between Ontario and the U.S. while bringing jobs back home for workers on both sides of the border; and Whereas the Canadian government has also outlined several ways to address the current relationship with the U.S. including establishing the Council on Canada-U.S. relations to support the federal government as it negotiates with the U.S. on tariffs; and Whereas trade between Ontario and the U.S. is very important to our residents and local economies, and requires all levels of government to work together in the best interest of those residents; and Whereas according to data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, across Ontario municipalities are expected to spend between $250 and $290 billion on infrastructure in the next 10 years; and Whereas Ontario municipalities have traditionally treated trade partners equally and fairly in all procurements in accordance with our established international trade treaties; and Whereas municipalities play a crucial role as pa

That Council receive and files the resolutions from other municipalities/levels of government from the Regular Meeting of Council, March 11, 2025.

That Council receive and files the correspondence of the March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council.

That Council moves out of the Regular Meeting into the Closed Meeting in order to discuss matters pertaining to 239: (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

That Council rise from the closed meeting and reports the following: Council discussed the items as stated within the Regular Meeting of Council agenda and directed the staff and officials to carry out all actions as approved in the March 11, 2025 Closed Meeting of Council.

That By-law #2025-13, being a by-law to approve the municipal budget estimates to address the costs of services for the 2025 Taxation year at the March 11, 2025 meeting be enacted, approved and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That By-law #2025-14, being a by-law for to approve the Final Tax Rates and the Estimates of all Sums required for the 2025 year at the March 11, 2025 meeting be enacted, approved and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That By-law # 2025-15, being a by-law for authorize an agreement between The Corporation of Highlands East and McPherson-Andrews at the March 11, 2025 meeting be enacted, approved and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That By-law # 2025-16, being a by-law for to establish fees and charges for the Highlands East cemeteries at the March 11, 2025 meeting be enacted, approved and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That By-law # 2025-17, being a by-law for to establish policies and procedures for the disposition of Municipality owned real property at the March 11, 2025 meeting be enacted, approved and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That By-law #2025-18, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its Regular Meeting of March 11, 2025 be enacted, approved, and signed with the corporate seal attached.

That Council adjourn the March 11, 2025 meeting at 2:09 PM and; to meet again on April 8, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. for the Regular Meeting of Council.