Special Meeting of Council

That the agenda for the Special Meeting of Council of April 7, 2026 be approved as circulated with the addition of the planning meeting report for applicant Mahut as amended.

That Council for the Municipality of Highlands East approves the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 24, 2026 for the purpose of Short Term Rental Program and Bylaw Review.

That Council for the Municipality of Highlands East receive the delegation as presented by Joan Barton and Linda Cameron of the Wilberforce Heritage Guild at the April 7, 2026 Special Meeting, as amended.

That Council for the Municipality of Highlands East receive the delegation as presented by Ian Hendry of the North Hastings Fish Hatchery at the April 7, 2026 Special Meeting.

That Council receive and accept the Building Department March 2026 Operations Report, as submitted by the Chief Building Official, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Bylaw Department March 2026 operations report as submitted by the Bylaw Officer.

That Council receive and accept the Short Term Rental Licensing Report - March 2026, as submitted by the Planning Technician, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Fire Department March 2026 Monthly Operations Report, as submitted by the Fire Chief, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Parks, Recreation and Facilities March 2026 Report as submitted by the Property Supervisor, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Rockandland Off-Road Rally Event Request as provided by the Property Supervisor and further; That Council approve in principle the request to rent the Robert McCausland Community Centre and green space for the off-road rally with the understanding that conditions be met as provided by the Recreation, Parks, and Facilities Department.

That Council receive and accept the report, Council Update - Community User Group Meeting as prepared by the CAO/Treasurer, for information purposes only.

That Council receive and accept the Environmental Department- April 2026 Operations Report, as submitted by the Environmental Supervisor, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Public Works Monthly Update as submitted by the Public Works Manager, for information purposes only.

That Council receive and accept the Information Technology - March, 2026 operations report, as submitted by the Deputy Treasurer, for information purposes only.

That Council receive and accept the Finance Department March 2026 General Accounts Report in the amount of $ 2,075,126.40 as information only.

That Council receive and accept the CARE North Hastings - Request for Donation report as prepared by the CAO/Treasurer and further; That Council direct staff to provide a $1000.00 donation to CARE North Hastings, as amended.

That Council receive and accept the CAO Monthly Report- April, 2026 as submitted by the CAO/Treasurer, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the Human Resources Monthly Report - April 2026 as submitted by the HR/Payroll coordinator, for information purposes only.

That Council receive and accept the Integrity Commissioner 2025 Annual Report as provided by Mr. Tony Fleming of Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP (Cunningham Swan LLP), for information purposes only.

That Council receive and accept the Assessment Roll Access and Reproduction Policy Report as provided by the Municipal Clerk, as information only and; That Council approve the policy by bylaw at this meeting as presented and further; That the Municipal Clerk be authorized to implement the policy and update related administrative procedures as required.

That Council receive and accept the Planning Department March 2026 Operations Report, as submitted by the Planning Technician, as information only.

That Council receive and accept the report, Shoreline Road Allowance Purchase - 1231 Upper Paudash Road - Bartlett as prepared by the Planning Technician and; That Council approves in principle an application to close and purchase the shoreline road allowance and direct staff to forward to the Municipal Solicitor for circulation and further; That prior to rendering the shoreline road allowance surplus to municipal needs and permitting the disposition of the shoreline road allowance: 1. The Planning Department shall conduct an assessment of the existing guest cabin to determine if it is a lawful building; 2. The applicant applies for and receives a zoning bylaw amendment to recognize the non-compliant location of the existing dwelling and existing guest cabin if the Planning Department is satisfied the existing guest cabin is lawful; 3. The applicant has a qualified septic inspector inspect the existing septic system and provides a report to the Planning Department on its functionality and suitability of the existing septic system serving both the dwelling and the guest cabin, to be reviewed and cleared by the Chief Building Official; and 4. The applicant removes the existing privy from the property.

That Council receive and accept the report, Shoreline Road Allowance Purchase - 1203 Upper Paudash Road - Schier as prepared by the Planning Technician and; That Council approves in principle an application to close and purchase the shoreline road allowance and direct staff to forward to the Municipal Solicitor for circulation and further; That prior to rendering the unopened road allowance surplus to municipal need and permitting the disposition of the shoreline road allowance: 1. The applicants apply for and receive a zoning bylaw amendment to recognize the non-compliant location of the existing dwelling; 2. The applicants remove or relocate the shoreline accessory shed located in the shore road allowance, and; 3. Prior to the final conveyance of the shoreline road allowance, the owner shall resolve all encroachments onto the municipally owned Upper Paudash Road allowance to the satisfaction of the Municipality. Specifically this shall require the removal and relocation of the existing propane tank to a new location entirely on the owner's land and compliant with the regulations of the Zoning Bylaw. The owner is encouraged to discuss the proposed new location for the propane tank with staff prior to relocating it and will be require to prepare a revised plan of survey confirming the new location of the propane tank.

That Council receive and accept the report regarding the previously approved Shoreline Road Allowance Application for 1213 Upper Paudash Road for information, and further; That Council directs that the final closure and conveyance of the shoreline road allowance shall not be completed until all encroachments onto the Municipality’s road allowance for Upper Paudash Road have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Municipality, and further; That in order to assess a preferred remedy to the encroachments the owner shall submit a revised plan of survey which illustrates the location of the travelled portion of the road allowance which staff will review and provide a supplemental report to Council.

That Council receive and accept this report and the recommendation in this report to declare surplus and approve the bylaw to Stop Up, Close and Convey the original shore road allowance at this meeting for; Applicant: Gallagher & Ruhl Description of Land: Con. 5 N, Pt. Lot 17, being Survey Parcel 15, 1027 Edith Crescent, Contau Lake, Roll # 4601-901-000-63200-0000.

That Council receive and accept this report and the recommendation in this report to declare surplus and approve the bylaw to Stop Up, Close and Convey the original shore road allowance at this meeting for; Applicant: Dowdall Description of Land: Con. 13, Pt. Lot 16, Plan 230; Lot 3, including Part 2 on Reference Plan 19R ‑ 7204, 1107 Kinnear Road, Monck Lake, Roll # 4601-102-000-50900-0000.

That Council receives the report, "Request to Purchase Portion of Road Allowance - Lands of Smith" prepared by the Planning Technician as information, and further; That Council accepts the proposed location of the road allowance as illustrated on the attached sketch and directs that the following be completed prior to considering a bylaw for the disposition: 1. That Council accepts the disposition of the subject portion of the road allowance for nominal consideration in the amount of $6,000.00, with all costs associated with the transaction, including legal fees and any municipal expenses, to be borne by the applicants; 2. That the applicant submit the reference plan of survey of the portion of road allowance prepared to facilitate a transfer; 3. That the draft reference plan of survey be reviewed by the Municipality's solicitor prior to registration. 4. That the applicants apply for and obtain a zoning bylaw amendment to address the existing reduced rear yard setbacks and to permit the proposed additions to the existing dwelling.

That Council receive and accept the report pertaining to Lowry as provided by the Municipal Planner and further: That the executed site plan agreement be received and approved for the approval of the zoning bylaw amendment to take place at this meeting.

That Council come out of the Special Meeting of Council at 10:47 am for the scheduled Public Planning Meeting and it be declared open to discuss the following bylaw amendments made under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O 1990, cp 13 as amended pertaining to Applicants: Mahut, Schmidlechner-Hicks and Camp Can Aqua, as amended.

That Council for the Municipality of Highlands East receive and accept the reports pertaining to Mahut,Schmidlechner and Hicks and Camp Can Aqua and furthermore; That the zoning bylaw amendment for Mahut be approved at this meeting and; That the zoning bylaw amendment for Schmidlechner and Hicks be

That Council adjourn the Public Planning Meeting at 11:13 am and; That Council reconvene to the Special Meeting of Council.

That the Council for the Municipality of Highlands East receive and supports the correspondence from the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus regarding the ALTO High Speed Rail Project and ratifies as follows: Whereas the Federal Government has identified the ALTO high-speed rail project as a nation-building initiative along the Quebec City–Toronto corridor; and Whereas the proposed routes pass through eastern Ontario, with potential impacts to rural municipalities, including agricultural lands, environmentally sensitive areas, municipal infrastructure, trails, and private properties; and Whereas there is limited direct benefit to rural and small communities, with few proposed stops and minimal long-term economic benefit for affected areas; and Whereas municipal councils are responsible for protecting local interests, ensuring compatibility with existing planning frameworks, and safeguarding the well-being of residents and communities; Therefore be it resolved that the Council for the Municipality of Highlands East opposes the ALTO high-speed rail project in its current form; and Further that Council calls on the Federal Government and ALTO to engage in meaningful consultation with affected municipalities and residents, and to provide clear, detailed information on local impacts; and Further that Council encourages the exploration of alternative route options that prioritize existing transportation corridors where possible; and Further that a copy of this resolution be forwarded t

That Council receive and file the resolutions from other municipalities/levels of government, as submitted for the Special Meeting of Council of April 7, 2026.

That Council receive the correspondence as submitted at the April 7, 2026 Special Meeting of Council.

That Council moves out of the Regular Meeting into the Closed Meeting in order to discuss a matter pertaining to 239: (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;  Gander Road

That Council rise and report from the Closed Meeting and directed staff to reach out to the landowners, Keay and Lightbody regarding the portion of Gander Road as directed during the Closed Meeting, at 12:31 pm, as amended.

That Bylaw #'s 2026-35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 (Item #14, 14.1 to 14.7) be received, approved and enacted at this April 7, 2026 Special Meeting of Council.

That Bylaw #2026-42, being a bylaw to confirm the proceedings of Council at its Meeting of April 7, 2026 be received, approved and enacted.

That Council adjourn the April 7, 2026 meeting at 12:33 pm and; to meet again on May 12, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. for the Regular Meeting of Council.