MINUTES

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

-
Corporation of The Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal
Council Chambers, Spencerville Ontario
PRESENT:
  • Mayor Tory Deschamps
  • Deputy Mayor Stephen Dillabough
  • Councillor Joe Martelle
  • Councillor Waddy Smail
  • Councillor Chris Ward
STAFF:
  • Sean Nicholson, CAO
  • Jessica Crawford, Treasurer
  • Mike Spencer, Manager of Parks, Recreation & Facilities
  • Brian Moore, Fire Chief
  • Chris LeBlanc, Manager of Public Works
  • Candise Newcombe, Deputy Clerk
  • Mary Tessier, Consultant
  • Natalie Charette, Interim Clerk

Mayor Deschamps called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

The Chair read the indigenous land acknowledgement statement.

  • Decision: 2025-058
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:C. Ward

    That Municipal Council approves the agenda as presented.

    Carried

Ms. Lisa Pigeau introduced herself, acknowledged the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Statement read by the Mayor, and requested permission to expand upon it by reading her own statement. She provided an overview of the South Grenville Blue Grass Festival’s operations, its continued growth, marketing strategies to expand its audience, and the community contributions recognized through the event. Ms. Pigeau also noted positive feedback, while highlighting requests for additional recycling bins and a more conveniently located RV dumping station. In addition to the request through the Township Community Grants and Donations Program, Ms. Pigeau requested assistance with spreading the word about the festival to locals who wish to attend. 

Members discussed the festival's value to the Township, community support, volunteer collaboration (including students earning community hours), and identified marketing areas where the Township could offer assistance.

Council thanked Ms. Pigeau for her presentation. 

Mr. Phillip Blancher of the South Dundas United Football Club introduced himself and provided an overview of the history of the club's operations and an update on the club’s fundraising efforts for replacing soccer goals. As a non-profit, the SDUFC imposes no residency restrictions and remains one of the most cost-effective clubs, with a registration fee of only $50 per season, and offering children of all backgrounds the opportunity to play. Mr. Blancher acknowledged that maintaining the affordable registration fee limits contributions to reserves, thereby restricting capital asset replacement. He also noted that 21% of the club’s registration comes from residents of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, which he cited as the basis for the request for assistance.

There was discussion regarding Township resident participation in the program, alternative funding opportunities, and how financial assistance would support the purchase of the goals.

Council thanked Mr. Blancher for his presentation. 

Ms. Denise Horn of NPG Planning Solutions summarized the company, project team, purpose, and timeline of the study. She explained the concept of a Community Improvement Plan (CIP), highlighted the company’s experience with CIP implementation, and noted the opportunity to review the Township's existing CIPs to assess their functionality, utilization, and potential for modification. 

The presentation aimed to gather feedback and gauge Council’s preferred direction for these programs. 

Discussion focused on past communities that engaged NPG Planning Solutions for CIP implementation, concerns over Township boundaries limiting CIP eligibility, potential funding sources, and addressing perceived divisions within the Township through the enforcement of a comprehensive CIP.

Council thanked NPG Planning Solutions for their presentation. 

Mr. Ben Sol and Mr. Keaton Lever introduced themselves and provided an overview of Potentia Renewables Inc.'s operations. They presented the development plan, required permits, studies and reports obtained, and a system overview of the Skyview 2 BESS project planned in the Township. Additionally, they discussed the system’s battery chemistry, its impact on safety, lifespan, and environmental footprint, along with fire risk mitigation measures, safety features, and failure rate statistics. The consultation process with stakeholders and Indigenous communities was also reviewed.

Discussion centered on the timely submission of materials, the open house scheduled for May 1, changes to the proposed development location, and resident feedback. Members inquired about feedback on the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and the aggressive development timeline, noting the reduced Council meeting schedule in July and August. Members inquired about a noise impact study, which has been completed, with future mitigation addressed as needed.

Council thanked Mr. Sol and Mr. Lever for their presentation. 

  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receives and approves the following consent agenda items as presented:

    1. Special Council – February 24, 2025
    2. Regular Council – February 24, 2025
    3. Public Library Board – January 28, 2025
    4. Port Management Committee – February 18, 2025
    5. Committee of the Whole – Administration and Operations – Budget Meeting #3 – February 20, 2025.
    6. Public Library Board – February 25, 2025
    7. Committee of the Whole – Community Development – March 3, 2025
    8. Committee of the Whole – Administration and Operations – March 10, 2025
    9. 2024 Stormwater Management Annual Report
    10. 2024 Prescott Annual Drinking Water System Report
    11. Renaming Municipal Asset Application – Cardinal Public Works Garage
    12. Pre-Budget Approval – Johnstown Play Structure
    13. Award Johnstown Pool Piping
    14. Award Dust Suppressant Tender
    15. Award Crushed Rock Tender
    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive and approve the minutes of the Special Council meeting dated February 24, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive and approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting dated February 24, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive the minutes of the Public Library Board meeting dated January 28, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive the minutes of the Port Management Committee meeting dated February 18, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receives and approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations - Budget Meeting #3 - February 20, 2025.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive the minutes of the Public Library Board meeting dated February 25, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive and approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole - Community Development meeting dated March 3, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive and approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations meeting dated March 10, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council: 

    1. Receive the 2024 Stormwater Management Annual Report; and 
    2. Direct staff to submit the report to MECP prior to the April 30th deadline; and 
    3. Make report available on Township website by June 1st as required under Linear ECA # 155-S701.

    As recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receive and review the 2024 Water Annual/summary Report for the Prescott Water System, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administrations and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council:

    1. Approve the application to rename the Cardinal Public Works Garage to be the Bill Walter Public Works Garage; and 
    2. Make a one-time exception to reduce the 60-day comment period to 20-days and approve the application should there be no comments or opposition from this 10th day of March 2025. 

    As recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council awards the purchase of the Johnstown Play Structure from Playground Planners Inc. for the purchase price of $79,759.50 plus non-rebated HST of $1,403.75 for the total purchase price of $81,163.25, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council award tender EC-REC-01-2025 to Benson Pools Ltd. as the bid price of $272,961.00 including non-rebated HST $4,804.11, and furthermore have a 5% contingency for potential unforeseen issues during the course of the renovations in the amount of $13,500.00 for a total project cost of $291,265.11, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council award the supply of dust suppressant tender EC-PW-25-02 to Da-Lee Dust Control Ltd. at the unit rate of $0.389 per litre to an upset limit of $70,750.00 including non-rebated portion of HST, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-059
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council award the supply of crushed rock tender EC-PW-25-03 to G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Company Ltd. at the unit rate of $14.14 per ton to an upset limit of $113,120.00 including non-rebated portion of HST and approve a $15,000.00 contingency to be used at the Manager of Public Works discretion for additional gravel road spot repairs, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole - Administration and Operations. 

    Carried

Members noted concerns with the addition of permanent staffing positions. 

  • Decision: 2025-060
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Council approves the 2025 Operating and Capital budgets Option One as presented, as recommended by the Port Management Committee.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-061
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw to establish a surplus sharing policy between the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal and the Port of Johnstown and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-062
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT a bylaw to establish a surplus sharing policy between the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal and the Port of Johnstown, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-14.

    Carried

Council commended the aggressive nature of the proposed 2025 budget, noting the Council mandate to close the infrastructure gap. 

  • Decision: 2025-063
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:C. Ward

    THAT Council approve the 2025 consolidated budget as presented.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-064
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    That Council award tender EC-MD-25-01 Dewit Richter Municipal Drain Culvert replacement to Goldie Mohr Ltd. in the amount of $26,900.00 plus non-rebated portion of HST.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-065
    Moved by:J. Martelle
    Seconded by:W. Smail

    THAT Council authorizes the Mayor and Interim Clerk to execute the Amended and Restated Unanimous Shareholders’ Agreement with Rideau St. Lawrence Holdings Inc.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-066
    Moved by:J. Martelle
    Seconded by:W. Smail

    THAT Municipal Council receives the correspondence listings for the following dates as previously circulated:

    • February 27, 2025
    • March 5, 2025
    • March 12, 2025
    • March 19, 2025
    • March 26, 2025
    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-067
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receives the payment of municipal invoices circulated and dated as follows: 

    • Report dated February 25 (2025-031)                $546,639.71
    • Report dated February 25 (2025-032)                $139,666.75
    • Report dated March 13 (2025-041)                    $429,959.86
    • Report dated March 18 (2025-042)                    $199,283.10
    • Report dated March 26 (2025-052)                    $160.00
    • Report dated March 26 (2025-053)                    $17,656.42

                                                          TOTAL:                 $1,333,365.84

    Carried

13.

 
  • Decision: 2025-068
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw to establish a personnel policy and employee guide for non-union employees of the Port of Johnstown, and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-069
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT a bylaw to establish a personnel policy and employee guide for non-union employees of the Port of Johnstown, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-15.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-069
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw to establish an accessibility plan for the Port of Johnstown, and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-070
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT a bylaw to establish an accessibility plan for the Port of Johnstown, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-16.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-072
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw with respect to the delegation of authority at the Port of Johnstown, and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-073
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT a bylaw to with respect to the delegation of authority at the Port of Johnstown, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-17.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-074
    Moved by:J. Martelle
    Seconded by:W. Smail

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw to adopt a Municipal Alcohol Policy, and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-075
    Moved by:J. Martelle
    Seconded by:W. Smail

    THAT a bylaw to adopt a Municipal Alcohol Policy, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-18.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-076
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    THAT the mover be granted leave to introduce a bylaw to adopt the general government estimates for sums required during the year, and this shall constitute first and second reading thereof.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-077
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:C. Ward

    THAT a bylaw to adopt the general government estimates for sums required during the year, be now read a third and final time and finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-19.

    Carried

Council reviewed the CAO’s administrative update and discussed the following items:

  • Confirmed the Spencerville pickleball season from April - August. Noted the Cardinal court is anticipated to be completed by August 1. 
  • Communications Committee progress to date. 
  • Confirmed tentative date April 9-10 to open the Johnstown pickleball court, weather dependent. 
  • Waterfront dock installation confirmed before April 22nd. 
  • Involvement of the Port of Johnstown at the 2025 Prescott Trade Show. 
  • Suggested a social media post to recognize the funding received for the new bunker gear wash station. 
  • Commended the procurement of a full complement of summer staff, noting several returning staff. 
  • Highlighted the upcoming Firefighter Pancake Breakfast scheduled for April 19th and the Council appreciation dinner for the Fire Department scheduled for May 9th. 
  • Decision: 2025-078
    Moved by:W. Smail
    Seconded by:J. Martelle

    THAT Municipal Council receives the CAO’s Administrative Report as presented.

    Carried

Deputy Mayor Dillabough requested discussion regarding a 2026 submission into the Kraft Hockeyville community contest. 

Councillor Ward requested a staff report outlining the proposed development schedule of the Spencerville Splash pad project. 

Members of Council reported on the following:

  • Deputy Mayor Dillabough noted his attendance at the Leo Boivin Junior Hockey Tournament and shared condolences on the loss of resident and Councillor Ruth Lockett. 
  • Deputy Mayor Dillabough mentioned his upcoming visit to Centennial '67 Elementary School to present a scroll to students in recognition of their efforts in raising food for the local food bank through a school cereal drive.
  • Deputy Mayor invited everyone to participate in the Earth Day clean-up on April 22nd, noting that lunch will be provided to volunteers.
  • Mayor Deschamps noted his attendance at the Augusta Mayors Breakfast on March 28, highlighting discussion topics on transportation, greenhouses, and affordable housing. 
  • Decision: 2025-079
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:C. Ward

    THAT Municipal Council receives the Member’s Report as presented.

    Carried

Questions/comments were raised with respect to the following:

  • Confirmed availability of the Council/Committee agendas and meeting recordings online for future access. 

None.

  • Decision: 2025-080
    Moved by:S. Dillabough
    Seconded by:C. Ward

    THAT a by-law to adopt, confirm and ratify matters dealt with by resolution be now passed, signed, sealed and numbered 2025-20.

    Carried
  • Decision: 2025-081
    Moved by:C. Ward
    Seconded by:S. Dillabough

    That Municipal Council does now adjourn at 9:01 p.m.

    Carried
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