The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Committee of the Whole Meeting

COW2025-09
Open Session Commencing at 1:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
City Hall
26 Francis Street, Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5R8
Members:
  • Mayor Doug Elmslie
  • Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald
  • Councillor Ron Ashmore
  • Councillor Mark Doble
  • Councillor Dan Joyce
  • Councillor Mike Perry
  • Councillor Tracy Richardson
  • Councillor Pat Warren
  • Councillor Emmett Yeo

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact [email protected] if you have an accessible accommodation request.


Mayor Elmslie called the Meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Deputy Mayor C. McDonald and Councillors R. Ashmore, M. Doble, D. Joyce, M. Perry, T. Richardson, and P. Warren were in attendance in Council Chambers.

Councillor E. Yeo was in attendance electronically.

CAO R. Taylor, City Clerk C. Ritchie, Deputy Clerk S. O'Connell, Directors L. Barrie, S. Beukeboom, C. Faber, J. Johnson, O. Vigelius, Fire Chief T. Jones, Deputy Paramedic Chief S. Johnston and Manager of Corporate Assets A. Found were also in attendance in Council Chambers.

City Solicitor R. Carlson, Manager of Waste Management H. Dzurko and Manager of Water and Wastewater Operations A. Hayter were also in attendance electronically.

  • CW2025-166
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ashmore

    That the Agenda for the Committee of the Whole of Tuesday, November 4, 2025, be adopted as circulated and with the following amendments:

    Addition:

    Item 5.2 being correspondence relating to a Proposed Woodville Battery Storage Project - Neoen from Donald Richardson and John Rowinski, Directors for Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd.

    Carried

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

Overview of a Proposed Electrified Passenger Rail Service between Toronto and Quebec
Alexis Doyle, Manager of Community Relations, ALTO

Alexis Doyle, Manager of Community Relations for Alto, provided an overview of a proposed high speed rail line that will provide passenger rail service between Toronto and Quebec. She outlined that the proposed rail service will operate at speeds of 300 km/r or more on nearly 1,000 km of dedicated electrified track.  The state-of-the-art passenger rail network will ensure the uninterrupted movement of trains. The proposed project is in the development phase and additional information will be available as the alignment of the track corridor is determined.

  • CW2025-167
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Perry

    That the deputation of Alexis Doyle, of ALTO, regarding an Overview of a Proposed Electrified Passenger Rail Service between Toronto and Quebec, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Objection to the Proposed Sale of the Road Allowances Adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 3, Concession 3, Laxton
Relating to Item 7.1.2 on the Agenda
Carl Baldwin
Carl Baldwin Jr.

Carl Baldwin, and Carl Baldwin Jr., provided on overview of their objection to the proposed sale of the road allowances adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 3, Concession 3, Laxton. They outlined that the road allowances are not idle land, they use road allowances to access their ranch property as they move cattle from their farm to their ranch lands. They also noted that the road allowances are used by the local snowmobile association. They questioned how the proposed sale was advertised to notify residents of the proposed sale of land and asked Council to retain the lands for public use.

  • CW2025-168
    Moved ByCouncillor Yeo
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor McDonald

    That the deputation of Carl Baldwin, regarding an Objection to the Proposed Sale of the Road Allowances Adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 3, Concession 3, Laxton, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Request to Lease Land to Address an Encroachment at 84 Talbot Road
Edward Fowlston
Gina Fowlston

Edward and Gina Fowlston provided an overview of the encroachment that is associated with their property located at 84 Talbot Road. They outlined that they purchased the property in 2017 and discovered a dry deck overlooking the lake. They improved the dry deck and installed a floating dock along the shoreline. Following the improvement, they were contacted by Municipal Law Enforcement and notified that the improved items were encroaching upon City owned land. They had been given the options, being move the encroachment, purchase the City owned land or lease the land.  The option to lease the City owned land has since been denied and they asked Council to reconsider the lease option.

  • CW2025-169
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Yeo

    That the deputation of Edward Fowlston and Gina Fowlston, regarding a Request to Lease Land to Address an Encroachment at 84 Talbot Road, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Overview of an Application for a HGTV Home Town Takeover in Fenelon Falls
Nancy L'Estrange

Nancy L'Estrange provided an overview of an application that has been submitted to HGTV's Home Town Takeover Canada series for the Village of Fenelon Falls. If the application is successful, it is estimated that Home Town Takeover would have a budget of over one million dollars for renovation projects. She reviewed Home Town Takeover projects that have been completed in other areas and noted that similar projects could be completed in Fenelon Falls to create a multi-purpose space at the site of the former arena and improvements could also be incorporated into the beach area to make the space fully accessible. She outlined that during the application process representatives from Home Town Takeover will contact the City to discuss the application and the City's support for the initiative. She noted that if the application is successful it will be an opportunity to bring outside funds into the community to improve spaces that are enjoyed by all residents. 

  • CW2025-170
    Moved ByCouncillor Perry
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That the deputation of Nancy L'Estrange, regarding an Overview of an Application for an HGTV Home Town Takeover in Fenelon Falls, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Request for a Review of the Greenbelt Legislation
Ron Awde

Ron Awde spoke to the importance of the greenbelt legislation and outlined that he is a supporter of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.  He noted that he owns a farm on the border of the Oak Ridges Moraine and he reviewed the improvements that he has incorporated into his property to assist with creating a corridor from north to south for significant wildlife in the area. He outlined that with increasing development from the Toronto area, the southern portion of the City of Kawartha Lakes will be under increasing pressure for development and it is important for that development to be consistent with good planning policy.  He asked Council to adopt support resolution to advocate for an evidence based review of the Greenbelt legislation so the protections that are in place for the Greenbelt can be expanded and strengthened.

  • CW2025-171
    Moved ByCouncillor Doble
    Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson

    That the deputation of Ron Awde, regarding a Request for a Review of the Greenbelt Legislation, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 1246 Northline Road
Matt Kennedy, Skyline Energy
Bo Castellan, Skyline Energy

Matt Kennedy, of Skyline Energy, provided an overview of a battery energy storage system that is proposed for the property located at 1246 Northline Road. The overview provided detail on the proposed project, which will include the construction of a twenty-two (22) megawatt battery storage system to be constructed on two (2) acres of land. The site will include approximately forty (40) twenty (20) foot shipping containers, plus associated power conversion equipment. He provided an overview of the public consultation that has been completed in preparation for the project, which included a public meeting.  He noted that they will be submitting an application to the  Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to request approval for the project and he asked Council to provide a municipal support resolution.  A municipal support resolution is required as part of the application process.

  • CW2025-172
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Doble

    That the deputation of Matt Kennedy, of Skyline Energy, regarding a Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 1246 Northline Road, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried
  • CW2025-173
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Perry

    That the Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 1246 Northline Road be referred to Staff for report back at the next Regular Council Meeting with an option for a support resolution; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 25093 Simcoe Street and 207 Farms Road
Alex Simakov, Head of Policy and Partnership - Neoen

Alex Simakov, of Neoen, provided an overview of a battery energy storage system that is proposed for the property located at 25093 Simcoe Street and 207 Farms Road. He noted that Neoen is working with Zhaaboshkaatoon and Minogi Corporation to establish a partnership and submit the Woodville Energy Storage Project as an indigenous project. The overview provided detail on the proposed project, which will include the construction of a seventy (70) megawatt Woodville Power Reserve to be constructed on six (6) acres of land. The site will include approximately one hundred and twenty eight (128) battery containers with built-in inverters and medium voltage equipment. He provided an overview of the public consultation that has been completed in preparation for the project, which included a public meeting.  He noted that they will be submitting an application to the  Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to request approval for the project and he asked Council to provide a municipal support resolution.  A municipal support resolution is required as part of the application process.

  • CW2025-174
    Moved ByCouncillor Doble
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That the deputation of Alex Simakov, Head of Policy and Partnership, Neoen, regarding a Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 25093 Simcoe Street and 207 Farms Road, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried
  • CW2025-175
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Perry

    That the Request for Municipal Support for a Proposed Battery Energy Storage System Project Located at 25093 Simcoe Street and 207 Farms Road be referred to Staff for report back at the next Regular Council Meeting with an option for a support resolution; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Woodville Battery Energy Storage Project Being Development by Neoen
John Rowinski, on behalf of Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd.
Patrick Gillette, on behalf of Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd.

Patrick Gillette, of Zhaaboshkaatoon, spoke in support of the proposed battery energy storage system project located at 25093 Simcoe Street and 207 Farms Road. He outlined that Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd. is partnering with Neoen on the proposed project. He spoke in favour of a municipal support resolution for the proposed project.

  • CW2025-176
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Joyce

    That the deputation of Patrick Gillette, regarding a Battery Energy Storage Project Being Developed by Neoen, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Objection to the Sale of the Proposed Road Allowance Adjacent to Part of Lot 2, Concession 1, being Part 1 on Plan 57R-6408, Verulam
Relating to Item 7.1.3 on the Agenda
Richard Oliver
Sherry Nielsen

  • CW2025-177
    Moved ByCouncillor Ashmore
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That the correspondence from Richard Oliver and Sherry Nielsen, regarding an Objection to the Sale of the Proposed Road Allowance Adjacent to Part of Lot 2, Concession 1, being Part 1 on Plan 57R-6408, Verulam, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Proposed Woodville Battery Storage Project - Neoen
Relating to Item 4.7 on the Agenda
Donald Richardson, Director, Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd.
John Rowinski, Director, Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd.

  • CW2025-178
    Moved ByCouncillor Doble
    Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson

    That the correspondence from Donald Richardson, Director, and John Rowinski, Director, with Zhaaboshkaatoon Ltd., regarding the Proposed Woodville Battery Storage Project - Neoen, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Overview of the Bobcaygeon Dam Project
Nancy Aspden, Director, Integrated Watershed Management, Kawartha Conservation
Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist, Kawartha Conservation

Nancy Aspden, Director of Integrated Watershed Management for Kawartha Conservation, and Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist for Kawartha Conservation, provided an overview of the Bobcaygeon Dam Aquatic Habitat Assessment Project. They outlined the importance of the fisheries in Kawartha Lakes and noted that Kawartha Conservation will be mapping high quality habitats, conducting fish surveys, monitoring water quality and water levels and testing alternative flow regimes at the Bobcaygeon Dam. They noted that the 2026 budget request from Kawartha Conservation includes $32,100.00 from the City of Kawartha Lakes for ongoing support for the Bobcaygeon Dam Aquatic Habitat Project.

  • CW2025-179
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That the presentation by Nancy Aspden, Director of Integrated Watershed Management, and Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist, with Kawartha Conservation, regarding an Overview of the Bobcaygeon Dam Project, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Water-Wastewater Rate Study Presentation
Dr. Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets
Sean-Michael Stephen, Partner, Watson and Associates Economists Ltd.

Dr. Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets, and Sean-Michael Stephen, Partner with Watson and Associates Economists Ltd., provided an overview of the Water and Wastewater Rate Study for the City of Kawartha Lakes. They reviewed the rate setting approach, the capital expenditure forecast, the capital funding plan, debt servicing impacts, operating expenditure forecast, and the forecast for water and wastewater rates.

  • CW2025-180
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByDeputy Mayor McDonald

    That the presentation by Dr. Adam Found, Manager of Corporate Assets, and Sean-Michael Stephen, Partner, Watson and Associates Economists Ltd., regarding the Water-Wastewater Rate Study, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Perry
    Seconded ByCouncillor Yeo

    That all of the proposed recommendations shown in Section 7.1 of the Agenda, save and except for Items 7.1.4, 7.1.5 and 7.1.7, be approved by the Committee of the Whole in the order that they appear on the Agenda, sequentially numbered and forwarded to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

7.1

 

Municipal Election 2026 - Voting Method
Cathie Ritchie, City Clerk

  • CW2025-181

    That Report CLK2025-008, Municipal Elections 2026 – Voting Method, be received;

    That internet/telephone voting be approved as the voting method for the 2026 municipal election;

    That internet/telephone voting be approved as the voting method for any by-elections for the position of Mayor during the 2026-2030 term of Council;

    That internet voting be approved as the voting method for any by-elections for the position of ward Councillor or School Board Trustee during the 2026-2030 term of Council;

    That a by-law be brought forward to Council authorizing the alternative voting method and advance voting as prescribed by Section 42 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. c 32 as amended; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Proposed Surplus Declaration, Closure and Sale of Road Allowances Adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 3, Concession 3, Laxton
Madison MacCormack, Law Clerk - Realty Services

  • CW2025-182

    That Report RS2025-038, Proposed Surplus Declaration, Closure and Sale of Road Allowances adjacent to Lot 2 and Lot 3, Concession 3, Laxton, be received;

    That the subject property, being road allowances legally described as Part of the Road Allowance between Concession 2 and Concession 3; Laxton; Kawartha Lakes (Part of PIN: 63112-0209); and Road Allowance between Lot 3 and Lot 4, Concession 3, Laxton; Kawartha Lakes (PIN:  63112-0223), be declared surplus to municipal needs;

    That the sale of the road allowance to the adjoining landowner be supported, in principle, in accordance with the provisions of By-Law 2018-020, as amended, and the Municipal Act, 2001, and subject to the parties entering into a conditional Agreement of Purchase and Sale (including a condition that the subject road allowance merge with the purchaser’s adjacent properties on closing);

    That the sale of the road allowances be conditional upon the subject road allowances reverting to City ownership at the conclusion of the purchaser’s project term (estimated at 30 years);  

    That Council set the value of the land at the set price of $2.50 per square foot of interior road allowance, unless the purchasers wish to pay for an appraisal, in which case, Council set the value of the land at the lower of the set price of $2.50 per square foot of interior road allowance or the appraised value;

    That staff be directed to commence the process to stop up and close the said road allowance;

    That a by-law (with any amendments deemed necessary) to close the road and authorize its disposition shall be passed, if appropriate;

    That a deeming by-law be passed contemporaneously with the disposition by-law, if required;

    That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign all documents to facilitate the road closing and conveyance of the lands; and

    That these recommendations be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Proposed Surplus Declaration, Closure and Sale of Road Allowance Adjacent to 81 Harvest Road, Verulam
Madison MacCormack, Law Clerk - Realty Services
Robyn Carlson, City Solicitor

  • CW2025-183

    That Report RS2025-039, Proposed Surplus Declaration, Closure and Sale of Road Allowance adjacent to 81 Harvest Road, be received; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy Update
Nicolas Smith, Planner II - Policy

  • CW2025-185
    Moved ByCouncillor Perry
    Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson

    That Report PLAN2025-051, CP2018-014 Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy Update 2025, be received for information;

    That the policy entitled Telecommunications and Antenna System Siting Policy, attached as Appendix C to Report PLAN2025-051, be adopted and numbered for inclusion in the City’s Policy Manual, replacing all predecessor versions; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Leaf and Yard Curbside Collection Service Review
Heather Dzurko, Manager, Waste Management

  • CW2025-186
    Moved ByCouncillor Joyce
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That Report WM2025-008, Leaf and Yard Curbside Collection Service Review, be received and deferred to return back to Council by the end of Q1, 2026 to allow for consultation with the Waste Management Committee; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Level of Service Policy - Water and Wastewater Update
Amber Hayter, Manager, Water and Wastewater

  • CW2025-184

    That Report WWW2025-004, Level of Service Policy – Water and Wastewater Update, be received;

    That the policy entitled the Level of Service Policy Water and Wastewater, attached as Appendix B to Report WWW2025-004, be adopted and numbered for inclusion in the City’s Policy Manual, replacing all predecessor versions; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Salt Management Plan Update
Chris Porter, Manager, Roads Operations

  • CW2025-187
    Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Warren

    That Report RD2025-004, Salt Management Plan Update, be received;

    That the 2025 Salt Management Plan, attached as Appendix A to Report RD2025-004, be approved and adopted to guide the management of road salt related to winter control operations; and

    That this recommendation be brought forward to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting

    Carried

Memorandum Regarding Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras
Councillor Perry

  • CW2025-188
    Moved ByCouncillor Perry
    Seconded ByCouncillor Doble

    That the Memorandum from Councillor Perry, regarding Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras, be received;

    That the resolution by the Town of Midland, expressing opposition to the ban of automated speed enforcement, be supported;

    That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Transportation and local M.P.P. Laurie Scott; and

    That this recommendation be forwarded to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Memorandum Regarding Mental Health, Homelessness and Addictions
Councillor Warren

  • CW2025-189
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Perry

    That the Memorandum from Councillor Warren, regarding Mental Health, Homelessness, and Addictions, be received;

    That the resolution from Niagara Region to advocate for a coordinated approach between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to address ongoing challenges related to mental health, homelessness, and addiction, including identifying gaps in programs and services that support housing, addiction treatment, and mental heath in vulnerable populations, be supported;

    That a copy be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, and local M.P.P. Laurie Scott; and

    That this recommendation be forwarded to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried

Memorandum Regarding a Support Resolution Urging the Federal Government to Keep Climate Change as a Foremost National Priority
Councillor Warren

  • CW2025-190
    Moved ByCouncillor Warren
    Seconded ByCouncillor Perry

    That the Memorandum from Councillor Warren, regarding Support Resolution Urging the Federal Government to Keep Climate Change as a Foremost National Priority, be received;

    That the resolution from the Municipality of Bluewater, be supported, calling on the Federal Government to maintain climate change as a top national priority, reflected in legislation, national planning, funding and public policy through the following measures:

    • Prioritizing investments in the clean energy transition;
    • Continuing to support municipalities in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including through sustainable infrastructure funding, disaster preparedness support, and clean energy investments since municipalities have the ability to influence change in ~50% of emissions within Canada;
    • Accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that it is just, inclusive, and economically beneficial for all regions and communities;
    • Engaging in transparent, science-based policymaking that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis and the lived experiences of Canadians;
    • Collaborating with Indigenous communities and respect Indigenous knowledge and leadership in addressing climate;
    • Continuing to report annually on national progress in reducing emissions and implementing adaptation strategies;

    That a copy of this recommendation be forwarded to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Premier of Ontario, the local Member of Parliament Jamie Schmale, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and

    That this recommendation be forwarded to Council for consideration at the next Regular Council Meeting.

    Carried
  • CW2025-191
    Moved ByCouncillor Perry
    Seconded ByCouncillor Yeo

    That the Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourn at 4:03 p.m.

    Carried
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