The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Committee of the Whole Meeting

COW2025-04

Tuesday, April 08, 2025

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 Dan Joyce
• Councillor Mike Perry
• Councillor Tracy Richardson
• Councillor Pat Warren
• Councillor Emmett Yeo
• Vacancy - Ward 5

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.

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1.

Call to Order

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

Councillors P. Warren and E. Yeo were in attendance electronically.

Councillor R. Ashmore was absent.

CAO R. Taylor, City Clerk C. Ritchie, Deputy Clerk S. O'Connell, Directors L. Barrie, S. Beukeboom, C. Faber, J. Johnston, B. Robinson, J. Rojas, Deputy Paramedic Chief S. Lucas and Chief Librarian J. Anderson were also in attendance in Council Chambers.

City Solicitor R. Carlson and Traffic Management Supervisor J. Kelly were in attendance electronically.

1.1

COW2025-04.1.1

Verbal Update on Behalf of the Emergency Operations Centre Regarding the Ice Storm Incident
Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, provided an update on the ice storm incident that occurred on March 29th and March 30th which resulted in widespread power outages throughout the municipality. The Emergency Operations Centre was activated in response to the ice storm incident. The Emergency Operations Centre is focused on supporting residents through the recovery from the ice storm. A State of Emergency has been declared and additional work is needed to continue to support residents as Hydro One works through the power restoration.

Mayor Elmslie and Deputy Mayor McDonald provided words to recognize the impact that the ice storm has had on area residents.

Mayor Elsmlie provided remarks to recognize that April 2nd is the Global Day of Autism Awareness and April is Be a Donor Month in support of organ donation.

• CW2025-068
  Moved By Mayor Elmslie
  Seconded By Councillor Joyce

  That the verbal update from Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the Emergency Operations Centre, regarding the Ice Storm Incident, be received; and

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

  Carried

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• CW2025-069
  Moved By Councillor Perry
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That the Agenda for the Committee of the Whole of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, be adopted as circulated with the following amendment:

  Addition:

  Item 1.1 being a Verbal Update from Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, on Behalf of the Emergency Operations Centre Regarding the Ice Storm Incident

  Carried

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

4.

Deputations

4.1

COW2025-04.4.1

Overview of the Witness Blanket Art Exhibit in Support of Truth and Reconcilliation to be Held at Trinity-St. Andrews Church, Cannington
Sharon Woodrow

Sharon Woodrow provided an overview of the Witness Blanket Art Exhibit that will be hosted at the Trinity St. Andrews Church, Cannington, from September 7 to October 15, 2025. She outlined that the Witness Blanket is a tribute to residential school survivors.  The Exhibit will include over 800 items; items have been acquired from schools, government buildings and churches, including a door from a dormitory. The original three dimensional witness blanket is now on exhibit in Manitoba. She encouraged everyone to visit the Exhibit while it is on display in Cannington and noted that additional information is available at witnessblanket.ca.

• CW2025-070
  Moved By Mayor Elmslie
  Seconded By Councillor Joyce

  That the deputation of Sharon Woodrow, regarding an Overview of the Witness Blanket Art Exhibit in Support of Truth and and Reconciliation to be Held at Trinity-St. Andrews Church, Cannington, be received; and

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

  Carried

4.2

COW2025-04.4.2

Road Conditions on Mustang Drive, Emily
Bob Connell

Bob Connell provided an overview of his concerns regarding the condition of Mustang Drive in the former Emily Township. He advised that Mustang Drive runs from Heights Road to Sturgeon Road and area residents have expressed concern about the condition of the road and the condition of the two (2) bridges located on the road. He also expressed concern about the winter maintenance that is provided to the road and noted that area residents have had difficulty traveling on the road due to the timing of the snow removal.  He outlined that area residents would like Council to consider resurfacing the road to a hard top surface and would also like Council to proceed with the improvement of the bridges along the road.

• CW2025-071
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Yeo

  That the deputation of Bob Connell, regarding Road Conditions on Mustang Drive, former Township of Emily, be received; and

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

  Carried

4.3

COW2025-04.4.3

Parking Fine and Signage Recommendations in Downtown Lindsay
Wesley Found, Lindsay Downtown BIA
Wayne English, Lindsay Downtown BIA

Wesley Found, of the Lindsay Downtown BIA raised concern regarding the increased parking fines that are applicable in Downtown Lindsay. He encouraged Council to consider implementing a phased approach for parking fine increases. He noted that the increased parking fine structure was implement without consultation with the Lindsay Downtown BIA. He also recommended that enhanced signage be installed within Downtown BIA, using existing infrastructure, with a focus on improving the downtown experience.

• CW2025-072
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Warren

  That the deputation of Wesley Found and Wayne English, of the Lindsay Downtown BIA, regarding Parking Fine and Signage Recommendations in Downtown Lindsay, be received; and

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

  Carried

4.4

COW2025-04.4.4

Property Tax Relief for Persons with Disabilities
Bill McConnell

Bill McConnell provided an overview of his concern relating to the City's Property Tax Relief Program for Persons with Disabilities. He recommended that the application process be streamlined. He requested that Council consider a retroactive participation in the Program.

• CW2025-073
  Moved By Councillor Perry
  Seconded By Councillor Yeo

  That the deputation of Bill McConnell, regarding Property Tax Relief for Persons with Disabilities, be received; and

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

  Carried

4.5

COW2025-04.4.5

Request to Purchase the Road Allowance Adjacent to 15 Potts Shore Road, Fenelon
Diana Keay, of D.M. Wills Associates Limited
Hayden Eltaii

Diana Keay, of D.M. Wills Associates Limited, provided an overview of the road allowance adjacent to the property located at 15 Potts Shore Road, Fenelon. She outlined that the structure associated with 15 Potts Shore Road encroaches onto the road allowance and her client, Hayden Eltaii, would like to purchase the road allowance, or a portion thereof, to resolve the encroachment issue and increase the lot size of his property. The Land Management Team has denied the request to purchase the road allowance and she asked Council to reconsider that decision.

• CW2025-074
  Moved By Councillor Perry
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That the deputation of Diana Keay, of D.M. Wills Associates Limited, and Hayden Eltaii, regarding a Request to Purchase the Road Allowance Adjacent to 15 Potts Shore Road, Fenelon, be received; and

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

  Carried

4.6

COW2025-04.4.6

Road Conditions on Four Points Road, Dunsford
Amanda Newton
David Newton

Amanda Newton provided an overview of Four Points Road, Dunsford and expressed concern about the condition of the road. She noted that there are twenty-two (22) families on the road and they have expressed that the road is in a state of disrepair. She noted that the road was graded four (4) times between spring and fall in 2024 but the potholes had returned by winter. She asked Council to consider resurfacing the road.

• CW2025-075
  Moved By Councillor Warren
  Seconded By Councillor Perry

  That the deputation of Amanda Newton and David Newton, regarding Road Conditions on Four Points Road, Dunsford, be received; and

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

  Carried

5.

Correspondence

6.

Presentations

6.1

COW2025-04.6.1

Agricultural Profile Update for Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes
Paul Buckley, of the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Federation of Agriculture
Greg Bacon, of the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Federation of Agriculture

Paul Buckley and Greg Bacon, of the Kawartha Lakes Federation of Agriculture, provided an overview of the Agricultural Profile Update for Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes. The overview provided specifics on the agricultural sector within Kawartha Lakes and reviewed the key statistics for the agricultural profile in Kawartha Lakes. They highlighted the challenges that are facing the agricultural sector including farmland pressures and the increased costs. They encourage member of Council to engage with the agricultural sector by attending the VIP Agricultural Tour that will be held in the fall of 2025.

• CW2025-076
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Mayor Elmslie

  That the presentation by Paul Buckley and Greg Bacon, of the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Federation of Agriculture, regarding the Agricultural Profile Update for Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.2

COW2025-04.6.2

Kawartha Lakes Agriculture and Food Action Plan 2020-2024 Presentation
Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture
Rebecca Mustard, Manager of Economic Development

Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture, provided an overview of the Agriculture and Food Action Plan (2020-2024). There were five (5) objectives within the Plan, being:

1. continue excellence in agriculture and food business development and support services;
2. enhance agriculture and food workforce development activities;
3. ensure that municipal planning, infrastructure, and regulations facilitate agricultural development;
4. continue to build the Kawartha Lakes brand by supporting agriculture and food; and
5. ensure that agriculture and food businesses are equipped to adapt to a changing climate.

Council received an overview of each goal within the Plan and reviewed the status of each goal. Council was advised that the Plan will be updated in 2025 and the updated plan will be implemented for 2025-2030.

• CW2025-077
  Moved By Councillor Joyce
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That the presentation by Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture, regarding the Kawartha Lakes Agriculture and Food Action Plan 2020-2024, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.2.1

Report ED2025-005

Kawartha Lakes Agriculture and Food Action Plan 2020 to 2024 Report
Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture

• CW2025-078
  Moved By Councillor Warren
  Seconded By Councillor Joyce

  That Report ED2025-005, Kawartha Lakes Agriculture and Food Action Plan 2020 to 2024 Report, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.3

COW2025-04.6.3

2024 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo Municipal Summary Report Presentation
Rebecca Mustard, Manager of Economic Development
Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture

Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture, provided a summary of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo that was held in Kawartha Lakes on October 1st to October 5th in 2024.  She outlined that the Event attracted over 51,000 attendees, volunteers, competitors and exhibitors to Kawartha Lakes. The City of Kawartha Lakes contributed to the event in two ways, being in-kind event support and delivery of a municipal display which was a showcase of Kawartha Lakes. The long-lasting reputation of the City of Kawartha Lakes as a host municipality will be a positive one.

• CW2025-079
  Moved By Councillor Joyce
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That the presentation by Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture, regarding the 2024 International Plowing March and Rural Expo Municipal Summary Report, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.3.1

Report ED2025-004

2024 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo Municipal Summary Report
Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture

• CW2025-080
  Moved By Mayor Elmslie
  Seconded By Councillor Yeo

  That Report ED2025-004, 2024 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo Municipal Summary Report, be received; and

  That the following fees charged per By-Law 2018-234, being a By-law to Establish and Require Payment of Fees for Information, Services, Activities and Use of City Property in The City of Kawartha Lakes (known as the Consolidated Fees By-law), relating to the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, be waived:

  • $432.25 of water/wastewater consumption (per By-Law 2021-162 - Being a By-law to Regulate Water and Wastewater Services in the City of Kawartha Lakes);
  • $1,235.25 charged for waste removal and $187.96 charged for septic removal (per By-Law 2024-235 - A By-Law for Collection and Management of Waste and Recyclables Within the City of Kawartha Lakes); and

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

  Carried

6.4

COW2025-04.6.4

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service 2024 Annual Report Presentation
Terry Jones, Fire Chief

Deputy Mayor McDonald advised that Chief Jones was unable to attend the Meeting due to commitments associated with the ice storm incident; as an alternative a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation was provided to Council for information.

• CW2025-081
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Mayor Elmslie

  That the presentation by Terry Jones, Fire Chief, regarding the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service 2024 Annual Report, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.4.1

Report FIRE2025-001

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service 2024 Annual Report
Terry Jones, Fire Chief

• CW2025-082
  Moved By Councillor Warren
  Seconded By Councillor Perry

  That Report FIRE2025-001, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service 2024 Annual Report, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.5

COW2025-04.6.5

Encampment Response Update Presentation
Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
Cheryl Faber, Director of Human Services
Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, Housing

Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, Cheryl Faber, Director of Human Services and Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, provided an update on the encampment response framework for the City of Kawartha Lakes. The update included an overview of the phased approach for encampment response.

• CW2025-083
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Councillor Perry

  That the presentation by Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, Cheryl Faber, Director of Human Services and Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, regarding the Encampment Response Update, be received; and

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

  Carried

6.5.1

Report HS2025-003

Encampment Response Update and Council Policy
Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, Housing

• CW2025-084
  Moved By Mayor Elmslie
  Seconded By Councillor Joyce

  That Report HS2025-003, Encampment Response Update and Proposed Council Policy, be received;

  That the policy entitled Encampment Response Policy, attached as Appendix A to Report HS2025-003 be adopted and numbered for inclusion in the City’s Policy Manual; and

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

  Carried

7.

Consent Matters

• Moved By Mayor Elmslie
  Seconded By Councillor Joyce

  That all of the proposed recommendations shown in Section 7.1 of the Agenda 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

Reports

7.1.1

LGL2025-004

Rental Protection By-laws - Preventing Renovictions and Conversion of Rental Housing to Non-Rental Use
Robyn Carlson, City Solicitor

• CW2025-085

  That Report LGL2025-004, Rental Protection By-laws – Preventing Renovictions and Conversion of Rental Housing to Non-Rental Use, be received; and

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

  Carried

7.1.2

PR2025-003

Parks and Facilities By-Law Update
Ryan Smith, Manager, Parks and Recreation

• CW2025-086

  That Report PR2025-003, Parks and Facilities By-Law Update, be received;

  That By-Law 2006-147, being the By-Law to Regulate Public Parks and Facilities, be amended, as outlined in Appendix A to Report PR2025-003;

  That the necessary By-Law to amend By-Law 2006-147 be brought forward to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.1.3

PR2025-004

Victoria Rail Trail By-Law Update
Ryan Smith, Manager, Parks and Recreation

• CW2025-087

  That Report PR2025-004, Victoria Rail Trail By-Law Update, be received;

  That a By-Law to Repeal and Replace By-Law 2007-107, being the By-Law to Regulate and Govern Trail Uses Along the Rail Trail Corridor in the City of Kawartha Lakes, be approved;

  That the By-Law, substantially in the form attached as Appendix B to Report PR2025-004, be brought forward to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.1.4

ED2025-002

2024 Kawartha Lakes Business Count
Rebecca Mustard, Manager, Economic Development

• CW2025-088

  That Report ED2025-002, 2024 Kawartha Lakes Business Count, be received; and

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

  Carried

7.1.5

ED2024-011

Proposed Heritage Designation of 55 Main Street, Village of Bobcaygeon (Bobcaygeon Town Hall)
Emily Turner, Economic Development Officer - Heritage Planning

• CW2025-089

  That Report ED2025-011, Proposed Heritage Designation of 55 Main Street, Village of Bobcaygeon (Bobcaygeon Town Hall), be received;

  That the Municipal Heritage Committee’s recommendation to designate 55 Main Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as being of cultural heritage value or interest be endorsed;

  That staff be authorized to proceed with the process to designate the subject property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, including the preparation and circulation of Notices of Intention to Designate, consultation with the property owner and preparation of the designating by-laws; and

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

  Carried

7.1.6

ENG2025-011

Request for an All-Way Stop - Mary Street West and Adelaide Street South, Lindsay
Gordon Archibald, Senior Engineering Technician

• CW2025-090

  That Report ENG2025-011, Request for All-Way Stop - Mary Street West and Adelaide Street South, Lindsay be received;

  That the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of Mary Street West and Adelaide Street South, Lindsay, be approved;

  That flashing red beacons be installed to provide a warning of the new all-way stop at this intersection;

  That the necessary By-Law for the above recommendations be forwarded to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.1.7

ENG2025-012

Request for Speed Posting on Valentia Road and an All-Way Stop at Valentia Road and Ramsey Road, Little Britain
Gordon Archibald, Senior Engineering Technician

• CW2025-091

  That Report ENG2025-012, Request for Speed Posting on Valentia Road and All-Way Stop at Valentia Road and Ramsey Road, be received;

  That Valentia Road from Little Britain Road to Ramsey Road be posted for speed at 60km/hr; and

  That the installation of an all-way stop, with flashing beacons, at the intersection of Valentia Road and Ramsey Road, Little Brtain, be approved;

  That the necessary By-Laws for the above recommendations be forwarded to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.1.8

ENG2025-013

Request for Changes to Speed Transition Zones
Joseph Kelly, Transportation Management Supervisor

• CW2025-092

  That Report ENG2025-013, Request for Changes to Speed Transition Zones, be received;

  That By-Law 2005-328, being a By-Law to Establish Speed Limits, be amended to change provisions regarding 60km/hr transition zones approaching hamlets to allow for a minimum length of 250m where the roadside environment allows;

  That the necessary By-law for the above recommendations be forwarded to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.1.9

ENG2025-014

Request for an All-Way Stop - Cambridge Street and Peel Street, Lindsay
Joseph Kelly, Traffic Management Supervisor

• CW2025-093

  That Report ENG2025-014 , Request for All-Way Stop – Cambridge Street and Peel Street, Lindsay , be received;

  That the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection Cambridge Street and Peel Street, Lindsay, be approved;

  That the necessary By-Law for the above recommendation be brought forward to Council for adoption; and

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

  Carried

7.2

Items Extracted from Consent

8.

New or Other Business

8.1

COW2025-04.8.1

Memorandum Regarding an Ontario Digital Public Library
Councillor Joyce

• CW2025-094

  That the Memorandum from Councillor Joyce, regarding an Ontario Digital Public Library, be received;

  That the City of Kawartha Lakes encourage the Province of Ontario to support the creation of an Ontario Digital Public Library, in line with the recommendation from the Ontario Federation of Public Libraries (FOPL);

  That a copy of this recommendation, as generally outlined in the draft letter attached to this Memorandum, be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, the MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, the Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Public Libraries and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and

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

  Carried

8.2

COW2025-04.8.2

Memorandum Regarding an Exemption to Building By-Law Fees for Building Permits to Remove Storm Water Connections from the Municipal Sanitary Sewage System
Councillor Perry

• CW2025-095

  That the Memorandum from Councillor Perry, regarding an Exemption to Building By-Law fees for Building Permits to Remove Connections Relating to Storm Water from the Municipal Sanitary Sewage System, be received;

  That the Chief Building Official bring forward an amendment to the fee schedule for By-Law 2024-219, being the By-Law to Provide for the Administration and Enforcement of the Building Code Act, 1992 within the City of Kawartha Lakes, to exempt applications related specifically to the plumbing modifications required to remove storm water connections from the municipal sanitary sewer system; and

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

  Carried

9.

Adjournment

• CW2025-096
  Moved By Councillor Richardson
  Seconded By Mayor Elmslie

  That the Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourn at 4:31 p.m.

  Carried