Regular Council Meeting

it resolved that the Procedural By-Law be set aside to add an item under Business Arising 9.3 (Picnic in Portland), to move Notice of Motion Agenda Items 14.1 through 14.3 under New Business, and add a Motion under New Business 13.6 (Non Confidence in Mayor).

it resolved, that the Agenda be approved and adopted as amended.

it resolved that Council pass a by-law authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign an agreement with Mike Fair Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. for the purchase of a 2025 Crew Cab 4X4 Truck in the amount of $50,227.00 (plus the Township’s portion of the HST) and the applicable licensing fee, as presented in Council Report Fire 2025-18.

it resolved that, Council pass a By-Law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a purchase and sale agreement for $1 to accept the lands being offered by the owner of 3828 Big Rideau Lake Road, as presented in Council Report DS-2025-21.

WHEREAS at the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC) Meeting held July 17, 2025 Recommendation #2025-30 was passed recommending to Council that the following statement be included in the 2026 Rideau Lakes Road map: "Early History of Rideau Lakes Archeological evidence shows that Indigenous peoples have continuously lived in the Rideau lakes area for at least 9,000 years. Indigenous artifacts have been found around all of the lakes in this area." NOW THEREFORE be it resolved, that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes hereby recommends that MHAC Rec #2025-30 be

it resolved, that the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes Approves and adopts the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held July 7, 2025.

it resolved, that the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes Approves the Minutes and Adopts all Recommendations contained within the Minutes, unless otherwise dealt with, of the: Municipal Services Committee (Combined) Meeting: July 14, 2025 Economic Development Committee Meeting: July 7, 2025 Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting: July 17, 2025 Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment Meetings: July 9 & July 23, 2025 Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee Meeting: June 18, 2025 AND FURTHER that Council Acknowledges the Minutes of the: Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority Meetings: February 26, March 26, April 30 & May 28, 2025 Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Meeting: May 22, 2025

it resolved, that the following By-Laws be taken as read a first and second time the short way this 5 th day of August, 2025: By-Law 2025-95: Agreement - Village of Westport - Enforcement of Ontario Building Code-Residential Tenancies Act By-Law 2025-96: Contract - Rush Truck Centre - purchase 2026 International Tandem Plow Truck By-Law 2025-97: Contract - Whitekker Environmental Services - Water Testing By-Law 2025-98: Contract - Commercial Fire Trucks Contract - 2026 Pumper By-Law 2025-99: Amend By-Law 2019-23 - Establish Community Enhancement Committees (Senior Group Financials) By-Law 2025-100: Amend By-Law 2024-124 - Amend Human Resources Policy By-Law 2025-101: Amend By-Law 2025-15 - Council and Staff Relationship Policy (Strong Mayor Powers) By-Law 2025-102: Contract - Mike Fair Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd - 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD Crew Cab truck By-Law 2025-103: ZBA-9-2025 John & Kathryn Looby, 79 Otter Lake Rd, SE By-Law 2025-104: Purchase and Sale Agreement - Freeland Road / Road Allowance

it resolved that By-Laws 2025-95, 2025-96, 2025-97, 2025-98, 2025-99, 2025-100, 2025-101, 2025-102, 2025-103 and 2025-104 be taken as read a third time and finally passed this 5th day of August, 2025.

WHEREAS The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes has recreation agreements with the Township of Athens, the Village of Westport and the Town of Smiths Falls; AND WHEREAS these recreation agreements allow residents of Rideau Lakes to use the recreational facilities in Athens, Westport and Smiths Falls at the same registration fee as their respective taxpayers; AND WHEREAS it has been quite some time that these recreation agreements have been reviewed; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes requests that the Township of Athens, the Village of Westport and the Town of Smiths Falls provide to the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes the registration numbers of Rideau Lakes residents that were registered in all programs that used their respective facilities during 2024; AND FURTHER THAT these numbers be provided to the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes by September 30, 2025 in time for 2026 budget deliberations.

it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes hereby appoints Councillor Dustin Bulloch to the following Committees: Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority Friends of the Cataraqui Trail Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment Morton and Area Community Enhancement Committee AND FURTHER that Councillor Carr be removed as an appointed Council member of same.

WHEREAS Section 284.11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 permits the Head of Council to veto a By-Law only if it interferes with a prescribed provincial priority; AND WHEREAS By-Law Number 2025-94 does not interfere with any provincial priority, but instead ensures that Council and staff of the Township of Rideau Lakes receive critical information, for which taxpayers have already paid $138,000 to support responsible, transparent, and evidence-based decision-making; AND WHEREAS Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001 defines Council’s core responsibilities, including to represent the public and consider the well-being of the municipality (224[a]), and to ensure accountability and transparency of municipal operations (224[d.1]); AND WHEREAS Section 225(c.1) requires the mayor, as Head of Council, to provide information and recommendations to council in support of its responsibilities under Section 224, and the failure to do so undermines these obligations; AND WHEREAS the mayoral veto in this case is being used to withhold information from council and the public, obstructing transparency, impeding council’s ability to govern responsibly, and violating possibly both the letter and the spirit of Sections 224 and 225 of the Municipal Act; AND WHEREAS any member of Council who supports this veto is, by extension, may be in breach of their legal obligations under Section 224, by failing to represent the public interest and support transparent governance; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that t

WHEREAS the Township of Rideau Lakes is preparing a submission to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy regarding Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025; AND WHEREAS the Township has experienced 17 Integrity Commissioner (IC) complaints, raising concerns about the current framework and the need for reform; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that Council direct staff to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred for each of the 17 IC investigations by August 9th; AND FURTHER that Councillor Paula Banks prepare a summary of each complaint, including the date, general nature, outcome, and duration, along with commentary supporting the Township’s call for legislative reform and independent oversight; AND FURTHER that the completed report be submitted to the August 11, 2025, MSC meeting for Council review prior to submission to the Standing Committee by the August 18th deadline.

WHEREAS Strong Mayor Powers have been extended to 216 Ontario municipalities, with more expected by fall 2025; AND WHEREAS over 130 municipalities have formally opposed these powers due to concerns over democratic accountability and local governance; AND WHEREAS the V.O.I.C.E. coalition is hosting an open advocacy session at the 2025 AMO Conference on Monday, August 18, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Joey Rideau in Ottawa; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved, that the Township of Rideau Lakes endorses and supports this V.O.I.C.E. event and encourages all Ontario municipalities to attend; AND FURTHER that the attached invitation be sent along with this resolution to all 444 Ontario municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

WHEREAS Mayoral Decision MD-2025-02-a, issued on July 18, 2025, contains multiple misstatements and unsubstantiated claims used to justify the veto of By-Law Number 2025-94; AND WHEREAS the Mayor falsely claimed that Council had not properly considered the offer of a 5-acre parcel of land in Elgin, despite it being discussed in both open and closed sessions, with the mayor present and fully aware; AND WHEREAS the Mayor continues to promote a misleading narrative about this property, presenting it as the only viable option while downplaying or withholding important information, including shifting conditions around the offer, such as the estimated cost of an MTO-approved entrance off Highway 15 originally requested, and new demands shared only with Council, all of which should now be made public and included in future public meetings; AND WHEREAS the Mayor previously, in Mayoral Decision MD-2025-01-a, containing some of the same inadequate reasoning, falsely claimed support from MPP Steve Clark for his use of Strong Mayor Powers, an assertion later shown to be untrue; AND WHEREAS the Mayor continues to cite the Township’s debt load as justification for vetoes, despite clear and public legal advice from the Township’s solicitor, Mr. Tony Fleming, that debt levels do not constitute valid grounds for a veto under Section 284.11 of the Municipal Act; AND WHEREAS the Mayor has refused to provide specifics, documentation, or professional evaluations to support his repeated claim that

it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes closes Meeting at 8:24 p.m. to discuss matters as per Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, : Regular Council Closed Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2025; Municipal Services Committee (PW) Closed Meeting Minutes: July 14, 2025; Economic Development Committee Closed Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2025; One item under Section 239(2)(b) Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including Municipal or local board employee Two items under Section 239(2)(c) A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Municipality or local board; Two items under Section 239(2)(e) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; and Two items under Section 239(2)(f) Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose

it resolved, that By-Law 2025-105, being a By-Law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a Bill of Sale and General Conveyance regarding the Mavety Boathouse on a Road Allowance located in the Village of Newboro, be taken as read a first and second time, the short way, this 5th day of August, 2025.

it resolved, that By-Law 2025-105, be taken as read a third time and finally passed this 5th day of August, 2025.

it resolved that By-Law Number 2025-106 being a By-Law to Govern the Proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes at its Meeting held August 5, 2025 be taken as read a first, second and third time this 5th day of August 2025.

Be it resolved that the Procedural By-Law be set aside to add an item under Business Arising 9.3 (Picnic in Portland), to move Notice of Motion Agenda Items 14.1 through 14.3 under New Business, and add a Motion under New Business 13.6 (Non Confidence in Mayor).

Be it resolved, that the Agenda be approved and adopted as amended.

Be it resolved that Council pass a by-law authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign an agreement with Mike Fair Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. for the purchase of a 2025 Crew Cab 4X4 Truck in the amount of $50,227.00 (plus the Township’s portion of the HST) and the applicable licensing fee, as presented in Council Report Fire 2025-18.

Be it resolved that, Council pass a By-Law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a purchase and sale agreement for $1 to accept the lands being offered by the owner of 3828 Big Rideau Lake Road, as presented in Council Report DS-2025-21.

Be it resolved, that the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes Approves and adopts the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held July 7, 2025.

Be it resolved, that the Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes Approves the Minutes and Adopts all Recommendations contained within the Minutes, unless otherwise dealt with, of the:  Municipal Services Committee (Combined) Meeting: July 14, 2025  Economic Development Committee Meeting: July 7, 2025  Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting: July 17, 2025  Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment Meetings: July 9 & July 23, 2025  Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee Meeting: June 18, 2025 AND FURTHER that Council Acknowledges the Minutes of the:  Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority Meetings: February 26, March 26, April 30 & May 28, 2025  Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Meeting: May 22, 2025

Be it resolved, that the following By-Laws be taken as read a first and second time the short way this 5th day of August, 2025:  By-Law 2025-95: Agreement - Village of Westport - Enforcement of Ontario Building Code-Residential Tenancies Act  By-Law 2025-96: Contract - Rush Truck Centre - purchase 2026 International Tandem Plow Truck  By-Law 2025-97: Contract - Whitekker Environmental Services - Water Testing  By-Law 2025-98: Contract - Commercial Fire Trucks Contract - 2026 Pumper  By-Law 2025-99: Amend By-Law 2019-23 - Establish Community Enhancement Committees (Senior Group Financials)  By-Law 2025-100: Amend By-Law 2024-124 - Amend Human Resources Policy Regular Council Meeting Monday, August 5, 2025 Pg. 6  By-Law 2025-101: Amend By-Law 2025-15 - Council and Staff Relationship Policy (Strong Mayor Powers)  By-Law 2025-102: Contract - Mike Fair Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd - 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD Crew Cab truck  By-Law 2025-103: ZBA-9-2025 John & Kathryn Looby, 79 Otter Lake Rd, SE  By-Law 2025-104: Purchase and Sale Agreement - Freeland Road / Road Allowance

Be it resolved that By-Laws 2025-95, 2025-96, 2025-97, 2025-98, 2025-99, 2025-100, 2025-101, 2025-102, 2025-103 and 2025-104 be taken as read a third time and finally passed this 5th day of August, 2025.

Be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes hereby appoints Councillor Dustin Bulloch to the following Committees:  Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority  Friends of the Cataraqui Trail  Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment  Morton and Area Community Enhancement Committee AND FURTHER that Councillor Carr be removed as an appointed Council member of same.

Be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes closes Meeting at 8:24 p.m. to discuss matters as per Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act,:  Regular Council Closed Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2025;  Municipal Services Committee (PW) Closed Meeting Minutes: July 14, 2025;  Economic Development Committee Closed Meeting Minutes: July 7, 2025;  One item under Section 239(2)(b) Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including Municipal or local board employee  Two items under Section 239(2)(c) A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Municipality or local board;  Two items under Section 239(2)(e) Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; and  Two items under Section 239(2)(f) Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose Regular Council Meeting Monday, August 5, 2025 Pg. 13

Be it resolved, that By-Law 2025-105, being a By-Law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign a Bill of Sale and General Conveyance regarding the Mavety Boathouse on a Road Allowance located in the Village of Newboro, be taken as read a first and second time, the short way, this 5th day of August, 2025.

Be it resolved, that By-Law 2025-105, be taken as read a third time and finally passed this 5th day of August, 2025.

Be it resolved that By-Law Number 2025-106 being a By-Law to Govern the Proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Rideau Lakes at its Meeting held August 5, 2025 be taken as read a first, second and third time this 5th day of August 2025.