Regular Council

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region: 1. approve the Water Financial Plan prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. dated May 16, 2025; 2. accept the Water and Wastewater Rate Study dated May 13, 2025 as a guiding document; and 3. adopt the recommendations contained within both documents.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region receive this report for information purposes relating to the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022.

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has proposed to designate the Township of Whitewater Region as a "Strong Mayor" community, granting enhanced powers to the Mayor effective May 1, 2025; and, WHEREAS the Strong Mayor powers significantly alter the balance of governance at the municipal level, undermining the role of Council in decision-making and weakening the fundamental democratic principle of majority rule; and, WHEREAS the Township of Whitewater Region has a long history of collaborative, transparent, and accountable local governance built upon a foundation of Council-debate and shared decision- making; and, WHEREAS many municipally elected officials across the province and members of the public have expressed significant concern regarding the imposition of these powers; and, Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 3 of 11 WHEREAS the Township of Whitewater Region did not formally request or express a desire to be designated under the Strong Mayor framework; and, WHEREAS a growing number of municipalities and elected officials across Ontario are questioning the appropriateness of the Strong Mayor system and are calling for its reconsideration or repeal; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council of the Township of Whitewater Region formally request that the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing immediately remove the Township of Whitewater Region from the list of municipalities designated under the Strong Mayor legislation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOL

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve the award of RFP 2025-17 Accessible Picnic Tables purchase of 10 accessible picnic tables to New World Park Solutions at a cost of $17,021.40 inclusive of non-refundable H.S.T.

Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 4 of 11 That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve the award of RFP 2025-16 Cobden Arena Ice Plant Control Panel to A/C Mechanical Refrigeration Ltd. at a cost of $45,079.68 inclusive of non-refundable H.S.T.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region authorize the Township to execute: 1. amending agreements with the Beachburg Agricultural Society and the Cobden Agricultural Society to extend the term to May 31, 2027 and, 2. amending facility agreements with the Beachburg Recreation Association and the Westmeath and District Recreation Association to extend the term to May 31, 2027 and, 3. a facility agreement with the Foresters Falls Athletic Association for the maintenance and operations of the Foresters Falls outdoor rink and ball field facilities, subject to the final approval by the Chief Administration Officer.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region received the Fire Department’s enhanced level of service report for information purposes; and Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 5 of 11 1. authorizing the preparation of a Tiered Medical Response Agreement with the County of Renfrew (Paramedic Service), 2. authorizing staff to initiate training and certification programs, including the 2025 budget adjustments, and 3. directing staff to amend the Establishing and Regulating By-law to incorporate the Tiered Medical Response Agreement. For Against Absent Mayor Neil Nicholson x Deputy Mayor Cathy Regier x Councillor Mark Bell x Councillor Michael Moore x Councillor Chris Olmstead x Councillor Connie Tabbert x Councillor Joey Trimm x 5 2 0

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region amend the above resolution to receive and bring back as budget deliberations.

That Council of the Township of the Whitewater Region amend procedural by-law to amend order of proceedings to hear item 9.10 before 9.07.

Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 6 of 11 That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve a Sewer Use By-law to regulate the control of waste discharges to municipal sewers and sewage works.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region receive this report for information purposes as it relates to an update for all-way stop requests at the intersections of Crawford Street/Jason Street and Morris Street/Elliott Street.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region direct staff to: 1. reallocate funds budgeted for the reconstruction of Grants Settlement Road project to rehabilitate Mine View Road; and 2. repair rutted sections of Grants Settlement Road. 3. including the application of asphalt for the frontage of Mineview Garage subject to maximum budget limits.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region amend the motion to include asphalt for the frontage if it is with in the budgeted amount of Mineview Garage within budget limits. Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 7 of 11

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region enact a by-law to authorize the Township to enter into a Site Plan Agreement with Northwest Performance Cobden Inc. and to permit the redevelopment of 224 Sturgeon Mountain Road.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve entering into a shared services agreement with The Corporation of the Town of Renfrew for one-year to support corporate communications.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater receive this report for information purposes as it relates to delegation requests at the 2025 Associations of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Conference to be held August 17 - 20, 2025.

Regular Council Minutes May 21, 2025 Page 8 of 11 WHEREAS the Beachburg water system has experienced multiple recurring faults in its water main system over a period of time; AND WHEREAS these failures have caused disruptions to residents and businesses, raising concerns about infrastructure reliability and long-term costs; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region direct staff to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the recurring water main faults in Beachburg; AND THAT the investigation includes an assessment of the current infrastructure, potential environmental and usage- related factors, historical maintenance and repair records, and any systemic issues contributing to the failures; AND THAT staff report back to Council with findings and recommendations, including potential short- and long-term solutions, budget implications, and possible funding sources.

Be it resolved that the By-laws be listed on the May 21, 2025 agenda, be taken as read and passed.

That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region move into closed session as per Section 9 of the procedural bylaw at 6:52 p.m. to discuss personal matters about an identifiable individual including municipal or local board employees with the CAO remaining in the room.