I'd like to order call to order the committee the whole meeting for August
10th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. First order of business is disclosure of
pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof.
I see two hands go up. Councilor Stubbs, are you there?
» I'm going to be declaring a conflict of interest uh
» Okay. Councilor Shine, I expect the same?
» Yes. Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. >> Okay. That's noted. Thank you.
Any other disclosure of pecuniary interest or the general nature thereof
can be declared now or any time during the meeting.
We have no delegations for tonight. So, we'll get to Committee of the Whole
reports, and first up is Administration and Employee Relations
and we'll CAO report. We'll turn it over to CAO Young.
» Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. So, included in your package today is the update for
July and August. Unfortunately, I have limited staff here today, but uh myself
or Brandy will do our best to answer any questions that you may have.
» Any questions from anybody regarding the report?
Yes, Councillor Lyons. >> Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. Um I do have
a couple of questions about the report. Um maybe I'll start with the Mud Lake
culvert. In there, you noted that um there's a delay in the the construction
schedule. Do we have an anticipated start date for
the contractor? >> Unofficially, unofficially, um
we're hoping by the end of this month. >> Okay.
» We've had some renewed communication, so it sounds like they are getting um
organized. So, fingers crossed end of the month.
» Okay, and you're not anticipating any impacts to timing for the construction
window. It'll still be completed this year.
» Okay. Um if I may,
uh another question I had was regarding the GFL.
Um the financial implications, so this
might be a question for yourself and Treasurer
Colson. So,
looking at this, um
we've received notice from GFL about an increase in the commercial
institutional cost
that the town is paying. Correct?
» So, you're you're referencing uh the GFL recycle collection?
» Yes. >> So, we're that's not in the update. If
we could If we could wait till that. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. We can come back
to that. >> Sure.
» And then just another quick question regarding the outdoor rinks. Um I think
that's great that they are getting some improvements. Um just what type of
improvements will we see for the winter season or we anticipating seeing?
» So there was some plumbing work in the Don Park shack that I think was a
bit of a deterrent last It was one of the reasons possibly for the delay last
year. That's all been done. There's been some
interior work at Lone Pine as well as the rink itself.
And then we are looking at see if we can sneak in painting the the shack before
the the winter season as well. >> Okay. Thank you.
» Painting the exterior as well. >> We're hoping to, yeah. Yeah.
» Councillor Martin.
» This is a good question. So from what I understand they still meet
quite regularly. Linda represents the town and she tries
to make it to those meetings. I think they've they've
found what what we already know in a lot of projects. It's hard to get
engaged professionals to to provide those
services. So I think as far as the engineering goes I think that they've
run into some challenges getting people to help them with the engineering or of
the initial design. They are currently challenged or
continue to do some fundraising
and to find that. So it's moving along slowly.
So the council had had directed staff to
direct them towards Centennial Park. So Centennial Park is still the preferred
location and again depending on what what they want to
design there's room for expansion in in different areas like that. So I would
assume that once they get to a point where they have some um
engineer drawings or designs that they'll they'll we'll report back to
council with that. >> Okay.
I I just thought we're tearing up a couple of streets. Like, could some of
that fill go to that location? Uh you know, like it's subgrade kind of
material for those jump jumps and what have you, I would imagine.
I'm not a dirt expert. Uh I have experience in manure.
Works well. >> The problem is you wouldn't want to
create a partially done project that might sit
there for an extended period of time cuz you could create issues there as well.
So, I think they'll probably wait till they have something firm and committed
before they would actually move on it. >> [clears throat]
» Councilor Shannon. >> Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. Um my
question is in regards to the pool since um the RFP and things are moving a
little bit slower, are you still planning to be open by the end of
August? And if you aren't, what are you going to do about the patrons? Will they
get an extra month somewhere fit in there if they paid ahead of time?
» I don't I don't know how many people have paid
ahead of time sort of thing. Um we we would look at that if if it came around.
We are looking at early September for if all goes well to to be opened up again.
If we can't get all of the repairs done um in that amount of time, then we will
schedule them at a later date. >> Okay. Thank you.
» Councilor Johnson. >> Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. Uh in lieu of
uh Tyler's vacancy, but I
respect why. Um
is there an update on the street sweeper?
» Um so, both the street sweeper and street sweeper and the sidewalk machine
were both down. The sidewalk machine is up and running with the with the brush
on there. They've been utilizing that in some of the bad areas.
Uh the street sweeper itself is still under
repairs. Uh and we do not have an estimated time
when that will be finished. Yeah, it's unfortunate, but
once they get in there right and they start looking a little deeper, there's
there's a lot of work that needs to be done with it.
» And my second question is, I see the track dozer is in for repairs. Would we
be privy to the final cost of that them repairs?
» Yeah, I don't have that information with me, but I mean certainly once they're
done that's information that we could be we could find for you.
» Thank you.
» Thank you, Grayson. A lot going on, so
good report and good questions. Thank you. So, we'll move on to the next
[snorts] one is NWMO federal impact assessment update.
» Okay, so as council members, that was a discussion shortly after the NOMA
conference end of April, and staff was able to with the help of of
some council to to get the request into the impact registry, and
happy to happy to report that those submissions were
I think successful in the sense that we are now
specifically mentioned in the in the registry. I think that's a really
important uh uh determination because and and
almost immediately we found a change of of tone and discussion with NWMO and
other people because of that now. So, I think it's very important that we are we
are listed in that, and it'll be it'll help us moving forward.
Yeah. >> Again, the
talk discussions I've had with NWMO since has been much a lot more substance
to it. And a lot more professional as opposed
to just giving us an update on what's going on.
They've been working with us on that, so >> Yeah, we're also trying to coordinate
uh, a session hopefully at the end of September for them to come down and and
give everyone a a presentation and an update and give you guys an opportunity
to ask some questions. So, we're currently trying to schedule that for
the end of September.
» Can I get a mic closer?
» Okay. Any other questions for Jason on that?
Okay. Seeing none, we'll move on to
finance, public works, GFL recycle collection.
Jason. >> Yep. So, um, I understand uh, Counselor
Lyons has a has a question too on that. So, uh,
I'll take any questions and then be able to hopefully explain anything if we can.
» Ryan or Counselor Stephenson. >> I'll let
» Oh, okay. Go ahead, Counselor Lyons. >> Yes, my question regarding um, this was
what sort of financial implications are uh, coming out of this recommendation?
Specifically, um,
I know that there was money budgeted for this year,
but with the excess of recycling for commercial
institutional, um,
I guess the question is, what can we expect for this year? How
how far have we exceeded that 11 tons? >> Yeah, it's it's tough to tell right now
cuz we haven't done a full year. >> Mhm.
» Um, and these are all uh,
estimates, right? So, so we won't really know until until we go through a couple
cycles for that. Uh, the nice thing is is that we are getting the annual rent
um, for the depot itself. Uh, and and again, we
we are hoping that that revenue will offset any sort of expenses
um, after those 12 scheduled pickups, after that 11.097 tons of pickup, uh, we
believe that there will be um, earned revenues that will be able to pay for
those expenses honestly. And then uh, again, trying to figure out um,
uh, possibly purchasing or or renting an extra couple bins so that we can keep
the flow going. It's It's too It's too
soon to really be able to tell. Um Having said that, I think it's a great
opportunity to to bring forward that we need to lobby the provincial
government that the IC&I, the industrial commercial portion, was was overlooked
in this circular materials transfer and we're not the only municipality saying
saying that. And and and I hope that the province will understand their oversight
on that matter and that there'll be some changes coming for that.
We're still committed to cuz we're seeing um
the direct benefit of that being diverted from our landfill. So, you
know, we we do There is a cost for us to go around and pick all that up. We
believe that's money well spent in the sense that we are diverting that. It is
probably being recycled with the hope that the province will
understand their oversight and and be able to fund that to a certain degree.
So, it it'll be hard for us to know until we've gone through a cycle or two,
but we believe the revenue will offset any
possible expenses. >> Is this something that could be raised
through NOMA or AMO? >> Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I think this
is a great a great delegation request moving forward or any opportunity that
you have to lobby that. I think that I'm sure they're well aware because I
think a lot of municipalities are having those same discussions and the larger
the city probably even more so, but yeah, I agree. Yeah.
» Yeah, I can just if I can just speak to that.
I was really surprised I think it was AMO last year and I went to a
session on this. And there's there's people that haul their garbage 500 km
to to the landfill and then they're having
to deal with all the indust- the ICI stuff, too. So,
I I would really surprise me and at how much there was to haul and
and how passionate a lot of the people were. So, we're getting a lot of There's
a getting a lot of traffic on this and and I don't know if it was an oversight
or it was a plan by the province, but they are getting pushed back on this.
So, we're hopefully we can see some some movement on that because I think it is
the right thing to do collect it. Uh even though it's for the towns are doing
it, but uh just want to encourage all the all the
residents in town if you can You can put as much as you want at your curb and
they will pick it up every Monday. So,
and I and I understand people that might miss the recycle truck and they're going
out to the dump. So, they throw their recycle bags in our bins, which is
a good thing to do, but uh if we could put it out at the road the
residents could put it out at the road. That's that'd be a big savings for for
the town and and stop the the amount that's going to
» Yeah, it helps us We don't want to reach our 11.097
times too quickly, right? So, if we can have if if if you're putting
that curbside that doesn't go towards that, which is good for us. So, it
stretches that out. Yeah. >> Councillor Johnson, sorry.
» Mr. Mayor Ferguson, excuse me. Jason, do we realize any monies from the
electronic collection cuz they they do have a value?
» I will have to get that information for you. I'm not sure.
» Okay. >> Yeah, I know with there used to be like
stewardship for the rubber tires and and there is there is revenue associated
with the white metals. The electric electronics there might be
a small um
revenue off that, but I don't know. Yeah, I'll look. I'll I'll get back to
you guys on that.
» Councillor Knowles. >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor Ferguson. I'm
just I'm trying to wrap my head around this.
Um we are certain that all of the recycling
being put out is residential. Um I'm just I'm confused by the fact
that we seem to have lower than average curbside collection,
but that we would be worried that people would be bringing an average of almost 1
ton of recycling out on the highway um to make up for that because they
missed recycling day that happens every week. So, I'm just I'm trying to wrap my
mind around the sheer amount of recyclables that it
would take to make 1 ton average per month. It's
up in excess. >> So, it it is based
So, again, there's a lot of estimates happening.
Um and then and then we try and do a a calculation on
residents who do not have access to curbside pickup, and then that forms the
basis for the the rental of the depot at the landfill. So, to to our benefit,
um but we as you said, we do mix the IC&I
into that, and that's why we're we're agreeable to pay the excess of
that. Um the other the other option would be
is is to either not collect the IC&I, um have it completely separate, and we
would fund all that, which at the end of the day would mean that we would have to
pass those costs along to those business owners, and the fear is then it's going
to go into the into the landfill. So, uh not a perfect system by any means. It's
new. There's a lot of estimates in there.
Uh the icing for us is that again, we're not paying until we hit that um
that tonnage. >> Yeah, I'm just curious how that would
separate between the residential um and and the IC&I.
» Yeah, so So, basically, what we've done is we've we're we're not separating.
We're putting it all together, and then we'll we'll just pay anything extra
above above that. Yeah. So, if if it doesn't reach that,
that's great for us as well. >> Thank you. Appreciate that.
» Just to Counselor Johnson's question, we we used to receive money for electronic
um recycling years ago, but then with all the changes with Stewardship of
Ontario and and the program changes, we haven't received it for a few years. It
wasn't much anyway, so it it's not a significant impact, but how that program
changed, I don't know with with all the changes with all the other
stewardships.
» Uh so, just just one thing I want to say
because I I I don't know if I spurred this or Jason was working on it before,
but I went to I went to the landfill with a
truckload, bought a $20 token. There's somebody there with a
Ranger truck full of old wood in the back of his truck.
And he was giving me the gears a little bit about having to
pay $20 to take this old wood out of in his little truck. And then another
person had some old wood and some electronics.
And he said he bought a ticket dub token. And he said, "Yeah, well, it cost
money." He said, "I bought a token, too." So, the three of us
carpool or not carpool, convoyed out there. The guy that just had the wood in
the back of his truck, he was directed to the wood pile, dumped for free,
didn't cost him anything because it's wood. Uh the other guy that had some old
wood and some electronics, he dumped the wood in the wood pile, the electronics
in the bin, and he didn't have to pay anything. So, I know it does sound like
$20 for this and $20 for that, but if people that separate their material and
they they work the dump the way it should be worked,
they were both both came up to me and said, "You know,
we're sorry about that. We didn't realize it was free, so
uh yeah, garbage my my truck was garbage. I
paid the $20, but uh yeah, if you recycle, throw your steel in, throw your
wood in, your electronics in, you can take a lot of stuff to the dump and not
have to pay anything. So, that's my little story on that, my
one trip to the dump every year. Uh
do we want to discuss options? Do we want to continue with GFL collection and
processing of recyclable materials exceeding the annual allocation,
disposal of recycled material in the landfill,
or remove the current fee structure for commercial recycling services as part of
future update of the waste management bylaw?
Uh I would I would I would My
recommendation was we continue with doing what we're doing.
Unless anybody has any other comments. We want to encourage recycling. Uh go
ahead, Councillor Lines. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Ferguson. I would
agree with continuing with the GFL collection and processing status quo,
um but maybe after a few cycles, see what the actual costs are associated
with this process, and at that point, look and see if there's any sort of uh
review. >> Yeah.
» And maybe in that time, too, is the province will make some changes and they
will start recouping some of that money as well.
» Absolutely. >> We carry on?
Okay. Great. Okay, next we'll move to fire and
property. Fire dispatch agreement with Central
Ambulance Communication Centre. Jason.
» Okay. So, um yeah, as part of the the centralized um
communication system for fire dispatch, that is done out of Kenora. Uh that is
separate than the next gen 911 that is is being transitioned as well. Um this
is a long-standing agreement with uh this organization.
Um I don't I don't believe there are other options in a sense. This is this
is the This is the company that does it for the region. Uh very well established
with our fire department and and um regional fire departments as well. So,
uh unfortunately, Chief Orban's not here today to answer any specifics. I don't
have I don't have any financials for you
other than I don't believe that there's any change in
the the cost of that, but we could get that for you as well.
» Any questions on that? Yes, Councillor Johnson.
» Thank you, Mayor Buergler. Brandy, you you wouldn't have a
guestimate of what this costs?
» Not offhand, but it isn't very much. It's it's not significant.
» Not that I don't understand where Jason's coming from. I
just thought Brandy would know.
» Any other questions on that? Uh hearing no questions, the
recommendation is to continue continue on with CCAC for a 5-year term based on
the agreement attached.
Is that the consensus of council? Okay, see heads nodding. Most heads
nodding. Okay, great. And I think we will have a
resolution for that. Bylaw.
Okay, next we'll go to other business. Uh Ad Hoc Bass Classic requests wave
fees report to council. Jason and the people that have declared
a conflict.
Just to note that Councillor Johnson has also declared conflict on this.
Yes.
Or or you're just leaving. >> [laughter]
» Okay, that is always the best way. Thank you, Councillor.
Okay, Jason. >> Okay,
so Uh, we are as of Monday into full swing of Bass Classic Week, the 40th
anniversary. Uh, I know events were already starting to take place uh, this
morning. Um, as always, there is a request to the town for certain uh,
in-kind um, uh,
different things that they need from from the town. Uh,
not a whole lot of change from the previous year. Um,
one important note is that the the town's event tent is not needed this
year. Which is which is good in the sense that
we don't have to set it up. I think they're they're moving the artisans and
and such um, under the big top. So, uh, so that's
good for us. I know that we're already delivering porta-potties and um,
and uh, yeah, that's about it. So, I think at the end of the day the and and
if um, you'll recall uh, administration was was asked to
bring forth a uh, a report showing the uh,
in-kind costs, actual costs, foregone revenue. Um, that was presented to
council. I believe it was June of this year, early June of this year, early
June. Um, so everyone's well aware of that there is a there is a cost
associated with this um, but um, council is of the mindset that that's
um, um, appropriate for for the event. Uh, so the only matter really kind of
outstanding today uh, because it is in the fees bylaw is if I or um, the
committee's request to forego the rental charges for the porta-potties um, for
the event. And and there are I think a couple porta-potties out at the landing
and then the remainder of them uh, over uh, by the by the big tent.
So, uh, that's in a nutshell, that's kind of what what the the request does.
Um, right, today the the the options are are
to uh, approve the town's operational support
at the same levels provided in 2025. Um, determine whether to waive the port
potty washroom rental fees or if there's a
any sort of change or anything different that that council would be looking at.
That's what we're asking for today.
» Councilor Councilor Knowles
» Thank you, Mayor Ferguson. I got no problem with uh
continuing on the same as 2025 and waving the fees, um
but maybe a request that they submit this a little bit
earlier than, you know, the day it starts
for next year. >> And and that's that's that's on me, not
them. So, we they were they were pretty good. Um
they've they've had good com- communication with us. Uh just with the
way the summer schedule fell out, we just missed the uh the other meetings,
so we we had to tack it on to knowing that it was the week after.
» More of it's ever an issue moving forward with a future council that they
would have an opportunity to be able to deal with anything that may come up. But
I have no issues with it. >> Yeah, it's granted. Granted. Appreciate
that. >> Councilor Lines
» I concur with Councilor Knowles. I fully support waving of the fees and um
continuing with the level of service that we provide in 2025. Um just noting
that we waived those fees because of the nonprofit status.
» Uh >> Uh
» I don't know about that. >> Okay.
» [laughter] >> They they state in the request that they
have nonprofit status. We we don't we've never asked for proof of that. Uh
and and quite honestly, I'm I'm not I'm not sure of of that. I mean I mean
that's certainly at council's request, we can ask for that moving forward.
» think we would be asking specifically for it, but just that it's been past
practice that um >> It's been stated, but never
» applied. >> Or or asked to be proven. I mean, yeah.
Yeah. >> Thank you.
» it's an opportunity for the town to support the Bass Classic without putting
out taxpayers' money, right? >> Absolutely.
» By just not collecting those. Cuz if they weren't using those
porta potties, they'd be sitting in the public works garage. So, it's no real
loss of revenue. It's just
» But, the caveat >> It's the kind work, yeah.
» Yeah, the the foregone revenue, not so much. Um, there there is absolutely a
cost of of the work that we provide, right? That that's not free. But, you're
right. I mean, whether the the porta potties, if they were just sitting in in
the public works yard, you know, it'd be foregone revenue in that sense. But, um,
the other stuff is there's obviously a cost in that.
» Yeah. Councillor Martin.
» Yeah. >> Last word.
» [clears throat] >> Me three on the on the no cost. Uh,
the um, I I do have a question. Do they have to provide proof of insurance for
this event? >> Oh, absolutely. Yes. So, they have they
have to get a a permit for the the erection of the
tent. Uh, and then I believe that they provide all that through that process.
» Okay. Cool. Thanks. >> Okay.
» Great cause. >> We'll go ahead with the current level of
support? >> Perfect. Thank you.
Mike, do you want to grab those guys? I'll just kidding.
» [laughter]
» I So, just an update. We had you had seen the the memo was in the in the
agenda package. Uh, council has agreed to move forward with a level of service
provided in 2025 and to waive any fees pertaining to the rental of porta
potties.
» Okay. Since we have no in camera topics, we will adjourn the meeting. Five-minute
break. We'll adjourn the meeting at 4:56 and
we'll resume at 5:02.