Annie, bonsoir, and good evening, and welcome to our regular meeting of
council. As normally I do, the first meeting of the month goes to the Deputy
Mayor. So, to you, Annie. >> Thank you, Mayor Paju.
I would first like to begin the meeting by acknowledging that we are in the
traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people in the Robinson-Huron Treaty
Area. And wish to recognize the neighboring
community of Dokis First Nation. While we meet today, I would like to take a
moment to acknowledge the importance of the lands which we call home. We do this
through reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving our own
understanding of local indigenous peoples and their cultures. From coast
to coast, we acknowledge the ancestral and unceded territory of all the Inuit,
Métis, and First Nation peoples that call this land home.
And with that, I need a mover and a seconder for the adoption
of the agenda. Okay, Willie and Roger.
I believe Are we doing the amendment right now at
6.4.1? Or are we just keeping it there?
We're going to keep it there. Okay. You'll speak to it. Okay.
So, um
We have no disclosures of pecuniary interest.
We have no delegations. So, we'll continue on to reports and
items for consideration 6.1.1, a resolution to approve the
municipality's contribution to the Sudbury East OPP Detachment Board's 2026
budget. And I believe Mayor Paju will speak on this.
» Thank you. Um
So, the We've already passed our budget which included the OPP budget. However,
with the OPP detachment board, part of the regulations is once the budget is
approved by the OPP detachment board, it has to come back here for formal
approval by the uh by council. Um just to let you know that
uh what we budgeted will be it's a little
lower than what we currently have uh because there were a few savings, but um
aside from that uh I believe Carly has a resolution for us.
» It's a long one, so bear with me. So, it says whereas pursuant to the
Community Safety and Policing Act 2019 Section 71-1, an OPP detachment board
shall prepare estimates in accordance with the regulations made by the
Minister of the total amount required to pay the expenses of the board's
operation excluding the remuneration of board members, and whereas pursuant
to the CSPA 2019 Section 71-2, the OPP detachment board shall submit the
estimates to every municipality that receives policing services from the
detachment along with statement of the municipality's share of the costs as
determined in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, and
pursuant to the CSPA Section 71-3 subject to Section 4, municipalities
shall contribute their share of the cost to the OPP detachment board's budget in
accordance with the estimates. And pursuant to sec- to O. Reg. 135-24
Section 3, each municipality in the area for which the OPP detachment board has
services shall pay an equal share of the amount set out in the board's estimates.
And whereas Sudbury East OPP detachment board has prepared estimates of all sums
required for the operation of the board for the fiscal year of 2026 totaling
$26,276.80
to be shared equally among the participating municipalities.
Um and then it lists out the same amount for all four municipalities at
$6,569.20.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of French
River hereby approves the 2026 budget estimates for the Sudbury East OPP
Detachment Board in the total amount of $26,276.80
and confirms the municipality's obligation to contribute its equal share
in the amount of $6,569.20
in accordance with O. Reg. 135-24 and provide a copy of this resolution to
the Sudbury East OPP Detachment Board for their records
and implementation. >> Okay.
Uh I'm over in a second or Councillor Dave
and Councillor Bom. All those in favor? Good.
Uh there are no finances tonight. Public Works is nil, so we'll continue on to
6.4 Recreation and Community Services. 6.4.1
Build Community Strong Fund Local Impact Stream. We have a resolution to approve
the addition of the fire suspension system
at the Noelville Arena as an additional 2026 capital project and I believe our
CAO Mark can speak to this. >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. Um just to
give a a brief background is that the federal government released details on
the funding program which support local infrastructure
funding delivered through FedNor for
shovel-ready community infrastructure projects. Upon reviewing the system and
discussing the program with our representative out of North Bay,
we were pleased to find out that they would recognize the arena dash board
system even though it the project has is currently underway, has still qualifying
for the application even though we started prior to the application
submission. Um so we were pleased with that. Uh and
then trying to take advantage of the potential um program, we looked into the
fire suppression system. Um unfortunately,
from the day I wrote this report last week, things have changed. Um our
original cost estimate of $200,000 has ballooned uh significantly higher and
and probably outside of the purview of what
we can afford to put in place for this 20202026
capital budget season. Um so I'm recommending that we remove
that first resolution at this point in time from the application. Uh but I'm uh
still recommending that council proceed with authorizing us to submit the
application for the arena boards project at a cost of $450,000,
which is already approved by council, uh with a contribution from the federal
program of 225 and our contribution of 225.
» Anybody have any questions? I need a mover and a seconder.
Councillor Willie and Councillor Dave.
Do you want to read the resolution?
» Therefore, council authorizes a funding application to the Build Communities
Strong Fund Local Impact Stream for the arena dasher board replacement project
with the total project value at 450,000 and a municipal contribution of up to
225,000. >> All those in favor?
It passed. 6.5 Emergency and Protection Services
6.5.1 We have the report
2026 flooding flooding event report. Um I believe it's all in there.
Um Mark will speak to this since Russ's not available tonight.
» Thank you, Madam Chair. Um as promised to council, we said that we would come
back with a report detailing the the events that we went through in 2026
during the flooding events. Um so you'll see the background and I'll
I'll briefly go to the the main points um as all the information is already
within uh the report. Um so following the
summary of the municipal per response and impacts related to the flood events,
uh we did declare significant weather uh event as of April 14th due to the the
substantial rainfalls that we had received leading into that date. Uh the
state of emergency was declared by the mayor on April 15th and was terminated
on April 27th. The emergency control group held 10 meetings.
Um myself along with the fire chief, who's also the community emergency
management coordinator for the municipality, attended more than 20
meetings uh with the Sturgeon Nipissing French
River shed community. Total of 20 roads were affected during
that event. Most affected roads were repaired within 24 hours. Two municipal
roads were flooded for over over 30 days.
Highway 607 was flooded uh for approximately 30 days in two separate
locations affecting some residents in uh some businesses.
Um one private road was also flooded for an extended period of time over 30 days.
A total of 20 residents that we're aware of reported flood impacts to us at the
municipality. And a volunteer firefighter staffed the
Alban fire station for 20 days straight for 8 hours per day. And then we with
our capabilities with our drones that we have at the municipality we're able to
uh fly over some of the affected areas and provide information
to the dam managers in terms of the impacts that were being realized within
our municipality. Um
18 members of the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association through the
provincial assistance with the provincial declaration were in our
community for a period of time to assist with
sandbagging. We did receive assistance from grade 7
and grade 8 students from Magnetawan Public School, approximately 20 of them,
helped out with sandbags, which is great and very appreciated. And approximately
40 residents did volunteer their times in assisting in providing assistance.
Um these were done through two sandbagging stations that were held at
the community center and the Alban Community Center and the Well Community
Center. We did provide a total of 7,000 sandbags
that were deployed from the municipality to assist local residents.
We did provide some assistance to Heavy Inlet and the Municipality of Killarney
who were short bags at the onset of the flood and those bags have been
replaced from there. So we're looking current in
our current inventory now in preparation for future events as we're sitting at
about 8,000 bags in storage. Council did authorize the use of the
landfill for affected residents and as you'll see from the report one resident
at this time has taken advantage of that situation and we're still open for
others as we haven't met the threshold that was approved by council.
One thing I'd like to point out is disaster recovery assistance. There's
two programs offered by the province, one for municipal assistance. As you can
see from the report, unfortunately we didn't meet the threshold for the
municipality expenses Uh, to qualify for that part of the
recovery assistance. And what I'll do is maybe turn it over to Julie, just to
give you an idea of our expenses to date that we encountered as a municipality
for the emergency. >> Thank you, Mark. So yes, in your report
you'll see that we've spent so far approximately 75,000
dollars. That would be the financial impact of the flooding.
Um, those costs include contractor work on the flooded
roads, pardon. Culvert replacements, traffic control measures, sandbags, and
overtime volunteer related costs. Um, so like Mark mentioned, we do not
qualify as the threshold was approximately 173,000
dollars, which is 3% of our the
source revenue.
» Thank you, Julie. >> Again, the second part of the Ontario
disaster recovery program is assistance to provide people that have been
affected both personally with households and commercial industry.
The group of the ministry was in the area on June 3rd to do
an evaluation with their adjuster. As of the date of this report, we had
still not received confirmation whether we as municipality would qualify for the
program or not. And we're hoping to receive by April 16th, if I'm not
mistaken with that mayor, July 16th. Um, if successful, the the the staff will
work in terms of putting out the information and how to residents can
make application for assistance. And we did
identify three main areas of concern of people who we needed assistance.
Um, now,
um um, volunteers talked about, landfill talked about. In terms of conclusion,
um, the flood event had a significant impact on the municipal, uh, French
River operations as you can see from our financial expenses and also had a
significant impact on on our residents and our private private properties and
and the commercial industry that, uh, operates along the river in many
locations. Um, through the coordinated efforts of
municipal staff, the emergency control group, provincial partners, volunteers,
firefighters, students and residents, municipality was able to respond
promptly and effectively by providing sandbags,
undertaking road repairs, monitoring conditions and supporting affected areas
to the best of our ability. Um, I wish and the the committee, along
with the municipality, extends its sincere appreciation to all individuals
and organization who contributed, um, to the flood response events including, um,
the, um, Union, uh, who did provide some funds
for assistance, as well. Which was very much appreciated. I want
to make sure that that's mentioned. So, out of the outcome of of this event,
um, you know, we have taken upon ourselves listening
to, uh, council members, listening to
affected members, listening to affected parties along, uh, along the river and
you'll see within your package that the we have drafted a, uh, a letter to the
Minister, Federal Minister responsible, um, through government transformation,
public works and procurement, requesting a ministerial delegation and federal
engagement regarding the French River dams complex and its role in recent
flooding events. It's not, um, hard to say and we've
talked about this at this table on numerous occasions, um,
climate change events are occurring more rapidly
more more and less intervals and has a fairly significant impact on our
economics the very economic industry and and private residences.
So in a nutshell the letter outlines key requested outcomes or points of
discussion that we would like to have with the minister.
Looking for an independent technical and operational review of the 2026 flood
event a climate adaptation and flood risk action plan.
Improve watershed governance and equitable risk management.
Enhanced transparency and emergency communication protocols although there's
there's communications out there I you know I think there's always room for
improvement to share more information. I know
as as the the lead person I do refer people to the website and into certain
areas but I sometimes it's information that's hard
to understand and interpret I think
maybe we can do better in terms of providing better communications.
And and consideration of upstream and adjacent infrastructure constraints
impacting downstream communities and although I kept it general
and indeed would be I'm sure aware in terms of the impact that the
water treatment plant in the city of North Bay has on an impact in terms of
how we try to manage
the upstream and downstream and share the pain throughout events both not just
in flooding events but also in in low water events.
So you have the correspondence in your package
we're looking for Council to endorse that draft correspondence to be sent to
the minister and authorize the mayor to execute and
submit the correspondence on behalf of the municipality.
Sorry for being so long. >> That's okay, Mark.
Um I don't think we have a resolution in there.
We do Oh, we do have what? Okay, sorry. My uh so I need a mover and a seconder.
Councillor Bob and Councillor Roger. And go ahead.
» Be it resolved that council endorses and authorizes the mayor to execute and
submit the attached letter to the Honorable Jewel Lightbound,
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement regarding
the French River Dams Complex and Watershed Resilience on behalf of the
Municipality of French River. >> All those in favor.
Okay. Thank you. Well, thanks, Mark.
Oh, 1 minute. >> I just I just have a question. Um the
amount that that this cost us the 75,000 or whatever, out of where is that coming
from? Cuz we didn't budget for a flood.
» Good question, Madam Mayor. Um through you, Madam Chair.
Um we're hoping to realize some savings. We've done We've seen a a little bit of
savings here and there. Um hopefully that we'll be able to uh capture those
and uh address them towards that um that
overspend uh to be able to balance our budget.
» We We do have a a working reserve fund as well, right? Right?
» Yes, there is a >> So, if worst case scenario, if we don't
manage savings, we can go to that >> That would be
» line item and and get it out of there, right?
» Yes. >> Okay. Mark.
» Yeah, so traditionally what we've done in the past is we try to absorb it
within our operations as best as we can with savings. Um so, at one point in
late November or early December, I'm certain that Julie will come back and
say, "Here's our projections. Here's um where our shortfalls are and here's what
we're suggesting we take the money to um make up any shortfalls due to the
emergency expenses.
Um in terms of of the letter, any
Sorry, any feedback?
» Councillor Willie. >> After reading the letter,
I was very pleased that all aspects of what our municipality has
went through was touched on. I even like how the nuances of the equality was
mentioned as well. I don't think there was much left
wanting. I think it was very direct, very to the point, and very informative.
It outlines exactly what we need moving forward to have things very clearly and
concisely put in writing so we have something to follow moving forward.
» Thank you, Willie. Anybody else? Councillor Dean.
» I suspect I mean, I'm not opposed to the letter. I think it's a a good idea. It
at least expresses our concerns with the way the system has been has been
operated, but I don't think we're going to get anywhere because I don't know
what they else they can do without some kind of serious changes to the whole
system. And whether or not that will occur or
I mean, I I mean, I've seen these kind of letters before. Been at meetings of
all kinds over this water level management and uh
and they're just we're we're we're so much at the
at the what the weather conditions are at the runoff period in
in March and April. I mean, if everything goes smoothly, we
don't see a problem. If we get a combination of a rapid melt
and a heavy rain, we're in trouble. And there's with with the existing
infrastructure, there's nothing else can be done.
Either we flood the lake or we flood that vast down here or both. And I've
seen both. I don't know what we think can be done,
but doesn't hurt to ask. >> Sir, I
» I'll leave it at that. >> If I may say something, I know that 7
years ago we had made we had had a meeting
uh for the flooding back from our first flood in 2019.
I believe it was. I would like to see if there
there's anything that they've done over the course of the years cuz they had
told us that they would be working on a plan, right? So, it would be nice to see
what they have done over the the last 7 years from like what kind of work has
been done. It would be nice cuz I know that back then they had said that they
would do something. And I think this year it seemed like it
was better controlled. I don't know if that's just me, but it seemed like the
flooding was all not all dumped on us like prior years.
» Last time around, they had some meetings after the flood. And they brought some
people from out west. Supposed to be very experienced in flood control
management and that sort of thing. They spoke to I I attended the meeting
in North Bay where he spoke and the message from the group at the at
that meeting was take the issue to the province.
Never heard more. Did you hear any more? I never heard more.
That's where it went. That this guy went to
was assigned to the province to bring the information to them on them I guess
on how they handle flooding in the Red River and that sort of thing in
Manitoba. He was from Winnipeg. But I don't think that I never heard or
read of any changes that were made in operations or the management of the dams
or the system. And I'm sure we would have heard if there was.
» You can go ahead, Mark. >> Thank you through you, Madam Chair. Um
the changes that were made is that they did
amend the operational guidelines. Uh they made some changes to the wording.
They did talk about equality uh in terms of sharing
sharing sharing. Um they did uh define the fact that at
one point uh at a certain level the dams would be open wide open. That wording
was changed uh in from there. And they did add some monitoring stations and
snow monitoring stations within the system to give them some better
indications of um of some of the um the data that's required to make some of
those decisions. Um again, the letter was drafted and I think Councillor Dean,
you said it appropriately. If we sit by and and think um and not say anything,
they think everything's kosher and right. Um but if we express our concerns
and our willingness to work or to discuss the matters, at least uh we're
putting our concerns to the forefront and see where it takes us.
» Thank you, Mark. Councillor Willie. >> I just want to comment after Dean made
his comments, right? I've never been one to sit back and just just uh accept
things as they are. Uh we have to always evaluate. If we're going to move
forward, we have to look at what we have, evaluate what's going on, and we
have to address and try to make change. Uh I can speak to the building code.
There has been hurricane ties put in roofs so they don't fly off anymore.
That was done because we recognized a deficiency in the building. So, we have
to look at these processes again, and we have to see where efficiencies could be
made or or changed. To sit around and say
we're at the mercy of extreme weather events, there's nothing we can do, I
have a hard time accepting that. I think we have to look into these things. If we
were to move forward, we we know we're prone, we have a deficiency
um with our waterway. We do accept um everything running down from Nipissing.
Um Nipissing can only control so much and they have to off-shed. But we still
have to look at all parameters in order to make an informed and uh educated
decision. That's all I have to say. >> Okay. Thank you.
So uh I think we are all in favor of presenting the letter at during AMO.
Council's okay with that? So All right. We'll continue on to 6.5.2.
We have a resolution to award the purchase of the thermal imaging camera.
And I believe Julie will speak to that. >> Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
Um so in your package, you'll have the report um
to award the purchase of the two new thermal imaging cameras.
Um some background information. So Council has approved $18,000 in the
capital budget for the purchase of those two cameras.
Um we submitted a request for quotation back in March um and received some
quotations back then. However, not uh all the um vendors were meeting the
requirements and we noticed that we were missing an important National Fire
Protection Association requirement in the document. So we had to reissue to
make sure that uh all the vendors knew of what we we were requiring in this
purchase. So a second request for quotation was issued uh on June 1st with
a um deadline of June 25th. At that time we
did receive three submissions
that you'll see in your report and one of them, the 1200 degrees
or dark fire ink has met all the specifications for the
camera that we had listed at a price of $16,998
plus HST. That's for both cameras. So based on the evaluation criteria and
the prices, it is recommended that council award the purchase of those two
thermal cameras to 1200 degrees dark fire ink for $16,998
plus tax. >> Okay.
We need a mover and a second. Councillor David and Councillor Willie.
» It is all that council awards the purchase of two thermal imaging cameras
for the fire department to 1200 degrees dark fire ink for $16,998
plus applicable taxes. >> All those in favor?
Okay. Thank you. We'll continue on to 6.5.3 which is a
quarterly report from the fire department.
As a doc is not here. If you guys have any questions for him
after looking at the report, you can send them an email and I'm sure he will
gladly answer any questions that we have, but I think it's pretty basic and
pretty similar to the the past few years. So we'll continue on to 6.6
building planning and development. 6.6.1 we have a resolution to adopt the
building bylaw draft presented at the meeting of June 3rd, 2026. And I believe
Andrea, our building official, will speak to that.
» Thank you. To you, Madam Chair.
Um so, this uh building uh the draft building report was brought
to council at the last council meeting in June uh June 3rd. And um as required
by the building building control uh sorry, Ontario Building Code Act, any
changes to the fees in a building bylaw need to be posted to the public for 21
days. Uh the municipality posted the changes to the bylaw on the municipal
website and also to the municipal Facebook page to put it out to the
public that we were making these changes.
Up until this meeting, I had received no response from the public about any
issues with these changes. And if unless council has any questions this evening,
I recommend that the bylaw be passed this evening.
» Anybody have any questions? Seeing none, I need a mover and a seconder.
Councillor Bob and Councillor Roger.
» Be it resolved that bylaw 2026-40, being a bylaw respecting construction,
demolition, and change of use permits and inspections, be read a first,
second, and third time and finally passed.
» All those in favor? We'll continue on to uh seven, the
correspondence. We have 7.1. We have a donation request for the Kids Golf
Tournament at Maples.
Um I believe we have a resolution. I need a mover and a seconder, a
recommendation. A request.
A mover and a seconder. I believe we're It says that we're going to sponsor a
hole. Does anybody have any questions?
» Um my apologies. I'm just curious. All right, so we are making a donation?
» Uh I believe there is a recommendation to make a donation of a whole.
Yes. >> In a financial amount of?
» Of $100. Okay.
» Thank you. We didn't see this. It's not >> Pardon me?
» We don't have this information. >> Oh, I thought we
» We have the letter, the request letter, but
» Okay. >> No backup to it.
» Oh, okay. My my apologies. So, uh yeah, we had the the request and I believe uh
I guess we would need somebody to move it forward. Uh Counselor Davis?
Counselor Willie? And I believe uh
you have the resolution for it. >> Yes.
Uh be it resolved that council approves a donation of $100 to the French River
Junior Golf Tournament towards their annual event on July 21st, 2026.
» All those in favor? Thank you.
So, this is a kids golf tournament that they have annually at the Maples.
Um so
He's sitting and he
So, we'll continue on with uh we have the consent agenda.
We need a mover and a consent and and a seconder to adopt uh
So, Counselor Willie and I need a seconder.
Counselor Davis? >> Be it resolved that council approves the
items of the consent agenda under section 8.1 and receives the items under
section 8.2. >> All those in favor?
Thank you. Uh there are no items separated from the
consent agenda. Now, we will move no notices of motions.
Uh we will move on to announcements and inquiries and I believe Mayor Pigeau
would like to proceed first. >> I do.
Sorry, Bob. Nice try, Bob.
That's what That's the good part of not sharing is that I get to say go first at
announcement, not last as normal. Uh but one of the reasons I wanted to go
first I want to express once again my sincerest thanks um
to the staff, uh especially Mel and Jason um who put uh Canada Day together
for us. And um you know, and it had to be moved inside
the uh arena, which was the best move uh because of the amount of heat. Um I also
want to thank members of council who uh worked so hard on the the barbecue, man.
As I said to you in my email, um I think uh the municipality owes you a shirt and
a stiff drink. So, that that was uh a hot one out there.
Also, uh the firefighters association um for once again doing their dunk tank and
uh that got us a bit of publicity uh on the on the news, which uh I thought was
really nice. Um the only other thing that I have is
um the cart the French River Lions Club is
hosting a car show at Didi's on July 18th. Uh starts I believe at 10:00 and
goes through till 3:00 and they're going to be highlighting a lot of
antique cars and bikes and whatever and the proceeds that
are uh being uh raised will go to the food
bank. Um so, that's uh very much appreciated. So, that's uh not this
Saturday, next Saturday between 10:00 and 3:00 a.m. Oh, 3:00 a.m. Yeah, right.
3:00 p.m. Didi's restaurant. And that's all I have
for now.
» Thank you, Mary Bethune. We'll continue on with Roger.
» Thank you, Madam Chair. I have to double up on the Canada Day.
I think it's the amount of work that went into it.
Unbelievable. Like moving everything from outside to inside.
So, I would like to also thank Mel and Jason.
I mean, Jason really basically carried the Canada Day.
One thing I have to say though, the workers outside the bar on the barbecue
get a get a stiff drink. I was inside, so I
should get half a drink. Thank you.
» Elton Bond. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
I I think counselor uh Roger, you should get you should get a
full drink. But we'll we'll give doubles to the
people outside. >> Here you go. Perfect.
» Uh I will uh
maybe won't sound good, but you said you second that the I'll
turn that. And I have to say yeah, thank you to Mel
and uh and Jason and all the organizers, all
the volunteers, all the the people that attended. Uh
just seeing that that's the smiles of the the kids, the children,
the games, the face painting, the the bouncy
bouncy uh whatever you call them there.
And and some Some of the kids complained though because they said there was an
adult in there. >> Oh, no.
» But that that has to to go. And
anyway, thank you to everyone. It was a super day.
Uh the only two more things that I have. I had a
chance to visit the arena this afternoon. The boards are coming along
great. They're looking very nice. Uh but the the workmanship is very good.
The the quality of the product we got is very good.
And seniors complex meeting
next next week on uh the week after 22nd. Anyway.
And I don't know where the summer is going. I'd just like to wish everyone a
a super rest of the summer and uh
be safe and enjoy.
» Thank you, Bob. Oh, Councillor Rogers. >> One thing I I forgot to mention about
Canada Day and I thought, you know, being in
selling tickets is the smiles that I saw on the younger kids when they came to
buy a hot dog or something and they were told that they weren't paying, you know,
it brought a big smile and the you know, the the whole package of the pop and the
chips. And I also have to saw a few smiles on the parents when
they found out didn't have to pay. So, giving out hot dogs to the kids and
like a hot dog combo or whatever, uh I think it was a very good idea and that
should never come in doubt that every candidate should the same thing should
happen. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
Councillor Willie. >> I won't keep going on about Canada Day,
Canada Day from my observation was a great success. I just want to point out,
I know there's been some mention with Jason there. Um
while I was cooking, I made mention that I was burning my arms reaching in to
grab the back burners. And Jason says, "I can help you. I'll
fix it." I said, "No, no, don't worry about that. We'll just look at that for
next time, right?" So, he shows up and he's got this modified spatula now with
a hockey stick handle. I had no problem reaching those back
burners burgers after that. Um moving on to just an observation I
made. We live in a in a fantastic municipality
and I think for the most part we all do look after each other and we we mind
what we do and and really reflect on how it affects
everybody else. Just two things I want to bring up, ATVs and jet skis. Um ATVs,
it's a privilege actually to to have those vehicles on the road. I don't know
if we go back not too far that we weren't allowed to put them on the road.
They had to trailer to locations. I'm witnessing people take cart launch
and they're riding in the middle of the road. They're blocking traffic and
they're obstructing Well, they're obstructing traffic. Um I don't know
what the exact regs are, but you have to shoulder those vehicles and they have to
ride at a percentage of the road the legal road speed. I just want everyone
to keep that in mind, please, that we shouldn't be in the way of of normal
modes of transportation. Uh next, jet skis. Um we live in a pristine
environment. French River example, well, there's a
lot of that river that isn't populated. Um wild sounds, wild animals, and
there's nothing that breaks that than hearing a jet ski do circles, burp
pissing the thing, jump up and down all over the place, revving, and cranking
the music on these machines for what reason? Put
your buds in. That's that's what I do when I'm on the
lawn mower. No one needs to listen to my music. Um I just need people to um
realize uh what they're doing and how it affects other people. That's all. You're
enjoying your activity, that's great. Other people may not be enjoying that
activity as well. So, I just I just want to put that out there. I know
probably in many instances we're not doing this on purpose. Sometimes we just
need a reminder of what we're doing and how it affects others. Uh that's all I
have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Counselor Willie.
Uh Counselor Dean.
» I'd just like to uh reiterate that I thought the Canada Day
celebration was really well done. I myself came out prepared to try to do
something and I didn't get offered any job, so I mostly walked around and
talked and that sort of thing, but uh but it was well attended and people were
enjoying themselves and uh there was some kind of interest in the
dunk tank and some of those kind of things, too.
But I think I think it was a success and and I I'm I didn't see the fireworks,
but I'm guessing it went well, too. It was a good evening for them and
and uh so but otherwise it was uh it was well done and uh
I won't even be around next year, so I don't have to worry about whether I get
a job or not, but I went out there. I thought maybe I might be working and
then I found Willie and and uh Dave and another body doing all of the
work and and uh and now they had the special spatulas to work with, so
they'll be better than ever in going into the future. So, uh that's all I
have to say. It was well done and I'm glad we uh were so successful and we had
good weather.
» Counselor Dave. >> I'm going to say to same thing with
Canada Day. It was uh very well organized and uh
I want to thank uh Bob, Willie, Renee, Julie, and Jason who allowed me to take
a little bit more of a break this year on the barbecue so I could play on the
bouncy castle. Which it wasn't any easier than cooking,
by the way.
» Thank you, Dave. Uh so, I'm going to go on uh
Canada Day was great. The fireworks were amazing. Uh
must say thank you to the fire department for getting the
the dunk tank. Uh I think uh on the hot day like that, we did not have a hard
time getting any volunteers. Even our uh Ian Campbell was put down by our mayor.
So, she can throw a baseball. She can. So, thank you to uh everybody
who gave a hand and I'm glad everybody was able to enjoy it.
Um there are a few things. Um the Trading Post is celebrat- uh is
celebrating 75 years of being 70 years? 70 years of being in business this year.
My apologies. Uh so, it's a big year for them. So, if
you have a chance to stop in throughout the summer, I know they have numerous
activities going on. Um also, we have BG's Tacos out in Albin that is doing a
market on Sundays now. So, that is great to see.
Uh it's nice to see that we have all these businesses around in the area
whether it be food uh or markets or it's really nice to see uh
the livelihood uh in the communities of all these extra
businesses and I know that the tourists or the seasonal people are really
enjoying it. You know, from Seasons and Brew to Kathy Caravan for ice cream or
you know, Contigo Cafe for coffee or the Trading Post or Great Escape Cabins.
There seems to be a lot to do and with the beach and the splash pad, so people
are really enjoying that. So, it's great to see all the new businesses
in the community and the ones that are soon to open. So, congrats to that
to all of that. We have uh the Trout Lake Picnic Association will have their
annual picnic on Sunday, August 2nd. Um I know there's also Christmas in July
happening with the French the No L'eau French
River Market, uh which will be July 25th, 2026. A lot
of the businesses in town here will have specials going on from Home Hardware to
the chip stand. Uh so, you might they'll have
decorations out. So, uh you may want to go around and and participate and
hopefully next year we can get some of the houses to decorate, which would be
really nice and maybe get some kind of I don't know bike-a-thon or something
going. So, we Santa Claus is supposed to stop in this
year. Uh he is scheduled. He's uh on holidays
and but before he jumps into the busy season,
he's going to stop in. Uh there's also the car show happening.
And so, there's many uh activities and uh a lot of stuff happening. The public
the library has all their summer programming going on for kids. So, uh
it's been really good. So, that's about all I have to say.
Um so, we will continue on to uh we have no closed sessions tonight. Uh I need a
resolution to adopt the confirmation bylaw.
Councillor Dave and Councillor Dean. And uh
our next scheduled meeting will be August 12th.
Uh it's a little sooner because of AMO, so
uh for those we will have a four-week holidays
for and we'll be back then. So, we need a resolution to adjourn.
Councillor Dave and Councillor Bob. Thank you very much.