[0:07] [clears throat]
[0:12] » No.
>> [laughter]
[0:15] [clears throat]
[0:22] [cough and clears throat]
[0:25] [laughter]
[0:35] [clears throat]
[0:46] » Good evening everyone. It's 6:00 and
it's time to
[0:50] call to order the Town of Three Rivers
August 10th, 2026 regular council
[0:55] meeting.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we
[0:58] acknowledge that the land upon which we
gather is unceded Mi'kmaq territory.
[1:03] Epekwitk, Prince Edward Island,
Mi'kma'ki is covered by the historic
[1:06] treaties of peace and friendship. We pay
our respect to the indigenous Mi'kmaq
[1:10] people who have occupied this island for
over 12,000 years, past, present, and
[1:15] future.
[1:19] Number two on our agenda is the
is the approval of tonight's agenda.
[1:26] Um, need a mover. Moved by Councillor
MacFarlane, seconded by
[1:31] uh, Councillor MacDougall.
Any, um, additional comments on uh,
[1:37] tonight's agenda?
[1:40] No?
Okay. Uh, all in favor?
[1:43] » Aye.
>> And motion is carried.
[1:45] Uh, number three is disclosure of
conflict of interest.
[1:49] Do we have anybody that is in conflict
on any of the items on our agenda
[1:53] tonight?
[1:58] Okay, seeing none, we'll move ahead.
Number four is adoption of the minutes.
[2:12] Uh the motion is that the minutes of the
July 27th, 2026 special council meeting
[2:17] be adopted as written. That's in your
package. Moved by counselor McFarland,
[2:22] seconded by counselor
Spin.
[2:25] » Uh just the worship just say
I have a typo on July 13th.
[2:30] » Okay.
>> Uh page two of five, item six.
[2:35] Uh when we're discussing Jody McFarland,
um
[2:40] second statement, she explained Jody did
>> Okay.
[2:46] » Jody's a male.
>> Okay.
[2:48] » And also in
page four of five, 8.3,
[2:54] um in the motion
um
[3:00] it's we're talking about the work alone
policy.
[3:03] Be resolved that the council approve the
amended working alone policy, work
[3:07] alone.
>> Okay.
[3:09] » Okay.
Thank you.
[3:15] » Okay, we'll make note of that. Anybody
else notice anything or
[3:20] Okay, all in favor of the motion?
>> I.
[3:23] » I.
>> Okay, motion's carried.
[3:25] The next is the adoption of the July
27th special council meeting.
[3:32] And the motion there is
Oops.
[3:40] that the minutes of the July 2020 July
27th, 2026 special council meeting be
[3:45] adopted as written and they're in your
package.
[3:48] With a mover and a seconder?
>> I'll move.
[3:51] » Moved by counselor Vandongen Street, by
>> I'll second.
[3:55] » Okay, by Councillor McDonald.
Uh any comments, any corrections or
[4:02] on [snorts] those cinnamon?
[4:07] Okay.
Seeing none, not hearing none, all in
[4:11] favor?
>> Aye.
[4:12] » Okay, motion is carried.
Okay, we're down to number five, which
[4:16] is uh
our RCMP report. Welcome.
[4:20] » Woah.
[4:26] Hope everyone had a good weekend.
>> Did you guys have a busy weekend?
[4:30] » Sure, we did have a busy
busy weekend, yes.
[4:32] » Did you like the phone?
>> Yeah, probably.
[4:35] All right, there we go.
>> Okay.
[4:37] » Hope everyone had a good weekend.
>> Yeah. [laughter]
[4:40] » I hope you did.
>> You?
[4:41] » Yeah, I I worked.
I worked.
[4:45] » I think you're lucky to make it here
tonight after our conversation the other
[4:48] day. Yeah.
I really appreciate it.
[4:51] » It's all the problem.
Um okay, so current summary
[4:55] persons crimes was slightly higher than
both last month and last year, ending in
[4:59] the month with 34 persons, compared with
18 for last month and 27 for last year.
[5:05] Uttering threats, uh 16, indecent or
harassing communication, eight, assault,
[5:11] six, represent most of these.
At 55, property crime levels are were
[5:16] comparable to both last month, 48, and
last year, 46.
[5:21] These are mostly mischief and theft
under occurrences.
[5:24] So, 34 and 12 respectively.
There were no drug enforcement
[5:29] occurrences opened in uh
I should say July.
[5:34] This is consistent with both last month
and last year, one and zero
[5:37] respectively.
Traffic occurrences accounted for most
[5:40] of the incidences recorded in in July.
Uh with 190 occurrences,
[5:46] this level is consistent with last month
178 lower than last year 270. Month over
[5:52] counts for other traffic violations and
related
[5:57] duties
39 and speeding 12.
[6:06] Sorry, less less 39 less 12 accounted
for much of this change. Five impaired
[6:11] driving occurrences reported with two of
these were cleared by charge. There were
[6:15] no
um
[6:16] dangerous operation motor vehicle
incidents.
[6:19] There were 16 collisions reported
consistent with both last month and last
[6:22] year with 11 and 17.
One of these involved fatality.
[6:27] Overall 495 occurrences were reported
with 478 of these being founded or still
[6:31] under investigation.
This is higher than last month with 457
[6:37] 542
and
[6:40] lower than last year 535 522. It is also
higher than the 12-month average for the
[6:45] district. 407 occurrences, 394 founded
[snorts] or still under investigation.
[6:51] For [clears throat] policing initiatives
during the month of July
[6:55] Kings District officers and Peace
watched to 752 calls for service
[6:59] demonstrating continued commitment for
public safety.
[7:01] Additionally, officers completed 13
steps on check files across the
[7:05] district. Along with a significant
significant amount of proactive patrols
[7:09] in various communities.
These activities demonstrate a
[7:12] commitment to road safety as well as
policing to our communities.
[7:17] Members also attended seven community
events in the following communities:
[7:20] Belfast, Surrey, Burnaby, and New West.
These engagements are part of our our
[7:24] strategy to connect with residents
beyond enforcement, fostering stronger
[7:27] relationships in more
in a more social setting.
[7:31] One of the occurrences this month
involved the response to a report of a
[7:34] person experiencing a mental health
crisis that went missing.
[7:38] Thanks to joint efforts of our members,
Um, search and rescue, drone operators,
[7:42] the individual was located safe and
necessary support to address their
[7:46] mental health needs were provided.
[7:51] » [laughter]
>> Good endings are always uh
[7:54] » Yeah, trying to make sure that
>> Positive endings are always uh Yeah,
[7:57] [laughter] that's that's what I'm going
to say. Yeah. Well.
[8:02] » So, subject any questions? That's
That's the That's the report that I'll
[8:06] I'll read out
for for your uh
[8:10] » Yeah.
>> for for your viewing.
[8:12] » Okay, counselors,
uh
[8:14] Wayne, you have a question?
>> Road type suspension, what does that
[8:19] mean?
Their license or whatever you did or
[8:23] take it there.
>> [clears throat]
[8:26] » Uh
>> [snorts]
[8:28] » That was in the uh occurrence summary.
>> Yeah.
[8:32] » Uh so, we find here
[8:36] » Third one.
>> Third from the bottom.
[8:44] » Second one.
>> Just still trying to find it here.
[8:51] Oh, oh, you're talking about the staff.
So, I thought you were I thought you
[8:54] were referring to it in the summary
here. Second Oh, yeah, that was the one.
[8:57] Give me 1 second.
[9:08] Road type suspension.
>> So, it would be uh suspensions that were
[9:11] issued
>> Um So, yeah, someone driving with no
[9:15] valid driver's license driving while Or
or while they are suspended from
[9:19] driving. So, it could be an
administrative suspension where they
[9:23] could have uh no um
their license could be suspended because
[9:27] they have uh un- unpaid fines and they
they want to be able to get their
[9:32] license suspended their license.
Uh I've I've come across it been times
[9:36] where someone has now been
people sometimes lie to the police, but
[9:42] two interactions that I've had where the
person had an administrative license
[9:46] suspension, and they both said they were
unaware that they had
[9:49] a suspension on their license.
>> And do you take the car right there?
[9:54] » Yeah, [clears throat]
so what can happen is uh
[9:57] So, it depends on the the totality of
the circumstance.
[10:00] Um it depends on the officer, depends on
their discretion on what they do. Uh if
[10:03] the vehicle is not um
the vehicle is not um
[10:10] the vehicle is roadworthy and
registered, and there's someone close by
[10:15] that can come and pick up the vehicle,
then we can at times use our discretion
[10:20] and if they want to call someone to come
and pick them up, but they they will not
[10:23] be allowed to drive away in the vehicle.
Okay. Yeah.
[10:28] » Councilor McDonald,
>> Councilor McDonald, you have a question?
[10:31] » Yeah, got it. Yeah, um
on the occurrence on this chart, we have
[10:36] suspicious 5.17%,
and it says PBP.
[10:42] What does that stand for?
[10:47] » Under occurrences for suspicious,
so that's a uh
[10:52] So, that would be uh person, vehicle, or
property.
[10:57] Yeah, so that's basically what the
occurrence is uh
[11:00] the occurrence type is on our system
that we have. It's
[11:03] that is what uh it is listed as. So, so
so when you go up the file, it's a
[11:09] suspicious person, vehicle, or property.
>> Okay.
[11:12] » Yes.
>> And um the other on the other side of
[11:15] that chart, I noticed like
you know, 1% seatbelt seatbelt
[11:21] violation, and and you know, other
traffic related 3%, and speeding
[11:26] violations 32%, but what I don't see on
here anywhere is um
[11:33] use of cell phones and texting and I
mean
[11:38] I sometimes pay attention to that and
it's rare.
[11:42] » Mhm.
>> Is there Is there [clears throat]
[11:44] Are you
looking for that anymore or have you
[11:47] given up?
>> Yes, so
[11:53] So, let me see here. Um
[12:02] So, if you look at So, if you look under
summary offense tickets
[12:07] this paper here
>> Okay.
[12:10] » Okay.
Uh down uh near the
[12:15] I would say close to the middle. There's
a large
[12:18] um
um
[12:20] box that is larger than the rest.
This section 22 291.1 sub 1 driver
[12:27] driving while holding or using handheld
communication device. You would receive
[12:30] an offense for your phone calls. So,
there was one somebody issued in the
[12:34] last section.
>> Okay.
[12:35] » 3 of July.
Um so, that's um
[12:39] So, there's one one of those issued.
That is something that we're looking
[12:42] for. Um however, it's um
it's one of those ones that are hard to
[12:46] catch because that people have So, back
when I was younger when there was
[12:52] this wasn't a rule, you could see people
driving with their hands up in the
[12:57] » Yeah.
>> Now they're Now what they're doing is
[12:58] they're looking down in there. So, what
really makes it hard is you can't see
[13:02] the phone. It's hard to say that they're
actually using their cell phone.
[13:06] Um so, if they're going to be a stop
sign being done, you can investigate,
[13:09] talk to the people, but it's really hard
to uh
[13:12] to That's why I like to drive the truck
that I'm driving cuz I'm usually up
[13:15] higher. I can actually see down into the
vehicle. So, yeah. So, it is something
[13:20] that we look for. Um
um harder to get
[13:24] As you see, we got We were able to get
one for the month of July. That's it.
[13:27] Yeah.
>> This month?
[13:30] » That's all right.
[13:34] » Nobody else?
Thank you very much. I appreciate you
[13:37] coming tonight. So, enjoy your summer. I
know you've had a busy weekend. We were
[13:40] talking earlier in the week.
>> Yes.
[13:43] » You'll [snorts] have to get some time
off.
[13:46] » Maybe Maybe Christmas time.
>> I think our audio is not working on
[13:51] that.
>> Oh, it's not.
[13:53] We'll have to check. Okay, thank you
very much.
[13:56] » Thank you.
Have a good week. Thank you.
[13:58] » Thanks.
>> There's no sound.
[14:17] So, we'll move ahead
to
[14:22] presentations and delegations. And
before we begin, I'd like to highlight
[14:25] the purpose of our meetings and the
roles here. We strive to uphold the
[14:29] values of Three Rivers community,
innovation, and inclusion. We have a
[14:33] special town and council [clears throat]
is committed to contributing to
[14:36] sustainable growth.
Council meetings are essential to our
[14:39] governance process, providing
transparency in decision-making.
[14:43] Elected officials uh discuss finances,
events, town maintenance, design, and
[14:48] bylaws, then pass votes on proposals. As
mayor, I lead the council and break tie
[14:54] votes if needed.
Residents are encouraged to attend and
[14:57] participate, ensuring everyone can be
part of the governance process. We value
[15:01] your input and aim to maintain a
respectful and professional environment.
[15:05] Personal attacks and attacks
[clears throat] and disruptions will not
[15:08] be tolerated. So, let's make these
meetings a reflect reflecting of our uh
[15:13] pride in Three Rivers.
Um okay, our first speaker tonight is uh
[15:18] Janice MacPherson, she has a question on
our last meeting agenda, I think.
[15:25] Welcome, George.
[15:29] » Hi, good evening. Can you hear me?
There's no sound.
[15:33] » Uh
You can push the button.
[15:39] There. Now your button works.
>> I Yeah, it was actually questions. It
[15:43] was actually plural statement. Um but
they're pretty easy. So,
[15:47] um
Good evening. My name's Janice MacBetham
[15:51] from Three Rivers and I have some
comments and questions regarding last
[15:55] month's council meeting that I attended
as there was no video or replay um going
[16:00] from my notes.
Um
[16:03] So, at last month's council meeting,
uh there was going to be approval to
[16:08] amend or sorry, uh the reserve fund
bylaw amendment and the establishment of
[16:13] an operating reserve.
And that operating reserve is for
[16:18] $430,000,
which was 10% of the operational budget.
[16:23] And this was going to be set aside for
unforeseen expenses with the town.
[16:27] And uh this is a substantial amount of
money.
[16:31] So, my question regarding this issue is
where is the money coming from?
[16:36] And what would an example be of an
unforeseen expense?
[16:42] Um
Second item from last council meeting,
[16:47] uh
it was interesting to listen to Marie
[16:49] Worth from Georgetown.
She spoke about being inconvenienced by
[16:54] having to go to the Welcome Center at 34
Water Street to pay her utility bill
[16:59] instead of the Georgetown town office
due to insufficient staff.
[17:03] She noted that the Welcome Center
offered no sidewalk access.
[17:08] In addition, she advised there was no
signature on four out of five receipts
[17:13] that she had
been given from the town of Three Rivers
[17:16] in the past few years.
My first question regarding her
[17:20] statements is
is the town office in Georgetown going
[17:23] to be closed
as was the welcome center in Montague
[17:27] without notice because some counselors
say there are low numbers
[17:32] or folks to provide service for.
And then my the second part of that
[17:37] question is how many signing authorities
does the town have?
[17:42] And does the town have in place a best
practices document to deal with such
[17:47] things as signing authority,
credit cards, reporting receipts?
[17:53] And what percentage of payments to the
town are by cash or check?
[18:01] My final question actually references
the CAO report as
[18:05] was online.
And I noticed that while the amendments
[18:10] have been widely touted as housekeeping
amendments, there are major changes that
[18:15] have been approved with the amendments.
Tonight I've asked for just some
[18:19] commentary, please, from the CAO or any
member of council if they could please
[18:25] comment on the change to the definition
of group home.
[18:33] So, I would like that explained
um
[18:38] how you see this fitting in our
community, how it can, may, or will
[18:43] impact all residents in almost all
residential zones.
[18:51] » Okay, that's a lot of questions. So, um
if you want to pass something in so we
[18:57] can get back to you,
>> [snorts]
[18:59] » um or we can uh
>> Well, some things were you know, I was
[19:03] going to find out about like where is
the money coming from for the
[19:06] operational reserve? That's an easy one.
[19:11] » Done?
>> Okay.
[19:12] » Yeah. Yeah.
[19:16] » So we have
a surplus from years gone by that
[19:23] is not right now it's sitting in the
bank our bank accounts.
[19:27] Um
[19:29] Um
>> And that surplus would cover that that
[19:33] $430,000?
>> Yes, it would.
[19:35] And so at this point we're just it's not
going to move out of the bank accounts.
[19:39] It's going to still going to generate
interest. It's just going to be
[19:43] earmarked for future
>> unforeseen expenses yes including legal
[19:48] fees.
>> If there was if it was unforeseen and
[19:50] not budgeted for yes.
>> Okay.
[19:53] Um
my other question is do you have a best
[19:56] practice document for dealing with
payments?
[20:00] » Oh yes, we do. If you're asking about
sign authorities and how many we do.
[20:05] If you would like that we
>> It's just a matter of how many people
[20:07] sign putting their names on the receipts
and so on.
[20:10] » So the rece- our our receipts currently
the reason why it wasn't is it just it
[20:15] says the customer's name
uh
[20:19] what they're paying for utility and it
says down the bottom because we have
[20:23] nine eight entities. It will have a
choice of who it's for and how they
[20:28] paid. And there's not an actual spot for
a signature. That will be changed and
[20:33] right now we are putting our signature
down at the bottom.
[20:36] Um signing a receipt that we took money
for does not require
[20:41] » [clears throat]
>> uh it's different than when you're
[20:42] asking about sign authority on account.
>> So anyone basically can that's in
[20:47] » As long as they're taking a taking the
payment yes.
[20:49] » Okay. And then can you get me the
percentage of payments that are made by
[20:52] cash versus development permit payments?
>> I would have to get back to you on that.
[20:56] » Sure. I'll see that on my email.
>> James, can can you address me and then I
[21:00] can address that to you.
>> Oh I thought you meant for me to address
[21:02] her
>> Just on the first question really.
[21:05] » I'm sorry.
>> Yeah, that's okay. That's fine. Yeah.
[21:08] » My my error.
Um Um
[21:10] so I guess it's just it I I just like to
comment then for the definition to a
[21:14] group home to explain.
>> Okay, we can do that.
[21:18] » Okay.
>> Yeah, go ahead, Lee.
[21:21] » Thank you, Worship. It's quite simple.
Uh we've removed the threshold for
[21:25] number of occupants within the building.
So
[21:28] currently the occupancy for group home
is now anyone who's living under
[21:33] supervision. Previously, it was up
to four.
[21:37] Uh so the group home provision is now
much stricter.
[21:41] It's simple as that.
>> Um
[21:44] So so in my interpretation that I've
read it wrong
[21:48] because what you've done with the group
home definition is you've taken out the
[21:52] exclusion for halfway houses and
homeless shelters.
[21:57] So it's actually
less stringent
[22:01] and it's allowed in all residential
zones. This is something that I brought
[22:05] up um
during the amendment uh
[22:09] chatter.
And so I think there's eight zones that
[22:13] homeless shelters are now allowed in.
R1, R2, R3, multi-use, rural, rural
[22:19] residential.
So my concern is a pretty valid concern
[22:23] and I don't feel that that's a
housekeeping
[22:26] situation. That's the situation where
you can build a $600,000 house in an R1
[22:31] zone in Mount Pleasant or Georgetown and
a homeless shelter can be placed there
[22:35] because that's one of the bylaw
amendments. Am I correct to say that?
[22:39] » Um Ridley, can you answer that for
Janice?
[22:41] » Worship, uh that's incorrect because
we've made no amendments to the
[22:45] permitted use lists with respect to
group home. We've changed the definition
[22:49] of group home to make it more stringent
and more restrictive. We have not
[22:53] altered where they are permitted.
>> Okay.
[22:57] » With all due respect, I have a minute I
I was at the meeting when Councillor Van
[23:02] Donkersgoed read the email from a Green
Party executive person to delete
[23:10] the exclusion. Therefore, the group home
definition now will and can apply to be
[23:17] a homeless shelter or a halfway house.
That exclusion has been removed in the
[23:23] bylaw amendments.
It was an very
[23:29] closed definition, and now that
definition has been opened up.
[23:34] Is this part of the head housing
accelerator fund?
[23:37] » I guess James if we can't agree on it,
I'm not sure
[23:42] if our opinion is different than yours,
I don't know where we go from here.
[23:46] Lee has Lee has given his explanation
and he's a lot
[23:50] a lot more knowledgeable on this than I
am, so I guess we'll just have to leave
[23:54] it at
>> Perhaps could you ask the planning chair
[23:56] if she'd like to comment on that? I was
at the meeting.
[23:59] » Yeah. No, I'm not going to ask the
planning chair at this time.
[24:01] » Thank you.
>> Um
[24:02] » So so just to confirm then, there will
be no homeless shelters or halfway
[24:06] houses allowed
within the town of Three Rivers? I'd
[24:09] like to get that on record. I've heard
that before.
[24:12] » I don't think anybody said that.
Lee
[24:17] Just just
[24:20] Sure, go ahead.
>> Um
[24:22] um your worship, I would like to say
that um there is no plan that I know of
[24:28] as a counselor or as my position of as
chair of planning board that anybody is
[24:34] looking to open a shelter at the moment.
But if somebody was to come to Three
[24:38] Rivers to look after the most vulnerable
of our community, I would not be opposed
[24:43] to helping them.
>> There's your answer. Thank you very
[24:46] much.
[24:50] » Thank you. Okay, our next speaker is
[24:57] One minute, please.
Our next speaker is Kathy McKenzie. I'd
[25:01] ask you to come to the podium, Kathy.
[25:06] And I believe your topic is job losses.
[25:14] » Is this turned on?
>> Uh no, you'll have to uh
[25:17] hit the button there.
[25:21] » Right?
>> No.
[25:22] » The right one?
>> The right?
[25:24] No. That's it. Yeah. Can you just state
your name for our records here, Kathy,
[25:29] and where you live?
>> Some of you already know I'm here. Uh my
[25:32] name is Kathy McKenzie.
I was born and raised here in Montague.
[25:37] I've worked in different places in this
town as well as had my own hairdressing
[25:42] business a long time ago.
I moved away for a while and returned
[25:47] hopefully to retire here someday.
But with all the shenanigans lately,
[25:52] I've considered moving to Alberta with
my youngest daughter, Kelsey.
[25:56] I'm trying to stick it out here. I have
several grandchildren in my area.
[26:01] One I have with me for the night who's
four and that's why I look like I do.
[26:05] Um
and they'd hate to see me leave as well
[26:08] as two other kids.
Um so I was a very happy employee at the
[26:12] station uh uh uh
Honestly, it was a pleasure going to
[26:17] work. Mike and Joe and here are the kind
of employees [snorts]
[26:20] who treats
us with the utmost respect.
[26:24] They hand out bonuses for going above
and beyond. Always appreciative.
[26:30] And actually, they've become like family
to me.
[26:33] They even took care of my dog when she
was dying, my dog Gemma, when I had to
[26:37] go to Calgary to visit my daughter.
They offered both my daughters part-time
[26:42] work at the waterfront this summer.
They greet all my grandkids when they
[26:47] come to visit me and give them little
jobs to do and
[26:50] and treats and
I don't know. I'm standing behind it
[26:55] 100% on this whole thing. I planned on
another successful season down here at
[27:01] the Waterfront. We were getting busier
every season.
[27:05] Even I even got my passport for my first
trip down south this winter.
[27:10] But obviously that's gone south.
I also wanted to express my shock and
[27:16] disappointment at a counselor
about their remark about a couple of
[27:20] jobs were lost down there.
There were way more than a couple, sir.
[27:25] As far as I was taught,
a couple is two.
[27:30] Maybe this person might need a math
tutor.
[27:33] Acting like this is no big deal, I think
was said.
[27:38] It is a big deal. Hopefully in the fall
we can get some new clowns as another
[27:42] member
of I believe the Waterfront Committee
[27:46] was called people on social media.
New clowns for this circus. Sounds
[27:51] awesome to me.
I do hope you all enjoy your trips down
[27:55] south this winter like me.
[28:01] » Thank you. Um
next we have Mike and Jody and I think
[28:06] uh
>> [clears throat and cough]
[28:08] » it's on social
to do with social media.
[28:10] » Yes.
[28:19] All right.
Good evening everyone. My name is Jody
[28:23] King. Uh I'm here this evening to speak
regarding
[28:27] conduct of committee members on social
media.
[28:30] Over the past several months our family,
our business, and our community have
[28:34] experienced conduct that we believe
falls well below the standard expected
[28:38] of individuals serving in these
positions.
[28:42] The Town of Three Rivers Code of Conduct
requires members of council committees
[28:46] and directors of controlled operations
to uphold [clears throat] the highest
[28:49] standards of ethical behavior,
treat others with respect, inspire
[28:53] public confidence, and avoid
intimidation, verbal abuse, and other
[28:58] improper conduct.
We have also
[29:02] observed the use of fake Facebook
accounts to target us as well as other
[29:07] members of the public. In addition, we
believe a committee member has engaged
[29:12] in conduct intended to intimidate and
verbally abuse members of the community.
[29:18] The evidence we have seen
includes [clears throat] public social
[29:21] media posts containing personal
name-calling, derogatory and
[29:25] inappropriate language, statements that
could be reasonably interpreted as
[29:29] threatening, and references in which the
individual describes himself as a
[29:34] vigilant.
>> [clears throat]
[29:37] » This matter is not about differing
opinions or criticism. Healthy debate is
[29:41] part of the community.
The issue is whether someone
[29:44] representing a municipal controlled
corporation should engage in this type
[29:48] of public conduct while serving
in a position [clears throat] of public
[29:52] trust.
Public officials and board members are
[29:55] held to a higher standard because of
their conduct reflects the organizations
[30:00] they represent and on the public's
confidence in those organizations.
[30:05] For these reasons, I am submitting a
code of conduct complaint against a
[30:10] committee member of the Montague
Waterfront Development Corporation, we
[30:14] respectfully request the council appoint
an independent third-party investigator
[30:19] under Section 18.11
of the code of conduct bylaw to conduct
[30:24] a fair and impartial and objective
investigation into this complaint.
[30:30] No one serving in a position of public
trust should be above the standards set
[30:34] for me to uphold.
Thank you.
[30:39] » If you want to um
>> [cough]
[30:41] » pass your [clears throat] complaint in
tonight, that would be
[30:43] » Yeah.
>> Yeah?
[30:44] » Who would
>> it?
[30:45] » Um, you can give it to the CAO.
[30:52] Okay.
>> Questions? Concerns?
[31:00] » Personally, I'm well aware of what
happens on Facebook. I've had
[31:05] enough derogatory things said about me
that
[31:08] I guess
that's the way it goes. It's like
[31:10] » It's not on.
>> It's not on, is it?
[31:13] » We got to keep it We got to keep it
professional,
[31:16] right? We want what's best for the
community.
[31:18] » I wish. Yeah.
>> Yeah.
[31:20] » Yeah. Okay, thank you.
[31:27] Okay. Um
>> [clears throat]
[31:30] [cough]
>> Next, we're going to move on to um the
[31:35] mayor's report, which is in your
in your package. I'll just go over some
[31:40] of the highlights. Um, baseball fields
are still busy. We have fields in use in
[31:46] Cardigan, Georgetown, and Montague. Um,
big soccer tournament this weekend. Lots
[31:51] of traffic, I know. I've heard some
people wondering why the town was so
[31:55] busy, but that's soccer tournament is a
welcome addition to the town, and I'm
[32:01] sure it makes positive impact on our
economy.
[32:05] I attended several games at the Cardigan
complex this year, and I was really
[32:10] impressed with the fields. We now have
people there on weekends and dedicated
[32:16] staff.
So, but it is a big job. We're we're not
[32:20] perfect. There is eight fields to look
after.
[32:24] As we use the Montague fields now as
well at the high school. So, it is a big
[32:28] job. I want to congratulate several
Clippers teams, and I I don't I only
[32:32] know one of them. I'm not going to say
name it, but uh is some teams that are
[32:37] doing really well and are fundraising to
uh travel to off-island tournaments. So,
[32:42] that's great to see that uh ball
association is um
[32:46] has teams of that caliber. It's um makes
me personally very uh proud of what we
[32:51] do here in Three Rivers. Uh the
Georgetown and Montague festivals both
[32:55] went well. Um I can't thank the
volunteers enough. Um
[32:59] I know there there is some
disappointment in the Montague parade.
[33:03] Um
we you know, we noticed that there was
[33:06] not very many entries, which is a
disappointment. So, I think um maybe
[33:10] we'll do a brief survey uh of what
people would like to see. Do we need
[33:15] three parades?
Is there something else that would
[33:17] better suit um
you know, uh the Montague uh
[33:22] stuff Saturday morning in Montague
rather than a parade? I know the
[33:25] Blueberry Festival parade was the same
day, and that definitely has an impact
[33:29] on it. But anyway, we'll we'll see what
um we'll give residents a chance to have
[33:34] a say and if they want to do things
differently.
[33:37] Um I've received so much great feedback
from the drone show that was part of the
[33:42] Montague Arts and Culture Festival. Um
Dog owners, persons with on the autism
[33:47] spectrum, they're concerned with those
concerned with the environmental
[33:51] impacts. Um and just very positive. I
got an email from one parent that said
[33:57] that it was the first time his child was
in um able to enjoy any kind of a light
[34:02] show like that.
So, that's [clears throat] um that's
[34:04] very um encouraging. The dog park's
open, getting some great pictures from
[34:09] the dog owners on how everybody's
enjoying that. Um
[34:13] So, that's a great addition to our
community as well.
[34:17] I was honored to attend the 2026 Council
Federation uh welcome reception on July
[34:22] 21st at the Confed Centre. It was a
great opportunity to uh meet with uh
[34:28] some premiers and to people from all
across Canada who were here with
[34:31] [clears throat] that fingers meeting and
I would I I did um
[34:36] appreciate the invitation.
Um
[34:40] Um I'd like to thank the honorable
Darwin Compton and the Housing and Land
[34:43] and Communities for approving the town's
development bylaw. Um the amendments
[34:47] represent an important update to the
town's planning framework and we will
[34:51] ensure our I will ensure our policies uh
continue to respond to the needs of the
[34:55] growing community. I would also like to
recognize Minister Compton for her open
[35:00] and constructive approach she brought to
the process.
[35:04] The Minister was excellent to work with,
maintained strong communication without
[35:08] with me and staff, and demonstrated
genuine willingness to
[35:13] uh to understand the issues and work and
work with us to to bring process to this
[35:18] successful conclusion. We really
appreciated her responsiveness and
[35:22] collaboration. I appreciate everyone who
contributed [snorts] to bring this
[35:26] important work to completion including
her um deputy uh Robert Fresh.
[35:30] [clears throat]
Uh the Cling Tech Park marathon took
[35:34] place in August of 19 I think it was
July 19th. That's probably a typo on my
[35:39] part. There was over 500 participants
there. It was a torrential downpour at
[35:43] the beginning.
Um thank God for umbrellas.
[35:47] Anyway, um
by the time um Brendan Kerrin and I, MLA
[35:51] Brendan Kerrin and I presented the
medals it did
[35:54] it had
attained down some, but that event is
[35:57] amazing. The people nothing deters them
uh not even a a
[36:01] a big rainstorm. So, as always I remain
accessible to residents and we do plan
[36:07] on having one more uh community
conversation for the for this area for
[36:13] the month of April here probably next
week. It'll be on Facebook. If anyone
[36:17] who wants to come and sit down and chat,
you're welcome to do so.
[36:21] Okay, and now I'll turn it over to the
CAO for um
[36:26] John's report.
>> Thank you, Worship. As usual, my report
[36:31] is in the
in the package and available online.
[36:35] Uh just want to echo your your comments.
We're pleased to report that on July
[36:39] 30th
uh Mr. Compton approved the town
[36:43] amendments of [clears throat] the
development bylaws and we started
[36:45] measuring
uh development applications against that
[36:49] bylaw uh as the date of as the date of
signing.
[36:54] Um
I'd like to recognize the work of town
[36:57] planning department throughout the
review process.
[37:00] Uh preparation of the amendments both to
were a significant undertaking and uh
[37:06] they did it with professional
uh and technical expertise, thoughtful
[37:11] recommendations, and and it's good very
good to see that move forward.
[37:16] Uh as you mentioned to the Mount Equinox
Culture Festival uh went off on July
[37:21] 13th, August 2nd. Um
very large crowds at the waterfront uh
[37:27] especially on uh on Saturday which is
good to see despite uh some rain, so
[37:32] it's good to see that. And again, we'll
do a bit of a postmortem uh with the
[37:36] committee and and look at ways that we
may be continue to improve that.
[37:40] Um
we also uh released our mascot during
[37:45] the uh parade. Um
so you'll start seeing River at more and
[37:50] more events as we go forward.
>> Thank you.
[37:54] » Okay.
Okay, great. Um
[37:58] thanks, John. I'm going to move on to
7.3, which is the development permit
[38:02] report. It's in your package. Um if you
hopefully everybody's had a
[38:08] minute to look at that. It's still um
busy [clears throat] department.
[38:13] I don't have a count on the permits, but
there's quite a few there again this
[38:17] month.
Um single unit dwellings, couple of
[38:22] uh we have a cemetery uh permit this
this uh
[38:26] cruise ship I think I've seen that.
Um yeah, so they're planning uh
[38:33] development uh planning and development
are still uh very busy, which is a good
[38:37] sign for Three Rivers.
Any questions on that report or
[38:41] for staff?
[38:45] Okay.
Okay.
[38:49] Uh next is our um planning board report,
and I'll turn that over to Councillor
[38:57] Baxter.
>> Thank you very much, Worship. Um
[39:01] before I start the um planning board
report, I would like to make comments
[39:05] about a video that's been circulating
recently by a resident in the community.
[39:11] Brings up a number of issues to do with
planning, zoning, taxation, and
[39:14] population.
I was referenced in this video in my
[39:18] role as chair of the planning board, and
since I I was brought into it, I'd like
[39:22] to make a few comments.
Um
[39:24] » [snorts]
>> the resident will be pleased to learn
[39:26] that the 2024 development bylaw
amendments have been approved by the
[39:30] province, and so the institutional zone
no longer includes the phrase complete
[39:35] communities, and I know that this has
created concern and a clearer wording is
[39:39] now adopted.
Um one of the references in the video
[39:42] was made to only three planning board
members, and questioning if this was a
[39:47] quorum. According to the Municipal
Government Act, a quorum is a majority
[39:50] of all members of council or a committee
or a council committee, and the Town of
[39:55] Three Rivers Planning Board has five
members and a chair, so three members
[39:59] and a chair does equal a majority. And
the other point to make is that while um
[40:05] the planning board makes recommendation,
it is up to council to make final
[40:09] decisions.
Um the question of property taxation
[40:13] within the institutional zone was raised
again, and I'd like to assure residents
[40:17] of the town of Three Rivers that only a
small number of properties receive a tax
[40:21] exemption for religious purposes. This
is consistent with all churches when
[40:25] within the municipality, including
Montague Bible Fellowship, where I am a
[40:29] member.
Properties zoned institutional are
[40:33] assessed and subject to municipal
property taxation, and the exemption is
[40:37] strictly limited to active places of
worship. The institutional zoning
[40:41] designation itself does not
automatically result in property tax
[40:45] exemption. Rather, tax exemptions are
determined in accordance with applicable
[40:50] provincial legislation and assessment
regulations, not by the zoning
[40:54] classification.
The resident also states in the video
[40:58] that we have a population decrease of 7%
and our economy is not growing. I
[41:03] checked with Stats Canada and learned
that the numbers are that in 2016,
[41:08] we had a population of 7,169.
In 2021, we had a population of 7,883,
[41:17] and the estimate for 2026, according to
Stats Canada, is 9,610
[41:23] with an annual growth rate of 3%.
The PEI government's demographic
[41:28] estimates show the town of Three Rivers
saw population growth of 2.5% in 2025 to
[41:34] reach 9,322.
And Southern Kings saw a population
[41:39] increase as a whole of 2.7%,
and there were no communities
[41:44] year-over-year in this region with a
decline.
[41:48] So, the And And also, the 2025 annual
statistical review shows that the Prince
[41:53] The Prince Edward Island had the second
fastest-growing provincial economy in
[41:57] the country last year with real GDP
increasing by 2.8%.
[42:02] PEI PEI has exceeded the national growth
in 10 of the last 11 years. So, it's
[42:08] really important that we have accurate
information given out to the public.
[42:12] » [snorts]
>> All right, I'd like to um move on to the
[42:15] items of the motions from planning
board. So
[42:19] » 7.4.1 I think is our first one. Yeah.
>> Yeah.
[42:23] Um
The Town of Three Rivers Planning Board
[42:26] recommends to Council to approve the
following motion.
[42:30] The demolition of the existing paramedic
station and garage and the construction
[42:34] of a new 4,840 square foot facility
together with the associated landscaping
[42:40] and parking at 406 McIntyre Avenue,
Montague, PID 849158,
[42:47] subject to the following conditions.
Condition one, the permit is valid for
[42:52] 12 months from date of issue. Two, all
work must be undertake
[42:56] Sorry, undertaken in accordance with the
approved plans including the use,
[43:00] location, and dimensions provided. Any
proposed changes or revisions must be
[43:05] submitted to the development officer for
approval.
[43:09] Three, the applicant is required to
submit an updated drainage and silt
[43:12] control plan prior to the commencement
of demolition works on the site.
[43:18] And four, the application form Sorry,
the approved plans are the application
[43:22] form received April 24th, 2026, the site
plan received April 24th, 2026,
[43:29] the front perspective elevation received
April 24th, 2026, and the rear
[43:35] perspective elevation received April
24th, 2026. So moved.
[43:41] » And a seconder for that motion?
>> I will.
[43:43] » Okay.
>> [clears throat]
[43:45] » Uh Counselor Spin.
Any uh
[43:48] discussion on the motion?
[43:51] Okay, hearing none, all in favor?
>> Aye.
[43:54] » No nays, motion is carried.
Okay, we'll move on to 7.4.2.
[44:02] Counselor MacEachern.
>> Mhm.
[44:05] The Town of Three Rivers Planning Board
recommends to council to approve the
[44:08] following motion for the mayor and
council to hold a public meeting for the
[44:12] proposed rezoning of 82 Main Street,
Montague, PID 193995.
[44:20] So moved.
>> Okay, moved. Second of that motion.
[44:25] Uh
After the Excuse me, Councillor
[44:28] McFarland, any um
discussion on that motion?
[44:32] Okay. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[44:34] » Aye. Yeah.
We're hearing any nays. Motion is
[44:37] carried.
And you know Oh, oh, sorry, Dawn New.
[44:43] » We need a decision on a date.
For that public meeting to be held.
[44:46] » Oh, okay. So, we want to make the You
want a decision tonight?
[44:50] » That's what we're asking.
>> Okay.
[44:54] When is there suggested Do you have a
suggested date?
[45:01] » Your Worship, if I can just chip in
briefly. Um we need to be mindful of our
[45:07] press advert and the requirement for the
clear days to pass.
[45:11] Um so, we're on the 10th today.
So, we could get an advert in
[45:17] uh the 12th or the 19th. So, I'd be
suggesting
[45:22] a public meeting no earlier than the
27th
[45:25] of September.
Uh I know council you often favor
[45:28] Mondays, so might I suggest the 31st?
>> 31st of uh September?
[45:34] » Yeah.
>> Okay.
[45:35] » September There's no such date in
September.
[45:37] » 30 days have September. 30.
>> No, August.
[45:40] » Sorry, August.
>> August. I'm sorry. That was my That was
[45:42] my confusion leads to that. So, August
uh 31st.
[45:47] » Right.
>> Okay. Do we need another motion for that
[45:50] one?
[45:53] Um
I'd just say be it resolved that the
[45:56] mayor and council hold a public meeting
for rezoning of 82 Main Street A- Main
[46:01] Street, Montague, PID 193995.
on August 31st, 2026.
[46:07] » So moved.
>> Moved by
[46:09] » Second.
>> Councilor Spin.
[46:11] » Second.
>> Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jenkins.
[46:15] Did you have a question?
>> Yeah.
[46:16] » Okay.
>> Um that will be in both what? The
[46:19] Guardian and the Record?
For people to know.
[46:22] » We usually just put it in the graphic.
Is that correct?
[46:25] » Yeah.
>> Yeah.
[46:26] We usually just keep it local.
>> Yeah.
[46:29] » Yeah.
>> That's what you're saying. They don't
[46:31] see anything we put in, so.
>> No.
[46:36] » Okay. Um
we've moved and seconded.
[46:40] Any other discussion?
Okay. All in favor of holding that
[46:44] meeting on the 31st?
>> Aye.
[46:46] » All right. Okay. Motion is carried.
Okay. So, 7.4.3.
[46:53] » Thank you.
Town of Three Rivers Planning Board
[46:55] recommends to Council to approve the
following motion. The application for a
[46:59] major variance of 69.5%
for front yard setback to accommodate an
[47:06] exterior elevator extension for
wheelchair accessibility at 67 Glen Elg
[47:11] Street, Georgetown, PID 171801.
Condition one, the permit is valid for
[47:18] 12 months from the date of issue. Two,
all work must be undertaken in
[47:23] accordance with the approved plans,
including the use, location, and
[47:26] dimensions provided. Any proposed
changes or revisions must be submitted
[47:31] to the development officer for approval.
And three, the plans are the application
[47:36] form received June 25th,
[clears throat and laughter] 2026,
[47:39] the site plan received June 25th, 2026,
and the elevations received June 25th,
[47:46] 2026.
>> So moved.
[47:49] » Seconded.
>> Second.
[47:51] » Okay. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jenkins.
Uh discussion on that?
[47:57] Okay. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[47:59] » Aye.
>> hearing any nays, so the motion is
[48:01] carried.
>> [clears throat]
[48:04] » That brings
us to
[48:08] That's the end of that agenda.
Um so we're going to move on to 7.5
[48:14] uh which is the financial report. It's
uh in your package.
[48:19] And um
>> [snorts]
[48:22] » if you have any questions, we can
Yeah, Don, would you like to do a
[48:27] uh
overview for council, please?
[48:30] Thank you.
>> So this report will cover the first
[48:34] quarter as of June 30th.
So as of June 30th, the town is tracking
[48:39] closely the budget for the first quarter
of the fiscal year.
[48:43] Total revenues are approximately 1.39
million, representing the annual revenue
[48:48] budget of 26.49%.
[48:52] Total expenses are approximately 1.19
million, representing 24.78%
[48:57] of annual expense budget. This results
in an operating surplus of approximately
[49:01] $199,000
as of June 30th
[49:05] compared to prorated budget surplus of
approximately $111,000.
[49:10] Once we factor in capital purchases and
principal loan payments, we're currently
[49:14] showing a slight current year cash flow
deficit of approximately $17,000.
[49:20] This is primarily due to the timing of
planned capital spending. Notably, the
[49:26] station street project taking place over
the summer months.
[49:30] Overall, operating revenue and expenses
continue to track well against budget
[49:34] and our financial position remains in
>> [clears throat]
[49:38] » line with expectations at this point in
the year.
[49:42] » Okay.
>> Thank you, Don. Any questions for Don?
[49:45] » [snorts]
[49:48] » Okay, hearing none, we'll move
we'll move on to the request for
[49:52] decisions.
[50:00] So, the first one is 8.1. Uh approve to
amend a municipality management plan.
[50:05] So, the motion there is be it resolved
that council approve the amendment to
[50:09] the town's municipality management plan.
Move and a second for that.
[50:14] Moved by Councillor McComb, seconded by
Councillor McDonald. Any discussion?
[50:20] All in favor?
>> Aye.
[50:21] » And I have unanimous, [clears throat] so
motion is carried.
[50:30] Move on to 8.2.
Uh council approve first and second
[50:36] Um council approve the following motion
of council approve first and second
[50:39] reading and adoption of the amended
changes
[50:42] uh for the bylaw to regulate reserve
funds bylaw
[50:46] 2019-07
and so
[50:51] This one is
[50:56] Sorry.
[51:02] Okay, the first reading is under review.
[51:09] » Yeah.
>> You too, then.
[51:11] » Okay, be it resolved that the proposed
amendment to the um to regulate funds
[51:16] bylaw 2019-07
to establish an operating reserve and
[51:21] capital reserve to be read first time.
Um
[51:25] Move and a second for that.
Okay, moved by Councillor uh McDonald,
[51:30] seconded by Deputy Mayor Jenkins.
Um
[51:33] » It just needs to be a motion first
before that. Like the first number
[51:37] there.
>> So, we do need the first Okay, this is
[51:42] uh
[51:46] Okay, so the the motion is to cancel
approved first and second readings and
[51:50] adopt some amended changes as written to
the bylaw to regulate reserve funds
[51:55] bylaw 2017-2019-07.
[51:58] Move and a second there?
Moved by Councillor McDonald, seconded
[52:03] by we'll say Deputy Mayor Jenkins.
We'll [snorts] use the Okay, all in
[52:08] favor?
>> Aye.
[52:09] » Okay. Um
nays? No, not hearing any. Motion is
[52:13] carried.
Then we move on to the readings here.
[52:18] Okay, be it resolved that the proposed
amendment to the bylaw to regulate funds
[52:21] bylaw 2019-07
to establish an operating reserve and
[52:25] capital reserve be read a first time.
And moved by Councillor Spin, seconded
[52:30] by Councillor McFarland.
Discussion?
[52:34] All in favor?
>> Aye.
[52:36] » Okay.
Motion is carried.
[52:39] And
on to
[52:44] Next is be it resolved that the proposed
amendment to the bylaw to regulate
[52:48] reserve funds bylaw 2019-07
to establish to establish an operating
[52:54] reserve and capital reserve be approved.
Moved by Councillor McFarland, seconded
[52:58] by Councillor McDonald.
Any discussion?
[53:02] All in favor?
>> Aye.
[53:09] » Okay.
We're going to move on to
[53:16] Move on to 8.2.2.
[53:20] No, 8.3, which is
Pardon?
[53:24] » 8.3.
>> 8.3, yeah.
[53:27] Um so, that this motion is be it
resolved that council authorize the
[53:31] development of a naming rights policy
and the pursuit of prospective corporate
[53:36] partners with a target value to be
determined through market assessment and
[53:40] the
Uh any proposed naming rights agreement
[53:45] will be turned to council for final
approval.
[53:48] » We should amend that to have games
finance in there, shouldn't we?
[53:53] » No, it's
>> It's over all
[53:55] It's over all over all.
>> It's over all. Okay. All right.
[53:59] Okay?
Uh move in a second it?
[54:02] » So moved.
>> Moved by councilor Dr. Scott.
[54:06] Seconded by Dep- Deputy Mayor Jenkins.
Any discussion?
[54:11] Okay, all in favor?
>> All right.
[54:13] » Okay.
Uh hearing no nays, motion is carried.
[54:17] 10 to 2.
[54:20] So I think that's um
the end of our um
[54:24] motions for tonight and requests for
decisions. We do have some
[54:28] correspondence. Um 9.1 is a copy of the
correspondence that council uh
[54:34] that we have uh
submitted to the Iraq Review Commission.
[54:38] Um so that is uh
attached if anybody'd like to
[54:43] uh
have a look at that. That's what we've
[54:45] submitted to that uh commission.
And 10 is a motion to adjourn.
[54:51] » So moved.
>> Okay.
[54:53] » Second.
>> Uh moved by Allen and seconded by uh
[54:57] councilor Don. All in favor?
>> All right.
[55:00] » Thank you, everyone. Thanks for coming
tonight.
[55:10] » It's not working.