Regular Meeting

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopt the minutes of the Special Public and Regular meeting of Council held Wednesday, August 13, 2025, as circulated.

WHEREAS the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), at its meeting of September 4, 2025, recommended that Council support the presence of short-term rentals (STRs) within the Municipality and provided direction regarding the drafting of zoning provisions; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores hereby: Endorses the presence of short-term rentals (STRs) as a means of supporting tourism, economic development, and accommodation diversity; Directs staff to prepare Zoning By-law updates to introduce a clear definition of STRs, without restricting specific zones or dwelling types at this time, instead promoting flexibility, responsible operation, and acknowledgment of the positive role of STRs in the local economy; Confirms that enforcement of STRs will continue under existing municipal by-laws (e.g., noise, clean yards, open burning) and provincial legislation, with further enforcement measures considered as needed; Directs staff to continue working with major STR platforms and local operators to share community standards and maintain open dialogue that affirms STR operations are recognized and welcomed; Confirms that no other changes are proposed to building, occupancy, or land use definitions beyond the addition of a clear STR term; AND THAT these recommendations are subject to final review with the Municipality’s Planning Consultant for alignment with the Planning Act.

WHEREAS Council, by Resolution 25-20-18, authorized an amendment to the Tax Collection Policy to only issue tax arrears notices by mail to ratepayers with a balance of $50.00 or more, and only issue receipts upon request; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #25-41 being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to amend the Tax Collection Policy was passed in open Council this 10th day of September, 2025; AND THAT By-law #24-48 be hereby rescinded.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #25-42 being a by-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to permit the construction of a +/-9m by 9m accessory building (garage) on the subject property and increase the maximum lot coverage from 9% to 17% for the accessory garage only in a Rural (R) and Waterfront Recreational (W.REC) zone; on the property of 139 Coles Bay Road, was passed in open Council this 10th day of September, 2025.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #25-43 being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to authorize the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) to authorize temporary borrowing for the Potomac Bridge was passed in open Council this 10th day of September, 2025; AND THAT by-law #25-26 be hereby repealed.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Minutes of the following municipal committees: Public Services Committee - June 3, 2025

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements and Trust Fund Financial Statements as presented by KPMG LLP, September 10th, 2025.

WHEREAS the Municipality has received inquiries regarding the potential for year-round use of Melwel Road; AND WHEREAS any change in use must be carefully assessed to consider operational, legal, and financial implications; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to investigate and report back on the following options related to year-round use of the subject road: The feasibility of permitting year-round traffic while requiring users to waive municipal liability; The process and implications of granting permission for private snow ploughing; The estimated cost for a third party to provide ploughing services under a municipal agreement; The cost to engage an engineer to assess and provide estimates for upgrading the road to municipal standard; AND THAT the staff report be prepared following the conclusion of the 2025 summer maintenance and construction season; AND THAT no changes to the current seasonal maintenance level of service will be considered for the 2025–2026 winter season.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accepts the Tax Incentive Approval received from MPAC as follows: 57 24 000 004 16100 0000 from Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $240,000 to Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $14,300 and Managed Forest Taxable (TT) 2016 CVA $91,700 effective January 1, 2025.

WHEREAS the one year extension to the Cleaning Caretaker Contract is set to expire December, 2025; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes the CAO/Clerk to tender for the Cleaning Caretaker Contract to commence January, 2026; AND THAT the tender include regular cleaning of the Thompson Hall (gym).

WHEREAS Council, by Resolution No. 25-20-22, directed staff to prepare a Policy for the Voluntary Donation of Land to the Municipality to establish consistent procedures, evaluation criteria, and due diligence requirements for such transactions for Council consideration; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves and adopts the F-07 Charitable Donation Policy, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the memorandum of the CAO/Clerk dated September 2, 2025, regarding the Dean Lake Bridge Public Information Session, being held on October 22, 2025, at the Iron Bridge Recreation Centre; AND THAT Council direct that a public information package be released at least one to two weeks in advance of the session; AND THAT in addition to the information already compiled, the package include details regarding: the estimated cost and timing of bridge removal, the timing and permits required for any work, and considerations if the bridge were to be decommissioned; AND THAT Council members and the Public Services Committee provide input on any additional information they feel should be included in the package no later than October 1.

WHEREAS under the Highway Traffic Act , the default speed limit on municipal roads in rural areas is 80 km/h unless otherwise posted or reduced by by-law; AND WHEREAS the Municipality of Huron Shores has very limited built-up areas and therefore the 80 km/h default applies to most municipal roads; AND WHEREAS the Public Services Committee is considering whether a blanket speed limit by-law should be adopted to establish a lower default speed limit on all municipal roads within the Municipality, in the interest of road safety and consistency; AND WHEREAS it is desirable to obtain feedback from residents prior to bringing forward any by-law for Council’s consideration; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED following receipt and review of the recent traffic count data, Council direct staff to conduct a two-week public engagement survey, to be posted on the municipal website and promoted through municipal communication channels, to obtain feedback on whether the Municipality should adopt a blanket speed limit by-law under Section 128(2.1) of the Highway Traffic Act establishing a lower default speed limit on all municipal roads (other than roads not under municipal jurisdiction); AND THAT the results of the survey be reported back to Council for consideration prior to any by-law being presented

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, as per the recommendation of the Public Services Committee, Council approves and adopts the T-03 Municipal Road Status Policy, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, as per the recommendation of the Public Services Committee, Council approves and adopts the L-01 Vehicle Damage Claims Policy, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the report of the CAO/Clerk dated September 2, 2025, regarding the Roads Donation Program; AND THAT Council acknowledge that the Public Services Committee has reviewed the previous Roads Donation Program, as directed; AND THAT Council concur with the Committee’s recommendation that no new program be introduced for 2026, with municipal resources to remain focused on municipally owned infrastructure as outlined in the Strategic Plan, Service Delivery Review, and Asset Management Plan.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approve the purchase of the TownSuite Financial Software package, including Payroll, Customer Portal, and Employee Portal, as presented at the Council Meeting on August 13, 2025; AND THAT it be fully funded by reserves as per the Treasurer's Report dated September 10, 2025; AND THAT the Mayor approve the annual software subscription, in the amount of $37,000.00, to be included in the 2026 budget

WHEREAS Council, by Resolution 25-20-16, previously considered municipal consent for Rock Networks (H&M) LP to install fibre optic infrastructure within municipal rights-of-way, but did not approve it due to concerns about the lack of an identified Internet Service Provider, the possibility of the Municipality becoming responsible for the network, requests that included private/unassumed roads, and uncertainty around installation methods; AND WHEREAS since that time, the CAO/Clerk has met with the proponent and obtained written confirmation that the Municipality will not be responsible for owning, operating, or maintaining the infrastructure, and that all private roads will be excluded from the permit requests, as the Municipality does not have jurisdiction to grant consent; AND WHEREAS the Public Services Committee has reviewed this updated information and recommends that Council grant municipal consent, subject to clear conditions, and authorize the CAO/Clerk to manage approvals as the project moves forward; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores grants municipal consent in principle for Rock Networks (H&M) LP to install fibre optic infrastructure within municipal rights-of-way only, subject to the following conditions: Consent applies only to municipal roads/rights-of-way specifically approved in writing by the CAO/Clerk (or designate). Private, Crown, or MTO roads are excluded. The Municipality must receive at leas

WHEREAS the Municipality has received a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) for access to records that include communications subject to solicitor-client privilege; AND WHEREAS solicitor-client privilege is a substantive legal right of the Municipality that protects the confidentiality of legal advice and ensures Council and staff may seek and receive candid guidance from legal counsel; AND WHEREAS the decision to waive solicitor-client privilege rests exclusively with Council, and such waiver, once made, results in a permanent loss of protection, including the possibility that privilege will be deemed waived for all related communications; AND WHEREAS disclosure of privileged records could prejudice the Municipality’s position in current or future legal proceedings, undermine the Municipality’s ability to obtain frank legal advice, and create an undesirable precedent for further requests; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council declines to waive solicitor-client privilege with respect to the requested records; AND THAT the CAO/Clerk, as the delegated Head under MFIPPA, is directed to apply the solicitor-client privilege exemption in responding to the request.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs staff to explore the process with Canada Post to standardized all mailing/postal addresses within the geographic boundaries of the Municipality of Huron Shores to “Huron Shores” as the recognized place name, with a unified postal code assigned accordingly; AND THAT staff report back to Council on the steps required to advance implementation.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #25-44, being a by-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to Adopt the Minutes of the Special Public and Regular Council Meeting held Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, authorizing the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby, was passed in open Council this 10th day of September, 2025.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council does adjourn at 8:36 p.m.