CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
CLARENCE-ROCKLAND
REGULAR MEETING

Wednesday, October 08, 2025 at 7:15 P.m. - 10:15 P.m.

Council Chambers

415 rue Lemay Street, Clarence Creek, Ont.

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1.

Opening of the meeting

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm in order to allow for a closed session. 

The portion of the meeting that is open to the public begins at 7:15 pm.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Clarence-Rockland est située sur les terres traditionnelles et ancestrales non cédées des nations Anishinaabe et Haudenosaunee.

The City of Clarence-Rockland gratefully acknowledges these Indigenous nations as well as the Metis and Inuit Nations for their guardianship of this land that help shape our city, Province and Country as a whole and we honor them.

3.

Moment of Reflection

Les personnes présentes dans cette salle ont des opinions divergentes, des modes d'expressions variés, des façons différentes de vivre leurs émotions et des cheminements divers dans la prise de leurs décisions.

May we combine clarity of mind with kindness of heart. May we be impartial without bending to strong personalities. May we sacrifice self-interest for the good of the whole.

4.

Adoption of the agenda

5.

Disclosure of pecuniary interests

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Form

6.

Closed Meeting

6.1

Closed Session Minutes of September 10, 2025

6.2

Appeal received - Cobb's Lake Creek Municipal Drain

6.3

Proposed purchase of Land in preparation to the construction of a municipal garage

6.4

Proposed changes to working conditions for non-union staff

7.

Resolution to resume open meeting

8.

Closed Meeting report

9.

Announcements / Special Presentations

10.

Committee of the Whole items

At this point, the Regular Council Meeting is adjourned as Council proceeds to a Committee of the Whole session.

10.1

Delegations/Presentations

a.

Rolland Labonté about a ditch on Rollin Road

10.2

Petitions and Correspondence

10.3

Notice of motion

a.

Notice of Motion proposed by Mayor Zanth and seconded by Councillor Cardarelli to collaborate with the Village of Casselman in exploring the feasibility of extending Clarence-Rockland’s Ottawa River water supply to serve Casselman

WHEREAS the Village of Casselman has identified significant and escalating challenges with its current water supply from the South Nation River, which is shallow, drought-prone, and unable to consistently meet long-term demand and water quality standards; and

WHEREAS Casselman has formally requested the support of the City of Clarence-Rockland in pursuing the long-term solution identified in its 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan, namely the development of a water transmission main connecting to Clarence-Rockland’s Ottawa River supply; and

WHEREAS Clarence-Rockland recognizes the regional importance of sustainable, safe, and resilient water infrastructure to support public health, fire protection, and economic growth in Eastern Ontario; and

WHEREAS significant benefits could be realized through collaboration, such as strengthened regional integration; the creation of additional servicing infrastructure enabling growth and housing targets, including a secure and sustainable water source for Casselman; and

WHEREAS the timing of this request coincides with provincially funded upgrades to Clarence-Rockland’s water system, providing a strategic opportunity for alignment and cost efficiencies. 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the City of Clarence-Rockland confirms its willingness to collaborate with the Village of Casselman in exploring the feasibility of extending Clarence-Rockland’s Ottawa River water supply to serve Casselman; and

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Clarence-Rockland provide a letter of support to the Village of Casselman for inclusion in its submissions to the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada; and

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED THAT any future agreements related to the provision of water services to the Village of Casselman shall remain subject to further technical, financial, and legal analysis, and to the approval of Council.

b.

Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Fournier and seconded by Councillor Stewart to adopt the Vision Zero Road Safety Strategy

WHEREAS the City of Clarence-Rockland is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all residents; and

 WHEREAS traffic fatalities and serious injuries are preventable through a comprehensive approach that combines education, enforcement, engineering, and policy; and

WHEREAS the Vision Zero approach recognizes that no loss of life on our roadways is acceptable; and

WHEREAS municipalities across Canada are adopting Vision Zero as a proven strategy to improve transportation safety;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Council adopts the principles of Vision Zero and commits to developing a comprehensive action plan to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all roads within the municipality.

 

c.

Seeking Legal Opinion on Municipal Standing Regarding Provincial Cancellation of Automated Speed Enforcement Programs

WHEREAS the Ontario Government has announced its intention to introduce legislation banning the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras by municipalities across the province; and

WHEREAS ASE programs have been implemented in over 40 municipalities since 2019, including the City of Clarence-Rockland, with demonstrated success in improving road safety, particularly in school zones and areas with vulnerable road users; and

WHEREAS the cancellation of ASE programs may result in financial losses to municipalities, including sunk costs, lost revenue earmarked for traffic safety initiatives, and increased enforcement burdens on police services; and

WHEREAS several municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) have expressed concern over the provincial overreach and the undermining of local autonomy in traffic safety matters;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs municipal administration to seek a legal opinion from qualified municipal law counsel on the following matters:

1. Whether the Municipality has any legal standing or recourse to challenge the proposed provincial legislation banning ASE programs;
2. Whether the cancellation of ASE programs constitutes an infringement on municipal authority or violates any existing agreements, contracts, or statutory provisions;
3. What legal options, if any, are available to the Municipality to preserve or continue ASE operations under a modified framework;
4. The potential for collective municipal action or advocacy through AMO or other bodies to oppose the legislation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the legal opinion will be submitted to Council as soon as possible to guide future actions and advocacy.

10.4

Committee/Staff Reports

a.

Development Charges Update

b.

Affordable Residential Unit Development Charge Exemption Agreements

c.

Appointment of the Auditors for year end 2025-2027

d.

Social Media Engagement Policy

e.

Website Calendar Submission Policy

f.

Revision of the ice time allocation process

g.

Clarence-Rockland Museum Governance and Management Interim Agreement

11.

Committee of the Whole Report

At this point, the Committee of the Whole session is adjourned as Council resumes its Regular Council Meeting.

12.

Council Members' Items

13.

Consent Items

Note:  All items listed in this section of the agenda will be subject to approval under one non-debatable, non-amendable motion.  Should any member of Council wish to hold a discussion or engage in debate on one of these items, he or she is required to ask for the item to be considered separately before a vote is taken.

13.1

Adoption of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of September 10, 2025

13.2

Receipt of the Minutes of the Municipal Grant Program Committee of May 12, 2025

13.3

Receipt of the Weekly Correspondence Packages for the month of September 2025

13.4

Resolution to approve the salaries paid from August 17 to September 13, 2025

13.5

Resolution to approve the accounts paid from September 3 to September 29, 2025

13.6

Resolution to authorize tax reductions under Section 357-358 of the Municipal Act

13.7

The following recommendations from Committee of the Whole of September 10, 2025 : 

a.

Resolution to approve the new Communications Strategic Plan

14.

Committee/Staff Reports

None

15.

By-laws

Note:  All items listed in this section of the agenda will be subject to approval under one non-debatable, non-amendable motion.  Should any member of Council wish to hold a discussion or engage in debate on one of these By-laws, he or she is required to ask for the item to be considered separately before a vote is taken.

15.1

2025-87 being a by-law to adopt an alternative voting method for the 2026 Municipal Elections and any subsequent by-election in the following term of Council

15.2

2025-89 being a By-law to adopt the Terms of Reference for a Multi Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

15.3

2025-90 being a By-law to amend the Zoning by-law 2016-10 for the removal of holding - Mainville Subdivision

15.4

2025-91 being a By-law to amend schedule A - Working Conditions of By-law 2024-121 and By-law 2024-122

16.

Confirmatory By-law

17.

Adjournment