The Corporation of the Township of Laird

Special Council Meeting Minutes – February 27, 2025

SPECIAL AGENDA – AGENDA 36 CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAIRD February 27, 2025, at 7:00 pm Bar River Hall Community Center

Present: Mayor:

Shawn Evoy Councillors:

Matt Frolick, Brad Shewfelt, Todd Rydall, Wayne Junor Staff:

Jennifer Errington, Rhonda Crozier, David Pollari Delegations:

Lynn Watson, Matt Jarrell, Trisha Daynard, Lacey Kastikainen, Catie Stevens, Adam Chevis, Cody Jarrell, Shelly Bailey, Derek Hansen.

1. Call to Order

Mayor Evoy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

3. Agenda Approval

#56-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby approves the February 27, 2025 agenda as presented. Carried.

4. Delegations and Presentations

5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

6. Adoption of Accounts

7. Staff and Committee Reports

8. Unfinished Business

9. New Business

  1. a. Joint Meeting with Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional (MMAA).
  2. 1. Joint Projects:
  3. i. Cloudy Lake Road Surface Treatment
  • Cloudy Lake Road is not on MMAA radar, they will be concentrating on fixing up McCarrel Lake Road before they are able to focus on Cloudy Lake Road. MMAA asset management has Cloudy Lake Road in poor condition, this road would be a part of their five-year plan to do surface treatment. However, work will need to be done to the hill, big stone removal, and the 5 driveways off of the snow plow turnaround will need to be addressed.
  1. ii. Bar River Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation
  • The Bar River Bridge, according to the OSIM report, requires replacement in 6-10 years. Discussed waterproofing and paving to extend life. MMAA will get a scope of work/quote for the maintenance work required.
  1. iii. Bar River Road Surface Treatment
  • Bar River Road patching work to be conducted in the spring. Both Road Superintendents will look at problem areas together and come up with a plan for those areas. The tender to do single on the entire stretch was $65,000 each, based on 10% over last year’s pricing.
  1. iv. Ditching Work
  • It was discussed that joint ditching work may be problematic, as we would want to do the work at the same time. It would work well when conducting ditching on joint roads. Road Superintendents can further discuss if this would be a viable option to do joint ditching work.
  1. v. Recreation Programs
  • MMAA was looking for commitment for summer students, Laird communicated that we have applied for two students and are awaiting grant approval. The soccer program has become very active and popular, they are in need of volunteers. Laird communicated that we would advertise in newsletters and try to encourage volunteer participation.
  1. 2. Fire Department:
  2. i. Firetruck and Pumper Truck Capital Purchases
  • The firetruck purchase is in the preliminary stages. The Fire Chief presented information on two different suppliers for firetrucks. Possibly some value to the old truck. A commitment would be required soon, as it may take a few years to get the final product. It is estimated that it will cost $800,000. The life expectancy of a new vehicle will be 20 years. The Fire Chief is planning to go and actually view the truck he is interested in prior to purchase.
  1. ii. Fire Agreement January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
  • Laird Council voiced concerns with the new draft agreement. Both Laird and MMAA discussed working on developing a service agreement, as the current and draft agreements do not truly capture that Laird Township is purchasing a service. It was discussed that we keep the original agreement in place for 2 years while MMAA works on a service agreement.

10. Notices of Motion

11. Closed Session

12. Communications and Correspondence

13. Mayor and Council Comments

14. By-laws

  1. a. 2045-25 Conformity By-law #57-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2045-25 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on February 27, 2025.

Carried.

15. Adjournment

#58-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council shall now adjourn to meet again on March 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. or until the call of the chair. Carried.

Mayor – ___________________________ Shawn Evoy

Clerk – ___________________________ Jennifer Errington