REGULAR AGENDA – AGENDA 57

Call to Order

Mayor Evoy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

Agenda Approval

Delegations and Presentations

Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

1.    Council Regular Meeting – April 16, 2026
2.    Council Special Meeting – April 21, 2026
3.    Recreation Committee Meeting – April 28, 2026

Adoption of Accounts

1.    General accounts to April 30, 2026

   #114-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the general accounts to April 30, 2026, in the amount of $4,030.10.

   Carried.

2.    Roads accounts to April 30, 2026

   #115-26

   Moved by: Brad Shewfelt

   Seconded by: Todd Rydall

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the roads account to April 30, 2026, in the amount of $28,607.44.

   Carried.

Staff and Committee Reports

1.    Road Superintendent (Roads, Waste Disposal & Recycling, and Maintenance)
   1. Road Superintendent Report – Verbal Report

      #116-26

      Moved by: Matt Frolick

      Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt

      BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs the Clerk to modify the existing culvert by-law to add a clause for the maintenance of existing culverts to add a fee of $500.00 for any request or requirement to relay the culvert.

      Carried.

      #117-26

      Moved by: Brad Shewfelt

      Seconded by: Matt Frolick

      BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Road Superintendent Report dated May 21, 2026, as presented; and

      FURTHER THAT Council instructs the Road Superintendent to purchase the brush hog head from Construction Equipment in the amount of $20,050.00 plus HST, with additional funds required for the purchase to come out of the funds budgeted for the snow blade for the backhoe.

      Carried.

   2. Council Q&A
2.    Clerk Administrator, Deputy Treasurer
   1. Clerk’s Report – Verbal Report

      #118-26

      Moved by: Todd Rydall

      Seconded by: Matt Frolick

      BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Clerk’s Report dated May 21, 2026, and further provides direction on the following matters arising from the report:

      1.    Pumpkin Point Road Platform Demolition – THAT Council directs staff to waive the tipping fees for the disposal of the old platform.
      2.    Government Road Ditching Project – Payment Plans – THAT Council delegates authority to the Treasurer to establish payment plans for culvert purchases, with any defaulted amounts added to the tax roll in accordance with By-law 2077-26.
      3.    Surplus Hood Vents – Gazebo Kitchen – THAT Council declares the two unused residential hood vents as surplus and directs staff to dispose of them by the most efficient and cost-effective method.
      4.    Laird International Raceway Site Visits – THAT Council directs staff to set up a site meeting for Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Laird Fairgrounds, and again at the end of the season, and further requests staff to circulate the ongoing issues to the tenant.
      5.    Free Open Arena Nights – THAT Council directs staff to designate experienced horse participants as supervisors, ensure they hold valid first aid certification, and confirm whether they will be covered under the Township’s insurance.

      Carried.

   2. Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log
   3. Concern/Information Log – Updates

      #119-26

      Moved by: Brad Shewfelt

      Seconded by: Matt Frolick

      BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the May 21, 2026, Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log and the Concern/Information Log as presented.

      Carried.

   4. Council Q&A
3.    Treasurer’s Report
4.    Recreation Committee & Recreation Sub-Committees
   1. Laird Fairgrounds Sub-committee Minutes – April 14, 2026
   2. Wharf Sub-committee Minutes – May 6, 2026
   3. Laird Hall Sub-committee Minutes – May 12, 2026

   #120-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Laird Fairgrounds Sub-committee minutes of April 14, 2026, the Wharf Sub-committee minutes of May 6, 2026, and the Laird Hall Sub-committee minutes of May 12, 2026.

   Carried.

5.    Cemetery Board
   1. Cemetery Board Minutes – April 29, 2026

      #121-26

      Moved by: Matt Frolick

      Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt

      BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Cemetery Board minutes of April 29, 2026.

      Carried.

6.    Planning Board
7.    Police Detachment Board
8.    Algoma District Services Administrative Board (ADSAB)
9.    Algoma District Municipal Association (ADMA)

Unfinished Business

1. Memo: Government Road Bridge – Expansion Joint Movement & Recommended Next Steps

   Council discussed the matter and directed staff to arrange a meeting with the engineer.

2. Memo: Fuel Service Agreement

   #122-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the report titled Fuel Services Agreement dated May 21, 2026;

   AND THAT Council endorse, in principle, the draft Fuel Services Agreement as presented;

   AND THAT staff be directed to forward the draft Fuel Services Agreement to the Township of Tarbutt for their review and comment;

   AND FURTHER THAT, upon confirmation that both municipalities are satisfied with the final terms of the Fuel Services Agreement, a by-law be brought forward for Council’s consideration to approve the agreement and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute it on behalf of the Township of Laird.

   Carried.

3. Road Grant Policy

   #123-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT By‑law 2084‑26, being a by‑law to adopt the Road Association Grant Program Policy attached as Schedule A, be passed in open Council this 21st day of May, 2026;

   AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the by‑law on behalf of the Corporation of the Township of Laird.

   Carried.

New Business

Notices of Motion

Closed Session

Rise and Report

• Approval of closed meeting minutes of April 16, 2026.
• Council received an employee update regarding the Road Superintendent under Section 239(2)(b).
• Council received solicitor comments and legal advice regarding the Fire Services Agreement under Section 239(2)(f).
• Council received an update regarding a boundary matter involving Township property under Sections 239(2)(c) and (e).
• Council considered seasonal student hiring recommendations under Section 239(2)(b).
• Council received a staffing update regarding succession planning for the Seasonal Grounds Manager under Section 239(2)(b).
• Council provided direction to staff.

Consideration of and action on matters arising out of the closed meeting.

Communications and Correspondence

1. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, RE: Ontario Regulation 584/06 and O. Reg 595/06, April 22, 2026
2. Trefry Centre, RE: Funding Request, April 17, 2026

   #128-26

   Moved by: Brad Shewfelt

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council increase the 2026 budgeted amount of $3,000 to $3,040 as per the Dr. H.S. Trefry Memorial Centres request.

   Carried.

3. Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth, RE: Tourism Campaign – Northern Ontario, April 9, 2026
4. Plummer Additional, RE: Request for Support for Meeting with MP Bill Rosenberg Regarding Highway 17 Closure and Municipal Road Impacts.

   #129-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   WHEREAS the closure of Highway 17 on May 13, 2026, diverted significant traffic, including heavy commercial vehicles, onto local municipal roads during half‑load season, causing damage and safety concerns; and

   WHEREAS the Township of Plummer Additional is seeking regional support for a joint meeting with MP Bill Rosenberg to address impacts from the closure and to develop a coordinated plan for future highway emergencies;

   NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Laird supports participating in a joint meeting request with MP Bill Rosenberg; and

   THAT the Township supports developing a regional traffic management approach, including identifying suitable alternate routes, restricting heavy trucks on vulnerable municipal roads, improving enforcement during half‑load season, and strengthening communication during emergency closures; and

   THAT the Mayor and Acting Road Superintendent be appointed as the Township’s representatives for the meeting; and

   FURTHER THAT staff notify the Township of Plummer Additional of Council’s support.

5. Central Algoma Land Trust, RE: Sponsorship for the Central Algoma Land Trust 2026, April 13, 2026

Mayor and Council Comments

1. FONOM Conference May 11 to 13, 2026 – Verbal Report from Councillor Shewfelt and Councillor Rydall

By-laws

1.    2085-26 Final Tax Rates By-law

   # 130-26

   Moved by: Matt Frolick

   Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2085-26 Final Tax Rates 2026, authorizing the tax bills be issued.

   Carried.

2.    2086-26 Conformity By-law

   # 131-26

   Moved by: Todd Rydall

   Seconded by: Matt Frolick

   BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2086-26, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on May 21, 2026.

   Carried.

Adjournment