The Corporation of the Township of Laird
Regular Council Meeting Minutes – December 18, 2025
REGULAR AGENDA – AGENDA 50 CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAIRD December 18, 2025, at 6:00 pm Laird Township Council Chambers
Present: Mayor:
Shawn Evoy Councillors:
Todd Rydall, Brad Shewfelt, Wayne Junor, Matt Frolick Staff:
Jennifer Errington, Ed Lapish, Rhonda Crozier
Special Public Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m., to consider rezoning Plan H761, Lot 6 RP 1R9408 Parts 3&4. No objections or support of the rezoning were received. The special Public Meeting closed at 6:05 p.m.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Evoy called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
N/A
3. Agenda Approval
#268-25 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby approves the December 18, 2025, agenda as presented. Carried.
4. Delegations and Presentations
5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
- a. Council Regular Meeting – November 20, 2025
- b. Recreation Committee Meeting – November 25, 2025 – No Quorum #269-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves minutes of the Regular Council meeting of November 20, 2025.
Carried.
6. Adoption of Accounts
- a. General accounts to November 30, 2025 #270-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the general accounts to November 30, 2025, in the amount of $7,513.71.
Carried.
- b. Roads accounts to November 30, 2025 #271-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the roads account to November 30, 2025, in the amount of $37,734.13.
Carried.
7. Staff and Committee Reports
- a. Road Superintendent (Roads, Waste Disposal & Recycling, and Maintenance)
- i. Road Superintendent Report – Verbal Report #272-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Road Superintendent Report dated December 18, 2025, as presented.
Carried.
- ii. Council Q&A
b. Clerk Administrator, Deputy Treasurer
- i. Clerk’s Report – Verbal Report #273-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Clerk’s Report dated December 18, 2025, be received as presented;
AND THAT Council direct the Clerk to proceed with Marsh as the Township’s insurance provider for 2026, provided Marsh is the lowest-cost option once all outstanding questionnaires have been reviewed and final pricing, including cyber security coverage, has been received;
AND THAT Council approve the discontinuation of the acceptance of noneligible (commercial/ICI) Blue Box materials at the Township of Laird recycling depot, effective December 31, 2025, following the end of the transition period;
AND THAT staff be directed to draft a formal by-law to designate the recycling depot as residential-use only for Council’s approval;
AND FURTHER THAT Council authorize the Township Clerk to execute and sign the Depot Agreement with Circular Materials, including any required amendments or related documents, on behalf of the Township of Laird. Carried.
- ii. Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log
- iii. Concern/Information Log – Updates #274-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the December 18, 2025, Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log and the Concern/Information Log as presented.
Carried.
- iv. Council Q&A
c. Treasurer’s Report
- i. Report: 2025 Reserve Capital Fund – December 4, 2025 #275-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council the report from the Treasurer regarding the 2025 Reserve Capital Fund figures to December 4, 2025 be received.
Carried.
- ii. Report: Reserve Request – Verbal Report #276-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report from the Treasurer-Deputy Clerk be received;
AND THAT Council approves the transfer of unspent 2025 Capital Budget amounts to Reserves as outlined in this report. Carried.
- d. Recreation Committee & Recreation Sub-Committees
e. Cemetery Board
- i. Cemetery Board Minutes – December 1, 2025 #277-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Cemetery Board minutes dated December 1, 2025.
Carried.
f. Planning Board
- i. Report: Desbarats to Echo Bay Planning Board – Official Plan Progress and Planning Board Operations #278-25 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report from the planning Board Secretary- Treasurer regarding the Official Plan process and Planning Board operations be received.
Carried.
- ii. Planning Board Update for Laird – For 2025, Laird had one new lot created and three lot additions.
- g. Police Detachment Board
- h. Algoma District Services Administrative Board
- i. Algoma District Municipal Association (ADMA)
8. Unfinished Business
- a. Report: DRAFT Fire Protection Cost-Sharing Agreement – January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 #279-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the report titled Draft Fire Protection Cost-Sharing Agreement – January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 dated December 18, 2025, and direct staff to engage the Township’s solicitor to prepare a reciprocal indemnification clause for inclusion in the 2026 Fire Protection Cost- Sharing Agreement, and to return the drafted clause to Council for review.
Carried.
- b. DRAFT Pumper Truck Capital Agreement #280-25 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves entering into a Pumper Truck Capital Agreement with Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional Township and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the agreement.
Carried.
- c. DRAFT Culvert By-law #281-25 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Draft Culvert By-law to repeal By- law 1017-19 and directs the Clerk to prepare new Culvert By-law with modification to include 911 sign request and replacement costs and revise 4.2 to read “up to two loads”.
Carried.
- d. Waste Disposal Site Holiday Hours (phone poll) #282-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council amend the hours of the Waste Disposal Site on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, to operate from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, to operate from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; AND THAT these adjusted hours have been approved by the Ministry of the Environment in accordance with the Environmental Compliance Approval.
Carried.
- e. Report: Waste Disposal Site – Feral Cats – Next Steps #283-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the report titled Waste Disposal Site – Feral Cats – Next Steps dated December 18, 2025, and direct staff to proceed with the approach outlined in this report for the humane and responsible management of the feral cat population at the Waste Disposal Site.
Carried.
9. New Business
- a. Preliminary 2026 Budget #284-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Preliminary 2026 Budget, and adopts the Preliminary 2026 Budget to have a budget in place for the start of the fiscal year. Council will review and revise the Budget and will adopt a Final Budget with the 2026 tax rates in March of each year.
Carried.
- b. Zoning Amendment 02-25: Plan H761 PT Lot 6 RP 1R9408 Part 3 & 4 (Back Lot to 57 Finns’ Bay Road North), Laird Township #285-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Township of Laird hereby approve Zoning Amendment 02-25, being an amendment to the Township of Laird Zoning By-law, affecting Plan H761-25, Part of Lot 6, Registered Plan 1R9408, Parts 3 & 4 (back lot to 57 Finns’ Bay Road North, as described in the staff report;
AND THAT the amending zoning by-law 2064-25 be passed and enacted accordingly. Carried.
- c. Fuel Supply Partnership Proposal – Township of Tarbutt #286-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council acknowledge receipt of the letter dated November 24, 2025, from the Township of Tarbutt requesting consideration of an
agreement that would permit the Tarbutt Roads Department to access the Township of Laird’s fuel tanks; AND THAT Council direct the Clerk and Road Superintendent to review the proposal, including operational, financial, legal, and insurance implications, and to report back to Council with options and a recommended course of action; AND THAT staff be further directed to consult with the Township of Tarbutt regarding potential terms, cost-sharing arrangements, and responsibilities related to fuel supply, maintenance, and inspection of tanks and pumps.
AND THAT in the short-term Laird agrees to assist Tarbutt Township the interim. Carried.
- d. Algoma Fish & Game Club, 2026 Children’s Perch Derby March 8, 2026, request donation – previous years $300.00.
#287-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports the Algoma Fish & Game Club 2026 Children’s Perch Derby, to be held on March 8, 2026, with a donation of $300.00. Carried.
- e. 2025 Northern Municipal Council Workshop – Virtual Learning Series – January 29, 2025 BE IT RESOLVE THAT Council directs staff to enroll __________________ Councillors in the Building Effective Engagement Relationships with Indigenous Communities workshop on January 29, 2025.
Withdrawn.
- f. Proposal to Pursue Infrastructure Grants for Laird Fairgrounds/Raceway – Laird International Raceway, Leaseholder Donnie Varcoe #288-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT the correspondence dated December 10, 2025, from Mr.
Donnie Varcoe, Leaseholder of the Laird International Raceway, regarding proposed infrastructure grant opportunities for the Laird Fairgrounds and Raceway, be received and placed on the Council agenda for discussion;
AND FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to review the grant programs identified in the correspondence and report back on potential eligibility, application requirements, and next steps;
AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to reach out to Mr. Varcoe and request a wish list of potential projects. Carried.
- g. Support for Membership with the Huron North Community Economic Alliance (HNCEA) – Laird International Raceway, Leaseholder Donnie Varcoe #289-25 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT the correspondence from Mr. Donnie Varcoe, dated December 10, 2025, regarding support for Laird Township pursuing membership with the Huron North Community Economic Alliance (HNCEA), be received;
AND FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to advise Mr. Varcoe that Council has reviewed membership in HNCEA and has seen no benefit for Laird Township and so will not be entertaining membership at this time. Carried.
- h. Planning: Application for Consent – L2025-12 #290-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED that Council approves consent application L2025-12 severance/lot creation.
Carried.
- i. DRAFT Shared Services Agreement with Tarbutt #291-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick WHEREAS the Township of Laird and the Township of Tarbutt have developed a draft Shared Services Agreement to provide a framework for mutual assistance, including personnel, equipment, and services for municipal operations and emergency response;
AND WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, authorizes municipalities to enter into agreements for the joint provision of services for their mutual benefit;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Corporation of the Township of Laird hereby receives the draft Shared Services Agreement between the Township of Laird and the Township of Tarbutt;
AND THAT Council directs the Clerk to prepare the necessary by-law to adopt and authorize execution of the Shared Services Agreement, to be brought forward to Council for consideration at a future meeting. Carried
10. Notices of Motion
- a. Notice of Motion – Councillor Shewfelt
11. Closed Session
#292-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council proceed into closed session at 7:57 p.m. in accordance with Section 239 (2) (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. Carried.
- a. Approval of closed meeting minutes of November 20, 2025.
- b. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
- c. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees
#293-25 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council come out of closed meeting session at 8:25 p.m. and continue with the Regular Council Meeting. Carried.
Consideration of and action on matters arising out of the closed meeting.
#294-25 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hire Kayden Lapish for the Rink Caretaker for the 2025/2026 season as per the recommendation of the G.W. Evoy Rink Subcommittee. Carried.
12. Communications and Correspondence
- a. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, RE: Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 (Bill 17), November 25, 2025.
- b. Support Resolution: Perry Sound, RE: Support Alcohol Container Return System, December 2, 2025
- c. Support Resolution: City of Cambridge, RE: Rent Protection for Tenants, City of Cambridge, November 24, 2025
- d. Support Resolution: Municipality of Shuniah, Oppose Huron-Superior RCA Boundary, November 25, 2025
- e. Support Resolution: Tarbutt Township, RE: 2026 Election conflict with Provincial Emergency Exercise, December 10, 2025
#295-25 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT correspondence items a through e. be received; and THAT the Council of the Township of Laird support the resolution of Perry Sound dated December 2, 2025, regarding support for alcohol container return, support the resolution of the Municipality of Shuniah dated November 25, 2025, regarding Oppose Huron-Superior RCA Boundary, and support the resolution of Tarbutt Township dated December 10, 2025, regarding 2026 Election conflict with Provincial Emergency Exercise. Carried.
13. Mayor and Council Comments
14. By-laws
- a. 2065-25 Conformity By-law #296-25 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2065-25, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on December 18, 2025.
Carried.
15. Adjournment
#297-25 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council shall now adjourn to meet again on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. or until the call of the chair. Carried.
Mayor – ___________________________ Shawn Evoy
Clerk – ___________________________ Jennifer Errington