Regular Meeting of Council

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council ofthe Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby approve of the suspension of section 8.6 of By-Law 77-2023, being the section describing the deadline for agenda inclusion.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby approve of the open session agenda dated February 11th, 2025, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: this staff report, presenting the updated Uncommitted Reserve Capacity (URC) calculations for the water treatment and wastewater treatment plants as of December 31, 2024, be received for information and further, that the report be provided to the Hastings County Planning Department to assist in the review of planning applications within the Town of Bancroft.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby approve of the minutes of the meeting of Council held on January 14th, 2025, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does herby approve of the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on January 28th, 2025, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft adopt the By-Law to Govern the Management and Operations of the Bancroft Business Improvement Area, with any noted changes, at the February 11th, 2025, meeting of Council.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby receive and file the report regarding the Fees and Services By-Law, for information purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby adopt a By-Law to Establish Service Fees and Charges for the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby approve of the Minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held on February 4th, 2025, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby receive the Minutes of the Committee of Adjustment meeting held on January 15th, 2025, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby receive the Minutes of the North Hastings Public Library meeting held on November 19th, 2024, as presented.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby direct that the Algonquin Arts Council's monetary request be considered in the 2025 budget deliberations.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby endorse the appointment of Melissa St. Pierre, Executive Director of Maggie's Resource Centre to be a member of the Bancroft OPP Detachment Board.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby permit the closure of municipal road, Station Street, between Chemaushgon Road and Hastings Street North, for approximately 15 minutes, commencing at approximately 10:10 am and concluding at approximately 10:25 am, as part of Maggie’s Resource Centre’s “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event on Tuesday May 27th, 2025, to allow walkers to traverse safely on Station Street; AND FURTHER THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft stipulates that Maggie’s Resource Centre arranges a planned police presence to be available to ensure the safety of the participants and smooth closure of the designated section of Station Street.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby declare May to be Community Living Month; AND FURTHER THAT: the Community Living Flag be displayed on Town of Bancroft's flag poles.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby allow Baseball For Dad to hang green Mental Health Awareness ribbons throughout the community for the month of May 2025.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby receive the news article titled " Association of Municipalities of Ontario urges provincial action and partnership to improve Ontarians’ quality of life" dated January 21st, 2025, for information purposes.

WHEREAS current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life AND WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year AND WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflatio n AND WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure AND WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health and social challenges – like homelessness, supporting asylum seekers and addressing the mental health and addictions crises AND WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity AND WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need AND WHEREAS the province can, and should, invest more in the prosperity of communities AND WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Province of Ontario commit to undertaking with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario a comprehensive social and economic prosperity review to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finance

WHEREAS Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario is promoting National Epilepsy Awareness Day; AND WHEREAS Epilepsy South Eastern Ontario is a registered charity, providing support services to people with epilepsy and their families, and community education services to reduce the stigma associated with the disorder; AND WHEREAS Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with no cure, which is frequently seriously disabling and affects the quality of life for over 4,500 individuals and their families in our community and surrounding rural areas; AND WHEREAS National Epilepsy Awareness Day has become known as “Purple Day”. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 to be recognized as “National Epilepsy Awareness Day” in the Town of Bancroft; AND FURTHER THAT the Town of Bancroft Council encourages our citizens to make an effort to wear purple on this day to show our support.

WHEREAS March is Amyloidosis Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, and supporting those living with amyloidosis and their loved ones; and AND WHEREAS, Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein, known as amyloid, builds up in the tissues and organs of the body. Left untreated, the disease can result in organ failure and can be fatal; and AND WHEREAS, Amyloidosis can mimic the signs and symptoms of more common medical conditions and the disease can be challenging to diagnose; and AND WHEREAS, Amyloidosis often affects people who are older or middle aged; however, younger people have been diagnosed with this disease; and AND WHEREAS, Some of the signs and symptoms of amyloidosis can include shortness of breath, weight loss, fatigue, swelling in the ankles and legs, numbness in the hands and feet, foamy urine, carpal tunnel syndrome, bruising around the eyes, and an enlarged tongue; and AND WHEREAS, Early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes for both patients and their families; and AND WHEREAS, Raising awareness about all the amyloidosis diseases, including hereditary and non-hereditary forms of the disease, can contribute to the building of healthier communities across Canada NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby declare March 2025 to be Amyloidosis Awareness Month.

WHEREAS United States President Donald Trump, issued executive orders to impose tariffs on imports from Canada effective February 4, 2025; and WHEREAS these tariffs will have a significant detrimental impact on the economic stability in both countries; and WHEREAS federal and provincial leaders are encouraging Canadians to buy Canadian; and WHEREAS municipalities have significant purchasing power through capital and infrastructure programs; and WHEREAS according to data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario municipalities are expected to spend $250 to $290 billion on infrastructure in the next 10 years; and WHEREAS municipalities have traditionally been prevented by trade agreements and legislation from giving preference to the purchase of Canadian products and services; and WHEREAS municipalities can assist in the effort to combat tariffs and support businesses in the procurement for capital and infrastructure programs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft endorse the federal and provincial call to action to buy Canadian where and when possible; and THAT the federal and provincial governments work with municipalities on measures to protect Canadian consumers and businesses; and THAT council call on the federal and provincial government to remove any impediments to munic ipalities preferring to engage Canadian companies for capital projects and supplies when appropria

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the items listed under the Consent Agenda, items 14 (B) to 14 (G), be received by the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft, for information.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT a thank you letter be sent to the fundraising committee regarding their efforts.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following by-laws be introduced and read a first, second and third time and be finally passed and that the Mayor and Clerk do sign and seal the same, any rule of this Council to the contrary notwithstanding: By-Law No. 06-2025: Being a By-Law to Authorize the Execution of a Collective Agreement between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and its Local 1306.6 and the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft. By-Law No. 07-2025: Being a by-law to establish service fees and charges for the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft. By-Law No. 08-2025: Being a By-Law Respecting Building Permit Classes, Applications, Fees and Notices Required for Inspection. By-Law No. 09-2025: Being a By-Law to Authorize the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft to Enter into a Lease Agreement with Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin First Nation for the premises located at 26596 Hwy 62 South. By-Law No. 10-2025: being a By-Law to Authorize the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft to enter into an Agreement with The Switch Yard Youth Centre (Bancroft) Inc. By-Law No. 11-2025: Being a By-Law to Govern the Management and Operation of the Bancroft Business Improvement Area. By-Law No. 12-2025: Being a By-Law to enter into an Agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Bancroft does hereby move into closed session pursuant to the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, Section 239 (2) (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; (d) labour relations or employee negotiations; (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

BE IT RESOLVED THAT a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on February 11th, 2025 be hereby given a first, second and third reading, and be finally passed, signed, sealed and numbered By-Law 13-2025.

RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council hereby close at 5:48 PM.