The Corporation of The Nation Municipality

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
2024-21
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Town Hall, 958 Route 500 West, Casselman
Presence of Council Members
  • Francis Brière, Mayor, 
  • Tim Stewart, Councillor ward 1, 
  • Alain Mainville, Councillor ward 2, 
  • Danik Forgues, Councillor ward 3, 
  • Raymond Lalande, Councillor ward 4, 
  • Daniel Boisvenue, Councillor ward 5, 
  • and Marjorie Drolet, Councillor ward 6 
Presence of Municipal Staff
  • Pierre Leroux, CAO, 
  • Julie Langlois-Caisse, Administrative Assistant, 
  • Aimée Roy, Clerk, 
  • Amélie Deschamps, Communications and Marketing Coordinator , 
  • Guylain Laflèche, Director of Planning, 
  • Justin Lafrance, Interim Director of Recreation, 
  • Marc Legault, Director of public works , 
  • Mario Villeneuve, Fire Chief, 
  • Nadia Knebel, Treasurer, 
  • Nicholas Pigeon, Director of Water and Sewer, 
  • and Guy Prévost, Manager of By-law enforcement 

Chair: Francis Brière, Mayor

Prepared by: Julie Langlois-Caisse, Administrative Assistant

Revised by: Aimée Roy, Clerk

Video: The recording of the meeting is available for viewing on The Nation’s YouTube channel.


  • Resolution:340-2024
    Moved by:Danik Forgues
    Seconded by:Marjorie Drolet

    Be it resolved that the present meeting be opened at 4:31 p.m. 

    Carried

Addition: 

Item 13.1 - Proposed motion requesting that the United Counties of Prescott and Russell review the current levy appointment method. 

  • Resolution:341-2024
    Moved by:Alain Mainville
    Seconded by:Raymond Lalande

    Be it resolved that the agenda be accepted, including the modifications made forthwith, as applicable.

    Carried

All items listed under the Consent Items will be enacted by one motion. A majority vote is required for the adoption of consent items. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time Council votes on the motion that a consent item is to be separated from the motion. The separated item(s) shall be considered immediately thereafter. 

  • Resolution:342-2024
    Moved by:Tim Stewart
    Seconded by:Marjorie Drolet

    Be it resolved that all items listed under 7. Consent Items be received and approved as presented, except for items 7.1 and 7.4. 

    Carried

Item addressed separately: 


Proposed resolution: 


Whereas The Nation Municipality's Council supports the Township of Stirling-Rawdon’s resolution regarding Public Sector Salary Disclosure;


Be it therefore resolved that Council of The Nation Municipality requests that the province update the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act to reflect the inflation rates since 1996; and,


Be it further resolved that Council of The Nation Municipality requests that the Act be further updated so that the inflation rate is applied each year to the requirement to report public salaries; and,


Be it also resolved that this resolution be sent to the Province of Ontario Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

  • Motion to amend the proposed resolution: 

    Resolution:343-2024
    Moved by:Marjorie Drolet
    Seconded by:Daniel Boisvenue

    Be it resolved that Council approves amending the proposed resolution as follows: 

    Changing "Whereas The Nation Municipality's Council supports the Township of Stirling-Rawdon’s resolution regarding Public Sector Salary Disclosure" for "Whereas The Nation Municipality's Council understands the Township of Stirling-Rawdon’s resolution regarding Public Sector Salary Disclosure".

    Carried
  • Amended resolution: 

    Resolution:344-2024
    Moved by:Danik Forgues
    Seconded by:Marjorie Drolet

    Whereas The Nation Municipality's Council understands the Township of Stirling-Rawdon’s resolution regarding Public Sector Salary Disclosure;

    Be it therefore resolved that Council of The Nation Municipality requests that the province update the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act to reflect the inflation rates since 1996; and,

    Be it further resolved that Council of The Nation Municipality requests that the Act be further updated so that the inflation rate is applied each year to the requirement to report public salaries; and,

    Be it also resolved that this resolution be sent to the Province of Ontario Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

    Carried

Proposed resolution: 


Whereas on October 21, 2024, Council passed resolution #328-2024 adopting the 2025 regular Council meeting dates as recommended in report CL-17-2024. 


Whereas, in accordance with the Council procedural By-law #91-2024, regular Council meeting dates shall be held on the second and fourth Monday of the month. 


Therefore be it resolved that Council approve that the adopted 2025 regular council meeting schedule be amended so that the regular Council meeting dates for the month of April 2025 be held on April 14 and April 28, 2025. 

Motion to approve accounts payable from October 1st, 2024 to October 31, 2024, voucher 24, for the total amount of $2,019,916.35.

Item addressed separately. 

Item deferred. 

  • Adjournment for public zoning meeting: 

    Resolution:345-2024
    Moved by:Alain Mainville
    Seconded by:Tim Stewart

    Be it resolved that the Council meeting be adjourned at 4:55 p.m. for a public meeting for zoning. 

    Carried
  • Re-opening after public zoning meeting: 

    Resolution:348-2024
    Moved by:Danik Forgues
    Seconded by:Tim Stewart

    Be it resolved that the regular Council meeting be reconvened at 5:03 p.m. 

    Carried
  • Resolution:349-2024
    Moved by:Danik Forgues
    Seconded by:Alain Mainville

    Be it resolved that Council receives report F-20-2024 and acknowledge receipt of the first draft of the 2025 budget, and that further budget discussions will be held on November 6 and 7, 2024.

    Carried
  • Resolution:350-2024
    Moved by:Tim Stewart
    Seconded by:Raymond Lalande

    Be it resolved that Council approves giving a total donation of $900.00 to Valoris, $200.00 to be taken from the UCPR donation account, $100.00 to be taken from the ward 1 donation account and $600.00 to be taken from the ward 4 donation account. 

    Carried

Item deferred from October 21st, 2024 meeting. 

  • Resolution:351-2024
    Moved by:Marjorie Drolet
    Seconded by:Raymond Lalande

    Be it resolved that Council approves giving a total donation of $1,200.00 to Embrun Family Centre, $300.00 to be taken from the UCPR donation account, $100.00 from the ward 3 donation account, $600.00 from the ward 4 donation account, $100.00 from the ward 5 donation account and $100.00 from the ward 6 donation account. 

    Carried
  • Resolution:352-2024
    Moved by:Alain Mainville
    Seconded by:Tim Stewart

    Be it resolved that By-law #129-2024 To amend zoning By-law #2-2006, Part lot 28, Concession 1, former Cambridge, as presented on October 28, 2024 agenda be adopted in first, second and third reading. 

    Carried

Proposed resolution: 


Whereas The Nation Municipality has a high proportion of farmland and other lower-taxed property classes, resulting in a levy apportionment that may not accurately reflect its revenue-generating capacity;


And whereas the current method of levy apportionment among member municipalities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell may not fully account for the diverse economic and property composition of each municipality;


And whereas there is a need to ensure that the levy apportionment method is fair, equitable, and reflective of each municipality's actual ability to contribute financially to the upper tier;


And whereas the United Counties of Prescott and Russell are currently undertaking a Service Delivery Review to assess and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided to our communities;


Therefore, be it resolved that The Council of The Nation Municipality formally requests that the Council of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell:

  1. Direct that the ongoing Service Delivery Review include a comprehensive evaluation of the current levy calculation model used to apportion the upper-tier levy among member municipalities.
  2. Explore alternative levy calculation models, such as the weighted assessment levy method, that consider the varying property class compositions and tax ratios of each municipality.
  3. Report back to all member municipalities with findings and recommendations on potential adjustments or the adoption of a new levy calculation model that promotes fairness and equity among all member municipalities.

Rationale:


The current levy apportionment method may place an undue financial burden on municipalities like The Nation Municipality, which have a higher proportion of farmland and other lower-taxed properties. This can limit our ability to provide essential services and invest in community development. By reviewing and potentially adopting an alternative levy calculation model that accounts for property class compositions and tax ratios, the United Counties can ensure a more equitable distribution of levy obligations. Incorporating this review into the existing Service Delivery Review leverages resources efficiently and promotes a holistic approach to enhancing municipal services and financial practices across the region.

  • Resolution:353-2024
    Moved by:Raymond Lalande
    Seconded by:Alain Mainville

    Be it resolved that council procedures be suspended to address this motion tonight. 

    Carried
  • Resolution:354-2024
    Moved by:Tim Stewart
    Seconded by:Danik Forgues

    Whereas The Nation Municipality has a high proportion of farmland and other lower-taxed property classes, resulting in a levy apportionment that may not accurately reflect its revenue-generating capacity;

    And whereas the current method of levy apportionment among member municipalities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell may not fully account for the diverse economic and property composition of each municipality;

    And whereas there is a need to ensure that the levy apportionment method is fair, equitable, and reflective of each municipality's actual ability to contribute financially to the upper tier;

    And whereas the United Counties of Prescott and Russell are currently undertaking a Service Delivery Review to assess and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided to our communities;

    Therefore, be it resolved that The Council of The Nation Municipality formally requests that the Council of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell:

    1. Direct that the ongoing Service Delivery Review include a comprehensive evaluation of the current levy calculation model used to apportion the upper-tier levy among member municipalities.
    2. Explore alternative levy calculation models, such as the weighted assessment levy method, that consider the varying property class compositions and tax ratios of each municipality.
    3. Report back to all member municipalities with findings and recommendations on potential adjustments or the adoption of a new levy calculation model that promotes fairness and equity among all member municipalities.
    Carried
  • Adjournment for closed session:

     

    Resolution:355-2024
    Moved by:Marjorie Drolet
    Seconded by:Daniel Boisvenue

    Be it resolved that the present meeting be adjourned at 5:39 p.m. for a closed session, in accordance with the following sections of the Municipal Act, 2001: 

    Section 239(2) A meeting or part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is,

    (d) labour relations or employee negotiations;

    Carried
  • Re-opening after closed session: 

    Resolution:356-2024
    Moved by:Raymond Lalande
    Seconded by:Daniel Boisvenue

    Be it resolved that the present meeting be re-opened at 5:45 p.m. 

    Carried

Section 239(2) A meeting or part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is,


(d) labour relations or employee negotiations;

  • Resolution:357-2024
    Moved by:Marjorie Drolet
    Seconded by:Danik Forgues

    Be it resolved that By-law no. 132-2024 to confirm the proceedings of Council at its regular meeting of October 28, 2024 be read and adopted in 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading.

    Carried

- Special Council meetings for budget deliberations, November 6 and 7, 2024

- Next regular Council meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2024

Meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.