Council Meeting

Council move into Closed Session at 6:15 pm to discuss matters under the Municipal Act, Section 239(2)(a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board and (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

the Closed Session adjourn at 6:42 pm and reconvene in open session at 7:00 pm.

the April 8, 2025 Council Meeting Agenda be approved as presented.

the minutes of the March 18, 2025 Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

Correspondence Item 10.1 be received.

Correspondence Item 10.3 be received.

Correspondence Item 10.4 be received.

Report DCS 11-2025 regarding the “Level 3 EV Charger Purchase” be received; and THAT staff be authorized to purchase two Level 3 EV Chargers from Services Flo Inc. for a purchase price of $144,478.64 net of refundable HST; and THAT the unfunded portion of the project in the amount of $295.17 be funded from the Equipment Reserve Fund; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the associated agreement.

Report DCS 12-2025 regarding the “Optimist Club of Ausable Port Franks Mural Proposal” be received; and THAT the Optimist Club of Ausable Port Franks be authorized to install an outdoor mural on the pavilion at the Port Franks Community Centre; and THAT staff be authorized to sign the associated Maintenance Agreement.

Report TR 15-2025 regarding Internal Borrowing for Municipal Contribution to Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) Project be received; and THAT the use of $74,868 from the Working Funds Reserve to finance the municipal contribution to the RTSF project be approved; and THAT the funds would be borrowed for a term of up to five years, with annual interest applied at a rate equal to the interest earned on the Municipality’s general investment portfolio. Annual repayments would be made from the HSAT operating budget, with the option of early repayment if sufficient revenue is generated.

Report TR 14-2025 Rural Transit Solutions Fund Grant Funding Application be received; and THAT a project to install 28 concrete pads of appropriate size to support bus stop amenities, 18 new transit shelters (11 new and 8 used) with integrated benches, advertising display units, and solar-lighting units, 7 stand-alone benches with advertising space, and 21 bike racks with advertising space be approved; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Contribution Agreement for the Rural Transit Solutions Fund; and THAT staff be directed to proceed with project implementation in accordance with the funding agreement.

Report TR 16-2025 regarding the Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) system be received; and THAT the updated resolution identifying Lambton Shores as the lead municipality for the HSAT project team be approved; and THAT the updated resolution confirm the participation of the following partners: South Huron, Bluewater, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation and Plympton-Wyoming; and THAT the resolution be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation as part of the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF) and Ontario Gas Tax (OGT) funding applications.

T HAT Report TR 13-2025 regarding the 2024 Annual Investment Report be received for information; and T HAT staff review the municipality’s mix of short-term and long-term investments to optimize returns while maintaining the necessary liquidity for operational requirements.

Report CL 08-2025 providing Council with information on the Block Assessment for the Todd Drain Improvements be received; and THAT GEI Consultants Canada Limited (formerly GM Blueplan), appointed to the Todd Drain under section 78 of the Drainage Act, be directed to conduct a block assessment of the urban settlement area known as Woodside Estates, as permitted by s.25 of the Drainage Act.

Report CL 09-2025 regarding the 2026 Municipal Election Voting Method be received; and THAT internet voting be used as an alternative voting method for the 2026 municipal election; and THAT staff be authorized to participate in a joint request for proposals for an internet voting service provider with other local municipalities in Lambton County for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections.

Report CL 10-2025 regarding the Improvement for the Ravenswood Drain be received; and THAT staff be directed to proceed with notification to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and THAT R.Dobbin Engineering be appointed to complete the required engineer’s report; and THAT emergency work under the Drainage Act be authorized before obtaining and adopting the engineer’s report.

Report CAO 03-2025, entitled “Community Improvement Plan Application - Aux Sables Inn” be received; and THAT a $5,000.00 Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Grant be approved for Aux Sables Inn under the Community Improvement Plan; and THAT the Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary agreements.

By-Law 23-2025 be read a first, second and third time, passed and signed by the Mayor and Clerk.

the April 8, 2025 Council Meeting adjourn at 7:35 pm.