Council Meeting

Council moves into a Closed Session at 6:22 pm to discuss matters under the Municipal Act, Section 239(2)(e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board and (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

the April 14, 2026 Closed Council Meeting adjourn at 6:50 pm and Regular Council reconvene at 7:00 pm.

staff be directed to join the County Group being represented by Lerners related to the assessment exemption requested by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation.

the April 14, 2026 Council Meeting Agenda be approved as presented.

the minutes of the March 17, 2026 Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

staff prepare a report about dockage allocation at the Port Franks Marina.

free parking be provided for those with a valid Veterans license plate for the 2026 paid parking season; and THAT staff prepare a report at the end of the season regarding the impact of this free parking benefit to assess whether it should continue beyond 2027.

Report FES 04 -2026 regarding the tender award for the Fire Apparatus Tender be received; and THAT the tender from Dependable Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $1,084,101.00 Net of refundable HST for the 2026 Fire Apparatus be accepted; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the associated contract agreement.

Report FES 05-2026 regarding the “Mini Engine Tender" be received; and THAT the single source quote from Dependable Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $664,527.00 excluding HST ($676,222.68 net of refundable HST), for the supply and build of the Mini Engine be accepted; and THAT the 2026 Capital Budget be amended to increase the budgeted cost of the Mini Engine project by $26,222.68, for a total cost of $676,222.68, and that the additional funds required be funded from the Vehicle and Equipment Reserve Fund, with a net levy impact of $0; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the associated contract agreement.

Report DCS 15-2026 regarding the “Bosanquet Central School Fee Waiver Request” be received; and THAT the fee waiver request received from Bosanquet Central School for a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in the amount of $695.00 be approved.

Report DCS 16-2026 regarding the “Lambton Area Film and Food Festival Road Closure Request” be received; and THAT the Lambton Area Film and Food Festival Committee be granted permission for a temporary road closure of King Street West from Main Street to James Street North from May 28 to May 31, 2026; and THAT the Kiwanis Club of Forest be permitted to host an outdoor licensed patio on municipal property for the event; and THAT a minimum of two licensed security be required for the street dance event; and THAT the Kiwanis Club of Forest be permitted to host alcohol licensed events on the closed portion of King Street West on May 29 and May 30 as part of the Festival.

Report DCS 17-2026 regarding the “Forest Curling and Social Club Agreement” be received; and THAT the existing agreement between the Municipality and the Forest Curling and Social Club, expiring in 2030, be cancelled; and THAT the new agreement between the Municipality and the Forest Curling and Social Club, expiring in 2046 for the exclusive use of the Forest Curling Club be approved; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the associated agreement.

Report DPW 11-2026 regarding the “Ontario Street Grand Bend Bridge Project Update” be received.

Report DPW 12-2026 regarding the Engineering Services for the Arkona Sewage Plant Filter Project be received; and THAT the proposal from HB Consulting Engineers in the amount of $88,860.00 excluding HST, ($90,423.94 Net of refundable HST), for the Arkona Sewage Treatment Plant project be accepted; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the associated contract agreement.

Report TR 10-2026 regarding the Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for 2025 be received.

the Report TR 14-2026 regarding the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG) 2025-26 be received; and THAT staff be authorized to proceed with the procurement and implementation of the FirstDue Software in accordance with the CEPG guidelines; and THAT the 2026 budget be amended to include $50,880 in software expense, $50,000 in provincial grant revenue and $880 in reserve revenue for the transfer of funds from the Working Capital Reserve.

Report TR 15-2026 2025-26 Dedicated Gas Tax Funding Agreement dated April 14, 2026 be received; and THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the 2025-26 Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program Letter of Agreement with the Ministry of Transportation; and THAT staff be directed to comply with the program requirements, including reporting and financial accountability provisions, to ensure receipt of funding.

Report TR 16-2026 - Forest Parkette – Stage Construction Grant Application be received: and THAT staff be authorized to submit a grant application to the Judith & Norman Alix Foundation for funding support toward the construction of a stage structure in the Forest Parkette.

Report TR 17-2026 - Cemetery Trust Fund – Scotiatrust Resignation and Appointment of Lambton Shores as Trustee be received; and THAT the Municipality act as Trustee for the Pinery Cemetery Care and Maintenance Fund; and THAT staff be authorized to work with the Pinery Cemetery Board to complete the required application to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario for the transfer of the Care and Maintenance Fund; and THAT the Director of Financial Services be authorized to execute any required agreements and documentation to facilitate the transfer of funds from Scotiatrust to the Municipality.

Report 18-2025 regarding the Draft Year End Budget Variance Report, dated April 14, 2026, be received for information, and further THAT the following allocations of the 2025 surplus to the identified reserve funds be approved: $379,360 to the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund; and $50,000 to the Harbour Maintenance Reserve Fund The balance to the Land Improvements Reserve Fund.

Report TR 19-2026, Metrolinx Joint Transit Procurement Program and Agreement 2019-2024 be received; and THAT the Municipality of Lambton Shores and its transit system Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) be authorized to participate in the multi-year Governance Agreement (GA) 2019-2024 for joint transit procurements facilitated by Metrolinx; and THAT the Director of Finance designate a representative to the Transit Procurement Steering Committee under the program; and THAT staff be directed to complete the necessary application, reporting forms and subsequent agreements as required under the Metrolinx procurement program; and THAT By-Law 22-2026 be approved.

CL Report 07-2026 regarding the purchase of the Citywide Planning Module be received; and THAT the use of the Municipal Modernization Reserve Fund for purchase of the software be approved; and THAT the 2026 Budget be amended to add a $22,700 software expense and $22,700 of Reserve Revenue, for a net levy impact of $0.

CL Report 08-2026 regarding the amendment of Policy CP-CL-POL-006 Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes be received; and THAT the amendment to Policy CP-CL-POL-006 Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes be approved.

By-Laws 19-2026 through 23-2026 be read a first, second and third time, passed and signed by the Mayor and Clerk.

the April 14, 2026 Council Meeting adjourn at 7:58 pm.