This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on Monday September 8, 2025. This note only deals with issues that are of particular interest to residents of Howe Island.
Staff Reports
Administration Report No. AD-016-25, Review of Procedure By-law 02-2019
A report prepared by CAO Vanessa Latimer was received by Council. The purpose of the report is to provide Council with proposed updates to the Township’s current Procedure By-law. The existing By-law, adopted in 2019, governs, among other things, the calling, place and proceedings for Township Council meetings.
The report was received by Council. It was the opinion of Council that review and discussion of the proposed changes is needed before any amendments to the existing By-law are adopted. Members of Council agreed to review the report and submit their comments for discussion at a subsequent meeting.
The full report can be accessed via a link found in Section 5.1 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on Monday September 8, 2025. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.
Administration Report No. Ad-017-25 Records Management Policy & Retention By-law:
A proposed By-law drafted by Township staff was received by Council. Council members will review the draft and defer further discussion to a subsequent Council meeting.
The full report can be accessed via a link found in Section 5.2 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on Monday September 8, 2025. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.
Administration Report No. Ad-09-25, FMSC Shareholder Agreement:
Council authorized the Mayor and the CAO/Clerk to sign a Shareholder Agreement with the Frontenac Municipal Services Corporation (FMSC) on behalf of the Township. The function of the FMSC was discussed in our last briefing note that dealt with the regular meeting of Council held in July 2014.
Full content of the Shareholder Agreement can be accessed in Section 5.4 of the regular meeting of council held on Monday September 8, 2025. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.
Finance Report No FN-009-25 Tax Sale Results July 24, 2025:
Council received the report prepared by Township treasurer Jesse Collins.
The report was prepared to update Council on the results of property tax arrears certificates issued on two Township properties.
The owners of both properties chose to pay the tax arrears and the Township did not proceed with sale of either property. The Township recovered $131,230 of unpaid property taxes in the process.
Finance Report FN-010-25, Year-to-Date Financial Reports Q2 2025:
Council received the report, prepared by Treasurer Jesse Collins to update Council on the Township’s financial performance for the six months ended June 30, 2025. Highlights include:
- Overall, the Township as a whole enjoys a surplus at June 30, 2025 of $ 538,286. This surplus will be reduced as Q3 capital spending on road work is completed but the Township is spending within budget and is in a strong financial position heading into Q3.
- Howe Island – Both revenue and expense performance is generally within budget. Overall, Howe Island departments are in good financial shape with a year-to-date surplus of $204,089 at June 30, 2025.
The full report can be accessed via a link contained in Section 5.6 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on Monday September 8, 2025. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.
Public Works Report No. PW-003-25, Public Blue Box Regulation O. Reg 391/21:
The report, prepared by Mike Quinn and Keith Greenwood, was received by Council for information. It provides Council with advance notice of major changes coming to municipal recycling/blue box programs that will take effect January 1, 2026.
What effect will the new provincial recycling regime have on Howe Island residents?
- Between now and December 31, 2025 Howe Island residents will continue to deliver recycling material to the recycling depot at 50 Baseline Road just as we always have.
- As of January 1, 2026 recycling material will be picked up at the same curbside location as your garbage. A company called Circular Materials will be performing the pickup. There will be no cost to residents for the service. Our understanding is Circular Materials will be operating under contract with the government of Ontario and all costs associated with the curbside collection will be assumed by Circular Materials.
The Township will beconducting a public education and information campaign will begin shortly so Howe Island residents will understand how the new system will work long before January 1, 2026.
- As of January 1, 2026 the existing Howe Island recycling depot will be closed.
- Items such as steel and electronics will continue to be administered by the Township. Details around the process for these items will be clearly established and communicated to residents well in advance of 2026.
The full report can be accessed via a link contained in Section 5.9 of the Agenda for the regular meeting of Council held on September 8, 2025. The Agenda can be found on the Township website.
Public Works Report No. PW-004-25 Howe Island Roadwork Update:
The report prepared by Mike Quinn, Public Works Lead, was received for information. The road work approved for 2025 was completed in August by Miller Paving Inc. Final costs were still being calculated but Mike reports that all indications are that the project came in on budget.
Action Required Items
Volunteer of the Year Award:
Deputy Mayor Bill Saunders made a motion that the Township establish an annual award for Volunteer of the Year. The motion also suggested that an amount be included in the annual Township budget to provide recipients with “a tangible form of appreciation”.
The motion carried and Staff was directed to establish a Volunteer of the Year Recognition Program. We will provide further details as they become available.
END of COUNCIL BUSINESS
END OF BRIEFING NOTE