Regular Council

FitzGerald BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the following Council meeting minutes be adopted as printed and circulated:  Regular Council - February 23, 2026  Planning Council - March 11, 2026  Special Council - March 13, 2026

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the General Committee meeting minutes dated February 25, 2026 and the recommendations contained therein be adopted as printed and circulated.

WHEREAS: Resolution No. 125-25 authorized the reconstruction and replacement of the communication tower at 40 Florence St. W at a cost no more than $500,000 to be funded from the IT Reserve; AND WHEREAS: a Request for Tender (RFT) was issued with bids received in excess of the approved amount; AND WHEREAS: on March 13, 2026, staff requested approval for an additional $250,000 to award the bid; AND WHEREAS: due to the higher amount, Council requested staff report back outlining options to a) use a co-location; and b) consult with the Muskoka Community Land Trust on potential financial commitments to help offset the cost; AND WHEREAS: approval to award the RFT ended on March 17, 2026; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: staff be authorized to request a structural audit from the owner of 48 Florence St. W to assess the feasibility and cost of co-locating the Town's operational and emergency services communication equipment on their communication tower; AND FURTHER THAT: the cost of the review of approximately $15,000 be added to the 2026 operating budget and funded from the IT Reserve.

WHEREAS: The Corporation of the Town of Huntsville requires BetterHomes Huntsville participants to enter into a binding agreement with the Corporation in order to receive financing for eligible retrofit projects; AND WHEREAS: The Corporation and its program delivery partners require access to pre- and post-project energy audit results to verify that retrofit projects have been completed in accordance with this agreement; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer or designate be authorized to sign such agreements on behalf of the Corporation, including any amending agreements as needed, to enable the Corporation to loan and recover funds with BetterHomes Huntsville participants; AND FURTHER THAT: The Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the attached Memorandum of Agreement (Appendix A) permitting National Resources Canada to share BetterHomes Huntsville participant data with the Town of Huntsville and its program delivery partners.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: By-law Numbers 2026-25 to 2026-27 (inclusive), be reported and passed this 23rd day of March 2026: 9.1. By-law 2026-25 - Building Inspection Shared Services Agreement - Repeal & Replace 2019-121 9.2. By-law 2026-26 - CPPA - Thatcher & Vuksinic - 55 Stephenson Road 7 East 9.3. By-law 2026-27 - CPPA - Sandford Investment Corp. - 5 Hanes Road

WHEREAS: chloride concentrations have increased by at least 0.5 mg/L in 80 of 274 (29%) of the lakes sampled by the District of Muskoka between 2018 and 2022, and by 15-fold in Lake Muskoka since 1970; AND WHEREAS: Queen’s University scientist, Dr. Shelley Arnott, a leader in global research on the effects of road salt on lakes, has demonstrated that in Muskoka lakes, some important aquatic organisms are negatively affected at chloride exposure levels as low as 10 mg/L, far below the 120 mg/L long term or chronic exposure guideline; AND WHEREAS: roughly ¼ of lakes sampled by the District of Muskoka now have chloride levels above 10 mg/L; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Town of Huntsville commits to ongoing efforts toward the reduction of road salt as much as possible, while maintaining safety on roads, including public reporting on annual use, supporting local efforts to research the ongoing impacts of road salt, and assisting education efforts; The Town of Huntsville urges the province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially-endorsed standard Best Management Practices for snow and ice management, including on private lands; The Town of Huntsville urges the province of Ontario to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems, drin

FitzGerald BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the following paragraph be added after the third paragraph AND FURTHER THAT: additional calming measures be considered;

WHEREAS: Council has received a request from residents in the area of Chaffey Township Road and Highview Drive for a 3 way stop; AND WHEREAS: a stop sign has been placed Northbound on Highview Drive at Highview Drive and Chaffey Township Road; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: stop signs be included in the reconstruction design of Chaffey Township Road at Highview Drive to create a 3-way stop; AND FURTHER THAT: additional calming measures be considered; AND FURTHER THAT: By-law 2025-107 be amended to include stop signs both Eastbound and Westbound on Chaffey Township Road at Highview Drive.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT : Council reconsider the motion for Report CORP-2026-27 – 40 Florence Street West – Communications Tower – Engineering Review.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: in paragraph 6, the following be struck out: “IT Reserve” and replaced with: “Working Funds”.

WHEREAS : Resolution No. 125-25 authorized the reconstruction and replacement of the communication tower at 40 Florence St. W at a cost no more than $500,000 to be funded from the IT Reserve; AND WHEREAS : a Request for Tender (RFT) was issued with bids received in excess of the approved amount; AND WHEREAS : on March 13, 2026, staff requested approval for an additional $250,000 to award the bid; AND WHEREAS : due to the higher amount, Council requested staff report back outlining options to a) use a co-location; and b) consult with the Muskoka Community Land Trust on potential financial commitments to help offset the cost; AND WHEREAS : approval to award the RFT ended on March 17, 2026; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT : staff be authorized to request a structural audit from the owner of 48 Florence St. W to assess the feasibility and cost of co-locating the Town's operational and emergency services communication equipment on their communication tower; AND FURTHER THAT : the cost of the review of approximately $15,000 be added to the 2026 operating budget and funded from the Working Funds.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The next portion of the meeting be closed to the public commencing now at 7:53 p.m. for the purpose of considering the following matters pursuant to section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001: (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality 12.1. Confidential Report CORP-2026-14 – 92 Main Street East - Lease

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the recommendation as outlined in Confidential Report CORP-2026-14 – 92 Main Street East – Lease be adopted.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Confirmation By-law 2026-29 be received and passed this 23rd day of March 2026.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: We do now adjourn at 8:18 p.m.