Regular Council Meeting Highlights – September 23, 2025

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights from the Regular Council Meeting on September 23, 2025.

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube Channel.

The Regular Council minutes from August 26, 2025 were received and adopted.

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National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is recognized as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a day of remembrance honoring the Indigenous people affected by the residential school system. It is a time for reflection on the trauma, lost lives, and lasting impact of the abuse experienced.

In recognition of this important day, a flag was raised earlier in the day to reconfirm a collective commitment to the journey of reconciliation.

Councillor Perry, who is Métis, expressed personal hope for the journey of reconciliation, noting that seeing many people wearing orange t-shirts was a "glimpse of hope." He also acknowledged the City's efforts in honoring the day and spoke about his own ancestry, including Anishinaabe Menominee (People of the Wild Rice) and fur trading ancestors. He displayed a Métis "dark times sash" and a replica of the Dish with One Spoon wampum belt, explaining its significance as a treaty representing shared responsibility, sustainability, peace, and cooperation in managing resources together.

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Advance Approval of Designated Proposed 2026 Capital and Special Projects

Council has approved five time-sensitive, essential projects for an early start in the 2026 Capital Budget. These include design work on Lindsay Street to prepare for major upgrades in 2027, and resurfacing Simcoe Street in partnership with the Township of Brock. Work will also move ahead to fix long-standing issues at the Omemee Wastewater Plant, ensuring it meets provincial requirements. Finally, the City will begin upgrading its property tax and revenue systems ahead of the next MPAC assessment, ensuring efficient and reliable operations. These early approvals help keep projects on track, avoid delays, and make sure services continue smoothly for residents.

Read the report.

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Request for a Parking Area and Crosswalk Lines in Kirkfield

At the request of Council, staff reviewed the feasibility of creating a municipal parking area and adding crosswalk lines at the intersection of Portage Road and Kirkfield Road. The intersection is currently controlled by an all-way stop with flashing beacons and sidewalks at all four corners. Staff determined that pedestrian crosswalk markings are reasonable and can be accommodated with upgrades such as converting boulevard space to sidewalk bays, adding curb cuts, and installing tactile plates to meet accessibility standards. The estimated one-time cost is $15,000 for curb and accessibility upgrades plus $5,000 for the initial line painting, with ongoing minor annual maintenance are included in the 2026 draft budget.

Parking lot improvements are not drafted into the budget. This project request from the Councillor will be presented by Mayor Elmslie to the Budget Committee for consideration.

Read the report.

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Provincial Energy Procurement - Municipal Resolution in Support of Proposal Submission (MRSPS) Requests

Council received the report by Planning staff, and did not support either of the proposed Solar projects. Innergex had put forward plans for two large solar farms near Kirkfield that could generate up to 300 MW of power sites are near the environmentally sensitive area of the Carden Alvar. A second proposal, called Sturgeon Lake Agrivoltaics, would install a smaller 13 MW solar project southeast of Fenelon Falls, designed to combine solar power with farming by allowing sheep grazing and crop growth beneath the panels.

Read the report.

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Committee of the Whole, September 9, 2025

The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of September 9. 2025, were adopted as printed in the minutes save and except for Items 9.3.7, 9.3.9, 9.3.10, 9.3.21 and 9.3.25.

Item 9.3.7 – Road Conditions on King’s Wharf Road

The deputation was received and referred to the Budget Committee for consideration.

9.3.9 - Request for the Installation of Metal Grates Surrounding Trees in Downtown Lindsay

The deputation from Melissa McFarland and Steve Podolsky, of the Lindsay Downtown Business Improvement Association, was received and referred to Staff for review, in consultation with the Lindsay Downtown Business Improvement Association, to determine the option that will beneficial for the trees in Downtown Lindsay.

9.3.10 - Road Conditions at the Intersection of Hazel Street and Pavillion Road, Thurstonia

The deputation was received. Staff are to coordinate a permanent solution for the drainage and sinkhole issue at the intersection of Hazel Street and Pavillion Road, and, at the intersection of Silver Birch Street and Pavillion Road; and Engineering and Public Works Staff are to work in coordination on a permanent solution for said locations and on a timeline for the repair.

9.3.21 - Archaeological Management Plan

Report ED2025-022, Archaeological Management Plan, was received, and the Archaeological Management Plan, including the Policy Directions Report and the associated Archaeological Potential Map, was approved and adopted by Council.

9.3.25 - Traffic Calming – Pleasant Point Road and Rose Street

The report was received, with the following recommendations:

• That a 40 km/h Speed Area be established on Pleasant Point Road starting at the intersection with Indian Trail
• That the speed limit on Pleasant Point Road from Indian Trail to a point 150 m south of Maple Grove Road be reduced to 50 km/h
• That a 60 km/h buffer zone be established from a point 150 m south of Maple Grove Road to a point 400 m south of Maple Grove Road
• That the speed limit on Maple Grove Road be posted at 40 km/h; and
• That the necessary By-law for the above recommendations be forwarded to Council for adoption.

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Planning Advisory Committee – September 10, 2025

All recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee were adopted as printed in the minutes.

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Petitions

A petition was received regarding a request for the resurfacing of Cedar Tree Road, Fenelon Falls. The first page of the petition can be found here. A copy of the petition with 60 signatures is available and at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to the Budget Committee for consideration.

A petition was received regarding a request for traffic control at the intersection of Northline Road and the Somerville 7th Concession. The first page of the petition can be found here. A paper copy of the petition with 37 signatures is available and at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to Staff for review.

A petition was received regarding a request for the resurfacing of Glengarry Road and Wilson Street, Bethany. The first page of the petition can be found here. A paper copy of the petition with 78 signatures, and an electronic copy with 35 signatures, is available and at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to the Budget Committee for consideration

A petition was received regarding a request for the resurfacing of the western portion of Telecom Road, Pontypool. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 30 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to Staff for review and report back by the end of Q1, 2026 with the options that would be available and the cost of resurfacing of the western portion of Telecom Road.

A petition was received regarding the Omemee Beach Splash Pad Project, requesting operational support. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 178 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review and report back by the end of January, 2026, with the anticipated cost, and the feasibility of, the maintenance of the proposed Omemee Beach Splash Pad Project.

A petition was received regarding a request for the installation of speed bumps on Birch Point Road and Riley Lane, Woodville. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 44 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review.

A petition was received regarding a request for the walking path on the South side of Adelaide Place, between Adelaide Street South and Albert Street, Lindsay. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 112 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review.

A petition was received regarding a request for the installation of a street light on the West side of Adelaide Street South, Lindsay, at the first hydro pole North of Green Arbour Way. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 115 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review.

A petition was received regarding a request for speed signs on River Road, Lindsay. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 46 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review.

A petition was received regarding a request for Council to reject the proposed Renewable Energy Project in Kirkfield (Innergex Renewable Energy). The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete paper copy of the petition with 33 signatures, or the electronic petition with 881 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review and consideration.

A petition was received regarding a request for the exit from the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden Temple to be redirected, or, for a stop sign or traffic light to be installed at the entrance/exit to ensure the safety of Drivers on Ski Hill Road, Bethany. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the electronic petition with 168 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request. The petition was referred to staff for review and report back by the end of Q1, 2026.

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Next Council meeting

Council will return for the Committee of the Whole Meeting on October 7, 2025 at 1pm.

Public attendance in Council Chambers is welcome. Regular and Committee of the Whole meetings will be broadcast live on the City’s YouTube Channel and on Cogeco cable television.

Please note that you can watch recordings of the City of Kawartha Lakes Regular Council Meetings on Cable Cable channel 26 and Rogers Ignite channel 548 at 1pm on the Sunday that follows the Tuesday meeting.

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