Council Highlights – May 12, 2026
Click here to view the agenda
Council moved to start the meeting in a closed session. Council reconvened in open session at 7:00 p.m.
Announcements
The Chief Administrative Officer and the family of Chief Howe participated in an installation of epaulettes, formally recognizing Fire Chief Howe’s appointment.
Click here to learn more about Fire Chief Howe’s appointment.
Councillor Branderhorst announced the County Foundation contest for children to design a card of thanks to the donors.
Click here to learn more about the contest.
Mayor Ferguson made 4 proclamations:
- May 11 – 17, 2026 as Nursing Week in The County.
- May 17 to be Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day.
- May 17-23 as Public Works Week.
- May 17-May 23 as Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) week.
- May 19 to be Personal Support Worker Day.
Click here to view all proclamations.
Councillor St-Jean spoke to a Wellington Times editorial regarding Councillors who serve on the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation Board.
Deputations
Mark Rose, Executive Director Picton Business Improvement Association (BIA) addressed Council regarding the Picton BIA Year in Review.
Click here to view the deputation.
Council voted in favour of the following motion:
THAT staff be directed to include the west end Picton Main Street light standards in the 2027 budget for new Council consideration.
Comments from the Audience
Diane Cooper provided a comment regarding the Elm Street Laneway Reconstruction Tender Award.
Items for consideration
Report: Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre (PEFAC) Board Observer
Council appointed Councillor John Hirsch to represent Council as the Municipal Observer to the PEFAC Board until the end of this term of Council.
Report: Crystal Palace Roof Replacement
Council award procurement file BLD-0228-26 to Semple Gooder Roofing Corporation in the amount of $447,659.00, plus applicable taxes.
Tender Reports: The Award of Tender for a Wheel Loader
Council awarded cooperative purchasing arrangement FLG-0204-2026 to Brandt Tractor Ltd., in the amount of $428,000 plus applicable taxes.
Report: Award of Tender for a Single Axle Dump Truck
Council award cooperative purchasing arrangement to Rush Truck Centres of Canada Limited in the amount of $420,344.38 plus applicable taxes.
Report: Elm Street Laneway Reconstruction Tender Award
Council approved allocating funds from two reserves to Capital Project INI‑0214R:
- $100,000 from the Reserve for Roads Construction-Urban.
- $25,000 from the Water and Wastewater Capital Reserve.
Council awarded contract PEC-INI-0214 to Cobourg Development Services Ltd. in the amount of $250,149.00 plus applicable taxes.
Council directed staff to report back to Council on the feasibility of implementing a Vacant Commercial Storefront Tax.
Council requests that the Government of Ontario amend the Municipal Act, 2001 to grant Ontario municipalities the permissive authority to implement a “Vacant Commercial Storefront Tax”.
Council calls on the Province to reinstate FIPPA compliance for all government staff at the provincial level and implement the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s recommendations to strengthen security, record keeping, and accountability.
Council calls on the Province to investigate insurance premium increases and coverage denials related to heritage designation, and to convene insurers and experts to develop solutions that protect heritage properties without undue financial burden. Council further urges provincial action to regulate these impacts through enforcement, education, and new policy measures.
Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- Council approved the Agriculture Advisory Committee request to direct staff to undertake robust public communications for the promotion of traffic safety around slow moving farm vehicles.
- Council approved two of the Built & Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee’s Heritage Permits: HP-12-25 (6 Waupoos Island Lane, North Marysburgh) and HP-04-26 (279 Picton Main Street, Picton).
Committee of the Whole Highlights – May 14, 2026
Click here to view the agenda.
Due to technical difficulties with the meeting livestream, the meeting was not livestreamed but is now uploaded to the YouTube Channel to view.
Presentation
The Executive Director for Prince Edward Family Health Team, Barinder Gill, presented to the Committee regarding an Update on Primary Care Investments: What’s Been Done, What’s Underway, and What’s Next.
Click here to view the presentation.
Comments from the Audience
Bob Waldon and Mike Batty provided a comment in support of the of Proposed Amendments to the “Noise By-Law” (By-Law 143-2022) and the approach of “Good neighbours together” concept.
Items for consideration
Report: Designating Barker Street for Two Way Traffic
Council approved the transition of the designated section of Barker Street to two-way traffic be incorporated into the reconstruction project (INI-0115).
Council directed staff to maintain the existing one-way signage and traffic patterns until completion of the construction project.
Report: Compensation Review and Policy Update
Council approved the policy regarding the number of annual conferences be amended from 2 to 3 annually for Councillors.
Council referred report FIN-13-2026 to staff to provide more data on the compensation component and to report back on barriers to Council Member participation.
Council declines the “Bring-Your-Own” alcohol permit stream for public spaces.
Council directed staff to come back with ideas on how collaborate with Good Neighbours Together to explore potential improvements to the Noise By-Law.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 1 pm at Shire Hall.
This summary is not a complete record of the proceedings of the meetings. For the official record, please refer to the minutes in the next Council agenda. A video of this meeting is available on The County’s YouTube Channel.