Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the minutes from the November 5, 2025 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

WHEREAS the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry published a report in 2024 titled "Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada's Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health" (the Report) that contained twenty five (25) recommendations in total for the federal government; AND WHEREAS the work that Senator Black has done to bring not only the importance of soil to the forefront for the federal government, but Canadian agriculture - in specific Ontario agriculture, food security and how much the Ontario agricultural industry contributes to the federal and provincial Gross Domestic Product, is of critical significant to Zorra - indeed all of Oxford County; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Township of Zorra fully supports all of the recommendations included in the Report; AND THAT the Township of Zorra urge the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to implement all the recommendations contained within the Report and commit to recognizing a sense of urgency and act accordingly in order to protect and conserve soil as per Recommendation 25; AND THAT this motion be circulated to the following parties;  Rob Black, Senator  Arpan Khanna, MP for the riding of Oxford  Ernie Hardeman, MPP for the riding of Oxford  Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry  All municipalities within the County of Oxford  Oxford County Federation of Agriculture  Ontario Federation of Agriculture  Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario

THAT Council endorse Option 2 as detailed in Report 2025-124.

THAT Council supports in principle the Embro Dog Park project; AND THAT Council establish a Committee of Council to be known as the Embro Dog Park Committee; AND THAT Council direct Township staff to prepare Terms of Reference for the Committee including number of committee members, scope of the work, design and plans; AND THAT the Township's 30% portion of the project, to a threshold limit of $12,575.30, be included in the 2027 budget funded from the Recreation Reserve.

THAT Council endorse the Embro Mini Pitch project; AND THAT Council directs staff to include the Township 30% of total project costs, to a threshold limit of $11,305.98, as an in-kind donation of labour in 2026.

THAT Council direct Staff to provide 21 days notice of a Public Meeting to be held during the December 17, 2025 Council meeting.

THAT Council approve in principle the 2026 Budget from Report 2025-122, as amended, for final adoption at the December 3, 2025 Council meeting; AND THAT Council direct Staff to bring the 2026 Budget By-law to an upcoming Council meeting. For: Mayor Marcus Ryan, Kevin Stewart, Katie Grigg, and Crystal Finch Against: Paul Mitchell

THAT the November 26 Special Budget Council meeting be cancelled; AND THAT Council direct staff to provide notice of such cancellation.

THAT Council supports the correspondence from Rural Ontario Municipal Association regarding rural school closures; AND THAT Council direct the Mayor to advocate on behalf of Zorra Township.

THAT by-laws 47-25, 48-25, and 49-25 be taken as read a first, second and third time and finally passed; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT By-law 50-25, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held November 19, 2025, be read a first, second and third time this November 19, 2025; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT this session of Council be now adjourned and herewith closed at 5:48 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the December 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.