Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as amended.

THAT the minutes from the April 1, 2026 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 6:01 p.m. for the purposes of holding a public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Drainage Act.

THAT the report of Jacob Rooke, P.Eng. R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited dated March 2026 for drainage works known as Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2025 be adopted at an estimated cost of $167,500.00.

THAT the public meeting, pursuant to the Drainage Act, be adjourned at 6:14 p.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 6:16 p.m. for the purposes of holding a public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act. AND THAT Council move into the Committee of Adjustment for the purpose of hearing Minor Variance Applications.

That the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A06-25, submitted by Dimmers Farms Ltd. for lands described as Lot 4 and 5, Concession 3 (North Oxford) and municipally known as 623247 Road 62, Township of Zorra, as it relates to: Relief from Sections 7.2.1 and 7.2.2 – Minimum Distance Separation Requirements For Livestock Barns and Manure Storage Structures, to reduce the minimum distance separation requirement to the nearest Type A land use (residential dwelling located at 254263 25th Line) from 558 m (1,830 ft) to 293 m (961 ft) to facilitate the construction of two (2) new livestock (sow) barns with indoor, underfloor manure storage. subject to the following conditions: That the relief granted by the Committee regarding application A06-25 shall apply to new livestock barns at an approximate location as illustrated on Plate 3 of report No. 2026-104, to the satisfaction of the Township of Zorra. That a survey sketch be provided, to the satisfaction of the Township Building Department confirming the measurements from the barn to the nearest neighboring dwelling.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A06-26, submitted by Steele Hall Farm Inc. (c/o John Steele) for lands described as East ½ Lot 9, Concession 10, (East Nissouri) and municipally known as 195541 19th Line, Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Sections 7.2.1 and 7.2.2 – Minimum Distance Separation Requirements For Livestock Barns and Manure Storage Structures, to reduce the minimum distance separation requirement to the nearest Type A land use (residential dwelling located at 195532 19th Line) from 170 m (558 ft) to 108 m (354 ft) and, 2. Relief from Section 5.16 to reduce the required setback from a municipal drain to a minimum of 6 m (19.7 ft), rather than the required 15 m (49.2 ft),to facilitate the construction of a new livestock (poultry) barn, and associated manure storage pad on the subject property. subject to the following conditions: i) That the relief granted by the Committee regarding application A06-26 shall apply to a new livestock barn at an approximate location as illustrated on Plate 3 of report No. 2026-119, to the satisfaction of the Township of Zorra. ii) That a survey sketch be provided, to the satisfaction of the Township Building Department confirming the measurements from the barn to the nearest neighboring dwelling.

THAT Council move out of the Committee of Adjustment, and pursuant to the Planning Act that the public meeting be adjourned at 6:39 p.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT Council approves the purchase and installation of one (1) 96-niche rectangular columbarium at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery from Ingersoll, Tillsonburg & Thames Memorials in the amount of $38,998.00 plus HST; AND THAT Council authorizes staff to coordinate with the Town of Ingersoll to submit an application to the Bereavement Authority of Ontario for approval to install up to two (2) 96-niche columbaria; AND THAT Council authorizes staff to coordinate with the Town of Ingersoll to request authorization from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) to utilize funds from the Care and Maintenance Fund. AND FURTHER THAT, should approval from the BAO not be granted, or the approved amount be insufficient, Council authorizes staff to fund Zorra's 12.5% of the project from the Cemetery Reserve.

THAT Report 2026-037 from the Manager of Finance be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT items 12(a) - (e) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT by-laws 18-26 and 19-26 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 20-26, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held April 15, 2026, be read a first, second and third time this April 15, 2026; 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 7:14 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the May 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.