Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the minutes from the May 6, 2026 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the following members be appointed to sit as the Court of Revision for the Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2026, with the first Member being the Chair of the Court of Revision 2026: 1. Mayor Marcus Ryan 2. Councillor Paul Mitchell 3. Councillor Kevin Stewart

THAT the Court of Revision on the Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2026 does now open at 6:01 p.m.

WHEREAS the Council of the Township of Zorra provisionally adopted the report of R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited dated March 2026, for the drainage works known as the Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2025 on April 15, 2026; AND WHEREAS there have been no appeals that lands have been assessed too high or too low, nor that any road or lands have not been addressed, or that due consideration has not been given as to type or land use; NOW THEREFORE the Court of Revision for the Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2025 hereby confirms the assessment scheduled as fixed by the Engineer.

THAT the Court of Revision of the Pearson-Sims Drain Branch A 2026 does now close and Council reconvenes at 6:05 p.m.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 6:05 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 a Minor Variance Application.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A08-26, submitted by 1000977063 Ontario Inc. (c/o Dwayne Minler) for lands described as Part Lots 9 & 10, Concession 3, (North Oxford) and municipally known as 643542 Road 64 Line in the 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 643591 Road 64 Line) from 704 m (2,310 ft) to 533 m (1,749 ft) and, 2. 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 B land use (Town of Ingersoll boundary to the immediate south) from 1,408 m (4,619 ft) to 1,166 m (3,825 ft), to facilitate the construction of a new livestock (hog) barn, with indoor, slatted floor manure storage on the subject property.

THAT Council move out of the Committee of Adjustment, and pursuant to the Planning Act that the public meeting be adjourned at 6:37 p.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT Report 2026-053 from the Chief Building Official and Building Services Coordinator be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2026-049 from the Deputy Clerk / Legislative Coordinator be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the report from Board Member Mitchell on the Upper Thames Board Meeting be received for information purposes only.

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

WHEREAS a well-functioning and up-to-date assessment system supports strong communities and makes the province an attractive place to invest; and WHEREAS property assessments in Ontario have not been updated in over a decade, making them the most outdated in Canada, while provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia update assessments annually to reflect current market conditions; and WHEREAS the prolonged pause in the reassessment cycle has created significant distortions in assessed values, resulting in inequities among property classes; and WHEREAS outdated assessments negatively impact investment decisions, economic competitiveness, municipal planning, and disproportionately affect independent small businesses; and WHEREAS reassessments are designed to be revenue neutral for the municipality, ensure fairness in taxation, maintain public confidence in the property tax system, and support long-term municipal financial planning; and WHEREAS a coalition of municipalities, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, small businesses, and major property owners have called upon the Government of Ontario to update property assessments; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra calls upon the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Finance to direct the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to promptly resume the regular property assessment cycle; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford,

THAT by-laws 29-26 and 30-26 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 Council move into closed meeting session at 6:37 p.m. pursuant to Section 239(2)(e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.

THAT By-law 31-26, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held May 20, 2026, be read a first, second and third time this May 20, 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 7:24 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the June 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.