Rideau Lakes meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Rideau Lakes planning committee to review zoning amendment for 3 Portland Graphite Road

Rideau Lakes saw a light meeting schedule over the past two weeks, with only one substantive item appearing across four scheduled gatherings: a zoning by-law amendment application for 3 Portland Graphite Road, set for review by the Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment.

Zoning amendment application for 3 Portland Graphite Road

The Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment met on July 22, 2026, to review application ZBA-8-2026, submitted by Ontario Inc. The property is identified as Bastard Concession 2 Part Lot 10, located at 3 Portland Graphite Road in the Ward of Bastard & South Burgess.

According to the agenda, the committee was scheduled to consider the proposed amendment to the zoning by-law and examine the attached report and draft amendment documents. Because only the agenda is available and minutes have not yet been published, no decision outcome, vote tally, or council recommendation can be reported at this time.

Other recent meetings

Three other meetings held between July 21 and July 22 contained no substantive agenda items:

• **Elgin and Area CEC Meeting** (July 21): Agenda contained only procedural boilerplate. No decisions, discussions, or specific items were listed.
• **Special Council Meeting** (July 22): Agenda contained only procedural placeholders. No substantive items were listed.
• **Delta and Area CEC Meeting** (July 22): Agenda contained only procedural boilerplate. No decisions, proposals, or discussion items were listed.

Minutes have not yet been published for any of the four recent meetings.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks:

• **Regular Council Meeting** — August 4, 2026. The agenda currently contains only procedural items, with no substantive matters listed for discussion or decision.
• **Committee of the Whole** — August 10, 2026. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate, with no specific decisions, discussions, or public hearings listed.

Residents interested in the 3 Portland Graphite Road zoning amendment can watch for the Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment minutes to be published, which will confirm whether the application was approved, deferred, or sent to Council for a final decision.

Rideau Lakes committee backs Town Crier agreement and festival mailout; council campground by-law still pending

The Economic Development Committee voted July 6 to recommend Council approve a Town Crier agreement with a startup cost of up to $6,000 and an annual cost of $5,000, along with a $1,500 budget adjustment to promote the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival through a township-wide mailout.

Economic Development Committee — July 6

The committee carried several recommendations that now go to Council for final action:

• **Town Crier agreement:** Recommended Council pass a bylaw authorizing an agreement with a Town Crier winner. Startup cost is up to $6,000; annual cost is $5,000. Carried.
• **Festival mailout:** Supported a $1,500 budget adjustment for a township-wide mailout promoting the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival. Carried.
• **Town Crier invitations:** Directed staff to invite town criers from Gananoque, Perth, Kingston, and Brockville to compete on August 3. Carried.
• **Business Recognition Program revisions:** Approved changes including no repeat winners, year-round nominations, self-nomination allowed, and committee judging. Carried.
• **Minutes:** Approved the May 4, 2026 committee minutes as presented. Carried.
• **Closed session:** Moved into closed session under Section 239 of the Municipal Act at 12:28 p.m. Carried.

The committee also heard updates on the Newboro revitalization project, KEYS employment programs, and a successful Experience Ontario grant application. No votes on those updates are recorded in the minutes.

Regular Council Meeting — July 6

Council's agenda listed several items for consideration, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. Agenda items included:

• Tourist Campground Licensing By-Law recommendations from PACA and RLLAC.
• Contract with Aloia Bros. for sidewalks in Elgin, Newboro, and Portland (By-Law 2026-68).
• Contract with Peak Contracting Solutions for the Elgin Cistern (By-Law 2026-61).
• Removal of dog licensing fees and animal by-law amendments (By-Laws 2026-69, 2026-70).
• Notice of motion on the Otter Lake Boat Launch.
• Reports on the Elgin Seniors Housing agreement and the future of Harry Seeley Drive lands.
• A closed meeting was scheduled for litigation and personal matters.

Because minutes are unavailable, it is not possible to report what Council decided on these items.

Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee — July 16

The committee's agenda listed discussions on designating three local heritage sites — Morton School, Sheldon House, and Newboro Community Hall — through Designation By-Law Amendments. The agenda also included a presentation on the Harmon Toffee House, a planning application review covering FORMA, Covell, Toswell and Weiss, information on a Rideau Lakes Official Plan request, and correspondence on the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival. Minutes have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Other Meetings With No Substantive Items

Several meetings held between July 9 and July 16 had agendas with no listed substantive items: South Elmsley and Area CEC (July 9), Committee of the Whole (July 13), Newboro and Area CEC (July 14), Portland and Area CEC (July 15), Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment (July 15), and North Crosby and Area CEC (July 16). The agendas contained only procedural or placeholder content.

Coming Up

• **July 22 — Special Council Meeting:** No substantive agenda items are listed.
• **July 22 — Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment:** Will review zoning by-law amendment application ZBA-8-2026, submitted by Ontario Inc for the property known as Bastard Concession 2 Part Lot 10, located at 3 Portland Graphite Road in the Ward of Bastard & South Burgess. The committee will consider the proposed amendment and attached reports.

Rideau Lakes committee backs Town Crier agreement and festival mailout; council agenda awaits minutes

The Economic Development Committee recommended Council approve a Town Crier agreement with a startup cost of up to $6,000 and an annual cost of $5,000, according to official minutes from its July 6 meeting. The committee also supported a $1,500 budget adjustment for a township-wide mailout promoting the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival.

Economic Development Committee — July 6

All items below were carried, per the official minutes:

• **Town Crier agreement:** Recommended that Council pass a bylaw authorizing an agreement with a Town Crier winner, with a startup cost of up to $6,000 and an annual cost of $5,000.
• **Festival mailout:** Supported a $1,500 budget adjustment for a township-wide mailout to promote the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival.
• **Town Crier invitations:** Directed staff to invite town criers from Gananoque, Perth, Kingston, and Brockville to compete on August 3.
• **Business Recognition Program revisions:** Approved changes to the Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Program guidelines, including disallowing repeat winners, allowing year-round nominations, and permitting self-nominations, with committee judging.
• **Minutes:** Approved the May 4, 2026 committee minutes as presented.
• **Closed session:** Moved into closed session under Section 239 of the Municipal Act at 12:28 p.m.

The committee also heard updates on the Newboro revitalization project, KEYS employment programs, and the successful Experience Ontario grant application. No further detail on those updates is available in the provided record.

Regular Council Meeting — July 6

Minutes for the July 6 Regular Council Meeting have not yet been published. The agenda listed the following items for consideration, but no decisions are confirmed in the record:

• Tourist Campground Licensing By-Law recommendations from PACA and RLLAC
• Contract with Aloia Bros. for sidewalks in Elgin, Newboro, and Portland (By-Law 2026-68)
• Contract with Peak Contracting Solutions for the Elgin Cistern (By-Law 2026-61)
• Removal of dog licensing fees and animal by-law amendments (By-Laws 2026-69, 2026-70)
• Notice of motion on Otter Lake Boat Launch
• Reports on the Elgin Seniors Housing agreement and the future of Harry Seeley Drive lands
• A closed meeting scheduled for litigation and personal matters

Because only the agenda is available, it is not possible to report what Council decided on any of these items. Readers should watch for the official minutes once published.

South Elmsley and Area CEC Meeting — July 9

The agenda for this meeting listed no items and no decisions. No topics, proposals, or votes are recorded.

Coming up

Several meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks, though most agendas currently list no substantive items:

• **July 13 — Committee of the Whole:** Agenda includes only procedural items.
• **July 14 — Newboro and Area CEC Meeting:** No agenda items provided.
• **July 15 — Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment:** Agenda contains no actionable items.
• **July 15 — Portland and Area CEC Meeting:** No substantive agenda items provided.
• **July 16 — North Crosby and Area CEC Meeting:** No substantive agenda items listed.

Residents interested in the pending Council items — including the sidewalk and cistern contracts, tourist campground licensing, and dog licensing fee removal — should check the township's official website for updated minutes and agendas.

Rideau Lakes council set to weigh campground licensing, sidewalk contracts; recent meeting outcomes not yet public

Rideau Lakes residents are waiting on minutes from several late-June meetings, while council prepares for a packed July 6 agenda covering tourist campground licensing, sidewalk and cistern contracts, and the removal of dog licensing fees.

Recent meetings: agendas only, no minutes yet

Minutes have not been published for any of the five meetings held between June 22 and June 24, so no decisions from those sessions can be confirmed at this time.

A Special Council Meeting on June 22 was scheduled to consider a motion from Councillor Banks regarding Mayoral Decision MD-2026-03 and the veto of By-law 2026-59, which concerns the Harry Seeley Drive lands in Elgin. The agenda also listed two committee recommendations related to Ministry of Labour documentation and the sending of closed session materials to the Ministry, plus By-law 2026-60 to govern the meeting's proceedings.

The Committee of the Whole on June 22 was set to discuss amending the dog tag licensing system, awarding a sidewalk construction contract, a request to close part of Water Street in Portland for a 200th anniversary event, and a proposed motion to fund the ALTO Working Group. The agenda also included ending LAS Closed Meeting Investigator Services.

The Delta and Area CEC Meeting and the Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee meeting, both on June 24, contained only procedural boilerplate with no substantive items listed.

The Elgin Seniors Housing Board on June 24 was scheduled to review facilities updates, four Abell Pest Control invoices (no dollar amounts provided), a financial update with budget-vs.-actual figures through May 2025, and tenant concerns about chemical barrier spray and outdoor ant traps. The board also planned a closed session for a personal matter.

July 6 Regular Council Meeting

Council's upcoming agenda includes several items with financial implications:

• **Tourist Campground Licensing By-Law** — recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee and the Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee.
• **By-Law 2026-68** — a contract with Aloia Bros. for sidewalk construction in Elgin, Newboro, and Portland.
• **By-Law 2026-61** — a contract with Peak Contracting Solutions for the Elgin Cistern.
• **By-Laws 2026-69 and 2026-70** — removal of dog licensing fees and related animal by-law amendments.
• A **notice of motion on the Otter Lake Boat Launch**.
• Reports on the Elgin Seniors Housing agreement and the future of the Harry Seeley Drive lands.
• A closed meeting for litigation and personal matters.

No vote tallies or dollar amounts for the contracts were included in the agenda summary.

July 6 Economic Development Committee

This committee will discuss a partnership with the Newboro and Area Heritage Society for Parks Canada and continue planning for the 200th anniversary of the Rideau Canal (1826–1832). The agenda also includes a review of the Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Program guidelines, a by-law for a town crier agreement, and updates on the EORN Cell Gap Project from April and May 2026.

Coming up

• **July 6, Regular Council Meeting** — campground licensing, sidewalk and cistern contracts, dog fee removal, Harry Seeley Drive lands report.
• **July 6, Economic Development Committee** — Rideau Canal 200th anniversary planning, town crier agreement, cell gap project updates.
• **July 13, Committee of the Whole** — procedural items only; no substantive agenda listed.
• **July 15, Planning Advisory and Committee of Adjustment** — procedural items only; no actionable items listed.

Residents seeking authoritative detail should consult the official agendas and minutes on the Township of Rideau Lakes website, as this summary is derived from agenda summaries and outcomes have not yet been confirmed in published minutes.

Rideau Lakes Council looks at mayoral veto, sidewalk contracts, and pest concerns at seniors’ housing

Rideau Lakes council members gathered for a special meeting and a Committee of the Whole session in late June to tackle land-use decisions, spending on sidewalks, and a proposed change to dog licensing. While no final votes were confirmed in available agendas, the meetings laid out significant items that could shape municipal spending and services.

Special Council Meeting – June 22

The special council meeting was called primarily to consider a motion from Councillor Banks regarding Mayoral Decision MD-2026-03. That decision involved a mayoral veto of By-law 2026-59, which deals with the Harry Seeley Drive lands in Elgin. The agenda did not disclose the specifics of the veto or the land proposal, but the motion signals a step toward resolving the status of the property.

Two recommendations from the Committee of the Whole also appeared on the agenda: one to forward documentation for a Ministry of Labour review (CoW Rec 224-2026) and another to send closed-session materials to the same ministry (CoW Rec 225-2026). A procedural by-law to govern the special meeting’s proceedings was also to be passed.

Committee of the Whole – June 22

The same day, the Committee of the Whole took up a slate of service and spending items:

• **Dog tag licensing** – An amendment to the current system was scheduled for discussion, though the nature of the change was not detailed.
• **Sidewalk construction** – The committee was to consider awarding a contract following a request for proposals.
• **Street closure request** – A proposal to close part of Water Street in Portland for a 200th-anniversary event was on the table.
• **ALTO Working Group funding** – A motion sought funding for the group, though the amount and scope were not specified.
• **Investigator services** – The committee was set to address the end of LAS Closed Meeting Investigator Services.

No decisions or dollar amounts were available from this agenda-only report.

Elgin Seniors Housing Board – June 24

The board’s agenda focused on building conditions, finances, and tenant concerns. Staff from facilities and properties were expected to provide updates, including four invoices from Abell Pest Control (amounts not disclosed). The treasurer was to present a financial update showing profit-and-loss budget versus actual figures for the year-to-date period through May 2025.

A tenant concern about chemical barrier spray and outdoor ant traps was listed for discussion. The board also reviewed correspondence on 2026 affordable household income limits and planned a closed session for a personal matter.

Other meetings

The Delta and Area Community Economic Committee and the Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee (RLLAC) both met on June 24, but their agendas contained only procedural boilerplate with no substantive items listed.

Coming up

No meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to municipal postings as of July 5.