FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2026
Here are the highlights from the South Dundas Council meeting held May 27, 2026.
For more information, contact Tia Orendi, Community Development and Communications Coordinator at torendi@southdundas.com
Iroquois Wastewater Plant to Receive New Digester Roof
Council awarded Tender No. WW26-05 for the Iroquois Wastewater Plant Digester Roof Replacement to Amherst Roofing and Sheet Metal Ltd. in the amount of $82,950.00 plus applicable HST.
The digester building roof at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Golf Club Road in Iroquois has sustained significant water infiltration damage and failed a recent structural inspection, making replacement a priority in the 2026 Capital Budget. Work will include full removal of existing roofing materials, structural repairs to the roof deck, installation of a new roofing system, and site restoration.
Construction is expected to begin September 1, 2026, with completion anticipated by November 1, 2026. The project comes in under the approved budget of $100,000.00, with remaining funds to be returned to the Wastewater Reserve Fund.
Lease with St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Council directed the CAO to formally notify the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of the Municipality's intention to terminate the existing lease for the Iroquois Locks viewing area and initiate negotiations for a new agreement.
The Municipality has leased the 13,536 square metre sites, which includes the gazebo, bandshell/stage, and memorial since 1988. In recent years, SLSMC has taken the position that the Municipality is responsible for all maintenance of the leased area, including grass cutting, representing a departure from longstanding practice. Despite commitments to undertake washroom renovations and demolish the old canteen structure, SLSMC has not completed that work, and has not responded to the Municipality's January 2026 cost-recovery proposal.
Council and staff have consistently advocated for the historical and community importance of the Locks viewing area, including in a December 2025 meeting with Transport Canada representatives. By formally terminating the current lease and renegotiating, the Municipality aims to establish clear maintenance responsibilities for both parties, ensure SLSMC's outstanding capital commitments are fulfilled, and introduce flexibility for revenue-generating activities — such as event hosting or vendor permits — to help offset operational costs.
The Iroquois Locks viewing area remains open and the Municipality will ensure the site is maintained ahead of upcoming community events, including the Ride for Dad and the Bluegrass Festival.
Casual By-Law Enforcement Officers for Summer Season
Council passed By-Law No. 2026-49, appointing Cole Fraser-Dupuis and William Healey as casual By-Law Enforcement Officers for the Municipality of South Dundas.
The two positions were created to increase enforcement capacity during peak periods, with a focus on supporting enforcement of the Park Use By-law over the summer months. Both candidates were selected through a competitive recruitment process following Council's direction in February 2026 to proceed with hiring for the newly established casual role.
Park Use Violations Added to Municipality's Penalty System
Council adopted By-Law No. 2026-52, updating the Penalty Schedule in South Dundas' Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) to include park use contraventions.
South Dundas has operated an AMPS since 2021, which allows the Municipality to issue penalties directly for by-law contraventions and provides a local screening and hearing process. The updated by-law adds a Park Use Penalty Schedule, bringing park use enforcement in line with other areas already covered under the system, including Property Standards, Clean Yards, Nuisance, and Animal Control. The by-law also updates a reference to the recently passed Clean Yards By-law.
The update coincides with the appointment of two casual By-Law Enforcement Officers for the summer season. Any penalties collected will offset enforcement and administrative costs.
South Dundas Renews 20-Year Agreement with Enbridge Gas
Council gave third and final reading to By-Law No. 2025-82, completing the renewal of the Municipality's Franchise Agreement with Enbridge Gas Inc. for a further 20 years.
The Municipality has held a franchise agreement with Enbridge Gas since 2006, granting the company permission to distribute, store, and transmit natural gas throughout South Dundas. With the current agreement set to expire in October 2027, Enbridge approached the Municipality to renew ahead of that date. The renewal process is governed by the Municipal Franchises Act and required approval from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) before the agreement could be executed. That approval has now been received.
The renewed agreement follows the standard Model Franchise Agreement used by all Enbridge-serviced municipalities in Ontario and is similar in form to the existing agreement. There are no anticipated adverse financial implications for the Municipality.
Sewer Capacity Studies Completed for Morrisburg and Iroquois
Council received sanitary sewer capacity and inflow and infiltration (I&I) studies for the villages of Morrisburg and Iroquois, prepared by EVB Engineering.
The studies evaluated whether existing sewer infrastructure can handle current flows and support future growth. Both villages were found to perform well under real storm conditions, including the significant August 9, 2024, rain event. However, modeling under theoretical 100-year storm scenarios identified system limitations in both communities.
In Morrisburg, the sewer on Farlinger Avenue was flagged as a bottleneck, with surcharging and flooding risk identified under larger storm events. In Iroquois, the Caldwell Drive/Ann Street corridor and the east trunk sewer through the Iroquois Golf Course were identified as areas of concern.
EVB Engineering recommends that I&I reduction efforts be pursued in both communities, beginning with identification of sources through smoke testing, CCTV inspections, and drainage surveys, followed by short, medium, and long-term repair programs
Smart Density Presents Iroquois Development Concept to Council
Council received a presentation from Smart Density outlining a conceptual design for a new residential development in Iroquois.
The proposal features a compact, walkable neighbourhood built around a central green spine running north-south through the site, with two small parks and a stormwater management pond integrated into the green space. Pedestrian-only connections link homes to the spine, while looping private streets accommodate slow-moving vehicles and meet fire access requirements.
A key feature of the design is its car-light street approach, compact shared streets with a 10.4-metre right-of-way, significantly narrower than conventional residential streets. Smart Density argues this reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs, frees up land for housing and green space, and creates a more walkable and livable neighbourhood.
The concept was informed by a design charrette held on March 10, 2026.
Council received the presentation for information. Further steps related to planning approvals would follow through the standard development review process.
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) Delegation
Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) appeared before council as a delegation, providing an update on upcoming changes to student transportation eligibility. STEO is aligning with Ontario Ministry of Education Common Reference Standards already used across much of the province, with walk distance thresholds shifting for some grade categories. The consortium noted it does not anticipate significant ride time increases for most students given the region's already-optimized rural routes.
STEO highlighted several supports being made available to families, including a ride request hub, a hazard assessment tool, and earlier access to student transportation information ahead of the school year. The delegation also identified opportunities for municipal collaboration on sidewalk improvements, traffic calming, safe walking routes, and hazard reviews.
Upcoming Regular Council Meetings
- June 10, 2026
- July 8, 2026
- August 5, 2026