Council Highlights – February 11, 2025

Last night’s meeting opened with a delegation from Emery Schaettgen, Warner Schaettgen, Maeve Kerwin and Charlotte Kennedy with the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre. The group provided insight into their youth community needs project, THRIVE. This committee of youth 13-18 years old is hosted by MMYC, with funding from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills. The goal is to empower youth voices in the community, assess needs to thrive and engage youth in civic participation. Results from a community needs workshop and survey were presented to Council, which revealed the need for more youth spaces, increased awareness of resources, access to substance abuse and mental health support. The survey results will be circulated to staff to include as part of the Community Services Master Plan. View the presentation.

Council also heard a delegation from Jane Ellens with Learning Again in Almonte, who shared a report of findings from their ‘Building on Common Ground’ symposium, held back in November. The report highlighted ideas generated from the day-long event, around growth, housing affordability, economic development, transportation, etc. and was received as information.   

A public meeting was held for a housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment to correct several errors and omissions discovered during the consolidation of Zoning By-law #11-83. Moving forward, the Development Services and Engineering Department will be updating the by-law on a regular basis to avoid the potential for errors.

Council adopted the 2025 Operating Budget, the final approval of the 2025 budget process. The overall municipal budget is over $40M - $27,789,767 for operations and 12,807,589 for capital. (Watch for separate media release for further information)

Council approved a change in employee benefit providers for the Municipality. The Municipality will remain with its current broker, Mosey and Mosey, but will be joining the Local Authority Services consortium. Coverage levels will remain the same but the switch results in an estimated cost savings of $71,771.  

The Community Benefits Agreement for the battery energy storage system (BESS) at 6299 County Road 29 was endorsed. This agreement will provide additional funds to the Municipality that can be used to serve residents over the life of the contract for the facility. Council will provide direction on how the funds will be used once the project is in operation. During this meeting, the zoning by-law amendment for the project was also approved by Council, which will allow for the development of a two-phase 14.98-megawatt BESS. 

Revisions were approved to the Municipality’s Traffic and Parking By-law. Updates include changes to no parking and restricted parking areas of the by-law, such as:

• No parking on John Street (from Water Street to Reserve Street, both sides) due to the narrow corridor.
• Removal of 10-minute permitted parking on the north side of Little Bridge Street (from 73 to 77 Little Bridge Street). Council directed staff to investigate other solutions for parking.
• Any highway/street where a municipally managed sanitary pump station or water treatment facility is located, there would be a no parking area of 15m directly in front of the facility to ensure access.

Council passed a motion in support of measures the provincial and federal governments have put in place in response to the threatened tariffs on Canadian goods and services exported to the US. The motion speaks to removing obstacles to municipalities preferring to do business with Canadian companies and services for capital projects and supplies; as well as the eliminating trade barriers between provinces to support Canadian businesses. The motion also directs the CAO to draft a temporary purchasing policy to come before Council for approval and encourages residents to adopt “buy local” and “buy Canadian” practices, where possible. 

Council directed staff to review the Elected Official Remuneration Policy as part of the mid-term governance review process, which will include investigating the option of a full-time mayor position and increased allotments for council training. A follow-up staff report will be brought forward later in 2025.

During announcements and invitations, Council acknowledged February 11, 2025 as 211 Day across Canada. It is a free and confidential helpline service offered 24/7 and in over 150 languages, that provides people with community and social service resources. As part of the United Glow campaign, Almonte Old Town Hall and the Falls were illuminated in red for 211 Day. To access services, dial 2-1-1 or visit the 211 website.

Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, which will be brought forward for approval at a future Council meeting:

• Authorization for the Mayor and Clerk to enter into a transfer payment agreement for design and construction of the hard surfacing of Old Almonte Road in 2026.
• Recommendation report for a draft plan extension for Mill Valley Living.
• Draft plan approval of subdivision for 14-lot privately serviced subdivision in Appleton.
• The new Routine Disclosure/Active Dissemination Policy, which provides the public with greater access to government information.
• Quarterly Reports from Development Services and Engineering and Roads and Public Works.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – February 25, 2025, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.
• Hybrid Council Meeting – March 4, 2025, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.