Council Highlights - June 6th, 2023

Highlights of the June 6^th, 2023 Council Meeting

Last night, Council recognized Mississippi Mills Mechanic Ben Kipp, who placed first in the Lanark County Truck Roadeo, held by the Lanark County Road Supervision Association on April 27. The competition tests the skills of municipal equipment operators through a series of obstacles. Ben scored 334 points out of a possible 340. He now moves on to the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors’ (AORS) Provincial Truck Rodeo, taking place this September in Huron County, where he hopes to defend his 2022 Provincial title. This will be Ben’s 7th trip to the Provincials. Congratulations, Ben!

Council endorsed allocating $180,000 in the 2024 Budget for a 1.6-metre pedestrian walkway for Blakeney Bridge, protected by flexible bollards. This provides a fully accessible walkway for pedestrians, with visible delineation during high traffic seasons. The bollards can be removed for winter maintenance, making it an all-season walkway. As part of its approval, Council also directed staff to request Lanark County complete a review of the geometry and make recommendations to the appropriate speed limit for Blakeney Bridge and its approaches. Lanark County Council approved a two-lane, 7.5m wide modular panel bridge replacement in December 2022.

Council received information on the Department of Development Services and Engineering’s mandates and establishing engineering-related fees and charges. This department was created from organizational restructuring at the end of 2022 and includes the Municipality’s Planning, Building and Engineering services. An amendment to the 2023 Fees and Charges for Services Bylaw will be considered at the June 20^th Council Meeting.  

Council approved the revised Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Committees and Local Boards with administrative changes to provide clarity. A code of conduct aims to ensure public trust and confidence in the Municipality’s decision making and operations and is enforceable by the Integrity Commissioner.

Council welcomed Ashley Kulp to the Municipality as Communications Coordinator. Ashley has more than 20 years of experience in community journalism and most recently worked as News Editor for Metroland newspapers, the Carleton Place Almonte Canadian Gazette and Kemptville Advance.

Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, to be brought forward at a future Council meeting:

• Award of contract for the Princess Street Renewal to Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. in the amount of $1,464,464.64, plus HST.

• Approval of the 2024 Budget Schedule and Process.

• Discussion on future plans for the Development & Engineering Department.

Bicentennial Events:

• June 16 - Mill Workers' Walk Re-enactment - all are welcome to join in this historical walk re-enacting a century of mill workers in Almonte going to work at the mills.

• June 24 - Almonte Home & Garden Tour - 10am - 5pm. Put on by the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

• June 30 - Pakenham Canada Day Eve Parade and Fireworks

• July 1 - Canada Day Celebration at Gemmill Park in Almonte. Lots of activities are being planned for this Bicentennial Canada Day celebration!

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – June 20^th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council. Special Council Meeting to follow Committee of the Whole.

• Council Summer Recess for July.

• Hybrid Council Meeting – August 15^th, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.