Council Highlights - May 7, 2024

The Mississippi Mills Fire Department (MMFD) unveiled their new 2024 Metro Star Pumper from Dependable Fire Equipment to Council prior to Tuesday night’s meeting. Approved in the 2024 Budget, the pumper, formally known as Pump 520, was officially put into service in March. This new pumper enhances the MMFD’s firefighting capabilities significantly. Particularly, the rooftop nozzle allows for immediate water application to fires while hose lines are being set up and a trash line has been mounted in the front bumper for rapid deployment at close range fires. MMFD also brought along additional fire rescue equipment – the 2023 Ford F550 Bush Truck and skid unit, which provides off-road capability for fire suppression or rescues, along with water tank and power hose; and the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD multi-purpose vehicle. This unit acts as another response vehicle for MMFD and tows a trailer housing a 2018 Kubota UTV, wildland equipment, pumps and hoses.  

Council heard a delegation from Ron Terpstra and Alice Puddington with the Almonte Civitan Club on their new accessible playground concept. The playground is to be located on the Almonte Civitan property on Wolf Grove Road, next to the soccer fields.

A Public Meeting was held regarding a Zoning By-law Amendment for 34 Victoria Street in Almonte, to re-zone the vacant lot from Development to Residential Fourth Density Special Exception. This will permit the development of affordable housing units with associated parking for Carebridge Community Support’s Housing First Pilot Project. The matter will come to a future Council meeting for discussion.

Council passed an update to the Establishing and Regulating By-law for Protective Services. Last updated in 2019, changes have been added regarding mandatory certification of firefighters across the province, as well as a device for grain entrapment rescues now being used by the Mississippi Mills Fire Department.

Council also approved an amendment to the Emergency Management Program By-law which addresses staffing and organizational changes identified through an annual review of the program.

The development of a local Climate Action Plan was endorsed by Council. The local plan will address climate action planning for community as well as Mississippi Mills as a corporation, and will utilize the same framework Lanark County used to develop their plan, using a mix of specialized consultants, staff and a community committee.

Council approved the Zoning By-law Amendment for 6299 County Road 29 to permit COMPASS to install a Battery Energy Storage System. The system will be limited to a 1 hectare portion of the property.

A new Building By-law was approved by Council, after a thorough review of the current Building Code Act and Ontario Building Code. It provides an up-to-date framework and a modernized approach, removing unnecessary requirements for the building permit process. Some changes include simplifying the definition of classes of permits, clarification on permit submission requirements, as well as establishing an official complaint process. Council also passed the new Building Officials Code of Conduct, which accounts for changes in legislation. The code provides appropriate standards of behaviour and enforcement actions for Chief Building Officials and inspectors.

Council also passed amendments to the Fees and Charges By-law for building fees, as well as the 2024 Tax Rates By-law, which sets the different property class rates for the year.

Council officially proclaimed May as Museum Month in the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, recognizing the vital role museums, museum workers and volunteers play in our three museums – North Lanark Regional Museum, Mill of Kintail Museum and Mississippi Valley Texile Museum – and to celebrate their contributions to community well-being, tourism, education and learning.

May 26 to June 1, 2024 was also declared National AccessAbility Week in the Municipality, an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contributions of individuals with disabilities in the community and recognize efforts made to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion. Council also proclaimed Wednesday, May 29 as Red Shirt Day in Mississippi Mills and encourage the community to wear red on this day in a display of solidarity for people and families living with disabilities.

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

• Quarterly reports were received from Development Services and Engineering and Roads and Public Works.

• The recommendation for a comprehensive Request for Proposal for a consultant to complete Phase 1 of the Municipal Space Needs Assessment.

• Changes to the Council Vacancy Policy and appointment procedures.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.

• Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.