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Highlights of the April 4th, 2023
Council Meeting

Council heard a delegation from Brenda Deugo-Mills regarding 5 Span Strong – new type of children's health education program in Pakenham where kids learn how movement and breathing techniques support their physical and mental health in every day modern living situations.

Council approved the 2022 Almonte Drinking Water System Annual Report. The Municipality and Ontario Clean Water Agency’s ongoing commitment to invest in system management, operational improvements and efficiencies, capital investments and training continues to reflect in system performance.

Council also approved the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Workplan which includes funding $5,000 through the 2023 Vegetation Management account to implement the Workplan and endorsing and signing the National Wildlife Federation Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. The Pledge is an initiative where Municipal leaders commit to implementing action items with the goal of developing habitat for the Monarch butterfly and raising community awareness about the decline in the Monarch population.

A Special Council Meeting was held on March 30th, 2023 to approve a Steering Committee for the Community Services Master Plan and provide direction to that Committee which includes creating Policy Framework, a mission statement, review of best practices and previous plans, as well as conduct a gap analysis and identify opportunities for all Mississippi Mills residents. The Plan considers all recreation parks, facilities, programming, culture, public art, heritage and childcare services.

Council welcomed new Planning Technician and Secretary Treasurer to the Committee of Adjustment, Melissa Fudge. Melissa was born and raised in Kanata and graduated as an Architectural Technologist from Algonquin College. She moved to Vancouver and has gained over 15 years of experience working as a Senior Technologist and Project Manager. Melissa and her family moved back to the Ottawa area in 2020 and purchased their first home in 2021 in Mississippi Mills.

The Committee of the Whole received a quarterly update from the Development Services and Engineering Department:

  • 25 development applications received in the first quarter of 2023
  • Initiated two new infrastructure planning projects: Transportation Master Plan and Water/Wastewater Servicing Master Plan
  • In 2022, the Planning Branch completed 437 inquiries. Since January 1st, 2023, the Planning Branch has received 109 inquiries.

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

  • Mississippi Mills successfully applied for one-time funding offered by Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to recoup clean-up costs experienced as a result of the Derecho in May 2022. The Municipality received $150,000.00 of the $275,000.00 in funding applied for. It’s recommended that approximately $125,000.00 of the funding allocated to assist with clean up including the purchase of brush cutter attachment for a loader, and the remaining $25,000 be used for reforestation.
  • Reconstruction of Panmure Road and pulverizing and gravelling of Concession 9 North Pakenham, as well as the last 2 km of the surface treatment on Bellamy Road as part of the 2023 capital program.
    • Staff provided a progress report on MM2048 which brings together a number of corporate plans and studies to ensure a consistent approach to manage future change and provides the opportunity for more substantial public engagement. A public information session is scheduled for Thursday, April 13th at the John Levi Community Centre in Almonte from
      2:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

Bicentennial Events:

  • March to May - MM Community Reads!" The Days of Toil and Tears: The Child Labour Diary of Flora Rutherford" by Sarah Ellis. This story is set in Almonte about an orphan who works in a textile mill. 
  • April 6 - Community Luncheon from 11:30am - 1pm, hosted by the Almonte Civitan.
  • May 4 - Renewing our Friendships: Introducing the Seven Gifts - come out for an evening of learning and inspiration! Experience a Smudging Ceremony, learn about the Seven Grandfather Teachings and hear from the artists behind this amazing sculpture. Tickets are $15 and on sale through www.ticketsplease.ca. Visit www.mmallmyrelations.ca for more information about this exciting project!
  • May 12 - RCMP Musical Ride at the Almonte Fairgrounds. A beautiful setting for an amazing show! You won't want to miss it! (TBC!) 

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Hybrid Council Meeting – April 25th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council.
  • Hybrid Council Meeting – May 9th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council.