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Last night Council approved awarding of a contract for exterior works to the Almonte Old Town Hall.  As stewards of an important historical landmark in our community, Council approved this project as part of an ongoing maintenance schedule to ensure the historic building remains in good condition.

As per Provincial regulations, Council approved the municipal asset management plan for core assets (roads, bridges and culverts, water, wastewater and stormwater management systems) that identifies current levels of service and the cost of maintaining those levels of service. Mississippi Mills worked with Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. to meet the milestones as set out by the Province.

As a result of the sale of municipal surplus lands on Adelaide and Menzie the municipality will place approximately $1,145,630.44 into reserves to be used in the future for economic development initiatives.

Following up from a previous presentation by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) Council directed staff to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the MVCA to provide septic system review services.  Previously the local Health Unit would provide septic system inspections however, they will no longer be providing this service. The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority Rideau Valley Conservation Authority have formed a new unit to provide septic System review services and many municipalities in the area have entered into agreements for this work. Council has directed staff to enter into an agreement with the MVCA for these services.

A notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Holmes received unanimous support last night. The notice of motion will direct staff to look into options for either amending existing policies or by-laws or bringing forward new ones to include provisions around shooting ranges such as hours of operations and more.

Council approved By-Law 22-057 Amendments to Fees and Charges By-law (MZO). This by-law allows for an amended fee structure with respect to a new class of Site Plan Control applications. This new class relates to ministerial orders for planning approvals. These orders allow applicants to by-pass certain planning steps and previously did not have to pay any fees. This new by-law makes it equitable for all applicants.

Mississippi Mills Council unanimously supported flying the Every Child Matters Flag at municipal facilities for the month of September to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is the second year that the Municipality will fly the Every Child Matters Flag at municipal buildings during the month of September.

The Committee of the Whole heard the following items, which will be brought forward and approved at a future Council meeting:

  • Stop sign installation in Riverfront Estates and Mill Run
  • Award of Engineering, Detailed Design and Tender Preparation to Parsons Inc. in the amount of $194,551.22 plus HST for upgrades and extension of water, sanitary and storm services on Union Street North.
  • Zoning By-law amendments to amend the zoning of subject lands on Rae Road and Montgomery Park Road.
  • Adoption of a Development Charge Interest Policy to ensure the municipality can charge and collect interest on Development Charges (an important source of revenue to fund growth-related infrastructure) being paid through installment payments. This stems from changes introduced by Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019 (“Bill 108”), and further amended by Bill 138, Plan to Build Ontario Together Act, 2019 (“Bill 138”).
  • Stemming from a two-stage organizational realignment report in 2020, a Director of Public Works will oversee roads operations and the management of the water and wastewater operations including the evaluation of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) contract. There will also be the addition of a third building inspector until such time an internal competition can be completed, and the successful candidate promoted to Deputy Chief Building Official. At this time, the third building inspector position will be vacated.
  • Councillor Holmes put forth a Notice of Motion with respect to speeding traffic on roads affected by construction. As such, speeds will be temporarily reduced to 30km/hr in White Tail Ridge.  Other roads affected by construction may see speeds reduced temporarily by a maximum of 20km/hr.
  • Mayor Lowry put forth a Notice of Motion with respect to Additional Residential Units (ARU) that would direct staff to undertake a municipally initiated Official Plan Amendment to the Community Official Plan to formalize the requirement that a certain percentage of new residential construction includes ARUs for those lands that were subject to Official Plan Amendment 22 (64 hectares of new development lands within the settlement area of the ward of Almonte). 

As we re-open Council Chambers to members of the public, we have a limit of 20 in the viewing gallery, which will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Preregistration is no longer required.

While masking is not required members of the public are encouraged to wear a mask as social distancing may not be possible. 

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Hybrid Regular meeting of Council and Committee of the Whole – September 6th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Hybrid Regular meeting of Council and Committee of the Whole – September 20th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.