Highlights of the January 31st, 2023
Council Meeting

John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston provided Council with an update on his work at Queen’s Park and welcomed questions from Council who asked about healthcare, highways/road safety and senior living.

Erin Lee, Executive Director of the Lanark County Interval House provided an overview of programs, services and statistics related to Intimate Partner Violence in Lanark County. Mississippi Mills Council previously passed a resolution declaring Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic as per recommendation #1 of the Renfrew County Coroner’s Inquest. The resolution was passed unanimously and has been sent to all Ontario municipalities and the provincial government.  

Kim Bennet from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provided an overview of property assessment in Ontario. To better help property owners understand the relationship between property assessment and taxes, as well as the key roles different levels of government play, MPAC has developed a toolkit for municipalities to use which can be found here.

Council supported a resolution for a battery energy storage system project bid by COMPASS Renewable Energy Consulting Inc., with a condition that the proposed development be subject to all applicable Municipal and Provincial by-laws and Standards as determined by the Municipality, including any applicable Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law provisions. 

Council awarded $34,296.22 in municipal grants to support initiatives run by community organizations (13 in total). Council also provided pre-budget approval for the community grants which will permit staff to distribute the funding to the community organizations prior to the 2023 budget being passed.

The Committee of the Whole received a quarterly update from the Department of Development Services and Engineering. Highlights included ongoing work with Lanark County on a draft Affordable Housing Grant Program Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), various policy projects and plan updates, as well as by-law and fee structure reviews.

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

  • Award contract for the Transportation Master Plan Project (TMP) to Parsons Inc. in the amount of $151,570 plus HST. A TMP identifies the policies and projects that will align with growth, support vision, and meet short- and long-term transportation needs.

  • The Ontario Blue Box program is transitioning to full producer responsibility for recycling operations and cost. Committee of the Whole recommended that staff negotiate and secure agreements with a private sector service provider for industrial, commercial and institutional facilities which are non-eligible for the full producer responsibility program. 

  • Finalize acceptance and direct staff to prepare an Assumption By-law for the Mill Run subdivision in Almonte.

  • Direct staff to continue to explore new traffic calming solutions for Mississippi Mills and update the current Policy for Traffic Calming and Speed Management on Municipal Roads.

  • Approve the contract for the Mississippi Mills Effluent Pipe Relining be single sourced from Clean Water Works Inc. at a cost of $156,830.48 (including HST). The work will help prevent future root infiltration and offer the least disruption of service to the Water Treatment Plant.

2023 Budget Survey

We want to hear from you! Tell us your thoughts on the Municipality’s priorities in 2023. The Budget is one of the most important matters your elected Council decides upon every year, and your input will help Council identify key investments and priorities and balance them with tax and fee changes. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and tell us what is important to you in how we invest your tax dollars. The survey will close on February 10th, 2023. Paper surveys can be picked up at the Municipal Office and at the Library in Pakenham. 

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Hybrid Council Meeting – February 7th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council.
  • Hybrid Council Meeting – February 21st, 2023 at 6:00 pm. Committee of the Whole Meeting to follow Council.

Back Row L-R: Councillor Vicki Lowe, Councillor Jane Torrance, Mayor Christa Lowry, MPP John Jordan, Councillor Denzil Ferguson, Deputy Mayor Rickey Minnille.

Front Row: Councillor Mary Lou Souter, Erin Lee, Executive Director of the Lanark County Interval House, Councillor Bev Holmes.