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Gavel on table

Highlights of the October 3rd, 2023 Council Meeting

At last night’s meeting, Council received the findings of the 2023 Development Charges Background Study, prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., as information.  Development Charges are fees paid by new development to fund growth-related infrastructure and services constructed throughout the Municipality. The Provincial government regulates the setting of rates through the Development Charges Act. A background study is required at least every five years to forecast the Municipality’s future residential and non-residential growth determining infrastructure needs and costs. A public meeting regarding the study will be held during the November 7th, 2023 Council meeting.

Council awarded the contract for the 2023-2026 Almonte Ward Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and CCTV Program to Clean Water Works Inc. in the amount of $285,527.50, plus HST. The Roads and Public Works Department completes annual cleaning and CCTV inspection on a quarter of the sanitary sewer system in Almonte Ward each year. This program spans a four-year period to ensure all sanitary sewers in the ward are inspected and cleaned.

The Council Principles and Priorities 2023-2027 were passed, which sets out key actions Council wishes to accomplish during this term of office and helps guide budgets and staff workplans. Council has chosen six themes to focus resources of the Municipality in future years: Safe and Sustainable; Welcoming Inclusive, Active and Healthy Community; Modern Efficient and Effective Municipal Operations; Sustainable Financial Stewardship; Support a Vibrant and Prosperous Economy; and Accountable and Transparent Governance.

Council approved its top 5 recommendations from the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force Report of February 2022, which include: Providing provincial and federal loan guarantees for affordable housing projects; reinstating site plan control for residential development of 10 units or less; as well as requiring appellants to provide evidence before an appeal is accepted by the Ontario Land Tribunal. In September, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing requested that Municipalities submit prioritized lists for future consideration.

Council welcomed Gillian Bentley to the Municipality in the role of Planner. Gillian was raised in rural Mississippi Mills and graduated from Almonte District High School in 2016. After completing her Master’s Degree in Planning at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, she has returned home to start her career.

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

  • The quarterly report was received from the Department of Development Services & Engineering.

  • Discussion continued around the future of the Planning Branch, which is facing staffing capacity challenges. Committee of the Whole recommended staff include a Policy Planner position for consideration in 2024 budget deliberations.

  • Director of Protective Services, Mike Williams, brought forward a By-law Service Review report. Currently, the Municipality contracts by-law services to Municipal Law Enforcement Services (MLES). Committee of the Whole recommended increasing the number of hours in the MLES contract to allow for more timely response and referred the matter to 2024 budget deliberations.

  • Staff brought an update on the reallocation of the Municipality’s advertising budget, recommending that $50,000 from previous budgeted amounts for print ads in Metroland newspapers be reallocated to other advertising and communication initiatives.

  • The introductory report from the Project Management Office (PMO) was presented as information. The PMO was launched over the summer as a tool to track priority and operational projects throughout the year and report back to Council in a transparent manner.

Bicentennial Events:

  • October 14 – Yellow Bus Farm Tour II, exploring the rural farming community. Tickets are $30 each and available at Almonte Old Town Hall, Nicholson’s, Clayton General Store and the Almonte library.

  • October 14 – RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon rides from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Almonte Fairgrounds. This is a free event. Weather permitting.

  • October 14 – Bicentennial Old Fashioned Harvest Dinner & Dance at the North Lanark Agricultural Society Hall. Tickets are $40 and are available at Almonte Old Town Hall, Nicholson’s, Clayton General Store and the Almonte library.

  • November 17-19, 24-26 – Spinning Yarns: The Millworkers’ Musical at Almonte Old Town Hall. This musical theatre production highlights textile mill workers. Written by Fern Martin, directed by Kris Riendeau, and produced by Barb Dickson and Michael Rikley-Lancaster.

Upcoming Meetings:

  • Hybrid Special Council Budget Meeting – October 10th, 2023, 1 p.m.

  • Hybrid Special Council Budget Meeting – October 12th, 2023, 9 a.m.

  • Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.