Council Highlights – June 17, 2025

The final regular Council meeting before summer break began with a delegation from Andy West and Joey Graff with the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, who provided Council with information on Planet Youth Lanark County’s work to reduce substance abuse among young people. They shared results from a 2024 survey of local youth and what’s being done in Mississippi Mills. This includes building stronger connections with schools, giving helpful information to youth and parents and starting a News Crew to share information in a way that’s easy for youth to understand. View the presentation.  

A public meeting was held for the plan of subdivision and zoning by-law amendment for Hannan Hills subdivision. The lands front on Florence and Adelaide streets. The proposed plan is to build 110 units – a mix of townhouses and single-family homes.  

Council approved the updated 2025 Development Charges By-laws. Development charges are fees charged on specific developments (residential and non-residential) in the Municipality. The fees collected will go towards funding roadways, childcare services, wastewater services, water services and plans and studies. As information and data is collected specifically related to wastewater capacity over the next two years, this by-law will be reviewed and updated.  

Two matters related to the childcare expansion project were also approved by Council. The first waives planning fees and charges for development, construction and building projects undertaken by the Municipality. The second matter relates to site preparation for 34 Victoria Street involving an easement agreement and drainage works.  

Under Strong Mayors Powers authority, Mayor Christa Lowry provided an update to Council about recent Mayoral Decisions and Directives. Mayor Lowry also gave a statement about the Strong Mayor Powers and the impact in Mississippi Mills. The full statement can be found at: Strong Mayor Powers | Mississippi Mills. All decisions made under Strong Mayor Powers are also published here.  

As this was the last regular Committee of the Whole meeting before summer recess, Council also approved the following items during a special Council meeting. 

Council agreed to a six-year deal with LiveBarn Inc. to place cameras at the John Levi Community Centre in Almonte and Stewart Community Centre in Pakenham to livestream amateur sports. Signs will be posted advising the public of video cameras in arenas. People who want to watch will need a LiveBarn subscription and the videos will not be managed by the municipality. Nearby municipalities like Perth, North Grenville, Westport and Prescott made similar deals with LiveBarn in 2024.  

Council awarded the contract for replacement of the Carss Street watermain to W.H. MacSweyn Ltd. for $285,900. The project involves installing a new 300mm watermain to help make sure the Municipality’s water and sewer systems keep working properly. 

Council agreed to fix more sidewalks this year. They had already planned $120,613.38 of sidewalk upgrades. The total budgeted amount for sidewalk upgrades in 2025 is $273,315. With $152,000 left to spend, up to 22 additional sidewalks in Almonte and Pakenham will be improved. 

Consideration was given to additional road and surface renewal works of $1,328,000. Planned renewal work came in under budget which means that more work can be added into the 2025 program without going over budget. Council prioritized the following work recognizing that it will be completed on a “best efforts basis” as staff try to stretch the budget for this year: 

• $300,000 – Pick Road (between County Road 29 and Ramsay Concession 8): Pavement renewal 
• $273,000 – Rae Road (between Ramsay Concession 5A and Concession 6): Surface treatment 
• $80,000 – Concession 12 South Pakenham (between Darks Side Road and County Road 20: Surface treatment 
• $75,000 – Argyle Street (between Country Street and George Street): Pavement renewal 
• $60,000 – Ramsay Concession 8 (between County Road 29 and municipal limits): Pavement renewal  
• $430,000 – Water Street (between Bridge Street and end of asphalt): Pavement renewal 
• $50,000 – Water Street (end of asphalt and termination of roadway): Pavement renewal  
• $60,000 – Old Almonte Road (between Paterson Street and Appleton Side Road): Preliminary design and preparation work 

Council gave staff the go ahead to replace a 2002 International snow plow that was destroyed in the February 7 fire at the Ramsay garage. The Municipality received $31,600 in an insurance settlement, but the cost to replace is about $450,000. Staff will seek to purchase a used replacement within the range of $30,000 to $90,000. 

As of June 18, 2025, Ramsay Ward Councillor Bev Holmes will step in as Committee of the Whole (COW) Chair for a six-month term. Thank you to Almonte Ward Councillor Jane Torrance for her work as COW Chair over the last six months. 

Council also approved changes to policies because of the Strong Mayor Powers legislation. The updated policies include Council-Staff Relations, Council and Committee Code of Conduct and the Council Vacancy Policy. 

Upcoming Meetings:

• Special Hybrid Council Meeting – Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 9 a.m.
• Council summer recess for July.
• Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.