The Municipality of Mississippi Mills

Committee of the Whole Meeting

MINUTES

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING COUNCIL
Hybrid
3131 Old Perth Road.
Committee Present:
  • Mayor Lowry
  • Deputy Mayor Minnille
  • Councillor Ferguson
  • Councillor Holmes
  • Councillor Lowe
  • Councillor Torrance
Committee Absent:
  • Councillor Souter
Staff Present:
  • Ken Kelly, CAO
  • Jeanne Harfield, Clerk
  • Casey Munro, Deputy Clerk
  • Melanie Knight, Senior Planner
  • Mike Williams, Director of Protective Services
  • Cory Smith, Director of Public Works
  • Tiffany MacLaren, Manager of Community and Economic Development
  • David Shen, Director of Development and Engineering
  • Anita Legault, Director of Childcare Services

Councillor Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:48 p.m.

  • Resolution NoCW163-23
    Moved byCouncillor Ferguson
    Seconded byCouncillor Torrance

    THAT the agenda be approved as presented.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW164-23
    Moved byCouncillor Torrance
    Seconded byCouncillor Lowe

    THAT the minutes dated June 6, 2023 be approved.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW165-23
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Minnille
    Seconded byMayor Lowry

    THAT the following consent reports and committee minutes be received.

    CARRIED
Protective Services
  • Resolution NoCW166-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byCouncillor Ferguson

    THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council receive this report as information.

    CARRIED
Community Services
  • Resolution NoCW167-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byMayor Lowry

    THAT Committee of the Whole approve Mississippi Mills Pride using their 2023 Municipal Grant ($3750) towards the cost of a permanent public installation.

    CARRIED
Roads and Public Works
  • Resolution NoCW168-23
    Moved byCouncillor Ferguson
    Seconded byCouncillor Torrance

    THAT Committee of the Whole recommends that Council direct staff to complete a fulsome review process as per Section 4.12 of Ontario Traffic Manual Book 12 to determine if one or both PXO crossings on Mill Street are candidates for removal;

    AND THAT
    Committee of the Whole recommends that Council direct staff, upon completion of the review to provide a report to Council with options for both PXO crossings on Mill Street.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW169-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byMayor Lowry

    THAT Committee of the Whole recommend Council Direct Staff to prepare a bylaw for the purposes of dedicating Part 9 of Plan 26R1346 as a Highway and incorporate it into the Municipal Road System.

    CARRIED

Deputy Mayor Minnille took over as Chair at 8:10 pm Councillor Holmes resumed as Chair at 8:11 pm 

Deputy Mayor Minnille took over as Chair at 8:15 pm Councillor Holmes resumed as Chair at 8:16 pm

STAFF DIRECTION: Director of Public Works to share a memo with Council via email and have staff share updates on roadwork projects on the municipal website.

  • Resolution NoCW170-23
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Minnille
    Seconded byCouncillor Ferguson

    THAT the Committee of the Whole recommends that Council Award the Contract for Tender No. 22-03, Option 2, Surface Treatment Program to Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited, in the amount of $2,048,330.59 Plus HST.

    AND THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to use surplus funds to complete large asphalt patches on hardsurfaced roads throughout Mississippi Mills.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW171-23
    Moved byCouncillor Ferguson
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Minnille

    THAT Committee of Whole recommend that Council authorize proceeding with sole source procurement purchasing of an Engine Wheel Loader Boom Mower through Canoe Procurement Group of Canada for a price of $158,260.86 plus HST

    CARRIED
Development & Engineering
  • Resolution NoCW172-23
    Moved byMayor Lowry
    Seconded byCouncillor Torrance

    THAT Committee of the Whole recommends that Council appoint Devon Staley and Gerald Moore of RSM Building Consultants as Deputy Chief Building Officials for the Municipality until such time that an employee of the Municipality is appointed as a Deputy Chief Building Official.

    CARRIED
Clerks & Administration
  • Resolution NoCW173-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byMayor Lowry

    THAT Committee of the Whole recommends that Council adopt the Procedural By-law as presented and repeal By-law 19-127.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW174-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Minnille

    THAT members of the Committee of the Whole provide direction to staff on the proposed framework for the Community Engagement Strategy by July 10, 2023.   

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW175-23
    Moved byCouncillor Ferguson
    Seconded byMayor Lowry

    THAT Committee of the Whole recommends that Council amend the Delegated Authority Bylaw to authorize staff to negotiate, award, and execute certain contracts between June 28th, 2023, and August 14th, 2023, to ensure planned work can be initiated in a timely manner. 

    CARRIED

Mayor Lowry introduced a verbal notice of motion. As per the Procedural  By-law verbal notice of motions would be considered at the following regular meeting.

Deputy Mayor Minnille took over as Chair at 8:43 pm Councillor Holmes resumed as Chair at 8:44pm

STAFF DIRECTION: include data from black cats

  • Resolution NoCW176-23
    Moved byMayor Lowry
    Seconded byCouncillor Ferguson

    THAT Committee of the Whole suspend the rules of Procedural By-law 19-127 to allow for the consideration of the verbal notice of motion brought forward by Mayor Lowry.

    CARRIED
  • Resolution NoCW177-23
    Moved byMayor Lowry
    Seconded byCouncillor Torrance

    WHEREAS residents in Mississippi Mills have conveyed concerns regarding recent break-ins, petty crime and crimes of opportunity; and

    WHEREAS community safety is multi-layered and includes not only policing but also prevention measures, youth programming, mental health support and more; and  

    WHEREAS the municipality manages the policing contract; and

    WHEREAS the municipality is conducting community engagement activities to solicit feedback from residents; and

    WHEREAS the Municipality, Mayor and Council cannot direct the police or operations of the police;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED staff be directed to publish historical and current Mississippi Mills policing data on the website;

    AND THAT staff be directed to provide a report or reports to Committee of the Whole including the following:

    1. An update with regards to the Lanark County Police Services Board restructuring and anticipated timelines.
    2. An update regarding the Lanark County OPP space needs and requirements for a secondary detachment in North Lanark. 
    3. An update on planned engagement activities on the topic of community safety and well being.
    4. Comparison data for communities who use OPP contracts vs municipally-operated police services.  Data to include:
      • Cost of service
      • Services provided
      • Population and areas covered
      • Incident data including Crime Severity Index trends

    AND FUTHERMORE, at its June 27th Strategic Planning session that Committee of the Whole consider possible Community Safety & Well Being engagement strategies that could include the following elements:

    • Relevant areas from Lanark County Community Safety & Well Being Plan
    • Municipal Drug Strategy
    • Planet Youth & Youth Centre
    • Health Unit Liaison
    • ByLaw Enforcement
    • Traffic Calming
    • Policing Data and Police Liaison 
    CARRIED

Thanked Members of Council for stepping up recently to attend municipal events. Members then summarized recent events including: community awards, pride events and the business breakfast, and rural broadband funding announcement.

Deputy Mayor Minnille provided a summary of the recent County Council meeting including: new tourism coordinator ($5000 tourism related projects for municipalities), update on EORN updated on highspeed internet by 2025, and small business advisory center update.

No meeting in June, tour of the Clyde river basin.

Councillor Ferguson attended the Zone 2 meeting for eastern Ontario and provided a summary.

Councillor Lowe provided an update - both library branches renewed their accreditation.

  • Resolution NoCW178-23
    Moved byDeputy Mayor Minnille
    Seconded byCouncillor Torrance

    THAT the information list #12-23 be received for information;

    AND THAT Item A: Lanark County Climate Action Plan be pulled for further consideration.

    CARRIED

Members reviewed the pending list.

  • Resolution NoCW179-23
    Moved byCouncillor Lowe
    Seconded byCouncillor Ferguson

    THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

    CARRIED