Mississippi Mills Council highlights for December 5, 2023

Council honoured Mississippi Mills Public Library’s (MMPL) Monica Blackburn during last night’s meeting. Monica, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Children’s Librarian, is retiring after more than 35 years with the MMPL. She has had a lifelong connection to the library, which began as a teen when she worked there with her mother, Else Geuer. From managing summer day camps and tutoring programs to singing to babies, there isn’t a part of the library she hasn’t touched. Monica, thank you for fostering literacy in our future generations and best of luck in your retirement!

Council approved the 2022 Audited Financial Statements from KPMG, who conducted the audit between June and October of 2022. KPMG did not recognize any significant financial reporting risks or deficiencies, noting the Municipality is in a strong cash position. The KPMG report can be found here.

The updated Development Charges by-laws were adopted by Council, relating to roads, fire protection, parks and recreation, library, childcare, septage, wastewater and water services. Consultants Watson and Associates presented the 2023 Development Charges Background Study to Council back in September with recommendations, which was followed by a public meeting on November 7. Mississippi Mills follows the principle that growth should pay for growth and any new development projects are required to pay Development Charges to offset the costs of expansions and upgrades to municipal services, parks and institutions.

Council approved the lifting of the holding zone and Zoning By-law Amendment for 430 Ottawa Street. This permits Phase 1 of a development project to take place which will see a portion of the property redeveloped into a single-storey commercial building in front of the existing shopping centre, designed to accommodate the current tenants of the shopping centre.

An increase to the by-law enforcement contract hours of service was passed. This increases the hours of service in the Municipality’s contract with MLES from 20 hours per week to 50 hours per week. It will allow for a greater presence in the Municipality and ability to respond to complaints more efficiently. This change merges by-law and animal control services into one contract, reflecting an overall cost savings of $21,418.73 annually.

A Notice of Motion presented by Councillor Denzil Ferguson regarding Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 28, Rural Villages and Rural Vitality, was endorsed by Council. The motion recognizes that creating additional residential units (ARUs) can provide more opportunities to support multi-generational farming operations and increase local attainable rental stock. It directs staff to include the review of rural, non-farm residential severance policies in the rural designation and policies related to ARUs in the rural and agricultural areas as part of the process. OPA 28 involves a review of rural and agricultural policies of the Official Plan.

Council supported Lanark County’s proposal for the Better Homes Lanark program to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Community Efficiency Financing review committee. If successful with funding, this program aims to assist residents in lowering their carbon footprint and home utility bills.

Council passed the capital portion of the 2024 Budget. Some of the capital projects planned for 2024 include $1.5 million for Mercer Street and Marshall Street (culvert, stormwater and sanitary sewer upgrades), $900,000 for a new fire truck for the Mississippi Mills Fire Department, $650,000 for grader and loader replacements, as well as funds for the chiller and condenser replacement at the John Levi Community Centre, and downtown heritage street lights. The operational budget will be further discussed. Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, which will be brought forward for approval at a future Council meeting:

The consideration of a resolution of support from COMPASS Renewable Energy Consulting Inc. for battery energy storage systems at 6299 County Road 29.
Committee of the Whole recommended Council authorize the replacement of turbo blowers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant by the Ontario Clean Water Agency, at a cost of $527,313. The work will be funded from reserves.
Final acceptance of the plan of subdivision for Phase 5 of Riverfront Estates.
A Notice of Motion from Councillor Bev Holmes regarding the deteriorating condition of the section of Upper Perth Road between Ramsay Concession 1 and Wolf Grove Road. The motion recommends if a year-end surplus is available in 2023, that $42,000 be used to provide repairs.

Upcoming Meetings:

Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.
Special Council Budget Meeting – Thursday, December 14, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow council.