Here’s what happened at the Tuesday, Nov. 19 meeting of Mississippi Mills council

Below are the highlights from the Tuesday, Nov. 19 meeting of Mississippi Mills council, as submitted by the municipality.

During last night’s meeting, Council received information from the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation on the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives and accomplishments. A video highlighting their efforts can be found here.

Council approved updates to the recruitment, selection and hiring policy. The policy, which establishes and enforces fair and equitable practices, has been updated to reflect current and best practices and removal of content already addressed in other policies. Content related to nepotism or perceived conflict of interest in both internal and external recruitment processes, is covered in a new Conflict in Hiring Policy, which was also endorsed by Council. This document aims to ensure that employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, free from any undue influence stemming from personal or familial relationships.

Council authorized a new service agreement with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) for the management, operations and maintenance of the Municipality’s water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities and associated pump stations. This new agreement ensures that OCWA will operate the facilities with a focus on comprehensive services to protect the public and the environment while promoting good asset stewardship through continuous improvement. The initial term of the agreement is five years, with an option to renew for an additional five-year term.

Updates to By-law 18-84, regarding the seasonal closure of active transportation facilities, including bike lanes, sidewalks and public pathways, was approved. The amendments align seasonal closures of bike lanes and Class 3 sidewalks and adds the definition of a Public Pathway. This is an active transportation corridor designed specifically for use by pedestrian traffic and, in some cases, cycling traffic, located on municipal property. The reclassification of sidewalks brings a 350-metre increase in maintained sidewalks and a 2025 Budget impact of $1,725.50.

Council accepted the final 2024 Transportation Master Plan (TMP), led by consultants Parsons. Part of the MM2048 planning process, the TMP provides a high-level, long-term vision and pathway on the financial stewardship of the transportation network for the Municipality. It identifies transportation needs and opportunities, as well as recommendations and implementation plans regarding active transportation, the municipal road network, public transit and ridesharing. The TMP is intended to be a ‘living document,’ which will be updated every five years to ensure it remains current with growth and transportation trends, financial viability and feasibility of projects. Click here to read the final TMP.  

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

• Amendments to the duty to accommodate policy and approval of the new exit interview policy.
• Proposed changes to the 2025 fees and charges by-law.
• A land sale request for lands within an unopened road allowance on Dalkeith Road in Pakenham.
• Consideration of Zoning By-law Amendments for 7317 County Road 29, 420 McIntosh Way and 125 Bridge Street.
• A report on 2025 capital priorities for hard surfaced roadways.
• Quarterly Reports for Roads and Public Works and Protective Services.

Beginning at the next Committee of the Whole meeting on December 3, Councillor Jane Torrance will begin her term as Committee of the Whole Chair for a period of six months until May 31, 2025.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – December 3, 2024, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.
• Hybrid Council Meeting – December 10, 2024, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.