Mississippi Mills council meeting highlights: Youth initiatives, 2025 budget approval, and community developments

Here’s a rundown about what happened at the Tuesday, Feb. 11 meeting of Mississippi Mills council.

Last night’s meeting opened with a delegation from Emery Schaettgen, Warner Schaettgen, Maeve Kerwin, and Charlotte Kennedy with the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre. The group provided insight into their youth community needs project, THRIVE. This committee of youth, aged 13-18, is hosted by MMYC with funding from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills. The goal is to empower youth voices in the community, assess needs for thriving, and engage youth in civic participation. Results from a community needs workshop and survey were presented to Council, revealing the need for more youth spaces, increased awareness of resources, and access to substance abuse and mental health support. The survey results will be circulated to staff as part of the Community Services Master Plan.

Council also heard a delegation from Jane Ellens with Learning Again in Almonte, who shared findings from the ‘Building on Common Ground’ symposium held in November. The report highlighted ideas on growth, housing affordability, economic development, and transportation. It was received as information.

A public meeting was held for a housekeeping zoning by-law amendment to correct errors and omissions discovered during the consolidation of Zoning By-law #11-83. Moving forward, the Development Services and Engineering Department will regularly update the by-law to prevent errors.

Council adopted the 2025 Operating Budget, finalizing the 2025 budget process. The overall municipal budget exceeds $40M, with $27,789,767 allocated for operations and $12,807,589 for capital projects. A separate media release will provide further details.

Council approved a change in employee benefit providers for the Municipality. While the Municipality will remain with its current broker, Mosey and Mosey, it will join the Local Authority Services consortium. Coverage levels will remain the same, with an estimated cost savings of $71,771.

The Community Benefits Agreement for the battery energy storage system (BESS) at 6299 County Road 29 was endorsed. This agreement will provide additional funds to the Municipality over the contract’s duration. Council will determine fund usage once the project is operational. Additionally, the zoning by-law amendment for the project was approved, allowing for the development of a two-phase 14.98-megawatt BESS.

Revisions to the Municipality’s Traffic and Parking By-law were approved, including:

• No parking on John Street (from Water Street to Reserve Street, both sides) due to the narrow corridor.
• Removal of 10-minute permitted parking on the north side of Little Bridge Street (from 73 to 77 Little Bridge Street). Council directed staff to explore other parking solutions.
• Establishment of a 15m no-parking zone in front of municipally managed sanitary pump stations or water treatment facilities to ensure access.

Council passed a motion supporting provincial and federal measures in response to threatened tariffs on Canadian exports. The motion addresses removing obstacles for municipalities preferring Canadian companies for capital projects and supplies while eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. The CAO will draft a temporary purchasing policy for Council approval, and residents are encouraged to adopt “buy local” and “buy Canadian” practices.

Council directed staff to review the Elected Official Remuneration Policy as part of the mid-term governance review process. This review will investigate the option of a full-time mayor position and increased training allocations for council members. A follow-up staff report will be presented later in 2025.

During announcements, Council acknowledged February 11, 2025, as 211 Day across Canada. The helpline provides free, confidential, 24/7 access to community and social service resources in over 150 languages. As part of the United Glow campaign, Almonte Old Town Hall and the Falls were illuminated in red for 211 Day.

Committee of the Whole discussed the following items, which will be brought forward for future Council approval:

• Authorization for the Mayor and Clerk to enter a transfer payment agreement for the design and construction of Old Almonte Road in 2026.
• Recommendation report for a draft plan extension for Mill Valley Living.
• Draft plan approval for a 14-lot privately serviced subdivision in Appleton.
• The new Routine Disclosure/Active Dissemination Policy, enhancing public access to government information.
• Quarterly reports from Development Services and Engineering, as well as Roads and Public Works.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – February 25, 2025, at 6 p.m., followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.
• Hybrid Council Meeting – March 4, 2025, at 6 p.m., followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.