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Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Feb. 12, 2025.

Rural Economic Development through Immigration Pilot Project to Begin: Lanark County  Council received a report about the Rural Economic Development through Immigration (REDI)  one-year pilot project that is geared to supporting economic immigration in select communities  outside of the Greater Toronto Area. 

Clerk Jasmin Ralph explained at the economic development committee meeting last month the  county was one of four municipalities in Ontario selected to participate in the pilot developed by  the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. She said the county will be  allocated up to 200 nominations through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP)  Employer Job Offer streams. This will help local employers that are looking to fill labour gaps to  attract and retain skilled workers.  

Under the program, the county must establish a working group composed of employers and other  relevant community organization members to work with ministry staff to oversee REDI activities. It  will connect employers with the OINP program. The county’s economic development  representative and the recruitment and settlement coordinator will assist in leading the working  group. The ministry provides staff support and information and will actively engage with the  business community and working group to support those experiencing labour shortages. For  more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. 

Climate and Environmental Budget Outlined: Lanark County Council received a summary of the  climate action priorities and workplan for 2025, along with an overview of the climate and  environmental sub-department budget for this year. 

At the public works committee meeting last month, Climate Environmental Coordinator Michelle  Rabbetts said 2025 priorities include the launch of the Better Homes Lanark program later this  year, starting the study on developing a natural heritage system, completing the roadmap for the  Building to Net Zero (BNZ) cohort, completing the green infrastructure inventory for the asset  management plan, and completing a work plan and a risk and vulnerability assessment for the  Climate Adaption Plan.  

Some of the workplan highlights for this year also include installing two level-three electric vehicle  charging stations at the county offices in Perth, organizing spring and fall tree seedling giveaways, supporting ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) Mississippi-Rideau, creating a new community  climate grant, funding the Municipal Climate Action Grant, and more. 

The 2025 budget, which was developed with the Climate Action Working Group and is part of the  public works budget, includes funds for the Municipal Climate Action Fund (eight grants of $7,500  for each municipality), a $25,000 Community Climate Grant, as well as funds for consultation fees,  planning, nature-based climate solutions and other climate action initiatives for a total of $210,000. 

“Lanark County is launching several new programs and updating plans to achieve greenhouse gas  emissions targets and meet climate action goals,” Rabbetts said. For more information, contact  Michelle Rabbetts, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114. 

Traffic By-law Updated to Regulate Additional Signage: Lanark County Council has approved  an amendment to the by-law to regulate traffic to include all existing regulatory signs on county  roads that require a by-law. 

At the public works committee meeting last month, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin  explained the county received a request for a “no left turn” sign on McNeely Avenue across from  Waterside Retirement Facility in Carleton Place, which requires a by-law in order to install. After  further review, it was found there were other existing regulatory signs on county roads that  currently require a by-law and did not have one. 

In 2022, council approved consolidating 80 traffic by-laws into one comprehensive by-law that  encompasses stop signs and yield signs on county roads, through highways, speed reduction  zones, traffic restrictions on bridges and traffic restrictions on county roads. The amendment adds  additional categories: lane designations (i.e., right turn only), turn control (i.e., no left turn),  pedestrian crossovers, reserved lanes (i.e., bicycle lanes) and miscellaneous controls (i.e., no  fishing from bridge). 

The new sign on McNeely Avenue was approved as the current entrance to the retirement facility  had been designed as a “right-in/right-out” due to its proximity to the Mississippi River Bridge  crossing. The “no left turn” sign will be installed for southbound traffic. For more information,  contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194. 

Work in Right-of-Way Policy Adopted: Lanark County Council has passed a by-law adopting a  new Work in Right-of-Way (ROW) Policy.  

At the public works committee meeting last month, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin  explained the county adopted a by-law in 1999 regulating the excavation of county roads for the installation of utilities, which outlined requirements for persons undertaking the activities within the  county ROW, including requirements for permits and conditions for acceptance. Derouin said the  current policy did not consider non-excavation work within the ROW, such as lane/sidewalk  closures or obstructions to facilitate construction on private property, unloading of materials, and  temporary encroachments, such as waste disposal bins. 

The new policy allows public works to ensure people working within the ROW are insured to work  there, naming the county as an additional insured and indemnifying the county from actions  arising from their work. It also ensures proper traffic control and collects fees/deposits that reflect  actual costs incurred. 

“The new policy includes an updated fee structure that will better ensure costs are recovered from  the applicant for time spent by county staff administering and inspecting locations,” Derouin said. “It allows for the use of Permit Central to administer permit applications and collect fees, which will  reduce staff administrative effort and provide a more efficient process for the public.” For more  information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194. 

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Feb. 26 (following County Council); Economic Development, Feb. 26 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, March 12, 5 p.m.; Community Services, March 12 (following County  Council); Corporate Services, March 12 (following Community Services). Watch for details about  public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like “LanarkCounty1” on Facebook and follow “@LanarkCounty1” on Instagram!