SUBMITTED
A delegation from Mary Rozenberg, project coordinator with the Mississippi Mills Community Poppy Project, kicked off last night’s meeting. The initiative began in 2024 and invited knitters and crocheters to collaborate on making poppies to be used in community displays. It was made possible through many partnerships, including a Mississippi Mills Neighbourhood Microgrant. Over 300 volunteers helped make more than 10,000 poppies that were installed on displays throughout the municipality. The project will continue this year. View the presentation here.
Council also heard a deputation from Stephanie Gray with the Lanark County Situation Table on the Community Safety and Well-being Plan for Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls (2025-2029). The original plan, which identifies community assets, risks and develops strategies to address them, was approved by local municipalities in 2019. It became mandated by the province in 2021 under the Community Safety and Policing Act. Themes in the updated plan include affordability and quality of life; health; violence against persons; and priority populations and diversity. Following the presentation, Council adopted the revised plan. View the presentation here.
A public meeting was held on the zoning by-law amendment for 1908 Ramsay Concession 4B. The reason for the amendment is to allow additional permitted uses to the rural zoned property to allow a future commercial business within the existing storage building on the property. Public meetings are an opportunity for the public to provide input. This matter will come before Council for discussion at a future meeting.
Council approved investigating options to continue industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) curbside recycling collection beyond the current contract and to obtain costing. The reason for this change is that the Province of Ontario, which is responsible for the recycling programs in many municipalities, including Mississippi Mills since July 1, 2023, will move to a Common Collection System as of December 31, 2025. This system will only be required to provide residential recycling collection, not IC&I collection.
As part of the parking review for Little Bridge Street in Almonte, Council approved a pilot program making six short-term parking spaces available on the street to address parking concerns in this area.
Updates to the Municipality’s Illumination By-law and design guidelines were endorsed by Council, which addresses lighting requirements in Mississippi Mills. The by-law and design guidelines include technology improvements and a consistent framework for installing streetlights and utilities, as well as illumination in all new developments.
Council directed staff to proceed with the evaluation of the Requests for Proposal for the new Childcare Expansion Project. The Mississippi Mills Childcare Services facility is proposed to be built at 34 Victoria Street in Almonte and replace the current State Street building, which houses 73 childcare spaces. The expansion would allow for an additional 78 spaces, for a total licensed capacity of 151 Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare (CWELCC) spaces, along with additional room for future growth. Due to the compressed timelines dictated by CWELCC, a decision to award the project will be made at a special Council meeting on April 16, 2025.
Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, which will be brought forward for approval at a future Council meeting:
- The consultant’s report for the 2025 update to the Development Charges Background Study.
- Road safety improvements for the village of Blakeney.
- Tender award for the purchase of a front end loader.
- Quarterly reports for Mississippi Mills Childcare Services and the Clerk’s Department.
Upcoming Meetings:
- Special Council Meeting – April 16, 2025, 1 p.m.
- Hybrid Council Meeting – April 29, 2025, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.
- Hybrid Council Meeting – May 6, 2025, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.
SOURCE: Mississippi Mills
