County Council November 13, 2024

For immediate release
Nov. 15, 2024

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Nov. 13, 2024.

Please note there is a separate media release highlighting the Lanark County Awards of Excellence.

Rail Trails Loop Project Update Received: Lanark County Council received an update about the Rail Trails Loop Project, which is exploring development of a 360-kilometre signature trail using multi-use trails rehabilitated from former railways in Lanark, Renfrew and Frontenac counties.

At the economic development committee meeting last month, Tourism and Corporate Relations Coordinator Vanessa Dow explained a partnership with the three counties, along with the Town of Smiths Falls and Township of Rideau Lakes, is exploring the feasibility of the project with support from a FedDev Ontario grant for $78,235. There are three phases:

1. A consultant has assessed the trails and market readiness and will provide recommendations, including attracting private investment by tourism stakeholders, this year.
2. In 2024 and 2025, municipalities, trail groups and other partners will implement recommendations to ensure a minimum standard of market readiness.
3. In 2025 and 2026, promotion will begin when the loop is at or near its minimum level of market readiness with the goal of establishing it as a signature experience in Canada.

Next steps include a strategic planning session for stakeholders, assessment of the report recommendations, implementation of recommended trail improvements, community engagement to support business participation and increase awareness of the impact of trails, and development of trail identification, branding and marketing.

Dow added the loop will encompass three main trails with offshoots and intersections to bring visitors to all parts of Lanark County, and it will be marketed across Canada, the U.S. and potentially beyond. “The project will allow Lanark County’s trails, one of our greatest assets, to become a driver for economic prosperity,” she said. For more information, contact Vanessa Dow, Tourism and Corporate Relations Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1701.

Warden Nominations Announced: Lanark County Council accepted a report from Clerk Jasmin Ralph outlining the valid nominations received for the position of Warden in 2025.

Two nominations have been received:
• Councillor Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor), which was moved by Councillor Rickey Minnille (Mississippi Mills Deputy Mayor) and Councillor Karen Jennings (Montague Reeve).
• Councillor Toby Randell (Carleton Place Mayor), which was moved by Councillors Andrew Tennant (Carleton Place Deputy Mayor) and Councillor Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve).

The inaugural meeting takes place on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m., at which point county councillors will vote to select next year’s warden. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

National Housing Day in Lanark County Proclaimed: Lanark County Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) has proclaimed Nov. 22, 2024 as National Housing Day in Lanark County, which acknowledges the work being done by housing partners to improve access to housing in order build brighter futures for all Canadians.

“The lack of safe and affordable housing in Lanark County impacts the well-being of all residents, including our most vulnerable and low-income households, and limits their capacity to engage meaningfully in our community,” the proclamation states.

The goal of the day is to raise awareness about local housing issues, reflect on the significant work being done and to continue to strive for increased solutions as housing and affordability remain a pressing demand. “This day is also an opportunity to reflect on the work that is still needed,” the proclamation states, adding the county is committed to working with the federal and provincial governments, as well as private and non-profit housing providers, to achieve solutions. “On National Housing Day, Lanark County recognizes the many partners that play an important role in providing permanent, safe, and affordable housing opportunities to those in need.” For more information, contact Emily Hollington, Director of Social Services, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2101

Extra Costs for Blakeney Bridge Outlined: Lanark County Council has approved a change order to cover extra costs related to the Blakeney Bridge replacement project.

The bridge was initially expected to reopen this year, but this has been delayed until spring due to unforeseen weather-related challenges this summer, with unseasonable precipitation and elevated river flows affecting the progress of essential work and original budget estimates. The change order covers specified costs in the amount of $114,786, and funding has also been approved for additional dewatering and other associated costs in the amount of about $310,000. The items are funded from savings in the 2024 public works capital budget, with any additional funds coming from the public works capital reserve. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Climate/Environmental Activities Update Received: Lanark County Council has accepted an update on climate and environmental sub-department activities. At the public works committee meeting last month, Climate Environmental Coordinator Michelle Rabbetts provided an overview of programs and initiatives aimed at achieving greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) targets and meeting climate action goals.

Rabbetts noted relevant county plans that involve this sub-department, including the Sustainable Communities Official Plan (SCOP); the Integrated Vegetation Management Plan and the Climate Action Plan in 2023, which established community greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Rabbetts noted that the county has been accepted into the Building to Net Zero cohort. This four-year training and capacity-building program aligns with the goal of establishing green development standards that enforce climate resilient and adaptive building designs to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.

As part of the Lanark County Climate Action Plan, which addresses how the county aims to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing GHG emissions, an adaptation plan, which outlines actions to adjust to the current and expected impacts of climate change, will be created. As well, Rabbetts indicated the county’s asset management plan is to be updated to include county-owned green infrastructure, such as community forests and wetlands. For more information, contact Michelle Rabbetts, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

New Community Safety Zone Established: Lanark County Council has passed a by-law to establish a community safety zone on County Road 23 (Rosedale Road South) at the Montague Centennial Hall from Bristow Drive to 100 metres north of Guthrie Road.

Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained the request was received by the Township and was evaluated using the county’s speed management policy program screening and community safety zone warrants. “Proximity to the Montague Centennial Hall and Seniors Forget-Me-Not Club, as well as pedestrian crossings during events at the hall, justified the criteria,” Derouin said. In addition, traffic data collected showed the section of road was experiencing an unusually high speed violation rate, despite the township installing flashing radar signs in the area.

The posted speed is 60 kilometres per hour. Once community safety zones are posted, fines for traffic-related offences in that area are doubled upon conviction. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

ROMA Delegation Requests Set: Lanark County Council has authorized staff to proceed with preparing three delegation request submissions for the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in January. The delegations are an opportunity for municipalities to present information about current issues to ministry staff.

The first request is for additional funding to expand supportive housing beds at the Bridge House in Smiths Falls for a total of 30 beds. The delegation to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing would be supported by Director of Social Services Emily Hollington and Lanark County Mental Health Executive Director Garry Laws. The request would support council’s strategic priority related to social housing and supporting attainable housing solutions.

The second request is for an additional increase for individuals on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program supports in light of increases in basic costs, such as groceries and housing. This request would be to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and would be supported by Hollington and Lanark County Situation Table Coordinator Stephanie Gray. The request could be complementary to council’s Universal Basic Income strategic priority.

The third request is to address issues related to road safety with a focus on rural highways, including Hwy. 7. This request to the Ministry of Transportation is supported by the Public Works Department and aligns with council’s roadside safety strategic priority. Council is seeking a fourth delegation with the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding the rising cost of policing for all municipalities in Lanark County.

For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Rural Transit Feasibility Study to Proceed: Lanark County Council has approved and authorized an agreement for the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, which is a federal fund targeting the development of transit solutions in rural and remote communities.

The fund supports development of locally driven projects to improve transportation. Council also affirmed the county has the capacity and authority to undertake a rural transit feasibility study. For more information, contact Kurt Greaves, CAO, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1101.

Upcoming Meetings: Inaugural Meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2 p.m. County Council, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Nov. 27 (following County Council); Economic Development, Nov. 27 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Dec. 4 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Dec. 4 (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.