Media Release - County Council Dec 6 2023

For immediate release
Dec. 6, 2023

Here are the highlights from the Lanark County Council meeting held Dec. 6, 2023.

Council Updated on Rural Community Inclusion Project: Council received an update on the Rural Inclusion Pilot Project by Linda Alexander, who is the recruitment and settlement coordinator shared between Lanark and Renfrew counties. The three-year project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and is a collaborative initiative with a number of community organizations, agencies, municipalities and businesses.

Alexander explained the project aims to bridge the gap between local businesses seeking talent and newcomers seeking opportunities. “It will develop and implement strategies to support current efforts and look for unmet needs in service to support newcomers, implement new strategies to increase the local labour pool and create a welcoming community to retain newcomers.”

Key objectives of the project include:
• Working with local businesses to understand staffing needs
• Developing and implementing recruitment strategies
• Providing information and support to newcomers
• Identifying job opportunities that are a good match for newcomers
• Developing a marketing strategy for Lanark County that complements Renfrew County’s efforts to attract newcomers
• Developing on-demand training to support stakeholders
• Highlighting best practices for working with newcomers

Alexander highlighted census activity showing population changes due to immigration, as well as some initial activities and opportunities for connection that have taken place. “Newcomers need to feel welcomed and that they belong, and they need supports to help navigate settling into their new community, such as work, housing, language, schools, etc.,” she said. For more information, contact Jasmin Ralph, Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502.

Vegetation Management Progress Provided: Council received an update on vegetation management and pollinator habitat restoration activities in 2023. Climate Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Gallant presented the information at the public works committee of the whole meeting in November.

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Vegetation Management Plan for Lanark County was approved in 2016 as a long-term, multi-faceted approach to managing vegetation to maintain safe roadsides. “The vision was to reduce reliance on mowing, brushing and spraying while restoring pollinator habitat,” Gallant explained. In 2019, Lanark County received a pollinator award from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign for the incorporation of long-term goals for pollinators in the IPM plan.

Gallant indicated there has been a 92 per cent reduction in the use of herbicides to control wild parsnip since 2016, with hand pulling being the primary control method. Public works staff controlled wild parsnip by hand on more than half of the county road system in 2023, accounting for 66 per cent or 369 km of roadsides controlled by hand. She noted there were one to two passes over each hand-pulled section, with medium/heavy infestations taking triple the time to control than very light infestations. More time was taken in hamlets where infestation was higher and it was more likely to be a risk to people.

Gallant said hand control is labour intensive and physically demanding, especially in hot temperatures, which pushed them to capacity this year. Some locations were not completed before the wild parsnip went to seed, and 131 km required targeted spot spraying at medium and heavy patches where hand pulling wasn’t feasible.
In addition, 132 phragmites cells were recorded in 2023 – 26 more than last year. Gallant says these are increasing each year. County staff spaded new and young cells, and all were mowed three to five times with the remote-control mower, which reduces spread and propagation but does not eradicate cells. “Sixteen roadside cells at dry locations were sprayed with herbicide this fall, which has been the only effective strategy at eradicating phragmites cells,” she said.

Habitat restoration projects this year included:

• County Road 6 roadside restoration – 3000 square metres near Glen Tay were prepped and seeded in conjunction with Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF).
• Butterflyway Rangers Gardens – two native pollinator gardens designed and planted by volunteers along the Tay River Pathway in partnership with the David Suzuki Butterflyway Rangers.
• Hydroseeding – four construction projects (more than 14 km) were hydroseeded with a custom wildflower mix.
• A Canadian Wildlife Federation milkweed seed collection event – attendees learned how to identify, collect and sow milkweed seeds. The event recognized the CWF’s three-year Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support pollinator habitat management in rights-of-way organizations.
• School pollinator habitat projects – as part of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, staff worked with three local elementary schools to provide learning opportunities and create pollinator habitat in their schoolyards.

Roadside pollinator habitat is tracked, and Gallant said most county roads show moderate quality and are improving. For more information, contact Elizabeth Gallant, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Input Needed for Transportation Master Plan Terms of Reference: Lanark County Councillors have been asked to submit specific items of interest to be considered in a draft terms of reference for the update to the county’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP).

At the public works committee meeting last month, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained they are working with a consultant to develop the terms of reference for the required study associated with the plan update before a request for proposals is issued.

The TMP determines the long-term land-use and infrastructure needs required to support growth and provide for safe and reliable travel and the efficient movement of goods. The study is carried out in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process and includes a stakeholder consultation process with the public, government technical agencies, municipalities and First Nations. “The TMP describes how the county will plan, design, build, operate and maintain its transportation system to achieve the goals of the official plan,” Derouin explained.

The county’s plan, which was published in 2010, requires an update, and public works is considering items to be included in the terms of reference for the TMP study, including:

• Assessing the road network and identifying long-term needs and solutions
• Specific roads and intersections for detailed analysis
• Providing recommendations on improvement opportunities on planned bridge projects
• Bridge renewal timing provided by the county
• Assessing trail network and identifying long-term needs and solutions
• Requirements for development submissions
• Assessing and providing recommendations on transportation-related items, such as pedestrian crossings, truck routes, active transportation, transit, accessibility, safety, rural/urban design standards, corridor widths/protection.

Derouin noted a number of existing policies will be incorporated into the study, including the Official Plan (with planned 2024/25 studies), Asset Management Plan, Active Transportation, Development Charges By-Law, Speed Management Policy (Draft form), Assumption of Local Roads Policy and Climate Action Plan.

The study is expected to be completed over 2024 and 2025. “Upper-tier and lower-tier municipalities must work collectively to develop an integrated transportation network that meets the needs of all road users,” Derouin said. “Local municipal input on the terms of reference is vital, as the local municipal staff will play a major role in the county transportation master planning process.” He added the TMP, or a separate study, will include the creation of a cross-jurisdiction corridor policy to define the responsibilities between the county and local municipalities. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Dec. 13 (following County Council); Economic Development, Dec. 13 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Jan. 10 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Jan. 10 (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 X!