Media Release - Sept 6 County Council Meeting

For immediate release

Sept. 6, 2023

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

Draft Speed Management Policy Introduced: Lanark County Council received a report on the draft speed management policy, which will be brought back for consideration following additional comments from police services boards, the Lanark County OPP Detachment Commander and the health unit.

In a presentation to the public works committee of the whole last month, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained the county has received an increased number of requests to reduce speed and install traffic calming measures on county roads, especially within hamlets, since the pandemic began in 2020. “We have proceeded with multiple speed reductions over the past years, but found it challenging to find suitable locations to implement the traffic calming mitigation measures provided within our existing policy.”

The updated policy provides residents with a process for requesting traffic calming measures and gives staff a standardized, balanced procedure for assessing the requests. Work on the draft was completed by Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. and includes a screening tool to help staff determine appropriate locations for management, a public engagement process, a toolkit for traffic calming and speed management strategies for various contexts, an evaluation process to help staff make recommendations to council, and an annual review process for the policy. Seventy public comments were received in the public consultation process, with 25 specific to the policy.

Public works is recommending forming a Traffic Advisory Working Group (TAWG) to bring traffic-related concerns to the lower-tier municipalities and OPP to obtain feedback on suggested speed-management strategies on a case-by-case basis. It would consist of Lanark County public works staff, local municipal councillors, and representatives from Lanark County OPP, the health unit, Ministry of Transportation and other emergency services. It would meet quarterly following the Lanark County Association of Police Services Board meetings.

Derouin outlined examples of physical and non-physical speed-management measures, ranging from roadway deflections that force motorists to slow down to methods aimed at modifying driver behaviour. An updated draft policy will be brought back to the next council meeting for consideration. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Home Energy Retrofit Program Proposed: Lanark County Council has approved proceeding with the completion of a feasibility study and program design study for a local home energy retrofit financing program (Better Homes Lanark), with the contract awarded to Greenscale Inc. and funded from the climate budget.

At the public works committee of the whole meeting last month, Climate Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Gallant explained the Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) program is available through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and she outlined opportunities and next steps for planning and launching a home energy retrofit financing program for the county.

The financing program would cover the full up-front costs of home energy retrofits, such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows and doors, renewable energy installation and fuel switching. Participants repay the loan over time, often using energy cost savings resulting from the improvements.

Gallant said developing the financing program is one of the Community Climate Action Table’s goals and provides social, environmental and economic benefits. “It bridges gaps of existing programs and reduces barriers to home energy retrofits. It also engages the community to be a part of climate action.”

Gallant said one of the social benefits is a reduction in energy poverty and increased home affordability. “Twenty-four per cent of homes in the county experience a ‘very high to extreme’ home-energy cost burden, meaning they spend 10 to 15 per cent or more of their after-tax income on home energy…. This translates into $6,550 to $9,840 on energy per year.” Other benefits include reaching emission reduction targets, improved air quality and water conservation, as well as job creation, supporting local trades and making local real estate more attractive.

Gallant explained the debt from retrofits can be tied to the property instead of the owner through Local Improvement Charges (LIC), which are repaid over time on tax bills. “Financing programs can offer lower and fixed rates, as well as longer repayment periods, and they cover the full upfront costs of the upgrades.”

The FCM-CEF program provides funding to help municipalities create, launch and expand these financing programs. They must complete a feasibility study, program design and a capital funding application. CEF covers 80 per cent of each stage, and the county would have to cover the remaining 20 per cent, which could be recovered through loans to residents that are paid back on property tax bills.

Gallant noted the annual allocation of the loans from FCM-CEF is very limited. “We have the opportunity to fast-track the feasibility study and program design using existing studies and best practices with the assistance of Greenscale Inc.,” she said. The cost for the feasibility study, program design and capital funding application is $36,000 and would be completed this year. Funding notification is expected by Spring 2024 and the program could launch by Fall 2024.

Gallant added local municipalities that choose to participate in the program would need an LIC by-law in order to access funding through the county. Staff will provide local municipalities with a vetted draft by-law for consideration. For more information, contact Elizabeth Gallant, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Lanark County Forest Management Contract Awarded: Lanark County Council has agreed to retain Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) to provide forest management services for the county community forests for another five-year term. A memorandum of understanding will be executed between the county and MVCA.

At the economic development committee of the whole meeting last month, CAO Kurt Greaves explained the business plan for the community forest was adopted in 2006 with objectives for the forest to become financially self-sustaining and that it be managed as a model of sustainable forest management and forest harvesting practices.

Under the current MOU, MVCA provides services such as a forest resource inventory that includes digital inventory update, implementation of the 20-year management plan, provision and implementation of a five-year forest operating plan and preparation of a new one for 2023-2027, timber sales administration and forest inspections and administration.

“Over the years, MVCA has provided valuable advice and guidance to the community forest working group and staff on forestry issues,” Greaves said, adding this has included making presentations on behalf of the county, conducting boundary inspections for adjacent Crown land harvests, tree theft investigation, administering the Forest Conservation By-law, handling solar farm applications and trespassing complaints, responding to public inquiries and providing Geographic Information Systems support.

“Due to the efficient management and best practices provided by MVCA and through the Forest Certification Program of the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, the Lanark County Community Forest has met the standards to achieve Forest Stewardship Council Certification through SmartWood, an independent auditor,” Greaves said. The FSC is an international, membership-based, non-profit organization that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.”

Greaves noted MVCA has “in-depth experience and comprehensive knowledge” of the community forest, along with other valuable resources such as GIS data, watershed management issues and trails experience. The estimated annual cost for the forest management services is $18,000 to $20,000.

“The forest management services provided by the MVCA in the past have been very successful,” Greaves added. “Continuing with MVCA will provide us with continuity of service through the five-year operating plan, the 20-year management plan and will give Lanark County a trusted a knowledgeable partner with a depth of resources and expertise to draw from.”

For more information, contact Jonathan Allen, Facilities Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3170.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Sept. 20 (following County Council); Economic Development, Sept. 20 (following Public Works). County Council, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Oct. 4 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Oct. 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 and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Twitter!

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