Here are the highlights from the regular Lanark County Council meeting held Wednesday, May 13.
Official Plan Amendment for Source Water Protection Approved
Council has passed a bylaw approving an amendment (No. 3) to the Lanark County Sustainable Communities Official Plan (SCOP) related to source water protection policies. The amendment is required in order to implement the Source Protection Plan for the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Area, which is in accordance with the Clean Water Act, the Planning Act and the Provincial Policy Statement 2014. The SCOP includes policies related to the protection of drinking water and mapping that identifies vulnerable areas and types of drinking water sources. Local municipalities are also required to adopt the policies, and the local plans must conform to the county’s official plan. Once the SCOP has been approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local municipalities can adopt and submit their official plan amendments to the county for approval. A public meeting for the county’s amendment was held on March 25 and a request for comments was circulated as required. Comments were received and summarized in a technical report prior to the bylaw being passed. For more information, contact Mary Kirkham, Planning Administrator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1520.
Council Endorses Motions Related to Beef Farming
Council has endorsed two recommendations from the economic development committee based on an update by the local Cattlemen’s Association at the Agriculture Advisory Working Group last month. The committee learned beef producers are being urged to go to locations in Northern Ontario for increased production although there is significant land available in eastern Ontario, and that previously settled farms here could be used if proper external fencing were put in place, which would reduce freight costs. Council supported recommendations to endorse the Beef Farmers of Ontario in their efforts to lobby the provincial and federal governments to obtain funding that would enable producers to fence farm land suitable for pasturing beef animals, allowing producers to increase production. It also endorsed the group’s efforts to lobby the provincial government to provide external or line fence financial assistance to livestock producers. For more information, contact Leslie Drynan, Deputy Clerk, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502, or Marie White, Tourism Manager, at ext. 1530.
Awarding Contract for Active Transportation/Snowmobile Structure
Following a public works report on tender results, council agreed to award a contract to Beam Construction (1984) in the amount of $293,630 to complete the installation of an active transportation/snowmobile structure at the Mississippi River Bridge on County Road 511 north of Balderson. The structure would provide a separate crossing for snowmobiles, bicycles and pedestrians, for example. The project is funded in part by a National Trails Coalition grant, which covers 49 per cent of the expenditures to a maximum of $124,198. Janet Tysick, public works business manager, reported that although the tender is about $50,000 higher than the amount budgeted for the project, there are savings in other road construction tenders that could be used to fund the overexpenditure. For more information, contact Terry McCann, Director of Public Works, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3190 or Janet Tysick, Public Works Business Manager, at ext. 3110.
Seeking Help for Community Gardens
Council passed a motion authorizing staff to approach local community groups to gauge interest in managing community garden plots on the county property on Christie Lake Road. Until this year there were 31 six-by-six-metre plots behind the administration and public works buildings, but they have been discontinued while the new public works facility is constructed. Costs for such things as signage, grass cutting and filling water containers had been absorbed by the public works administration and facilities budget, but staff time has been increasing and no fee was charged to garden users. If the plots are relocated to another spot on the county property, considerations include the cost of moving them, availability of a water source, parking, insurance and potential liability. The motion notes that if no groups are interested, the county will no longer offer the plots. For more information, contact Janet Tysick, Public Works Business Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3110.
Upcoming Meetings
County Council, Wednesday, May 27, 5 p.m.; Economic Development, May 27 (following County Council); Public Works, May 27 (following Economic Development). County Council, Wednesday, June 17, 5 p.m.; Community Services, June 17 (following County Council); Corporate Services, June 17 (following Community Services). For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like “LanarkCounty1” on Facebook and follow “@LanarkCounty1” on Twitter!
