Council Highlights - July 10th, 2023

Stay up-to-date with what’s happening at the Council table with the Town of Arnprior’s Council Highlights! These informal recaps help residents catch up with Council meetings in just a few minutes.  Please note these summaries are not an official record of Council meetings. Official minutes are posted online once they are approved during a subsequent meeting. You can also access the meeting recording on the Town’s YouTube channel.

Presentations

Council received a presentation from Eric Burton of Factor5 Group, who, in association with Canadian Community Economic Development Network, is developing a community-led workforce development pilot project. The goals of the project include: engaging at least 10 small and medium enterprises in community workforce planning, training and work placements and providing training, wrap-around supports and work placements for at least 50 workers, with at least 75% of workers being from designated under-represented groups.

On behalf of Council, Mayor McGee, presented Mike Marcil, owner of Giant Tiger and a community champion, with a Certificate of Appreciation for all he has contributed to the Town of Arnprior and its residents. Council and staff wished Mike and his wife all the best as they head to New Brunswick to start a new chapter in their lives.

Council received a presentation outlining the plans for this year’s Cultural Night Market to be held on Saturday August 26^th, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This year, the Market will encompass John Street North from Madawaska Street to Elgin Street West and Elgin Street West from Daniel St North to John Street North. This year’s event is inspired by street markets around the world and the community planning group is actively seeking vendors, artists, performers, and storytellers who identify as Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour (IBPoC), persons from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you are interested, please visit the Town’s website for more information on applying.

Award of Tender - Growing Outdoor Play at Legion Park and Caruso Park

Council awarded by a tender to CSL Group for the construction and landscaping of new play structures and access pathways at both the Legion Park and Caruso Park. These projects are being made possible in part through grants from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – COVID-19 Resilience Stream. The total amount of the award is $546,452.25, with grant funding totalling $189,283.10.

Award of Tender - Phase 2 Field Investigations, Preliminary Design, and Detailed Design for Replacement of the 400mm Watermain River Crossing

Council awarded a tender to JL Richards and Associates Ltd. in the amount of $162,407.50 plus HST to complete Phase 2 of the design and engineering required to reconstruct a watermain crossing the Madawaska River within the first phase of the project. The project scope includes completion of additional field investigations, preliminary design, and detailed design for the replacement of the 400mm watermain river crossing.

Proclamation – National Drowning Prevention Week July 16^th to 22^nd, 2023

Council heard a presentation from the Aquatic and Facility Services Supervisor which outlined the key themes of National Drowning Prevention Week:

1. The Drowning Problem
2. Supervise Children
3. Boating Safety
4. Learn to Swim
5. Stay Sober In, On and Around the Water
6. Open Water Safety
7. You can save a life!

Council proclaimed National Drowning Prevention Week from July 16^th to July 22^nd, 2023, and encourages all residents and visitors to practice good water safety while enjoying our local waterways and aquatic amenities. More information can be found on the Town’s website.

Support for Telecommunication Tower – Hartney Street

Council received a staff report advising of an application for a Telecommunication Tower from Xplornet Communications Inc., to be located on private property adjacent to the Town’s water tower on Hartney Street. Council directed that a statement of concurrence regarding the installation be provided to the applicant.

Grants Awarded

Council approved the following requests for support from Community Organizations:

• Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Highland Dancing Association - in-kind support through waiving the rental fees for the Robert Simpson Park Gazebo, including chairs, tables, sound system, set up & tear down for their ‘2023 Highland Dance Competition’ event to be held on August 27th, 2023;

• Community Living Renfrew County South - in-kind support through waiving the rental fees for the Robert Simpson Park Gazebo including access to power for their ‘Music in the Park’ events to be held on August 24^th and August 31^st, 2023;

• Arnprior Agricultural Society - in-kind support of two dump pass for the Arnprior Waste Disposal Site and use of picnic tables, bleachers, barricades and parking-related signage for the ‘2023 Valley Agricultural Festival’ being held August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2023.