Council Highlights - December 11th, 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.

Men’s Shed Delegation

Council received a presentation from the Arnprior-McNab-Braeside Men’s Shed's Community Fundraising Committee, which outlined their objective to help the Arnprior & McNab/Braeside Men’s Shed unite their strengths and resources to raise $100,000 for meaningful causes, leaving lasting legacy in our community. Council learned that the Men’s Shed program is no longer a part of the Arnprior Regional Health’s Senior Active Living Centre (SALC) but that it will continue to provide Senior Men a safe space where they can enjoy meeting, making friends, socialize, and help each other overcome or deal with any feelings of loneliness, isolation and/or depression. The Men’s Shed Fundraising Committee has a goal of raising $100,000 towards improvements to a new location in the Village of Braeside.

Winter Recreation Update

Town staff updated Council with highlights from the upcoming winter recreation season. Some of the exciting programs that will be offered at the Nick Smith Centre include Winter Aquatics, holiday swim times and skates and Wintermission.  Some of the events include Santa’s DJ Skate Party on December 23^rd; the Optimist Winter Carnival January 19-21, as well as Sunday Snow Day on February 4^th. The recreation department will also host a Valentine’s Skate on February 14^th and is planning a bunch of fun activities for this year’s FamFest on February 19^th. The winter events season wraps up with a St. Patty’s Party on March 16^th. Continue to visit the Town’s website for details on all programs and events.

Staff Reports

Council reviewed a Municipal Grants Application from the Arnprior-McNab-Braeside Men’s Shed; however, Council did not approve the request for support funding in the amount of $10,000 for capital improvements to their leased property as the request did not meet the qualification and eligibility criteria of the Municipal Grants Policy. Council understands the value of this organization and supports their continued efforts and should they meet the eligibility criteria in the future, they are encouraged to submit in-kind support requests for Council consideration.

Town Council granted funding under several of the Community Improvement Plan Grants for a new business opening at 109 John Street North.  

Council agreed to enter into a revised Agreement for the final year of a five-year contract with William R. Hunter for the 2024 Integrity Commissioner/Closed Meeting Investigation Services. The revised Agreement, recognizing that Mr. Hunter has retired from a law practice and now represents his own company, Hunter Arbitrations and Mediations Ltd., is in place from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.

Staff presented Council with the 2023 Annual Accessibility Status Report, which outlines the actions taken by the Town of Arnprior over the last year to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities.

Resolutions

Council approved requests for in-kind support from the following:

• Canadian Blood Services for the rental of the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall to hold Blood Donor Clinics on March 20^th, June 12^th, September 18^th and December 18^th, 2024.

• The Arnprior Regional Health Auxiliary to waive the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall rental fees for their 2024 Annual General Meeting on June 17^th, 2024.

• The Optimist Club of Arnprior to waive the Nick Smith Centre Community Hall rental fees for events during the 2024 Optimist Winter Carnival being held from January 12^th to January 21st, 2024. 

Council also provided a Resolution of Support for a one year extension to the Draft Approvals of the Marshall’s Bay Meadows Subdivision as the development is proceeding in a phased approach with Phases 1, 2 and 3 registered, and the developer actively working on finalizing Phases 4 and 5. This resolution will be provided to the County of Renfrew, which is the approval authority for Plans of Subdivision within the Town of Arnprior.