Renfrew public meetings in 2023
18 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Council Meeting
The council approved a $1,000,000 loan for Renfrew Hydro Inc. to fund distribution system upgrades. It adopted the town’s Emergency Management Program and approved the concept of an Urban Provincial Park along the Bonnechere River. The council also authorized a watermain installation to Lindsay Field at an upset cost of $86,000 and entered a partnership with Gymnastics Eh! to expand town gymnastics programs.
- Approved $1,000,000 loan to Renfrew Hydro Inc. (Carried)
- Adopted the Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan (Carried)
- Approved concept of an Urban Provincial Park and directed staff to continue work (Carried)
- Authorized watermain installation to Lindsay Field at $86,000 including testing and chlorination (Carried)
- Directed staff to partner with Gymnastics Eh! to expand town gymnastics offerings (Carried)
- Awarded McNab Crescent Rehabilitation Project to Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. for $162,293.72 (Carried)
- Approved landscaping award for Ma‑Te‑Way Expansion to Excel Contracting and Lennox Fencing (Carried)
- Postponed decision on Swinging Bridge Lighting RFP until September 26 meeting (Carried)
Planning, Building and Environment Committee
The Planning, Building and Environment Committee recommended that Town Council approve the concept of an Urban Provincial Park and the transfer of certain Town lands. The committee also recommended support for invasive species prevention and the classification of Black Ash as an endangered species.
- Recommended Town Council approve Urban Provincial Park concept and land transfer (Carried)
- Recommended Town Council provide letter of support for RLPOA invasive species prevention (Carried)
- Recommended Town Council provide response letter regarding Black Ash endangered species classification (Carried)
- Recommended Town Council endorse motion in Housing & Homelessness call to action letter (Carried)
- Confirmed minutes of August 1, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Infrastructure, Public Works and Asset Management Committee
The committee recommended that Town Council award the McNab Crescent Rehabilitation Project to Thomas Cavanagh Construction LTD. The project includes sidewalk, curb, and cul-de-sac paving work. The committee also received a report on relocating a disabled parking space.
- Recommended award of McNab Crescent Rehabilitation Project to Thomas Cavanagh Construction LTD for $139,527.73 plus taxes (Carried)
- Received report on relocation of parking space designated for disabled persons as information (Carried)
- Confirmed Minutes of Committee Meeting 6-2023 dated August 1, 2023 (Carried)
Regular Council Meeting
Council deferred a decision on a $1,000,000 loan request from Renfrew Hydro Inc. to September 12, 2023. Other actions included approving a community celebration event and designating a local beer festival as municipally significant.
- Postponed consideration of Renfrew Hydro Inc. $1,000,000 loan request to September 12, 2023
- Approved use of Haramis Park and Renfrew Visitor Centre for 'Caboose Day' on October 14, 2023
- Approved fee waiver for Renfrew Visitor Centre rental for Caboose Day
- Recognized Renfrew Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival as a municipally significant event
- Confirmed Regular and Closed Session Council Minutes from August 8, 2023
- Passed By-law 70-2023
Regular Council Meeting
Council approved several equipment purchases for municipal works and the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre. The body also adopted a new Tree Canopy Policy and a Records Management Retention Schedule.
- Approved purchase of Holder C70 Municipal Tractor for $153,586.41 (Carried)
- Approved purchase of tractor attachments for $57,166.43 (Carried)
- Adopted Tree Canopy Policy (Carried)
- Awarded Ma-te-Way Activity Centre Fitness Equipment RFP to Fitness Depot for $141,969.45 (Carried)
- Approved Records Management Retention Schedule (Carried)
- Confirmed meeting minutes from June 27 and July 7, 2023 (Carried)
- Rescheduled two standing committee meetings to August 29 and 31, 2023 (Carried)
- Passed by-laws 67-2023, 68-2023, and 69-2023 (Carried)
Infrastructure, Public Works and Asset Management Committee
The committee recommended that Town Council purchase a Holder C70 Municipal Tractor and associated attachments. The equipment is intended to replace a 2013 model for daily operations. The committee also confirmed the minutes from the June 6, 2023 meeting.
- Recommended purchase of Holder C70 Municipal Tractor from Karcher Municipal North America Inc. for $153,586.41 (Carried)
- Recommended purchase of tractor attachments for $57,166.43 (Carried)
- Confirmed minutes of the June 6, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Planning, Building and Environment Committee
The committee recommended that Town Council adopt the 2023 Tree Canopy Policy regarding tree planting and removal on public property. Members also received updates on the Blue Box Transition and the Hunter Gate Subdivision. Minutes from the June 6, 2023 meeting were confirmed.
- Recommended Town Council adopt the 2023 Tree Canopy Policy (Carried)
- Received Hunter Gate Subdivision report as information (Carried)
- Confirmed June 6, 2023 committee minutes (Carried)
Special Council Meeting
Council approved a 10-year lease with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit for space at Town Hall. Several construction and engineering contracts were awarded for the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre and O'Brien Road projects. A working group was also established to oversee the Ma-te-Way expansion.
- Approved 10-year lease with Renfrew County and District Health Unit for 120 Plaunt Street South (Carried)
- Approved $96,672 to pave the park and ride parking lot (Carried)
- Awarded $520,787.33 engineering contract for O’Brien Road - Highway 60 Project to Jp2g Consulting Inc. and BTE (Carried)
- Approved creation of the Ma-te-Way Working Group for the Activity Centre Expansion Project (Carried)
- Approved $203,520.14 for civil work by McGrimmon Holdings Inc. and $508,800.35 for asphalt and curbs by Greenwood Paving for Ma-te-Way parking lot (Carried)
- Passed By-laws 62-2023 through 66-2023 regarding engineering, working group terms, lease, and professional services agreements (Carried)
Regular Council Meeting
Council approved CIP grants for downtown improvements and a $5,000 grant for the Royal Canadian Legion. The board also adopted new policies regarding flags, proclamations, and records management, and supported the draft approval of the Pinnacle Subdivision.
- Approved $1,350.79 CIP grant for 223 Raglan Street South
- Approved $1,124.50 CIP grant for Renfrew Public Library
- Supported Draft Approval of Pinnacle Subdivision (File No. 47T18003)
- Approved fire services agreement with Township of McNab/Braeside
- Approved $5,000 one-time grant to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148
- Adopted amended Flag Policy and new Proclamation Policy
- Approved Records & Information Management Policy
- Approved use of Ma-te-Way Park for Renfrew Roots Music Festival
Fire, Recreation and Community Services Committee
The committee recommended that Town Council adopt a new Grants to Community Partners Policy and approve a fire services agreement with the Township of McNab/Braeside. Members also recommended that Council consider a $5,000 grant for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 furnace replacement.
- Recommended approval of fire services agreement with Township of McNab/Braeside (Carried)
- Recommended adoption of Grants to Community Partners Policy (Carried)
- Recommended Council consider $5,000 grant to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 for furnace (Carried)
- Rejected recommendation to approve $5,000 grant to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 (Defeated)
- Rejected recommendation to deny grant to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 (Defeated)
- Accepted Ma-te-Way Park Playground update as information (Carried)
- Accepted Town of Renfrew Beautification report as information (Carried)
- Confirmed minutes from May 16, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee
The Committee recommended that Town Council approve license agreements for shared office space in the Ottawa Valley Business Hive. It also recommended the adoption of updated flag and proclamation policies and a new records management policy. Additionally, the Committee requested the County of Renfrew consider partnering in the Business Hive.
- Recommended adoption of amended Flag Policy and new Proclamation Policy with a 4-week timeframe (Carried)
- Recommended approval of Records & Information Management Policy (Carried)
- Received report on 2023 AMO Conference delegations for information (Carried)
- Accepted report on 2023 property tax arrears for information (Carried)
- Recommended approval of Ottawa Valley Business Hive license agreements for Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Renfrew and Area Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Renfrew BIA (Carried)
- Recommended Town Council request County of Renfrew partner in the Ottawa Valley Business Hive in exchange for the Town's $1,000 annual contribution (Carried)
- Confirmed minutes of May 16, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Renfrew Public Library Board
The Board accepted the consensus agenda and the May 2023 financial statement. Staff reported on a $102,000 Trillium grant request for library entrances and a $2,300 CIP Grant request for murals.
- Accepted Consensus Agenda (Carried)
- Accepted May 2023 Financial Statement (Carried)
Regular Council Meeting
Council awarded contracts for road rehabilitation and culvert replacement. They also approved a development servicing agreement and a temporary recycling collection contract. A vote was passed to proceed with negotiations for the property at 220 Stewart Street.
- Approved $632,186.05 Gillan Road Rehabilitation Project award to Greenwood Paving LTD. (Carried)
- Approved $567,370.00 Maloney Road Culvert Replacement Project award to RGT Clouthier Construction LTD. (Carried)
- Approved Early Servicing Agreement with M. Wilson Home Developments Ltd. (Carried)
- Approved offer from Topps Environmental Service for non-eligible source recycling collection (Carried)
- Directed staff to proceed in negotiations with owner of 220 Stewart Street (5-2)
- Confirmed Special, Regular, and Closed Session Minutes from May 23, 2023 (Carried)
- Passed By-laws 49-2023, 50-2023, 51-2023, and 52-2023 (Carried)
Planning, Building and Environment Committee
The committee granted a minor variance for a 6-storey apartment building and recommended several approvals to Town Council, including a developer servicing agreement and a business grant. They also recommended a contract for non-eligible recycling collection during a transition period.
- Approved minor variance for 130 Arthur Avenue to increase height to 19.6m, reduce side yards, and reduce parking to 48 spaces
- Recommended Town Council approve Early Servicing Agreement with M. Wilson Home Developments Ltd.
- Recommended Town Council approve CIP grant and Financial Incentive Agreement for 223 Raglan Street South
- Recommended Town Council approve Topps Environmental Service offer for non-eligible source recycling collection
- Accepted 2022 Annual Landfill Monitoring Report as information
- Received Hunter Gate Subdivision monthly update as information
- Confirmed minutes from May 2, 2023 meeting
Infrastructure, Public Works and Asset Management Committee
The committee recommended that Town Council award two infrastructure contracts totaling over $1.2 million. It also directed staff to recommend a specific option from a biosolids management study to Council.
- Recommended award of Gillan Road Rehabilitation Project to Greenwood Paving LTD. for $632,186.05 (Carried)
- Recommended award of Maloney Road Culvert Replacement Project to RGT Clouthier Construction LTD. for $567,370.00 (Carried)
- Directed staff to recommend 'option 2' of the Biosolids Management Feasibility Study to Council (Carried)
- Received Biosolids Management Feasibility Study and forwarded to Council as information (Carried)
- Accepted annual Road Salt report as information (Carried)
- Confirmed minutes of the May 2, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Renfrew Public Library Board
The Renfrew Public Library Board met to address an employee grievance in a closed session. Following the session, the Board directed staff to proceed based on the town solicitor's advice.
- Approved Consent Agenda (RPLB-23-05-05)
- Approved convening in Closed Session to discuss employee grievance (RPLB-23-05-06)
- Directed staff to proceed with town solicitor's advice regarding grievance matter
Special Council Meeting
Council held a special meeting that primarily consisted of a closed session. No substantive public decisions were recorded.
- Approved Resolution 23-05-13 to convene in Closed Session regarding a delegation from Marshall's (David and Sharon Bennett) (Carried)
Regular Council Meeting
Council approved the final 2023 tax rates and passed several by-laws updating human resources, surplus land, and commemorative naming policies. The board also awarded a $35,600 contract for a third-party review of the Ma-te-Way expansion and declared intimate partner violence an epidemic.
- Adopted final 2023 tax rates
- Awarded Ma-te-Way Expansion Third Party Review to WCSC Consultants Inc. for $35,600 (6-0)
- Declared intimate partner violence and violence against women an epidemic
- Approved agreement with Township of Whitewater Region for animal impoundment facility use
- Approved donation of emergency lighting to Horton Fire Department
- Awarded Group Benefits Plan to Beneva Insurances & Financial Services effective Jan 1, 2024
- Approved Employee Assistance Program via Inkblot Employee Assistance effective Sept 1, 2023
- Referred Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 $10,000 funding request to June 20th committee