Council Highlights - March 7, 2023

March 9, 2023
Town News
  • Mayor Beddows declared March 26, 2023, National Epilepsy Awareness Day in Gananoque and encouraged everyone to wear purple to show support for this cause.
  • The Consumption of Liquor in Public Places By-law was amended to allow the organizer of any event the ability to determine if they want public alcohol to be allowed or not.
  • The Procedural By-law Order of Business received a 1st and 2nd reading to amend it to move the “Staff Report” section to follow “Unfinished Business”. A Notice required under the Notice By-law was provided, indicating that a third and final reading of the By-law will be considered at the March 21, 2023 meeting.
  • Council approved staff’s recommendation for the “Cut Smart and Live Better While Reducing Costs – Grass Cutting Green Alternatives” which will: naturalize areas in parks and rights-of-way, introduce planned naturalization zones, raise awareness about the benefits of naturalization, and will introduce “Naturalization Test Zones” to be located in: Steel Workers Park, Bay Road/Princess Street Road Easement, Grasshopper Park on Arthur Street, Oak &Third Street Vacant Lot and Bay Road Shoreline next to Rotary Beach. Staff also recommended a “Slow Mow May” rather than “No Mow May”, as endorsed by the Gananoque Horticultural Society and the Trees and Trails Advisory Panel. 
  • A Grass Maintenance Quality Standards Policy was approved.
  • The 2023 BIA Operating and Capital Budgets were approved.
  • An Award of Contract with Bishop Water Inc., was authorized for the purpose of biosolid removal from the lagoon in the amount of $814,241.75 (excluding HST). 
  • An agreement with Acti-Zyme Products Ltd., was authorized to undertake a pilot program to improve sludge build-up and air quality at the lagoon site in the amount of $111,880.03  (inclusive of the Town’s portion of HST). 
  • A budget deviation from the wastewater reserve for an additional $40,000 was approved.
  • An Agreement with Black & MacDonald Ltd was authorized for the procurement of services to complete the water treatment plant high lift pump and electrical upgrades of $452,367.97 (Including the Town’s portion of HST) as well as services to overhaul high lift pump #5 and provide vibration de-tuning plates for the additional cost of $107,223.49.
  • Council authorized a pre-draw of $86,591.46 from Water Reserves for upgrades to cover the funding shortfall of the Water Treatment Plant electrical and pump upgrades.
  • A By-law was passed to formally authorize the Gananoque Fire Department to participate in the Mutual Aid plan for Leeds and Grenville as part of the Ontario Mutual Aid Plan.
  • Council authorized a Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program transfer agreement with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services in the amount of $71,638.04.
  • An Agreement was authorized with 1000 Island Cottage Services for the repair of the 900 series docks at the Gananoque Municipal Marina in the amount of $19,000. 
  • Staff were directed to bring back a report to update all signs to offer both official languages, English and French, in Lowertown (West side of the swing bridge and south of Clarence Street, including the Gananoque Municipal Marina).
  • Staff were directed to play the National Anthem at future Council meetings.
  • Council directed Staff to bring back a report back on the implications of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s floating accommodations and camping on water over public lands proposal.