Council Highlights - May 16, 2023

May 18, 2023
Town News
  • Council authorized the CAO to sign a Tolling Agreement with the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.
  • The CAO was directed to draft a 6 month extension to the Lease Agreement with the Boxing Club to allow them to stay at the Kinsmen Building until December 31st 2023. Staff were also directed to spend up to $3,000 to hire an engineer to determine if the second floor of the Lou Jeffries Arena can carry the weight of the Boxing Club’s equipment.  
  • Council received the monthly Capital Matters Pending report and Reserve Schedule.
  • Council authorized a three (3) year service contract renewal with ITI Canada Inc. (formerly Zycom Technologies) for Managed IT Services. 
  • Council authorized the purchase of a replacement server in the amount of $110,553.65 from ITI Canada Inc., to be funded from capital reserves.
  • Council directed staff to issue a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for interest rates for guaranteed investment certificates (GIC) and Term Deposits.
  • Council authorized the Mayor and the Treasurer to open a $5,000,000 Investment Account.
  • Council authorized a 1 year Lease Agreement with MyFM Broadcasting Corporation for a portion of 110 Kate Street.
  • Council authorized an agreement with Morrison Hershfield Ltd. for the procurement of services for an engineering design for the rehabilitation of the 200-block of Arthur Street to the 300-block (ending at the Parkland) to an upset limit of $104,170.00 (excluding HST), with an optional cost submission for Contract Administration and Inspection to an upset limit of $76,800 (excluding HST). 
  • A Request for Council support was granted for Town Staff to submit an application through the Green Municipal Fund of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for the Acti-Zyme Program which is intended to improve the sludge build up and air quality at the Lagoon site. The Town’s share of 20% ($37,010.95) is committed for the Acti-Zyme trial program, and if successful, the funding could cover up to 80% ($148,043.70) of the cost of the program. 
  • The Water and Wastewater 1st Quarter Reports were received for information.
  • Council approved a municipal servicing agreement with 1291092 Ontario Inc., to establish the installation and rates for a development located in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, subject to an easement and final review by the Town’s legal counsel.
  • The Gananoque Public Library Quarterly Report was received. Council appointed Mayor Beddows and Deputy Mayor Leakey to sit on the Physician and Health Team Recruitment Working Group which has been established to recruit and retain doctors to the area. 
  • Mayor Beddows put forward a motion to direct staff to amend the Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the removal of the King Street Pedestrian Bridge to include two separate costing options for the removal of both spans and just the removal of the span crossing the Gananoque River only. This was defeated. 
  • Councillor Harper put forward a motion to direct staff to bring back a costing report to remove the stop signs located at Water and Kate Streets and replace them with a courtesy crosswalk.  This was approved. He also put forward a motion to direct staff to bring back a costing report for the 2024 Budget Deliberations regarding repairs to the publicly owned sea walls and shoreline erosion. This was approved.
  • Town Council passed a motion to support the Town of Prescott’s Motion, with respect to the homeless crisis in Ontario.
  • Public Notice was given regarding a public meeting to be held on June 6th 2023 to consider 4 development permit applications: 81-83 Charles Street South, 90 St. Lawrence Street, 88 James Street, and 130 King Street East. 
  • Council approved that the 3D Concrete planters from the rear of Town Hall will be relocated to the Community Gardens/Food Forest located off Arthur Street.