Lanark County Media Release - December 14, 2022 Meeting Two

Here are the highlights from the special Lanark County Council meeting held Dec. 14, 2022.

Blakeney Bridge Replacement to Proceed: Council passed a motion to proceed with replacing the Blakeney Bridge with two-lane, 7.3-metre wide modular panel bridge without traffic signals. The estimated cost is $4.5 million, and it will be referred to the upcoming 2023 budget process.

In a report to the public works committee earlier in the evening, Public Works Manager Sean Derouin explained an enhanced inspection and load posting review was completed for the bridge earlier this year, along with an environmental assessment process with a view replacing the bridge next year. The results of the enhanced inspect ion were presented to the public works committee. Repairs were undertaken in November in order to maintain the load restriction on the bridge at 12 tonnes.

A public information centre was held on Dec. 2 in Almonte with about 40 people in attendance, including residents of Blakeney and the local agricultural community. Three options presented to the public included a 5.5-metre wide single-lane bridge with traffic signals, a 5.8-metre wide single-lane bridge with traffic signals or two lanes (7.3 metres) without traffic signals. The current bridge is a 4.57-metre single lane.

“Residents of Blakeney prefer the single-lane option as a traffic calming measure and to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists,” Derouin said. “The agriculture community prefers a two-lane option to accommodate wide farm equipment.” As part of the process, comments were also received from Mississippi Mills public works, which supported a two-lane structure, as well as numerous members of the public.

Derouin indicated the recommended replacement is a bridge fabricated in modules that can be installed quickly at the site. “Components are prefabricated, delivered to site, assembled on site and then installed on prepared abutments,” he said, adding benefits include accelerated construction, reduced construction impact on traffic, increased work-zone safety, good quality (fabricated in a controlled environment with a thorough quality control process), lower environmental impact and lower costs.

Council directed staff to proceed with a request for proposals to complete the detailed design. Construction is expected to begin in May. For more information, contact Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3194.

Climate Lens Concept to Be Applied to Reports: Council accepted a report proposing a trial period to apply a “climate lens” to all council reports prepared by staff.

In a report to the public works committee earlier in the evening, Climate Environmental Coordinator Michelle Rabbetts explained the climate lens is an assessment framework that helps decision-makers understand the climate change risks and impact associated with decisions. The initiative is part of the corporate climate action table, which was adopted in October as part of the developing Climate Action Plan.

Rabbetts said the climate lens tool helps staff to evaluate the climate impact of purchases and decisions based on the four pillars of the Sustainable Lanark plan: cultural, economic, environmental and social. “The goal is to modify all council reports to include a section for climate impact to assess every council decision for whether it reduces or eliminates the use of fossil fuels and adheres to the four pillars.”

The framework includes the climate lens tool (greenhouse gas emissions calculator), Sustainable Lanark questions to help consider and apply the four pillars, and a new report section on climate impact. If no questions are applicable and no greenhouse gas emissions are produced, the section would say “no impact.”

After the trial period, the climate lens will be reviewed and adjustments made to the process before final adoption. For more information, contact Michelle Rabbetts, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Vegetation Management Plan Update Proceeding: Council passed a motion to authorize the clerk to prepare a by-law to adopt the county’s updated Integrated Pest Management Vegetation Management Plan in January.

In a report to the public works committee earlier in the meeting, Climate Environmental Coordinator Michelle Rabbetts explained the original plan was adopted in 2016 as a long-term, multi-faceted approach to managing vegetation in order to maintain safe roadsides. It aimed to reduce reliance on mowing, brushing and spraying, while restoring pollinator habitat.

The plan was originally prepared by Cain Vegetation Inc. and the proposed updates were discussed at the public works meeting in September. The updates reflect the county’s integrated practices for controlling wild parsnip, the long-term goal to establish diverse roadsides with abundant pollinator habitat, and current vegetation management practices. Changes include:

• A statement outlining the county’s long-term goals for pollinator habitat and information on how roadsides are restored
• Highlights on how control is easier when weeds are present at low levels
• Emphasis on the importance of plantings and naturalization to increase diversity of flowering species along roadsides (density of vegetation for biological weed control and natural competition)
• Increased detail on the process of wild parsnip control
• Updated maps and seed mix information

Rabbetts indicated no comments were received during the two-month public review period. The updated plan is available at https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/doing-business/resources/documents/Lanark-IPM-Revised-Progam-2022-Final-8-15-22.pdf

For more information, contact Michelle Rabbetts, Climate Environmental Coordinator, at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3114.

Upcoming Meetings: County Council, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 5 p.m.; Community Services, Jan. 11 (following County Council); Corporate Services, Jan. 11 (following Community Services). Special Corporate Services (Budget), Friday, Jan. 20 9 a.m. County Council, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5 p.m.; Public Works, Jan. 25 (following County Council); Economic Development, Jan. 25 (following Public Works). Watch for details about public access to meetings on agendas and through online notifications. For more information, contact 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 1502. Like "LanarkCounty1" on Facebook and follow "@LanarkCounty1" on Twitter!