Lighthouse overlooking Ottawa River.

Council Briefs, December 5, 2023

Planning & Development Committee

Pembroke Regional Hospital Presentation

Representatives of the Pembroke Regional Hospital were in attendance to speak regarding the hospital’s purchase of an electronic medical records system, indicating that this will increase connected care for patients, recruitment of physicians and other health care professionals and add to the provision of high quality and up-to-date care for their patients and families. They were seeking financial support from Council.

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (RCCFDC) Update

The Executive Director of RCCFDC delivered an update on what the Corporation is currently doing.

Smoking Area Request for The Grind

The City received a request from The Grind, asking for permission to designate a smoking area for its clients. Committee approved the area in front of the building along the Victoria Street laneway as the smoking area.

Taxi By-law Report

On October 3, 2023, a report was given to Committee reviewing the taxi and limousine by-laws with the aim of de-regulating or streamlining the licensing process and opening the market to competition. Direction was given to staff to prepare an appropriate by-law to come before Council.

Striking Committee

Renfrew County Highway 17/417 Extension Advisory Committee

On April 28, 2015, the County of Renfrew established a Highway 17/417 Extension Advisory Committee consisting of Renfrew County’s chair of operations, chair of development and property, the warden and up to three other councillors who are located along the highway corridor for the purpose of promoting the extension of a four lane Highway 17 through Renfrew County. At the last meeting, the Highway 17/417 Extension Advisory Committee membership was expanded to include a representative from the City of Pembroke. Mayor Ron Gervais was appointed with Councillor Andrew Plummer appointed as an alternate by the Striking Committee to the Highway 17/417 Extension Advisory Committee.

Finance & Administration Committee

Pembroke Fire Department Monthly Report – November 2023

Committee received the October 2023 Monthly Pembroke Fire Department Report that outlined the department’s Fire Prevention Week activities, other prevention and public education activities, new equipment received, employee recognition, vulnerable occupancy inspections and drills, emergency management, EOC/training room events, Pembroke Professional Firefighters Association support, and career firefighter training for the month of November 2023. This report also included the number of recreational open-air burning permits purchased and inspections completed, and the number of smoke alarm inspections completed during the month.

Fire Dispatching Services for the City of Pembroke

Discussions on upgrading and improving the communication infrastructure and equipment used throughout Renfrew County by the Central Ambulance Communication Center for dispatching Fire Services has been ongoing. Staff was directed to continue with the current fire dispatch service provider.

Water Rescue Agreement with the Township of Whitewater Region

In early spring 2023, a meeting with the mayors and CAOs of the City of Pembroke and the Township of Whitewater Region was held to discuss opportunities for partnerships between the municipalities. Water and ice rescue was a service that raised interest and opportunities for both municipalities. Subsequently, meetings with the fire chiefs of the municipalities were held. An agreement was drafted and came before the Finance and Administration Committee for direction. There was clarification requested regarding indemnification. The Fire Service Agreement between the City of Pembroke and the Township of Whitewater Region was accepted in principle, pending further clarification on the indemnification section.

2024 Council and Committee Remuneration

At the November 7, 2023 Finance and Administration Committee meeting, the City of Pembroke Ad Hoc Citizens’ Committee of Council presented their findings and recommendations on Council and Committee remuneration. The treasurer presented a report with the recommendations looking for direction. The Finance and Administration Committee passed a motion for Council to continue to receive the cost of living adjustment but table all other issues for discussion until January 1 to June 30, 2026 (the election year), if required.

Blue Box Transition

Ontario’s existing municipally operated blue box programs are transitioning to full producer responsibility and this will occur over a three-year period, between July 2023 to December 2025. The new Blue Box Regulation, O. Reg. 391/21: Blue Box, moves the responsibility for providing recycling services from the municipalities to producers that generate packaging, paper and similar products. The producers’ responsible organizations (PROs) will assume responsibility effective January 1, 2026. The Finance and Administration Committee approved the withdrawal of the Corporation from the management of the Blue Box Program and authorized the operations director to negotiate and execute an agreement with producer responsibility organizations (PRO) for other scopes of work related to Blue Box services, if required, to ensure continuity of services to residents, and within existing budgets, in keeping with the City’s procurement policy, and with reports on actions being brought back to Committee; and the Finance and Administration Committee directed staff to pursue a contract for the collection of the non-eligible sources of recycling beyond transition (after January 1, 2026), and directed staff to hire a consultant to assist in navigating the transition and to create new contracts for waste management and facility services.

Aquatic Centre Public-Private-Partnership (P3)

Because of the complexity of the item and the late hours of the evening, it was decided this item be discussed at a special meeting of Council on Monday, December 11, at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Warming Centre Agreement

Warming Centre stakeholder meetings have been held recently and all in attendance recognized the need to work together to address the homeless situation in our community. A 50’ x 12’ trailer with stand alone washroom facilities has been established at the Pembroke Farmers’ Market. Committee approved the presented Warming Centre agreement.

Council

Striking Committee Report

On April 28, 2015, the County of Renfrew established a Highway 17 Extension Advisory Committee consisting of Renfrew County’s Chair of Operations, Chair of Development and Property, the Warden and up to three other councillors who are located along the highway corridor for the purpose of promoting the extension of a four-lane Highway 17 through Renfrew County. At the last Committee meeting, Mayor Gervais was invited to attend the meeting. Formal appointment is required. Council approved the appointment of Mayor Ron Gervais with Councillor Andrew Plummer being appointed as his alternate to the Renfrew County Highway 17/417 Extension Advisory Committee.

By-law 2023-86 – Water/Ice Agreement with Whitewater Township

Council requested further clarification on liability prior to passing the by-law.

By-law 2023-87 – Warming Centre Agreement

Council passed the by-law to enter into an agreement between the Pembroke Farmers’ Market Association, The Grind Pembroke, and the Corporation of the City of Pembroke for the operation of the Warming Centre.