Lighthouse overlooking Ottawa River.

Council Briefs, January 2, 2024

Planning and Development Committee

James W. Lapointe Motor Holdings Inc. Subdivision Request to Transfer Future Lot 46

Committee directed staff to prepare a by-law for the January 16, 2024 Council meeting approving the sale of Lot 46 to Mr. Lapointe of the James W. Lapointe Motor Holdings Inc. Plan of Subdivision. This lot was agreed for sale previously, in principle, as part of the Draft Plan Approval in one of the conditions, permitting this lot to be used as a building lot.

Parking By-law Fees

Recently staff was directed to review the Parking By-law fees. Suggested fee changes were presented. The recommended amendments were based on information compiled by various municipalities and based on a cost-recovery basis. Councillor Kuehl shared a matrix that he created to help assess fines and their severity. This item was tabled in order to review the information presented.

Request for Direction – Short-Term Rental By-law

Committee directed staff to research and report back on the issue to regulate and control short-term rentals within the City of Pembroke regarding properties used as Airbnbs and Vrbos. In the meantime, businesses should continue as status quo until the report is presented and a decision is made.

Request – Installation of Sign on City Property – Zion Lutheran Church

A request was received from Zion Lutheran Church to install a directional sign to be erected on City property adjacent to their property at 454 Miller St. A recent emergency medical call resulted in confusion regarding location. The request would assist in location clarity. Committee approved the request.

Finance and Administration Committee

PFD Monthly Report – December 2023

In Chief Selle’s absence, Mr. Unrau introduced the information report and instructed Committee to contact the chief if there were any questions.

Council

By-law 2024-01 Borrowing By-law

Council passed this by-law to provide for current borrowing for the City of Pembroke for the year 2024. This annual by-law is required by the Bank of Montreal to permit short-term borrowing if required during the 2024 fiscal year.

By-law 2024-02 Tax Levy

Council passed this by-law to provide for an interim tax levy for the year 2024. This annual by-law will set the interim tax billing due dates for 2024 which shall be March 28 and May 31. The interim levy will provide the City with the necessary cash flow to meet its own needs as well as the local school boards’ through the education portion of taxes levied.

By-law 2024-03 Confirming By-law Amendments

Council passed the presented revised Confirming By-law to be used at the conclusion of every Council meeting. A confirming by-law, enacted at the conclusion of each Council meeting, ensures the City complies with the legal requirement, that it act by by-law, and confirms all actions of council taken at the meeting. It was recently brought to staff’s attention that the City’s current confirming by-law was outdated and required revisions. As such the confirming by-law has been updated.