Council Briefs, March 5, 2024

Parking By-law Fees 

At the January 2, 2024 Planning and Development Committee meeting, a report was presented outlining various increases to parking revenues. The report was tabled until staff could review the issues raised at the meeting which included meter increases, creating a matrix that recognizes the severity of fines based on community safety, and to ensure the PBIA had an opportunity to provide comments. After receiving feedback from the PBIA and also from Mr. Lou Hammil, owner of Giant Tiger, who appeared before Committee on February 20, staff prepared and presented this report to Committee. The City manages 198 metered parking spaces and 633 parking stalls (permit and free) in the City’s downtown core area. A parking fee/fine review of several municipalities took place which included municipalities within Renfrew County and other Ontario municipalities within the same population range as Pembroke, resulting in determining that Pembroke’s parking fees/fines are typically lower than the average of other municipalities. Staff presented a matrix that recognized severity of fines based on community safety, based on the information complied by various municipalities, for Committee’s consideration. The Planning and Development Committee accepted the matrix presented and increased the expired meter rate fine from $10 to $15.

De-Designation Request for Heritage Building at 84 Isabella St.

Committee was presented with a request from Bruce and C.B. Pappin, property owners of 84 Isabella St., asking for the building be de-designated as a Heritage Building under the Ontario Heritage Act, 1990. The property was designated as a heritage property in 1991. Historically, it was built in 1875 and is one of Pembroke’s earliest surviving municipal buildings (previously the old City Police Station) and one of the first large public buildings locally designed and built. The owners would like to put the property on the market and feel that the designation impedes the marketability. The Planning and Development Committee approved the request. 

Land Transfer on Unopened Road Allowances Almira and Julien Street for Future Road Allowances at Gulley Drive and Quarry Road

PFD Annual Report 2023

Committee received the 2023 PFD Annual Report.

PFD Monthly Report – February 2024

Committee received the February 2024 Monthly Pembroke Fire Department Report.  

Water Rescue Agreement with the Township of Whitewater Region

During the spring of 2023, a meeting was held between the Mayors and CAOs of the City of Pembroke and the Township of Whitewater Region to discuss opportunities for partnerships between the municipalities. One service discussed was water and ice rescues. At the December 5, 2023 Finance & Administration Committee meeting, Chief Selle presented a Fire Service Agreement between the City of Pembroke and the Township of Whitewater Region concerning the provision of water rescue services by the Pembroke Fire Department to the Region of Whitewater. Council agreed in principle to the partnership however there were some areas of clarification and re-writing requested. The requested changes were made and presented to Committee. The Finance and Administration Committee approved the entry into a Fire Service Water Rescue Agreement with the Region of Whitewater.

Amyloidosis Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Gervais proclaimed March 2024 Amyloidosis Month bringing awareness to this group of diseases that occurs when an abnormal protein, known as amyloid, builds up in the tissues and organs of the body that if left untreated can result in organ failure and can be fatal.

International Women’s Day

Mayor Gervais proclaimed March 8, 2024 as International Women’s Day in the City of Pembroke and under the 2024 Theme of Inspire Inclusion, he encouraged everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life including those from marginalized communities.  

By-law 204-13 Transfer Lot 46 to James W. Lapointe Holdings Inc. 

Council approved the sale of Lot 46 to James W. Lapointe Motor Holdings Inc. within his plan of subdivision with By-law 2024-02. The City’s solicitor states the legal description must be amended now that the reference plan has been approved by the Registry Office. Council passed By-law 2024-13 approving the sale with the amended legal description of the property.

By-law 2024-14 Renaming of Fred Blackstein Boulevard to First Responders Way

At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Planning and Development Committee, staff presented a request from Mr. Fred Blackstein requesting Fred Blackstein Boulevard be re-named First Responders Way. Committee approved the request, and the by-law was brought forward and passed at this meeting.

By-law 2024-15 ICIP Transit Grant Transfer Payment Agreement

At the November 1, 2022 Finance and Administration Committee meeting, Committee approved the City’s application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) Public Transit Stream for the acquisition of a passenger van. The City was advised in the fall that it was successful in its application. The vehicle has been tendered out and delivery is expected in the spring. Council passed By-law 2024-15 to authorize the signing of the Transfer Payment Agreement. 

By-law 2024-16 Marriage Licence Modernization

City Treasury staff have volunteered to participate in a new on-line marriage licence portal provided by Service Ontario through their Marriage License Modernization (MLM) initiative. The City has been selected to participate in their MLM Phase 2 program which will allow marriage licence applicants to apply for a marriage licence online and submit their IDs and supporting documents electronically. Once submitted, the municipal office will be notified, providing staff an opportunity to review and process application packages prior to the applicant attending the office to collect their marriage licence. Council passed By-law 2024-16 authorizing the City to enter into a participation agreement.