The highlights of the regular United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council Meeting held on Thursday, February 24, as well as the Committee of the Whole and Joint Services Committee (JSC) meetings held earlier this month, are listed below.
County Road 43 widening Engineering Company announced:
McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd. will be the firm overseeing the County Road 43 widening project. Counties Council announced the Canadian company will provide project management, contract administration, inspection services and a communications team at a cost of $2.24 million. McIntosh Perry’s bid was the lowest received but had the highest evaluation score from Counties staff.
The widening of County Road 43, from County Road 44 to Colonnade Drive in Kemptville, will impact some zoned agricultural property along the north side of County Road 43 at the Ferguson Forest. There will also be a number of trees removed along the right-of-way and around the existing bridge. However, a new wetland habitat beneath the new bridge with the addition of trees, shrubs and other plantings along the County Road 43 construction corridor will be created.
One of the key components of the County Road 43 Project Management Request For Proposal was to provide a communications strategy and specialist to form and chair a communications committee. Timely communications to the public regarding traffic restrictions, closures, updates on construction progress and anything else deemed of importance to the public at large will be a priority for this project. Additional information regarding this project will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Truth and Reconciliation Acknowledgement from Council:
Counties Council has accepted a recommendation from the Committee of the Whole for the development of an Indigenous Reconciliation Acknowledgement for the United Counties. The Warden will make this acknowledgment at the beginning of all Council meetings. Additional steps will be taken in the development of an Indigenous Reconciliation. Staff will investigate partners to develop specific training to ensure The Counties’ services meet the needs of its indigenous residents, as well as partner agencies supporting indigenous needs. Staff will also seek out funding opportunities to, develop further meaningful acknowledgement within the Counties, to the ongoing Truth and Reconciliation process being advanced within Canada. For more information contact Chief Administrative Officer Ray Callery at 613-342-3840, ext. 2301.
Upcoming meetings: The Joint Services Committee is on Tuesday, March 8th; the Committee of the Whole meeting is on Wednesday, March 9; Maple View Lodge Committee of Management on Thursday, March 10, and Counties Council is on Thursday, March 24. All regular meetings begin at 9 a.m. and can be viewed by accessing the livestream on the Counties website www.leedsgrenville.com. For more information, contact Interim County Clerk / Manager of Legislative Services Lesley Todd at 613-342-3840, ext. 2454.
