Council Meeting Highlights | May 19, 2026

Council Receives Update on 137 Frank Street Building Condition

Council recently received an informational report regarding the condition of the building located at 137 Frank Street. During discussion, Council reviewed both current and past reports related to the facility’s condition and ongoing maintenance considerations.

Municipal staff have provided Council with several reports outlining the condition of the building, including reports presented in 2024 and 2026.

Report 137 Frank St CS 2024-45, presented in 2024, included background information on the property as well as the Building Condition Assessment (BCA) originally completed in 2019. Staff also presented at the June 23 Strategic Priorities meeting, where high-level conceptual options for a reimagined 137 Frank Street were shared. That presentation also identified a number of existing building condition concerns.

The most recent report included a detailed chart outlining deficiencies identified in the Building Condition Assessment.

Following discussion, Council passed the motion THAT: Staff engage with a+LiNK to have an engineering report done on the structural integrity and the foundation of 137 Frank Street.

Updates regarding 137 Frank Street will continue to be shared on the Municipal website as information becomes available.

Council Approves Replacement of Local Park Bridges

Council has approved the replacement of Parks Bridges P3 and P4, awarding the project to Lyncon Construction in the amount of $192,233.05 plus HST. Council also approved a 10% contingency of $19,223.30 to support potential site remediation, pathway rehabilitation, and erosion control efforts related to the project.

The bridge replacements were identified in the Municipality’s 2026 Capital Budget and represent the first two of five bridges recommended for replacement in the 2023 BM Ross Bridge Assessment Report.

Bridges P3 and P4 were prioritized due to their importance as direct connections within the Rotary Memorial Trail system:

• Bridge P3 is located east of Victoria Street in Alexandra Park
• Bridge P4 is located west of Victoria Street in Centennial Park
  
  

In coordination with County Procurement, staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Bids and Tenders platform and received two submissions. To improve project efficiency and reduce mobilization and demobilization costs, the two bridge replacements were bundled into a single project.

Lyncon Construction submitted the successful low bid at a combined value of $192,233.05. The total approved 2026 Capital Budget allocation for both projects is $246,000.

As part of the next steps, the successful contractor will be required to obtain the necessary permits from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) prior to construction proceeding.

Proposed Improvements To Town Hall Workspaces

Several years ago, customer service operations within Town Hall were consolidated following the implementation of a centralized customer service model. This change successfully streamlined service delivery by directing members of the public to a single customer service counter on the lower level of Town Hall.

However, the reconfiguration of former service areas has resulted in a number of unintended operational and workplace considerations that have since been identified through ongoing review.

In particular, enclosing former counter areas has reduced sightlines and day-to-day interaction between staff, contributing to a more segmented workspace. Reduced visibility within enclosed office areas can also present safety and oversight concerns, as best practice in public-facing facilities encourages clear lines of sight to support accountability and security for both staff and visitors.

In addition, the current layout may contribute to a less open and welcoming environment for employees and members of the public accessing municipal offices.

To address these concerns, staff have brought forward a report recommending targeted interior modifications designed to improve visibility and enhance workplace openness. The proposed changes include the creation of wall openings with windows, the installation of windows in solid office doors, and the removal of privacy film from existing door glazing.

These modifications are intended to improve sightlines, increase transparency within the workspace, and support a more open and collaborative environment. The proposed work does not include the re-establishment of customer service counters.

Council approved the following option:

• Creation of three (3) wall openings with windows
• Installation of windows in eight (8) solid wood doors
• Removal of film from existing door windows
  

Total estimated cost is less than $12,500.00.