Council Meeting Highlights – April 14, 2025

Council approved Report FIRE-2025-02 for the purchase of a new pumper/rescue truck to replace aging vehicles. This new truck is expected to be delivered in November 2025.

This purchase will replace two aging vehicles at Station 12 in Russell—a 1999 rescue and a 1995 pumper—as recommended in the Fire Master Plan.

Waste Program By-law (Item 11c)

The Waste Program By-law has been updated to reflect the new organic waste collection program.

Solid waste collection will become automated. New 120L black bins will be distributed in fall 2025, with the new collection system starting the week of November 3, 2025.

Solid waste collection will remain weekly, and this schedule will be re-evaluated after one year.

The remaining $300,000 from the organic waste collection program budget will be allocated to this initiative. The remaining cost for the purchase of the garbage bins will be financed through a one-time fee of $23 per unit, which will be included in the updated waste program user fee. This one-time charge will be added to the August tax bill.

New residents will be required to purchase bins through a one-time user fee. The current cost is $125 for the bin set.

Water and Sewer Annual Report 2024 (Item 11f)

Council received the annual water and wastewater report. This report includes all testing and analyses conducted on the water and wastewater systems in 2024. The full report can be found in the Council agenda.

Council received the quarterly update on the Recreation Complex project. The construction schedule remains on track.

Out of the 69 identified project risks, 34 were resolved during the early stages and design phase. The remaining 35 risks are categorized as follows:

• 27 low-risk
• 4 medium-risk
• 4 high-risk

Ongoing work includes soil and concrete testing, masonry, and the erection of structural steel on site. 

Staff continue to explore mitigation strategies in response to new tariff threats.

Visit www.russell.ca/RecreationComplex to see project updates and photos.

Appraisals of the Palais des sports, Russell Arena, and the Camille Piché Community Centre are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Council received a comprehensive report reviewing the structure and operations of its 21 committees. This review stems from the strategic discussion held on August 26, 2024, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency.

In 2024, committee operations cost over $75,000 and required more than 650 staff hours. Committees are encouraged to update their terms of reference, objectives, and mandates in 2025.

This initiative aligns with the Township’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes innovation and collaboration in service delivery.

Before making any structural changes to the committees, Council will await the recommendations from the Public Engagement Study.

The presentation of the Urban Tree By-law has been postponed to the May 12, 2025, Council meeting to allow residents more time to submit comments. The Urban Tree By-law aims to protect trees within the village limits and support the environmental sustainability of our Township.

The draft is available as item 11h of the February 24, 2025, agenda.

You can send your comments by Friday, May 9, 2025, to infrastructure@russell.ca or contact Council members directly. Their contact info can be found at www.russell.ca/council.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Town Hall (717 Notre Dame, Embrun). Drop by anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Public Meeting on May 1: Storm Sewer replacement on Notre-Dame Street in Embrun. More information to come.

Community and Recreational Trail Clean-Up: Saturday, April 26, 2025. Help us make our community cleaner by cleaning parks and neighborhoods. You can leave the bags at the curb. No tags required.

Members of the Township’s Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee will be located at key entry points along the trail to provide you with gloves and bags.