Amherstburg Council discussed issues including the 2025 Road Repairs program, the Water Master Plan and a tariff-related cost increase at our regular meeting on Monday, June 9.
Auto Sector Tariffs Cause Price Increase
Council voted to pay an additional $5,600 for a dump truck to cover escalating costs attributed to auto sector tariffs.
Council opted to purchase a new dump truck for the roads department from Viking-Cives Ltd. in January, but received notice in April that the price had increased because of U.S. tariffs applied to the auto sector.
“If the Town does not continue with this purchase, then the purchase would have to be retendered and the order process would have to be restarted which would increase the time to receive the new dump (truck),” said a staff report. “In addition, the retendering does not prevent the potential for increased cost due to the ongoing tariff conflict.”
The Town’s existing truck, a 2009 GMC C7500 dump truck, has reached its end of life and needs to be replaced.
There was $320,000 budgeted for the truck but an additional $52,000 had to come from the Fleet Reserve to cover an over-expenditure, which is how the tariff-related cost will be covered.
Council Awards Contract for Road Repairs Program
Council awarded a $162,350 contract to low bidder Quinlan Inc. for the 2025 Road Repairs program.
The 2025 Budget includes $425,000 for road maintenance, including asphalt repairs, crack sealing, gravel road repairs and line painting.
The surplus — $259,792 – will be used to “complete additional necessary repairs to the rural roads as needed as well as other road maintenance initiatives including crack seal and line painting,” said a staff report.
Stantec Consulting Tapped for Water Master Plan Update
Council awarded a contact to Stantec Consulting Ltd. to update the Water Masterplan at a cost not to exceed $111,837.08 plus HST. The bulk of the funding will come from the Water Development Charge reserve with $31,000 coming from the Capital Water Reserve.
Administration recommended the project be sole-sourced to Stantec because it “has demonstrated unique qualifications to undertake the project including in house experience or historical data of the Municipality.”
The Town’s Water Masterplan was completed by Stantec in 2020 and it is recommended that it be updated every five years.
“The Water Masterplan will review the Town’s water distribution system and becomes the guiding document for Administration and Council with respect to capital project recommendations to address future growth opportunities and system gaps,” said a staff report.
Achievements, Objectives of Accessibility Advisory Committee
Council received a report outlining the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s achievements in 2024 and its objectives for 2025.
Highlights for 2024 included the launching of the Accessible Taxi Cab Pilot Project and Amherstburg becoming the first town in Canada to declare its commitment to being Aphasia Friendly – an initiative that helped secure a $16,375 grant from the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
The report notes that Amherstburg will play host to the second annual Accessibility Fest-for-All at the Libro Centre on September 12.
As well, the Town is seeking public input on its multi-year accessibility plan.
Residents are invited to fill out a survey from now until July 3 at www.talktheburg.ca/accessibilityplan.
Pickle Ball Courts Update
A motion was made and seconded for a report on the cost to construct the Pickle Ball courts and then it was withdrawn a few minutes later when staff told Council the project was within the approved Budget.
I was proud to support that project and construct a fantastic new amenity for Amherstburg residents and I was happy to learn Monday night that the Amherstburg Pickle Ball Association had raised more than $20,000 in support of the facility.
I cycle by the courts all the time and can tell you they are bustling!
I’m looking forward to the grand opening and trying them out one day myself!
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