Co-hosting Agreement For Taste of the Valley With County
Co-hosting Agreement For Taste of the Valley With County
Whitewater Region (WWR) council has agreed to authorize signing the 2024 co-hosting agreement for the Taste of the Valley with the County of Renfrew.
The county is again leading and hosting the Taste of the Valley series of markets this summer and fall. WWR township will be partnering with the county and the Cobden Agricultural Society to bring the Saturday, October 19 event to Cobden, which is expected to attract 5,000-plus visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day.
“As Taste of the Valley continues to get larger and the county has established a process to efficiently manage each event, a co-hosting agreement has been developed that outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the township and county staff,” Township Planner Alex Benzie told the June 19 meeting of council.
As lead organizer, the county manages the vendor process, including securing vendors and assigning booths; the approval process with the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, and event marketing and promotion.
“The county provides two complimentary booths to the host municipality to promote local municipal services and/or community organizations,” Mr. Benzie continued. “Given the size and scale of the Cobden event, additional space will also be provided to organizations that provide logistical support, including the Cobden Agricultural Society (for the use of the Agricultural Hall and parking area), Boy Scouts (for attendance tracking), and Cobden Civitan (for parking management).”
The key roles of the host municipality and partner involve providing the venue and parking area, coordinating set up and day-of logistics, access to electricity and washrooms, and an ATM, picnic tables, and traffic barriers; managing garbage and recycling; securing local entertainment, and assisting with event advertising.
* * * * * * *
Encroachment Agreement To Permit Sign On Municipal Property
Council will execute an encroachment agreement with OWL Rafting, Whitewater Brewing Company, Whitewater Cottage & RV Resort (Summerhill Resorts Ltd.), and Whitewater Village to permit a collaborative sign to be located in the municipal road allowance.
The single sign, at the intersection of Rafting Road and Grants Settlement Road, will direct traffic to all four participating businesses.
Manager of Public Works, Lane Cleroux, told the June 19 meeting of council the owner of OWL Rafting had met with township staff in 2023 regarding the ownership of the numerous signs located at that location. There are currently four permanent signs, and multiple temporary A-frame signs throughout the year.
The permanent signs belong to Owl Rafting, Riverbarn Pub & Country Store, Whitewater Cottage & RV Resort, and Wilderness Tours. As there are no existing agreements related to the sign at present, township staff worked with the owner of OWL Rafting to discuss the details of a collaborative sign for the intersection. The four participating businesses have agreed to a collaborative sign and requested to install one sign structure, with four individual business signs within the municipal road allowance.
The owner of the two other signs declined an offer to participate in the collaborative sign.
· * * * * * *
Tender Awarded For Dehumidifier For Astrolabe Arena
Council has awarded a tender for a dehumidifier for the Astrolabe Arena in Cobden to Ottawa-based Zenith Solutions Inc. at a cost of $45,781.95 (including HST). It was the lowest of six bids received, which ranged up to $58,066.95.
The tender specified removal, replacement and installation of a dehumidifier for arena. As part of the replacement, stand reinforcement as well as an electrical upgrade is required to be completed prior to install. This additional work is currently underway at the arena and is being arranged by staff.
Manager of Community Services, Stephanie Plebon, told council the total amount approved for this project in the township’s 2024 budget is $69,000 and that even with the addition of the cost for electrical upgrade the total will come in under budget.
Marie Zettler, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eganville Leader
