Jessica McGarity

The Council discussed the potential municipal acquisition of the Steamer Stop Inn, the upcoming Life at the Lakes festival, and the success of the annual Christmas in the Village event. Updates were provided on the Rural Plan working group and the ACTivate Arcadia project. Council members shared updates regarding regional emergency planning, local community events, volunteer recognition, recreation building activities, and progress on signage and wharf transitions. Correspondence included reports on building permits, municipal policy drafts, and information regarding family physician registration and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

The council meeting covered a presentation from the Cambridge-Narrows Regional Library regarding 2025 projects and events. Updates were provided for working groups focused on the Rural Plan, tourism initiatives, and fundraising. Council members reported on various community activities, including RCMP reports, recreational facility projects, local trails, and upcoming community events. Additionally, the meeting addressed topics such as aquatic invasive species, the Gagetown Medical Clinic renovations, recruitment efforts, sewer bill collection, upcoming safety workshops, and environmental strategies related to regional landfills.

The council reviewed the monthly report from the CAO, which covered progress on the rural plan, childcare service expansion, local group events, and various building and infrastructure projects including economic development, strategy, and medical clinic renovations. The council accepted financial reports for operating and sewerage accounts, approved a name for a new private road in the Osachuk Subdivision, and discussed the Future Community Fund Policy, which was ultimately tabled for revisions based on committee feedback regarding scholarship eligibility.

The Committee of the Whole meeting included presentations and discussions on several community initiatives. One presentation focused on Arcadia's participation in the ACTivate Cohort program by the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism, outlining its asset-based community development approach and upcoming local sessions aimed at uniting the community. A second presentation detailed the Arcadia economic development project centered on the Gagetown Marina, proposing a community-led acquisition and redevelopment model funded through debentures/shares to establish the marina as a viable economic contributor. Council updates covered the first draft of the Arcadia Emergency Response Plan, the development of an Economic Development and Tourism Strategy plan, completion of Cambridge-Narrows Wharf repairs, and upcoming renovations at the Gagetown Medical Clinic. Council also discussed the approval of the 2026 Arcadia Operating Budget, criteria for opening warming shelters during outages, and the formation of various working groups, including Lagoon, Wharves, Medical Services, Recycling, and Fundraising, following the guidelines of the Local Governance Act.

The meeting began with the reading of Arcadia's Vision and Mission statements. Key agenda items included the approval of the current agenda and the minutes from the December 15, 2025, Regular Council Meeting and the December 30, 2025, Special Council Meeting. The CAO Report detailed progress in several areas: 'Creating the Foundation,' which included preparation for the Rural Plan working group and discussions on fire services; 'Connecting Community,' which noted an upcoming Community Meeting and the Committee of the Whole meeting schedule; 'Building Arcadia,' focusing on the Economic & Community Development Coordinator posting and strategy development; and 'Living in Arcadia,' reporting on physician team visits, contract awards, and RCMP meetings. New Business featured the acceptance of expenditures for the General Operating Account and Sewerage Account for the period spanning December 16, 2025, to January 19, 2026, with subsequent reporting changes agreed upon. Council also authorized staff to explore options for a potential multi-use facility and submitted an Expression of Interest to Horizon Health Network for 5,000 to 15,000 square feet of space. Public comments addressed doctor availability and tourism spending. The meeting concluded with a closed session.