South Frontenac Council - Feb 17/09

By Wilma Kenny

McMullen Park: Was Township Policy Followed?

At the last Committee of the Whole meeting, Councillor Hicks expressed concerns that township procurement policies had not been followed during the upgrading of McMullen Park last spring.

In response, CAO Burns interviewed various staff and committee members, and presented a report to Council. Portland District had agreed to replace the old cottage at McMullen Park in Verona. Councillor Robinson was delegated by the Portland Recreation Facility to oversee the construction of the new facility. Invitational tenders were received, and the contract awarded. By June 2, construction was completed, but there was concern that as a result of the construction, the grounds were unsuitable for children. On June 2, the Recreation Committee met to plan the June 18 opening event. Prior to the official beginning of this meeting, Councillor Robinson received approval from the Committee to arrange for landscaping and laying of sod. Councillor Robinson told Burns that the township treasurer had assured him there were funds available for this purpose, and due to the short amount of time before the opening, he did not solicit tenders or bring the actual costs to the Committee’s or Council’s attention before the work was done.

Burns noted that although Councillor Robinson had the committee’s approval, he should have informed Councillor Hicks and the committee chairman of the final cost, once it was known to exceed $5,000. However, "In this particular case there was no intent to defraud or abuse township funds, and it appears that there was tacit approval of the Portland Recreation Committee to proceed with this expenditure."

He added that all committees and staff will be reminded of the procurement policies in regard to expenditures over $5,000.

When Councillor Hicks continued to express dissatisfaction with the fact that policy had not been followed, Councillor McPhail said, "It was your job to ask for a full report if you had concerns, and that’s been given."

Mayor Davison closed the discussion by suggesting, "We gave up public flogging several hundred years ago."

Funding for Sydenham Water Plant Upgrades

Mayor Davison reported that the Township’s application for funding from Build Canada had been successful. Both senior levels of government have agreed to pay one third of the cost of correcting the water purification system (to bring the THM levels down to acceptable standards), up to $433,000 each. When one of the Councillors asked who would pay the remaining third, Mayor Davison commented cryptically, "we haven’t given up on the other end of finding out how we got here, (ie, in this situation."