Central Frontenac Council - Oct. 11/11

Jeff Green | Oct 13, 2011

By Jeff Green and Julie Druker

The Young team presents CIP to Council

Anne Marie Young and Peter Young (no relation) who both work for Frontenac County, made a presentation about a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for Sharbot Lake.

Frontenac County Council approved the plan, which will be the second CIP in the county after one was implemented in Verona earlier this year.

The CIP is a tool under the Planning Act to encourage and stimulate economic growth and community revitalization by offering municipal grant and /or loan programs to stimulate private development. It can include facade improvements, brownfield redevelopment, the construction of new and retrofit energy efficient buildings and the improvement of public space and infrastructure.

The presenters covered examples of an existing CIP in Gananoque and outlined in general the benefits of CIPs, namely “allowing municipalities to establish financial incentive programs to stimulate development and laying out key initiatives.”

There are 10 CIPs currently underway in Ontario communities and the benefits to communities have included improved physical appearance, attracting new investment, coordinating municipal investment and achieving community improvement objectives.

Sharbot Lake was chosen because it is a waterfront community that offers public access and amenities, because it is the township’s municipal hub and because it is the largest settlement area in Central Frontenac, with a large number of diverse businesses. Other factors include the pending construction of a comprehensive school at the Sharbot Lake High School site.

Following the presentation, Councilor John Purdon asked what the time frame would be and was told the plan could be in place for spring 2012 and could likely proceed over 4 or 5 years.

Councilor Frances Smith wanted clarification on the total funding dollars. Mayor Gutowski said County assigns a finite amount of money and that the township decides how much they want to put in on top of that.

Councilor Norm Guntensperger wondered how he would respond to his constituents in Olden District asking him why they are not receiving the same kind of grants and loans.

“We have to start somewhere and there is definitely an opportunity down the road for other areas to participate,” Anne Marie Young responded.

“There was a lot of community consultation prior to Sharbot Lake being chosen and you can rest assured that we will be the architects of this plan and we can decide where the money goes,” added Mayor Gutowski.

A public process to develop the plan will start up in the coming weeks.

Snowplowing contracts set for 2 more years: The busiest road in Central Frontenac, Road 38, as well as many of the smallest roads in the township, will have snow removed and sand/salt applied by contractors for the next two years.

Scott’s Snow Removal and Lawn Maintenance, which has been keeping Road 38 clear for the past 4 years, will be doing so for another two. The township will pay $104 per hour for the service, down from $129 in the previous contract.

Contracts for small roads in four area routes were won by: Scott’s Snowplowing in Area 1 (west) for $2556.57 for an average call out; Scott’s Snowplowing in Area 2 (Central) at $1263 per call; Scot’s Snow Removal and Lawn Maintenance in Area 3 (East) at $1541 per call; and Quinn Contracting in Area 4 (South) at $1540 per call.

Shooting range gets township approval – A proposal for a private shooting range in Hinchinbrooke district was questioned by Councilor Norm Guntensperger, who thought council should take a second look before passing an approving motion.

Councilor Jeff Matson pointed out that the township was not being asked to approve the range, but merely to send a letter confirming it had no objection and that the zoning for the property permits a firing range, which it does.

The final decision approving the shooting range will be made by the Chief Firearms Officer for Ontario in the Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections Services.

Septic Services to remain with Health Unit -

The township considered proposals for septic permitting services for new construction from Kingston Frontenac Public Health, which has been providing the service for a number of years, and the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office (MRSSO).

Septic approvals are paid directly by residents, so there are no cost implications to the township coming from the decision. However, while Public Heath operates out of their own office in Sharbot Lake, MRSSO would need space in the township office, an indirect cost to the general ratepayers.

While MRSSO charges less to residents for their services, Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven recommended staying with KFL&A Public Health, citing the potential cost of a change and the fact that when he canvassed local contractors they said they preferred that the township stick with Public Health, which they did.

Waste Management – Staff member Kyle Labbette reported on the ongoing changes from a bag tag to a clear bag system at the waste sites. He said that at this point in the transition to the $2 large clear bags from the $1 tags, individual tags are only being sold at waste sites to go on green garbage bags that residents bring with them, but clear bags in lots of 10 are also being sold.

“As of April 1, only bags will be acceptable,” Labbette said.

He also brought some recommendations to Council from the Waste Management Committee.

Recommendations included restricting the annual free load that each resident is eligible for. Currently the load can be claimed from late spring until the middle of October, but the committee recommends limiting it to two weeks in the spring and ten days in the fall. As well, the committee recommends against a transfer station at the closed dump near Chippego Lake. It also wants to allow brush to be delivered only to the Hinchinbrooke transfer station, where it can be safely burned.

Finally, in line with the clear bag policy, the committee feels that two staff should be on site at all times, and says this might require cutting some slower hours from each dump.

“I’m glad the committee is talking about these items,” said Mayor Gutowski, “It’s about time. That being said, I think we need more information before making these changes.”

The recommendations will be considered at a future meeting.

Elizabeth Street – Public Works Manager Mike Richardson presented an engineer’s sketch of Elizabeth Street, which needs new paving and catch basins. The sketch includes three options for changes in the parking configuration of the road. A study confirmed there is sufficient parking on the street, but Richardson wants to look at changes based on some redesigning of the road for better traffic flow.

A public meeting, attended by the engineer who drew up the plans, will take place later this month (date to be confirmed next week).