Central Frontenac Council - Jun 27/13

Jeff Green | Jun 27, 2013

Central Frontenac to go with County planning services in 2014.

In a move that has been coming for at least two years, Central Frontenac Council decided this week to end their relationship with their contract planner, Glenn Tunnock, at the end of 2013.

The switch is coming about for one reason: cost. Interim CAO John Duchene presented a report on the cost of township-generated planning work, and concluded that the township pays Tunnock about $13,000 a year on average for Official Plan and zoning bylaw review, representation at Ontario Municipal Board hearings, etc.

The Frontenac County Planning department is offering to do all township-generated work for free.

The township also provides planning services for individuals or corporations who apply for various permits, severances, and zoning amendments, but those are paid for by the applicant on a cost recovery basis. The county will provide those services as well starting in January.

Not everyone on Council was supportive of the move to County Planning. “Our planning consultant has been with us for a long time. It ain’t broke so why are we fixing it? How long will it be until the county needs new staff and our savings will be gone? I think Glenn Tunnock’s knowledge of our township and the planning act saves us money whenever we go to the OMB [Ontario Municipal Board]. I don’t support this,” said Councilor Frances Smith.

Mayor Janet Gutowski, a long time supporter of the changeover to the county, said, “I do think there is additional value to the county planning department. They have offered to attend our Committee of Adjustment meetings for free as an additional service. With respect to hours, it is really only one day a week that we need, and that can be accommodated without hiring a new planner at the county.”

In a recorded vote, Mayor Gutowski, Deputy Mayor Tom Dewey, Councilors Matson, Purdon, and Snyder supported the changeover, and Councilors Smith, Wayne Millar, and Heather Fox voted against it. Councilor Gunensperger was not at the meeting.

Glenn Tunnock has been Central Frontenac’s Planner of record since 1999.

Agreement keeps Parham Library in place for a year.

A pending agreement between the township, the Limestone District School Board, and the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) will see the portable classroom at Hinchinbrooke Public school remain in place as a branch of the KFPL until July 1, 2014. Even though the school it is attached to is closing at the end of this week, the board has agreed to allow the library to remain open for a year as the school explores future uses for the surplus school building. Council passed a motion authorizing the clerk and mayor to sign an agreement on their behalf with the other two parties.

Site plan agreement for Dean’s Superstore – In a measure that will help Mike Dean's Superstore achieve their goal of expanding to the rear of the existing building in order to put in new food preparation areas, council accepted a site plan agreement, which covers alterations already made at the front of the store and some that are pending at the rear.

“They are very close to receiving a septic approval, which will be followed by an offer to purchase a small piece of land from the township, and then a permit can be issued,” said John Duchene. “The site plan agreement, which the Deans have accepted without asking for any changes, will allow the project to proceed once all the other steps have been completed.”

New CAO: Mayor Janet Gutowski introduced Larry Donaldson, who will be assuming the role of township chief administrative officer (CAO) on July 15.

Donaldson was raised in Lanark Village and has worked in the Ottawa region for most of his career. He currently lives in Stittsville with his wife and teenaged children. He served as the clerk in the City of Kanata, and was the CAO of the town of Arnprior for ten years, until October 20, 2011, when he was relieved of his duties. All indications are that Donaldson lost his job as the result of a change in the political climate in Arnprior.

At the time the Mayor of Arnprior said the firing was not “with cause. We determined we wanted a new voice, a new start,” said Mayor David Reid. “Larry has a lot of skills, a lot of knowledge. Sometimes you need fresh blood.” David Reid had been newly elected as mayor, along with a fresh slate of councilors, one year earlier. Relieving Larry Donaldson of his duties was the first, but not the last change made by the Reid administration to the senior staff in Arnprior. Soon afterwards the town clerk, public works manager and a senior financial officer were let go.

“Larry has proven his ability to not only study but to also implement a variety of municipal services including facilities operation at full-cost recovery basis, strategic plans, development agreements, labour relations, core services reviews, development charges and master plans in recreation and fire,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski