Julie Druker | Sep 09, 2015


CF Council supports Elizabeth Street reconstruction

Council passed a motion at the regular council meeting supporting the proposed reconstruction of Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake as “a priority project” by authorizing staff to submit a letter expressing their interest in the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) in the amount of $2,300,000. The reconstruction project, which was started in 2010, has been dormant for a number of years. The project includes a new storm sewage system as well as other changes that will “improve parking congestion, traffic flow, pedestrian safety as well encouraging economic growth.” By approving the expression of interest, council will be taking responsibility for project costs in excess of $2 million.

Speed Limit reductions approved and signage in place

Council passed a motion approving a speed limit reduction on Long Lake Road near the public beach where the speed will be reduced from 80km/hour to 60km/hour. An earlier motion approved by council reduced the speed limit on Road 38 near the Granite Ridge Education Centre from 50km/hour to 40 km/hour and new signage is now in place there.

Failed Tax Sale Policy draft review

Treasurer J. Michael McGovern fielded questions from council regarding a new RFP process that will enable staff to “put failed tax sale properties out to the public to determine an accurate value and in doing so, put the property back into an active status.” Currently when a tax sale fails, department heads decide whether to either vest or write off part of the taxes and re-list the property. McGovern's report states that while staff have had some success and some failures in writing off the taxes and re-listing a property, they have found that determining an accurate price can be difficult without outside assistance. The new policy aims to “return properties to a state where taxes are collected on a regular basis.”

Council supports county's Gap Analysis Study

In an effort to address and identify infrastructure and equipment requirements necessary to establish a county-wide communications system, the County of Frontenac in 2013 approved setting aside $25,000 in their 2014 budget for a propagation study for radio communications on behalf of the four lower tier townships. This resulted from concerns raised by the various townships' CAOs, and their fire and public works departments, who all agreed that a more effective and efficient communications system was needed to protect the safety of residents. They identified the way forward with the need for a study analysing the gaps in the communications systems. The four municipalities are aiming to each approve the study and have the issue placed on the county's September agenda.

Council approves Shared IT and GIS Services agreement

In April 2015 the Frontenac CAOs prepared and presented a report to their councils of a shared services model of which IT and GIS services were examined. The report states that though Central Frontenac is unique in that it already possesses a qualified and combined IT manager/GIS technician and 911 coordinator, the other townships have either contracted out the services or in the the case of North Frontenac, provided it in house. Currently the CAOs are proposing that the county become the service provider for the four local municipalities at no incremental cost. A shared service model has been developed, with the cost to be shared between the four municipalities. The shared services agreement aims to “see the benefits of a comprehensive management approach to IT and GIS services.”

Private E. Badour of the 20th Battalion to be focus of special Remembrance Day Video project

Council granted permission to John Stuart, manager of community relations with the Family and Childrens Services of Frontenac Lennox and Addington to film inside Oso hall, where the name of Private E. Badour of Sharbot Lake is listed on its memorial wall. Private E. Badour was a soldier killed during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 and has no known grave.

October 2015 is proclaimed “Public Library Month”

Council supported a request from the Kingston Frontenac Public Library to officially proclaim October 2015 as Public Library Month. The purpose is to raise awareness of the valuable role that libraries play in Canadians' lives.

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