Council turns down request on trail permits

Craig Bakay | Dec 18, 2019

North Frontenac Council essentially turned down a request from the Ompah Community Volunteer Association (OCVA) to honour trail permits from the Ottawa Valley ATV Club (OVATVC) and the Ontario Federation of ATVs (OFATV) in agreements similar to the one the Township has with the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance (EOTA).

“The message is that we’re not going to entertain multiple agreements,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “Get together and come as one.”

In a letter to Council, OCVA President Mike Widmeyer asked for an agreement with the OVATVC and OFATV advising that the two clubs “have played a major role in the community’s ability to participate i the spring and fall ATV runs for the last seven years.

“Recent issues regarding trail passes, maps, road passes, threatened legal action, etc, may impact the Club’s ability to participate in the spring and fall ATV events.”

“If on our trail(s), they’ll have to have a North Frontenac or an EOTA trail permit,” said Corey Klatt, manager of community development. “People want access but they’re not bringing anything to the table.

“It’s a North Frontenac project (and) we need revenue.

“And frankly, I don’t want to be in the middle of a disagreement or a ‘who does what.’”

Klatt said the arrangement with the EOTA has evolved to the point where the EOTA has contributed $49,588.16 since 2009 including one-time donations and covering permit sales shortfalls for the Crown Land Stewardship Program (CLSP).

“Moreover, the EOTA applied for Provincial funding in 2019 and included a request for $20,000 for the CLSP within their application,” Klatt said. “We will know if this request for funding was successful in 2020.

“Furthermore, the EOTA made a donation of $12,000 to the Township in 2016 for the construction of the Ompah Rest Stop.”

He said “if they want us to honour their trail passes, they’ll have to come to Council with a business case.”

There was considerable discussion on the matter before a decision however.

“I don’t know why we couldn’t allow as many people as possible to contribute to our trails,” said Coun. Vern Hermer.

“This could open up a can of worms,” said Higgins.

“It could be a cash cow,” said Coun. John Inglis.

“It’s a cash cow now, leave it as it is,” said Dep. Mayor Fred Perry.

• • •

And speaking of Dep. Mayor Fred Perry, the last meeting of the decade was also his last as deputy major.

Council voted 5-2 to name Coun. Gerry Martin as deputy mayor for 2020.

Perry could of course put his name forward for 2021.

• • •

Council reserved making a decision on Rural Frontenac Community Services request for $5,400 to provide children’s services until budget time.

“We’re taking our time this year,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “We’re not expecting to approve the budget until February or March.”

• • •

The internet “speed test” is now active on the Township website. The test will provide documentation for government grants related to the development of high-speed internet networks.

• • •

Mayor Ron Higgins updated Council on his recent meetings with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Higgins said the District Officer in Bancroft commended the lake associations for their work on evasive species and that there was some discussion to “resurrect our two fish hatcheries.”

The discussion migrated to Areas of Natural or Scientific Interest (ANSI) and that unlike the Frontenac County Official Plan, the Ministry did not acknowledge Regional ANSIs, only Provincial ones.

“They’re not interested in non-provincial ones,” Higgins said.

“What it is right now is that if somebody is in an ANSI and they want a building permit, there needs to be a study,” said CAO Cheryl Robson.

“The County is making a mistake,” said Coun. John Inglis

“Compounding a mistake,” said Coun. Gerry Martin.

“I think we need to ask (the County) for an Official Plan amendment,” said Higgins.