LOLTA using fish to hook big numbers (of tourists)

At a meeting of North Frontenac Council on May 10, Rachelle Hardesty, the General Manager of the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association (LOLTA), stressed the same theme that formed the basis of her address to the LOLTA AGM in May.

By using traditional and social media, LOLTA is focussed on promoting the region as a prime fishing destination, and then broadening their message to include other outdoor recreational opportunities in the Land O’Lakes, such as camping, boating and hiking and cycling, in the hope that they will start to seep into the consciousness of the populations in centres such as Toronto and Ottawa.

When she came to LOLTA three years ago, Hardesty said she intended to make much more use of television-based marketing, and thanks to some of her efforts as well as seed money from local municipalities and Community Futures development corporations, that promise has been delivered. Fish TV, the Dimestore Fisherman, and Captured, are all cable TV based fishing shows that have featured the Land O’Lakes Region in 2013.

Hardesty told North Frontenac Council that the North Frontenac Parklands have been a major focus of all the marketing efforts that LOLTA has been undertaking this year.

Frontenac Parklands includes a large number of boat-access campsites on some of the major lakes on Crown Land in the southern portion of North Frontenac Township, as well as a smaller number of vehicle-access sites. The township uses an online booking system to reserve the sites for camping. According to Cory Klatt, the Recreation Co-ordinator for the townships, the Parklands have seen a steady increase in traffic over the past five years.

Hardesty told North Frontenac Council that they can expect a much more dramatic increase in 2014 after the programs have aired a number of times.

In fact, she urged Council to consider bumping up the number of vehicle access sites on Long Schooner and Fortune Lakes if possible.

“If we increase the number sites too much, don’t you think it might dilute the experience?” asked Councilor John Inglis during Rachelle Hardesty’s visit to North Frontenac Council on Monday.

“I’m not suggesting putting in 100 sites, just a few more. But that’s only a suggestion. What I do know is that when Long Schooner got mentioned on TV, the next day there were 100 emails about Long Schooner Lake. You have to remember that there is a new generation of people in cities who have never roasted a marshmallow, never sat around a camp fire. This is a new market we are looking at.”

Rachelle Hardesty also talked about the catch and release large and small mouth bass fishing tournament on Big Gull, Kashakamak, Sharbot, Desert and Lougborough Lakes that is planned for August 17. The original goal had been to sign up 500 participants but that number has been adjusted up to 1,000.

Dark Skies, which is an initiative that has been championed by North Frontenac Councilor Betty Hunter, will also be taken up by LOLTA in the coming year.

Senior of the Year nomination: Council was momentarily stumped when informed that although they had nominated two people to the Province of Ontario for consideration as Senior of the Year, a municipal council can only nominate one person. No one wanted to say one name and, in effect, snub the other person.

“Let’s nominate Edith Beaulieu in 2013 and Marie White in 2014,” said Mayor Bud Clayton, and Council agreed.

Consultations - what consultations?

North Frontenac Council has made repeated requests that a public meeting be organized by the Ontario and Federal Algonquin Land Claim negotiating teams in order to give local residents more information about lands in North Frontenac that are slated to be transferred and about the proposed Crotch Lake Provincial Park.

Brian Crane, the Chief negotiator for Ontario, has finally sent a letter of response to the township. But it was not the kind of response the council was looking for.

“Ontario, as well as the Algonquins and Canada, are receiving valuable public input on many aspects of the proposed agreement. This includes detailed local information about the proposal for a recommended natural environment provincial park at Crotch Lake,” Crain wrote.

“As a next step, … , Ontario, and our federal and Algonquin colleagues now intend to primarily focus on individual and small group discussions with respect to specific proposed settlement land selections … “I therefore suggest that a determination of whether a public meeting would be useful or productive should be deferred until the intensive consultation efforts in which we are presently engaged have taken place.”

“We don’t see these intensive efforts taking place in North Frontenac,” said Deputy Mayor Fred Perry.

“I’ve received 200 emails from all over the world about this, and no one said they have been contacted by Mr. Crane’s office,” said Mayor Clayton.

“I think we should respond to this, and ask them to tell us who they are conducting these intensive negotiations with,” said Councilor Gerry Martin.

The township will prepare a response to Brian Crane’s letter.

Waste Disposal Changes

Public Works Manager Segsworth summarized the feedback from the April public information sessions in Verona and Bedford. He said he had reviewed this material with the Public Services committee, and the committee’s recommendation was to continue with the new waste site operations for several months, before reassessing the program. Since the changes were instituted on May 1 , most of the complaints have been about not being able to take individual tagged bags to Loughborough or Portland sites without paying the minimum tipping fee of $20. Several councillors asked the reason for this rule; Segsworth replied that making waste sites available for individual drop-offs will over time result in higher costs: “We are trying to develop a cost effective, efficient system: we can’t do that and meet everyone’s individual requirements,” he said.

Councillor McDougall agreed, saying the only way to get people to adapt to the program was to remain consistent.

Another concern has been getting information to the public.

“Many people still don’t realize that the township provides weekly garbage pick-up,” said Segsworth.

The current tax bills contain a detailed information pamphlet concerning waste disposal.

On a positive note, Segsworth said there has been no significant increase in illegal dumping,

Council Compensation Review

The Township will be seeking volunteers to form a four-member working group which will meet five times over the late summer/early fall to research, evaluate and make recommendations on Council compensation for the Council elected in 2014. (see the ad on page 10 or contact the Township office for details.)

Township Library Wins Building Award

The Sydenham branch has won a New Library Building Award from the Ontario Library Association. These awards, given every three years, are for buildings that “encourage and showcase excellence in architectural design and planning.” Shoalts and Zaback of Kingston were the architects.

Summer Meeting Schedule

Summer Council meetings are scheduled for July 2nd and August 6th.

South Frontenac Day Camp and Swim program

Nate Moyse says he has one of the best summer jobs in the area: he’s summer Program Director for the day camps and swim lessons in Sydenham (The Point), Storrington (Gilmour Beach) and Verona (McMullen Beach).

Nate summarized the day camp programs as lots of outdoor fun in a safe, non-competitive environment. These programs run from July 2 to August 23, in 2-week sessions at all three locations, and are for children 4-12 years. Staff ratio is 1:3, and staff, most of them local high school or university students, are well trained and qualified. Like Nate, many come back for as many summers as they can.

The swimming lessons (in the mornings) are based on the constantly updated Red Cross programs which have been taught, in Sydenham at least, for over 60 years. Course instructors have national lifeguard qualifications, as well as CPR, First Aid and are fully trained swim instructors. Lessons include skill development in leisure and/or competitive techniques, survival strokes, and safety both in and on the water, including boating rules.

Both camp and swim programs have great community support and positive feedback: last year, a total of over 450 participants registered: Nate is aiming for 500 this year. His biggest problem? “Geese at the Point!” First thing every morning, township staff fan across the grass, scooping slimy green goose droppings before the kids arrive.

Missed the registration? There’s still time: participants can register any time before each of the four programs begin, either at the Township Hall or online.

Addington Highlands Council had to move from their normal meeting room into a room that is usually used for bingo in order to accommodate a number of Flinton residents who were concerned about a proposal to sell off part of a road allowance that leads to the Skootamatta River, next to the former United Church.

The sale has been proposed in order to allow Paul Orser, who bought the church last year, to install a septic system to service the property.

“We don't want to lose everything over there, all the public access to the water. Why is the council bending over backwards just to accommodate someone who bought a property?” asked one resident.

A representative from the KFL&A Public Health, who was on hand, said that a new tentative plan has been developed. It would see the 66 foot road allowance remain intact from the roadway to about halfway to the water. Then for a short section, half of the width of the road allowance, 33 feet, would be sold to Mr. Orser, and after the road allowance would continue on to the lake as before. There would be sufficient room for a vehicle to pass through to the river.

Not all the people at the meeting were impressed with the proposal.

“Why should the township sell some public property off? Can he not use a holding tank?" asked one resident.

“That's the solution of last resort,” said the Health Unit representative.

“It has never been my intention to bend any rules,” said Paul Orser. “I intended to put in a septic system so I can use the property as a recreational property for my family. There was too much bedrock jutting out of the ground behind the church and ever since then I have been jumping through hoops trying to get this done. It is not my intention to stop the community from getting access to the water.”

“We are here to protect all property owners in the township,” said Councilor Helen Yanch. "It's not that we are trying to make anyone's life miserable. We are trying to come up with a solution.”

Reeve Henry Hogg said, “We have only heard about this latest proposal today. We'll have a look at it and we'll consider all the issues, for Mr. Orser and for everyone else. Then we'll decide whether it is viable or not.”

The assembled crowd then left the meeting, some of them happier than others.

Mazinaw Lake Resort – Council gave the owners of Mazinaw Lake Resort permission to have amplified music at their campground on June 30 from 7-10 pm.

“According to our noise bylaw amplified music is not allowed at all, except when we suspend the bylaw for an event,” said Township Clerk Jack Pauhl.

Tinlin resigns South Frontenac Council

by Jeff Green

Citing personal family reasons, first-term Bedford District Councilor Mark Tinlin has resigned from South Frontenac Council, effective June 1.

Tinlin informed Council at an in camera session that was held after their regular Committee of the Whole meeting on May 28.

“My wife Beverly and I are relocating our home out of the municipality of South Frontenac. I am deeply proud and thankful to have been given the opportunity to serve the residents of Bedford District and take this opportunity to wish my Council colleagues continued success and best wishes for the future,” Tinlin is quoted as saying in a township press release that came out on May 29.

“Mayor Davison responded offering his sincere appreciation on behalf of Council. He extended best wishes to both Mark and Beverly in the years ahead,” the release concluded.

The News contacted Mark Tinlin over the weekend from his new home in London.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Council. I looked forward to going to the meetings. I had been involved in federal and provincial politics on the administrative side of things, but there was a lot to learn about how a rural township works,” he said.

He added that he feels the township is blessed with exceptional senior level staff and an excellent road crew.

As far as what has been accomplished during the 2½ years he has served on Council, the first point Mark Tinlin made was that, “In the opinion of some long-serving councilors there has never been a South Frontenac Council that has gelled together like this one has, and I hope that I have helped out with that. We took a pretty businesslike approach, streamlined our committee structure, and council meetings have become quite short and efficient.”

In his own Bedford district, Tinlin is particularly pleased that Council has decided to make an investment in the Bedford Hall, to bring it up to a better standard.

He is also pleased that Council has agreed to an external review of council members' pay. A citizens’ committee that is being constituted this spring will look at the salaries and make a recommendation to Council. On the other hand he said he was disappointed when Council decided not to review its own composition, preferring to leave the status quo in place.

“I thought there might be at least an opportunity to have a debate about the number of councilors, and so forth,” he said.

And then there is the coat of arms, which is something that he brought forward to Council.

“That was something that I wanted to see the township have, and I am happy that the coat of arms has just arrived, and it will be framed and displayed in a public area.”

Tinlin hopes that the township will invest in a larger version of the coat of arms to hang on the wall behind the mayor in the council chambers.

At their Council meeting this week, Council considered how to replace Mark Tinlin.

The municipal act gave them quite a bit of leeway. Council decided to go back to the election results from 2010, when Tinlin was elected along with Del Stowe to represent Bedford. The third candidate from Bedford in that election was Pat Barr.

Barr was in attendance at the meeting, having received a call about Council’s likely intentions. Council decided to offer the position, and after the meeting Mayor Davison did just that. Her appointment will be formalised at the next Council meeting.

Insurance Claim

by Wilma Kenny

On May 10, several pieces of equipment valued in excess of $14,000 were stolen from the Stagecoach Fire Hall. Last meeting, Councillor Vandewal brought a notice of motion recommending staff not pursue an insurance claim for the loss, because the deductible for such a claim is $10,000, and Vandewal suggested the $4,000 insurance they would receive might well lead to a greater overall loss in terms of increased rates. After a brief discussion, the majority agreed to drop the claim: Councillor McDougal and Mayor Davison opposed the decision.

Insurance RFP

Treasurer Fragnito reported on the proposals received in response to an RFP for general insurance and risk management services: the proposal from the existing provider arrived late and was returned unopened, while the remaining three were difficult to compare: none provided identical coverages or met the Township’s exact requirements. Fragnito recommended the bid from BFL Canada for $287,973 be accepted for one year, with an option to extend it on a yearly basis until 2016, depending on price stability and satisfactory service, for its offer came closest to meeting the township’s requirements. Council agreed: several commented that they were prepared to trust their staff’s expertise.

County Warden’s Term of Appointment

Council unanimously endorsed the new County by-law, establishing a one-year term of office for the head of County Council, to begin after the next election. “This wouldn’t be necessary if we had honourable people serving on County Council,” commented Davison.

Central Frontenac Council warms to Hinchinbrooke community center plan

The Central Frontenac Community Recreation Committee is a group that has been working on finding a way to redevelop the soon to be closed Hinchinbrooke Public School for community use. So far they have had a polite, but cool reception from Central Frontenac Council, which is wary of taking on the short-term renovation costs and the long-term maintenance costs of the building.

But this week Council may have turned a corner.

Sue Leslie-Campbell and Bob Teal from the committee appeared before Council on Tuesday evening (May 28) to ask if Council was willing to endorse an application to the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) for a $20,000 grant to do a feasibility study of the project. They were also asking for a $3,325 commitment from Council.

A previous request was refused because at that time the FCFDC wanted the letter of support from Council to include a commitment to purchase the property if the feasibility study showed the project was viable.

Two things have changed since then. One is that the committee has received information from the school board about the property and has also brought in the township's Chief Building Official, Jeremy Neven, to confirm that the building is structurally sound.

The second change is that township staff have now identified an additional potential use for the building.

In a report to Council, Acting CAO John Duchene wrote that “some of the potential uses include the relocation of the existing library from the portable classroom and remodelling part of the building to accommodate the local fire department.”

The township has already began to set money aside for a new fire hall to replace the aging Parham fire hall, which is located within sight of the school.

Although some councilors were sceptical about the viability of locating a fire hall, community activity space, and library in the same building, they are now willing to see where the study takes the project.

Deputy Mayor Tom Dewey said, “It’s a good initiative. Let’s find out what can be done with the building.”

Councilor John Purdon, who sits on the board of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, said “I was at a couple of meetings last week regarding the strategic plan for the library, and one point that was made was that libraries should not be stand-alone facilities. So this idea fits in with that rather well.”

Councilor Frances Smith said, “What I think is missing here is a business case scenario to take a look at who would be in the building and who would pay for what.”

Sue Leslie-Campbell pointed out that the proposed study includes that kind of analysis.

Councilor Bill Snyder said he also “supports the idea. The next step is to see who will use it. I’m not too interested in remodelling the building for a fire department, but we’ll see what happens with that.”

A motion of support for the funding application was amended to include a commitment by the township to “consider purchasing the property” if the study yields positive results. It was passed unanimously.

The work that has already been done by township staff, the school board, and the committee on the site had shown a few issues that need to be addressed. One is asbestos on the site, but committee member Bob Teal said that the asbestos that has been identified can be relatively easily removed. There is also a buried oil tank at the site, which will have to be dealt with. And while the septic system at the school is functional, it is at the end of its original due date for replacement.

Frontenac Arena Loan – Council decided to use funds from its Parkland Reserve fund to pay the bill that was sent to them from South Frontenac Township. The money is needed to cover the remaining costs from Project End Zone, which added four new dressing rooms, an officials' room, a skate sharpening room and storage room to the arena, which is jointly owned by the two townships.

Fundraising efforts, which were supposed to mitigate the cost of the renovations, have fallen short by about $45,000, leaving an overall balance of over $190,000, of which a little over 40%, or $78,418, has been charged to Central Frontenac.

“Parkland Reserve Funds can only be used for certain purposes,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski, “and I am confident that the arena board explored every fundraising avenue to lower the cost to the townships. I should also point out that the operating costs of the arena are very low compared to other similar facilities, and we are lucky to have it remain viable in our community when other rural communities are being forced to close arenas.”

Bears, bears, bears – Councilor Purdon brought forward a concern about a number of bears in the Mountain Grove area and in the vicinity of the Olden waste site. Council decided to contact the MNR and see if they are willing to do some outreach work in Mountain Grove about safety around bears.

Naming of New Roads and Lanes

Council reviewed and approved a process that is designed to streamline the (admittedly infrequent) task of choosing names for new roads and lanes. Planner Lindsay Mills noted problems with names that are in some way amusing or trendy, leading to recurring theft of road signs.

Mills proposed that a generic list of names be drawn up, to be chosen from in the future. The names in the list should be clear and distinctive, to facilitate emergency response, and should not duplicate names in neighboring municipalities within the 911 service area. They should not connote any topic that might invite sign theft, or be named after a living person.

Council would retain the right to choose a name not on the list in the case of an unusual situation, such as an historical name in a particular area. A public meeting would still be required before naming a private lane.

Communications Allowance for Councillors: Currently there is an inconsistency in the level of support councillors receive for their telephone/fax/e-mail expenses. Last year five out of the eight claimed expenses for an average of $45 per month. Council accepted the Corporate Services Committee’s recommendation that a fixed rate of $50 per month be paid to each councillor, to go toward the cost of maintaining the communication preference of their choice.

Lake Association Meeting: Late last August, Council and staff met with representatives from ten of the local lake associations. It was agreed that this had been a beneficial exchange of information. A similar meeting will be arranged for this summer.

Policing Costs: As agreed last week, Mayor Davison has sent a letter to the province-wide Mayors Coalition for Affordable Sustainable Accountable Policing, stating South Frontenac’s support, and their strong opposition to “the unilateral and unrealistic expectations and costs of the Ontario Provincial Police.”

Cataraqui Conservation Authority Report: Alan McPhail, Chair of the CCA Board, drew Council’s attention to a three-page list of 2012 accomplishments in watershed management, education, public area management and programs, and stewardship.

All You Ever Wanted to Know...

Council got a sneak peek at an information brochure that will be enclosed in the next tax mail-out. It is full of information about the township’s current solid waste management program. It begins with the unsettling information that South Frontenac residents toss 6,000 tonnes of waste a year into our rapidly-filling landfills. The township’s goal is to help make it as easy as possible to divert several of those tonnes into recycling and compost, and this brochure is meant as a step in that direction. 

Councilor charges warden with influence peddling

Frontenac County Councilor David Jones upped the ante in his ongoing attacks against Frontenac County Warden Janet Gutowski last week by saying the warden used “tricks and influence peddling” to secure passage of the County budget on May 2.

To support his allegations, Jones quoted from an email that he would only say came from “a member of Council” who had changed his vote from between the March 20 meeting of Council when the budget was rejected by a 6-3 vote and the May 2 meeting when the vote was 7-2 in favour.

Jones said that in the email it was asserted that Warden Gutowski offered to cut the Fairmount Home budget by $130,000 and would step down as warden in exchange for a yes vote. However, the budget that was passed on May 2 did not include any changes in the Fairmount Home budget from the March 20 budget.

After making his assertions, Jones put forward a motion to strip Warden Gutowski of all her “rights and privileges as a member of County Council” and report the entire matter to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a ruling on the charge of influence peddling.

In speaking against the motion, Warden Gutowski said that the allegations levied by David Jones were false.

“I have no authority to offer a cut in the Fairmount budget in exchange for a vote,” she said. “Only council can decide on a budget. And I have said all along that I will not necessarily remain as warden until the end of the term. Nothing has changed.”

Despite Gutowski's denials, Jones' motion passed, by a 4-3 vote. Councilors Doyle, Clayton, Jones, and McDougall supported it, and Councilors Inglis, Purdon, and Warden Gutowski did not. Gary Davison, who holds two votes on the Council as mayor of the largest township, was absent from the meeting.

Gutowski did not vacate her chair, however, carrying on with the meeting instead. This led Councilor Jones to intervene once again.

“Did something not happen there?” he asked. “That motion was passed."

CAO Liz Savill said that she would refer the matter to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as the motion had ordered, but that “the other part of the motion is similar to the motion Council passed last year requesting that the warden resign. I can refer it to our legal council but the advice will likely be the same. Council does not have that kind of authority under the Municipal Act.”

David Jones wanted to keep discussing the matter, but at that point Warden Gutowski said “Councilor Jones, we will be moving on with the meeting now. If you won't stop with this, I invite you to leave the meeting.”

Gutowski also said that she will be consulting her solicitor about the statements that Jones had made about her.

In the end Jones remained and the meeting proceeded.

The News has subsequently confirmed that it was North Frontenac Mayor Bud Clayton who wrote the email that Councilor Jones referred to.

Clayton said he was surprised that the email had been brought up at Council. “It was not the warden who promised that the Fairmount budget would be cut,” Clayton told the News. “After the March 20 vote on the budget, I met with Julie Shillington [Administrator of Farimount Home] Liz Savill [CAO] and Marian Vanbruinessen [Treasurer] at the County offices. Janet Gutowski was not there in person, but she attended through a conference call. I had certain concerns about the Fairmount budget and operations, concerns I do not want to divulge publicly. There were commitments made about changes at the home, which had financial implications. It was not the warden who made those commitments,” Clayton said.

Clayton added that he expected there would be changes to the budget as the result of his meeting, but he supported the budget on May 2 even though there were no changes.

“At that point, I thought we needed to get a budget passed,” he said.

For her part, Warden Gutowski denies making any commitments to Clayton or anyone else, and said she is indeed consulting her solicitor with regard not only to Councilor Jones' comments, but also to the four members of County Council who voted in favour of the motion of censure against her

Frontenac County to look at reserves – millions on the line

Frontenac County Council will meet on June 5 to discuss how it handles its reserve funds. The debate will be framed by a report by Treasurer Marian Vanbruinessen that was presented to members of county council last week.

The largest pool of money to be considered sits in the county's working fund reserve – which is projected to contain $4.5 million by the end of 2013.

In the report, Vanbruinessen says “In the past, councils have seen the surplus in the working fund reserve as a savings account for future requirements, although the Treasurer has consistently indicated the need for its review in the context of long term planning."

She recommends that the working fund reserve be set at $2.15 million, approximately 5% of the annual county budget.

The remaining $2.4 million could go towards long term regional projects such as rural transportation, water, waste water, or seniors' housing. It could also go towards any number of energy projects or community improvement initiatives.

There is another possibility that is identified in the report.

“If, on the other hand, council has no interest in identifying these or other issues on a regional basis, the remaining funds should be redistributed to the townships,” said the report.

Ompah fire hall renovations set for this year

North Frontenac Council has accepted one of the options presented to them by Steve Sunderland, the volunteer chair of the Ompah Fire Hall Design team.

The option calls for repairs to the floor of the building, and changes in orientation and entranceways, which will facilitate its use as a fire hall as well as a public space and the home of the Ompah Library.

Because it calls for a new entranceway that juts out from the existing building, the preferred option does not conform to Council's original stipulation that the renovations not include any changes in the footprint of the building. Nevertheless, the estimated cost of construction is a shade less than the $180,000 maximum that has been set for the project.

Sunderland also presented a second option, which would see the building being expanded at the front in order to create extra garage space to provide storage capacity for the rescue boat and other items that will not fit in the $180,000 design.

If the township agreed to the second design, it would cost an extra $67,000. However, if it becomes necessary to build the addition at some time in the future, the cost for the addition would go up to $112,000.

“The reason for that is there would be savings in other parts of the project if we build the addition now, and I estimated added costs having to do with increasing construction costs over time,” said Sunderland.

“I think it would be silly not to consider building the expansion now,” said Councilor Lonnie Watkins. “It would be a waste to see in five years that our needs have changed and we have to start spending twice as much money. Better to do it now. Didn’t the firefighters have $50,000 available for the fire hall?”

“The $50,000 was a commitment that was made for a new fire hall only, not for a renovation,” said Chief Administrative Officer Cheryl Robson.

“We are going to have lessening needs, not increased needs,” said Councilor Wayne Good.

In a straw vote to see if the expansion had any support among councilors, only John Inglis and Lonnie Watkins said they favoured it.

Deputy Mayor Fred Perry asked Steve Sunderland if the Ompah Hall and library users had been contacted about the proposed changes.

“Yes they have, and they seemed excited about the prospects for the future of the space. They really saw the benefit of the changes that are being proposed,” Sunderland said.

In terms of the time frame for construction, Sunderland said that it was only in the last few days that the design team for the project has been finalised and “it will take about 4-6 weeks for that part to be done, and then we can get started.”

Plans are still in place to complete the project in 2013.

“I just want to comment that Steve has done an incredible amount of work on this,” said John Inglis.

“That’s certainly true,” said Mayor Bud Clayton, who then addressed Sunderland directly: “I’m sorry, but we can’t give you free taxes for this.”

North Frontenac wins granting sweepstakes

Members of North Frontenac Council were all smiles this week as they announced that the long-awaited reconstruction of the Mississippi Bridge on Road 509 at Mississippi Station, currently a one-lane structure, will finally be rebuilt as a two-lane bridge.

The township's application to the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII), a relatively small (in provincial terms) infrastructure program that was announced last year, has resulted in a grant for $1.89 million, enough to fund 90% of the $2.01 million project. The township will have to cover the other $189,000.

In the last 10 years, the township has applied for funding to rebuild the bridge, which sits on the township's most important arterial road, at least four times, with no success.

The difference this time around may have something to do with the proactive efforts North Frontenac has made in developing Asset Management and Service Delivery Review protocols.

When the MIII program was announced last fall, the province indicated that municipalities that had not initiated those kinds of long-term financial planning tools would not be eligible for infrastructure grants in the future.

“While some other townships are just now starting to put their Asset Management Programs in place, we have ours completed, as well as our service review,” said North Frontenac Mayor Bud Clayton, indicating that the government is sending a message to other municipalities that they should get on with adopting the long term planning protocols in short order.

The $1.8 million grant represents only 0.4% of the $450 million MIII program. However, on a population basis, North Frontenac Township, with 1,900 people in a province of 13.5 million, has only 0.007% of the total population. This makes North Frontenac one of the big winners in this latest round of infrastructure funding.

Township Public Works Manager Jim Phillips said that the detailed engineering and design work on the project will take the rest of this year to complete, and he expects that construction will start next spring.

The approval of the project is unofficial until such time as the provincial funding is formally announced and is subject to the passage of the 2013 provincial budget.

Coincidentally, it was confirmed on Tuesday that a budget deal has been reached between Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Premier Kathleen Wynne, ensuring that the Ontario budget will be approved by the legislature and there will be no election this spring or summer.

Mandatory septic re-inspection program faces legal wrangle.

The Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office has been running a septic re-inspection program for several years in North Frontenac. In recent years the program has become bogged down because a number of property owners have consistently refused to respond to requests to have their systems inspected.

Back in January, Council decided that a mandatory program is necessary in order to do the necessary inspections on those properties, and they decided to expand the contract with Mississippi-Rideau to include what is called a Discretionary program, so inspections can be done at the discretion of the township rather than the convenience of the property owner.

The Discretionary program has hit a snag, however. Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health, which handles septic approvals for the township's building department, has raised legal questions over the authority to do mandatory inspections.

Lawyers for Public Health and the township will now look at the matter. In the meantime, the township is going ahead with plans for the voluntary program only.

Community Profile Completed – The Economic Development Task Force, with significant assistance from the County of Frontenac, has completed a 20-page Community Profile, which will be uploaded this week to the County website.

“A community profile is a necessity if we are going to be able to attract investment,” said Task Force Chair Betty Hunter.

Dark Skies Application – The township has applied to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for official recognition as a Dark Skies Preserve.

“It’s Highway Robbery”

Mayor Davison didn’t disguise his frustration when Council reviewed a letter from the Municipal Policing Bureau which was sent earlier this month to all mayors and reeves of Ontario’s OPP policed municipalities. The letter reminds municipalities of the 2010 agreement between the OPP and the Province: at that time, the OPP took a one-year (2011) wage increase of 5%, and agreed to a two-year wage freeze for 2012 and 2013. The agreement concluded “with a salary increase in 2014, which will match the salary of the highest paid police service in Ontario.” This amounts to a projected 8.55% increase in OPP wages for 2014. Davison reminded Council that this cannot be offset by staff cutbacks, for the municipalities’ level of police service is mandated by the province. The only positive factor is that South Frontenac’s crime rates are low.

Mayor Davison is a member of a province-wide Mayors Coalition which is trying to address the issue of escalating policing costs: Council agreed to send this group a letter expressing their strong concern and support. However, a policy update from the Ontario Association of Municipalities notes: “It should be understood that the only way to undo such collective agreement increases would be by provincial legislation which would draw legal and policy challenges.”

Dog Agility Trials Approved

On the basis that this year’s dog agility trials are a ‘one-off’, not a permanent use, and are compatible with neighbouring property uses, Council approved five dog agility trial events on the Bill Day farm: June 7-9, June 15-16, Sept 14-15, October 5-6, and October 19, 2013, “including overnight stays for approximately 20 travel trailers/campers, provided that all septic and garbage disposal is appropriately addressed.”

Capital Budget Adjustments

Council endorsed the deferral of the Rock Lake bridge rehabilitation to 2014 and the acceleration of the Desert Lake Road reconstruction for 2013. The $183, 642 which will be saved by these changes is to remain as a contingency in the 2013 roads budget. Councilor Vandewal said he would prefer any savings be returned to the township.

Third Party Fire Hall and Equipment Study

Council approved the bid of Emergency Management and Training Inc. in the amount of $20,000: the report is to be prepared by early September.

Loughborough Waste Disposal Site Changes

Council approved a revised operating arrangement with George Whaley, site operator, reflecting the reduced hours at Loughborough waste site which began May 1, 2013. This had been discussed with Whaley.

2013 Taxes Levied

CAO Orr calculated that the 2013 tax levy represents an increase of 0.74% for “the average phased-in township household.”

Local taxes up by to 5.7%

Local taxes up would be up 9% as Central Frontenac Council passes budget, however a cut in county tax reduces increase to 5.7%

Collectively, Central Frontenac ratepayers will pay $6.15 million for local services in 2013, up from $5.6 million in 2012, an increase of over 9%.

When Frontenac County taxes ($1.39 million – down $20,000 from 2012) and education taxes ($1.59 million – the same as 2012) are factored in, the increase in overall taxes is reduced to 5.7%.

At their final kick at the budget can on Tuesday afternoon, Council added $90,000 to the budget to cover for some expenses not covered in earlier versions of the budget. Included were unexpected road work at the causeway in Sharbot Lake and at York Road in Hinchinbrooke District ($56,000), and a used cab and chassis that was required by the roads department ($41,000) in addition to some other expenses and savings that have been identified by the finance department.

Treasurer Michael McGovern recommended adding another $90,000 to the budget to go to a Capital Infrastructure reserve, but Council stuck to the lower budget number.

The total to be collected will result in an increase in the tax rate of only 1.5%, but when property assessment increases are factored in, the total to be raised is up over $500,000 (9%)

Construction values up over 2012, still lag 2011

As of the end of April, permits for $1.75 million in construction had been issued by the Central Frontenac building department, up from $986,000 at the same time in 2012. The total at the end of April 2011, was $2.17 million.

Septic system for new school has been designed, awaiting approval

In answer to a question from Councilor John Purdon about progress towards the completion of the new comprehensive school in Sharbot Lake, Chief Building Officer Jeremy Neven said the plan is to have the school open in September. In answer to a second question about the septic system for the school, Neven said that the engineering firm Greer Galloway was designing the system; that the Ministry of the Environment is working with the Limestone Board, and it is expected that an acceptable solution will be found.

“There is a backup plan for a holding tank to be used if the septic system is not completed and approved in time for the school opening, although that is not anticipated,” said Neven.

Safe Properties Bylaw – Draft amendments to the township's Safe Properties Bylaw were accepted by Council and the document will be posted on the township’s website for public comment.

Councilor Guntensperger, who objected to some language in the new bylaw, particularly a section that empowers the bylaw office to insist that grass be cut in certain circumstances, voted against the bylaw.

“Our Official Plan calls for ribbons of life and maintaining the natural character of the land,” said Guntenperger, “And I don’t see how we can allow one of our bylaws to contravene the Official Plan.”

Support of Habitat for Humanity – Council approved a request for a $2,000 donation to the Habitat for Humanity building project on Road 38 at Tichborne. About $1,500 of the donation will come in grants back to cover planning and building fees that the township is charging and another $500 is being added to give the township status as a corporate donor.

An official groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for today, Thursday May 16, has been put off until later this spring because of a change in staffing at the Kingston office of Habitat for Humanity.