Central Frontenac Council - Jun 28/16

Jeff Green | Jun 29, 2016

CF Council donates to NF Food Bank, Canada 150 Committee

The township considered a request for a $5,000 contribution to help the North Frontenac Food Bank deal with an unprecedented level of need in the community, particularly among the population of seniors. Between 2012 and 2014 the food bank dealt with a stable but increasing demand, from 256 baskets in 2012 to 287 in 2014. The number then jumped to 456 in 2015, and based on the first quarter of 2016, it is projected to reach 624 for the year.

With the cost of food increasing as well, the average basket of food costs $71 now, and the food bank is finding itself unable to keep up.

In a letter to Council, Kim Cucoch, the food bank's co-ordinator pointed out that the North Frontenac Food Bank is one of the few in Ontario that operates without any paid staff. She asked the township for $5,000 to help get through the year. In response, Treasurer Michael McGovern said that the township budget is very tight this year, and recommended that the township donate $2,500 instead of $5,000.

Council donated $2,500 for now and asked that McGovern take a look at the year-to-date expenditures later in the year to see if another $2,500 will be available.

Tender for fire hall parking lot

Based on the recommendation of Fire Chief Bill Young, Council awarded the contract for landscaping the parking lot at the new Parham Fire Hall to Steven McVeigh at a cost of $39,215. Among the four bids there was one for only $26,600 from AWD Contracting, but Young said that the AWD bid did not include any rock removal, which is a major part of the job. The other two bidders, Robinson Excavating and Crains' Construction, were both substantially higher priced compared to McVeigh's bid.

Money for Canada 150 Committee

Bill Bowick, chair of the Canada 150 Committee, presented a number of documents outlining some of the activities that the committee is working on developing for 2017. In addition to planning for the opening of the completed K&P Trail on Canada Day 2017, the committee is planning a number of other events, including: geo-caching significant locations within the community; planting special tulip bulbs this fall; a Fitness 150 challenge; and more. He also asked for $2370 this year and double that in 2017 to help the committee complete its mandate. Council approved the $2,370, to be taken from reserves, and will look at the second request when the 2017 budget is being worked on.

OPP use of former school raised hackles

Councilor Riddell asked Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven about township staff granting permission to the Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Unit to use the former Hinchinbrooke school for a one-day training exercise.

“Was the township paid for this and were the insurance implications considered?,” Riddell asked.

“The OPP did not have a budget for this and would not have used the school if we were charging,” said Neven, “but it was a good location for them to do the exercise they wanted to do, the details of which they did not share with me. As far as insurance goes, they added us as a rider on their policy, so it was covered by them.”

“We've been hit pretty hard by OPP costs, and I feel they should have been billed just like any other group,” said Riddell.

“I'd like to echo Councilor Riddell's comments,” said Councilor Brent Cameron. “We have paid substantial increases to them, and when they ask for the use of township property, which we pay heat and hydro on, we should hold them to the same standard they hold us to.”

“If further requests are forthcoming before us, you can bring them to Council,” said Deputy Mayor MacDonald to Neven and Chef Administrative Officer MacMunn, who approved the use of the building.