Central Council balks at $75,000 for secondary economic development study

Craig Bakay | Nov 27, 2019

While Central Frontenac Council is all behind plans for economic development, spending $75,000 on studies didn’t seem to sit too well with councillors at the regular meeting of Council Tuesday in Sharbot Lake.

Council was discussing a report from Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman on a recent meeting of the Central Frontenac Economic Development Committee with Megan Rueckwald and Alison Vandervelde from Frontenac County’s Planning and Economic Development Departments regarding the Official Plan process and economic development in general.

“The committee has identified some key opportunities relating to the official plan process and the revitalization of village streets to promote economic development within the Township,” the report said. “The committee recognizes that the road reconstruction project and seniors housing projects are in progress and it is not the intention of the committee to hold up these projects until a secondary plan process is completed. The committee is confident that these projects will be planned in such a way as to allow for maximum flexibility for any future developments contemplated as a result of a secondary plan.”

The report said that the committee believes that prioritizing the plan for 2020 would put the planning framework in place for future projects and opportunities that present themselves so that future development maximizes the hamlet’s economic development potential as a hub.

“We do know that there are talks about Hwy. 7 and about the revitalization of Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake,” said Coun. Brent Cameron. “But we are the economic development committee for the entire Township.

“There are lessons to be learned for Mountain Grove and Parham.”

The report said that Reuckwald noted the recent planning process in Marysville was anticipated to cost about $75,000 and that aspect drew fire from Coun. Tom Dewey.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to spend that,” Dewey said.

“I agree,” said Cameron. “There’s enough of a knowledge base on Council and these committees to shape this up.”

“My concern is that we get the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw done and I don’t know that the County has the staff to do more,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“We’ll have to watch the Marysville document carefully,” said Dep. Mayor Victor Heese. “There will be differences between Sharbot Lake and Marysville but $75,000?”

Humane Society expensive

Central Frontenac may be looking elsewhere for pound services following a contract renewal offer from the Kingston Humane Society that would end up costing the Township $5,292. In 2017 the same contract cost $1,980, $2,128.63 in 2018 and $2,412.80 to date in 2019.

“We should go back and renegotiate,” said Coun Tom Dewey.

“We reached out to them to explain the increases but they didn’t get back to us,” said Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman.

“Maybe we should be looking at Lanark or Lennox & Addington,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “I think we went with Kingston because our former bylaw officer lived near there and could deliver dogs to the pound on his way home.

“It might be cheaper to pay mileage to Napanee.”

Council deferred a decision to allow staff to investigate further.

Six foot monuments?

A request to remove a restriction of four feet height in favour of six feet for monuments in Central Frontenac cemeteries was denied.

“Six feet is awfully tall,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “If there’s a strong wind or if someone wants to push it over, it would be easier.”

“We do have some existing monuments taller than four feet but they’re old and there was only the one request,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

$400 for Christmas Dinner

Council agreed to donate $400 to the Christmas Dinner Fund held by the Food Bank on Christmas Day at St. James Major Hall.

“They have $300 and they need $1,200,” said Clerk-Administrator Cathy MacMunn.

The dinner was originally the brainchild of former Frontenac News Publisher Jule Koch-Brison.