Central to hold electronic public meeting on Council size

Craig Bakay | Oct 06, 2021

The Sept. 28 (electronic) meeting of Central Frontenac Council would have been a very short affair, were it not for Councillor Tom Dewey’s notice of motion to consider a reduction in Council size for the next election.

Not the least of the discussion was how to garner public input to any proposal.

An electronic public meeting (Nov. 16) along with email and regular mail submissions turned out to be the decision, but even that met with opposition (Dep. Mayor Nicki Gowdy and Councillor Cindy Kelsey voting against it.

One potential wrinkle could still be a referendum on the 2022 ballot but that would mean no changes would be made until the election following that one.

While there is no official requirement to hold a public meeting on the subject, there was general agreement there should be one.

“We don’t have to have public input, but we should,” said Coun. Victor Heese.

“This isn’t a final, there needs to be public consultation,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“Without clarification as to what public consultation is, I don’t think a public meeting rises to the level required for such a major change,” said Coun. Brent Cameron. “I don’t have an opinion one way or another as to the size of Council but I would prefer to put the question to the public like other jurisdictions have — through a referendum.

“I do believe not involving the voters of Central Frontenac is a fundamental mistake.”

For his part, Dewey tried to make the case that Central Frontenac has one Council members for every 526 residents whereas many other municipalities average around 1,200-1,300.

“I really do believe we have too many councillors for the population,” he said. “And we could save $250,000 in salaries over a four-year term.”

“I can see both sides but I like the idea of a referendum,” said Gowdy. “You’ll get more opinions on a ballot than you would in a public meeting.

“I do like the idea of a referendum but putting out savings of a quarter million is not a good idea.”

“I disagree,” said Coun. Bill MacDonald. “Putting out the potential savings could encourage more people to run. If you reduce the number to five, it would put more pressure on people to attend meetings. I’m in favour of reduction and I believe a smaller Council will be just as effective as what we have now.”

CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn said that if the matter were to be decided by referendum, it would require 50 per cent plus one vote to pass.

“In that case, it would be 2026 before it would take effect,” she said. “In order for it to take effect in 2022, we would have to pass a bylaw by Dec. 31 of this year.”

“The meeting will be electronic but not during hunting season,” said Smith. “We should use any electronic method at our disposal (including email, Survey Monkey, etc).”

“It could be email, semaphore or Morse Code,” said Heese.

So, the question on the table for the electronic public meeting will primarily be reducing Council to five members (Mayor and one councillor representing each of the four districts.) Smith said there could also be a potential seven-person option (Mayor, Dep. Mayor, one at-large Councillor and one representing each district). A six-person Council, while technically possible, isn’t recommended because of the increased potential for tie votes.

Hinchinbrooke Schoolhouse cleared for sale

Following the in-camera part of the meeting, Mayor Frances Smith rose and reported saying the following: “(The former) Hinchinbrooke School (property) is declared as surplus and the Clerk is directed to negotiate the same as described in the closed session.”

Generally, declaring a property surplus is the first step in selling it, usually after a potential buyer has expressed interest.

“The Local Brewery” has expressed interest in purchasing the property to convert it into a brewery.

Air BnB question

Following a presentation from resident Ian Willans expressing concern over Air BnB operations in the Township, Mayor Frances Smith had this to say: “we are working on Air BnB research with North Frontenac Township and there are hopes of a bylaw soon.”