Central Frontenac Council - Feb 9/10

Jeff Green | Feb 11, 2010

Central Frontenac budget

Central Frontenac Council had their first chance to go over budget numbers this week, when Public Works Manager Mike Richardson spent three hours going over some of the numbers in the public works budget, which could run over $6 million this year if it is not cut back.

Although the projected spending is only about $100,000 higher than last year, the township will be receiving less grant money this year, and based on the numbers currently before Council, Central Frontenac ratepayers would be on the hook for $700,000 more in taxes in 2010 for the public works department alone.

With Treasurer Judy Gray on vacation, and some of the reserve funds and other details not being available, Council did not concern itself with making any immediate cuts to the spending estimates that Mike Richardson presented to them.

One of the first items that Richardson presented was an inventory of all roads equipment owned by the township and a 20-year plan to keep the stock of equipment in good repair, based on estimates about how long different pieces of equipment are likely to last.

The projected costs for 2010 is $400,000 for a new tandem truck ($280,000) and new brusher ($120,000).

“If you don't let me replace that equipment this year, you save $400,000. But two years from now I will be asking you for a million dollars. I'm saying we have to find a way to put this $400,000 in to keep your budget on an even keel. But if you want to keep the fleet you need in order to provide the level of service you provide now, the money will have to be spent sometime.”

The possibility of spreading payment for vehicles over time was briefly discussed, but the projected costs in future years would then have to be raised.

“I really appreciate seeing all this laid out in front of us like this,” said Councilor Bob Harvey of Richardson's detailed report.”

Richardson moved on to talk about road and bridge projects.

Bridges on Brock Road and Crow Lake road are slated to be replaced by culverts at a cost of about $300,000 each, and one on Wagarville Road needs repairs, also at an estimated cost of $300,000. Richardson plans to use the budgets of 2010 and 2011 for the three projects.

In terms of road work, the current list includes work on Wagner Road, Arden Road, Elizabeth Street, Mary Moore Road, Westgate Road, Gordon Crescent, Crow Lake Road, Cannon Road, Olden Park Road, Wemp Road, Arena Boundary and 2nd Depot Lakes roads.

Council did not seek any cuts to the budget at this time.

There were two items that generated some discussion.

One had to do with revenue. The budget includes $100,000 in revenue under the heading “County transfer (e.g. gas tax $ ...)”

“Does someone here know something I don't know?” asked Mayor Janet Gutowski. “The county budget is not finalised and no decisions have been made about transfers.”

“That money was plugged in based on the belief that there may be an opportunity to make application for the county for projects that we may identify and the county might support. They have identified some priorities. The money is there and we as a municipality should maybe go after some dollars,” said Township Chief Administrative Officer John Duchene.

“I believe the other mayors at the county feel as I do that we can see some direct benefit for some kind of substantive money moving from the county to the townships,” said Mayor Gutowski.

“What does all this mean?” asked Councilor Philip Smith. “Is the money real or should we stroke it off the budget?”

“I think it's a realistic target to shoot for. I'm not prepared to give up on it,” answered Gutowski.

The second contentious issue surfaced near the end of the meeting when Councilor Bill Snyder pointed out that a road preservation plan called for Oak Flats road to be surface treated in 2009, “and here it is 2010 and it's slipped off the budget entirely. It makes me sick to see the way things are put in and taken out of the budget.”

“I have that road listed for 2011 on the plan that I have seen,” said Mike Richardson.

Councilor Jeff Matson, who was chairing the meeting, then intervened. “Mike was not here in 2008 and 2009; he is only bringing information forward that he has seen”.

Sharbot Lake Petrocan redevelopment - Council approved a site plan for an upgrade to Bob Basra's Petro-Canada station, which will include new pumps and a canopy. A site plan agreement was needed because of required changes to drainage at the western edge of the property where there is a culvert that runs under Highway 7.

How long-standing? – Councilor Bob Harvey noted that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has a long-standing service program that honours members of Council who have served 25 years. “Frances [Smith] and I have been here a long time, maybe too long, and we don't know how long. Could somebody check to see how long we've been on Council; maybe we're eligible.”

Deputy Clerk Cathy MacMunn said she would check into it.

Rogers Tower – Council agreed to sign a letter accepting a new cell phone tower at Highway 7 and Blueberry Road near the border with Lennox and Addington County.

Railway Museum – Council received a letter and sketch outlining the work that the Central Frontenac Railway Heritage Society has been doing at the site of the former rail station, which is located across from the township office.

Councilors Norm Guntensperger and Gary Smith expressed concerns over some of the activities of society members, particularly regarding the use of fill, and potential liability to the township from some of the artefacts that are being gathered at the site, particularly in light of the intention to move a caboose onto the railway tracks that have been constructed there.

Councillor Bob Harvey said the only thing that concerns him is the culvert that runs under the track. “The whole drainage issue needs engineering before anything is done,” he said.

Councilor Gary Smith said the arrangement between the township and the Railway Society is “too much of a loosy goosey arrangement. I think we should get something in writing before we go any further.”

Councilor Frances Smith said, “I think they have done what we've asked them to do, and we should trust them.”

“I agree with Frances Smith. Everything has been great. They've cleaned everything up at the site. I had one problem with them over fill by the culvert, but they straightened that up,” said Bob Harvey.

Council agreed to receive the report from the Railway Heritage Society, and to set up a meeting between the CAO, the Public Works Manager, Councilor Harvey, and the railway society to talk about drainage at the site.