Central Frontenac Council - April 28

Apr 29, 2015

Staff outlines plans to mitigate $255,000 budget pressure

In an effort to mitigate the township's $255,000 budget shortfall that resulted from an oversight in the public works total formula, CAO Jim Zimmerman and treasurer J. Michael McGovern presented council with their six step plan to reclaim the $255,000 error. First they reduced the original $255,000 in the estimated costs for the repair/replacement of the township's fleet of vehicles to $227,000. Changes to the staff salaries resulted in an additional $34,000 in savings and a deferment in securing a loan required for the Fifth Lake Road Road construction project will reap an additional $55,000 savings in interest. A reduction to the estimated Phase 1 costs for the 2015 Environmental Assessments in the municipalities by restricting the proposed assessments to just four sites at a cost of $2,500 each will save an additional $70,000 from the original $80,000 in the budget.

Councilors had trouble agreeing with a $50,000 reduction in the proposed $295,000 gravel budget for 2015. Councilor Brent Cameron wondered if a $50,000 reduction in gravel would meet the townships needs.

CAO Zimmerman responded by saying that day-to-day stock piling of material would help, as would lumping a series of municipal roads into a single contract. He added that though there may be a slight reduction in the level of service to the township as a result, that a reasonable level of service could still be achieved with the reduction. Council passed a motion for staff to proceed with their proposed plans and ordered that staff provide them with a regular monthly status report concerning the matter for the remainder of 2015.

CF Council extends CIP beyond Sharbot Lake

Council unanimously passed a motion to expand the township's Community Improvement Plan to include other hamlets and villages in the township. Originally the plan, which was initiated three years ago, was to include only Sharbot Lake and to date it has attracted just 12 applications. The news should be welcomed by residents and business owners in other villages across the township. A public meeting will be scheduled at a later date to convey the details of the program and the application process.

Kennebec Shores sales building and privy approved

Council approved a motion allowing the owners of the Kennebec Shores development to sign a memorandum of understanding with staff allowing the former to construct a sales building and privy on township land in order to better promote the sale of the lands

Delegations

Anne Prichard, executive director of the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC), made an in depth presentation to council outlining the numerous services, programs, loans and grants that are available to local individuals and businesses in the township with the hopes that that council and staff will steer aspiring entrepreneurs their way. The FCFDC aims to encourage economic growth by promoting local businesses and tourism in the area and by promoting and supporting community vibrancy in the township. Mayor Frances Smith congratulated Prichard on her hard work.

Wallbridge Lane Resident appeals to council re back tax concerns

Robert Scrymgeour appealed to council to show him leniency for back taxes and interest he owes on two deeded properties, comprising a total of six parcels of land located on Wallbridge Lane. He cited family illnesses, deaths and his own medical issues, which he said have kept him from clearing up the matter sooner. He also said the MPAC valuations for the properties were ridiculously high. He described one as “swampy” and one as having a dilapidated shack, which he said MPAC described as a cottage.

He offered to pay the township $400 a month in back taxes and interest until he can get the matter settled and before the township reclaims the lands. Rather than accepting payments from Scrymgeour, council passed a motion ordering staff to consider the matter and suggested that he return to council for their next meeting to resolve the matter.

Water levels one metre below average

Councilor Bill MacDonald informed council about information he gleaned at a recent meeting of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, where it was announced that lake levels are well below average for this time of year. “Unless we get rain we could be facing imminent water shortages,” MacDonald said.