South Frontenac Council - Dec 1/15

Wilma Kenny | Dec 02, 2015

South Frontenac approves 2016 budget

Council spent little time approving the 2016 budget document, which they have looked over on several previous occasions, including an all day session in mid-November. The township will spend over $28 million in 2016 on operations and capital projects, an increase of $750,000 over 2015. Of those expenditures $11.5 million will be covered by grants from other levels of government and reserve funds, and $16.5 million will come from South Frontenac ratepayers.

The $16.5 million levy represents a 6.66% increase over the $15.5 million levy to ratepayers in 2015, but thanks to a healthy increase in new assessment (4.4%), the impact on the average ratepayer will be an increase of only 2.0% in taxation. According to the budget report by Treasurer Louise Fragnito, “the township share of taxation on a $228,223 property [the township average] will increase by 2%, which equals $26.22.” Fragnito made a number of adjustments to the document after the last budget session.

“The impact of all these adjustments aligns with Council’s direction,” she said.

(see editorial – The 2% budget)

“A Very Unusual Situation”

Not even the CAO could see a clear way through this quandary.

In a closed session after the regular Nov. 17 Council meeting, staff had been directed to draw up a settlement proposal for conditions of draft plan approval for the Johnson Point condominium plan. (Loughborough Lake east.) These conditions were brought forward for approval, along with maps and details of some boundary adjustments.

Newly appointed Deputy Mayor Sutherland then proposed an amendment to the plan, which would remove lot 15 from the plan, making it a ’common element open space’. This would bring the plan back to the original number of proposed units, reversing the decisions taken by Council on November 17th. Sutherland said that many local residents were very unhappy about the density of development that was being permitted on what he said is an already heavily developed lake.

Councilor John McDougall said he appreciated Sutherlands position, but felt such an amendment would be “returning to square one.” The township lawyer had approved it, he said, and this was the time “to settle, not support.”

Councilor Ron Sleeth said he was disappointed in ‘the lack of teeth’ shown by the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans and their representing agencies, and he would support the amendment.

Sutherland’s amendment passed.

Mayor Vandewal withdrew from the chair, to propose another amendment deferring the vote until the solicitor could be consulted, because in his opinion Sutherland’s amendment was contrary to what had been put forward by all of Council, and meant that the township has not been negotiating in good faith.

Vandewal’s amendment was defeated, then the original (amended) motion was brought forward, and it was also defeated.

In response to a question from the floor at the end of the meeting, Orr said “We’ll have to figure out how to move forward: I will consult our solicitor.”

A notice of motion for reconsideration would require 2/3 support to pass, and no one offered to make one.

James Campbell/ Public Beach on Canoe Lake

Wayne Orr read a motion that the Township “secure a clear public access point to Canoe Lake on James Wilson Road at the west end of the causeway between Canoe Lake and Eel Lake in the severance process of the adjoining land through the road widening, in line with the survey from J. Kennedy of Nov 30, 2015 on the road widening, and showing the high water and that the photo from Councillor Revill be included as part of the record and that cash in lieu of parkland be taken.”

This motion represented a solution, worked out between Mr. Campbell and Councilor Revill which seems to be acceptable to both Campbell and the Canoe Lake residents who have used that location for swimming for many years.

Ross Sutherland congratulated Revill and Campbell on having worked out a solution, and thanked Campbell. The motion passed with no further comment.

Sydenham Water Plant Contract Extended

Public Works Manager Segsworth recommended that Kingston Utilities’ contract for operation and maintenance of the Sydenham Water System be extended to the end of 2016, and the Public Services Committee tasked with developing a longer-term arrangement for the plant. Segsworth said the Utilities have provided ‘good and timely service’. Passed without discussion.

Community Project Grant Program

Council approved a staff proposal that the third year Community Project Grant Program be expanded to $15,000 by adding $5,000 from fees raised for the endorsement of solar projects. The maximum grant for this increasingly popular program will be raised to $2,000.

Support for Cycling Workshop

Council endorsed a Share The Roads Workshop sponsored by the Frontenac Rides Committee by committing $500 toward this event which is aimed at creating a clear work plan to help the Township become a more cycle friendly community.

Peer Review Policy

Council approved a peer review policy for planning matters, listing the circumstances under which a technical peer review would be mandatory or when it might be optional.

RED Grant Endorsement

Council endorsed a Rural Economic Development Grant application through the County of Frontenac and in partnership with the other Frontenacs to the limit of $8,000.