SF Committee of the Whole receives draft Capital budget

Wilma Kenny | Oct 26, 2017

“Just don’t tell me that our needs are greater than our resources,” said Mayor Vandewal, “we all understand that, and hear it every budget session!” With this, Council launched into a discussion of Public Works Manager Segsworth’s presentation of the Transportation, Solid Waste, Water and Facilities draft capital budget details.The final total came to $7,286,000, of which $5,775,000 was for roads, euphemistically called ‘linear assets’. Vandewal questioned the $175,000 purchase of a fully-equipped mechanic’s truck to replace the present one, a 1994 hand-me-down from the fire department.

Councillors listed several missing items: a Harrowsmith ‘parkette’ beside the trail, more staff parking near the Township hall, plans for the use of the former Township garage property on Stagecoach Road, plans for the Petworth mill. Treasurer Fragnito said the latter item would be in the operating budget.

This information will all become part of the 2018 budget deliberations.

Tax Relief Applications

The township has the option to cancel, reduce or refund property taxes due to sickness or extreme poverty. This has to be applied for a an annual basis. Although South Frontenac does not have any pending applications, there have been enquiries. Because of the sensitive nature of such applications, Treasurer Louise Fragnito brought a recommendation that council bring forward a by-law to authorize the Assessment Review Board (ARB) of Ontario to process applications on behalf of the Township. The ARB is trained to hear these appeals, and would conduct their hearing locally. Council agreed.

Revision of Procedural Bylaw

Council discussed a proposal to streamline their meeting schedule by deleting one COW meeting a month. There was general agreement to try holding Council meetings (where by-laws are voted upon) on the first and third Tuesday of each month and one Committee of the Whole (for discussion of proposals and issues) on the third Tuesday. Delegations would be scheduled across all three meetings as necessary. this will mean devolving more preliminary discussion to the four standing Committees (Public Services, Corporate Services, Development Services and S. Frontenac Recreation.) Council seemed in agreement that this revised schedule should be tried, to begin in January. They were less interested in the accompanying proposal, that would permit ‘electronic participation’ in meetings.

Seniors Housing: Next Steps

Currently, Southern Frontenac Community Services has withdrawn any interest in participating in constructing Seniors housing on their property, and the City of Kingston is indicating they might be able to provide funding grants. CAO Orr said he needed direct from Council: does the Township wish to be involved in the provision of affordable seniors housing?

After a lengthy discussion, Council decided they were interested, but needed more information. Orr agreed to talk to a consultant, get some additional written information, and set up a time as soon as possible for a special meeting to further discuss the question.

Arena Floor

Council will earmark $590,000 of their reserves (South Frontenac pays 59% of arena costs) for eventual replacement of the arena floor which is 41 years old and still good, but nearing the probable end of its use.

Dog Parks

Rather than budget for temporary fencing, Council recommended building one permanently fenced dog park in Centennial Park. Rules and regulations based on those in other municipalities’ off-leash areas will need to be drawn up. Councillor Sutherland said the people who had petitioned for the park had offered to fund raise, so they should be contacted. Someone asked if barking was likely to become a problem for nearby residents. Councillor Roberts said that if they were considering requiring pit bulls to be muzzled, should all dogs then be muzzled? The meeting had already run late, and nobody bit on this.