South Frontenac Council - December 06/22

Wilma Kenny | Dec 14, 2022

This was the first public meeting of the new South Frontenac Council. They have been attending orientation sessions since the election.

Lake Ecosystem Grant Recommendations

The Township accepted applications for the 2022 Lake Ecosystem Grant program until September 30, 2022. ($30,000 had been budgeted for this program.) The Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee recommended approval of four (4) applications from an intake of six projects, for a total of $30,183.98. Of the remaining two applications, one is already funded from another source, and the other has a grant for a project not fully completed.

Dog and Cranberry Lakes Association requested $10,000 to complete a Lake Stewardship Plan and a ‘Love Your Lake’ report which will highlight actions to be taken to protect the lake (e.g. education, shoreline plantings).

Inverary Lake Residents Association requested $4,153.98 to purchase shoreline ‘No Wake” signs, and a “Love Your Lake” shoreline assessment with recommendations for action.

Queen’s University Biological Station asked for $6,030 for the implementation of a turtle nest protection and relocation program to reduce nest mortality and to engage the public with wildlife conservation.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada asked for $10,000 for improving wetland habitat at the Milburn Creek Nature Reserve in Battersea, by (a) applying an approved herbicide to reduce invasive phragmites along Milburn Creek, and (b) to engage community members through three volunteer events to control invasive buckthorn and garlic mustard plants along the trail. At the events, the public will learn about invasive species identification, and how to control them with hand pulling and small tools.

Senior Planner Woods assured Mayor Vandewal that 25% of each grant would be withheld until the township received a final report of project completion. Council approved the grants.

A “Housekeeping” Land Transfer

The Estate of Everett Orser has proposed to transfer three 0.3 metre reserves back to the Township, to have them merged with the road allowance. The Estate would facilitate the transfer at their expense. Council had no questions or objections.

Floodplain Mapping Support for Quinte Conservation Authority

Quinte Conservation has asked Council for funding of $79,900 to support the Napanee River Upper Lakes Study/Updated Floodplain Mapping, which is to be completed in 2023, and will include public consultation. Updated floodplain mapping will be provided for: Fourteen Island, Hambly, Howes, Potspoon, Thirteen Island, Thirty Island, Vanluven, White, and Verona Lakes. Council approved this request, to be funded from the Working Funds Reserve

Verona Housing Communal Servicing Options Study

Council approved awarding the contract for this mandatory study process to J.L.Richards & Associates for their bid of $87,597.04, which falls within the budgeted $100,000.

This study will determine the preferred water and wastewater solutions for the Verona Housing development and will serve as the foundation of future steps of the Class C Municipal EA process which will examine alternative design concepts for the preferred solutions and ultimately detailed design and construction.

Councillor Sleeth asked asked about the project timeline: it is to be completed by Oct 31/23. There were no other questions from Council.

Deputy Mayor Appointment

After agreeing to appoint four members of Council as Deputy Mayor fo a one-year term each, based on the number of votes received per district, the following schedule was chosen:

Sleeth: 2023

Leonard and Morey asked to share 2024, with Leonard covering the first half of the year and Morey the second.

Ruttan: 2025

Pegrum: 2026 (his request to do the final year, in order to have time to become more familiar with the workings of Council.)

South Frontenac Fire and Rescue Council Orientation

Because Darcy Knott, Director of Fire and Emergency Services, had not been able to attend the earlier Council orientation session, much of the rest of the meeting was given over to this report. It, along with all the other presentations, can be viewed on the Township’s website, in the Dec 6 Council agenda.

Council Participation

Mayor Vandewal commented on the lack of questions or comments from Council throughout the evening, saying he hoped future meetings would be livelier.

January Meeting Schedule

Council will meet Jan 10 & 31; COW will be Jan 17.