South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Oct 29, 2015

2016 Capital Budget

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth presented his department’s capital budget for 2016. He and CAO Orr reminded Council that this was just a first step in the budget process: at this time, they were looking for any large items or categories that Council might want added or removed. “There’ll be lots of time for haggling [over details] later in the process.”

This is a large portfolio, covering Facilities and Recreation, Equipment Replacement, Environmental Services,Transportation, and Multi-year Roads projects. Council did not ask for any major changes at this stage, though some items generated quite a bit of discussion:

Deputy Mayor John McDougall praised the township’s upkeep of the Verona Medical Centre, saying Dr. Dempsey credits the township for Verona’s ability to attract new medical staff at a time when rural physicians are very hard to find.

- Mayor Ron Vandewal asked whether Segsworth was planning to hold a public consultation before upgrading the Buck Lake boat ramp. Vandewal had been approached by some Buck Lake cottagers who said they didn’t want the ramp upgraded, fearing it would make it too attractive for ‘outsiders’ to come use ‘their’ lake. This brought a strong reaction around the table, endorsing the principle that the lakes are public property, and should be accessible to all, not just those with cottages. Segsworth said the lakes were public assets, and it was not up to the township to judge who could or could not use them. Councillor Sutherland said he had heard complaints from a number of Buck Lake residents who wanted the ramp repaired. He also said that many township residents who owned boats did not live on waterfront properties.

- Vandewal said he could see no point in upgrading Fermoy Hall unless it was used more frequently. Councillor Pat Barr replied that she thought there might be more use if the hall was improved. She offered to look into the degree of interest, and report back.

- The Sydenham football field upgrade may be completed and sodded by mid-November: an extra $60,000 has been added to the cost, for a protective fence around the field. The school board has been asked to share that expense, but has not yet replied.

- The Point shoreline upgrade is underway and expected to be completed in two weeks.

- An AVL system is planned for Public Works. This can be used to track all township equipment. Might this mean no more Omaha Orange vehicles?

- Council questioned a proposal to buy rather than rent a baler in order to process hard plastics as well as bale wrap: Segsworth will get more details of cost comparisons. He also said the overall goal is to save money by extending the life of our landfills.

- Conversion of all township streetlights to LED will be completed by November 2016.

- Bellrock residents are pleased with the upgrades to their roads and drainage system: Vandewal reported that he’d heard the villagers had been holding barbeques for the roads crew.

- Roads are categorized as a ‘linear asset’. The roads department report outlined a detailed five-year plan for upkeep and repair, accompanied by a township map showing all the recent and proposed road construction. Another two pages of flow charts illustrated the science behind current roadwork decision-making from full depth reclamation through reconstruction, rehabilitation, sealing, overlay, micro-surfacing, etc through to doing nothing.

All this report will become part of the upcoming budget deliberations next month.

Lease Extension Requested

Percy Snider came as a delegation, asking that his 18-month lease on the former township garage be extended to coincide with the term of his contract for waste collection. Snider is applying for a zoning change so he can construct a garage on a part of his own property, but is not sure of the timing. Councillor Sutherland said that he thought this matter should not be negotiated in a public meeting, suggesting that it could be worked out between the CAO and Snider, or brought to an in camera session.

Canoe Lake beach

Seven more letters from area residents, both pro and con having an established public beach associated with the James Campbell severance application, were tabled. Council is withholding any further discussion of the issue until they have had a chance to view the area in question.