Central Frontenac Council To Consider 2 Referendum Questions Next Week

Curbside pickup and Septic Reinspection

(Editors Note - Subsequent to this article being completed on Tuesday, February 17, the Mayor and Council have decided to hold a public meeting on Friday, February 27, and also consider a bylaw to hold 2 referenda in time for submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs by March 1st.

The proposed referendum questions are as follows

Are you in favour of the Township implementing a municipal garbage collection program beginning in 2028, to be funded through property taxes?

Yes or No.

Are you in favour of the Township continuing the septic re-inspection program, to be funded through property taxes?

Yes or No

It is unclear at the time of this writing, Thursday, February 20, whether the questions posted above can be amended on February 27 and submitted in time for inclusion, or whether the bykaw must be approved with the exact wording as above in order to be on the ballot this coming fall. That questoin has been referred to the township's lega counsel.)

Council received a report from Public Works Technical Assistant Amanda Fellows into the logistics and estimated cost to establish curbside pickup of waste and recycling in the township. Council then considered whether to follow through with an initiative championed by Councilor Duncan McGregor, to hold a referendum on whether to set up such a system.

Fellows looked at in-house and contracted service options for a system similar to what is in place in South Frontenac. The contracted option was cheaper in terms of initial outlay, but would still cost approximately $600 per household for set up in year one, and over $200 per year per household in subsequent years.

Both councilors Gowdy and McGregor asked whether some of the costs identified by Fellows could be changed if the system was less “of a Cadillac and more of an Escort” in Gowdy’s words.

Treasurer Micheal McGovern pointed out that setting up and managing the new service would mean that the initial budget numbers in coming years would have double digit increases before any of the required spending was even brought to the council table.

A proposal to hold a “non-binding” referendum was brought forward, to not tie the hands of the next council, and was passed.

Subsequent to the meeting, Clerk Administrator Cathy McMunn informed Council that the rules around referenda in Ontario do not contemplate a non-binding vote. She said that the council motion does not constitute the kind of direction she would need to prepare a referendum question within the time frame required by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, so unless Council holds a special meeting this week, the referendum is not on.

A proposed referendum on continuing the township’s septic inspection program suffered a similar fate.

Public Works Contracts

Council approved a gravel purchase from Gemmil’s Sand and Gravel for $402,690. Gemmil’s bid was lower than the only other bid received, from Crain’s construction for $413,500.

Council accepted a bid from Da-Lee construction for the supply of calcium chloride. Da-Lee was the only bidder.

A tender for micro-surfacing on Road 38 and other paved roads in the township, received two bids, both higher than the approved budget for micro-surfacing, so the tender will be re-issued in hopes of getting a better price.

Council accepted a bid of $411,000 from Freightliner North Bay for a plow truck. The Freightliner price was the lowest of 6 bids, which were all in a narrow range. The timing of delivery was a factor in opting for this dealer.

Custodial Services

Based on the recommendations of Public Works, Council awarded contracts for custodial services for the coming year. For the Kennebec Hall property, the contract was awarded to TK Cleaning Services for $18,500. Cleaning with Cloovi was awarded the contract for the Olden Hall for $23,500. Vinkle Cleaning Services received the contract for the Oso Hall, and other Sharbot Lake assets, including the new washroom at the Sharbot Lake beach. The contract is for $77,511. Finally, the contract for cleaning the Piccadilly Hall was awarded to Vinkle Cleaning Services as well, for $13,187. The Vinkle bid was $1187 higher than the TK Cleaning services bid, but Vinkle has handled both the Oso and Picadilly contracts successfully in the past, and Staff were confident they can do so again.

Goose Deferral

Council considered a set of options to deal with Canada Geese at the Sharbot Lake beach. The four actions were to do nothing, use physical and visual barriers, active deterrence – chasing, and combination of deterrence measures.

Councillor McGregor said he has looked at the issue, and tried to do some of the work himself, without success. He said he has talked to other municipalities, including South Frontenac, and found that none of them have had any success, so spending any more would be a mistake. Council decided to defer the matter while Staff look further into the matter.

Peer Review for Natural Heritage Consultation

Council decided to stay with Envision for Natural Heritage Consultation for planning purposes. These services are required for planning approvals, and were provided by the local Conservation Authority until new provincial directives precluded Conservation Authorities from doing the work. Planning Coordinator Abigail McKinnon reported that Envision has provided a quality service until now, and a number of complex matters are upcoming this year.