Central Council Denies County Request For Trail Funding

Craig Bakay | Feb 21, 2024

Central Frontenac Council said no to making a financial contribution to the County of Frontenac’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program application.

They did, however, agree to be co-applicants and write a letter of support for the application.

County Manager of Economic Development Richard Allen was at the Feb. 13 regular Central Frontenac Council meeting (via Zoom) to ask for the Township’s support.

Under the program, the County could receive up to $210,000 towards a $700,000 project to expand the K & P Trail from Clarendon Station to the Mississippi River.

However, the applicants must make a contribution to the grant, in this case $70,000 and as such Allen was making the request for Central to participate.

“This contribution can’t be federal or provincial money,” he said. “Most of our (County) funds set aside for trails are from federal gas tax money.

“So, we’re dipping into reserves that weren’t intended for trails to cover the shortfall.”

He said they have already received partnership commitments and funding contributions from both the Ottawa Valley ATV Club and the Frontenac ATV Club.

“Contributions from our partners on this project will strengthen our application to the funding program,” he said.

A couple of weeks ago, Allen made a similar pitch to North Frontenac Council, through whose jurisdiction most of the work will be done, meeting with zero success.

Mayor Frances Smith seemed to support the idea of a financial contribution noting that while there would only be about a kilometer of work done in Central Frontenac, that work will probably cost about $70,00.

“If you look at putting up $2,000 and getting back $70,000, it’s a pretty good investment,” Smith said. “Especially if the trail needs the work.

“I think we can find that in a slush fund somewhere (and) we do give grants to others.”

However, while the Mayor, Coun. Dan Meeks and Coun. Bill Everett did vote to support a monetary contribution, the rest of Council was more comfortable with just being a co-applicant and sending a letter of support.

“Even though it’s a small amount ($2,000-$5,00) I’m just not comfortable with it since we’ve been going through the budget cutting any little thing we can,” Gowdy said. “The majority of this is in the North and the North did not support it.”

“You got support but you didn’t get any money Richard,” said Smith.

Fire Report

Council approved the purchase of a $155,353.25 plus HST communication tower at Station 4, Parham, for which the Township has received a grant of $150,000.

Fire Chief Chris McDonough said in his report that Council did not approve proceeding with the project when he first presented Aug. 8, 2023 but “the tower has been further damaged as the result of the storm last year and now needs to be replaced.

Piccadilly substation

Coun. Phillip Smith and Nicki Gowdy gave notice of motion that they will request that the motion removing fire apparatus from the Piccadilly substation be rescinded and returned as soon as possible. The motion will come up at the Feb. 27 meeting.

Oso Beach Washrooms

Council approved sending a letter of support for the Sharbot Lake Business Group in its bid for a Fed/Dev Growth Fund grant to build a new washroom at the Oso Beach in Sharbot Lake.

Coun. Bill Everett reiterated his concerns with the project saying “I have no issues with a washroom in general but I certainly have an issue with only four stalls and a change room, when we already have to rent portapotties.”

“Remember, this a four-season accessible washroom (and) we’re always going to have to rent portapotties when we have a big event regardless if we had eight bathrooms down there,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

Coun. Duncan McGregor said that the committee is still soliciting design suggestions and this project and funding aren’t tied to a particular design.