South Frontenac Council - Oct. 23

Wilma Kenny | Oct 25, 2012

Public Works Ten-Year Plan

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth presented his department’s 2013 Capital budget and ten-year Plan for Council’s consideration. Goals included: 1] ‘Vertical’ Facilities: to develop a good understanding of the conditions of township buildings, their energy use, accessibility and any asbestos issues, 2] Equipment replacement for 2013: two light trucks and two dump trucks, one of them a tri-axle, 3] Waste disposal site improvements: weigh scale, fencing, attendant booths, and partial capping, 4]Transportation: salt management plans for Hartington and Bedford, office renovations at Keeley, Hartington and Bedford, and village beautification, and 5] ‘Horizontal Facilities’: a proposed schedule of repairs and upgrades of roads and bridges for the next two years.

Noting that “we face a lot of challenges: traffic only gets heavier every year,” Segsworth said that his proposed roadwork schedule does not necessarily meet all the Township needs. Overall estimated budget of just over $7 million is up $800,000 from last year, and proposes drawing $500,000 more from reserves than last year. This information will form a substantial part of Council’s budget deliberations in the next few weeks.

Councillor Tindal asked: “What would you say if a group of private citizens offered to pay to resurface a public road?” “We’d be very, very interested,” said Segsworth, adding that resurfacing had to include a good base, and proper drainage.

Council Composition Up For Discussion

CAO Orr, referring to the strategic plan’s commitment “to improve governance and processes,” said that Council might wish to consider: increasing or decreasing the total number of positions on Council, changing the method of election from the present system of having two representatives from each of four districts, establishing a new position of deputy mayor, or altering or removing district boundaries. This led to lively discussion, and the conclusion that Orr should draw up a discussion framework and process, which would include public consultation, for Council’s consideration.

Municipal Pound Services

Each year, the Township impounds, at the Kingston Humane Society, approximately 75 - 80 untagged dogs caught running at large. At present, because of a mid-year fee adjustment by the KHS, Council pays $55 per animal, plus a new administrative billing fee of $25 for any month in which a dog is sheltered. The 2012 budget for pound services is $3300.

However, the Humane Society has announced they are looking to recover fully the cost of offering pound services, which would raise the Township’s contract to a minimum of $10,000,based on 2011 impound numbers. In order to cover this raise in fees and unknown costs such as veterinary fees, Orr proposed the Township raise its rates to $175 or the return of a lost animal, but expressed concern that fewer residents might claim lost animals as the cost increases. (currently, all but 10 or 12 South Frontenac animals are claimed or adopted out each year.) He also noted that there were few if any alternatives to the pound’s services, due to the required inspections and tighter regulations now governing private pounds. There was general Council agreement that the new fee be increased to $150.

The Point Park Lighting and Fundraising

In response to a recent query from Council, Treasurer Fragnito reported that in 2011, $66,865 was spent on the Point Park lighting project, of which $31,000 came from the fundraising efforts of the Point Park Improvement committee, and the remainder from the Township’s Parkland Fund. A further $66,506 was spent on the lights in 2012, all from the Parkland fund. The Point Park Improvement fund now has a balance of $831.21.