South Frontenac Council - Oct 20/12

Wilma Kenny | Nov 01, 2012

Draft South Frontenac Capital budget set to rise by over $1 million

CAO Orr walked Council through a proposed capital budget which included (mainly road and bridge) construction, and any item costing more than $5,000. Other, smaller items will go into the operating budget.

Overall, the proposed 2013 capital budget is $1,105,605 more than it was in 2012, with the tax levy raised by $360,000 and reserves contributing an additional $739,600 over the current year.

Total reserve forecast at the end of 2012 is $14,505,016, and the reserve forecast for the end of 2013 will drop to $12,608,592.

Orr said that this document counted in the $600,000 contribution that has been forthcoming from the City of Kingston each year since 1998 as compensation for South Frontenac assuming responsibility for former county roads. By the terms of the amalgamation agreement of 1997, that funding agreement ends this year. Orr warned council that this funding is the subject of negotiation currently and has not yet been secured for 2013.

Two other unresolved issues are the funding of the Sydenham water plant and the Frontenac Arena.

Also, both Fire and Recreation have carried forward several projects that were in the 2012 budget, but which have not been done.

There were relatively few comments from Council: the gloves will come off on Saturday, November 10, when they are scheduled to meet for day-long budget deliberations.

Traffic Speed in Verona

Elaine Abrams spoke to Council of her concern about the speed of traffic through Verona, in spite of a posted limit of 50 (40 by the school). She said the sidewalks used by small children are dangerously close to passing traffic, and that she doubted that further reducing the speed limit would do any good. Nor did it seem to her that it is feasible to ask for more police enforcement. She wondered whether three stop signs, at intervals through the village, possibly with rumble strips, might help.

Mayor Davison said the Township has been getting complaints from residents about the noise of rumble strips in other locations. Deputy Mayor McDougal added that Dr Dempsey has complained about the noise of large trucks as they come into the village, and he has also had requests for some sort of safe crossing near the post office.

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth said there were a lot of traffic issues throughout the township, and it was important to look at all the options.

The problem was referred to the Public Works Committee for consideration and recommendations.

Hazardous Waste Site May have Hours Extended

Segsworth reported that the household hazardous waste site has successfully completed its first year of operation (April-May 2012),and has added e-waste and bale and boat wrap to its services. Due to the increasing demand, he recommended that Council consider extending the program over the winter, at the reduced rate of two days per month: the second and fourth Thursdays of each month except December, which would skip the fourth Thursday.

Brendar Environmental, the present contractor, has agreed to continue at the current rate of $565 plus tax, per event. Because of the apparent support of most council members, this recommendation will come to the next Council meeting as a resolution.

Waste Disposal Site Operation

Segsworth brought a report summarizing the public input from meetings in Bedford and Portland, which were based on AECOM Engineerings recently completed operational review of the townships waste management operations.

Recommendations from the public meetings included: 1] increase recycling diversion through a promotion and education program, which would include promotion of communal bins for residents living on private lanes, 2] investigating alternatives to closing the Bedford sites, 3] moving to a standard 4-day per week collection, with garbage and recycling on the same pick-up day, and 4] improving security at all waste disposal sites, enforce the penalties for illegal dumping, and provide better signage.

By incorporating public input into the AECOM review, Segsworth said the Public Services Committee arrived at the following recommendations: 1] Keep Green Bay and Bradshaw sites open until capacity is reached 2] Evaluate the current practice of exporting South Storrington waste: landfilling this waste in South Frontenac would save an estimated to save $100,000 a year, 3] Reduce hours at Township waste disposal sites by one-third, to reduce operating costs and encourage the use of weekly garbage and recycling pick-up, 4] Install a weigh scale and adjust tipping fees, and 5] Implement an area fill method, which will make more efficient use of landfill capacity.

If Council endorses these recommendations, a public information session will be held.

Councilllor Ron Vandewal said it was frustrating that Bedford residents had been slow to accept curbside collection. Councillor Bill Robinson then expressed his disapproval at the proposed changes, which he felt confused people.

Mark Segsworth reminded Council that over the last five years they had made significant improvements in the management of solid waste, but still need

to divert more waste from the landfill sites through recycling.

“We’re making progress, but can’t please everyone, and can’t change everything at once,” he said.

Segsworth said that implementing the recommendations from the AECOM report would provide the township with landfill capacity until 2032, at an estimated cost of $9.5 million over the 20 year period, or $450,000 per year. This represents a savings of $7.1 million over the cost of the status quo over the same period, estimated to be $16.6 million, or $830,000 per year.

Coat of Arms Update

Councillor Tinlin unveiled an artist’s draft of the proposed coat of arms and flag for the Township: an enormous improvement over the earlier rough sketch.