South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Apr 15, 2020

South Frontenac Council’s first electronic meeting went very smoothly. Three of us were physically present, widely separated, in the echoing Council chambers; (bearded) Mayor Vandewal, Clerk Maddox, and myself, representing the Frontenac News. CAO Carbone and Fragnito, Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer were both in their offices, making sure the internet connections worked. The Deputy Mayor and all Councillors were present online, along with Director of Fire and Emergency Services Knott, Director of Development Services Dodds, and Director of Public Works Segsworth. Later we learned that about 30 watchers attended the Facebook site: much better attendance than usual except for some nights with controversial issues.

Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee

Council approved the terms of reference for a new Advisory Committee which would support the health and welfare of the Township's lake ecosystems and the enjoyment and use of those lakes by lake residents, visitors and future generations. One of its duties will be to host an annual Lake Associations Forum where members of local lake associations and other lakeshore residents can network with one another other, share best practices, voice common concerns, discuss emerging trends, and provide feedback to the Committee regarding Township policy, strategic plans and budgets.

Fire Department Dispatch Agreement with the City of Kingston

The City of Kingston through Kingston Fire and Rescue (KFR) have provided dispatching services to the Township of South Frontenac and South Frontenac Fire and Rescue for many years and the agreement is functioning well. The KFR Communications Centre also dispatches for all fire services in Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Counties, thus providing seamless interaction between fire departments. The new agreement includes provisions for a web based application, “Who’s Responding” which assists our fire service operation and personnel during emergency situations, and it states that the fee will be adjusted annually for inflation each January 1st.

Financial Date deferrals due to Covid-19

Council approved a range of payment deferral options related to interim taxes, CIP loans, and water bills: most of these must be requested; complete information is on the Township’s website, or available by telephone. Community Grant Application submissions are now not due until May 31.

Cash in Lieu of Parkland for Condominium Projects

Council approved accepting cash in lieu of parkland for two Plans of Condominium: $20,000 for Shield Shores on Wellington St, Dog Lake, and $84,250 for Johnson Point, on Loughborough Lake. In response to Councillor Roberts’ query about the value of providing parkland for a condominium development, Development Director Dodds said that the condo development itself had already set aside several areas of land dedicated for the residents’ recreational use, an option not usually available to a subdivision.

2020 Capital Expenditures for Centennial Park Multipurpose Facility

Council agreed to release the hold on $100,000 budgeted for a multipurpose facility, subject to the South Frontenac Stocksport Club (SFSC) providing a minimum contribution of $15,000 towards the project. (Update: the SFSC has already raised and contributed the required $15,000 to the Township.) Staff was also directed to work on project design specs in preparation to release an RFP for the work commencing spring of 2020. This will be a 14M X 32M roofed pavilion, with three Stocksport lanes, but will also provide a potential site for other community uses such as vendors events, road hockey, basketball, shuffleboard, fitness activities and open air concerts.

Public Works’ Contracts and Tenders

Council approved:

-The bid from Barrett’s Farm and Family Centre in the amount of $83,152.54, excluding HST, for the fabric membrane replacement on the Hartington Sand/Salt Shed.

-An extension to the Township’s existing contract with Cambium Inc. for the monitoring and reporting of the Township’s Waste Disposal Sites (WDS). In addition to the groundwater and surface water monitoring at all five WDS, Cambium’s fees include Annual Reports, meeting attendance, inspections and Council presentations. The yearly price fluctuates with the amount of post-closure monitoring and reporting required for some of the Township’s sites.

-The purchase of a Tag Along trailer in the amount of $50,000. This trailer is to replace FT72, being a 2004 25 Ton Tag Along Trailer utilized for floating heavy equipment, and in need of extensive repairs.

-the tender submission from Black Dog Tirecraft for the supply and service of the Township’s tire and repair needs: this was the sole tender, and Black Dog Tirecraft is “a reputable supplier with many years of experience providing the municipality with tire supply and repair.”

Bylaw Needed to Control Night Fishing

Councillor Revill reported on recent visits made by himself and Councillors Ruttan and Sleeth, to view a problem that local residents have been pressing for help with: apparently commercial fishers have been night-fishing on both sides of a culvert on Devil Lake along a heavily-travelled stretch of road. They park on the roadside in spite of ‘no parking’ signs, and shortly before dawn a large van arrives to pick up the catches. Revill recommended a by-law to forbid night fishing and all fishing during May and June, during bass spawning season. Deputy Mayor Sutherland cautioned that any by-law had to be carefully worded, for this was not a new problem, nor was it peculiar to this one location. Mayor Vandewal said it would be necessary to be careful not to just push the fishers to another area. Council directed the staff to come back as soon as possible (May 05?) with a carefully worded bylaw to address the situation, and give the police something they felt could be enforced. (The Ministry of Fisheries seems not to have been able or willing to take any action.)

Staff Updates

Clair Dodds, Planning Services, reported that building services have been increasingly restricted both by Covid concerns and as a result of changing Provincial directives. Currently only construction related to agriculture of health care are being permitted. However, her department is continuing to accept building applications, so they will be ready for quick action once restrictions are lifted. She said the positions of senior planner and planner have both been filled, with the new employees to come on staff very soon for orientation. New updates will be posted on the township website.

Darcy Knott, Fire and Emergency Services, complimented his volunteer staff; “They are an excellent team, who have risen to the challenge of an unprecedented situation.” He reiterated that the fire ban was due to a number of reasons, including a Province-wide ban on burning in all provincial parks, but primarily to relieve the additional strain on the first responders. Recently, there were over 20 burn complaints: the number was greatly reduced once the fire ban was in place. The first brush drop-off went well; There are two more planned. It’s hoped these will also reduce the burn complaints.

Mark Segsworth, Public Works, reported on spring road repairs and maintaining base level services.

Of Boats and Air BnBs

Council asked what control the Township had over numbers of people allowed in boats and the impossibility of social distancing in small boats: CAO Carbone said that although the municipality could enforce social distancing at boat launch sites, it had no jurisdiction over watercraft: that is a Federal jurisdiction.

Sutherland asked about short-term rentals on lakes, and air b&b’s. Carbone replied that currently the Province has been very clear about prohibiting short-term rentals.

The meeting lasted until after 8:30, with one brief recess to ensure the technical part of the broadcast was working well. It ended with thanks and many compliments from Council to the Township staff for their dedication and adaptability under difficult and unusual circumstances.

Special thanks to Emily Caird, Executive Assistant, for her sunny personality and ability to be wherever the need is greatest.