South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | May 20, 2020

Council met via internet; all members were present, and all staff directors were also available online. In the Township hall, Mayor Vandewal, CAO Carbone, Clerk Maddox and acting equipment technician/treasurer Fragnito were present and positioned well apart.

Councillor Sleeth opened the meeting by saying that had received several concerned calls following the newspaper report quoting the Deputy Mayor’s comments that South Frontenac Township was undemocratic. “I feel that this does not reflect South Frontenac in any way”, said Sleeth; “It casts a bad light on the senior employees to whom we have delegated authority.” Deputy Mayor Sutherland confirmed that the offending phrases were all direct quotations from his presentation. The meeting continued with no further reference to this.

Devil Lake Causeway

In November 2019 Council received delegations complaining about overfishing, disturbing the peace, illegal parking and littering along the Devil Lake Causeway. In response to the concerns expressed by local residents council passed a bylaw extending the no parking area along the causeway and encouraged residents to call the OPP when trespassing occurred. As well, the township has maintained contact with both the OPP and the Ministry Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), both of which have been attending the site more frequently.

In a report, township staff pointed out that any activities related to fishing and trespassing on private property are not within the jurisdiction of the Township and cannot be regulated at the municipal level.

However, littering, parking on a public highway, public safety and nuisance issues can be regulated by the municipality by way of a by-law. After a few clarification questions, Council unanimously passed a by-law stating: “No person shall stand or loiter at any time on either side of the Devil Lake Causeway, located on Perth Road 1200 metres south of Tett Crescent southerly 150 metres.”

The municipal law enforcement officer will be asked to do frequent sweeps of the area. As well the MNRF has agreed to make regular patrols of the location: this, along with greater enforcement by the OPP has been requested by both the Township and the Asian Anglers Association of the GTA, who had been approached because it is thought that at least some of the activity along the causeway may be from members of this organization.

Appointment of Deputy Treasurer

Emily Caird, executive assistant to the CAO, was appointed as acting Deputy Treasurer as of May 25th, sharing her time between the two positions

Current Acting Deputy treasurer Stephanie Kuca will be returning in January 2021.

High-Speed Internet Expansion

Council quickly agreed “to support WTC Communication’s application to the CRTC Broadband Fund for the expansion of high-speed internet services to our community.”

Climate Change Strategies

From staff report to Council: “Despite being a small, rural municipality with a low population density and relatively low greenhouse gas emissions, there are still some areas where Township activity could have an adaptive or mitigating effect on local climate change implications. Staff anticipates that risks associated with precipitation and flooding, ground water, extreme weather events, temperature and weather effects on agriculture, health and sensitivity of our lakes and forests, and impacts of climate change on township infrastructure to be the most pressing issues in South Frontenac.

In an effort to balance the desired positive impacts of a climate change strategy with resources available to the Township, staff recommends a limited scope approach which would result in a formal strategy with action items that are achievable based on the resources available to the Township.”

CAO Performance Evaluation

CAO Carbone recommended an update to the current annual performance review of his position, based on a toolkit created by the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators. Council’s reaction to the 50-plus pages that followed were well summarized by Councillor Roberts comment, “I think this is over-complicated!”

After some discussion Council elected Councillors Leonard and Revill to form a 3-person committee along with Mayor Vandewal to work on the performance review, and CAO Carbone agreed that staff would develop a more streamlined outline for the review.

Public Works Tenders Issued

In April, Council approved a budget addition of $50,000 to replace an existing Tag Along Float Trailer that was deemed unsafe for the road.

The contract was awarded to Loadstar Trailers Inc. in the amount of $45,087, including HST. Loadstar was low bidder, and a staff report said it has been a reputable supplier of trailers to the township in the past.

This year’s crack sealing tender was awarded to Roadlast Asphalt and Sealing Maintenance for $65,088. Roadlast was low bidder by more than $27,000, and has provided similar services to the township in the past. Over the past 5 years, the lowest unit bid price ($/per metre) has ranged from $0.90 to $1.24; this year it is $1.05.

Planning Services

During the first quarter of this year, Planning Services has fielded almost 1,600 inquiries by phone and email.

Frontenac County Council granted an extension in draft plan approval for both Cranberry Cove and Johnston Point Plans of Condominium condominiums until January 29, 2021. Staff are working with the developer to clear conditions on both these condominiums.

Concerning Cottagers

The Township’s earlier media release regarding seasonal properties is still leading to uncertainty; four of the six Covid-19 related questions to Council were variations on “When can we come to our cottage?”

The answer is: “the Township has not restricted access to seasonal properties or private cottages - this is outside the jurisdiction of local governments, even under the state of emergency.”

What the Township is asking is that only necessary travel to these properties be made and that those travellers observe all public health protocols and recommendations.

The Province has restricted the use of short-term rental properties to residential/housing only; they are not to be used for short-term (vacation/transient) accommodation.

May Declared Youth Month in South Frontenac

Council declared May to be Youth Month in South Frontenac, along with the rest of the Frontenacs and Kingston. Youth Month is about highlighting and celebrating youth for everything they offer and do in their communities while providing fun and engaging activities for youth.