South Frontenac Council: Health Unit says yard sales are permitted – with restrictions

Wilma Kenny | Jun 03, 2020

Covid-related Questions for Council

Some questions related to public swimming areas: these are still under provincial restrictions, and to date, not yet open to the public.

More complicated was a question about yard sales; the KFL&A Public Health says that technically they would be permitted, but with some risks (physical separation, payment, hand hygiene) that must be considered and addressed.

“If residents want to hold garage/yard sales, they must ensure that persons in the “place of business” (ie, customers in their yard/garage) can maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from each other at all times through one or more of the following: 1. Using alternative methods of sale such as curb side pick-up or delivery, 2. Operating by appointment; 3. Limiting the number of people who may be in the place of business at any one time. Garage sale hosts may also want to consider having hand sanitizer available to visitors. There is added risk associated with payment since garage sales don’t typically accept ‘tap’ transactions. So any resident/host would have to appreciate the risk of exchanging money.”

Clarification of the Provincial Policy Statement re Planning

Following the introduction and welcoming of South Frontenac’s new Senior Planner, Christine Woods, Ms Woods presented a summary of the Province’s new Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) which replaces the 2014

statement, and came into force May 1, 2020.

The PPS establishes the new framework for both county and local official plans. It is “intended to provide for appropriate development while protecting resources of provincial interest, public health and safety, and the quality of the natural and built environment by “giving policy direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development.”

Five major themes emerged: 1) Increasing housing supply and mix by encouraging growth in settlement areas and expanding the definition of housing to include second residential units and tiny homes; 2) Protecting the environment and public safety by: effective storm water management and the use of green infrastructure, continuing to protect natural features such as wetlands and continuing to direct development away from hazardous areas; 3) Reducing barriers and costs by: strengthening cultural heritage policies while allowing for compatible development, encouraging renewable or alternative energy sources, and engaging with Indigenous communities in land use and cultural heritage resources; 4) Supporting rural, northern and Indigenous communities by: permitting locally-appropriate rural residential development, permitting communal servicing where appropriate, considering the agri-food network, and engaging with Indigenous communities; 5) Supporting certainty and economic growth by facilitating long-range conditions for economic investment in appropriate areas.

There was no mention of fast-tracking residential and priority applications, but the Province has committed to support implementation of its policies by providing education, training and guidance materials.

CAO Performance Evaluation

A modified (ie, 2-page) appraisal framework for the CAO’s annual performance evaluation was accepted: the CAO Review Committee (Leonard, Revill and Vandewal) is expected to have its report ready for Council’s approval by early July.

Micro-surfacing and Paving tenders

Council approved the submission from Miller Paving Ltd in the amount of $1,404,748 for Micro-servicing Perth Road and Road 38.

Micro-surfacing is a pavement preservation technique that the Township has utilized for the last 5 years. It is a process applied to existing asphalt roads providing a new wearing surface that protects the asphalt from environmental damage such as water and snow/ice penetration. The theory behind a preservation program is that by investing money in roads while they are in good condition, we save money in the long run and maintain a better overall road network. Micro-surfacing also provides a higher level of skid resistance to older roads where the granular in the asphalt has become polished, improving safety.

This tender was prepared in partnership with the City of Kingston, which will be assuming approximately 60% of the costs, for work on their section of Perth Road and on Taylor-Kidd; South Frontenac will assume the remaining 40%. Sufficient funds were set aside in the 2020 budget.

A further joint tender was issued for pavement to add fully-paved shoulders to Perth Road and correct distorted asphalt on Road 38 at the waste disposal site. The total amount awarded to G Williams Paving was $1,027,113; South Frontenac’s portion will be approximately 42% of this ($387,197).

In both cases as part of the joint procurement agreement, all invoices from the vendor will be submitted to South Frontenac which will then invoice the City of Kingston.

Green Bay Cemetery

At the request of the Green Bay Cemetery Board, Council has agreed to transfer ownership of the Bedford-area cemetery to the Township. The current property owner has agreed to donate the land, and the Township will assume any costs associated with the transfer.