South Frontenac Council - “A Very Solid Financial Position”

Wilma Kenny | Sep 02, 2020

Accountant Howard Allan, of Allan and Partners, came as close to effusive as an accountant is ever likely to, in his summary of South Frontenac Township’s audit findings for 2019. The Township finished 2019 with a $3.4 million surplus, net financial assets of almost $17 million, close to $109 million equity, and reserves of around $20 million. Tax arrears have gone down steadily: “excellent, especially for Eastern Ontario; over all,’ said Allan, “I think you have to be very pleased with the financial management of the Township.”

Mayor Vandewal offered strong congratulations to Treasurer Louise Fragnito and her department for their work, and to Council for their direction and support. He also thanked Deputy Mayor Sutherland for his recommendations concerning better financial investments.

Public Meeting re Buffy Lake Level

Herman and Jackie Van Houten of Buffy Lake, Meredith subdivision, spoke to their concerns about the low lake level, which they attribute to the incorrect level of the culvert under Meredith Lane, (a privately owned road.)

CAO Carbone said that the culvert was reset in 2019 by the Township, with Quinte Conservation Authority’s approval; and the culvert is at the height stipulated by Quinte. Carbone also noted that this has been a very dry summer, resulting in low water levels. Mayor Vandewal agreed; “we won’t go over Quinte’s head.”

Johnson’s Point

Deputy Mayor Sutherland served a notice of motion that Council be provided an unredacted version of the benefit permit for species at risk on Johnson’s Point available to be reviewed in camera before the vote is taken on the Johnson’s Point Condominium Agreement.

“There’s no more unhappy person than I am over this ongoing fiasco,” said Councillor Sleeth; “I have full confidence in (our staff’s) ability to draft an appropriate agreement.” Mayor Vandewal confirmed that both the Director of Development and the Township lawyer have seen the full documents, but Sutherland, in his notice of motion, said reliance on ‘“staff reassurances that everything is ok (is) an abdication of our responsibility and accountability.”

The motion was defeated in a tie vote; Councillors Morey, Revill and Ruttan supported Sutherland.

Fire Report Supplies Numbers

Although Council supported recommended changes in the Fire Department’s Equipment plan, Mayor Vandewal had asked for more financial information.

Accordingly, Director Darcy Knott presented a detailed report showing that changes to the SFFR Fleet management plan will result in average annual savings of approximately $70,000 per year and $2 million in total over the 25-year life of the plan. These changes include the sale of three large end-of-service units, and acquisition of five smaller rapid response units and one mechanical unit. (All subject to approval as part of the 2021 Capital Budget process and anticipated to be phased in over 2021 and 2022.)

Extension of Recreation Committee Appointments

When the current Township-wide recreation committees were set up, it was with the understanding that it was for a one-year trial period, to be assessed Sept 2020. Both Councillors Sleeth and Roberts had been strongly resistant to the amalgamation of Storrington’s recreation committee with the rest of the Township, but had agreed to the one-year trial. However, COVID 19 has meant that almost, if not all, township recreation programs have been shut down since March, and CAO Carbone said that the committee had had to interrupt its process of drawing up a recreation master plan for the township. Carbone said an extension of the committee appointments could permit this work to proceed.

After discussion, Council agreed to extend the term of those members of the public and council who were appointed to the Community Programming and Events Committee and the Recreation and Leisure Facilities Committee the end of this council’s term (Nov 2022), with an interim review in September ’21.

Certificate of Merit

Mayor Vandewal made a formal presentation of the AMO Certificate of Merit to Public Works Director Segsworth in recognition of the innovative Private Lanes Upgrade program, an idea which had been introduced by Councillor Del Stowe, and developed by Segsworth and his department.

Garbage and Recycling Contracts Finalized in the Nick of Time

Council approved a contract extension with Percy Snider Sanitation for Garbage and Recycling Collection at a rate of $62.50/household to collect garbage and $62.50/household to collect recyclables for a three-year term effective September 1, 2020, with a one-year renewal option.

In July, Council had agreed to approve the extension of contracts with the Township’s current contractors for garbage and recycling collection at the above rate. However, following that approval, staff and one of the contractors were unable to agree to terms as outlined by council in the motion. As a result, alternative service delivery options had to be set up on very short notice. The other contractor, Snider, agreed to service the additional collection areas, so instead of simply assigning the previous contractor’s collection areas to him, the township will undertake garbage collection in the most populated parts of Storrington District and shift some of the Portland District garbage collection from township staff to Snider, who will continue to collect all recycling.

This shorter-term contract gives the Township time to properly consider in-house alternatives and allows for better information about the future of recycling with the anticipated transition to full producer responsibility.

The new system went into action this last Monday: all details and maps were included in the recent tax mail-out, along with the year’s supply of bag tags. While things will stay the same for many, some changes of day and side-of-road may take getting used to. And if your garbage and recycling’s not out promptly by 7 am, there’s a possibility you’ll have to store it for another week … it’s your property and responsibility until the truck swallows it!