South Frontenac Township COW, November 10.

Wilma Kenny | Nov 18, 2020

(audio broadcast on Township’s Facebook page)

This meeting began at 5:00, (preceded by sandwiches) in order to leave time at 7:00 for a staff training session conducted by the Township’s Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner.

Pending Transfer of Part 8 Building Code Inspection Services

The session opened with a public meeting to obtain public input on an update to the Building By-law. This update includes new fees associated with the pending transfer of of Part 8 Building Code Inspection services from KFL&A Public Health to South Frontenac Township. Part 8 refers to the review, approval and inspection of on-site sewage systems under the Ontario Building Code. The new fees are the same or less than the current KFLAPH fee schedule. This transfer of inspection services to the Township is expected to have been completed by November 18/20, following the Nov 17 Council meeting.

There were no comments or questions from the public either before or during the virtual public meeting.

Joint Service Delivery Review

Background: In late 2019, the Township received a Provincial grant in the amount of $150,000 for the development of a regional service delivery review (SDR) in partnership with the other Frontenac municipalities. Each participating municipality contributed approximately $11,000 towards the total project cost of $201,043. The primary focus of this SDR was to understand, identify, and evaluate opportunities to achieve more efficient and effective regional service delivery models across the Frontenac municipalities without compromising taxpayer services.

Not all aspects of the municipalities’ administration and operations were included in the delivery review: social and health services, such as Paramedic Services, Libraries and Long-Term Care were excepted, as was any consideration of Municipal amalgamation.

Overall, Council’s reactions were cautious.

CAO Carbone noted that the Townships’ CAOs will be continuing discussion of the report findings, and more information will be coming back to the Townships.

Councillor Sleeth asked Public Works Director Segsworth what joint services were currently being delivered; Segsworth said traffic counts on Road 38 and Perth Road and were currently being done, and there have been discussions about the possible advantages of joint tendering for salt and calcium, but it was necessary to balance the opportunities with the need for service delivery efficiency. Sleeth directed a similar question to Fire Chief Darcy Knott, who reported that although there was no formal plan, the fact that Central Frontenac was currently without a full-time fire chief added impetus to the possibility of starting talks between the two Townships.

Deputy Mayor Sutherland said he felt “sort of disappointed that a report we paid $200,000 or whatever for, is bringing recommendations we’re already looking at, or which did not make much sense.” He said that for large parts of South Frontenac it made more sense to look toward cooperation with the city of Kingston, for example waste management, possibly public transit, but the report did not address this avenue.

Mayor Vandewal agreed: he pointed out that waste recycling is already being done in cooperation with Kingston: “It was a huge miss, not to include talking with the city.” He also advised caution in moving too quickly into sharing services: “We don’t want to solve others’ problems at the cost of creating more problems for ourselves."

Morey said “I’m not 100% convinced that (these projected) cost savings are accurate; we need to be slow and careful in moving forward.”

Revill said that although there were challenges in the other three Townships related to building services, he didn’t feel it made sense to consider amalgamating them county-wide. Instead, he suggested that perhaps some form of ‘mutual aid’ arrangement could be worked out, to help cover in times of heavy demand.

Mayor Vandewal also doubted the wisdom of hiring a separate person to apply for grant money; “Once you hire out for these kinds of services, the savings are gone.”

2020 Budget Direction

Louise Fragnito, Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer, reported on the current 2021 budget priorities and asked for Council’s direction on the target average property owner tax rate, budgetary priorities, approaches to capital and operating budgets, and funding.

Noting that the Township’s primary source of revenue is taxation, Fragnito recommended this year’s budget process should include a review of fees, in order to optimize cost recovery opportunities or move to user pay systems in some areas of service.

She listed four major priorities: the Official Plan; Seniors Affordable Housing Development and associated plans; Construction of a new fire hall and a Municipal Servicing study.

In relation to Capital Budgeting, staff recommends an emphasis be placed on the completion and closing of previously approved projects and on new projects or phases of projects that can be completed within 2021 based on staff and other resource capacity. An emphasis would also be placed on providing a clear capital forecast.

Review of the operating budget would include assessing and summarizing the impacts of recent and anticipated cost increases including winter control, garbage and recycling contracts and insurance. Through this process, service demands will be reviewed and opportunities for transitioning to in-house services will also be presented.

CAO Carbone said that cost recovery for waste collection might be possible.

In relation to the proposed 2% tax increase, Sleeth said, “We’re in new times now; perhaps we need show we do care, and use some of our reserves to help ease the burden on those with less or no income. We have done well with extending (payment) deadlines, but I’d like a discussion of the need to spend money in order to move ahead.” Morey agreed.

Sutherland said he thought three priorities were missing: A) in agreement with the previous two speakers, a boost in targeted social service spending, “I’m not sure just how.” B) a serious approach to climate change; “We need a plan, and to start now to put things into place.”C) Community organizations are eager to “do good stuff’ such as organize festivals, events, once it becomes possible to come out of isolation; perhaps we need to consider some sort of community recovery fund to assist this process. “It’’s a big community issue that needs discussion, but the budget process may not be the right place for it.”

Revill said, “It would be nice to maintain a 2% tax increase, but 2.2% might be required to incorporate some necessities,” agreeing with Sleeth, he said; “I look forward to our discussions - it’s important not to have too hard a year for our ratepayers.”

Ruttan supported Sleeth’s proposal, as long as it addresses targeted needs. “And we must have an environmental plan as a priority.”

Mayor Vandewal said he was not opposed to drawing from reserves, particularly for the Recreation Master Plan. “We have been very fair to South Frontenac, and we’re not hurting like some areas: it’s good to stay on an even keel, so people know what they can expect.”

Leonard agreed with “giving back to the community where we can.”

A Long Day

Council adjourned to go into camera, and reassumed at 7:00 for an education and training session on the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the Township’s Code of Conduct, presented by John Mascarin, the Township’s appointed Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner.

Your reporter slipped out the back door, accompanied by envious glances.