South Frontenac Council Sept 21

Wilma Kenny | Sep 29, 2021

Frontenac Transportation Services

Nicky Gowdy, of Frontenac Transportation Services, based in Sharbot Lake, made an information presentation. Their mandate is centred on the principle that transportation is essential for anyone living in a rural community. Although they serve seniors, they also recognize that many other rural residents lack adequate (or, in the case of physically challenged individuals, appropriate) transportation to access not only medical care, but also groceries, community events, child care, etc. Gowdy noted that the provincial and federal governments have narrow definitions of public transportation which have severely limited the ability of rural municipalities to obtain funding to ensure all residents are able to fully participate in society. “We understand that this is changing. We are optimistically hopeful that Frontenac County can benefit.”

Currently, many clients have to pay for their own rides: 15% of FTS’s funding comes from Frontenac County; the rest is user-pay. A ride from Sharbot Lake to Kingston is approximately $90.; from Plevna to Sharbot Lake approximately $72 and from Verona to Kingston approximately $50.

Gowdy summarized: “Frontenac Transportation Service has a vision of a seamless transportation system to all residents of Frontenac County.”

Councillor Ruttan asked whether there was any possibility of developing a public transit route. Gowdy said there have been some discussions: if a central public transit route could be established, their agency could augment it, by transporting people to meet the route. Councillor Revill asked what rides they had provided in South Frontenac: Gowdy said that Frontenac Transportation had provided 1500 rides in SF last year; 25% of which were for seniors.

Quinte Conservation Authority

Brad McNevin, CAO of Quinte Conservation, reported on the QCA’s intent to establish a capital reserve account for water and erosion control projects, which would be levied over 10 years, beginning in 2022. In order to ascertain the 10-year costs for a given municipality, each dam and their scope of work was broken down by benefitting municipalities; if a structure exists to reduce the threat and impact of flooding, each municipality downstream of that structure would be considered a benefitting municipality and they would be required to contribute to the maintenance of that dam. South Frontenac’s total contribution is calculated to be $507,710. McNevin described this as a “worst case scenario”, based on current estimate of costs, and without accounting for probable provincial assistance with water/erosion control projects.

Public Meeting

A public meeting was held to receive comments from the public on an application from Don Allan to rezone a 76-acre property from Rural (RU) to Limited Service Residential – Waterfront (RLSW). This is a first step toward further development of the property, located just east of Verona. The land’s access is the intersection of Hinchinbrooke Road and Silver Rock Lane, it has frontage on Little Mud Lake and Hardwood Creek, and consists of forest and wetlands crossed by several private lanes which provide access to multiple waterfront properties. There were no comments from the public; staff will now proceed with planning for development of the property, and bring a detailed report with recommendations to a future Council meeting.

Gravel Roads

Council approved the expenditure of up to $150,000 from the Township’s Municipal Modernization Funding for the completion of the Gravel Roads Needs Study in 2022, after removing “Tax base” from terms of reference, and adding consideration of seasonal vs year-round usage. Mayor Vandewal closed off further suggestions with “This is just a starting point, let’s keep it general for now, there will be time later for specifics.”

Community Grants: Intake 2

Three grants, to Battersea United Church, Perth Road Sunday school Hall, and Storrington Lions, totaling $10,000 were approved: the remaining AN estimated balance of balance of $18,838 would be carried forward to 2022 and added to the funds available for the program next year. An estimated balance of balance of $18,838 will be carried forward to 2022 and added to the funds available for the program next year.

Covid-19 Community Grants

A balance of unspent funds from the Community Grant and Program Funding Streams, estimated at $100,000, will be returned to the Township’s Working Reserve.

Battersea Docks

Councilor Sleeth asked about the Battersea public docks: “The season is almost closed, and there are still no docks.” Mayor Vandewal replied that they were still being built, and “are probably not a high priority (for this year).”