South Frontenac Council - March 8, 2022

Wilma Kenny | Mar 16, 2022

The South Frontenac March 8 meeting of Council was followed by a short COW meeting.

Request to Dissolve Ontario Land Tribunal

Councillor Sutherland brought a two-page motion to Council, recommending that the Ont Government be asked to dissolve the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). (The Ontario Municipal Board had been replaced by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), which the current government replaced by the OLT.) Sutherland said his motion was patterned closely on one which was currently being circulated by several Ontario municipalities. Mayor Vandewal said “We have to get our own house in order, first; our Official Plan needs to be completed.” Ruttan noted that the Township did not have authority to approve planning decisions: “The County overrules us.” Sutherland suggested an amendment to the motion: “That the Ontario Government remove all planning decisions from the OLT immediately.”

The amended motion passed.

Storrington Centre Upgrade

Mayor Vandewal noted that the scope of this project has changed, and asked why this information had not come to Council: Councillor Roberts said that because of the popularity of the building, an extra 2,000 square feet had been added: he has seen the drawings and the recreation committee is aware of this. Acting CAO Fragnito said that the Facilities Manager will be bringing Council the full specs.

Sydenham Water Treatment Plant’s Annual Review

Heather Roberts was present online to answer questions about this report, which is posted on the SF Township’s website. Sutherland asked how many households were still not connected, and were there concerns about blue-green algae in Sydenham Lake? Roberts did not have answers, but said that the algae was ‘not uncommon’ in lakes like this with high housing and recreation rates; she would find and provide specific information about Sydenham Lake. CAO Fragnito said staff could bring the non-connection numbers to Council. A reference to the report will be circulated with the next set of water bills.

Family Doctor Crisis Looming

Councillor John McDougall reported from a meeting he had attended with the area Doctors and Mayors, which was chaired by Dr Dietrich of Sydenham Medical Clinic. They have a family doctor crisis the County and the City of Kingston: Currently there are 7 doctors working in the Sydenham, Verona and Sharbot Lake clinics: 2 more are needed immediately, and three will be retiring in the next 3-5 years. Sharbot Lake serves 3,000 patients; Verona 2600, and Sydenham 4,000. Central and North Frontenac receive some rural financial incentives for medical services, which South Frontenac is not eligible for.

Speaking from his experience in helping get Verona Medical Clinic established, McDougall said; “It is almost impossible to get a physician in rural areas.” He proposed that the Frontenacs set up a recruitment booth at the upcoming Society of Rural Physicians annual meeting in Ottawa in April. Sharbot Lake has agreed to staff the booth, which will cost $2800. It was proposed that South Frontenac commit $1,000 to this cost. (Mayor Vandewal said the fourth Township might not be participating, for they were unsure whether they would benefit.) Sleeth said he supported this 100%. The motion carried.

Floating Accommodations on Public Waterways

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MDMNRF) has sent out a request for input about the use of floating accommodations on provincial waterways and lakes. Sleeth and Ruttan agreed that this has the potential to become a serious problem. They agreed that the lake associations should be kept informed. Director of Public Services Claire Dodds said her department is aware of this issue.

Conduct of Meetings Post-State of Emergency

Council moved into Committee of the Whole to discuss the best way to conduct meetings now the state of emergency has been lifted. There was consensus that South Frontenac will not open Council Chambers to the public for now, but will reevaluate this in June. Due to the increased accessibility provided by having the meetings available online, some form of this will probably be continued. Also, staff will be looking into ways of better accommodating larger public gatherings when needed for some future meetings.

In Camera

Council moved into Camera to discuss property acquisitions and new appointees to the Historical Committee.