South Frontenac Township Council March 27/23

Wilma Kenny | Mar 15, 2023

Frontenac County Updating its Strategic Plan

Jason Kipfler, consultant from Explorer Solutions, came to Council on behalf of Frontenac County to discuss the development of a new four-year County Strategic Plan. He asked Councillors what they thought the County should be focussing on, the most important services provided by the County to to the Township, and how the County could better help and collaborate with the Township.

Mayor Vandewal, himself the County Warden, said he didn’t think the average resident knew the difference between the Township and the County: “We (ie, South Frontenac) pretty well do everything for ourselves.”

In relation to the County’s economic development services, Deputy Mayor Sleeth said, “It’s hard to see the County as being of any economic benefit to the Township: their focus has been largely on the Trail, which has not been of any particular benefit to South Frontenac.” Councillor Morey said we could use some help with improving cell service.

Vandewal said one place the County had been helpful was in bringing a total lane study to the Province’s attention, resulting in the Province modifying some of its rules in regard to rural development. “Now, they may be helpful in the development of Communal services.” Morey agreed: “Communal services can lead to improving housing density.” Ruttan suggested the paramedic services could be improved by providing 4-wheel drive ambulances.

CAO Fragnito said that the County might be able to obtain more provincial support for affordable housing. Vandewal noted that the County played a valuable role at AMO, by acting as liaison between the townships and the province.

When Kipfler asked whether the County ‘had its finger on the pulse of the Township’, Morey was quick to say the County did not engage directly with local ratepayers, and Vandewal added: “I can’t think what a resident would phone the County for; the County isn’t even involved in the current rural transportation study.” He concluded, “We don’t want the County to be adding a whole bunch of services to its mandate.”

Throughout, there was no reference to the County’s support of the rural portion of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library system.

Recreation Service Fee and Facility Allocation

An RFP was issued for an external consulting service to conduct a comprehensive review of all Township recreation service fees, facility rental fees, allocation policies, and related procedures. The review will include options for a bylaw that will ensure the booking process and fee structure is efficient, fair, sustainable, and transparent across all recreation services and facilities that are managed by the Township. This will review and provide recommendations on partnerships and agreements with user groups, review current service levels for recreation and sport amenities and provide recommendations on maintenance plans and standards. It will also provide recommendation and sample facility rental contracts for community groups and not-for-profit organizations.

Tim Laprade, Manager of Recreation and Facilities recommended Council approve awarding the contract to Sierra Planning and Management in the amount of $49,720. This will represent a budget increase of 24,720, to be taken from the Development Charges Reserve, and reflects a broader scope of work than originally estimated, including comparisons with other townships. In response to Councillor Pegrum’s query about whether this work could be done by current staff, Kyle Bolton, Director of Public Services, said “We have only two staff members for all recreation and events work…” Mayor Vandewal added that the cost is coming out of the development charges fund, which is intended for this general purpose. It was approved.

Township Office Expansion Feasibility Study

Council reviewed the preliminary concept drawings for expansion of office and related spaces at the current Town hall, and gave their approval for Colbourne & Kembel, Architects, Inc. to move forward with the creation of construction drawings.

The recommended option, that the existing offices be expanded in the back of the building on both levels, is anticipated to provide staffing capacity for the next 20 years. It is described as not only the most economical but also the most seamless expansion. A staff parking lot will be created between the back of the library and the boat launch, and additional parking will be formalized along Wheatley Street. The cost estimate is $2,548,860 which includes both design and construction.

Staff Promotion

Michelle Hannah was appointed Deputy Clerk and Deputy Division Registrar.