South Frontenac Proceeds With Climate Action Plan - Jan 09/24

Wilma Kenny | Jan 17, 2024

Council met first for a closed meeting, and reopened with the swearing-in of Councilor Leonard as Deputy Mayor. This included his swearing fealty to King Charles the third. (Perhaps it’s time to replace the portraits of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip which hang on the front wall of the Council chamber?)

Climate Change Action Plan Approved

Council had not supported an earlier proposal in November, asking for greater clarification of the usefulness of such a document, citing concerns that the plan might be geared more to a city than a rural perspective. They also questioned the consultant’s cost of over $97,000.

While acknowledging that the Township has undertaken various projects over the years to invest in climate change strategies (the conversion of street lights to LED, lighting retrofits and the solar panel installation at the newest firehall), Fragnito’s current report listed some of the benefits of a formal action plan. It would provide a baseline inventory of current climate change actions and set directions and goals for the future, based on feedback from both the Township (Council and staff) and input from the public. As well, it will provide documented support for related grant applications.

The consultant, Strategy Corp, was by far the less expensive of the two responses to the project RFP, and South Frontenac has in the past found them to be thorough and timely in their work. After further discussion, the consultant’s fee has been lowered to $59,122: the 2023 budget has $25,000 set aside for this project, and the remaining $24,000 can be drawn from the Climate Change reserve.

“This is much better than last time,” commented Mayor Vandewal: “We need to get it set up”. The proposal was approved.

Council Appointments for 2024:

Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Cttee - Eleanor Renaud; Committee of Adjustment - Councillors Pegrum, Morey, Ruttan, and Roberts; Rideau Valley Conservation Authority - deferred until new Councillor appointed; South Frontenac OPP Board - Pegrum and Vandewal, until new Frontenac OPP Detachment Board is created in April

Bedford Councillor Replacement

The office of Councilor for Bedford was declared vacant: staff will bring options for replacement report to the next meeting.

SF Fire & Rescue Compensation

Mayor Vandewal declared a conflict, and turned the Chair over to Deputy Mayor Sleeth. It is recommended by staff that volunteer firefighters’ hourly wage be increased from $16.55/hr (current minimum wage) to $22.35 over the next three years, in annual increments.

The positions of Captain and Platoon Chief will be changed to an hourly rate instead of the current rate plus honorarium. The new rates will be $27.18 and $32.61 respectively, also over the same time span.

New Fire Chief

Mayor Vandewal returned to the chair for the formal appointment of Del Blakney as Director of Emergency Services and Fire Chief.

New Bylaw - re Trailer Regulations

This is a lengthy document replacing the current regulations and licensing of trailers, which had become a much-amended and rambling document over the last ten years. Deputy Mayor Leonard commented that this will represent a more coherent and useful improvement. It passed without further discussion.

Pleasant Valley Municipal Drain

Council appointed the firm of Robinson Consultants as drainage superintendent: the Pleasant Valley drain, the only municipal drain in the Township, and the engineers’ report for the Hartington subdivision has indicated the need of maintenance and improvements required prior to the full build-out of the subdivision. The appointment of a drainage superintendent is a prerequisite for any application to the province for grant subsidies.

Kyle Bolton, Director of Public Services, confirmed that once the drain is brought up to standard it’s unlikely that annual reviews will be necessary.

Purchase and Sale of Lands

A report from the results of recent “Closed Meetings” shows two property transactions: purchase of 2876 Campbell Road (once Sydenham Medical Centre) for $425,000. Vacant land on Colebrook Road was sold for $10,000.