South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Sep 03, 2014

Rutledge Road Project

According to Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth, the Rutledge Road reconstruction through Sydenham is proceeding on schedule.

Gail Dickenson is co-proprietor with her husband Gary of Hillside Coffee Company, the only street front business on a road that has been reduced to rocks, dirt and dust by the project. Ms Dickenson came as a delegation to Council to ask for some compensation for loss of business this summer, due to the roadwork past their small restaurant/coffee shop, “to help us get through the winter.” She said that most commuters now choose to leave the village via Stagecoach Road, greatly reducing passing trade. Ice cream sales have dropped 70%, “because families won’t come sit out front to eat their ice cream in a dustbowl”, and now that school has begun, neither students nor teachers are likely to be coming up the road for lunch.

Dickenson presented records showing that revenues had dropped by $8,000 over July and August, and they expect to lose much of the $4,000 or $5,000 they usually make in September. Normally, these are their three strongest business months.They have had to cut back staff shifts, causing hardship to employees, as well.

Mayor Davison said this issue will have to be discussed in camera, so Council could not offer a quick answer.

Lottery Licensing

The Municipal Council is delegated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) as the licensing authority for small lottery-related events such as Bingos, 50/50 draws, raffles with prizes under $50,000, and Bazaar gaming events. Presently, the township charges 1.5% of the prizes, to cover administration costs. The Corporate Services Committee has recommended that this be raised to 3%. After some discussion, Council voted to hold the charge at 1.5%, except in the case of out-of-township lotteries, which will now be charged 3%.

Charging of Services related to Motor Vehicle Accidents

Insurance companies will be billed quarterly for all motor vehicle insurable accidents in the township requiring services from fire or public works. Billing amounts will be based on the incurred costs.

Development Charges Increase

Council agreed with Planner Mills’ recommendation that the new development charge increase be phased in over a five-year period. By January 1,1918, the development charge for an average residential permit will have risen from the current $4,551 to $6,758.

Request to Open a Portion of Goodrich St, Bellrock

Kurt Dehnert has asked Council to consider opening a portion of road allowance in Bellrock (the easternmost portion of Goodrich St), to allow access to a large waterfront lot within the original village plan, ‘for possible future development”. Council has asked for further information before making a decision.

Accessible Parking

Council has agreed to designate an accessible parking space directly in front of the township hall.

LED Street Light Conversion

Council agreed with staff’s recommendation to engage RealTerm Energy Corporation to replace all high pressure sodium street lamps in the Township (estimated by Hydro to be 448 lamps) with LED lights. Although the initial cost will be approximately $260,000, the average annual energy and maintenance cost per fixture is projected to be reduced from $177 to $50. Thus, the cost of conversion should be covered in the first 4.4 years of operation.

County’s Official Plan: Draft Three

Township Planner Lindsay Mills spoke briefly but strongly about the current draft of the County’s Official Plan. In Mills’ opinion it is still much too detailed for a high level document; “a power grab.” Mayor Davison concurred, saying, “They (the County staff who prepared the draft plan, and the Provincial government which has directed much of it) have no understanding of the rural situation.”

“This document has huge implications,” said Davison, reminding Council that there is to be a public meeting about the proposed plan on Monday September 22, in the Verona Lions’ Hall.

Next Meeting

Because of Council’s ‘lame duck’ status from now until the elections, their next meeting will be Monday October 7.