Frontenac Islands council meetings never dull

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Margaret Knott

EMC news- Frontenac Islands council meetings are never dull, and the January meeting was no exception.

Among many items of interest, Mayor Denis Doyle's updated council on a meeting he and Howe Island Councillor Pat Norris had with the Minister of Transportation Bob Chiarelli and Attorney General MPP John Gerretsen, regarding island ferry services: i. e. the MTO recommended WI (75 car) ferry and a rebuild of the County's Howe Island Ferry. ( "Re-Drive Project).

" Instead, we heard that the Province is in dire straits financially, and will cut expenditures and budgets," Mayor Doyle said. " The Minister suggested that if the Township wanted to proceed with a new ferry that the matter be dealt though our Official Plan, and with our planner, to determine what we can do locally to raise the money for a ferry ourselves . Improvements for Wolfe Island are in the future unless we chose to keep the pressure on. We will stay current and we will be in touch with our planner," Councillor Norris added that in his view, "Minister Chiraelli was reinforcing what Mike Harris said pre-amalgamation, basically there was no more free ride. Its status quo, but anything beyond that, you pay."

Regarding the Howe ferry refit, Doyle said the Minister was not happy that the MTO plan had progressed so far without public input. "The County will be in touch with MTO, but we will let them know our concerns, the risk being that the service could get worse instead of better. The plan is ferry dust to me," he said. Councillor Norris added that "MTO wants to spend $500,000 on a battery pack. There are no costs savings to the plan, no consideration for heat under the deck."

PRESENTATIONS TO COUNCIL:

*Anne Prichard, Exec. Dir. of Frontenac CFDC was on hand to update Council on the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP changes to the program, and opportunities available for funding, noting that the township can apply. "It's all about sustainable long term job creation, innovation and collaboration, with time lines to March 31st 2014." The first round will be February 6, 2012 for projects with a start date of April 1st. EODP information is available at the township offices and at, www.frontenaccfdc.com (Non profits, municipal groups, corporations, economic development groups, commercial enterprises etc. may apply)

* Cataraqui Source Protection Committee members Karla Maki-Esdon and (WI resident) Rick Lindgren came to update council on the Draft Source Protection Plan and the approach for Frontenac Islands, including times lines for 2012. The plan highlights the protection of drinking water, an initiative under the Ontario Clean water Act. Lindgren advised that it is important for council to examine the draft policies for Kingston as well for Frontenac Islands, and to inform the committee "if the Kingston policies do not go far enough to protect your municipality from combined sewer overflows." It was noted that some policies are mandatory for some municipalities. Most of the policies for Frontenac Islands at this time are categorized as strategic action policies. There will be a Public Comment period, and Public Meetings will be held in March. For information: www.cleanwatercataraqui.ca

* After nine years of service Linda Thomas, president of the Wolfe Island Business and Tourism Association (WIBTA), announced that she was stepping down as a member of the board of directors. Citing fatigue and certain frustrations, Thomas made the announcement following her presentation of WIBTA's 2011 year end review of activities (WI Road Race, Photo Contest, Food to Table Dinner, etc), a budget for 2012, and a ($4500.) funding request for certain fixed coasts. "We expect further costs will be covered by the Classic Road Race although its numbers are down" she said. Speaking for the board of directors Thomas asked that the Township to take over responsibility for the Porta-potties on Victoria St and the operation of Tourist Information Centre "I have worked hard for WITA because I value the village but fewer businesses are involved. It is time to ask where do we go from here," she concluded citing a Business Improvement Area (BIA) model under the Township as a structure for organizations that promote local business and tourism. "The more we able offer locally, the more people will stay around and use the boat far less."

Mayor Doyle thanked Linda for her service to the community and took her report under advisement. At the same time he indicated the township will support ($500) a new regional promotion initiative by KEDCO with Cape Vincent and Wolfe Island.

In other business: 1.The Wolfe Island Community Medical Clinic was be rezoned from Residential to Community Facility. 2. December Council minutes amended to also include OPP Constable K. Lamacraft's suggestion for rubber traffic calming humps, further that Council did not support the LOON group regarding the Windstream Wolfe Island Shoals Project. 3. The Procedural By-Law as requested by Councillor Norris will be amended to include that a council representative from each district make up the quorum for a meeting unless agreed upon by the council. 4. Accumulated surpluses or deficits in any area rated department will be transferred to area rated reserves, and the $50,000 for Howe Island roads/ferry from Frontenac County be put in a reserve for Howe Island Transportation. 5. No decision yet on council committee representatives.

There were questions about payment vouchers, trucks and truck safety, culverts and roads, as well as recreation costs, separate budgets, policing estimates etc., etc. all to come up in budget deliberations. (The first meeting was held January 18th ).

*One issue came up at the end of the meeting. Mayor Doyle said that a land owner is creating roads up at the eastern end of the village, "too narrow, not ditched, culverts too small, poor drainage, etc. And now a Quonset type building is going up. Was there a permit? We should have addressed this before," he said. "Is that what's causing flooding on some of the streets? A letter will be sent to the developer outlining minimum township road standards. Council meets NEXT on Howe Island, Mon, Feb. 13, 2012 at 6,30 pm.

Around Town: Please take note that a CFB Kingston (10 person) military team will set up at the Big Sandy Bay parking lot Feb. 7th through 8th to conduct a simulation program.