Body: Council
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Public Ward Changes
Date: August 14, 2021
Collection: Council Minutes
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Council Minutes/2021/August 14, 2021 - Public Council Minutes - Ward Changes.pdf)
Document Text
Public Meeting of Council Minutes (Electronic) re: Ward Changes and Council Composition August 14, 2021 MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF COUNCIL August 14, 2021 A Public Meeting of the Council of the North Frontenac was held in the North Frontenac Township Office, Council Chambers, 6648 Road 506, Plevna, Ontario with the public participating electronically. Present: Mayor Ron Higgins; Councillor Wayne Good – Ward 1; Deputy Mayor Gerry Martin – Ward 2; Councillor John Inglis and Councillor Fred Fowler – Ward 3 Absent with Regrets: Councillor Fred Perry – Ward 1 and Councillor Vernon Hermer – Ward 2 Also Present: Cheryl Robson, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO); Tara Mieske, Clerk/ Planning Manager (CPM); and Kelly Watkins, Treasurer 1. Call to Order and Purpose of Meeting The Mayor called the Meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. 2. Chair’s Opening Remarks Attached. 3. Approval of Agenda a) Public Meeting - August 14, 2021 Resolution #: 347-21 Moved By: Seconded By: Councillor Good Councillor Inglis Be It Resolved That Council approves the Agenda for the Public Meeting of Council regarding the Re-division of Wards and Changes to Council Composition dated August 14, 2021, as circulated. Carried 4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None noted. Note: Councillor Hermer arrived at this time. Public Meeting of Council Minutes (Electronic) re: Ward Changes and Council Composition August 14, 2021 5. Business Arising from the Minutes a) Re-Division of Wards and Changes to Council Composition 6. Public Input Ed Roahr advised he has been a resident of Ward 2 for ten plus years. He noted the proposal to reduce the Township to two Wards with four Councillors and a Mayor looks good with respect to population. But when taking a closer look, each of the existing Wards has unique priorities and problems. Ward 2 has the majority of North Frontenac’s cottagers. He noted Councillors have specific duties and a lot of work (i.e. liaison appointments and Committees). If there are only two Wards then the five individuals would have an increased workload. Currently there is one member who is away due to illness. His workload is being covered by others or it would get left derelict. If Council was smaller this would be a bigger issue. Also, the balance of power could be left in the hands of one person especially if there was a 2:2 split and the Mayor was the deciding vote. This may lead to the Mayor’s Ward having priority. He noted he doesn’t think the job pays or could pay enough for a full-time positon and there has to be adequate time for assigned tasks and duties. He felt it should be kept as three Wards and the current number on Council the same. The Mayor advised he doesn’t not have power, as the Mayor normally doesn’t vote unless a tie. The Mayor stated he votes for what is best for the Township not what is best for himself as the Mayor. Ed Roarh advised he was not speaking of the Mayor personally but potentially in the future. Don Bradley advised he is a resident of Ward 3. He used to be a resident of Carp and when Ottawa amalgamated years ago there were supposed to be cost savings and it was supposed to be better. However it became urban versus rural; and the rural area was left out and not considered. He noted you can’t go by population. You need to look at the needs to be fair. He advised if it isn’t broke don’t fix it and things seem to be working well right now. He noted he doesn’t believe there will be cost savings as amalgamation doesn’t save. Elaine Palmer advised she has been in North Frontenac for 44 years. She noted there was an issue accessing the Agenda. She advised there are seven people making decisions for a large area. We need broader view points. It is working well and should stay as is. The Mayor advised the Clerk will have the link to the Agenda fixed. Barbara Young advised she lives on Norcan Lake and has been involved with the Township for 10 years. She advised she has lobbied different Councillors not just the ones in her Ward. She said there is more opportunity for diversity if the number of Councillors stays as is. She noted it would be a lot more work if there were less Public Meeting of Council Minutes (Electronic) re: Ward Changes and Council Composition August 14, 2021 Councillors. She advised Councillors work hard due to the large geographical area. She would like to see it remain the same. Mitch Livingston advised he has been a resident of Buckshot Lake for 35 years. He wanted to thank Council and the Township for doing a wonderful job over the past 35 years. He advised there has been Ward and population growth. Also it requires unique representation and he would like to see it remain unique. It is a large territory which is better with more representatives to ensure resident’s voices are heard. If the number is reduced it would hurt the Township overall as well as the residents. He agrees with Don Bradley there won’t be any cost savings. He has also experienced amalgamation and it does not work. He is against the proposal. The Mayor thanked Mr. Livingston for his positive comments about Council and the Township. 7. Council Input Councillor Fowler noted based on feedback the way we are working is good. The people think amalgamation does not work. If Council is diligent and we do our jobs that is what the people want. Councillor Hermer asked if the public comments, including negative input, would be available. The Clerk advised all comments will be included in the Public Minutes. Councillor Inglis advised he was surprised by the comments today that things are working well. The Mayor advised he is hearing if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Ed Roahr advised in 20 years he has been here Council has been wonderful. If you compare North Frontenac Council to a big city, North Frontenac wins every time. The Mayor thanked everyone for their comments. Resolution #: 348-21 Moved By: Seconded By: Councillor Inglis Councillor Fowler Whereas at their meeting on July 16, 2021 Council passed Resolution #325-21 receiving for information the Clerk/Planning Manager’s Administrative Report entitled “Public Meeting – Re-division of Wards and Changes to Council Composition”; and that Council is considering changing from three Wards to two Wards, with Ward 1 as a Ward and Wards 2 & 3 as a Ward; and Council is considering reducing the number of Council Members from 7 to 5; Therefore Be It Resolved That Council receives the comments from the public for consideration. Carried
