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HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- August 26, 2023

   This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island about the Township of Frontenac Islands council meeting held on Monday July 10, 2023. The public was provided with Zoom access to the regular meeting and two HIRA directors attended or monitored the meeting. Only matters of particular interest to Howe Island residents are highlighted here.

By-Law 23-34:

By-law 2023-34 was passed to appoint members to the Howe Island Recreation Committee. The term of office for members of the committee is to coincide with the term of office of the current Township Council.

The following individuals are appointed to the Howe Island Recreation Committee:

The HIRA board extends thanks to the appointees and would like to express our appreciation for the time and effort the committee members will contribute to improving the quality of life on Howe Island.

By-Law 2023-35:

By-Law 2023-35 received first and second reading at the meeting. The intended purpose of the by-law is to establish a priority boarding policy for the township (east) ferry. Our understanding is that third reading and passage of the by-law is to be deferred pending the result of a four-month trial period.

The proposed by-law would provide priority boarding on the township ferry

 as follows:

on compassionate grounds where he/she deems it to be advisable.

For a more complete treatment of the content of this proposed by-law readers can refer to page 38 of the agenda for the township council meeting of July 10, 2023. The agenda can be accessed using the following link:

https://frontenac.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/238384/?preview=252757

   Howe Island Public Works Report PW-002-23:

Fire Chief Mike Quinn recommended that a letter of thanks be sent to

Wendy Melville for coordinating the Howe Island Yard Sale that was held

on May 27, 2023.

The sale raised $145.00 which has been donated to Howe Island Fire & Rescue. The funds are to be placed in reserve for the purchase of medical equipment in the future.

HIRA extends its thanks to Wendy for all her efforts in support of a successful event.

   Howe Island Public Works Report PW-003-23:

A report that details various projects and activities pursued by Township public works staff during the month of June 2023 was prepared by Fire Chief Mike Quinn and submitted to Township Council.

Highlights include:

made for 2 permanent part-time and 4 casual call-in positions.

A bench and plaque have been installed at the park in memory of David Bull.

To see Fire Chief Quinn’s complete report readers can refer to pages 44-48 of the agenda for the July 10, 2023  council meeting. The agenda can be accessed using the link:

https://frontenac.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/238384/?preview=252757

Regulation of Short-Term Rental Properties:

Mayor Judy Greenwood-Speers indicated, during the Statement from Members portion of the council meeting, that the subject of short-term rental properties (e.g. booked through AirBnB, Vrbo etc) will be discussed at the next regular Council meeting scheduled for Monday September 11, 2023.

END of COUNCIL BUSINESS

OTHER ITEMS

2023 Road Construction Projects on Howe Island:

We understand township staff has started work on the following road improvement and maintenance projects:

It is our understanding, township staff expects the work to be completed no later than mid-October. We hope status updates will be provided at the next regular meeting of township council on September 11, 2023.

Garbage Bag Tags:

It is that time of year again…..garbage bag tags are available. Residents of

Howe Island may pick up tags at the municipal office 50 Base Line Road during normal office hours.

END of BRIEFING NOTE

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please consider joining at $10 per year. Yearly membership dues are due on January 1 of each year. If you have paid, thank you.

If you have not paid, please send or deliver a cheque payable to HIRA to one of our Directors or place a cheque into the HIRA mailbox at the roadside at the Township Office. You can also pay by e-transfer to memberservices@howeisland.org.

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- July 3, 2023

This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island

regarding the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on

Monday June 12, 2023. The public was provided with Zoom access to the

regular meeting.  A number of our HIRA directors monitored the meeting

Only matters of particular interest to Howe Island residents are highlighted here.

Township Council Meeting- June 12, 2023 – Agenda Items pertaining to Howe Island

Please Note – Council meetings now commence at 4 p.m.

If you are interested in reading any of the reports listed in this Briefing Note, please go to Township Website

Township of Frontenac Islands  -> Past Minutes and Agendas-> File Folder 2023->Township of Frontenac Islands Council – 12 June 2023

Frontenac Islands Pre-Application By-law – County Planners – Agenda, Planning, 6a)

The purpose of the report was to present the draft, of the proposed new Pre-Application Consultation By-Law that will apply to anyone looking to submit a planning application. An updated by-law is required to ensure that the Township’s review process complies with the requirements of Provincial Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022. 

This report is very detailed with comprehensive information but is a useful and helpful read for anyone submitting a planning/zoning application.  This was passed by council 5-0.

Budget Presentations 2023 – The reports are on the Agenda under Item 7, Presentations

Items of Interest to Howe Islanders are the following:

Cover Presentation 2023; Budget report- General Administration; Howe Island Budget information including Building, Culture and Recreation, Ferry, Fire, Recycling, Roads and Waste.

Bylaws – Agenda Item 8 -The bylaws listed below for the Corporation of the Township of Frontenac Islands were given 3rd and final reading and passed by 5-0.

2023-23 -Scott Kerr appointed as Treasurer

2023-24 – Lisa Moore-Hughes appointed Deputy Clerk/Administrative Assistant

2023-25 – Troy Gilmore appointed as CAO (Chief Administrative Officer with the dual role of Board of Works Manager

2023-27 – Grant Schwartzentruber, Mike McKean and Margaret Lawson appointed building inspectors

2023-30 – Onetime levy of $500.00 for Howe Island – all properties 

2023-31 – Planning applicants must consult with Township prior to submitting planning applications 

2023-32 – Vanessa Latimer appointed as a part time clerk for Howe Island

Staff Reports – Item 10

Howe Island Road Report by Mike Quinn, Agenda Item 10b

There is a chart on this report that identifies the what, where and timeline for road improvements on the island.

Howe Island Township Ferry -Agenda Item 10c

The Township of Frontenac partnered with Keys Employment Centre to recruit Township Ferry Operators for the 3-car ferry. The application period closed June 9, 2023.   Approvals from Transport Canada were obtained to conduct the necessary training “in house” using a private instructor approved by “Transport Canada”. Keys Employment Centre offered some incentives to qualifying successful applicants. An 8-hour course will be delivered on Howe Island. This will include classroom learning and practical exercises which will also include Marine CPR and First Aid.

Township Ferry hours have been adjusted due to the manpower shortages and will resume to standard hours after the individuals are fully trained.

General Report from Mike Quinn

Township Ferry area has been cleaned up and dock installed.

Trail – regular grass cutting is taking place and the low-lying branches will be trimmed.

Paddy Norris Park – wind nets have been put up on the courts by volunteers; the baseball field has been weeded and the landscaping has been graded; the blocked ditches have been opened.  There will be portable toilettes for 2023; the septic and water for the washroom facilities have been put on hold.

Roads – work with council to secure funding for road work; regular roadside grass cutting and shoulder grading and opening the blocked ditches have taken place. 

Frontenac Howe Islander Ferry Review, Agenda Item 10e

REPORT NO. A-23-15: As per Council request, staff requested prices from two marine engineering consultants regarding the 3GA Marine report on the safe evacuation of the Howe Islander.  Only one firm, E.Y.E. MARINE CONSULTANTS responded with a quote of $2100.00, and their quote included the following:

“This job will include but not necessarily be limited to the following: · Read through the report · Review report recommendations and all relevant Transport Canada regulations · Based on our professional opinion, write a written response to the report.”

Note:  Councillor Ackley volunteered to pay for the $2100.00 for this service.

Howe Island Township Ferry (East) – Priority Boarding Agenda Item 10F

All Howe Islanders should read this staff report as it pertains to upcoming changes regarding priority boarding for emergency services, health care, school buses and other priority boarding possibilities. 

END of BRIEFING NOTE

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please consider joining at a cost of $10 per year. Yearly membership dues are due on January 1st of each year. If you have paid, thank you.

If you have not paid, please send or deliver a cheque payable to HIRA to one of our Directors or place a cheque into the HIRA mailbox at the roadside at the Township Office. You can also pay by e-transfer to memberservices@howeisland.org.

HIRA BRIEFING NOTE- May 20, 2023

This is a brief note to HIRA members and other residents of Howe Island

about the Township of Frontenac Islands regular council meeting held on

Monday May 8, 2023. The public was provided with Zoom access to the

regular meeting.  A number of our HIRA directors monitored the meeting

Only matters of particular interest to Howe Island residents are highlighted here.

Township Council Meeting- May 8, 2023 – Agenda Items pertaining to Howe Island

If you are interested in reading any of the reports listed in this Briefing Note, please go to Township Website

Township of Frontenac Islands  -> Past Minutes and Agendas-> File Folder 2023->Township of Frontenac Islands Council – 8 May 2023

Planning

Summary of Proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statements

These discussions covered a lot of information. Council received these packages in advance so there was no formal presentation, mostly a review, and Q & A.

The staff comments are listed in the package are very helpful to comprehend the new provincial policy changes.  There were 4 main areas;

Agricultural Policies, Settlement area Expansions, Housing and Residential, Natural Heritage

The report is on the Agenda, Planning, 6 b)

Frontenac Islands Proposed Planning Application Fees Changes

The council received these as information.  The mayor requested a separate meeting for further discussion and possibly a public session.  It was suggested the township are not charging enough fees for services to support cost recovery.  This proposal would move toward a user pay system.  Currently, the difference between the fee and the recovery costs are being fulfilled through the tax base.

The reports are on the Agenda, Planning 6 c)

By-laws

Bylaw 2023-19; motion was carried by a 5-0, to repeal By-law 2022-27. All no parking signs will be removed from Lighthouse Lane.

Delegations – Alison Healey from Howe Island

Request for priority boarding on the County Ferry to Howe Island for: Personal Support Health Care Workers, Patient Transport vehicles, and other identifiable emergency, and non-emergency health care personal, providing prescribed and necessary health care to the residents of Howe Island.

This practise currently exists on Wolfe Island.  All councillors and the mayor supported this request for Howe Island, however since the County ferry is operated by Frontenac County; this has to be supported by the County, and would require a change to the Frontenac County by-law.  The Interim CAO and Alison Healy will put together a proposal to present to Frontenac County Council. 

The mayor suggested the practice could be implemented at the Township Ferry (East) since Howe Island Township operate this ferry.  This request was received as information only; no motion was put forward.

Staff Reports

Short Term Rentals

There were differences of opinions from all councillors on how to proceed on Short Term Rentals.  The interim CAO was asked to put together a report identifying how other townships are handling issues with STR’s. 

The sample survey presented by interim CAO for distribution will not be circulated at this time.

The mayor felt a survey would indicate the level of interest in STR issues.  There was disparity between the two Howe Island councillors regarding how much of an issue this is on Howe Island.

The Mayor and Councillor Saunders identified STR’s are a very difficult issue which many townships with waterfront access are confronted with; issues such as inappropriate behaviour, not respecting private property, garbage and recycling, late night noise, etc.

There were discussions on licensing fees, and guidelines versus bylaws

Staff will be requested to acquire more information on how other townships have proceeded with policies.

The report and survey are on the Agenda, Staff Reports, Item 10 – CAO/Clerk a)

Howe Island Ferry Building (East)

The original ferry building plans were scrapped in January 2023 and the entire process was resumed in February 2023.  There was discussion regarding the addition of a public washroom, but this was not approved by council.

A motion was established; and passed to accept the two reports, in addition to the draft RTF.  The township will move forward and publish for tender with the deadline of July 3, 2023. 

The reports are on the Agenda, Staff Reports, Item 10 – Fire and Rescue b)

Statements by Council Members

Mayor – Public Budget Meeting on May 11 on Howe Island; will have to pull from reserves to support 700K deficient in Public Works; the Township needs new sources of revenue.

Councillor Saunders – Still need to push for support by all levels of Government for assistance for the Howe Island Ferry issues.  

END of BRIEFING NOTE

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a member of HIRA, thank you for your support. If you are not a member, please consider joining at $10 per year. Yearly membership dues are due on January 1 of each year. If you have paid, thank you.

If you have not paid, please send or deliver a cheque payable to HIRA to one of our Directors or place a cheque into the HIRA mailbox at the roadside at the Township Office. You can also pay by e-transfer to memberservices@howeisland.org.