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 Tuesday November 12, 2024. Only items of particular interest to residents of Howe Island are highlighted here.
Staff Reports
Finance Report No. FN-012-24: 2025 Howe Island Ferry Fees:
The report was received for information and By-law #041-2024 to establish a fees and fares schedule for the Howe Island ferry operation for 2025 was passed. Fees for 2025 will remain the same as those for 2024 except for the following:
2024 2025
Two-way trip for single vehicle $ 8.00 $ 10.00
Friends & family pass (10 trips for single vehicle) $ 60.00 $ 75.00
Two-way trip, single vehicle with trailer in tow $ 17.00 $ 20.00
Additional charge for annual pass holder
With trailer in tow $ 8.00 $ 10.00
Two-way trip for heavy vehicle $ 17.00 $ 20.00
Finance Report FN-013-24, Q3 Year-to-Date Financial Report:
Jesse Collins, Township Treasurer tabled a financial report to update Council on the Township’s operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the financial position of the Township at September 30, 2024.
The report indicated that revenue realized and expenses incurred over the nine-month period align closely with amounts that were set out in the 2024 budget. It is his opinion that the Township is in a strong financial position heading into the last quarter of the year. Overall, the Township enjoys a surplus of $ 257,014 over budget at September 30, 2024.
Administration Report No. Ad-016-24, Holiday Office Hours
Township Office Hours over the Holiday Season were announced as follows:
Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve half-day close @ noon
Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day closed
Thursday, December 26 – Boxing Day closed
Friday, December 27 closed
Monday, December 30 open
Tuesday, December 31 – New Years Eve half-day close @ noon
Wednesday, January 1 – New Years Day closed
Thursday, January 2 open
Action Required Items
Resolution 188-24, Procedures By-law Motion (Deputy Mayor Saunders);
The procedural by-law 2019-02 that prescribes council meeting times and locations no longer reflects current practice. Council has directed staff to review By-law 2019-02 and bring recommended changes to Council for discussion and approval.
Resolution 189-24, Long term funding to support critical infrastructure:
Council moved to support a resolution made by the municipality of Aurora, Ontario which calls on the federal and provincial governments to redistribute a portion of the Ontario Land Transfer Tax and the federal GST that is generated by land sales in Ontario to municipalities to provide a sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects.
Resolution 190-24, OPP costs 2025:
Council provided support to resolutions made by the municipality of Tweed (No. 229) and the municipality of the Whitewater Region (No. 2024-5187)
that call on the Government of Ontario to cover the costs of OPP policing for small municipalities.
By-Laws
By-law #039-2024, Establish general fees & charges for various services:
The by-law received third and final reading and was passed. It sets out fees and charges for a wide array of municipal services. Detail is available in Section 11.1 of the Agenda for the regular Council meeting held on November 12, 202. The Agenda is available on the website for the Township of Frontenac Islands.
By-law #041-2024, Establish a fees and fares schedule for the Howe Island Ferry:
Detail related to this by-law is set out above with respect to Finance Report No. FN-012-24, 2025 Howe Island Ferry Fees.
END of COUNCIL BUSINESS
END OF BRIEFING NOTE