Sarah Williams
For the Beaver
After a marked delay, The Town of Greater Napanee Council were able to host their first regular council meeting of 2024 on Jan. 30. A variety of items were presented to council, among them the Draft Audited 2022 Financial Statements and an update on the town’s pilot transit project with Deseronto Transit.
Kate Mahon, Partner at KPMG, spoke to council regarding the draft audit report. Mahon reviewed the status of the audit, significant changes to the audit plan, risks and results pertaining to significant risk, risk and results pertaining to ongoing concerns, audit misstatements, newly effective auditing standards, external auditor transition, significant unusual transactions, control deficiencies, accounting policies and practices, and other financial reporting matters.
In terms of financial statement highlights, Mahon noted the town received $14 million in cash.
“The key thing to note is this was a large drop from previous years due to investments in capital assets,” Mahon explained.
Mahon also noted that the town’s receivable taxes were about $2 million.
“The Ministry of Finance has financial indicators…they like to see the number for taxes receivable around the 10 per cent mark. However, it is coming down so that’s heading in the right direction,” said Mahon.
Mahon also stated other items pertaining to assets were “fairly consistent” year after year.
-Council also received the Infrastructure Services-Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS) 2023 External Audit Results. Municipalities across Ontario must acquire an accreditation for their DWQMS by a third-party. The Town of Greater Napanee contracted SAI Global to provide this accreditation locally.
According to a staff report presented by Kristie Kelly, director of environmental services, infrastructure services, an external surveillance was conducted Nov. 17, 2023. The audit report identified an absence of non-conformances and two opportunities for improvement. These improvements will be incorporated into the 2024 management review.
This report and its findings were received by council without comment.
-In other news, council approved two new proclamations. The first proclamation is that Feb. 13, 2024 shall be proclaimed as Wear Red Day. The proclamation request was put forth by Tracey Fitchett Colella on behalf of Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance. This day is intended to draw awareness to the effects of heart disease in women, as it is the leading cause of death among women globally and the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada.
The second proclamation request was from Stephanie Tudor on behalf of Girl Guides of Canada. This request was put forth to proclaim Feb. 22 as World Thinking Day. For over 90 years, World Thinking Day has been celebrated annually on Feb. 22 and unites Girl Guides around the world for a day of international friendship. This day provides an opportunity to speak out on issues that affect girls and young women while also celebrating the founding of Girl Guides.
-Providing an update on a public transportation pilot project between the town and Deseronto Transit was Annie Manion, Manager of Community Economic Development.
“We have now been operational for a few weeks and average 17 passengers per day. We’re continuing to work with Deseronto Transit as they work through this delivery change,” explained Manion. “Signage has been added to the bus stops and we are looking at some additional stops already along route, one being the library within Napanee, one near Chuck’s Roadhouse and then the Free Flow station in Deseronto.”
Some feedback, stated Manion, has identified a need for a connection to Kingston. However, this is currently not an option, she pointed out, due to the funding Deseronto Transit receives from Hastings County.
Councillor Dave Pinnell inquired as to the feedback regarding this pilot project.
“So far, everything has been pretty positive,” expressed Manion. “The project has disrupted some of Deseronto transit’s users who were used to an on-demand service, but they seem to be fitting in well. Even on a day when there was a large snowstorm we still had nine riders on the bus, so the service is being used no matter the weather.”
-A report from Clerk Jessica Walters sparked a proposed amendment to procedural changes for receiving deputations from the public. The report, as Walters pointed out, is an attempt to “explore the question of how we balance virtual and in person access to meetings when we have limitations to our seating capacity.”
Walters added that, while most meetings are empty, there is the rare meeting that sees council chambers full to overflowing.
The report recommended moving the cut off date for receiving deputations to Monday at noon as opposed to Tuesday at noon. This way, staff can accommodate larger crowds if necessary.
Pinnell Jr. suggested the status quo be maintained.
“I think we can leave ourselves the availability of being able to change venues when a contentious issue pops up,” he said.
Meanwhile, councillor Angela Hicks noted she thought the recommended change was “fair” and made a motion to that effect.
As a result, council will consider this amendment at the Feb. 13 regular council meeting.
-Another staff report brought forward by Clerk Jessica Walters revolved around proposed amendments to Flag and Proclamation Policies.
“With the move of the Administration Office to 99 Advance Avenue and installation of the official town flag pole at that location, a review of policies related to flags is warranted. Over the past year, it also became apparent that the current policy is not sufficiently clear and that staff, council and community groups would benefit from expectations being made more direct,” wrote Walters.
Proposed changes involve: half-masting of flags, raising of special flags, and community visual displays. These proposed changes will be discussed further at the Feb. 13 meeting.
The light green shaded area at the top of the image was a topic of discussion at council. The Algonquin Lakeshore District Catholic School Board has expressed interest in purchasing it from the town to expand J.J. O’Neill, while some residents implore council to make it a public park.
-Perhaps the most contentious item of the evening was that pertaining to the expansion of the J.J. O’Neill Catholic School.
To accommodate this expansion, the Algonquin and Lakeshore District School Board (ALDSB) has requested the purchase of a green space on Marilyn Avenue.
While staff are recommending the town convey this property to the ALDSB, several councillors took issue with allowing this space to be consumed by development.
Councillor Bob Norrie suggested the area become a park.
“I’m reflecting on this. This has been a green space for people living in that area for many years. Every other subdivision has green spaces,” commented Norrie. “We’ve heard form the public, seen petitions…we should declare it a park. I’d like to not sell it to the school board.”
Councillor Bill Martin agreed with Norrie, noting the area is a green space used by neighbouring residents and beyond.
“That isn’t just a space for those nearby houses, it is the entire neighbourhood,” argued Martin.
After some discussion, councillor Mike Schenk proposed the issue be deferred to the Feb. 27 council meeting. This is to allow residents to have their input on the issue.
The motion to move this issue to the end of the month was passed in a Schenk/Brian Calver motion.