Part 2: PEC Weighs Air Show, LTC, and Community Fees - 10/12/2023
- PECConnect
- Oct 11, 2023
- 5 min read
The October 12, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting continued with a series of discussions that focused on key decisions, who moved them forward, and how they connect to local impacts across the County. This part of the meeting moved through presentations, staff reports, and council debate on topics ranging from a potential air show sponsorship and long term care redevelopment to fleet planning, fire services, and municipal fees.
Throughout the discussions, councillors asked detailed questions, introduced motions, and clarified how each item would move forward, while staff outlined what was possible, what depended on outside funding, and what it would mean for residents.
View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.
Quinte International Air Show sponsorship discussion
Jacqueline St-Pierre, Manager of Business Development at 8 Wing CFB Trenton, led the deputation and formally asked the County to consider participating as a sponsor. She explained the scale of the event, the expected visitor numbers, and why municipal collaboration on communications and shuttles would matter.
Mayor Steve Ferguson publicly acknowledged the role of military members at 8 Wing and supported the presentation, setting a respectful tone before discussion began.
Councillor Bill Roberts asked detailed questions about sponsorship options, including individual and VIP packages, and later pushed the conversation toward staff involvement and collaboration with Visit The County.
Councillor Phil Prinzen and Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer were involved in moving the discussion forward procedurally, while Mayor Steve Ferguson seconded the key amendment.
The Committee supported a direction to explore a 25,000 dollar sponsorship in collaboration with Visit The County, with the final decision deferred to the 2024 budget process.
H J McFarland redevelopment and provincial funding
Phil Prinzen formally moved the motion to receive the long term care redevelopment report and advance the project into schematic design, with Councillor Engelsdorfer seconding.
Kyle Cotton, Director of Long Term Care, explained the project status and emphasized that advancing design work was about staying shovel ready, not committing to construction without provincial funding.
Councillor Kate MacNaughton spoke at length about sustainability and design principles, asking that green building features, landscaping and passive heating strategies be formally placed on the public record at this stage.
Councillor Bill Roberts raised concerns around room sizes, density, costs to residents, and communication with the Family Council, pressing staff to be clearer and more responsive.
Councillor Nieman focused on funding certainty and timelines, asking directly whether provincial money was coming and what happens if it does not.
Marcia Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer, responded to multiple questions, making it clear that the County could not afford the project without provincial accelerated funding and that Council would need to reconsider the project entirely if funding does not materialize.
Fire Chief Chad Brown explained how the County could remain fire code compliant at the existing home using alternative measures if redevelopment timelines overlap regulatory deadlines.
The Committee voted to move the project into schematic design and include it as a capital project in the 2024 budget, clearly tied to receiving provincial funding.
Fleet management policy and asset planning
Adam Goheen, Director of Operational Services, presented the fleet management report and explained the rationale behind updating the policy and planning fleet replacement over a ten year horizon.
Councillor Roy Pennell questioned replacement mileage assumptions and equipment durability, drawing on past experience with County vehicles and equipment.
Councillor Albert Paschkowiak praised the depth of data in the report and encouraged careful consideration of vehicle reliability and long term costs.
Councillor Roberts and Councillor St-Jean both expressed strong support for the structured long term approach, noting it would help future councils understand the consequences of budget decisions.
The Committee voted to rescind the old fleet policy, approve the new draft policy, and direct staff to bring updated internal charge out rates forward during the 2025 budget discussions.
Fire services community risk assessment
Chief Chad Brown presented the community risk assessment and spoke briefly about public education and outreach.
Councillors Prinzen, Branderhorst, and Roberts all voiced appreciation for fire department staff and volunteers, referencing local events and community presence.
The Committee voted to receive the report and advance a bylaw amendment on non emergency service levels to the October 24 Council meeting.
Fees and charges and use of municipal spaces
Councillor MacNaughton moved the fees and charges report, with Councillor Branderhorst seconding.
Marcia Wallace, as Chief Administrative Officer, explained the intent behind allowing publicly advertised non commercial community events to use municipal spaces without rental fees, describing it as a response to ongoing frustration from residents and volunteers.
Councillor Roy Pennell raised concerns about community groups being charged for fundraising events, prompting staff to clarify how donation based events would be treated.
Councillor Janice Maynard supported the changes, sharing practical experience that donation based events often raise more money and are more accessible.
Councillor Albert Paschkowiak asked for clearer definitions around what qualifies as a public community event, leading staff to confirm that additional wording would be included before final Council approval.
Councillor Engelsdorfer raised concerns about beach fees and tourism impacts, which staff confirmed would be addressed in a broader tourism management review later.
The Committee voted to move the 2024 Fees and Charges By law forward to Council for approval.
What this means for Prince Edward County residents
This meeting set the groundwork for several practical impacts. A potential County sponsorship of the air show could affect summer traffic patterns and tourism promotion.
Advancing the H.J. McFarland design keeps the long term care project alive but also signals that its future depends entirely on provincial funding decisions.
Fleet and fire policy changes aim to stabilize services residents rely on daily, from snow clearing to emergency response. Changes to fees and charges are likely to make it easier for local groups to use municipal spaces for public events, reducing barriers for volunteers and community organizations across the County.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:56:31. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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