Part 1: Strategic Plan Approved, Dukes Deal Changed, and Tax Relief Expanded — 08/29/2023

The Council met on August 29, 2023, at Shire Hall in Picton, with the meeting held in person and livestreamed for public viewing. The Mayor opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement, recognizing the historic and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples in the County and reaffirming the County’s responsibility for stewardship of the land.

Early on, Council dealt with two decisions that came out of closed session. Council appointed Susan Quaiff, Penny Morris, and David Bednar as voting public members of the Queen Elizabeth School Redevelopment Community Partner Tenant Selection Committee, and also appointed Ava Willie to the Environmental Advisory Committee.

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Water and Wastewater Projects Take Up the Most Oxygen

The most intense part of the meeting came through two deputations focused on current water and wastewater capital infrastructure projects, especially in and around Wellington.

Deputation speaker Dorothy Bothwell told Council that the consultation approach around the Class Environmental Assessment was not landing well with residents. She asked for clearer public engagement, more direct financial explanation, and a format where residents could hear the project details and then ask questions in a structured way.

Council responded immediately. A motion was brought forward directing that the August 31, 2023 Water and Wastewater Public Information Centre be run as a sit down forum, with staff and consultants presenting the details and financial implications first, followed by questions and answers from the floor. Council carried it.

The second deputation speaker, Helen Prolas, spoke as a Wellington on the Lake resident and ratepayer. She focused on affordability concerns, fear of water rates rising beyond reach, and the feeling that the public had not been communicated with in a clear and user friendly way. Her deputation also pressed for more transparent answers about who pays, what has been spent so far, and what happens if growth projections do not play out as expected.

Council Endorses the 2023 to 2026 Strategic Plan

Council endorsed the 2023 to 2026 Prince Edward County Strategic Plan. During the discussion, Councillor Kate MacNaughton asked why measurable targets were not embedded directly inside the priorities. Wallace explained that Council sets direction and staff then builds the measurement framework and reports back over time, describing the plan as something that will be updated and refined as data is collected.

Drinking Water and Wellington Dukes Agreement

Council also endorsed the County’s Drinking Water Quality Management System Operational Plan 2023, which was presented as a way to show Council’s commitment and awareness of the systems and standards behind local drinking water.

Council moved through a report on renewing the agreement with the Wellington Dukes Junior Hockey Club, and this followed a public comment from Gary Mooney arguing the County should not waive ice fees in exchange for naming sponsorship.

Council ended up changing the agreement. An amendment was brought forward to remove the in kind ice usage tied to naming sponsorship, and to restore wording confirming the Dukes would pay the hourly ice rate for all games and practices. Council carried the amendment, then approved the agreement as amended.

Tax Relief Grant Program Expanded for Leasehold Homeowners

A pre registered speaker, Elaine Jackson, spoke to Council about a gap that left qualified leasehold homeowners in Wellington on the Lake unable to access the existing property tax relief grant because they no longer have individual tax roll numbers.

Council approved a one time expansion through an ancillary program, funded by $50,000 in reserve funds, and passed the bylaw needed to implement it. Staff clarified during the meeting that this was separate from the existing program rather than a change to its core rules.

Road Repairs Tender Approved With a Push for Longer Term Planning

Council awarded a tender for road surface spot repairs to Kiley Paving Limited for just over $603,000 plus taxes, and also directed staff to bring back a multi year plan for these repairs as part of 2024 operating budget discussions. Councillors asked about rural road coverage, timing, and how this contract relates to other asphalt work tied to water and wastewater reinstatements, with staff explaining the scope differences and expected timing later in the season.

A Small Item With Wider Implications for Agriculture

Under consent items, Council separated one item for discussion related to the Agriculture Advisory Committee. Council received the committee report and referred the addition of Canada Fleabane to the noxious weeds bylaw, or another mechanism, to staff for further review.

Key Takeaways

1. The County’s biggest near term pressure point is still water and wastewater infrastructure, and Council formally directed that the August 31 public information centre be a sit down forum with clearer presentations and Q and A, responding to resident frustration about process and affordability fears.

   
   

2. Council renewed the Wellington Dukes agreement but rejected the proposed trade of ice fees for naming sponsorship, signalling a line in the sand on subsidies and protecting municipal revenue.

   
   

3. A gap in the tax relief grant program for some leasehold homeowners was addressed through a one time funding decision and a bylaw, which mattered because it restored access to relief for residents who pay taxes indirectly through a third party.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:26:37. 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.