City Hall

Ckl Council Passes Capital Budget

At the Special Council meeting on February 14, the Capital Budget was adopted by City of Kawartha Lakes Council at a total investment of $57.7 million.

Mayor Elmslie commented, “I’m pleased that our new Council has passed its first Capital Budget and that it is within about three percent of the Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) forecasts. This is commendable given the current economic climate and given that we are still recovering from the challenges of the pandemic. Council can assure residents that we’re looking after the municipality’s assets while working towards ever improving the condition of our roads in a prudent fashion.”

Deputy Mayor Richardson called Council’s attention to the list of deferred projects that were not part of the Capital Budget, totaling $87 million. CAO Taylor confirmed there is a gradual year over year improvement to the infrastructure deficit and acknowledged that gaining traction on those projects is a slow process as inflationary pressures counterbalance progress. The 1.5 percent infrastructure levy is contributing to the annual needs of the municipality as it improves roads and related infrastructure.

Council is on track to keeping the tax increases steady at 3 percent again this year, although deliberations for the Operating, Special Projects and Water-Wastewater components of the budget will come on February 28, 2023.

Roads highlights

• Total investment in roads and bridges of more than $26.6 million.

• Kagawong Road will be resurfaced from gravel to high float at net cost of $440,000 to be funded 50 percent by reserves and 50 percent by the community trust.

• The province provided an unanticipated additional $678,000 in Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) financing. Council applied this funding into the 2023 Gravel Resurfacing capital program.

• Replacement of the Rainbow, Hartley Road, Ballyduff Road bridges and designs for Chisholm Trail and West Jennings Creek bridges for a total investment of $2.6 million.

Dr. Mark D. Black

Facilities and fleet highlights:

• The Old Gaol Museum building will receive repairs to the roof and exterior walls to address water damage and structural repairs required to maintain the 1863-vintage building. Staff have recommended a 10-year project with annual investment of $400,000 to ensure the design and restoration work is completed as necessary. In addition, drainage, parking expansion and beautification of the courtyard and adjacent City Hall lands will also be designed and executed this year, with a total investment of $850,000 in the properties in 2023.

• Deferral until 2024 of the demolition of the building at 970 Eldon Road that currently houses the Dragonflies community group, in order for the group to have time to explore an alternate location. The fundraising impact of the Dragonflies was acknowledged by Council.

• Landfill enhancements including expansion of Lindsay Ops and Somerville landfill cells required to ensure landfill capacity into the future, $6.1 million.

• Fire Rescue Service will receive two tanker trucks and a pumper truck to refresh and update their fleet, along with a variety of equipment including new bunker gear, for a total investment of $3.1 million.

• Public Works fleet investment of $10.2 million for a backhoe, loader, excavators, graders, 10 tractors, nine plow trucks, pickup trucks, vans and more to meet the needs of the municipality and expand service delivery.

Council approved the following additional projects for inclusion in the 2023 capital program:

• A $600,000 Coboconk Wharf improvement project for which design was approved in previous years but construction deferred to allow the Ministry of Transportation to carry out planned work. The Ministry work has since been delayed, allowing time for this municipal project to be completed.

• Design of a new traffic signal for the intersection of County Road 36 and Boyd and Canal Streets was accelerated to 2023, $40,000.

• Resurfacing of Coldstream Road and Grey Wood Drive, $293,000.

• Funding for a servicing study and design for a splash pad in Omemee, $100,000.

• New sandbagging machine to support flood operations, $40,000.

The next budget meeting will be February 28 at 9am for the deliberation of operating, special projects and water-wastewater budgets. Everyone is welcome to attend in Council Chambers or tune in live by YouTube. Follow along the budget process at www. kawarthalakes.ca/budget.

Student Jobs With The City

Jump In and join the fun this summer! The Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division is currently seeking Summer Activities Coordinator’s to join their team.

The Summer Activities Coordinator positions introduce students to the public sector through challenging experiences, while providing meaningful opportunities to contribute to the community. Assisting with a variety of programming on a full-time basis throughout the summer months of May through August.

Students will have the opportunity to develop both their administrative and coordination skills while working in a fun and fast-paced environment playing pivotal roles in Day Camp programming and in a variety of special events.

To be considered for a student position with the municipality, applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age, registered as a full time student during the preceding academic year, 2022 to 2023. Applicants must also be registered as a full time student with the intent to return to school on a full time basis during the next academic year, 2023 to 2024.

You can learn more about these exciting roles or apply online, interested candidates can follow the links at www.kawarthalakes.ca.

CITY HOSTS SHORT-TERM RENTAL MEETING

The Short Term Rental survey closed on February 15, 2023 with more than 1,000 responses.

For residents interested in continuing to follow along with the process, the Kawartha Lakes Municipal By-law Enforcement and Licensing Office is hosting a drop-in Public Information Session on Tuesday, February 28 from 4 to 7pm at the Victoria Room in City Hall in Lindsay. There, the community can view information boards on the results of the survey, highlights of the new draft By-law and learn about next steps in the process. Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Comments from the Public Information Session, along with all other public input will be brought to Council in a report outlining options to regulate and license Short Term Rentals. The report will be presented to Council at the April 4 Committee of the Whole meeting.

3-YEAR ACCREDITATION FOR VICTORIA MANOR

In January, Victoria Manor received a three year accreditation from Commission Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The accreditation process involved a site survey to evaluate with internationally recognized standards are being met. The public can be confident that facilities receiving this accreditation have high quality service delivery, and are committed to ongoing improvements.

The CARF executive summary used phrases like “strong person-centred approach”, “exhibits meaningful relationships with its service partners”, “well respected by funders and local community services and businesses” to describe Victoria Manor. The team was also complimented for their quick and creative response during COVID.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”