City of Kenora Council Summary for August 9, 2022

This summary is a snapshot of the decisions made by City of Kenora Council at the August 9, 2022 meeting. Please review the minutes for an official record of the meeting proceedings.

Council approves Coney Island foot bridge replacement

Council approved a $225,000 budget amendment to replace the Coney Island foot bridge. The foot bridge was damaged in the spring from high water and extreme wind conditions. It is important to replace the foot bridge before freeze-up so Coney Island residents can continue to access their properties in winter.

Council approves budget amendment for flood damage insurance deductible

Council approved a budget amendment of $100,000 to cover the deductible for a flood damage claim, which his part of the eligibility criteria for the Disaster Relief Funding program. The deductible exceeds the estimated cost to repair and replace damaged City-owned assets. 

Council receives divisional second quarter reports

Council received second quarter reports from the Engineering and Infrastructure Division and Community Services Division. These reports highlight the important work being completed in our Divisions.

Engineering and Infrastructure highlights include project summaries:

• Sewer and Water Rehab Project - to be completed October 2022:
  • Second Street South from Fifth Avenue South to Seventh Avenue South
  • Second Avenue South from Mike Richards Way to Sixth Street South
  • Seventh Avenue South from Sixth Street South to Eight Street South
• Municipal Paving Project - to be completed October 2022:
  • First Avenue South from Matheson Street South to 322 First Avenue South
  • HWY 17 E from River Drive to Fifth Street Street
  • Railway Street from 1077 Railway Street to Sedesky Road (Railway Street Phase 2)
  • Ninth Street North from Houghton to Artillery Way
  • Laneway East of Eighth Avenue North between Third and Fourth Street North
  • Railway Street Phase 3 – Design and Utility Pole Relocation, November 2022 to March 2023
    • • Railway Street from Sedesky Rood intersection to 1731 Railway Street
  • Emergency Storm Replacement – completed May 2022 for Railway Street, east of Sixteenth Avenue North Railway Crossing
  • Line Painting – completed June 2022
  • Kenora Arad Landfill Perimeter Road – completed August 2022
  • Visual Bridge and Structure Inspections – to be completed November 2022, inspection of 21 bridges and structures as required by Ontario regulations.
  • Bridge Maintenance – to be completed October 2022

Environmental Services highlights include stats on service, collection, and waste types including:

• 15,646 customers (resident and commercial) served at the Transfer Station weigh scale generating $689,026.60 in revenue.
• 88,105 bag tag sold this quarter
• 230.20 tonnes of garbage collect at the curbside
• 97.60 tonnes of recycling collected at the curbside
• 306.40 tonnes of Blue Box recycling materials transported to Winnipeg recycling facility 

Fleet Division highlights include:

• 2,466 hours on 182 vehicles and pieces of equipment for almost every division
• 24 annual safety inspections and 92 preventative maintenance services, in addition to regular repairs and maintenance

Roads highlights focused on the spring flooding which caused road closures and major repairs.

• City Staff completed work on:
  • School Road
  • Coker Road at Bailey Bridge
  • Rabbit Lake walking trail
  • Hooterville Trail
  • Golf Course Road
  • Carlton Road
• Contractors completed work on:
  • East Mellick Road and Essex Road
  • East Mellick Road and Deporto swamp
  • Anderson Branch Road
  • Carlton Road
  • Sedesky Road
  • Coker Road
• Pothole repairs, sidewalk repairs, culvert replacements, shoulder mowing, grading, water digs, cemetery digs, and street sweeping

Water and wastewater highlights include:

• Dig and repair water main, sewer and force main breaks
• Steam frozen culverts, water lines, sewer lines
• Sewer rodding
• Grinder pump servicing
• Seasonal water service turn on
• New water service connections
• Fire hydrant repairs

Parks and Facilities highlights include maintenance work and project summaries:

• Deep clean of the Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre
• McLeod park washroom repairs and fresh paint
• Coney Island board walk replacement and improved access to washroom
• Whitecap Pavilion tent washing and boardwalk maintenance
• Installed of Disc Golf Course at Garrow Park
• Replaced fencing at The Muse grounds
• Surveyed and closed docks due to high water/flooding

Tourism highlights focused on the new tourism destination brand, marketing campaigns, Matiowski Farmers’ Market, Canada Day celebration, and community events booked at the Whitecap Pavilion.

Recreation highlights include participant numbers by activity, programs offered and attendance, and facility rentals, as well as maintenance projects at both the Keewatin Memorial Arena and Kenora Recreation Centre.

Council receives update on Tourism and Economic Development Strategy

Council received a one-year update report on the Tourism and Economic Development Strategy. Key achievements include initiatives that:

• enhance four-season visitor experiences, ie support for Mount Evergreen business plan
• increase activity and awareness of arts, culture and history, ie support for ArtsFest
• improve lake access infrastructure, ie Coney Island Shuttle Service contract
• activate vacant land, ie Pop-up Patio space in downtown
• support local businesses and plan activities, ie Main Street Markets
• develop and invest in infrastructure, ie McLeod Park project

Council delegates authority

Council supported delegating authority to Ryan Marsh, Incoming Director of Finance, to submit the City’s claim under the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program. Mr. Marsh will confirm that the City’s operating and capital costs related to the spring flooding events are eligible under the MDRA program. These costs must be at least 3% of a municipality’s own purpose taxation levy. For Kenora this threshold amount is $775,348. Once this level is reached 75% of the costs may be covered by the program. For eligible costs above the 3% reimbursement by the program will be 95%.

Council repeals Zoning By-law Amendment

Council repealed the Zoning Amendment By-law, By-law 34-2021 in relation to the western half of Central Park. The Zoning Amendment had been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal resulting in an order to repeal By-law 34-2021. This means that the zoning of Central Park remains as Open Space (OS). The City released a position statement on next steps regarding a housing development in this area.