MORRISBURG – South Dundas Council dealt with several contentious issues at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 28, many of which deal with the unavoidable problem of aging infrastructure.
Morrisburg and Iroquois Plazas
CAO Ben de Haan, Treasurer Sarah Stewart, and Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Don Jansen delivered a detailed presentation regarding future ownership and maintenance options for the Morrisburg and Iroquois Plazas. Prior to the discussion Mayor Jason Broad and Councillor Veinotte declared a pecuniary interest and left the Council chamber.
Four options were presented to Council:
-
Full Disposal of Common Areas
The municipality would transfer ownership of all common areas to a single entity or a collective representing local businesses. Easements would be required to protect key underground infrastructure or maintain municipal ownership of critical parcels.
-
Partial Disposal of Common Elements
South Dundas would retain responsibility for travelled lanes and front-angle parking. Ownership of sidewalks, canopies, parking lots, and rear loading zones would be transferred to plaza businesses.
-
Cost-Recovery Model
The municipality would continue to own and maintain the plazas but implement a system requiring business owners to contribute to maintenance and capital costs. This could be achieved through a Business Improvement Area (BIA) or a Special Service Levy, pending further research.
-
Status Quo
The municipality would continue to fund all maintenance and capital upgrades.
“We’re reviewing the level of service provided to our plazas, and part of that process includes consulting the businesses,” said Deputy Mayor Marc St. Pierre, emphasizing that at this point the matter was just at the discussion stage and that no decisions were being made at the current time.
Councillor Tom Smyth noted that maintaining the status quo was no longer a viable option, with Deputy Mayor St. Pierre and Councillor Danielle Ward in agreement.
Following discussion, Council directed staff to return with a report focused on the disposal and cost-recovery models (option one and three.)
Municipal Properties to be Declared Surplus
Staff have compiled a revised list of municipal properties recommended for surplus designation. Council has requested a formal report regarding the following properties:
- Lockmaster’s House
- Corner of County Road 8
- Corner of County Road 18 and Thunder Road
- Matilda Hall Surplus Area
- Dundela Park Surplus Area
Community Improvement Plan Update
The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides grants and loans to commercial property owners or tenants to improve building facades and signage.
Key grant programs include:
- Façade Improvement Grant: 50% up to $4,000 for façade upgrades, including eligible design and permit fees.
- Signage and Awning Grant: 50% up to $1,000 for improved or new signage and awnings.
For 2025, grant allocations have been made to three businesses
- Seaway Speech: $4,450 (Façade, Signage & Awning)
- Williamsburg Pump Supply & Service: $1,916.48 (Façade)
- Atel Air: $1,000 (Signage & Awning)
Council approved a $10,000 CIP budget for 2025. With $7,366.48 allocated, and prior year commitments carried forward, a projected shortfall of $2,502.48 may occur if all projects are completed by the end of 2025.
Several municipal tenders were awarded during the meeting
- TS25-03: Diesel Cab & Chassis
Awarded to Rush Truck Centres of Canada (Kemptville) for $175,314.60 plus HST. Funded through fleet reserves.
- PRF24-04: Iroquois Plaza Parking Lot & Infrastructure Rehabilitation
- Awarded to D. Rock Paving for $819,637.85. Staff recommended a 10% contingency (~$80,000) for unexpected costs. A financing report will follow.
- PRF24-07: Iroquois Plaza Storm & Sewer Relining
Awarded to Capital Sewer Services for $338,828.00 plus HST. The net cost of $344,791.37 will be funded via debt financing ($216,447.59) and the Iroquois Wastewater Capital Reserve ($128,343.78). A 10% contingency is advised.
Beach Overcrowding Strategy Adjusted
Due to ongoing issues with crowding, waste, and parking at the Morrisburg and Iroquois beaches, $30,000 was allocated in the 2025 budget for upgrades and control measures.
A user-pay beach access model was originally planned but could not be implemented due to staffing shortages.
Instead, staff will shift focus toward a paid parking system, which aims to control capacity and improve turnover. Remaining funds will be used to collect user data, assess current parking infrastructure, and begin preliminary design work for expanded parking facilities.
“We’re not able to proceed with the earlier plan, but we’ve gathered valuable feedback and will continue collecting data,” said Mayor Jason Broad.
Infrastructure Funding Application – East Morrisburg
Council is supporting a funding application through the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS), a newly announced provincial fund under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The initiative supports upgrades to water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection infrastructure.
The proposed project includes full infrastructure renewal for:
- Broder Crescent
- Laurier Drive
- Casselman Road
- Kyle Drive
- Lions Road
- Whitney Court
- Farlinger Avenue
- Victoria Park Crescent
The total estimated cost is $14.2 million. If approved for the maximum 73% provincial funding, South Dundas would be responsible for approximately $3.83 million.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Council will be on June 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
