Kincardine defers decision on giving Inverhuron water and sewer project second chance at funding

Kincardine council has deferred a decision on whether to apply for another grant to fund the proposed Inverhuron water and sewer project.

The $9-million project received two-thirds funding from the federal and provincial governments six years ago, but delays in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process, opposition from residents, and a legal challenge, prompted council to decide in July to cut its losses and proceed no further with the project.

Wednesday night (Sept. 2), in committee-of-the-whole, another source of funding was announced, Canada's Small Communities Fund (SCF), with the federal and provincial governments each providing $272-million over 10 years. Eligible projects include highways and major roads, water, wastewater, public transit, solid waste management, green energy, innovation, connectivity and broadband, brownfield remediation, disaster mitigation, local/regional airports, short-line rail, and short-sea shipping.

Staff recommended that an expression of interest be submitted for the Inverhuron water and sewer project. Under the SCF program, the municipality's contribution would be capped at one-third of the total project cost, similar to the original 2009 Building Canada Fund. The expression of interest is due Sept. 30, and projects must be completed by Oct. 31, 2021.

Also under consideration for the SCF grant, was the Connaught Park sewage upgrades.

"I totally support applying for a grant for the Inverhuron water and sewer project," said councillor Maureen Couture. "I'm astonished that there is another grant available so soon after the last one."

Councillor Laura Haight agreed, saying that council now has a phase-in, manageable project, with definitive costs. "This would give us a chance to look at upgrades to Victoria Street as well. This project was a good idea in 2007 and it's a good idea now."

She said there was a meeting with Lake Street landowners in Inverhuron, with support for this project.

"We would have a longer time to complete the project so the cost should be closer to what the engineer's estimate was rather than the tenders," said councillor Mike Leggett.

"Yes," said Haight.

"We still have a legal challenge against this project," said mayor Anne Eadie. "We need to consult the whole community properly and we need transparency. The need is there, but we have to follow due process."

"It shows bad leadership if we don't go for this grant," argued Couture.

"I'm not opposed to this project," said Eadie. "But we have another option, the Connaught Park upgrades, and we've had a public meeting on that. As mayor, I understand the need, but I think people should know about it."

"I'm gobsmacked that we wouldn't take advantage of this grant," said Haight. "We've been working on this project since 2008. We don't require public input; we had so much public input during the EA process. I"m shocked that you don't think we should proceed."

"We promised good communication, and once again, it looks as if we are rushing into this project," said Eadie. "We need due diligence. With a legal challenge against this project, we need to give people the opportunity for input."

"I know this is a contentious and controversial issue," said deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert. "I agree with the mayor that we require due diligence and consultation. I have received calls from people in Inverhuron who are gobsmacked that this project is on the table again. I am uneasy with this project, but I have no problem with the Connaught Park project."

"We are just applying for the grant," said Haight. "We have the EA, same as the Connaught Park project. This is exactly how it was with the first grant, we rushed forward with the application. There is no guarantee we will get the grant. The Inverhuron water and sewer project is about environmental and health issues. We're not having a public meeting for Connaught Park or for Brown's Hill Bridge (another grant application). We have an EA, we should proceed."

"There is also an environmental issue with the Connaught Park upgrades project," said Eadie.

Councillor Randy Roppel noted that the current Building Canada Fund grant for the Inverhuron water and sewer project is still on the table until March 31, 2016. "If we go ahead and apply for this grant, we might not get it because we already have a grant for that project. We said we would work with the people of Inverhuron, many of whom want sewer but not water hook-up."

When the vote was called on Option 1 - direct staff to submit an expression of interest under the SCF program for the Inverhuron water and sewer project - the motion was defeated.

Option 2 - direct staff to submit an expression of interest under the SCF program for the Connaught Park sewage upgrades - was approved by committee-of-the-whole.

Later, in council session, Couture said the application deadline is Sept. 30, so there is no reason why the decision must be endorsed by council at the Sept. 2 meeting.

"People can address council and have public input between now and the next meeting," she said. "I suggest we defer a decision on this until Sept. 16."

Haight seconded that motion. And in a recorded vote, council was unanimous in its support of deferring the final decision to Sept. 16.

In addition, council approved a recommendation, directing staff to submit an expression of interest under the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) for the replacement of the Brown's Hill Bridge, at a cost of $3.18-million.