New stormwater infrastructure levy up for approval
A new tax meant to pay for maintenance of the city’s stormwater infrastructure is expected for the first time in 2018 and council will vote a final time on Tuesday to allow that tax.
It’s been in the works for awhile: council first approved the plan in February.
In the eight months since, city staff has been working out the details of the new fee that will show up on tax bills in 2018.
The charge will be calculated individually for each property of the city, depending on the amount of runoff area (ie: pavement) on the property.
The city’s 2018 draft budget document says the owner of an average house assessed at $243,800 will likely pay a stormwater fee of $14 next year (on a total tax bill of $3,939).
Meanwhile the fee is included in the 2.85 per cent increase in property taxes in the draft budget documents – it’s not being charged in addition to that.
In 2018, the stormwater fee is expected to collect $620,000 for the city.
The money is expected to help pay for the maintenance of the city’s 31 stormwater retention ponds, many of which are in urgent need of attention.
City staff told council last year that the province inspected one pond in 2015 and found it in dire condition.
Also on council’s agenda Tuesday:
Transit deal:
Council will vote a final time Tuesday on a settlement between the city and its 107 transit workers.
The deal, which gives transit workers modest pay increases and enhancements to their benefits, would hold for six years.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1320 voted 80.7 per cent in favour of the settlement and councillors gave it preliminary approval last week.
Trent Research and Innovation Park:
Council will vote a final time Tuesday to approve $48,660 more for a consultant to do additional work on the planned new Trent Research and Innovation Park.
Toronto-based Brook McIlroy Inc. would then receive $440,411 (up from $391,751).
It’s all because a wetland located between the site of the research park and the developed East Bank of the Otonabee River was reexamined lately, at the request of Otonabee Region Conservation Authority.
The wetland is now presumed to be provincially significant – meaning that a new road layout and more open space will be required, in the plan.
Last week, Coun. Dan McWilliams was unhappy that the city seems to be often adding money to contracts, mid-stream: “Is nobody able to stick to their guns, here?” he asked.
Curbside pickup for kitchen organics:
Council is expected to vote a final time on a plan to start a curbside pickup program for kitchen organics.
The project got preliminary approval, last week. The program would be undertaken in partnership with Triland Excavation and Hauling on Keened Rd.; they would process both kitchen organics and leaf and yard waste.
The project could be eligible to receive 50 per cent of the $9 million start-up cost from the province, which is handing out grants for environmental programs funded by its cap-andtrade program.
The Examiner’s website offers livestreaming, blogging and tweets from the meeting Tuesday.
The meeting is on Tuesday this week, due to the Monday closure of City Hall for Remembrance Day. It all begins at 6:30 p.m.