Hastings County CAO Jim Pine at Belleville city council, November 14, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Hastings County took its 40-unit housing project to Belleville city council Tuesday night.
As Quinte News reported earlier this fall, the $6.4 million project will provide housing for those in need of assistance.
CAO Jim Pine said the province is providing $4.5 million with Hastings County picking up the rest.
Pine asked council to waive the building and development fees, for a total of $220,000, if the units are built in Belleville.
He said Quinte West would be asked to do the same if the project is built there.
Pine said a decision on location would be made after the request for proposals from developers have been received.
Councillor Garnet Thompson, Chair of Hastings-Quinte Community and Human Services pointed out 65% of those on social services are from Belleville.
His committee recently approved the project.
Council is not able to waive the fees, but agreed to pay the cost, if the units are located in the city.
New traffic signal
It will be easier to access the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre soon, since traffic lights will soon be installed at the south entrance.
Monday night, city council approved the $40,000 project.
Councillor Egerton Boyce commented on how dangerous the site is at night and he was “surprised a pedestrian crossing the street has not been hit by a car.”
When questioned by Councillor Paul Carr, staff indicated the signal on Cannifton Road would stay green until activated by a vehicle leaving the Sports Centre.
A design for signals at the north entrance will come forward in the 2018 budget.
Calling for flood insurance
Belleville is joining a campaign calling on the provincial government to create a provincial flood insurance program.
At city council Monday night, Councillor Jack Miller pointed to the low level of support Belleville received during a flood situation in Thurlow Ward a few years ago.
Miller said it was “virtually nothing”.
Council decided to support a call by the town of Lakeshore for the government to set such an insurance plan.
Working on the Official Plan update
Belleville city council has approved moving ahead on an update of its official plan.
Monday night, city council awarded the contract to Watson and Associates Economist Limited and Dillon Consulting for consulting services at a cost of $74,000 plus tax.
Director of Engineering Rod Bovay told council public information meetings will be held in the next few months.
Maintaining the Pollution Control Plant
Council gave pre-budget approval of $3.1 million for the operation and maintenance of the Belleville Pollution Control Plant and the Jane Forrester Park pre-treatment facility at the harbour.
This will cover the first year of services by the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
