(Photo: Quinte News / File)
More cell equipment to be mounted on local water towers
The City of Quinte West is going to let another cell phone provider rent space on one of its water towers.
Agreements have already been in place with Bell Mobility for years, to put cell receivers on the water towers on Oak Street and at Mount Pelion and now council has approved another receiver for the Oak Street tower, from Freedom Mobile.
Staff say installation of the new receiver won’t have an effect on the current Bell Mobility equipment, or city radio systems and could bring an additional $20,000 in revenue annually.
There will be no costs to the city to install the new equipment.
Director of Public Works Chris Angelo did note that within the next six-to-eight months, the Bell Mobility equipment is expected to be removed from the tower at Mount Pelion.
Council shows more support for EORN project
Quinte West Council is again putting more money behind the Eastern Ontario Regional Network project.
EORN reps made a presentation to council in July, as they continue to try to upgrade internet and cellular services across Eastern Ontario, with this latest phase of the project dedicated to improving cellular access.
Council approved a staff suggestion of a maximum $407,000 or so for the project, to come from the 2019 budget and that number could shrink depending on how many other municipalities sign on to support the project.
Currently all of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus members have supported it, including Belleville, Kingston, Gananoque, Prescott, Cornwall and Smiths Falls.
City set to purchase another bus for Quinte Access
The City of Quinte West is ready to purchase another accessible bus for Quinte Access.
$370,000 had been budgeted for the pair of vehicles in 2018 and one of them was purchased earlier this year.
Staff have set a limit of $160,000 plus HST for the new vehicle and say it could be delivered in six months.
Council also agreed to make any further bus purchases from Crestline or Creative Carriage going forward, in order to speed up the process.
Staff say Crestline and Creative Carriage have already supplied pretty much the city’s entire fleet and they will continue to reach out to both before any future purchases are made.
Council signs off on cycling spending plan
Quinte West Council has agreed to enter an amended agreement with the province to continue to get funding for various cycling infrastructure.
In January of this year the city was awarded about $314,500 from the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program, but that program was cancelled after the PCs axed the Cap and Trade System, which was providing most of the OMCC funding.
However, the province did decide to honour commitments from the first round of funding, which means the city will be able to use the cash to fund one or all of the eight projects suggested.
Those projects include:
1) North Murray Street – Ireland Avenue to Hamilton Road: Completion of the off-road trail through the industrial park.
2) Hamilton Road – Wallbridge-Loyalist Road to RCAF Road: Completion of commuter route from Belleville to the industrial park. Funding will be used to upgrade signage on existing paved shoulder and extend paved shoulder.
3) Hamilton Road – RCAF Road to Sidney Street: Creation of connection between industrial areas. Funding will be used for signage and improvements to existing/missing paved boulevards in the area.
4) King Street – Dundas Street West (via Fourth Avenue) to Division Street: Creation of a connection between hospital, schools and residential areas to downtown core.
5) Waterfront Trail – Murray Canal to Trent Port Marina: Funding will be used to create a connection between Carrying Place and downtown core.
6) Dixon Drive – Marmora Street to Sidney Street: Creation of connection between CFB Trenton and D.J. MacDonald Bridge.
7) Trenton-Frankford Road: Funding will be used to extend paved shoulders, creating connection between Frankford and Trenton.
8) Division Street – Dundas Street: Creates connection between the downtown and CFB Trenton.
