Quinte West City Council has deferred a decision on a Memorandum of Understanding with Lower Trent Conservation to a future council meeting.
Under a section of the Conservation Authorities Act, Lower Trent Conservation and Quinte Conservation are required to enter Memorandum of Understanding agreements with municipalities to provide programs that aren’t considered mandatory, also known as Category 1, by December 31.
Other programs are marked either under Category 2 or Category 3.
Category 2 is defined as programs and services that are a municipality’s responsibility but are delivered by Conservation.
For the City of Quinte West, this would mean that a Risk Management official/inspector source protection, education and outreach, and that non-conservation-owned Flood and Erosion Control Infrastructure would be delivered by Lower Trent Conservation.
Category 3 programs are defined as those that benefit overall watershed health and the wellbeing of residents.
This would include Local Water Monitoring, Community Outreach and Stewardship and Youth Education.
Quinte Conservation CAO Brad McNevin and Lower Trent Conservation CAO Rhonda Bateman delivering a delegation to Quinte West City Council. October 18, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
During a delegation to councillors on Wednesday, CAOs for Lower Trent Conservation and Quinte Conservation, Rhonda Bateman and Brad McNevin, outlined the work of each conservation and the costs associated with each category of programs and services.
For Lower Trent Conservation, the proposal is a Memorandum of Understanding that would be effective from the date of signing and approval through to December 31, 2028. The MOU would include both Category 2 and Category 3 services.
Quinte Conservation does not offer Category 2 services or programs in Quinte West and would only be able to offer Category 3 services. The length of the MOU would be the same as Lower Trent Conservation’s.
Councillor Lynda Reid proposed a motion that would approve MOUs for Quinte Conservation and Category 2 items for Lower Trent Conservation but would defer a decision on an MOU for Category 3 items until after Lower Trent Conservation’s budget review.
This would lead to a decision from council at its December 13 meeting.
A breakdown of each category offered by conservation authorities during a delegation at Quinte West City Council. October 18, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
