There was a lot of discussion before arriving at a recommendation to discuss several important issues at
a later date at a meeting of Prince Edward County’s Committee of the Whole Thursday.
The committee had been asked to make decisions on several staff recommendations on various operations facilities
that would end up declaring some surplus, expansions, and the relocation of staff.
The committee had been presented a 300-page consultant’s report outlining the current condition of several buildings.
The entire staff report with attachments is available here.
Staff recommendations declared the Cherry Valley Pit and Equipment Depot surplus, along with the Lake Street Garage in Picton.
Staff also recommended that council direct them to bring back an expansion plan for the Sandy Hook Operational Services space to accommodate staff and equipment by consolidating the Cherry Valley and Lake Street sites.
Councillor Brad Nieman suggested those ideas be deferred in favour of having councillors get together with staff to take a tour of all of the properties involved in the review.
Nieman admitted the consultant’s report was thorough and that a lot of work had already been done by staff but was adamant, saying, “I cannot tell voters that we’re selling Lake Street and building a big new operations centre along Sandy Hook Road that could cost north of $10 million. I can’t sell that idea.”
Director of Operations Troy Gilmour said that such a facility would be expensive but that it didn’t have to be built all at once, saying the build-out could be phased in.
Councillor Roy Pennell thought a little more time was the right thing to do.
Audio Player“All of these things that are going on in the county right now, we’re rushing our stuff and not getting it right.
It’s time we start to get it right.”
After a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of a deferral, a recorded vote was held and it was decided that staff recommendations would come back to committee in June after councillors and staff had a chance to tour the facilities.
The vote was 9 to 3 to defer. Voting against the motion were Mayor Ferguson, and councillors Hirsch and Roberts.
Map of Sandy Hook Operation’s property now occupied by a few smaller buildings. (Photo: Screengrab Prince Edward County)
