Duane Hicks
Hallett, tower also on agenda
Whether or not the new Fort Frances Public Library Centre and Technology Centre goes ahead will be decided at tonight’s town council meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
As reported last week, the library board recommended the town enter into a contact with Aurora Construction, in the amount of $3,733,219, to proceed with construction of the new library and technology centre according to the plans and specifications prepared by Chamberlain Architects.
The total project cost, including professional fees, furniture, and equipment, is $4.7 million.
According to the project budget submitted to council last week, the municipal share of the cost is estimated to be about $1.3 million—$240,00 from a dedicated reserve, $50,000 in in-kind services, and $1.09 million in long-term debt.
But several members of council have expressed serious concern that the town’s portion would end up being much higher than that, and that even $1.3 million is considerably greater than $592,000—the maximum amount council passed a motion to contribute last spring.
Also tonight, town council is expected to decide whether to go ahead with the relocation and refurbishment of the Hallett and lookout tower.
Council received a recommendation last Monday to award the tender to Tom Jones Construction for about $1.1 million.
This is part of the $1.4-million Phase II of the Heritage Tourism Project which also includes signage, interpretive panels, and wayfinding connecting the downtown core to the La Verendrye Parkway (Front Street).
The town’s share of the project is about $273,000, with the rest being paid for through federal and provincial grants and local partners (i.e., the BIA and Chamber of Commerce).
While a couple members of council supported the project as a much-needed tourism initiative last week, others felt the tower should be cut from the project or the money would be better spent fixing roads.
Other business at tonight’s council meeting will include:
•a review of the town’s private crossing installation procedure;
•Tender No. 09-OF-02 (the 2009 roadway reconstruction of Scott Street from Reid Avenue to Colonization Road East);
•Tender 09-OF-06 (the supply and installation of a truck-mounted A-1 aviation fuel dispensing system);
•a report on the 2008-09 Ministry of Environment inspection of the town’s water system;
•a report on the adjustment to fuel prices at the Fort Frances Airport;
•Children’s Complex outreach agreements;
•a photocopier lease at the Children’s Complex, Memorial Sports Centre, and Fort Frances Museum;
•a report on the Community Incentive Plan;
•a report on Abzac-Fort Frances Division’s request for tax consideration;
•a request for support from the Fort Frances Aquanauts Swim Team;
•a presentation of a certificate from the Northwest Youth Action Alliance to the town (last year, council prohibited smoking within 30 feet of the entrances to the Memorial Sports Centre);
•a request from Northern Nutrition for signage to be located on town-owned property;
•a request from Rainy River District Victims Program to proclaim April 26-May 2 as “National Victims of Crime Awareness Week” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from the Northwestern Region Canadian Cancer Society to proclaim April, 2009 as “Cancer Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a financial request from the Rainy River Future Development Corp. for gateway banners;
•a a list of requested services from the Business Improvement Association board;
•a 2009 budget submission from the BIA;
•a bylaw to formally assume and dedicate all roads on Plan SM-88 as public roads;
•a bylaw to approve an agreement with the minister of Energy and Infrastructure and minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for financing of improvements at the Fort Frances sewage treatment plant; and
•the public notice of property declared by council as surplus (this is property located on the west side of McIrvine Road North at Eighth Street West).
