Duane Hicks
Council voted in favour of awarding a tender to Tom Jones Construction for $1,063,394 to complete the waterfront development, and relocate the Hallett and lookout tower, at last night’s regular meeting.
Although it has been a much-debated agenda item, Couns. Andrew Hallikas, Ken Perry, Paul Ryan, Sharon Tibbs, and Rick Wiedenhoeft voted for the project while Coun. John Albanese voted against it.
Mayor Roy Avis could not attend the meeting as he was out of town, but had indicated to the Times last week that he would not vote in favour of it if he were in attendance.
In addition to the relocation and refurbishment of the Hallett and tower to the west and east of the Sorting Gap Marina, respectively, the $1.459-million project includes a riverfront deck with viewfinders, a playground development, and landscaping, as well as interpretive panels, signage, and wayfinding connecting the downtown core to the riverfront.
The town’s share of the project is about $293,500, with the rest being paid for through federal and provincial grants as well as local partners (i.e., the BIA and Chamber of Commerce).
Council also agreed last night to set up a meeting with the Fort Frances Public Library Board to further discuss plans for a new library and technology centre here.
Coun. Hallikas said he would like to see council invite the library board to a meeting to “discuss the library situation and have a sharing of ideas from both groups.”
Coun. Perry agreed, and moved and seconded the motion to have council set up such a meeting.
Both councillors said they would talk to the rest of the library board and get a consensus as to when the meeting will happen, with Coun. Perry noting there also was some mention last week that project architect John Knox should attend, as well.
In a recorded vote, all of council voted to schedule the meeting except for Coun. Albanese.
At its April 13 meeting, council voted down the proposed contract for the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre, which had a projected construction cost of $3.7 million and a total project cost of about $4.7 million.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•heard a presentation by Fort Frances Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong on Emergency Preparedness Week in the Town of Fort Frances (May 3-9);
•heard a presentation from Union Gas officials regarding summer construction;
•received, with appreciation for service, a letter of resignation from Alan Tibbetts from various town boards and committees;
•referred a request from Outlast Laser Sports regarding the renewal of a laser tag activity agreement to the Operations and Facilities
executive committee, with input from the Community Services executive committee;
•referred a request from the “Relay for Life” for in-kind services at Pither’s Point Park to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for recommendation;
•approved a request from the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce to designate “Quest for the Best” as a “community festival” (this year’s “Quest” will take place June 30 as part of the “Fun in the Sun” celebrations);
•referred a financial request from Bearskin Airlines regarding the annual Bearskin Airlines Charity Golf Classic to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•agreed to proclaim June, 2009 as “Seniors Month,” and June 15, 2009 as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•referred a letter of concern from local resident Helen Crook regarding deer in town to the Planning and Development executive committee;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the purchase of property at the southwest corner of the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street for municipal purposes;
•passed a bylaw to formally assume and dedicate as a public thoroughfare certain property acquired at the southwest corner of the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street;
•passed a bylaw to approve a municipal bear response agreement with the MNR with respect to black bear management in town;
•passed a bylaw to authorize an agreement for the purposes of a geospatial data exchange with Ontario;
•passed a bylaw to authorize a encroachment agreement with Rainy River Standard Condominium No. 1 (Riverwalk Condominium) for the property known as 611 Nelson St.; and
•passed a bylaw to authorize an agreement for the installation of a truck-mounted fuel dispensing system at the Fort Frances Airport awarded through the public tender process.
