Heather Latter
Even though the government dock was removed last year, a wooden structure and rocks still remain below the surface.
And after a discussion at Monday night’s meeting, town council agreed to remove the structure and the rocks.
“The flood of 2014 has removed any capacity for us to retain or repair the dock, and we had to remove the majority of the structure for safety reasons,” noted Fire Chief Frank Sheppard in a report.
“The remaining portion of the dock is still a hazard to navigation and, as it continues to deteriorate, the construction materials will continue to be a risk to the environment and the public,” he added.
Chief Sheppard indicated he determined in consultation with DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) that the project will not require a review.
“Our only responsibility will be to ensure we are following industry best practices to mitigate harm to fish,” he expressed.
However, the question he asked of council is should the removal be complete or should a footprint be left?
Town CAO Mark McCaig explained there are two ways to go about the removal.
“We can remove the dock structure and let the rock fall,” he voiced.
“We don’t know what that will look like in the future if there is low water again,” he said, citing they would likely have to mark the rocks for boaters.
“Or we can remove the structure and take the rocks away,” he offered as another option. “I don’t know if there will be a dock there again in the future. It’s never going to be as substantial as it was previously.”
Chief Sheppard indicated the pros and cons are fairly straightforward.
“As a con, complete removal of this material will eliminate a footprint and may increase obligations from DFO should we decide to rebuild in the same location with the same construction methodology,” he noted, adding an additional con is that they could be missing the opportunity to develop some fishery habitat at a low cost.
Meanwhile, the pros are the nearly complete removal of liability to the town from the existence of the structure or its remnants.
“An additional pro is the
removal of a deteriorating structure and its ancillary components from the beach front, and a circulation barrier, which should improve the water quality by increased wave action and current interruption,” indicated Chief Sheppard.
“It appears that this removal, if done for the reasons of safety, should be funded by ODRAP (Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program),” he added, recommending a complete removal.
“It identifies due diligence on our part and makes a compelling argument that the actions have been for the purpose of public safety,” he stressed.
Chief Sheppard’s recommendation was met with a unanimous response.
“If we leave the rocks there, it’s our rocks and we’ll always be liable for them,” Coun. Paul Ryan said.
“If we ever built a dock again, we probably would never go that far. With new modern construction methods, we’d never build a crib like that again, sheet piling and everything,” he added.
“So I agree, I think we should take the whole works out, get rid of the liability, and maybe some day in the future, we could build a dock of a different form,” noted Coun. Ryan.
“I also think we should get rid of the rocks,” Coun. Ken Perry echoed. “You get rid of the rocks, you get rid of the liability at the same time.”
Mayor Roy Avis, as well as Couns. Doug Kitowski, June Caul, John Albanese, and Wendy Brunetta also agreed.
However, Coun. Brunetta suggested the rocks be given to Paul Noonan, owner of La Place Rendez-Vous, because he could use it to make a breakwater structure.
“It wouldn’t cost as much to haul it away,” she reasoned.
But McCaig indicated for several reasons, including the fact that the barge would not be able to get close enough to shore with that kind of weight on it, he didn’t think it would be possible.
Also at Monday evening’s meeting, council:
•approved a report authorizing the waiving of permit requirements for the signs that have been installed advising the public of alternate routes to access the businesses located in the area of the road project;
•authorized a refund of the fee in the amount of $268.40 to the owners of 1108 Second St. East for minor variance A4/2015;
•awarded a tender for a new heavy-duty mechanical broom sweeper and trade-in of the 2001 Elgin Whirlwind vacuum truck to Joe Johnson Equipment Inc. at a total cost of $349,520.30;
•approved per diem claims for Couns. Albanese, Brunetta, Kitowksi and Perry in the amount of $150 for attendance at a strategic planning session on June 11;
•approved a per diem claim for Coun. Perry in the amount of $150 for attendance at a NOMA board meeting held in Thunder Bay on June 17;
•sanctioned a seniors’ community grant agreement to resubmit to the Ontario Seniors Secretariat and passed an appropriate bylaw;
•referred a donation request from the Watten Fire Dept. to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation with input from the Community Services executive committee;
•referred a sponsorship request from the Fort Frances Aquanaut Swim Team to the Community Services executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a financial consideration from Heart of the Continent Partnership to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation with input from the Community Services executive committee;
•referred a letter from local resident L. Hamilton re: cellular service to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a sponsorship request from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a per capita request from Sunset Country Travel Association to the Administration and Finance executive committee for recommendation;
•referred a letter from Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters asking for support of the spring bear hunt in Ontario to the Planning and Development Executive Committee for recommendation;
•passed a bylaw to regulate smoking in public places and workplaces in the Town of Fort Frances;
•amended the bylaw to purpose of fixing remuneration and benefits for elected officials. This amendment allows the council representative on the Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) to now collect a per diem when attending REDC meetings;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of a memorandum of settlement with Nicole Cheetham; and
•agreed to proclaim Aug. 1, 2015 at “Duncan Keith Day” in the Town of Fort Frances.
