Staff
Municipal executive committees will be taking a closer look at plans to keep the town looking good.
As outlined in Initiative #6 (town revitalization) in the most recent strategic plan, mayor and council promised it would look at recommendations put forth by the local Chamber of Commerce for the beautification and revitalization of Fort Frances.
The town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee has taken the lead on this, and reviewed the five items put forth by the Chamber.
In a report received by council at its regular meeting Monday night, EDAC made the following recommendations and observations:
•“Project Petunia”
EDAC is recommending the town continue its involvement with “Project Petunia” and work with other local stakeholders, be they residents or local businesses, to fund the purchase, installation, and removal of the hanging flower baskets.
At the EDAC meetings, Rainy River Future Development Corp. reps indicated they would consult with the town regarding the continuance of this program.
The Operations and Facilities executive committee should arrange to meet with the RRFDC at an upcoming meeting to discuss this matter further.
•Garbage clean-up
EDAC is recommending the town initiate and facilitate a prudently-marketed campaign this spring to help eliminate blight within the community.
It consulted with the town’s bylaw department regarding the various possibilities.
“EDAC envisions a campaign, and a scheduled period where town resources are allocated and commercial in-kind resources are solicited, in the interests of cleaning up Fort Frances,” read the report.
“Aspects such as the waiving of landfill tipping fees, the allocation of town and commercial resources to help with neighbourhood clean-ups, and the assistance to residents who do not have the suitable equipment to remove larger scrap items from their property,” it added.
EDAC feels this initiative could help foster civic pride—and perhaps even become an annual event such as the school clean-ups that occurred in years past.
Suggested names for the campaign were “Fight the Blight” or “Bite the Blight.”
Since this campaign would require a great deal of planning and consultation, EDAC recommends the town refer this discussion to all of its executive committees in consultation with the bylaw department, which would serve as the lead facilitator of this event.
•Vacant buildings
EDAC felt this item was not the responsibility of the town and that local business owners, the Chamber, and “Shops on Scott“ (formerly the BIA) monitor and consult regarding these instances among its members.
•Banners on the mill’s lap building
RRFDC advised EDAC that there would be no action taken regarding the deteriorated banners until the status of the mill is verified.
At that point, the RRFDC is committed to addressing the banners in a relevant manner.
•Appearance of the east and west entrances to town
EDAC identified there actually are four entrances to Fort Frances, with the international crossing to the south and the entry from the airport to the north.
The bylaw department advised that property standards are enforced when there are contraventions, but many of the identified areas are not violating any bylaws.
EDAC’s recommendation regarding the entrances is that a more active and regular program of ditch cutting is adopted by the town.
It also recommended that previous town studies regarding community entrances are revisited.
Council forwarded EDAC’s review to all four executive committees for their recommendations, in consultation with the town’s bylaw department.
