Staff
The night sky will be lit up on Canada Day after town council last night approved a financial request to give up to an extra $5,000 to the “Fun in the Sun” committee for fireworks.
This money is in addition to the $5,000 the town already had budgeted for the display.
Council also directed that the matter be referred to the Rainy River Future Development Corp. to see if any of the extra $5,000 could be drawn from any funding sources of which they are aware.
Council last month had agreed to a recommendation by the Administration and Finance executive committee to contribute $5,000—not the $10,000 requested—to the Canada Day celebration.
But the matter was brought back for reconsideration by council yesterday evening after the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended the town finance the fireworks display up to an additional $5,000 for this year only.
EDAC also said it will work with the “Fun in the Sun” committee to determine the future of Canada Day festivities here.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•heard an operational update from Fort Frances Power Corp. CEO and president Joerg Ruppenstein;
•heard a presentation from the developers of the old Fort Frances High School property (1578289 Ontario Ltd.) regarding plans for the demolition of the J.A. Mathieu section of the building this summer;
•approved a recommendation from the Committee of Adjustment to proceed with the proposed zoning bylaw amendment for Church of the Holy Spirit (824 Victoria Ave.), handling the yard requirements as amendments to the bylaw and foregoing an additional public meeting;
•awarded Tender No. 10-OF-03 (a three-year contract for asphalt patching) to Pioneer Construction at an estimated cost of $301,287;
•accepted a report regarding the 2009/10 Ministry of Environment’s unannounced inspection of the town’s water system, and acknowledged water treatment staff for their effort and hard work “to ensure all consumer connected to the town’s water system receive outstanding water, which meets all applicable regulations”;
•referred a request from the Fort Frances Curling Club to the Administration and Finance executive committee for further consideration (the request is to change the due date for payments of tax bills over the next five years from July 31 of each year to Sept. 30 of each year);
•approved a financial request in support of the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre grand-opening, and agreed to co-sponsor the event with a financial contribution of $750;
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee to approve an additional $20,000 in the 2010 operating budget for economic development expenses to support the Town of Fort Frances Enhanced Services Proposal for the period of April 1, 2010-Sug. 31, 2011 (this is a follow-up from a presentation by economic development advisor Geoff Gillon at the April 26 council meeting);
•approved various travel expense and per diem claims for the mayor and several councillors; and
•heard verbal updates from Community Services manager George Bell and Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown on various local projects.
