Meeting on dock, waterfront set

A public information session on the structural integrity of the government dock on Sand Bay, and future waterfront development in Fort Frances, will be held next Wednesday (May 7) at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
This is a follow-up from last year, when it came to light the government dock is in dire need of repair and an engineering study was done.
The study, done last August, indicated the dock will cost $770,000 to repair, $1.5 million to replace, and $295,000 to remove.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, town council:
•authorized Cimco Refrigeration replace the chiller at the ’52 Canadians Arena at a cost of $48,574 (this will funded through the 2008 budget);
•authorized the signing of the 2008 Municipal Bear Response Agreement between the town and Ministry of Natural Resources for the management of nuisance bears within town limits;
•accepted recommendations from the Operations and Facilities executive committee regarding proposed “laser tag” recreational activities in town parks (among other things, the committee noted that prior to entering into a one-year letter of authorization with Corey and Natalie Cousineau, input and direction is required from the Police Services Board);
•agreed to donate use of Pither’s Point Park to the Canadian Cancer Society for the 2008 “Relay for Life” on June 27-28 (this includes one free night of camping on Friday, June 28 for the all participants);
•agreed to amend Water System Bylaw No. 16/06 to include a new subsection reading: “The cost of the second or any subsequent thawing of a frozen water service in the same winter season will be the responsibility of the property owner” (council also agreed that property owners at 1005 Crowe Ave. and 935 Victoria Ave., who were involved for thawing their water lines a second time, be reimbursed as a result of the existing bylaw neglecting to address the issue);
•authorized the signing of the Abitibi mill complex minutes of settlement for 2003-07;
•agreed to a recommendation of the Administration and Finance executive committee to approve the Rainy River Future Development Corp.’s $7 per capita funding in the amount of $52,955 (based on a population of 7,565);
•approved a financial donation in the amount of $840 to the Fort Frances High School “chem-free” grad committee to offset the cost of the arena and auditorium rental fees for the annual party on June 25;
•agreed to donate 250 scratch pads, pins, and pens for registration packages at the District 1A Senior Games to be held here June 17-19;
•agreed to let Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft attend a one-day session of the AMO Effective Municipal Councillor Program in Thunder Bay next month (this is at a cost of $250);
•approved various travel expenses and per diem claims for the mayor, councillors, and CAO;
•approved the purchase of a pumper truck for the Fort Frances Fire Department in the amount of $310,000 (this will be financed in the 2008 budget, with $25,000 coming from reserves and $285,000 through long-term debt);
•agreed to reconsider the matter of water and sewer billing issues at Rainy River Standard Condominium Corporation No. 1 (condo representatives will appear before council at its May 12 meeting);
•agreed to a request from Fire Chief Gerry Armstrong to proclaim May 4-10, 2008 as “Emergency Preparedness Week” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•agreed to a request from P. Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer, to proclaim May 25-31, 2008 as “Energy Conservation Week” in the Town of Fort Frances; and
•passed a bylaw to authorize entering into an agreement Leesa and Michael Schimid with respect to the use of certain town lands to grow hay.