The recipients of this years Moffat Family funding in Fort Frances will be revealed at tonight’s town council meeting.
Following some uncertainty and an extension of the deadline to apply for the funding due to COVID-19, the town will be announcing just over $90,000 for successful applicants to the Winnipeg based fund.
A total of 17 different local organizations and groups received the funding in 2019, which is meant to “support and advance the economic, social, physical and intellectual well-being of children and families in the community” according to the town.
Fort Frances has been benefitting from the Moffat Family Fund since the turn of the millennium, following the entrusting of $100-million by the Randy Moffat family to the Winnipeg Foundation in 2001. Each year since, communities that were once served by the Moffat’s cable television business have been eligible to receive a portion of the interest generated by that initial investment.
In previous years, recipients of the funding have included the 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadets, KidSport, the Fort Frances Community Garden and “Fun in the Sun.”
Also on tonight’s agenda is an announcement of funding separate from the Moffat fund for vulnerable individuals in the community.
The town will be receiving a report recommending that a one time gift of $11,500 be earmarked for capital upgrades to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB)’s “Out of the Cold” warming centre. The donation is from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Foundation and is “intended to address the unique needs of vulnerable people in our community in the context of COVID-19” according to the report prepared by town treasurer Dawn Galusha for the town’s Administration & Finance Executive Committee.
Another item on tonight’s agenda is the awarding of tender for a reconstruction project on King’s Highway. According to a report from the Operations & Facilities Executive Committee, the town is pursuing the reconstruction of King’s Highway from Pit Road #1 to Pit Road #2 that will include widening the highway and installing new water services, stormsewer and landscaping. The project was originally considered earlier in the year but funding from the province fell through, leading the construction to be postponed.
Before work begins on the King’s Highway reconstruction, an open house public meeting will be held to inform property owners abutting the construction project be informed of the construction and allowed to ask any questions.
Tonight’s regular council meeting will follow the committee of the whole meeting, which gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Go to the town’s website for a link to the Microsoft Teams meeting.
According to the agenda, five in-camera items will follow the public portion of the meeting.
The first item involves Advice that is subject to solicitor/client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose: By-law Option
The second item is in regards to Information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them: Verbal Service Update
The third item is in regards to Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees: Personnel Matter
The fourth item relates to A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board: Elizabeth Street Inquiry
The final item is in regards to Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board: Agency One Update
Other business on tonight’s agenda includes:
- a presentation from Fort Frances Public Library CEO Joan MacLean and Library Board Chair Robin Dennis re: Library update
- Request for Reconsideration M. O. S. (820 Huffman Court)
- a report re: Gas Tax Funding Application
- a report re: SPC01-2020: Mill Demolition – Site Plan Control
- a number deputations re: various tax adjustments
- a letter dated July 28, 2020 from J. Eastman, Project Coordinator, Bear Clan Patrol Fort Frances re: Support Requested
- a letter dated August 4, 2020 from F. Murray, VicePresident, Public & Government Affairs, CN re: Rail Safety
