Duane Hicks
Town council will begin its 2011 budget process tonight with an open meeting to get input from the public.
Two speakers are on the agenda to share their ideas as to what they’d like to see in the budget, including Coun. Sharon Tibbs, who will ask for a railing for the stairs leading to the seats at the Ice For Kids Arena.
Meanwhile, La Place Rendez-Vous owner Paul Noonan will request that council reconsider its approach to resolving the equity issue between commercial and residential sewer and water rates, and slow increases to the rate to more directly align with a corresponding decrease in commercial tax rates.
Noonan will be speaking on behalf of 22 local businesses, also including the Bayview Motel, Voyageur Inn, Boston Pizza, Tim Hortons, Ernest Thompson Distributors, Selman’s Corner Gas (Fort Frances Husky), Murlins Car Wash, the Makabi Inn, and Suds and Tubs.
Rounding out the businesses are Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, North American Lumber, Piston Ring Service, Kent Ballan, Lakewood Tire, Rainbow Motel, Sunset Country Ford, Canadian Tire; A&W, Share Bears, and Shaw Cable Systems.
While the town prefers if delegations get on the agenda ahead of time, the rest of the public is welcome to attend tonight’s meeting and step to the microphone to offer their input if they so choose.
Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes each.
The public meeting regarding the 2011 budget is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m.
The public portion of this evening’s committee of the whole meeting is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m.
It will meet in-camera first at 5 p.m.
Other business at tonight’s meeting will include:
•a report regarding a rural
economic development fund contract extension;
•a report regarding a five-year capital plan under the MTO’s “Connecting Link” funding program;
•minutes of settlement for 1029 Colonization Rd. W., 1206 Old Shambles Rd., and 288 Scott St.;
•an expense reimbursement for Coun. Andrew Hallikas;
•per diem claims for Couns. Ken Perry and Sharon Tibbs;
•a travel expense and per diem claim for Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft;
•a verbal update on Operations and Facilities division activities;
•a verbal report on Local Government Week from clerk Glenn Treftlin;
•a request from Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention to proclaim October, 2010 as “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month,” and Oct. 1, 2010 as “Go Purple for Prevention Day” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from Correctional Services Canada to proclaim Nov. 14-21, 2010 as “Restorative Justice Week 2010” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from Safe Communities Rainy River District to proclaim Oct. 6, 2010 as “Safe Communities Canada Day” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from the Community Garden Committee regarding indemnification;
•a request from Ed and Rosemary Haglund regarding the relocation of a utility shed on town-owned property;
•a bylaw to amend Bylaw 06/06, as amended, to establish the retention periods for documents and records of the Town of Fort Frances;
•a bylaw to approve an extension to a contract with Engineering Northwest Ltd. for professional engineering services;
•a bylaw to approve a contract awarded to Ed Kaun and Sons Ltd. for recycle building upgrades; and
•a bylaw to authorize the 2010 and 2011 salary ranges and benefits for management and non-union employees.
