Staff
Although the Rainy River Future Development Corp. has seen a dramatic decline in the use of its events tent in recent years, it will not sell the tent quite yet and instead hold on to it for two more years.
“After carefully reviewing the comments we received from participating municipalities, the board of directors has decided to keep and maintain the regional events tent for two more years,” RRFDC chair George Emes wrote in a letter received by town council Monday evening.
“During this period, community events taking place within the participating municipalities will be able to book the tent free of charge,” he noted.
“Please note that erection, transportation, and insurance charges still will be the responsibility of the event organizer,” Emes added.
The only costs to the lessee would be the expert set-up fee of about $800, transportation to the site, and arranging for sufficient volunteer help to erect it safely.
“In order to cover our costs, the RRFDC proposes to take a nominal amount from our municipal contributions to a maximum of $5,000 each year to cover the maintenance and pay down the tent loan,” Emes explained.
Events occurring in communities that do not participate in the RRFDC still will be required to pay the full rental fee.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•approved private home day care providers wage increases to correspond to the day care staff increases negotiated by CUPE for 2010 and 2011;
•approved a report to maintain the current handicapped parking spaces at the Memorial Sports Centre;
•authorized an update to the town’s media relations policy;
•accepted the Provincial Offences Act audited financials for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010 and further that the invoice in the amount of $3,150 (plus GST) for audited services be paid;
•authorized the entering into an agreement with CHASE Paymentech LLC for credit card payment for Fort Frances Power Corp. customer payments;
•authorized a donation in the amount of $100 to the Rainy River District Music Festival Association, as recommended by the Administration and Finance executive committee;
•directed the clerk to investigate a new or extended agreement with Paul Heayn for his services as a closed meeting investigator (Heayn was first hired in January, 2008);
•approved travel and per diem claims for Mayor Roy Avis ($1,657.72), Coun. John Albanese ($836), Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft ($1,230), and CAO Mark McCaig ($295) for attendance at the annual OGRA/ROMA conference Feb. 27-March 2; and
•agreed to meet with the Police Services Board to provide input on the 2010-13 Rainy River District OPP Business Plan, as well as get more information from the OPP regarding staffing and costs.
