Staff
Town council is expected to award the tender to build the Rainy Lake Square project at its regular meeting tonight.
Council will vote to authorize the execution of an agreement with RML Contracting of Thunder Bay for the construction of the square, as well as the replacement of the brick sidewalk along the 200 block of Scott Street and the block entry sidewalks at the Civic Centre.
The total cost is $2,101,997.15, which includes the town’s portion of HST and a contingency allowance of $92,000.
The sewer and water works portion, totalling $26,095.81 will be funded by the sewer and water reserves, while the the remaining budget shortfall of $366,155.42 will be funded by the allocation of $170,000.00 of the 2016 budget surplus and the remaining $196,155.42 will be funded from the corporate projects reserve.
While four bids were received when the project tender closed April 11, all of them were over the allocated budget.
As a result, the scope of jobs was reviewed and some aspects of them were removed to bring the project closer in line with budget allocations, Operations and Facilities Travis Rob notes in a report to council.
Furthermore, with input from architects Scatliff + Miller + Murray, specifications on certain aspects of the project were reviewed further and altered, where possible, to see additional cost savings.
One concession made was not installing new trees on the 200 block of Scott Street to replace the ones removed during reconstruction of the sidewalk.
If the tender award is approved by council, the various jobs are scheduled to start as soon as possible, with a completion date for the Rainy Lake Square being Aug. 18.
The Scott Street sidewalk work is slated to be completed Sept. 8, and the Civic Centre sidewalk on Oct. 2.
A public meeting will be scheduled to ensure all property owners to be affected by the work get first-hand knowledge of the project, as well as have the opportunity to ask questions of the contractor and contract administrator.
The committee of the whole will meet first at 5:30 p.m., but will go in-camera for an indefinite length of time to discuss five items, including a taxi licence application, two job evaluations, a property matter, and a consultation matter.
Other business at tonight’s meeting includes:
•a presentation by RRFDC consultant Tannis Drysdale re: “Canada 150” pin recognition;
•an update on the banners on the “Lap” building at the border;
•a recommendation re: the 2017 capping parameters for capped properties;
•a recommendation re: “Tour de Fort” sponsorship;
•2016 Minutes of Settlement for property located at 527 Third St. W.;
•a report re: the BIA (The Shops on Scott) 2017 budget and tax rates;
•the March, 2017 drinking water systems monthly summary report;
•the awarding of RFP 17-OF-06 (five-year maintenance agreement for municipal property);
•a Northern Ontario Internship Program application for the museum;
•recommendations from the Council Remuneration Committee re: mileage and meal allowances;
•recommendations re: museum parking and sponsorship of the Tener collection book;
•a recommendation re: the establishment of a Fire & Rescue Services Steering Committee (FRSSC);
•a resolution to designate the sixth-annual Boundary Water Dragon Boat Festival as a significant community event;
•a letter from the Rainy River Vet Services Committee re: the Vet Assistance Trust Fund;
•a letter from the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship re: event support; and
•a bylaw to establish tax ratios for prescribed property classes.
