Staff
The town could get another tug boat.
Council will vote tonight whether to accept the donation of a Russel Bros. logging tug boat which currently is dry-docked in International Falls.
The Community Services executive committee is recommending council accept the donation of the tug boat to the Fort Frances Museum and approve an expenditure of $500 (U.S.) from museum donation funds for transportation costs.
The boat would have to be loaded by crane and transported to this side of the border, Community Services manager Jason Kabel noted in a written report to council.
Customs is not an issue as the piece has been gifted to the museum and museums are exempt from duties.
Kabel added that once on this side of the border, the boat would have to be unloaded by crane and stored on Public Works property until money is found for sandblasting, painting (it would be painted in the same colours as the “Hallett”), and dry-docked.
There is room near the Hallett, said Kabel.
Local residents Caren and Eric Fagerdahl have reduced the cost of getting the boat here to $500 U.S. while Shane Armstrong of George Armstrong Co. Ltd. has donated his equipment and time to the project, he explained.
“The steel-hulled boat is in good shape and still runs,” Kabel noted.
The tug was featured on the old green Canadian $1 bill.
The Russel brothers, Jardin and Colin, opened a machine shop here in 1907 at the foot of Crowe Avenue (later the site of Busch’s prior to its move to Sixth Street).
In 1912, they expanded their business to build tugs—first out of wood and later steel.
By 1924, they were averaging 17 boats per year.
It was after they moved their business to Owen Sound in 1937 that they were commissioned to build the “Hallett,” which now is a historical site located along the La Verendrye Parkway here.
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 two items, including Agency #1 negotiations and appointments to boards and committees.
Other business on tonight’s agenda includes:
•a recommendation from the Committee of Adjustment re: re-zoning part of 200 McIrvine Rd.;
•a recommendation re: water service installation delays at 832 Huffman Court;
•an updated agreement with Kenora Central Ambulance Communications Centre;
•a report re: updating the town’s asset management plan;
•a sponsorship request from the Legion Ladies Auxiliary fundraising committee;
•a recommendation re: B93.1 The Border “holiday greeting” advertising request;
•a report re: student wage rates;
•a report re: alternative voting methods for the 2018 municipal election; and
•a hearing for a tax adjustment application for 327 Nelson St.
This will be the final regular council meeting of 2016.
