Staff
Aiming to get projects done in the near future that did not receive funding this year, town council approved a five-year capital plan for funding under the King’s Highway “Connecting Link” program.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown recommended in his report Monday night that the town request $1,258,260 for three projects in 2010—projects the town also had applied for last year but which did not get approved.
Among the three is Phase One of the reconstruction of Scott Street from just east of Reid Avenue to Colonization Road East.
The town had tendered this project in early January, with Tom Veert Contracting getting the lower tender. But the project was never awarded due to the fact the town did not get the funding it had hoped.
The second project is an engineering study to see if traffic control lights are needed along King’s Highway near the Webster Avenue intersection.
The third project is an upgrade to the traffic control systems along King’s Highway (namely vehicle detection and surveillance features at the intersections with Keating Avenue and McIrvine Road).
Also Monday night, council approved a report recommending that it stick with its initial decision to close the secondary (cross) runway at the Fort France Airport as of today (Sept. 30).
Council had agreed Sept. 14 to revisit its decision to get more information on the closure, but after reviewing it again, the Operations and Facilities executive committee recommended it be closed.
Also at Monday’s meeting, council:
•approved a report to authorize the application to Public Safety Canada for Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) funding in the amount of $17,010 for assistance in the purchase of communication equipment and in the amount of $39,965 to replace a highway emergency vehicle;
•authorized Community Services manager George Bell to put out a call for proposals to provide skate sharpening services at the Memorial Sports Centre;
•directed the Community Services executive committee to start reviewing the town’s Fire Master Plan in order to make recommendations to council;
•accepted the August, 2009 Drinking Water Systems monthly summary report;
•directed that SMS Engineering be engaged to complete a mechanical systems condition and maintenance report at the Civic Centre;
•received an invitation from Riverside Foundation for Health Care to attend “Oktoberfest 2009,” and agreed to be a bronze-level table sponsor at a cost of $500 (this is for recognition in the program and 10 admission tickets);
•approved a purchase card expense claim for CAO Mark McCaig in the amount of $273.97;
•approved per diem expense claims for Couns. John Albanese and Rick Wiedenhoeft, both in the amount of $60 (both attended a meeting of the Rainy River District Municipal Association in Rainy River earlier this month);
•authorized an amendment to Traffic Control By-Law 10/03 to prohibit parking on Nelson Street between Victoria and Portage Avenue, and directed that signage be erected to give notice of the prohibition (motorists can use the new parking lot between St. Mary’s Church);
•accepted asbestos management plans that were completed for various town facilities; and
•received a Town of Fort Frances facilities maintenance report, and directed staff to prepare a priority listing of the recommended remedial work to be done.
