Council holds meet a week late

Ken Johnston

Rainy River town council held their regular monthly meeting eight days late but had a lot to do during the session last Tuesday.
Mayor Glen Armstrong informed council that the provincial government has informed the district social services board (RRDSSAB) that it intends to live up to its 50/50 share of land ambulance funding. Although the province agreed to that level of funding it has actually been paying only 30% of the costs while municipalities have had to pick up 70% and costs have been rising dramatically. “This is really good news for taxpayers,” said Mayor Armstrong.
Councillor Debbie Ewald asked the Mayor if DSSAB will be going after the province for equity on subsidized housing funding. Mayor Armstrong said he is not on that committee but would find out. He also feels that the provincial government is finally starting to take notice of Northwestern Ontario and expects more favourable announcements for the region.
Tax Rebate
Council received an application for a Vacancy Tax Rebate for the Rainy River Hotel. It is a break in taxes for vacant property.
Councillor Ewald questioned how long a person can receive the rebate. “At what point do we stop this if (the owner) is not doing anything to sell the building? There has to be an end to this process.”
Councillor Ed Tymkin noted that the owner has to keep the building up to code and if they are not they must bring it into compliance. “We do have a right to inspect the building,” said Tymkin.
The motion to approve the rebate was tabled by council pending an inspection.
Other business
•Councillor Ewald presented council with a draft of the library budget.
•Council has received its draft for the Community Improvement Program back. Counc. Brent Anderson said council should hold a meeting to accept it and then proceed with public input on it.
•Council tabled a motion to grant temporary industrial use of the property at 716 Atwood Ave. by Gameland Wood Products to allow for input by Counc. Gerry Marchuk who was absent last Tuesday.
•Council accepted the application by Marty Kreger to begin the rezoning of the former Koeneman Lumber property from industrial to commercial. A public meeting on the matter will be held March 6th.
•Dept. Clerk Veldron Vogan was designated as the town’s official Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
•Council passed a motion paying 50¢ per capita for the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition.