RR council questioned about its rental practises

Ken Johnston

Rainy River town council met Monday evening and the main topic for the evening was rentals.
Local business owner Robin Jenson addressed her concerns that the town office could not provide her with any set rules for rental of town property.
“I called the office this morning and they could not provide me with any rules regarding the rental of the basement in the clinic,” said Jenson.
She is concerned that council could rent space to a business. “I would like to know what I am up against,” she added.
Mayor Glen Armstrong said that council would take the matter under advisement and get back to her as soon as possible.
Another housing related delegation spoke to council. District Social Housing Manager Cathe Hoszowski gave council an overview on the 301 units in the Rainy River District.
She noted that there is some misconception out there that the units are only for seniors. “That is not true. People of any income can rent the units.” If people do not wish to disclose their income they can pay the going market rent for the type of unit they are interested in. “There are vacancies in the district and that is a problem,” said Hoszowski.
In Rainy River there are about ten units vacant at this time, mostly on the second floors of Riverview Manor and Heritage House.
Councillor Larry Armstrong asked if plans will move forward to put an elevator in Riverview Manor.
Hoszowski said not this year as it is not in the budget.
She noted that the largest number of vacancies are in Atikokan where there is an abundance of social housing. “They were mostly built at a time when Atikokan was growing. If the board approves it next week I hope to sell some of those buildings there.”
Mayor Armstrong asked her if there has been any scrutiny of her agency for competing with the private sector for renters.
“No scrutiny. Might there be? Possibly. If it became a big issue in a community we would have to look at it.”
Later in the meeting council approved a motion to allow Melanie Murray to sublet her space in the basement of the clinic out.
Council also received a request for rental rates from a Fort Frances chiropractor. Property committee members Gerry Marchuk and Deb Ewald asked council for clarity on town rental procedures. “What do we do? Bring it to council, go back to the renter and then come back to council?”
Councillor Brent Anderson said there are rates established and urged property to send the chiropractor the rates and then come back to council if the doctor wants to rent from the town.
Other business
•Council purchased a John Deere lawn tractor at a cost of $5,750 from Degagne Equipment in Emo.
•Council passed a resolution urging the Ministry of Health to reopen 20 beds at Rainycrest Home for the aged.
•Councillor Deb Ewald said Hydro One officials will meet with council in the fall to discuss having the local town crew aid in restoring power during outages.