What are the costs?

Town Council

(continued)

At Monday night's Saugeen Shores Council meeting, Coucillor Fred Shildroth raised an interesting question.

"Over the past few months, we have applied for an awful lot of funding that seems to be available during certain 'political careers. In the end, if we are fortunate enough to be successful in every application," he said, "I would like to know what it would cost the municipality. I think these will be important numbers if we are successful in all these applications."

The question was raised after the issue of moving forward with phase 3 of the proposed new swimming pool complex was brought up. Mike Myatt, Director of Community Services explained that eight requests had gone out for tendering on the proposal and that planners, Monteith Brown, was being recommended. "Monteith Brown has the experience, technical credibility and personnel to carry out this study," said Mayatt. "In addition they completed three pool studied in Guelph, London and Mississauga. If the firm is approved, we would expect to contact them immediately and then something would come before council in September ith a final document by October."

Councillor Luke Charbonneau asked why the low bidder had not been selected.

"Monteith Brown has the technical experience and the team they have put together really knows its stuff when it comes to pool studies. In addition, they included conceptual drawings which weren't even requested," Myatt pointed out. "They have a very solid reputation."

"While I support the choice of Monteith Brown," said Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock, "I would like to see an analysis of public support. Those who use a pool are very active and talkative but I would like to see where the public support really lies."

"I agree with the Vice Deputy Mayor," said Councillor Thead Seaman (Southampton). "There should be public input and the public has a right to know the numbers and whether or not they want to dig that deep into their pockets to pay for this. I am not convinced either that the public (majority) even wants this."

It was this issue that initially raised Shildroth's question. However, it was the discussion that ensued around the list of funding applications that raised concerns.

 

(next column)

27/05/2009 09:53 PM

• - arena upgrades ($130,000 for a $195,000 program)  Councillor Victoria Serda said that the Accessibility Advisory Committee had toured
  the Southampton Coliseum and had identified the areas that needed to be changed
  throughout the facility (in keeping with the new 2010 Accessibility Act).
• accessibility playground ($140,000 requested on a $250,000 equipment list)
• Fairy Lake upgrades ($90,000 requested for a $135,000 plan)
•  north side of Saugeen River for sewer and road upgrades ($17million)
• the Gore Drain

He said that the town had looked at the five projects and wondered which ones would be most fundable.

In answer to Shildroth's concern, Lori Sweiger, Town Treasurer, said the staff will put together a list of the the projects and funding that could be approved and what would be left owing by the municipality.

Chief Administration Officer (CAO) Ron Brown said that this is probably not the best way to plan but that towns go through their lists of projects and try to get some of the stimulus funding being providing by governments. "In fact, Lori and I have talked about this," said Brown, "and if we do happen to get approvals for all the projects, we (the town) will have to take a long look at them and make some decisions. I don't recommend depleting reserves to pay for projects so we may have to look at a long term capital project to fund them."

"It's nice to get all this money," Brown pointed out, "but it's hard to look at the number of projects and then make a decision."