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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-17-96 AddendumUNFINISHED BUSINESS k .- THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Meeting: COUNCIL Date: SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 ADDENDUM TO Report #: - File #: -8-12 6 Subject: EMERGENCY DISASTER PLAN - J.E.P.P. FUNDING File # Res. # ey-Law # Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the following: 1.) THAT the Addendum to Fire Department Report FD-17-96 be received; 2.) THAT no funds be expended until the Province confirms eligibility of the project; 3.) THAT it the Province confirms grant eligibility, the project costs be reviewed and finalized in a report back to Council; and 4.) THAT Council earmark the required funds (approximately $200,000 based on the submitted proposal), from the Hydro Escrow account #5001-50-X, the balance of which is approximately $2,000,000. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Financing. There is some uncertainty with the proposed project qualifying for J.E.P.P. funding due to the eligibility criteria restricting certain capital items. It is for this reason that it is recommended that no funds be expended until confirmation of funding is received. In order to comply with the commitment required under the J.E.P.P. filing criteria, Council will be committing to the potential expenditure of approximately $200,000. The Hydro Escrow Reserve Fund has, sufficient funds available (at approximately $2,000,000) should Council approve the project application. 1.2 In the interim, the Fire Chief will be exploring alternate potential sites for the disaster control centre and finalizing cost implications with all available sites. Continued.... ...EE°®.E~.~,E Addendum to FD-17-96 - 2 - 1.3 If the funding is not secured from the J.E.P.P. funds, it is recommended that the project requirements be put on hold and addressed through the 1997 budget in conjunction with all other capital projects. 1.4 If Council decides to withdraw the application for J.E.P.P. funding, this is not a technical problem, however alternate sites would still need to be investigated, at full Municipal cost, in order to meet the Provincial Nuclear Disaster Plan requirements. 2. COMMUNICATIONS 2.1 Concerns were voiced at the General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting of September 23, 1996 and we wish to advise the following information. 2.2 On July 13, 1995 aone-half day information session was conducted by Walter Evans, former Director of Public Works. The session was attended by department heads and managers, the Mayor and Councillor Dreslinski. During this session the Emergency Plan was reviewed and copies provided to everyone in attendance. The issue of the Municipal Operations Centre was also addressed. It was determined at that time that an investigation would be undertaken because of the significance of the project. 2.3 On October 31, 1995 all department heads and managers in attendance at a weekly meeting were asked to review the Emergency Plan and report back with any needed changes. 2.4 On November 23, 1995 a meeting was held with staff and Maureen Griffiths from Emergency Preparedness Ontario to discuss the makeup and needs for developing a Municipal Operations Centre. Further to that meeting Malcolm Scott from Emergency Measures Ontario was contacted for assistance as his background is in emergency operation centres. Research was conducted and in August of this year Mr. Scott met with Tom James, Durham Emergency Measures and staff. This meeting was held in order to finalize the recommendations for the Municipal Operations Centre in an attempt to secure J.E.P.P. funding. 2.5 On September 9, 1996 electronic mail was sent to the Chief Administrative Officer and copied to the Mayor, Councillor Scott as the Fire Department liaison and Steve Vokes, Director of Public Works addressing the issue of the recommendations for the Municipal Operations Centre. It was determined at that time that although not ideal, the Hampton site would be identified for the J.E.P.P. funding as it was the only site we were able to obtain pricing on. Continued..... Addendum to FD-17-96 - 3 - 2.6 Given the deadline for applying for J.E.P.P. funding a meeting was held on September 17, 1996 with the Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Public Works and Fire Chief. It was decided that the application would be submitted and that an information report (FD-17-96) would be prepared by the Fire Chief to Committee. 2.7 At the time the information report was prepared the details of the funding was not included as staff intended to continue researching the most suitable site. As previously stated the Hampton site was used in order that we could complete the application for J.E.P. P. funding with an estimated cost. 2.8 With Council approval, staff will continue to research the most suitable site. Once this site has been identified a further report will be brought to Council with the pertinent details and related costs, seeking Council approval to proceed. Respectfully submitted, c- Micha G. Creigh n, CT(A), Fire Chief. Reviewed by, CMM1 W. H. Stocl ell, Chief Administrative Officer. AA~rie A. f~laranQ; H.BSc., A.M.C.T. Treasurer MC/sr September 25, 1996.