November 30, :00 p.m.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "November 30, :00 p.m."

Prosper Gregory
5 years ago
Views:

1 Page 1 of 8 CHAIR: Chief Peter Collins FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION CHIEF and COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 30, :00 p.m. COUNCILLORS: Philip Pelletier, Dwight Boucher, Kyle MacLaurin, Jennelle Charlie, Leo Bannon Sr., Leo Bannon Jr., Tony Collins, Valerie Chapman, Sherry Pelletier STAFF: Marilee Nowgesic (CEO), Bernice Pelletier (Recorder) ABSENT: Michelle Solomon, Georjann Morriseau GOVERNANCE: - Meeting Called to Order at 1:19 p.m. Marilee opened the meeting with prayer. AGENDA ITEM - MOTION TO ACCEPT AGENDA 1. Lands Management Act 2. Horizon 3. Economic Development 4. Food Distribution Program 5. Band Member Meeting Nov. 30th MOTION #1 - Moved by Jenny Charlie and Philip Pelletier to accept the agenda of November 30, 2015 as read. All in favour. Motion Carried. AGENDA ITEM Food Distribution Program FWFN Social Department has request a list of names of Christmas Cheer Hamper recipients from FWFN. FWFN has a privacy issue to protect clients. FWFN will provide Christmas Hampers to eligible clients.

2 Page 2 of 8 Motion #2 Moved by Leo Bannon Sr. and seconded by Jenny Charlie to increase the amount for the Food Distribution Program for the Christmas Hamper in the amount of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00). All in favour. Motion Carried. AGENDA ITEM Horizon Chantelle Bryson (Legal for FWFN) Horizon has appealed decision through a process. Last summer, the FITT contract was cancelled by MOE. There was a challenge to the lease; the City didn t consult to the lease. MOE was asking for different seasonal studies because the one put in was limited. MOE wanted studies based on FWFN information. Renewable Energy Application (REA) was denied. Section 35 rights for FWFN were stated. Horizon is appealing the decision. Status of the lease with City is behind closed doors. Environmental Review Tribunal can be used for an appeal. FWFN can become a party and oppose the appeal. Horizon didn t answer a lot of concerns that was put to the Director of MOE. MOE will stipulate their position. Through the whole battle, Horizon is trying to get approval on their original grounds. FWFN can look at the 2007 Lease with the City. FWFN can stop the denial of the REA by putting forward all the evidence that FWFN has already done and new information from MOE. Legally, FWFN can choose not to participate. FWFN choses to participate. Participation will give 30 days notice. To get party status and the hearing would cost approximately $15, Any lease over 21 years is considered a transfer. FWFN has first right of refusal for the seventeen thousand (17,000) acres around Loch Lomond. Question asked if a settlement and lease would be subject to ATIP. Escarpment Group tried and it went up to Privacy commission from Ontario and he said no. Legal Representative for FWFN suggests that FWFN support MOE Director s decision and denial. Escarpment Group discovered in archives stipulation that the land could not be transferred for any other purpose except for the protection of water.

3 Page 3 of 8 At this time, this issue is a legal matter and making sure that FWFN has party status based on Section 35 and Canada s duty to consult. Once granted, then, does FWFN want to move for disclosure for lease i.e.: MNR permits released, water taking permit, water crossing permits? FWFN should be preparing summary documents for primary hearing. Chantelle will go through affidavits and documents and add new information that maybe missing. FWFN maintains the position in previous proceedings. Chantelle will attend preliminary hearing. Chantelle will follow up with party status. Chantelle will follow up with location. AGENDA ITEM Economic Development Update Economic Development Plan The Economic Development Plan was signed off two weeks ago. MNP gave presentation on October 12th. The Plan deals with eight (8) strategies: 1. Cooperate with Other Departments to complete necessary plans to facilitate Economic Development. 2. Become properly structured and organized. 3. Effectively engage external partners. 4. Create a communication mindset. 5. Improve knowledge and performance. 6. Create revenue streams. 7. Generate wealth and jobs for FWFN. 8. Build the capacity of our members to participate in and lead economic development.

4 Page 4 of 8 Big Thunder Site Big Thunder hosted the World Nordic Championship and then it closed after that. FWFN and the City of Thunder Bay have had discussions on acquiring the site to open as a year round recreation facility. FWFN s proposal was to transfer property to FWFN and work with the parties involved. Discussion took place on a multi- use facility to benefit both the City and FWFN. FWFN wrote letters to Ministries to push the transfer of land to FWFN and then transfer it to a corporation that FWFN owns. This would be a good spot to relocate Casino and a destination site for Thunder Bay for recreational activities and job creation. FWFN to continue discussions with the province to re- acquire these valuable, and our traditional, lands. Director to keep Council apprised of discussions. Grand Portage Kingfisher Lake and Grand Portage approached FWFN to discuss a business opportunity. FWFN will meet with the two organizations to further discuss. Energy Opportunities FWFN and WSP Engineering have been having discussions on the creation of an energy island that would supply cheaper power to our leaseholders on the leased land (specifically Resolute). The source of this energy would be low cost and plenty available natural gas. FWFN and WSP will analyze the numbers to see if this is feasible. Initial calculations indicate it could work with a further possibility of building the plant large enough or in stages to be able to supply our community as well. Resolute has no hydro agreement or commitments so if the price is right they would sign on with FWFN to make the project a reality if the numbers work. Once the numbers are fine- tuned to see if the project is viable, Director will come back to Council for further input and/or approvals. Low class power would attract more tenants. Preliminary report will be ready by February 28, Dwight leaves meeting at 3:35 p.m.

5 Page 5 of 8 Dallan Dallan is a partnership between Lac de Mille Lac, Red Gut First Nation and Dale Levesque (a FWFN band member). Dallan works with sawmills and paper mills to manage their inventory around the mill yards. Currently FWFN has many members working for this company. Dallan is requesting FWFN to become a partner in order expand its capabilities to construction. Dallan owns millions in equipment and has jobs with Resolute, Ignace and Atikokan. FWFN has signed a non- disclosure agreement to review the company financials. Once this is done, the Director will come back to council with a recommendation. East West Tie There are six (6) communities involved with the East West Tie: FWFN, Pays Plat, Michipicoten, Red Rock, Pic River and Pic Mobert. All are members of Bamkushwada Limited Partnership (BLP) which has become a partner with Nextbridge to build the East West Tie line from Wawa to Thunder Bay. As owners of the line, conflict of interest dictates that BLP cannot bid on the lucrative construction contracts. As such the six (6) communities feel that another corporation comprised of economic development representatives from each community form a partnership to bid on the construction contracts. The Director of Economic Development would be FWFN s representative. Care must be taken to ensure that BLP and the newly formed corporation be at arm s length from each other. The Director will report back to Council once the corporation is developed. OPA (Ontario Power Authority) The Community Energy Plan can help create long term energy plan, reduce electricity, etc. and is funded 100% by OPA. A response to FWFN s application will come after Christmas. Heavy Equipment Training Facility The GTP Lands need to position itself for long term development. Parts of the land are contaminated by former tenants. A proposal is being developed which

6 Page 6 of 8 would see the creation of a training facility that that could clean up the lands as part of the training curriculum, be funded through government funding as training and building capacity are the current words for said government. This training facility would go a long way in filling the gap for qualified workers in the resource industries (mining). Training school would have to meet regulatory standards. Action plan would be developed. First steps are a meeting with Ministers Gravelle and Mauro to engage the government s interest and/or commitment to such an initiative. Economic Development to set up meetings. Former Abitibi Site Abitibi sold the site to a salvage company. They demolished the old mills and sites and are selling other materials for scrap. They came to see FWFN to see if FWFN wanted to buy the land back for eight million dollars (8) and FWFN rejected. They came back with an offer of one point eight million (1.8) and FWFN was not in agreement. Because it was once part of our community, including the opportunities that a piece of land on the waterfront brings, it was thought that re- acquiring the land would be beneficial. Economic Development to continue talks with current owner. Trade School There is a need for a trade school as there is a shortage of trades. On the job training is needed. The Economic Development Office will talk with TECH and other companies who may be interested in working with FWFN. First Response Team FWFN has met with Ministry of Health to put together a First Response Team. New Office Building The previous Council gave direction to move forward with a new Office Building. Concerns were that the price per square foot ($25) was too high and that the airport project would be attracting our potential tenants. More information required on the price per square foot before a decision can be made.

7 Page 7 of 8 Thunder Bay Airport Site Airport Office Complex FWFN was approached by Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund and the airport about becoming partners in the development of a new commercial office building to be completed at the airport site. NADF claims they can get a tax exempt designation on the property. Director to do more research into proposal. Economic Development Corporation Discussion on board recruitment, specifically on the makeup of the board. It was agreed that potential board members have business experience and/or some professional designation. MOTION #2 Moved by Sherry Pelletier and seconded by Dwight Boucher that Economic Development Director recruit for board members for the Economic Development Corporation. All in favour. Motion Carried. Public Works Pollard Brothers FWFN is in discussions with Pollard Trucking. Pollard requires repair and maintenance work on their trailers. Such work will bring in some revenues to the garage operation. Sewer and Water Project A comprehensive community plan is being developed to look at short and long term plan so that FWFN is prepared for what could come to the community. Economic Development Officer will follow up. Consultation Position An individual will be hired for this position. Audit The Acting Director of Finance and Administration just received the final balance of audit and will address at the December 2, 2016 Council meeting. Line item Region has been corrected. Cash Disbursement from Boundary Claim Interest Discussion on the amount of distribution and whether a 10% recovery from those that owe FWFN will be held at the December 2, 2016 Council Meeting.

8 Page 8 of 8 Council discussed the issue that wealth needs to be created for FWFN when considering future cash distribution and amounts. FWFN needs to establish statement on behalf of Chief and Council. Off reserve needs to know that this community social wellbeing is dependent on improving programs and services in this community. Millwright Position FWFN members can apply for the opportunity for Millwright training positions in Sudbury. The program will consist of two years. CN Bridge - Discussion on CN Bridge. Council asked if there has been any conversation for lights on highway to entrance to FWFN. This will have to be discussion with the MTO. Discussion to lower speed limit. Discussions to send out a safety memo to transients who walk the stretch of highway to invest in safety wear in order to be notice. MOTION TO ADJOURN Moved by Kyle MacLaurin and seconded by Jenny Charlie to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS April 2018 Capital Pool Feasibility Study and Business Plan Request for Proposals For the development of a business plan to raise capital for debt financing. Statement of Request