In one of the saltiest council debates in months, the city has approved the expenditure of $2 million towards a new emergency medical services building project at Northern College, as well as entering into a 99-year lease with the school on a new fire hall, which will see the Whitney Fire Department relocate to the campus.
Last week, council deferred this vote due to the absence of Councillor Andrew Marks.
A large group of firefighters from the South Porcupine Volunteer Fire Department were once again on hand at city hall, after having sat through nearly the entire meeting last week, before the motion to defer was approved.
Northern College received major government funding in November for the project, totaling $11 million.
Mayor Steve Black said the project had been on the go for 10 to 15 years, and that he was well aware of the legitimate arguments against the decision. He stepped out of the mayoral throne to participate in the debate.
"I can agree with those arguments. From a strictly business case point of view, this is not the most advantageous move for the City of Timmins to move forward with. It would be cheaper to continue to run our separate Whitney Fire Hall as it is, and not be a part of this," said Black.
The mayor said the city 'isn't run like a business' and that many communities contribute to their local educational facilities, as he feels that education and healthcare are two of the core services a municipality provides to its community.
Black proposed an amendment to the agreement which says the city would pay a maximum of $2 million towards the fire hall, and if costs come in higher than expected, the college would then have the option to pay the extra costs, or terminate the agreement with the city altogether. The college would then also have to reimburse the city. Black said it ensures the city isn't on the hook for a project which could cost significantly more than previously anticipated.
Councillor Rick Dubeau wasn't happy that Black's amendment was brought to council at the last minute. Councillor Joe Campbell called it 'smoke and mirrors.'
Campbell said the City of Timmins will own nothing in the deal, and that Northern College applied for upper level government funding before there was any commitment from the city. He saw the $2 million as essentially a 'gift' to the college and had serious doubts about any substantial growth of the program.
"Fifteen colleges offer the same firefighting program in this province. There's no solid evidence to suggest that the new facility will attract an influx of additional students. Over the past several years, the last four years, I didn't go back beyond that, this program has had eight to ten registrants in it. Eight to ten. To suggest there's any economic benefit to the city for $2 million is outrageous," said Campbell.
"This is a terrible deal for our taxpayers," added Campbell.
Campbell quoted what he described as an e-mail from City Treasurer Jim Howie, saying "It's a bad deal for the city, and a great deal for the college."
Campbell then asked Timmins Fire Chief Mike Pintar to respond.
"From something like this, you'd want to see a benefit. There is no benefit. I don't see any benefit in the operation," he said, noting the Whitney Fire Station currently only costs $12,000 annually to operate.
Pintar also said he was very concerned about response times, as the 'new' Whitney Fire Department is 2.5 kilometres west of its current location on Dixon Street.
Deputy Mayor Walter Warwrzaszek, who was running the proceedings during the debate, then cut off Pintar.
"Are you going to answer Councillor Campbell's questions? Or are you going to act as a councillor?" he said.
"Well he's asking me my opinion, that's what I thought I was doing," replied a puzzled Pintar.
Wawrzaszek told Pintar to 'wrap it up', which elicited a boisterous point of order from Dubeau.
"We're asking the chief his opinion. This is authority of fire protection in the city of Timmins, and you're going to cut him off? That doesn't make any sense," said Dubeau.
He said he was astounded that Chief Pintar's professional insight was interrupted during such an important discussion.
"He has experience, knowledge, and training, and you don't want to listen to what he has to say? Holy sh*t," said Dubeau. He then immediately apologized for the 'S bomb'.
"I was just stating facts actually, that's what I was doing. I was giving facts on the locations of where the calls were, where the volunteers are, because I don't believe all of council were privy to that," said Pintar, once things settled down again.
Councillor Pat Bamford quoted Whitney Fire Chief Brian Nankervis (who wasn't in attendance) by saying that Nankervis had done tests showing that response times would not be negatively impacted with the move to the college, in spite of the 2.5-kilometre move.
"I wonder why he's not here tonight?" replied Dubeau, who then pointed out a conflict of interest.
"District Chief Nankervis works for Northern College. I think that's a definite conflict of interest," he said.
Councillor Rick Dubeau asked Councillor Andrew Marks to explain why he believes fire protection services would improve in the east end with the new fire hall at Northern College. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday After Dubeau and Bamford bickered some more over the number of volunteer firefighters who live behind the Porcupine Mall, which led to Wawrzaszek scolding Dubeau for speaking over others, Councillor Andrew Marks chimed in.
Marks felt that there would be 'enhanced fire safety for the city of Timmins' with the new facility. Marks also proudly stated he is a Northern College alumnus. He added that he hoped council could remain civil during contentious debates.
Councillor Mike Doody directed comments towards the gallery of South Porcupine firefighters.
"Be careful of what some people now are telling you. Ask them what they were saying months and a year ago. I know," exclaimed Doody.
"It's easy to be 'against' something. I found that out a long time ago. Sometimes its tougher to be 'for' something, and make it work," he added.
Councillor Veronica Farrell boldly stated that not only would she be supporting the $2 million commitment, she directly said that eventually the South Porcupine Fire Department will be forced to move to the college, and motioned to the gallery.
"It's going to happen. Because your building is going to start to have problems, and its going to work out that its going to be a place where you guys are going to have to go. Its not going to be a decision that you guys are going to make, its going to be a decision that we as a council will make. That's how I look at it. We're not told what to do. We try to listen to what you have to say, give you our opinion, and we try to make the right decision. And we like to be respected for the decision that we make," said Farrell.
Northern College President Fred Gibbons came forward to answer a pointed question from Campbell regarding if the funding from upper levels of government was conditional upon the City of Timmins contributing to the project.
"Yeah, there's a funding agreement that we have. From both levels of government," answered Gibbons.
"Well, I'd like to see one that this is conditional. Because I don't believe that it is. I don't want to get into a dispute, and I don't want to question your integrity," said Campbell.
"I think you just did," said Gibbons.
"Basically, in a nutshell," replied Campbell.
City of Timmins CAO Dave Landers explained that the college doesn't have final cost estimate numbers as of yet. Those are expected to be ready by late February. The Northern College board will have to ultimately approve the lease agreement due to Black's last minute amendment.
Voting in favor were Bamford, Doody, Farrell, Marks, and Black. Opposed were Dubeau, Campbell, Rinaldo, and Wawrzaszek.
"I want to thank everybody for the debate tonight. It was really good. Heated, but good," said Wawrzaszek before returning to his normal seat.
