Letter to City Council from Joe Fratesi

The following is the full text of a letter sent to Mayor John Rowswell and members of City Council by Joe Fratesi, the City's chief administrative officer:

****************************************************************** Joseph M. Fratesi, B.A. LL.B. Chief Administrative Officer 2003 03 17

Mayor John Rowswell And members of City Council Civic Centre

RE: INDUSTRIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT/SERVICING BASE LINE AREA

Dear Mayor and Council:

City Council has over the last several years discussed on numerous occasions the need to develop more industrial land in our City and to make it available on the market for industrial opportunities.

The City has worked hand in hand with the Economic Development Corporation and in fact is very confident that it will continue to enjoy support from both FedNor and NOHFC in this important part of the City's Economic Diversification Strategy.

The very first properties identified for acquisition and servicing are lands which Algoma Steel Inc has determined surplus to its needs.

These are lands on Yates Avenue and lands on the south east corner of Base Line and Leigh's Bay Road. Council has endorsed these two as being prime for development.

Attached is an 8 page document entitled "Attention Resident in the area of Base Line, Leigh's Bay Road, Herkimer Road, Victoria Road, Hess Street, Cottage Lane, Town Line Road".

This document was delivered to the City by a resident who had received it in his mail box (source unknown).

The unsigned document in fact was circulated to the Legal Department, the Planning Department, the Economic Development Corporation and to the City's Consultant on the Industrial Land project, Totten, Sims, Hubicki, for comment.

Staff has since learned that the document in fact had been prepared and circulated by Ward 6 Councillor Frank Manzo.

Attached are the comments from the City Solicitor, Lorie Bottos and Bill Wierzbicki, the City's Coordinator of Current Planning, both who have been very much involved in the Industrial Land Strategy on Council's behalf.

Also attached are the reports of Totten, Sims, Hubicki regarding the public consultation and some of the environmental issues that have been raised in the circular.

As well Council should be aware that a copy of the document was received by G.P. Flakeboard which owns and operates a significant industry on Base Line and against which certain allegations are made in the circular.

Mike Rosso, Plant Manager attended at my office to advise that the company disagrees with the allegations involving the "damage done to local wells", the reason for the "three big berms" and "the bankruptcy of the contractor involved".

Mr. Rosso indicated that his company would be corresponding directly with Councillor Manzo now that they have been aware that he has authored the notice sent to the residents.

This matter is brought before Council as information and it is hoped that this information is passed along to those residents who have been provided with the original circular.

The appropriate resolution appears on Council's Agenda.

Respectfully submitted,

Joe Fratesi, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER.