The Tunstall Bay boat launch has been on council's table for many years with monies held in reserve for its construction. Last month, council instructed staff to proceed with the preliminary work but reservations about the cost of the project were under discussion again at the April 22 special council meeting. Public works manager Wil Hilsen sought approval for the municipality's purchasing policy to be waived in order to award a contract to an engineering firm familiar with the project.
Hilsen recommended to award "a contract in the amount up to $27,566 in order to complete the detailed preparation for the Tunstall Bay boat launching facility" to Integrated Planning and Consulting Ltd. "There is limited time to conduct all the processes involved," he said. "and I would recommend to carry on with same engineering firm."
Hilsen also distributed a schematic, showing the break-down of project cost over its life cycle as outlined in the National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure. The document labels the start of a project as "small cost," with engineering estimated at 1 to 2 per cent and construction 6 to 18 percent. Operations and maintenance are referred to as "large costs" at 80 to 93 per cent.
"We are talking about the life-cycle of a project and the big costs are for maintenance and operations through its life," Hilsen said.
In light of the expense of the project, councillor Wolfgang Duntz wanted to clarify that he had stated his opposition to going ahead with the boat launch at the March 25 council meeting.
"We had our strategic planning workshop in March and set our priorities a that time," Duntz said. "The merit of the Tunstall Bay boat launch was based on the need for emergency access."
Duntz explained that although the use of Tunstall Bay access for emergency purposes was defined as part of the emergency management plan, he had been told that there are other places equally if not better suited.
"The need for emergency access at Tunstall Bay seems to be nil," Duntz said, adding that the resolution from March 25 to move forward with the project seemed to contradict council's strategic plan. "At a time of fiscal responsibility, I want to remind you that construction costs are peanuts compared to ongoing administration, maintenance and operational expenses," he said.
Duntz also drew attention to other issues like parking that haven't been addressed and added, "If there is any chance to reconsider, I would urge [council] to reconsider."
Councillor Tim Rhodes also expressed concern about the ongoing operational expenses. "If we commit ourselves to spending $750,000 over time, we need to establish where that money comes from," he said.
Mayor Jack Adelaar said that the money for the boat launch has been allocated in the reserves and is part of the strategic plan but he urged to adopt cost effective means.
BIM's chief administrative officer (CAO) Kathy Lalonde added that the project is likely to take up considerable staff time and that the Tunstall Bay boat launch was included in the strategic plan as a "low level emergency access."
Councillor Andrew Stone also took the opportunity to repeat his position from the March 25 meeting. "One of the things that is fundamental to the strategic plan is to create an economy on the island and leverage our natural environment," he said. "We have half a million dollars in reserve for the boat launch and we've spent one third of it." Stone explained that the project has been on the books for 10 years and that the parking issue can be resolved. "[The Tunstall Bay boat launch] would create a destination on the island where people could come and stay. There is a spin off for revenue generation," he said. "If we collect a yearly fee of $300 for 60 users, that would generate $18,000 a year in usage fees."
Stone said a boat launch on the west side of the island makes sense as it would remove the risk of boaters having to navigate waters around the island. It would also become an economic driver. Adelaar added that the decision has already been made four weeks ago and asked council to vote on the recommendation.
Councillor Alison Morse said that staff time and money has already been invested into this project. "At the last meeting, we decided to go ahead and asked staff to sign an agreement with the DFO," she said. And Hilsen clarified that due to the nature of the project, all contracts will be brought to council for approval as they come up.
Lalonde also said that part of the problems with parking and upland development was the result of council's deciding to pull the funding for that part of the project. She suggested to get the input of the Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
