Call received

City council made a call to increase its share of TBayTel’s income Monday night.

Since 2004, whenever TbayTel generated more income than their board projected, the city took 10 per cent of the additional money made. With policies such as Renew Thunder Bay being implemented to increase local infrastructure, the number has now been increased to 25 per cent.

City finance manager Carolyn Busch said she wanted to make it clear that the performance dividend is only taken by the city when TbayTel makes more money than they expect to.

"This does not mean that the city will receive 25 per cent of TbayTel’s net income," said Busch.

Because the percentage is based on performance, Busch said it would be unclear how much the city could make in a given year. Since 2005, the performance dividend has netted the city $4.3 million. The performance dividend is in addition to the fixed dividend given to the city which remains the same at $17 million.

City manager Tim Commisso, who also sits on the TbayTel Municipal Services Board said its unfortunate that some people have viewed the increase as a " cash grab" by the city.

Commisso said administration felt that the increase was a reasonable one at 15 per cent. The performance dividend generally goes into the TbayTel Dividend Reserve Fund.

The resolution, which passed unanimously, also included a new special dividend. Each year, the company’s board can decide to give the city additional money if required.

Also Monday, the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute made a request to the city for $1.5 million which could bring radioactive isotope production to Thunder Bay within three years.

Institute CEO Michael Power said the $6.5 million cyclotron and radiopharmacy equipment needed could be funded by the city, province and federal government, putting Thunder Bay on the cutting edge of cancer research. The project is estimated to cost over $26 million.

Although construction could begin as early as this December, Power said the institute wouldn’t need the city’s money until next year. A commitment from the city however is needed as soon as possible said Power with project approval being finalized March 1.

Council also heard a request from Katimavik to give their participants free bus passes.

Katimavik coordinator Alexa Haberer said 11 volunteers between 17-21 have been coming to the city from all over Canada and put in 35 hours of volunteer work a week during their 6 month stay. While the program is funded by the federal government, transportation is not.

The expected cost of providing free bus passes to Katimavik participants would be $8,844. Mayor Peterson asked if providing Katimavik with bus passes would be fair to the other teen volunteers in the city.

"There are hundreds of them (teenage volunteers) that should and would ask for fair and equitable treatment," said Peterson.

Coun. Mark Bentz disagreed saying the city should give something to the national organization since it’s funded by the federal government but has local benefits.

"Think of this as our contribution to the program," said Bentz. "Giving some bus passes is the least we can do."

Council will decide on Katimavik’s plan as early as next week.