THUNDER BAY — It looks very unlikely that the city's shelter village will end up at the Kam River Heritage Park after all.
In memo distributed Friday, Coun. Kasey Etreni gave notice that on Monday she will be ask council to rescind its May 5 resolution approving the location.
"It is my understanding, that while the assessment is nearing completion, it has become clear, the cumulative costs of mitigation measures required to satisfy external partners will exceed the available budget," writes Etreni.
There is $2.8 million of provincial funding at risk if the project is delayed, Etreni noted. "This funding is contingent upon the completed building of units by December 31, 2025 and demonstrated partial occupancy by that date as well."
Switching gears at this juncture, and this quickly, will require significant council support.
According to the memo, council will need to suspend its procedural rules to allow for same night debate and decision.
Suspending the procedural rules and rescinding the motion itself will take both need a two-thirds majority in order to pass.
If council's decision to locate the shelter village at Kam River is successfully rescinded, Etreni will be asking to refer the matter back to administration to review alternate locations, including locations previously reviewed by council, and report back with any necessary by-laws.
