At the May 14th budget session, I asked for further clarification about the extraordinary increase of $1.4million in actual expenditures under the category “Snow Removal”. Upon learning there were $265,000 in incremental, ice-damage related costs, Trustee Bower and I decided to research the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program. Thus, at the May 21st Board meeting, Trustee Bower and I will be presenting HDSB Ice Storm Assistance Program and this motion, prepared with the assistance of Superintendents Cullen and Veerman:
Be it resolved that the Director direct staff to apply for assistance under the Ice Storm Assistance Program to recoup the extraordinary expenses as a direct result of the Ice Storm of 2013.
Upon reading the Provincial Ice Storm Assistance Program 2014 – Frequently Asked Questions, it seems clear that the HDSB should qualify. Specifically:
- incremental, ice-damage related costs of $265,000 were incurred for emergency response and recovery, including debris clean-up to protect public health and safety
- related costs required to sustain the operability of public infrastructure
- related costs were not insurable
- related costs are clearly documented and supported
with evidence
The deadline for submission is June 16, 2014.
Jennifer Hlusko 