Technical

Tech Unit 2001/2002

The Technical Unit provides support to the Council and member communities in the following areas :

Capital Planning - The Capital Planning function provides assistance to the Windigo First Nations in the development of community infrastructure. The C.P.O. (Capital Planning Officer) helps develop long-term community plans as well as 5-year minor capital plans.

Asset Condition Reporting System - A.C.R.S. inspections provide information about the condition of all on-reserve non-residential assets fundable in whole or in part by INAC. Reports are prepared which use drawings and photographs to identify the maintenance needs of each structure.

Capital Asset Management System - C.A.M.S. annual inspections and updates provide all current data on community physical assets. Information collected includes quantity, type, location, asset code, asset number, and function of each asset.

Housing and Retrofit Projects - Existing houses in the community are inspected to determine the feasibility of installing facilities to provide adequate water supply and sewage disposal.

Environmental Assessments - The inspections and planning process is used to identify, predict, evaluate, and mitigate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects.

Architectural Proposals - Terms of reference, proposals, elevation drawings, floor plans, municipal infrastructure, property surveys and building layouts.

Engineering Surveys - This work includes surveys for topographic plans. Floor plans and layouts are prepared as needed.

Housing Inspections - Inspections are conducted in four stages as houses are constructed according to the National Building Code.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - R.R.A.P. reports are based on onsite physical inspections, which are required to secure additional funding for C.M.H.C. house repair projects.

Fire Prevention Officer - Windigo First Nations Council hired a Fire Prevention Officer for their communities. The Fire Prevention officer is involved in safety inspections, training programs and the further development of First Nations volunteer fire fighting organizations.

Preliminary and Effective Project Approvals - All INAC minor capital and major capital projects require First Nations to develop several stages of project approvals detailing project scope of work, including project implementation plans, cost estimates, and schedules. Windigo's Technical Unit works under the direction of the First Nation to develop these submissions.

Project Management - Windigo's Technical Unit has provided on-request engineering assistance in the form of inspections and project management of First Nations projects. The Units involvement in project management is developed during the submission process and is dependent upon the nature of the project management required and upon a request for assistance from the individual First Nation. Project management duties include organizing project team meetings, developing terms of reference, contract documents, site inspections, project progress reports, project status reports and completion certificates.

WINDIGO COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Housing inspections were conducted at all communities on an "as required" basis. Submissions were also prepared for Section 95 and RRAP programs.

CAIS was completed for all communities and ACRS inspections were carried out at Bearskin Lake First Nation and Koocheching.

Windigo Technical Unit assisted member First Nations in the development of work for the following projects over the past year:

Bearskin Lake First Nation

Ø Completion of a Servicing Study
Ø Completion of the Water Treatment Plant upgrade
Ø Culverts on site and waiting for replacement of Bailey bridge
Ø Submission to Health Canada for construction of an addition to the Nursing station
Ø EPA approval for remediation of INAC generator site and project tendered for summer 2002 construction
Ø Completion of Community center improvement project funded by NOHFC
Ø Submission and completion of school playground project
Ø Development of Far North Fire Management Proposal
Ø Hydro staff house completed
Ø Worked on developing options for youth center

Cat Lake First Nation

Ø Construction complete and DGS asset transfer being worked on.
Ø Terms of Reference prepared and approved for School Study. Study tendered.
Ø Preliminary band office design developed
Ø Community remediation plan being developed
Ø Ball field and community lighting completed for NOHFC project
Ø Worked on INAC submission for servicing improvements. Vacuum truck approved for community
Ø Nursing station fuel system replacement completed
Ø Nursing station remediation cell constructed and material excavated
Ø Submission for fire hall/garage complete to Canada Infrastructure

Koocheching First Nation

Ø Tank upgrade initiative for fuel tank being worked on.
Ø Community Center construction complete and project closed out
Ø Assisted with several project items including power and road development
Ø Electrification study
Ø Completed and submitted ACRS report
Ø Working on approval for fuel tank for generator system

North Caribou Lake First Nation
Ø Water Treatment plant third party assessment in progress
Ø Nursing station remediation ongoing
Ø INAC Generator/firehall remediation still in progress
Ø Health Canada Nursing station complete
Ø Hydro 1.0 Meg Upgrade operating agreement ongoing
Ø Grid study completed, PPA approved and design started
Ø Phase 6 retrofit completed
Ø Assessment completed for F.N. Band garage
Ø Hydro house addition complete
Ø Fire truck proposal approved for community
Ø Construction for Phase 2A and 2B servicing completed

Sachigo Lake First Nation

Ø Hydro site remediation ongoing with Ontario Hydro and work in progress
Ø Landfill project worked on and study in progress.
Ø Nursing station remediation work complete
Ø Fuel system for Nursing Station completed
Ø Hydro Study completed
Ø Canada Infrastructure applications for Landfill and Fire hall completed
Ø Construction of new school nearing completion
Ø EPA approved for Hydro upgrade No. 4 for summer 2002 construction
Ø Submission for fire truck completed and approved
Ø Submission for classroom conversion completed
Ø Nursing station renovations completed

Slate Falls First Nation

Ø Band office extension inspections completed
Ø Submission for school playground completed
Ø Submission for fire hall building completed and submitted to NOHFC
Ø CMHC RRAP projects in North Caribou First Nation, Bearskin Lake First Nation and Cat Lake First Nation. Windigo Technical Unit provided project development and inspection services associated with these projects.

Staffing Changes:

There have been no changes in staffing in the past year. The current position responsibilities are as follows:

Tech Unit Manager : to oversee Tech Unit Operation, address technical issues that affect all Windigo communities, participate on the Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation Board of Directors, work to improve services to Windigo communities

Project Engineer : to address Health Canada projects and O&M

Capital Planning Officer : to address Electrical Generation/Distribution and Schools

Project/Housing Inspector : to address houses and infrastructure

Project Technologist : to address Capital Planning and reporting requirements, ACRS, CAIS, O&M plan, Five Year Minor Capital, and project submissions

Environmental Technologist : to address environmental projects and issues.

Fire Safety Officer : to address fire training and safety issues and to promote community awareness.

Tech Unit Secretary : to provide administrative support to the tech unit employees.

The Windigo Technical Unit is working to meet the changing needs of all Windigo communities now and in the future.

From the Annual report 2002/2003

The Technical Unit provides support to the Council and member communities in the following areas:

Capital Planning - The Capital Planning function provides assistance to the Windigo First Nations in the development of community infrastructure. The C.P.O. helps develop long-term year community plans as well as 5-year minor capital plans.

Asset Condition Reporting System - A.C.R.S. inspections provide information about the condition of all on reserve non residential assets fundable in whole or in part by INAC. Reports are prepared which use drawings and photographs to identify the maintenance needs of each structure.

Capital Asset Management System - C.A.M.S. annual inspections and updates provide all current data on community physical assets, information collected includes quantity, type, location, asset code, asset number, and function of each asset.

Housing and Retrofit Projects - Existing houses in the community are inspected to determine the feasibility of installing facilities to provide adequate water supply and sewage disposal.

Environmental Assessments - the inspections and planning process is used to identify, predict, evaluate, and mitigate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects.

Architectural Proposals - Terms of reference, proposals, elevation drawings, floor plans, municipal infrastructure, property surveys and building layouts.

Engineering Surveys - this work includes surveys for topographic plans, floor plans and layouts are prepared as needed.

Housing Inspections - Inspections are conducted in four stages as houses are constructed according to the National Building Code.

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program - R.R.A.P. reports are based on onsite physical inspections, which are required to secure additional funding for C.M.H.C. house repair projects.

Fire Prevention Officer - Windigo First Nations Council has a Fire Prevention Officer for their communities. The Fire Prevention officer is involved in safety inspections, training programs and the further development of First Nations volunteer fire fighting organizations.

Preliminary and Effective Project Approvals - all INAC minor capital and major capital projects require First Nations to develop several stages of project approvals detailing project scope of work. Project implementation plans, cost estimates, and schedules. Windigo's Technical Unit works under the direction of the First Nation to develop these submissions.

Project Management - Windigo's Technical Unit has provided on?request engineering assistance in the form of inspections and project management of First Nations projects. The Units involvement in project management is developed during the submission process and is dependent upon the nature of the project management required and upon a request for assistance from the individual First Nation. Project management duties include organizing project team meetings, developing terms of reference, contract documents, site inspections, project progress reports, project status reports and completion certificates.

WINDIGO COMMUNITY PROJECTS

CMHC RRAP projects for thirteen housing units were developed for North Caribou First Nation and Cat Lake First Nation. Windigo Technical Unit provided project development and inspection services associated with this project.

Housing inspections were conducted at all communities on an "as required" basis. A total of 28 housing units were constructed in our communities.

CAIS was completed for all communities and ACRS inspections were carried out at Cat Lake First Nation.

Windigo Technical Unit assisted member First Nations in the development of work for the following projects over the past year:

Bearskin Lake First Nation
- Completion of first phase of soil remediation
- Developed scope of work required for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade to address boil water advisory concerns
- Culverts on site for replacement of Bailey Bridge
- Submission to Health Canada for construction of an addition to the Nursing station and tender of the work
- Submitted proposal to NOHFC for construction of fire hall, which received approval.
- Submitted proposal for youth center and waiting for approval.
- Hydro site decommissioning completed
- Worked on developing options for day care and office extension

Cat Lake First Nation
- DGS asset transfer being worked on.
- School study in progress
- Preliminary band office design developed
- Community remediation plan being developed
- NOHFC application submitted for new fire truck and approved
- Worked on INAC submission for servicing improvements including water plant improvements to address water quality issues
- Nursing station soil remediation in progress
- Submission for fire hall/garage complete to Canada Infrastructure and approved
- Working on installation of ventilation units in homes to address mold concerns

Koocheching First Nation
- Submission for NOHFC for well system for community submitted
- Completed and submitted ACRS report

North Caribou Lake First Nation
- Water Treatment plant third party assessment in progress and improvements in progress
- Nursing station remediation ongoing
- INAC Generator/fire hall remediation still in progress
- Hydro 1.0 Meg Upgrade operating/maintenance to be extended. Proceeding with preliminary project approval for upgrade to existing plant
- Grid study completed, PPA approved and design started. Project currently waiting for INAC indication re: funding availability
- Fire truck proposal approved for community and new truck received

Sachigo Lake First Nation
- Hydro site remediation ongoing with Ontario Hydro and work in progress
- Landfill project progressing with construction to be completed next year.
- Canada Infrastructure applications for Landfill and Fire hall completed. Fire hall has been approved and materials ordered
- New school- fuel spill cleanup completed and substantial completion still required
- Hydro upgrade No. 4 completed
- Submission for fire truck completed, approved and truck delivered
- Submission for classroom conversion completed

Slate Falls First Nation
- Submission for school playground completed and equipment ordered
- Submission for fire hall building completed to NOHFC and building complete

Staffing Changes:

There have been several staff changes in the past year. A new Environmental Technologist has been hired

The current position responsibilities are as follows:
Tech Unit Manager: to oversee Tech Unit Operation, address technical issues that affect all Windigo communities, participate on the Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation Board of Directors, work to improve services to Windigo communities
Project Engineer: to address Health Canada projects and Community Infrastructure
Funding/Project Technologist-preparation of submission and project cost reporting
Project/Housing inspector: to address houses and infrastructure
Project Technologist: to address Capital Planning and reporting requirements, ACRS, CAIS, O&M plan, Five Year Minor Capital, and project submissions
Environmental Technologist: to address environmental projects and issues.
Fire Safety Officer: to address fire training and safety issue and promote community awareness. Also fuel handling.
Tech Unit Office Administrator: to provide administrative support to the tech unit employees.

The Windigo Technical Unit mandate continues to be to provide technical advisory services in order to meet the needs of all Windigo communities now and in the future.