Allan Hensel

This document introduces the Smart Growth Action Plan for Thunder Bay, defining smart growth as an intentional development style focused on environmental considerations, inclusive communities, and urban improvement. The plan aims to foster thriving businesses, vibrant downtowns, and employment opportunities, while emphasizing financial sustainability to enhance services, infrastructure, and projects. Key initiatives include transforming public transit, revitalizing downtown areas, promoting infill housing for walkable neighborhoods and addressing housing needs, and expanding recreational opportunities through facilities like the TBTE multiplex.

The meeting minutes covered discussions from the City Council meeting held the week of February 2nd, which was the second City Council meeting of 2026. Key topics included the long-term financial overview and the 2026 operating budget, following prior Special Committee of the Whole meetings. Council ultimately approved the 2026 operating budget, resulting in a 4.4% property tax increase compared to 2025. The session also included a presentation on the City Manager's work plan and a year-end update for 2025, detailing major completed projects like the new city governance model and infrastructure projects on the horizon. Consent agenda items addressed the implementation authorization for the 311 non-emergency municipal services number, the allocation of $450,000 from the Community Partnership Fund for the Our Kids Count community hub, updates on reserve fund policies, and the approval of provincial funding to upgrade outdated water pipes. The meeting concluded with the review and approval of several bylaws. A dedicated segment discussed the 'Eye on the Street' program, a community safety initiative involving surveillance cameras, detailing its history, modernization efforts, and operational procedures focusing on community safety and privacy protocols, including a two-week footage retention cycle.

The Finance and Administration Standing Committee meeting agenda included an update on the 2025 digital strategy and priorities, such as enhancing service access for residents and providing staff with better tools. The committee discussed the 2026 Community Partnership Fund (CPF) applications, recommending support for the Our Kids Count community hub with a $450,000 grant, and did not recommend funding for the Matawa First Nations Management women's emergency shelter as it was already fully funded. Updates on reserve and reserve fund policies were also discussed, including updating existing funds (like the capital general reserve fund and animal control reserve) and creating four new funds: assessment growth, community improvement plans, parks and open spaces, and solid waste and recycling. The discussion regarding the digital strategy covered recent introductions like electronic fares on transit buses and online bill payment options (water bill, childcare bill, building permits, fire permits, recreation programs, parking tickets). New interactive online tools discussed included the construction map, neighborhood services map (for locating services and checking garbage pickup dates), and the snowplow tracking map. The committee also endorsed reserve fund changes, which are subject to final council approval. The IT department is developing AI guidelines for staff and exploring generative AI use cases, such as a website chatbot and an AI component for a new roads and transit stop condition inspection app.

The meeting covered highlights from the Finance and Administration Standing Committee, including a discussion on the Community Youth and Cultural Funding program, where funding recommendations for 2026 totaled $3 million, and proposed caps on operating and seed funding requests were introduced. The governance structure change for funding appeals, now directed to the Finance and Administration Standing Committee, was discussed, noting that appeals from the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium were heard, with a specific amendment granting the auditorium $93,000 from its reserve fund. The committee also deferred the Long Range Financial Plan to a future meeting and endorsed a report regarding a single unsold property from the 2025 tax sale, recommending that the city vest ownership of the property at 208 Simpson Street. Additionally, the session included an interview segment detailing the ongoing public engagement and survey for updating the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, which addresses root causes of safety issues like housing and mental health, and is legislated under Ontario law.

This document summarizes discussions from standing committee meetings for the week of November 24, 2025. The Committee of the Whole discussed the proposed 2026-2027 capital budget, which involves city assets like infrastructure and buildings, with no amendments proposed before moving to ratification. The Growth Standing Committee endorsed updates to the Smart Growth Action Plan, incorporating resident feedback regarding waterfront planning, climate action, accurate population estimates, community safety, and exploring strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The committee also reviewed the Vacant and Dilapidated Buildings Program, which received over $2 million through the Housing Accelerator Fund to address 59 known vacant buildings, aiming to remediate properties or prepare sites for new housing development; the program is proceeding through phases focusing on existing bylaws, investigating new financial tools, and public education. The Finance and Administration Standing Committee reviewed the 2025 audited consolidated financial statements. They also discussed a budget shortfall for the Thunder Bay Community Tennis Center, recommending a loan up to $630,000 instead of increasing the city's contribution. Furthermore, the committee approved a reallocation of funds from the Building Faster Fund and Housing Accelerator Fund to support road and servicing projects necessary to unlock land for housing development, aligning with the city's goal of approving 2,200 homes by 2031.