Brent Lamming

The City Council meeting included a Land Acknowledgement and approval of the agenda. Key discussion items involved presentations on the Fire Master Plan Update and Northern Ontario Capacity projects. The Consent Agenda addressed several items, including the 2026 Borrowing By-law, Sanitary Sewer Fee Collection Service Agreement, and approval for equipment purchase, including two refuse trucks and playground equipment for Manitou Park. Decisions were made regarding the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre GIS contract extension and the removal of a restrictive covenant at 328 Queen Street East. The Council approved 2025 Designated Heritage Property Tax Rebates and allocated funds from the Tourism Development Fund. Furthermore, the Council supported the submission of three Municipal Support Resolutions for North Ontario Capacity Services Projects (Snow Dump, McQueen, and Brandes Pit) and approved the Fire Master Plan Update as the strategic framework for fire protection services. Zoning changes were addressed, including a deferral for application A-10-25-Z and rezoning for application A-11-25-Z. In a significant discussion, the Council resolved to call on the Government of Ontario to maintain existing conservation authorities in Northern Ontario, opposing the proposed Northeastern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority boundaries. By-laws passed included those authorizing temporary borrowing for 2026, amending cemetery user fees, and authorizing agreements related to the John Rhodes Community Centre Energy Retrofit and Accessibility Project and 2026 Aqueduct Repairs Engineering Consultant Selection. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss proposed acquisitions and dispositions of land.

The key discussions and actions during the meeting covered several areas. The agenda approval was addressed, followed by presentations, including the announcement of the 2025 Medal of Merit Recipients. The Consent Agenda involved approving reports regarding correspondence, the 2025 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner, the purchase of a backhoe from rental services for $185,000 plus HST, approval for Sprinkler and Domestic Water Line Upgrades Phase 2 at the Civic Centre, designating the 2026 Sault Ste. Marie Festival of Beer as municipally significant with a fee waiver, receiving reports on Community Safety Zones and Traffic Bylaw updates, approving financial incentives for the Housing Community Improvement Plan at 201 South Market Street, and receiving the 2025 Annual Accessibility Status Report. Key reports included approval of a one-time grant of $300,000 over two years through the Economic Growth Community Improvement Plan for Community Builders Construction. Council also addressed motions regarding the feasibility report for removing driveway windrows and requested a report on equipping public facilities with stock epinephrine auto-injectors. Furthermore, Council requested the development of a "2026 Green Innovation Roadmap" focusing on Industrial Symbiosis and the Forest Bio-economy Bridge. Several by-laws were passed, authorizing agreements for grants to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre ($205,000), 49th Field Regiment R.C.A. Historical Society ($290,000), The Art Gallery of Algoma ($328,550), and Soo Arena Association (property tax grant), approving the contract for Civic Centre Water Line Upgrades (By-law 2026-12), passing zoning and site plan control by-laws related to 140 Black Road and 815 McNabb Street, passing a zoning by-law for 460 Old Garden River Road, and awarding the General Insurance Services contract for five years to Intact Public Entities Inc. (By-law 2026-16).

The Council moved into a closed session to discuss three specific items. These items concerned the security of municipal property, a proposed property acquisition, and confidential information that could significantly position or impact contractual negotiations of an organization. The motion called for the close session to adjourn and allowed the council to reconvene in the same session without further notice.

The Committee of Adjustment meeting addressed several applications requiring variances from zoning bylaw standards. Application A1025 involved requests for variances concerning pool location, sideyard setback for a cabana/mechanical room, and front yard setback for a detached garage/shed at a property zoned R1 Estate Residential. Application A1525 sought variances for the front yard setback, south interior sideyard setback, and maximum building height for a detached garage, as the proposed structure exceeded standards in those areas. Application A1625 concerned the conversion of an existing commercial motel into a three-story, 33-unit transitional housing development, requiring variances for dwelling units on the ground floor, landscape open space percentage, and exterior sideyard setback. Staff reviews addressed drainage, road widening considerations, and noted concerns regarding electrical service locations relative to proposed structures in the first two applications. For the third application, staff recommended conditions related to facade renderings, window placement, and confirming that the front yard setback reduction applied only to the accessory building to maintain neighborhood aesthetics and privacy.

The City Council meeting commenced with an acknowledgment of the traditional territory of local First Nations. Key agenda items included the adoption of minutes, declaration of conflicts of interest regarding the Rental Housing Incentive Program, and approval of the meeting agenda with an amendment to table the Saint Marie Horse and Pony Club item for further discussion. The council recognized Dr. Roberta Bondar on the 30th anniversary of her trip to space, presenting a proclamation highlighting her accomplishments as Canada's first woman in space and the world's first neurologist in space. Additionally, proclamations were passed declaring February 14, 2022, as a memorial day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and proclaiming February 2022 as Black History Month. The council also addressed the Bonsu season by requesting citizens wear a souvenir during the designated period. Finally, the President and Vice-Chancellors of Algoma University provided an update on key strategic initiatives, including the 2020 Campus Master Plan focused on enrollment growth and research expansion.