Stéphane Sigouin

The session focused on reviewing draft bylaw VA 1281, which amends the zoning bylaw. The primary discussion involved a developer's request to add restaurant uses to two lots located at the intersection of 10th Avenue East and Main Street South, which currently belong to Numero Canada Inc. The proposal necessitates reclassifying these lots from zone C113 to zone C112 to permit broader commercial uses, including restaurants, while removing the allowance for petroleum businesses like service stations. The maximum building height specified is three floors. The adoption timeline includes the second draft reading on April 15th, a period for citizens to request participation in a referendum from April 24th to May 2nd, and final adoption tentatively on May 6th, 2024, contingent on referendum requests.

The council meeting addressed the presentation of the budget and various administrative items requiring minor zoning by-law exemptions. Exemptions were discussed for SJ Brochou Transport regarding cladding with exposed fasteners, and for 94 81 6907 Québec Inc. regarding exterior cladding with visible fasteners; the former was proposed for approval, while the latter was proposed for refusal due to the major nature of the deviation. Further discussions included regularizing residence setbacks for Jenilie Falardau and Dominique Grand Maison, and regularizing the placement of a garage and shed for Jeff Saint-Laurent. Authorization was sought for motorcyclist circulation to access a service station near a snowmobile trail. An agreement for the use of premises by the Aricana seniors support organization was approved, as was a hangar rental agreement at Manie Airport. A public utility easement for an electric vehicle charging lane in favor of Hydro-Québec was approved, along with adopting new agreements concerning fire protection service command procedures. The replacement of two culverts required authorization filings with the Ministry of the Environment. A significant cost overrun for road reflection work was authorized to be assumed by the city. The council also addressed a request for financial assistance for firefighter training programs. Finally, a resolution was proposed to amend borrowing regulations due to the completion of project purposes, and the appointment of council members to cover responsibilities was discussed.

The meeting included discussions and presentations regarding the City's 2023 financial report, which indicated a surplus of $653,811 over the $48.8 million budget, and positive results in debt management policy metrics. Key discussion points also covered investment projects, including significant investment in infrastructure development such as new lots, roadwork (4th Street, 12th Avenue), and the rehabilitation of industrial land. The council addressed several minor zoning variance requests related to property setbacks, pool encroachment, lighting installation, and the addition of a gated entrance. Furthermore, the session reviewed activities in civil security (training new firefighters), the launch of a sustainable development policy, improvements to public parks, and the ongoing study for a merger with Saint-Félix.

The agenda covered multiple minor variance requests reviewed based on zoning regulations. Specifically, approvals were granted regarding setbacks for a property at 91, Route 111 Ouest, accessory building size for a property at 671, Rue De L'Harricana, and regularization of setback dimensions and lot size for a property at 281, Boulevard Mercier, although the lot size variance was refused. Approval was also granted for an architectural integration plan concerning a mural sign installation at 31 à 37, 1re Avenue Ouest. The council addressed administrative changes, including the appointment of one new member and the renewal of another's mandate on the Urban Planning Advisory Committee, and confirmed the City of Amos's assumption of a telecommunications lease from the dissolved Municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier. Further resolutions authorized lease agreements for hangar space at Magny Airport and a partnership agreement with Alliance Dek Abitibi for the use of an outdoor rink. The hiring of a Parking Agent, Carole Simard, was confirmed, and the administrative structure of the Fire Department was reorganized by abolishing one deputy director position and creating new positions for a prevention technician and two operations chiefs. Additionally, resolutions were passed concerning the financing of $3,839,000 in short-term debt obligations, the awarding of a contract for a self-cleaning public toilet, support for a funding application for the ANISIPI Water Discovery Trail podcast, and authorization to sign an amendment with Les Forestiers regarding an information terminal at the Desjardins Sports Complex. Finally, second draft resolutions were adopted concerning zoning by-laws VA1-59 and VA1-61, and notices of motion were given for future resolutions regarding street paving, road rehabilitation (Route 395), and sanitary sewer main rehabilitation.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda and approvals of previous minutes from December 15, 2025 (ordinary and extraordinary sessions). Key administrative actions involved the deposit of the Audit Report on Ethics and Deontology Codes from the Commission Municipale du Québec. Resolutions were passed to authorize the release of the guarantee fund balance for insurance related to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue et Nord Québécois grouping for the period of January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022. Contracts for property damage insurance for the 2026-2027 term were adjudicated to Beneva and BFL Canada, including payment authorizations for associated premiums and guarantee fund quotas. The council authorized the signing of an assignment agreement for the acquisition of a fabric building (dome) from the former municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Dalquier. A fifteen-year lease agreement commencing retroactively on January 1, 2026, was authorized with the Corporation de Développement Communautaire d'Amos for the Goyette-Ruel community center. An amendment to the lease regarding the use of the Clair-Foyer pool was authorized to revise operational responsibilities and annual rent. The temporary extension of petroleum product supply with Harnois Énergies Inc. until the new contract adjudication was ratified, and contracts for essential products and aviation fuel for 2026 were awarded to PetroNor and Avjet Holding, respectively. The 2024 Annual Report on Drinking Water Management was tabled. The fire department was authorized to become a training manager for the École Nationale des Pompiers du Québec. Support was granted for a financial aid application by the Corporation du Vieux-Palais and Maison Hector-Authier for the project "Les métiers d'art au travers l'histoire," and an application for the project "Le Roi moustique" to the MRC d'Abitibi Cultural Fund was authorized. Payments for accounts payable as of December 31, 2025, totaling $6,472,051.87 were approved. Budgetary forecasts for 2026 for the Office d'Habitation du Berceau de l'Abitibi were approved. Thierno Amadou Diallo was appointed as a parking attendant authorized to issue tickets at the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Amos Hospital). A settlement and payment terms agreement with Imprimerie Harricana was authorized. Karrie Martial was appointed to replace Frédérique Gauthier on the Commission de dynamisation du centre-ville d'Amos. Finally, two new municipal by-laws were adopted: By-law n° VA1-62 concerning the supplementary retirement plan for City of Amos employees, and By-law n° VA1-63 concerning the remuneration of elected municipal officials.