REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES

-
Council Chambers and Video Conference
Present:
  • Mayor M. Shoemaker, 
  • Councillor S. Hollingsworth, 
  • Councillor S. Spina, 
  • Councillor L. Dufour, 
  • Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen, 
  • Councillor A. Caputo, 
  • Councillor R. Zagordo, 
  • Councillor M. Bruni, 
  • Councillor C. Gardi, 
  • and Councillor M. Scott 
Absent:
  • Councillor S. Kinach 
Officials:
  • T. Vair, 
  • R. Tyczinski, 
  • S. Schell, 
  • P. Johnson, 
  • S. Hamilton Beach, 
  • B. Lamming, 
  • T. Anderson, 
  • F. Coccimiglio, 
  • T. Vecchio, 
  • M. Zuppa, 
  • P. Tonazzo, 
  • N. Ottolino, 
  • S. Facey, 
  • J. King, 
  • D. Perri, 
  • N. Maione, 
  • R. Van Staveren, 
  • and Maggie McAuley 
Others:
  • S. Zuppa, E. Cormier, K. Pulkkinen

     

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 14, 2025 be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the Agenda for August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting as presented be approved.

Nathan A Bielaski, Client Strategy Manager, Enterprise Fleet Management Inc.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that all the items listed under date August 11, 2025 – Agenda item 7 – Consent Agenda save and except Agenda items 7.5, 7.8, 7.9, and 7.11 be approved as recommended.

    Carried

The report of the Chief Administrative Officer was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the CAO dated August 11, 2025 concerning the mid-year update for the Corporate Strategic Plan 2024-2027 actions and metrics be received as information.

    Carried

The report of the Chief Administrative Officer was received by Council.

The relevant by-law 2025-119 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that correspondence from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board dated  July 17, 2025 be received as information.

    Carried

The report of the Chief Administrative Officer was received by Council.

The list of outstanding Council resolutions was received by Council.

The report of the Manager of Purchasing was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Purchasing dated August 11, 2025 concerning Snow Removal Services at various municipal parking lots be received and that the services as required by Arenas, Building Services, Parking, and Transit Divisions commencing winter of 2025/26 season for a period of up to five years by mutual agreement be awarded as follows:

    • 1890688 Ontario Inc. Property Masters
    • GFL Memorial Gardens lot
    • 6490182 Canada Inc. DYC Properties
    • Lots Downtown #1, #2, and Plaza; Northern Community Centre and Northern Transfer Point
    • Rainone Services
    • Civic Centre lots
    • Steel Speed Civil Inc.
    • John Rhodes Community Centre

    per occurrence pricing, plus HST.

    Carried

The report of the Manager of Purchasing was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Purchasing dated August 11, 2025 concerning Machine Rental – John Street Sanitary Main Cleaning be received and that the work be awarded to Braywood Services Inc. for up to seven days at the rental fee of $18,900/ day plus HST on a sole-source basis..

    Carried

The report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services dated August 11, 2025 concerning Pointe des Chenes Update be received and that an RFP for an operator(s) of a complementary business adjacent to the Pointe des Chenes day park space as identified on the map provided be issued.

    Carried

A report of the Director of Community Services is attached for the consideration of Council.

The relevant By-law 2025-121 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes.

The report of the Supervisor of Aquatics was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the report of the Supervisor of Aquatics dated August 11, 2025 concerning John Rhodes Starting Blocks Funding Reallocation be received and that $21,100 in capital funding from the pool pumps be reallocated to the starting block replacement project.

    Carried

The report of the Manager of Recreation and Culture was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Recreation and Culture dated August 11, 2025 concerning Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program Application – 99 Huron Street (The Yard Locker) be received and that the recommendation of the Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Heritage Committee to enroll 99 Huron Street into the Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program be approved.

    Carried

The report of the Manager of Recreation and Culture and the Accessibility Coordinator was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Recreation and Culture and the Accessibility Coordinator dated August 11, 2025 concerning Sensory Playground be received as information.

    Carried

The report of the Sustainability Coordinator was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Sustainability Coordinator dated August 11, 2025 concerning Community Development Fund – Green Initiatives Program Applications 2025 Q1 Intake be received and that the recommendations of the Environmental Sustainability Committee to support two projects as follows be approved:

    • Sault Ste. Marie Museum Environmentalism Database and Consortium Project – $11,800
    • Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Floating Wetland Project – $9,002
    Carried

The report of the Sustainability Coordinator was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Sustainability Coordinator dated August 14, 2025 concerning Deep Energy Retrofit Feasibility Study Report be received and that:

    1. Council authorize City staff to seek funding opportunities from external agencies or other levels of government to supplement approved budgets in support of priority initiatives; 
    2. The Deep Energy Retrofit Feasibility Studies be used to inform future budget requests for energy efficiency and emission reduction projects;
    3. Staff be requested to explore and report back to Council on the creation of a Climate Action Reserve as a source of eligible funding, under the delegated authority of the CAO, for energy conservation measures to decarbonize corporate facilities; and
    4. Staff be requested to explore the use of the Energy Service Company (ESCO) financing model and/or a retrofit aggregator for future projects.
    Carried

The report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development dated August 11, 2025 concerning City Share Tourism Expenditures 2025 be received and that Council approve the use of $497,747 towards the following initiatives:

    • Tourism Event Coordinator – $10,944
    • 2028 Ontario Winter Games Bid – $37,500
    • Detailed Design – Phase One Waterfront Master Plan – $375,248
    • Wishart Park Playground Equipment and Lighting – $60,000
    • Miscellaneous tourism initiatives – $14,055
    Carried

The report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development dated August 11, 2025 concerning Tourism Development Fund Applications – August 2025 be received and that the recommendation of the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Board of Directors to allocate $9,500 as detailed below be approved.

    • Epic 8 – $5,000
    • Pride Cruise and Afterparty – $4,500
    Carried

The report of the Manager of Business Development was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Business Development dated August 11, 2025 concerning Canal Drive Development be received and that Council approve a Municipal Tax Increment Rebate in the amount of $100,000/year over a three-year term through the Economic Growth Community Improvement Plan, utilizing the Economic Development Program to support the expansion project proposed by 11880004 Ontario Limited subject to the following conditions being met:

    • Confirmation that funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), applied for independently from this request, is approved;
    • Demonstration that job creation targets identified in the application are substantially met, with a minimum threshold of 80% of the proposed 50 additional direct jobs realized;
    • Evidence of meaningful partnerships with other local businesses (tourism operators, hoteliers, etc.) and community stakeholders, as outlined in the project proposal.

    Carried

The report of the Director of Public Works was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Public Works dated August 11, 2025 concerning Goose Management be received and that Council direct staff to refer operating costs required to support a Goose Management Program to 2026 budget.

    Carried

A report of the Director of Planning is attached for the consideration of Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Planning dated August 11, 2025 concerning Appointment of Risk Management Inspector be received and that Gerard Lavoie be appointed as the Drinking Water Source Protection Risk Management Inspector.

    Carried

The report of the Director of Planning and Junior Planner was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Planning and the Junior Planner, dated August 11, 2025 concerning the Building Faster Fund Year 2 Investment Plan be received and that Council approve the municipal Building Faster Fund Year 2 Investment Plan for 2025 and authorize staff to submit it to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

    Carried

The report of the Manager of Finance was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor S. Spina
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Finance dated August 11, 2025 concerning Second Quarter Financial Report – June 30, 2025 be received as information and that Council direct staff to:

    • Report back as early as possible on a more detailed and accurate figure for salary gapping;
    • Implement a 6 month gapping for all job vacancies that can be gapped, as determined by the CAO;
    • Implement a travel and training freeze for any non-mandatory training or travel and “remote-first” option where available unless otherwise approved by the CAO;
    • Review any capital projects that were approved at budget that have not yet been awarded to determine if they can be deferred to 2026, with a recommendation brought to the CAO for approval;
    • Review and report on any operational efficiencies that can result in savings and not affect mandatory service levels. 
    Carried

The report of the Manager of Purchasing was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Manger of Purchasing dated August 11, 2025 concerning the provision of a tabulator voting solution and support services as required by City Clerks be received and that the proposal submitted by Dominion Voting Systems Corp. at their proposed price of $136,315.75 plus HST be approved.

    A By-law authorizing signature of an agreement for tabulator voting system and support services will appear on a future Council Agenda.

    Carried
  • Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen declared a conflict on this item. (Partner is a member of the current Downtown Association board.)

The report of the Director of Community Services was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Community Services dated August 11, 2025 concerning the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Committee be received and that the Terms of Reference for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Committee be approved.

    Carried
  • Councillor C. Gardi declared a conflict on this item. (Member of YMCA)

The report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services was received by Council.

The relevant By-law 2025-121 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes.

The report of the Chief Administrative Officer was received by Council.

The relevant By-laws 2025-122, 2025-123, 2025-124, and 2025-125 are listed under item 12 of the Minutes.

  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that the report of the CAO, dated August 11, 2025 regarding fleet management services be received and that Council authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management with the estimated required levy increase and reserve re-allocations included in future budgets;

    Further that Council authorize staff to proceed with the purchase of electric vehicles to maximize current charging infrastructure and then purchase internal combustion engines or hybrid vehicles until such time as charging infrastructure can accommodate the conversion to an all-electric fleet of light-duty vehicles;

    Further that the revenue from the sale of vehicles at the end of the lease be invested back into the assets of the Division/Department.

    Carried

8.6

 
  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that the report of the Junior Planner dated August 11, 2025 concerning City-initiated Planning Act application A-7-25-Z Housekeeping Amendments be received and that Council approve the housekeeping amendments listed in Appendix A;

    And that the Legal Department be requested to prepare the necessary by-law(s) to effect the same.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Dufour
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Whereas pedestrian crosswalks have been installed throughout the community, commencing with the first ones being installed in 2019; and 
     
    Whereas in certain instances, flashing lights that identify a pedestrian crosswalk are installed on the roadside pole, and in other instances, are installed both on the roadside pole, and the overhead arm above the traffic lane; and
     
    Whereas the Ontario Traffic Manual indicates the standard for pedestrian crossovers in Ontario is a flashing light on the roadside pole; and 
     
    Whereas it is an added, but not required, safety precaution to have a flashing light also installed on the overhead arm above the traffic lane;
     
    Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie request staff to review and report as to the feasibility of all pedestrian crossovers installed going forward having both flashing lights on the roadside pole, and flashing lights on the arm above the traffic lane; and
     
    Further regarding the integration of overhead flashing lights into existing pedestrian crossovers as funds are available within existing operational budgets.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Whereas the Five-Year Capital Transportation Plan, presented to City Council on July 14, 2025 has within it the reconstruction of Church Street in 2027, and;

    Whereas traffic flow between the uptown/Great Northern Road area and the downtown/Queen Street area currently contains one-way traffic flow on Pim Street and Church Street, with Church Street heading north, and Pim Street heading south; and

    Whereas new multi-unit housing on Pim Street, and the development of new residential units in the old Sault Area Hospital Renal Building may increase  traffic numbers of Church Street; and

    Whereas prior to incurring the costs of reconstructing a road, which will maintain the current traffic system for another generation, it is prudent to review the suitability of the traffic flow system to determine if it meets the community’s current needs;

    Now Therefore Be It Resolved that prior to the reconstruction of Church Street being undertaken, staff review the Church Street/Pim Street one-way traffic flow arrangements, as well as the sightlines at the intersections of Church/Wellington and Pim/Wellington, and any other relevant intersections in the area, to determine if there is a more efficient way to move traffic between the downtown and the uptown areas of Sault Ste. Marie.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that all By-laws under item 12 of the Agenda under date August 11, 2025 save and except By-law 2025-121 be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-117 being a by-law to amend Sault Ste. Marie Zoning By-laws 2005-150 and 2005-151 concerning lands located at 99 Melville Road (Mangesh Shende) be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-118 being a by-law to designate the lands located at 99 Melville Road an area of site plan control (Mangesh Shende) be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-law 2025-119 being a by-law to amend By-law 2021-197 (being a by-law for Procurement Policies and Procedures) be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-law 2025-120 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Amendment to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation Contribution Agreement be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-law 2025-122 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Master Equity Vehicle Lease Agreement between the City and Enterprise Fleet Management Canada, Inc. to provide for the leasing of light-duty vehicles operated by the City be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-law 2025-123 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Full Maintenance Agreement between the City and Enterprise Fleet Management Canada, Inc. to provide maintenance services on light-duty vehicles leased and operated by the City be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-124 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Maintenance Management Agreement between the City and Enterprise Fleet Management Canada, Inc. be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-125 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Consignment Auction Agreement between the City and Enterprise Fleet Management Canada, Inc. be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-law 2025-115 being a by-law to authorize the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

     

    Carried
  • Councillor C. Gardi declared a conflict on this item. (Member of YMCA)
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-121 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Amending Agreement between the City and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for the YMCA boiler replacement project to include the installation of a new HVAC unit be passed in open Council this 11th day of August, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor A. Caputo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Spina

    Resolved that this Council move into closed session to discuss the potential disposition of land to support housing development;

    Further Be It Resolved that should the said closed session be adjourned, the Council may reconvene in closed session to continue to discuss the same without the need for a further authorizing resolution.

    Municipal Act R.S.O.2001 – s. 239.2 (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor R. Zagordo
    Seconded by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that this Council now adjourn.

    Carried
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