REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES

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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 S. Kinach, 
  • Councillor C. Gardi, 
  • and Councillor M. Scott 
Officials:
  • T. Vair, 
  • R. Tyczinski, 
  • S. Schell, 
  • P. Johnson, 
  • S. Hamilton Beach, 
  • B. Lamming, 
  • T. Anderson, 
  • F. Coccimiglio, 
  • T. Vecchio, 
  • M. Zuppa, 
  • M. Borowicz-Sibenik, 
  • P. Tonazzo, 
  • C. Rumiel, 
  • J. King, 
  • D. Perri, 
  • N. Maione, 
  • and R. Van Staveren 
Others:
  • V. McLeod, L. Petrocco, J. Ingram

     

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 17, 2025 be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the Agenda and Addendum 1 for April 7, 2025 City Council Meeting as presented be approved.

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

    Resolved that all the items listed under date April 7, 2025 – Agenda item 7 – Consent Agenda save and except Agenda items 7.1, 7.6, 7.13, 7.17, 7.21, 7.22 and 7.24 be approved as recommended.

    Carried

The report of the CAO was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the CAO dated March 17, 2025 concerning Corporate Strategic Plan 2024-2027 metrics be received and that Council approve the metrics as presented.

    Carried

The report of the CAO was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the CAO dated April 7, 2025 concerning the authorization of the hiring process for the City Solicitor position be received and that Council authorize staff to commence the hiring process as outlined.

    Carried

The report of the CAO was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the CAO dated April 7, 2025 concerning the establishment of a harm reduction and health equity centre be received as information.

    Carried

The report of the City Clerk was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the City Clerk dated April 7, 2025 concerning Rescheduling April 28, 2025 Council Meeting be received and that the April 28, 2025 Council meeting be rescheduled to Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

    Carried

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

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Taxation dated April 7, 2025 concerning 2024 Tax Sale Results be received as information.

    Carried

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

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Taxation dated April 7, 2025 concerning Tax Appeal Budget increase be received and that the upper limit for Aird & Berlis LLP be increased by $200,000 with funding from the Contingency Reserve.

    Carried

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

The relevant By-law 2025-59 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes. 

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

The relevant By-law 2025-54 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes. 

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Purchasing dated April 7, 2025 concerning the supply of Ready Mix Concrete for the 2025 construction season commencing May 1, 2025 as required by Public Works be received and the supply be awarded to Fisher Wavy Inc. at the tendered pricing, HST extra.

    Carried

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Purchasing dated April 7, 2025 concerning the supply of Asphalt for the 2025 construction season commencing May 1, 2025 as required by Public Works be received and the supply be awarded to Trimount Construction Group Inc. at the tendered pricing, HST extra.

    Carried

The report of the Manager of Information Technology was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Information Technology dated April 7, 2025 concerning the banning of DeepSeek be received and that the City proceed, by way of a corporate policy, to ban DeepSeek on City-issued electronic devices.

    Information Technology, the CAO, and Senior Management will also address future cybersecurity concerns, updating the Mayor and City Council accordingly.

    Carried

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

The relevant By-Law 2025-56 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes.

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development dated April 7, 2025 be received and that Council approve $102,500 from the Community Development Fund towards administration of the RCIP program.

    Carried

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development dated April 7, 2025 concerning FedNor Contribution Agreement – Rural Community Immigration Pilot be received as information.

    Carried

The report of the Assistant City Solicitor/Senior Litigation Counsel was received by Council.

The relevant By-Law 2025-52 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes. 

The report of the Risk Manager was received by Council. 

The relevant By-Law 2025-57 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes. 

The report of the Junior Planner was received by Council. 

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Junior Planner dated April 7, 2025 concerning Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Updates be received and that Council:

    • Approve the draft amended Housing CIP in principle;
    • Direct staff to proceed with the public review process, including the scheduling of a prescribed public meeting in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning Act; and
    • Direct staff to forward the revised CIP documents to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for review prior to bringing it back to Council.
    Carried

The report of the Integrity Commissioner was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the preliminary report of the Integrity Commissioner dated February 13, 2025 be received as information. 

    Carried
  • Councillor S. Kinach declared a conflict on this item. (Spouse is employed by Group Health Centre)

The report of the CAO was received by Council.

Tasha Varpio, Manager of Physician Recruitment and Retention was in attendance.

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the CAO dated April 7, 2025 concerning physician recruitment budget be received and that Council approve utilizing $15,000 from the City reserve fund for Physician Recruitment (Hospital Reserve Fund) to support the 2025-26 physician recruitment budget.

    Carried

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Purchasing dated April 7, 2025 concerning Event Ticketing Service Provider as required by the Arenas Division, Community Development and Enterprise Services be received and that the proposal of Paciolan LLC for a term of five years with option to extend up to three additional terms of two years be approved.

    Carried

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

Frank O'Connor, Elbows Up Sault Ste. Marie; and Adam Bernardo, Chair of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council addressed Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services dated April 7, 2025 concerning an ‘Elbows Up’ rally in Sault Ste. Marie be received and that Council approve a contribution of up to $1,300 towards the event.

    Carried
  • Councillor S. Spina declared a conflict on this item. (Chair of one of the recipient organizations)

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

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Director of Tourism and Community Development dated April 7, 2025 be received and that the recommendation of the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Board of Directors to allocate $23,000 as detailed below be approved:

    • Community Strong Race Weekend ($4,000);
    • Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association AGM ($2,000);
    • Sault Cycling Club Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Race ($10,000);
    • Queen Street Cruise ($5,000); and
    • Warhammer Battle at the Bridge 40K ($2,000).
    Carried

The report of the City Solicitor was received by Council.

The relevant By-Law 2025-49 is listed in section 12 of the Minutes.

  • Mayor M. Shoemaker declared a conflict on this item. (Purchaser is a client of the law firm on this matter)

The report of the Assistant City Solicitor/Senior Litigation Counsel was received by Council.

The relevant By-law 2025-50 is listed under item 12 of the Minutes. 

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

Jim St. Jules, Kiwanis Club of Sault Ste. Marie; and Serge Viau, Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore were in attendance.

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Manager of Recreation and Culture dated April 7, 2025 concerning the Renaming of Rosedale Park to Kiwanis Park be approved.

    Carried
  • Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen declared a conflict on this item. (Partner is Vice Chair of Downtown Association)

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

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services dated April 7, 2025 concerning Downtown Business Improvement Area Review be received and that implementation of option                                          be approved. 

  • Moved by:Councillor S. Hollingsworth

    Resolved that this matter be postponed pending further information.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor A. Caputo

    Resolved that the report of the Deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services dated April 7, 2025 concerning Downtown Business Improvement Area Review be received and that implementation of Option 3 be approved (dissolve the current DTA and reallocate activities under the City umbrella with a supporting business advisory committee and incremental staffing);

    Further Be It Resolved that the funding currently allocated to the Downtown Security Pilot Program of $150,000 be allocated to a municipal downtown development budget line item in the 2026 preliminary budget, with staff to report back on whether further funding might be required to properly fund downtown development and marketing on a go-forward basis, and that such report be brought to Council for consideration during the 2026 budget deliberations.

    Carried
  • Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen declared a conflict on this item. (Partner is Vice Chair of Downtown Association)

The report of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer was received by Council. 

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer dated April 7, 2025 concerning the Queenstown Board of Management (O/A The Downtown Association) 2024 audited financial statements and annual report be received as information and that the Downtown Association budget for the year 2025 be approved.

    Carried

8.6

 

The report of the Junior Planner was received by Council.

Mike Kresin, Kresin Engineering Corporation; Raj Patel, Architect and Urban Designer, RPD Studio; and Jaime Garcia, Traffic Engineer, CIMA were in attendance.

Chris Sierzpukowski, Chippewa Street; Brian Conway, Amherst Street; Devon Conway, Amherst Street, Donna Russell, Atwater Street spoke against the application.

  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that the report of the Planner dated April 7, 2025 concerning application A-2-25-Z-Z.OP 57T-25-501/502/503 be received and that Council approve this application in the following manner:

    • Amend the Official Plan by way of a textual amendment as outlined in OPA 258 T-170;
    • Amend Zoning By-law 2005-150 as outlined in Schedule A;
    • Approve Draft Plan of Subdivision 57T-25-501 subject to the conditions of draft approval outlined in Schedule B;
    • Approve Draft Plan of Common Elements Condominium 57T-25-502 subject to the conditions of draft approval outlined in Schedule C;
    • Approve Draft Plan of Condominium 57T-25-503 subject to the conditions of draft approval outlined in Schedule D;
    • That Blocks B, D, F, and G be deemed subject to site plan control;
    • That the Legal Department be directed to apply to the Ontario Land Tribunal to extend the Urban Service Area 156 metres north on the subject property to encompass the lands between the edge of the service area and the creek.

       

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

    Carried

The report of the Planner was received by Council.

  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Vezeau-Allen

    Resolved that the report of the Planner dated April 7, 2025 concerning Application A-3-25-Z Technical Amendments to Zoning By-law 2005-150 be received and that Council approve the application to amend Zoning By-law 2005-150 as outlined in Schedule A;

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

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that all By-laws under item 12 of the Agenda under date April 7, 2025 save and except By-laws 2025-49 and 2025-50 be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-52 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Fourth Inter-Municipal Agreement Renewal between the City and the Municipal Partners for the provision of Provincial Offences administration, revenue sharing and prosecutorial services be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-53 being a by-law to declare the City owned property legally described as PIN 31610-0183 (LT) PT LT 9 PL H536 KORAH PT 1 1R6198; SAULT STE. MARIE, being civic 0 Nixon Road, as surplus to the City’s needs and to authorize the disposition of the said property be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-54 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Agreement between the City and FCD SPORTS GROUP LTD. for the lease and operation of space for a Pro Shop at the Northern Community Centre (NCC) be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-56 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Fourth Extension Agreement between the City and Superior Osteo Postural Clinic Inc. to extend the current lease at the John Rhodes Community Centre for one year to May 5, 2026 with the option to extend be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025. 

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-57 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Agreement between the City and Intact Public Entities for claims handling be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-58 being a by-law to amend By-law 2004-234 (being a by-law to adopt hiring policies) be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-59 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Agreement between the City and ClearRisk Inc. for Risk Management Information System Software for a three (3) year period to April 14, 2028 as required by the City’s Legal Department be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-60 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Agreement between the City and Sault Ste. Marie Professional Firefighters Association (Local 529) for the term commencing January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026 be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor C. Gardi
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-100 being a by-law to regulate the proceedings of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

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

    Resolved that By-Law 2025-49 being a by-law to authorize the execution of the Extension Agreement between the City and The Corporation of the Township of Prince for the provision of policing services to the Township be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025.

    Carried
  • Mayor M. Shoemaker declared a conflict on this item. (Purchaser is a client of the law firm on this matter)
  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that By-law 2025-50 being a by-law to declare the City owned property legally described as PIN 31510-0131 (LT) LT 8 RCP H737 TARENTORUS; SAULT STE. MARIE being part civic 657 Fourth Line East, as surplus to the City’s needs and to authorize the disposition of the said property be passed in open Council this 7th day of April, 2025. 

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

    Resolved that this Council move into closed session to discuss:

    • six items concerning acquisition of land by the municipality or local board;
    • one item concerning the disposition of land by the municipality or local board;
    • one item concerning matters before an administrative tribunal; and
    • one item concerning negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board

    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 – section 239 (2)(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; section 239 (2)(e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; section239 (2)(k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    Carried
  • Moved by:Councillor M. Scott
    Seconded by:Councillor L. Dufour

    Resolved that this Council now adjourn.

    Carried
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