Sarnia, ON

Regular Council Meetings

Regular Council Meetings

Non-Agenda Mail

This agenda item is a routine distribution of the AMO Watchfile newsletter to Sarnia council for information. It contains no decisions or discussions by the city; it only relays provincial and federal funding opportunities, consultation deadlines, and AMO conference details.

• Municipal Energy Plan grant program consultation, comments due August 22
• Ministry of Natural Resources Project Evaluation Policy feedback due August 24
• Conservation authorities membership consultation, respond by September 12
• Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream deadline extended to August 6
• Rail safety improvement funding applications due August 21 or September 4

Regular Council Meetings

Non-Agenda Mail

This is a non-agenda mail package for the August 6, 2026 Sarnia council meeting, containing informational items only. It includes the Building Department's monthly permit report for January to July 2026, a major building permit application status update, a notice about the appointment of a Project Executive for the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (WLERCA) transition, and the AMO Watchfile newsletter. No decisions are being made on these items.

• Building permit report: 400 permits issued, $148,469,426 total construction value, 296 residential units created
• Major building permit application: new one-storey steel-framed building at 333 St Andrew St, valued at $5,000,000
• WLERCA transition: Davin Heinbuck appointed as Project Executive, effective July 27, 2026
• AMO Watchfile: includes federal and provincial funding deadlines and consultation notices

Non-Agenda Mail

This document consists of non-agenda mail from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). It contains informational updates, event notices, and funding deadlines for municipal officials.

• August 6 deadline for Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream infrastructure funding
• AMO Annual Conference scheduled for August 16-19, 2026
• AMO call for the province to reverse the appointment of Regional Chairs through Bill 100
• Passage of Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act
• New Canoe procurement invoicing process effective August 1

Non-Agenda Mail

This non-agenda mail includes a monthly summary of procurement activity for June 2026. The report details emergency, single source, sole source, and open competition purchases.

• Contract for St. Andrew Plant Clarifier Catwalk with Canadian Structural & Mechanical Ltd. for $475,219.20
• Construction of Clearwater Arena Playground with ABC Recreation for $193,019.94
• Installation of WWTP DSII 400A Breaker with Eaton Industries (Canada) Company for $121,435.30
• Replacement pump at Pump Station 36 on Murphy Road with Nevtro Pumps & Mechanical for $102,715.42
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals installation at Cathcart Street and Colborne Road with Bluewater Power Services Corporation for $93,965.36

Regular Council Meetings

Sarnia City Council is deciding on several major infrastructure contracts and the incorporation of the Sarnia Airport Municipal Services Corporation. The body is also reviewing zoning amendments and a proposal to reduce residential development charges by 100% for three years.

• Contract award to Henry Heyink Construction Inc. for Wellington Street Extension for $9,418,514.84
• Contract award to IPL North America Inc. for curbside green bins and kitchen containers for $1,452,621.47
• Proposed 100% reduction of residential development charge fees for three years
• Incorporation of the Sarnia Airport Municipal Services Corporation
• Official Plan Amendment No. 17 and Zoning By-law Amendment 03-2026 for 1519 & 1521 Confederation Line

Non-Agenda Mail

The council will review the AMO Watchfile, the Building Department’s monthly permit reports for January‑June 2026, the status of a $510,000 major building permit for Imperial Oil Limited at 602 Christina St S, a request to illuminate City Hall blue on July 24 for World Drowning Prevention Day, and the Sarnia Police Service 2025 Annual Report.

• Major building permit application: Imperial Oil Limited, 602 Christina St S, value $510,000
• Illumination of City Hall blue on July 24 for World Drowning Prevention Day
• Building Department Monthly Permit Report (Jan‑Jun 2026) – total construction value $44,574,415
• Sarnia Police Service 2025 Annual Report
• AMO Watchfile (July 16, 2026)

Non-Agenda Mail

Non-Agenda Mail

This non-agenda mail packet provides informational updates from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and a routine City Clerk report. Council is reviewing a request to illuminate City Hall on July 6 in support of Canadian Injury Prevention Day. The action follows existing council policy and does not require new funding or formal votes.

• City Hall illumination in safety green on July 6 for injury prevention awareness
• AMO conference updates and registration for local leadership training
• New Canoe procurement invoicing process effective August 1
• Grant applications open for public safety mental health supports (deadline July 7)
• Reminder to complete the 2026 Canadian Census questionnaire

Non-Agenda Mail

This is a non-agenda mail package for information only, not a voting meeting. Items include a staff report supporting the award of a contract to Van Roestel Contracting for upgrades to Clearwater Ball Diamond #1, issuance of door-to-door sales licences to Bell Canada, and AMO policy updates on Bill 100 and other provincial matters.

• Report recommends awarding Tender 26-02 Clearwater Ball Diamond #1 Upgrade to Van Roestel Contracting Ltd. (Lucan, ON)
• Two door-to-door sales licences issued to Bell Canada (TV, Internet, Phone, Smart Home) valid through Dec 31, 2026
• AMO calls for reversal of Bill 100 (appointment of regional chairs)
• AMO notes new federal Local Impact Stream with up to $1 million for community infrastructure
• IESO launches new process for major energy projects affecting municipalities

Regular Council Meetings

Council will debate a $3.5 million funding request for the BACE Recreation Campus, hear results from public engagement on a proposed renovictions by-law, and vote on several infrastructure contracts and zoning changes. Two public hearings are scheduled: one for an Economic Development Community Improvement Plan and another for a rezoning at 700-718 Cathcart Boulevard.

• Direction to draft a renovictions licensing by-law based on engagement results
• Contract award for Ontario Street reconstruction: $505,238 to Clarke Construction Inc.
• Contract award for Clearwater Ball Diamond #1 upgrades: $507,573 to Van Roestel Contracting Ltd.
• Funding request of up to $3.5 million for Sarnia BACE Recreation Campus
• Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment for 700-718 Cathcart Boulevard

Non-Agenda Mail

Council receives a monthly procurement summary for May 2026, detailing non-standard procurements and contracts over $133,799. The report includes single-source purchases for firehall asphalt, arena dehumidification, and hydro pole replacement, as well as open-competition contracts for a trailhead construction and airport masonry.

• $300,878 Chris Hadfield Airport masonry project awarded to Garland/DBS Canada via open competition
• $180,507 London Line Trailhead construction on Howard Watson Nature Trail awarded to Southwest Fence & Decks
• $173,078 replacement of Mitton Street hydro poles via single source with Bluewater Power
• $97,382 supply/install of dehumidifiers at Clearwater Arena via single source with Cimco Refrigeration
• $97,344 tethered drone for mobile command unit via sole source from M & L Supply

Non-Agenda Mail

This document consists of non-agenda mail, including a response from Indigenous Services Canada regarding Bill C-61 and a newsletter from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). No decisions were made as this is a collection of correspondence.

• Response from Indigenous Services Canada regarding Bill C-61, First Nations Clean Water Act
• Canada-Ontario Development Charges Reduction Program application deadline of June 19, 2026
• 15% refundable tax credit for clean energy investments for certain municipal-owned corporations
• Hydro One Community Partnership Grant applications open until June 30
• Three $5,000 Maureen McCauley Bursary awards for students pursuing municipal careers

Non-Agenda Mail

The council will receive the Building Department’s monthly permit reports for January‑May 2026 and a status update on a $1.5 million major building permit at 333 St Andrew St, which has been issued. The agenda also includes informational notices from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario about funding programs, webinars, and grant opportunities. No formal decisions are listed for those informational items.

• Major building permit issued for $1,500,000 renovation at 333 St Andrew St
• Building Department Monthly Permit Report (Jan‑May 2026) showing $35,993,894 in construction value
• Canada‑Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program launch – project submissions due by June 19, 2026
• Hydro One Community Partnership Grant applications open, deadline June 30, 2026
• Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits – 15% refundable credit, webinars June 9 & 11, 2026

Non-Agenda Mail

The City Clerk reports that City Hall will be lit in rainbow colours throughout June in support of Pride Month. This follows the motion adopted by Sarnia City Council on May 6, 2019, recognizing June as Pride Month. No other council decisions are listed in this non‑agenda report.

• Illumination of City Hall – rainbow lighting for Pride Month (June 2026)

Regular Council Meetings

Council is deciding on several contract awards, including George Street reconstruction ($3.33M), standby generator replacements ($0.8M), and the Bright's Grove Library renovation ($5.45M). They will also consider zoning amendments for two properties, adopt an updated emergency management plan, and establish a municipal service corporation for the airport. A notice of motion proposes committing to 24/7 accessible on-call transportation services.

• Award $5,452,449 contract for Bright's Grove Library renovation and addition
• Award $3,332,398 contract for George Street reconstruction
• Approve rezoning of 485 Harbour St from Environmental Protection to Mixed-Use Corridor I
• Establish airport municipal services corporation with board of directors
• Notice of motion for 24-hour accessible on-call transportation service

Non-Agenda Mail

The council will receive a non‑agenda report on lighting City Hall blue for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It will also review the April 2026 procurement update, which includes emergency, single‑source and sole‑source purchases such as roof repair at Sarnia Bay Marina ($101,760) and several crosswalk light installations and a cyber‑security tool. No decisions are indicated; the items are informational reports.

• Illumination of City Hall in blue from May 24‑30, 2026 per Illumination of City Buildings Policy
• Emergency repair of Sarnia Bay Marina roof – Imperial Roofing (Sarnia) Ltd., $101,760.00
• Sole‑source installation of crosswalk lights at Lansdowne/Wellington – Bluewater Power Services Corp., $69,991.10
• Sole‑source purchase of Pentera cyber‑security tool – Pentera Security Inc., $128,217.60
• Open‑competition paving contract for Rapids Parkway – Sev‑Con Paving, $465,652.91

Non-Agenda Mail

The City Clerk’s Department is submitting non‑agenda reports to Council about lighting City Hall in specific colours to support three health‑awareness events in May. The illumination on May 19 will be purple for World IBD Day, on May 20 purple for Global Porphyria Awareness Day, and on May 22 blue and pink for World Preeclampsia Day. The reports note that the lighting complies with the Illumination of City Buildings Policy adopted in 2016. The agenda also includes an Enbridge pipeline safety and emergency response information item.

• May 19, 2026 – City Hall illuminated purple for World IBD Day
• May 20, 2026 – City Hall illuminated purple for Global Porphyria Awareness Day
• May 22, 2026 – City Hall illuminated blue and pink for World Preeclampsia Day
• Enbridge Pipeline Safety and Emergency Response information provided to Council
• Illumination of City Buildings Policy adopted by Sarnia City Council in 2016

Special Council Meeting

Council is holding a public meeting to hear delegations on the final draft of the city's zoning by-law. A key dispute involves three lots on Huron Shores Court and Yeates Court that the city proposes to rezone from Suburban Residential to Natural Environment, effectively blocking residential development. Property owners argue the change ignores decades of prior approvals, municipal servicing investments, and over $400,000 in private spending. They request a Suburban Residential Holding zone instead, allowing development subject to environmental studies.

• Proposal to rezone three lots at 2199 Old Lakeshore Road from SR1 to Natural Environment
• Owner claims over $400,000 already invested in studies, servicing, and approvals
• Registered speakers include property owner agents, residents, and federation of agriculture
• City installed storm/water services to lots as recently as 2021
• Written submissions from Katelyn Crowley on behalf of UBE Developments

Non-Agenda Mail

The City Clerk will present non‑agenda reports on several topics. The Building Department will share the Monthly Permit Report for January to April 2026, showing 134 permits issued and $30,120,148 in construction value. The City Clerk will also report on four scheduled City Hall illumination events supporting various awareness causes. The Corporate Services Division will review the Adopt‑a‑Driveway season‑end results.

• Illumination of City Hall in blue on May 11, 2026 for Huntington Disease Awareness
• Illumination of City Hall in purple on May 12‑13, 2026 for Fibromyalgia awareness
• Illumination of City Hall in teal‑blue on May 14, 2026 for National Food Allergy Awareness Month
• Illumination of City Hall in red on May 15, 2026 for Vascular Birthmark Awareness Day
• Monthly Permit Report (Jan‑Apr 2026): 134 permits, $30,120,148 total construction value

Non-Agenda Mail

This document is a collection of non-agenda mail and policy updates provided to the city. It includes reports on waste disposal, source water protection, and provincial updates regarding pension governance and worker benefits.

• Ministry of the Environment requirements for waste disposal site service area and fill rate changes
• Thames-Sydenham Region Source Protection Annual Progress Report
• Proposed WSIB benefit changes increasing loss-of-earnings benefits to 90% of take-home pay
• Call for expressions of interest for water and wastewater public corporation service model
• City Clerk's Department item regarding illumination of City Hall

Regular Council Meetings

City Council is deciding on the 2026 tax levy and approving several financial transfers to cover 2025 operating deficits. The body is also reviewing a proposal for 24/7 accessible on-call transportation and negotiating tourism tax agreements.

• Contract award of $3,253,032.36 to Sev Con Paving for asphalt resurfacing
• Adoption of the 2026 Tax Levy By-Law
• Transfer of $3,749,175 from Operating Contingency Reserve to cover 2025 general deficit
• Noise by-law exemptions for Rocktoberfest, Ribfest, and other community events
• Purchase of a tethered drone via a Community Emergency Preparedness Grant

Non-Agenda Mail

The City of Sarnia provided a procurement update for March 2026 detailing several high-value contracts and emergency repairs. The report outlines expenditures for infrastructure, technology, and facility maintenance.

• Sarnia.ca website re-platforming with Simplicity Digital Inc. for $345,984.00
• Canatara Park Pump Track installation by Canadian Ramp Company for $381,600.00
• Gladwish Drive streetlight installation by Bluewater Power Services Corporation for $229,789.18
• Lab testing services contract with ALS Canada Ltd. for $178,080.00
• Norm Perry Field House roof refurbishment by Garland/ DBS Canada Inc. for $156,796.90

Non-Agenda Mail

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario sent a non‑agenda email to Sarnia officials on April 16, 2026. It provides information about upcoming AMO board election nominations, grant opportunities, webinars, and training workshops. No council decisions or votes are scheduled in this notice.

• Nominations for the 2026‑2028 AMO Board of Directors open on April 21, 2026.
• All Risk Municipal Grant applications accepted until May 1 for a chance to receive $10,000.
• LAS Road Patrol webinar scheduled for April 28 to demonstrate new road‑condition technology.
• Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada webinar on Build Canada Homes on April 24.
• Preventing Escalated Behaviours workshop series on May 7 and May 28.

Non-Agenda Mail

The council will receive informational updates on major building permit applications, the illumination of City Hall, and the spring tree‑planting program. No decisions are being made; the items are presented as reports for council awareness. The agenda also includes a monthly permit activity summary for January‑March 2026.

• Illumination of City Hall in purple on April 15, 2026, per request of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
• Major building permit at 1455 London Rd – $2,600,000 for upgrading the arena’s refrigeration system (status: issued)
• Major building permit at 162 Lochiel St – $2,100,000 for interior renovation and office upgrades (status: issued)
• Major building permit at 1257 Michigan Ave – $6,000,000 for roof deck replacement and gymnasium upgrades (status: issued)
• Spring tree planting of 182 trees on city boulevards and parks, plus Berger Road re‑naturalization with 760 shrubs and 27 trees

Non-Agenda Mail

The City Clerk’s Department informs council that City Hall will be illuminated purple from April 4‑10, 2026 in support of National Dental Hygienists Week, following the Illumination of City Buildings Policy. The email also shares AMO policy updates and details from the Ontario 2026 budget, including a HST exemption for new homes and a $53 million supportive‑housing investment. It announces the EASE Grant, offering up to $60,000 for accessibility projects, and requests public feedback on proposed changes to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and Ontario’s Heritage Framework. No formal decisions are being taken at this meeting.

• City Hall illumination in purple, April 4‑10, 2026 (Illumination of City Buildings Policy)
• EASE Grant up to $60,000 for small capital projects for people with disabilities, applications open until May 7
• Public comment request on Transport Canada’s Minor Works Order under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (comments due April 3)
• Ontario budget HST exemption for new homes up to $1.85 million, effective April 1, 2026
• Provincial supportive‑housing funding of $53 million over three years

Regular Council Meetings

Sarnia City Council will accept five major construction contracts for road and infrastructure projects, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign the agreements. The council also endorses Concept 1 for the Sarnia Business & Research Park and directs staff to negotiate a new 20‑year land lease at Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport. Additional items include approval of cash‑in‑lieu tree compensation for the Pamela Court condominium development and a directive to engage the public on a proposed Renoviction by‑law.

• Accept contract $1,502,968.74 with Henry Heyink Construction for Johnston and Queen Street Reconstruction
• Accept contract $2,625,612.54 with BKT Excavating for Kathleen Avenue Reconstruction
• Accept contract $1,879,608.96 with Clarke Construction for Copland Road Reconstruction
• Accept contract $744,191.18 with DiCocco Contractors for McGregor Sideroad Recycling and Pave
• Accept contract $1,835,939.24 with Birnam Excavating for Talfourd Pump Station Upgrades (plus $97,689.60 for contract administration services)

Non-Agenda Mail

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario distributed a non‑agenda email outlining provincial and federal feedback requests, grant opportunities, and professional development events. No council decisions are listed for this meeting. Items include a call for comments on proposed road construction standards and heritage archaeology changes, as well as several grant applications and workshops.

• Feedback requested on proposed regulation for mandatory municipal road construction standards (deadline March 30)
• Feedback requested on Ontario Heritage Framework archaeology program changes (deadline April 5)
• EASE Grant offers up to $60,000 for small capital projects for people with disabilities and older adults (applications open until May 7)
• All Risk Municipal Grant provides $10,000 for innovative risk‑management projects (apply by May 1)
• Application open for the AMCTO‑Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program

Special Council Meeting

The Sarnia City Council will discuss a response to comments made by Councillor Bill Dennis about Indigenous communities. It will also consider a by‑law that formally adopts and confirms all reports, resolutions, and other actions taken at the March 24, 2026 meeting. No other matters are listed on the agenda.

• Response to recent comments by Councillor Bill Dennis regarding Indigenous communities
• By‑law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its March 24, 2026 meeting, adopting all actions taken

Non-Agenda Mail

The March 19, 2026 non‑agenda mail provides Council with a procurement update for February 2026, listing several purchases and services with values ranging from $2,035.20 to $140,368.84. It also notes the illumination of City Hall scheduled for March 22‑28, 2026, and an amended Section 46 notice from Environment and Climate Change Canada regarding the Federal Plastics Registry. Additional items include a Lambton Farm Safety Association spring meeting on March 30, 2026, and various AMO‑related announcements and webinars.

• Emergency purchase: Imperial Roofing (Sarnia) Ltd. – roof leak repair – $2,035.20
• Sole source contract: Bluewater Power Distribution Corp. – Pump Station 16 service upgrade – $65,464.72
• Open competition purchase: Toro Groundsmaster 4000‑D mower – $140,368.84
• City Hall illumination planned for March 22‑28, 2026
• Amended Section 46 notice and Notice of Intent for the Federal Plastics Registry from Environment and Climate Change Canada