Sarnia public meetings in 2023
15 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Non-Agenda Mail
This non-agenda report details changes to the city's waste collection schedule and provides updates on municipal studies and procurement. The Engineering and Operations Division is moving large item collection to a weekly schedule effective January 1, 2024.
- Large Item Waste Collection will move from monthly to a weekly schedule starting January 1, 2024
- City of Sarnia received $5,422,953 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for 2024
- Contract awarded to McDougall Energy Inc. for gasoline and diesel fuels totaling $6,880,701.04
- Contract awarded to AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. for general insurance and risk management at $2,036,878.33
- Procurement update includes janitorial services tender with multiple competing proponents
Special Council Meeting
Councillor Kilner has submitted a notice of motion to reconsider the decision regarding the extension of community input for the draft Development Charges By-Law. The motion also proposes suspending rules to discuss the matter during this special meeting.
- Notice of Motion: Request to reconsider extending community input for Development Charges By-Law until March 31, 2024
- Notice of Motion: Proposal to proceed with the statutory public meeting and consideration of the By-Law at the January 15, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
- By-Law for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Readings: A By-Law to confirm the proceedings of the December 5, 2023, Council meeting
Non-Agenda Mail
The Community Services Division is reporting the seasonal closure of two parking lots west of the main beach lot at Canatara Park. The closure begins December 15, 2023, and is scheduled to end March 28, 2024, due to safety concerns regarding ice and water pooling.
- Closure of two parking lots west of the main beach lot at Canatara Park
- AMO moving to a new office location in Toronto effective January 2, 2024
- Rural Transit Solutions Fund applications open for up to $50,000
Non-Agenda Mail
This non-agenda report provides information regarding the Sarnia Airport lease agreement and certificate holder. It also details the recent 2023 Accessibility Awards recipients and the upcoming winter public skating schedule.
- Sarnia Airport lease agreement with Scottsdale Aviation includes a term ending June 30, 2027
- The 2023 Accessibility Awards ceremony cost approximately $1,900
- Winter public skating sessions at Clearwater Arena and Pat Stapleton Arena are free of charge
- Holiday open skating sessions are scheduled from December 27, 2023, to January 4, 2024
Budget Meeting
Council is reviewing proposed amendments to the 2024 Operating Budget, including a plan to reduce the general tax levy. The meeting also addresses new legislative processes for budget adoption and various capital funding requests.
- Proposed operating budget amendment to decrease the general levy from an 8.18% increase to 7.52%
- Insurance renewal savings of $542,245 due to lower than forecasted premium costs
- Request for $5,000 grant for Neighbourhood Connects community programming
- Estimated $150,000 funding request for a new Public Lands Management position
- Potential $200,000 funding for a Showmobile mobile stage unit from the Tourism Infrastructure Reserve
Non-Agenda Mail
This non-agenda report provides updates on municipal activities, including the expected mid-December occupancy of Fire Station 3. It also details the placement of twenty holiday planters throughout the city and shares resources from the Ontario Ombudsman and AMO.
- Fire Station 3 interior work is nearing completion with expected occupancy by mid-December
- Asbestos abatement and demolition will begin at the old fire station following staff transition
- Twenty holiday planters are located at City Hall, Sarnia Library, The Lawrence House, and various parks
- The Ontario Ombudsman shared new best practice guides for municipal integrity commissioners
- AMO Watchfile includes updates on emergency preparedness grants and provincial invasive species plans
Non-Agenda Mail
This non-agenda report provides updates on municipal activities, including a $322,446.91 contract for emergency culvert replacement at Waddell Creek Drain. The report also details a community survey regarding a motion to urge the federal government to cancel the carbon tax.
- Awarded $322,446.91 to Cope Construction & Contracting Inc. for Waddell Creek Drain culvert replacement
- Established a two-year Master Agreement with Ortec Environment, GFL Utility Services Inc., and Environmental Services Inc. for vacuum truck services
- Review of lease extension for Police Training Centre at KS Lambton Mall Inc. through August 31, 2028
- Community survey open until December 7 regarding a motion to urge the federal government to cancel the carbon tax
Regular Council Meetings
The City Council is reviewing major service contracts including a $6.8 million fuel supply tender and a $2 million insurance proposal. The agenda also includes decisions on rezoning 1731 London Line to open space and amending the official plan for 236 Christina Street South.
- Award of McDougall Energy contract for gasoline and diesel at projected cost of $6,880,709.04
- Acceptance of AON proposal for city insurance policies in the amount of $2,036,878.33
- Rezoning 1731 London Line from Urban Residential to Open Space 1 Zone
- Official Plan Amendment and rezoning for 236 Christina Street South
- Transition of taxi licensing responsibilities from Sarnia Police Services to City Staff
Non-Agenda Mail
The Engineering and Operations Division is conducting a public survey regarding potential rural and inter-community transit. Additionally, the City Clerk's Department has scheduled specific purple illuminations for City Hall to support various causes.
- Public survey for rural/inter-community transit available until November 29
- City Hall illumination in purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Nov 18–24)
- City Hall illumination in purple for World Prematurity Day on November 17
Non-Agenda Mail
The Community Services Division reported on the annual City Hall Christmas Tree, which will be installed on Christina Street. The report also included various updates from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Watchfile.
- Installation of City Hall Christmas tree on November 15, 2023
- Tree donation by Lara Borody
- Transportation services donated by Brandon Contractors
- $5 million provincial program for emergency preparedness applications
Non-Agenda Mail
The City of Sarnia is implementing new administrative powers for the Mayor following a provincial designation. The report also provides an update on October 2023 contract awards and an annual review of approved sole source vendors.
- Awarded $201,128.64 to EXP Services Inc. for geotechnical and environmental assessments
- Awarded $219,949.71 to Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozting Limited for drain cleaning
- Annual review of approved sole source vendors for various municipal departments
- Implementation of 'Strong Mayor Powers' regarding organizational structure and committees
- Establishment of a public registry for Mayoral Decisions and Directions
Special Regular Council Meetings
Council will review several contract awards, including a culvert replacement for Waddell Creek Drain and strategic plan facilitation services. The agenda also includes discussions on traffic pilot projects, transit programs, and potential residential development at 131 Exmouth Street.
- Contract award to Cope Construction & Contracting Inc. for $322,44 6.91 for Waddell Creek Drain culvert replacement
- Proposal from Deloitte LLP for $58,089.69 for Strategic Plan facilitation services
- Pilot project for the intersection of Brock and George Streets featuring temporary curb installations
- Funding decision for Centennial Park memorial design ($10,000 option or deferral)
- Designation of 545 Christina Street North as a municipal parking facility
Non-Agenda Mail
The Community Services Division presented a final report on the use of up to $1,000,000 from the provincial Streamline Development Approval Fund. The funds were used for projects including affordable housing studies, modernized financial tools, and digital permitting upgrades.
- Final report on the $1,000,000 Streamline Development Approval Fund
- Postponement of land sale by public tender for tax arrears properties
- City Hall illumination in purple for Dress Purple Day Campaign
- Implementation of Cityworks e-permitting and Electronic Plans Review software
Non-Agenda Mail
The City Administration Division is launching public engagement surveys for the Neighbourhood Revitalization Project. The surveys, which open October 20, 2023, aim to collect feedback from residents, business owners, and visitors regarding Downtown Sarnia and Mitton Village.
- Launch of Neighbourhood Revitalization Project surveys on October 20, 2023
- Public engagement via the Speak Up Sarnia tool (www.speakupsarnia.ca/nrp)
- Project funding provided in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Regular Council Meetings
The Council will review a rezoning application for 927 Exmouth Street to change its designation and zone. The meeting also includes decisions on a $322,446.91 contract for culvert replacement and a $58,089.69 proposal for strategic plan services.
- Rezoning of 927 Exmouth Street from Urban Residential 2-1 to a new site-specific Urban Residential zone
- Contract award to Cope Construction & Contracting Inc. for $322,446.91 for Telfer Road over Waddell Creek culvert replacement
- Approval of $58,089.69 proposal from Deloitte LLP for Strategic Plan facilitation services
- Decision on $10,000 funding option for the Victims of Chemical Valley Memorial in Centennial Park
- Pilot project approval for the intersection of Brock and George Streets involving temporary curb installations