Are we good to go? Thank you. Councelor McRoberts and Councelor Burl, can you
move us into camera?
I move that Sarnia City Council move into close session persuant to section
2392B, EF, and K of the municipal act and to
consider the following matters. Consideration will be given to a request
to name municipal property. Consideration will be given to
negotiations and advice that is subject to solicitor client privilege regarding
a land lease at the airport. And consideration will be given to advice
that is subject to solicitor client privilege with respect to a lease
agreement. >> Second by councelor Burl. All in favor?
Okay, we will go to in camera and we'll return back to report out at one
o'clock. Thank you everyone.
Audio test one, two. Audio test one, two. [cough and clears throat]
Elsa, are we good to go? Thank you. >> In this peace, in the spirit of peace
and friendship, we honor the Nishmeck of the Three Fires Confederacy on whose
traditional territory we are gathered. The city of Sarnia has resolved to
implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
And with that, I will now ask if you can stand for O Canada and then a moment of
silent reflection.
[singing and music]
our home and native land. [music] True patri love [music]
in all of us. [singing]
With glowing hearts we see the rise. The [singing] true north strong and free.
[music] From far and wide of Canada, we [singing] stand on God for thee.
[music] God [singing]
keep our land. [music]
Glorious [singing] and free. [music]
Oh Canada, [music] we stand [singing]
on guard for thee. [music]
[singing] Oh Canada,
we [music] stand [singing] on
[music]
Thank you.
» Councelor McRoberts, can you move the report from the in camera, please?
» The SNIA City Council rise and report. I report that we provided direction to
staff regarding a request to name a municipal property at Kenwick Park. We
also gave direction ready to a land lease for two years at um Chris Hadfield
Airport and we provided direction to staff with respect to renegotiations
associated with the lease agreement. That's my report that Sarnia City
Council adopt the report of the closed meeting.
» All those in favor? Are there any conflicts of interest?
I'm not seeing any. We're going to move forward. We've got a
number of delegations to deal with and listen to. Uh the first meeting is a
public meeting on the draft economic development community improvement plan.
» Do you want to say anything before I bring up the speakers?
» Sure. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mayor Bradley and members of council. We're
pleased to be bringing forward the draft economic development CIP program to you
today. This project is being brought forward to you because the city
recognizes the importance of supporting economic growth, encouraging investment,
and ensuring our community remains competitive. The proposed ecdevcip is
intended to help attract new employment opportunities, support existing
business, and encourage tourism related investments. The EDCIP has the potential
to strength the local strengthen the local economy, expand the municipal tax
base, and enhance amenities and opportunities for residents and
visitors. This meeting is meant to allow council and the public the chance to
speak about the propo to excuse me to learn about the proposed plan, ask
questions, and provide feedback on the draft plan. To guide us through the
details of the proposed plan, I'd like to introduce Jay McGuffin and Eric Steel
of Monteth Brown Planning Consultants to the podium.
» Please come forward.
» Good afternoon, Mayor Bradley. Uh members of council, uh thank you, Miss
Provos, for the introduction. Um we're happy to be here this evening to uh
introduce the draft economic development community improvement plan. Um as Kelly
indicated, I'm also joined this afternoon with uh Mr. Steele, uh who has
been intricately involved in the development of the plan. Uh and he'll be
sharing some of the presentation responsibilities with me as we move
through the uh slides this afternoon. If I could move to the first slide please.
Um again just by um recap the purpose of the economic development community
improvement plan was a key recommendation arriving from the city's
economic development master plan as a tool to attract investment, retain
businesses and support sustainable economic development uh for the benefit
of the community and the public in in attendance. Uh community improvement
plan is a tool used by municipalities to stimulate targeted growth,
redevelopment, and revitalization. And it identifies areas that are eligible
for additional support such as grants, incentives, and to help achieve
community or development goals for redevelopment. Uh next slide, please.
In terms of the project phasing and where we are today, uh phase one uh
began end of 2025 as we started looking at background research and conducting a
needs assessment, identifying gaps um that could be filled through an economic
development community improvement plan. This included a review of a lot of the
work that the city has already undertaken, including its economic
development master plan, the master plan for the waterfront strategic plan, your
official plan, your zoning bylaw, a variety of other strategic documents
within the city, looking at research, as well as undertaking best management
practice review for other municipalities that are also implementing economic
development, community improvement plans. Um, as council and and the public
are likely familiar with community improvement plans often targeted toward
uh regeneration in downtown areas or in village areas such as Mitten Village
here in the city of Sarnia. Um, oftentimes directed at me measures such
as urban design improvements, facade improvements, uh, things of that nature.
Um a more novel approach uh as the city of Sardia has undertaken is an economic
development community improvement plan that is focused solely on attracting
economic development into the community. That led into phase two, which was the
um a fairly robust stakeholder and public consultation program that was
undertaken uh where we went out to the community armed with the information
that we had assembled through our analysis and background review of
information and best practice review um to find out what was important to the
community and the key stakeholders in Cernia with respect to economic
development. Once we had undertaken that to that
consultation, we then had some direction uh given to us from the key themes that
were identified which led to phase three which is the development of the draft
community improvement plan. Uh that is where we are today presenting that draft
to the council and the public uh to seek input and direction uh to move to our uh
fourth and final phase which will be bringing back a final community
improvement plan for council's consideration and adoption. Uh next page
please. So through that stakeholder and public
consultation process, we received almost 400 online resident resident survey
responses and 77 online targeted partner survey responses. We also undertook
one-on-one interviews with members of council. One-on-one interviews with
targeted partners throughout the community and targeted stakeholder
workshop was held where we were given opportunity to sit down, roll up our
sleeves and have discussions with targeted members of the industry.
um uh to discuss what are some of the hurdles that need to be overcome and
what things can we do better in terms of developing an economic development
strategy for the city. Next slide please.
So through that consultation process, the key themes that were identified and
these are the themes that were identified and not necessarily all of
these themes are wrapped into programs at the same level or intensity, but they
formed the themes that were considered as we developed the plan. These included
a desire for performanced incentives. It was very clear that those people that we
interviewed wanted to tie measurable outcomes to ensure that projects
actually benefit the community. That process streamlining needed to occur,
that clearer communication, reduced duplication, and a single point of
contact uh was preferable to lead them through the approvals process.
Uh there was a strong sense that infrastructure and shovel ready land be
uh identified. Improved servicing, road conditions and availability of Chevy
shovelready industrial and employment lands were identified as key aspects of
being able to attract uh economic development to the city. the
diversification of economics within the city and identifying a an expansion from
the historic prochemical industry into clean energy, green technologies,
logistics, advanced manufacturing technology and tourism
were all identified. It was also identified that opportunities within the
waterfront and downtown had potential. Um the underutilized waterfront harbor
and downtown represented major opportunities for development and it
also brought forward an identification of a different measure of attracting
economic development over and above a traditional employment land or
industrial approach. And lastly, quality of life is a
competitiveness uh factor. Amenities, recreation,
familyfriendly offerings are all essentials for talent attraction and
retention. And this was something that we heard over and over through our
process. Next slide, please.
After hearing the information come in, the next step in our process was to
identify a community improvement plan area. This is the area within the city
in which the plan would apply. And we've taken a novel approach that
has been identified through our best management practices in other
communities particularly in economic development and identifying the whole of
the city as the project area and then identifying target areas within the city
um on lands that are zoned and designated for development or identified
as key strategic areas on the plan. This allows the plan to evolve as lands get
designated or ddesated. The plan does not have to be updated. It still
provides control over the location and direction and volume of projects that
occur, but that looks to your official plan and your zoning bylaw to identify
the key target areas. This city-wide approach provides
flexibility in responding to the changing economic conditions and
investment opportunities and again eliminates the need to continually amend
boundaries as your development patterns evolve. Next slide please.
And as I mentioned uh going through the community consultation two streams
started to emerge. one was the key focal uh industrial um that an EDCIP would be
anticipated focusing on. The other one given Sarnia's location um was a tourism
stream and the way that we identified dealing with the the disparities in
these two programs um was to create two different streams within the community
improvement plan. Uh so we've divided it into an industrial development stream
and then into a tourism development stream um in order to apply uh metrics
for evaluation and an apply geographic areas for evaluation. At this time I'm
going to turn the microphone over to Eric Steele who will finish the uh
presentation. He's going to talk about the specific programs um and incentives
and then we'll have a question and answer period. Thank you.
Next slide please. As Jay mentioned, we've grouped the
potential financial incentive programs into two separate streams uh based on
the types of projects or applications that will come forward uh once
implemented. So first focus on any kind of development within uh the city's
employment areas, industrial lands and assets like its city-owned business
parks. And this focus on a kind of um new construction investment uh that
would increase employment or increase assessment. And it's evaluated based on
a recommended scoring criteria to provide um transparency in terms of how
these decisions are going to be made once applications are submitted as well
as provide some guidance on um how to sort of evaluate um the benefits that
may come forward through those applications. And these are based on
metrics such as um the investment value being made, uh number of bros jobs that
would be created, um whether or not these businesses are within targeted key
sectors identified within uh city documents, as well as uh servicing
status, physical location within the city, and whether or not recommendations
for site improvements are being made through that uh application process.
Next slide, please. proposed a range of suite of programs
that uh could be uh offered uh to bring investment to the city. The first being
a tax increment grant program. Uh what this does is offer a portion or all of
an increase in tax assessment to be uh essentially deferred over time to
provide that sort of leg between when a business starts and when uh those new
increase in misal um or the city own city portion of the municipal tax
assessment increase uh takes place. And the second is a development charge uh
rebate program that would offer up to 100% of DC's based on again that
criteria that' be used to evaluate applications. Um a planning fee grant
program that would wave planning fees would be associated with the
establishment of any kind of new business uh coming to Sarnia. And then
finally a building fee grant program that would cover up to 50% of costs
related to building fees uh for a project. Next slide please.
Second stream uh focuses on uh areas that would meaningfully enhance starting
as tourism economy and visitor experience. Again, as Jay noted, uh
based on a lot of feedback that came forward through our background uh
document review as well as consultation about uh really enhancing some of the
city's assets and bring people to to Sarnia. And this would include uh
developments such as large scale or certificate attractions, uh event
spaces, large scaleo uh tourism or hotel accommodation and other tourism
supportive uses and again based on criteria such as uh tourism impact, the
amount of investment value being brought, job creation, uh placemaking
and then geographic location criteria. Next slide please.
So similar range of programs uh that would be offered and available again um
uh programs that would offer uh funding for increases in municipal tax
assessment uh cover costs associated with planning fees as well as building
permit fees. Next slide please. So in terms of funding of these
programs, the actual implementation, uh the inclusion of these um uh programs
within the CP does not mean that the city has to automatically or immediately
um offer them uh for incentives. Uh they can be brought in in any kind of um
combination or all at the same time. Um and council may choose year-to-year
discussion in terms of how much it's going to fund these applications on a on
annual basis. uh planning fee grants uh would be done
through uh just waving of fees and then taxing grant would offer a deferred
collection of the municipal portion of um increases in applicable taxes. Um
however we have included a recommended annual budget of approximately 185 to
$365,000 uh for the implementation of development
charge and building permit grant fees on an annual basis. Next slide please.
Uh so in summary um based on all this the previous work uh through the
previous phases of the project uh really the intent of this uh economic
development CIP is really to drive private investment by reducing barriers
that businesses may face when when locating here explain explain employment
opportunities um strengthen the local economy by uh really sort of elevating
the city's assets uh supporting business retention and expansion and stimuling
tourism for attracting people to come to Sarnia. Next slide, please.
As Jay mentioned, we'll be using any input today from council and and the
public uh to inform further refinement of the econom economic development CIP
and then bring forward a final version for adoption uh to be presented by city
council uh later in July. Slide, please.
And again, we're happy to answer any questions that council public may have
today. Thank you. >> Okay, I one question to staff. You're
talking about minor edits. What are minor edits to bring it back to the next
meeting >> through the mayor? So, as indicated,
this is an opportunity for feedback and questions from the public and from
council. They may direct any sort of refinements or edits to the draft CIP
that has been presented today and we would take those into consideration and
bringing the final version forward. >> Thank you. Uh
any questions? Go ahead, please, councelor Burl.
» Uh yes. Uh thank you. um in the overall plan I I didn't see any or would be
considered I think one of our major um develop uh
things is like there's nothing here for agriculture
that I could see anyways and also uh even though waterfronts and that were
were mentioned there doesn't seem to be anything that um shows as your incentive
areas for anything along the lake. Uh specifically like sort of in the Brights
Grove area there is, you know, it's a bit of an economic area up there as
well, but there doesn't seem to be anything in this plan that has to do
with either Bites or anything within
agriculture.
Okay. Three, Mr. Mayor to the councelor. Uh so in terms of the agricultural our
programs for agriculture um really yeah the focus of the eon development cap was
bring sort of larger scale uh development within cities. So it focus
on sort of key areas or key assets um that bring development that may
otherwise not locate to Sarnia. Um so while uh the program may support things
like um added agricultural processing or um other industries that are tied into
that agricultural um supply chain. um yet the scope of it wasn't to include
sort of rural areas of of the city. Uh in terms of um looking at sort of the
waterfront areas, so within the tourism uh development stream, uh one of the the
criteria is um uh geographic specifics. So whether or not uh the proposed
project is within sort of the downtown waterfront area. So, uh projects that
were submitted or an application were submitted for that are located in those
areas would receive potentially higher incentive uh compared to other areas of
the city. >> Councelor Dennis, councelor Gillis.
» Uh thank you, Mayor Bradley through you, sir. Um thank you gentlemen for your
presentation. Um I have a couple questions. My first question is about
returns. Um what specific return on investment are we expecting? Basically,
do we have estimates for how many jobs uh how much new assessment growth and
how much investment um are we expecting? And my second question is about taxpayer
risk. If a company receives grants through this program and the promised
jobs, investment or economic benefits fail to materialize, what mech
mechanisms exist for council to recover those funds? Are there any clawback
provisions tied to actual performance or do taxpayers assume all the risk? Thank
you.
I'll respond to your first question, councelor Dennis, uh through the mayor.
Um uh yes, we did we did we undertook an analysis uh of a variety of different
programs, both the building fee, planning fee, and the development charge
by looking at historic use of um each of those various uh application fees, the
the volume of revenue that was received by the city within that time period. And
then we correlated it back to the value of construction uh of new development
that was related and then correlated that to the tax rate uh to identify um
basically the return on the investment. Uh in a nutshell it was 7 to n times
higher return on investment for the value that was uh provided. Um I don't
have the specific numbers at my fingertip. Um,
but I do recall 7 to nine times being the the amount. And and sorry I don't
have my reading glasses on. So that's my other struggle. Um,
just taking a look at one. This is a historic tax revenue from increased
construction value. And you'll find this in the appendices of the draft CIP that
was circulated. uh historic construction value of 40 million in 2022
at a tax rate of 3.75% was an estimated tax revenue of
$1.524,000 annually. Um and so when we took a look
at that between 22 23 24 and 25 on average there was about a $681,000
236 estimated tax revenue annually that was brought forward. The valuation and
the amount to the uh program was significantly less than that. So we had
budgeted 185,000 to 365,000 or 85,000.
See, see what concerns me is, as I should I'm sure you're aware, um the
federal government has gotten burnt uh the last while. Um they invested quite a
lot of money in in Honda. Uh well, you had identified through the survey that a
number of residents wanted to see investments in in green technology and
such. And as you're probably aware, uh Cammy uh committed to building uh green
uh uh electric vehicles. uh Honda in um up north wanted committed to as well and
they they spent billions of dollars uh building plants and then and they closed
before they were even built and uh uh it seems that that direction uh is so
yesterday now and and uh there these companies are seeing that these uh these
investments aren't uh the uh they're not panning out like they they they hoped
and um if if um our citizens are are pushing pushing for a green investment.
SP I I think that that that isn't the direction. That might have been the the
direction maybe uh 5 10 years ago, but it seems to me that that direction isn't
the right direction anymore. That that's just my my observations. Um I I'm pretty
well read on on on those types of things that have happened and that that just
concerns me. >> That is an editorial comment. Uh
councelor Gillis, you have a question. Uh thank you your worship and actually I
think some of those projects were paused but not cancelled. So just
well you have your opinion I have today which is the community plan not issues.
» Thank you uh your worship. So coming back to the community improvement plan
and it's in direct reference actually to uh what councelor Dennis was saying
particularly from the industrial perspective and by the way I was very
glad to see that you included the industrial um area in the overall plan.
I think it's very wise. U and we do know that the federal government right now is
bringing forward incentives particularly for as you said shovel ready projects um
all over the country but some of those project ready projects
haven't directly related to heavy industrial other than the one that in
the sue that I can think of. So when they went from the blast furnace to the
electrical the electric arc furnace I uh do you envision anything along that
lines that if companies are looking to reinvest in and upgrade uh their their
properties within the the valley say let's use that as an example
particularly when um energy is is all the buzz and we've got it in spades.
Would you be would you pursue that that avenue um of marrying some of those
together so that you could get a broader bang for your buck?
» Uh through you, Mr. Mayor. Absolutely. The the community improvement plan has
been devised to not only recognize the industrial powerhouse that fueled the
city of Sarnia uh for decades past, but also to be available to respond to
emerging technologies um that will inevitably be coming
forward as Sarnia progresses. And in order to do that, it's the the
evaluation and metric scheme is identified and includes bonusing for
measures like redevelopment of existing properties, uh cleaning up of existing
properties, point scores are awarded if the development includes those aspects
and that has that is how the CIP has appro uh approached uh response to those
measures. A followup if I may.
Who is going to make this happen? Is it going to be uh are we going to have to
hire more staff to imple or look oversee this because this is massive or have you
gone that far in the steps? >> Uh we we have in terms of I mean you've
got a uh an existing economic development group within your within
your municipality who is very keen to see this program uh come to fruition.
based on our interviews and discussions and they are looking at um opportunities
to assist uh wherever possible in ensuring that this is a seamless
approach and that they can work with city staff uh from beginning to end um
within that approvals process. So, we're not envisioning uh through our uh
initial uh element um that there's a requirement for additional staffing. Um
I may have to turn it over to Miss Provos in terms of her position on that,
but uh that was sort of the discussions that we had had internally
» through the mayor to members of council. I'll just comment in addition to what
Jay had indicated there is that we are expecting that the current complement
within the economic development department can facilitate the the intake
and the review of the applications and then they would be advanced to council
for consideration. Each of the applications would come for decision to
council. >> Well, thank you very much for the
presentation. Uh Mr. Slinsky would like to come forward and from the economic
partnership,
Mayor uh members of council, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak
here today. I I come with a great deal of enthusiasm uh for the uh city's
efforts to explore new strategies to enhance Cernia's economic
competitiveness and attract long-term investment. That enthusiasm comes with
strong support for the draft economic development uh improvement plan uh which
the Sarna lamp economic partnership believes will be a powerful tool to
facilitate revitalization and stimulate both development and redevelopment.
Today, I'm not here to suggest modifications to the draft. uh EDCIP,
but rather to emphasize that its adoption will help position Sernia more
effectively among the jurisdictions we compete with for investment. When we
look at the criteria that site selectors use when evaluating locations for
industrial development, access to a strong and effective CIP is an important
component of the overall toolkit. After workforce, land availability, and
infrastructure, incentives are consistently identified as one of the
top considerations in location decisions. The site selectors guild
actually ranks at fourth most important. That noted, local incentives play a
critical role alongside those that may be available proincially and federally.
When we engage with site selectors and prospective uh companies undergoing site
selection processes, the question of local incentives is often raised at the
time that sites are first being put forward are always raised once a
prospect has identified interest in a site and are under considerable
comparison with competing juris uh jurisdictions incentives by the time
that a site visit has occurred. In many cases, the absence of competitive
incentives can disqualify a location uh not only late in the process, but
sometimes even before a community is uh is uh strong is uh seriously considered.
And while the local incentives are just one of what may be anywhere from 10 to
150 or more uh factors impacting on investment location decisions, every
unchecked box reduces competitiveness. This plan helps address that. In many
comparable Ontario markets such as Windsor, London, St. Thomas, Hamilton,
Niagara to name a few, local incentive programs are well established and
frequently leveraged to attract investment and job creation, often cited
by investments or by investors as having been a considerable
uh having a considerable impact on the investment decision. Currently, this
remains a gap not only for SNIA but across much of Lamp County. Adoption of
the EDCIP would allow SNRA to close that gap and compete more effectively. This
will have an impact on not just the city-owned industrial parks and economic
assets uh but also vacant industrial land across the community.
I'm particularly encouraged by the structure of the draft plan as it
defines re uh relevant econ uh target economic sectors and draws upon several
incentive programs that may function individually or in combination to
attract that new investment. Uh most uh specifically, I'm encouraged
by the inclusion of the tax increment grant program and development charges
grant program, which reflects best practices across Ontario.
Combined with the building fee and planning fee grant programs, the
industrial development stream is diverse in its potential uh to be leveraged.
Equally important is that point-based system uh that ties incentives to the
factors such as sector alignment, servicing, investment value, and
ultimately job creation potential. This ensures that the strongest incentives
are directed where they're going to deliver the greatest benefit to the
community. Lastly, it's encouraged that because of the diverse programs that
exist in this plan, there's the potential to phase implementation should
it be necessary, given that certain components such that such as the tax
increment grant don't require upfront reserve uh funding allocations. In
closing, I'd like to reiterate our strong support for the EDCIP. We see it
as a meaningful and forward-looking uh step forward that strengthens Cernia uh
Cernia's development toolkit and enhances its ability to compete for
future investment opportunities. Thanks again for the time.
» Thank you, Councelor White. You had a question.
» Yes. Uh thank you your worship through you. Uh Mr. Slutwitzky, thank you for
for uh coming and speaking today. You you answered every question I had. So
well done. Um I'll I'll drill down on to uh one point then um that I was going to
ask you about and that is for the general uh information of everybody. We
we can talk about um uh generalizations where certain locations are implementing
a program like this and having success. But uh is there anything anywhere in
particular that is uh tangible that could come to mind that somebody driving
down the highway can actually look at and say okay if we had that that might
have been insia or that's too hypothetical
if they hadn't had that plan that probably wouldn't be within our eyesight
right now if I was driving down say the 401 or the 402
» um thank you for the question absolutely and I I'll draw from an example of a a
company that we know we had dealt with. There's a company that's announced a
$300 million investment in Windsor. Uh up to a thousand jobs. Uh while they
were looking through the site selection process, including uh sites in Sarnia
and elsewhere in Lamp County, there was the direct question of what are the
community incentives that are available that can match what Windsor just spoke
to us about two hours ago. uh effectively at that time when we
weren't able to draw upon a community improvement plan, the meeting ended. uh
that company uh had recently announced that investment uh in Windsor about uh
about a year ago at this point in time, a company called Minth
and uh it really does uh point to the potential that community incentives uh
uh have in forwarding the the total overall toolkit that we can draw upon to
bring uh investment to the area. >> And followup please if I may. Uh thank
you. Um, and so it it seems to me, and there was a question earlier about uh
return on investment, which I was concerned about as well, which is why I
want examples of where this works. Uh, your your assessment sounds to me like
the uh the the return is a fairly immediate
uh and obvious return on this investment if I'm not mistaken correct. And
therefore, should uh this process be undertaken uh we or council at the of
the day uh has the potential to perhaps withdraw the program at any given point.
And and so what I'm trying to get at is it's very uh tangible to see the results
in in a very immediate fashion because if I'm not mistaken, folks
aren't coming to the table with a hypothetical. they're coming to the
table with a shovel ready project. They're just looking for the best case
scenario so that they can start almost immediately. So, it seems to me like the
return on our tax revenue, employment in the area, the subsidi subsidiary
opportunities uh and all of the other revenue streams
that will benefit from uh a a cons concentration of employment and
industrial capacity would be fairly uh quick. uh to receive those benefits. Is
that is that fair to say? >> I I I think it would be fair to say that
there's the opportunity for it to be fairly quick. It ultimately depends on
the prospects that we're dealing with at the point in time uh that it is put in
place. But I would like to draw upon one more example of of an effective plan and
some of its community benefits. Uh the revitalizing Hamilton uh tax increment
grant is a great example. This is one where we're looking a bit more longterm,
but overall on the benefits that these such programs can have on a community.
Over the course of about 18 years of that program being in place,
they they granted about 1.7 million in over 40 projects over that time. So, uh
you're seeing several projects a year. This represented uh more than $330
million in construction investment in the community. But more importantly, uh,
once once the, uh, components of the grant had been leveraged, it meant an
annual tax increase permanently in the community of $10 million a year. Uh, and
and that's something that I think has ultimately shows the long-term benefit
uh, that exists in these cases. >> Thank you very much, Council McRoberts.
» Thank you for your presentation. My question for all the cities that you've
uh learned about and what they've got and what they're putting out in their
CIPs, whereabouts is infrastructure on the
properties that we're trying to have people come in and move into on a level
of 1 to 10. Is that like a number one? They're really looking for readymade
shovel ready properties or that'll come because the rest of the package will
sweeten the deal where they're just buying a piece of dirt and they have to
bring in the infrastructure themselves. Thank you very much for the question. I
I'd suggest that ultimately land readiness as the total package of
factors that impact upon investment decisions uh is right now the most
critical uh that we're looking at especially uh early in the stages of
trying to uh move through the site selection pipeline. uh but especially
once uh once they're getting down to the nitty-gritty of uh what are the
financial implications of their decisions uh land readiness will be the
uh most important factor. So would we be better to invest our
money right now in getting the infrastructure to these properties or
development charges will be you know levied and would all of that matter
compared to just having this beautiful piece of land that's ready to go which
is where should we put our money into getting this whole program or run the
program but still worry about the infrastructure because we're not and
it's expensive. So that's my question. We get all of this together. Is it
really going to make people move knowing that that check or the bill is going to
be hefty to have water, gas, and electric come to their lands?
» I think the joy of a program like this is that it can operate handinand with
investing uh in site readiness uh as well as moving the program forward. So I
I don't think it needs to be an eitheror. I think it can be a both.
Investing in land readiness uh is critically important for all communities
uh across Lamp County, Sernia included. Uh but there are the abilities to
leverage aspects of this plan as presented uh that don't have uh a for a
a forward cost on the municipality to be able to leverage them for the benefit uh
of those investors considering the community.
» Thank you, Councelor Dennis. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Bradley. Matthew, um
you and I have talked privately before. Um as you know, I was in sales for 30
years and you essentially are in sales. you're selling Sarnia lamp to potential
uh businesses and industry. Um it's so important that you are on a level
playing ground or playing field. Is it fair to say sir that when you are uh
when you approach these uh prospective uh industries that uh we're sending you
to uh we're sending you into uh a meeting, a sales meeting with your hands
tied behind your back. uh that you do not have the same tools as maybe other
other municipalities do to land the land the the the whale so to speak. Um uh you
know the other other municipalities have a bigger toolbox than you do when it
comes to uh uh landing the the big sale so to speak. And if you had uh more uh
tools in your toolbox, you would be much more successful uh landing these big uh
employers, these big uh um um uh companies uh in Sarnia Lamp. Well,
particularly Sarna, but uh even in Sarnia Lampton, is is that a fair
assessment, sir? I I I think the fair assessment in this
case is that in the absence of a CIP like this, we
are missing a critical tool in the toolbox. As I referenced, community
incentives are one of the most important tools that is available in trying to
attract uh new investment in job creation to a community. And by uh
forwarding this plan as presented, we will have a significant tool to be able
to leverage to bring new investment and job creation to Sarnia.
» Okay. Mr. Sloinsky, you have to acknowledge also that we have something
that no one else has which is the bluewater energy park and we are working
on a very big plant to go there because of the behind the fence power rates and
that does have a huge pack impact and as you know there's some activity there
that's quite significant. So that I don't want it to be all negative is also
there's some things here as a community that we have London doesn't have,
Windsor doesn't have. we have the ability to put people into place with
low power rates and with a lot of sharing of infrastructure and that's
what's being looked at right now there. Is that that fair to say?
» That's absolutely fair to say. Uh and along those lines uh with this item here
uh it will be just yet another uh positive piece we can leverage in
addition to uh assets like the blue water energy park that you just spoke
to. >> Thank you very much for your
presentation. Uh this is a public meeting on this particular plan. So if
there's anyone else that wishes to speak, they indicate right now they wish
to do so. I don't think we had anyone calling once, twice, and three times. So
with that, I'm going to close this public meeting and look for a
resolution. There's a recommendation to you to bring this back in a month for
final council white, councelor Gillis. Any discussion? All in favor? That's
unanimous. Thank you everyone. If we can move on to our next public meeting which
is related to uh resoning on Cathgart. Uh Mr. Bradshaw, you're making the
presentation. Thank you for the staff.
» Thank you your worship and members of council.
Sorry, hope you can hear me better. >> Thank you worship and members of
council. Uh my name is Stephen Bradshaw. I'm a land use planner within the
community services division here at city hall. Uh thank you for allowing me to
present and speak to you today regarding the application received by BM Ross and
Associates on behalf of the county of lamp for the lands addressed as 778
Cathkart Boulevard in Sarnia. Uh this application requests permission to amend
the city of Sarnney official plan and zoning bylaw to redesate those lands uh
from M a mixeduse quarter 1 designation to a mixeduse quarter 2 designation and
to zone the entirety of the subject lands to a sightsp specific urban
residential 5-19 [clears throat] zone. Uh these requested amendments are
intended to facilitate the development of a four-story apartment dwelling
containing 94 apartment dwelling units with 68 provided parking stalls and to
recognize the existing 42 apartment dwelling units with 11 provided parking
stalls at the Jubilee Gardens on site. Uh the 94 proposed apartment dwelling
units have been identified by the applicant and within the submission as
being affordable. The lands at 7718 Cathkart Boulevard are
currently designated within schedule one of the city's sarnio official plan as
being located within a strategic growth area and are designated within schedule
two as being mixed use uh being a mixeduse corridor 1 designation. The
plan identifies these lands as being intended to be developed as mixeduse
transit supportive corridors that support the development of mid-rise to
high-rise buildings. The plan recognizes these lands as those intended to contain
a broad range of commercial, residential, and institutional uses in
those mixeduse buildings. Uh the applicant is requesting a down
designation to a mixeduse corridor 2 designation which also permits and
encourages mixeduse development along those uh primary corridors and along
transit supportive corridors. Uh however, it does limit the scale of
developments to be within low and mid-rise built form.
Mixeduse corridor 2 designation encourages providing opportunities for
residential intensification, infill redevelopment. Uh in review of the
submitted application, there were no non-residential components identified.
The application is uh further requesting an amendment to the city of Sarnnea
zoning bylaw to permit a sight specific lot area for the combined 136 apartment
dwelling units on the subject lands and to permit a combined parking rate of
0.58 spaces uh per dwelling unit for parking.
Uh staff have reviewed the policies of the established planning framework at
the provincial, county, and municipal levels. Uh that framework and policy
support the intensification of vacant lands that are located on existing
municipally serviced lands within an urban center as defined by the county of
lan official plan. The city's official plan supports residential
intensification and infill redevelopment that is located within a strategic
growth area and defined as a mixeduse corridor designation.
Maintaining the interest and goals of the official plan which outlined the the
objectives of the city of Sarnia as a successful city. It is staff's opinion
that the requested amendments are consistent with the direction of the
provincial planning statement, the county of LAN official plan and the city
of Sarnia official plan. The requested amendments support the city's
established goal to provide for an increased stock of affordable housing
units within the builtup area. Uh staff recommend that these amendments to the
city's official plan and the zoning bylaw be approved. And I'm happy to
answer any questions from >> any questions from council.
» Councelor Burl. >> Uh yes, thank you your worship. Uh with
regards to the parking spots, are they um generally available for any of the
tenants or are they specific to units? >> Uh I would defer that more to the
applicant to answer regarding how the parking is going to be allocated. But
with regards to what is there and what is being proposed, there are 11 parking
spaces on the site that are dedicated specifically to the Jubilee Gardens
currently. And the applicant is proposing 68 new spaces uh on the site
for a total of of 79 parking spaces. I'm not sure how that's going to be
delegated between the two. >> We can put that question to the
applicant. >> With that, thank you very much. Uh Mr.
Forkens on behalf of the Sorry, Councelor Gillis. Go ahead. Sorry, Mr.
Bradshaw. >> Here we are. Mr.
just for one minute to come. So to clarify for that uh with regard to the
parking at Jubilee Gardens um if it's been established that way since 1975
and the people that are in that building or actually the building was built for
senior citizens, uh how can we compromise that now?
» I'm not sure I understand what you mean compromise. Well, the fact is that if
you've got um one building requiring x number of of uh parking spots and an
established building that has establish those parking spots since
1975, how are you going to square that circle
that uh well, when the new kids come in town, they're taking over all of your
stuff? So, what I'm saying is those 11 parking spots for Jubilee Gardens were
specific to seniors with their needs and accessibilities.
So, to just take that away, you're compromising that building in some way.
» I would say, Mr. Bachel, that's a question really for the applicant, is it
not to to address about how they're going to uh deal with the separation of
the parking? >> I'm happy through you, Mr. Mayor. I'm
happy to allow the applicant to answer that as well. Um I just know that those
11 parking spaces are registered on title under a site plan control
agreement. Um this proposal would also be required to go through such a similar
process to establish site plan control uh on the site and um that would be
determined at that stage I believe. >> Mr. Fork, since you've heard the
questions, perhaps you can address them when you're up here. I'd like to call
upon the applicant's agent to come forward.
you want to make your presentation then we'll deal with those questions after
that. >> Certainly. Thank you uh your worship.
I'll address the questions throughout my presentation. If there's any questions
and afterwards for by all means. Uh thank you again for the opportunity to
speak to you. Uh good evening your worship council members, staff, and
members of the public. My name is Jordan Folkens. I'm a planning consultant at BM
Ross and Associates Limited and I'm the planning consultant for the county of
Lamson for this proposal. I'm also joined by several uh members of county
staff here if there are any more detailed questions about the
development. Next slide, please. I'd also like to thank Mr. Bachel for
his presentation and for this that was written. I've read the report and the
proposed recommendations to approve the official plan and zoning bylaw
amendments. I concur with the the bylaw that was drafted. Um Mr. Bachel did give
a great overview of this development. I'll concentrate more on the questions
that were raised by council and highlight any other key points of this
development. As Mr. Bradshaw noted, this uh site currently has Jubilee Gardens,
which is a 42 unit uh multiple dwelling that contains affordable housing for
senior citizens. It was also home of the St. Bartholomew's church which has
recently been demolished from the property which uh provides an
opportunity now to to do that sort of infill development with an intation.
Next slide please. Looking at the surrounding area you're
aware that this is in an area that has commercial uses. Others across the
street from a grocery store and a pharmacy is on a transit route and has
uh sidewalks in in close proxy. Slide please.
Looking at the proposed development, it is for a 94 unit apartment building with
four stories. The design of the building would somewhat mirror the existing
Jubilee Gardens and frame what is Cathkart Boulevard. Uh increased
setbacks both to the north and the east are proposed to to ensure that this is
compatible with the surrounding development. Uh more specifically, I
believe the setback is around 26 mters to the northern lot line and 8 mters to
the side lot line, which again has a building that's owned by the county of
Lamp. Now, this uh building uh placement was
also meant to screen the parking area so that the building is uh contributing to
the streetscape along Cathkar Boulevard and uh when pedestrians walk by, they
see the building, the windows, the facade treatments, landscaping instead
of a parking lot. Next slide, please.
Speaking about the renderings, uh the building is proposed to be four stories
in height and as I mentioned would screen that parking area. If approved
today, it would be subject to a process under site plan control. So the the
details of the landscaping and the site orientation would be would be changed at
that time based on staff comments. Next slide, please.
And there's floor plans. All the bedroom units would be onebedroom units. There's
94 of them split between the four floors. The blue areas on the floor
plans there are for common amenity areas as well for residents. Slide please.
So the reason that we're here today uh there's two applications in front of
council. The first one is an official plan amendment with which Mr. Bradshaw
went over. Generally what we're asking for if you look at the map we're
changing the orange to a brown. So what does that mean really? So the orange
allows for 12story apartment building development. It's one of the more
intense land use designations in the city. As Mr. Bradshaw mentioned, we're
down designating in this proposal. So instead of 12 stories, this would be
brought down to six stories to allow for this four-story development. So we're
not asking for an increase in height. We're asking actually for a decrease. So
you may wonder why we're asking for that because we're removing some permissions
on the property. And really the reason is um with that mixeduse one designation
there are other policies that come into play. For instance, the height of the
first story has to be 4.25 meters. Um for this development, we don't want to
go that high. Um another reason is for non-residential uses to be at grade. So
at least 50% of the uses under the current policies need to have
non-residential uses and this development would have more than 50% as
residential uses. So, for that reason, it really blends well. If you look at
the map, the rest of the area is brown, which allows what the city calls low and
mid-rise development. This would bring that down to the the permissions that
are already in the area and not really add any permitted, uh, permissions on
the property. Next slide, please. Now, now with that, um, it also requires
an amendment to the zoning bylaw. There was talk before about the historical
approval for Jubilee Gardens. Uh that's why you see a UR5-9 on the screen. The
old St. Bartholomew Church has a UR1 which is a low density residential land
use or land use zone. Now the reason why it's low density and not high density as
I mentioned before council has not yet approved the implementing bylaw to
implement the policies in their official plan. So, if you look at the bottom
picture, what's being proposed in the most recent draft of the zoning bylaw
was to change the site to a MU2, which would allow for highrise and mid-rise
developments. Aside from that is the parking issue,
which I can now address councelor Gills's question, um, as well as
councelor Burls. In terms of the each unit having a designated parking spot,
it's my understanding there there won't be the unit numbers painted on the
space. Uh, so there won't be that. it'll be open to to everybody. Now, in terms
of compromising the 11 spaces, Jubilee Gardens over the years has actually used
some of the church's parking. So, part of this proposal is to actually increase
the number of parking spots for Jubilee Gardens. And this would be dealt with
through site plan and designation wise which spots would be available to them,
but it' be more than the 11 uh but the details would have to be figured out
later on down the road. Now in terms of the
» worship your worship how can we guarantee that
» uh through your worship I'll deal with the question right now as I mentioned
this will be subject to a site plan review process um it could be identified
on the on the plan potentially with uh wording in the agreement um it's just
one avenue this is a discussion we can have with staff if it gets to that point
through the more detailed review and that would actually be written into the
agreement and registered on title if not posted on the site there's other ways to
to recognize that too, right? >> Can I ask you, Mr. Fork, it's unusual,
though? Is there not um people like to have a unit and have a designated spot?
Why was that rejected over this type of system, which seems like
everyone tries to find a spot every night?
» Certainly. And through the chair, um and maybe I can direct that that question to
county staff as well. Um but not every unit that's rented requires a parking
space. It's a matter of internally how they figure that out. uh the specifics I
don't know but maybe after my presentation uh county staff can come up
and see exactly how they plan on dealing with that.
» Okay. Thank you. >> Uh moving on again to the the parking
reduction that's proposed. The reason for the 0.58 spaces per unit is to
recognize the 11 units in Jubilee Gardens. Now that is written into the
zoning bottle. The 42 units are allowed to have 11. Um what the affordable
housing community improvement plan has is a ratio of 0.75. So once you
recognize those 11 spaces, what we're proposing today is 0.72, which is a
reduction of three parking spaces. So I just wanted to make that clear that it
does have that historical approval. We're not considering Jubilee Gardens.
We're considering this new apartment. Next slide, please.
Uh there is a large amount of information that was provided with this
submission. Uh we have taken a very close look at this. Uh there is a
parking and transportation impact study that was submitted functional service
reports as well as the visuals that you saw on the screen before in terms of
architectural elevations and floor plans. Next slide please.
There's also extensive correspondence with area residents. Uh back in February
the county of Lson had an open house that was attended by about 160
residents. Um I wasn't personally there but uh their consultant did do an
extensive report to county council at the time that indicate a strong majority
of those in attendance supported the proposal. Uh next slide please.
» Truly. >> In conclusion, I agree with Mr.
Bradshaw's uh report and recommendation to approve. This really is an ideal
situation for this type of development to take place. It's on a transit route
near grocery store and other services is near pedestrian infrastructure and
housing infrastructure to accommodate it. Next slide, please.
» Again, thank you for the opportunity to present this to you today. I'm here for
any questions or elaborate on any of the parking discussion.
» Council, >> but just for clarification, I was at the
Sacred Heart meetings and I did not get the impression that people were in favor
of the affordable. I think that people were upset because they didn't they
didn't have an any other alternative. It was either you take you you can have
supportive or you can have affordable and that's it. So um people were very
upset that there wasn't even a third option put on the table or even one that
was presented. So just for that clarification.
» Thank you. And through the chair again I'm just going on the the council report
that was provided to county council. >> Do the county staff council girl. Go
ahead. Yes. Um, in part of your analysis,
you're indicating that um, the his, you know, the historical fact that there's
only been, I remember it was 10 or 11 parking spots allocated to the Jubilee
Gardens park, but also my understanding is that
the understand when that went in was that Julie Gardens was going to be a
senior's residence. And I don't think that's the
fact. I certainly know people who live there who are not seniors.
I'm not sure how all that ties in. Um you're kind of leaning on the old rules
for certain things and you're uh bringing in new rules, but if if it's
not really the facts, what do we actually have when we look at this
project as together? like it seems like we're going to be quite a bit short in
terms of parking and especially if um
they are having people there who are not seniors.
What I'm assuming that it is a geared both facilities are geared to income. Is
that correct?
Um so through you your worship. Um that is correct. Both buildings the current
one on the property and the proposed one are rent geared to income. Um so they
will be deeply affordable. Um as such when we look at our current tenant
complement amongst our 850 other geared to income units. Our car ownership rates
are significantly lower than what you would find in the private market or even
standard affordable units. So right now when we look at our car ownership rate,
our parking utilization, we're at about.36 spaces per unit across our
units within the city of Sarnia. Um so I hope that answers that question. In
terms of the designated parking spots, um so out of all of our apartment
buildings, we don't do designated spots again because we don't have one spot per
unit based on the low car ownership. um it just creates issues if we have the
parking spot right out front that everyone wants and that's designated to
unit 101 but that unit doesn't have a car and the unit 410 wants that spot
because of mobility issues then people are are fighting over it. So um we tend
to do the non-desated spots and we don't have issues in our current parking again
because of that car the ownership you um there's not the the fighting over
spots. >> And could you just for the record for
the public identify yourself? Sorry. Um, my name is Melissa Johnson. I'm the
manager of housing services for the county of lamp.
» So much. Thank you, Mr. Fus. Anything else you want to add or?
» Uh, yeah. Thank you, I will just add on to that. Um, this is more parking than
what's was approved for Kathleen Avenue. uh the county's most recent uh
development as well as there was a parking utilization study uh that was
brought forward with the application that looked at the county of sorry the
county of lamp's needs for their housing developments and this is well over any
of their other developments. So um they're still providing more parking
than they feel they need but we still are asking for that reduction. Thank
you. >> Thank you very much. I have Deb Willis
if she like Willis if you'd like to come forward.
then I have Reverend Murray after
This is my first time. Bear with me. Good afternoon, city mayor and council
of Sarnia. My name is Debbie and I have lived in the Cathkart Cobra neighborhood
for 26 years. I am here today not as a public speaker
quite the opposite or a member of an activist group but as a concerned
citizen representing my neighborhood which has been low density which gives
it its unique charm. We have two small buildings. Jubilee
Gardens, which is in a government affordable housing that is a two-story
building set back in from Cathkart and has some beautiful mature trees in
keeping with our neighborhood aesthetics and Oak Acres Apartments, which is a 2
and a half story building on the corner of Chem Culbrron. Next slide.
I would like to share our perspective regarding the proposed highdensity
development. How will how it will impact the character and infrastructure of our
neighborhood and the lack of transparency input by us despite the
fact that we'd be the ones that are directly affected by what the county
proposes to do. The county we feel acted hastily in purchasing St. Barthol St.
Bartholomew's property the Diosis of Huron which is located in
London not Sarnia or lamp county made an internal decision to sell the property
in Sarnia to the county at market value to understand this when St. Barts and
the Diosis bought that property it's estimated between 15,000 to $30,000
per land spot. Now they're selling it for 1 point or they've sold it for $1.95
million.
And um I said they built it oh sorry um they didn't take into consideration how
the neighborhood would or would not feel. There was absolutely no
involvement until February of 2026. After the purchase, the county decided
to hold a pre-registered meeting on Tuesday, February the 10th with only 3
days notice. Due to turnout, the county held two more
meetings on February the 11th. Many residents in the neighborhood could
not attend due to other commitments that could not be rearranged due to such
short notice. Those who did attend voiced their
concerns. Correct. Thank you to those residents who voice
their concerns which can be extremely anxietyprovoking
with the advocacy advocacy groups present who can make the neighbors
concerns feel irrelevant. I heard after these meetings those advoc
advoc advocacy groups labeling my neighbors as nimi.
Nimi is an abbreviated form for not in my backyard.
Did they forget we have affordable government housing in our neighborhood?
Do they have affordable government housing as their neighbors?
Next slide. Again, the county paid $1.95 million of
our taxes and have and will use another million dollars to demolish the church,
which they've already done, and for pre-planning with zero input from the
citizens who paid the taxes. The only consistent excuse I could find
for the county to rush the purchase was to secure time-sensitive provincial and
federal funding. If government funding is time-sensitive,
why did they not purchase 321 Divine Street? It was listed power of sale by
Kolars Canada in midappril of 2024. I called Kolers.
It is already zoned for multi-residential.
The lot is vacant of any structures. The cost $2.5 million.
Which is a taxpayer saving of $500,000. Cathkart property was not offered to the
county until June 2024, two months after Divine Street was
available and not finalized um the Cathkart property until April of
2025. And again, the residents not notified till February 2026.
By going doortodoor in my neighborhood, I had the opportunity to truly
understand how they felt about the Cathkart highdensity build with another
possible build on the same site at a later date.
That would be what they call the rectory that they're going to use to house the
building people. And once it's done, they're going to look at another
multi-residential. Over 95% of those home those um were
homes sorry were opposed to the build due to the density, safety, aesthetics,
infrastructure and lack of in of transparency and input.
My young daughters who are here today and I took this opportunity to allow the
immediate neighbors who would be affected by the county build to sign a
petition so they felt like their voices were
heard. We had five who did not sign out of fear of being called prejudiced
uncaring and did not agree with the build.
one who did not sign because she was blind
and one person who declined to sign until they got more information and two
who agreed with a build. Again, we are not nimi and we have
government building that already exists in our neighborhood.
Oh. Oh, yeah. He's with me. [laughter] Okay. Those who could make the short
notice meetings were strongly in favor of affordable government housing for
seniors who would blend nicely into our neighborhood of seniors and young
families. The county rejected their
recommendation. There was clear there was clear the
opposition opposition to inddwell or supportive housing.
The county said it would be rent geared to income affordable housing. Many did
not know that this meant anyone in Lamp County, one to two and maybe even three
people with the county set annual income of $27,000 for onebedroom unit
irregardless of background or histories. According to the human Ontario human
rights code, no applicant can be excluded from government affordable
housing. This would exclude our minimum wage
full-time jobs as their income annually would put them
at 36,000. Their struggles will continue.
Another vital piece not addressed to our neighborhood was that they, the county,
can at any time, which we've just heard now, change existing affordable housing
to supportive and according to my research, Sarna does not have specific
bylaws to stop the county from doing so. When we the residents in the of the city
of Sarnia address our neighborhood concerns, it is important that activists
in county understand that we are not insensitive or unempathetic. Actually,
we are quite the opposite. But forcing anyone into compliance and
acceptance erodess the trust in our elected.
Next slide, please. This situation by the county has
encouraged me to do a lot of research. I'm talking about 50 to 60 hours of
research I've done. In my research, I found that according to the United
Nations urban planning research and social studies that there was
overwhelming favor in distributing government housing, scatter site they
call it, rather than clustering them. Pathfart already has government housing.
Many of Sarna's surrounding municipalities with transit, grocery
stores, andarmacies have no government housing.
Examples are Corona. Transit can be extended from Tashimu to Hill Street.
Wyoming, Petroleia, they have one government affordable housing. It's
seniors. Rights Grove and Point Edward
they all have mayor representation in the county.
Proincially there was I which is called inclusionary zoning.
Thern decided to bypass I new build neighborhoods in favor of
other affordable housing methods. Now, the Ontario government has paused
and capped I requirements to avoid chilling new developments. That was
quoted from government. To address our concerns over clustering,
affordable one-bedroom government housing can have one to two occupants
per unit, and I've since heard even maybe up to three.
That means the population of Jubilees Gardens is between, this is only on one
to two, 41 to 82 people. With the county proposed build, the
population would be 94 to 188. Then the county said the rectory, the
white house to the east side, that was in the very first slide, would be used
for multi-residential units are sold. Upon researching, any property already
owned has a 80 to 90% chance of being utilized instead of being sold.
Currently, the population is is unknown as again the county has not been
transparent. Here's what we do know.
Uh two using two local examples when you cluster build instead of scatter site.
Cluster build on Kathleen Street. Kathleen has seen higher instances of
property crime, drugrelated arrests, and public safety issues which are
concentrated around its government housing.
Buster built on Roger Street. Roger Street has been the site of multiple
high-profile police incidences, including armed standoffs, drug busts,
and violent assaults. Can the county guarantee the safety of
the neighborhood with their cluster built?
I researched and found that municipalities and counties have
immunity. So if there is any theft, property
damage, burglaries, assaults, criminal activity, our only recourse course is to
call 911 or a claim on our house insurance.
As an FYI for our neighbors, you can make one to two claims every 10
years without a rate increase. However, a second claim in a three to fiveyear
window can double your rates or even lead to cancellation or refusal to
renew. I looked up stat uh statistics Canada.
Singles, mostly male, on the 2021 census stated
that they tend to have in poverty clustering higher rates of crime within
the neighborhood as it's their neighborhood. They know what's going on.
So, this is a very real concern. Safety is a concern and should be
acknowledged without passing judgment on us.
I found through internet search that the municipality or for that matter Sarnia
has the legal, ethical and human rights obligation to ensure our safety. Canada
canada.ca. Next slide, please. Aesthetics.
Affordable housing must comply with the same building restrictions and design
standards as market rate housing and will be designed to fit in with the
character of their neighborhood. Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Many of us in the Coburn and Cathkart neighborhood have brought it to the
county's attention that their new built does not reflect the character of our
neighborhood and looks very much like an institution from the Cathkart road view.
The height is also an issue which will make it tower over any other build. From
the artist impression, there is no frontage between the citywalk and the
building. Next slide, please.
Parking. Zernia had a 1.5 to two parking spots
per unit requirement. According to my internet search engine on parking bylaw
locally in the spring of 2026, Sarnia amended the requirements to be 0.75
spots per unit. The county has allotted Jubilee Gardens.
I put down here it said 41 units but I guess it's 42 units. 11 parking spots
not acknowledging they had parking that used of the
churches. Uh and then uh
okay with 11 and then um the 135 units uh will have 68 units. That's a total of
79 parking spots for 135 units in total. This will fall well short of the 0.75
spots per unit by 31 spots. Without adequate parking, there is a
high risk of spillover onto the road, nearby businesses, and residential
streets.
Transit Pathtart Route 7 is not a busy route and
as such it only runs every 60 to 80 80 minutes. It stops early and if transit
is needed the uter must use dryer dial a ride. Busier more frequent bus routes
are route nine on Xmouth, route four on X Maxwell, route one on
Divine and Confed and that's from the city of Sarna source.
Next slide please. Some examples of how buildings have
blended with our neighborhood aesthetics are the fire station. That's the second
picture on M Coburn in Michigan. Oak Eager's apartment on Chemley and Coburn.
Jubilee Gardens on Cathkart. And that's the third picture.
And even the hydro building on Culver, which is I put their hydro.
The old St. Barts blended in with our aesthetics of our neighborhood before
the county tore it down. Next slide.
In conclusion, Cathkart neighborhood property owners are deeply concerned
with the lack of county transparency and how they went to transform, how they
want to transform our lowdensity neighborhood to a highdensity cluster
build despite what has occurred in other cluster builds in Sarnia. I also say
this in support of Kathleen Street as well because they took away a park to
build an apartment. We are concerned with the exclusion of
those who will be directly impacted, safety concerns, parking, transit
issues, aesthetics, and the loss of green space. As well, there was concern
with the impact on the infrastructure with our water sewer lines dating back
to post World War II. Again, that was on the city of Sarnia site.
Due to all of the forementioned, we the property owners and residents are
formally objecting to the planning application for the government
subsidized lowincome housing development for 7800 718 Cathkart Boulevard.
As such, I would like to present to the city of
Sarnia a petition of 211 signatures of immediate residents
in the neighborhood and that's all I could do because I've got bad knees.
Otherwise, we would have covered the whole neighborhood. I only covered half.
» Okay. Thank you for that and thank you for the presentation. The clerk will
take your petition so it's on the record.
Well, thank you very much for the presentation.
And can I call on Reverend come up for come forward please?
Your worship and members of council, thank you for this opportunity to speak
to the recommended bylaw changes and amendments regarding the proposed
affordable housing project on Cathkart Boulevard. For this opportunity to give
voice to a silent majority of support for this work in general.
My name is Kenji Marui. I use he him as pronouns and I'm part of the ministry
team with Grace United Church also located on Cathkart Boulevard uh 1100
meters east of the site in question. Our church has 400 people on its membership
role the majority of whom reside in the north end of Sarnia.
My understanding is that these motions address procedural impediments to the
proposed building plan and I encourage their adoption so that progress might
continue. Prior to the closing of St.
Bartholomew's Anglican Church, I worked with their leadership on multiple
occasions. Our congregations held mutual respect and regard for each other's
ministries. As their ministry wound down and they
imagined a future beyond their doors closing, I know they desired a legacy
that would support the unhoused in Sarnia and had been frustrated by
complicated processes required by their church cinnid, the uh dasis of Hiron,
the city of Sarnia and the county of Lamp. What these official plan and
zoning bylaw amendments seek to do appear reasonable, straightforward to
me, and respectful of the vision of St. Barts, as well as the local residential
context. Also having worked with family of
parishes, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic, St. Giles Presbyterian, Redeemer
Christian Reformed, and Dunlop Central United Churches specifically on the
issue of the unhoused. I can attest to the support for this project and how it
aligns with the values of our faith communities. We affirm that the
provision of basic human needs affords respect to all and invests in our
collective thriving by providing a stable and sustainable answer to the
questions. Where am I going to sleep tonight? How can I afford a roof over my
head? Where can I be safe? Affordable housing grants dignity to its residents
as well as better physical and mental health. We value diversity and bringing
people together of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, social standing.
We see far too, excuse me, we see far too often uh in the news locally and
internationally that silos of sameness lead to distrust of others, inability to
disagree constructively, and fear of change.
I ask that city and county councils continue to demonstrate collaboration
between independent bodies for a common good in the same manner as the disperate
and different church denominations I just mentioned come together for common
cause for the betterment and enrichment of community.
Grace United Church has embraced efforts such as this affordable housing project
in its past welcoming such endeavors into its backyard literally since 1997.
and Grace United Church has provided its mance for the use of community living to
offer respit care and housing for its clients. I look out of my office window
across the back lawn and see a tangible representation of collaboration,
connection, and community. Yes, in my backyard.
Thank you for your time. >> Thank you very much, sir. This is a
public uh meeting and if there's anyone that wishes to speak, would they please
come forward right now and identify themselves, their address? And I'd also
ask you keep your remarks fairly succinct since we've had a number of
delegations so far.
» Thank you. Uh my name is William Scott, 35 Bradley Place.
Had the honor of meeting uh meeting Deb Willis's uh two daughters yesterday. I
hope they have a good future in uh public advocacy. I just wanted to point
out uh three things. Not against affordable housing, and I don't mean to
speak for uh the St. Bart's congregation, although I was a member
there for 37 years until they closed. I think the proposed changes that Deb
covered them to a certain extent. And I won't go into the traffic. Thought that
was well covered. Too high at four stories compared to the standard twotory
within a mile radius of St. Barts seems a bridge too far. The setbacks are
insufficient. It'll be the closest building to Cathgart and will not fit in
with the overall area. I would suggest affordable housing. I think we all
support that, but a twostory building would seem to make much more sense for
that location. And therefore, I would suggest or it would be my opinion that
the uh proposed amendments to the bylaws uh not be allowed to go proceed.
» Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. >> Okay, with that, I will I will close the
public portion. I'm sorry, Mr. Folks, as the applicant, you have the right to
come back to not reargue, but to rebut any factual things you think need to be
addressed under the planning act.
» Thank you, worship. I'll keep this brief. I'll just concentrate on the
comments that I heard that I I don't necessarily agree with. I want council
to give consideration to what should be considered. Um, first of all, um,
council knows the documents that you need to consider. The provincial
planning statement, the county of Lampson official plan, the city of
Varnia official plan. Um those documents have been reviewed by myself as well as
from Mr. Hyatt, Mr. Bradshaw and his team. We both agree that it is
consistent with the PPS and conforms to those official plans. Second of all, I
want to talk about exactly what council is voting on today. First of all,
there's been talk about high density, increased density. I want to make it
clear the official plan amendment is a reduction in height and a reduction in
density. The only other changes are to allow a a smaller first floor and to
allow more than 50% of the first floor to be used for residential space. The
rest of it is a downward or a decrease in in intensification.
Second of all, the zoning bylaw change here um I'll compare it to what is in
the most recent draft. The changes for that is one parking which we've
discussed. We're talking about a reduction in three parking spaces.
Second change is the angular plane. So that is the setback a building needs to
be from the property line in terms of its height. The building will be 14
meters which is 2 meters taller than what can be built as of right anywhere
in the neighborhood. And the setback is 8 m to a property line that doesn't even
exist yet because it's owned by the county of lamp. the angler plane would
be much or the setback to the north lot line which is the closest residential
uses to the site is nearly double than what would be required. So I really just
want to concentrate on those two items. Again, thank you for allowing me to
adjust this and >> councelor McRoberts a question.
» Thank you through the chair. I'm not sure if it would go to you or the county
staff. If we're talking uh as a reference to
only having a twostory building, what is the cost of having to build two twostory
buildings in separate sites to house those that need it? And we're still not
covering everyone that needs affordable housing at this point compared to the
cost of one fourstory. >> Your worship to the to the question by
the counselor. I'll defer to county staff on that the specifics of that. I
do just want to highlight one more item that I think has been missed. In the
official plan, the city strives to have 30% of all new units to be affordable.
This would contribute a great deal to the city accomplishing that goal. Um,
not only for affordable, but there's also targets for intensification. This
intensification would help the city meet those goals as well.
» Thank councelor Mc Roberts. >> Your workshop to councelor McRoberts. In
terms of the cost of building two two-story buildings, I don't have those
exact numbers, but we know in construction that the bulk of the cost
comes from the foundation. It's the concrete, it's the rebar, it's the site
work. Um, going higher is more cost effective than going uh longer or wider.
It's that foundation work that is definitely the bulk. So, foreseeably,
two separate buildings would be a sign cost.
» Robert, follow up. As long as you're here, Melissa. Um,
sorry, shouldn't have called you by your first name. Um, we are now
train of thought. Give me one second. Oh, can we not just say and agree to
that this will be deeply affordable and not supportive in its lifetime
for this neighborhood and look for other sites for those builds?
» Through your worship to councelor McRoberts. Um, as as you're aware,
councelor McRoberts, at the March 44th county council meeting, council did
declare the use of that property as RGI renting housing and not supportive
housing. The intended use is to operate just like Jubilee Gardens is currently.
Um, so that declaration has been made by county council.
» Thank you, Councelor Dennis. And then >> Yes. Uh, thank you, Mayor Bradley.
Actually, I have a question for both you folks. Um, are either one of you uh are
uh Snee residents
» uh through your worship? Again, I'm not sure if this is relevant to the whole
application. I am a resident of Sarnia. Yes, I am.
» Are you are you homeowners? >> I am. Yes.
» Would you purchase a home right across from a facility like this?
» I mean, that's a hypothetical question. you're here to present.
» So, >> it's a relevant question.
» I I don't think you would. >> I can I can comment on that in that the
the build that's proposed is the same use that's already existing on the
property. >> Well, no. My my question to you was as a
SNI resident, as a a home own a homeowner, would you purchase a a home
on a property or right across from a property like you were planning on
building on Cathkart? Would you purchase a house next door or across the road?
Yes or no? It's a simple question.
» Through the chair again, I I don't believe it's relevant to this
application. >> Oh, it's it's very re very relevant.
» It's up to the council to make the decision. I appreciate your
presentations and everyone else to present it on both sides of the issue,
but it's up to the council to make a determination of this is good planning
or not. So, thank you very much. >> One more question if I may, your
worship. Um, and it could be to either either folks. Uh, with regard to
I don't think there's been there's any argument that we need to build more
affordable housing and rent gear to income is very similar to what's already
there. You're correct in that statement. I think the biggest problem that people
see from this is it's an overbuild on the site and the fact that it's going to
be the dominant feature of this site. The second thing that they see is the
encroachment more or less of the building to the sidewalk. So that it's
it's just there all the like it's in your face as opposed to what was there
which was there was no sidewalk at that point. So is there any um opportunity
without going to the committee of adjustment to have this massaged a
little bit more >> for your worship? Uh I'll address that
question in terms of the setback from the street you're referring to. Um so
what we planned on for this development is to comply with the standards in
place. There is no reduction in the the setback from the street. Actually, it's
going to be an increase from what the draft bylaw has for apartment building.
As I mentioned in my presentation, this would be zoned to a MU2 according to the
draft bylaw. And I believe the most recent draft had a 4.5 meter setback
from the street. Mr. Hay can correct me if I'm wrong. What's being proposed here
is 9 meters, so double what the city deems appropriate uh in their draft
zoning bylaw. U there's also going to be sidewalk connections uh proposed along
the street and to the the building itself. Um, again, I don't think that
was mentioned in my presentation, but just to uh improve the the pedestrian
infrastructure in the area, but in terms of the setback from the street, it would
be double what was being proposed in the DR.
» Thank you. >> Basically, what I'm looking for is that
it can somehow um incorporate itself into the existing
neighborhood without taking away from it.
» I would hope that county staff would notice if there are adjustments that can
be made that that could happen. With that, I'm going to close the public
portion of the meeting and I'm going to look for a resolution of councel.
Councelor White,
you're moving the recommendation. Okay. Second. Councelor Kelner. Discussion.
Councelor Dennis. Councelor Bar. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor Bradley. Um,
» I'll record the vote for the record. >> I Yeah. Uh, yes. You're going to record
the vote, sir? I just said that. >> Thank you. I'm sorry. It's a party
hearing uh sitting here in my living room. I should be sitting in council
right now. Anyhow, um I have had many many neighbors contact me uh over this
uh development. Uh they are scared because there are no legal commitments
to the neighbors regarding public safety, neighborhood stability, and
long-term commitment or community impacts of this development. I have been
told that even though this is not labeled supportive housing, there are no
assurances or eligible elig eligibility requirements other than financial. Given
the other situations we have in Sarnney regarding county h housing uh projects
and neighborhood trauma, these concerns are very very real to some neighbors. If
this were a traditional senior's housing development, my concerns would be
significantly different. Senior housing has a wellestablished record and serves
a clearly defined population. This is not what is being proposed here. This is
an affordable housing project with eligibility criteria that have never
ever been clearly explained to the surrounding community. Residents are
being asked to take place uh to place their trust in a process without being
provided the assurances they deserve. I have heard repeatedly from homeowners
who are worried about the future of their neighborhood. And I understand
why. Some neighbors have told me that people with severe drug addictions will
be living there. that even though that even though it is not labeled supportive
housing that no such eligibility criteria are in place to protect the
neighbors from the devastation in other parts of our city. We do not have to
look very far to find examples of neighborhoods in Sarna that have
experienced significant challenges after a county housing was introduced. The
reality is that many residents in Sarnia tell me their quality of life, sense of
security, and enjoyment of their properties have been negatively
affected. Those concerns simply uh cannot be dismissed. I see them as my I
see them with my own eyes. The people living in this area have invested
invested decades of hard work into their homes. For most, this their home is
their largest financial asset and the foundation of their retirement security.
They deserve more than vague assurances that everything will be fine. without
clear answers, without clear eligibility criteria, without a neighborhood
protection plan, without uh enforceable accountability measures if problems
arise. I am not prepared to support a proposal that could put another
established Sarnia neighborhood at risk. I said the same about the Inwell
location because once a neighborhood is destabilized, it is extraordinarily
difficult to reverse the damage. I am not prepared to ask the residents of
this community to accept that risk without clear and credible safeguards.
No neighborhood in any part of Sarnia at all should ever be subject to this
disruption and I will be voting no to save this Cathkart neighborhood as I
have consistently done with other neighborhoods in Sarnia. Thank you,
» Councelor Burl. Councelor Burl, please. >> Uh, yes. Thank you, your worship. Um,
I am going to be supporting this vote on the basis that I'm taking the word of
the county that this is not going to be a support of housing, which I think was
» Listen, I would just ask we've been being respectful to everyone that spoke
and I would ask you to be respectful to the views that are being espoused by the
council right now. the the um
county has given the assurances that I've heard anyways
that uh this will not be supportive housing. This will be primarily for
seniors but mostly the criteria will be based on income.
So on that basis and we certain we definitely need
housing in our community for people who with lower incomes. Uh it's
there are many people who are paying 20,000 a year for their apartments. So
ordinary people definitely cannot not carry that. So
um I will be supporting this. Okay, I've got Councelor White, Vandenberg, Gillis,
and McRoberts. >> Uh, thank you uh, your worship and, uh,
and again, just to extend a thanks to Mr. Folkins for continually reminding us
what we're actually voting on here. Realistically, if this were to be
defeated, the county would potentially have the right to build higher and put
commercial space on the main floor, too. Um, we're not voting as to whether or
not this is going to proceed. That's just the reality of the application
that's in front of us today. Um, all of that said, I think it's also important
to understand what the value is um that we're espousing as as a community and
that uh ensuring that we have adequate and safe places for everybody to live is
is top of mind. We're not talking about speculation here. We're talking about
real evidence that indicates that when people are afforded the dignity, and
we're talking about single bedroomedroom units here, uh, of having a safe place
to lay down at night, that their lives transform
for the net positive for everybody, themselves, everybody in their immediate
relations, and of course for the community at large. When folks have a
safe place to lay their head down and to store their personal belongings without
fear that they're going to be stolen, they transform in ways that many of us
will never have to truly understand. And and I'm grateful for that privilege that
we don't have to make a choice whether or not we're eating or taking
medications that we need. We don't have a choice uh as to whether or not we
should consider going back to uh an abusive partner because we can't afford
to live uh on our own in a safe environment
uh or take uh a couch somewhere in a unit that is far too expensive for any
single person to live in at their income level uh and find themselves in a
situation where they are vulnerable for many reasons that I don't need to uh go
into detail here. Let your imagination do its thing.
Realistically, our community should be open to
everybody. And we've got a brilliant opportunity here for people to walk to
our most treasured parks or to use bikes in our bike lanes to go to our most
treasured parks not even uh a kilometer away to provide access to uh businesses
in the neighborhood to new clientele, new customers, right? as they get as
they as they are suddenly able to spend more money because they're not blowing
all their cash on an unaffordable unit somewhere perhaps with a landlord who
doesn't consider their quality of life as the top of mind but rather continual
rent increases. Having people with more disposable income such that it may be
can be a significant bo to people who run businesses in the area and it's been
demonstrated to be so. So, I'm not going to uh allow false um images of what may
be in the hypothetical here when I know the evidence indicates otherwise. The
county run stellar properties by and large and they've done a significant
amount of work over the last number of years to restore the ones that have been
damaged. Are there unfortunate realities that go with that? Absolutely. and look
to any private uh privately owned property where they've subdivided either
a house into multiple units inside illegally or otherwise or any privately
owned apartment building and ask what their vetting process is as well for
people to live in there whether they're living on a couch or whether they're
actually the lease holder. It's unfair to paint people, you know,
with this negative connotation without giving them the opportunity to thrive.
And part of what we're doing here today is ensuring that people have safety and
that's all people. >> I've got councelor Vandenberg, councelor
Gillis, councelor McRoberts, and then I'll call the question and record the
vote. >> Sorry. Go ahead.
» Thank you, your worship. My my concern here today and the lady, the first
speaker talked about it. Um, criminal activity. Um, how come we didn't get
anything from the county on on the projects that they have that are
underway right now or or that people are living in on criminal activity in those
neighborhoods? Um, is there reports on that? Is there criminal activity even
even occurring? So, I I think it would have been important, you know, to bring
that material to us to uh understand that this might occur in their
neighborhood. I don't know. But like I don't know what the criminal activity is
around Jubilee Gardens or the other places and I just wish somebody had
brought that to us today. So >> thank you. I've got councelor Gillis,
councelor Mc Roberts, councelor Kner and you'll have the last word and then I'll
call the question record the vote. >> Uh thank you worship. I'm looking at it
from a planning perspective. I do understand that uh if we do not approve
this, it opens the door for a larger building to be on on site if I
interpreted that right. Is that correct? Where did Jordan go? Is that correct?
Um, but one of the problems I do have is I think even this is an overbuild on
this site. And I'm um I'm worried as well with the Mance that's right beside
it and what that will turn into on that site. I'm not 100% sure that this is a
county building. I don't believe it is. I think it's an an indwell run building
if I'm correct. It isn't. It's specifically county
that gives me a certain level of uh comfort again with the um what was what
would be the um
great evangelism and various um onward activity happening around the area
currently. Um as a member of the police services board I would say from the
information that I've gotten uh it's rather benign. it isn't as uh difficult
as other areas um that have um a large conglomerate or clusters of people.
I am concerned however from the setback. I'm really concerned about the setback
and how it's going to impact on the community as well. And I I wanted to
thank Roy Pard for um sending us a message
where he is in support of um the actual build, but he is he's talking about
what's there now. And I can attest to that because I go by the uh Cathcart on
my way to to mass every Sunday. One of the things that I've noticed as well is
the fact that there's no sidewalks. the sidewalks are not on the um north side
of Cathkart, they're on the south side of Cathkart and there's no sidewalks at
all. And that in itself gives a false security in one way but takes away the
ability to walk down the street on the other. And for senior citizens
particularly walking on the north side, and this has to do with us, nobody else
on the north side of Cathkart, you can't walk on the north side of Cathkart. how
people usually end up walking on the street. So for that, I think there's a
definite upgrades that that we need to do as this all comes together to to
ensure that it is a walkable neighborhood and a safe neighborhood and
particularly when you've got the um businesses in that location as well and
you've got the bus stop right there. So there are problems with it already and
my concern is when I see more people coming into that area, it's going to be
10 times worse. So, I think there's a role for the city to play in this. Even
though we've been largely um as a city councelor not involved in any of this, I
think that the city has to take some ownership with its infrastructure
when this goes in or if it goes in. You have to have someplace for people to
walk. You have to have someplace for people to ride their bikes. You have to
have a decent um transit system that will accommodate the number of people
that you have coming in here. And that's pivotally important to the success of
this building. The other thing I think is pivotally important is the setbacks.
And I would argue with you and I do recall uh Jordan when you were working
for the city you were very very >> distinct
about the shadows of the building the um many many things that that would impede
on the success of the community around with regard to the the height of the
buildings and he's not wrong in that at all. Having said that though and
realizing that there have been many many concessions made since I've attended
Sacred Heart um the community meeting with regard to the height of the
building that's definitive uh with the fact that it's being
declared as a geared to income that's definitive and the fact that it's owned
by and operated by correct by the county that in itself is definitive. So I will
be supporting this. >> I've got councelor Mc Roberts and
councelor Kner and then the question. >> Thank you through the chair. I've
mentioned this out at the county before. Most folks that are having issues with
funds or need to be on any type of social enterprise tend to come to Sarnia
for help and now we're housing them. It's a small amount of people, but my
question would be again, why are we not sourcing spots out in the county,
specifically Wyoming, when we've got the county building right there and we could
have some type of social service outlet there for them. There's a community
there, there's shopping, there's church, there's everything that they could need
except coming all the way back to Sarnia. So, those that could be out
there, that's number one question. Second would be, and I've said this in
council before, there have been all our homes didn't
just start there in Sarnia. There was some neighbor, some business, somebody
near you that didn't want your build to go there.
» They Roberts to the chair. That way you keep the
relationship better with >> my fault.
» Right. >> We can't pick our own neighbors.
And here we are. I work with people, lift them up, give them an opportunity.
But the county, we have got to make sure that our buildings are looked after
for the neighborhood and that has been falling to the wayside. The drop in
centers and all of the sites, we have to do better than we are. Most buildings
have some form of security or a manager on site that if there is an issue, it
can be handled immediately and we are not doing that. So, let's not save that
buck and make sure that it's looked after. Thank you.
» Councelor Con, you have the last word and then we I'll call the question.
» Thank you, Mayor Bradley. Um, one of the things that I think through a number of
these discussions that has come up and it's it's hard for me to discern
um anything other than um
we repeatedly come across people who feel like the consultation periods are
either not adequate or too quick. Um I don't know how we remedy that moving
forward. Um the other parts uh to this conversation
uh that have me thinking are some of the stuff that we've discussed before uh
repeatedly. There's these are easily Google Google facts um about
will property values go down. um the surveys we have in this country um uh
you know have re repeated observations that that's not something that happens
traffic will increase uh not necessarily we've had the discussion about parking
uh and we've heard the 36 number from county staff I think it was.36
I'm not allowed to look at them um I'm supposed
» not that I'm trying to keep that um >> relationship [laughter] with the council
and with the audience >> yeah yeah the strain on public services.
Um the location to me in terms of walkability does seem uh you know writes
family value mart and and and such being close by um or it's not rights anymore
but anywh who um and lastly
uh new residents won't fit into the neighborhood. uh that that remains to be
seen because we don't know who the neighbors are and I tend to work on the
Mr. Rogers, won't you please? Won't you please? Please, won't you be my
neighbor? Affordable housing won't fit the character of the neighborhood.
That's I think something that we do. I I think I I am discerning what um
councelor uh Gillis has said about that uh in terms of the setbacks, but I think
that's also a process that can emerge if if um we're honest and truthful with
each other moving forward in the design and the plan. Uh crime will increase, so
on and so forth. I I I just always do struggle
um in here. And I also want to give kudos to um M. Ms. Willis for at least
surveying the neighborhood. Uh thank you for doing that. Uh at the same point, um
uh you know, um from my perspective, I I think we need to move forward with this.
Thank you. >> Thank you. I'll call the question and
record the vote. Those in favor of the uh proposed resolution which is to move
forward on this project. Those in fi favor councelor Gillis Vanderberg White
Bushie Ker McRoberts Burl and myself. Those
opposed. Councelor Dennis and that passes. We have two more delegations if
they're ready to come forward now to talk about renovations.
Mr. Quan, would you like to come forward please? And
Good afternoon, m uh Mayor Bradley and council. I'm the first delegate, but I
humbly request that the sec second delegate proceed first. Mr. Bolter can
provide the local context uh for council and its deliberation of the rental
renovation bylaw and certainly I can provide the provincial context which is
what we're my organization is more attuned to. Yeah, with all respect we we
don't I don't allow that as chair like we we whoever's in the batting order
bats and we we'll be able to raise any questions directly with Mr. Bolter. So
with all respect that's what we do here because everyone wants to go last.
» I'm sorry. >> Everyone wants to go last.
» I see. Fair enough. Fair enough. >> Okay.
» Please go ahead. >> Thank you very much. Uh my name is
Douglas Quan, the director of advocacy and legal services at the Advocacy
Center for Tent Ontario. We uh we are community legal clinic located in
Toronto with the provincial mandate to advance tenants rights. We also operate
the uh the tan duty council program that provides services for 20,000
self-represented tenants of the landlord tent board each and every year. Next
slide please. And next slide please.
So I'm here to just to report to council on the success of the renovation bylaws
in Ontario. Next slide. Hamilton was the f uh so it uh to give
you some context all municipal bylaws have certain specific features. The
renovation bylaws have a licensing process. They have ongoing obligations
from the landlord throughout the life of the license. Usually the municipality
requires a third party report that determines vacant possession is
necessary for repair or renovation. There's also an education component for
landlords and tenants after the N13 is served. Um, there are also significant
fines applied to landlords circumventing the bylaw. Some bylaws required
landlords to pay rent gap payments, which is the difference between what
they're paying in rent in the former unit and what they're paying in the
market, and moving expenses. Some bylaws also include a tenant support fund or
office. And some municipalities have added an additional fine if the landlord
receives a significant economic advantage as a result of the renovation.
So, picture you renovate 300 units in your particular building. There's that's
quite a windfall. Next slide, please. So, Hamilton's uh the first municipal
off the bat to reports its first year success. They found that they there was
an 80% drop in the number of renovation applications at the landlord tenant
board. They also uh found that uh through their personal through their
bylaw, it is a tenant compensation component in there that helped dissuade
landlords from sitting on their hands from performing the actual repairs or
renovations after the license has been uh um obtained.
uh as well. Uh after reviewing the first year success of their bylaw, they
recommended the staff recommended that moving expenses should be added. Uh
throughout the life of that bylaw for the first year, landlords continue to
perform necessary repairs and renovations on their particular units.
Next slide. The city of London uh passed their bylaw
uh in March of last year. uh their bylaw did not have a tenant compensation focus
but nevertheless they also saw a similar uh success of over 65% drop in the
number of renovations um uh that took place in London.
The bylaw also allowed again landlords to continue with their repairs and
renovations that were necessary for their units. [snorts] And next slide
please. We're still waiting on Toronto's results. Their renovation bylaw was
passed in July of last year that their bylaw includes a rent gap payment,
moving expenses for the tenant, and an extraordinary profit fine. Uh legal
clinics have already reported ever since the implementation of the bylaw that uh
organizations that support tenants uh and established residents, they found a
dramatic drop in the number of inquiries with respect to renovations, renovations
I should say. Uh and again throughout uh the entire time landlords have been able
to make necessary repairs and renovations to their units. Next slide.
These are the other municipalities that are looking into u implementing or
already have implemented their bylaws. Missaga passed their bylaw in April to
start in September 1st. It includes a rent cap payment and moving expenses.
Waterloo passed their bylaw to uh this earlier uh this year with a 2027
implementation. Again, a rent gap payment and moving expenses. Smith Falls
has a draft bylaw that also includes a rent gap compensation. G uh two weeks
ago passed their uh rent eviction bylaw to begin on October 2026. And Chad Kent
tonight will be passing hopefully their bylaw which also includes a rent gap
payment and moving expenses. Next slide.
Uh so there's been a lot have been said about the province. Uh why doesn't the
province step in? Don't they already protect tenants? Uh they province passed
a legislation called bill 97 three and a half years ago that was um introduced to
address the increasing scourge of renovations in Ontario. However, we've
been waiting for three and a half years for its implementation. Next slide,
please.
And so we've heard that this summer there some of the pieces of bill 97 will
go online. The pieces that will uh be enforced are uh provisions that protect
hands after they've already been renovicted, which means they have to
pursue their remedy at the landlord's hand board um afterwards.
Next slide, please. A key component of what's not been
enforced in Bill 97 is the requirement for a specialized report from uh an
architect or an engineer or a third party that identifies the requirement
that vacant possession is necessary for the unit. That important piece uh that
could dissuade rent evictions from happening in the first place has not
been enforced. Next slide.
And that is why as an organization uh we want to recommend to this council that
renovation bylaws are still necessary for several reasons. As I said earlier,
bill 97 only helps tenants after they've been renovicted. The increase in fines
in bill 97 only only occur when the ministry steps in and issues those fines
is not instituted on behalf of any litigation uh initiated by the tenant
themselves. as well. We all know the delays of the landlord tamp board which
frustrates all the parties who are trying to seek redress at the board and
on those orders where the landlord tampboard has issued orders against bad
faith landlords. About 13 from 2020 to 2023, um only four of those 13 orders
have been paid back in full. And all 13 of those orders issued fines of less
than $10,000 which can be easily recouped from the next tenant uh that
the landlord charges the new rent to. Comparably, look at the municipal
bylaws. They what they do is they are preventive measure. They're like the
smoke alarms to prevent the fires from happening in the first place. They offer
a tenant compensation because they prevent landlords from sitting on their
hands waiting for 8 months to a year to replace that kitchen faucet. Um they
also protect a your existing affordable housing stock. And as you can see, a
recent study of um of rents uh looks at how older buildings uh older than 2020
are highly soughta in in the sense that rents are going up
by far three times higher than newer units because of the fact that they're
larger units. They're rent controlled. Um and it also helps protect your
established residents who are often vulnerable from being displaced. Next
slide.
Next slide, please.
So, I'm here to support staff's recommendation for the bylaw with two
comments. Specifically, we're seeking council's recommendation
support to suggest to staff a tenant compensation component be included in a
renovation bylaw. As I said earlier, a tenant compensation component will
prevent a landlord from just sitting on their hands and not doing the necessary
repairs when uh when they have to. Uh it would follow in line with other
municipalities such as Missaga, Toronto, Hamilton, Smith Falls, and Chattam Kent.
And the second piece is in the staff report, it suggests an administrative
monetary penalty system to be applied for those landlords uh who are behaving
badly and wish to circumvent the bylaw. It's an unusual suggestion because when
you look at other bylaws, they look they utilize the existing laws which is under
the municipal act section 425 which already allows penalties of up to
$10,000 for individuals and up to $50,000 for corporations. Such examples
in G and Smith Falls and Champ, they use the existing uh uh laws and and and
remedies that are available to municipalities. So these existing fines
and offenses um you see them in play uh as you know in situations where someone
doesn't cut the grass properly or or or they they leave all their garbage on the
wrong day. Uh these are just standard fines that are contained within the
municipal act and can be utilized uh uh in the service of this renovation or
this rental uh uh rental and repair and renovation bylaw. Uh, thank you for your
time and I'm open to any questions you might have.
» Are there any questions? >> I'm not seeing but thank you again for
the presentation. >> Thank you,
» Mr. Boulder.
» Mayor and Council Andrew Bolter. I work as the executive director of community
legal assistance funded by legal aid Ontario and we have
a mandate in the whole county. Uh a bulk of our clients however come from Sarnia
for obvious reasons. Population density here. Um I'm going to
talk about what's happening locally. Um what we're seeing locally is that aging
buildings are being purchased by investors, out of town investors, out of
town companies. Um and they are purchasing these properties. They are
then doing an assessment of the property and they're making the suggestion or the
claim that the entire building needs to be empty for them to do the necessary.
Um tenants we're finding are either asked to leave
uh encouraged to leave with what we call cash for keys, sometimes offered up to
$5,000 to leave and not go through the N13
process. Now the N13 pro process is a document that basically tells the tenant
that uh you need to move out. You normally get a month's rent and um
it's a process that goes through the landlord tenant board.
Um there's a lot of tensions. I mean nobody's saying to a landlord, you can't
repair a building, you can't maintain a building.
What's happening is that for instance, I I'll give you some for
instance, Village Green on Xmouth Street.
But um what happened there? Uh tenants were given eviction notices tied to
planned renovations. The landlord offered some of them $5,000
early. And think to yourself, if you're in a rental unit, fixed income, low
income, a lot of seniors have been there, live there, been there 30 plus
years, these are their homes, and they're served a notice or they're off
at $5,000 to leave. Some will take it because they're
scared. they don't understand their rights and some will
just freeze or some people will call the legal clinic and we say no you you you
don't leave based on the notice. So what happened at village green was um the
long-term tenant tenants felt pressured to leave. So we organized a tenants
group or we didn't organize it there are advocates on the ground who did that
which is amazing. Um what happened there is the landlord was claiming
[clears throat] that the whole building needed to be empty because there was
asbestous in the building. No evidence of that. In fact, a follow-up has shown
that there's no asbestous in the building. That would be a safety
concern. This company, this particular company that is doing this has done this
in other parts of the province.
They're doing exactly the same letter. In fact, they forgot to take the address
off one of them and it was through residents. This is a unfortunately there
are many good landlords out there who follow the rules.
A pattern we're seeing with other landlords across the province. Um,
wrenchly branchly that is another building that was emptied because of
major renovations. Now in that case the renovations were necessary and and the
tenants were required to move out for various safety reasons and they did but
what's happened there is delay after delay after delay. And what happens when
tenants move out is they have to make other arrangements. They either rerent
or they sometimes leave town. We had one family actually from Earl's Court that
had to abandon all their belongings and move back to Alberta so the guy could
live with his dad with his wife and new kid because he could not afford any
other way of living. Um
so the branch it's just delay delay delay. Um and there's no teeth there's
no teeth make the landlord move quicker and that's a problem. And the longer the
landlord waits, the more the existing tenants who do have a right to return at
the same rent disappear. They go away. They've made other arrangements. Their
kids might be in other schools. Other things happen in life. So the longer the
the delay, the better it is for the landlord and the more profit that
particular out of town corporation can make on our most usually most vulnerable
citizens. These old buildings have rent controls
and the rents are relatively low. You know, some of the bu some of the rents
in um Earl's Court was actually $700. Now they're renting between $1,500 and
$1,700. Um
we've had a number of situations where seniors are struggling on their fixed
pensions. Like I said before, it's the fear they
think the landlords have control. People think the landlords have the power and
they don't realize they don't. Going to the landlord tenant board is um is slow.
It's technical and it's it doesn't necessarily answer
the immediate problem of an individual who is struggling with their families or
to to pay the rent to find somewhere else to live.
The shocking thing about the Earl's Court case, and it's incidentally still
going on, we're going back to divisional court on it. We've already been to the
court of appeal. The landlord appealed. We're now going back to divisional court
on another appeal. Again, delay. Luckily, the tenants are back in. We had
to get the sheriff to do the opposite of what the sheriff normally does, which is
evict. We had to have the sheriff restore them to their units. The sheriff
had to force the landlord. He went in. We had locksmiths change the locks so
the tenants could go back into their units and the landlord fought to the
bitter end to stop that happening. This is why I think you need to look at this
bylaw in the in the context of give it some
teeth because I think a lot of these landlords
some landlords see their their operations as a service. We're providing
homes. We protect the tenants in our homes. We make sure there's security. we
repair things, those kinds of things. Other landlords, it's transactional.
They just want to maximize profit per unit. And out of actually out of
country, investors are investing in Canada to these organizations to buy up
these buildings. It's it's bigger than you think.
So, we would like penalties and compensation to be included in the bylaw
if possible. Um, I think that's all I have to say. Thank
you. Thank you very much. Thanks very much, council. The report's on the
agenda for you. It's item number one. You've heard from the speakers. We've
had this issue in front of us a number of times. I'm looking for a motion to
send this back to staff to move forward. Councelor Gillis, Councelor Vandenberg.
Any discussion? Councelor Burl, councelor Dennis.
» Uh yes, your worship. Uh I will not be supporting this one.
I um I feel we're taking on
really a duty that is the duty of the province, not our duty.
And it's just going to cause our folks have more work, more
headaches. I I'm not aware of there being a big
problem with this. there is as indicated here, but usually the
people that are doing it are often the bigger corporations
and um they have the monies to fight it and
that's who the province should be taking on and uh I just feel that's not this is
not work our people should be doing. Thank you. I've got councelor Dennis and
councelor Vandenberg and I'll call the question.
» Uh thank you, Mayor Bradley. Um I I do have a concern with the report before
us. Um when council directed staff to review this matter, uh we specifically
requested a cost an analysis that was not a minor part of the request. In
fact, understanding the financial implications is essential if council is
expected to make an informed decision. Why hasn't the CEO advised us before now
that our request wasn't going to be met? How can council make decisions with the
only part of the with only part of the information uh requested? As a reminder,
my original motion on this matter was back in February. Let's face it, a plan
without teeth is not worth the paper it's written on. Also, the proposal
before us doesn't deal with the protection needed for good landlords as
well as for for tenants who cause damage or play games which is needed to protect
the good landlords. We need a plan which protects good landlords and good uh good
tenants and penalizes the bad ones. How can we vote today on a on a part plan?
When the exact timing uh uh when is the exact timing when this request will be
met? Thank you. >> Thank you. I've got councelor Vanderberg
and then I'll deal with the question. >> Uh thank you worship. Um maybe everybody
already forgot about Mr. Quan's presentation, but he said as soon as
they put the renovation bylaw in effect um applications, the N13s went way down.
So, I think that that thing is working and I think we should be supporting it.
» I'll call the question.
» There was not an answer to the question posed by Mr. Dennis that there was
supposed to be a financial cost in here. Unfortunately, the CEO is not
here today, but um can someone on staff speak to uh that that question?
» Go ahead. >> Sure. Through the mayor. Uh so
through uh looking at the February motion, um staff understood that council
um wanted a a report as soon as possible um on this issue. And as part of that um
to expedite the process a licensing only bylaw was re recommended. Uh we can
certainly explore the amps. Um it's just not a
mechanism. It's it's not a system that we currently have in place. That's not
to say that if that is council's direction that we cannot go in that
route. Um we can certainly explore uh offenses under the municipal act as well
as was suggested um to do with the uh cost analysis. Staff are still proposing
that we do such an analysis. However, again, in the interest of time, we
wanted to bring this back with the recommendation for the the bylaw. Um
because if we were to bring both at once, it would have it would have meant
we didn't have a report at this time. Thank you.
» Thank you. Well, I'll call the question. Those in f counselor Gillis,
» I'm sorry, your worship. Don't mean to interrupt, but uh picking up on Mr. Quan
and Mr. Boulders, I don't recall seeing anything with regard to um any
penalties. Uh this is simply redirect staff to
draft a renovation licensing bylaw, but there's nothing in here about the
penalties that should be um >> put with them. Does will that need more
study? Uh so through the mayor uh if that is
the direction of council we can certainly look to include the uh
offenses through municipal act sorry um as well as any gap payments or moving
expenses. >> If if the motion passes I'll take that
as a friendly amendment to it if that's fine with moving sector. Okay.
» Yes. >> All right. Let me call the question.
I'll record the vote. Those in favor council Vanderberg White Bush Mc Roberts
Kellner and myself. Those opposed? Council.
Yes. Council Bro, you're opposed. Okay. So,
the question passes. All right. Can we move that the regular agenda? We've got
some people patiently waiting to deal with humane society issues. So, let's um
uh first second item is reconstruction of Ontario Street.
Councelor Burl, you're moving it. Second,
councelor White. All in favor? That is done.
Number three is the an upgrade significant upgrade of the Clearwater uh
baseball diamonds, councelor Burl, Councelor White. All those in favor,
» your worship, may I ask a question? >> Um
who is this company that's uh put in this proposal? Because I can't find
them. Um they're operating at at an address on
Elgenfield Road out in Middle Sex County.
uh there is no presence on the internet. They have no website and they show us
TDS turf drainage systems. So, and then when you do do your search, it says that
they've already got this contract. So, I'm a little concerned about this.
» Can someone on staff address that question? Usually, we see there's some
past history with the company
» through to council. I would assume that would have all been handled through the
procurement process.
» Someone speak to that? I don't want council voting on this without a high
level of comfort. >> Uh through the mayor? I don't have that
information at the moment, but I can certainly um to that.
» So, can I go back to the parks and wreck? Um how immediate can this wait
till the next meeting?
I'm tight because of the time of year.
through the merit to council. I can look into it and report back.
» I guess my question, Mr. McN, is a month going to delay it beyond it being a
practical tender for this year? >> Could be.
» I suggest we approve it with more information to come back that
is to the satisfaction of council. Mr. counter.
» Um, so like a simple Google search, it's VR, as far as I understand, it's VRC
contracting and um, it's the first result that comes up on Google
in Lucan. Now if you know our procurement policy which gets criticized
quite a bit, it is so ex uh detailed and deep that I have to take a leap of faith
and believe that this group has been vetted and
» I would suggest we go ahead with it because it is a baseball thing and
baseball season is only a certain length of time. So
» well if the question passes I would ask councelor that we still get
» a bit of a dive back to us and in the future that happens. It is a good point.
We should make sure these people are upstanding people.
» Yeah. >> So to the clerk, the motion is to
approve it and information back to council on on on this company.
» All right. All those in favor. That's done. Moving to um this is an
agreement between OG which there's no money to attach to it right now, but
councelor Bro, you're moving it. Um just move this forward. Councelor
Gillis. Okay. Thank you. All those in favor?
That's done. Uh item uh five is related to declaring a piece of land uh that the
Humane Society was interested in a number of years ago. They're back to
that site. I have put a notice of motion to you. Uh it's an unusual one because I
normally wouldn't do it, but since we've been dealing with them for about six
years and we need to bring this to an end for their sake and our sake, I'm
suggesting that you uh give them the first right of refusal if there are any
other interested parties. Councelor Ker, you're moving that. Councelor White, any
discussion. >> What is the motion? Because you're
talking two different things. >> Uh the motion is the one that I sent to
you last week. Uh surplus declaration. Uh council proceeds to the declaration
as a of a portion of Centennial Park as suggested surplus that the Sonia
District Humane Society be given first right of refusal and that be
incorporated into the public notice.
» Councelor Dennis. >> Uh I do have some comments if that's
okay. Sir, >> you have a second.
» Do we have a mover and second? I think the motion goes.
» Is it okay to go ahead, sir? >> Well, well, you can do it. There's a
couple here that the um the motion should be that we declare the land
surplus and then you put in my motion if you agree with it into the overall
motion. >> Um yeah, I I I agree with
» I have a move in second. Do I have a move? We got a move here. Yeah. But I
want also understand you agreed to the first right of refusal. Okay. I I I want
to make a friendly amendment to it, sir. >> Well, we already have a motion on the
floor. Moved and seconded. >> But I'd like to make a friendly
amendment to your motion, sir. which is >> um well that um that uh um given the uh
given the uh history uh with the uh um the humane society um the city in my
opinion and the opinion of a lot of others is that the city hasn't uh been
uh the the best to deal with and the the city the humane society um is a very
important community partner. Um I uh naturally I agree that we should deem
the lands surplus and I would like to direct staff to immediately negotiate a
transfer of the property to the uh Sarnia and District Humane Society for
zero uh sale price but cost only. So, uh I don't uh I want to skip uh declaring
it well, we declared it uh um surplus, but I want to go one step further and
just uh donate the land to them uh uh for zero price whatever we have it
whatever we have it on on on the books and and uh and and uh uh uh for costs
only. That's that's what I'd like to do. >> Yeah. I don't see that as an amendment.
Um because this is really the first part of it kicks off the process of the
surplus land for 21 days. It will come back to you. Uh this just says you're
going to exclusively deal or give them a first right of refusal and when it comes
back you then have the right to determine what you're going to do with
the uh sale of that land. Councelor McRoberts. I don't have a do I
have a seconder on the amendment? I'm not seeing it. Okay. Councelor Mc
Roberts. Uh, I would like to suggest can we not just make a hundredyear
rental agreement with the Humane Society?
» My understanding from previous discussions is that that's one reason
the surplus land declaration was made. They did not want to go back into
another land lease. >> Then if we follow that, that we would
get the first right of refusal. If they purchase it, they win it. They move on.
if they ever want to sell it that the city would get the first opportunity to
purchase it back. >> That would probably be part of the the
agreement that we make. We always have that
» that obligation. I just want to make sure it's understood here what's going
on. It's quite quite important. Please can you read the back what the
resolution is? So, so the motion is a combination of
the recommendation set out in correspondence number five, which is
that Sarnne City Council declares surplus a portion of Centennial Park as
identified in this report along with notice of motion number two, which reads
that if council proceeds with the declaration of a portion of Centennial
Park surplus, that the Sarnian District Humane Society be given first right of
refusal and that bec incorporated in the public notice.
So I will call the question. >> Councelor Burl.
» Yes. I will speak against the first Briter refusal part. Um if you recall
there was quite a kurufflele many years ago with the town of
Clearwater and uh a school board with regards to playing with a first rate of
refusal. And I think we should learn our lesson and don't do that. I think
declaring it surplus should be done as a that should be the motion and then if
they want to buy it they should buy it and if they don't want to buy it they
should not buy it. But the first right of ethusal situation really just
oils the value of the of the property. They don't ever have to do anything.
City just has to sit there and twirl twiddle their thumbs. It's not a good
idea in my opinion to put that in there. We declaring it
and expecting them to buy it. I I have no problem with that if they decide they
want to buy it. But to immediately give them the first right of refuse
refusal without even having anything official for them that they were even
officially interested in it or of having a value on the property uh as determined
like I believe we're supposed to do and how we find this that or give it to them
or whatever. But I don't think we're following the correct procedures and I
think we can get ourselves into a jackpot by running too fast.
» Okay. What I'll do is I will split the question. I will deal with the declar
declaration of surplus of land and then the second question will be do you wish
to have the first right of refusal? And in reference to your uh the former clear
water land deal which I thought about a lot before I propose this that was done
in the middle of the night with a private company. We've been dealing with
this group now for five to six years and I just for this council's sake and the
humane society I want to bring it to a conclusion. So I will split the question
councelor Gillis and I'll move I'll call the questions.
» I would appreciate the fact that you do split that. Um, but I think it's it's
interesting to note that uh the Sarnia Humane Society has been on that site for
43 years and um there's an old saying possession is 9/10en of the law and even
though they have been renters for 43 years, the property itself is considered
um loosely interpreted though, but to be a part like they are the the owner
operator I guess you could call it that there's uh probably a different type of
legal term that I'm seeking and I'm sure Miss Nicholson would have that but there
is a certain precedent around someone who's been there for 43 years. Obviously
their intent is well determined. The other thing too is they are they have uh
done a phenomenal uh service to the city because the city under the municipal act
is supposed to have a pound. We don't have a pound. The Sarnney Humane Society
is our pound and if we didn't have them, we would be in trouble. So, I mean,
they've done us a great service to do what they've done over the past 43
years. Um, and I think this is something that is going to be very beneficial, but
I do have a a question when the next one you're the right of refusal comes up
with regard to the EOI. So um >> I I want to make it clear we're not
talking about the existing site. >> Yes, I I understand that. But you can
give right refusal to the adjacent site. And the one of the reasons can be
because of the fact that they've been long-term residents for 43 years. And um
yes, they are I believe they are entitled to have the first right of
refusal, but I'm I'm sure that um the legal will work through or can can speak
to that. though. Sorry, I need to be clear here that
existing site will be subject to f future negotiations depending what the
humane society wants to do with the existing site. Is that not correct?
» Uh yes, that is correct. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, let me come back
here. I'll split the question. And the first is to declare the land surplus.
» Yeah, sure. Um all those in favor?
I think I've got got everyone that's unanimous.
Okay. And the second one's do you wish to have a first write a refusal for the
humane society in the tender call? Councelor McRoberts,
» can I add my if they do accept and they own the land that we have the first
» standard but I it's not a bad idea to have it there. So you're moving that if
we do put this right of refusal in uh that if they exercise their option then
there would be we would have the first right on the property.
» Correct. They could have an anon donor come in and give them millions and they
want to move elsewhere just so that we can retain that frontage of this.
» Take that as part of the resolution. Okay. Let me get to that resolution.
Okay. Uh if I may, I just want if the EOIs are going to come to the next
meeting,
can uh the expression of interest, will they be brought forward to the next
meeting? >> Yes.
» Okay. So July 20th, >> no, no, the this just starts that
process through our land bylaw. That means um the the call will go out.
» Yes. And the EOIs can come back. We can put a
time limit on that, can we not? >> So through the mayor, the proposed
timeline um if as council directed um the surplus lands decoration at this
meeting would be to post public notice following this meeting as was required
under the policy for 21 days uh to host the public meeting um under the policy
as it's uh public parkland and then to seek direction to solicit EOIs for um
six to eight weeks. That would be um what our proposed timeline is uh for the
July meeting. >> Thank you. That's understood. All those
in favor. Sorry. >> Sorry. I would like to motion that it is
not understood what's happening. I would like to to hear the actual motion that
we're voting on >> about the
» uh I actually didn't capture the friendly amendment that was introduced
by councelor McRobert. So, I would need some clarification on that. What is
before council right now is uh notice of motion number two, but I believe there
was a friendly amendment that was specified by councelor McRoberts.
» Yeah, the the the motion I put forward was that it uh that we move forward,
give them the right first right of refusal. And what councelor McRoberts is
suggesting, which makes sense, that also the city would have the same privilege
if they exercise and purchase the land that if they decided to leave it five,
50 years from now, the city would have that chance first.
A first right of refusal on a first right of refusal. Oh,
» okay. >> All right.
Let me call the question. [sighs]
All those in favor >> Oh, David, I'm trying.
Let me do it again for the clerk. You're the recording
secretary. >> Um the the motion is that um the Sarnian
District Humane Society be given first right of refusal and that be
incorporated in the public notice and that the city of Sarnia be given the
first right of refusal should Sarnian District Humane Society wish to sell the
property in the future. That's exactly it. Let me call the
question. All those in favor.
See everyone in councelor Burl, you're not. So, everyone's in favor except
council burrow. Thank you. All right. Kenwick on the lake. Um, so we move to
that report on Kenwick on the lake which is to uh advance uh the investments in
Kenwick on the lake. Uh, and I will say to staff again just in the last few
days, we need to have more dialogue with the neighborhood. And I think Mr.
McDonald, you've started that because there's some concerns about the impacts
and all that. So if you could move the recommendation,
councelor White, councelor Bushie, any discussion? All in favor? That is done.
The draft audited financial statements. Uh this is straightforward. Do we have a
movement on that? A motion on that. Councelor Gillis, you're moving it.
» But there is correction that needs to be made.
» Sure. Uh let me get the second uh the motion there. Um, seconder on the motion
on the audited statements, councelor White, councelor Gillis,
» the u the audited statements are for 2025, but when I look at uh the
representatives of um of the police services board and their titles and the
people that are listed to be on it, they are the police services board of 2026.
They're not the police services board of 2025.
That that'll be I don't know. >> So that needs to be corrected.
» Yeah, that'll be corrected. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you.
» All right. All those in favor. That is done. Uh the strategic asset to
management policy annual review. It's here for you to
even file adopt. I need a motion. Councelor
Vandenberg, Councelor McRoberts. All in favor? That is done. Uh hanger land
lease at Chris Hadfield Airport, which is coming to you on the public agenda.
Councelor McRoberts. All in favor? >> Can I comment on that, please?
» Go ahead, please. >> Uh, thank you. Uh, regarding the
recommended 20-year airport lease, we need to remember that we are in the
middle of fundamentally restructuring the future of the airport. We are
evaluating evaluating governance, operations, long-term investment, and
what the airport should look like for decades to come. to lock up uh airport
lands for 20 years before the work is complete is simply putting the cart
before the horse. What makes this even harder to understand is we are talking
about less than $900 a year in lease revenue. We are being asked to
potentially restrict future options for airport lands for two decades in
exchange for a revenue stream of $900. Quite frankly, the idea that we would
lock in a 20-year commitment while uh sim simultaneously discussing the future
of restructuring the airport is beyond comprehension. I will strongly be voting
against this. Thank you, >> Ro. Can you talk to those concerns
for >> the mayor to members of council? So,
with regards to the location that is being proposed for this land lease, it
is in an area that has been identified in the airport master plan as suitable
for this exact purpose. It is encouraged that we expand the general aviation
hangar development in this exact area. And that's why working with the the
applicant who is seeking this land lease, we have selected this location as
the most viable location because it has already been evaluated to serve well for
the future needs of the airport. >> Let me call the question. Those in
favor, >> those opposed. That is passed.
There's a noise by exemption. It's I think fairly regularly we do this one.
Councelor Burl and Roberts. All in favor?
Next is the $3.5 million request for the base recreation campus. Looking for a
motion. And I will record this vote to councelor
White. Councelor Vandenberg. >> Councelor Burl.
» Yes. I thought we were going to get back sort of a
a better write up of what actually is happening with this organization.
And I don't see that like uh it sort of talks about the money that the city is
putting in but it really doesn't tell us uh who's running the organization, how
the board of directors are selected, what funds are available from that
organization. Uh the only thing that seems to be talked about is what the
city's kicking in and there was some talk about the fact that they received
a donation from a family of certain properties. Uh but um really there's to
me this is a you know considering the major monies and the fact that we're
borrowing this monies there should be a lot better report than this one as to
what is going on with this organization. What are the legal structures? Who uh
you know who runs it? Who owns it? Uh what are the what is the participation
by the city in the running of the organization?
What is uh who is who is eligible to participate? What are the costs of
membership? Who can be a member? Like all that kind
of stuff. There's just nothing here that I could see that substantiates. And all
I see here is well, yep, the city's given them some money, but they the, you
know, the overall in and I I have no reason to really believe there's any
real problems, but it's not laid out. What is we need a much more
uh greater explanation to the good folks of the city of Sarna why we're spending
this money because there's just almost nothing. Councor, if you wanted to table
move to table this for that to come back that would be appropriate.
» Certainly I I would I would move that this be come for a report back on the
structure of the operation uh and other funding available to the organization.
Now some of it they may want to just give it to us in camera or whatever that
I mean that's fine by me if they don't want everything to be out in public. But
» I'm sorry. I If you're moving the tableabling, I can't let you continue.
» Oh, sorry. Yeah. And that's that's why I'm tableabling you.
» Look to the next meeting for report from the CEO. Seconder. Councelor McRoberts.
All those in favor.
That's uh I'll record the vote. Council McRoberts, Burrow, Dennis, Bushi White,
myself. Those opposed?
That's just a table to have further information back here until
» the next meeting. >> Okay.
» Okay. So, councelor Kiner and and Vandenberg
are on board, too. So, the motion passes. Thank you, Council Burough. Uh,
Bryce Grove Library Project. There's been a lot of work here trying to bring
this um project to fruition and this is a bunch of motions that would move this
forward and put in protection for the city. Councelor White. Councelor
Vanderberg. Councelor Burl. I hate to sound like a uh broken record or a but I
[clears throat] just again find um
uh the way this is all sort of playing out again it's just
seems to be all city money um even to the extent of going into debt and uh
even into going into money from a fire
fire truck reserve. U and there doesn't to me seem to be a
good solid analysis here as to what all the money
is going to be used for. Um and the the continuing here is is that they're
saying well there's a little bit of money it goes into the future. Well, I
don't know. It seems to me if there's excess money, it come should come back
to the city. And uh because you know in these kind of things, there's usually
onethird is raised by subscription from people uh one-third is
provided by higher level governments and one-third by the city. But in this
particular program, it seems to be all city money. again. Um, I don't know. I
just don't see this particular project, you know, it it seems as though they're
wanting more and more when it's not obvious that a lot has been provided by
others other than the city and that's what that's all. And and you're saying
even if there is a little bit of money, it goes into future funding for there as
opposed to um trying to work out you know, a better split on the costs as
far as I'm concerned. And and beyond that, I again, there's no message in
here about what's happening with that supposed $5 million from the Liberal
government that they committed to. But again, no no talk of that here either.
» My understanding is, and you know, I brought a motion to you a few months ago
to put a cap on this at 6 million. Since it started at three, it's at six. I
think what's in here is actually bring some control to the project. Uh
particularly that if the and there are efforts underway to get the federal
money that four million that was promised if that happens that will
decrease on our side go back into our infrastructure particularly for the one
fire truck that was removed and and that expenditure. So um you know I've been a
strong advocate on taking control of this project but I think this here at
the end is a really good wrapup of the project.
But I understand your concerns, councelor Burl. So it's been moved and
seconded. Any other speakers? Councelor Gillis
» was before me. Your >> Oh, you go first. Simply because of your
I'm you might answer some of my questions.
» Uh I want to clarify that this recommendation is not asking council to
increase the approved budget for the Brits library project or commit
additional tax dollars. The construction tender was approximately 5.45 45
million, but the total project cost is higher because it also includes the
approved contingency and project management costs. The project has an
approved funding envelope of 6.35 million with a remaining uncommitted
balance within that approved amount. The proposed fundraising and donor
recognition budget of up to 50,000 would come from the existing approved project
capacity. It is intended to support the practical work required to run an
effective campaign engaging the community, preparing sponsors and pledge
materials, administering donor agreements, recognizing contributors
appropriately, and creating a permanent donor recognition feature within the
library. This is not simply an expense for a donor wall. It is an investment in
the fundraising and donor stewardship program that helps encourage community
participation and supports the overall campaign target. Any funds raise help
offset approved project costs and increase the resources available. I also
supports reserving any net fundraising proceeds that remain after approved
project requirements have been met. That does not authorize additional spending
today. It protects donor supported funds for future council approved capital
needs at the Brits Grove Library. And I have to emphasize that when this um when
we were putting this together and uh uh kudos to um our clerk uh Amy Burkhart
because there was a a a lot of misgivings by people in the community of
donating any money for a specific project to the city because they were
afraid that once um the project was done that the city would take their money and
use it for whatever the city wanted to do. Uh she was pivotal in in calming
those fears, writing a finance uh uh finance uh sorry donation policy so that
people would encourage or are are going to be encouraged to invest in this
particular project but other projects that we've talked about within the
community because they want to make a donation directly to that project and
that's what this does as well. This does not authorize additional spending today.
It protects donor supported funds for future council approved capital needs at
the Bites Grove Library. And I want to emphasize this as well. When people, and
this is something that's coming up, it's been recommended by AMO. It's been
recommended by the FCM. Whenever you have a donation coming in for a specific
project, you also have to put monies aside and you can get it inclusive of
the donations for the management and the repair of the buildings or whatever
thing that you are donating because what always happens is someone will donate
something to us and I'll use the uh the new splash pad as a perfect example. We
have to maintain the upkeep of that in order for it to be a viable splash pad.
And if we decide that oh in five years we don't have the money to fix it then
it is no longer a viable splash pad and the donor is left with like what did you
do? So this is over uh taking this to a new another tool as Mr. Um, McGovern was
talking about any further funding that people want to donate to the Brights
Grove project will go to any improvements in that project and in the
building itself such as restoration, accessibility and improvements,
landscaping, finishing features or future lifestyle work sorry life cycle
work. This is a sound asset management plan. We are investing in a public
building that will serve the community for decades and it is responsible to
ensure that any surplus community contributions remain dedicated to that
particular project. >> Okay, councelor White and councelor
Dennis and then I'll call the question. >> Sorry, I was just pointing to councelor
Dennis. >> Actually, you know what? Um, councelor
Gillis did a fantastic job of uh and probably a much better job than I would
have done saying what I wanted to say. Thank you.
» Okay. Thank you, Councelor White. You have the last word and I'll call the
question. Okay, thank you. I'll call the question now. All those in favor?
Those in favor? Those opposed? Uh, everyone uh except council bro was in
favor. All right. The uh last or second last item is the territorial
acknowledgement. It is here for your consideration.
Council to adopt. Councelor White. Secer councelor Gillis. Councelor Burl.
Uh yes. Uh I understand what they're attempting to
do, but it as I've mentioned before, I think that the acknowledgment should
include all First Nations that were here before
and not just the ones that are mentioned here. And I don't know why we don't do
that because when the certainly when the first uh I think it was Leel was the
first white that came up this way up the St. Clair
first into Lake Sinclair then to the into the Slair River.
There were different First Nations people around than just the ones that
were acknowledging. And I don't think it's fair
to only acknowledge some and not others. So I will not be supporting this. When I
first brought this to council a number of years ago, the suggestion at the time
was that each of us would read it just like we do the rules of order to move
the meeting forward. I'd like to suggest that, and no one has to do this, but in
the future if this is adopted, that it would go to a member of council to read
it at the start of each meeting. And if anyone doesn't want to do it, that's
fine. But I think it's more meaningful than the chair each time reading it. And
I think that would have a very agreement with that and that's part of the motion.
Okay. All in favor? >> I'm I want to speak to it. Go ahead,
please. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Bradley. Um for the
record, I remain strongly opposed to the revised land acknowledgement. The legal
opinion does not conclude that there is no risk. In fact, it very clearly states
that this territorial acknowledgement could be cited in future litigation that
any value would ultimately determine be determined by a court that should give
every member on council great concern. We are being uh asked to adopt language
declaring that rights and relationships to these lands have never been
extinguished. I am not prepared to expose the city to very clearly outlined
potential legal uncertainty. Even beyond the legal concerns, I believe this
proposal is unnecessary and divisive. Council should be focused on bringing
people together and addressing challenges facing our communities today.
In my view, this is a symbolic gesture that creates division, invites
uncertainty, and serves little practical purpose beyond virtue signaling in and
is uh and this is on top of opening every resident and he and and the city
itself to legal risk. Council should never support this and I will certainly
not be. Thank you, >> Councelor White. Councelor Kelner.
» Uh thank you, Mayor Bradley. Uh I want to thank the uh members of the committee
for their deep dive uh and ongoing commitment um to providing accurate
historical information. Uh we have some pretty deep uh deeply rooted folks in
the committee and those who they have access to as well who've contributed to
this to ensure uh ultimate accuracy uh and clarity over the words that are
being presented today. Um, an extensive thank you as well to uh chair uh Brad
Brownley uh for his continuous efforts and work long into the uh evening hours
and beyond uh to bring together all of the thoughts and ideas uh into this
particular presentation that you're seeing today. Um
it's clear like there's there's zero risk. I don't know why we're rage
farming, but there is zero risk. This is not what it's about at all. And uh this
is bringing community together. I don't know what else to say. Thank you.
» Okay. Councelor Ker. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh Mayor Bradley.
Um uh just to follow up on Councelor White's uh comments. um
uh council um having the capacity to um number one the the the first thing that
this this statement does um it's a ceremonial duty first and foremost not a
property property rights issue there uh we I do not believe that we have
entitlement as counselors or city council over um uh the land titles act
or anything like that. So these are explicitly understood across this
country as ceremonial aspects of that point to a deeper harmony that we're
supposed to be moving toward. Um I I think that anybody who is kind of
articulating that people are going to lose their properties because of this.
It's already been demonstrated in BC, I believe, in recent weeks or months, um
that uh that is not what the purpose of these um uh of these acknowledgements
are. And uh so I will be supporting it because I do um uh this weekend was a
great example being at at Omnang First Nation and seeing people just warmly
receive me and friends and and so on and so forth. So, um I do want to thank them
for their hospitality and I hope that we would uh as people in this council
chamber continue to steward uh that relationship in the good way that um
that we have the opportunity to. Thank you,
» Council and Councelor Dennis. I'll call the question. Record the vote.
» Uh yes. Uh actually, I was at the POW as well on the weekend, but the facts are
the facts. the the First Nations Walpo Island for sure has a land claim against
the Canadian half of the river bottom of the St. Clair River.
And the reason that exists and doesn't exist on the US side is that when the
treaties were measured on the British side, they
always measured to the W's edge. Whereas on the US side, they measured to
the middle of the like to the boundary line to the middle of the river. So that
leaves the Canadian half river bottom of the St. Clair River as being eligible
for a land claim and a land claim is there by the Walpo Island First Nations
for that. So what we're talking about uh that would that means Sarnia Harbor
would probably be included in that land claim. So some of these things that
people say are frivolous are not frivolous. They are facts. So I will not
be supporting this. >> Okay. Let me councelor Dennis I'll call
the question. >> Yeah. Um, right now in the city of
Toronto, they begin their meetings with three uh uh uh uh uh three uh um uh
claim or not claims but three uh acknowledgements and um one is an
indigenous one, one is uh uh African Canadian one uh and the other one is has
to do with people that are that are suffering from addiction. this woke
nonsense has to stop. And quite honestly, there was nothing wrong with
our land acknowledgement that we were saying before. Why even change it? This
is getting absolutely ridiculous and the people of Sarnia can see right through
it and and they're going to express their opinion in in October. Um I can I
can guarantee you that. So that's all I have to say.
» Well, there's no need for a point of order. We've heard this before. Um, all
those in favor and I'll record the vote. All those in favor,
councelor Gillis, Vanderberg, White, Bushie, myself, McRoberts, and Kilner.
Those opposed Earl and Councelor Dennis. Uh, the next
item is the last item on this is the um it's an agreement. You were aware this
is the negotiations with the sting to look at the operation and the sharing of
revenue at the uh at the passes center and looking for you to endorse this.
Councelor Burl seconder. All right. All in favor. Thank you.
Moving in. We got a couple motions here. One we already dealt with. Uh the first
one's from myself to you. It's um looking at the feasibility of u a tax
relief for deferral program for low-income seniors. And this came from a
senior citizen. We did look at it about a number of years ago and it didn't work
out being a practical uh thing to do, but I think it's worth taking a look at
and some communities started doing this. So, councelor Gillis is moving.
Councelor White seconding. Any discussion?
That's all. That's all because I'm, as I said before, we looked at it and it
didn't it wasn't very feasible. >> Councelor Dennis,
» I'd like to speak on it, please. >> Go ahead, please.
» Thank you, Mayor Bradley. Um, let me be clear. I fully support our seniors and I
fully support looking at ways to help our seniors who are struggling. Many are
are on fixed incomes and are facing real uh financial pressures and they sure do
uh deserve our respect and sincere consideration. The timing of this motion
seems a little suspect. Um if this was truly a a priority, why wasn't this
brought forward? Why was this brought forward in election year rather than the
beginning of of this term? Uh as a matter of fact, why would why didn't why
wasn't it introduced in uh 2009 or 2020 when Canada was in an official
recession? Um, I do support helping people in need, but why are we only
talking about one group? What about the working poor? What about young adults
who can't afford to leave home? What about families struggling with
mortgages, groceries, and utility bills? What about small businesses that are
barely keeping themselves open? What about residents facing serious health
challenges who are falling through the clock cracks? To be clear, if
eligibility continues to expand to everyone facing financial hardship, we
could quickly reach a point where an exceptionally large portion of taxpayers
qualify. With nearly half of households living paycheck to paycheck, the impact
on those left paying our taxes could be up to and over well over 50% of an
annual tax increase. I wish to make a friendly amendment to be fair to all
citizens struggling. Uh my proposed amendment is that that staff be directed
to expand and the the review to include the working poor residents facing
significant financial hardship and that includes an estimated tax burden
transferred to non-qualifying taxpayers. Thank you.
» Is there a second for the amendment? Not seeing it. I remind you this is a
request for report and what I'll have the office do tomorrow because I do not
like anyone questioning our ethics. This came from a citizen. We will not
identify the name, but we'll give you all the background of why this came
forward in the last two or three. >> I've had lots of requests from uh people
that you probably don't give the time a day to that are hurting, that are
suffering, people that you mocked during COVID that lost their businesses. I have
all sorts. So, I'm on the I'm on the the streets every day. I I'm not stuck in
the uh uh Oval Office that's squared. I'm I'm out with the real people that
are working. >> Well, this is unfortunate. This is one
of the first council terms we've had to deal with electioneering in the chamber.
I will call the question. I will call the question. I'm looking forward to all
those in favor. All those in favor >> that is passed for a report from staff.
It'll come back to you and to the council. If you have other motions,
bring them forward in the future to council. Councelor Ker,
» I'll I'll do it as mayor. So I I so um I think it's very important for for
anybody around this table um uh to remember how we go about processes
such as putting forward notices of motion. Um uh we've already dealt with a
number of items this uh today that actually help people's lives including
the the the Brights Grove Library project. We've talked about um bus pass
options uh in the past. So, uh I just want to just reiterate uh people bring
up motions when they think it's the appropriate time and our work as council
is to choose to approve that, have a discussion about it or not approve it.
Thank you. >> Thank you. So, that that's moved and
done past. All right. Um Council Bro, you have the last motion here.
» Uh yes. Thank you, your worship. Um yes uh as we can see we're probably facing a
quite a contentious set of votes this fall. So, in order to help that, I think
I hope I'm moving that in order to help substantiate the [clears throat]
integrity of the 2026 municipal election in the city of Sarnia that the city of
Sarnia publish the poll bypole results as soon as possible after election day.
I can get a secondary like to speak to it.
» There a second council. >> Uh, yes. I think the reason this is
important and I believe it can be done just by contact. My my research shows
that uh the firm that does our um software for the voting uh it's just one
of the options. Uh the reason I think it's going to be important is that
because we're gonna I think have a quite a u
contentious election this fall. The more statistics that we can publish and show
uh and always has been an important one is the poll bypole results. That way
people can actually say, "Oh yes, well at least from my poll there were votes
counted and we haven't missed a whole area of the city or something like
that." So I think this will go a long way to help substantiate the integrity
of our votes. >> Ask a question to the clerk. Is this
feasible? Is it possible? >> Um for the internet voting system, there
are no polls associated with that. Uh we do report poll bypole results for our
in-person uh voting method. So at each voting location, we have a vote
tabulator. At the close of voting on voting day, those those reports by
voting location are publicly reported. We report internet ballots cast as a
whole. Um but there is no such functionality within the internet voting
process to establish voting subdivisions and report by poll because there is no
such thing poll within an internet. >> I believe if you check with the people
who do the software it is an option. It's certainly my understanding because
other communities do it. So and we've done it ourselves. So
it's it's just one of the options that's available. Has to be because everybody
is recorded. That's how he the everybody is recorded. Everybody's in there. They
have a word and a poll. Everybody does. If you don't have a word and a poll, you
aren't in the list. >> So my I guess um thanks Mayor Bradley. I
think my big question is so number one, the internet itself is a poll.
Um, but it's not a geographic poll like the in person. Um,
so my question is whether this motion actually changes
anything functionally.
» Well, the one way to find out is to pass it and let the clerk deal with what
happens in other communities if it's functional. We'll find out.
That seems fair enough to me. All those in favor of the motion.
That has passed. All right. Uh, Councelor McRoberts, if you can move us
um through the minutes. >> I move that the minutes of May 11th,
2026 special meeting and May 25th, 2026 regular meeting and May 25th, 2026
closed meeting as printed be adopted. >> All in favor?
Any urgent matters? Not seeing council. >> Uh, it's not really an urgent matter.
Your worship is just a community happenings this weekend. And if you if
you don't mind if I just read a couple things in.
» Well, please go ahead. But I just have to say I was councils have gotten away
from doing that. Like I was all over the place on the weekend. So
» Well, I know this past weekend was pretty busy, but there there's two
things that come to mind. One is on Saturday the Soore event at Sarnney
Airport. >> Well, I see. I'm sorry. You're talking
about future events. >> Yeah, future event. And the other event
the other >> You're going to give us an accounting of
your weekend. >> No, no, no. You don't know what you
don't want to know where I was. [laughter]
In any event, uh on Sunday the 28th of June at Canetara Park in the Central
Park, um we have the annual cruise in the park that's hosted by the Sarna
Street Machines. And I just want the public to be aware it's a it's a it's a
wide openen event. Uh entrance is by way of donation. It's the 21st year that the
Sarnia Street Machines is hosting this event um in support of Pathways and we
know how goods Pathways is. And I just want to be aware of I have to read it.
$350,000 to date in 21 years has been raised by
the Sing Street Machines in support of Pathways. So if you can folks uh please
come out on Sunday, enjoy the day and donate.
» Thank you. Councelor McRoberts, if you can move us to Sorry, Councelor Keller.
» Uh, thanks, Mayor Bradley. Uh, just to to um follow this up on uh in in July
2026, and for some reason, I don't have the exact date. Uh we have that uh uh
Justin Barasa Memorial Tennis Tournament. Um
uh you can find out the date online. I I I can't remember. The other thing I also
wanted to do was just um uh celebrate our our um our economic development
coordinator, Kelly uh Provost on uh her achievement uh her achieving the
highest cumulative grade for this past year upcoming completing the AMCTO
Executive Diploma of Municipal Management. That has made our our city
incredibly proud. Um, the AMCTO are the managers and clerks. Um, I can't
remember what it totally exactly uh stands for, but it's our our municipally
trained uh staff and leadership. Uh, so uh just huge congratulations uh to Miss
Provost. And lastly, the the last thing I had a question about just was I know
in some of this stuff we've seen the words fair wage policy and I didn't want
to connect it with any of the the proposals, but um it did come up just a
question on when we're going to update those policies
um uh how contractors and subcontractors work and that sort of thing. I you know
there were just questions about that came into my
» Mr. Stockdale. Could you get back to us on that or can you speak to it right?
» Yep. Through your worship. It's intended to be reviewed this year. We should be
able to get back around Q4. The work's underway in Q3.
» Good. Good to hear that. Councelor McRoberts, move us forward.
» I move that items A to C listed in the consent agenda be introduced.
» All those in favor? I move that items A to C listed in the consent agenda as
recommended or approved by this council be adopted.
» All those in favor? That's done. >> I move that bylaws 1 through eight is
printed be introduced and taken and read for the first and second and third time
and finally passed. >> All in favor?
» I move that Sarna City Council adjourned to its next regular meeting to be held
on July 20th, 2026. >> Thank you very much. All in favor?
Unanimous. Thank you everyone.