THUNDER BAY – City council’s April 20 meeting began with a moment of silence to honour victims of the weekend's mass shooting in Nova Scotia. Mayor Bill Mauro expressed his condolences on behalf of the city.
With the exception of Coun. Aldo Ruberto, who chaired the first portion of the meeting, and mayor Bill Mauro, councillors connected by teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Limiting council agendas during pandemic
Councillors voted to consider only urgent matters at city council and committee meetings through the end of May, as the COVID-19 pandemic strains city resources – city manager Norm Gale said administration was “consumed” by response efforts.
Several councillors argued the body should avoid making decisions on matters of major public interest during the pandemic, with opportunities for public input limited. Others argued some normal business, such as a vote on the proposed Designated Truck Route, should continue.
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Police, fire left out of Ontario PPE program
Gale and Mauro updated council on efforts to secure supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for city employees. While the provincial government is working to distribute PPE to municipalities, those outside the health sector – like police officers, firefighters, and water and wastewater workers – are not currently prioritized by the program.
Mauro said advocacy to change that policy is underway, and the city has developed a task force to focus on meeting PPE needs for frontline workers.
Gale told council the city has enough PPE, including N95 and surgical masks, gloves, face shields, and sanitizer, to meet its immediate needs.
“As it stands now we have enough PPE, but… I must say we are challenged and worried about the long-term state,” he said.
Millions in road, sewer work to go ahead
While much construction is on hold due to COVID-19, work deemed essential by the province can continue. That will include millions in road, sewer, and watermain work approved by city council Monday. Four contracts worth over $15 million in total were given the go-ahead.
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Change to budget calendar off table for 2021
Mayor Mauro’s push to set city budgets earlier in the year is off the table, at least for 2021. In March, council directed city administration to report back on the feasibility of holding the budget process in December. Budget meetings currently take place through January and February.
In a report, administration indicated the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic would make the change nearly impossible in time for the 2021 budget. Even in normal years, the report said ratifying the document in December would require staff to begin planning work in the summer months, when vacations typically occur and some departments are very busy.
Council accepted that rationale, voting unanimously to approve a schedule similar to this year’s, with council receiving the proposed budget from administration on Dec. 21, public budget meetings beginning Jan. 19, and ratification scheduled for Feb. 8.
Fire funding – HAZMAT, urban search and rescue
Council approved an appropriation of $450,000 in provincial funds for two fire response initiatives. The funds are provided through an agreement with the province funding a HAZMAT program and an urban search and rescue team. The agreement provides for funding through March 2025.
Saarinen appointed to library board
George Saarinen was appointed to the board of the Thunder Bay Public Library. Saarinen, a Lakehead District School Board trustee, will sit as the school board’s designated representative on the library board.
