THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay’s city council indicated a willingness to tighten limits on the use of fireworks by local residents Monday, while hearing requests to transform its Animal Services department and a report on city land use.
Council also accepted a delay of several months to the implementation of an on-demand transit pilot for one of its bus routes.
Coun. Brian Hamilton was absent from the meeting, with all other councillors present either at city hall or connecting virtually.
Fireworks rules
Thunder Bay residents could face more limits on when they can set off fireworks, as city council expressed a will to tighten limits in city bylaws.
The city currently allows residents to set off fireworks without a permit 21 days of the year. A motion from Coun. Aldo Ruberto would have reduced that to four days, and stepped up penalties for those who break the rules.
While seemingly supportive of the thrust of Ruberto’s motion, his council colleagues opted to put the matter back to city administration for further study and recommendations.
Abandoned shopping carts a growing nuisance
A local business owner called on city council to take action on abandoned shopping carts, an issue he said posed a growing problem for some small businesses.
Kasper Wabinski, CEO of Kasper Transportation, argued the city should strengthen its bylaws to hold grocery store owners responsible for their carts, which he said regularly piled up on his property.
The city’s bylaw division promised to work with Wabinski, but expressed skepticism that fines or other measures aimed at grocery stores would be effective.
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Groups seek changes to animal services
Two local animal rescue groups proposed the city privatize its Animal Services department, allowing them to take over its operations.
Keith Taylor told councillors that New Hope Dog Rescue and Kitty Kare Feline Rescue, each charitable organizations with over a decade of experience, could cut costs significantly by leveraging their volunteer base and expertise.
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Employment Land Study
Real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield presented conclusions from its Employment Land Study of the city, which it conducted on behalf of the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).
The study analyzed the city’s land supply and reviewed land use trends and forecasts, finding the city had a more than adequate supply of land across all land use designations, such as heavy industrial, light industrial, retail, and institutional.
It found the city has strengths in light industry, but a gap in land available for large retail uses. It also suggested relaxing some overly restrictive zoning bylaws, such as policies dictating where companies can locate different types of office space.
Mayor Bill Mauro hoped that recommendation would be reflected in the city’s ongoing zoning bylaw review, a draft of which will come to council in the New Year. The mayor called the review an important opportunity to address concerns from business, including the local chamber of commerce, that the bylaws were too restrictive.
“Zoning bylaws do not get updated that often,” he said. “This is a bit of a watershed moment.”
On-demand transit pilot delayed
A pilot project that will test a new, on-demand model has been pushed back by Thunder Bay Transit.
The pilot will see the city suspend regular scheduled bus service along its 4 Neebing route, instead allowing residents to book pick-ups and drop-offs on smaller vehicles as needed.
Transit manager Brad Loroff said his department needed more time to prepare a software platform for the project, and to conduct additional consultation with area residents.
Neebing ward councillor Cody Fraser has opposed the change, saying it would provide less value for his constituents.
