THUNDER BAY – City council planted the seeds for potentially major changes to Thunder Bay's south core downtown, as well as its own future, on Monday night.
A report recommending the demolition of the Victoriaville Centre took centre stage, while councillors also supported a preliminary report on a possible review of city council's size and composition.
The meeting began with Mayor Bill Mauro acknowledging the passing of former Prime Minister John Turner. Flags at city hall had been lowered to half-mast in his honour.
New, stricter provincial gathering limits restricted attendance in council chambers to 10 people Monday. More councillors had been attending in person in recent weeks, separated by plexiglass shields, while the city had also planned to allow members of the press back into meetings before the new rules were put in place.
Council mulls future of Victoriaville
Council received a 200-page report presenting options for the future of the Victoriaville Centre, with consultants recommending a full demolition of the money-losing facility.
Council will debate and vote on the recommendation on Oct. 19. On Monday, councillors had the chance to ask questions of the consultant and city administration, probing the decision’s financial and social implications.
Council to consider major changes to size, composition
City council opened the door to potentially major changes to its size and composition Monday, directing city clerk Krista Power to report back before the end of November on the possibility of launching a review, including public consultation.
The scope of the review could go far beyond the size of council to examine issues like ward versus at-large representation, part-time versus full-time councillors, ward boundaries, and possibilities like ranked balloting.
Aiello to work with integrity commissioner
Coun. Albert Aiello has been directed to work with the city’s integrity commissioner, who will provide a written opinion on how the councillor interacts with city staff in his other role as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.
Aiello was found to be in conflict of interest related to his executive director role earlier this year.
Along with the rest of council, he received training from the integrity commissioner over the summer, one of the remedies recommended by the commissioner.
Funding for core areas
The city is looking to expand a program supporting building improvements in its core business areas. The city’s Strategic Core Areas Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides for grants to support improvements made by property owners in core areas in Westfort and the north and south cores.
Under the current eligibility rules, little or none of $200,000 received from Thunder Bay's Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) for the program had yet been given out, administration reported.
With take-up on the program limited – partly thanks to a requirement that projects cost at least $10,000 to be eligible – city administration proposes changing the rules to support up to 50 per cent of the cost of any eligible project, up to $10,000.
Examples of eligible projects include “making improvements to the exterior of their buildings, filling up vacant space, encouraging main floor commercial uses, and introducing second story residential units.”
The changes will require public consultation and council approval. Planning Services expects to have a draft of the amended CIP available for public consultation before the end of this year.
