THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay will expand its recycling program and renew its commitment to the Fort William Gardens following a meeting of city council on Monday.
The session also opened the door to major changes for council itself, with Coun. Peng You launching a process to add a ballot question to the 2022 municipal election that would ask voters if they support cutting council's size and ditching the ward system.
Recycling expansion approved for 2022
Thunder Bay residents will be able to recycle a full range of plastics beginning next year, after council voted unanimously to expand collection to include #3 through #7 recyclables.
Council approves Fort William Gardens investments
City council signed off on a $3 million capital renewal plan for the aging Fort William Gardens on Monday, igniting debate over the future of city-owned sports and recreation venues.
The plan is expected to extend the 70-year-old arena’s lifespan for another 15 years, with work including accessibility and energy efficiency improvements and an ice plant upgrade.
The motion passed unanimously by council on Monday adopts that investment strategy and adds $400,000 to next year’s draft budget to support the plan.
Hockey arena capacity expansion
Council heard details Monday on how its decision to expand spectator capacity at municipal hockey arenas will be implemented.
The city will open second entrances at arenas to meet the increased capacity. That will require between 50 to 100 additional people to perform COVID-19 screening, resulting in extra costs that could range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, city administration found.
You seeks 2022 plebiscite on council size
Coun. Peng You began a process to put a question on the ballot in the 2022 election, asking voters if they're in favour of shrinking city council from 13 to 9 members, and electing all at-large, leaving behind the current hybrid ward/at-large system.
You served notice of motion Monday to rescind a council vote from last year that instead called for a report on potential changes to council's size and composition by 2023. The motion to rescind will be debated on Oct. 25 and require a two-thirds majority to pass. If it does, that would pave the way for You to move a motion in November to add the ballot question.
In either scenario, any changes to the electoral system wouldn't be implemented until the 2026 election.
Pool 6 Site enhancement project
The Thunder Bay CEDC secured endorsement from council for applications to FedNor and the NOHFC to cover the bulk of costs to clean up and renovate the Pool 6 docking site in anticipation of the arrival of cruise ships beginning in 2022.
The proposed $1.36 million project would remove rubble from a demolished grain elevator and add a section of waterfront trail, as well as features like fencing and lighting. The CEDC would contribute around 10 per cent of the costs from its share of MAT Tax revenues, with the two funders picking up the rest.
The city itself would not be required to contribute, but would be responsible for covering any cost overruns.
Edward Street reconstruction contract expanded
A contract for reconstruction of portions of Edward Street, including the addition of a roundabout at Redwood Avenue, has been expanded to include the replacement of an additional section of watermain.
Council approved $450,000 in additional costs to add watermain replacement on Edward from Ironwood Avenue to William Street, after nearby work exposed existing problems with watermain, said director of engineering Kayla Dixon.
The city's $2.7 million agreement with Nadin Contracting had already included replacing the watermain from Ward Avenue to Ironwood.
