THUNDER BAY – City councillors may have had the most input into the Thunder Bay’s proposed three-year strategic plan, titled One City, All Together.
But it doesn’t mean they liked what city staff came up with Monday night, when the document draft plan was presented at city hall. After a short discussion, council decided to refer the plan back to administration for more consultation.
A new report will be brought back to council on or before March 2, 2020.
Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds said he was concerned the strategic plan based on the four pillars of lead, serve, build and renew, was rushed, despite plenty of consultation with both council members and the public.
“It’s super important. It’s our guiding document. It’s our compass,” said Foulds, who added he was happy with the finished product. “There did seem to be an urgency to get it done and then operationalize it.”
“One city, all together, that’s a powerful statement that I think we could all get behind.”
Foulds was the first to suggest sending it back to the drawing board, but the idea garnered plenty of support and was ultimately approved 7-4, with only Couns. Cody Fraser, Aldo Ruberto, Peng Yu and Foulds in opposition.
“We can work on it piecemeal as a council or we can refer it back and work on it together as a group,” said at-large Coun. Mark Bentz, adding he sees gaps in the plan. “We’re really referring it back to us.”
Ruberto said the plan was fine as it stands.
“I don’t know what else we can add,” Ruberto said.
He found agreement from Neebing’s Fraser.
“It doesn’t need more specifics,” he said.
A non-business meeting will be held at a yet-to-be-determined date to allow council to have more input into the final plan.
The lack of a growth pillar appeared to be the biggest sticking point.
“I thought there was going to be a stronger sense that we should be saying we’re open for business,” said Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon.
“I don’t know if we want to get that specific in this report, but I wouldn’t mind an allusion to it. We have to let someone know we’re open for business.”
Council was reminded the document reflected council’s input.
“I don’t want to be glib here, but what you see in front of you is your strategic plan, that we’ve supported you as you developed it. What you see here iterated are your designs, your desires toward what a strategic plan should be,” said city manager Norm Gale.
