MUNICIPAL COUNCIL NOTES:

Confederation College President Kathleen Lynch presented the Regional Confederation College, Kaa-anokaatekin Strategic Plan to Council.

Council received the Treasurer’s Report No. 2021-33, dated February 17, 2021, regarding Current and Project Loans Breakdown.

The purpose of the report was to update Council on current loan payments and projected loan payments on approved future Capital Projects.

In her report Treasurer Carly Collins shared that, “Over the next five years, the Municipality will complete four loans totaling $142,242.67 in payments. However, with the current projects to be completed along with the approved projected loans needed, the Municipality will be placing 19 new loans totaling $1,066,011.64 per year in new payments.”

 

Council authorized a funding application to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for $1,000,000 and FedNor for $1,431,498 under the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Program(s) and $1,431,498 from a Private Sector Partner, to develop the Bigwood Lake property, for a total project cost of $5,319,526; and further Council authorized a Municipal contribution of $1,456,530, and agrees to cover any cost overruns.

Vicki Blanchard, Economic Development Manager, shared in her report to council that, “In 2019, the Municipality finalized their Official Plan update and amendment which identified the east side of Sioux Lookout as the area for commercial and residential expansion. This was recommended in the Commercial and Industrial Growth Plan funded by the Province and Federal governments 

in 2017-2018.

“In addition, in 2019 the Municipality requested the support of the Provincial and Federal governments to extend water and sewer services from the Sioux Lookout Regional Airport over to the Bigwood Lake property located across from the Airport. The purpose of this request was to commence marketing the property to developers and investors. At the time of the request for the service extension the Municipality was negotiating a new hotel/conference centre to be located on the Bigwood Lake property. 

“The negotiations have attracted a First Nation Business Partner who wants to build a hotel/conference centre which would provide up to a hundred new full and part-time jobs. This has also attracted other developers who want to create a community around the commercial development which will attract other commercial investors such as restauranteurs, manufacturers, franchises, etc.”

Blanchard further shared in her report, “After two privately funded feasibility studies it was determined Sioux Lookout requires 200 more rooms especially with COVID-19 and the changes to business and health care travel and accommodations. It should also be noted that in 2019 Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority confirmed over 98,000 overnight stays in Sioux Lookout. In recent, weeks we have confirmed that the Sunset Inn has applied to convert the building into Affordable Housing units under the Rapid Housing Initiative removing an additional 68 rooms from the local inventory which equates to the need to accommodate 300 additional rooms.

“In January 2020, the Municipality commenced negotiations with three other developers;

1) to build town houses on 1B of the site plan, and 2) to build three 40-unit apartment complexes on 1C of the site plan. The housing crisis as declared in the National Housing Strategy is affecting human and economic potential from coast to coast. Unprecedented housing market pressures pose an unparalleled threat to our future economic prosperity. Note: There are 240 professional jobs available in Sioux Lookout.

“The economic impact of not filling these jobs due to no available accommodations or housing is proving to be crisis within a crisis during COVID.”

At their Jan. 20 regular meeting, council authorized and directed the mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout in regards to the Bigwood Lake Project.

Blanchard further shared, “The purpose of the MOU is to facilitate cooperation among the Parties and to identify potential opportunities for collaboration in order to explore and assess the possibility of developing and carrying out the development of the Bigwood Lake Property including constructing up to three Multi-Unit Apartment Complexes, and Hotel/Conference Centre on the Bigwood Lake Property.

“Under General Cooperation (item 3 of the MOU) that Sioux Lookout alone or together with the Parties would provide Preconstruction Services for the Bigwood Lake Property development. To date, the partners have applied for funding through NOHFC and FedNor under Strategic Economic Infrastructure program to assist with the pre-construction services and were approved to advance to a Phase 2 application.”

The partners, Fusion Capital, Happy Time Tours and Travel and Econeem International Corporation, are contributing approximately $1.4 million dollars towards the development of the property.

 

Council adopted the compliance report for expenditures excluded from the 2021 budget as outline in the report dated March 17th, 2021 as a requirement of Ontario Regulation 284/09.

 

Council declared May and June 2021 Honeybee Appreciation Months in Sioux Lookout and directed staff to allow residents to exceed the maximum height permitted as per By-law No.16-06 for grass and/or weeds during the months of May and June, 2021.

 

Council approved the Environment Committee’s request to distribute a survey to the general public regarding composting in the Municipality.

 

Council authorized and directed the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a letter of concurrence on behalf of Council, as requested by Bell, for the replacement of a 97.6m guyed wireless telecommunication tower with a 98.05m guyed wireless telecommunication tower to be located adjacent to Highway 642 on Crown Land.

Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 15-21, Being a Bylaw to Establish the Water and Wastewater Service Rates and Charges for the Production, Treatment, Storage and Distribution of Water and/or Wastewater in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and to Repeal By-law No. 72-15.

 

Council awarded the Contract for engineering services to include Construction Tendering, Construction Contract Administration and Construction Site Inspection Services for the 8th Avenue Infrastructure Upgrades Project to Keewatin-Aski Ltd. in an amount of $153,300 plus HST; and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 20-21, Being a Bylaw to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute an Agreement between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Keewatin-Aski Ltd. for Construction Tendering, Construction Contract Administration and Construction Site Inspection Services for the 8th Avenue Infrastructure Upgrades Project.

Andrew Jewell, Public Works Manager, shared in his report to council, “With construction of the Wellington Street and First Avenue Intersection Reconstruction Project being postponed until 2022, (the project was initially scheduled to be constructed in 2021) it was decided to present for Council’s consideration in the 2021 Capital Budget the construction of an alternate project for the upcoming construction season and the 8th Avenue Infrastructure Upgrades Project was selected. Council has since approved the construction of the 8th Avenue Infrastructure Upgrades Project and the Municipality is now in need of acquiring additional engineering services to manage the construction phase(s) of the project which include construction tendering, construction contract administration and site inspection services.”

 

Council approved the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Day Care Advisory Committee 2021 Annual Work Plan as outlined in the Committee Report dated February 17, 2021, in compliance with By-law No. 79-15, Being a By-law to Establish the Terms of Reference for Council-Created Committees.

 

Council approved the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Environment Committee’s 2021 Work Plan, as attached in the Committee’s Report submitted for Council’s consideration in compliance with By-law No. 79- 15, Being a By-law to Establish the Terms of Reference for Council-Created Committees.

 

Council approved the Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Hudson & Area Advisory Committee’s 2019 Work Plan and Budget Request, as attached in the Deputy Clerk’s Report No. 2021-5, submitted for Council’s consideration in compliance with By-law No. 79-15, Being a Bylaw to Establish the Terms of Reference for Council-Created Committees.

 

Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 13-21, Being a Bylaw to Adopt the Estimates of All Sums Required for All Municipal Purposes During the Year 2021 and to Authorize the Levy and Collection of Taxes for all Municipal Purposes in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout for the 2021 Fiscal Year; and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 14-21, Being a Bylaw to Set Tax Ratios for Prescribed Property Classes for Municipal Purposes for the Year 2021.

 

Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 19-21, Being a Bylaw to Establish a Terms of Reference for the Committee of Adjustment and to Rescind By-law No. 02-13 (Being a By-law to Establish a Terms of Reference for the Committee 

of Adjustment)

 

Council received Planning Report No. 2021-23 respecting Zoning By-law Amendment Application No. Z01-2021 (673 & 675 Drayton Road). Council passed By-law No. 11-21, Being a By-law to Amend the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 85-18, as amended at the Regular Council Meeting.

The passing of this zoning bylaw amendment will allow for the creation of a new lot, which will allow the applicants, Mitchell and Anita Wills (673 Drayton Road) and Rick, Jeffrey and Mitchell Wills (675 Drayton Road) to construct a single detached dwelling on the newly created lot.

 

Council received Planning Report No. 2021-32 respecting the Official Plan Amendment Application No. OP02-2021 and Zoning By-law Amendment No. Z03-2021 (Mill Road Dental Office, 113 Mill Road). Council passed By-law No. 22-21, Being a By-law to Amend By-law No. 84-18, Being a By-law to Adopt an Official Plan for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and By-law No. 18-21, Being a By-law to Amend The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 85-18, as amended in the Regular Council Meeting.

The passing of the official plan amendment and zoning bylaw amendment will allow the applicant, Dr. Tracey Guitard to operate a dental office on the lower level of an existing single-detached dwelling on the property.

Jody Brinkman, Manager of Development Services, shared in his report to council that, “The owner currently operates a dental office at the property located at 89 Mill Road, which is located approximately 50 metres to the north of the subject property. Approvals were obtained for this use from the Municipality. The owner is seeking a new location for the dental office and is proposing to expand the existing operation, including exceeding the number of employees and maximum floor area of a home business that would be permitted under the provisions of a home occupation in the Zoning By-law.”

It was stated at the meeting Guitard would also reside in the building.

The reason for the proposal was a lack of available commercially designated properties in urban Sioux Lookout. 

Council ratified the direction provided to staff in Closed Session respecting signage negotiations and staffing matters, specifically Option #3, as outlined in Closed Session Report No. 2021-35.

Council approved amending Schedule “A” of By-law No. 92-18, Being a By-law to Make Appointments to Various Boards, Commissions and Committees removing:

• Angela Carter from the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
• Bryan Neufeld from the Economic Development Commission.

Council authorized and directed staff to prepare necessary By-law to execute a land sale and conveyance of land for property legally described as PCL 12009 SEC DKF; LT 606 PL M239, known locally as 12 Sixth Avenue in Hudson, to Peter Ridgway for execution at a subsequent Council Meeting.