Municipal Council Notes

March 19, 2025

DELEGATIONS / PRESESNTATIONS

2024 Sioux Lookout and Hudson Drinking Water Systems Annual Reports
Presenter: Jessica Happl, Manager QMS & Compliance, Northern Waterworks Inc. 
Council received the 2024 Annual Report(s) as per Schedule 22 of Ontario Regulation (0. Reg.) 170/03; Drinking Water Systems, for the Hudson Drinking Water System and the Sioux Lookout Urban Drinking Water System. The Annual Report(s), prepared by Northern Waterworks Inc. (NWI) are presented to Mayor Douglas Lawrance, Council Members, and CAO Brian MacKinnon.
The scope of the report covered requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act, system description and expenses, drinking water production, water quality monitoring results, regulatory compliance.
The Sioux Lookout Urban Drinking Water System and Hudson Drinking Water System received top marks in the report, which will be available this week – both online, and in hard copy at the Municipal Office and the Lost Lake Drop-in Centre.
The full report can be viewed at on the Municipality’s website under Regular Council Meeting – March 19, 2025, Agenda Package, at https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/town-hall/council-meeting-calendar.aspx.

2024 Sioux Lookout Public Library Annual Review
Presenter: Nicole Rogers, Interim CEO/ Chief Librarian 
“In 2024, the Sioux Lookout Public Library was the place to be! We hosted engaging programs like Puzzle Wars, Freedom to Read Week, Superhero Party and Family Time (just to name a few), fostering a love of reading and community spirit.
“This led to increased program attendance and new memberships, along with an expanded collection that is well used by the community,” the Library’s Annual Review outlined.
In 2024 26,869 patrons visited the Library, a five percent increase from 2023.
Total circulation of print and digital materials was 21, 964, an increase of 46 percent from 2023.
The Library offered 307 programs attended by 7366 people.
The full report can be viewed at on the Municipality’s website under Regular Council Meeting – March 19, 2025, Agenda Package, at https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/town-hall/council-meeting-calendar.aspx.

REPORTS

Truth and Reconciliation 2025 Workplan and Budget, Terms of Reference Update, and Resolution
Council approved the 2025 Workplan and Budget; Council adopted the following Land Acknowledgement to be offered to individuals who are recognizing the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples of our region when they do not have a Land Acknowledgement of their own to use:
“We acknowledge we are on the traditional territory of the Lac Seul First Nation within Treaty 3 and that many of the people and communities that we serve in Sioux Lookout, traditionally known as Waaninaawagaang, meaning “Bay of Sandy Beaches” come from Treaties 5 and 9.” and that this Land Acknowledgement be made available for use at municipal meetings, events, and public gatherings where a Land Acknowledgement is appropriate; and further, Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 15-25, Being a By-law to Adopt the Terms of Reference for the Sioux Lookout Truth and Reconciliation Committee and Rescind By-law Nos. 106-15, 51-18, and 01-19.
Megan Pollard, Human Resources Manager’s written report to Council outlines:
“The 2025 workplan has been designed to reflect the Council’s key priorities for the upcoming year, ensuring that all projects and initiatives are aligned with the broader goals. 
“The Educational Campaign will be making a pivot off of the standee project regarding the Calls to Action to working on museum displays within the community. 
“The Public Spaces Initiative involves the creation or dedication of a public space intended to be used for reflection and healing. 
“Building relationships with local partners involves connecting with other organizations or groups in regard to events and awareness. 
“Updating the TRC portion of the Municipal website involves providing more information about what the TRC is doing to meet their workplan and how they are collaborating with others. 
“Creation of a Traditional Protocols Guide to be distributed to the general public for reference to various topics. There is currently such a guide started, but unfinished that the TRC is hoping to reference. 
“The proposed budget provides the necessary resources to support these initiatives while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 
“The Terms of Reference are being updated to better reflect the current committee and accurately update the makeup of the committee, as well as, update the budget deadline. 
“A resolution is being proposed to adopt a standardized land acknowledgement. This acknowledgement will be available for meetings and events, when there is no personalized acknowledgement prepared.”

Ontario Regulation 284/09 - Compliance Report 2025
Council adopted the compliance report for expenditures excluded from the 2025 approved budget as outlined in the Treasurer’s report dated March 19, 2025 as a requirement of Ontario Regulation 284/09.

2024 Statement of Council Remuneration & Expenses
Council received the Statement of the 2024 Remuneration and Expenses paid to members of Council for the fiscal period January 1st to December 31, 2024 in accordance with:
1.    Section 284(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended;
2.    By-law No. 47-22, Being a By-law to set the Remuneration to be Paid to the Mayor and Members of Council;
3.    Policy No. 1-06, Being a policy to govern the travel expenses paid to members of Council.

BY-LAWS

Community Emergency Preparedness Grant
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 21-25, Being a By-law to Authorize the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute an Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as Represented by Emergency Preparedness and Programs Branch at Emergency Management Ontario through the Treasury Board Secretariat.  
The passing of this bylaw enables Council to authorize the execution of a grant funding through the Emergency Preparedness and Programs Branch at Emergency Management Ontario, for the purchase of automated sand bagging equipment.
Jeremy Funk, Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief outlines in his written report to Council:
“During the 2022 flood event, staff recognized that sandbag supply, specifically the preparation and filling of bags was an area where the municipality could enhance operations. The grant application for this equipment was made after staff reflected on sandbag production in 2022 and explored options to maximize sandbagging efficiency for future flood events. 
“Municipal strategies to increase preparedness for future flood events - in accordance with the Municipal Flood Mapping and Mitigation Study, as well as the opportunity to assist the region if warranted, further support the acquisition of this equipment. The unit itself will be stored at Public Works, and training will be provided to staff that will likely be involved with sandbagging efforts going forward.”

Municipal Accommodation Tax Agreement with the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 22-25, Being a By-law to Authorize the Mayor and  the Clerk to Execute the Municipal Accommodation Tax Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce and to Rescind By-law No. 62-21.
Carly Collins – Treasurer outlines in her written report to Council:
“The purpose of the report is to establish a new Municipal Accommodation Tax Agreement for five years and rescind the previous By-law. 
“The Agreement is for the provision of 50% of the Municipal Accommodation Tax to be administered by a sub-committee (Sioux Lookout Municipal Accommodation Tax Committee – SLMATC) of the Chamber of Commerce for the purposes of funding tourism and community events in Sioux Lookout.”
Collins’ report goes on to state:
“In the 2017 Ontario Provincial Budget, A Stronger, Healthier Ontario, granted the authority to Ontario municipalities to impose a mandatory Municipal Accommodation Tax, which would apply to hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, participants operating a common platform for individual accommodations that rent consecutive room nights under 30 days. 
“Under this legislation, 50% of the revenues collected by municipalities must be given to an eligible entity to administer the funds for tourism related activities. 
“On October 19, 2019, Council passed By-law No. 87-19, Being a By-Law to Impose Municipal Accommodation Tax on the Purchase of Transient Accommodation in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. 
“On June 16, 2021, Council passed By-law No. 62-21, Being a By-law to Execute the Municipal Accommodation Tax Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce.”
“The current contract has expired and staff are looking at renewing the Agreement for five years,” Collins’ report states.

Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment No. Z01-2025
Council received the Planning Report dated March 19, 2025, respecting Zoning By-law Amendment No. Z01-2025; and further, Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 11-25, Being a By-law to Amend By-law No. 85-18, Being a By-law to Adopt a Comprehensive Zoning By-law for The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, as amended (By Adopting Zoning By-law Amendment No. Z01-2025).
Bright Opare, Planning Coordinator and Jody Brinkman, Manager of Development Services shared in their written report to Council: 
“The Municipality of Sioux Lookout is undertaking a Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment Application to update various provisions and schedules to Zoning By-law No. 85-18, the Municipality’s Zoning By-law. Staff have identified changes that will improve the clarity and interpretation of the document for both staff and members of the public. In addition to the housekeeping updates, staff have also consolidated recently passed Zoning By-law Amendments that have been processed through site-specific applications. 
“The purpose of the Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment is to ensure the document is up to date in response to new issues in the community and to update the document with recent amendments.”

REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION

Council directed staff to not vest the property locally known as 16 Fifth Avenue, Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
Council ratified direction given to staff in Closed Session respecting the Hillcrest Development and community transportation.