Schreiber Appoints New Mayor

The March council meeting of 2021 took on a rather sombre tone right from the start. Mayor Dave Hamilton had passed away in a tragic car accident just a few weeks before so it was appropriate that the meeting start off with a moment of silence in remembrance of Mayor Hamilton. The first order of business of course would be to appoint the acting deputy mayor, Councillor Kevin Mullins, to mayor, resulting in an opening for a new councillor to take up the empty seat left by his acceptance. It was decided that the public would be invited to submit a letter of interest for a seat on council and council would review the applications and make a decision before the end of the month. 

Agenda items:

• Initial council items included transfers to various departments as per budget.
• A letter to oppose the closing of the fire training college was drafted. 
• Bank payments to all departments were approved and carried.
• Committee of the whole portion focused on department reports and committee board meetings: 
• Director of operations asked for loader repairs and was approved. 
• Community economic development updates stressed finishing and starting new projects once the weather has warmed up. The Discovery Centre should be completed by summer with the downtown pavilion to be announced as progress is made. 
• The recent budget survey that had been undertaken was presented and reflected the concerns of residents, with service increases and sidewalks being a big concern. 
• Recreation department has mentioned the winter carnival is going digital but will be a very scaled down affair with only a few online events. 
• The senior centre report also indicated a turn down in activity at this time. 
• Under the bylaw report it was recommended to update some snow removal policies. Disability parking will be looked into. 
• The fire department report was brief as there are many concerns that have not been fully addressed at this time, such as ambulance services and fire training.
• The water quality compliance report is up to date and it seems that more money will need to be allocated to improvements.
• Next up was question period, nothing new to report here.
• Under communications, condolences poured in from many surrounding towns and areas regarding the loss of Mayor Hamilton. The minister of infrastructure letter was discussed in regards to financing needed improvements. Again the issue of water security and safety is at the forefront of most municipalities and as more regulations are imposed there will be massive costs incurred. Another discussion occurred regarding good corporate citizenship and the hope of receiving some financial assistance from the CPR through freight tarrifs. 
• The COVID situation was discussed and it seems that the current trend in the Thunder Bay area will not be an easing of restrictions. In just a few days after this meeting there have been huge jumps in case numbers and a lockdown is inevitable at this point with the lifting of restrictions being pushed back until after the first week in April. As the council meeting focussed on reopening, the reality is something else as daily increases were not predicted just weeks before.