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Council Brief - March 2024
The following is a summary of the proceedings of the Statutory Public Meeting and Regular Council Meeting held March 20, 2024:
  • Council received the Planning Report dated March 20, 2024, respecting Zoning By-law Amendment Application No. 203-2024 and Removal of Holding Provision Application No. 202-2024 and directed staff to prepare a subsequent Planning Report, for presentation to Council at a subsequent Council meeting that considers the feedback received at the March 20, 2024 Statutory Public Meeting.
    • Purpose: These Zoning By-law Applications are to enable the development of the Hillcrest Commercial Hub on Hillcrest Drive.
  • Council defeated the motion for a second FoodCycler pilot program and pilot composting program.
    • Purpose: To help extend the life of the Municipality's landfill, and at Council's prior direction, staff provided opportunities for Council to continue to support community composting programs. Due to financial pressures facing the Municipality, Council chose not to advance these projects at this time.
  • Council awarded the contract for the Arena Roof Shingle Replacement to Rosiak Carpentry Ltd. in the amount of $115,512.45 plus HST.
    • Purpose: To repair damages to the south face of the arena caused by high winds in June of 2021.
  • Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 29-24, Being a By-law 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. 19-22.
    • Purpose: To implement the new water/wastewater rates commencing April 1, 2024, in accordance with the Water and Sewer Financial Plan.
  • Council awarded the contract for the Fitness Centre flooring replacements and the installation of wall padding in the gym to Caliber Sport Systems for $202,115 plus HST.
    • Purpose: To update the current damaged flooring and walls at the gym.
  • Council awarded the contract for the Hugh Allen Clinic Heat Pump RTU Replacements to KPE Refrigeration Inc. in the amount of $93,844 plus HST.
    • Purpose: To enable the replacement of two heat pump RTU units for the Hugh Allen Clinic to KPE Refrigeration Inc. as these units are at the end of their useful lives.
  • Council defeated the motion for Public Survey on Levels of Service.
    • Purpose: Council was seeking options to potentially lower the 2024 tax rate, but did not wish to pursue the options staff identified for consideration.
  • Council awarded the contract for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Professional Project Management Services to Keewatin-Aski Ltd. in the amount of $150,585, plus HST.
    • Purpose: Keewatin-Aski will be providing Professional Project Management services for the project which will allow for a layer of expertise to be provided to ensure the Municipality's requirements are met.
  • Council authorized the transfer of $192,076.58 from Utilities Reserve Fund to pay For the new Septic Truck.
    • Purpose: The current septic truck has been deemed at the end of its useful life, and a new septic truck was required.
  • Council approved the 2024 0ne-Time Operating and Capital Projects and authorized the passing of By-law No. 31-24, Being a By-law to Approve the Expenditures, and Transfers to and from Reserves, Required to Implement the 2024 0ne-Time Operating and Capital Projects.
    • Purpose: The Municipal Act requires that for each year, the Municipality shall prepare and adopt a budget that includes all estimates of all sums required during the year for the purposes of the Municipality. This is to allow commencement of certain projects. The final approval of the operating budget is pending.
  • Council provided direction to staff with reference to drafting a letter of support to the Minister of Health for Hope Air.
    • Purpose: This will assist in receiving funding to help with their programs for patients to access health care far from home.
  • Jessica Happle, Manager QMS & Compliance, Northern Waterworks Inc. made a presentation on the 2023 Sioux Lookout and Hudson Drinking Water Systems.
  • Terry Gervais, Community Risk Assessment Project Lead, The Loomex Group, made a presentation to Council on the development of the Community Risk Assessment, as required by the Province of Ontario.
  • Council supported an outside resolution from AMO for Social and Economic Prosperity Review, seeking that the Province review many of the costs that have been downloaded to municipalities with the aim of arriving at a fairer cost-share arrangement.
  • Council appointed Mayor Doug Lawrance and Darlene Angeconeb as Sioux Lookout representatives to the new Sioux LookouUPickle Lake OPP Detachment Board, subject to receipt of a satisfactory Police Record Check, effective April 1, 2024 with term ending November 14, 2026.

Council Briefs are provided in this format for convenience only and are not approved Minutes of the Council Meeting.

For more information, please contact Brian P. MacKinnon, Chief Administrative Officer and Municipal Clerk at [email protected]. 

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