City council unanimously endorsed the Norm Perry Park Master Plan in principle and have directed staff to advance the multi-phase implementation plan through the annual capital planning and budgeting process.
Councillor Terry Burrell questioned if they're trying to fit too much into the park.
General Manager of Community Services Stacey Forfar said the conceptual plans show that they can meet the needs of community members and groups.
"It has been a very good process," Forfar said. "I would suggest we're really at the end of this one and that the next phase is detailed design services, which will again be more consultation and more of a detailed review with user groups in the community."
The overall estimated cost of the three-phase project is just under $13 million.
-----
A portion of Harbour Street has been declared surplus after a developer expressed interest in buying a portion of the unopened road allowance.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.
The matter will be return to the council at a future meeting after staff receive a written request to purchase the portion of Harbour Street.
-----
Crossing guards will now be stationed on Errol Road at the intersections of Bishop Road and Acadia Road.
With the relocation of Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School in September, city staff said it's expected that a significant number of students will utilize the path at the end of Acadia Road. A request was also received to add a guarded crossing at Bishop Road as roughly 20 to 30 students cross at that location.
Due to staggered bell times at Sacred Heart and Cathcart Boulevard Elementary School, staff said the two Errol Road locations could be assigned to the same crossing guard.
Meanwhile, guarded crossings will be removed at four locations: Vidal Street South and Devine Street, Maxwell Road and Copland Street, Colborne Road and Charlesworth Drive, and Russell Street and Talfourd Street.
The approved recommendations were based on changing travel patterns, school boundary changes, and school closures.
---
Community safety zones are being added at Russell Street North between London Road and George Street, and Old Lakeshore Road between Waterworks Road and Remo Drive.
Council also agreed to remove a community safety zone at Brigden Road, south of Confederation Line to Marshall Road.
----
City staff will begin settlement negotiations with the Board of the Inn of the Good Shepherd regarding a controversial affordable housing development at the corner of Melrose Street and Exmouth Street.
The Inn's board appealed a council decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal after official plan and rezoning bylaw amendments failed during a March meeting.
City council directed staff to engage in negotiations, but if discussions are unsuccessful, the city will proceed to a hearing and defend council’s refusal of the applications.
----
City council has directed staff to allocate the 2025 Building Faster Fund contribution of $400,000 toward the Wellington Street extension project to facilitate future housing development.
The city recently received the funding for meeting 2024 targets.
The extension project includes the construction of trunk watermains, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers.
----
City council has accepted a $100,000 donation from The Rotary Club of Sarnia Bluewaterland toward a splashpad at Germain Park.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026.
Mayor Mike Bradley also suggested council send a letter of thanks to the club.
Meanwhile, city council also awarded a $884,081 contract to Southwest Fence and Decks Limited to install a 6,700 square foot splash pad at Kenwick Park.
---
A $766,910 contract was awarded to Sev Con Paving to conduct road rehabilitation work on Finch Drive.
The project will include the replacement of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and paving between London Road and Conestoga Drive. The asphalt surface between Conestoga Drive and Wellington Street will also be repaved.
The sidewalk will be extended on the east side of Finch Drive to the London Road intersection.
----
The City of Sarnia will voice its support for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in its stance against the proposed Dresden landfill.
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis brought forward the successful motion on Monday.
The County of Lambton also voiced its opposition to the proposed project in May.
-----
Sarnia city council adjourned until its September 15 meeting.