A long list of streets is scheduled for repaving this year.
City council awarded a $3.25 million contract to Ontario Limited (Sev Con Paving) during Monday's meeting. The full list of asphalt resurfacing projects can be found in the council agenda.
The list of streets does not include major road rehabilitation projects that were previously approved.
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Council directed staff to negotiate amendments to the financial accountability agreement with Tourism Sarnia Lambton (TSL) regarding the Municipal Accommodation Tax.
The city entered into the agreement with TSL in 2022, retroactive to 2020.
"I would like to, maybe, urge TSL to see this as a reset, to see this one-year renewal as not a negative but a positive," said Councillor Anne Marie Gillis.
TSL Interim Executive Director Adam Veen submitted a delegation request for the meeting but was not present.
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City staff have been directed to retain external legal and planning support to defend the Committee of Adjustment’s refusal of Indwell's proposed project on George Street to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
The motion to support the Committee of Adjustment passed with support from Councillors George Vandenberg, Anne Marie Gillis, Terry Burrell, Bill Dennis, and Dave Boushy.
A case management conference with the OLT is scheduled for May 6.
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The city is projected to end 2025 with an overall deficit of $5.55 million.
The preliminary year-end results were shared ahead of the year-end audit.
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The City of Sarnia has received $50,000 from the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant program to help buy a tethered drone.
"I think it's something that's going to be very, very useful going forward, especially considering the size of the city," said Councillor Anne Marie Gillis.
The total cost is approximately $121,645. City staff recommended financing the remaining $71,645 through the infrastructure reserve from savings on completed capital projects.
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While the next regular council meeting is scheduled for May 25, a special council meeting will be held on May 11 to receive public input on the comprehensive zoning bylaw.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at city hall.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the May 11 forum is not meant to take motions from council, but to hear from all of the speakers.
