city council group pictureIt’s decision day for city council.

Their agenda includes approving the LED traffic lights, and the audit for the Mattagami Wastewater plant.

Follow the live blog starting at 6:00pm.

(Keep refreshing the page as the night goes along for updates.)

Up first is the Timmins Snowmobile Club.

They are asking for easier access to the trails.

In the past, snowmobilers would speed up so they aren’t caught using streets illegally by police.

President Mark Lapalme says they would want certain conditions put in, including a limit on the hours when the autorisation will be in force, a limit on the speed of 20 kms/hr, which is already in the MTO rules, a current OFSC trail permit must be affixed to the snowmachine and no modifications to the exhaust system is permitted using the honor system ( they are referred to as cans and make the machine louder).

Some streets would be banned or disallowed, including Algonquin and further lists will be developed once council shows interest.

Bamford says it is hard to enforce the rules snowmobilers are breaking, such as making the machine louder.

Black says reports will come back to see where access can be provided.

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Next is an update for the Whitney-Tisdale lift station #4 with Luc Duval and Brian Hein.

Hein with JL Richards says Phase 1 was to put in a new pump station with a deep wet well, sanitary and storm pumps, automated screening system, process piping and a building to house it all.

They had issues involving weather, including rainfall in August and September, as well as an extremely cold winter season.

They also had many conference calls, face to face meetings to alleviate some of the problems.

Officials expect expenditures to go up over the next several months.

Phase 1’s budget is $7.36-million and they’ve spent $2.2-million to date.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with Phase 2 expected to be tendered out in June; awarded in August and completed in 2017.

Duval says they’re a little behind schedule at this time, but will catch up in due time.

Phase 2 will see upgrades to Pump Stations 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, as well as new force mains from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4.

Bamford asks about the concrete being poured in, and how the rain may affect it.

Rinaldo asks how often updates will come to council, with Duval responding by saying they want to do quarterly updates so expect them every three months.

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Duval is still in the chair, this time for a report on an all-way stop request for Columbus and Rae Avenue.

He says they looked at several components, from traffic volume to collision numbers and concluded that an all-way stop isn’t required for this intersection.

Dubeau is up on the next item, with a resolution that they put a four-way stop in.

He says he respects the report put through by Duval, but in the resolution, mentions how the intersection is dangerous for nearby children and that vehicles (more specifically truckers) come around the corner at high speeds.

Bamford mentions how truckers would create more noise by having to gear up after stopping at the stop sign.

Duval says it’s all kinds of vehicles that travel in the area.

Marks says he’d support the resolution, remembering how the resident initially brought the thought to light.  He says travelling it and not having a stop until Preston Avenue, it is dangerous.

He adds something needs to be done for the area, that makes sense for the residents in the area.

Doody agrees, saying as long as it gives residents and nearby kids a sense of comfort.

Grzela says safety is paramount, but suggests turning it into a three-way stop.

Black cautions the flow of traffic, using Fifth and Sixth Avenue as an example.  He adds he hates three-way stops and would be more in favour of the all-way stop.

This is coming to a vote.

It is passed with Bamford the only person voting against it, so we will see an all-way stop.

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Next is development of Lot 92 on Maple Street South.

This was brought to council last week by Clint Chartrand.

This is to cover the cost of extending water and sewer to construct a home on the lot.

The city would pay 75% of the cost, with the owners of the lot paying the remaining 25%.

Duval says there could be a payback over time.

This is going to a vote.

It is unanimously passed.

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Next up is the purchase of culverts for Public Works.

They recommend giving the contract to Northern Allied Supply for just under $60,000.

The piping material would have a lifespan of 35-50 years.

To the vote.  It is passed unanimously.

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The unaudited 2014 financial report.

This would put just under $775,000 to be transferred to the Tax Stabilization Reserve to cover the commitment made to the Timmins District Hospital of $375,000 for each year 2015 and 2016.

It is passed unanimously as well.

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Council renumeration is passed as well, not too much on that one.

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Next is the 240 Men’s Social, to be held at the Mac later this year with an insurance of $2-million.  It is passed.

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April 26th is the Theriault Fun Run fundraiser that was talked about last week.

Council passes it.

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Council will also support the resolution by the Township of Gillies about the flock limits for Chicken Farmers.

They also pass street closures for the PRIDE Parade, as well as contributions for the 2015 Ribfest talked about last week.

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Next is an external audit on the Mattagami Wastewater Plant.

Bamford asks about where the money will come from, and based on the discussion last week, it is already in the budget.

It is passed, and we will see an external audit.

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Operational budget for BIA is up.

It is passed with the budget of $207,470.

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Council passes a special payment program on a power dam.

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Next is a report on financing alternatives, with the recommendation to stick to a five-year plan.  It is passed.

Timmins Tornadoes Junior “A” Ringette team are the All-Ontario Champions, and mentions the Hockey Canada 100th Anniversary coming to the McIntyre Arena this weekend.

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By-law time!

Deeming by-law is first for 189 Leighton Street, 316 Haileybury Crescent and 88 Rae Street.  They are all on the agenda individually, and they are all passed.

Next is the agreement with Goldcorp, to extend the dates for the Hollinger Project.  It is passed.

Cost recovery by-law for MacLean Drive is passed.

Next is court security and prisoner transportation program and it is passed.

Now an agreement with LAS/RealTerm Energy for the LED street light project.

A letter was sent to council, on wanting to keep some of the spending local.  Bamford says it’s hard to keep these dollars local, but the firm could hire a local company to put the lights up.

It is passed.

Next is an agreement with AECOM for the Connecting Link preliminary design.  It is passed.

Lastly, amending a by-law for Verville Road to Wawaitin Falls.  It is passed.

Council is going in-camera, and that means for media…

…council is adjourned!

Oops, there was one more thing on here.

Resident Maggie Jasatis submitted something for street conditions and vehicle traffic, more importantly on splashing pedestrians.

Bamford says residents should be respectful and courteous when going by puddles.

Black says the trouble on the enforcement side, is that there may not be any witnesses around to back them up.

He adds some streets are close enough to sidewalks that sometimes, it’s not the vehicles fault and it’s the way it’s designed.

The Chief of Police isn’t here tonight, but will look to get a report back.

Now we’re in-camera!