CitySSMCity Council narrowly voted in favour of a report that would consider three different tax levy increase scenarios.  The report would consider tax levy hikes of zero, one percent or one and three quarter percent.  It would also outline the spending and revenue implications that would be required to deliver each scenario.  Some councillors expressed reservations and opposition to the idea, suggesting that such an exercise would be too time consuming with a City Budget due next month.  Ward 1 councillors Steve Butland and Paul Christian suggested that only one scenario be chosen and looked into instead.  Butland described as the report as ‘excessively time consuming’.  Ward 5 councillor Frank Fata asked the question of why staff should be given a responsibility that will serve no purpose.  Finance Commissioner Bill Freiburger mentioned that there was not enough time to decide on specific operational issues, but his department could identify dollars and the amount what scenario would need.   Ward 2 councillor Susan Myers was in approval with the report, insisting that work should be done to get the levy down as low as it can.

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Council defeated a separate resolution regarding grants to outside agencies.  Ward 3 councillor Matthew Shoemaker expressed his opposition to the idea, saying that it would neuter the city’s ability to control spending.  He added that agencies are given notice after a municipal election that council may have a change in mindset when it comes to grant money for those same groups.  But Ward 2 rep Susan Myers felt that giving one year notice was appropriate.  She stressed that the motion was about being ethical when it comes to dealing with outside agencies.  Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano also spoke up on the matter.  He said that the city has to be fiscally responsible and that the heart of the matter would be ignored if higher costs are not being looked at.  At the same time, the mayor commended everyone for having their heart in the right place — that they want to find savings wherever possible.  Provenzano adds council will work to build a better budget for 2016, after the 2015 budget is approved.

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The first phase of a development aimed at housing seniors was passed at Monday’s City Council meeting.  The first apartment buildings at 400 Second Line West would be four stories high — but future phases would consist of neighbouring buildings on that property capped at three stories and no taller.  The cap was realized in a special exception amendment that was approved prior to the vote for the development.  At least two nearby residents expressed their opposition with privacy being one of their main concerns.  Other issues such as noise and the lack of a traffic survey were also mentioned.  Supporters feel this development will allow Sault Ste. Marie to realize a designation of being an ‘age-friendly’ community.   No construction timeline was announced — the developer is looking into assisted housing while concerns about trees and a site plan are addressed for the remaining buildings to be built on two neighbouring lots.

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The Sault PUC delivered its Fourth Quarter report to City Council on Monday.  But it was water quality that was discussed — with questions being posed on unidirectional flushing and brown water in the city’s east end.  PUC President Domenic Parella answered that recent brown water incidents have resulted from water main breaks and that there are now only two to three calls a week about brown water.  Parella added that the number may change during the spring as the weather becomes warmer.  Unidirectional flushing will happen in the city again this year.  It’s not yet confirmed if this means that the city’s east end will go through another round to start.