Sarnia City Hall Christmas tree at night. Blackburn News.com file photo.Sarnia City Hall Christmas tree at night. Blackburn News.com file photo.
Sarnia

Sarnia Council Briefs

The Federal Government has committed $32,000 to address some accessibility issues at Sarnia's downtown library.

Mayor Mike Bradley notified council Monday that the money will be spent to make the first floor washrooms accessible.

Currently there are a few steps to get to the washrooms, which Bradley says is a huge impediment for anyone with a disability using the library.

The work must be done within the next year.

Meantime, Council was updated on the physical condition of the library.

A report outlining four phases of upgrade work, spanning a decade, will be reviewed by staff.  Staff have been asked to report back with immediate action items within six to nine months.

Mayor Bradley says council will then determine where the work fits in the city's 10-year capital spending plan.

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The sale of 5 acres of land in Sarnia's 402 Business Park on London Line has been approved.

Union Gas plans to build a new office and warehouse.

The utility is purchasing the land for nearly $290,000.

Currently there are only two tenants in the Business Park, occupying about 85 acres of land on the south side of the 402 near Airport Rd.

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Planning application fees to enable the former Sarnia General Hospital site to be redeveloped will be waived.

A rezoning application and an Official Plan Amendment application were received December 1 from Alex Jongsma and Kenn Poore.

The pair represent a group of five local businessmen who have proposed the development of a health campus on the Mitton St. site.

The offer is conditional until March 18, 2015, based on results of building and soil inspections, cleanup estimates and information on re-zoning and commercial leases. Ministry approval to sell is also needed.

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Operations in the Planning Department will be reviewed.

Council authorize Mayor Bradley's request for a meeting between senior staff and the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce.

The length of time to receive permits and disagreements with the city's sign bylaw, passed earlier this year, are some of the issues Bradley has heard about.

He says the meeting will be the first step in discussing a mutually agreeable way to address the concerns.

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Council has agreed to hold off on appointing a civilian to the Sarnia Police Services Board until the new year.

Candidates will be interviewed for the position by councillors Anne-Marie Gillis, Matt Mitro and Dave Boushy.

The civilian is to be appointed at city council's regular meeting January 19.

There are five positions on the police board.

The mayor and an appointed city councillor, two people appointed by the province and a civilian.

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The city of Sarnia will participate in the First Nations-Municipal Community Infrastructure Partnership Program.

Sarnia and Aamjiwnaang are one of only six Canadian centres qualified to take part in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities initiative.

Aamjiwnaang's population has grown from just under 500 in 1991 to an estimated 950 and residential areas are needed to meet demand in the community located within city limits.

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