Sunripe ( Blackburn News file photo)Sunripe ( Blackburn News file photo)
Sarnia

Sarnia council briefs

Sunripe's plan to expand has received council support.

Official plan, rezoning and bylaw amendments were approved Monday, clearing the way for a 12,000 square foot addition on the southwest corner of the Lakeshore Road property.

Owner Wilfred Willemsen says about half of the space will be designated retail, and new kitchens are planned to expand their prepared food line.

He expects they'll have to hire about 20 new employees.

Sunripe was founded in 1982, and moved across the street to its current location in 2010.

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Growth in Sarnia's craft beer market is on the horizon.

Council has approved official plan and rezoning bylaw amendments to allow a craft brewery at a vacant building on Exmouth Street.

The Imperial City Brew House is planning to convert the space at 1330 Exmouth St., which was previously occupied by XS Cargo.

A tap room, retail area and manufacturing space are planned.

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The "youth voice" will be captured on a selection of city committees.

Sarnia council has created a youth position on the Environmental Advisory Committee, Sarnia Accessibility Advisory Committee, Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee and Bluewater Trails.

The position, for teens 14 to 18 years old, will be for one year and start on June 1 each year.

Council has asked that staff work with local high schools to start recruiting for the positions in April.

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Sarnia council is donating an old fire truck to Lambton College's Fire School to teach future firefighters.

The engine is 20 years old and was removed from front-line service in 2014.

The vehicle served as a standby apparatus until last month when it was formally removed from service and declared surplus.

To thank the city, the college has offered Sarnia Fire and Rescue Services the ability to use the fire school and training facilities for a department recruitment initiative in July 2019.

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Kel-Gor has donated a personal watercraft to Sarnia Fire to assist in area water rescues.

The watercraft will act as an advance scout vessel, offering a faster response to assess a situation or make a rescue.

The vessel and trailer are valued at $20,000.

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There will not be a temporary hiring freeze at city hall.

Mayor Mike Bradley withdrew his motion Monday, which would have blocked hiring until budget deliberations in January.

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Sarnia council has agreed to mandatory harassment training.

The training will be scheduled by city staff with a third party and completed before March 1, 2019.

Mayor Mike Bradley, who breached the city's workplace harassment policy and the Occupational Health and Safety Act last term, has called it a proactive step.

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Veteran councillor Dave Boushy's time on the Sarnia Police Services Board is up.

Council decided not to re-appoint Boushy to the board.

Newly elected councillor Mike Stark has been appointed to serve on the board, with Mayor Mike Bradley, instead.

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