City of Sault Ste Marie News Bulletins

Physician Recruitment

We’ve got a prescription for the lifestyle you desire. The Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee would like to welcome you to a community where life is at a relaxed pace, you have immediate access to outdoor activities and attractions and where you can enjoy life to the fullest at a cost of living that is well within your means.

It's all right here.....in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario!

Visit www.saultmed.com for more information.

Dogs at Large and "Pooper Scooper" By-laws

Now that the warmer weather is returning, citizens are reminded of the following city by-law provisions:

(1) A person is required immediately to clean up after his or her dog, subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 (By-law 87-125)

(2) No person shall permit a dog to run at large, including in parks, in the City. A dog, off the owner's property, must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. (By-law 98-211)

Dog owners are asked to be considerate of others by "picking up" after their dogs and restraining their dogs on a leash no longer than six feet in length when off their own property.

Anyone wishing copies of By-law 87-125 and 98-211 may click here for City By-laws or contact the City Clerk's Department office at 705-759-5388.

Black Road/Third Line Corridor Improvements Class EA

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has retained AECOM Canada Ltd., a consulting engineering firm, to complete the Black Road/Third Line Class Environmental Assessment Study. The study will identify what, if any, improvements may be required within these corridors to address changing traffic patterns and vehicular and pedestrian safety. Recent new and planned developments in the northern portion of the City, including the new Sault Area Hospital (SAH), will result in changes to traffic patterns.

This study is being undertaken to look at alternative solutions to address potential impacts and possible improvements in the Black Road and Third Line corridors from Second Line to the SAH Entrance. Alternatives will include consideration of doing nothing, road widening, addition of pedestrian facilities, and other elements.

The preferred solution will be determined based on technical requirements, environmental considerations, overall cost and public and stakeholder input and information gathered during the study.

The study is being conducted in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process (Class EA process). The Class EA process includes an assessment of the problem and opportunities, evaluation of alternative solutions and designs, public and stakeholder consultation, assessment of potential effects on the environment and identification of reasonable measures to mitigate any adverse affects.

Consultation is a key component of this Study and is encouraged throughout the study. Details of this project will be presented at a future Public Information Forum to provide individuals with an opportunity to meet with the Project Team and discuss the project. The Forum will include opportunities for interactive discussions to engage participants and solicit their input. Notification of the Forum will be advertised in local media and delivered to individuals included on the project mailing list and/or abutting the project.

We are interested in receiving comments that you may have about the study. Should you have any comments or questions, or wish to receive additional project information and/or be included on the project mailing list please contact either of the Project Team members.

Don Elliott, P.Eng.
Director of Engineering Services
City of Sault Ste. Marie
Tel: 705-759-5329
Fax: 705-541-7165
Email: d.elliott@cityssm.on.ca

Rick Talvitie, P.Eng.
Project Manager
AECOM Canada Ltd.
Tel: 705-942-2612
Fax: 705-942-3642
Email: rick.talvitie@aecom.com

Please note that the information related to this study will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the public record and may be included in Study documentation prepared for public review.

Project Schedule
This project is closely related to several other ongoing studies that may impact the results of this study. The other studies will be addressing the Second Line corridor and Strathclair Park. These studies are expected to be completed by the fall of 2011. The target completion date for this study is the spring of 2012.

Current Class EA Activities
Over the summer and fall of 2011 the project team will be collecting relevant data and information and developing and evaluating alternative solutions and designs. The development and preliminary evaluation of alternatives is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Once a preliminary evaluation of alternatives has been completed a public input session will be undertaken to solicit input from stakeholders and the public.

Project Information
This webpage will be updated periodically with project information as it becomes available. You are encouraged to visit the project webpage periodically to review information as it becomes available. The following documents are available for viewing:

Leisure Services Information Directory

The Leisure Services Information Directory has been updated for 2012.

You may view it here.

Nominations Accepted for Community Recognition Award

Nominations for the 2012 Community Recognition Award are now being accepted by the Cultural Advisory Board.

This award recognizes individuals, groups or community organizations for particularly outstanding or innovative cultural activities or long-term commitment to the field of culture as defined by the City’s Cultural Policy.

An individual, group or community organization may make one nomination each year. Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2012.

The Cultural Policy and nomination forms are available at the Community Services Department, Level 2, Civic Centre or here.

Submit completed nomination forms to the Cultural Advisory Board, c/o Joseph Cain, Manager of Recreation and Culture, Community Services Department, Level 2, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5K6.

My Sault Ste. Marie - New Online Property Tax Bill

You can now access your tax bill information online.

My Sault Ste. Marie is a new online service that will provide both home owners and businesses access to their city information. As part of this new service you will be able to access information about your property tax bill. You will have the ability to view current and past tax billings, payment history and current balances.

To get started you will need your most recent property tax bill. You will require the 15 digit roll number and serial number from your tax bill to register your property tax account(s). When you are ready to start, go here.

If you require further information about this new online service, feel free to contact the Tax Office at (705) 759-5290 or by email at citytax@cityssm.on.ca.

Household Special Waste Depot Opens April 19

The City’s Household Special Waste facility located 115 Industrial Park Crescent (turn off Great Northern Road across from Great Lakes Honda) will open for the season on Thursday, April 19.

Hours Operation:
Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hazardous wastes that can be dropped off include the following:

Acids
Aerosols (hair spray, spray paints)
Antifreeze
Automotive batteries
Bases (cleaning solutions)
Batteries (AAA, AA)
Fire extinguishers
Flammables
Motor oil
Oil filters
Oxidizers (chlorine, fertilizers)
Paint
Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals (prescriptions)
Propane cylinders (up to 100 lbs.)
Sharps (needles)
Fluorescent lights (CFLs, tubes)

Please Note:
Sharps must be disposed of in a plastic container (i.e.: peanut butter jar)
No containers larger than 25L accepted.
Oil and antifreeze containers will be returned.

The Household Special Waste Depot will remain open until Saturday, October 27. For additional information, call the Public Works and Transportation Department at 705-759-5201.

Notice of Planning Application and Public Meeting

Date: May 14^thTime: 5:30PM
Location: Civic Centre, Council Chambers, 99 Foster Drive

Have Your Say

Input on the proposed applications are welcome and encouraged. You can provide input by speaking at the public meeting or by making a written submission.

More Information

The applications may be reviewed in the Planning Division, Level 5, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive. The Report of the Planning Division will be available for review after Wednesday, May 9, 2012, during regular office hours in the Planning Division or from the City of Sault Ste. Marie website www.cityssm.on.ca. Inquiries should be directed to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, at 705-759-5368 or p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca. Please refer to the application file number.

Written Submission

To provide input in writing, or request notice if the proposed application is approved, please submit a letter to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6, or e-mailed to p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca with your name, address and application file number on or before Monday May 14, 2012.

If you wish to be notified of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie decision to adopt or refuse the approval of an application, you must make a written request to the Planning Division Administrative Clerk at the address noted above.

Legal Notice Concerning Your Right To Appeal
Pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act, 1990

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie to the Ontario Municipal Board.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

A Complete List of Applications to be Presented can be found here.

Biofilter Upgrades - East End Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City is proceeding with the proposed upgrades to the existing biofilter odour control system at the East End Wastewater Treatment Plant. Based on an assessment of the biofilter performance completed in 2010, by AECOM Canada, it was concluded that the organic biofilter media was approaching the end of its useful life and should be replaced with inorganic material. The assessment also identified other upgrades to enhance its long term performance.

The City has recently awarded a contract to Avery Construction of Sault Ste. Marie to complete the necessary upgrades. The Contractor is currently mobilizing equipment/materials to the site and is planning to commence construction later this week. The project is scheduled to be completed later this fall. During the initial stage of the work, it will be necessary to shut-down the biofilter system for a period of 8 to 10 weeks commencing on Thursday, April 26th. During this period, it is likely that additional odours may be emitted from the site until such time that the biofilter is re-commissioned in late June. A second short shut down (ie. approximately 1 week) will also be required in the fall for final commissioning of all new equipment.

We regret that this may cause some inconvenience for adjacent residents but the shut-down is necessary to complete the upgrades to the biofilter system. Area residents will be kept informed of the construction progress throughout the duration of the work. Schedule updates will be posted on the City’s website and can be accessed at the following address: www.cityssm.on.ca – View City Hall Bulletins – Biofilter Upgrades.

Please contact the undersigned at 705-759-5380 should you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposed works either now or during construction.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Catherine Taddo, P. Eng.
Land Development & Environmental Engineer

Notice of Planning Application and Public Meeting

Date: May 28th
Time: 5:30PM
Location: Civic Centre, Council Chambers, 99 Foster Drive

Have Your Say

Input on the proposed applications are welcome and encouraged. You can provide input by speaking at the public meeting or by making a written submission.

More Information

The applications may be reviewed in the Planning Division, Level 5, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive. The Report of the Planning Division will be available for review after Wednesday May 23, 2012,, during regular office hours in the Planning Division or from the City of Sault Ste. Marie website www.cityssm.on.ca. Inquiries should be directed to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, at 705-759-5368 or p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca. Please refer to the application file number.

Written Submission

To provide input in writing, or request notice if the proposed application is approved, please submit a letter to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6, or e-mailed to p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca with your name, address and application file number on or before Monday May 28, 2012.

If you wish to be notified of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie decision to adopt or refuse the approval of an application, you must make a written request to the Planning Division Administrative Clerk at the address noted above.

Legal Notice Concerning Your Right To Appeal
Pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act, 1990

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie to the Ontario Municipal Board.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

A Complete List of Applications to be Presented can be found here.

Queen Street East Closed Starting May 7

The reconstruction of Queen Street East between Pim and Simpson Streets will commence on Monday, May 7, 2012. The roadway will be completely reconstructed including: replacement of underground sewers, watermain, and related services as well as upgrades to sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, traffic signals and other utilities. Completion of the project is expected by early November.

Queen Street East will be closed to throughway vehicular traffic between Pim and Church Streets as of Monday, May 7. Church Street south of Queen Street East will be also closed. Temporary access to lower Church Street and Gordon Avenue will be provided via d’Youville Road and the rear of the former General hospital site to Lucy Terrace. As the work progresses easterly, other portions of Queen Street and connecting side streets will be closed. Please follow signed detours.

Queen Street will remain open to local traffic; however, driveways will at times become inaccessible. The contractor has been requested to minimize these disruptions as much as possible. There may also be short-term disruptions to water supply from time to time. Curbside refuse and recycling collection will be maintained with the contractor transferring refuse and recycling to other locations for pick-up by the City.

AECOM Canada will oversee construction activities on behalf of the City and will have field staff on site on a full-time basis. Any questions or concerns regarding the construction may be directed to Darrell Maahs of AECOM Canada at 705-942-2612 or Carl Rumiel, Design and Construction Engineer, City of Sault Ste. Marie at 705-759-5379.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie thanks citizens for their patience during this construction period.

Nominations Accepted - Community Recognition Award

Nominations for the 2012 Community Recognition Award are now being accepted by the Cultural Advisory Board. This award recognizes individuals, groups or community organizations for particularly outstanding or innovative cultural activities or long-term commitment to the field of culture as defined by the City’s Cultural Policy.

An individual, group or community organization may make one nomination each year. Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2012. The Cultural Policy and nomination forms are available at the Community Services Department, Level 2, Civic Centre or here.

Submit completed nomination forms to the Cultural Advisory Board, c/o Joseph Cain, Manager of Recreation and Culture, Community Services Department, Level 2, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5K6.

Victoria Day Holiday Operations

The following City facilities will be CLOSED on Victoria Day, Monday, May 21:
• Cemetery Office
• Children’s Centres (Jessie Irving, Maycourt, Best Start – Holy Family site)
• Civic Centre
• Essar Centre
• Essar Centre Box Office
• Ermatinger•Clergue National Historic Site
• John Rhodes Community Centre Arenas
• John Rhodes Community Centre Pool
• McMeeken Arena (closed for the season)
• Public Library (all branches)
• Seniors’ Centres (Drop-In and Steelton)
• Social Services (Ontario Works, Social Housing and Community Child Care)
• Transit Office
• West End Community Centre (WECC)

Marine Facilities
• Bellevue Marina will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the weekend including Monday, May 21.
• Roberta Bondar Marina will open for the season on Friday, June 1.
• The Sault Canal recreational lock will open for the season starting May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily including Monday, May 21.

Refuse, Recycling, Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
No collection Monday, May 21. Collection for the balance of the week will be one day late. Refuse, recyclables, leaf and yard waste must be placed curbside by 7:30 a.m. to ensure pickup. The landfill site will be closed Monday, May 21; however, it will be open Saturday, May 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Transit Services
There will be NO regular transit or parabus service on Monday, May 21. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, May 22. Parabus bookings for Saturday, May 19, Sunday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 22 must have been made by noon on Friday, May 18. For transit information call 705-759-5438.

Changes to North St. and Cedar Heights Bus Routes

Effective May 13th, there will be changes to the North St. and Cedar Heights bus routes. Go to Bus Routes/Schedule at bottom of this page to view.

Notice of Planning Application and Public Meeting

Date: June 11th
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Civic Centre, Council Chambers, 99 Foster Drive

Have Your Say

Input on the proposed applications are welcome and encouraged. You can provide input by speaking at the public meeting or by making a written submission.

More Information

The applications may be reviewed in the Planning Division, Level 5, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive. The Report of the Planning Division will be available for review after Wednesday June 6, 2012, during regular office hours in the Planning Division or from the City of Sault Ste. Marie website www.cityssm.on.ca. Inquiries should be directed to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, at 705-759-5368 or p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca. Please refer to the application file number.

Written Submission

To provide input in writing, or request notice if the proposed application is approved, please submit a letter to Pat Schinners, Administrative Clerk, Planning Division, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6, or e-mailed to p.schinners@cityssm.on.ca with your name, address and application file number on or before Monday June 11, 2012.

If you wish to be notified of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie decision to adopt or refuse the approval of an application, you must make a written request to the Planning Division Administrative Clerk at the address noted above.

Legal Notice Concerning Your Right To Appeal
Pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act, 1990

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie to the Ontario Municipal Board.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Sault Ste. Marie before the By-Law is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

A Complete List of Applications to be Presented can be found here.

Notice of May 28 Hearing - Digital Signs By-Law

The Signs By-law Committee will recommend the approval of the proposed Digital Signs By-law at the Monday May 28, 2012 City Council meeting. This matter will be presented before Council at approximately 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Level 3, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive.

Copies of the Draft By-law are available here or at the Planning Division Office, Level 5, Civic Centre.

For further information please contact:

Peter Tonazzo, Planner
Planning and Engineering Department
The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie
Phone: 705-759-2780
Email: p.tonazzo@cityssm.on.ca

Heritage Designation - 1164 Queen Street East

IN THE MATTER OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER O.18

Take Notice that on May 14, 2012 the Council of the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie passed By-law 2012-77 designating plaques and monuments as being of architectural or historic value or interest:

1. 1164 Queen Street East

DATED at Sault Ste. Marie, May 19, 2012.

Malcolm White, City Clerk

Local Immigration Partnership - Employer Council Meeting - June 21

The City of Sault Ste. Marie Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) is establishing an Employer Council as part of an adopted immigration strategy approved by City Council. The Employer Council will assist in the development of new and existing programs and services with the goal of successfully integrating newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma Region.

A meeting for local and regional employers interested in becoming involved with the Employer Council will be held on Wednesday June 21, 2012 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the Russ Ramsay Board Room, Level 3, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive.

Light lunch to be provided. Please RSVP to Melissa Ceglie, LIP Administrative Assistant, to confirm your attendance. Phone 705-759-5752 or email m.ceglie@cityssm.on.ca.

For more information contact:
Danny Krmpotich
Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator
The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie
Phone: 705-759-5896
Email: d.krmpotich@cityssm.on.ca