August 2024 - Posts
The City of Timmins will observe Labour Day on Monday, September 2, 2024.
The following municipal services will be closed or unavailable:
- Service Timmins and the Provincial Offences Office will be closed
- There will be no household waste and recycling collection. Residential waste and recycling collection that falls on Labour Day will be collected on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Deloro Landfill will be closed
- There will be no Timmins Transit services
- The Timmins Public Library and Timmins Museum: NEC will be closed
- The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) will be closed
- The Archie Dillon Sportsplex Pool remains closed for annual maintenance
Thank you and have a great long weekend.
Amanda Dyer
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING RE: PROPOSED COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AREA and DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Timmins will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, to gather public input concerning an amendment to the City of Timmins Community Improvement Project Area and the Downtown Community Improvement Plan in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning Act, R.S.O 1990, c. P. 13, as amended.
THE PURPOSE of the proposed amendments to the Community Improvement Project Area and the Downtown Community Improvement Plan are as follows:
1. To amend the Community Improvement Project Area to include the following changes:
- Porcupine – extending westerly along King Street from the Ontario Northland Railway to Coot Lane, and along a section of Highway 101 East to the Crawford Creek;
- South Porcupine – extending along Harold Avenue from Crawford Street westerly;
- Schumacher – extending easterly from McIntyre Road along Father Costello Drive
- Timmins – adding various properties in the Downtown and in close proximity to Algonquin Boulevard; and
- Mountjoy – extending westerly from the Mattagami Bridge to Shirley Street.
2. To amend the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to include the following changes:
- To amend the Community Improvement Project Area noted in the Downtown CIP to include the proposed changed in Item No. 1 (above).
- To remove the boundary area schedules from the Downtown CIP, as they are approved in the Community Improvement Project Area By-law and are separate from the Downtown Community Improvement Plan By-law. This change will allow Council to amend the Community Improvement Project Area By-law without having to amend the Downtown Community Improvement Plan By-law.
To learn more about the proposed changes, please view the proposed Community Improvement Project Area and the proposed Downtown Community Improvement Plan.
ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed City of Timmins Downtown Community Improvement Project Area and Downtown Community Improvement Plan Amendment.
If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of Council of the City of Timmins to the Ontario Land Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the City of Timmins before the proposed amendment is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision.
If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to the City of Timmins before the proposed amendment is adopted, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.
If you wish to be notified of the decision of the City of Timmins on the proposed Community Improvement Project Area and the Downtown Community Improvement Plan Amendments you must make a written request to Steph Palmateer, City Clerk, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, P4N 1B3.
For more information about this matter, including information about appeal rights, contact the Planning Division, City of Timmins, 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario, P4N 1B3, telephone number 705-360-2624 or via email at [email protected].
Dated at the City of Timmins this 29th of August, 2024.
David St.Onge
Last week, Mayor, councillors, and senior City staff attended the 2024 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa. In an update released by AMO on August 23, the conference was referred to as “record-setting” with over 3,300 participants in attendance. Timmins’ delegation used the opportunity to push for increased provincial funding for several key priorities, including housing, infrastructure, and recreation.
In a meeting with the Honourable Minister Paul Calandra, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the City’s Housing Action Plan was presented with a focus on expanding critical infrastructure for subdivision development. Mayor Michelle Boileau and City staff will continue the conversation on Tuesday when Calandra makes a stop in Timmins.
At the conference, Ontario announced another round of funding for housing-related infrastructure, a potential for the City to secure costs required to build, maintain, or repair core assets that support the construction of new homes. The City’s meeting with Parliamentary Assistant Amarjot Sandhu, Ministry of Infrastructure, discussed the funding requirements and how the City can continue to improve and expand municipal infrastructure to combat the housing shortage.
“Both meetings were positive,” said the City’s Chief Administrative Officer Dave Landers. “We have about 15 minutes to make a case for what we need now to move Timmins’ forward. We need funding from upper levels of government to help us build more homes, specifically to help us make sure we have the infrastructure capacity to service new subdivisions.”
The province also announced details of a new Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to help upgrade existing or build new recreation facilities. The announcement came before the City’s meeting with the Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, to discuss funding options for the proposed multi-purpose recreation facility. Design and study costs related to the project could be eligible for funding, and the City will also look for additional projects that may qualify under the same program.
“The timing of the province’s announcement was ideal,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau. “We were prepared to talk about how the proposed multi-purpose facility will not only improve access to local sports and recreation programming, but allow Timmins to host more events and expand tourism opportunities. Our vision is very much in line with the province’s commitment to provide access to modern facilities that support community growth and sustainability. What I took from the meeting is that our plans for a new multi-purpose facility need to incorporate both recreation and well-being opportunities.”
While the City’s meeting with the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria on Hwy. 67 (Municipal Rd.) was not definitive, the Minister of Transportation has committed to come to Timmins and see the state of the road, while continuing to explore solutions for Timmins and Iroquois Falls. Both communities have been asking that maintenance and costs of Hwy. 67 be uploaded to the province.
Mayor Boileau also met with the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Health Minister, as part of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) delegation on physician recruitment and retention. When the minister asked for ideas on how to combat the doctor shortage, Mayor Boileau’s recommendation was clear. Continue to invest in local healthcare facilities with the goal of making them state-of-the-art, with the equipment and resources that attract doctors and healthcare practitioners.
“The province can help create workplaces where physicians will want to practice,” adds Boileau. “Modern, innovative, efficient, with access to the equipment and infrastructure that healthcare professionals will seek out.”
Amanda Dyer
Construction at the intersection of Theriault Blvd. and Jubilee Ave. continues as contractors connect existing watermain infrastructure to the new Golden Manor build, conduct pressure testing, and complete road reconstruction.
Theriault Blvd. will reopen on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, but will remain reduced to one lane in each direction. The merge ramp southbound off Airport Rd. onto Theriault Blvd. will remain closed. Heavy commercial traffic is not permitted to turn right off Airport Rd. onto Theriault Blvd. The turning radius will not be sufficient.
Local school boards have been advised ahead of busy back to school season. Motorists should be prepared for more vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area.
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of hydrant flushing & flow testing, which can cause temporary water service disruptions, in the following area:
Area:
• Goldcentre Area in Schumacher
Date & Time of Disruption:
• August 27, 2024 – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Homeowners and/or businesses within the area might experience water service disruptions which can include but not limited to no water, low pressure and/or discoloured water. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discoloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should the water be discoloured, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Sara Perron
Sault Ste. Marie, ON (2024 08 15) – The mayors of Northern Ontario’s five largest municipalities have endorsed the ‘Solve the Crisis’ campaign launched by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, and are calling on the Government of Ontario to implement the campaign’s recommended actions.
Like the communities represented by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) municipalities – Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie – are grappling with the growing homelessness crisis. Despite their best efforts, these municipalities lack the necessary government support to effectively address the issue. Municipalities did not create the homelessness crisis and do not have the resources to solve it, yet they are being forced to manage its impacts.
“Homelessness is an increasingly complex and challenging situation. Municipalities do not have the funding capacity or jurisdictional authority to implement the necessary programs and supports independently. We’re doing what we can, but we cannot do it alone,” said Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.
“The Solve the Crisis campaign provides actionable steps that can make a meaningful difference in our communities. Through NOLUM, we have a unified voice and we’re using it to urge the government to implement the campaign’s recommendations,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff.
The Solve the Crisis campaign is more than a call for help – it’s a comprehensive plan to assist municipalities in addressing this challenging situation. Key recommendations include:
- Appointing a single minister provincially to bring cross-ministry focus to this issue and fund that ministry appropriately.
- Have the new provincial minister strike a task force to advise and make recommendations on solutions to these issues with a cross-section of stakeholders and commit to funding the recommendations.
- Provide the municipality with resources to transition homeless and underused individuals to appropriate housing with the necessary supports Fund a 24/7 crisis response service across the province to relieve the pressure on hospital emergency centres and first responders.
“Homelessness isn’t just an issue for the Greater Toronto Area. Small-to mid-sized municipalities, like those in Northern Ontario, are often overlooked when it comes to homelessness, making it crucial for NOLUM to highlight the impact across the north and advocate for the necessary support,” said Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.
“We need increased support from the Provincial and Federal Governments, and we need it urgently. Like my colleagues, I’ve witnessed the profound impacts of homelessness, and I’m confident that the recommendations from the Solve the Crisis campaign will greatly benefit our communities,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.
“Recent data from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing shows that homelessness continues to rise across Ontario. Municipalities are ready to help, and we’re bringing a plan to the table – we need the Province to step up and support our efforts,” added North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico.
To learn more about the Solve the Crisis campaign, visit solvethecrisis.ca. Ontarians are asked to participate in the campaign through the correspondence portal on the website and by contacting their local MPP.
Amanda Dyer
Mayor Michelle Boileau is ready to push for increased infrastructure funding across several key priorities at this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa. The Mayor and senior municipal staff will present the City’s Housing Action Plan, requirements for a new multi-purpose recreation facility, and continue asking the province to take responsibility for Hwy. 67.
The annual AMO Conference, held August 18 – 21, 2024, is the province’s biggest event for municipal leaders. The opportunity to get in front of key decision-makers is invaluable when representing the city’s residents, local business, and industry.
“We are confident that the plans and presentations we have prepared are well-thought-out and reinforce the opportunities that are available in Timmins,” says Mayor Boileau. “We know that in order to grow our population and economy, we need support from the province to assist with housing, roads and facility infrastructure, and critical health services.”
Timmins’ delegation will meet with the Honourable Minister Paul Calandra, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to discuss the recently approved Housing Action Plan and how the province can assist with the cost of subdivision development and infrastructure. A meeting is booked with the Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, to discuss funding options for the proposed multi-purpose recreation facility. Funding will be required from all levels of government should council decide to proceed with construction. The City will also meet with the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation for Ontario, to continue talk of uploading maintenance and costs of Hwy. 67 (Municipal Rd.) to the province, a joint request with the Town of Iroquois Falls.
Mayor Boileau will join the other Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) to meet with the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Health Minister. The conversation will be physician recruitment and retention, Northern Ontario School of Medicine enrollment, and health team capacities. Timmins’ Council has approved a three-year financial commitment to fund a physician startup grant of up to $200,000 per year to offset the cost of setting up medical practice in the city. In a presentation to Council on June 18, the Timmins Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee was clear about the impacts of the doctor shortage on the community over the next five years.
“There is a significant number of residents across all of Northern Ontario who are considered unattached patients without direct access to a family physician or required specialist,” adds Mayor Boileau. “Timmins’ Council is prepared to make the necessary investment in recruitment. We need the province to work with us to help create sustainable health services.”
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of a traffic disruption for an emergency catch basin repair closing following road:
Area:
• Sixth Ave. from Mountjoy St. North to Elm St. North
Date & Time of Disruption:
• August 19, 2024 at 6:00AM until August 22, 2024
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process. Road closure within this area might last longer than the estimated date and time of disruption once the repair is made.
Cyndee Villeneuve
The City of Timmins Environmental Services & Public Utilities Department wishes to advise the public of a parking lot closure:
Public Parking Lot:
- Cedar St. South parking lot located on the East side of Cedar St. South between Algonquin Blvd. East and Third Ave.
Date & Time of Disruption:
- Monday August 19, 2024 – Parking Lot Closure - Disruption from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The parking lot closure will allow City crews to conduct an emergency storm sewer repair at this location.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this work.
Cyndee Villeneuve
The City of Timmins, Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of hydrant flushing/watermain cleaning activities in the following areas:
Area:
• Mountjoy Area – Starting Pavillion Drive heading West to Jaguar Drive
Time of Disruption:
• August 13, 2024, until September 30, 2024
Homeowners and/or businesses within the area might experience water service disruptions which can include but not limited to short-term low pressure and/or discoloured water. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with discoloured water. Should this occur, it is advised to turn off your tap for 10-20 minutes in order to allow the crew to complete the test. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should the water be discoloured, it is advised to turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.
City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process and advise that if there are any concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331.
Sara Perron
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