Safety reviews approved for Sarnia streets: City council notebook

Blackwell Road needs some safety improvements, says Scott Kember.

The Sarnia man, who said he’s an avid cycler and runner, asked city officials to look into safety improvements, such as better lighting, lowering the speed limit and perhaps adding shoulders and sidewalks to the roadway on which he lives.

Kember said he had the backing of Imperial Oil in Sarnia, where he works as a chemical engineer, to ask for the changes, and branded his presentation with the company’s name and logo.

“It’s popular, but it’s not safe,” he said of the roadway, where he said speeding vehicles are the norm and cycling is common.

Council agreed something needs to be done, voting unanimously for staff to look into Kember’s recommendations and report back.

count. George Vandenberg’s meanwhile, called for a review of Colborne Road between Cathcart Boulevard and Lakeshore Road for a potential speed limit reduction.

People in that area are concerned about high speeds on the roadway, which, years ago, was repainted for bicycle lanes, Vandenberg said.

At the urgent of Coun. Anne Marie Gillis, he also asked if it could be considered for a community safety zone.

Council approved the motion for staff to investigate and report back.

Finally, Coun. Brian White called for a review of the collision data for the Brock and George streets intersection, as well as the corridor that includes Brock and Vidal streets.

The intersection has seen a number of crashes, including one a few days ago, White said, and asked staff to come back with possible solutions.

Council voted unanimously for staff to look into it.

Abylaw adding all-way stop signs to Thelma Avenue and Thelma Street where they intersect with Bright and Jubilee streets in Bright’s Grove, directed by council Jan. 16, was also approved.

New integrity commissioner starting in April

Ben Drory of ADR Chambers Inc. is Sarnia’s new integrity commissioner as of April 1, 2023.

ADR was one of two companies to bid for integrity commissioner services, replacing outgoing commissioner Paul Watsonwho did not reapply.

The winning proposal was $300 per hour with no annual retainer for the four-year term.

Four proponents registered for the bid and two submissions were received, city clerk Amy Burkhart said in a report.

count. Anne Marie Gillis asked if there was a reason more people didn’t apply.

“It seems strange we only have two,” she said.

Burkhart said she doesn’t have an answer.

All but Gillis voted in favor of awarding ADR the contract.

Community conversation urged on veterinary care access

count. Adam Kilner says he wants a community conversation on lack of after-hours pet care in Sarnia.

“I do think we are at a critical time where we need to start initiating a conversation both locally but also through some of the apparatuses of government around access to more vets.”

His comments came in the wake of Sarnia resident Marg Allen sharing the story of her dog’s “horrible” death and petitioning for change after after-hours vet care wasn’t available.

Kilner said he’s experienced the “devastating” loss of a pet, though his loss came during normal business hours.

“I can’t imagine somebody being in that position during a blizzard, being told that the closest location is three hours away, putting themselves at risk plus the pet,” he said.

“So I’m just looking to stir up a conversation so that people have an idea of ​​what vets are facing, what our residents are facing, and are there any ways to being addressing this with our local resources … (and) to leverage some of our political will across the province.”

count. George Vandenberg recommended, and council approved, that he, a board member with the Sarnia and District Humane Society, bring the matter up for discussion at that board’s next meeting, then report back to council.

Airport financials reporting approved

Financial information “appropriate to being made public” about the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport will be reported publicly every quarter, council agreed.

count. Terry Burrell made the motion, which he said stemmed from previous council discussions in closed session.

Council last june quarterly reports about approved airport expenses and talks with airlines about resuming passenger service at the struggling city asset.

Staff at the time cautioned against making negotiation information public, as it would undermine Sarnia’s competitiveness.

Forty-minute transit routes approved

Council sided with a staff recommendation to increase transit route times to 40 minutes to address a system struggling to keep up with the current 30-minute route times.

Alternatives would have involved service reductions or hefty price tags, staff have said.

“We need cost-effective solutions and the staff recommendation is just that,” Coun. Bill Dennis said.

Fence dispute committee scrapped

Council approved opting out of the provincial Line Fences Acteffectively ending a city committee used to resolve disputes about property-line fences.

Sarnia’s fence viewers committee hasn’t decided a matter in 40 years, and city clerk Amy Burkhart had recommended the city opt out of the act so city resources aren’t expended on the committee.

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