As part of its virtual council meeting, Elliot Lake council will be asked to approve a $75,000 expenditure to pay for a site study on land at 151 Ontario Avenue, the site of the former Algo Mall and now the new
home for the new Recreation and Wellness Hub.
City CAO, Daniel Gagnon says the city applied in late 2019 for $38 million from provincial and federal funding programs and a decision is expected by early Fall.
He explains Tulloch Engineering is already on retainer as the city’s consulting engineers and also has an established relationship with IDEA Architects of Sault Ste. Marie, so ideally the two firms could work
closely together on the study.
He adds the scope of work can be done in the coming weeks and will position the project well to be able
to tender the detailed design as soon as the funding picture is finalized later this year.
Elliot Lake council could pass the 2020 municipal budget, which would mean an overall one percent increase in taxation for ratepayers.
City Treasurer, Amy Sonnenburg says recommendations for Elliot Lake’s 2020 Operational Budget and this year’s city property tax increase are up for the council’s consideration.
She says the overview of the operating base budget completed in late April represents an increase of 4.16 percent over 2019, but there have been some key areas that have seen major changes.
Sonnenburg says the cancellation of expenses associated with the annual street dance and drag races will lead to some savings.
She adds they are looking at including one full-time bylaw officer at a cost of $58,000.
Sonnenburg says with those adjustments, the overall tax increase when the education tax rate is considered sits at approximately one percent overall.
She adds council will also be asked to consider approving a $75,000 contract for a site study for the former Algo Mall site to house the Recreation and Wellness Hub.
The meeting is at 7:00 pm tonight.
Councillors will be connected to the meeting electronically via Zoom. People with questions or comments for the meeting are asked to send them via email
to City Clerk Natalie Bray by 12 noon Monday at [email protected]. There will be no attendance in City Hall Council chambers.
