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.

Follow Mayor Amaroso on Twitter and Facebook

The City of Sault Ste. Marie Mayor’s office is excited to announce the launch of Twitter and Facebook pages for Mayor Debbie Amaroso.

Communicating with citizens through social media is part of Mayor Amaroso’s community engagement initiative – another way in which she hopes to instil her “Your City, Your Say” slogan.

“Social media provides the opportunity for members of the community to participate in municipal issues. It is an alternative that needs to be utilized to ensure citizens can express themselves,” says Mayor Amaroso. “It is my hope that through social media people can present their concerns, have their questions answered and learn more about their City.”

The Twitter and Facebook pages will be monitored and updated by Mayor Amaroso and Stephanie Pagnucco, Community Engagement Coordinator.

Mayor Amaroso encourages the community of Sault Ste. Marie to “follow” or “like” these pages as a way of creating positive conversation and increase public awareness for community engagement and municipal affairs.

To follow Mayor Amaroso on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/saultmayor

To follow Mayor Amaroso on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/saultmayor

You may also click on the appropriate icon below:

Follow the City of Sault Ste. Marie on Twitter

Follow The City of Sault Ste. Marie on Twitter @CitySSM or visit www.twitter.com/cityssm.

The community is encouraged to Follow Us to receive news release details, information pertaining to City initiatives and programs, and notifications affecting residents.

You can follow Mayor Debbie Amaroso on her social media sites:

Open-Air Burning Permits Available Online

Effective March 11, 2013, residents can renew or obtain Open-Air Burning permits online.

Visit My Sault Ste. Marie to set up an account to renew or obtain your permit. Residents will need their Roll and Serial numbers from their tax bill for online requests.

Please note that all open-air burning requires a permit from Fire Services. Permits are only issued to the owner of the property.

New Permits - $25.00 (one-time / subject to a site inspection)
Permit Renewals - $15.00 (required annually on date of expiry)
Weekly Permits - $10.00

Burning permits can still be processed by calling Fire Services at 705-949-9898, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Accepting Nominations for Community Recognition Award

Nominations for the 2013 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, 2013.

Download Community Recognition Award Nomination Form. Forms are also available at the Community Services Department office, Level 2, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted 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 5X6.

For additional information, contact the Community Services Department at 705-759-5310.

Notice of Planning Application and Public Meeting

Date: May 27th, 2013
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 22nd, 2013, 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 27th, 2013.

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.

Leaf and Yard Waste Pick-Up Starts April 22

The Leaf and Yard Waste Pick-Up program commences on April 22, 2013 and will continue to run until November 23, 2013.

Paper biodegradable leaf bags are to be used for the disposal of leaves, grass, small plants, hedge trimmings, hay, apples, pumpkins, and pine cones. Unacceptable waste material for pick-up includes trees/branches, animal waste, food/table scraps and garbage.

Residents are reminded that there is no limit to the number of bags placed out for collection and bags must not weigh more than 44 lbs (20 kg).

Collection dates for leaf and yard waste can be found on the Refuse Pick-Up Calendar or call the Public Works and Transportation Department at 705-759-5201.

Citizen Reminder - Dog 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 to immediately clean up any excrement deposited by his or her dog on any property, including their own, subject to a maximum fine of $1,000.00 (By-law 87-125); and

(2) No person shall permit a dog to run at large anywhere within the City, other than on property owned by that person. Any dog that is off of the owner's property must be on a leash that is not more than 6 feet long (By-law 98-211).

Anyone wishing copies of By-laws 87-125 and 98-211 may obtain them by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 705-759-5388 or go to By-Laws - Animals.

Nominations Invited for Community Development Award

Nominations for the 2013 Community Development Award will be accepted by the City of Sault Ste. Marie Planning Advisory Committee until Monday, June 3, 2013.

Initiated by City Council, the purpose of the Community Development Award program is to:
• Recognize significant achievement in community development;
• Highlight successful development ideas that others can use;
• Inspire other projects to meet the standards of successful projects.

Previous award winners include: the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre; the Waterfront Walkway; Super 8 Motel; Algoma Central Corporation (for the restoration of 289 Bay St.); Horizon Capital Group; Lyons TimBr Mart; Algoma University; Tenaris Algoma Tubes; Muio’s Restaurant, Smokey’s BBQ Pit and Patio and last year’s winner Wacky Wings Great Northern Road.

View Nomination Form. Forms can also be picked at the Planning Division office, Level 5, Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive. Nomination deadline is June 3.

Submit completed nomination forms by email to p.tonazzo@cityssm.on.ca or by mail to the Sault Ste. Marie Engineering and Planning Department, 99 Foster Drive, P.O. Box 580, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5N1.

For further information, contact Peter Tonazzo, Planner, Engineering and Planning Department at 705-759-2780 or email p.tonazzo@cityssm.on.ca

Reduced Load Restriction on City Streets Ends May 13

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) The City of Sault Ste. Marie advises truck owners/operators that reduced load restrictions on city streets within Sault Ste. Marie will be lifted effective 12:01 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2013.

For additional information contact the Public Works & Transportation Department at
705-759-5201.

Riverside Bus Route Detour at Queen St. (effective May 13, 2013)

Due to construction on Queen St. from Simpson to Pine, the Riverside Route will run along the following detour:

Riverside Outbound:

- Queen St. E (regular route)
- Left at Church St.
- Right at Wellington St. E
- Right at Pine St.
- Left at Queen St. E (regular route)

Riverside Inbound:

- Queen St. E (regular route)
- Right at Pine St.
- Left at Wellington St.
- Left at Pim St.
- Right at Queen St. E (regular route)

This detour is effective May 13, 2013.

Road Closure - Queen Street East

The City is proceeding with reconstruction of Queen Street between Simpson Street and Pine Street. The proposed work involves the complete reconstruction of the roadway including replacement of underground sewers, watermain and related services as well as upgrades to traffic signals and other utilities.

In order to facilitate the construction, it will be necessary to close Queen Street East between Simpson and Pine to all through vehicular traffic as of May 13. This closure is expected to extend until construction is complete in early November. Please follow signed detours.

The initial stage of the work will involve the full closure of Queen Street East between Simpson Street and Hadley Park. As the work progresses easterly other portions of Queen Street will be fully closed (except for providing access for abutting residences where possible).

During various stages of the project, driveways will become inaccessible to vehicular traffic for periods of time. However, the Contractor has been requested to minimize these disruptions where possible.

Access will be maintained at all times to Hadley Park, McGregor Avenue, Riverview Avenue and lower Pine Street south of Queen Street. However, access routes will vary throughout the various stages of the work.

Short-term disruptions to the water supply are expected. Adjacent residences will be connected to a temporary water system during replacement of watermains. Roadside waste and recycling collection will be maintained with the Contractor transferring roadside pick-up to other locations for pick-up by the City.

AECOM Canada will be overseeing the 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 should be directed to Darrell Maahs of AECOM Canada at 705-942-2612 or Carl Rumiel, City Design and Construction Engineer at 705-759-5379.

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

Notice of Planning Application and Public Meeting

Date: June 10th, 2013
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 5^th, 2013, 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 10th, 2013.

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.

Leisure Services Information Directory- Updated for 2013

The Leisure Services Information Directory provides contact information for leisure, recreation, sports, or cultural services, activities or facilities in the City of Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area.

View Leisure Services Information Directory

City Requests Your Input for Website Redesign

In 2014, the City of Sault Ste. Marie will launch a redesigned website with a fresh new look to make it easier for people to find City information and services online. The City is asking for public input as part of the website redesign process.

The upgraded website will offer key features to improve your online experience:
• An A-Z listing of municipal services, programs and information for quicker access
• Rotating homepage banners, and service-based tiles for easy navigation
• An open-source platform to display full content on large and mobile screens
• A brighter, more modern look with revamped text for improved clarity and completeness
• Easy-to-read fonts, large navigation icons, and contrasting colours to enable people with visual impairments to access webpages using technology such as screen reader programs.
• Enhanced social media features for community engagement and information sharing
• Photography showcasing facilities and different parts of the city
• A potential municipal mobile app for smartphone and tablet users.

Residents are asked to participate in a quick online Website Redesign Survey to provide input. The survey consists of 6 simple questions and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Click Website Redesign Survey to complete the survey. Feedback can also be emailed to webmaster@cityssm.on.ca.

All suggestions and comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Construction Projects Underway in Sault Ste. Marie

Several projects will be completed this construction season including road construction and resurfacing.

Road Reconstruction:

Queen Street East – Simpson Street to Pine Street
Reconstruction project including storm and sanitary sewers, watermain, road, sidewalk, hub trail and property restoration. Road will be closed from May to October. Open to local traffic only. Please follow signed detours.

Kohler Street – Queen Street East to Wellington Street East
Reconstruction project including storm and sanitary sewers, watermain, road, sidewalk, and property restoration. Road will be closed from May to October. Open to local traffic only.

Maretta Street – Wallace Terrace to Henrietta Street
Reconstruction project including storm and sanitary sewers, watermain, road, sidewalk, and property restoration. Road will be closed from June to October. Open to local traffic only.

Fort Creek Aqueduct Reconstruction – Queen Street West to Albert Street
Reconstruction includes to the replacement of the concrete aqueduct. This work will require the closure of Queen Street West between Andrew Street and John Street as well the closure of Central Street.

Fourth Line West – East Davignon Creek Culvert Replacement
The culvert crossing Fourth Line West between Brule Road and Moss Road is being replaced this summer. Prior to the project being awarded by City Council, there was further deterioration of the existing culvert causing the road to be closed on May 2, 2013 in the interest of protecting the safety of the general public. The road will continue to be closed until the end of August as we work to make this section of Fourth Line safe for public access.

Commuters are asked to obey signed detours and plan ahead for construction delays.

For additional information please contact the Engineering and Construction Division at 705-759-5378.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie thanks citizens for their patience while these important City projects are completed.