Citizen Newsletter • www.thunderbay.ca

Dec 2013/Jan 2014mytbay

FEATURE Becoming A Smart City

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Residents Invited to Imagine the Future of the Gardens

Golf Links Corridor Improves Flow For Citizens

Celebrating Those Making a Difference 7

mytbay2 G O V E R N M E N T

Mayor KEITH HoBBSOffice: 625-3600 | Fax: (Office) 623-1164E-mail: khobbs@thunderbay.ca

Councillors:IaIn anguS, aT LargEResidence/Office: 474-0926 | Fax: 474-0881E-mail: iangus@thunderbay.ca

MarK BEnTz, norTHwood wardResidence: 577-8226 Fax: 577-2174 | Cell: 628-6910E-mail: mbentz@thunderbay.ca

KEn BoSHcoff, aT LargEResidence: 473-8228E-mail: kboshcoff@thunderbay.ca

andrEw fouLdS, currEnT rIvEr wardResidence: 766-9914E-mail: afoulds@thunderbay.ca

TrEvor gIErTuga, McInTyrE wardResidence: 683-8041 | Cell: 628-4790E-mail: tgiertuga@thunderbay.ca

Larry HEBErT, aT LargEResidence: 622-7938 | Office: 624-1482Fax: 624-1485 | Cell: 624-8551E-mail: lhebert@thunderbay.ca

rEBEcca JoHnSon, aT LargEResidence/Office: 577-2807 | Fax: 577-4837E-mail: rjohnson@thunderbay.ca

BrIan McKInnon, rEd rIvEr wardResidence: 767-3945 | Fax: 768-4823E-mail: bmckinnon@thunderbay.ca

PauL PugH, McKELLar wardResidence: 346-8485E-mail: ppugh@thunderbay.ca

aLdo ruBErTo, aT LargEResidence: 768-8038 | Fax: 768-7959E-mail: aruberto@thunderbay.ca

LInda rydHoLM, nEEBIng wardResidence: 577-9260 | Fax: 475-7668E-mail: lrydholm@thunderbay.ca

JoE vIrdIraMo, wESTforT wardResidence: 625-5547E-mail: jvirdiramo@thunderbay.ca

Published By:The City of Thunder BayComments on MYTBAY:Senior Editor: Karen Lewis, Director, Corporate Communications & Strategic Initiatives | Phone: 625-3859 | E-mail: klewis@thunderbay.caManaging Editor: Valerie Marasco, Communications Specialist Phone: 625-2438 | E-mail: vmarasco@thunderbay.ca

ON THE COVER:Jim Green and Sarah Nelson share app advice while taking advantage of the new free WiFi at City Hall. See page 3 for more.

NoticesCiTy HOlidAy sERViCE HOURs

Administrative OfficesThis includes City Hall, VictoriavilleCivic Centre, Transit Administration,Herb Carroll, 55 Plus Centre andother City Offices, which are closed:Dec 24, at 12 pm through Jan 1.

City Services & FacilitiesTo better serve you, other CityServices continue on the regularholiday and weekend schedule.City Services and Facilitiesare closed:Dec 24 [Complex closes at 2 pm]Dec 25Dec 26 [Complex closes at 5 pm]Jan 1

Solid Waste & Recycling Facility Holiday HoursDec.24 8 am to 6:30 pm (normal hours)Dec. 25 & 26 CLOSEDDec.27 - 31 8 am to 6:30 pm Jan. 1 Closed

HOlidAy CHANgEs TO WAsTE & RECyCliNg COllECTiON

Ward MeetingsEveryone Welcome!

For more information on City Council Meetings & agendas visit,

www.thunderbay.ca/city_government

WEsTFORT WARd Councillor Joe Virdiramo Thurs., Jan. 23, 7 pm

West Thunder Community Centre, 915 S Edward St.

Agenda: Ward & City Issues

2014 BUdgET KEy dATEs*

Jan.27 - 2014 Operating and Capital Budgets, 2014 Community Handbook available at the Waverley Resource Library and the Brodie Street Library branches, and online at www.thunderbay.ca/budget

Jan. 28 - Long Term Financial Overview

Feb. 4 - Public Pre-Budget Consultation Meeting at City Hall, Council Chambers, 5:30 pm, regarding the 2014 Capital and Operating Budget. Each speaker will have up to 10 minutes. For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 625-2230

Feb. 5 & 11 - Council Budget Review. 5:30 pm start

Feb.12 - Public Post-Budget Consultation Meeting at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6:30 pm, regarding the 2014 Capital and Operating Budget. Each speaker will have up to 10 minutes. For information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 625-2230

Feb. 24 - Ratification by City Council

*Dates are subject to change. All meetings will be held at City Hall and are open to the public. For more information about the 2014 Budget, visit www.thunderbay.ca/budget.

CElEBRATE diVERsiTyThe City of Thunder Bay and the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee supports awareness and observance of many different cultural holidays and days of importance. Following are some of the upcoming observances our citizens may be celebrating over the next few months:Dec. 21 – December SolsticeDec. 25 – Christmas DayDec. 26 – Boxing DayDec. 31 – New Year’s EveJan. 1, 2014– New Year’s DayJan. 7, 2014 – Orthodox Christmas DayJan. 14, 2014 – Orthodox New YearJan. 31, 2014 – Chinese New YearsEAsONs gREETiNgs FROm

CiTy COUNCil In lieu of Christmas Cards, a donation will be made to the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative.

mytbay F E A T U R E 3

Becoming A smart CityThunder Bay, in partnership with Tbaytel, has launched four new public wifi hotspots in the city, a small taste of things to come as implementation continues on the Smart city initiative.

The new hotspots – located at City Hall, the 55 Plus Centre, West Thunder Community Centre, and Current River Arena – were turned on in a soft launch in mid-November.

“Tbaytel is committed to providing Thunder Bay and the rest of northern Ontario with the best telecommunication solutions available in our own backyard,” said Tbaytel president and CEO Dan Topatigh. “Tbaytel’s complimentary WiFi service keeps Thunder Bay connected on the go and now with the addition of City-owned properties, residents can enjoy the freedom of WiFi access in the places they visit most.”

The new hotspots mark the beginning of Tbaytel’s enhanced WiFi deployment. Each of the hotspots provides free Internet access.

The enhanced deployment is targeting higher-traffic public areas in the City, and more hotspots are due for activation throughout 2014.

“Our Strategic Plan calls for increased Internet coverage in our City,” said Mayor Keith Hobbs.

For Thunder Bay resident Jim Green, the new public WiFi hotspots are a welcome addition to the City.

“City-wide WiFi is a dream come true and the culmination of 20 years of work,” Green said.

Green, Vice-Chair of the 55 Plus Centre’s Board of Directors, was heavily involved in the 807 City Free Net service, which saw the establishment of the very first server and Internet connection in Thunder Bay (it was set up at Lakehead University in preparation for the Nordic Games). I’m thrilled to see the 55 Plus Centre now have wireless Internet throughout the entire building,” Green said of the Centre’s new public hotspot. “It’s great for programming and our users.”

Residents invited to imagine the Future of the gardensas part of the Thunder Bay Event centre initiative, city council has asked for a future use assessment for fort william gardens. The city selected the Planning Team of Thunder Bay’s forM architecture Engineering working with Event centre consultants cEI architecture and Pricewaterhousecoopers.

“Fort William Gardens has served our community well for more than 60 years,” said Michael Smith, General Manager

– Facilities, Fleet & Transit Services. “However, the Gardens is nearing the end of its life as a spectator facility and it’s time for us as a community to consider the very best possible future uses for the building and the site.”

The assessment will look at the full range of options to use the Gardens as a non-spectator facility.

“All ideas are encouraged and will be considered,” said Conrad Boychuk of CEI Architecture. “Those ideas

may mean removing some or all of the seats. As the project moves forward, ideas will be assessed against guiding principles to identify those options that are the most meaningful to residents and operationally efficient, among other criteria. Following that, the recommended options will be provided to City Council for future consideration.”

The Future Use Assessment is scheduled for completion on March 4.

Community input is critical. Visit thunderbay.ca/fortwilliamgardens to review the Guiding Principles developed by the Planning Team. See page four for details of two open houses hosted by the Planning Team.

Mayor Keith Hobbs

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These public WiFi hotspots represent a major milestone in that effort. They provide a vital service to our residents, and I’m looking forward to seeing free Internet become even more accessible for our citizens.

For details including Guiding Principles developed by the Planning Team, visit:

www.thunderbay.ca/fortwilliamgardens

BUs ROUTEs: #2 Crosstown

ACCEssiBiliTy: If you require accessibility accommodation, please call 625-2805

WHAT ARE THE OpTiONs FOR FUTURE UsE?Fort William Gardens is nearing the end of its life as a spectator facility and City Council would like to know how it may serve the community, especially if a new event centre proceeds.

Be part of a community visioning session and follow-up open house with representatives of CEI, FORM, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

We look forward to hearing your ideas.

coMMunITy vISIonIng and oPEn HouSE SESSIonS Wednesday, January 8 6 pm Tour of Gardens | 6:30 pm Presentation and Workshop Tuesday, February 46:30 pm Presentation and Open HouseBoth sessions at Fort William Gardens, 901 Miles Street E.

Imagine...THE FUTURE OF THE

FORT WILLIAM GARDENS

mytbay4 F E A T U R E

mytbay b U s I N E s s 5

golf links Corridor improves Flow for Citizens

REsidENTiAl BUildiNg lOTs 5724 Townline road √ 89 x 260 metres± (2.3 ha±)

722 catherine Street - $24,000 4.58 metres± x (irregular) (281.27 sq.m±)

639 McLaughlin Street - √ 30 x 35 metres± (1,050 sq. m±)

mUlTi-REsidENTiAl pROpERTy352 adelaide Street (2) – r2 zone - √ 40 x 33 metres± (1,320 sq. m±)

210 Hodder avenue – Mu3 zone - $700,000 93 metres± x irregular (1.2 ha±)

Hudson avenue at Shuniah Street - Mu2 zone - $600,000 105 metres± x irregular (1.2 ha±)

1101 Syndicate avenue South – Mu2 zone √ 50 metres± x irregular (2,990 sq. m±)

218 Empire avenue west – Mu2 - ** 160.92 x 47.24 metres± (0.75 ha±))

COmmERCiAl/iNsTiTUTiONAl pROpERTy740 arthur Street west– c3n zone - $330,000 47 metres± x irregular (0.29 ha or 0.72 acres ±)

608 Syndicate avenue South– c1 zone - √ 30 metres± x irregular (0.49 ha± or 1.21 acres±)

910 Syndicate avenue South– In3 zone - √ - 117 metres± x irregular (2711 sq.m±)

48 court Street South & 262 Pearl Street – c5 zone - √ 32 metres± x irregular (1,410.12 sq. m±)

OFFiCE spACE lEAsE OppORTUNiTiEsvictoriaville Mall 34 cumberland Street north (whalen Building) - √ 47 cumberland Street north (Thunder Bay Building)

iNNOVA BUsiNEss pARK Lot sizes from 0.3 to 2.2 hectares (0.79 to 5.4 acres) √ Lot prices starting at $70,000.00 zoned for light industrial development to allow for both service-based and manufacturing business opportunities.

CiTy-OWNEd pROpERTiEs FOR sAlE

For information, listings and pictures visit www.thunderbay.ca/realty

√ Listed on MLS – contact: ralph St. Jarre, realtor - 626-3049 ** appraisals required noTE: all dimensions are approximate.

contact: realty Services division, 2nd floor, 111 S Syndicate ave, victoriaville civic centre, Thunder Bay Tel: 625-3199 fax: 625-2977 Email: realty@thunderbay.ca

a major Thunder Bay roadway has been reopened after several months of construction work, bringing lower commute times, improved traffic flow and reduced congestion to the city.

City of Thunder Bay representatives, including Mayor Keith Hobbs, joined Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle and Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro on Nov. 29, to celebrate the official re-opening of the stretch of Golf Links Road that runs between the Harbour Expressway and Oliver Road. The section had been closed since May 1, to accommodate the project.

“With this work complete, Thunder Bay residents will now enjoy easier – and safer – travel across Thunder Bay,” Mayor Keith Hobbs said at the grand opening ceremony, held at the intersection of Golf Links Road and Central Avenue. “I’d like to thank the Honourable Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro, MPP, for their significant contributions to the securing of funding for this project. I also wish to thank residents for their patience over the last few months during construction, but I’m sure you’ll see the results are worth the effort. I’m excited to see the next stage of this project get underway.”

The new Golf Links Road allows for better access to residential and commercial neighbourhoods in the area, including Innova Park. The project also increases opportunities for active transportation in the City thanks to a new multi-purpose trail on the west side of Golf Links Road, furthering the City’s goal to be Clean, Green and Beautiful.

Residents will also benefit from improvements to intersections. The traffic signals at the intersection of Golf Links Road and the Harbour Expressway have been improved, and double left turn lanes and additional turning ramps have been added. New traffic signals were also installed at the intersection of Golf Links Road and Central Avenue.

The project – the first of three phases of work to be done on Golf Links Road over the coming years – was funded by the province and the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund.

Phase II of this project will begin in spring 2014 and will move the project forward along Golf Links from Oliver Road to John Street with four-lane widening, sidewalks, trails and storm sewer work.

Phase III is slated for 2015, and will involve improvements to the portion of Golf Links that runs from John Street to Walkover.

( l- r ) Mayor Keith Hobbs, Honourable Minister Michael Gravelle and MPP Bill Mauro join City Administration to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the Golf Links Corridor.

mytbay L I V I N G 7

Celebrating people making a difference2013 AWARd WiNNERs

COmmUNiTy HERO AWARd

DEREK KHANI

yOUNg lEAdER AWARd

ALLISON LAMB

ROOTS TO HARVEST

PRIDE CENTRAL AT LAKEHEAD uNIVERSITY STuDENT uNION

WE STAND uP!

KIzHAAY ANISHINAABE NIIN (I AM A KIND MAN)

2013 mAyOR’s COmmUNiTy sAFETy AWARds crime prevention is about partnerships and compassion. It’s about working to understand and connect with each other, and building a sense of community and belonging. The 3rd annual Mayor’s community Safety awards, presented by union gas, were held nov. 4, and recognized individuals and organizations making Thunder Bay a safer place to live, work and play.

“This year’s recipients are truly exceptional citizens, whose dedication and passion for their community is inspiring,” said Mayor Keith Hobbs. “Their efforts are something we can all take inspiration from – community safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we can all make a difference in our own way.”

To watch the winners videos and read the profiles highlighting their outstanding efforts, go to www.thunderbay.ca/crimeprevention

OUTsTANdiNg COmmUNiTy pROJECTs

These awards recognize Thunder Bay –based organizations for outstanding results in community safety or crime prevention through partnership and collaboration. The four outstanding community Projects received $1,000 from their award sponsors to reinvest in community safety initiatives that benefit Thunder Bay communities or neighbourhoods.

To watch videos about the winners and read the profiles highlighting their outstanding efforts, go to www.thunderbay.ca/crimeprevention

THanK you To our SPonSorS ouTSTandIng coMMunITy ProJEcTS

Presenting Sponsor community Hero young LeaderSimpson Street Business

Improvement Area

,

mytbay8 L I V I N G

mytbay L I V I N G 9

Brightly coloured wrapping paper and gift bags are not recyclable due to high dye content, and must go out with the

garbage.

over 500,000 tonnes of gift wrap and bags are discarded each year in canada.

These, along with bows and ribbons, end up in our landfill.

Naturally giftedIf everyone in canada wrapped three gifts in reused or recyclable paper or gift bags, enough paper would be saved to cover 45,000 hockey rinks!

This holiday season, the City of Thunder Bay and Eco-Superior want you to make your holidays ‘Naturally Gifted’. Recycled, re-purposed, natural or eco-friendly wrapping supplies, such as newsprint, comics, old maps, sheet music, outdated calendars, Kraft paper; and re-usable paper and fabric gift bags; make great, low-impact alternatives to conventional wrapping.Check out the Naturally Gifted: Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping display at Spark in

the Park at Prince Arthur’s Landing on Dec. 22.Naturally Gifted Craft Kits are also available to community groups, teachers and organizations who want to learn how to green their gift giving. Kits include samples and step-by-step instructions on how to create a variety of bows and baubles for dressing up your gifts using recyclable materials.

For more details, contact Shannon at 624-2142 or Shannon@ecosuperior.org

mytbay10 L I V I N G

parking This WinterPark off the street during snowfall events. Be sure to adhere to calendar Parking restrictions that are now in effect. winter parking restrictions apply to all streets with signs posted for calendar Parking or Priority route restrictions.

Priority routes are signed “No Parking Anytime” or “No Parking Between 2

Clear the Way for Winterwinter weather is here and along with it, snowy and icy road conditions. The’s city’s winter operations are out in full force, plowing, sanding and clearing roadways and sidewalks.

Each storm is different, so each storm receives a different response, but once snowfall accumulation reaches five centimetres on the ground, the plows are out. Plowing begins at 2 am on arterial and collector streets (emergency routes) and it can take about seven hours to clear these main routes.

After 10 centimetres are on the ground and main (arterial) routes are clear, crews move onto residential streets. Clearing all of the residential streets can take up to 72 hours to complete.

Help us work as efficiently as possible to clear the roads:

No Parking Any Time

No Parking on odd calendar days 9 am to 5 pm

No Parking on even calendar days 9 am to 5 pm

No Parking from 2 am to 7 am

Winter parking Restrictions

This winter please take extra care to follow parking signs. Parking restrictions will be enforced throughout the winter until March 31 - unless lifted by the City earlier in March due to long-range weather predictions.

• Be careful! Stay back when following a plow or sander. Give these large pieces of equipment extra room to maneuver. DO NOT PASS. Turning a plow in an intersection often means the driver must back up while making the turn. For safety’s sake – please stay back!

• Be patient. Be assured that crews are working hard to keep roads open and safe.

• Take your time when travelling to your destination, winter weather can present some challenging driving conditions – slow down and remember to drive to road conditions.

am and 7 am”. At these times plows are clearing downtown cores, bus and emergency vehicle routes. Other streets may be designated for odd and even day Calendar Parking.

Remember that parking restrictions are enforced regardless of weather conditions.

mytbay

Celebrating Exceptional AchievementsThe 38th annual citizens of Exceptional achievement awards will honour individuals, organizations

and groups who volunteer to create a neighbourhood or community where people feel a sense of belonging and

L I V I N G 11

The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. For award criteria or nomination form, visit thunderbay.ca/officialrecognition or call 625-2758.

responsibility to each other, and are active participants in its life.

Do you know a volunteer that makes your community a better place to live and work? Nominations are now open for the following categories:

• youTH award

• good cITIzEn award

• SPIrIT of THundEr Bay award

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S S T A R TW I T H

Whether you’re new to Tbaytel, or an existing customer with High Speed Internet, and Home Phone or Post-Paid Mobility, simply make Tbaytel Digital TV a part of your Connected Home for 24 months and you’ll receive a:

Call Customer Care 807-623-4400 or 1-800-264-9501 tbaytel.net

Services are subject to availability where access and technology permit. Promotional pricing for new residential customers who have not subscribed to applicable services in the past 6 months. Bundled pricing to apply once promotional period ends. Hardware provided by Tbaytel, either rented or purchased, may be new or refurbished. Free hardware provided by Tbaytel must be returned upon cancellation of service. *$200 Intercity gift card offer available when signing up for 24 month Connected Home term. Connected Home consists of High Speed Plus or Max Internet, Digital TV and Home Phone or Post-Paid Mobility service. Existing customers must add Digital TV service for which they have not subscribed in the past 6 months to be eligible. Tbaytel reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better offer without notice. Offer, prices and services subject to change at the discretion of Tbaytel. Limited time offer that expires January 15, 2014 or while quantities last. Visit tbaytel.net/connectedhome for full details.

• FREE HD PVR

• FREE ADDITIONAL HD BOX

• FREE INSTALLATION

INTERCITY GIFT CARD*

$200

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