Sarnia City Hall. BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin.Sarnia City Hall. BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin.
Sarnia

Sarnia council briefs

City council has agreed to close a few downtown roadways for a new art festival in August.

The free inaugural event, ARTPATH, was unveiled on April 17 as a way to showcase different artforms and various local artists.

As highlighted during Tuesday's meeting, the event will also benefit downtown businesses.

Council agreed to close George Street from Front Street to Christina Street, Lochiel Street and Davis Street from Front Street to Christina Street on Saturday, August 16, and Sunday August 17 during the event.

Since organizers plan to hold ARTPATH next year as well, council unanimously approved the road closure for a two-year period.

----

A selection process for a new mural at Canatara Park's lifeguard building has been approved.

The nuSarnia Foundation initially approached council on March 31 with plans for the mural, with council set to have final approval over the design.

Three preferred design submissions will return to council on May 7 and will be posted to the Speak Up Sarnia website for public feedback.

Members of the public will able to vote on the preferred design until June 4 and the outcome will be shared with council on June 23.

The goal is to have the mural installed this summer.

----

Sarnia City Council is not in favour of restructuring the Lambton Area Water Supply System (LAWSS) and a recommendation to investigate the matter further was defeated on Tuesday.

Councillor Terry Burrell said while the restructuring may result in increased grant opportunities, he didn't think it was wise to approve the proposed change.

"The risk we take by going to the new structure, I think, is too high," Burrell said.

Burrell's motion to leave it as is passed in a 6-3 vote. Mayor Mike Bradley and Councillors Adam Kilner and Brian White were opposed.

----

The city has granted a noise by-law exemption to the County of Lambton to allow for overnight construction near the intersection of Indian Road and Confederation Street.

The county is currently in the tendering process for resurfacing work to be done on Confederation Street between Sutton Street and Vanier Road and Indian Road from Campbell Street to Kathleen Avenue.

"Due to high daytime traffic volumes through this dense commercial area, the County has determined that night work will be the most effective way to mitigate traffic delays during peak hours and expedite the completion of the project," read a report to council.

While an exact start date hasn't been determined, the construction is expected to take place between August 5 and September 26.

----

Phase one of the Ferry Dock Hill project is nearing completion.

Council revisited the topic on Tuesday to consider whether or not to direct staff to gather information about loan options in order for the project to move forward quicker.

After a lengthy discussion, a motion was passed to complete phase one of the project and complete the design of phase two ahead of the 2026 budget deliberations.

----

City council has approved the design of the Bright’s Grove Library Expansion Project so the library committee can seek further grant funding opportunities.

Bright's Grove Library Committee Mark Moran presented an update of the project, which is estimated to cost $5.8 million. The goal is to have construction begin in 2026.

The group recently received a $4.5 million investment from the federal government under the Green and Inclusive Grant.

An amendment by Councillor Anne Marie Gillis was unanimously approved to not have a third-party conduct a detailed cost estimate on the detailed design package.

Read More Local Stories

Sarnia city council meeting held on April 29, 2025. (Screenshot of video posted to YouTube)

Dennis asks council for 'third chance'

City/County Councillor Bill Dennis is asking council to reconsider a previous decision and let him return to in-person meetings once they resume, even though it's unknown when sessions will return to Sarnia city hall.