4 TAKE-AWAYS FROM THOROLD COUNCIL MEETING

THOROLD MUSEUM, PORT ROBINSON ECO PARK PLANS APPROVED

From a show of support for Ukraine to approval of eco park plans, there was a lot on the docket when Thorold council met for its first meeting of the month.

Here are four key takeaways from the May 3 city council meeting:

RUSSIA RESOLUTION

Following suit with the Town of Gravenhurst, Thorold council unanimously passed a resolution denouncing the war in Ukraine and supporting sanctions issued by the federal government of Canada against Russia.

The resolution also had new guidelines for sourcing products for the city of Thorold. Council directed staff not to purchase any plywood, fertilizer, steel, furniture or machinery that can be easily traced to Russia until "a time when the sovereignty of Ukraine is once again unchallenged."

Any future contracts issued by the city would also have to follow the same limitations within the municipality. Coun. Anthony Longo said when he first read the resolution passed by Gravenhurst, he felt Thorold needed to do the same.

"In Ontario, in a country like Canada, we need to make our voice heard. We need to enact a resolution for the City of Thorold. In whatever small way we can do something, we need to," said Longo.

Coun. John Kenny also asked that staff check where all fertilizer ordered for Thorold is from. In the event that orders were traced back to Russia, staff were directed to cancel them if possible.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

After councillors voted not to allow rezoning of 1970 DeCew Rd. to build an apartment complex, Coun. Fred Neale directed staff to review the city plan and zoning bylaws as they relate to affordable housing.

Among the information requested by Neale were options for affordable housing in Thorold and the possibility of including affordable housing in all new developments in the area.

With regards to downtown, he requested information on where the boundaries of downtown are, ways to include affordable housing in revitalization plans for downtown and ways to make downtown more inviting for those wanting to build affordable housing.

THOROLD MUSEUM

The Thorold Museum will receive $8,000 to support costs expected in 2022 related to the development plan for the museum.

The Thorold Museum development plan would also approve an agreement between the city of Thorold and the Thorold Museum to use space at the Allanburg Community Centre and Lock 7 Tourist Centre.

The city's director of public works and community services, Geoff Holman, said the approved development plan and money will offer necessary support to the museum board to help get everything off the ground.

"They need some help. We need to commit to them if we're serious about having a museum in the community. And by setting this kind of three-year window, it starts the clock for everyone to come on board," said Holman.

Some councillors expressed concern with a previous lack of movement on the project, but were excited to move forward with the next phase of setting up the Thorold Museum.

PORT ROBINSON ECOLOGICAL PARK/SOUTH MAIN STREET BRIDGE COMPLEX

The council approved a three-phase plan to develop the Port Robinson Ecological Park/South Main Street Bridge Project.

Phase 1 is an environmental enhancement strategy to be completed during 2022. Phase 2, design of the bridge and ecological park, would take place in 2023. Phase 3, construction, is then set to take place in 2024 and 2025.

Coun. Jim Handley says he's excited for the project to begin to take shape, and the area for the proposal is well used by the community already.

"The day that I attended the bridge, two or three kayakers went in the water, people were fishing, it was an active area ... I can't wait for it to come to fruition and I can't wait to see it start," said Handley.