CitySSMA new operator is on the way for the restaurant at the John Rhodes Centre.  Council voted 10 to 2 in favour of the city entering into an agreement with Two Pizza and Wings of Sudbury.  Councillor Susan Myers cast one of the votes against the proposal, suggesting that the decision to approve would put a local man out of business.  It was announced prior to Monday’s decision that current operator Jody Wilson of Chilly Willy’s was second to Two Pizza and Wings for the most attractive bid. Two Pizza and Wings will take over after Chilly Willy’s lease expires on May 1st.   Ward 2 councillor Terry Sheehan also voted against.  Sheehan described the request for proposal process involving the restaurant as ‘very messy’ from the beginning.  He said that he could not support it as it was, suggesting that a 6 percent difference in income taken away would have resulted in a very even competition in the RFP process between the three bids.  Despite criticism about the process, it got support from councillors Marchy Bruni and Ross Romano who both felt it was straightforward and accurate. Mayor Christian Provanzano mentioned that the city has a responsibility to select someone that would provide the best revenue and results for the city.  The difference was 25 thousand dollars between the top two bids — based on similar sales. 

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It may have been a prelude to the city’s budget meeting next week.  City Councillor Steve Butland asked several questions concerning city reserves and what they were there for.  The various reserves ranged from a few thousand to a few million dollars, with a tone that some of that money could be used for other purposes.  Among the reserves mentioned were a Working Fund that has ‘always’ stood at 1.08 million dollars, a 1.7 million dollar Contingency Fund and an ‘Experience Refund’ of 50 thousand dollars that was established years ago towards self-insurance related to the WSIB.  Another question involved a 708 thousand Tax Stabilization Fund, a reserve that was created in 2012.  There was some banter over whether the money would be allocated towards stabilizing or lowering the tax rate, suggesting a search was on to find money to lower the levy prior to the budget, which will be discussed by council next week. Butland also asked if one million dollars was taken away would it affect the city’s credit rating.  Finance Commissioner Bill Freiburger answered that this would not necessairily be the case. Ward 1 representative Paul Christian suggested that the city’s credit rating was important to a conversation about liquidity.

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A brief presentation was made regarding the city’s Youth-Friendly Platinum Designation from PlayWorks.  City Councillor Terry Sheehan talked about what has been going on with how Sault Ste. Marie earned the designation, which is an upgrade from the Gold designation awarded in 2009.  The designation was formally presented to ‘youth endorsers’ Christine Caron and Benn Fisher at Monday’s meeting.  Sault Ste. Marie is one of six communities in Ontario to earn the top level from PlayWorks, an organization that determines how cities cater to youth age 13 to 19. There are 16 criteria that have to be met for the city to achieve that high designation — from committing funding for youth play and supporting positive youth development to supporting youth volunteerism and leadership development.  A report is expected next month on how exactly various groups can mention the Platinum designation when promoting the city. 

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An interim CAO was announced at City Council on Monday night.  City Solicitor Nuala Kenny will start her duties at the April 27th council meeting — duties that will continue until the choice is made for a permanent replacement for outgoing CAO Joe Fratesi.  During that time, Kenny will remain in her current job as City Solicitor.