CitySSMThe state of the ACR Passenger Rail Service was not on the council agenda on Monday night. But Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano did make a statement on the matter.  He mentioned that he spoke with EDC CEO Tom Dodds, who said the working group would continue working with CN to find another operator.  A letter from Mayor Provenzano is expected to be sent to CN, expressing the city’s interest in the short and long term operation of the service that is expected to end tomorrow after Railmark Canada failed to come up with further financing to continue operations beyond July 15th.

—

The topic of surveillance cameras on city transit buses was discussed on Monday night at Council.  Ward 2 rep Terry Sheehan asked questions about a policy regarding the usage of the cameras.  Transit Manager Don Scott answered that a policy was being worked on for the last three months and is working with the city’s legal department to get it developed.  He hopes the policy will be in place by the time the buses are retrofitted with the cameras.  Scott added the operation would be based on the policies of other municipalities who have used surveillance cameras — and that they have worked out well, in that the safety has increased for the bus drivers.  Scott also mentioned that access to the camera footage will be very strict.  Audio will also be included in the camera use, with a goal of resolving a lot of ‘he said, she said’, situations.

—

Subject property on John Street at St. George’s Avenue was on Monday’s Council agenda.  A rezoning of the former John Wesley United Church was approved, but not before opposition was mentioned that carried over from a July 2nd open house on the issue.  Various concerns were raised, ranging from infrastructure capacity and traffic to parking, snow removal and garbage collection.  The rezoning would allow for an apartment building to be constructed having no more than 25 units, which City Planner Peter Tonazzo adding that 25 units is not a large development.  Ward 3 Councillor Matt Shoemaker are expressed acceptance of the rezoning.  He suggested that the city should encourage reusing old buildings like the John Wesley United Church for other purposes, rather than spend money to construct new buildings.