Thunder Bay council to award big road construction contracts

City councillors in Thunder Bay will award some big contracts at their meeting on Monday night.

Several construction projects are up for consideration:

• $2.6 million contract for the second phase of construction on May Streetthis summer, between Dease and Miles Streets, includes paving, new water and sewer lines, as well as new lights and streetscaping
• $2 million could be approved for storm sewer work in the Northwood area
• $720,000 could be spent on renovations to the Vickers Street and former Brown Street fire hallsto accommodate an ambulance

New city buses

Council will also decide whether to spend upto $1.4 million over the next 3 years for up to 9 new city buses.

The buseswould be purchased fromNovaBus, as part of alargedeal with southern Ontario basedMetrolinx, to get a betterprice.

Border Cats agreement

Council is also expected to sign a new agreement with the Border Cats to securethe baseball team for another two years.

But in doing so, will waive the credit and collection policy forthe team, since not all of its bills from last year have been paid.

A report from city staffsaidit is working with the team to make payments,but poor weather last year reduced revenue.

The new Border Cats agreement would see the team pay the city $5,440 per year plus 10 per cent of concession revenue for the first $50,000 in sales.

The team used to pay$10,000 per year, but ownerBrad Jorgenson told the city that was unsustainable.

Youth services plan

City council will also hear about the youth services plan at its meeting Monday night.

The plan seeksto create new neighbourhood programs for kids, particularly in the Westfort and Current River areas.

The youth services plan wouldalso includelooking at new partnerships for a potential youth centre.