Council Meeting

Summary

Thunder Bay Council approved its 2026 tax rates using Option 2, with property taxes due August 5 and October 7, though a councillor's attempt to switch to a different revenue option was soundly defeated 10-1. Council also approved a grant application to replace the aging fuel system at Prince Arthur's Landing Marina, committing the city to match $700,000 in provincial funding. The council loosened election sign regulations by rejecting size limit restrictions, though the details of the amended by-law remain unclear from the agenda materials provided.

Motions

Consent Resolution

#1 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved the consent agenda for the May 5, 2026 meeting, which confirmed meeting minutes from various committees and boards held in April, plus a community auditorium reserve request. This is a routine housekeeping motion that formally documents council activities.

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: 1. Confirmation of Agenda - May 5, 2026 2. Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - April 21, 2026 City Council & April 26, 2026 Tbaytel AGM 3. Special Committee of the Whole - Citizens of Exceptional Achievement Awards - April 22, 2026 & Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session - April 21, 2026 4. Growth Standing Committee Minutes - April 28, 2026 5. Quality of Life Standing Committee Minutes - April 28th, 2026 6. Ward Meeting Minutes - Current River Ward Meeting - April 2, 2026 7. Mayor's Taskforce on Building More Homes Committee Minutes 8. Thunder Bay District Health Unit Board of Health Meeting Minutes 9. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Reserve Request 2026 For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Albert Aiello , seconded by Michael Zussino

2026 Tax Policy

#2

Council approved the 2026 tax rates and ratios (Option 2) and set property tax payment deadlines for August 5 and October 7, 2026. A bylaw formalizing these tax changes will be presented for final approval on May 19.

WITH RESPECT to Report 116-2026-Corporate Services-Revenue, we recommend that the tax ratios and tax rates included in Attachment 8, as appended to this report, and outlined in Option 2 be approved for the 2026 taxation year

  • the final tax levy be due in two installments on August 5 and October 7, 2026
  • By-law 155-2026 be presented at the May 19th City Council for ratification. Amendment - 2026 Tax Policy
Moved by Ken Boshcoff , seconded by Kristen Oliver

Revenue options in Corporate Services report (rejected)

#3 LOST Recorded vote: 1-10
LOST 1–10
Yea (1)
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Nay (10)
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

A councillor proposed changing how the city handles revenue options in Report 116-2026, specifically wanting to use Option 1 instead of Option 2. The motion was rejected with only 1 vote in favour and 10 against, so the original Option 2 remains in place.

WITH RESPECT to Report 116-2026 - Corporate Services - Revenue, we recommend that Option 2 in paragraph 1 of the recommendation, be replaced with Option 1. For (1): Councillor Brian Hamilton Against (10): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Brian Hamilton , seconded by Ken Boshcoff

2026 property tax rates and payment schedule approved

#4 CARRIED Recorded vote: 10-1
CARRIED 10–1
Yea (10)
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Nay (1)
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved the tax rates for 2026 using Option 2 from the staff report. Property tax payments will be due in two installments on August 5 and October 7, 2026, and the formal by-law will be ratified at the May 19 council meeting.

WITH RESPECT to Report 116-2026-Corporate Services-Revenue, we recommend that the tax ratios and tax rates included in Attachment 8, as appended to this report, and outlined in Option 2 be approved for the 2026 taxation year

  • the final tax levy be due in two installments on August 5 and October 7, 2026
  • By-law 155-2026 be presented at the May 19th City Council for ratification. For (10): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (1): Councillor Trevor Giertuga Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng
Moved by Ken Boshcoff , seconded by Kristen Oliver

Marina Fuel Storage & Dispensing System Replacement - NOHFC

#5 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved applying for provincial funding to replace the aging fuel storage and dispensing system at Prince Arthur's Landing Marina. The city will need to match $700,000 in funding and cover any additional costs or overruns.

WITH RESPECT to Report 160-2026-Infrastructure & Operations-Parks & Open Spaces, we recommend that Administration submit an application to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Enhance Your Community Funding Stream for the Prince Arthur’s Landing Marina Fuel Storage & Dispensing System Replacement project which requires matched funding of $700,000, understanding that the City will be required to provide the additional funds to complete the project including any cost overruns that may occur

  • the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Operations be the authorized signing authority for the application
  • the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign all documentation related to this matter
  • any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng
Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Michael Zussino

Election Sign By-law Amendment

#6

Council approved changes to the rules that govern election signs in Thunder Bay. The amended by-law will update how election signs are managed and regulated throughout the city.

WITH RESPECT to Report 101-2026-City Manager's Office-Office of the City Clerk, we recommend that the draft Amendment to the Election Sign By-law, as outlined in this report and appended as Attachment A, be approved

  • By-law Amendment 100-2026 be presented for approval to amend By-law 56-2022, being a By-law to manage and regulate Election Signs in the City of Thunder Bay as outlined in this report. Amendment - Election Sign By-law Amendment
Moved by Kasey Etreni , seconded by Rajni Agarwal

Election sign size limits rejected

#7 LOST Recorded vote: 5-6
LOST 5–6
Yea (5)
Albert Aiello Aiello
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Nay (6)
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council voted on whether to keep the current size limits for election signs in Thunder Bay. The motion to keep these restrictions failed, with 5 councillors voting in favor and 6 voting against.

WITH RESPECT to Report 101-2026 - City Manger's Office - Office of the City Clerk, we recommend that the size restrictions for election signs included in By-law 56-2022 be retained. For (5): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, and Councillor Michael Zussino Against (6): Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, and Councillor Dominic Pasqualino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Rajni Agarwal , seconded by Trevor Giertuga

Election Sign By-law Amendment Approved

#8 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved changes to the rules that govern election signs in Thunder Bay. The amendment updates By-law 56-2022, which controls how election signs are managed and regulated throughout the city.

WITH RESPECT to Report 101-2026-City Manager's Office-Office of the City Clerk, we recommend that the draft Amendment to the Election Sign By-law, as outlined in this report and appended as Attachment A, be approved

  • By-law Amendment 100-2026 be presented for approval to amend By-law 56-2022, being a By-law to manage and regulate Election Signs in the City of Thunder Bay as outlined in this report. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng
Moved by Kasey Etreni , seconded by Rajni Agarwal

Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session

#10 CARRIED Recorded vote: 11-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (2)
Mark Bentz Bentz
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council scheduled a closed-door meeting for May 19, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personal matters involving city employees or individuals, as allowed under provincial law.

THAT a Special Committee of the Whole – Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in order to receive information pursuant to the Municipal Act (Section 239 (2)) relative to: (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. For (11): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Kasey Etreni, Councillor Andrew Foulds, Councillor Trevor Giertuga, Councillor Brian Hamilton, Councillor Greg Johnsen, Councillor Kristen Oliver, Councillor Dominic Pasqualino, and Councillor Michael Zussino Absent (2): Councillor Mark Bentz, and Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Ken Boshcoff , seconded by Kristen Oliver

Procedural

#9 Council approved changes to the election signs by-law that controls how campaign signs are displayed throughout Thunder Bay. The updated rules will replace the current election sign regulations. CARRIED
Moved by Albert Aiello , seconded by Kasey Etreni
#11 Council approved By-law 167-2026, which officially confirms that all decisions and proceedings from their May 5th, 2026 meeting were conducted properly and legally. This is a routine administrative step that validates the council meeting's actions. CARRIED
Moved by Michael Zussino , seconded by Trevor Giertuga