Council Meeting

Summary

Council approved funding applications for sports facility upgrades at the Canada Games Complex, with the city committing to cover any costs that provincial and federal grants don't fully fund. The meeting also saw council approve updated parking enforcement rules and remove a planning restriction on a property at 2019 Almira Avenue to allow development. In personnel moves, Borika Vucinic was unanimously appointed to the Tbaytel Board for a three-year term, and the City Manager's performance review was approved in a closed session.

Motions

Consent Agenda Resolution

#1

Council confirmed routine administrative items including meeting minutes, board reports, and approved a Microsoft Office 365 subscription renewal. One item about grant applications for the Canada Games Complex was removed from the consent agenda to be voted on separately.

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: 1. Confirmation of Agenda - June 2, 2026 2. Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - May 19, 2026 City Council & May 19, 2026 Thunder Bay Hydro AGM 3. Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session - May 19, 2026 4. Finance & Administration Standing Committee Minutes - May 26, 2026 5. Ward Meeting Minutes - Neebing & McKellar Ward Meetings 6. Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Minutes - April 29, 2026 7. Thunder Bay District Health Unit Board of Health Minutes - April 15, 2026 8. Applications to NOHFC and FedNor for Sport Event Hosting Capital Enhancements at Canada Games Complex 9. Renewal of Microsoft Office 365 Subscription 10. Changes to Council Meeting Calendar 4.12 Applications to NOHFC and FedNor for Sport Event Hosting Capital Enhancements at Canada Games Complex It was requested that the recommendation relative to Report 251-2026 be extracted from the Consent Agenda Resolution and voted on separately.

Moved by Trevor Giertuga , seconded by Ken Boshcoff

Applications to NOHFC and FedNor for Sport Event Hosting Capital

#2 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

City Council approved submitting funding applications to two provincial/federal programs (NOHFC and FedNor) to upgrade sports facilities at the Canada Games Complex. The City will cover any costs that grants don't fully fund.

WITH RESPECT to Report 251-2027 – Community Services – Recreation & Culture, we recommend that Administration submit detailed Stage 2 applications to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) and FedNor for funding for sport event hosting enhancements at the Canada Games Complex

  • the City be responsible for mitigating any funding shortfalls related to this project
  • Appropriation No 14-2026 be approved
  • the Commissioner, Community Services be identified as the signing authority for funding applications and agreements related to this project
  • any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng
Moved by Trevor Giertuga , seconded by Ken Boshcoff

Consent Agenda Resolution

#3 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved a consent agenda that confirmed meeting minutes from May and earlier, approved the renewal of Microsoft Office 365 software, and made changes to the council meeting calendar. All 12 councillors present voted in favor.

WITH RESPECT to the Consent Agenda for the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting, we recommend that the following items be confirmed: 1. Confirmation of Agenda - June 2, 2026 2. Minutes of Previous Council Meetings - May 19, 2026 City Council & May 19, 2026 Thunder Bay Hydro AGM 3. Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session - May 19, 2026 4. Finance & Administration Standing Committee Minutes - May 26, 2026 5. Ward Meeting Minutes - Neebing & McKellar Ward Meetings 6. Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Minutes - April 29, 2026 7. Thunder Bay District Health Unit Board of Health Minutes - April 15, 2026 8. Renewal of Microsoft Office 365 Subscription 9. Changes to Council Meeting Calendar For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Trevor Giertuga , seconded by Ken Boshcoff

Board Appointment - Tbaytel Board of Directors

#4 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council appointed Borika Vucinic to the Tbaytel Board of Directors for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2029. The vote was unanimous with 12 councillors in favour.

WITH RESPECT to the recruitment of one individual to serve on the Tbaytel Board of Directors, we recommend that the following person be appointed:  Borika Vucinic be appointed for a 3 year term, expiring June 30, 2029, or until such time as a replacement has been appointed. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Albert Aiello , seconded by Dominic Pasqualino

City Manager Performance Review

#5 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved the administration's recommendation regarding the City Manager's performance review, which was discussed in a closed-door session. The vote was unanimous among the 12 councillors present.

WITH RESPECT to the Confidential Memorandum from Director-Human Resources Karie Ortgiese, dated May 26, 2026, we recommend that Administration proceed as directed in Closed Session. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Kristen Oliver , seconded by Trevor Giertuga

Consulting Services and Licensing Subscription to Digitize and

#6 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council approved hiring NTT Data Business Solutions to provide consulting services and software licenses needed to set up new HR management modules in the City's SAP system. The City Manager is authorized to sign contracts and any necessary bylaws will be presented for approval.

WITH RESPECT to Report 188-2026-City Manager's Office-Human Resources, we recommend that use of the Negotiation Method, pursuant to section 6.02 of the Supply Management By-law 359-2024, be approved to purchase consulting services and subscription licensing required to implement the SuccessFactors HR modules in the City’s SAP Software System from NTT Data Business Solutions Incorporated (“NTT Data”)

  • the City Manager be authorized to sign all documentation related to this matter
  • any necessary by-laws be presented to City Council for ratification. For (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng
Moved by Ken Boshcoff , seconded by Brian Hamilton

Establishment of Special Committee of the Whole - Closed Session

#8 CARRIED Recorded vote: 12-0
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 12–0
Albert Aiello Aiello
Andrew Foulds Foulds
Brian Hamilton Hamilton
Dominic Pasqualino Pasqualino
Greg Johnsen Johnsen
Kasey Etreni Etreni
Ken Boshcoff Boshcoff
Kristen Oliver Oliver
Mark Bentz Bentz
Michael Zussino Zussino
Rajni Agarwal Agarwal
Trevor Giertuga Giertuga
Absent (1)
Shelby Ch'ng Ch'ng

Council scheduled a private meeting for June 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss personal matters about city employees or individuals, as permitted under provincial law.

THAT a Committee of the Whole –Closed Session meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 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 (12): Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Councillor Rajni Agarwal, Councillor Albert Aiello, Councillor Mark Bentz, 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 (1): Councillor Shelby Ch'ng

Moved by Michael Zussino , seconded by Kristen Oliver

Procedural

#7 Council approved two by-laws: one updating the rules for parking enforcement officers in Thunder Bay, and another removing a planning restriction on the property at 2019 Almira Avenue so it can be developed. CARRIED
Moved by Greg Johnsen , seconded by Trevor Giertuga
#9 Council officially confirmed that the proceedings from their June 2nd, 2026 meeting were conducted properly and in accordance with municipal rules. This is a routine procedural vote required after each council meeting. CARRIED
Moved by Albert Aiello , seconded by Michael Zussino