Before the public portion of Monday's city council meeting, an in-camera session was held that was subject to client-solicitor privilege.
It was a discussion regarding a 300-metre distance along the Mattagami River on Wallingford Road in the city's west end.
A small neighbourhood has been developed in the area over the past few decades, and a recent surge in new builds along the river is leading to big issues. Erosion has caused significant problems and multiple homes are in danger of becoming structurally unsafe. One home has already seen its foundation crack. There are now questions about who should claim responsibility.
There were no comments made by council regarding the situation, however at the meeting's conclusion Mayor Steve Black gave TimminsToday a brief update.
"Council received an update from our solicitor, so that's obviously privileged information. But staff will follow up on the issues that were discussed tonight, and hopefully we'll hear more about that in the near future," he said.
What the backyard and riverbank used to look like at the home of Carol and Roger Carriere on Wallingford Road before erosion got out of control. Photo provided by Renee Carriere"At some point in time, we'll likely have to come back for another discussion at council in the public forum, if it ever advances to a level that the parties are content with."
The problem was first brought up at council last year by former Ward 1 Councillor Andre Grzela. Last November, council voted unanimously to spend $56,974 on an investigation performed by consulting firm Amec Foster Wheeler.
It is expected to be an in-depth study on drainage in the Wallingford Road area, and will include recommendations. An estimate of four months was given to complete the study.
Black hinted that its likely not only the City of Timmins who could be liable for property damages.
"Its a very complicated situation. The Amec report is still coming in. Obviously there's been a lot of work being done by a lot of the properties in that area that have complicated the issues. There's some share of responsibility by various parties in this one," he said.
