A second open house Wednesday night showed little evidence of opposition to the proposed municipal electoral boundaries

Proposed map for reduced five-ward, 10-councillor configuration. While the proposed new Ward 5 would have a smaller population, that would be offset by its significantly larger geographical area

1 / 1 Proposed map for reduced five-ward, 10-councillor configuration. While the proposed new Ward 5 would have a smaller population, that would be offset by its significantly larger geographical area

Barring surprise, last-minute opposition from city councillors, the scheme to re-parcel the Sault into five electoral wards appears likely to become official at the next City Council meeting on Aug. 21.

About 15 members of the public turned up to a second open house to consider boundaries for the proposed five wards, one less than the current six political wards.

Although better attended than an earlier meeting one week ago, Wednesday night's gathering also showed little evidence of vehement opposition to the proposed boundaries.

"People mostly seem to have been coming out to be informed, more than to complain," said Rachel Tyczinski, deputy city clerk. "Particularly once they realized that this isn't a decision about council composition. It's five wards. It's just a question about how they get divided up."

"We'll drill down and check more data and see whether it makes sense to shift some of those."

As a result of input from Wednesday's meeting, city staff will review the proposed boundaries of the newly configured Ward 5, possibly making Goulais Ave. the dividing line.

"The reason we proposed it that way was because we didn't want to sever the census tract, but we'll dig a little deeper and see where that population is and whether it makes sense," Tyczinski said.

City staff originally intended to hold community consultations on the new ward system in May.

"With the provincial election and two Ward 6 councillors who weren't at the council table at the time, we didn't think it was appropriate to make those kinds of decisions without any representation from the west end of the city," Tyczinski said.

"In order to get this in place for the 2018 election, it had to happen now."

City staff are expected to received public input for another week, then submit their final proposal for the new council composition and ward boundaries to City Council on Aug. 21.