Sarnia City Council is to meet in special session Friday at 8:30am to consider court costs following an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in favour of River City Vineyard. July 3, the court overturned a Superior Court of Justice decision that closed the church's Mitton St. homeless shelter as of June 15 of last year. Mayor Mike Bradley says council will consider a settlement offer that would see the city assume $149,000 of the church's $164,000 in legal costs. If council declines River City's offer, the court will decide who pays what. Mayor Bradley says the city's own legal bill is already over $168,000.
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The city has until September 30 to decide whether to challenge the court of appeal ruling at the Supreme Court of Canada. A three justice panel ruled River City's Harbour Inn Mission falls within the meaning of "church sponsored community activities and projects" and therefore does not contravene the city's zoning bylaw. The church is looking at reopening the shelter.
