[7:24] - [Clerk] Three.
[7:27] - Welcome everyone to our
city council meeting today
[7:30] of Tuesday, June the 23rd.
[7:33] As we typically do, we start
with our in-camera meeting,
[7:36] where we're going to
go behind closed doors
[7:37] as required by the Municipal Act,
[7:39] and then in a couple hours at 4:00 PM
[7:42] we're going to resume in open session.
[7:44] So to go in-camera, I
need a motion of council
[7:47] to do just that.
[7:47] Motion by Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
[7:49] second by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:51] There's no discussion
of that. Call the vote.
[7:53] All those in favor. And that's unanimous.
[7:55] And we are now going to go in-camera.
[7:57] We'll see you back at 4:00 PM.
[2:07:48] - Of tues-
- Oh!
[2:07:49] We already stumbled out of the gates.
[2:07:52] - What did I do?
- Didn't turn
[2:07:53] the microphone on.
- It was on.
[2:07:55] - I think Bill help you out on that one.
[2:07:56] - No! Oh, did-
- I helped him out on that.
[2:07:57] - Oh, you did? Okay, okay.
[2:07:59] Are we going to start all over again?
[2:08:00] Another countdown-
- No, no, no!
[2:08:01] - or are we good to go?
[2:08:02] All right.
- You're going to go
[2:08:03] and live with that on T.
[2:08:04] - Oh, see, look at that.
- Live with that on T.
[2:08:06] - All right, well, everybody,
[2:08:07] this will be part of our
next blooper reel, so enjoy.
[2:08:10] So ladies and gentlemen,
[2:08:11] welcome to tonight's city council meeting
[2:08:12] of Tuesday, June the 23rd.
[2:08:14] We just concluded our in-camera meeting
[2:08:17] where we have to discuss
things behind closed doors
[2:08:19] as per the Municipal Act.
[2:08:22] And now we're back in open session
[2:08:23] for our regularly scheduled meeting.
[2:08:25] So I'd like to thank
everybody for coming today
[2:08:27] and we are going
[2:08:29] to start the meeting
off the traditional way
[2:08:32] with the singing of "O Canada."
[2:08:34] But just before we do,
[2:08:35] I'd like to introduce our two singers.
[2:08:37] I was just talking with
them a few minutes ago.
[2:08:40] So we've got brother and sister,
[2:08:42] we've got Belen and Mateo Villegas.
[2:08:47] Does I get that right?
[2:08:48] - Villegas.
- Villegas. Okay, well close.
[2:08:52] Second blooper for tonight already.
[2:08:53] It's going to be a long night everybody.
[2:08:56] So Belen is nine, Mateo's
11, is that right?
[2:09:00] Okay, we got something right. Good.
[2:09:01] And they're both musicians.
[2:09:04] They both play a number
of different instruments
[2:09:06] including piano, recorder, violin.
[2:09:09] Have I got a couple of 'em right?
[2:09:11] Yes. Okay. (laughs)
[2:09:12] They're giving me disapproving
looks, so, but that's okay.
[2:09:15] They sing during live
performances at Christmas.
[2:09:18] Also for special events.
[2:09:20] They're students at Notre Dame
Catholic Elementary School,
[2:09:24] same school my kids went to.
[2:09:26] So we're excited that you guys are here.
[2:09:28] So ladies and gentlemen, stand if you can,
[2:09:32] and let's enjoy the
singing of Belen and Mateo
[2:09:35] to sing "O Canada."
[2:09:40] - Just start?
[2:09:42] - [Diodati] Whenever you guys are ready.
[2:09:43] ♪ O Canada ♪
[2:09:47] ♪ Our home and native land ♪
[2:09:52] ♪ True patriot love ♪
[2:09:57] ♪ In all thy sons command ♪
[2:10:01] ♪ With glowing hearts we see thee rise ♪
[2:10:06] ♪ The True North strong and free ♪
[2:10:11] ♪ From far and wide ♪
[2:10:13] ♪ O Canada ♪
[2:10:16] ♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
[2:10:21] ♪ God keep our land ♪
[2:10:25] ♪ Glorious and free ♪
[2:10:31] ♪ O Canada ♪
[2:10:33] ♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
[2:10:40] ♪ O Canada ♪
[2:10:42] ♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
[2:10:48] - All right. So good.
(attendees applaud)
[2:10:56] - And they were blooper free.
[2:10:58] - What's that?
- And they were blooper free.
[2:10:59] - (laughs) And they were blooper free.
[2:11:01] And Belen and Mateo, want to thank you.
[2:11:03] You did a great job.
[2:11:04] I know you guys were
nervous coming in here
[2:11:06] and you still pulled it off.
[2:11:07] You followed through
and you made us proud.
[2:11:09] So on behalf of all of us, great job.
[2:11:12] Continued success with all your music.
[2:11:14] Thank you very, very much.
[2:11:16] (attendees applaud)
[2:11:21] Great job guys. Great job.
[2:11:25] They brought their lyrics,
back up lyrics, just in case,
[2:11:28] (laughs) but they never needed
them, so that's a good thing.
[2:11:32] Okay, moving along.
[2:11:33] Next is the land acknowledgement
[2:11:37] with the aim of educating our community.
[2:11:39] I'd like to invite Michele-Elise Burnett,
[2:11:42] who's Bear Clan,
Thunderbird Clan, and Metis
[2:11:44] to join us to share her testimony
[2:11:46] as we acknowledge and thank
the Indigenous peoples
[2:11:48] who are stewards of this land
for a millennia before us.
[2:11:52] - [Michele] Aanii.
[2:11:55] (gentle music)
Hi, aanii, bonjour.
[2:11:57] (Michele speaking Indigenous language)
[2:12:06] My spirit name is She
Who Is In The Center.
[2:12:09] My French English name
is Michele-Elise Burnett.
[2:12:12] I am an artist, curator, producer,
[2:12:15] and storyteller of mixed
Indigenous and European ancestry
[2:12:19] with Nipissing Algonquin roots.
[2:12:21] In my teachings, we are reminded
[2:12:23] that every decision that we make,
[2:12:25] we must consider the impacts it will have
[2:12:27] on the next seven generations.
[2:12:30] We strive for mino bimaadiziwin,
to live a good life,
[2:12:34] one that seeks balance
with all life forces,
[2:12:37] and a life that truly matters.
[2:12:39] It means leading from the heart,
[2:12:41] seeing, listening, feeling, speaking,
[2:12:44] and acting with good intentions
[2:12:46] and never for self-serving reasons.
[2:12:49] Gitchi Manitou, the
creator, gave all creation
[2:12:52] gifts to share with one another.
[2:12:54] And with those gifts
come responsibilities.
[2:12:57] The first is gratitude.
[2:13:00] Let's give gratitude for
the life-sustaining gifts
[2:13:03] that Mother Earth provides.
[2:13:05] She is our greatest teacher
[2:13:07] demonstrating generosity each day
[2:13:10] without ever asking anything in return.
[2:13:13] We as human beings must learn
[2:13:15] from our older and wiser relatives.
[2:13:17] We must remember that our very existence
[2:13:20] is supported by their gifts.
[2:13:22] And by thinking each
life-sustaining force,
[2:13:25] one becomes tied to each of the
forces of the natural world.
[2:13:29] It also reminds us that what is done
[2:13:32] to one part of the web of life
[2:13:34] has repercussions on all life
forms, including ourselves.
[2:13:39] When we carry this understanding
[2:13:41] into our workplace, our
homes, and our daily choices,
[2:13:46] we are actively caring for
the next seven generations
[2:13:49] with love, generosity and gratitude.
[2:13:53] Chi miigwech.
[2:13:56] - Thank you, Michele-Elise.
[2:14:00] Next on the agenda are the adoption
[2:14:03] of the minutes from the June 2nd meeting.
[2:14:05] Do I have a motion? Councilor Lococo.
[2:14:06] Second by Councilor Strange.
[2:14:09] If there's no discussion to the minutes,
[2:14:10] we'll call the vote.
[2:14:11] All those in favor?
Okay. That's unanimous.
[2:14:13] Thank you for that.
[2:14:14] The next up, disclosures
of a pecuniary interest,
[2:14:18] do we have any disclosures?
[2:14:19] Any conflicts? Okay.
[2:14:21] Seeing none, we'll move on
[2:14:23] to everybody's favorite
part of the meeting,
[2:14:26] which is the mayor's
reports and announcements.
[2:14:30] Starting off, we'd like
to offer our sympathy
[2:14:33] to the families of Glen Kivisto,
[2:14:36] father of Brian Kivisto and Craig Kivisto
[2:14:39] and father-in-law of Ronnie-Kay
Kivisto from Fire Services.
[2:14:44] Also Joe DeSantis,
[2:14:46] the owner-operator of
Provincial Construction
[2:14:49] and longstanding heavy
construction contractors
[2:14:52] here in Niagara Falls.
[2:14:54] Provincial Construction is the company
[2:14:55] that's currently working
on Willoughby Road,
[2:14:58] part of our Operation Smooth Roads
[2:15:00] in the city of Niagara Falls.
[2:15:02] So we have different
events and announcements
[2:15:04] and some of them, we'll draw
your attention to the screens.
[2:15:08] So I got back last week
[2:15:09] from a trip to both Turkey and Bulgaria
[2:15:13] and I'll give you a quick summary here.
[2:15:15] It was an incredible opportunity
[2:15:16] to share Niagara Falls with the world
[2:15:18] and learn about travel
with Michael Warchala
[2:15:21] from our Economic Development Department
[2:15:23] to both Turkey and Bulgaria.
[2:15:26] The invitation was received
[2:15:27] from both the Bulgarian
and Turkish consulates
[2:15:30] and consul generals.
[2:15:31] And the purpose was to help
strengthen bilateral relations,
[2:15:35] explore new investment,
[2:15:37] economic and collaborative opportunities,
[2:15:39] as well as promote the
city of Niagara Falls.
[2:15:43] In Turkey, we had meetings
with the president
[2:15:45] and chairman of the board
[2:15:47] of Turkish Enterprise
Business Confederation,
[2:15:51] that is basically their
Chamber of Commerce.
[2:15:56] Turkey, their largest independent,
[2:15:58] I'm sorry, that's their largest
[2:15:59] independent business organization.
[2:16:02] We met with the vice president
[2:16:03] of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
[2:16:06] They're the second largest
chamber of commerce in the world
[2:16:09] with 860,000 members.
[2:16:13] - [Councilor] The bird
is right in the picture.
[2:16:15] - Yes. Yeah, we got a bird in the picture.
[2:16:16] Do you notice that bird in the picture?
[2:16:18] (attendees chuckle)
[2:16:19] That's all it takes to
amuse our councilors.
[2:16:21] - [Councilor] Take it again.
[2:16:22] Take it again until we-
(Diodati laughs)
[2:16:23] - We had to wait till
he circled one more time
[2:16:25] so we got him.
[2:16:26] The Istanbul Chamber of
Commerce is very interested
[2:16:30] in new markets for their members.
[2:16:32] Their chairman wants
to visit Niagara Falls
[2:16:35] when he's in Canada the next time.
[2:16:37] And as I said, second
largest chamber in the world.
[2:16:40] Istanbul's got 20 million
people and a lot of interest.
[2:16:44] They are the most Western Muslim country
[2:16:47] and it's the gateway for Russia.
[2:16:49] A very interesting historic place.
[2:16:51] Used to be called Constantinople.
[2:16:54] The Russians were there at one time.
[2:16:55] They built the cisterns, very
interesting historic place.
[2:17:00] So they're very interested in
exploring Canada as a market.
[2:17:03] They're interested in
starting partnerships.
[2:17:06] We also met with the board of TÜRSAB.
[2:17:09] That's their association
of Turkish travel agencies.
[2:17:13] And it's also the second
largest travel association
[2:17:16] in the world, the first being in the USA.
[2:17:19] Then we were in Bulgaria,
[2:17:20] so three days in Turkey,
three days in Bulgaria.
[2:17:22] We met with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs,
[2:17:25] the Deputy Minister of Tourism
at the Ministry of Tourism,
[2:17:28] and also the deputy mayor of Sofia,
[2:17:30] which is their main city and
an area of culture and tourism.
[2:17:34] I also did an interview on national TV,
[2:17:37] which in Bulgaria it's a pretty big deal,
[2:17:39] goes to all their houses.
[2:17:41] So we talked around Niagara Falls,
[2:17:43] the Bulgarian bilateral relations.
[2:17:45] We have a very big
Bulgarian community here.
[2:17:47] Municipal diplomacy
and cultural exchanges,
[2:17:50] future collaboration with
the City of Niagara Falls
[2:17:52] and Bulgarian institutions.
[2:17:54] They're very well known
for their education
[2:17:56] and their entrepreneurs.
[2:17:58] And they discuss tourism
development strategies
[2:18:01] as well as cultural tourism
and international events.
[2:18:04] We also had meetings
[2:18:05] with the Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.
[2:18:08] And same thing around
economic collaboration,
[2:18:10] investment, and
collaborative opportunities.
[2:18:14] We're grateful the entire
trip was paid for by our hosts
[2:18:18] and we're grateful to share
Niagara Falls with them
[2:18:21] and take a little bit of their countries
[2:18:22] back here to Niagara Falls.
[2:18:25] I'd also like to thank
our crossing guards.
[2:18:28] We had Crossing Guard Appreciation
Event at the Exchange.
[2:18:31] And there you can see,
[2:18:32] Steve is the gentleman who
runs things, the tall guy.
[2:18:36] And we are recognizing a
number of crossing guards
[2:18:38] for many years of service.
[2:18:40] And sometimes it's a tough
job. It's the weather.
[2:18:43] Doesn't matter if it's
snowing or raining or hot,
[2:18:45] they're always out there
making sure the kids
[2:18:47] are getting safely across the streets.
[2:18:50] We also had the Niagara Canada
International Film Festival
[2:18:54] took place at the Greg Frewin Theatre.
[2:18:57] So thankful to Gordon
So and all of his team
[2:19:00] for bringing all these great movies here
[2:19:02] to Niagara Falls for exposure.
[2:19:05] Waterfall Folklore Festival
took place at Club Italia
[2:19:09] and that was the Bulgarian event
[2:19:12] two nights before I took off on our trip.
[2:19:15] And there you can see 500
Bulgarians at Club Italia
[2:19:18] doing all their traditional dances.
[2:19:20] And it was a nice way to get me ready
[2:19:23] for traveling to Bulgaria.
[2:19:25] Niagara RibStock took
place this past weekend
[2:19:28] at Firemen's Park and I was,
[2:19:31] I know that a number of
councilors were there,
[2:19:33] so who was all there, you guys?
[2:19:34] How many people? Councilor
Lococo, Dabrowski.
[2:19:38] Anyone else here? No?
[2:19:39] So anyway, grateful for
everybody making the trip out.
[2:19:43] They are going to make an announcement
[2:19:44] that they raised a lot of
money for local charities.
[2:19:47] They raised money for Boys and Girls Club,
[2:19:49] Pathstone Mental Health,
and Project SHARE.
[2:19:51] And I know that Jay
Robitaille who ran the event
[2:19:54] was very proud of the success
[2:19:56] and they're going to be
making an announcement
[2:19:57] for some nice donations they're
given a local charities.
[2:20:00] We also had this weekend FlowFest,
[2:20:03] which took place at the Exchange
[2:20:05] and that's where, oh wait,
[2:20:06] we jumped over, I'm
sorry, jumped over one.
[2:20:08] Let's back up. I'm sorry.
[2:20:09] Worship in the Wild was Jesus Festival
[2:20:13] took place next to the Convention Centre.
[2:20:15] And did we have the other
shirt? I'm going to tell my dad.
[2:20:17] Was that of the picture there too?
[2:20:18] Or no? Just that one.
[2:20:19] Okay. So anyway, we're grateful.
[2:20:21] It's a picture of Jesus says,
"I'm going to tell my dad."
[2:20:25] So it was like one of
those kind of funny ones
[2:20:27] for Father's Day weekend.
[2:20:28] So anyway, I was happy to
bring greetings at Jesus Fest.
[2:20:33] Also, then we had
FlowFest at the Exchange,
[2:20:36] which is where we have an opportunity
[2:20:38] to sample some great local breweries
[2:20:41] right here at our city facility.
[2:20:42] A second annual event and a big success.
[2:20:46] So I want to thank city councilors
[2:20:48] for representing myself and
the city at a number of events.
[2:20:51] Obviously I can't be all,
[2:20:52] oh, and there's another,
[2:20:53] oh, back that up there,
there was FlowFest.
[2:20:54] Look at the crowds for FlowFest.
[2:20:56] Just the second year, a booming success.
[2:20:59] And that's a made-in-Niagara Falls event.
[2:21:02] And we're really happy
for the hard work they did
[2:21:05] and a Counterpart
[2:21:07] for their involvement in
bringing this together.
[2:21:09] So councilors often represent myself
[2:21:12] and the city at different events.
[2:21:13] So first I want to thank
Councilor Dabrowski
[2:21:16] for representing the city
[2:21:17] at the Martha Cullimore
singing competition.
[2:21:20] Do we have any picture of
that one? No, we don't.
[2:21:22] Okay, so you guys got to send us-
[2:21:23] - No clips of them singing?
[2:21:25] - Yeah, well apparently
there's a video of him singing.
[2:21:27] That's what I want get a hold of it.
[2:21:29] (councilors chatter)
If anyone has it,
[2:21:31] please share it with us.
[2:21:32] We'd like to play.
[2:21:33] So you guys, when you go to events,
[2:21:34] you got to send us in pictures
so we can put 'em up here.
[2:21:36] Councilor Patel representing the city
[2:21:38] at the Rotary Paul Harris Award Evening,
[2:21:41] also at the Kent School graduation
[2:21:44] and the Para Soccer National Team Tryouts.
[2:21:47] Thank you, councilor.
[2:21:48] Councilors Dabrowski and
Patel representing the city
[2:21:51] at the certificate presentation
[2:21:53] to the Fire Chief for a Day Event.
[2:21:56] Councilor Patel and Nieuwesteeg
represented the city
[2:21:58] at the Walker Annual Open House.
[2:22:01] Councilor Nieuwesteeg represented the city
[2:22:02] at the Meadows of
Dorchester Community Picnic.
[2:22:05] The grand opening of Craft Collective.
[2:22:07] Councilor Baldinelli represented the city
[2:22:09] at the Filipino Independence
Day flag raising.
[2:22:15] We had some business
milestones and events.
[2:22:18] Mancuso Chemicals turned
40 years and it's amazing.
[2:22:22] We have some of these
businesses in our backyard
[2:22:25] and they are global.
[2:22:27] They supply companies around the world
[2:22:30] and they're a Niagara Falls business.
[2:22:32] And there you see father on
the right and son on the left.
[2:22:36] You know, still, you know,
[2:22:37] his dad's in his eighties
[2:22:38] and he still shows up to work every day.
[2:22:41] And then the next picture,
[2:22:43] of course is out front
there in the industrial park
[2:22:45] down across from Marineland
off of Stanley Avenue.
[2:22:49] Also, we have the grand opening
[2:22:50] of the Little Wedding
Chapel on Lundy's Lane,
[2:22:54] where if you're not tying
the knot at City Hall,
[2:22:56] it's another option for
people to tie the knot.
[2:22:59] So congratulations to that latest opening.
[2:23:03] Flag raisings.
[2:23:04] We had Italian Heritage Month flag raising
[2:23:07] with Ambassador Alessandro Cattaneo.
[2:23:11] And that was in front of City Hall.
[2:23:13] It was a very exciting event as we invited
[2:23:15] a lot of people from around Niagara Falls
[2:23:19] to be a part of the festivities
[2:23:21] of celebrating Italian heritage.
[2:23:24] And that I got to thank
our MP Tony Baldinelli.
[2:23:28] He was able, in that picture,
[2:23:29] you look at from the left is the mayor
[2:23:31] of Niagara Falls, New York,
Robert Restaino, and myself.
[2:23:35] And then the ambassador,
[2:23:38] and then of course Tony Baldinelli.
[2:23:39] So he made the original connection
[2:23:42] so that we were able to
have the Italian ambassador
[2:23:44] join us that day in front of City Hall.
[2:23:48] And coming up, Canada Day celebration
[2:23:50] right around the corner, folks,
[2:23:51] July 1st from noon until
8:00 PM at Firemen's Park.
[2:23:55] We're encouraging everybody to come out.
[2:23:57] We're going to have live
music, interactive kids shows,
[2:24:00] food trucks, artisans,
vendors, inflatables,
[2:24:04] kids crafts, cake, and much, much more.
[2:24:07] We're asking everyone
[2:24:07] to wear your best red-and-white
Canada shirts and outfits.
[2:24:11] There will be paid parking on side
[2:24:14] and all the paid parking
will go to local charities.
[2:24:18] Free accessible shuttles
are also available
[2:24:21] from various locations.
[2:24:23] And we're asking people bring
a non-perishable food donation
[2:24:26] for Project SHARE to the event.
[2:24:28] And for details and specifics on shuttles,
[2:24:31] go to niagarafalls.ca.
[2:24:34] Look forward to seeing everybody.
[2:24:35] Noon till 8:00 PM, Firemen's Park.
[2:24:38] And our next council meeting
will be Tuesday, July the 14th.
[2:24:43] So that concludes our announcements
with the exception of,
[2:24:48] I do have a picture of a golf
swing that I'd like to put up.
[2:24:53] I think Councilor Baldinelli,
[2:24:54] would you like to
introduce to this picture?
[2:24:58] - Why certainly. Thank you, Mayor.
[2:25:01] We had an opportunity to participate,
[2:25:04] Erik and I, in a golf
tournament at Legends.
[2:25:08] And on number six we were dead against
[2:25:10] a hurricane-force wind
[2:25:13] and Erik pummeled one down there.
[2:25:15] And I didn't really think it reached
[2:25:17] the long drive contest marker out there.
[2:25:21] And then lo and behold,
when we drove out there,
[2:25:23] he had surpassed it and it was a big drive
[2:25:25] and I'd just like to congratulate him.
[2:25:26] We didn't win at the end
[2:25:28] 'cause there was a lot
of young kids out there.
[2:25:29] But to put your name on
that plaque is very good.
[2:25:33] And I'd like to say I witnessed it
[2:25:35] and it was a beautiful high drop.
[2:25:36] (all chuckle)
[2:25:38] And congratulations, Erik.
[2:25:40] - [Diodati] Yes, yes. Mr. Nickel, yes.
[2:25:43] - [Councilor] You must
not be working enough.
[2:25:44] - Yeah, well what do they
say about good golfers?
[2:25:46] They got too much time on their hands.
[2:25:47] Is that what somebody said?
[2:25:48] So Mr. Nickel, would you like
to share with us the technique
[2:25:51] that you used to hit such a great drive?
[2:25:54] - Close your eyes and hope for the best.
[2:25:56] (all laugh)
[2:25:58] - That's what I use too.
[2:25:59] So thank you for supplying
the picture, councilman.
[2:26:02] And it was pointed out to me
[2:26:03] that I've already had our
third blooper of the day.
[2:26:06] It was the Romans who built
the cisterns in Turkey,
[2:26:09] not the Russians.
[2:26:10] So my apology if I offended anybody,
[2:26:13] but that's third blooper and counting.
[2:26:15] Our CA was kind enough to count.
[2:26:16] So thank you for doing that.
[2:26:18] He is an accountant so
he is good at counting.
[2:26:20] So he's going to have
to take his socks off
[2:26:22] to keep track of my bloopers today.
[2:26:24] So first up, we now move to,
[2:26:26] anyone following along with the agenda,
[2:26:27] is number seven on the agenda.
[2:26:29] And this will be deputations
and presentations.
[2:26:32] So now a reminder to all speakers,
[2:26:35] you have a maximum of five minutes.
[2:26:37] We ask you to try to not repeat things.
[2:26:40] And the first presentation
[2:26:42] is going to be our city climate
adaptation implementation plan.
[2:26:48] So we're going to ask Carey Campbell,
[2:26:50] the manager of the Mayor and CAO's offices
[2:26:52] and the Business Development offices
[2:26:54] to introduce Shania
Dennall, our climate intern.
[2:26:59] And Shania is going to take
us through a presentation
[2:27:02] of what she's been up to
for the last little while.
[2:27:05] So as a joke, I call her Shania sometimes
[2:27:07] and she never laughs, so
we'll just call her Shania.
[2:27:10] - She's smiling.
- She's smiling now. Yeah.
[2:27:12] - I have to.
[2:27:15] - Thanks, Mayor Jim, members of council,
[2:27:17] members of the public and staff,
[2:27:19] it's my pleasure to introduce
Shania Dennall today
[2:27:22] who comes to us from
Environmental Leadership Canada.
[2:27:25] She's been here on a six-month internship.
[2:27:28] She's been involved in all things climate,
[2:27:31] specifically as Mayor Jim mentioned,
[2:27:34] working on our climate change
adaptation implementation plan
[2:27:39] and giving us a status as
to where we're at with that.
[2:27:42] But she's done a lot more
[2:27:44] and she'll, I don't want to
take too much of her time
[2:27:46] 'cause she's really got it
down to her five minutes,
[2:27:48] so with no further ado,
I'd like to thank Shania
[2:27:51] for all of her work this past six months
[2:27:54] and please give her your ear
for the next few minutes.
[2:28:00] - Good afternoon and
thank you for having me.
[2:28:03] As Carey mentioned, for
the past six months,
[2:28:06] I've been supporting
[2:28:07] some of the climate-related initiatives,
[2:28:09] but also tracking the progress
[2:28:11] of the climate adaptation
implementation plan.
[2:28:14] It's a bit of a mouthful.
[2:28:17] So sorry.
[2:28:22] How do I do this?
[2:28:24] - [Councilor] All right.
[2:28:30] - Or just hit the button.
- I think it's, um...
[2:28:37] - Hit the button here.
- Which one now?
[2:28:38] - This one.
- Cool.
[2:28:41] Hold on.
[2:28:45] - This doesn't count as your time.
[2:28:48] - [Diodati] No it doesn't.
That is a blooper.
[2:28:51] - [Councilor] A lot of bloopers today.
[2:29:00] - Thank you.
[2:29:02] Okay. (laughs)
[2:29:04] So a bit of a background.
[2:29:06] The plan was first adopted in 2023
[2:29:09] and it's organized over these five themes,
[2:29:11] so nature and biodiversity,
infrastructure,
[2:29:14] health and wellbeing, economy and workers,
[2:29:16] and resilient governance.
[2:29:17] The tracking of the implementation
of this plan is vital
[2:29:21] to ensure that climate considerations
[2:29:24] are continued to be integrated
into new development
[2:29:26] and it also shows great
accountability to our residents.
[2:29:31] Today I'm just going to
give you a brief overview
[2:29:32] and the progress across
the five themes do vary,
[2:29:36] but overall there's a lot of
meaningful work being done.
[2:29:41] Okay. Oh no. (laughs)
[2:29:44] I'm sorry.
[2:29:49] - Logan, can you help?
- Yeah, I'm...
[2:29:52] - Okay.
[2:29:53] Okay, (chuckles) so the first theme,
[2:29:55] nature and biodiversity,
[2:29:57] focuses on strengthening
our natural systems
[2:30:00] and our community resilience.
[2:30:03] As you can see by the bar at the top,
[2:30:06] the progress is steadily moving forward
[2:30:08] with a focus on our urban forest,
[2:30:12] expanding and protecting our urban forest.
[2:30:14] So our tree canopy currently sits
[2:30:16] at 30.5%, which is really great.
[2:30:19] It's actually above average
[2:30:21] compared to the other
municipalities in the region.
[2:30:24] I was also had a lot
[2:30:26] supporting our free
tree giveaway last month
[2:30:29] where we gave away 500 trees
to Niagara Falls residents,
[2:30:33] all which were native,
[2:30:36] as an opportunity to expand
[2:30:38] while improving and expanding
our tree canopy is important.
[2:30:42] It does take time for
trees to grow and mature.
[2:30:45] That's why one of the
actions from this theme
[2:30:48] that I recommend strengthening
[2:30:50] is incorporating
low-impact design practices
[2:30:53] into new development.
[2:30:55] And an aspect of this is
also educational outreach
[2:30:59] regarding protecting
our natural environment,
[2:31:02] especially with the younger generation.
[2:31:04] I was able to work with the
mayor's Youth Advisory Committee
[2:31:08] while I've been here and I
think further utilizing them
[2:31:11] and engaging with them in
municipal decision making,
[2:31:14] not just climate, is great
[2:31:16] as the decisions that you guys make today
[2:31:20] really impact further
their future generations.
[2:31:24] Moving on.
[2:31:26] In infrastructure, so this focuses
[2:31:28] on protecting our built environment
[2:31:30] while also continuing to
support growth and development.
[2:31:34] Progress is still emerging in this theme,
[2:31:37] but there is a lot of progress being made
[2:31:39] with climates being incorporated
into new development.
[2:31:42] And one of the key progress
[2:31:44] is the continued electrification
of the city's fleet.
[2:31:48] Not only does this reduce
greenhouse gas emissions,
[2:31:51] but also shows visible climate
leadership to the community.
[2:31:56] A project from this theme
that personally excites me
[2:31:59] is the Trails and Active
Transportation Master Plan.
[2:32:02] I don't drive so having a
walkable city is really important.
[2:32:06] Not only does this reduce
greenhouse gas emissions,
[2:32:09] but it also allows residents and visitors
[2:32:11] to really explore the city
[2:32:13] in a way that you can't do from a car.
[2:32:16] The biggest opportunity to expand here
[2:32:18] is developing a municipal
green buildings guideline.
[2:32:21] It is mentioned in the
Community Improvement Plan.
[2:32:24] And while we do have brownfield
and urban infill tax grants,
[2:32:29] having a clear green building guideline
[2:32:31] to ensure that future developments
[2:32:33] don't lock in any future
climate risks is important.
[2:32:39] Next, health and wellbeing.
[2:32:40] So this focuses on
protecting our residents
[2:32:42] from climate risks and also
ensuring equitable access
[2:32:45] to resources and services.
[2:32:48] I think one of the key
highlights from this theme
[2:32:51] is the city's continued support
for emergency preparedness
[2:32:54] and access to cooling and heating centers
[2:32:57] during extreme weather.
[2:32:59] I think there is opportunity
to expand public communication
[2:33:03] regarding emergency preparedness as well.
[2:33:07] During my time here I had the opportunity
[2:33:09] to support the Unhoused
Action Plan Open House,
[2:33:13] and also attend some of the
Unhoused Action Team meetings,
[2:33:17] which really reinforce the idea
[2:33:18] that building climate resilience
[2:33:21] and social planning are connected.
[2:33:24] Individuals experiencing
housing insecurity
[2:33:26] are those that are the most
disproportionately impacted
[2:33:29] by climate change.
[2:33:30] And so it's critical to make sure
[2:33:32] that climate considerations
[2:33:33] are also being integrated
into social planning.
[2:33:37] Our population is really made
up of a variety of groups,
[2:33:41] you know, Indigenous populations,
[2:33:42] refugees and newcomers, tourists,
[2:33:44] international students, low income, so on.
[2:33:47] And it's really important
[2:33:49] that these groups are meaningfully engaged
[2:33:52] and reflected in the
city's climate action.
[2:33:54] Another big action within this theme
[2:33:58] is also food security.
[2:34:00] This is obviously also public health
[2:34:02] and a simple action to strengthen that
[2:34:06] could be supporting the
city's community gardens
[2:34:09] and continuing collaboration
[2:34:12] with local organizations
like Project SHARE.
[2:34:16] So next, economy and workers.
[2:34:18] This focuses on supporting
businesses and workers
[2:34:21] as they adapt to our changing climate.
[2:34:24] One of the key takeaways from
this was really how impressive
[2:34:29] the city's continued support
for local businesses is.
[2:34:33] However, as extreme weather
events become more frequent,
[2:34:37] workers and businesses,
especially those working outside
[2:34:40] will increasingly search for information
[2:34:43] and resources on how to adapt
[2:34:45] and become resilient to
our changing climate.
[2:34:48] Therefore, expanding outreach
with business-specific tips
[2:34:51] and working-specific tips is vital.
[2:34:55] Also supporting green
workforce development.
[2:34:58] So continuing to partnership
[2:35:00] with local educational institutions
[2:35:03] like the University of Niagara
Falls and Niagara College
[2:35:06] is a great way to really
start developing green jobs.
[2:35:12] And lastly, resilient governance.
[2:35:14] This focuses on climate
considerations into decision making
[2:35:18] and long-term planning.
[2:35:20] As you can see, this is the
theme of the most progress made
[2:35:24] as climate is continually being considered
[2:35:28] into official city plans
and also departmental plans.
[2:35:33] Another key progress is
the securing of funding
[2:35:38] for climate-related projects
[2:35:40] and also just the continued support
[2:35:43] for staff and community engagement events.
[2:35:46] The biggest opportunity to expand,
[2:35:48] and I think the most important first step
[2:35:51] from all of these that I've said
[2:35:53] is to strengthen coordination internally.
[2:35:57] A Green Team was established
[2:36:00] when the city's climate
plan was made back in 2023.
[2:36:04] And I think utilizing that
[2:36:06] to strengthen implementation
across the city is important.
[2:36:11] I was also able to create
a The Green Room page
[2:36:15] for staff in our internal intranet.
[2:36:18] And I would like to see
[2:36:19] that page utilized further in the future
[2:36:23] for a space to further educate
staff and share resources.
[2:36:29] And lastly, another aspect of this
[2:36:31] is just visible climate action
[2:36:33] and public educational campaigns.
[2:36:36] I had the greatest opportunity
[2:36:38] to work at the MacBain Community
Center during my time here
[2:36:42] and I really saw how much of
a hub it is for this city.
[2:36:46] It gets so many visitors,
[2:36:47] a variety of residents attend there
[2:36:50] and I think it's a real ideal location
[2:36:52] to showcase sustainable initiatives
[2:36:54] and therefore supporting the staff there
[2:36:57] in the Environmental Action Committee
[2:36:58] in delivering programs will
help climate action in the city
[2:37:02] become more visible, accessible,
and community driven.
[2:37:06] I'd like to thank you for allowing me
[2:37:08] to complete this internship
and to present to you today.
[2:37:12] I've had a really
meaningful experience here
[2:37:14] working in this such unique municipality
[2:37:17] and I look forward to seeing
[2:37:19] how the sustainable
initiatives grow over time
[2:37:22] as the city also grows.
[2:37:24] Thank you.
- Thank you, Shania. Good job.
[2:37:25] (attendees applaud)
[2:37:30] Okay, we do have some
questions it looks like.
[2:37:32] We'll start off with Councilor
Lococo and then Nieuwesteeg.
[2:37:36] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor,
through the mayor to Shania.
[2:37:38] Thank you so much for the presentation.
[2:37:40] I've had an opportunity
[2:37:41] to speak with Shania on a few occasions.
[2:37:44] I think we're doing really
well on what we're doing
[2:37:46] and this project allowed her to track it
[2:37:49] so we could see where we are
[2:37:50] and what we need to do moving forward.
[2:37:52] There are a lot of opportunities.
[2:37:54] One of them that really popped out to me
[2:37:56] within this presentation
[2:37:58] and one further on our agenda
is about the tree canopy.
[2:38:01] We always talk about having a tree canopy
[2:38:03] and there's a private tree canopy
[2:38:05] and there's the public tree canopy.
[2:38:08] And one of the things that
I'm learning more now,
[2:38:11] is when you cut a tree
down with a big canopy,
[2:38:14] that affects the canopy.
[2:38:16] So a lot of times we have
development applications
[2:38:19] where we cut trees down
and we say we replace them,
[2:38:21] but we replace them with little saplings
[2:38:24] that don't have a big tree canopy.
[2:38:26] So it's not just the number of trees
[2:38:28] that we're swapping out.
[2:38:29] We have to think about the tree canopy
[2:38:31] once we're cutting that down.
[2:38:32] And that really hit home with me
[2:38:34] with your presentation,
so thank you for that.
[2:38:39] Regarding trees again with
the canopy is a tree by-law.
[2:38:42] We've talked about that many times.
[2:38:44] It's in the further presentation.
[2:38:46] So I just wanted to put that out there
[2:38:47] because I have brought
it up numerous times.
[2:38:50] There are benefits to it and
there are some disadvantages.
[2:38:52] I do understand that.
[2:38:53] But that's something
that we should look into.
[2:38:55] And then Shania was talking
about the Green Team.
[2:39:00] We had an experience at
the Accessibility Committee
[2:39:02] that Jay MacClain has started
[2:39:04] an internal accessibility committee.
[2:39:06] 'Cause what we found was
all of these departments
[2:39:09] were working in silos
[2:39:10] and accessibility became an afterthought.
[2:39:13] And the same thing with your Green Team
[2:39:16] is it's not an afterthought anymore.
[2:39:17] You have all of the
departments working together
[2:39:20] and talking about green initiatives
[2:39:21] as part of the discussion,
not after the discussion.
[2:39:25] So thank you so much
[2:39:26] for bringing that back to the forefront.
[2:39:29] Some of the topics in there
[2:39:31] and I just, a few of them
I'd like to talk about
[2:39:34] is permeable surfaces,
[2:39:36] very important within our own
city things that we're doing.
[2:39:39] And then the developments
that we're doing.
[2:39:41] Native species, sometimes
we say they're native
[2:39:44] but maybe they're not
native to the Niagara area,
[2:39:47] they might be native to Canada.
[2:39:49] But we need to look at those.
[2:39:51] And working with developers
to make some positive choices
[2:39:55] and impacts on our
environment and the health.
[2:39:58] And my last point is the
health and wellbeing.
[2:40:01] You talked about preparedness.
[2:40:04] One time I brought up about
we seem to have a plan
[2:40:06] for what to do when disaster strikes,
[2:40:09] but I don't think we've communicated
[2:40:10] that plan out to our residents.
[2:40:12] So when there's no power, there's nothing,
[2:40:15] what does a resident do?
[2:40:16] So I think through this plan
we can work on that again
[2:40:19] about letting our
residents know what to do
[2:40:22] when there is a disaster.
[2:40:24] Sure we have the plan
but if they don't know,
[2:40:25] we have residents sitting
there not knowing what to do.
[2:40:28] And I think through this
we can tie it all together.
[2:40:30] So thank you so much
for your presentation.
[2:40:32] - Thank you.
- Thank you, Councilor.
[2:40:33] I've got Councilor Nieuwesteeg up next
[2:40:35] and then Councilor Strange.
- Thank you.
[2:40:37] A wonderful presentation
and very informative.
[2:40:40] Actually Councilor Lococo
touched on one of the points
[2:40:42] I was going to bring up as
well about the different silos.
[2:40:45] So we have the seniors
committee here today
[2:40:47] and as you're talking about
[2:40:49] how do we make sure we communicate,
[2:40:51] perhaps that is something,
[2:40:52] and you mentioned the MYAC as well,
[2:40:54] that we can have a
streamline of this committee
[2:40:58] focus through all of this
[2:41:00] rather than even just
a separate committee,
[2:41:01] each one that's already out there
[2:41:03] to be able to touch upon it.
[2:41:04] 'Cause this also affects seniors.
[2:41:06] And a question kind of relating to that,
[2:41:08] you talked about the number
[2:41:09] of cooling facilities for people.
[2:41:14] Where are they in the city?
[2:41:16] Do we have enough geographically
[2:41:17] to accommodate anyone in those
extreme weather conditions?
[2:41:22] - Thank you for the question.
[2:41:23] I believe the Gale Center,
the MacBain, the library
[2:41:28] are all cooling and warming centers.
[2:41:31] If that's enough, I'm not sure.
[2:41:33] I think the Emergency Preparedness team
[2:41:36] is probably better off answering that.
[2:41:39] But from what I've seen,
[2:41:40] I think it is enough
to hold our population.
[2:41:44] But I do agree that the
communications around that
[2:41:49] needs to be improved
[2:41:51] so people actually know where to go.
[2:41:53] - Yes, and especially when
it comes to seniors as well
[2:41:56] and whether we have them
[2:41:57] in the different ends of the city as well,
[2:41:58] like Chippewa, if we can do that.
[2:42:00] Just one final question.
[2:42:01] What would you say are the
three major climate risks
[2:42:04] facing Niagara Falls?
[2:42:06] - I'd say extreme weather.
[2:42:09] As we've seen, we've just
had a really long winter,
[2:42:13] which has really impacted our
roads and our infrastructure.
[2:42:17] Invasive species.
[2:42:19] I'm sure the Forest Department
will touch on that later,
[2:42:22] but it's really touching our urban forest
[2:42:26] and we really want to protect that.
[2:42:29] And lastly, I would say air quality.
[2:42:34] I think this is such a
car-dependent country and city
[2:42:39] and as well with the forest fires
[2:42:42] that we'll see later on in the season,
[2:42:44] and we saw last year
[2:42:45] how that really infected our air quality.
[2:42:48] I think that should be something
[2:42:50] that needs to be addressed too.
[2:42:51] But thank you for the question.
[2:42:53] - And thank you very much
for the work you've done.
[2:42:54] It's really something
[2:42:55] that needs to be highlighted for us.
[2:42:56] So thank you.
- Thank you.
[2:42:57] - [Diodati] Thank you. Councilor Strange?
[2:42:59] - Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor,
[2:43:01] and thank you, Shania,
and thank you, Carey.
[2:43:03] I know you guys been working on this plan
[2:43:05] for about three years,
meeting with stakeholders
[2:43:08] and different committees
and even hoteliers
[2:43:13] and people from the park.
[2:43:14] So a lot of work's been put
in this and just great job
[2:43:19] and, you know, we saw the presentation
[2:43:21] and, you know, you looked at 41 goals
[2:43:24] spanning the massive
themes of, just wondering,
[2:43:27] what would be kind of
be your three actions
[2:43:30] that would you kind of would roll out
[2:43:32] in the next 12 to 18 months?
[2:43:35] - Great question.
[2:43:37] I would say firstly is
reconvening the Green Team
[2:43:41] that it's made up of representatives
from each department.
[2:43:44] And so I think really getting together
[2:43:46] and having discussion on what is viable
[2:43:50] regarding the actions is the
most important first step.
[2:43:54] I think as the city continues to develop,
[2:43:56] I know that's a key priority
[2:43:59] making sure that new developments
[2:44:01] are really integrating climate
considerations is important.
[2:44:05] So, you know, energy
efficiency, green space,
[2:44:08] stormwater management,
waste, all that stuff.
[2:44:10] And then I also think
protecting our workers,
[2:44:14] the ones that work in the
fields and our small businesses,
[2:44:17] you know, that's kind
of the heart of the city
[2:44:19] and really making sure
that they are protected
[2:44:21] during these extreme weathers
will protect our city,
[2:44:25] but also our economy,
[2:44:27] which I think is important.
[2:44:29] Thank you.
- Thank you.
[2:44:30] And we mentioned the
canopy, our tree canopy
[2:44:33] and how does our city compare
to the rest of the region?
[2:44:36] - So when I was looking at the canopies,
[2:44:39] the overall average of the region was 28%.
[2:44:43] Some of the higher ones were 31, 32.
[2:44:46] And we sat well above the average
[2:44:49] of 30.5.
- Above the average.
[2:44:51] So now I can just give it
a little bit of shout out
[2:44:53] to our Environmental Action Committee.
[2:44:55] - Yes. (laughs)
- Some people know
[2:44:56] that we've been giving away
trees for the last four years,
[2:45:00] so we've given away 2,000 trees.
[2:45:03] And to kind of put that in perspective,
[2:45:04] I'm going to go to our manager of,
[2:45:08] and Erik Nickel, if you can just tell us,
[2:45:09] how long would it take our
staff to plant 2,000 trees?
[2:45:14] - Yeah, through the mayor.
[2:45:16] I mean that's more than
a year's worth of work
[2:45:18] in our Forestry Department.
[2:45:20] We've been fortunate to
have such great partnership
[2:45:23] and we have city trees that
we're planting as well.
[2:45:26] So if that's the contribution
from one private group,
[2:45:29] add that to the trees we're planting
[2:45:31] and we're doing a sizable amount of work.
[2:45:33] - Yeah, 100%.
[2:45:34] And we're so glad we get to get sponsors
[2:45:37] to help and pay for these trees
[2:45:40] and we give these trees away
to Niagara Falls residents
[2:45:43] and they get to put them
on their own property.
[2:45:44] And you know, anyone that has a tree
[2:45:46] are going to take care of the tree
[2:45:47] 'cause they actually want the tree there.
[2:45:49] So it really helps our canopy.
[2:45:50] And just, I want to shout it
[2:45:52] to our Environmental Action Committee
[2:45:53] 'cause they've just been
doing an amazing job
[2:45:55] and can imagine what we're
going to be like in 10 years.
[2:45:57] So thank you very much
for the presentation.
[2:45:59] - Thank you. Thank you so much.
[2:46:00] - Thanks very much, Councilor.
[2:46:02] Councilor Patel.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[2:46:05] (councilors chatter)
[2:46:07] Presentation and for
your work on this report.
[2:46:10] Actually, Councilor Strange
asked most of my questions,
[2:46:13] so I just have one more question.
[2:46:15] So our tree canopy is 30.5%.
[2:46:17] Is that a goal we are trying to achieve?
[2:46:21] - I believe they're
still working on a goal
[2:46:23] to align with the region's goal,
[2:46:26] which I think is around 30%.
[2:46:29] But that will come up in the
Forest Urban management plan,
[2:46:33] which is still underway,
[2:46:36] but I think right now it's
still a pretty strong canopy
[2:46:40] and anything more than
that is really good.
[2:46:43] - Okay. Thank you.
- Thank you.
[2:46:45] - Thank you.
[2:46:46] Well, if there's no further
questions of council,
[2:46:49] I'll look for a motion to
receive the presentation.
[2:46:51] Councilor Pietrangelo,
Councilor Lococo second.
[2:46:54] All those in favor? That's unanimous.
[2:46:57] And I just want to say thank you, Shania,
[2:46:58] it's been great having you in our office.
[2:47:00] I know you've been
working with your mentor,
[2:47:02] Carey Campbell here, our manager,
[2:47:04] and excited that you're
going to leave a legacy
[2:47:07] and there'll be residual impact
[2:47:09] from the work that you did with us.
[2:47:10] And we wish you well with
whatever next steps you take.
[2:47:13] So on behalf of all of us, thank you.
[2:47:14] Great job. Great having you here.
[2:47:16] - Thank you.
(attendees applaud)
[2:47:21] - All right, moving on.
[2:47:24] We are now moving on to 7.2,
[2:47:26] delegation request from
Matt Anthony Guarasci.
[2:47:30] This gentleman is planning a
Guinness World Record event
[2:47:33] and I'll let him explain
what he's got in mind.
[2:47:37] Welcome.
- Yeah, great.
[2:47:38] Great to be here. Perfect.
[2:47:42] So first off, members of council,
[2:47:44] Mayor Jim Diodati and everyone
that's here in attendance,
[2:47:47] I've had this crazy outlandish
vision for the last six years
[2:47:51] to put Niagara Falls on the map
[2:47:53] by not just doing something small,
[2:47:55] but putting something
on the world's stage,
[2:47:57] which is the birth and the creation
[2:48:00] of the world's largest ugly sweater party.
[2:48:03] And over the last nine years,
[2:48:04] I've hosted an ugly sweater party event
[2:48:06] in Grand Central and at Ruth's Chris
[2:48:08] both in the tourism and
the downtown district,
[2:48:10] ranging from having 500 to 600 people.
[2:48:12] And I believe that through
the marketing efforts
[2:48:15] and through the ask that I'm
going to be giving today,
[2:48:17] this won't be one of the smaller events
[2:48:19] that come out of here.
[2:48:20] This will be an event
that will be cemented
[2:48:22] to put us on the world stage.
[2:48:24] So a little bit about me.
[2:48:26] I've been proud to have
worked on over 97 events
[2:48:28] in the last nine years.
[2:48:29] I'm proud to call Niagara my home
[2:48:31] and have consulted over 3,350
different business owners
[2:48:36] and have won multiple
awards for my efforts.
[2:48:38] But nothing is as impressive as that,
[2:48:40] as to when I got called on the stage
[2:48:43] in front of "The Price Is
Right" in front of 5,000 people
[2:48:45] and I lost an all-expenses-paid
vacation to Hawaii.
[2:48:49] So needless to say, it was, you know,
[2:48:51] I got to hear the words, "Come on down,"
[2:48:52] but my girlfriend wasn't
too happy about that.
[2:48:57] But what is the goal?
[2:48:58] So the goal for this event is
to solve five major problems
[2:49:01] for the city of Niagara
Falls during the winter,
[2:49:04] during our off-season winter of tourism.
[2:49:06] So taking place on
December 5th of this year
[2:49:09] at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
[2:49:11] Our goal with this event
[2:49:12] is to drive hotel stays and tourism,
[2:49:14] generate millions of views online,
[2:49:17] donate a portion of all
the proceeds from the event
[2:49:19] to a strategic community partner.
[2:49:21] I've already been in
conversations with Project SHARE
[2:49:23] and they absolutely love the idea.
[2:49:25] To establish global recognition
[2:49:27] and to literally cement ourselves
[2:49:30] in the world record book with this.
[2:49:32] And last but certainly not least,
[2:49:33] and arguably the most important,
this event is designed
[2:49:36] to drive economic impact
during the winter season
[2:49:39] at a time where our city
desperately needs it the most.
[2:49:44] And my ask today is to
help get some funding
[2:49:48] and initiation to launch this
[2:49:50] as a globally recognized event brand.
[2:49:53] I'm here to ask for $185,000
[2:49:55] from the municipal accommodation tax
[2:49:57] to launch this event brand
for the next 5 to 10 years.
[2:50:01] This one-time initial
investment will not just be
[2:50:04] for a one-and-done opportunity
[2:50:05] for cementing ourselves
into the world record book.
[2:50:08] This will be a kickstarter
for us to have that funds
[2:50:11] to reinvest ourselves for years
two, three, four, five, six,
[2:50:15] and so on and so forth.
[2:50:16] And I'll be paying myself
a whopping total of,
[2:50:19] excuse me, $0 for this year
[2:50:21] in order to make this event happen.
[2:50:23] So as you can see here with
our friends over at ChatGPT,
[2:50:26] this is exactly what the
event would look like.
[2:50:29] Imagine yourself walking into
[2:50:31] a full immersive winter
wonderland experience
[2:50:34] and everyone's draped and covered
[2:50:35] in their most ugly sweaters.
[2:50:37] You can think of it as your best dressed
[2:50:39] or your worst dressed depending
on how you look at it.
[2:50:41] Where people will be
able to mix and mingle
[2:50:42] with celebrities, experience
world-class entertainment,
[2:50:45] and most importantly
come together for a night
[2:50:48] that will leave people wanting
to talk about this event
[2:50:51] for the years to come.
[2:50:53] So how this works, we're not
reinventing the wheel here.
[2:50:56] We're taking a proven model
[2:50:57] that has been proven to
work time and time again
[2:50:59] with our friends over in Buffalo
[2:51:01] with the world's largest disco,
[2:51:02] like Councilor Dabrowski has done
[2:51:04] with Niagara Falls Comic-Con
[2:51:05] or with what any of the
councilors have done
[2:51:07] when it comes to putting
on different events.
[2:51:09] We're taking on a very strategic niche,
[2:51:12] nostalgic marketing angle,
[2:51:13] and we're putting our
own ugly twist on it.
[2:51:17] And what is the current world record?
[2:51:19] So after my conversations
[2:51:20] with the Guinness Book of World Records,
[2:51:21] the record stands at 3,473 people.
[2:51:24] And that is the current record to beat.
[2:51:27] We need to have at least
3,500 people in attendance
[2:51:30] in the building at the same time
[2:51:33] in order for the record to
officially have been broken.
[2:51:37] And what's our event
projections and economic impact?
[2:51:40] So based on our projections
and the current marketing plan,
[2:51:44] we're expected to have
4,000 to 6,500 people
[2:51:46] attend the event with 60
to 70%, making majority,
[2:51:50] of the audience out people who
are visiting Niagara Falls,
[2:51:54] maybe for the very first time
[2:51:56] or sometimes maybe their
vacationers from Toronto,
[2:51:58] Western New York, Hamilton,
so on and so forth.
[2:52:01] And based on my TRIM report
[2:52:03] done with the Government of Ontario,
[2:52:05] if all is successful with this event,
[2:52:06] we will generate anywhere between $200,000
[2:52:08] to $1,000,000 plus of economic impact
[2:52:12] during this time on
December 25th of this year.
[2:52:16] And as you can see
[2:52:17] in the notes that are
laid out in front of you,
[2:52:18] there's the full cost breakdown
[2:52:20] of everything that maps
out all of my costs
[2:52:22] with the Niagara Falls Convention Centre,
[2:52:24] Guinness World Records,
[2:52:25] the various marketing expenditure,
[2:52:27] totaling a grand total of $169,298.82.
[2:52:33] Now there's still some expenses
that are not accounted for,
[2:52:35] so that's why I'm here to
justify the ask of $185,000.
[2:52:40] So here is based on just
a rough general admission
[2:52:43] as to what we would do
for general admission VIP
[2:52:45] and hotel room bookings.
[2:52:46] The goal is to solidify ourselves
[2:52:48] and get a majority of the people
[2:52:50] to book hotel stays with us
[2:52:52] here in the city of Niagara Falls.
[2:52:53] These are just a generalized numbers
[2:52:56] based on the event projections
[2:52:57] and the projected ticket pricing
[2:52:58] as to what we would go forward with.
[2:53:00] And the total event revenue
that will be generated from this
[2:53:03] would be approximately
$173,000 and counting,
[2:53:07] making that this event
will technically operate
[2:53:09] if someone were to invest
this out of their own money
[2:53:11] at a break even.
[2:53:13] So having that being said,
they'll be taking out,
[2:53:16] me and my events team
[2:53:17] will be taking absolutely
zero personal profit
[2:53:19] and utilizing this funding as a launchpad
[2:53:21] to reinvest into year two, year three,
[2:53:24] and so on and so forth.
[2:53:25] And that could be found outlined
in your notes too as well.
[2:53:29] Because the biggest expenses
[2:53:30] when it comes to this event this year
[2:53:32] is going to be the Guinness
Book of World Records,
[2:53:34] which is anywhere, we're
still finalizing the quote,
[2:53:36] but they said it's going to be anywhere
[2:53:37] between $30 to $40,000
Canadian for them to come out
[2:53:40] and adjudicate an event of this size.
[2:53:42] And as well as with the Convention Centre,
[2:53:44] I'll be looking at costs
about $30 to $35,000,
[2:53:47] that's making operational
[2:53:49] and just the judgment of the event
[2:53:51] about $75,000 in hard costs.
[2:53:54] That is not including
anything to do with marketing.
[2:53:57] And I think that we can all agree
[2:53:59] when it comes to having
a successful event,
[2:54:01] everything is about how you package it
[2:54:03] and how you market it these days.
[2:54:04] So that's why I'm here to justify
[2:54:06] for that ask of that set funding.
[2:54:08] And here is the list of
personalized creators
[2:54:11] that I have a personal relationship
[2:54:13] that are all based here in Toronto
[2:54:16] all the way to Western New York.
[2:54:17] And combined on this list is
5.9 million combined followers
[2:54:22] of all of these people.
[2:54:24] There's no agent, there's no middleman
[2:54:25] that anyone has to go through.
[2:54:27] I have the direct relationship
[2:54:28] with each and every single one of them.
[2:54:30] And even if we can convert
less than half of a percent
[2:54:34] of these people's followers
[2:54:35] to come in and join us at the event,
[2:54:38] we'll be that much closer
to breaking the world record
[2:54:41] along with our other marketing efforts.
[2:54:43] And there's also creators on here
[2:54:44] that have not been listed as of yet.
[2:54:47] We'll reach these projections
[2:54:48] through doing various talk shows
[2:54:50] for my relationship with
"CHCH," "The Morning Show."
[2:54:53] I also have a relationship
[2:54:54] with Global News among other outlets.
[2:54:56] And here's our strategic
target community partners,
[2:54:59] some of which I have already spoken to,
[2:55:01] like Niagara Falls Tourism,
[2:55:03] the University of Niagara Falls Canada,
[2:55:05] Money Buys Happiness,
[2:55:06] which is Canada's largest podcast outlet
[2:55:09] that exists in our
country based in Toronto.
[2:55:12] And as well as the relationship
[2:55:15] that I've been able to cultivate
with the Fallsview Group
[2:55:17] for the last 10 years.
[2:55:20] And they have been more
than gracious to say
[2:55:23] that we have their full and
entire endorsement and support
[2:55:25] when it comes to putting on an event
[2:55:27] of this magnitude and of this scale.
[2:55:29] So again, reinforcing the ask
[2:55:31] as to what would be the
biggest cost for this event.
[2:55:33] Like I had said earlier
about Guinness World Records
[2:55:36] and the cost for the Convention Centre
[2:55:38] and all of our marketing,
this is not a one-off event
[2:55:41] that we're looking to
break the world record
[2:55:43] and cement ourself.
[2:55:44] This is looking for us to expand
[2:55:45] and use as a launchpad
for years going forward.
[2:55:49] I've also collected over
20 letters of endorsement
[2:55:51] for people who have said
[2:55:52] that they have personally
endorsed me for the event.
[2:55:54] And some of them being from members
[2:55:56] of the Board of Ontario Creates
[2:55:58] as well as Canada's
largest not-for-profit,
[2:56:00] Canada's Music Incubator
and Coalition Music
[2:56:03] who represent the likes of Simple Plan,
[2:56:06] Our Lady Peace and many others.
[2:56:08] So with that being said, Niagara,
[2:56:10] do you want to make history and
put Niagara Falls on the map
[2:56:14] and become the global ugly
sweater capital of the world?
[2:56:17] The choice is yours and I'd
love to do this with you.
[2:56:19] Thank you very much for your time.
[2:56:21] - Very good, thank you very much.
[2:56:23] So good work. Wow, holy.
(attendees applause)
[2:56:25] We got clapping sessions
today and everything.
[2:56:28] So Matt Anthony, maybe we'll go to council
[2:56:30] and see if we've got some questions.
[2:56:31] I got Councilor Strange
[2:56:32] and then we'll see if we
got any other questions.
[2:56:34] And Councilor Dabrowski.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[2:56:36] Thank you, Matt, for
that lovely presentation.
[2:56:39] I see Brad Pine dressed
up early for the contest.
[2:56:42] (Diodati laughs)
- I think he did.
[2:56:43] - Perfect.
- Might I have to win?
[2:56:44] - Yeah.
- That's an insult.
[2:56:46] - No. How is that an insult?
[2:56:47] - I'm a Canadian, I apologize.
[2:56:52] - Anyway, so if you
accomplish this next year,
[2:56:55] you want to be able to just
roll it out every single year,
[2:56:58] the same-
- Same event concept.
[2:56:59] - do the same-
- Yep, same everything.
[2:57:01] So we'll cement ourselves into
the world record this year
[2:57:04] by owning the title of world's
largest ugly sweater party.
[2:57:07] And then we'll be able to
host it again year after year
[2:57:09] with the attendance to get hopefully
[2:57:11] about 15 to 20% increase year after year.
[2:57:14] So it'll be world's largest
ugly sweater party this year.
[2:57:17] World's largest ugly sweater party
[2:57:18] year two, year three, year four,
[2:57:20] and run it until I can't run it again
[2:57:21] no more.
- Perfect.
[2:57:22] And this kind of leads into my next segue
[2:57:24] because myself and Councilor Baldinelli
[2:57:26] have been trying to
find out how much money
[2:57:28] we do have in the MAT Fund.
[2:57:30] So maybe we can get a
report back sooner or later.
[2:57:33] I don't know when that's
going to come, so, you know.
[2:57:35] - [Diodati] Thank you.
[2:57:36] Thank you for that, Councilor Strange.
[2:57:37] We'll go to Councilor Dabrowski.
[2:57:39] - Yeah, through you. Great
energy, nice presentation.
[2:57:43] It's a niche event, it's a novelty event,
[2:57:46] but it's a great event.
[2:57:47] I look back at the Buffalo's
largest disco started in 1994,
[2:57:51] drew 2,000 people in its first year
[2:57:54] and it's gone on for 20, 25 plus years.
[2:57:56] It's raised millions of
dollars for charities.
[2:57:59] It draws 7,000 people each
year, sells out every year.
[2:58:02] And it's one of those
tourism destination events.
[2:58:07] It's what I see Niagara Falls
[2:58:09] as being known for the
world's largest sweater party,
[2:58:11] eventually, once we break that record.
[2:58:14] My question is, in
terms of media coverage,
[2:58:17] you've mentioned CHTV, City
News, a lot of local outlets,
[2:58:21] a lot of regional outlets.
[2:58:22] Do you see the first year, if
you were to break that record,
[2:58:25] do we see the CNNs, the "Today Shows,"
[2:58:27] the "Good Morning Americas"?
[2:58:28] Do we see North American media
markets picking up on this?
[2:58:31] Do you feel that, is that
part of the strategy?
[2:58:34] - Absolutely.
- I'm just trying
[2:58:35] to look at the big picture
[2:58:36] because it's not just about the attendees,
[2:58:39] it's not just about the hotel stays,
[2:58:41] it's about putting
Niagara Falls on the map
[2:58:43] nationally and internationally.
[2:58:44] So if you could give me
some insight on that,
[2:58:47] it'll help me come to a conclusion to see,
[2:58:49] if we have the funding,
[2:58:51] and how much we have in that
bucket if we can allocate some
[2:58:55] to make this event happen this year, so.
[2:58:56] - Yeah.
- I'll let you answer.
[2:58:57] - Well thank you very much
[2:58:58] for the question, Councilor Dabrowski,
[2:58:59] I super, super appreciate that.
[2:59:01] That is 100% the plan to do that,
[2:59:04] to get as mass media
attention as possible.
[2:59:07] And also after talking with
Guinness Book of World Records
[2:59:10] and they said that they've worked
[2:59:11] with other Niagara Falls
businesses too as well.
[2:59:13] They said that they would put
their best efforts forward
[2:59:15] to help ensure that they can put me
[2:59:16] in the right rooms and the right contacts
[2:59:18] to get as much national and
global exposure as possible.
[2:59:22] So that is definitely 100% the plan.
[2:59:24] And I think that this won't necessarily be
[2:59:26] one of the biggest event
brands that come out of Canada.
[2:59:27] I strongly believe this will be one
[2:59:28] of the biggest event brands
[2:59:29] that can come out in the entire world.
[2:59:32] - And then in terms of cost,
[2:59:34] have you done the due diligence
in revenue generation?
[2:59:37] I saw the slide about ticket sales.
[2:59:39] Are there vendors that are
being charged vendor prices
[2:59:41] to help tackle that expense?
[2:59:44] Or are you exhausting
all revenue opportunities
[2:59:46] to come to that amount of revenue?
[2:59:49] - The majority of the tickets would come
[2:59:51] from the hotel stays and
the ticket revenue for that.
[2:59:54] The vendors will play a
small portion of that,
[2:59:56] but would probably make
up less than 5 to 10%
[3:00:00] of the total event revenue generated.
[3:00:02] So revenue will come in from that,
[3:00:03] but it won't be the main
focal point from it.
[3:00:05] - Okay, and the last one, and
we're a tourist destination,
[3:00:08] we look for overnight stays.
[3:00:09] With a one-day event, do you
see people coming for two days,
[3:00:12] for two nights, or is it more of a,
[3:00:14] would they come in the morning,
[3:00:15] enjoy the event during the day
[3:00:16] and then leave the next day?
[3:00:18] Or could you see them
showing up on Friday,
[3:00:20] getting prepared for the event?
[3:00:22] It's December weather, people
have to plan accordingly.
[3:00:24] Do you see people staying for two nights?
[3:00:26] - I do. Yeah, absolutely.
- All right, thanks.
[3:00:29] - [Diodati] That's great. Thank you.
[3:00:30] Councilor Lococo?
[3:00:32] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor, through
the mayor to the speaker.
[3:00:35] Thank you so much for
your presentation, Matt.
[3:00:36] - Thank you.
- Very creative.
[3:00:39] Thank you for putting it together.
[3:00:41] I'm looking at this as a discussion
[3:00:45] that might be a little bit premature
[3:00:46] as Councilor Strange and
Councilor Dabrowski just said,
[3:00:50] it's about our MAT and I'm
sure $185,000 is there,
[3:00:55] but we haven't determined about
what we're spending it on,
[3:00:58] how we're spending it,
[3:01:00] what is the process to apply for it.
[3:01:02] I think out of transparency for everyone
[3:01:04] and to give a fairness
that anybody can apply,
[3:01:07] we really need to come up with criteria
[3:01:09] and an application process.
[3:01:12] Nothing against your event.
This is a great event.
[3:01:14] It's the process.
[3:01:15] This is the first time that
we've had somebody come
[3:01:18] and ask for money for it from the MAT.
[3:01:20] But we don't have a process
to deal with that yet.
[3:01:23] And I really think we
need to figure that out
[3:01:25] before we start slotting money
[3:01:28] into that MAT use.
[3:01:31] And so that's what I would be looking for.
[3:01:33] - [Diodati] Thank you for that, Councilor.
[3:01:34] Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor
[3:01:36] and to the speaker.
[3:01:37] And to piggyback on where Councilor Lococo
[3:01:39] was going as well, we
don't have the MAT tax,
[3:01:42] but even more so than that,
[3:01:43] we don't even have other applicants.
[3:01:46] So there could be somebody
else coming up with things.
[3:01:47] So I think in order to
make a qualified decision,
[3:01:51] we have to look at all the things.
[3:01:54] Your presentation's absolutely fabulous,
[3:01:56] your energy, I think it's great.
[3:01:58] And also to that point,
we are councilors as well.
[3:02:01] We're not hoteliers or tourist people.
[3:02:03] So I think those decisions
have to be made in conjunction
[3:02:06] with people who really can
see the different events.
[3:02:09] 'Cause it is a large ask
[3:02:11] and it would be fabulous
[3:02:12] if we could be put on the map for that.
[3:02:14] But we don't know what
else is coming our way.
[3:02:17] So I think it's a great presentation.
[3:02:19] Not saying no, but just
not saying we're ready
[3:02:22] to make that decision till
we have all the information
[3:02:24] so we can make a really
proper educated decision.
[3:02:27] So I back Councilor
Lococo's discussion as well.
[3:02:31] - So I'm sorry. Yeah, go
ahead, Councilor Dabrowski.
[3:02:34] Thank you, Councilor.
[3:02:34] - Yeah, to that end, we've had,
[3:02:36] I can't count them on my fingers
[3:02:38] how many events and festivals
we've had come to this council
[3:02:41] over the course of the last six months.
[3:02:43] We've been talking about
that MAT tax money.
[3:02:45] We have a local entrepreneur
that's coming into city council
[3:02:48] prepared, set, has a budget,
has a marketing plan.
[3:02:52] I would love to give
some sort of indication
[3:02:55] on whether or not he can come back
[3:02:56] in the next 30 days,
60 days to this council
[3:03:00] with a revised presentation
[3:03:01] once we find out those numbers.
[3:03:03] But the clock is ticking.
[3:03:04] We were at the last council
meeting talking about RibFest.
[3:03:07] They came in, they only had
two weeks to pull it together
[3:03:09] and they did and we had
full commitment with that.
[3:03:12] Great presentation. But
where do we go from here?
[3:03:15] And does Mr. Guarasci shelf
this idea for another year
[3:03:19] and let another municipality take it over
[3:03:21] and let the millions of views
[3:03:22] and the thousands of tourists
come into their municipality
[3:03:25] and stay at their hotels
[3:03:26] during an off season
when we need it the most?
[3:03:28] Or are we going to work
towards some sort of resolution
[3:03:30] where we come back with some numbers
[3:03:33] at the next council meeting
or whenever it will be?
[3:03:35] I guess we'll ask staff that,
[3:03:36] but I don't want to see this
idea go to another municipality.
[3:03:40] I think the clock is
ticking for this year.
[3:03:42] And if it's not the full
ask that we're supporting,
[3:03:44] I'd like to see some sort of hybrid.
[3:03:46] And if that means he comes back to us
[3:03:49] with a revised presentation,
[3:03:51] but, you know, if it's yes or no today,
[3:03:53] I'd love to at least give
some sort of indication
[3:03:56] on where he goes from here
[3:03:58] and where other events go from here.
[3:03:59] Because we're now looking at July 1st
[3:04:02] as our next large municipal event,
[3:04:04] October, November, December
[3:04:05] and the shoulder season will
be here before we know it.
[3:04:08] And if we're not prepared
and planning now,
[3:04:09] then we'll be behind,
[3:04:11] not yet another year,
but another two years.
[3:04:13] Because I think we've
been talking about this
[3:04:15] for over 24 months.
[3:04:16] - So maybe make a suggestion.
[3:04:18] Oh, did you want to comment?
Go ahead, Councilor.
[3:04:20] - I, sorry, Mr., I was just going to say
[3:04:21] 'cause they were planning to have this
[3:04:23] maybe at the Convention Centre.
[3:04:25] Is there a way that if
we don't have the number
[3:04:28] in the MAT tax
[3:04:28] that we can do some maybe in-kind
[3:04:30] and donate a room or a hall
where you're planning to have it
[3:04:35] and possibly take away
[3:04:36] from that a hundred and
whatever the thousand dollars,
[3:04:39] but the math has to get figured out.
[3:04:40] But I think there's some
way that we might be able
[3:04:42] to do some in-kind services
[3:04:45] like the hall for free for that day
[3:04:48] when we do that.
[3:04:49] 'Cause I think it'd be huge,
it'd be huge coverage for us.
[3:04:51] And like Councilor
Dabrowski says, you know,
[3:04:54] it's almost July already.
[3:04:56] If you're planning to do this next year
[3:04:57] in the winter months,
[3:04:59] and if there's a season
where maybe, you know,
[3:05:02] the Convention Centre doesn't
get that busy or something,
[3:05:04] maybe we can fill them
in for a couple days
[3:05:06] and plan that event at that time.
[3:05:09] - That's a great idea.
[3:05:10] And so maybe a suggestion,
[3:05:11] maybe if we refer this back to staff
[3:05:13] to come back with something of a report
[3:05:16] and as Councilors Nieuwesteeg
and Lococo suggested,
[3:05:20] maybe with some kind of a vetting process,
[3:05:23] we could also have discussions
with the Convention Centre
[3:05:25] and maybe we can get some in-kind.
[3:05:27] And this could possibly be a part
[3:05:30] of the Winter Festival of Lights,
[3:05:31] could be part of the kickoff in November
[3:05:33] and turn it into an overnight
[3:05:34] and be part of the celebration
that has become huge.
[3:05:37] It brings millions of
people to Niagara Falls.
[3:05:39] Partner with the Parks Commission.
[3:05:41] You know, so my head's
spinning with ideas too,
[3:05:43] and I just think maybe, I
think it's a great idea too,
[3:05:45] and I'm with you, I don't
want to see it go away,
[3:05:47] but at the same time we can't frivolously,
[3:05:49] you know, make commitments.
[3:05:51] So maybe if we just pause
for a little bit of time,
[3:05:53] have staff come back
[3:05:55] and if I saw your hand
up, Councilor Baldinelli,
[3:05:57] did you want to speak to it
[3:05:58] or make a motion or what did you want?
[3:06:00] - Well, thank you very
much for the presentation
[3:06:02] and I agree with the other
councilors on the MAT tax,
[3:06:06] but we were supposed to actually,
[3:06:08] during the proposal for MAT tax by-law,
[3:06:13] I think Councilor
Nieuwesteeg had amended it
[3:06:16] for us to create a committee.
[3:06:18] And I'm not understanding
why it hasn't been done yet.
[3:06:21] So I think we should fall back
and look back at that meeting
[3:06:23] and make sure we fulfill the by-law
[3:06:26] and have, I mean it was part of it
[3:06:28] and we were supposed to form a committee
[3:06:29] so that we know exactly what's going on.
[3:06:31] We have three buckets
and I need to, you know,
[3:06:34] which bucket are you start taking from.
[3:06:36] Our bucket is supposed to be
[3:06:37] to take care of beautification and stuff
[3:06:39] and help events like this drive tourism
[3:06:43] and also benefit the
people of Niagara Falls.
[3:06:46] So I'm agreeing with everybody else.
[3:06:48] I think we need to report
as soon as possible.
[3:06:50] I mean we had last year
we didn't get a report
[3:06:51] for the end of the year,
[3:06:52] which we were supposed to get yearly
[3:06:54] and we didn't get that report.
[3:06:55] And we need this report
[3:06:56] and I think we should do it
more quarterly than year end.
[3:06:59] And so we know exactly what's
going on and with tourism
[3:07:03] and how we can drive tourism
[3:07:05] and make it prosperous for everybody.
[3:07:06] Thank you.
- Yep.
[3:07:07] And in fairness, I mean we
just started April 1st, right?
[3:07:09] We just started collecting it for this.
[3:07:12] - Well we, last year
we had the STAR system.
[3:07:14] - Yeah.
- Yeah.
[3:07:16] - So we still have that year
end from last year to year end.
[3:07:20] And then we had, before
that we had nothing, so.
[3:07:22] - Well, we had the lawsuit,
[3:07:23] like we had a lot of things
[3:07:24] we were dealing with-
- Oh, I understand that.
[3:07:25] - and I just want to say staff's
plate's been full on this.
[3:07:27] But I'm going to ask our
CAO to maybe comment on it,
[3:07:30] give us an update and we'll
try to direct the discussion
[3:07:32] toward moving it forward.
[3:07:34] - So just so council has,
[3:07:35] this council has approved
$846,000 in that tax spending.
[3:07:40] So to remind council, by-law
support, illumination board,
[3:07:44] beautification, tourism
area service-level increase
[3:07:47] and the airport revenue
guarantee for that.
[3:07:52] So that added up to $846,000.
[3:07:54] This council also made a priority
[3:07:56] for the New Year's Eve show,
[3:07:58] which is still an existing question mark.
[3:08:00] And this council also authorized
[3:08:03] for Mr. Adames to come back with a report
[3:08:06] at the end of the year for the governance,
[3:08:08] which would answer some
of those questions.
[3:08:10] So the amount of revenue is unknown,
[3:08:14] but going into the $846,000
without doing anything else,
[3:08:20] we had approximately $640,000 to spend.
[3:08:24] So we need to take a look at that.
[3:08:26] And we also have the commitment
to the Misty City Music one.
[3:08:31] So we are trying to be careful with that.
[3:08:35] But that's in full disclosure.
[3:08:37] So I don't mind bringing a report back.
[3:08:38] I do agree with a method to be brought to,
[3:08:43] you know, to handle applications
[3:08:45] and the Economic Development Team
[3:08:48] is going to bring a process through,
[3:08:51] but we are trying to align
it with Mr. Adames' approach
[3:08:57] to the governance model also.
[3:08:59] - So maybe if we can get a motion,
[3:09:00] we'll refer this back to staff.
[3:09:02] Councilor Lococo. Seconded
by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[3:09:05] And we'll ask staff to come
back with a further report.
[3:09:07] We'll do a little more digging in
[3:09:09] and more due diligence, Matt Anthony.
[3:09:11] And then we will be able to, I think,
[3:09:12] be in a better position
to make a decision.
[3:09:14] I think it's a great idea.
[3:09:15] Let's just see what we can come up with
[3:09:17] with a little bit of research.
[3:09:18] So we've got motioned, seconded,
[3:09:21] and if there's no further
discussion, we'll call the vote.
[3:09:23] All those in favor?
[3:09:24] Okay. That's unanimously referred.
[3:09:26] So to be continued.
[3:09:27] - Awesome. Great.
- All right. Thank you.
[3:09:29] - Thank you all very much for your time.
[3:09:30] Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
[3:09:34] - All right, moving along, 7.3.
[3:09:36] We have the Diversity, Equity,
[3:09:38] and Inclusion Advisory Committee
[3:09:40] and Marilyn Tian
[3:09:42] is going to address council.
[3:09:46] Welcome.
[3:09:47] - Thank you.
[3:09:51] Okay.
[3:09:52] Good afternoon, mayor and
councilor and also guests.
[3:09:55] Thank you for joining
us to celebrate the DEI.
[3:09:59] Actually just a quick
acknowledgment of June,
[3:10:01] because June is the Pride Month
[3:10:03] and highlighting the LGBTQ+ advocacy,
[3:10:07] and also national Indigenous
History Month in Canada.
[3:10:12] So this, just.
[3:10:13] And also I want to
recap, earlier this year
[3:10:17] I made a presentation
regarding the DEI Summit.
[3:10:21] Thank you, Mayor,
[3:10:22] and also all the councilor
members' support,
[3:10:23] and especially we have
Councilor Lori Lococo
[3:10:27] and also Mona Patel
[3:10:29] to being in person supporting the event.
[3:10:32] We had a great turnout, over
150 attendees for the event.
[3:10:36] So that's the most successful
in the past three years.
[3:10:42] So we talking about quick, the DEI.
[3:10:47] I don't need to read every
line, just quickly we have,
[3:10:50] you know, two years ago
we, the city, the committee
[3:10:54] and create this three awards to encourage
[3:10:57] and also, you know, to help, you know,
[3:11:01] the shout out for the community
[3:11:02] to support and be participant initiatives.
[3:11:06] So we do have a Workplace DEI Award.
[3:11:10] So for the definition, is
recognized local business
[3:11:13] committed to inclusive and
equitable work environments.
[3:11:17] And the criteria actually
includes the leadership commitment
[3:11:20] and effective communications.
[3:11:22] So this year we have the
recipient, Enabled Talent,
[3:11:26] and then later on we will
call them on the stage.
[3:11:29] And the second one is
the Community DEI Award.
[3:11:32] So honors organizations or individuals
[3:11:37] with the significant contributions
to the local community.
[3:11:41] And the criteria of this award
[3:11:43] is a focus on community engagement
[3:11:45] and also collaborative impact.
[3:11:47] So we have this year's recipient
is a Niagarka Organization
[3:11:52] and then we'll call it on the stage.
[3:11:54] We have also a Youth Empowerment DEI Award
[3:11:57] presented to the empowered youth
[3:12:01] and the residents under the
age of 21 years old or younger.
[3:12:06] Criteria is emphasized
advocacy and education.
[3:12:09] So this year we do have a recipient
[3:12:12] from St. Paul Catholic High School
[3:12:14] and her name is Ainara,
and Ainara we'll call.
[3:12:17] So for this in the end,
[3:12:24] as we proceed with the
later on the presentation,
[3:12:28] and then also let's
really honor the hard work
[3:12:32] and the dedications of our recipients
[3:12:34] whose efforts inspire
us to advocate for DEI
[3:12:38] in all aspects of our lives.
[3:12:40] And also I want to encourage everyone
[3:12:43] to consider the nominations
for 2027 DEI Summit
[3:12:48] and also the awards.
[3:12:49] So thank you very much.
[3:12:50] So for the next I'll call, so
our co-chair, Sheila DeLuca,
[3:12:56] and also the award three
awards recipients to the stage.
[3:12:58] And also I'll really welcome you
[3:13:01] to join now for the award presentation.
[3:13:21] - Okay. Run around, yeah.
- We'll have to.
[3:13:22] - You can jump in if you want.
[3:13:25] (Diodati chatters indistinctly)
[3:13:29] - Mona Patel, please come.
[3:13:32] I always maybe for one by one,
[3:13:36] one by one first and later on
we have a group photo, okay?
[3:13:39] So the first one.
[3:13:41] It doesn't matter,
whoever, you know, just.
[3:13:44] Which one?
[3:13:45] Oh, okay. Youth award.
[3:13:47] So for Ainara.
- Ainara right?
[3:13:50] - So please come in.
[3:13:52] - Oh, congratulations.
- Thank you.
[3:13:54] - Sorry, I need to take it.
- Thank you.
[3:13:55] - Thank you.
- Okay.
[3:13:58] - Thank you.
- Okay.
[3:13:59] - So you can present.
- So that's for...
[3:14:01] - Thank you.
- Okay.
[3:14:02] So we'll smile for the...
[3:14:13] - Thank you. Do you want to say...?
[3:14:17] - I would like to say first of all,
[3:14:19] my name is Ainara Vincente-Madrano.
[3:14:21] I'm an exchange student from Spain.
[3:14:23] I've been here for two years already.
[3:14:26] And Niagara Falls, well, Canada in general
[3:14:29] has become my country, my family
[3:14:32] and like something that
I will always remember
[3:14:35] and will always be deep in my heart.
[3:14:38] And these two years was amazing
[3:14:40] and getting this opportunity
of receiving this award
[3:14:43] makes me so proud of all
the job that I did here
[3:14:46] and it makes me really happy
[3:14:48] of becoming part of this family.
[3:14:50] Thank you.
- Thank you.
[3:14:52] (attendees applaud)
[3:14:53] - You can just stay aside, wait for a bit
[3:14:55] so we have...
[3:14:56] - Oh, do you call them back?
- Huh?
[3:14:58] - Yes. I just want to say
a few words about Ainara.
[3:15:02] I am her teacher. Yes, yeah.
[3:15:04] I am Ainara's teacher.
[3:15:05] And me and a coworker
nominated you for this award.
[3:15:10] - You have to hold it.
- Yep. So absolutely.
[3:15:12] Oh sorry.
(attendees chatter)
[3:15:16] - You're ready?
[3:15:20] - Awesome. Okay, sorry, keep going.
[3:15:22] - Oh, and I just wanted to say,
[3:15:24] yes, that you have been
such an instrumental part
[3:15:27] of St. Paul past couple years.
[3:15:30] You live in my neighborhood
[3:15:31] and I know the heart that
you have for your friends,
[3:15:35] making our school inclusive.
[3:15:38] We're going to miss you at St. Paul.
[3:15:40] You really empower your classmates
[3:15:43] and also you're so friendly and respectful
[3:15:45] to the teachers and the staff.
[3:15:48] You do amazing community work
[3:15:49] for the Jaylon Craig Organization
[3:15:51] and we're super proud of you.
[3:15:53] Miss Armenti would love
[3:15:54] to have been here
tonight to recognize you.
[3:15:56] I know you're going here with your parents
[3:15:59] who came from Spain a few days ago.
[3:16:02] Yesterday they came from
Spain, they arrived yesterday.
[3:16:05] And I know you're leaving to go home.
[3:16:07] We're going to miss you tremendously.
[3:16:09] So thank you.
- Thank you.
[3:16:10] (attendees applaud)
[3:16:12] - Love you so much.
- Thank you, thank you.
[3:16:16] Thank you.
- Congratulations.
[3:16:17] - Thank you.
- Here's the box.
[3:16:18] - And maybe just wait then,
[3:16:20] we're going to do group
photo after we're done.
[3:16:22] We have a-
- We're going to do group photo
[3:16:23] after we're done, so.
[3:16:24] - Yes.
- So.
[3:16:26] I'll hold that.
(all chatter indistinctly)
[3:16:30] - Oh, you've read it. Okay.
[3:16:37] - Let's do pictures of...
[3:16:52] - Do you want to say...?
[3:16:54] - Sure.
[3:16:56] Thank you, Mayor, Marilyn,
and the committee members.
[3:16:59] This is a prestigious award
[3:17:01] and this acknowledgement really pushes us
[3:17:04] towards our best efforts towards making
[3:17:06] all the workplace accessible
and inclusive, right?
[3:17:10] Starting from Niagara and
taking it to the whole Canada
[3:17:13] and making Canada
[3:17:16] a barrier-free workplace
[3:17:20] as soon as possible.
[3:17:21] Thank you.
- Okay, thank you.
[3:17:22] (attendees applaud)
[3:17:24] - I want add one more kind
of context introduced.
[3:17:27] So one of the founders, Amindipp.
[3:17:29] And he himself also is a disability,
[3:17:32] you know, the founders of.
[3:17:33] And he has done tremendous, you know,
[3:17:35] the work for community, not
just let's say for himself,
[3:17:39] but also created opportunity
[3:17:40] for a lot of, let's say,
disabled in the workplace.
[3:17:43] So thank you for that.
[3:17:45] - Thank you.
- Just wait.
[3:17:46] - Now, don't go too far.
[3:17:47] We're going to do one shot of all of us.
[3:17:48] - Okay. We have-
- Let me hold this.
[3:17:50] Okay.
- Oh, thank you.
[3:17:55] - So Community DEI Award,
[3:17:58] present to Niagarka Organization.
[3:18:00] Iryna, please come in.
[3:18:02] (attendees applaud)
[3:18:06] - Come on in for the picture.
[3:18:22] - Would you say?
- Okay.
[3:18:24] - I would like thank you
for this recognition.
[3:18:27] Thank you, Jim Diodati.
[3:18:28] Thank you. Ah, I forget.
[3:18:30] - Marilyn.
- Marilyn.
[3:18:31] And thank you community for
believe us and trust us.
[3:18:36] Of course, it's very important for us,
[3:18:37] it's not just my effort,
it's effort my team,
[3:18:40] my husband, Father Victor
from St. Mary's Church
[3:18:44] because everyone is like supported me
[3:18:46] and help because for
myself I can do nothing.
[3:18:49] It's all work together.
[3:18:51] Also, just like when I stay here,
[3:18:53] I would like to invite everyone
[3:18:55] to our family festival, sorry for this,
[3:18:58] but no, it's our big community event.
[3:19:01] And for now Niagarka Organization,
[3:19:04] it's our motto is simple,
is bring people together.
[3:19:08] And when we create some event,
[3:19:09] we can bring this like
people stay together,
[3:19:11] show this our community, our tradition,
[3:19:15] and also this like teach
and learn about other.
[3:19:20] Thank you again. Thank you for this award.
[3:19:22] I'm truly honored and grateful.
[3:19:24] (attendees applaud)
[3:19:26] - Thank you. I think yeah,
the group photo, yes.
[3:19:27] - So we'll come up here,
we'll do a group shot.
[3:19:29] We'll get everybody up here.
[3:19:31] Come on in.
- Three award.
[3:19:33] (microphone clatters)
(all chattering)
[3:19:55] Father Victor's got a good one.
[3:19:56] - [Father Victor] I tried but... (laughs)
[3:19:59] Thank you.
[3:20:01] - So ladies and gentlemen,
[3:20:02] we just wanted to thank our DEI Committee.
[3:20:05] They're working so hard to
make everybody feel included
[3:20:08] in the Niagara Falls community.
[3:20:09] They work a lot, they're volunteers.
[3:20:12] They put a lot of effort into this.
[3:20:14] And how about a big hand
for all our DEI recipients
[3:20:16] (attendees applaud)
[3:20:19] (all chatter)
[3:20:25] Congratulations. And
to you mom and dad too.
[3:20:29] Hola! (laughs)
[3:20:46] All right, moving along the agenda is 7.4.
[3:20:50] The Seniors Advisory Committee.
[3:20:53] I'd like to invite up Joe Szabo and Eileen
[3:20:59] to present before council.
[3:21:00] So welcome.
[3:21:02] (attendees clap)
[3:21:05] (chuckles) Everybody's clapping.
[3:21:08] - Hi. So an older gentleman
walks into a bar. (laughs)
[3:21:16] He sees a very elegant
older lady sitting there,
[3:21:21] sits beside her and says to her,
[3:21:26] "Do I come here often?"
[3:21:28] (Diodati laughs)
[3:21:30] The Seniors Advisory
Committee is really thankful
[3:21:33] to our representatives,
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
[3:21:38] and Chris Dabrowski,
[3:21:39] and also the staff that
support us in our endeavors.
[3:21:43] So thank you very much for doing that.
[3:21:46] The last time I was here
was in October of 2024
[3:21:51] and I recommended that
we join the, okay...
[3:21:59] - [Clerk] Use the, the
arrow key on the keyboard.
[3:22:02] - The arrow key on the keyboard?
[3:22:04] Can you do it?
- Okay.
[3:22:08] - Oh, the keyboard is... (laughs)
[3:22:10] - I specifically asked-
- Somebody asked
[3:22:11] if I could use the mouse
[3:22:14] and I was told I could use the mouse.
[3:22:16] Okay, so the arrow on the keyboard. Okay.
[3:22:20] And that didn't work either.
[3:22:23] You're talking about the arrows.
[3:22:25] - Hang on.
- Thank you.
[3:22:28] - Okay. All right.
[3:22:33] And I still can't make it move.
[3:22:38] - Mike?
- All right.
[3:22:40] Can I just tell you to move
to the next slide? Okay.
[3:22:45] So, so much for that.
[3:22:46] I can get rid of this keyboard again.
[3:22:51] All right, so last time I was here,
[3:22:54] we suggested that the committee join
[3:22:56] the World Health Organization
[3:22:58] Network for Age-Friendly Cities.
[3:23:02] And we did that, and I'm pleased to say
[3:23:04] that in January we got
awarded the membership.
[3:23:08] So that confirms the city's,
[3:23:12] it demonstrates that
we support older adults
[3:23:15] and advance age-friendly initiatives.
[3:23:18] Okay, next slide. Okay.
[3:23:21] One of the things we're
working on in that regard
[3:23:24] is a business checklist for
age-friendly businesses.
[3:23:28] So that's something that
we're really working hard on
[3:23:31] to try and meet the needs of,
[3:23:33] have the businesses meet
the needs of older adults
[3:23:37] and help them come up with ways
[3:23:40] of improving accessibility, inclusivity,
[3:23:43] and customer service
for age-friendly people.
[3:23:47] Okay, next slide.
[3:23:52] And the thing that we did
in November '25 was host,
[3:23:57] the City of Niagara Falls
[3:23:59] actually hosted the Niagara
Older Adults Alliance meeting.
[3:24:03] And that's a meeting
where similar committees
[3:24:06] to our Seniors Advisory Committee
[3:24:09] also comes to Niagara Falls
and meets all together.
[3:24:13] And that's a really good thing
[3:24:16] because we can share best practices,
[3:24:19] discuss common challenges,
[3:24:21] and collaborate with
other similar committees
[3:24:25] to support older adults.
[3:24:28] So next slide.
[3:24:30] And our committee has also been
[3:24:34] a sounding board for this group
[3:24:36] and also staff to talk about things
[3:24:39] like accessibility
parking at MacBain Centre,
[3:24:43] deferring property taxes
for low-income seniors,
[3:24:47] snow clearing by-law,
[3:24:49] seniors might have trouble clearing snow,
[3:24:52] so that's an issue.
[3:24:54] And sidewalk and trail
safety. Next slide please.
[3:25:01] The Seniors Advisory
Committee legacy project
[3:25:05] seems to be the Seniors
News and Views TV show.
[3:25:09] And that was something
[3:25:11] that Chris Dabrowski
suggested in November of 2020.
[3:25:16] And we aired our first
show in June of 2021.
[3:25:20] And we've been airing shows since then.
[3:25:26] It is limited to the cable TV audience,
[3:25:30] so that is one problem,
[3:25:32] that we can't really show
it generally to everybody,
[3:25:35] but it is aired throughout
Niagara Peninsula.
[3:25:40] So we've also been trying
[3:25:41] to include other Seniors
Advisory Committees.
[3:25:46] So we found that worked really well.
[3:25:50] Our show will continue taping
one day a month in September.
[3:25:55] We'll continue doing that.
[3:25:57] And we air on Sundays
[3:25:59] at 11:00 AM and 7:30 at night.
[3:26:03] So, okay.
[3:26:05] You've already given me the next slide.
[3:26:07] So I'm going to invite
Eileen Tino-Hind up here,
[3:26:10] also a committee member,
[3:26:12] to talk about our June Seniors Month.
[3:26:14] Thank you.
[3:26:17] - Thank you very much, Joe,
members of city council.
[3:26:21] My name is Eileen Tino-Hind,
and yes, I am a member
[3:26:26] of the Seniors Advisory
Committee of Niagara Falls
[3:26:29] and a member of the subcommittee
[3:26:33] which is organizing our Seniors Month,
[3:26:36] which is already, we're
at the last week of June.
[3:26:39] And we've been so busy
[3:26:41] with a lot of activities
this year for seniors.
[3:26:46] Just earlier today, we concluded
[3:26:50] our Seniors Active Living Expo
[3:26:54] at MacBain Community Center,
[3:26:56] which focused on wellness, connection,
[3:27:00] and living life to the fullest.
[3:27:03] Last week we had Lightning
Talks with excellent speakers
[3:27:07] that spoke about healthy eating,
[3:27:10] healthcare at home, fire
safety, fraud prevention,
[3:27:16] an interesting topic on the emotional
[3:27:19] and historical significance
[3:27:20] of cemeteries here in Niagara Falls.
[3:27:23] We covered wills, power of attorney,
[3:27:26] celebration of life,
understanding grief and loss,
[3:27:31] AI and how it helps seniors,
[3:27:34] and an update on our South
Niagara Hospital project.
[3:27:39] And of course we also
have different fitness
[3:27:42] and wellness classes for free.
[3:27:45] We had our first ballroom
and belly dancing lessons.
[3:27:50] And tomorrow, our last day
is for our free Tai Chi
[3:27:55] and line dancing at St-Antoine.
[3:28:00] And of course this weekend
[3:28:01] we have our free Zumba at the
Park on Saturday and Sunday.
[3:28:07] This has become so popular with seniors
[3:28:09] and I'd like to introduce our instructor,
[3:28:15] Monsa, and myself.
[3:28:16] We have two more, Chris
and Liza, who are not here.
[3:28:21] And also part of our
senior Zumba group here.
[3:28:27] As I said, it's been so popular
[3:28:28] that we had as much as 40
people joining our senior Zumba.
[3:28:33] And we have our average age of 70.
[3:28:37] - Wow.
- In our senior Zumba group.
[3:28:39] So.
- Good for you.
[3:28:40] - But younger can attend.
[3:28:44] (all chuckle)
[3:28:46] - [Diodati] We see you at
every event too. So you're...
[3:28:49] - Oh yeah, we have been invited
[3:28:51] to so many different events now-
[3:28:52] - Which is great.
- and it's mostly seniors,
[3:28:56] so it's really great.
[3:28:58] And because of that,
[3:28:59] we are continuing and making
every month Seniors Month
[3:29:04] by holding every Sunday Zumba at your-
[3:29:07] - [Diodati] Your Zumba team seems
[3:29:08] to be getting bigger and bigger as well.
[3:29:10] - Yes, yes we are. Yeah.
[3:29:12] And this month we had a lot of seniors
[3:29:16] actually that joined us, so
it's going to be bigger again.
[3:29:20] 'Cause a lot of them have
been coming every weekend.
[3:29:24] And of course we also
have tomorrow, Wednesday,
[3:29:28] it's the last day for
our Niagara Parks free,
[3:29:32] no, not free, 50% off attractions.
[3:29:36] And on Thursday, our free
senior skating at Gale Centre.
[3:29:41] It has been a very exciting month
[3:29:43] with different activities
for seniors this year.
[3:29:46] And on behalf of the
Seniors Advisory Committee,
[3:29:49] we would like to thank
everyone who supported us
[3:29:52] with our Seniors Month program.
[3:29:54] Thank you.
- Oh, thank you.
[3:29:55] Thank you, Eileen. And Joe.
[3:29:59] It's been a big year and this month's been
[3:30:01] a great month for you guys.
[3:30:03] Do I have any questions?
Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[3:30:07] - Thank you. Councilor Strange.
[3:30:09] I just want to say thank you
for this great presentation.
[3:30:13] And at our last meeting, we
talked about the word senior
[3:30:15] because the image that
people have of senior
[3:30:19] is not this image.
[3:30:20] So we actually started to say
[3:30:21] maybe we should be
rephrasing that word senior
[3:30:24] and being more age-friendly
or active, something.
[3:30:27] We were looking at different words
[3:30:29] because they certainly are not,
[3:30:31] they defy the epitome of that word senior.
[3:30:33] But I do want to acknowledge
all the hard work
[3:30:36] that this committee has
done throughout the year.
[3:30:40] As a council rep,
[3:30:41] I see firsthand the thoughtful discussions
[3:30:43] that they have around the table,
[3:30:45] their valuable recommendations
[3:30:47] as well as the genuine care
you have for the seniors.
[3:30:50] I can tell when we talked
about the sidewalk clearing,
[3:30:53] it was a complete interest,
[3:30:56] that how do we represent the
s-, well, age-friendly people
[3:30:59] and how do we really accommodate them
[3:31:01] and bring them more into
having a more active living.
[3:31:04] So I just want to say thank
you for all the hard work.
[3:31:07] You live and breathe this committee
[3:31:09] and to all our younger Zumba people.
[3:31:12] Thank you so much. So that was...
[3:31:14] (attendee chatters)
[3:31:16] (attendees laugh)
[3:31:17] - Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Lococo.
[3:31:20] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[3:31:21] Thank you so much for the presentation.
[3:31:23] A lot of great initiatives
[3:31:25] and they open up the lives of people
[3:31:28] because they now have community
[3:31:29] and that contact with people.
[3:31:31] So thank you very much.
[3:31:32] One of the things that you had listed
[3:31:34] was a business checklist
to improve accessibility.
[3:31:37] I think it's a great
opportunity to maybe coordinate
[3:31:40] with the mayor's Accessibility
Advisory Committee
[3:31:42] because they're already working
[3:31:44] on some of the business ideas
[3:31:47] about how to make them more accessible
[3:31:49] and they're also
forwarding that information
[3:31:53] to the economic development
[3:31:54] and to the permitting areas as well.
[3:31:57] So I think it's a great opportunity
[3:31:59] to have some collaboration.
[3:32:00] Thank you so much for all
the work that you do. Thanks.
[3:32:03] - Thank you.
[3:32:04] I think we actually,
[3:32:06] lately the company Lococo's
has already gotten an award,
[3:32:09] so that's kind of preempting us.
[3:32:11] But that's the idea that we'd like to do
[3:32:14] is have companies that are
working towards helping seniors.
[3:32:19] I mean, some are in worse shape than us.
[3:32:21] They don't do the Zumba.
[3:32:23] So there are people
[3:32:24] that do need help getting into a business.
[3:32:27] And there's just many little
things businesses could do
[3:32:30] to help seniors and people
with accessibility problems.
[3:32:35] - Exactly.
[3:32:35] And when we think about seniors
having accessibility issues,
[3:32:39] there's a lot of people
[3:32:40] who are not seniors that
have accessibility issues
[3:32:43] and some challenges
[3:32:44] and a lot of times we don't see them
[3:32:46] if we're not in their shoes.
[3:32:48] So it's nice to have that discussion
[3:32:50] and see what everybody
brings to the table.
[3:32:53] We have many different people
at the Accessibility Committee
[3:32:55] that have different
abilities and disabilities
[3:33:00] and they add to the conversation
[3:33:02] and then you think, "Oh gee,
I never thought of that."
[3:33:04] So now you have that perspective as well.
[3:33:06] And the whole idea is
to have other businesses
[3:33:09] that they can, there's some
small changes that you can make
[3:33:13] that don't cost anything.
[3:33:14] It's just thinking about
it and then doing it.
[3:33:17] - Yep. You're right.
- Thank you.
[3:33:18] - Better to wear out than to rust out.
[3:33:20] That's what I always say. Councilor Patel.
[3:33:25] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[3:33:26] I want to thank you for the presentation
[3:33:28] and thank the Seniors Committee
[3:33:29] for advocating for the older
adults in our community.
[3:33:33] Actually living with the,
[3:33:36] when you are living with a disability,
[3:33:36] even with the older age,
[3:33:39] having comfortable ways to get around
[3:33:42] is more important than we know.
[3:33:44] And having advocates like our seniors
[3:33:48] come up with the different ideas is great.
[3:33:50] And when we talk about active living,
[3:33:52] like nobody's a better
example than Eileen here.
[3:33:55] She might be the Zumba queen
of the Niagara Falls, right?
[3:33:58] But you know, it's great that
you're a great ambassador
[3:34:00] for the Seniors Committee
[3:34:02] because what Councilor Nieuwesteeg says,
[3:34:04] seniors doesn't really mean,
when we talk about seniors,
[3:34:06] we think about people who can't,
[3:34:08] you know, we're talking to
people in their nineties,
[3:34:10] like, you know, and I know
people who are 90-year-old,
[3:34:13] my grandma, she's 95 and she's
very independent herself.
[3:34:17] So it's like everybody's different.
[3:34:18] But I think getting the
idea in people's head
[3:34:21] that age is just the number
[3:34:22] and you can do whatever you want.
[3:34:23] And having all those amenities
[3:34:25] and all those programs
for people in the city
[3:34:27] goes a long way.
[3:34:28] And I want to add that I
sit on the DEI Committee
[3:34:30] and I think we need to collaborate
[3:34:32] with the Accessibility
and Seniors Committee
[3:34:35] because DEI means different age groups,
[3:34:37] you know, different disabilities.
[3:34:38] Everybody comes from different experience.
[3:34:41] So I think we all need
to collaborate together
[3:34:43] to see how we can all support each other.
[3:34:46] So thank you very much
for coming here again.
[3:34:48] - Thank you.
- Thank you.
[3:34:49] - Actually, I'd like to just say
[3:34:51] Eileen's work is so important.
[3:34:54] There's just been a recent medical study
[3:34:56] that has shown that exercise
[3:34:58] can actually cause cancer
patients to live longer
[3:35:03] before they regress to
needing treatment again.
[3:35:07] And it's also been scientifically showed
[3:35:10] to prevent the onset of cancer.
[3:35:13] People are less likely to get
cancer if they've exercised.
[3:35:17] So she's very important to
Niagara Falls. Thank you.
[3:35:20] - Yeah. Yes, of course.
[3:35:23] I would agree 100%, Joe and Eileen,
[3:35:25] that sedentary lifestyle isn't helpful.
[3:35:28] And for your health, one of
the best things you could do
[3:35:30] is stay in motion, stay
busy, do something.
[3:35:33] So on behalf of the city, we're grateful.
[3:35:34] Thank you for all that you do.
[3:35:35] I need a motion to
receive the presentation.
[3:35:37] Moved by Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
[3:35:39] seconded by Councilor Strange, sorry.
[3:35:43] All those in favor?
Okay, that's unanimous.
[3:35:46] Thank you very much to
our Seniors Committee,
[3:35:48] thank you for all that you're doing.
[3:35:49] Stay active. Stay active.
(attendees applaud)
[3:35:53] What's that? Yeah, yeah, that's right.
[3:35:55] And if you think you're really good,
[3:35:57] stick around for this meeting.
[3:35:58] Let's see if you can handle this.
[3:36:01] Okay, 7.5, Age-Friendly Niagara Council.
[3:36:05] So we're going to invite up
Ginger Grant, executive committee,
[3:36:10] to present to council.
[3:36:11] Welcome.
- Thank you.
[3:36:13] Thank you council
members, members of staff,
[3:36:16] and the general public.
[3:36:18] This is Ursula Hudson, who's running away,
[3:36:21] our chair of the executive committee.
[3:36:24] We brought you some pamphlets
that you can take a look at.
[3:36:27] The council represents the
12 different municipalities.
[3:36:32] So we have on the council
[3:36:34] hopefully representatives
from each of, we've got eight,
[3:36:37] we're recruiting another
couple of board members
[3:36:39] so that we can be a consortium
[3:36:42] or a way of doing pilots.
[3:36:47] So at the moment we're
working on a couple of pilots
[3:36:50] that we can then push down
[3:36:52] into NOA, the advisory
committees, that kind of thing.
[3:36:55] So it's more of a think tank,
[3:36:59] a consortium of innovation
ideas or pushing innovation.
[3:37:04] We had not thought of an
ugly sweater activity.
[3:37:07] (Diodati laughs)
Okay. Right?
[3:37:09] So it's ideas like that that
actually drives something
[3:37:13] that's called the longevity economy.
[3:37:15] If you haven't taken a look
at it, I think you should.
[3:37:18] It's the fastest-growing
market on the planet.
[3:37:22] So it is pushing a very
strong demographic shift
[3:37:27] that's occurring globally,
not just in Canada.
[3:37:30] So buttons.
[3:37:35] Ah, okay.
[3:37:36] So we are a council of the
12 different municipalities.
[3:37:42] Part of our programs
right at the moment is,
[3:37:45] an example would be
developing volunteer packages
[3:37:48] that we can create and then give
[3:37:50] to various different
nonprofit organizations.
[3:37:53] We're a federally incorporated nonprofit.
[3:37:56] What we do is produce pilots
[3:37:59] and then test them on ourselves
[3:38:02] because we're part of
that age demographic.
[3:38:05] So I am a very young 73
[3:38:09] and have no intentions of
slowing down anytime soon.
[3:38:13] So I'm also chair of
our Research Committee
[3:38:14] because anything to do
with the longevity economy,
[3:38:17] you need evidence-based data.
[3:38:19] So without the data, you
can't really move forward
[3:38:23] or you make any decisions
[3:38:24] based upon the information
that's being presented to you.
[3:38:28] So this economy that is rapidly growing,
[3:38:32] you've got about 40% approximately
of 55 plus in Niagara
[3:38:38] that are of that age bracket.
[3:38:40] So for those of you, when you're talking
[3:38:42] about health ramifications of this market,
[3:38:45] those of you who are in the 50 range,
[3:38:48] I want you to start thinking
in terms of living to 110.
[3:38:52] - Ooh!
- 110.
[3:38:53] - And what that does
to our various systems.
[3:38:57] So in my age bracket it's
probably one in three, one in two.
[3:39:01] As healthcare improves,
[3:39:03] you're looking at a much longer
working life, active life.
[3:39:08] And what that does
[3:39:09] as far as Canada experiencing
a talent shortage.
[3:39:13] So you've got an economic asset
that's very much untapped.
[3:39:18] Do I want to work 40 hours a week? No.
[3:39:22] But maybe one day a week
or maybe one day a month.
[3:39:25] So you've got an untapped variety
[3:39:28] of people that you can draw upon.
[3:39:30] It's also a very large group of experience
[3:39:35] that you don't want to lose.
[3:39:37] So we call that an experience dividend.
[3:39:39] When you've worked,
[3:39:40] like can you train a new council member
[3:39:43] in a weekend seminar?
[3:39:45] Two days, bang, you're now
ready to be a council member.
[3:39:49] I would say no, right?
[3:39:51] So you need a length of
experience that we also work with.
[3:39:55] It's called intergenerational
equity. So you're pairing up.
[3:40:00] So think in terms of a
very ancient approach
[3:40:03] to this type of demographic shift
[3:40:06] that was very popular in Europe
[3:40:07] and still is, mentoring.
[3:40:09] So you take a craftsperson
[3:40:12] and you mentor someone coming into
[3:40:14] a variety of different activities.
[3:40:16] We also are willing to coach businesses.
[3:40:20] So think also in terms from an economic,
[3:40:23] socioeconomic growth potential,
[3:40:25] how do you want to
change your business plan
[3:40:28] to tap into a longevity market
if you haven't thought of it?
[3:40:32] What does that do to the
variety of businesses?
[3:40:35] So when you think in
terms of age friendly,
[3:40:38] it's age span, it's lifespan,
it is not just 55 plus.
[3:40:43] So as many people have mentioned,
[3:40:45] if it's accessible to a 55-year-old,
[3:40:47] an 85-year-old, 110 for
those of you in the 50 range,
[3:40:52] then it's also going to be accessible
[3:40:54] to a 20-year-old mom
carrying a two-year-old
[3:40:58] and a bag of groceries.
[3:40:59] So that kind of walkability,
[3:41:01] that kind of what's going on in the city
[3:41:04] and how Niagara can improve,
[3:41:05] it's considered one of the fastest-growing
[3:41:07] retirement communities in Canada.
[3:41:10] So just to give you an
idea why it matters,
[3:41:12] I think I've hit upon that, that this
[3:41:15] (timer chimes)
is socioeconomic value.
[3:41:18] It's not just something that
is good for some people,
[3:41:23] not for others.
[3:41:24] One of the things, buttons
have not stopped working.
[3:41:29] Next slide.
[3:41:33] So do I slaughter a goat? There we go.
[3:41:35] There's a small example
of the longevity economy
[3:41:38] that you can take a look at
[3:41:39] and what it does as far
as what it can bring
[3:41:42] in terms of value to the city.
[3:41:46] One of the partnerships
[3:41:47] we're working with right at the moment
[3:41:48] through a New Horizons grant
[3:41:50] is building these packages.
[3:41:52] So at the MacBain Centre this afternoon,
[3:41:55] we got hit with two other requests
[3:41:56] from a variety of seniors.
[3:41:58] One on, can we have a workshop
on revisioning retirement?
[3:42:03] Yeah, we can design that.
[3:42:06] And also a program about purpose.
[3:42:11] I thought, "Oh, okay, that
would be an interesting one
[3:42:14] as well to do workshops or seminars
[3:42:16] around how do you find your purpose
[3:42:18] and what does it mean if you
haven't figured it out yet?
[3:42:21] So this just gives you some
[3:42:23] of the ideas of what we're doing.
[3:42:26] We have also partnered with CARP.
[3:42:28] So between,
[3:42:29] which is the Canadian
Association of Retired Persons,
[3:42:33] when we combine our sort
of participant list,
[3:42:37] subscriber list with CARP,
[3:42:38] we've got about 3,500 subscribers,
[3:42:41] that is also a very large voting block
[3:42:43] and it's a very large voice.
[3:42:45] So we try and bring that voice to you
[3:42:49] and also back down into the community.
[3:42:52] So if you have any questions,
[3:42:54] we'd be pleased to answer them.
[3:42:55] If you would like us to do a
workshop, even for the council
[3:42:59] on how you bring in the
idea of a longevity economy
[3:43:03] or what MIT is calling a longevity hub,
[3:43:07] what does that look like?
[3:43:09] So thank you for having us
[3:43:11] and we hope to be back
in front of you soon
[3:43:13] with some more results.
[3:43:15] - Ginger, thank you.
[3:43:16] And we're going to see if
council has any questions
[3:43:18] before you run away.
[3:43:18] Do we have any questions of council?
[3:43:20] Okay, we don't have any.
[3:43:22] - Yes!
(attendees laugh)
[3:43:23] - Thank you to you and Ursula.
[3:43:25] Ursula, you've got some brochures?
[3:43:26] Yeah, go ahead, hand them out.
[3:43:28] And I'm looking for a motion
to receive the presentation.
[3:43:30] Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
Councilor Baldinelli.
[3:43:33] All those in favor? Okay.
[3:43:35] Thank you. That's approved.
[3:43:37] Thank you very much, Ursula.
[3:43:41] (Diodati chuckles)
(all chatter)
[3:43:43] - The computers working now.
[3:43:58] - Okay, next up we move to 7.6.
[3:44:03] This is the Niagara Region
Transportation Master Plan.
[3:44:07] And I should also
acknowledge Joyce Morocco,
[3:44:10] one of our regional councilors
who's joining us here today.
[3:44:13] Welcome, Joyce.
[3:44:14] And I welcome Diana Morreale,
[3:44:17] director of infrastructure and planning.
[3:44:19] And Jill Stephen.
[3:44:21] And you're going to lead us
through the presentation.
[3:44:24] - Yes.
- Welcome.
[3:44:26] - Thank you, Mayor Diodati,
[3:44:27] and members of council
for having us today.
[3:44:30] My name's Jill Stephen, as was mentioned,
[3:44:32] I'm the associate director
[3:44:33] of infrastructure planning
at Niagara Region.
[3:44:35] And Diana Morreale,
[3:44:36] our director of infrastructure
planning and development,
[3:44:39] is with us today.
[3:44:41] We are currently visiting
all 12 local municipalities
[3:44:44] to present an overview of our
transportation master plan.
[3:44:51] So we have two primary purposes
of today's presentation.
[3:44:55] One is to introduce the
plan itself, its scope,
[3:44:58] and the engagement plan
that goes with that.
[3:45:01] And secondly, to seek input
on future transportation needs
[3:45:05] for our residents,
businesses, and employees
[3:45:08] as we're looking at how Niagara will grow
[3:45:10] to 2051 and beyond.
[3:45:14] The regional transportation network,
[3:45:16] including the regional road
network, plays a huge role
[3:45:19] in how people and goods
move every day in Niagara.
[3:45:22] It connects our communities
within the region,
[3:45:25] it connects people to destinations,
[3:45:28] and it links the region
[3:45:29] to other municipalities and
markets in Ontario and beyond
[3:45:33] through our connections to
the provincial highway network
[3:45:35] and through federal infrastructure
[3:45:36] such as the Welland Canal,
[3:45:38] rail, air, marine, and
our border crossings.
[3:45:43] But that regional network
[3:45:44] is only one part of our
transportation picture.
[3:45:47] So is our primary focus of the 2051 plan,
[3:45:50] is either the regional network itself,
[3:45:52] but understanding how it fits in
[3:45:54] across the local, regional, provincial,
[3:45:57] and federal levels is very important
[3:45:59] to developing a good plan.
[3:46:03] 'Cause each of those levels
plays a different role
[3:46:05] in how people and goods move every day.
[3:46:07] Generally speaking, there
are always some exceptions.
[3:46:10] The local networks
facilitate those daily trips
[3:46:12] to school and work.
[3:46:15] The local network is primarily made up
[3:46:17] of the lower-speed, two-lane roads
[3:46:21] that facilitate those
walking and cycling trips
[3:46:24] and on-street parking.
[3:46:27] The regional network is focused
on connecting communities,
[3:46:30] and it's those main arterial corridors
[3:46:33] that support goods movement
[3:46:34] and regional mobility across Niagara.
[3:46:38] Typically the higher-volume
arterial roads.
[3:46:40] The provincial network
then supports movement
[3:46:43] between Niagara and the rest of Ontario
[3:46:45] via our highways and GO Transit.
[3:46:48] And the federal network, as I
mentioned, includes borders,
[3:46:52] air, marine, and so forth.
[3:46:56] Our first transportation
plan was completed in 2017
[3:46:59] so it is time for a change.
[3:47:01] It is a high-level plan.
[3:47:02] There will be more work
that comes after that
[3:47:04] to move the projects forward,
[3:47:07] but it does do that identification
[3:47:09] of what we need for growth.
[3:47:12] Just like it's important that
we understand the networks,
[3:47:14] it's important that we also
connect the plans together.
[3:47:17] So there are local transportation plans.
[3:47:19] You just saw your TMP and
TA-TMP not too long ago.
[3:47:23] Those will be important
inputs into the regional plan.
[3:47:27] They each have their own focus areas,
[3:47:29] but at their core, they're
supporting and identifying
[3:47:32] what infrastructure we need to move
[3:47:34] for the different types of trips
[3:47:35] that are under our
different jurisdictions.
[3:47:38] We do have a vision statement
[3:47:40] that we've developed for the master plan.
[3:47:41] It is draft at this point
[3:47:43] because we're still in our
first phase of the study
[3:47:46] and we're taking the
input that we received
[3:47:47] through our public information centers
[3:47:49] and through things like
our presentations today
[3:47:52] to evolve that and finalize
it as we move into the part
[3:47:55] where we're identifying the projects
[3:47:58] and the different scenarios
that we want to analyze.
[3:48:02] As part of that too, we're also looking
[3:48:04] at the visions and objectives
[3:48:06] that are in the different local plans.
[3:48:08] It's not necessary that
those all be identical,
[3:48:10] but it is important
that we understand them
[3:48:13] so that we can understand
both what is common
[3:48:17] across all of the plans,
but what's also unique
[3:48:19] and build that unique community
character into our work.
[3:48:23] We have a three-phase plan.
[3:48:25] We're looking at growth needs
[3:48:27] for our transportation network
to 2051, hence the title.
[3:48:31] We're currently in Phase 1,
[3:48:32] which is identifying the
problems and opportunities
[3:48:35] and assessing the existing
network so that we can understand
[3:48:38] what we need to address as
we're looking for growth,
[3:48:40] looking towards growth.
[3:48:41] That phase is about to wrap up this summer
[3:48:44] and we're moving into Phase 2.
[3:48:46] And then overall the plan
[3:48:48] will be completed at the end of 2027.
[3:48:52] At each phase of the project,
[3:48:53] there will be engagement with the public,
[3:48:56] with each of the municipalities,
[3:48:57] primarily through your staff teams,
[3:49:00] and as well through other
agencies and interested parties.
[3:49:04] And then we'll be reporting
to a regional council
[3:49:07] through Public Works
Committee at key milestones.
[3:49:11] Right now in Phase 1
[3:49:13] we're doing that existing
conditions review.
[3:49:15] We're updating our model
[3:49:17] so that we can assess
the system performance
[3:49:19] and we're completing
jurisdictional reviews
[3:49:23] to align the plan,
(time chimes)
[3:49:23] as well as our first round
of public consultation.
[3:49:28] Moving into the next
phase, we'll be developing
[3:49:32] and evaluating the alternatives
[3:49:33] and presenting those to the public.
[3:49:35] Those alternatives build on work
[3:49:36] that's been done in local plans.
[3:49:38] So the input, as I said,
from your TMP and TA-TMP
[3:49:42] will be important to that.
[3:49:44] And then we'll identify
the preferred network
[3:49:46] and develop a 10-year
capital program for that.
[3:49:51] Sorry.
[3:49:53] Quickly on engagement,
we've included a number
[3:49:56] of different ways to engage people
[3:49:57] and we look forward to
hearing from the public.
[3:50:01] We have had two PICs this round
[3:50:03] and we will move into Phase 2
[3:50:06] and include public information
centers for those as well.
[3:50:09] Our information's available online
[3:50:11] and we encourage people
to still provide comments.
[3:50:15] We are taking the comments
that we've heard so far
[3:50:17] and incorporating those into
the revision of the vision
[3:50:20] and, as well as part of the planning.
[3:50:22] This slide represents some
of the comments we've heard
[3:50:24] through our presentations
to Public Works Committee,
[3:50:26] Transportation Strategy
Steering Committee,
[3:50:28] and a council workshop.
[3:50:31] And we'll continue to track those
[3:50:32] and evolve things as we move forward.
[3:50:35] So we began our presentations
to local councils
[3:50:38] about six weeks ago.
[3:50:40] This is our eighth presentation,
[3:50:42] thank you again for having us,
[3:50:44] and we will finish the last four in July.
[3:50:48] And over the next few months, as I said,
[3:50:50] we'll finish Phase 1 of the
study, move into Phase 2.
[3:50:54] And I would like to say thank you again
[3:50:56] for the opportunity to
do that presentation.
[3:50:58] I'd be happy to take any questions,
[3:51:00] as I know I went through
that very quickly.
[3:51:02] - Thank you very much. Appreciate
your presentation, Jill.
[3:51:05] Any questions of council
for our presenters?
[3:51:08] And Diana was there for moral
support, right. (laughs)
[3:51:12] Well I think we're good. Thank
you very much for your time.
[3:51:14] I look for a motion to
receive the presentation.
[3:51:17] Councilor Strange. Councilor Baldinelli.
[3:51:19] All those in favor? Unanimous.
[3:51:21] And thank you ladies for coming
out and enduring the time
[3:51:23] till we got to your portion
of the presentation.
[3:51:26] - For having us.
- Thank you.
[3:51:27] - All right, thank you.
[3:51:31] All right, well next up is what
we've all been waiting for,
[3:51:36] bringing back our chief
administrative officer, Ken Todd,
[3:51:41] this is a presentation for
the Unhoused Action Plan.
[3:51:44] I see some of the members
of various community groups
[3:51:47] that are here as well to support.
[3:51:49] Ken Todd, welcome back.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[3:51:51] - Like you never left.
- Hi everybody, how are you?
[3:51:54] - The seat's empty. You can come back up.
[3:51:56] - Yeah, I scared 'em away.
[3:51:58] But we do have some of my friends here.
[3:52:00] We have reps from the Project SHARE board,
[3:52:04] the co-chairs from the Soup Kitchen
[3:52:07] and Steve from The Bridge.
[3:52:09] So I think you know Jim
and AJ and Chris Russell,
[3:52:14] Judy and Sherry from the Soup Kitchen.
[3:52:16] - Welcome. Good to have you back.
[3:52:17] - They just came to throw tomatoes
[3:52:19] or whatever at me as I speak.
[3:52:21] So I know you're under
a crunch here for time.
[3:52:24] So do you want me to just narrow this down
[3:52:27] or do you want to-
- Yeah.
[3:52:27] Like give us the high points, you know,
[3:52:29] and we'll have some tough questions.
[3:52:31] - So thank you.
[3:52:33] Started this engagement several months ago
[3:52:37] and I've got to tell you over that
[3:52:39] time, we certainly have learned a lot
[3:52:42] and I think the recommendations
[3:52:46] that we're coming up with tonight
[3:52:47] are going to be something that
can carry this council forward
[3:52:51] with a fairly reasonable plan.
[3:52:55] So, you know, when we started out,
[3:52:59] I got to start off by saying there's a lot
[3:53:01] of very good things
happening in this community.
[3:53:04] There are so many people on a daily basis
[3:53:07] that are doing volunteerism
in the community and all over.
[3:53:11] And there's so many, so many good people
[3:53:13] and good groups doing that.
[3:53:14] But we found, or I found that,
[3:53:17] you know, people were holding onto things.
[3:53:21] They felt that that's how
things should be done.
[3:53:26] And as I got out, I was
trying to get them to open up
[3:53:30] to abandon, if you will,
[3:53:34] some of the ways of the past
[3:53:36] because a lot of the models
[3:53:38] and a lot of the things that we're seeing
[3:53:40] were just simply not
sustainable in the long run.
[3:53:43] You've got a lot of volunteerism.
[3:53:45] People are getting older,
not as many volunteers.
[3:53:48] So we really needed to
look at a different model.
[3:53:54] So what we did is we went out,
we had a lot of interaction,
[3:53:58] we had a lot of online submissions,
[3:54:00] we had open houses at the MacBain Centre.
[3:54:03] We had an open house,
[3:54:06] a workshop with the experts.
[3:54:10] Probably had 50 to 60 individual meetings
[3:54:13] with agencies and groups
over that period of time,
[3:54:16] doing a lot of listening,
asking a lot of questions,
[3:54:18] trying to come up with what
might be an acceptable plan.
[3:54:22] So what we heard was there
is a desire for change
[3:54:28] in how we handle the unhoused
[3:54:32] and vulnerable people in our community.
[3:54:36] But I think you have to
be focused on the fact
[3:54:39] that even though there's a lot
[3:54:42] of very compassionate
people in our community,
[3:54:49] there's really two sets of clients here.
[3:54:51] There's the people we want to serve
[3:54:53] that are the unhoused and vulnerable,
[3:54:55] but we have to be very
mindful of our residents
[3:54:59] and their communities,
their neighborhoods,
[3:55:01] their public parks, their public spaces,
[3:55:03] the businesses that are seeing some
[3:55:06] of the sort of undesirable elements
[3:55:10] at some points out on our streets.
[3:55:12] So, you know, the plan is trying
[3:55:14] to find a way to balance that
[3:55:17] so that we're respectful of
the people we need to serve,
[3:55:20] but we're also doing things
[3:55:22] that can help improve the quality of life
[3:55:24] for the people that live here.
[3:55:29] So a couple of guiding
principles as we go through.
[3:55:32] One is that we want to be very
empathetic in our approach,
[3:55:36] but we also want to make sure
[3:55:39] that those people that are paying taxes
[3:55:44] and are living here
[3:55:45] are not having to be faced
with those hardships.
[3:55:48] We want to definitely strengthen
community partnerships.
[3:55:52] That's a big part of this plan,
[3:55:54] trying to bring like-minded
community groups together
[3:55:57] to serve the community better.
[3:56:00] Mindful of trying to minimize
the impact on municipal taxes.
[3:56:04] And there is going to be some asks here,
[3:56:07] but I think you got to remember
[3:56:10] that this is community
projects and the community
[3:56:14] and the community partners
should have a big share
[3:56:16] in how this project
[3:56:17] and some of the recommendations
get paid for as well.
[3:56:21] And we want to keep it volunteer focused.
[3:56:24] There's so many volunteers
out doing a lot of good work
[3:56:26] and we want to make sure that
[3:56:28] we keep that in mind.
[3:56:32] So in the recommendations,
[3:56:34] and we kind of came up with three spheres.
[3:56:38] This started out to be an unhoused,
[3:56:41] that was kind of the title.
[3:56:43] I can tell you it very
quickly morphed into something
[3:56:45] that is more about just unhoused
[3:56:48] because you just can't focus
[3:56:49] on the unhoused element of this.
[3:56:52] It expands into so much more.
[3:56:54] And we are looking at
housing and shelter for sure.
[3:56:59] Another sphere is the whole food security,
[3:57:02] which is a big piece of this.
[3:57:04] But the third element is what
I'll call the street life
[3:57:07] and what's happening out on the street
[3:57:08] and what things we can do to improve.
[3:57:10] And so as we go forward, just be mindful,
[3:57:14] All of these spheres
intersect into, at the end,
[3:57:18] what we're going to call this
integrated community hub plan
[3:57:21] that we're going to present to you.
[3:57:23] So on housing and shelter, several things,
[3:57:27] and I'm going to try to move
through these quickly as I can,
[3:57:30] but the one thing that
I heard loud and clear,
[3:57:34] and I know you guys are
working on it already,
[3:57:36] council is very mindful of this,
[3:57:39] but the existing temporary
shelter on Summer Street
[3:57:42] has to be dealt with, has to be relocated.
[3:57:45] There has to be purpose built.
[3:57:47] That's one way of giving
that neighborhood back
[3:57:51] their community, the whole Main ferry.
[3:57:53] So I know council's working on that.
[3:57:55] I know your staff will
have more to come on that,
[3:57:57] so I won't dwell on it.
[3:57:59] But we have to really advocate
[3:58:02] for more supportive housing opportunities.
[3:58:06] Now, the supportive housing,
I'm not talking about shelter,
[3:58:08] I'm talking about a Wayne
Campbell type of development
[3:58:12] that is supportive, dealing
with the hardest to serve,
[3:58:16] which are the mental health
issues and the addiction issues.
[3:58:21] That is where I think time and effort
[3:58:25] really has to be spent.
[3:58:26] The region knows this.
[3:58:28] In the report it gives you the
numbers and the statistics.
[3:58:31] But where council can really help,
[3:58:32] and I've heard this more than once,
[3:58:34] is that council can help
by coming up with property
[3:58:37] that is pre-zoned so
that when a development
[3:58:40] or an opportunity comes along,
[3:58:42] this community's ready to pounce on it
[3:58:44] and get that funding from the
other levels of government.
[3:58:47] If you wait, it is going to
go to some other community.
[3:58:49] So, you know, you have to
find those opportunities
[3:58:52] to get that land, get it zoned,
[3:58:54] and literally be waiting
[3:58:56] for that next allotment
of supportive housing
[3:58:59] because that's where it's
going to be meaningful.
[3:59:03] You've got a great opportunity
coming down the pipe.
[3:59:05] I know Planning's been working
on it on the GNGH site.
[3:59:09] I think it's a great opportunity
[3:59:10] to provide a whole realm of housing
[3:59:12] that'll help this community
going forward into the future.
[3:59:16] Higher-density development,
center the community.
[3:59:21] I think there's planning
issues that are going on now
[3:59:23] that'll help accomplish that for you.
[3:59:28] Over on the, what I'll
call the street part of it.
[3:59:32] I got to tell you, there's been a lot
[3:59:33] of good things happening in the community.
[3:59:38] I know some, Chris is
here, Carey and others
[3:59:42] that have a group that meets biweekly.
[3:59:46] Other communities are now starting
[3:59:47] to look at what Niagara Falls is doing.
[3:59:49] 'Cause I tell you, we've traveled around
[3:59:51] and looked at different municipalities.
[3:59:54] You may think Niagara
Falls has serious problems.
[3:59:57] We've got it not as bad as
others. I can tell you that.
[4:00:02] But I think there's a
more proactive approach.
[4:00:06] I think you got to put
the gas down on the pedal
[4:00:09] a little bit more, provide
a little bit more resources.
[4:00:12] There's a few examples in the
report as to how to do that
[4:00:15] because if you can get out ahead of that,
[4:00:17] people are compassionate,
[4:00:19] but it's like, "I don't want
to see it around my community."
[4:00:21] So if you can get ahead of it
[4:00:23] and provide more resources for by-law,
[4:00:26] for groups like NASO or REACH
[4:00:28] to provide street services to help people,
[4:00:31] that'll go a long way to
helping that other client,
[4:00:34] which is the taxpayer
[4:00:36] who just simply doesn't want to see it
[4:00:37] in front of their business,
[4:00:39] doesn't want to see it
in their neighborhood
[4:00:40] and in their park.
[4:00:41] And we've had examples as
we did this of, you know,
[4:00:44] just things going on at our parks
[4:00:46] that should not be happening.
[4:00:47] So if you can resource
that a little bit more,
[4:00:50] it'll go a long way to
helping the situation.
[4:00:55] REACH in Niagara's had a
couple good pilot projects
[4:00:57] I think the staff should look to
[4:00:59] in providing a different
approach to the street.
[4:01:02] But I got to say your staff
has been doing a great job
[4:01:06] and I think with a little more resourcing,
[4:01:09] you can just put it over the top.
[4:01:11] One thing I will say is that I believe
[4:01:15] that the way that the
whole evacuee situation
[4:01:19] with the Indigenous is
not being handled properly
[4:01:24] by the federal and provincial governments.
[4:01:27] Niagara Falls has done
more than its fair share.
[4:01:30] The chief and I have had
several conversations
[4:01:32] over the last couple of months.
[4:01:34] As we speak today,
[4:01:36] there's 1,700 evacuees
across the province.
[4:01:40] Approximately 1,100 of them
are housed in Niagara Falls.
[4:01:44] - Wow.
- To me, that's not fair.
[4:01:47] To me, this community wants
to be, Mr. Mayor, Vegas North.
[4:01:53] We want to be the jewel
of tourism in Ontario.
[4:01:56] And unfortunately a lot of the residents
[4:01:59] and people will see Indigenous people
[4:02:02] on the streets walking around
[4:02:04] thinking they're homeless
people in this community,
[4:02:05] and they're not.
[4:02:07] And I think they deserve better.
[4:02:11] I don't think children deserve
[4:02:13] to be playing their recess time
[4:02:16] in a parking lot beside the casino.
[4:02:18] I really truly think
there's a better approach.
[4:02:22] And I think that should be
[4:02:24] some purpose-built kind of
facility in the province
[4:02:27] where they can go and
have a sense of community
[4:02:30] and not be forced
[4:02:31] to relocate into hotel
rooms across the province.
[4:02:35] But in spite of all that,
[4:02:37] and I know it's in the
report, in spite of all that,
[4:02:40] at minimum, there should
be certain resources
[4:02:43] that come back to the community.
[4:02:45] Like the community's really
getting nothing out of it.
[4:02:48] And I've spoken to the Native Centre
[4:02:51] and Native Centre people
[4:02:53] and even their resources are being drained
[4:02:56] because they have to provide
additional services as well.
[4:02:58] So everybody's being
tapped and drained by this.
[4:03:01] And there certainly, my opinion,
should be a better model
[4:03:06] that takes the strain off Niagara Falls
[4:03:08] in the emergency room and
the police and the CORE unit.
[4:03:12] So I think there's some
solutions, Mr. Mayor,
[4:03:14] and they're outlined in the report.
[4:03:17] Now, having said all that,
[4:03:19] as we talk about dealing
with the most vulnerable,
[4:03:26] you know, there is a bit of a myth
[4:03:28] because a lot of the people
[4:03:29] that are in the line every
day at the Soup Kitchen
[4:03:31] or at Project SHARE every
day are not unhoused.
[4:03:35] They're just on a borderline
or in poverty. Deep poverty.
[4:03:40] They can pay their rent
but they can't afford food.
[4:03:42] So they're individuals
that need additional help.
[4:03:47] And that's why we brought
these partners together.
[4:03:50] And what we're recommending
[4:03:52] is that the three large partners,
[4:03:55] which would be Project
SHARE, the Soup Kitchen,
[4:03:59] and The Bridge, all
three boards of directors
[4:04:02] have agreed to come together
[4:04:05] and look at the development
of a hub for Niagara Falls.
[4:04:15] Those groups would
function under one roof.
[4:04:18] There would be sharing of
resources, sharing of services,
[4:04:21] sharing of food recovery.
[4:04:24] There'd be sharing of staff
[4:04:27] and warehouse-based whatever.
[4:04:30] Much more efficient
way to deliver service.
[4:04:34] But the other part of
that is that not just
[4:04:36] would we have those three
organizations coexisting.
[4:04:42] I've approached a number of groups,
[4:04:44] about 18 groups in total, that have agreed
[4:04:47] to partnering at a hub like this.
[4:04:50] It would be all of your
associated social services,
[4:04:53] like obviously the Region,
Community Health Centre, REACH,
[4:04:58] Niagara Public Health,
[4:04:59] NASO which is the Upstreet
Outreach Positive Living,
[4:05:03] Niagara Employment Centre,
Service Canada, the Library,
[4:05:06] Canadian Mental Health Association,
[4:05:08] Project SHARE, Soup Kitchen, The Bridge,
[4:05:11] Salvation Army, Feed
Ontario, Feed Niagara,
[4:05:14] and Niagara Nutrition Partners, to start.
[4:05:17] That's what I could kind of
cobble together at this point.
[4:05:21] But I think there's an opportunity there
[4:05:23] where all of those other individuals
[4:05:25] that don't perhaps require
supportive housing,
[4:05:29] that are housed, maybe marginally,
[4:05:32] that need access to
these kind of services,
[4:05:34] and they could have direct
access on a daily basis.
[4:05:37] Because if you look at the clients
[4:05:39] that are visiting these sites now,
[4:05:40] you're looking at about 300 to 400,
[4:05:44] maybe 4 or 500 individuals each day
[4:05:47] accessing these different sites.
[4:05:49] But you could bring that together
[4:05:51] and then let them tap into these services.
[4:05:53] I think we've got a much better chance
[4:05:56] of getting them to help,
[4:05:57] to get them that next step up,
[4:05:59] to help them get on with a better life.
[4:06:02] So Mr. Mayor, that's,
[4:06:07] that's basically what the report is about,
[4:06:09] but I'm able to answer
any questions and anyway.
[4:06:14] - Okay, that's great.
[4:06:15] And I want to say thank you, Ken.
[4:06:17] I know you refuse to
take any kind of payment
[4:06:21] for your time and your effort
and it doesn't go unnoticed.
[4:06:25] We're grateful. It's been a lot of work.
[4:06:27] There's been a lot of
kilometers and a lot of meetings
[4:06:30] and it's created quite
a buzz in the region.
[4:06:32] Everybody wants to see the findings,
[4:06:35] all the other municipalities.
[4:06:36] So we're grateful for all your efforts.
[4:06:38] - Oh, you're welcome. Yep.
[4:06:38] - So we do have a number of
councilors have questions.
[4:06:41] So starting with Councilor
Strange, then Councilor Lococo,
[4:06:44] and then I saw another hand
over here, Councilor Patel?
[4:06:47] Okay. Thank you.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[4:06:48] - And then Councilor Nieuwesteeg. Yes.
[4:06:51] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[4:06:51] And thank you, Ken for all
the work you've been doing.
[4:06:54] Like I think every councilor
has seen you in the room
[4:06:57] and talked to you for a lot of hours
[4:07:01] and, you know, listening
to everybody, stakeholders,
[4:07:04] and you doing this for
nothing shows your compassion.
[4:07:09] And I know you volunteer
at the Soup Kitchen
[4:07:11] quite a bit.
- Thank you.
[4:07:12] And I really appreciate that.
[4:07:14] I do, Mike. But-
- I know you do.
[4:07:15] But that's the type of guy you are,
[4:07:16] you don't want to take credit for it.
[4:07:17] - But there's hundreds of people
[4:07:18] every day that are-
- No, I know.
[4:07:19] - doing these things, so-
- And your team.
[4:07:21] And your team as well.
- So yeah, thank you.
[4:07:22] - That's the type of guy
[4:07:23] and I'm sure that you've learned
[4:07:27] in the last how many months
[4:07:29] that it's not just one
type of unhoused person,
[4:07:33] you know, it's mental, it's addictions.
[4:07:35] It's those people that
are on the borderlines
[4:07:39] where they just need
help at the Soup Kitchen
[4:07:42] and maybe they're not unhoused,
[4:07:43] but they're on that borderline.
[4:07:45] And you know, like I said, you're showing
[4:07:48] a lot of compassion and it's,
and there's so many out there.
[4:07:51] And our team here,
[4:07:53] our Bylaw has been working
with everybody and, you know,
[4:07:59] we've seen it on Main Street
[4:08:00] and we went with meetings
with Councilor Nieuwesteeg
[4:08:02] and, you know, with the
shelter there on Summer Street
[4:08:06] and it's a little bit of a mess.
[4:08:07] And I was kind of really disturbed
[4:08:11] because on the one day
I opened up the paper
[4:08:14] and it was May 25th
[4:08:16] and you might know where I'm going here,
[4:08:19] but a male was arrested
attending a nearby shelter
[4:08:23] and was arrested by detectives.
[4:08:24] He attempted to make
another drug transaction
[4:08:26] that was at the Summer Street.
[4:08:27] And it just blows my mind
[4:08:29] that they were released
on a future court date
[4:08:32] and bailed out in a number of hours.
[4:08:35] And our Bylaw are doing our work,
[4:08:37] our staff are doing our work.
[4:08:38] You guys are doing our work
[4:08:39] and these people are
trying to help themselves
[4:08:43] by going to a shelter and staying clean
[4:08:45] and getting the help they need.
[4:08:46] And we all know once you get a little bit
[4:08:49] of this horrible drug fentanyl in you,
[4:08:52] it's tough to not crave that again.
[4:08:56] And I'll even say this guy was caught
[4:08:58] with 35.5 grams of suspected fentanyl.
[4:09:02] And I don't know if
this is the first time,
[4:09:04] but to let this guy out
just free like that,
[4:09:06] I think this guy should be away,
[4:09:08] you know, for five years right away.
[4:09:10] Because, you know, this is what's killing
[4:09:13] our homeless population is this fentanyl.
[4:09:16] I remember growing up
[4:09:17] and everyone could around the table that,
[4:09:20] around my neighborhood,
there was two homeless people
[4:09:22] that I knew and they
weren't even homeless.
[4:09:24] One was mental.
[4:09:25] I think his name was Big Bird,
[4:09:27] but the guy was not homeless,
he just walked the streets.
[4:09:30] And they were nice people.
[4:09:31] But this only started in the
last, you know, maybe 20 years.
[4:09:36] And with fentanyl it's just been,
[4:09:38] it's been just crazy.
[4:09:41] And you have someone like this
[4:09:43] that's just let out the next day
[4:09:46] and I don't know what the answer is.
[4:09:48] And I love what we're doing
[4:09:50] and sharing the services
with the Soup Kitchen
[4:09:53] and other Project SHARE, Bridge.
[4:09:56] I think it's a great idea.
[4:09:58] And if we can have a complex
[4:10:00] where we can serve like
the transitional housing,
[4:10:03] the Wayne Campbell, something like that.
[4:10:04] I know it's going to take a lot from us.
[4:10:06] We're just following your guidance
[4:10:08] and I don't know what, whatever we do,
[4:10:10] we need some kind of security
that, you know, these unhoused
[4:10:15] and these people who are
addicted are trying to get help.
[4:10:18] And then you get someone from the outside.
[4:10:20] And our Bylaw have been amazing.
[4:10:22] And you get someone who just,
"Okay, here's a little,"
[4:10:24] whether it's a little
bit that they're selling
[4:10:26] or just giving them so
they'll buy it off them later,
[4:10:29] and it doesn't seem like
our upper-tier government
[4:10:32] are telling the police
or the judges or whatever
[4:10:34] to keep them in jail
[4:10:36] because it's not helping the situation.
[4:10:39] - So if I could-
- Yeah. Of course.
[4:10:41] - So part of the
recommendations are to say
[4:10:45] if the city can provide
some additional resources
[4:10:50] to tackle that street life,
you know, with the CORE group,
[4:10:54] with the police, very important,
[4:10:56] this council's got to keep
advocating for that to continue,
[4:10:59] but provide additional resources
with Chris and his crew
[4:11:03] and some of the street workers.
[4:11:04] Even if you have to resource
that a little bit more.
[4:11:07] By keeping the street,
putting a push on the street
[4:11:11] gives you time to build those
supportive housing units.
[4:11:16] In the meantime, if we can get a hub built
[4:11:20] providing services, it will service
[4:11:23] the non sort of addictive
mental health clients
[4:11:27] that are housed and are doing okay,
[4:11:30] but just need a little bit more help.
[4:11:32] If this comes together,
[4:11:33] it's kind of a phase thing,
[4:11:35] but I think if we can attack
[4:11:39] that street stuff now, to your point.
[4:11:41] - Yeah. 'Cause the police
[4:11:42] are doing their jobs.
- Let the other things-
[4:11:43] - They are doing their jobs.
[4:11:44] They're just not keeping them in jail.
[4:11:46] So it's not the police's
fault, it's the system's fault.
[4:11:50] - Yeah, and I think if,
I think I'll say this,
[4:11:54] it's a little bit of tough love.
[4:11:58] Because I think Niagara
Falls is having some success
[4:12:01] because we're being a
little bit more aggressive,
[4:12:05] which, as long as you're providing
[4:12:08] those other support services,
[4:12:10] is perhaps not a bad thing.
[4:12:12] But some other municipalities
that we visited
[4:12:14] are taking a little bit
more lax approach to it.
[4:12:18] And I know there's a big, big issue
[4:12:21] going across the province
right now with encampments,
[4:12:25] that if you let an encampment take hold,
[4:12:30] you're going to have
difficulty managing it later.
[4:12:32] So get ahead of it
[4:12:34] and get the individuals
to the right services
[4:12:37] and help that they need
[4:12:38] before these things grow into something
[4:12:41] that becomes totally unmanageable
[4:12:42] for you.
- Yeah.
[4:12:43] 'Cause we've seen it in so many cities
[4:12:44] and you even said it like, you know,
[4:12:46] we think Niagara Falls is bad,
[4:12:48] but it's not even close
[4:12:50] to what some other
municipalities are going through.
[4:12:52] - Yeah.
- I'm sure you know,
[4:12:53] Toronto, Hamilton, that
area is really, really bad.
[4:12:57] St. Catharines as well.
[4:12:58] So, but regardless, we're
going in the right direction.
[4:13:02] I think this is such a positive step.
[4:13:05] Having it all in one house
[4:13:07] where we can help everybody
[4:13:08] and show shared services.
[4:13:10] I think it's great.
[4:13:11] - And I will say this in
credit to the three boards,
[4:13:16] each group listened
[4:13:18] and it was unanimous
[4:13:22] on every board that I went to.
[4:13:24] Because I think they're
realizing the model
[4:13:28] is maybe not sustainable.
[4:13:29] It is time for a change.
[4:13:31] Things are probably
still going to get worse
[4:13:33] before they get better.
[4:13:34] So we have to put a
different model in place
[4:13:36] to help what's still
coming down the path here.
[4:13:39] - And what is the kind of
the next step or timeline?
[4:13:42] - Well, (chuckles) I guess
that's up to council,
[4:13:45] but I, you know, the hope would be
[4:13:48] that if council supports
the idea of a hub,
[4:13:51] we're going to need some help
getting that off the ground.
[4:13:53] So we'd need some support
from council there.
[4:13:57] And we're not here asking council,
[4:14:00] we know that there's going to have
[4:14:01] to be community partnerships, fundraising,
[4:14:04] but there will be some
financial assistance needed.
[4:14:08] We think if we can get this thing built,
[4:14:10] then I think the agencies have done
[4:14:13] a good enough job in the past
[4:14:14] that we can monitor it and run it.
[4:14:17] Not asking the city to run it,
[4:14:19] not asking for a lot of
operating dollars to run it.
[4:14:21] The city is providing some funds now,
[4:14:23] which is very, very welcomed.
[4:14:25] But yeah, we just need council
[4:14:29] to kind of get behind
the concept with this.
[4:14:31] - Well I think everyone is behind it.
[4:14:33] All of council will be behind it.
[4:14:35] And just thank you for
taking the time to do this.
[4:14:38] We know you're volunteering
[4:14:39] your time and effort into this,
[4:14:41] so we really appreciate it.
- Yeah, thank you.
[4:14:42] - [Diodati] Okay. Thank you, Councilor.
[4:14:44] I've got actually
Councilor Nieuwesteeg next.
[4:14:45] I'm sorry, I, you did have your hand up.
[4:14:47] And then I got Lococo, Patel, Pietrangelo,
[4:14:49] and I want to remind you
to try to ask questions.
[4:14:52] This is the time to ask
questions of our presenter.
[4:14:54] So try to focus on that
if you can. Councilor.
[4:14:57] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[4:14:59] Without repeating, absolutely
fabulous presentation,
[4:15:01] but what I really liked
was your balanced approach
[4:15:03] between the need that
we have on the street
[4:15:06] as well as recognizing our
community and businesses.
[4:15:09] So it was a nice combination.
[4:15:12] My questions are, first one is this,
[4:15:15] if you can kind of visualize
more for me, this hub.
[4:15:18] So do you have a place
[4:15:19] that you're looking to
coordinate this hub?
[4:15:22] - No.
- Okay.
[4:15:23] - But we... No.
[4:15:26] - Okay.
[4:15:27] So right now we have agencies
working in different places.
[4:15:31] Is the concept that like Project SHARE,
[4:15:33] the Soup Kitchen, would
all come to that one area?
[4:15:35] Or are they still going
to have their operations
[4:15:39] at these locations
[4:15:40] and just cost your backroom?
- Well, the concept right now
[4:15:43] is all under one roof.
[4:15:44] - Okay. Very good.
[4:15:47] What are the timelines
to getting this done?
[4:15:50] - Well, realistically, you know,
[4:15:54] and it depends if it's a greenfield site
[4:15:56] or if it's a redevelopment
of a site or a retrofit,
[4:16:05] you're probably two to three years
[4:16:07] in the whole, you know, design development
[4:16:10] to the point where you could occupy.
[4:16:13] - Any idea of what this
would cost? Any preliminary?
[4:16:18] - I don't, but let's be
honest, nothing's cheap today.
[4:16:24] You're probably going to
talk several million dollars
[4:16:27] by the time you get to the
end of it, I would think.
[4:16:28] But I have no idea.
[4:16:31] That's the purpose of
getting to the next step,
[4:16:33] to have the groups look
at what the actual cost
[4:16:35] of this would be and see if it's feasible.
[4:16:38] - Okay, well, and through Mr. Mayor,
[4:16:40] the one thing in your presentation
[4:16:41] that I know she talked
about municipal role
[4:16:43] and you hit the three things
[4:16:44] about invest, advocate, and regulate.
[4:16:49] So it's the advocacy piece
[4:16:51] because as we all know,
[4:16:52] this is not really at our municipal level.
[4:16:55] It's really at the
provincial and federal level.
[4:16:58] And I really think we need to
look at, in doing all of this,
[4:17:01] is maybe having somebody do the advocating
[4:17:04] at those levels of
government to help fund this
[4:17:06] because it's not fair to the tax,
[4:17:07] although I fully support it,
[4:17:09] it's not 100% fair to the
taxpayers to carry this.
[4:17:12] This is the responsibility
of other tiered governments.
[4:17:15] And right now, 'cause
all the municipalities
[4:17:17] are taking it upon themselves,
[4:17:18] it seems like they're
getting away with it.
[4:17:20] And I really think that's something
[4:17:21] that we should be looking at
very strongly in all of this,
[4:17:24] is that there's somebody
dedicated to advocate for funds.
[4:17:27] And you mentioned earlier, you know,
[4:17:29] we be ready so when the funds come.
[4:17:30] But I think we have to be very proactive
[4:17:32] and say this is a situation.
[4:17:34] And going back to what you
were saying about the evacuees,
[4:17:38] I dealt with a lot of them last
year because of my business
[4:17:42] and I met many of them
and I heard their stories.
[4:17:45] I saw how they were living.
[4:17:46] And also dealing with the
hospital and they were taxed.
[4:17:50] Everybody was taxed, and yet
there was no funding for them.
[4:17:52] And it just keeps and
really comes back down
[4:17:55] to our taxpayers.
[4:17:56] So I really hope in all of this model
[4:17:57] that we do keep in mind our taxpayers
[4:18:01] and advocate to the other
levels of government
[4:18:03] because this is something,
I think it's fabulous,
[4:18:06] your plan, it makes sense.
[4:18:07] But the funding has to
be at higher levels.
[4:18:12] - I totally agree there's an advocacy part
[4:18:14] for around this horseshoe.
[4:18:19] But there's also a lot in the report
[4:18:21] that really is community driven.
[4:18:24] And that's kind of the hub part.
[4:18:26] But there's a lot of
advocacy you can do here.
[4:18:30] And as I said, with, for example,
[4:18:33] property and stuff, council, you know,
[4:18:35] council can get some
properties identified,
[4:18:37] get them pre-zoned, get them serviced,
[4:18:39] get whatever you have to do
[4:18:40] so when that next
application, you're ready.
[4:18:43] And especially in that whole
supportive housing piece.
[4:18:47] You did a great job over on Park Street.
[4:18:49] That's a good example. Campbell
building, great example.
[4:18:54] Maybe not purpose built, you know,
[4:18:57] but still a great example
[4:18:59] of what you can do if
you set your mind to it.
[4:19:02] - And one final question,
[4:19:04] what kind of metrics for success
[4:19:06] are you looking for out of all of this?
[4:19:08] So is it, I know to eliminate homelessness
[4:19:11] and to make sure everyone has everything
[4:19:13] is kind of a nice dream, but to maintain,
[4:19:16] so what metrics are, do you
hope that the end of the day,
[4:19:18] in 5 years or 10 years from now,
[4:19:20] you can say this project
we brought to council
[4:19:22] was extremely successful
[4:19:24] because we did all of these things.
[4:19:26] Have you looked at what
those items would be?
[4:19:28] - Well, you know, it's as I said before,
[4:19:33] I think it's probably
going to still continue
[4:19:35] to even get worse before it gets better.
[4:19:38] But I think if I could
put that question around,
[4:19:42] I think without taking
some of these actions,
[4:19:44] I'm not sure even what the end result
[4:19:47] will be of these actions.
[4:19:48] But I think by putting some
of these things in place,
[4:19:50] like a hub, getting
more supportive housing,
[4:19:54] putting more boots on
the ground on the street
[4:19:57] to help our community and
parks and public spaces,
[4:20:01] my hope would be that in five years,
[4:20:03] you'd see a substantial
improvement to what you see today.
[4:20:10] Putting that in numbers,
I, sorry, Councilor.
[4:20:13] I don't think I can put it in numbers.
[4:20:15] - That's fine.
- You know,
[4:20:17] you see numbers at Project SHARE,
[4:20:18] you see numbers at the Soup Kitchen.
[4:20:22] It'd be great to say we could, you know,
[4:20:24] cut those numbers down.
[4:20:25] But, you know, those are
all poverty related issues
[4:20:28] and, you know, I'm not sure
[4:20:32] that either of those kind of services
[4:20:33] are going away anytime soon.
[4:20:35] - Okay, I want to thank you so much
[4:20:38] and to bring everyone together
[4:20:39] in that coordinated-
- Oh, thanks.
[4:20:40] - 'Cause as I said on
the Project SHARE board,
[4:20:42] and you hear everyone's
doing different things
[4:20:44] and there's so many good
doers out there too,
[4:20:46] but everyone's working in
sometimes in isolation.
[4:20:49] That it's really good that if
we can centralize everything
[4:20:52] and communicate that out to the public,
[4:20:54] that is such a step in
the right direction.
[4:20:56] - It was so great for
these groups, you know,
[4:21:01] to show a willingness to come together.
[4:21:02] It's, I think in the long term,
[4:21:05] it's going to be a great
thing for the city.
[4:21:07] - Well, thank you very much for,
[4:21:09] and thank you to everyone who's
participated in all of this.
[4:21:12] - Thank you.
[4:21:13] Next up, Councilor Lococo,
[4:21:15] then Patel, Pietrangelo, Baldinelli.
[4:21:18] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor,
through to Mr. Todd.
[4:21:20] Thank you so much.
[4:21:21] It was really good to see all
of the different perspectives
[4:21:24] because we can't make decisions
[4:21:25] just with parts of the puzzle.
[4:21:27] So you brought all the
puzzle pieces together.
[4:21:29] I'm really happy about that.
[4:21:31] I just want to build on what
Councilor Nieuwesteeg was saying
[4:21:34] about a lot of the issues
are not at our funding level.
[4:21:38] So we have eviction
prevention, was in your report.
[4:21:42] And then I'm thinking the other side of it
[4:21:45] about landlord protection as well.
[4:21:46] 'Cause you know, there's
two sides, two sides to it.
[4:21:49] And we're having a lot of
landlords who won't rent
[4:21:52] because of some of the challenges.
[4:21:54] And then we have some people
who are evicted unfairly too.
[4:21:56] So we need to look at that.
But that's provincial.
[4:21:59] And then we have mental health,
[4:22:00] which is also provincial
through the region.
[4:22:02] And then we have substance use,
[4:22:04] which is also provincial
through the region.
[4:22:06] - Yep.
- So my question is,
[4:22:10] knowing that we have boots on the ground
[4:22:12] for outreach workers
[4:22:14] and they're working with
the people on the street
[4:22:16] or the people who need the services.
[4:22:18] I often hear that people
are looking for services,
[4:22:22] but the services are not available.
[4:22:24] There's not a shelter bed,
[4:22:25] there's not a mental health bed to go to.
[4:22:27] There's not an addiction bed to go to.
[4:22:31] So if we advocate more to
get more of those resources,
[4:22:35] I can see putting the resources
[4:22:37] for more boots on the ground.
[4:22:39] I'm just afraid if we put
the more boots on the ground,
[4:22:42] they'll tell me, "Lori, I've asked
[4:22:43] and they don't have
anywhere for me to go."
[4:22:45] And like, just two days
ago I went through this.
[4:22:49] I went through the whole
process with somebody
[4:22:52] and they go and do what I suggest,
[4:22:54] what I've been told to suggest,
[4:22:55] and then there's no resources for them.
[4:22:58] So I think we really need to hone in
[4:23:00] on that provincial level
to get those resources,
[4:23:03] an addiction bed, a mental health bed,
[4:23:06] a shelter bed, or a sustainable,
[4:23:08] 'cause without that, if we
put more boots on the ground,
[4:23:11] we're just telling them, sorry,
"There's nothing for you."
[4:23:14] And that's what we keep on running into.
[4:23:16] So how does, I know this is
the beginning of the plan,
[4:23:18] but how will we overcome all of that?
[4:23:22] - So I don't see those as being
[4:23:27] contrary to one another.
[4:23:29] I think the boots on the ground
helps from that street level
[4:23:34] for businesses and residents
[4:23:37] who I don't think deserve
[4:23:40] to have to put up with
these kind of issues.
[4:23:42] So I think that's important.
You're absolutely right.
[4:23:46] But what I'm going to stand
here and challenge council to do
[4:23:49] is, the best thing you can do
[4:23:51] to get those supportive units built
[4:23:54] is have somewhere to build them.
[4:23:56] And council is directly in charge of that.
[4:23:59] If you have two or three
pieces of land that you own
[4:24:03] and are zoned, serviced, ready to go,
[4:24:05] your chances of getting that
next supportive application
[4:24:09] is going to increase tenfold
[4:24:11] because you can turn the key tomorrow.
[4:24:14] We can get in the ground tomorrow.
[4:24:16] If you're not ready for that,
it's going to pass you by
[4:24:19] and it's going to go to
some other community.
[4:24:21] So there is funding allocations
that come out all the time.
[4:24:25] So that, I agree.
[4:24:27] The funding of building that
[4:24:29] would be other levels of government,
[4:24:32] region, federal, provincial.
[4:24:35] But if you're there as a council saying,
[4:24:39] "Here's the plate to put it on,"
[4:24:42] you're way ahead of the game.
[4:24:44] - I agree.
[4:24:45] But I just want to bring that back
[4:24:46] to a lot of the challenges
that we're having.
[4:24:48] Our mental health, addiction.
[4:24:51] If those services are not available
[4:24:53] because of the provincial funding,
[4:24:55] it's hard for us to solve
the issues down here.
[4:24:58] So I just want to put
that out there to say,
[4:25:02] how are we going to deal with that?
[4:25:03] Back to the advocacy.
[4:25:04] We need to go to somebody
else for funding,
[4:25:06] who's going to fund those extra things.
[4:25:09] - But it, I guess, again,
[4:25:11] and it's much easier
[4:25:15] to advocate from a position of strength.
[4:25:19] And your position of strength
is, "We're ready to go.
[4:25:25] Here's a couple properties.
[4:25:26] We want this, we're ready to go.
[4:25:28] We've committed to it."
[4:25:30] There's going to be a time,
little bit of a time lag.
[4:25:33] That's why you need to
keep, in my opinion,
[4:25:35] tough on the street
with Chris and his group
[4:25:38] and whoever else doing what they're doing
[4:25:40] to keep, you know, and
rightly so, you know,
[4:25:44] the community, you know,
the other partners,
[4:25:47] which is the community, satisfied,
[4:25:51] which they deserve.
[4:25:52] But in the meantime, I
think all of these pieces
[4:25:55] can work together and do your advocacy,
[4:25:59] but be in a position of strength
[4:26:01] when you go and ask for things
[4:26:02] because other communities are doing it
[4:26:05] and have been successful doing it.
[4:26:07] - Yes.
[4:26:09] - But you're right that that
funding has to come from,
[4:26:13] some of that funding has
to come from other levels.
[4:26:16] - Thank you. One final comment on that.
[4:26:18] Years ago it was housing
first, housing first,
[4:26:21] we wanted to get people into housing,
[4:26:23] but we weren't providing the
supportive wraparound services.
[4:26:26] So even though we build
things, you can't just say,
[4:26:29] "Here's your apartment, go to it."
[4:26:30] They need all of those services
[4:26:32] so we have to have those as well.
[4:26:34] So I'm going to move on.
[4:26:35] A lot of the ideas that are in this report
[4:26:39] are some of the concepts that
Councilor Ioannoni and I found
[4:26:43] when we went into Texas
[4:26:45] and we saw the tiny homes community.
[4:26:47] Now I'm going to remove
the word tiny homes
[4:26:49] because everybody gets stuck on that.
[4:26:50] But the whole concept was that
you had all of these hubs,
[4:26:54] the wraparound services of everybody
[4:26:57] being able to get the mental
health, the addiction,
[4:27:00] everything in one place.
[4:27:01] So I'm seeing a lot of
that within the report.
[4:27:03] (alarm chirps)
[4:27:05] I'm just going to, two more things.
[4:27:07] This was brought up to me by a worker,
[4:27:11] and one of the concerns
that they have with a hub
[4:27:14] is sometimes people get banned from,
[4:27:17] and I brought this up to you before,
[4:27:19] sometimes people get
banned from one agency.
[4:27:21] But the way we're set up now,
[4:27:23] and I agree with the hub,
it's a more effective way.
[4:27:25] I agree with it.
[4:27:26] But what we have to think about
[4:27:27] is sometimes the clients get banned.
[4:27:29] Say they get banned from Project SHARE,
[4:27:31] but they can still go to the Soup Kitchen,
[4:27:33] they can still go to The Bridge.
[4:27:35] If all of the services are in one place,
[4:27:37] we really need to turn our
mind to, if someone gets banned
[4:27:41] because of one of their behaviors,
[4:27:43] how does that work with them
accessing all of the services?
[4:27:48] I know I'm not expecting an answer,
[4:27:49] I just want to put it out there
[4:27:51] because it is important.
[4:27:52] - Well, fair to say, I
think as we move forward
[4:27:56] and the design and operation of it
[4:27:58] will be very mindful of
those kind of things.
[4:28:01] You know, these are,
[4:28:03] the people that will be
operating these services
[4:28:07] are all very well-minded,
compassionate people.
[4:28:12] So they're going to be very mindful
[4:28:14] of all of that as we move forward.
[4:28:16] - And of course, it was
a compassionate person
[4:28:18] that brought it to me
because she was concerned.
[4:28:19] - There you go.
- And my last point is,
[4:28:21] I know we spoke about this before too,
[4:28:23] and I didn't see it in the report.
[4:28:25] Niagara Falls and the Niagara region,
[4:28:27] we're very over-housed.
[4:28:28] You have one person living
in a three-bedroom apartment.
[4:28:31] There are programs out there,
[4:28:32] and I've brought them to
council over the past few years.
[4:28:36] There's a new program that
they're working on right now
[4:28:38] that you co-share.
[4:28:40] And somebody is doing all of the vetting.
[4:28:42] They're matching people.
[4:28:43] So someone could live in
that four-bedroom house
[4:28:47] that one person is living,
[4:28:48] now you have two people living in it.
[4:28:49] So that's part of the
affordable housing that we need.
[4:28:53] So I hope that we look into that too.
[4:28:56] I know I've tried to work
[4:28:57] with different organizations about this.
[4:28:59] And it just keeps falling down.
[4:29:01] I know I'm going to revive
it somehow. (laughs)
[4:29:02] - Well, we had a great conversation,
[4:29:06] as you know, and I did
have a good conversation
[4:29:09] with the region about
that exact thing, so.
[4:29:12] There are things that they're
thinking about from that.
[4:29:15] It didn't make its way
detailed into the report
[4:29:17] because it's still early days.
[4:29:19] But I did follow on and follow up
[4:29:21] and have that conversation
[4:29:22] with the regional people after we met.
[4:29:23] - Well, thank you so much for all the work
[4:29:25] and all of the connections.
[4:29:27] And I think it's important
that we remove those silos
[4:29:30] and figure out what everybody needs,
[4:29:31] what services we can offer,
[4:29:32] and hopefully more effective
[4:29:34] that we can serve the residents,
[4:29:36] whether they are unhoused or in need
[4:29:39] or the people and
businesses that live here.
[4:29:41] So thank you.
[4:29:41] - Thank you. Yeah.
- Thank you.
[4:29:42] We've got Councilor Patel,
Pietrangelo, and Baldinelli.
[4:29:46] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[4:29:49] Mr. Todd, thank you very
much for this presentation.
[4:29:51] All the work and support
- It's Ken
[4:29:53] - Ken.
- It's Ken. Yeah.
[4:29:56] - One thing I found interesting,
[4:29:57] what is in the report is,
[4:29:59] everybody the residencies on
the street is not unhoused.
[4:30:03] - No.
- And how is that?
[4:30:06] - Well, you may see a lot
of people on the street.
[4:30:10] And they're out, they may be
out walking to Project SHARE.
[4:30:13] They may be out walking to the
Soup Kitchen to get a meal.
[4:30:17] And many or most
[4:30:19] are returning to a roof over their head.
[4:30:22] It might be a hotel room, it
might be a basement apartment,
[4:30:26] it might be whatever.
[4:30:27] But, you know, the majority,
[4:30:32] the vast majority of those individuals
[4:30:34] that are out in a day,
they're socializing,
[4:30:36] they're, you know, and
the majority of them
[4:30:39] are housed in some format or the other.
[4:30:44] - Well, that's good information,
[4:30:45] through you, Mr. Mayor,
[4:30:46] because sometimes people
would email us or call us
[4:30:48] saying they saw 15 people on Lundy's Lane.
[4:30:50] 15 people on Main Street.
- Yes. Yep.
[4:30:52] - So that means everybody is not unhoused.
[4:30:53] So that's a really good-
- No.
[4:30:55] No and that's what I got to,
[4:30:57] I'm sorry, with the Indigenous
[4:30:59] and, you know, the Indigenous
[4:31:03] that are relocated here, the evacuees,
[4:31:07] and they're out just, you know,
[4:31:10] whether they're out seeing the city
[4:31:12] or they're out on the street,
but they're not homeless.
[4:31:14] But the first perception is,
[4:31:15] "Oh, there's a homeless person."
[4:31:17] Well, they, again, they
may just be walking down
[4:31:20] to get a meal at the Soup Kitchen.
[4:31:21] Or they might just be having,
[4:31:23] they're congregating
at a corner somewhere.
[4:31:25] Like, but that's the perception.
[4:31:28] But they're not, the vast
majority of them are not unhoused.
[4:31:33] - Thank you.
[4:31:34] Through you, Mr. Mayor,
[4:31:35] has any consideration
given to the GNGH site
[4:31:40] for turning that into a hub?
[4:31:42] Because it is working
as a hospital right now,
[4:31:44] there is rooms there, there
are meeting rooms there,
[4:31:46] there's community areas there.
[4:31:51] - I guess the short
answer is no, only because
[4:31:58] I'd say no for now,
[4:31:59] only because that's not where
[4:32:02] the majority of the clients
[4:32:04] that would access these
services are living.
[4:32:09] And I think there's a
much greater opportunity
[4:32:15] for the redevelopment of that site
[4:32:17] for supportive housing,
[4:32:21] rent-geared-to-income kind of housing,
[4:32:23] Park Street type developments.
[4:32:25] Hawkins has a couple really good examples
[4:32:27] with Niagara Housing,
those kind of opportunities
[4:32:31] to get you that next level up
[4:32:33] on the continuum of housing
that this city needs.
[4:32:37] We've heard about the
supportive housing that we need,
[4:32:39] get those kind of units built
[4:32:42] and leave the hub somewhere else
[4:32:44] where we can service the
clients in that community.
[4:32:50] I had your same thought earlier
[4:32:54] but after thinking it through
[4:32:55] and really looking at
what the opportunities
[4:32:57] the GNGH site can offer,
[4:33:01] you know, you could kind of
[4:33:03] have two different areas working together.
[4:33:06] Great sort of greenfield housing sites,
[4:33:09] which are desperately needed.
[4:33:11] And let's find another spot for the hub.
[4:33:14] - Yeah, to that point, Mr. Mayor,
[4:33:16] the new build is ideal,
but the need is now
[4:33:19] and the hospital's already there.
[4:33:21] In a year and a half, they'll
be vacating that building.
[4:33:24] So until we are building a new place,
[4:33:26] maybe you can use that
as one of the services.
[4:33:29] - Well, I think the timing,
[4:33:32] probably the hospital site
[4:33:35] would not even be available
till 2028, possibly 2029,
[4:33:43] I think along that timeline.
[4:33:44] There's a good chance
we'll be well on the way
[4:33:47] to having developed a
hub at another location.
[4:33:52] So, but I would say to this,
[4:33:54] the concept really would be,
[4:33:56] we may physically not be
together in a new hub yet,
[4:34:01] but the approach would be
[4:34:03] as soon as we can get
the conceptual done here,
[4:34:07] we would be working together back end
[4:34:11] as much as we can
[4:34:14] until we move to a new site.
[4:34:15] So there's lots that we can be
doing while that gets built,
[4:34:19] so that, we're not going to delay.
[4:34:21] I mean, we've got the partners here,
[4:34:24] I think Steve's ready to run out right now
[4:34:26] and start doing stuff tonight if he could.
[4:34:29] So we're anxious to get started. Yeah.
[4:34:33] - Through you, Mr. Mayor, you
know, all the recommendations,
[4:34:35] and if councilors want to pick one or two,
[4:34:38] which one would you prioritize?
[4:34:39] Which one would you say we do first
[4:34:41] of all the recommendations?
[4:34:44] - Well, I'm going to be a little selfish
[4:34:46] 'cause I think the hub is a wonderful idea
[4:34:48] that you should get on, really. (laughs)
[4:34:49] But having said that-
- Other levels of the-
[4:34:51] - Having said that, I truly believe
[4:34:53] that reinforcing and continuing on
[4:34:57] what you're doing in the
street, get that solidified.
[4:35:01] 'Cause that's going to have
the greatest immediate impact
[4:35:04] on the people of the community.
[4:35:09] So I would say that's a quick one
[4:35:12] that I know that the CAO and by-law
[4:35:15] and others are already mindful of.
[4:35:18] I think that will just give the residents
[4:35:24] a little bit of a lift
[4:35:26] in some of these neighborhoods
[4:35:27] if you can get that under control quickly
[4:35:30] and let these other things
develop, which are really needed,
[4:35:35] but are going to take a little
bit more time to develop.
[4:35:38] - Okay. Thank you.
[4:35:39] - [Diodati] Thank you, Councilor.
[4:35:40] We've got Councilor
Pietrangelo, then Baldinelli.
[4:35:44] - Yeah. Thanks, your worship.
[4:35:46] Through you, to Mr. Todd.
[4:35:47] Ken, it's great to see you
back in council chambers.
[4:35:50] - Good seeing all of you.
[4:35:51] - It almost feels as
though you haven't left,
[4:35:54] but I know you have.
[4:35:56] But your worship, I just
want to start off by saying
[4:35:59] that to us it's important to have a plan.
[4:36:02] So I want to say thank you, Ken,
[4:36:04] for actually getting
a plan in place for us
[4:36:07] and bringing it to us.
[4:36:08] I know you mentioned earlier
that you're not someone
[4:36:11] that really wants a lot of accolades
[4:36:13] and you kind of pointed behind you
[4:36:14] and you said that there's
hundreds of people
[4:36:16] that volunteer in the Center-
- Every day.
[4:36:18] - every single day.
[4:36:20] And I do recognize that
[4:36:22] and obviously I recognize
a lot of the faces,
[4:36:24] but I think the other thing
that I would be remiss in
[4:36:28] if I didn't mention is the fact
[4:36:30] that it does take
someone special to go out
[4:36:34] and to bring all those
people and all their opinions
[4:36:37] and all their ideas together.
[4:36:39] It takes someone special
who actually has a desire
[4:36:43] and is dedicated and wants
to come forward with a plan
[4:36:47] and puts it all into place, Ken.
[4:36:50] So I do want to say
thank you for doing that.
[4:36:52] I know you don't want it,
so I'll leave it at that.
[4:36:54] But you are someone that's
lived it your entire life
[4:36:57] and I recognize that.
[4:36:58] Your worship, I know
[4:36:59] that there's 12
recommendations in the plan.
[4:37:01] I don't really want to
start pulling them apart
[4:37:04] and saying I like this
one better than the other.
[4:37:06] But obviously I think the
centralized integrated hub
[4:37:09] is an absolute great idea.
[4:37:12] I mean, I hope that that's something
[4:37:13] that we can move forward on.
[4:37:15] I understand that as a council,
[4:37:16] we will have to put more funds,
[4:37:18] we'll have to dedicate more
funds into this initiative.
[4:37:22] But that's something
that we're willing to do.
[4:37:24] The other thing that I just
wanted to mention, your worship,
[4:37:27] is that I know Mr. Todd
has said a number of times
[4:37:30] that as a municipality we
need to identify sites.
[4:37:33] We've already talked about some sites.
[4:37:36] So perhaps if you can tell us the point
[4:37:39] that we need to get it
to in terms of a rezoning
[4:37:41] that would fit on those lands,
[4:37:44] then we can simply give
that direction to staff.
[4:37:47] I can think of a couple
sites off the top of my head.
[4:37:49] I don't really want to pop them out now,
[4:37:52] but if you tell us that this
site needs to be rezoned
[4:37:55] as you know, whether
it's institutional or R4,
[4:37:59] whatever the case might be,
[4:38:00] then we can give that
type of direction to staff
[4:38:02] and then we can get moving on that, so.
[4:38:04] - Thank you. Yeah, that'd be wonderful.
[4:38:07] - Thanks, your worship.
- Thank you, Councilor.
[4:38:09] Councilor Baldinelli.
[4:38:11] - Okay. Thank you, Ken, through you mayor.
[4:38:15] I'll call you Ken 'cause
you just... (laughs)
[4:38:17] - It's Ken,
- But yeah.
[4:38:20] That task report, I know
it's mostly faceted,
[4:38:22] house opposing street, but you did mention
[4:38:24] that we had 1,100 out of 1,800 Indigenous
[4:38:29] in Niagara Falls, 61%.
[4:38:32] - This week.
[4:38:33] - This week.
[4:38:34] Now how much of an effect
do you think it had
[4:38:37] on the people around our
area in Niagara Falls
[4:38:42] over the last three years
where we've accepted,
[4:38:45] and I'm not sure how that acceptance works
[4:38:47] because a lot of people
have been enriched by it
[4:38:50] and all that money that
could have been used
[4:38:52] to take care of people
are taking care of others.
[4:38:58] It continues on today
[4:38:59] and it affects, you know, souvenirs,
[4:39:01] restaurants, you know, the tourism.
[4:39:03] But what about the effects
[4:39:06] on our local population and the unhoused
[4:39:09] and those that need, you
know, need assistance?
[4:39:12] - Well, I don't have quantifiable numbers,
[4:39:15] but in talking to many people
over the last six months,
[4:39:21] you know, whether it's
police, emergency room,
[4:39:26] EMS vehicles, it's, you know,
[4:39:31] even stress on other, you
know, social services.
[4:39:37] It's just, you know, I think
Councilor Lococo said it,
[4:39:42] we don't really even have enough resources
[4:39:43] to serve our own people.
[4:39:46] And here on a weekly basis,
[4:39:47] we're having to service
another 1,100 people
[4:39:51] from outside the community.
[4:39:53] And the city of Niagara Falls,
[4:39:56] the region, police, emergency rooms
[4:39:59] get no financial benefit to
offset that additional burden.
[4:40:03] I just think there's a better model.
[4:40:05] And I'm not trying to
be too critical here,
[4:40:07] but, you know, other people got to step up
[4:40:10] and take their fair share.
[4:40:11] I understand Niagara Falls
has a lot of hotel rooms,
[4:40:14] but that's also a core
business of this municipality
[4:40:17] is to provide hotel
rooms for visitors, so.
[4:40:20] But I think there's another
model where, you know,
[4:40:24] you look at the other
side of who the client is,
[4:40:27] I'm not so sure it's fair to
the evacuees of, you know,
[4:40:32] the arrangements we're putting
them into or uprooting them
[4:40:34] and putting them into,
[4:40:36] like, I'm sure there's a place somewhere,
[4:40:39] whether it's an old campus somewhere
[4:40:42] where you could, you know, use it
[4:40:44] as a training facility
and an evacuee center
[4:40:48] and, you know, have all
the facilities there
[4:40:50] on an ongoing basis
[4:40:51] rather than putting them
in hotels in Fallsview
[4:40:55] or on Lundy's Lane.
[4:40:56] And I just think it's not
fair to the residents,
[4:41:01] because I think Councilor Patel said,
[4:41:04] when you look around the streets,
[4:41:05] a lot of what you're seeing are just,
[4:41:09] you know, evacuees just
carrying on their day,
[4:41:13] not maybe causing trouble,
not causing trouble,
[4:41:15] I don't know what the situation is,
[4:41:17] but you know, it's leaving the
impression on our residents
[4:41:23] that there's all these
homeless people around
[4:41:25] and that's really not quite the case.
[4:41:28] - Yeah, we've had some correspondence
[4:41:31] on the lack of, you know,
policing that basically,
[4:41:36] and I spoke to a lot of them
and they're very overworked
[4:41:39] and they've had too many calls
[4:41:40] and they're just, you know,
[4:41:41] it's not paying attention to our community
[4:41:43] and we pay the taxes for it
and et cetera, et cetera.
[4:41:46] I just like to know from
staff, I mean, how do we,
[4:41:49] we must have a say on all
of these people coming
[4:41:53] to Niagara Falls and staying in our rooms.
[4:41:55] I mean, it just can't be, you know,
[4:41:58] there's lots of rooms within Ontario.
[4:41:59] I'm not sure why we
specifically get targeted.
[4:42:03] I know there's a lot of money involved.
[4:42:05] I'm not sure that it benefits,
[4:42:07] and we had spoken about
this during our term,
[4:42:12] that it was affecting us
and affecting our tourism,
[4:42:16] but it's just too lucrative.
[4:42:18] So, you know, I think the last
three years have been hard
[4:42:21] and you probably doing
your studies in the last,
[4:42:24] last year or so, whatever it's been,
[4:42:26] and I think it's contributed to it.
[4:42:28] And I think we got to focus on
[4:42:30] the available monetary,
provincially and federally,
[4:42:34] that's available and start
putting it to where we need it.
[4:42:38] - Well, and you know, I
guess back to my point,
[4:42:42] I don't think it's fair to the evacuees
[4:42:47] with children and uprooting families.
[4:42:50] I think there's better
solutions that are out there
[4:42:53] that would help our community
[4:42:55] and that would help
the evacuees themselves
[4:42:58] in a, you know, and I know
it's a temporary situation,
[4:43:02] but it can be several months
that they're dislocated
[4:43:04] and, you know, I think there's
a better way to do that.
[4:43:08] I think there's a better model out there.
[4:43:10] - Thanks for your time.
(alarm chirps)
[4:43:13] - Perfect, you timed that one
right on. That was excellent.
[4:43:16] So first thing, Ken,
great big thank you to you
[4:43:21] and to all the volunteers for being here.
[4:43:23] We know it's not been easy
trying to get different groups
[4:43:26] to come together to
collaborate, but it's happening,
[4:43:30] and I knew if anybody
could do it would be you.
[4:43:31] - It actually was honestly
pretty, pretty good.
[4:43:36] There's some great people
out there in our community,
[4:43:39] you know, working every
day, volunteering their time
[4:43:43] and, you know, don't think
that I am, you know, took this,
[4:43:46] Judy just wanted to get me
out of the house, that's all.
[4:43:49] (attendees laugh)
So, I mean,
[4:43:50] that's all this was.
- Secretly paying your salary.
[4:43:52] - Yeah, that's all this was
about, you know. (laughs)
[4:43:55] - So a couple things that I'm
going to look to council to do.
[4:43:59] One is to first of all
receive the reports.
[4:44:03] Second of all, okay.
[4:44:04] I'll come to you, Councilor Lococo
[4:44:06] and Councilor Nieuwesteeg for this.
[4:44:09] Second thing is, there's a motion
that I'm going to introduce,
[4:44:12] so maybe first hear me out
before you agree to it.
[4:44:15] Second part is that motion
[4:44:18] that I'd like to put on the floor
[4:44:20] that we, council, enact
a steering committee
[4:44:24] with necessary participants from agencies
[4:44:27] and city staff consisting
of non-elected officials
[4:44:31] under the leadership of Ken
[4:44:32] with the goal of advancing
the recommendations,
[4:44:35] the 12 recommendations
in the 78-page report.
[4:44:39] And lastly that the report
itself be referred to staff
[4:44:45] and brought back to council
[4:44:47] with financial implications
for implementation.
[4:44:51] So if you're still comfortable
with that, Councilor? Okay.
[4:44:53] And you're still,
Councilor, with that? Okay.
[4:44:55] So that's the motion that I'm
going to suggest that we put.
[4:44:58] So that's going to be
moved by Councilor Lococo,
[4:45:01] seconded by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[4:45:03] And if we have no further discussion.
[4:45:05] Oh. Yes, Councilor Pietrangelo.
[4:45:07] - Thanks, your worship.
[4:45:08] I just want to follow
up on Ken's suggestion
[4:45:11] that we identify sites and
have those sites pre-zoned.
[4:45:14] - Do you want to add that to it?
[4:45:15] - Yeah, if that could
be part of your motion.
[4:45:17] - Okay. Great idea.
- I think that's an easy one,
[4:45:20] your worship, we already
have a couple sites in mind,
[4:45:22] that we know that we can rezone.
[4:45:24] So if we're just given the information
[4:45:26] in terms of what the zoning needs to be,
[4:45:28] again, whether it's
industrial or high density,
[4:45:31] whatever the case might be,
[4:45:32] then we can follow through on that.
[4:45:34] So if that could be part of the motion
[4:45:35] that staff bring back.
- Great.
[4:45:36] Are you good with that, Councilor? Yep.
[4:45:37] Councilor?
[4:45:38] - Direction to rezone those properties
[4:45:40] that we've identified,
[4:45:41] then that would get us moving faster.
[4:45:43] - Yep. Throw in the amendment.
[4:45:44] So everybody understands the
motion, we'll call the vote.
[4:45:48] All those in favor.
[4:45:49] Okay. And that's unanimous.
[4:45:51] - Mr. Mayor, if I could say
[4:45:52] thank you, first of all for that.
[4:45:53] Secondly, I just want to thank,
[4:45:55] you know, there's a lot
of people behind here too
[4:45:58] that were very helpful in getting
this report to this stage.
[4:46:02] City staff, CAO,
[4:46:05] some of the higher ups along this side
[4:46:08] who were very, very good in
giving me some guidance as well.
[4:46:11] So I really, really appreciate that.
[4:46:14] - Well I think we got an opportunity here.
[4:46:15] It's going to be a
made-in-Niagara Falls solution
[4:46:18] that a lot of people are going to
want to replicate and duplicate
[4:46:21] and I can't think of anybody better
[4:46:22] to put something like that together.
[4:46:24] So Ken, we tip our hat to you
and to all the volunteers.
[4:46:26] Thank you very much everybody.
[4:46:27] (attendees applauding)
[4:46:30] Yeah. (laughs)
[4:46:34] Thank you.
[4:46:35] We're not going to remove that
ankle bracelet off of 'em.
[4:46:37] We're going to keep track of
you. Don't try to hide from us.
[4:46:40] Okay, Mr. Clerk.
[4:46:43] Okay, we're good for that. Thank you.
[4:46:49] All right ladies and gentlemen,
anyone following along now,
[4:46:52] we're at the planning portion
of the council agenda.
[4:46:55] Thank you to those who've
been patiently waiting
[4:46:58] for us to address this.
[4:47:00] I'll call on our city clerk
[4:47:01] to introduce the next item on the agenda.
[4:47:05] - Thanks, your worship.
[4:47:06] A public meeting is now being convened
[4:47:07] to consider a proposed amendment
[4:47:08] to the city's official
Plan and Zoning By-law
[4:47:11] to permit 99 stacked
townhouses within six blocks
[4:47:15] at 5691 through to 6017 Valley Way.
[4:47:19] Notice was given by first class mail
[4:47:21] in accordance with the
Planning Act on May 22nd, 2026,
[4:47:25] and by posting a sign on
the property in question
[4:47:28] in accordance with Bill 185,
[4:47:29] the minister, the applicant,
or a specified person,
[4:47:32] public body or registered
owner of any land
[4:47:35] to which the official plan
amendment by-law will apply,
[4:47:39] who made oral submissions
at a public meeting
[4:47:41] or written submissions to city council
[4:47:43] prior to the adoption of
the official plan amendment
[4:47:45] and/or passage of the by-law
[4:47:47] may appeal the official plan
amendment and/or the by-law
[4:47:50] to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
[4:47:51] Third-party appeals are
no longer permitted.
[4:47:54] - Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
[4:47:55] We'll now call on Nick DeBenedetti,
[4:47:58] our Planner 2, to provide
and explain the purpose
[4:48:01] and reason for the proposed amendments.
[4:48:05] - Good evening, council, your worship,
[4:48:09] members of the public.
[4:48:11] My name's Nick DeBenedetti.
[4:48:12] I'm a Planner 2 with the
City of Niagara Falls
[4:48:15] and we're here to discuss Official Plan
[4:48:17] and Zoning By-law Amendment 2026-002.
[4:48:24] The applicant's Valley Way
Non-Profit Housing Corp.
[4:48:28] Greg Olson.
[4:48:30] Proposal is to construct six
stacked townhouse buildings
[4:48:35] with a total of 99 dwelling units
[4:48:37] located at 5961 and 6017 Valley Way.
[4:48:43] And again, just in this area over here,
[4:48:46] the area in blue is the location.
[4:48:50] This gives you a larger-scale
neighborhood map,
[4:48:55] gives you the road network,
[4:48:59] the current institutional use
[4:49:04] and amenity areas.
[4:49:06] And again, the area here
[4:49:11] in green is the proposal.
[4:49:16] Now this gives you a closer
look of the actual site itself.
[4:49:21] There's Shirley Avenue here, Stevens,
[4:49:24] there's Valley Way located here.
[4:49:26] Again, the institutional use there.
[4:49:29] There's a dead-end street over here,
[4:49:32] which is Sidney Street.
[4:49:35] And then there's the proposal
[4:49:39] with the institutional use here,
[4:49:41] again with detached
dwellings in this location,
[4:49:45] a couple of apartment buildings here,
[4:49:48] and again, singles all along Valley Way.
[4:49:55] Now the official plan indicates
[4:49:57] that the proposal is
designated residential
[4:50:00] and is in the built-up area.
[4:50:01] The official plan amendment is required
[4:50:03] to increase the density from 75 units
[4:50:07] to 92 units per hectare.
[4:50:09] The residential designation,
[4:50:11] generally, policies allow for
dwelling units of all types,
[4:50:15] catering to a wide range of households,
[4:50:18] which includes this townhouse development.
[4:50:22] Now the zoning by-law amendment,
[4:50:24] the current zone is institutional.
[4:50:28] The proposal is to rezone
it to an R5C density
[4:50:32] in accordance with Zoning By-law 79-200.
[4:50:37] And the proposal will include,
[4:50:40] there's a number of parts and regulations
[4:50:44] that need to be recognized.
[4:50:47] The reduced minimum lot frontage
[4:50:49] will be reduced from 30 down to 20.
[4:50:52] The reduction of the
minimum rear yard depth
[4:50:54] from 10 down to 7.5 meters.
[4:50:58] The increase of the
interior side yard width
[4:51:01] to the west and east lot lines.
[4:51:03] So actually we're bumping
up the side yard setback
[4:51:07] to increase it to six meters
where the requirement is 5.5.
[4:51:13] We're actually going to be increasing
[4:51:16] the interior side yard width to the north,
[4:51:19] which again, it's 5.5,
[4:51:21] and the proposal will be at eight meters.
[4:51:26] We're actually decreasing
the height requirement.
[4:51:29] So the proposal in this zone,
[4:51:31] the typical height requirement is 19,
[4:51:34] we're capping it at 11.
[4:51:37] Furthermore, there's a parking standard
[4:51:40] that's being decreased from 1.4 to 1.1
[4:51:44] and then the maneuvering aisle
[4:51:46] is increasing from 6.3 to 6.
[4:51:50] So this gives you a proposed layout
[4:51:52] of what's being contemplated on this site.
[4:51:57] Again, the access off
of Shirley Avenue here,
[4:52:00] it's not a straight access,
it's been purposely designed
[4:52:04] to have a little of an angle,
[4:52:06] and then there's a further access
[4:52:07] that has been introduced off of Valley Way
[4:52:11] to help assist in traffic.
[4:52:16] Again, in this corner over
here, it's the pinch point.
[4:52:20] It's only at the 7.5 meters
[4:52:22] and then actually the rear yard increases
[4:52:25] along this perimeter.
[4:52:27] Again, the pinch point up
here is at the six meters
[4:52:30] where the proposal is 5.5.
[4:52:36] No, just got to get rid of that.
[4:52:42] Okay, again, the pinch point
over here is a six meter.
[4:52:46] And then on the top here we're looking at
[4:52:49] having the eight-meter interior side yard.
[4:52:53] So we're actually increasing
the side yard requirements
[4:52:56] that what you typically would have.
[4:53:00] There also is noted here,
[4:53:03] there's going to be potential
Moloks in the islands there.
[4:53:07] Those are the little round circles.
[4:53:08] And they've indicated some snow storage
[4:53:13] on the perimeters where the
landscape area is being shown.
[4:53:18] Now this gives you a rendering
of what's being proposed.
[4:53:21] Again, there's going to be the rooftop,
[4:53:24] your typical roof shingles
with a porch in the front.
[4:53:28] There's a step up
[4:53:30] and also an additional area on top.
[4:53:36] This gives you the elevation drawings.
[4:53:39] As noted, the side yards
actually are limited
[4:53:42] to the one windows as indicated.
[4:53:47] And then that gives you
the front perspective
[4:53:49] and the rear perspective.
[4:53:52] Now this is an interesting map.
[4:53:54] Typically we're looking at what amenities
[4:53:58] are located with this proposal.
[4:54:02] So the area marked where the star is,
[4:54:04] that's actually where the
proposal's going to be placed.
[4:54:08] And along, there are,
[4:54:10] in the green areas within the
500-meter perimeter radius,
[4:54:15] there are actually parkettes,
[4:54:16] there's a Shirley Parkette
there, there's Huck Park there.
[4:54:21] Oaks Park was in within the
perimeter, there's a Stanford,
[4:54:26] sorry, the Niagara Falls Lions Club there.
[4:54:30] So there are close proximity
[4:54:33] within a 500-meter radius of parks.
[4:54:38] There's also schools in
the general location,
[4:54:41] St. Mary's over here,
Valley Way over here,
[4:54:45] Stanford in this area.
[4:54:48] There's some commercial nodes.
[4:54:50] There's Clancy's, the
commercial plaza at Stanley,
[4:54:54] and Valley Way.
[4:54:56] There's also the day nursery,
which is a commercial entity.
[4:55:00] There's also some commercial
[4:55:02] where you have the bakery over here
[4:55:04] and Scott's Variety over here.
[4:55:06] There's also the institutional use
[4:55:08] where the bank is up in this area
[4:55:11] just at the corner of
Morrison and Portage.
[4:55:18] There's also obviously the healthcare.
[4:55:20] Currently there is the hospital
[4:55:23] in this location for the time being.
[4:55:25] But also there is also
some health center use.
[4:55:28] There's the medical building there.
[4:55:30] There's a Valley Way
medical building there.
[4:55:32] There's also the police
station in close proximity.
[4:55:36] And also looking at this,
[4:55:40] right at the corner of
Portage and Valley Way,
[4:55:42] there are bus stops.
[4:55:44] There's numerous bus stops
[4:55:45] where the little yellow dots are,
[4:55:48] there's actually a bus
stop just across here.
[4:55:51] There's a walkway right about
not even five minutes away.
[4:55:56] There's a bus stop here at Scott Street.
[4:55:58] There's a further bus stop
here, right on Valley Way,
[4:56:01] right in front of the institutional use.
[4:56:03] So there's a majority of close
bus stops in the location.
[4:56:08] And there's the bus network
[4:56:10] and also the bike network dashed in red.
[4:56:14] So this, when you're looking at this,
[4:56:16] it gives you an overall
perspective that where the star is,
[4:56:20] there is a lot of amenities
in close proximity.
[4:56:24] So moving to the public open house,
[4:56:27] we had a meeting on March 18th
[4:56:29] and there was comments
[4:56:31] that came out of the
meeting from the citizens.
[4:56:34] So one of the comments was,
"Opening Shirley Avenue
[4:56:38] generates traffic and safety issues."
[4:56:41] According to the transportation briefs,
[4:56:43] most of the traffic is anticipated
[4:56:45] to be utilized on Valley Way entrance
[4:56:48] rather than the Shirley Avenue.
[4:56:51] The parking standard's going
to be reduced down to the 1.1
[4:56:54] and there could be a potential spillover
[4:56:56] onto Shirley Avenue.
[4:56:58] Transportation staff
completed a technical study
[4:57:02] to modernize parking rates,
[4:57:06] which again is being recommended
[4:57:08] at a 1.1 parking space per
stacked townhouse unit.
[4:57:13] As such, the parking
study was not required
[4:57:16] and spillover is not anticipated.
[4:57:19] Potential decrease in
adjacent property values.
[4:57:23] The proposal provides
an infill opportunity
[4:57:25] which provincially and local
land use policies encourage.
[4:57:31] Proposal will have 99 attainable units
[4:57:34] allowing for adequate separation,
[4:57:37] contemplated height
with adjacent properties
[4:57:40] and using existing services.
[4:57:42] The increase of traffic is minimal,
[4:57:45] and over time the value of the properties,
[4:57:48] mostly an increase in value.
[4:57:50] The coordination of installation
[4:57:54] of basically fencing along the perimeter.
[4:58:00] Now the location and type
of fencing will be decided
[4:58:03] during the future site plan control stage.
[4:58:06] Fencing is typically always a requirement
[4:58:09] along the property line
[4:58:11] and the applicant agrees
with the requirement
[4:58:14] of the placement of the
fencing along the lot lines.
[4:58:18] The privacy, noise, and lighting concerns.
[4:58:20] The conceptual site plan has designed the,
[4:58:25] basically to minimize overlooking
[4:58:28] onto the neighboring properties
in the conceptual site plan.
[4:58:31] There's no balconies are proposed
[4:58:33] on the rear or the side elevations.
[4:58:36] The rear face of the proposed
stacked town dwelling
[4:58:40] maintains a minimum of 7.5.
[4:58:42] And I indicated that at the pinch point
[4:58:45] and it does increase
along the rear lot line.
[4:58:48] Through the site plan control stage,
[4:58:49] wood fencing, plantings
[4:58:52] will be addressed and the applicant agrees
[4:58:54] with the placement of the wood fencing
[4:58:56] and additional plantings for privacy.
[4:58:59] Development is subject under
the City of Niagara Falls,
[4:59:03] will be controlled under the noise by-law.
[4:59:05] And again, the site plan control process
[4:59:08] will review the lighting proposed
[4:59:10] and to make sure that
there is zero setback
[4:59:14] and basically you're not going
[4:59:17] to be emitting over the lot line.
[4:59:20] The type of garbage
enclosure that will be used
[4:59:23] as indicated on the site plan,
[4:59:24] they're looking at
putting the Molok system
[4:59:27] and there were noted some
areas on the site plan.
[4:59:30] The potential pest disturbance.
[4:59:34] The applicant will have best efforts
[4:59:36] to make sure that it'll be minimized
[4:59:38] for potential pest disturbance.
[4:59:40] And during construction,
[4:59:41] all debris will be cleared
[4:59:44] to control any rodent activity.
[4:59:48] Questions regarding city infrastructure.
[4:59:51] Now the city has retained GEI Consultants
[4:59:54] as the third party modeling
[4:59:57] to evaluate the wastewater impacts
[4:59:59] and propose on the townhome development.
[5:00:02] The study concluded
[5:00:03] that the development
will have minimum impact
[5:00:05] on existing wastewater system.
[5:00:09] Larger downstream sewers
on Valley Way and Portage
[5:00:13] in relation to the regional trunk sewer
[5:00:16] near Park Street have
sophisticated capacity
[5:00:21] to cover the two-to-five-
and the 10-year design.
[5:00:25] "Is the city considered
opening up Shirley and Sidney
[5:00:29] if the old school site is demolished?"
[5:00:32] The city has no current application
[5:00:34] for the removal of the school site.
[5:00:38] Any future application will
be reviewed on its merit
[5:00:41] and any planning application, again,
[5:00:44] involving a rezoning
[5:00:46] will be circulated as part
of the public process.
[5:00:49] Snow removal and whether there
are private amenity areas.
[5:00:53] The location of the snow storage
[5:00:55] was identified on the site plan.
[5:00:58] Again, it would be carried out
[5:00:59] for future property owners,
[5:01:01] which would be basically
[5:01:05] the condominium corporation.
[5:01:07] If there's a heavy snow event,
[5:01:08] we'll have to truck out the snow.
[5:01:11] There is landscape buffers
noted on the site plan.
[5:01:14] The detailed landscape
plan will be reviewed
[5:01:16] as part of the site plan control process.
[5:01:20] And again, there's no amenity areas noted
[5:01:22] on the rear of the dwellings.
[5:01:25] Concerns about access going through
[5:01:28] as a through route through Valley Way.
[5:01:31] Through traffic from Valley Way to Shirley
[5:01:34] is expected to be minimal
due to the design.
[5:01:37] And as I indicated, it's
not a straight access.
[5:01:40] The actual site plan
shows it as curvature.
[5:01:45] The design, the layout,
[5:01:46] and the private internal road network.
[5:01:49] The internal roadway
network is only six meters,
[5:01:52] which is narrower than
your typical local road.
[5:01:55] The roadway is not as straight
[5:01:57] and its physical design
[5:01:59] will not encourage a
convenient cut-through route.
[5:02:03] As such, the Paradigm conducted
[5:02:06] the most of its traffic
using the internal roadways
[5:02:11] will consist primarily of the
residents and the visitors
[5:02:14] and additional signage can be placed
[5:02:16] to make sure to deter this through access.
[5:02:21] And finally, now there was a petition
[5:02:23] that was brought up at part
of the consent application
[5:02:26] that was done back last fall.
[5:02:29] A member of the public requested
[5:02:31] that the petition be included
from the consent application.
[5:02:35] The current proposal with the layout
[5:02:37] and the access on the Valley Way
[5:02:39] was not included at the time.
[5:02:41] So basically there were
two different applications
[5:02:43] and the members of the public at that time
[5:02:46] didn't have the opportunity
to see the full layout
[5:02:50] that's been proposed tonight.
[5:02:54] So moving to the OP and
zoning by-law justification.
[5:02:59] The proposal conforms
[5:03:00] to provincial, regional,
and city policies,
[5:03:03] contributes to the minimum
intensification target
[5:03:06] of 50% residential units
in the built-up area.
[5:03:12] It's fully serviced,
located near parks, transit,
[5:03:15] local commercial amenities
[5:03:17] as I noted on the amenity plan.
[5:03:20] The proposed stacked townhouse dwelling
[5:03:22] is a max of 92 units,
[5:03:24] which is compatible with the
existing abutting residential
[5:03:28] maintaining low-rise built form.
[5:03:31] And all units will be sold
at the city's benchmark
[5:03:35] of the attainable values.
[5:03:37] So basically they'll be
selling all those units,
[5:03:40] all 99 units will be attainable.
[5:03:43] The rezoning.
[5:03:44] The rezoning proposal
is a site-specific R5C
[5:03:48] with adequate rear yard buffer.
[5:03:50] We're increasing the side yards
to add additional buffering.
[5:03:56] Yes, there is the
reduction of the standard,
[5:03:58] but that standard meets our
transportation requirement.
[5:04:04] We are actually
restricting the height down
[5:04:07] from 19 down to 11
[5:04:09] and we're blending in the roof designs
[5:04:11] with the pitched roof with
the surrounding neighbors,
[5:04:15] which is achieving the compatibility
[5:04:17] of the residential properties.
[5:04:20] And the proposal contributes
[5:04:21] to the neighborhood's housing options,
[5:04:24] introducing a mix of unit types
[5:04:28] that are consistent with
the residential character
[5:04:31] and existing pattern of
the scale development.
[5:04:36] So the recommendation is council
approve the official plan
[5:04:38] and zoning by-law amendment
located on Valley Way
[5:04:42] to increase the permitted density
[5:04:46] subject to the site-specific R5D density
[5:04:49] for the proposed 99 stacked townhomes.
[5:04:56] Thank you.
- Done? Thank you.
[5:04:57] Thank you. Mr. DeBenedetti.
Questions of council.
[5:05:00] I've got first Councilor
Nieuwesteeg, Strange, and Lococo.
[5:05:05] So Councilor Nieuwesteeg. Yeah.
[5:05:08] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Great presentation.
[5:05:11] I have two questions. How many
homes are on Shirley Avenue?
[5:05:17] - That I'd maybe, maybe
get a close-up view.
[5:05:24] I mean Shirley itself,
if you go up this way-
[5:05:28] - Just yeah.
- to the corner.
[5:05:29] No, Shirley going into like that.
[5:05:30] - Well that, that would be Stevens,
[5:05:32] so Shirley goes straight
up then that bends around.
[5:05:35] - So where this property
is going to attach over,
[5:05:37] like they can go off that way?
[5:05:39] - Yeah.
[5:05:40] Basically this access, Shirley
will then connect to Scott
[5:05:43] and then Scott will go on to Portage
[5:05:46] and then this access at Stevens
[5:05:48] would eventually go out to Drummond Road.
[5:05:51] - But that little piece
[5:05:52] like where it connects from...
[5:05:54] - Right here?
- Yeah.
[5:05:55] So how many houses are in that little...?
[5:05:56] - That little area, you could probably get
[5:05:57] about one, two, three,
four, about five in that,
[5:06:01] in that little perimeter.
[5:06:02] - Okay. So if there's extra
traffic going into Valley Way,
[5:06:06] those people who really
experience no traffic right now,
[5:06:09] would see a huge amount
of increase in traffic.
[5:06:11] - Well again, based on the Paradigm study
[5:06:14] and after the open house, that's
why they updated the study.
[5:06:17] They indicated at the most
that the majority of the flow
[5:06:21] will be coming out the
Valley Way, which is 85%,
[5:06:24] approximately 15 to 20%
will go up this way.
[5:06:28] - How did they know that?
[5:06:29] - They did their studies. Paradigm.
[5:06:32] Well, they're the traffic consultants.
[5:06:36] They feel that the Valley Way is,
[5:06:39] if you look at, and if
you look at the overall,
[5:06:42] the majority actually
action is on Valley Way.
[5:06:46] So if people want to go south,
[5:06:48] they want to get onto the highway,
[5:06:49] to the police station, to
down to the Main Street,
[5:06:52] down to that area,
[5:06:55] they're going to be
coming off the Valley Way.
[5:06:56] If you want to go north,
[5:06:58] really, you're pretty much going
[5:07:00] to the Meridian Bank down to Queen Street.
[5:07:03] A lot of the traffic also
would come down Valley Way
[5:07:06] would go up Drummond.
[5:07:07] And I guess those are the
facts that they looked at.
[5:07:10] - I don't know if I
totally agree with that.
[5:07:12] But let's go back to the Valley Way.
[5:07:14] So I don't know of any road
that comes out of that.
[5:07:16] Like there's no road
there right now, right?
[5:07:19] - No, there's the proposal
based on the site plan.
[5:07:21] - So it's an actual road?
- Right here.
[5:07:23] Yeah, they're going to have
[5:07:24] right here where I have the dash-
[5:07:25] - So there's going to be a legitimate-
[5:07:26] - There's a road access.
[5:07:28] - Access. But you're
saying access, is it a-
[5:07:30] - It's a road. It's a six-meter wide road.
[5:07:33] - Okay. And it'll be named
like it'll be a special road?
[5:07:35] - No, no, that's an internal road.
[5:07:37] You don't, it's not a public street,
[5:07:39] it's an internal road network.
[5:07:41] - Okay, so if I'm there,
[5:07:42] to me it looks like just I
can go out that other area
[5:07:46] as opposed to coming all the
way out, going to Valley Way.
[5:07:49] I guess I just don't see it the same way
[5:07:51] as this Paradigm sees it.
[5:07:52] If I'm living there, I'm going
to go that way as opposed to...
[5:07:55] - Well it depends. Everybody
takes your shortest route.
[5:07:57] If you want to go to the police station,
[5:07:59] why would I want to go down?
[5:08:00] I would come down Valley Way
and go down up Valley Way.
[5:08:04] If you want to go to the south side,
[5:08:05] why would I want to go up Shirley?
[5:08:07] They're looking at,
[5:08:08] they'll take the shortest
route off of Valley Way.
[5:08:10] Want to get onto the highway.
Why would I cut up Shirley?
[5:08:13] I'll go off of Valley Way.
[5:08:15] They're always looking at the short,
[5:08:16] everybody looks at the shortest route.
[5:08:18] - I see the other way as a short way.
[5:08:19] I look at this and I see all
that traffic on Valley Way.
[5:08:21] I'd scoot out that way,
anyways, the way I drive.
[5:08:25] But, so this is a real road that's coming.
[5:08:27] It's not, you keep calling it access,
[5:08:28] that's why I'm just so...
[5:08:31] - It would be part of their future consent
[5:08:33] that they would have an easement
[5:08:35] that would have a road network
connecting onto Valley Way-
[5:08:39] - An easement or a road?
[5:08:40] - It's an easement of favor
of having the road network.
[5:08:44] - Okay. So I...
[5:08:45] - It's a basic, the bottom line,
[5:08:46] it's going to be a six-meter
wide road connection
[5:08:49] onto Valley Way.
[5:08:50] So how about-
- An internal road.
[5:08:50] - So that means two cars go-
- Yes.
[5:08:53] - At the same time?
- Yes.
[5:08:54] - Okay. All right.
[5:08:55] Those are my two questions. Thank you.
[5:08:57] - [Diodati] Okay, thank
you. Councilor Strange.
[5:09:00] - Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[5:09:02] I was just wondering, so I
know we have two access points,
[5:09:05] but you know, the one on Shirley
[5:09:06] is going to be at least very disruptive
[5:09:09] for the current residents.
[5:09:11] They've been there for years
[5:09:12] without having any through traffic there.
[5:09:13] And I think that's going
to be a potential problem.
[5:09:17] Is there a way that we can use Shirley
[5:09:21] as an emergency access
[5:09:24] only for fire department,
EMS, that sort of stuff?
[5:09:28] And we've done it in the past
[5:09:29] and I think all Ontario
they do it as well.
[5:09:32] So we block that off
as an emergency access
[5:09:35] and have this easement as
the road going in and out.
[5:09:40] I don't know whether that'd
be a question for you
[5:09:42] or for Ms. Dolch?
- Ms. Dolch.
[5:09:45] - Thank you, Councilor.
[5:09:47] Obviously emergency accesses
are something that we consider
[5:09:52] at certain times in certain situations.
[5:09:55] In this case in particular,
[5:09:56] the easement's not yet
secured for the south roadway.
[5:10:00] So I think-
- It's not secured?
[5:10:01] - No.
[5:10:02] So I'd be hesitant to close
this off as an emergency access
[5:10:06] and, you know, put that
chain or bollards across
[5:10:09] because, again, it wouldn't provide
[5:10:10] that access at this point.
[5:10:11] Not to say that the
applicant's not intending
[5:10:13] to secure that easement, but again,
[5:10:16] it's predicated on the fact
[5:10:17] that will this application
be approved tonight
[5:10:19] or will it be denied?
[5:10:21] They may not have to go through
[5:10:22] that extra step at this point.
[5:10:25] You know, in terms of planning
and long-term planning,
[5:10:29] we want to see every connection possible
[5:10:31] for active transportation
to disperse traffic.
[5:10:34] And as Mr. DeBenedetti
was saying, you know,
[5:10:37] the easiest point of travel
[5:10:38] is going to Valley Way,
its collector road,
[5:10:40] it manages more volume of traffic,
[5:10:42] it's easier to get in and out
[5:10:43] rather than going up to
obviously Shirley and out,
[5:10:46] you have to wind through subdivisions.
[5:10:48] So most people won't take that path
[5:10:50] unless they're dedicated
to going somewhere
[5:10:52] in that area specifically.
[5:10:54] And that's where Paradigm comes up
[5:10:56] with their assessment and is probably best
[5:10:58] to hear from them if they're
here tonight on that.
[5:11:01] But to close that access point,
[5:11:03] I would have concerns from
a planning perspective.
[5:11:07] So that would be my concern at this point.
[5:11:09] - But we do have,
[5:11:11] I remember in Chippewa
[5:11:12] I believe we had the same type of thing
[5:11:13] where there was an emergency
access and it was closed off.
[5:11:16] And maybe even Chief Jo,
[5:11:19] is it acceptable to the
fire department as well?
[5:11:26] - Thank you, your worship.
[5:11:27] Through to the councilor.
- Yeah, sure.
[5:11:28] - So I'll let Mr.
Zambito, or Chief Zambito,
[5:11:31] speak to that directly in
terms of emergency access.
[5:11:34] My concern is we haven't
secured another access point.
[5:11:37] So to agree tonight that it's
an emergency access only,
[5:11:40] I would have some concerns.
[5:11:42] - Okay. Thank you.
[5:11:42] Well, I guess we can hear from Chief Jo.
[5:11:44] - Chief, I know Optimist Lane,
[5:11:46] we've got one of those
kind of closed lanes
[5:11:48] for the fire department.
[5:11:49] - Yes. Through you, Mr.
Mayor, to the Councilor.
[5:11:52] I guess if we were to say hypothetically
[5:11:55] if the easement was secured
in terms of planning
[5:11:58] and it met all the conditions that staff,
[5:12:02] all staff would want in
terms of a site plan,
[5:12:05] it is something that we have done
[5:12:07] in terms of emergency
access in other areas.
[5:12:08] So we could take a look at that for sure
[5:12:12] to limit the traffic
for emergency services.
[5:12:14] But then again, that would be
only if all the other areas
[5:12:19] in terms of planning and
the easement, et cetera,
[5:12:21] were all to the satisfaction
of all the city departments.
[5:12:25] But to answer your question,
assuming hypothetically
[5:12:30] that was done, we could
certainly look at that
[5:12:33] and find an alternative to,
[5:12:36] or some sort of emergency access.
[5:12:38] - Okay. Thank you.
[5:12:39] Yeah, 'cause in the planning
report, it explicitly says
[5:12:41] that the applicant requires an easement
[5:12:43] over the retained parcel
[5:12:45] to secure access in
perpetuity onto Valley Way.
[5:12:50] In perpetuity means forever.
[5:12:52] It is legally registered
on the title of the land
[5:12:55] at the Land Registry Office.
[5:12:56] Even if the nonprofit
corporation sells the property
[5:13:00] in 20 years from now,
[5:13:01] the easement remains legally binding.
[5:13:03] The new owner cannot block, alter,
[5:13:05] or cancel that right of way.
[5:13:08] - [Diodati] Yep.
[5:13:10] - Through you to the councilor.
[5:13:11] So my concern is that there
is no condition on the zoning
[5:13:15] for that to be done.
[5:13:16] So if you are considering
an emergency access,
[5:13:19] you are going to have to
make sure it's a condition
[5:13:21] that that easement be secured.
[5:13:23] Otherwise, we would have no access
[5:13:25] for this subdivision or
for this development.
[5:13:29] - I have a question to that.
- Go ahead.
[5:13:30] Go ahead, Councilor. Yep.
[5:13:32] - Yeah, just on that point, your worship,
[5:13:34] I guess through you to Ms. Dolch.
[5:13:37] So if the easement is not secured,
[5:13:40] can the easement go away at this point?
[5:13:42] Because we're being shown a plan right now
[5:13:45] that has an access out to Valley Way.
[5:13:47] But if you're telling us that
that easement is not secured,
[5:13:50] can that easement be deleted at any point?
[5:13:54] - Thank you, your worship.
Through you to the councilor.
[5:13:55] That's correct.
[5:13:56] Right now, obviously it's in the report,
[5:13:58] there's no condition that that easement
[5:14:00] be provided through this report.
[5:14:02] So that's why I'm cautioning
[5:14:04] if you do close up that access to Shirley,
[5:14:07] you could potentially have an issue
[5:14:09] that there would be no access point.
[5:14:11] So either way, if the access was open
[5:14:14] or if the easement is not there,
[5:14:17] I would suggest that a condition be placed
[5:14:19] that the easement be provided
as a condition of the zoning.
[5:14:25] - Okay, I guess that
doesn't strike me as normal
[5:14:30] when we're presented a plan
[5:14:31] and then I guess I hear that
[5:14:34] even after we approve the
plan, that can change,
[5:14:36] like the easement can go away.
[5:14:38] So I mean, we're looking at a plan
[5:14:40] that has access out onto Valley Way.
[5:14:43] It is somewhat odd to say
[5:14:45] that all of a sudden we could approve this
[5:14:48] and then that easement out
to Valley Way could go away.
[5:14:53] - Yep. Good.
- Thank you, your worship.
[5:14:55] So originally that wasn't
the original proposal.
[5:14:58] So the original proposal had
no access out to Valley Way.
[5:15:01] Obviously this has been added as something
[5:15:04] to address the concerns raised
[5:15:06] by the residents at the open houses.
[5:15:08] So that's why this easement's
now being suggested.
[5:15:11] It hasn't been yet applied for though.
[5:15:14] - Okay.
[5:15:16] And I just want to say, your worship,
[5:15:17] I tend to agree with the emergency access.
[5:15:19] I can, I mean, yes, we did it in Chippewa,
[5:15:22] yes, we did it at Optimist,
[5:15:23] we also did it on Beaverdams,
[5:15:24] we also did it on Mountain Road.
[5:15:26] There's a number of different
sites across Niagara Falls
[5:15:29] where we've actually done that
[5:15:30] and they've been sites
where we have one access in.
[5:15:34] And I'm not sure, like in
the areas that we've done it,
[5:15:37] they've been larger developments.
[5:15:39] I don't know how large a
development actually has to be
[5:15:42] before the Planning Department
[5:15:44] requires a secondary access.
[5:15:47] So is this development
of that size and nature
[5:15:51] where it would require a secondary access?
[5:15:55] Because I can think of other
developments that we've done
[5:15:57] that are just simple townhouse condos
[5:16:00] and they're all attached
[5:16:01] and there's probably more
than a hundred units in them
[5:16:04] and we only have the
one access in the node.
[5:16:08] - Thank you, your worship,
through you to the councilor.
[5:16:10] So obviously any development,
in my opinion anyway,
[5:16:13] any development, not to say
it can't have one access,
[5:16:16] but it shouldn't have one
sole access without a median.
[5:16:19] Again, that's only from
a planning perspective.
[5:16:22] So if one access point gets blocked,
[5:16:24] if the firetrucks needs to go in,
[5:16:25] they can go through the other access
[5:16:27] on the other side of the median.
[5:16:28] Again, still can have one access
[5:16:30] but you put a median in between
[5:16:31] to make sure you have another point of,
[5:16:34] in case there's an accident,
[5:16:36] but you have some barrier in between.
[5:16:39] That would always be my
recommendation if that was the case
[5:16:41] or a secondary access point.
[5:16:44] - Thank you. Councilor
Strange, you're done?
[5:16:46] Okay. So we'll go to Councilor
Lococo, then Dabrowski.
[5:16:49] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I guess
we're all on the same page.
[5:16:52] We've talked to the same residents.
[5:16:53] I was speaking to the chief today
[5:16:55] and that was one of my suggestions
[5:16:57] was about the emergency access.
[5:17:00] When I read about this easement,
if we look at that picture,
[5:17:04] the one that says the one
[5:17:05] that's at the far left, 5961 residential,
[5:17:08] the one that's to the
right of the green mark,
[5:17:10] where I guess the easement,
right where the road would be.
[5:17:12] When I Google that,
there's a house on that.
[5:17:17] It's not on that drawing.
Is the house being removed?
[5:17:20] Is it a vacant lot which
I can't see online?
[5:17:23] Like what am I not seeing there?
[5:17:27] Like if you Google 5961,
you look at a house
[5:17:31] and there's no house on this.
[5:17:33] And so the easement is going
to be to the left of that lot
[5:17:36] or part of that lot?
[5:17:38] - Through, chair.
[5:17:40] So this, the one I'm hovering
right here. Is that the lot?
[5:17:44] Yeah, there is a house on there. Yeah.
[5:17:47] So for some reason
[5:17:51] the mapping didn't catch it,
[5:17:53] but there is a house there.
[5:17:56] Actually there's an apartment
building right next to it,
[5:17:59] but no, you are correct.
[5:18:00] There is a house.
[5:18:01] It's not a vacant lot.
There is a house there.
[5:18:03] - Okay,
- So...
[5:18:04] - So is the easement going
over that 5961 property?
[5:18:10] - No, this, let me get my bearings here.
[5:18:13] Just hold on one second here. Sorry.
[5:18:19] This could maybe, so
right now this is, sorry,
[5:18:23] this is the house that
we were talking about.
[5:18:26] This gives you the error photo.
[5:18:28] Right here, there is a vacant area
[5:18:32] and then to the, if you're
looking at straight,
[5:18:36] then there's to the left
of it is the road access.
[5:18:43] - Okay, thank you. That explains that.
[5:18:46] But I am really leery about
approving a development
[5:18:49] where we don't even have this access yet.
[5:18:51] Originally when the proposal came,
[5:18:53] it was just one access on Shirley.
[5:18:56] Then the residents spoke and
expressed their concerns.
[5:19:00] Now we have two accesses
[5:19:02] and like Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
[5:19:03] if I, can we go back to that one,
[5:19:06] if I lived in any of those townhouses
[5:19:08] up at the top or to the left
there, I would go out that way.
[5:19:12] I wouldn't go all the way down.
[5:19:13] So to me, that's half of the development
[5:19:16] that would be going that way
and go out different ways
[5:19:19] so you don't have to go down Valley Way.
[5:19:21] I understand we have a
consultant, Paradigm,
[5:19:24] but I would go out that way.
[5:19:26] So when I spoke to Chief Zambito
about the emergency access,
[5:19:30] I told him about Chippewa
and could we do that
[5:19:33] because the wording in the report
[5:19:36] actually says fire's preference
[5:19:38] would be that the access from Shirley
[5:19:40] be maintained as a
regular access driveway.
[5:19:43] Well that's their preference.
[5:19:44] To me, it doesn't say it's
mandated or it has to be.
[5:19:47] So that's why I was wondering
[5:19:49] if we could do the emergency access.
[5:19:51] So two things out of this
[5:19:52] is, yes, I'd like to
see an emergency access,
[5:19:55] but I don't really want
to approve a development
[5:19:58] where we don't have the easement yet.
[5:20:00] So I'm wondering if we can
do something about that.
[5:20:02] If it takes a motion,
I'll put that on the floor
[5:20:05] that the easement be taken care of first
[5:20:08] before this, the development gets-
[5:20:11] - [Diodati] So maybe we'll ask,
[5:20:12] so we're not at that point yet.
[5:20:13] - Yes, but I'm willing
to put that forward.
[5:20:14] - If there's a way of doing
a conditional approval
[5:20:16] subject to approval, an easement.
[5:20:19] To Ms. Dolch.
- Thank you, your worship.
[5:20:21] Yeah, so what I would suggest
is if you're looking at that,
[5:20:24] that you would just put a condition,
[5:20:26] if you were anticipating approval tonight,
[5:20:29] I would suggest that the by-law be held
[5:20:32] pending the successful easement
[5:20:35] through Committee of Adjustment.
[5:20:37] Because normally Committee of Adjustment
[5:20:39] doesn't want to make a
decision on an application
[5:20:41] until they know the, in some instances,
[5:20:43] until they know that
the decision of council.
[5:20:45] So I think that would be helpful tonight
[5:20:46] with that condition added.
[5:20:49] - Okay, thank you.
[5:20:50] So I'll put that motion forward later
[5:20:52] that the easement and
then the emergency access.
[5:20:54] - Okay, great. Thank you.
[5:20:56] Councilor Dabrowski?
[5:20:58] - Yeah, I agree, through you.
Thanks for the presentation.
[5:20:59] I agree, when I leave
my house in the morning,
[5:21:02] I sometimes I go left, sometimes
I go right, doesn't matter.
[5:21:04] And sometimes I end up
somewhere where I'm like,
[5:21:06] "Oh, why did I go that way today?"
[5:21:07] So we can all speculate on what-ifs,
[5:21:10] but I think it would create
a problem on Shirley Avenue.
[5:21:13] So I can respect everybody's
discussion around the table.
[5:21:16] Regarding the sunset clause.
[5:21:18] If this development weren't to go
[5:21:20] or if it were to go through,
[5:21:22] but the development didn't break ground,
[5:21:24] what happens to zoning permission?
[5:21:26] - Ms. Dolch?
- Thank you, your worship.
[5:21:29] So there is some ability obviously
[5:21:31] for myself to extend it another year
[5:21:34] and then there is an ability
for them to come to council
[5:21:37] to extend as well.
[5:21:38] There's certain circumstances,
[5:21:39] we do have an internal
policy in place to do that.
[5:21:42] But let's say for hypothetical sakes
[5:21:45] that they're not moving forward at all.
[5:21:47] There's no market issue, no nothing.
[5:21:49] Then the zoning permissions
[5:21:51] would revert back to what they were.
[5:21:53] - Okay. Thank you.
[5:21:54] Great. So if there's no
further questions of council.
[5:21:58] Thank you, Mr. DeBenedetti.
[5:22:04] Members of the public
are advised that failure
[5:22:07] to make an oral or written
submission at this public meeting
[5:22:10] could result in the Ontario Land Tribunal
[5:22:12] dismissing any referral that it receives.
[5:22:15] Council will now hear from
anyone other than the applicant
[5:22:18] who wishes to speak to
the proposed amendments.
[5:22:21] Mr. Clerk, do we have any
pre-registered speakers?
[5:22:26] - Yes, your worship, we do have two
[5:22:27] that are registered to speak
[5:22:30] and then you could go
to the gallery as well.
[5:22:33] And before we call on those members,
[5:22:35] just a reminder that any
members of the public
[5:22:37] that do wish to speak to
this application or report
[5:22:40] must keep their comments
relevant to the subject matter
[5:22:43] of the application that
is before council today.
[5:22:47] The first speaker that
registered is Penny Clendennin.
[5:22:51] - Okay, Ms. Clendennin.
[5:22:55] So you just state your,
well, we know your name,
[5:22:57] your address, and we've
got up to five minutes.
[5:22:59] - Yes, I will try and
stay in that five minutes.
[5:23:03] Good evening, Mayor, members of council.
[5:23:05] Thank you for the
opportunity to speak tonight.
[5:23:07] My name is Penny Clendennin.
[5:23:09] I reside at 5935 Stevens Street
[5:23:13] in the Scott subdivision in question.
[5:23:16] I'm here to share my concerns
[5:23:18] as well as many of my neighbors
who are all here tonight.
[5:23:23] our continued concerns,
[5:23:24] even though some may have
been addressed and brought,
[5:23:27] they've been all brought up before,
[5:23:29] but the report we feel didn't
quite address our concerns.
[5:23:37] And also, just to go on record,
[5:23:38] that there was a petition submitted.
[5:23:41] 31 residents in our area
have signed a petition
[5:23:45] opposing the development
[5:23:49] and primarily the access
from Shirley Street.
[5:23:55] First, we don't agree with the
city's built-up area policy
[5:23:58] in this case.
[5:23:59] We understand the goal
of encouraging infill
[5:24:02] and mixed housing types,
[5:24:04] but the new development must still respect
[5:24:08] the surrounding neighborhood.
[5:24:10] The proposed stacked townhouse development
[5:24:13] is a major departure
from the existing area,
[5:24:16] which is made up primarily
[5:24:18] of single-family dwellings.
[5:24:25] We're also concerned with the intensity,
[5:24:28] the size of this
development being 99 units
[5:24:31] in that compressed area.
[5:24:35] It appears to be excessive,
[5:24:37] leaving little green space,
[5:24:38] understanding there are
parkettes and whatever nearby.
[5:24:43] Green space, our neighborhood is known
[5:24:45] as a mature neighborhood
with lots of trees.
[5:24:48] That property line where Stevens,
[5:24:51] or where Shirley is planned to be open,
[5:24:53] there are trees along there
that would be removed.
[5:24:56] And that's what our neighborhood is,
[5:24:58] one of our appeals of our neighborhood.
[5:25:05] We feel that removal of those would affect
[5:25:07] the neighborhood's appearance
and environmental quality.
[5:25:11] Traffic access (chuckles)
remains a concern of ours.
[5:25:16] As said with the plan,
[5:25:18] even though there's curvature
put into those roads,
[5:25:25] the clear option would be
to go out Shirley Street.
[5:25:28] It just seems that way.
[5:25:29] The fire department has mentioned that
[5:25:31] that would be their
preferred access point.
[5:25:33] So why wouldn't everyone else living there
[5:25:36] be their primary access point?
[5:25:40] We respectfully ask council
to reconsider at Valley Way
[5:25:46] if the easement is approved
the only ingress, egress,
[5:25:50] as it's a better-suited
ingress, egress location.
[5:25:54] The emergency exits,
[5:25:56] I think we would all be fine with that.
[5:26:01] But as long as it's removing
the day-to-day traffic,
[5:26:03] is, I think our biggest concern.
[5:26:10] And other concerns we had,
[5:26:12] and I still feel these are legitimate
[5:26:17] to the concern to the project at hand
[5:26:20] is that I'd like to just call into record
[5:26:24] newspaper articles,
which are public record
[5:26:28] and have a direct bearing on this project,
[5:26:31] as well as the website
[5:26:32] of the Ontario Home Construction
Regulatory Authority,
[5:26:36] the HCRA.
[5:26:39] There are articles from
2021 and '22 in the "Review"
[5:26:44] and as well as the "Standard,"
[5:26:47] specifically to this developer
and his past conduct.
[5:26:53] - I would just caution you to be careful
[5:26:55] because we're wading into an
area we don't want to go into-
[5:26:58] - Gotcha.
- For libelous reasons.
[5:27:00] - Yep. Okay.
[5:27:01] It's public record.
[5:27:02] If you were to Google it, you
would find the information.
[5:27:04] - And we did get your
messages, your email.
[5:27:06] - Okay.
- So we appreciate that.
[5:27:10] - So our concern with
that would be, again,
[5:27:13] projects starting that
aren't going to finish.
[5:27:16] There are a lot of those in our city now.
[5:27:18] We don't want one in our neighborhood.
[5:27:23] Property values, again, the
report mentioned that they feel
[5:27:26] that the property values would increase,
[5:27:28] but that would only happen
at some point in time
[5:27:31] once our property values have decreased
[5:27:34] because of this project.
[5:27:36] In addition to the proposed price point,
[5:27:39] it will attract investors of the project.
[5:27:41] It will attract investors
rather than owner-occupants.
[5:27:46] Our concern would be with rental units,
[5:27:50] absentee landlords,
Airbnbs, short-term rentals,
[5:27:54] all of that that comes with those.
[5:27:57] Shirley Street is currently
a quiet dead-end street
[5:28:00] (alarm chirps)
[5:28:01] where children ride bikes, play outside,
[5:28:03] and gather safely with their friends.
[5:28:05] Opening it to traffic would
change the character of the area
[5:28:08] and reduce the sense of
safety families now enjoy.
[5:28:13] We understand the historic
planning documents
[5:28:15] once envisioned Shirley Street
[5:28:16] extending into the planned area.
[5:28:19] But those plans are 70 years old
[5:28:21] and at that time
[5:28:24] they would've built
similar type of residences.
[5:28:28] And just on a personal
(sighs) personal point,
[5:28:32] the impact that this is having
[5:28:34] on residents in our neighborhood.
[5:28:38] We're a peaceful, close-knit community
[5:28:43] that makes this neighborhood
so special for us.
[5:28:47] Many are now questioning
[5:28:49] whether they can remain
in this neighborhood.
[5:28:51] Some neighbors have
lived in this community
[5:28:53] for more than 50 years
[5:28:55] and the uncertainty
created by this proposal
[5:28:58] has caused a real concern and anxiety.
[5:29:02] In summary, we ask council and city staff
[5:29:04] to carefully consider
the long-term impacts
[5:29:06] this proposal will have
on our neighborhood,
[5:29:08] its character, its safety,
[5:29:11] and the residents who have
invested their lives here.
[5:29:14] We ask you to reject or
significantly revise this proposal
[5:29:20] so that any develop in this
location protects Shirley Street
[5:29:23] and protects and respects the concern
[5:29:26] of the residents who
live, work, and vote here.
[5:29:30] Thank you for your time.
- Thank you.
[5:29:32] There may be questions if I
can just, before you run away.
[5:29:34] Any questions of council
for Ms. Clendennin?
[5:29:37] Okay. So I think we're good.
[5:29:38] The only thing I do want to
see if we can get an answer to,
[5:29:41] you did make mention of vacation rentals.
[5:29:43] So I didn't know if maybe
Ms. Dolch can address that.
[5:29:46] - Thank you, your worship.
[5:29:47] So vacation rental units
[5:29:49] would not be permitted in this area,
[5:29:51] even with this development,
it is only permitted
[5:29:54] in tourist, commercial, commercial areas.
[5:29:57] Owner-occupied short-term
rentals are permitted,
[5:29:59] but the owner would have
to be present on site.
[5:30:02] - Where they would stay in with the owner.
[5:30:04] - Yes, correct.
- With the owner.
[5:30:05] - Right, and I don't know,
[5:30:07] if you check any (chuckles)
short-term rental website.
[5:30:10] I'll just ask how that's going.
[5:30:12] - Oh yeah, we've got, so our
manager of by-law is here today
[5:30:16] Mr. Gallagher, and I can
tell you we've been blitzing
[5:30:20] and shutting them down very aggressively.
[5:30:23] So I dunno if Mr. Gallagher,
if you want to address that
[5:30:26] to let you know we're very
proactive with it now.
[5:30:30] - Yeah, again, through the mayor,
[5:30:32] we're actively blitzing the VRUs.
[5:30:34] As a matter of fact we
just started this week,
[5:30:36] we have 72 that have been recognized
[5:30:38] that we're addressing right now.
[5:30:40] And we're continuing to monitor daily.
[5:30:43] - [Diodati] Just by
advertising, we go after them.
[5:30:45] - Okay.
- Yeah.
[5:30:46] So we've been very aggressive.
[5:30:47] So I want, yep, you have a question.
[5:30:49] Yes. Councilor Baldinelli.
[5:30:50] - Just one question.
[5:30:52] I'm just looking at the
overhead view of this
[5:30:54] and I see right now,
[5:30:56] and I'm not sure if it's current or not.
[5:30:58] They have garden blocks, garden beds?
[5:31:00] - The church had a
community harvest garden
[5:31:04] where people could grow,
[5:31:07] they've been evicted.
[5:31:08] - Oh, it's no longer?
[5:31:09] - They're not operating this year.
[5:31:10] They were told last summer
it was their last summer
[5:31:12] and they're not operating anymore.
[5:31:13] - That was part of your
community togetherness?
[5:31:15] - It was part of the community
togetherness, the church.
[5:31:18] And I think even the daily
bread food bank may have even
[5:31:20] grown at that site.
- So the non-profits-
[5:31:22] the nonprofit purchases
the lots, nonprofit entity,
[5:31:26] nonprofit.
- Yeah.
[5:31:27] - I'm going to keep saying non-profit.
[5:31:29] And booted everybody out of there?
[5:31:30] - Mm-hmm.
- Okay. Thank you.
[5:31:34] - Okay, any other questions?
Okay, thank you very much.
[5:31:36] - Thank you.
- Okay. Mr. Clerk.
[5:31:41] - The next registered
presenter is Robert Ward.
[5:31:49] - Yes, Mr. Ward.
- Mr. Ward,
[5:31:52] if you can just state your address please.
[5:31:55] And then again you've
got up to five minutes.
[5:31:57] - Robert Ward. I'm a resident
at 5952 Stevens Street.
[5:32:02] And as most of you'll understand now,
[5:32:05] our biggest concern is the
opening of Shirley Street, okay?
[5:32:10] Keeping Shirley Street closed
[5:32:12] would allow the development
to change its landscaping
[5:32:16] and probably add upwards of
20 more lots for parking.
[5:32:22] Okay? This project is
already over density.
[5:32:26] The normal for the size of
this property of 1.08 hectares
[5:32:30] is run between 47 and 75 stacked houses.
[5:32:35] You can find this information anywhere
[5:32:37] on the government sites.
[5:32:39] I found it, I'm sure
city council can find it.
[5:32:43] So by allowing it to expand by 20%,
[5:32:48] right, from 75 to 90, 99,
[5:32:54] and decreasing the parking from 1.4 to 1.1
[5:32:58] is just against what your planning says.
[5:33:02] We should not be so dense.
[5:33:05] That's why he would like
to have this assessment
[5:33:08] or this reamendment done.
[5:33:13] So by keeping the project smaller,
[5:33:15] and I know that the project's
going to go ahead at some point,
[5:33:18] it's the government, the
provincial government
[5:33:20] is demanding this to be done.
[5:33:22] Infilling is what's going to happen.
[5:33:25] We could keep this at a smaller project.
[5:33:29] change the landscaping,
[5:33:32] increase the parking back to 1.4,
[5:33:34] keep Shirley Street closed,
[5:33:36] one access point, which you
have in many areas in the city,
[5:33:40] especially a new one over on Portage there
[5:33:43] behind St-Antoine Church,
[5:33:45] over, I think it's 150
units, one entrance, okay?
[5:33:51] So that takes care of what
everybody is worried about,
[5:33:53] Shirley Street opened up.
[5:33:55] An emergency exit like I see
over by the Optimist Club
[5:33:58] and all that.
[5:33:59] It's a great idea.
Solves the problem, okay?
[5:34:03] Downsizing solves the problem.
[5:34:08] So many amendments are
wanted for this thing.
[5:34:10] It just makes it sound
like it's just there
[5:34:13] to make a money grab rather
than to fit into our area.
[5:34:18] It's a very quiet neighborhood. Okay?
[5:34:21] So the parking is one thing,
density is another. Right?
[5:34:25] Keeping Shirley closed also
prevents a third throughway
[5:34:29] from Valley Way to Scott Street.
[5:34:32] And that would be the what
everybody wants, right, so.
[5:34:37] - Thank you, let me check if we,
[5:34:39] yes, see questions we've got.
[5:34:41] Councilor Patel.
[5:34:43] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[5:34:45] Thank you for, you know,
coming to the council chambers
[5:34:48] and telling us what you are worried about.
[5:34:51] And I'm with you.
[5:34:51] My major concern about this development
[5:34:54] is the access from Shirley Avenue
[5:34:57] and the overflow parking coming
onto the Shirley and Scott.
[5:35:01] Even if you have emergency exit,
[5:35:02] it just closed with the gates or chain,
[5:35:06] people can still park on the stairs.
[5:35:07] Shirley and Stevens, they'll
just walk right over.
[5:35:10] And I agree reducing parking
[5:35:13] is something we are doing lately,
[5:35:15] but our parking standards are seeing 1.4.
[5:35:18] And I want to ask Ms. Dolch,
[5:35:20] what happens if you don't
approve the reduced parking?
[5:35:25] - Ms. Dolch,
- Thank you, your worship.
[5:35:29] Obviously if council chooses
[5:35:30] not to approve the reduced
parking, they could appeal.
[5:35:35] They do have appeal rights
to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
[5:35:38] I will advise though
that our parking study
[5:35:41] that's been recently done
[5:35:42] by our transportation division
[5:35:45] did make a recommendation
at 1.1 spaces per unit.
[5:35:48] - So would we be able to see the study?
[5:35:50] Would that pass down to us?
[5:35:52] Because I was just wondering that
[5:35:53] if the study done with the
broader data from Ontario
[5:35:56] or it was done just
from Niagara Falls data.
[5:35:59] - Thank you, your worship.
[5:36:00] I'm going to just pass
that over to Mr. Nickel.
[5:36:03] - Mr. Nickel.
- Yeah, thank you.
[5:36:05] Through you, Mr. Mayor.
[5:36:06] We have done actual site
surveys of similar sites,
[5:36:09] a broad spectrum of sites,
apartments, multi-res units,
[5:36:12] townhouse units to get a sense
[5:36:14] of what the range of actual
parking demands are on site.
[5:36:18] And those are what are used to
guide our new zoning by-laws.
[5:36:22] That by-law rates that
will be coming forward
[5:36:24] at a time when the zoning
by-laws going to be updated.
[5:36:27] We have successfully implemented that
[5:36:29] on a number of applications
[5:36:31] and we often will also
use proximity to transit
[5:36:34] 'cause we don't, you know,
[5:36:36] we can't force everyone to use transit,
[5:36:38] but if we want to encourage transit,
[5:36:39] we can't always provide
reliance on an auto vehicle.
[5:36:42] - To that point, through you, Mr. Mayor,
[5:36:44] so when you took that
data in consideration,
[5:36:46] was transit use and
parking fines that issued,
[5:36:50] was everything taken in consideration?
[5:36:53] - Yeah. Through you, Mr. Mayor.
[5:36:54] We actually physically had
people survey actual sites
[5:36:59] and some sites were close to transit,
[5:37:00] some sites were not close to transit.
[5:37:02] We had sites in Niagara, there were sites
[5:37:04] throughout Southern
Ontario that were included.
[5:37:07] And so we have a sense of
what the actual demands are
[5:37:10] for similar sites and it's a
range, depends on demographics,
[5:37:15] you know, the number of
bedrooms in those units
[5:37:17] and those sort of things.
[5:37:18] But we have ranges
[5:37:21] that were down below one space per unit.
[5:37:24] Generally what this rate results in
[5:37:26] is one car dedicated per unit
[5:37:28] and that can be dealt with
[5:37:30] through the arrangements
of the purchase of the unit
[5:37:33] and then one visitor space
[5:37:35] for every 10 spaces,
or for every 10 units.
[5:37:38] So that we know that
[5:37:39] there's not going to be
visitors all the time.
[5:37:40] And if there are, streets like Valley Way
[5:37:43] do have on-street parking
[5:37:44] and so there are places in the community
[5:37:46] for that periodic time
when things overflow.
[5:37:49] - Thank you.
[5:37:50] The parking is a major concern for me
[5:37:52] and I do know that when
the holidays happen,
[5:37:55] people have friends and family come over.
[5:37:57] We have maybe 10 parking
spaces for visitors
[5:38:00] and other cars
[5:38:01] will be parked on a neighborhood street.
[5:38:03] So that will be a concern
[5:38:04] because I have friends who live
in the development like this
[5:38:07] and we avoid to go to their house
[5:38:08] because you cannot find
parking around there.
[5:38:10] So that will be a concern.
[5:38:11] That's my major concern as well.
[5:38:13] - That's why I think that
it should be downsized,
[5:38:17] change of landscaping,
keeps Shirley closed,
[5:38:20] and that will increase
your parking by 20%.
[5:38:23] - Well that makes sense if
we close the Shirley access,
[5:38:26] if we don't really require that-
[5:38:27] - [Diodati] Right now it's just questions.
[5:38:28] So right now just
questions of the presenter.
[5:38:31] - Oh, oh sorry. After for your, thank you.
[5:38:33] - Yeah, there'll be time for the dialogue.
[5:38:35] Any other questions for Mr. Ward?
[5:38:37] Okay, thank you very much, sir.
[5:38:39] Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone
else registered? We don't.
[5:38:42] Is there anyone else here
other than the applicant
[5:38:44] who wishes to address, come forward,
[5:38:46] just state your name, your
address, up to five minutes.
[5:38:49] Try not to repeat 'cause we've heard,
[5:38:51] don't close or don't open up Shirley.
[5:38:54] Like we've heard those things
so if you've got anything new.
[5:38:56] - Well I just want to thank you, Mayor,
[5:38:58] and to members of council.
[5:39:00] My name is Anna Morocco. I
live at 5122 Cabot Drive.
[5:39:04] I'm probably one of the
longest residents in that area.
[5:39:07] And I just want to speak to the point
[5:39:09] where Mr. DeBenedetti
said the shortest route
[5:39:13] would be Valley Way.
[5:39:14] 'Cause if you go out Shirley,
[5:39:16] you end up at Portage and Morrison.
[5:39:18] That is incorrect.
[5:39:19] If you go out Shirley you end up at Scott,
[5:39:22] which goes on to Portage.
[5:39:23] So it's not very far.
[5:39:25] So yes, if you go to Portage to Morrison,
[5:39:29] you wouldn't want to go that way.
[5:39:30] But if you want to go out
Shirley you go to Scott,
[5:39:34] you can have a nice exit.
[5:39:35] You're not sitting at
Drummond Road for 10 minutes,
[5:39:37] you're not sitting at Valley Way.
[5:39:38] So I just wanted to make a point on that.
[5:39:43] Okay, thank you.
- Thank you. Hold on.
[5:39:43] Any questions of Ms.
Morocco? Any questions?
[5:39:47] Okay, you're good, thank you.
[5:39:48] Is there anyone else other?
[5:39:50] Yes, if you'd like, step forward,
[5:39:51] again, name, address, up to
five minutes, try not to repeat.
[5:39:55] - Okay, I'll try. Thank you,
Mayor, and council members.
[5:39:58] I've never done this so hopefully,
[5:40:00] can I go to, I don't know if I can scroll,
[5:40:02] but the image of just our subdivision
[5:40:06] with the houses, am I able to?
[5:40:08] - Yeah, well they'll do it.
[5:40:09] They'll get you.
- Okay, thank you.
[5:40:12] - Well we got two people.
- I know the,
[5:40:14] where it zoomed in a little bit back.
[5:40:16] Do I just do this? I
don't know what I'm doing.
[5:40:18] I don't want to mess it up.
[5:40:20] - Yeah.
- Okay.
[5:40:22] So, two years ago I
moved, where's my cursor?
[5:40:27] Right here. So this is my
home, 5134 Shirley Avenue.
[5:40:31] I specifically moved to this area
[5:40:33] with my three small children.
[5:40:34] We're going through a little
bit of a transition in life,
[5:40:37] but I specifically moved to this area
[5:40:39] because of this being a dead end.
[5:40:42] A very quiet residential neighborhood.
[5:40:45] Obviously it's been reiterated,
[5:40:46] we don't want Shirley
opened up for this reason,
[5:40:49] but I just wanted to highlight
[5:40:50] that out of the one, two,
three, four, five, six homes
[5:40:55] just at the end of this street,
there are 15 small children,
[5:40:59] sorry I'm shaking a little bit,
[5:41:01] ranging from the age of six
months old to 14 years old.
[5:41:05] They all play in this area.
[5:41:08] By opening that up, I do
fear it's going to create
[5:41:12] a significant safety concern.
[5:41:15] So that's really all I have to say.
[5:41:17] - Fair enough. And any
questions for our presenter?
[5:41:21] No? Okay, thank you for that.
[5:41:22] - I'm probably a little too nervous ever.
[5:41:24] - Thank you. Thank You.
- Thank you.
[5:41:26] - Anyone else, other than the applicant,
[5:41:29] who wishes to address council?
[5:41:30] Okay, seeing none, thank
you for all of your input.
[5:41:34] Now council will now hear
[5:41:39] from the applicant or his
or her representative.
[5:41:57] - Good evening, worship,
members of council.
[5:42:00] (Mary Lou whispers)
[5:42:03] Oh, can we go back to our presentation?
[5:42:07] We're, you're onto the next one.
[5:42:11] - [Tech] Not that one? I did, sorry.
[5:42:14] - Yeah, you should have an
applicant's presentation.
[5:42:16] - [Tech] Yep, I did.
[5:42:17] Sorry about that.
- It's okay.
[5:42:20] Well, while we're pulling that up,
[5:42:23] your worship, for the record,
my name's Rocky Vacca.
[5:42:25] I'm a partner at the law
firm Sullivan Mahoney.
[5:42:27] With me I have Mary Lou
Tanner of NPG Solutions.
[5:42:30] She's the land use
planner for the applicant.
[5:42:34] So Mary Lou's going to be addressing
[5:42:36] the planning merits of the application
[5:42:38] and the issues and concerns
raised by the area residents.
[5:42:42] I'd like to begin by
recognizing the work put in
[5:42:45] by your planning staff in
assessing the application
[5:42:48] and challenging the
applicant to make changes
[5:42:51] that further the goal of a
compatible infill development.
[5:42:55] We believe what is before
you meets that goal.
[5:42:59] For the record, we have reviewed
the recommendation report
[5:43:02] and accept all of the recommendations
[5:43:05] as set out in the staff report.
[5:43:07] So as you've heard,
[5:43:08] the project includes 99 stacked townhouses
[5:43:11] within six blocks.
[5:43:13] The units will be sold below
the attainable threshold
[5:43:16] of $567,574.
[5:43:20] With the majority of
units being at $399,000.
[5:43:24] That's all the units will be attainable.
[5:43:27] On the issues of access,
[5:43:28] the proposed access will
be through Shirley Avenue,
[5:43:31] as you've heard, and via an easement
[5:43:33] with Valley Way Non-Profit
Housing to Valley Way.
[5:43:37] I can advise that there is
an agreement of purchase
[5:43:40] and sale that secures that easement.
[5:43:43] It would have to go to your
Committee of Adjustment
[5:43:45] for approval in order for it
to be registered on title.
[5:43:48] But there is a contractual
right to that easement
[5:43:50] as soon as the transaction
is closed for these lands.
[5:43:58] You will hear that having only one access
[5:44:01] through easement lands
leaving Shirley Avenue
[5:44:04] as an emergency access only
[5:44:06] not only represents, I'm going
to suggest, poor planning.
[5:44:10] You've heard from your
planning director, Ms. Dolch,
[5:44:14] but makes the development
very difficult to finance
[5:44:17] and to sell units to the public
[5:44:19] having a sole means of access
through easement lands.
[5:44:23] And that hasn't been addressed yet.
[5:44:26] Studies that have been completed
[5:44:27] and have been accepted by staff
supporting the development
[5:44:31] include: a noise impact study,
[5:44:33] environmental site
assessment Phase 1 and 2,
[5:44:36] archeological assessment,
[5:44:37] tree inventory and preservation
plan, urban design brief,
[5:44:42] planning justification report,
a transportation brief,
[5:44:45] which supports and recommends
full access to Shirley Avenue.
[5:44:49] All of the following commenting
agencies and departments
[5:44:52] do not object to the development:
[5:44:54] Region of Niagara, DSBN School Board,
[5:44:57] Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation,
[5:45:00] Six Nations of the Credit Union,
[5:45:01] sorry, First Nations of the Grand River,
[5:45:03] City's Building Services,
City's Fire Services,
[5:45:07] which if you read the report,
expresses a preference
[5:45:10] that full access to Shirley Avenue
[5:45:12] be maintained for fire safety.
[5:45:16] Urban Design and Landscape Services,
[5:45:18] Municipal Works, Transportation Services,
[5:45:21] which as you've heard,
[5:45:22] supports the proposed 1.1
parking spaces per unit
[5:45:26] and acknowledges that traffic
[5:45:28] is expected to be nominal from
Valley Way to Shirley Avenue
[5:45:33] and vice versa.
[5:45:35] Legal Services does not object.
GIS Services do not object.
[5:45:39] In other words, no
professional expert consultant,
[5:45:43] circulated agency or city department
[5:45:46] objects to the proposal.
[5:45:50] Respectfully, the only
objections before you
[5:45:53] are from the area
residents, which I respect,
[5:45:57] but the issues they have raised
[5:45:58] have already been fully
investigated and signed off
[5:46:01] by the experts including your city staff.
[5:46:05] I'm now going to call on Mary Lou
[5:46:06] to discuss the planning merits
[5:46:08] and take you through the PowerPoint.
[5:46:10] I'll be back with concluding remarks
[5:46:12] and I'll be discussing
the financial benefits
[5:46:14] of the development and dealing
directly with the issue
[5:46:18] of easement as not good
access for legal reasons.
[5:46:26] - Thank you very much.
[5:46:28] Just to reiterate, my
name is Mary Lou Tanner.
[5:46:30] I'm a senior partner with
NPG Planning Solutions.
[5:46:32] Our office is in Niagara Falls.
[5:46:34] So let's move to our presentation.
[5:46:38] And I'm not going to propose
[5:46:40] to repeat what Mr.
DeBenedetti shared with you
[5:46:42] because there are some commonalities
[5:46:44] and in the interest of
time we can move forward.
[5:46:46] So just this, the importance
of this particular air photo
[5:46:51] and showing the subject lands
in relation to Shirley Avenue.
[5:46:55] This would be lands that
would be a future severance
[5:46:58] off of the broader parcel,
[5:46:59] which is owned by Valley
Way Non-Profit Housing.
[5:47:02] The easement would also be provided
[5:47:04] through, as Rocky said,
and Ms. Dolch said,
[5:47:07] an easement that would have to be approved
[5:47:09] by the Committee of Adjustment.
[5:47:10] We fully intend to apply for those.
[5:47:13] However, the Committee
of Adjustment did request
[5:47:15] that we get council's
position on the development
[5:47:17] before we proceed with those applications.
[5:47:19] So that's the sequencing
that we are working towards.
[5:47:25] Oops.
[5:47:27] So Mr. DeBenedetti showed you
[5:47:30] an air photo of the subject lands.
[5:47:32] This colored visualization
[5:47:33] just gives you a bit more context.
[5:47:36] The subject lands are shown,
[5:47:37] the lands that are shown in
blue are institutional uses.
[5:47:41] The orange ones are
higher-density residential,
[5:47:43] and then the lighter beige
are lower-density residential.
[5:47:46] And you can also see
the street network here
[5:47:49] with Shirley Avenue and Valley
Way as well as Portage Road.
[5:47:54] This is the proposed development.
[5:47:56] We've heard an awful lot
about it this evening,
[5:47:58] but just confirming this is the drawing
[5:48:01] and the proposal that
we are working towards
[5:48:03] and the zoning by-law has been tailored
[5:48:06] to this specific development.
[5:48:10] Want to touch a bit on the issues
[5:48:11] of affordable and attainable housing.
[5:48:13] The anticipated sale price is $399,000.
[5:48:18] All 99 units would meet
the city's requirements
[5:48:20] for both affordability and attainability.
[5:48:23] And there are a range of unit
sizes within the development.
[5:48:27] So it is attractive to
families of different sizes.
[5:48:31] This is the built form and massing drawing
[5:48:34] that Mr. DeBenedetti showed you.
[5:48:36] The proposed official plan
amendment is site-specific,
[5:48:39] so it would be tied to this
development at a density
[5:48:41] of 92 units per hectare for
stacked townhouse dwellings.
[5:48:44] It's a very tight official plan amendment
[5:48:47] and it would apply to the blue block,
[5:48:49] which is the developable lands.
[5:48:52] The zoning by-laws Mr.
DeBenedetti touched on,
[5:48:55] is Residential Apartment 5C.
[5:48:58] I'm actually going to skip by this
[5:48:59] because the next slide we
have gives a bit more context
[5:49:02] of where the variances are.
[5:49:04] So if we start with the
minimum lot frontage, this is,
[5:49:08] it's required to be 30 meters.
[5:49:10] The actual circumstances
are, it would be 20 meters.
[5:49:13] We cannot meet 30 meters
[5:49:14] because of where the road
frontage is at Shirley Avenue.
[5:49:18] The minimum rear yard setback,
[5:49:20] if we look to the lower
right in the orange box,
[5:49:23] that is proposed at 7.5 meters
as Mr. DeBenedetti said.
[5:49:27] That's a bit of a pinch
point so it narrows down,
[5:49:29] but it is wider as we move
further along in the development.
[5:49:33] Moving to the left-hand side
[5:49:35] and starting with the
parking requirements,
[5:49:37] there's been a lot of
discussion about those.
[5:49:39] The city's transportation
study is 1.1 spaces per unit,
[5:49:42] which is what we're proposing.
[5:49:44] The width of the parking
aisle would be six meters
[5:49:46] instead of 6.9 meters.
[5:49:48] Six meters is quite common
[5:49:49] and does work for vehicles backing in
[5:49:52] and two vehicles moving
in opposite directions.
[5:49:55] And finally, the building height.
[5:49:58] The zone we're proposing
has a height of 19 meters.
[5:50:01] We are voluntarily
reducing that to 11 meters,
[5:50:03] which is generally consistent
[5:50:05] with what a two-story house would be.
[5:50:09] I want to move now to the public concerns
[5:50:12] and responses that we heard
through the open houses
[5:50:15] and the written materials and
discussions with residents.
[5:50:19] So the first issue of privacy,
as Mr. DeBenedetti indicated,
[5:50:23] there will be no balconies
[5:50:25] on the rear side elevation
[5:50:26] so that people don't have
overlook from the higher units.
[5:50:30] We have been requested
[5:50:31] to include a 2.5-meter tall wood fence
[5:50:33] and we're supportive of that
[5:50:35] as well as additional landscape buffering.
[5:50:37] All of that will be dealt with
[5:50:38] through the site plan process.
[5:50:40] With compatibility, stacked townhouses
[5:50:43] are a lower-density residential
form of development.
[5:50:45] We have made adjustments at
the request of city staff
[5:50:48] to increase certain building setbacks
[5:50:51] to provide greater distance
from existing residential homes
[5:50:53] in the existing residential community.
[5:50:56] And then making certain choices
[5:50:59] that I'll share with you in a minute
[5:51:01] about emphasizing Valley
Way as the primary access.
[5:51:06] And in terms of noise, as
Mr. DeBenedetti indicated,
[5:51:09] noise is subject to the
city's noise control by-law.
[5:51:13] Parking, I've touched on.
[5:51:15] Municipal infrastructure,
there were no concerns
[5:51:17] with the ability to service the site.
[5:51:20] And increased traffic on Shirley Avenue.
[5:51:22] So let's just share a bit more
[5:51:24] than on that is on this slide.
[5:51:26] Paradigm Transportation Consultants
[5:51:28] are professional engineers
[5:51:30] who do transportation engineering
and traffic engineering.
[5:51:33] Their data comes from Niagara Falls data.
[5:51:36] They use data from across Ontario.
[5:51:38] But this study also
incorporates Niagara Falls data.
[5:51:41] They survey people who
live in this community
[5:51:44] about their travel choices.
[5:51:45] So that is incorporated into their model.
[5:51:48] Their conclusion is that there
will be six to seven vehicles
[5:51:52] to use Shirley Avenue,
[5:51:53] which is in what's called
the peak traffic hours,
[5:51:56] either in the morning or the afternoon,
[5:51:57] which represents approximately 12 to 17%
[5:52:00] of projected site traffic.
[5:52:02] But we understand the concerns.
[5:52:03] I mean, I don't want to say that we don't,
[5:52:05] we do understand the concerns.
[5:52:08] So in discussions with our client,
[5:52:11] we really want to commit
[5:52:13] to de-emphasizing Shirley
Avenue as an access.
[5:52:16] Mr. DeBenedetti talked about
the curved nature of it,
[5:52:18] and that will remain.
[5:52:20] It is a six-meter road,
[5:52:21] whereas the city road
portion is eight meters.
[5:52:24] We are going to put signs up
[5:52:25] that indicate no through traffic.
[5:52:27] It will be on the private
side on our client's land
[5:52:30] and we will ensure
[5:52:31] that there's landscape
treatment at the entrance.
[5:52:33] So it really does not look like a place
[5:52:36] anybody coming down
Shirley Avenue will go,
[5:52:38] "That's a street. I'm going to go there."
[5:52:40] Those will all be private
roads within the development.
[5:52:43] We also want to emphasize
the Valley Way access.
[5:52:46] So similarly, we will put
no-through-traffic signs up.
[5:52:50] There will be a feature wall
at the Valley Way entrance
[5:52:52] so people know that that is
an entrance to the development
[5:52:55] and there'll be a warning clause
[5:52:57] in the future purchase and sale agreements
[5:52:59] that Valley Way is the
main and preferred access
[5:53:02] while Shirley Avenue is secondary.
[5:53:07] Just want to touch on one other issue
[5:53:09] that came up in questioning
[5:53:10] related to the gardens that are on site.
[5:53:11] The representatives of Valley
Way Non-Profit are here.
[5:53:15] Those gardens have been relocated
[5:53:18] to the other side of the building
[5:53:19] and there for residents
of their nonprofit.
[5:53:21] And so people do have
access to community gardens,
[5:53:24] but it's not in the location
[5:53:26] that you would see on the air photo.
[5:53:29] So in conclusion, this development
[5:53:31] is in the public interest.
[5:53:34] It has been reviewed by
city staff, by agency staff.
[5:53:38] The technical reports have been completed.
[5:53:41] It does create new housing
[5:53:42] and provides affordable home ownership
[5:53:44] and attainable home ownership.
[5:53:46] It implements intensification
[5:53:48] on an underutilized parcel of land.
[5:53:50] To the best of our ability,
[5:53:51] we've worked to address comments
and feedback from residents
[5:53:54] and we are committed to Valley
Way as the primary access.
[5:53:58] I should also add that our client did try
[5:54:01] to obtain an access through the
church lands to Portage Road
[5:54:04] and spent several months
trying to do that.
[5:54:06] That was ultimately not successful
[5:54:08] and resulted in the Valley
Way easement approach
[5:54:12] being brought forward.
[5:54:13] I'll now turn it back to
Rocky, who will conclude.
[5:54:18] - Okay, if we can go to the last slide.
[5:54:20] I'm not sure if you can
assist me with that.
[5:54:22] - [Tech] You have the use of the...
[5:54:23] - Oh, sorry?
[5:54:24] - You have the-
- Oh, okay.
[5:54:29] Didn't know I could do that. Okay.
[5:54:33] So dealing with the financial
impact of the development.
[5:54:37] So total development
charges and permit fees
[5:54:41] would be $2,254,270.
[5:54:47] Annual property taxes
would be $3,500 per unit
[5:54:51] times 99 units.
[5:54:54] Estimated construction costs, $35 million.
[5:54:58] Construction labor hours anticipated
[5:55:00] to build out the project
is over 200,000 hours.
[5:55:03] That's a lot of employment
income to our trades.
[5:55:07] And again, the price of the units
[5:55:09] will generally sell for $399,000.
[5:55:12] So there is some substantial
financial benefits
[5:55:17] to this project.
[5:55:20] Now the complaint I often hear
[5:55:22] is that projects get approved,
[5:55:24] but shovels don't go in the ground.
[5:55:27] And I think that's what led
[5:55:28] to the sunset clause
provision you've been using.
[5:55:32] I can assure you that's not the case here.
[5:55:35] This developer has a proven track record.
[5:55:39] Over 220 total units have been approved
[5:55:42] and completed in the
region by this developer.
[5:55:44] And he is in the process of
obtaining site plan approval
[5:55:47] and permits for a three-story
building on Stanley Avenue
[5:55:51] that you approved several months ago.
[5:55:52] You may recall that approval.
[5:55:54] If approved, this will be built.
[5:56:00] Moving on to the Shirley Avenue issue.
[5:56:05] So you've heard Mary Lou Tanner's opinion,
[5:56:08] you've also heard your
planning director's opinion
[5:56:11] that mandating Shirley Avenue
[5:56:14] to be emergency access
only is not good planning.
[5:56:19] I want to remind you that the staff report
[5:56:21] and all commenting
departments on this issue
[5:56:24] do not support emergency access only.
[5:56:27] Nowhere in any of the comments,
[5:56:29] nowhere in your staff report
[5:56:30] does it suggest or recommend
emergency access only.
[5:56:35] In particular, your fire
department's comments
[5:56:37] in the report, again, prefer
that Shirley access be open
[5:56:42] and your Transportation Department
[5:56:43] reviewed Paradigm's
report and also confirmed
[5:56:47] that Paradigm's recommendation
[5:56:49] that it remain open ought to be followed.
[5:56:56] So fundamental problem
[5:56:59] with making Shirley Avenue
emergency access only
[5:57:02] is the ability to finance this project
[5:57:06] and to sell units to unit owners
[5:57:08] who more than likely have to
get mortgages to buy the units.
[5:57:13] I'm sure we all have
mortgages or had mortgages.
[5:57:17] I dare you to contact a bank
and say, "I want a mortgage,
[5:57:21] I'm buying this new residential unit,
[5:57:24] but the only access is through an easement
[5:57:28] that is not owned by the developer,
[5:57:30] it's not owned by the condo corporation
[5:57:33] and there's no other access
[5:57:34] because Shirley Avenue has been closed off
[5:57:37] or is emergency access only."
[5:57:39] The answer you're going
to get is, "Seriously?
[5:57:41] You want us to give you money
[5:57:43] when there really is no legal access?"
[5:57:47] It's an easement.
[5:57:48] And your solicitor is
here, there's many cases
[5:57:52] where easements in perpetuity
have been registered in title
[5:57:56] and they've been removed from title
[5:57:58] through court application
for various reasons.
[5:58:01] So I'm telling you right now,
[5:58:03] if that is the only access
through an easement,
[5:58:06] this project is not going to go anywhere.
[5:58:09] And you're going to force us
[5:58:11] to basically go to the
Ontario Land Tribunal
[5:58:14] because I've never heard
[5:58:15] of an approval from the
Ontario Land Tribunal
[5:58:18] of a development where the only access
[5:58:20] is through easement lands
not owned by the developer
[5:58:23] and not owned by the municipality.
[5:58:26] So that's the lay of the land.
[5:58:29] You're free to ask your city solicitor
[5:58:30] if she agrees with that assessment.
[5:58:36] Now there's discussion
about other examples.
[5:58:38] Optimist Lane, Chippewa.
[5:58:41] I'm sure there are many
others in the city.
[5:58:43] Again, the distinction
is, in all those cases,
[5:58:47] there is access through a public road.
[5:58:50] Optimist Lane, it's through Victor Road,
[5:58:53] which goes right in front of my office.
[5:58:56] Public access. It's a road, city road.
[5:58:59] This is not a city road.
[5:59:00] This is a private road
leading to the condominium,
[5:59:05] which is not owned by the
condominium corporation
[5:59:07] and not owned by the developer.
[5:59:09] Chippewa, same thing.
[5:59:12] There is legal access
through a public road
[5:59:15] and that's why there is emergency access
[5:59:18] through the other route.
[5:59:20] So that is the major problem.
[5:59:23] Now, I asked my client, "Have you talked
[5:59:26] to the Valley Way Housing Corporation
[5:59:28] about buying the property
instead of an easement?"
[5:59:31] Not going to happen, way too much money.
[5:59:34] Problem is he made the
deal with the easement
[5:59:38] because he believed that
would satisfy planning,
[5:59:42] which I believe it has.
[5:59:44] And now he's been asked to go back
[5:59:47] and consider having Shirley Avenue closed.
[5:59:51] He went back, and what they
want to buy that property
[5:59:55] just doesn't make sense.
[5:59:56] This development is done.
[5:59:59] So that's where that stands.
[6:00:19] I think those are all my comments.
[6:00:20] I just tried to address
some of the comments
[6:00:22] that were made by the public,
[6:00:24] but I'd love to agree to have Shirley
[6:00:28] as emergency access only
if there was legal access
[6:00:32] through a public road to Valley Way
[6:00:35] or lands that the
condominium corporation owns.
[6:00:38] Someone mentioned the development,
[6:00:40] the Millennium Towns behind St-Antoine's.
[6:00:43] That's my client who developed that.
[6:00:45] I got that approval.
[6:00:47] The density was much higher
[6:00:48] than what you're looking at today.
[6:00:50] Difference is it is a public road,
[6:00:53] a private road owned by the condo corp
[6:00:55] taking you to Portage.
[6:00:57] There's no issue, no issue of
getting financing to build it,
[6:01:00] no issue of getting
mortgages to buy a unit.
[6:01:03] So that's the biggest problem.
[6:01:05] That's the conundrum we're in. Okay?
[6:01:07] Those are my comments. I'm
available for any questions.
[6:01:10] - Okay, thank you very much,
Mr. Vacca and Ms. Tanner.
[6:01:13] So first I've got Councilor
Lococo, Dabrowski, Nieuwesteeg.
[6:01:17] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor, easy
question through the mayor
[6:01:21] to, I'm not sure who, when
will the development start?
[6:01:25] I know that Mr. Vacca
said that it will start,
[6:01:30] do you know when?
[6:01:30] One of the residents was
asking when it would start?
[6:01:36] - I'm assuming it'll follow
the same timeline as Stanley
[6:01:39] where...
- One year.
[6:01:41] - One year?
- Yep.
[6:01:42] - One year for site plan.
[6:01:43] So basically what happened
at Stanley Avenue,
[6:01:45] is we got the approval,
[6:01:47] he immediately began doing the drawings
[6:01:49] and the work for site plan approval.
[6:01:51] So within one year he'll have approval
[6:01:54] and shovels will be in the ground.
[6:01:56] - Okay, thank you.
[6:01:57] I guess my more difficult question,
[6:02:01] Mr. Vacca said that maybe
we could talk to our legal,
[6:02:03] is this an opportunity
that we can go in-camera
[6:02:06] and speak to legal or
can our legal give us
[6:02:11] some information right now?
[6:02:12] Some advice, now.
- In-camera?
[6:02:14] - Yeah, well, depending on the question,
[6:02:16] we can ask our solicitor
[6:02:19] if it's something she can answer in open
[6:02:20] or she'll need to go in-camera.
[6:02:23] Did you want to ask her the question?
[6:02:24] And-
- Yes.
[6:02:25] Further to what Mr. Vacca said
[6:02:28] that the access is not
owned by the developer
[6:02:32] and it's not a public road,
[6:02:35] that there would be issues with financing
[6:02:39] and people getting mortgages
and that sort of thing.
[6:02:43] So, and I know Ms. Dolch said that maybe
[6:02:46] that wasn't maybe the
best planning argument.
[6:02:49] The fire department
does say fire preference
[6:02:54] would be an access from
Shirley be maintained
[6:02:56] as a regular access driveway.
[6:02:58] And that's where I looked
at the word preference.
[6:03:00] Usually it's mandatory or required
[6:03:03] and I thought maybe it was a little bit,
[6:03:04] but now we hear different information
[6:03:06] that it's not the property,
[6:03:08] that it's not owned by the
property and it's not a road.
[6:03:10] So I would like some legal advice on that.
[6:03:14] - So Ms. Punyarthi, so the first question,
[6:03:16] if you agree with the statement
[6:03:17] that, you know, it's
going to be a challenge
[6:03:19] to get any kind of financing
if they don't own it
[6:03:22] or the municipality doesn't own it,
[6:03:23] it's just simply an
access easement agreement.
[6:03:27] Is that something you can answer us here?
[6:03:29] - Through the chair,
[6:03:30] it sounds like a question for legal advice
[6:03:32] so it's not something that I
could address in open council.
[6:03:35] - Okay. So if-
- I'd like to put
[6:03:37] a motion forward that we go in-camera
[6:03:39] and receive legal advice.
[6:03:40] - Okay. So yeah, our CAO's
asking to speak. Yes.
[6:03:44] - Yeah, just for efficiency.
[6:03:46] Maybe put all the questions out-
[6:03:47] - Yeah, legal ones.
- save any other legal ones.
[6:03:50] That way we don't have
to go back and forth.
[6:03:52] - Yep, good idea.
- Thank you.
[6:03:53] - So is there any other
questions in the meantime?
[6:03:54] - No. That's it.
- That was it?
[6:03:55] Okay, so we'll go to Councilor
Dabrowski, then Nieuwesteeg.
[6:03:59] - Yeah, through you.
[6:04:01] 4552 Portage Road, is that
subject to an easement
[6:04:03] or what other developments
within the municipality,
[6:04:06] maybe we can get that answer after,
[6:04:07] that would look similar
to this development.
[6:04:10] Because I'm wondering
to Mr. Vacca's point,
[6:04:13] is it a safety or operational concern
[6:04:16] or is it basically we're
talking about the mortgage,
[6:04:18] so maybe I can get
those answered in-camera
[6:04:19] or I'll give planning staff an opportunity
[6:04:21] to look into that address and others.
[6:04:24] - Okay.
[6:04:25] - Just by way of clarification,
[6:04:26] that is the Millennium Towns
address you're talking about
[6:04:28] behind St. Antoine's, 4552?
- Yep. Yeah.
[6:04:31] - Okay.
- And if there's others.
[6:04:33] - Okay. And Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[6:04:37] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Question to Mr. Vacca.
[6:04:41] You made a comment that they can't afford
[6:04:43] to buy the property, the easement road,
[6:04:46] but that kind of leads me to the question,
[6:04:48] are they able to afford this development
[6:04:50] if they're not able to
afford to buy a road?
[6:04:53] And to Penny's point,
[6:04:58] we don't want to have a development
[6:05:00] that gets started and can't finish.
[6:05:01] So I'm now kind of concerned
about the financial ability
[6:05:04] of this applicant if they're
not able to even buy a road,
[6:05:08] if that makes sense for
their project to go through.
[6:05:11] - So the scenario is, a deal was made,
[6:05:14] so my client was locked into
an agreement to buy the lands.
[6:05:18] And with an easement,
[6:05:19] if he gets permission from
the Committee of Adjustment,
[6:05:23] he then had to pivot back
[6:05:25] and basically say, "Well, can
I buy the property instead?"
[6:05:28] So basically when that happens,
[6:05:32] how do I put this politely?
[6:05:33] Somebody has you over the barrel.
[6:05:35] They know you need this
[6:05:37] and the price given is based on the fact
[6:05:40] that you're desperate and you need it.
[6:05:42] So that's where we're at on that.
[6:05:45] And I'm not going to disclose a number,
[6:05:46] but it would be the most
expensive strip of land
[6:05:50] for roads to cross that I've ever heard of
[6:05:53] in the city of Niagara Falls.
[6:05:54] - So it's really not fair in this church
[6:05:56] or in this community that's selling.
[6:05:59] Okay. No, that's good, thanks.
[6:06:02] - Thank you. Councilor Pietrangelo.
[6:06:06] - Thanks, your worship.
[6:06:07] I do have a question through
you to Mr. Vacca as well.
[6:06:12] In terms of the easement,
once the easement is in place,
[6:06:17] what else can it be used
for other than access?
[6:06:21] - Well, the easement will be for access
[6:06:25] in favor of the developer
or condo corporation
[6:06:28] once it's formed.
[6:06:30] Problem is, all easements
[6:06:31] have terms and conditions
and requirements,
[6:06:34] and that's where you get into some issues
[6:06:38] of whether you're fulfilling
the provisions in the easement.
[6:06:44] A new buyer comes in.
[6:06:46] I don't think Valley Way
Not-For-Profit Housing
[6:06:48] is going to be an issue,
but down the road,
[6:06:50] if someone acquires that
property, there's a risk.
[6:06:54] And I can give you cases
[6:06:55] where easements in perpetuity
have been removed by a judge
[6:06:59] in cases where there has been breaches
[6:07:02] or there has been some
gray areas in the easement.
[6:07:06] That's the concern.
[6:07:08] And when you go to a bank
[6:07:09] and say, "You know, I want to build this,
[6:07:11] it's $35 million of construction,"
[6:07:15] and they say, "Okay,
[6:07:16] well what's your legal means of access?"
[6:07:19] "Well, I have it through an easement
[6:07:20] that goes to Valley Way."
[6:07:22] "So you don't own that property?" "No."
[6:07:24] "The condo corporation doesn't
own that property?" "No."
[6:07:28] "So basically you're at the mercy
[6:07:30] of the third party that owns
it, that at any point in time
[6:07:34] can challenge the easement?"
[6:07:36] And that's going to tell the bank,
[6:07:39] "Yeah, I don't think we want to do this."
[6:07:41] And even if they do get financing
[6:07:44] and you're looking to buy a unit,
[6:07:47] good luck getting a mortgage
in that circumstance
[6:07:49] where the only legal access,
[6:07:51] and if you make Shirley emergency access,
[6:07:53] the only legal access
will be to Valley Way.
[6:07:56] And it's on lands that
are not owned by the city,
[6:07:59] not owned by the developer,
not owned by the condo corp.
[6:08:02] Owned by a third party pursuant
to an easement agreement
[6:08:06] that gives you the right to use it.
[6:08:08] And you know how agreements go.
[6:08:11] They get challenged, they
get deleted from title.
[6:08:14] So, and I'm sure
[6:08:15] your lawyer's going to be
addressing those questions-
[6:08:18] - And the only reason-
- In-camera.
[6:08:19] - for not acquiring the
land would be financial.
[6:08:22] - Yes. That's the only reason.
[6:08:25] - Thank you.
[6:08:27] - Councilor Patel.
[6:08:30] - Through you, Mr. Mayor,
to Mr. Vacca. I think.
[6:08:33] So, in the future, if
the property gets sold
[6:08:36] and the easement agreement
[6:08:39] gets denied, declined, or gets canceled,
[6:08:43] then Shirley Avenue becomes
[6:08:44] the primary access to that development.
[6:08:47] Is that true?
[6:08:49] - I don't see how it could
become primary access.
[6:08:52] When the approval makes an emergency.
[6:08:53] - That's the only access would there be.
[6:08:55] No. In the future.
[6:08:58] - But-
- It will,
[6:08:59] because your recommended,
our staff is saying
[6:09:01] that we should keep the
Shirley Avenue access open.
[6:09:05] So if you keep that access
open, an easement in the future,
[6:09:08] when the property gets sold
[6:09:10] and that agreement gets canceled,
[6:09:13] then Shirley Avenue becomes
[6:09:15] the only access to the development.
[6:09:17] - Yes. Yeah, that's right.
[6:09:19] But in that case, you can finance
it, you can get a mortgage
[6:09:22] 'cause there is legal access
that will never go away.
[6:09:26] It's a public road.
[6:09:27] Whereas relying on easement lands
[6:09:30] as your only means of legal access
[6:09:32] is not going to get you anywhere
[6:09:33] for financing and for selling units.
[6:09:36] - So having an easement, we're not really
[6:09:40] answering all the concerns we have
[6:09:42] about traffic going through Shirley.
[6:09:43] So you kind of just answered the question.
[6:09:46] If the property gets sold,
[6:09:47] then Shirley Avenue
becomes a primary access.
[6:09:50] - I'm not saying if it gets sold-
[6:09:51] - It could. It could.
- it automatically,
[6:09:53] the new owner would have to
try and challenge the easement.
[6:09:56] Okay? That's what what
will have to happen, yes.
[6:10:00] Possibility of that happening?
Probably very slight.
[6:10:02] But when you go to a bank
[6:10:04] and say, "Well yeah, you have an easement,
[6:10:06] yeah, there's a 90% chance
it'll never go away.
[6:10:10] But if it does, we've lent money to you
[6:10:14] to a house that no
longer has legal access."
[6:10:16] So unless we start
putting helicopter pads,
[6:10:19] you're not going to have
access to that house legally.
[6:10:22] That's the problem.
- Thank you.
[6:10:25] - One quick-
- Councilor Dabrowski.
[6:10:26] - And through you, and
it might be to staff.
[6:10:28] So to Councilor Patel's point, if we left,
[6:10:32] or if we left emergency
access open only on Shirley
[6:10:36] and we left the easement the way it is
[6:10:38] as the main focal point of access
[6:10:40] into and out of that development,
if one day down the road
[6:10:43] that did happen where
the easement was removed,
[6:10:45] could we reverse that emergency access
[6:10:47] to open it up to Shirley?
[6:10:48] - Yes.
- Mm-hmm.
[6:10:50] - Ms. Dolch.
Thank you, your worship.
[6:10:54] Yeah, that would be up to council.
[6:10:55] You'd have to bring it back from,
[6:10:56] bring it forward to remove.
- Thanks.
[6:11:01] - Okay. If there's no further questions,
[6:11:03] so what we're going to do folks,
[6:11:04] we are going to go in-camera
in our committee room.
[6:11:07] So just assume we're going to
be in there for 15 minutes.
[6:11:10] If you have to go to the washroom,
[6:11:11] it's a good chance, smoke break,
[6:11:13] and we'll resume right after
[6:11:16] we get our legal questions answered.
[6:11:17] - Call to vote on that.
[6:11:18] - Oh, just before we do
folks, Councilor Strange.
[6:11:22] Need a motion to go in-camera.
Seconded by Councilor Lococo.
[6:11:25] All those in favor? Okay,
we're going in-camera.
[6:11:28] Thank you. Thank you for that, Bill.
[6:52:51] - [Clerk] Three.
[6:52:54] - Well everyone, welcome back.
[6:52:55] We just concluded going in-camera
[6:52:57] to get legal advice from our solicitor
[6:53:00] and we're going to reconvene
once again in open session.
[6:53:04] So we are prepared here for council.
[6:53:08] Any questions that you have at this point?
[6:53:09] Councilor Lococo.
[6:53:11] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[6:53:12] One question that came from a resident,
[6:53:14] on page five of the agent's proposal,
[6:53:20] it talks about the anticipated
sale price of $399,000,
[6:53:24] but below it it has
the affordability rate.
[6:53:27] Is that just showing us
[6:53:28] what the affordability rate
would be in Niagara Falls?
[6:53:31] That's not what they're selling them for.
[6:53:33] They're all $399,000. Is that
what I'm getting out of that?
[6:53:36] - So Mary Lou?
- Thank you very much,
[6:53:39] Mayor Diodati, through
you to Councilor Lococo.
[6:53:42] The affordability rates in the chart
[6:53:44] are what the city has set
[6:53:46] in terms of its housing impact assessment
[6:53:49] requirements for applications.
[6:53:51] - But it's not the value of the homes.
[6:53:54] Someone was reading it that
it was the value of the homes,
[6:53:56] that you're selling it for $399,000.
[6:53:57] That's not it.
[6:53:59] It's $399,000, that's what the value is
[6:54:01] but our affordability
criteria is the $567,574.
[6:54:07] - That's correct, yes.
- Thank you very much.
[6:54:10] - Okay. Any other questions of council?
[6:54:13] - Yeah, one more.
- Yes, Councilor Patel.
[6:54:16] - Through you, Mr. Mayor,
[6:54:17] there was one concern about the fencing
[6:54:19] behind the development
from one of the residents.
[6:54:22] So is that going to be
eight feet tall fence.
[6:54:27] - Through Mr. Mayor, it's
two and a half meters,
[6:54:29] and it'll be a solid
board wood fence, yes.
[6:54:32] That will be dealt with
through the site plan process.
[6:54:34] - They'll build a privacy fence there?
[6:54:35] - Yeah.
- Thank you.
[6:54:37] - Okay, if there are no
further questions of council,
[6:54:42] the public meeting
[6:54:43] with respect to the proposed official plan
[6:54:45] and zoning by-law
amendment is now concluded.
[6:54:48] I'll go to Councilor Lococo.
[6:54:51] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[6:54:52] I propose the recommendations
[6:54:55] that are on the proposal with an addition.
[6:54:59] And it says that the applicant
must secure permanent access
[6:55:03] to a public road being Valley Way
[6:55:05] to support the development
[6:55:06] as per the applicant's traffic study
[6:55:08] and that access to Shirley Avenue
[6:55:10] be used as an emergency access only.
[6:55:13] - Okay. And we've got a
second by Councilor Dabrowski.
[6:55:16] Do we have any discussion to the motion?
[6:55:19] Okay. Seeing none, we'll call the vote.
[6:55:21] All those in favor? Okay.
[6:55:23] And that's approved unanimously.
[6:55:24] So thank you everyone,
appreciate your time today.
[6:55:27] So you understand, everyone
understands what happened?
[6:55:30] Okay, great. Thank you.
[6:55:32] Thank you very much.
Appreciate your patience.
[6:55:40] Is it the same one? Okay.
[6:55:45] Mr. Clerk, please introduce
the next item on the agenda.
[6:55:49] - The second public meeting
is now being convened
[6:55:50] to consider a proposed amendment
[6:55:52] to the city's official
Plan and Zoning By-law
[6:55:54] to permit the construction
[6:55:55] of a six-story residential
apartment dwelling
[6:55:58] with 57 units at 6104 Garner Road.
[6:56:03] Notice was given by first class mail
[6:56:05] in accordance with the
Planning Act on May 22nd, 2026,
[6:56:08] and by posting a sign on
the property in question.
[6:56:11] In accordance with Bill 185,
[6:56:14] the minister, the applicant,
or a specified person,
[6:56:16] public body, or registered
owner of any land
[6:56:19] to which the official plan
amendment and by-law will apply
[6:56:22] who made oral submissions
at a public meeting
[6:56:24] or written submissions to city council
[6:56:26] prior to the adoption of
the official plan amendment
[6:56:28] and/or passage of the by-law
[6:56:30] may appeal the official plan amendment
[6:56:32] or the by-law to the
Ontario Land Tribunal.
[6:56:35] Third party appeals are
no longer permitted.
[6:56:38] - Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
[6:56:39] I'm now going to call on Chris Roome,
[6:56:41] one of our planners,
to explain the purpose
[6:56:43] and reason for the proposed amendments.
[6:56:46] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[6:56:47] Good evening, Mr. Mayor,
council and staff,
[6:56:50] and any area residents.
[6:56:52] Thank you for joining the public meeting
[6:56:53] for the official Plan and Zoning By-law
[6:56:54] amendment application
file number AM-2025-033
[6:56:59] for the property at 6104 Garner Road.
[6:57:02] This application has been
submitted by Maria Nguyen
[6:57:05] and proposes to amend the
official Plan and Zoning By-law
[6:57:08] to increase the density and
rezone the subject lands
[6:57:10] to facilitate the construction
[6:57:11] of a six-story residential apartment
[6:57:14] containing 57 residential dwelling units.
[6:57:19] Subject lands are located on
the east side of Garner Road,
[6:57:21] south of Lundy's Lane, and
are surrounded by commercial
[6:57:24] and residential uses to the north,
[6:57:26] detached and townhouse
dwellings to the east and south,
[6:57:28] and agricultural lands to the west,
[6:57:30] which are the location
[6:57:32] of the future Garner
West secondary plan area.
[6:57:37] Subject lands are currently
designated residential,
[6:57:39] which permits six-story
apartments along arterial roads
[6:57:42] within a density range of
75 to 100 units per hectare.
[6:57:46] This application proposes a density
[6:57:47] of 150 units per hectare,
[6:57:48] triggering the need for the
official plan amendment.
[6:57:51] The lands are zoned as a
development holding zone,
[6:57:53] which is intended to
accommodate future development
[6:57:55] through an implementing
zoning by-law amendment.
[6:57:59] This application proposes a
new site-specific R5E zone
[6:58:02] to permit an apartment dwelling
[6:58:03] with site-specific provisions.
[6:58:05] Staff at this time are also recommending
[6:58:07] the inclusion of a holding provision
[6:58:08] until a revised functional
servicing report
[6:58:10] has been submitted to the
satisfaction of city staff.
[6:58:13] Should a new FSR be submitted
[6:58:15] prior to the by-laws
coming back to council,
[6:58:17] which has addressed staff's comments,
[6:58:18] the provision may be omitted
from the amending by-law.
[6:58:24] This slide depicts the
proposed site layout.
[6:58:27] The apartment is situated on
the north side of the site,
[6:58:29] allowing for parking on the south side
[6:58:31] and into the rear yard,
[6:58:32] with landscaping along
Garner Road and Angie Drive,
[6:58:35] amenity spaces provided in
the front and the rear yard,
[6:58:37] and via a rooftop patio and
private ensuite balconies.
[6:58:41] The requested site-specific provisions
[6:58:43] consist of a front yard
depth of six meters,
[6:58:45] plus a 13-meters to the
center line of Garner Road,
[6:58:50] a rear yard depth of 8.74 meters,
[6:58:52] an exterior side yard
width of three meters,
[6:58:55] 1.14 parking spaces per unit,
[6:58:58] a maneuvering aisle width of six meters,
[6:59:00] a minimum landscaped open space of 33.2%,
[6:59:04] and a canopy projection of 3.02 meters.
[6:59:09] This slide here just
depicts the renderings
[6:59:12] of the south and west
elevations of the building.
[6:59:14] I just wanted to highlight
the architectural treatments
[6:59:17] like the entrance canopy,
the building materials,
[6:59:19] and the balconies that
break up the building mass.
[6:59:22] The building also provides
a clear relationship
[6:59:25] to the public realm
and the building itself
[6:59:27] while maintaining a
distinct sense of place
[6:59:29] through its orientation and detailing.
[6:59:36] A public open house was
hosted by the applicant
[6:59:38] and their agent on April 2nd, 2026.
[6:59:40] And notice for that public
open house was circulated
[6:59:42] to all property owners
within a 120-meter radius
[6:59:46] of the subject lands on March 19th, 2026.
[6:59:49] Three members of the public
attended the open house
[6:59:52] and concerns were raised
[6:59:54] regarding poor drainage in
the Shapton Crescent area,
[6:59:58] light trespass, and sidewalk extensions,
[7:00:00] to which staff have provided
the following response.
[7:00:03] With regards to drainage,
[7:00:04] while it is not the
responsibility of the applicant
[7:00:06] to address the existing drainage issues,
[7:00:09] staff are aware of this issue
[7:00:10] and have noted that the sanitary sewers
[7:00:12] and storm sewers within
the Angie Drive subdivision
[7:00:15] are still under developer maintenance.
[7:00:18] This site is located away
from these drainage concerns
[7:00:20] and will not contribute to
the existing conditions.
[7:00:23] Stormwater from the area will be conveyed
[7:00:25] to the existing stormwater
management facility
[7:00:27] located south of the
property, which is expected
[7:00:29] to have adequate capacity
for this development.
[7:00:32] With regards to light trespass,
[7:00:33] a photometric plan will be required
[7:00:35] with the site plan control application.
[7:00:37] It must demonstrate that
there is zero light trespass
[7:00:39] at the property lines.
[7:00:40] And with regards to the
sidewalk extensions,
[7:00:42] a 1.5-meter sidewalk is proposed
[7:00:45] along Garner Road abutting the site.
[7:00:47] And this will be secured
at the site plan stage
[7:00:48] and will be the responsibility
of the applicant to install.
[7:00:52] The Angie Drive sidewalk
has already been extended
[7:00:55] towards Garner Road.
[7:00:59] The proposed development conforms
[7:01:01] with provincial, regional,
and city policies
[7:01:02] as it is transit-supportive,
[7:01:04] supports the achievement
of a complete community,
[7:01:06] and will assist the city
[7:01:06] in meeting its intensification targets.
[7:01:08] The proposal will minimize
urban land consumption,
[7:01:11] efficiently use underutilized land,
[7:01:13] and is serviced by
existing municipal services
[7:01:14] with no transportation or
traffic impacts expected.
[7:01:18] And the introduction of additional
multiple housing dwelling
[7:01:21] or multiple dwellings will
contribute to the diversification
[7:01:24] of housing supply within the urban area
[7:01:26] as prescribed by the 2024 PPS
[7:01:28] and regional and city official plans.
[7:01:33] As such, staff recommends
[7:01:37] that council approve the
official plan amendment
[7:01:38] and zoning by-law amendment
to re-designate the lands
[7:01:41] to permit apartment dwellings
[7:01:42] with a density of 150 units per hectare
[7:01:46] and rezone the lands from
a development holding zone
[7:01:48] to a site-specific R5E zone
to permit the construction
[7:01:51] of the six-story apartment building.
[7:01:53] And that council authorize the inclusion
[7:01:56] of a holding provision
in the amending by-law
[7:01:58] to require the submission
[7:01:59] of a revised functional servicing report
[7:02:01] to the satisfaction of city staff.
[7:02:03] And that council authorize
the amending by-law
[7:02:05] to include a sunset clause
to require the execution
[7:02:08] of a site plan agreement
within three years
[7:02:09] of the amending by-law coming into effect.
[7:02:12] And that concludes the
presentation for this application.
[7:02:14] - Thank you very much.
Questions of council?
[7:02:16] Councilor Lococo.
[7:02:18] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Through the mayor to Mr. Roome.
[7:02:22] My question is regarding
the industrial BVGlazing.
[7:02:25] We've had this discussion before.
[7:02:28] This report and the last report said
[7:02:30] that BVGlazing is a class 2 industrial
[7:02:34] and BVGlazing and the owner
said it was a class 3.
[7:02:39] So my concern, the comment on the report
[7:02:42] says it's not expected to infringe
[7:02:44] upon any environmental
permits or nearby businesses,
[7:02:47] but we know from the past,
[7:02:50] when there's a complaint,
[7:02:51] the Minister of Environment
has to deal with it.
[7:02:54] And then that onus is on the business.
[7:02:57] Do you have any comments?
[7:02:59] Who did we rely on for
this class 2 designation?
[7:03:02] - Right, through the
mayor to the councilor.
[7:03:04] We referred back to the
Land Use Compatibility Study
[7:03:06] that was submitted, it
designated it as a class 2.
[7:03:09] And further there was, if you're familiar
[7:03:11] with the development just to
the north of the property,
[7:03:13] what came last year, it was
the same designation as well.
[7:03:16] So we're just relying
on those two studies.
[7:03:19] - So we relied on, did they
provide a study this time
[7:03:22] or did we rely on the last study?
[7:03:24] - Through the mayor, they
provided a study this time
[7:03:26] that we relied on.
- Okay.
[7:03:27] So this study says class 2 again?
[7:03:29] Again, I'll put it out there,
[7:03:31] like we need to have a better system.
[7:03:32] I don't think it's fair or accurate
[7:03:35] that we're relying on a
developer's consultant
[7:03:37] to put a classification
on an industrial business
[7:03:41] when the business itself,
they know what they're doing,
[7:03:44] how many hours they're open,
how much noise they make,
[7:03:46] and they're saying
they're a different class.
[7:03:48] So I know that's not something
that we can deal with,
[7:03:51] but every time we get
closer to industrial,
[7:03:53] we have these competing interests.
[7:03:55] Yes, we want to support industrial,
yes, we want residential,
[7:03:58] but when the two of them are colliding,
[7:04:00] we end up with issues.
[7:04:01] So I hope we don't get any issues.
[7:04:04] - Maybe we'll go to our planner.
[7:04:05] I mean, do we get an independent peer?
[7:04:08] 'Cause obviously they both
have their own motives
[7:04:10] for the different classification.
[7:04:13] What do we do in this
case? How do we decide?
[7:04:16] - Thank you, your worship.
- Clue me in.
[7:04:17] - So usually we evaluate their study work,
[7:04:20] we assess whether we agree with the fact
[7:04:22] that they've, you know, decided
it was a class 2 facility.
[7:04:26] We do vet it a little bit.
[7:04:28] If we do have concerns, we go
to a peer review situation.
[7:04:32] In this case, we haven't,
[7:04:34] we don't have those concerns
at this point in time.
[7:04:36] So we haven't gone to a peer review.
[7:04:38] But if that's something that's
required, we could do that.
[7:04:41] We've done it in the past.
[7:04:43] But like I said, it's not
something we automatically do.
[7:04:46] It's something if we've raised concerns,
[7:04:48] like something's not
adding up in their reports
[7:04:50] or not making sense,
[7:04:51] we need expert advice
beyond what we can do.
[7:04:55] - Thank you.
- Okay. Thank you.
[7:04:56] I did send the report to the owner
[7:04:59] and they didn't get back to me.
[7:05:01] I guess that says they're not concerned,
[7:05:02] so we'll just leave it at that.
[7:05:04] Thank you.
- Thank you.
[7:05:05] Any other questions of
council for Mr. Roome?
[7:05:08] Okay, I think we're good
at this point. Thank you.
[7:05:14] Members of the public are advised
[7:05:15] that failure to make an
oral or written submission
[7:05:17] at this public meeting
[7:05:18] could result in the Ontario Land Tribunal
[7:05:20] dismissing any referral that it receives.
[7:05:22] Council will now hear from
anyone other than the applicant
[7:05:25] who wishes to speak to
the proposed amendments.
[7:05:28] Mr. Clerk, do we have
anybody registered? No.
[7:05:30] Is there anybody here
other than the applicant
[7:05:32] who wishes to address council?
[7:05:35] Okay, seeing none, council will
now hear from the applicant
[7:05:38] or his or her representative.
[7:05:46] - Good evening, Mr.
Mayor, members of council.
[7:05:48] My name is Ethan Laman.
[7:05:49] I'm a senior planner with
Upper Canada Consultants.
[7:05:52] I do have a presentation prepared,
[7:05:54] but I think in the interest of time,
[7:05:55] I'll forego the presentation
[7:05:56] and I'm just happy to
answer any questions.
[7:05:58] - Okay. Sounds good.
[7:05:59] Do we have any questions
of council for Mr. Laman?
[7:06:02] Lamen?
- Laman.
[7:06:03] - Laman?
- Same thing. good enough.
[7:06:06] - Okay. I think we're good.
[7:06:08] We've got our questions
answered. Thank you very much.
[7:06:12] Where are we here? Here we are.
[7:06:13] All right.
[7:06:14] Public meeting with respect
to the proposed official plan
[7:06:16] and zoning by-law
amendment is now concluded.
[7:06:19] Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:06:21] - Motion to approve
without any recommendation.
[7:06:23] - Okay. Seconded by Councilor Baldinelli.
[7:06:26] Any discussion to that
motion? Seeing none.
[7:06:28] All those in favor?
[7:06:29] Okay. And that's approved unanimously.
[7:06:31] Thank you gentlemen. Thank you.
[7:06:34] Okay. Back at you.
[7:06:38] Thank you, Kira.
[7:06:39] You don't have to go. You can stay.
[7:06:41] I actually kind of prefer you.
[7:06:43] - It's like the last one.
- You're less noisy.
[7:06:47] You smile more.
- No chip bag.
[7:06:49] - No chip bags crunching.
[7:06:51] - No crumbs.
- That too.
[7:06:54] No flatulence, you know.
[7:06:56] (councilors laugh)
[7:07:00] - Okay. She let him get away with that.
[7:07:02] - He smelt it and dealt it.
[7:07:05] - Oh, don't worry. I'll pay for that.
[7:07:07] Yes, so, Mr. Clerk, so we've got some,
[7:07:11] do we need motions for deferral
[7:07:12] on a couple of the issues on the agenda?
[7:07:15] - Yes. So 9.1, 9.2 are a couple of matters
[7:07:20] that, just like last meeting,
[7:07:22] we know that Councilor
Kerrio was curious about
[7:07:27] and in his absence,
[7:07:29] I think that from what I'm
hearing from this council,
[7:07:31] is that they would like to
entertain a motion for deferral.
[7:07:34] - Okay. So we got a motion
by Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:07:36] - And 9.5.2?
- And 9.5 as well.
[7:07:39] Yes, that's right. Was
the other one, right?
[7:07:41] - Yep. We can do 'em all in once.
[7:07:42] - Okay. So 9.1, 9.2, 9.5.
[7:07:46] Motion by Councilor Dabrowski,
[7:07:47] seconded by Councilor Strange.
[7:07:49] If there's no discussion,
we'll call the vote.
[7:07:51] All those in favor?
[7:07:52] Okay. And that's unanimous.
[7:07:54] So we will move on to 9.3. So-
[7:07:58] - I'll move the fee waivers, your worship.
[7:08:00] - Okay, motion by Councilor Pietrangelo,
[7:08:01] second by Councilor Strange,
to move the fee waivers.
[7:08:04] Any discussion to that? Councilor Lococo?
[7:08:09] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:08:11] You know, I look at these fee waivers,
[7:08:14] we need to come up with a better system
[7:08:16] because they seem to be
different categories.
[7:08:19] There's some that are permit
fees, some that are labor,
[7:08:23] and then some that are rental amounts.
[7:08:25] And we've already exceeded our budget.
[7:08:32] Like they're all things
[7:08:35] that are coming back to the community.
[7:08:36] They're doing great
things for the community.
[7:08:38] Some are very small, some are larger.
[7:08:40] I'm just having a
challenge with this process
[7:08:42] because we have one more
time, it's coming in August.
[7:08:45] We're already over budget.
[7:08:49] And I know we've talked
[7:08:50] about doing something different before,
[7:08:52] but I just have a challenge with this
[7:08:56] and I'm not even going to get
[7:08:59] into some of the things that
we're going to approve them all.
[7:09:03] They're just very different.
[7:09:05] And I think we should have different ways
[7:09:06] of approaching them
[7:09:08] because it's not necessarily
money out of the city's pocket.
[7:09:11] It might be some labor cost, permit cost.
[7:09:15] Yes, there can be some labor,
[7:09:16] but like for example, the convention sign,
[7:09:19] it is city property.
[7:09:20] Why would we charge it? What
is the cost of a permit?
[7:09:25] So, you know, I really think we need
[7:09:26] to do something different
[7:09:27] because it just seems
like it's a free-for-all.
[7:09:29] Everybody's asking the city for money
[7:09:31] and they're all good causes, and...
[7:09:33] - Well, the other one is,
[7:09:34] some of them are opportunity costs.
[7:09:36] I mean, Chippewa volunteer
firefighters, I mean,
[7:09:40] you know, using the ball diamonds,
[7:09:41] you know, I mean I know it's hard
[7:09:43] to monetize and quantify some of these,
[7:09:46] and I just think it's
an accounting practice
[7:09:48] more than anything on a lot of them.
[7:09:50] - Oh, I didn't mean to monetize
the value of what they were.
[7:09:53] I meant to look at what it's
actually costing the city.
[7:09:57] So if it's a rental, could
we rent it to somebody else?
[7:10:00] Are we losing that opportunity?
[7:10:01] If it's a permit, how much staff time
[7:10:04] actually goes into that permit?
[7:10:05] So for example, with the
Convention Centre at $6,574,
[7:10:11] do we really utilize
$6,574 worth of labor?
[7:10:15] That's where I'm getting at.
[7:10:16] Because then our budget
won't be up as high
[7:10:19] and we won't be over
budget if the real costs,
[7:10:22] that's what I'm trying to get at.
[7:10:23] - We can go to the assistant
GM of planning here
[7:10:25] and see if, well, you can answer this.
[7:10:26] (councilors chuckle)
[7:10:29] - Our fees are usually
there's fee cost studies
[7:10:32] and there's usually cost.
[7:10:33] So when you're renting,
when you're renting,
[7:10:36] you have to remember that
just because it's a rental
[7:10:38] doesn't mean that there's not cleanup,
[7:10:39] janitorial costs, garbage.
[7:10:40] When we host a baseball tournament,
[7:10:42] we have a lot of staff
out there doing that.
[7:10:44] Permit fee for a sign,
[7:10:46] we have engineers reviewing that.
[7:10:47] We have our people reviewing that.
[7:10:49] So that's why there's, I
think it was two years ago
[7:10:52] we did the study that
showed what is our cost
[7:10:55] to process all those things.
[7:10:56] So those are true costs.
[7:11:00] And you know, like I'll just be blunt,
[7:11:05] in the five years I've been here,
[7:11:06] council has yet to turn
down one of these things.
[7:11:08] So I don't know what
system would be better.
[7:11:11] We are just being very clear with,
[7:11:13] we are not obtaining
this revenue each year
[7:11:18] for these things.
[7:11:20] I'm happy for the next council term
[7:11:22] if there was a suggestion,
[7:11:24] but like I said, at the end of the day,
[7:11:26] I've not yet seen one
of these turned down.
[7:11:28] So I'm not sure any system
[7:11:30] would result in anything different.
[7:11:32] - Okay.
[7:11:33] Well maybe we have a
brainstorming session on it
[7:11:35] because it's just, I don't
know where to go with it.
[7:11:39] I don't know what the answer is,
[7:11:40] but they are different when
you're looking at them.
[7:11:43] And now that we're the third,
[7:11:44] what is, so this is the third time, March?
[7:11:47] No, this is the second time. June.
[7:11:49] There's one more coming
[7:11:50] and we're going to be over budget again.
[7:11:53] So I don't know, are we
realistic on our budget?
[7:11:56] - Okay. Yeah, well that's the other thing.
[7:11:58] Maybe we're not realistic on
the budgeting part, you know?
[7:12:00] I've got Councilor Patel, then Dabrowski.
[7:12:04] - Sorry.
- That's okay.
[7:12:05] Mr. Mayor, I think when
we talk about the budget
[7:12:07] for this fee waiver applications,
[7:12:09] a major chunk went into the YWCA's
[7:12:13] building permit applications, I think.
[7:12:15] And that's a one-time occurring cost.
[7:12:17] So next year it will not be there.
[7:12:19] And we were all very
happy to support that.
[7:12:21] So that could have been
coming from the reserves,
[7:12:25] but we just wanted to
put everything together
[7:12:27] to see how much we are
giving away per year.
[7:12:30] So I think going over the
budget is not an issue for me
[7:12:33] because, you know, lots
of these organizations
[7:12:34] are doing a great job
[7:12:36] and if we can support them in some way,
[7:12:39] I'm really happy to support them.
[7:12:41] - Okay, thank you for
that. Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:12:44] - Yeah, I share the same sentiment.
[7:12:46] I'm wondering if looking at the expenses,
[7:12:49] but they're fee waivers,
[7:12:50] so they're not necessarily hard costs.
[7:12:52] Could we have a column
that says hard costs?
[7:12:55] So if we're talking about
a slo-pitch tournament,
[7:12:57] here's the fee waiver that the
organization's looking for.
[7:13:00] Here's the hard cost
or expense to the city.
[7:13:03] 'Cause the way I look at it,
[7:13:04] especially the Convention Centre sign,
[7:13:05] it's a digital sign that has
a rolling billboard of events
[7:13:10] that are taking place in the city.
[7:13:13] Like there's some potential
revenue generation there.
[7:13:16] I mean we get a kickback from
that, if that makes sense.
[7:13:19] But like what, for example,
that Convention Centre sign,
[7:13:22] what the $6,500 is just
strictly fees, not hard cost?
[7:13:26] - You know what? I don't know
who wants to answer that.
[7:13:28] The assistant GM?
[7:13:30] - Yeah, and I can refer,
[7:13:31] but on any sign we have to
review the plans for that.
[7:13:35] So there's a plan review for all signs.
[7:13:38] So when someone wants to post a sign,
[7:13:40] it has to go to our Building Department.
[7:13:42] They have to review it.
[7:13:44] There's engineering
drawings that we look at.
[7:13:46] There's usually comments
that go back, back and forth.
[7:13:50] And that's why the fees are based upon
[7:13:52] what is the average time
does it take to review a sign
[7:13:55] and everyone gets charged
with the same fee.
[7:13:57] So in all these, a road closure,
[7:13:59] people will say, "Well,
it's just a road closure,"
[7:14:01] but Mr. Nickel will say
[7:14:03] that he's got staff out there on overtime,
[7:14:06] you know, putting down
the stuff, you know,
[7:14:08] and then picking the stuff up.
[7:14:09] If there's, I'll put it this way,
[7:14:12] all our fees in the city,
[7:14:14] at most we can do is collect
100% of our cost back.
[7:14:18] In most cases, our fees lose.
[7:14:20] I don't charge enough for hockey,
[7:14:21] I don't charge enough
for a baseball field.
[7:14:23] I don't charge enough.
[7:14:24] So when I'm putting a fee there,
[7:14:25] that's what would've been paid.
[7:14:27] And I'm probably losing money
at that fee to begin with.
[7:14:30] So when you waive it, you're
just losing more money.
[7:14:33] - But it's hypothetical that-
- No, no, it's an actual cost.
[7:14:37] Like I get $40,000,
[7:14:40] well actually this year is higher.
[7:14:42] I think it was $67,000
[7:14:44] from the rental of all
our parks and fields,
[7:14:47] but it cost me hundreds
of thousands of dollars
[7:14:49] to cut the grass and do all that stuff.
[7:14:52] So like, I would just be cautious
to say it's hypothetical.
[7:14:56] We have staff that go out
there and maintain stuff.
[7:14:59] We have staff that have
to review applications,
[7:15:02] we have staff that have to do that.
[7:15:04] And when someone comes in,
[7:15:06] and I just, like I said, I'd be careful
[7:15:08] because when I put a building permit in,
[7:15:09] there's a review process
and someone's paying it.
[7:15:11] I don't want someone coming and say,
[7:15:12] "Well, it's a hypothetical fee."
[7:15:13] It's not a hypothetical
fee. It's a real fee.
[7:15:16] And it's fine, like at the end of the day,
[7:15:18] this is transparent for what it is.
[7:15:23] And if you go over budget,
[7:15:24] that is council's decision
to go over budget.
[7:15:27] In certain cases we have to transfer this.
[7:15:29] So for a planning or building fee,
[7:15:32] I have to take it from my levy
[7:15:33] and put it into that reserve
[7:15:34] because I can't just wave that revenue
[7:15:39] because the planning and building
[7:15:40] has to be sustained on its own.
[7:15:41] So the fee has to go over.
[7:15:43] When it's something like
for the Chippewa Arena,
[7:15:45] it's right pocket, left pocket.
[7:15:47] I'm taking it from one reserve
[7:15:48] and moving it over to rec and culture.
[7:15:50] But when it's planning and building,
[7:15:53] it's no different than a water levy.
[7:15:54] I have to actually put
the money over there.
[7:15:56] Or a DC waiver, I have
to take it from levy
[7:15:58] to put it over to DCs.
[7:16:00] - Well, I understand that, but I don't,
[7:16:01] again, back to fee waiver
[7:16:02] for the slo-pitch tournament.
[7:16:05] - Yes.
- There's additional costs
[7:16:07] to those costs that are-
- Yeah.
[7:16:11] - absorbed by the city?
- That's right. Yeah.
[7:16:13] Like that slo-pitch tournament,
we put extra staff on.
[7:16:16] So even that cost is low.
[7:16:18] - So why don't we show the real,
[7:16:19] like why don't we show the true,
[7:16:20] I'm not saying it's not the true number,
[7:16:22] but why don't we show that
it might make it a lot easier
[7:16:24] to turn down specific.
[7:16:26] I'm just trying to figure
out exactly what the cost is.
[7:16:30] - Yeah, like on rec and culture,
[7:16:34] we can put some more to that.
[7:16:36] But yeah, like a thousand
dollars for a tournament,
[7:16:42] I will chew up far more than
that on salaries for that day.
[7:16:45] I'm not even forgetting about, you know,
[7:16:47] whether I could have rented the field
[7:16:48] to somebody else or whatever.
[7:16:51] It's, I don't want to spend more money
[7:16:55] to tell you what the actual cost is
[7:16:56] when I'm not getting any
money out of it anyways,
[7:16:58] to be quite frank.
[7:16:59] - But we're already over budget
[7:17:01] and what you're saying is
we're even more over budget.
[7:17:03] - Yeah.
- Okay.
[7:17:06] - Any other questions?
[7:17:07] Yes, I've got Councilor
Nieuwesteeg, and Lococo.
[7:17:12] - Actually, according to my math,
[7:17:13] I don't think we're over budget at all
[7:17:14] because if we take out the two anomalies
[7:17:16] being the RibFest, which came
to us at that last minute
[7:17:19] and really it probably
wouldn't look like that.
[7:17:22] And the Falls Manor, it really shows
[7:17:25] that we have $17,144 under budget.
[7:17:28] So, 'cause in normal times
[7:17:30] those things wouldn't have been there.
[7:17:31] 'Cause the fee waivers are usually,
[7:17:33] all the other ones that are consistent.
[7:17:35] So really in actuality,
we're not over budget.
[7:17:37] We're under budget if you
took those two anomalies.
[7:17:38] So I don't think this
is a big concern at all.
[7:17:42] - Thank you, Councilor Lococo.
[7:17:44] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:17:45] I have a different perspective on that.
[7:17:48] Maybe take out the YWCA,
[7:17:49] 'cause that was something different,
[7:17:51] but RibStock, technically they should have
[7:17:53] filled one of these out,
which was now filled out.
[7:17:55] So they are part of that process.
[7:17:57] But I wanted to talk about
[7:17:58] the Niagara Falls Cultural
Development Fund Grant.
[7:18:01] So $70,000 every year is given
[7:18:04] to the recreation and culture
[7:18:05] for arts and culture applications.
[7:18:07] And people have to put in the applications
[7:18:09] and it's a lot more than
what these applications are.
[7:18:13] You're putting sort of a business case,
[7:18:15] where's your money coming from?
[7:18:16] I know we asked for budgets,
[7:18:17] but some of them on here
didn't even give a budget.
[7:18:20] And I've brought this up before.
[7:18:22] They're not completing
the proper applications
[7:18:24] with the proper information
[7:18:25] and we're giving a lot of money out.
[7:18:27] I think there needs to be
more requirement on their end
[7:18:32] to fill out the proper paperwork.
[7:18:34] We're giving a lot of money.
[7:18:35] So, you know, if you look at
[7:18:36] the Niagara Falls
Cultural Development Fund,
[7:18:38] there's a whole process that goes,
[7:18:40] there's a committee that looks at it.
[7:18:41] I'm not suggesting a committee,
[7:18:43] but there's a different
application process.
[7:18:45] You're outlining the business plan.
[7:18:48] It's a more fulsome application.
[7:18:50] So I just wanted to look at that as well.
[7:18:53] - Something we can definitely look at.
[7:18:55] Councilor Strange.
- Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:18:56] I was looking at a couple
other municipalities
[7:18:58] where they kind of do like
a no direct staff cost rule
[7:19:03] where policies typically
state that the city
[7:19:05] will only waive facility
rental or permit fees.
[7:19:08] Direct costs like staff overtime, set up,
[7:19:11] teardown, security or paid officers
[7:19:13] are completely non-waivable.
[7:19:14] It must be paid by the group.
[7:19:16] And then they have financial disclosure.
[7:19:17] Groups are required
[7:19:18] to submit their recent
financial statements
[7:19:20] or the specific event budget.
[7:19:23] If an event is heavily sponsored
[7:19:25] or the group has deep reserves,
[7:19:27] the waiver's scaled back or denied.
[7:19:29] - [Assistant GM] That's
what I was getting at.
[7:19:31] - Yeah.
[7:19:32] So kind of no direct staff,
like, you know what I mean?
[7:19:35] We're not supplying staff for that
[7:19:37] or clean up or anything like that.
[7:19:38] Like if it is, they have to cover it.
[7:19:41] - Yeah, I agree with you.
[7:19:42] - Agree?
- So what are your...
[7:19:44] Yeah, go ahead.
- And that's,
[7:19:46] is that what you were meaning?
[7:19:47] - That's what I was referring to.
[7:19:48] I was saying we're listing the fee waiver.
[7:19:51] But we're not actually
listing the hard cost
[7:19:54] for the outcome of the
cleanup and the staffing.
[7:19:56] - It's actually paid by them.
[7:19:57] - Yeah, exactly. But we
don't see that number.
[7:19:59] It'd be nice to see both numbers
[7:20:00] and then when they're coming
to us looking for relief,
[7:20:05] we can outline, we're only
responsible for this much
[7:20:08] and you'd be on the hook for the rest
[7:20:09] and they might not come back
with the same sort of proposal
[7:20:12] or if their budget will look
a lot different as well, so.
[7:20:14] - [Strange] Can we bring something back?
[7:20:16] Actually can staff bring back?
[7:20:18] - Well, why don't you make
that part of the motion.
[7:20:19] So Councilor Pietrangelo made it,
[7:20:21] and who seconded it, Mr. Clerk?
[7:20:25] - Mike did. Mr. Strange.
- Oh, Mike did. Okay.
[7:20:26] Well then why don't you
ask the guy next to you
[7:20:28] if he's willing to add that to it?
[7:20:31] - Of course.
- Okay, great.
[7:20:32] And are you agreeable to your idea?
[7:20:34] - Yeah.
- Okay. Good.
[7:20:35] - We'll bring it to the
budget time, I think, Paul's.
[7:20:37] - Yeah, that's fine.
[7:20:38] - Okay, perfect.
[7:20:39] - Yeah, of course. Let's ask Mark
[7:20:42] - Here there's the meeting
room rental fee for 2026,
[7:20:45] the Pathstone Mental Health,
[7:20:47] and we do provide them
funding from our budget.
[7:20:49] So how is this different from that?
[7:20:52] - Say that again.
[7:20:53] - For Pathstone Mental Health,
[7:20:55] there's the room fee waiver here.
[7:20:57] - Yes.
- And we do give them
[7:20:58] some amount from our budget
[7:21:00] when it comes to social services, correct?
[7:21:02] - Who wants to address that one?
[7:21:04] - Yeah, so they've asked for a fee.
[7:21:06] They rent our boardroom, I believe.
[7:21:08] No, they rent their
community room too upstairs.
[7:21:10] And that was a, that
was an agreement that-
[7:21:13] - They're looking at it.
- they came to council,
[7:21:16] they wanted to move out
of the location downtown
[7:21:19] to that location and, you know,
[7:21:23] and they've asked for a
reduction in fees for that.
[7:21:27] - Okay. So will that be
occurring every year?
[7:21:30] - Most likely it will.
[7:21:31] - So maybe we can add this
to the grant altogether,
[7:21:34] would that make sense?
[7:21:35] - We could, if you want
to increase that budget,
[7:21:37] but that budget, if council
remembers correctly,
[7:21:42] that came before council.
[7:21:43] It was deferred.
- Right.
[7:21:45] - Because the social services budget,
[7:21:49] or whatever you want to call
that, has been frozen in time.
[7:21:53] I'm going to look at
Ms. Clark for a decade.
[7:21:55] - Yep.
- At least.
[7:21:57] - At least a decade.
[7:21:58] So we can bring that back
up, frankly, with this motion
[7:22:03] to look at some other items.
[7:22:04] - Yeah, that'll be good.
[7:22:05] So everything is streamlined,
I think that's...
[7:22:07] - Yep.
- Thank you.
[7:22:09] - Okay. Yes, Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:22:12] - Thanks, your worship.
[7:22:13] Is the motion with the amendment,
[7:22:16] like I know the motion is
to approve the fee waivers.
[7:22:19] Is the amendment to not allow staff costs
[7:22:22] to be paid by the city?
[7:22:24] Is that the amendment?
[7:22:26] - I've taken that we come back
[7:22:28] and look at a new policy in the new year.
[7:22:30] So I said we would bring that
[7:22:32] through the next budget process
[7:22:34] with looking at Councilor
Strange's concept
[7:22:38] of that salary costs or
hard costs are not waived.
[7:22:42] That rental costs are eligible for waiver.
[7:22:47] So an event would have to pay
for staff cost for an event.
[7:22:51] But that would be for the next council
[7:22:53] to decide as part of their budget process.
[7:22:55] - Okay, so just so I understand,
[7:22:57] like Women's Place comes down,
[7:22:58] we give 'em to Gale Centre every year.
[7:23:01] They have their Book Riot,
there's a rental fee for the ice,
[7:23:04] but I'm sure that that rental fee
[7:23:06] would include staffing costs.
[7:23:07] Would the thought be that they would have
[7:23:09] to pay the staffing costs?
[7:23:11] - I don't know.
[7:23:13] I'd go back and take a look
[7:23:14] at how some of these other
municipalities are doing that
[7:23:16] and come back with a
recommendation at budget.
[7:23:18] So I don't know.
- 'Cause I just think that
[7:23:19] I mean, if it's a nonprofit,
I would like the city
[7:23:22] to, you know, somewhat
help them out anyway.
[7:23:25] - Yeah, and I would say that
[7:23:27] we're very deliberate in the wording
[7:23:29] that we put on these motions
[7:23:30] that we give council the choice to deny,
[7:23:33] to do in part, or to accept.
[7:23:35] And I would say that
council is 0 for 5 years
[7:23:38] on choosing door A or B.
[7:23:41] It's always been door C.
[7:23:44] - All right, okay. Thanks very much.
[7:23:48] (councilors chuckle)
[7:23:49] - Okay, so we've got a motion
seconded. Let's call the vote.
[7:23:53] All those in favor?
[7:23:54] Okay. That's unanimous.
[7:23:55] Thank you. Okay, where are we now?
[7:23:59] We just, we're on 9.4?
[7:24:05] Or 3? No, 4.
[7:24:06] Yeah. 9.4, right?
[7:24:08] - Yes.
- Okay.
[7:24:09] So 9.4, schedule a user fee update
[7:24:12] for vow renewal ceremonies.
[7:24:16] Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:24:18] - Yeah, looking at the four options,
[7:24:22] I'd like to see us at least
align with current market trends
[7:24:25] and offer our residents a discount.
[7:24:27] So if I had to weigh the four options,
[7:24:29] I'd like to put a motion
forward to move option two.
[7:24:34] - Okay. Do we have a
seconder for the motion?
[7:24:37] Second, Councilor Strange.
[7:24:39] Discussion to the
motion, Councilor Lococo.
[7:24:43] - I wanted, and Nieuwesteeg.
- Sorry.
[7:24:45] I wanted to approve the recommendations
[7:24:48] that were there with option one.
[7:24:49] I felt-
- Well there's already
[7:24:50] a motion on-
- I know that's my discussion.
[7:24:51] That's what I'm saying. That's
what I wanted to approve.
[7:24:54] So I won't approve option two.
[7:24:55] - Okay.
- I liked option one.
[7:24:56] - Okay. Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[7:24:58] - And I agree, I was looking
at option one as well
[7:25:01] because in the report, when we look at it,
[7:25:03] it says basically this is a market
[7:25:05] that is very highly price sensitive.
[7:25:08] When we increase the fees
for regular ceremonies,
[7:25:11] our volume has decreased by 50%.
[7:25:15] So I think that's telling us in itself
[7:25:17] that if we're going to offer this service,
[7:25:19] we got to offer it to the price,
[7:25:20] obviously, price-sensitive,
[7:25:21] if that's the market
that's looking at this.
[7:25:24] - Any other discussion to the motion?
[7:25:27] Okay, so we'll call the
vote. All those in favor?
[7:25:32] Okay. Opposed?
[7:25:34] Okay, so that passes, four-three.
[7:25:38] Next is nine-
[7:25:41] - That's a pretty good math for you.
[7:25:42] - I could go up that,
'cause I have 10 fingers.
[7:25:45] I can do that.
[7:25:47] What? Okay, wait a minute.
[7:25:48] 9.5, we've already deferred. Okay.
[7:25:50] 9.6, 2026-27 insurance renewal program.
[7:25:56] Moved by Councilor Patel,
seconded by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[7:25:58] - Sure but I have a comment.
[7:26:00] - Yes, but you have a comment. Yep.
[7:26:01] - And through you, Mr.
Mayor, to Ms. Punyarthi.
[7:26:03] It says in the report
that it covers directors,
[7:26:07] so the BAOs, the BAOs?
[7:26:11] The BIAs have director's insurance.
[7:26:16] Are they covered under the
city's insurance policy?
[7:26:23] - Through the chair.
[7:26:24] I have our risk manager, Ms. McQuay here
[7:26:26] and she can answer questions.
[7:26:29] - Sorry, I didn't see her.
[7:26:39] - Through the chair to the councilor?
[7:26:41] Yes. The BIA is are covered
under the city's policy.
[7:26:44] - So all we've been paying
director's insurance,
[7:26:47] but you don't need to do this.
[7:26:49] - Director's insurance is different.
[7:26:51] You do have to have that
coverage separately.
[7:26:54] - Okay.
- Yes.
[7:26:55] - Okay. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
[7:26:58] - Okay. All right.
[7:26:59] So we can call the vote.
All those in favor?
[7:27:01] That's approved. Thank you very much.
[7:27:04] 9.7, service utility agreement
with Ontario Utility Locates.
[7:27:10] - With recommendations.
[7:27:11] - Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:27:12] Seconded by Councilor
Patel. Councilor Lococo.
[7:27:14] - Quick question.
[7:27:15] Resident asked, what is the,
[7:27:17] it says partial acquisition by HoldCo.
[7:27:19] What is the percentage that that is owned?
[7:27:23] - We'll go to our
assistant GM of planning.
[7:27:25] - Yeah. We own 33% of the corporation.
[7:27:30] - Okay. Any other questions?
[7:27:32] Seeing none, will call the vote.
[7:27:33] All those in favor?
[7:27:34] That's unanimous. Thank you.
[7:27:36] 9.8, McLeod Road reconstruction.
[7:27:39] The recommendation that we
approve the budget amendment.
[7:27:41] - Move the recommendation.
[7:27:43] - Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:27:43] Second by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[7:27:46] - I just got a quick question.
[7:27:47] - Yes. Councilor Patel.
[7:27:48] Quick.
[7:27:49] Start the timer.
- Through you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:27:50] Just a question for Erik.
I'm sorry, Mr. Nickel.
[7:27:54] Is this being proactive
[7:27:55] because the roadway
construction is happening
[7:27:57] and we are changing the water,
[7:27:59] meaning is that being proactive?
[7:28:01] - Yeah. Through the mayor,
it would be proactive.
[7:28:03] There are active developments
[7:28:05] on all edges of this development.
[7:28:07] We are now a little bit further along
[7:28:09] in the development planning,
[7:28:10] so we know the size and type and location
[7:28:12] that we can include in
the upcoming contract
[7:28:14] to go out this year.
[7:28:15] - So because McLeod Road
is being reconstructed,
[7:28:17] is it going to be a little cheaper for us
[7:28:19] because it's already happening?
[7:28:21] - Yeah, through the mayor, it
will be more cost effective
[7:28:24] and it will limit disruptions.
[7:28:26] If we were, you know, the alternative is
[7:28:28] this is done by a
developer at a later date
[7:28:29] or by the city at a later date
[7:28:31] and it's going to disrupt the sidewalks,
[7:28:33] the road, the curb and everything else.
[7:28:34] - Okay, thank you.
[7:28:36] - Okay. We, I'm sorry,
do we have the motion?
[7:28:39] I can't remember now.
[7:28:40] Yes? Okay.
[7:28:41] We will call the vote. All those in favor?
[7:28:43] Okay. That's unanimous.
[7:28:44] Thank you.
[7:28:45] 9.9, PBD-2026-28, Bill 119,
[7:28:51] Protecting Ontario Streets
and Communities Act.
[7:28:55] Two recommendations.
[7:28:56] Yes. Councilor Lococo, are you moving it?
[7:28:58] - I'll move it. And I had one question.
[7:29:00] - Okay. Let me just get a seconder.
[7:29:01] Councilor Patel, second. Okay.
[7:29:03] - I guess this is a
general question for AMPS.
[7:29:06] So if we are going to
fine them through AMPS,
[7:29:11] do we give them notice
[7:29:12] to say, "Hey, you're doing
something wrong, stop it,"
[7:29:14] and then fine them?
[7:29:16] Or do we just fine them?
[7:29:17] Because a resident got in
touch with me the other day
[7:29:19] and said that they're not
getting parking tickets anymore.
[7:29:22] They're getting AMPS
sent to them in the mail
[7:29:24] and they didn't even know
they had a parking ticket.
[7:29:26] So the parking is going
through AMPS now too,
[7:29:29] is that correct?
[7:29:30] - So we can go to Mr. Gallagher
[7:29:31] and get some insight into
that for that report.
[7:29:35] - I don't believe that to be true.
[7:29:38] I believe that they are being enforced
[7:29:40] through the parking measures
and receiving a ticket for it.
[7:29:43] But I can look into it
a little bit further
[7:29:45] and confirm for you.
[7:29:46] - Okay, thank you.
[7:29:47] And for this, for all of AMPS,
[7:29:50] do we give them a notice first
[7:29:52] and then the AMPS outside of parking?
[7:29:55] - Through the mayor.
[7:29:56] Traditionally, we will go ahead
[7:29:57] and we will give them
notice to make them aware
[7:29:59] that they're not
complying with the by-law.
[7:30:02] And then we will go ahead and enforce it,
[7:30:04] unless it's a repeat offender,
[7:30:05] and then we will go immediately
to the AMPS program.
[7:30:07] - Thank you.
- Okay. Thank you for that.
[7:30:09] We'll call the vote. All those in favor?
[7:30:12] All those in favor? Yes.
[7:30:13] That's unanimous. Thank you.
[7:30:15] We go to consent agenda.
[7:30:17] - Move consent again.
[7:30:18] - Okay, before we do that,
[7:30:19] does anyone want anything
lifted before we do that?
[7:30:21] No? Okay.
[7:30:22] Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:30:24] Second by Councilor Patel that
we move the consent agenda.
[7:30:27] All those in favor? Okay.
[7:30:29] And that's approved. Thank you.
[7:30:31] And then we go to communications
[7:30:34] and comments of the city clerk.
[7:30:35] There's a recommendation
that council approve
[7:30:37] and support 11.1 through 11.5.
[7:30:42] Do we have a motion for
that? Councilor Baldinelli.
[7:30:45] Seconded by Councilor Patel.
[7:30:49] All those in favor? That's approved.
[7:30:51] Let me just quickly read what they are.
[7:30:53] Flag raising request
[7:30:56] for National Addiction
Week, November 19th.
[7:30:59] Proclamation request, World
Hepatitis Day, July 28th.
[7:31:03] Proclamation request,
National Coaches Week,
[7:31:06] September 14th through 20th.
[7:31:09] Flag raising request,
[7:31:10] Independence Day of India, August 15th.
[7:31:14] And proclamation and flag raising
[7:31:15] for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
[7:31:19] That'll be for September.
[7:31:20] Now we go to communications,
comments of city clerk.
[7:31:23] Recommendation that we
receive 12.1 through 12.6.
[7:31:27] What do we want to lift first?
Anyone want anything lifted?
[7:31:29] Yes. Councilor Lococo.
[7:31:30] - 12.5 please.
[7:31:32] - Okay. 12.5.
[7:31:36] Okay, correspondence from
the Recreation Committee,
[7:31:41] presence at city events.
[7:31:43] - I think this lends to
some of the discussion
[7:31:45] we had earlier about the
Accessibility Committee
[7:31:49] having an internal
accessibility committee,
[7:31:51] what Shania brought about the Green Team,
[7:31:54] what Councilor Patel talked about,
[7:31:56] that the committees should
be working together.
[7:31:59] So when, when I saw that I thought,
[7:32:01] you know, we should be working together.
[7:32:03] We're all working in silos
[7:32:04] and we're working on
some similar projects.
[7:32:06] So maybe we can do
[7:32:08] not just the Recreation
Committee be part of things,
[7:32:10] but maybe look at opportunities
[7:32:12] for all committees to come
together at different times.
[7:32:15] Maybe not all the time,
[7:32:16] but with some of the same events.
[7:32:19] - Yeah. And to me it makes
sense to have a booth.
[7:32:21] You're trying to recruit
at community events,
[7:32:23] the community.
- Yeah.
[7:32:24] And the Accessibility Committee
[7:32:26] is having a booth at the Canada Day.
[7:32:28] So there was a whole process
[7:32:29] of what they had to do to get there.
[7:32:30] So maybe we can streamline the process,
[7:32:32] offer it to all committees
that people can go.
[7:32:35] So I'd like to pull that one
and maybe refer that to staff,
[7:32:39] for some ideas about how
committees can integrate
[7:32:41] and have other opportunities.
[7:32:44] - Ms. Moldenhauer has
got her hand up. Yes.
[7:32:46] - Yes. Thank you. And
it's through the mayor.
[7:32:49] The committees are always
welcome at any event
[7:32:52] and we do encourage committee members
[7:32:54] to attend and volunteer as well.
[7:32:57] So I would say it's an
open door right now.
[7:32:59] We're willing to engage with
any committee, so that's fine.
[7:33:03] - Okay. Thank you.
[7:33:04] - Okay, so are you going to
make that referral motion?
[7:33:07] Councilor Lococo, seconded
by Councilor Baldinelli
[7:33:10] that we refer 12.5 to staff
[7:33:13] for further input, feedback.
[7:33:18] And then now is there a motion
[7:33:19] for the remainder of the correspondence?
[7:33:22] Yes. Councilor Lococo, seconded
by Councilor Baldinelli.
[7:33:27] Then that'll be 12.1 through 12.6.
[7:33:31] All those in favor?
[7:33:33] Okay. And that's unanimous.
[7:33:35] And we now go to
ratification of in-camera.
[7:33:41] Mr. Clerk.
[7:33:46] - Yeah. Thanks, your worship.
[7:33:47] Council did meet earlier today
[7:33:49] after passing a resolution
to go in-camera.
[7:33:52] Out of that for ratification
is that council direct
[7:33:56] that the city enter into a lease
[7:33:58] with the Willoughby
Volunteer Fire Department
[7:33:59] for a portion of the lands and building
[7:34:01] known as 1120 Sodom Road
[7:34:05] with various terms and conditions,
[7:34:06] including annual rent
[7:34:07] in the amount of $32,343 plus HST.
[7:34:13] And that council authorized
the mayor and clerk
[7:34:15] to execute that lease agreement.
[7:34:19] - Okay. A motion for, so we need to...?
[7:34:22] - Motion for ratification.
- Motion for ratification.
[7:34:24] Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:34:25] Second by Councilor Patel.
There's no discussion.
[7:34:28] All those in favor?
[7:34:29] Okay. And that's unanimous.
[7:34:31] Then we've got motions for consideration.
[7:34:34] So Councilor Patel, you have one there?
[7:34:38] - Yes.
[7:34:41] - Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:34:43] The motion for consideration
[7:34:44] is enhanced washroom facility
[7:34:46] at Chippewa Boat Ramp
and Naisbitt Parkette,
[7:34:49] Whereas the Chippewa Boat
Ramp and Naisbitt Parkette
[7:34:52] are among the city's most heavily used
[7:34:53] waterfront recreation areas
[7:34:55] serving residents and visitors
[7:34:57] for boating, fishing,
kayaking, picnicking,
[7:34:59] recreation, and community gatherings.
[7:35:02] And whereas residents have raised concerns
[7:35:04] regarding the availability, accessibility,
[7:35:06] and suitability of washroom
facilities at the site.
[7:35:10] Now therefore be it resolved
that council direct staff
[7:35:13] to investigate options for
enhanced washroom facilities
[7:35:16] at Chippewa Boat Ramp
and Naisbitt Parkette,
[7:35:19] including permanent,
modular, self-contained,
[7:35:21] and any other innovative
washroom solutions,
[7:35:24] and be further resolved that
staff report back to council
[7:35:27] with options, cost, and recommendations
[7:35:30] on the most appropriate
[7:35:32] and cost-effective washroom
solution for the site.
[7:35:36] As I mentioned before, when I was there,
[7:35:38] I got few complaints
during the long weekend.
[7:35:40] After that I have heard
from lots more people.
[7:35:42] And I know a couple weeks ago
[7:35:43] when we were at the trade show,
[7:35:44] we saw some very inexpensive options
[7:35:47] for the washrooms for the parks.
[7:35:50] So, and I know Ms. Dolch
knows about some options too,
[7:35:54] so I'll just leave it to the
staff to come up with a report
[7:35:56] and recommendation to see what we can do.
[7:35:58] - Okay.
[7:36:00] - I will have to get a seconder.
[7:36:02] - Yeah, we've got Councilor Dabrowski
[7:36:03] has agreed to to second that.
[7:36:05] - Yes.
- Let me just send,
[7:36:07] do something here.
[7:36:08] Give me one half a second. Okay.
[7:36:10] I don't know if something's
going with my computer.
[7:36:12] Give me one half a second.
I can't close that out.
[7:36:17] Okay, so we've got the motion
seconded. All those in favor?
[7:36:22] Okay, that's unanimous.
Thank you for that.
[7:36:24] And now is there any new
business, first of all?
[7:36:29] Of course we got Councilor
Patel, Councilor Lococo.
[7:36:33] - It's just something
brought to my attention
[7:36:35] was our city doesn't have
a rain barrel program.
[7:36:39] I'm not sure if we ever had them before.
[7:36:40] - Yeah, we have.
- We do?
[7:36:42] - We used to. Yep.
[7:36:42] - Oh, I know somebody contacted me
[7:36:44] and says, St. Catharines
has a rain barrel program,
[7:36:46] we do not.
- They copied us. Yeah.
[7:36:48] - They did? Okay.
- Yes.
[7:36:49] - We used to have it. Yes.
[7:36:50] - We used to. So do we
still have it though?
[7:36:53] - [Staff] No, I think probably
Mr. Nickel can speak to it.
[7:36:55] We just didn't have a lot of uptake on it.
[7:36:57] - Okay. Because that was
the contact I got for this.
[7:36:59] St. Catharines had, we do not.
[7:37:00] I just want to, that's
why I want to bring it in
[7:37:02] new business to see what we,
[7:37:03] - [Nickel] They weren't
free, there was still a cost.
[7:37:05] People just didn't want to pay for them.
[7:37:07] - Okay.
- I got two.
[7:37:10] - No, you, maybe you can.
[7:37:12] - Yeah, I can provide
some context to Councilor.
[7:37:15] At a point in the past,
[7:37:16] the rain barrels were a
bit more of a new product
[7:37:19] and people were looking to implement them
[7:37:21] to help offset the cost of watering,
[7:37:23] and water metering is obviously
driving up those costs.
[7:37:29] We did reach, and most cities reached
[7:37:31] what I'll call a saturation point
[7:37:32] where everybody who wanted
a rain barrel for low cost
[7:37:35] kind of got one
[7:37:36] and then they were going
on marketplace and things
[7:37:38] and they were being sold at our expense.
[7:37:40] So what some municipalities have done
[7:37:42] is partnered with
third-party delivery agents
[7:37:45] like rainbarrel.ca
[7:37:46] and they'll bring the program to you
[7:37:48] and all you need to do is
host it at a city facility.
[7:37:50] - Okay.
- And that's an option.
[7:37:52] Some municipalities will provide a subsidy
[7:37:54] if you submit a receipt.
[7:37:57] Those are some of the various options.
[7:37:59] At this point though,
[7:38:00] I wouldn't be recommending
paying any city dollars
[7:38:03] to offset those costs
[7:38:04] unless it's in an area where
we have combined sewers
[7:38:07] and we know that we can
[7:38:11] disconnect an illegally
connected downspout.
[7:38:14] So, you know, I'm open
to taking a report back
[7:38:17] if that's something that council
wants to pass a motion on.
[7:38:20] But at this point, I don't see
the calls coming in my office
[7:38:24] for people who are really
eager about rain barrels.
[7:38:28] - Thank you, Mr. Nickel.
[7:38:29] I just want to say maybe if
we can have maybe options
[7:38:32] when we are doing the
tree giveaway next time.
[7:38:34] It's not just the more, we
don't want to spend money
[7:38:36] to give it to people, but
when you said rainbarrel.ca,
[7:38:39] we have them come there.
[7:38:40] If people want to buy it there
[7:38:41] because we already do
giving away the trees,
[7:38:43] then it is environmentally friendly.
[7:38:45] So why not maybe have them
come in just the same time
[7:38:48] and have a counter or table there to them?
[7:38:51] - [Nickel] You refer it to Jeff Karachi
[7:38:52] and then he can bring forward.
[7:38:54] - Okay, perfect. Maybe I can help.
[7:38:56] Nick, Erik, or maybe
Kathy can take care of it.
[7:38:59] I guess.
- We'll take Kathy. Sure.
[7:39:00] - Okay. Thank you.
[7:39:01] - Councilor Pietrangelo
uses his for a cold plunge.
[7:39:04] Yeah. He uses it for, yeah. (laughs)
[7:39:05] - For his one leg.
[7:39:07] - Huh?
- For his one leg.
[7:39:08] - Yeah. Yeah.
[7:39:11] Okay, so Councilor Lococo.
[7:39:13] - Just one quick thing.
[7:39:15] Today was the deadline for
the RFP for the Ferris wheel.
[7:39:19] I know that the Let's Talk page went up
[7:39:21] so our residents are giving input.
[7:39:24] I've seen lots of comments
on Facebook as well,
[7:39:27] and I've had some messages.
[7:39:30] Have we heard anything more
about the Ferris wheel? (laughs)
[7:39:32] - Not today.
[7:39:33] We've been in council,
[7:39:33] so I haven't heard
anything if there was any-
[7:39:35] - Yesterday, was there anything?
[7:39:37] - I haven't, honestly, we
haven't gotten any updates.
[7:39:39] They typically wouldn't until it closes.
[7:39:41] - Okay.
- And then-
[7:39:42] - Well, sometimes he pulls his
ideas back, so I don't know.
[7:39:44] - Oh, yeah. Yeah.
[7:39:45] So yeah, so I haven't heard anything.
[7:39:48] I don't know. I have no updates.
[7:39:49] - Okay, well, I hope that being
today was the RFP deadline,
[7:39:52] that all of the comments
coming in on July 9th
[7:39:55] are not going to be for nothing.
[7:39:57] I hope that today's not
the strong deadline.
[7:39:59] I hope that there's still
time to have some input.
[7:40:02] - Yeah. Yeah.
[7:40:03] So, and again, that's Parks.
[7:40:04] - I know, I understand that.
[7:40:05] It's our residents and
they're really relying
[7:40:08] on us to say something.
[7:40:10] - Yeah. Yeah.
[7:40:11] And I haven't heard anyone
speak in favor of it.
[7:40:13] So anybody, well, one person.
[7:40:18] Yes. Councilor Baldinelli.
[7:40:19] - Just looking for an update
for next meeting on MAT tax,
[7:40:24] since we started, the city
actually received anything
[7:40:28] like an update on the STAR system
[7:40:30] and what we currently have.
[7:40:31] Oops, sorry, Mona.
[7:40:32] - What'd you say, the
STAR? Oh, the STAR, yep.
[7:40:33] - The STAR system. And what's going on.
[7:40:36] And geez, now I spilled the water.
[7:40:39] I forgot I was going to say next.
[7:40:41] - Do you just spill the water
all over Councilor Patel?
[7:40:44] - I do that often.
[7:40:46] Usually it's wine, but
that'll be it for now.
[7:40:50] (Diodati laughs)
[7:40:55] - Sorry about that, Councilor Patel.
[7:40:57] (attendee chatters)
[7:41:00] Yeah. No, you did.
[7:41:01] Any other new business? Okay.
[7:41:03] Looking for a motion for
adjournment. Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
[7:41:06] Seconded by Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:41:07] - By-law singing.
- Oh, the by-law,
[7:41:08] oh my God.
- Wow!
[7:41:11] - Wow. My apologies.
[7:41:12] - Well, the water threw you off.
[7:41:14] - It threw me off. Yes.
[7:41:16] - Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
[7:41:18] Give the by-laws a first,
second, and third reading.
[7:41:21] Seconded by...
[7:41:22] - I'll second it, but 060 has to come off.
[7:41:25] That's the Integrity
Commissioner report by-law.
[7:41:28] And we didn't...
[7:41:28] - Yep, yep, yes, absolutely.
[7:41:31] I second by Councilor Lococo
with obviously the removal
[7:41:34] of the Integrity Commissioner by-law.
[7:41:36] All those in favor?
[7:41:38] Okay. Thank you.
[7:41:39] And now motion for adjournment.
Councilor Dabrowski.
[7:41:41] Second by Councilor Patel.
[7:41:42] All those in favor? We're adjourned.
[7:41:44] Thank you everybody.