- [Clerk] Three.
city council meeting today
of Tuesday, June the 23rd.
with our in-camera meeting,
go behind closed doors
as required by the Municipal Act,
and then in a couple hours at 4:00 PM
we're going to resume in open session.
need a motion of council
to do just that.
Motion by Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
second by Councilor Pietrangelo.
of that. Call the vote.
All those in favor. And that's unanimous.
And we are now going to go in-camera.
We'll see you back at 4:00 PM.
- Oh!
We already stumbled out of the gates.
- Didn't turn
- It was on.
- I think Bill help you out on that one.
- I helped him out on that.
- Oh, you did? Okay, okay.
Are we going to start all over again?
- No, no, no!
- or are we good to go?
- You're going to go
and live with that on T.
- Live with that on T.
- All right, well, everybody,
next blooper reel, so enjoy.
So ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to tonight's city council meeting
of Tuesday, June the 23rd.
We just concluded our in-camera meeting
things behind closed doors
as per the Municipal Act.
And now we're back in open session
for our regularly scheduled meeting.
everybody for coming today
and we are going
off the traditional way
with the singing of "O Canada."
But just before we do,
I'd like to introduce our two singers.
them a few minutes ago.
So we've got brother and sister,
we've got Belen and Mateo Villegas.
Does I get that right?
- Villegas. Okay, well close.
Second blooper for tonight already.
It's going to be a long night everybody.
11, is that right?
Okay, we got something right. Good.
And they're both musicians.
of different instruments
including piano, recorder, violin.
Have I got a couple of 'em right?
Yes. Okay. (laughs)
looks, so, but that's okay.
performances at Christmas.
Also for special events.
Catholic Elementary School,
same school my kids went to.
So we're excited that you guys are here.
So ladies and gentlemen, stand if you can,
singing of Belen and Mateo
to sing "O Canada."
- Just start?
- [Diodati] Whenever you guys are ready.
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ Our home and native land ♪
♪ True patriot love ♪
♪ In all thy sons command ♪
♪ With glowing hearts we see thee rise ♪
♪ The True North strong and free ♪
♪ From far and wide ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
♪ God keep our land ♪
♪ Glorious and free ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
♪ O Canada ♪
♪ We stand on guard for thee ♪
(attendees applaud)
- And they were blooper free.
- (laughs) And they were blooper free.
And Belen and Mateo, want to thank you.
You did a great job.
nervous coming in here
and you still pulled it off.
and you made us proud.
So on behalf of all of us, great job.
Continued success with all your music.
Thank you very, very much.
(attendees applaud)
Great job guys. Great job.
back up lyrics, just in case,
them, so that's a good thing.
Okay, moving along.
Next is the land acknowledgement
with the aim of educating our community.
I'd like to invite Michele-Elise Burnett,
Thunderbird Clan, and Metis
to join us to share her testimony
the Indigenous peoples
for a millennia before us.
- [Michele] Aanii.
Hi, aanii, bonjour.
(Michele speaking Indigenous language)
Who Is In The Center.
is Michele-Elise Burnett.
I am an artist, curator, producer,
Indigenous and European ancestry
with Nipissing Algonquin roots.
In my teachings, we are reminded
that every decision that we make,
we must consider the impacts it will have
on the next seven generations.
to live a good life,
with all life forces,
and a life that truly matters.
It means leading from the heart,
seeing, listening, feeling, speaking,
and acting with good intentions
and never for self-serving reasons.
creator, gave all creation
gifts to share with one another.
come responsibilities.
The first is gratitude.
the life-sustaining gifts
that Mother Earth provides.
She is our greatest teacher
demonstrating generosity each day
without ever asking anything in return.
We as human beings must learn
from our older and wiser relatives.
We must remember that our very existence
is supported by their gifts.
life-sustaining force,
forces of the natural world.
It also reminds us that what is done
to one part of the web of life
forms, including ourselves.
When we carry this understanding
homes, and our daily choices,
the next seven generations
with love, generosity and gratitude.
Chi miigwech.
- Thank you, Michele-Elise.
Next on the agenda are the adoption
of the minutes from the June 2nd meeting.
Do I have a motion? Councilor Lococo.
Second by Councilor Strange.
If there's no discussion to the minutes,
we'll call the vote.
Okay. That's unanimous.
Thank you for that.
of a pecuniary interest,
do we have any disclosures?
Any conflicts? Okay.
Seeing none, we'll move on
part of the meeting,
reports and announcements.
to offer our sympathy
to the families of Glen Kivisto,
father of Brian Kivisto and Craig Kivisto
Kivisto from Fire Services.
Also Joe DeSantis,
Provincial Construction
construction contractors
here in Niagara Falls.
Provincial Construction is the company
on Willoughby Road,
part of our Operation Smooth Roads
in the city of Niagara Falls.
events and announcements
your attention to the screens.
So I got back last week
from a trip to both Turkey and Bulgaria
and I'll give you a quick summary here.
It was an incredible opportunity
to share Niagara Falls with the world
with Michael Warchala
from our Economic Development Department
to both Turkey and Bulgaria.
The invitation was received
and Turkish consulates
and consul generals.
strengthen bilateral relations,
explore new investment,
economic and collaborative opportunities,
city of Niagara Falls.
with the president
and chairman of the board
Business Confederation,
Chamber of Commerce.
Turkey, their largest independent,
I'm sorry, that's their largest
independent business organization.
We met with the vice president
of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
chamber of commerce in the world
with 860,000 members.
is right in the picture.
- Yes. Yeah, we got a bird in the picture.
Do you notice that bird in the picture?
(attendees chuckle)
amuse our councilors.
- [Councilor] Take it again.
(Diodati laughs)
he circled one more time
so we got him.
Commerce is very interested
in new markets for their members.
to visit Niagara Falls
when he's in Canada the next time.
largest chamber in the world.
people and a lot of interest.
They are the most Western Muslim country
and it's the gateway for Russia.
A very interesting historic place.
Used to be called Constantinople.
The Russians were there at one time.
interesting historic place.
exploring Canada as a market.
starting partnerships.
We also met with the board of TÜRSAB.
of Turkish travel agencies.
largest travel association
in the world, the first being in the USA.
Then we were in Bulgaria,
three days in Bulgaria.
of Foreign Affairs,
at the Ministry of Tourism,
and also the deputy mayor of Sofia,
an area of culture and tourism.
I also did an interview on national TV,
which in Bulgaria it's a pretty big deal,
goes to all their houses.
So we talked around Niagara Falls,
the Bulgarian bilateral relations.
Bulgarian community here.
and cultural exchanges,
the City of Niagara Falls
and Bulgarian institutions.
for their education
and their entrepreneurs.
development strategies
and international events.
We also had meetings
with the Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria.
economic collaboration,
collaborative opportunities.
trip was paid for by our hosts
Niagara Falls with them
and take a little bit of their countries
back here to Niagara Falls.
our crossing guards.
Event at the Exchange.
And there you can see,
runs things, the tall guy.
number of crossing guards
for many years of service.
job. It's the weather.
snowing or raining or hot,
making sure the kids
are getting safely across the streets.
International Film Festival
took place at the Greg Frewin Theatre.
So and all of his team
for bringing all these great movies here
to Niagara Falls for exposure.
took place at Club Italia
and that was the Bulgarian event
two nights before I took off on our trip.
Bulgarians at Club Italia
doing all their traditional dances.
And it was a nice way to get me ready
for traveling to Bulgaria.
place this past weekend
at Firemen's Park and I was,
councilors were there,
so who was all there, you guys?
Lococo, Dabrowski.
Anyone else here? No?
everybody making the trip out.
They are going to make an announcement
money for local charities.
They raised money for Boys and Girls Club,
and Project SHARE.
Robitaille who ran the event
was very proud of the success
making an announcement
given a local charities.
We also had this weekend FlowFest,
which took place at the Exchange
and that's where, oh wait,
sorry, jumped over one.
Let's back up. I'm sorry.
Worship in the Wild was Jesus Festival
took place next to the Convention Centre.
shirt? I'm going to tell my dad.
Was that of the picture there too?
Or no? Just that one.
Okay. So anyway, we're grateful.
"I'm going to tell my dad."
those kind of funny ones
for Father's Day weekend.
bring greetings at Jesus Fest.
FlowFest at the Exchange,
which is where we have an opportunity
to sample some great local breweries
right here at our city facility.
A second annual event and a big success.
So I want to thank city councilors
the city at a number of events.
Obviously I can't be all,
oh, and there's another,
there was FlowFest.
Look at the crowds for FlowFest.
Just the second year, a booming success.
And that's a made-in-Niagara Falls event.
for the hard work they did
and a Counterpart
bringing this together.
So councilors often represent myself
and the city at different events.
Councilor Dabrowski
for representing the city
singing competition.
that one? No, we don't.
Okay, so you guys got to send us-
- No clips of them singing?
there's a video of him singing.
That's what I want get a hold of it.
If anyone has it,
please share it with us.
We'd like to play.
So you guys, when you go to events,
so we can put 'em up here.
Councilor Patel representing the city
at the Rotary Paul Harris Award Evening,
also at the Kent School graduation
and the Para Soccer National Team Tryouts.
Thank you, councilor.
Patel representing the city
at the certificate presentation
to the Fire Chief for a Day Event.
represented the city
at the Walker Annual Open House.
Councilor Nieuwesteeg represented the city
Dorchester Community Picnic.
The grand opening of Craft Collective.
Councilor Baldinelli represented the city
Day flag raising.
milestones and events.
40 years and it's amazing.
businesses in our backyard
and they are global.
They supply companies around the world
and they're a Niagara Falls business.
the right and son on the left.
You know, still, you know,
his dad's in his eighties
and he still shows up to work every day.
And then the next picture,
there in the industrial park
off of Stanley Avenue.
Also, we have the grand opening
Chapel on Lundy's Lane,
the knot at City Hall,
people to tie the knot.
So congratulations to that latest opening.
Flag raisings.
We had Italian Heritage Month flag raising
with Ambassador Alessandro Cattaneo.
And that was in front of City Hall.
It was a very exciting event as we invited
a lot of people from around Niagara Falls
to be a part of the festivities
of celebrating Italian heritage.
our MP Tony Baldinelli.
He was able, in that picture,
you look at from the left is the mayor
Robert Restaino, and myself.
And then the ambassador,
and then of course Tony Baldinelli.
So he made the original connection
have the Italian ambassador
join us that day in front of City Hall.
And coming up, Canada Day celebration
right around the corner, folks,
8:00 PM at Firemen's Park.
We're encouraging everybody to come out.
music, interactive kids shows,
vendors, inflatables,
kids crafts, cake, and much, much more.
We're asking everyone
Canada shirts and outfits.
There will be paid parking on side
will go to local charities.
are also available
from various locations.
a non-perishable food donation
for Project SHARE to the event.
And for details and specifics on shuttles,
go to niagarafalls.ca.
Look forward to seeing everybody.
Noon till 8:00 PM, Firemen's Park.
will be Tuesday, July the 14th.
with the exception of,
swing that I'd like to put up.
I think Councilor Baldinelli,
introduce to this picture?
- Why certainly. Thank you, Mayor.
We had an opportunity to participate,
tournament at Legends.
And on number six we were dead against
a hurricane-force wind
and Erik pummeled one down there.
And I didn't really think it reached
the long drive contest marker out there.
when we drove out there,
he had surpassed it and it was a big drive
and I'd just like to congratulate him.
We didn't win at the end
of young kids out there.
that plaque is very good.
And I'd like to say I witnessed it
and it was a beautiful high drop.
(all chuckle)
And congratulations, Erik.
- [Diodati] Yes, yes. Mr. Nickel, yes.
not be working enough.
say about good golfers?
They got too much time on their hands.
Is that what somebody said?
to share with us the technique
that you used to hit such a great drive?
- Close your eyes and hope for the best.
(all laugh)
- That's what I use too.
the picture, councilman.
And it was pointed out to me
third blooper of the day.
the cisterns in Turkey,
not the Russians.
So my apology if I offended anybody,
but that's third blooper and counting.
Our CA was kind enough to count.
So thank you for doing that.
he is good at counting.
to take his socks off
to keep track of my bloopers today.
So first up, we now move to,
anyone following along with the agenda,
is number seven on the agenda.
and presentations.
So now a reminder to all speakers,
you have a maximum of five minutes.
We ask you to try to not repeat things.
And the first presentation
adaptation implementation plan.
So we're going to ask Carey Campbell,
the manager of the Mayor and CAO's offices
and the Business Development offices
Dennall, our climate intern.
us through a presentation
for the last little while.
So as a joke, I call her Shania sometimes
we'll just call her Shania.
- She's smiling now. Yeah.
- I have to.
- Thanks, Mayor Jim, members of council,
members of the public and staff,
Shania Dennall today
Environmental Leadership Canada.
She's been here on a six-month internship.
She's been involved in all things climate,
specifically as Mayor Jim mentioned,
adaptation implementation plan
to where we're at with that.
But she's done a lot more
take too much of her time
down to her five minutes,
I'd like to thank Shania
for all of her work this past six months
for the next few minutes.
thank you for having me.
the past six months,
I've been supporting
some of the climate-related initiatives,
but also tracking the progress
implementation plan.
It's a bit of a mouthful.
So sorry.
How do I do this?
- [Councilor] All right.
- I think it's, um...
- Which one now?
- Cool.
Hold on.
- This doesn't count as your time.
That is a blooper.
- [Councilor] A lot of bloopers today.
- Thank you.
Okay. (laughs)
So a bit of a background.
The plan was first adopted in 2023
and it's organized over these five themes,
infrastructure,
health and wellbeing, economy and workers,
and resilient governance.
of this plan is vital
to ensure that climate considerations
into new development
accountability to our residents.
give you a brief overview
the five themes do vary,
meaningful work being done.
Okay. Oh no. (laughs)
I'm sorry.
- Yeah, I'm...
- Okay.
Okay, (chuckles) so the first theme,
nature and biodiversity,
our natural systems
and our community resilience.
As you can see by the bar at the top,
the progress is steadily moving forward
with a focus on our urban forest,
expanding and protecting our urban forest.
So our tree canopy currently sits
at 30.5%, which is really great.
It's actually above average
municipalities in the region.
I was also had a lot
tree giveaway last month
to Niagara Falls residents,
all which were native,
as an opportunity to expand
our tree canopy is important.
trees to grow and mature.
actions from this theme
that I recommend strengthening
low-impact design practices
into new development.
also educational outreach
our natural environment,
especially with the younger generation.
mayor's Youth Advisory Committee
think further utilizing them
municipal decision making,
not just climate, is great
as the decisions that you guys make today
their future generations.
Moving on.
In infrastructure, so this focuses
on protecting our built environment
support growth and development.
Progress is still emerging in this theme,
but there is a lot of progress being made
into new development.
And one of the key progress
of the city's fleet.
greenhouse gas emissions,
leadership to the community.
that personally excites me
Transportation Master Plan.
walkable city is really important.
greenhouse gas emissions,
but it also allows residents and visitors
to really explore the city
in a way that you can't do from a car.
The biggest opportunity to expand here
green buildings guideline.
Community Improvement Plan.
and urban infill tax grants,
having a clear green building guideline
to ensure that future developments
climate risks is important.
Next, health and wellbeing.
protecting our residents
ensuring equitable access
to resources and services.
highlights from this theme
for emergency preparedness
and access to cooling and heating centers
during extreme weather.
to expand public communication
regarding emergency preparedness as well.
During my time here I had the opportunity
Action Plan Open House,
Unhoused Action Team meetings,
which really reinforce the idea
that building climate resilience
and social planning are connected.
housing insecurity
disproportionately impacted
by climate change.
And so it's critical to make sure
that climate considerations
into social planning.
up of a variety of groups,
you know, Indigenous populations,
refugees and newcomers, tourists,
international students, low income, so on.
And it's really important
that these groups are meaningfully engaged
city's climate action.
Another big action within this theme
is also food security.
This is obviously also public health
and a simple action to strengthen that
city's community gardens
and continuing collaboration
like Project SHARE.
So next, economy and workers.
businesses and workers
as they adapt to our changing climate.
this was really how impressive
for local businesses is.
events become more frequent,
especially those working outside
will increasingly search for information
and resources on how to adapt
our changing climate.
with business-specific tips
and working-specific tips is vital.
workforce development.
So continuing to partnership
with local educational institutions
Falls and Niagara College
start developing green jobs.
And lastly, resilient governance.
considerations into decision making
and long-term planning.
theme of the most progress made
as climate is continually being considered
and also departmental plans.
the securing of funding
for climate-related projects
and also just the continued support
for staff and community engagement events.
The biggest opportunity to expand,
and I think the most important first step
from all of these that I've said
is to strengthen coordination internally.
A Green Team was established
plan was made back in 2023.
And I think utilizing that
across the city is important.
a The Green Room page
for staff in our internal intranet.
And I would like to see
that page utilized further in the future
staff and share resources.
And lastly, another aspect of this
is just visible climate action
and public educational campaigns.
I had the greatest opportunity
Center during my time here
a hub it is for this city.
It gets so many visitors,
a variety of residents attend there
and I think it's a real ideal location
to showcase sustainable initiatives
and therefore supporting the staff there
in the Environmental Action Committee
help climate action in the city
and community driven.
I'd like to thank you for allowing me
and to present to you today.
meaningful experience here
working in this such unique municipality
and I look forward to seeing
initiatives grow over time
as the city also grows.
- Thank you, Shania. Good job.
(attendees applaud)
questions it looks like.
Lococo and then Nieuwesteeg.
through the mayor to Shania.
Thank you so much for the presentation.
I've had an opportunity
to speak with Shania on a few occasions.
well on what we're doing
and this project allowed her to track it
so we could see where we are
and what we need to do moving forward.
There are a lot of opportunities.
One of them that really popped out to me
within this presentation
is about the tree canopy.
We always talk about having a tree canopy
and there's a private tree canopy
and there's the public tree canopy.
I'm learning more now,
down with a big canopy,
that affects the canopy.
development applications
and we say we replace them,
but we replace them with little saplings
that don't have a big tree canopy.
So it's not just the number of trees
that we're swapping out.
We have to think about the tree canopy
once we're cutting that down.
And that really hit home with me
so thank you for that.
the canopy is a tree by-law.
We've talked about that many times.
It's in the further presentation.
So I just wanted to put that out there
it up numerous times.
there are some disadvantages.
I do understand that.
that we should look into.
about the Green Team.
the Accessibility Committee
that Jay MacClain has started
an internal accessibility committee.
all of these departments
were working in silos
and accessibility became an afterthought.
And the same thing with your Green Team
is it's not an afterthought anymore.
departments working together
and talking about green initiatives
not after the discussion.
So thank you so much
for bringing that back to the forefront.
Some of the topics in there
I'd like to talk about
is permeable surfaces,
city things that we're doing.
that we're doing.
we say they're native
native to the Niagara area,
they might be native to Canada.
But we need to look at those.
to make some positive choices
environment and the health.
health and wellbeing.
You talked about preparedness.
we seem to have a plan
for what to do when disaster strikes,
but I don't think we've communicated
that plan out to our residents.
So when there's no power, there's nothing,
what does a resident do?
we can work on that again
residents know what to do
when there is a disaster.
but if they don't know,
there not knowing what to do.
we can tie it all together.
for your presentation.
- Thank you, Councilor.
I've got Councilor Nieuwesteeg up next
- Thank you.
and very informative.
touched on one of the points
well about the different silos.
committee here today
and as you're talking about
how do we make sure we communicate,
perhaps that is something,
and you mentioned the MYAC as well,
streamline of this committee
focus through all of this
a separate committee,
each one that's already out there
to be able to touch upon it.
'Cause this also affects seniors.
And a question kind of relating to that,
you talked about the number
of cooling facilities for people.
Where are they in the city?
Do we have enough geographically
extreme weather conditions?
- Thank you for the question.
the MacBain, the library
are all cooling and warming centers.
If that's enough, I'm not sure.
I think the Emergency Preparedness team
is probably better off answering that.
But from what I've seen,
to hold our population.
communications around that
needs to be improved
so people actually know where to go.
it comes to seniors as well
and whether we have them
in the different ends of the city as well,
like Chippewa, if we can do that.
Just one final question.
three major climate risks
facing Niagara Falls?
- I'd say extreme weather.
had a really long winter,
roads and our infrastructure.
Invasive species.
will touch on that later,
but it's really touching our urban forest
and we really want to protect that.
And lastly, I would say air quality.
car-dependent country and city
and as well with the forest fires
that we'll see later on in the season,
and we saw last year
how that really infected our air quality.
I think that should be something
that needs to be addressed too.
But thank you for the question.
for the work you've done.
It's really something
that needs to be highlighted for us.
- Thank you.
- [Diodati] Thank you. Councilor Strange?
- Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor,
and thank you, Carey.
I know you guys been working on this plan
meeting with stakeholders
and even hoteliers
and people from the park.
in this and just great job
and, you know, we saw the presentation
and, you know, you looked at 41 goals
themes of, just wondering,
be your three actions
that would you kind of would roll out
in the next 12 to 18 months?
- Great question.
reconvening the Green Team
from each department.
And so I think really getting together
and having discussion on what is viable
most important first step.
I think as the city continues to develop,
I know that's a key priority
making sure that new developments
considerations is important.
efficiency, green space,
waste, all that stuff.
protecting our workers,
fields and our small businesses,
of the heart of the city
that they are protected
will protect our city,
but also our economy,
which I think is important.
- Thank you.
canopy, our tree canopy
to the rest of the region?
- So when I was looking at the canopies,
the overall average of the region was 28%.
Some of the higher ones were 31, 32.
And we sat well above the average
- Above the average.
a little bit of shout out
to our Environmental Action Committee.
- Some people know
trees for the last four years,
so we've given away 2,000 trees.
And to kind of put that in perspective,
I'm going to go to our manager of,
and Erik Nickel, if you can just tell us,
staff to plant 2,000 trees?
- Yeah, through the mayor.
a year's worth of work
in our Forestry Department.
have such great partnership
we're planting as well.
from one private group,
add that to the trees we're planting
and we're doing a sizable amount of work.
- Yeah, 100%.
And we're so glad we get to get sponsors
to help and pay for these trees
to Niagara Falls residents
on their own property.
And you know, anyone that has a tree
are going to take care of the tree
'cause they actually want the tree there.
So it really helps our canopy.
And just, I want to shout it
to our Environmental Action Committee
doing an amazing job
going to be like in 10 years.
for the presentation.
- Thank you. Thank you so much.
- Thanks very much, Councilor.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
(councilors chatter)
your work on this report.
asked most of my questions,
so I just have one more question.
So our tree canopy is 30.5%.
Is that a goal we are trying to achieve?
still working on a goal
to align with the region's goal,
which I think is around 30%.
Forest Urban management plan,
which is still underway,
still a pretty strong canopy
that is really good.
- Thank you.
questions of council,
receive the presentation.
Councilor Lococo second.
All those in favor? That's unanimous.
And I just want to say thank you, Shania,
it's been great having you in our office.
working with your mentor,
Carey Campbell here, our manager,
going to leave a legacy
and there'll be residual impact
from the work that you did with us.
whatever next steps you take.
So on behalf of all of us, thank you.
Great job. Great having you here.
(attendees applaud)
- All right, moving on.
We are now moving on to 7.2,
Matt Anthony Guarasci.
Guinness World Record event
what he's got in mind.
- Yeah, great.
Great to be here. Perfect.
So first off, members of council,
that's here in attendance,
vision for the last six years
to put Niagara Falls on the map
by not just doing something small,
on the world's stage,
which is the birth and the creation
of the world's largest ugly sweater party.
And over the last nine years,
I've hosted an ugly sweater party event
in Grand Central and at Ruth's Chris
the downtown district,
ranging from having 500 to 600 people.
the marketing efforts
going to be giving today,
this won't be one of the smaller events
that come out of here.
that will be cemented
to put us on the world stage.
So a little bit about me.
worked on over 97 events
in the last nine years.
I'm proud to call Niagara my home
different business owners
awards for my efforts.
But nothing is as impressive as that,
as to when I got called on the stage
Right" in front of 5,000 people
vacation to Hawaii.
So needless to say, it was, you know,
I got to hear the words, "Come on down,"
too happy about that.
But what is the goal?
to solve five major problems
Falls during the winter,
during our off-season winter of tourism.
December 5th of this year
at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
Our goal with this event
is to drive hotel stays and tourism,
generate millions of views online,
the proceeds from the event
to a strategic community partner.
conversations with Project SHARE
and they absolutely love the idea.
To establish global recognition
and to literally cement ourselves
in the world record book with this.
And last but certainly not least,
this event is designed
during the winter season
desperately needs it the most.
help get some funding
and initiation to launch this
as a globally recognized event brand.
I'm here to ask for $185,000
from the municipal accommodation tax
for the next 5 to 10 years.
investment will not just be
for a one-and-done opportunity
into the world record book.
for us to have that funds
two, three, four, five, six,
and so on and so forth.
a whopping total of,
excuse me, $0 for this year
in order to make this event happen.
our friends over at ChatGPT,
event would look like.
Imagine yourself walking into
wonderland experience
and everyone's draped and covered
in their most ugly sweaters.
You can think of it as your best dressed
on how you look at it.
able to mix and mingle
world-class entertainment,
come together for a night
to talk about this event
for the years to come.
reinventing the wheel here.
We're taking a proven model
work time and time again
with our friends over in Buffalo
with the world's largest disco,
like Councilor Dabrowski has done
with Niagara Falls Comic-Con
councilors have done
on different events.
We're taking on a very strategic niche,
nostalgic marketing angle,
own ugly twist on it.
And what is the current world record?
So after my conversations
with the Guinness Book of World Records,
the record stands at 3,473 people.
And that is the current record to beat.
3,500 people in attendance
in the building at the same time
officially have been broken.
projections and economic impact?
and the current marketing plan,
4,000 to 6,500 people
to 70%, making majority,
are visiting Niagara Falls,
maybe for the very first time
vacationers from Toronto,
so on and so forth.
And based on my TRIM report
done with the Government of Ontario,
if all is successful with this event,
we will generate anywhere between $200,000
to $1,000,000 plus of economic impact
December 25th of this year.
And as you can see
laid out in front of you,
there's the full cost breakdown
out all of my costs
with the Niagara Falls Convention Centre,
Guinness World Records,
the various marketing expenditure,
totaling a grand total of $169,298.82.
that are not accounted for,
justify the ask of $185,000.
a rough general admission
for general admission VIP
and hotel room bookings.
The goal is to solidify ourselves
and get a majority of the people
to book hotel stays with us
here in the city of Niagara Falls.
These are just a generalized numbers
based on the event projections
and the projected ticket pricing
as to what we would go forward with.
that will be generated from this
$173,000 and counting,
will technically operate
this out of their own money
at a break even.
they'll be taking out,
me and my events team
zero personal profit
and utilizing this funding as a launchpad
to reinvest into year two, year three,
and so on and so forth.
in your notes too as well.
Because the biggest expenses
when it comes to this event this year
Book of World Records,
still finalizing the quote,
but they said it's going to be anywhere
Canadian for them to come out
and adjudicate an event of this size.
And as well as with the Convention Centre,
about $30 to $35,000,
that's making operational
and just the judgment of the event
about $75,000 in hard costs.
anything to do with marketing.
And I think that we can all agree
a successful event,
everything is about how you package it
and how you market it these days.
So that's why I'm here to justify
for that ask of that set funding.
personalized creators
that I have a personal relationship
that are all based here in Toronto
all the way to Western New York.
5.9 million combined followers
of all of these people.
There's no agent, there's no middleman
that anyone has to go through.
I have the direct relationship
with each and every single one of them.
less than half of a percent
of these people's followers
to come in and join us at the event,
to breaking the world record
along with our other marketing efforts.
And there's also creators on here
that have not been listed as of yet.
We'll reach these projections
through doing various talk shows
"CHCH," "The Morning Show."
I also have a relationship
with Global News among other outlets.
target community partners,
some of which I have already spoken to,
like Niagara Falls Tourism,
the University of Niagara Falls Canada,
Money Buys Happiness,
which is Canada's largest podcast outlet
country based in Toronto.
And as well as the relationship
with the Fallsview Group
for the last 10 years.
than gracious to say
entire endorsement and support
when it comes to putting on an event
of this magnitude and of this scale.
So again, reinforcing the ask
biggest cost for this event.
about Guinness World Records
and the cost for the Convention Centre
this is not a one-off event
break the world record
and cement ourself.
This is looking for us to expand
for years going forward.
20 letters of endorsement
for people who have said
endorsed me for the event.
And some of them being from members
of the Board of Ontario Creates
largest not-for-profit,
and Coalition Music
who represent the likes of Simple Plan,
Our Lady Peace and many others.
So with that being said, Niagara,
put Niagara Falls on the map
sweater capital of the world?
love to do this with you.
Thank you very much for your time.
- Very good, thank you very much.
(attendees applause)
today and everything.
So Matt Anthony, maybe we'll go to council
and see if we've got some questions.
I got Councilor Strange
got any other questions.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
that lovely presentation.
up early for the contest.
- I think he did.
- Might I have to win?
- That's an insult.
- No. How is that an insult?
- I'm a Canadian, I apologize.
accomplish this next year,
roll it out every single year,
- Same event concept.
- Yep, same everything.
the world record this year
largest ugly sweater party.
host it again year after year
with the attendance to get hopefully
about 15 to 20% increase year after year.
ugly sweater party this year.
World's largest ugly sweater party
year two, year three, year four,
and run it until I can't run it again
- Perfect.
And this kind of leads into my next segue
because myself and Councilor Baldinelli
find out how much money
we do have in the MAT Fund.
report back sooner or later.
going to come, so, you know.
- [Diodati] Thank you.
Thank you for that, Councilor Strange.
We'll go to Councilor Dabrowski.
energy, nice presentation.
It's a niche event, it's a novelty event,
but it's a great event.
largest disco started in 1994,
drew 2,000 people in its first year
and it's gone on for 20, 25 plus years.
dollars for charities.
year, sells out every year.
tourism destination events.
It's what I see Niagara Falls
world's largest sweater party,
eventually, once we break that record.
terms of media coverage,
News, a lot of local outlets,
a lot of regional outlets.
you were to break that record,
do we see the CNNs, the "Today Shows,"
the "Good Morning Americas"?
markets picking up on this?
part of the strategy?
- I'm just trying
to look at the big picture
because it's not just about the attendees,
it's not just about the hotel stays,
Niagara Falls on the map
nationally and internationally.
some insight on that,
it'll help me come to a conclusion to see,
if we have the funding,
bucket if we can allocate some
to make this event happen this year, so.
- I'll let you answer.
- Well thank you very much
for the question, Councilor Dabrowski,
I super, super appreciate that.
That is 100% the plan to do that,
attention as possible.
Guinness Book of World Records
and they said that they've worked
businesses too as well.
their best efforts forward
to help ensure that they can put me
in the right rooms and the right contacts
global exposure as possible.
So that is definitely 100% the plan.
And I think that this won't necessarily be
brands that come out of Canada.
I strongly believe this will be one
of the biggest event brands
that can come out in the entire world.
- And then in terms of cost,
in revenue generation?
I saw the slide about ticket sales.
being charged vendor prices
to help tackle that expense?
all revenue opportunities
to come to that amount of revenue?
- The majority of the tickets would come
the ticket revenue for that.
small portion of that,
up less than 5 to 10%
of the total event revenue generated.
So revenue will come in from that,
focal point from it.
we're a tourist destination,
we look for overnight stays.
see people coming for two days,
for two nights, or is it more of a,
would they come in the morning,
enjoy the event during the day
and then leave the next day?
showing up on Friday,
getting prepared for the event?
have to plan accordingly.
Do you see people staying for two nights?
- All right, thanks.
- [Diodati] That's great. Thank you.
Councilor Lococo?
the mayor to the speaker.
your presentation, Matt.
- Very creative.
Thank you for putting it together.
I'm looking at this as a discussion
that might be a little bit premature
Councilor Dabrowski just said,
sure $185,000 is there,
what we're spending it on,
how we're spending it,
what is the process to apply for it.
I think out of transparency for everyone
that anybody can apply,
we really need to come up with criteria
and an application process.
This is a great event.
It's the process.
we've had somebody come
and ask for money for it from the MAT.
to deal with that yet.
need to figure that out
before we start slotting money
into that MAT use.
And so that's what I would be looking for.
- [Diodati] Thank you for that, Councilor.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor
and to the speaker.
And to piggyback on where Councilor Lococo
don't have the MAT tax,
but even more so than that,
we don't even have other applicants.
else coming up with things.
make a qualified decision,
we have to look at all the things.
Your presentation's absolutely fabulous,
your energy, I think it's great.
we are councilors as well.
We're not hoteliers or tourist people.
have to be made in conjunction
see the different events.
'Cause it is a large ask
and it would be fabulous
if we could be put on the map for that.
else is coming our way.
So I think it's a great presentation.
not saying we're ready
we have all the information
proper educated decision.
Lococo's discussion as well.
ahead, Councilor Dabrowski.
Thank you, Councilor.
- Yeah, to that end, we've had,
I can't count them on my fingers
we've had come to this council
over the course of the last six months.
that MAT tax money.
that's coming into city council
has a marketing plan.
some sort of indication
on whether or not he can come back
60 days to this council
with a revised presentation
once we find out those numbers.
But the clock is ticking.
meeting talking about RibFest.
two weeks to pull it together
full commitment with that.
where do we go from here?
this idea for another year
and let another municipality take it over
and let the millions of views
come into their municipality
and stay at their hotels
when we need it the most?
towards some sort of resolution
where we come back with some numbers
or whenever it will be?
I guess we'll ask staff that,
idea go to another municipality.
ticking for this year.
ask that we're supporting,
I'd like to see some sort of hybrid.
And if that means he comes back to us
with a revised presentation,
but, you know, if it's yes or no today,
some sort of indication
on where he goes from here
and where other events go from here.
Because we're now looking at July 1st
as our next large municipal event,
October, November, December
be here before we know it.
and planning now,
then we'll be behind,
but another two years.
been talking about this
for over 24 months.
- So maybe make a suggestion.
Go ahead, Councilor.
- I, sorry, Mr., I was just going to say
'cause they were planning to have this
maybe at the Convention Centre.
we don't have the number
in the MAT tax
that we can do some maybe in-kind
where you're planning to have it
and possibly take away
whatever the thousand dollars,
but the math has to get figured out.
way that we might be able
to do some in-kind services
like the hall for free for that day
when we do that.
it'd be huge coverage for us.
Dabrowski says, you know,
it's almost July already.
If you're planning to do this next year
in the winter months,
where maybe, you know,
get that busy or something,
in for a couple days
and plan that event at that time.
- That's a great idea.
And so maybe a suggestion,
maybe if we refer this back to staff
to come back with something of a report
and Lococo suggested,
maybe with some kind of a vetting process,
with the Convention Centre
and maybe we can get some in-kind.
And this could possibly be a part
of the Winter Festival of Lights,
could be part of the kickoff in November
and turn it into an overnight
that has become huge.
people to Niagara Falls.
Partner with the Parks Commission.
spinning with ideas too,
think it's a great idea too,
want to see it go away,
but at the same time we can't frivolously,
you know, make commitments.
for a little bit of time,
have staff come back
up, Councilor Baldinelli,
did you want to speak to it
or make a motion or what did you want?
much for the presentation
councilors on the MAT tax,
but we were supposed to actually,
during the proposal for MAT tax by-law,
Nieuwesteeg had amended it
for us to create a committee.
why it hasn't been done yet.
and look back at that meeting
and make sure we fulfill the by-law
and have, I mean it was part of it
and we were supposed to form a committee
so that we know exactly what's going on.
and I need to, you know,
which bucket are you start taking from.
Our bucket is supposed to be
to take care of beautification and stuff
and help events like this drive tourism
people of Niagara Falls.
So I'm agreeing with everybody else.
as soon as possible.
we didn't get a report
for the end of the year,
which we were supposed to get yearly
and we didn't get that report.
And we need this report
more quarterly than year end.
going on and with tourism
and how we can drive tourism
and make it prosperous for everybody.
- Yep.
just started April 1st, right?
We just started collecting it for this.
we had the STAR system.
- Yeah.
end from last year to year end.
that we had nothing, so.
- Well, we had the lawsuit,
like we had a lot of things
- Oh, I understand that.
plate's been full on this.
CAO to maybe comment on it,
try to direct the discussion
toward moving it forward.
- So just so council has,
$846,000 in that tax spending.
support, illumination board,
area service-level increase
guarantee for that.
So that added up to $846,000.
This council also made a priority
for the New Year's Eve show,
which is still an existing question mark.
And this council also authorized
for Mr. Adames to come back with a report
at the end of the year for the governance,
of those questions.
So the amount of revenue is unknown,
without doing anything else,
we had approximately $640,000 to spend.
So we need to take a look at that.
to the Misty City Music one.
So we are trying to be careful with that.
But that's in full disclosure.
So I don't mind bringing a report back.
I do agree with a method to be brought to,
you know, to handle applications
and the Economic Development Team
is going to bring a process through,
it with Mr. Adames' approach
to the governance model also.
- So maybe if we can get a motion,
we'll refer this back to staff.
by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
back with a further report.
We'll do a little more digging in
and more due diligence, Matt Anthony.
And then we will be able to, I think,
to make a decision.
I think it's a great idea.
Let's just see what we can come up with
with a little bit of research.
So we've got motioned, seconded,
discussion, we'll call the vote.
All those in favor?
Okay. That's unanimously referred.
So to be continued.
- All right. Thank you.
- Thank you all very much for your time.
- Thank you.
- All right, moving along, 7.3.
We have the Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion Advisory Committee
and Marilyn Tian
is going to address council.
Welcome.
- Thank you.
Okay.
councilor and also guests.
us to celebrate the DEI.
acknowledgment of June,
because June is the Pride Month
and highlighting the LGBTQ+ advocacy,
History Month in Canada.
So this, just.
recap, earlier this year
regarding the DEI Summit.
Thank you, Mayor,
members' support,
Councilor Lori Lococo
and also Mona Patel
to being in person supporting the event.
150 attendees for the event.
in the past three years.
So we talking about quick, the DEI.
line, just quickly we have,
we, the city, the committee
and create this three awards to encourage
and also, you know, to help, you know,
the shout out for the community
to support and be participant initiatives.
So we do have a Workplace DEI Award.
recognized local business
equitable work environments.
includes the leadership commitment
and effective communications.
recipient, Enabled Talent,
call them on the stage.
the Community DEI Award.
So honors organizations or individuals
to the local community.
And the criteria of this award
is a focus on community engagement
and also collaborative impact.
is a Niagarka Organization
and then we'll call it on the stage.
We have also a Youth Empowerment DEI Award
presented to the empowered youth
age of 21 years old or younger.
advocacy and education.
So this year we do have a recipient
from St. Paul Catholic High School
and Ainara we'll call.
So for this in the end,
later on the presentation,
really honor the hard work
and the dedications of our recipients
us to advocate for DEI
in all aspects of our lives.
And also I want to encourage everyone
for 2027 DEI Summit
and also the awards.
So thank you very much.
our co-chair, Sheila DeLuca,
awards recipients to the stage.
And also I'll really welcome you
to join now for the award presentation.
- We'll have to.
- You can jump in if you want.
(Diodati chatters indistinctly)
- Mona Patel, please come.
I always maybe for one by one,
we have a group photo, okay?
So the first one.
whoever, you know, just.
Which one?
Oh, okay. Youth award.
- Ainara right?
- So please come in.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
- So that's for...
- Okay.
So we'll smile for the...
- Thank you. Do you want to say...?
- I would like to say first of all,
my name is Ainara Vincente-Madrano.
I'm an exchange student from Spain.
I've been here for two years already.
And Niagara Falls, well, Canada in general
has become my country, my family
I will always remember
and will always be deep in my heart.
And these two years was amazing
of receiving this award
the job that I did here
and it makes me really happy
of becoming part of this family.
- Thank you.
(attendees applaud)
- You can just stay aside, wait for a bit
so we have...
- Huh?
a few words about Ainara.
I am her teacher. Yes, yeah.
I am Ainara's teacher.
nominated you for this award.
- Yep. So absolutely.
(attendees chatter)
- You're ready?
- Awesome. Okay, sorry, keep going.
- Oh, and I just wanted to say,
such an instrumental part
of St. Paul past couple years.
You live in my neighborhood
you have for your friends,
making our school inclusive.
We're going to miss you at St. Paul.
You really empower your classmates
and also you're so friendly and respectful
to the teachers and the staff.
You do amazing community work
for the Jaylon Craig Organization
and we're super proud of you.
Miss Armenti would love
tonight to recognize you.
I know you're going here with your parents
who came from Spain a few days ago.
Spain, they arrived yesterday.
And I know you're leaving to go home.
We're going to miss you tremendously.
- Thank you.
(attendees applaud)
- Thank you, thank you.
- Congratulations.
- Here's the box.
- And maybe just wait then,
photo after we're done.
- We're going to do group photo
after we're done, so.
- So.
(all chatter indistinctly)
- Oh, you've read it. Okay.
- Let's do pictures of...
- Do you want to say...?
- Sure.
and the committee members.
This is a prestigious award
and this acknowledgement really pushes us
towards our best efforts towards making
and inclusive, right?
taking it to the whole Canada
and making Canada
a barrier-free workplace
as soon as possible.
- Okay, thank you.
(attendees applaud)
of context introduced.
So one of the founders, Amindipp.
And he himself also is a disability,
you know, the founders of.
And he has done tremendous, you know,
just let's say for himself,
but also created opportunity
disabled in the workplace.
So thank you for that.
- Just wait.
- Now, don't go too far.
We're going to do one shot of all of us.
- Let me hold this.
- Oh, thank you.
- So Community DEI Award,
present to Niagarka Organization.
Iryna, please come in.
(attendees applaud)
- Come on in for the picture.
- Okay.
for this recognition.
Thank you, Jim Diodati.
Thank you. Ah, I forget.
- Marilyn.
believe us and trust us.
Of course, it's very important for us,
it's effort my team,
from St. Mary's Church
because everyone is like supported me
myself I can do nothing.
It's all work together.
Also, just like when I stay here,
I would like to invite everyone
to our family festival, sorry for this,
but no, it's our big community event.
And for now Niagarka Organization,
is bring people together.
And when we create some event,
people stay together,
show this our community, our tradition,
and learn about other.
Thank you again. Thank you for this award.
I'm truly honored and grateful.
(attendees applaud)
the group photo, yes.
we'll do a group shot.
We'll get everybody up here.
- Three award.
(all chattering)
Father Victor's got a good one.
- [Father Victor] I tried but... (laughs)
Thank you.
- So ladies and gentlemen,
we just wanted to thank our DEI Committee.
make everybody feel included
in the Niagara Falls community.
They work a lot, they're volunteers.
They put a lot of effort into this.
for all our DEI recipients
(attendees applaud)
(all chatter)
to you mom and dad too.
Hola! (laughs)
All right, moving along the agenda is 7.4.
The Seniors Advisory Committee.
I'd like to invite up Joe Szabo and Eileen
to present before council.
So welcome.
(attendees clap)
(chuckles) Everybody's clapping.
walks into a bar. (laughs)
older lady sitting there,
sits beside her and says to her,
"Do I come here often?"
(Diodati laughs)
Committee is really thankful
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
and Chris Dabrowski,
support us in our endeavors.
So thank you very much for doing that.
was in October of 2024
we join the, okay...
arrow key on the keyboard.
- The arrow key on the keyboard?
- Okay.
- Oh, the keyboard is... (laughs)
- Somebody asked
if I could use the mouse
and I was told I could use the mouse.
Okay, so the arrow on the keyboard. Okay.
And that didn't work either.
You're talking about the arrows.
- Thank you.
- Okay. All right.
And I still can't make it move.
- All right.
to the next slide? Okay.
So, so much for that.
I can get rid of this keyboard again.
All right, so last time I was here,
we suggested that the committee join
the World Health Organization
Network for Age-Friendly Cities.
And we did that, and I'm pleased to say
awarded the membership.
So that confirms the city's,
we support older adults
and advance age-friendly initiatives.
Okay, next slide. Okay.
working on in that regard
age-friendly businesses.
we're really working hard on
to try and meet the needs of,
the needs of older adults
and help them come up with ways
of improving accessibility, inclusivity,
for age-friendly people.
Okay, next slide.
in November '25 was host,
the City of Niagara Falls
Older Adults Alliance meeting.
where similar committees
to our Seniors Advisory Committee
and meets all together.
And that's a really good thing
because we can share best practices,
discuss common challenges,
other similar committees
to support older adults.
So next slide.
And our committee has also been
a sounding board for this group
and also staff to talk about things
parking at MacBain Centre,
for low-income seniors,
snow clearing by-law,
seniors might have trouble clearing snow,
so that's an issue.
safety. Next slide please.
Committee legacy project
News and Views TV show.
And that was something
suggested in November of 2020.
show in June of 2021.
And we've been airing shows since then.
It is limited to the cable TV audience,
so that is one problem,
it generally to everybody,
Niagara Peninsula.
So we've also been trying
Advisory Committees.
So we found that worked really well.
one day a month in September.
We'll continue doing that.
And we air on Sundays
at 11:00 AM and 7:30 at night.
So, okay.
You've already given me the next slide.
Eileen Tino-Hind up here,
also a committee member,
to talk about our June Seniors Month.
Thank you.
members of city council.
and yes, I am a member
Committee of Niagara Falls
and a member of the subcommittee
which is organizing our Seniors Month,
at the last week of June.
And we've been so busy
this year for seniors.
Just earlier today, we concluded
our Seniors Active Living Expo
at MacBain Community Center,
which focused on wellness, connection,
and living life to the fullest.
Talks with excellent speakers
that spoke about healthy eating,
safety, fraud prevention,
an interesting topic on the emotional
and historical significance
of cemeteries here in Niagara Falls.
We covered wills, power of attorney,
understanding grief and loss,
AI and how it helps seniors,
Niagara Hospital project.
have different fitness
and wellness classes for free.
and belly dancing lessons.
is for our free Tai Chi
and line dancing at St-Antoine.
And of course this weekend
Park on Saturday and Sunday.
This has become so popular with seniors
and I'd like to introduce our instructor,
Monsa, and myself.
and Liza, who are not here.
senior Zumba group here.
As I said, it's been so popular
people joining our senior Zumba.
And we have our average age of 70.
- In our senior Zumba group.
- Good for you.
- But younger can attend.
(all chuckle)
every event too. So you're...
- Oh yeah, we have been invited
to so many different events now-
- and it's mostly seniors,
so it's really great.
And because of that,
every month Seniors Month
by holding every Sunday Zumba at your-
- [Diodati] Your Zumba team seems
to be getting bigger and bigger as well.
- Yes, yes we are. Yeah.
And this month we had a lot of seniors
it's going to be bigger again.
been coming every weekend.
have tomorrow, Wednesday,
our Niagara Parks free,
no, not free, 50% off attractions.
senior skating at Gale Centre.
It has been a very exciting month
for seniors this year.
Seniors Advisory Committee,
everyone who supported us
with our Seniors Month program.
- Oh, thank you.
Thank you, Eileen. And Joe.
It's been a big year and this month's been
a great month for you guys.
Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
- Thank you. Councilor Strange.
for this great presentation.
talked about the word senior
people have of senior
is not this image.
So we actually started to say
rephrasing that word senior
or active, something.
We were looking at different words
because they certainly are not,
they defy the epitome of that word senior.
all the hard work
done throughout the year.
As a council rep,
I see firsthand the thoughtful discussions
that they have around the table,
their valuable recommendations
you have for the seniors.
about the sidewalk clearing,
it was a complete interest,
s-, well, age-friendly people
and how do we really accommodate them
having a more active living.
you for all the hard work.
You live and breathe this committee
and to all our younger Zumba people.
Thank you so much. So that was...
(attendee chatters)
(attendees laugh)
- Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Lococo.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you so much for the presentation.
A lot of great initiatives
and they open up the lives of people
because they now have community
and that contact with people.
So thank you very much.
One of the things that you had listed
to improve accessibility.
opportunity to maybe coordinate
Advisory Committee
because they're already working
on some of the business ideas
about how to make them more accessible
forwarding that information
to the economic development
and to the permitting areas as well.
So I think it's a great opportunity
to have some collaboration.
the work that you do. Thanks.
- Thank you.
I think we actually,
has already gotten an award,
so that's kind of preempting us.
But that's the idea that we'd like to do
working towards helping seniors.
I mean, some are in worse shape than us.
They don't do the Zumba.
So there are people
that do need help getting into a business.
things businesses could do
with accessibility problems.
- Exactly.
having accessibility issues,
there's a lot of people
have accessibility issues
and some challenges
and a lot of times we don't see them
if we're not in their shoes.
So it's nice to have that discussion
brings to the table.
at the Accessibility Committee
abilities and disabilities
and they add to the conversation
I never thought of that."
So now you have that perspective as well.
to have other businesses
small changes that you can make
that don't cost anything.
it and then doing it.
- Thank you.
- Better to wear out than to rust out.
That's what I always say. Councilor Patel.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
I want to thank you for the presentation
and thank the Seniors Committee
adults in our community.
Actually living with the,
when you are living with a disability,
even with the older age,
having comfortable ways to get around
is more important than we know.
And having advocates like our seniors
come up with the different ideas is great.
And when we talk about active living,
example than Eileen here.
of the Niagara Falls, right?
you're a great ambassador
for the Seniors Committee
because what Councilor Nieuwesteeg says,
when we talk about seniors,
we think about people who can't,
people in their nineties,
people who are 90-year-old,
very independent herself.
So it's like everybody's different.
idea in people's head
that age is just the number
and you can do whatever you want.
And having all those amenities
for people in the city
goes a long way.
sit on the DEI Committee
and I think we need to collaborate
and Seniors Committee
because DEI means different age groups,
you know, different disabilities.
Everybody comes from different experience.
to collaborate together
to see how we can all support each other.
for coming here again.
- Thank you.
- Actually, I'd like to just say
Eileen's work is so important.
There's just been a recent medical study
that has shown that exercise
patients to live longer
needing treatment again.
And it's also been scientifically showed
to prevent the onset of cancer.
cancer if they've exercised.
Niagara Falls. Thank you.
- Yeah. Yes, of course.
I would agree 100%, Joe and Eileen,
that sedentary lifestyle isn't helpful.
the best things you could do
busy, do something.
So on behalf of the city, we're grateful.
Thank you for all that you do.
receive the presentation.
Moved by Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
seconded by Councilor Strange, sorry.
Okay, that's unanimous.
our Seniors Committee,
thank you for all that you're doing.
(attendees applaud)
What's that? Yeah, yeah, that's right.
And if you think you're really good,
stick around for this meeting.
Let's see if you can handle this.
Okay, 7.5, Age-Friendly Niagara Council.
Ginger Grant, executive committee,
to present to council.
- Thank you.
members, members of staff,
and the general public.
This is Ursula Hudson, who's running away,
our chair of the executive committee.
that you can take a look at.
12 different municipalities.
So we have on the council
from each of, we've got eight,
couple of board members
so that we can be a consortium
or a way of doing pilots.
working on a couple of pilots
that we can then push down
committees, that kind of thing.
So it's more of a think tank,
ideas or pushing innovation.
ugly sweater activity.
Okay. Right?
actually drives something
that's called the longevity economy.
at it, I think you should.
market on the planet.
strong demographic shift
not just in Canada.
So buttons.
Ah, okay.
12 different municipalities.
right at the moment is,
developing volunteer packages
that we can create and then give
nonprofit organizations.
We're a federally incorporated nonprofit.
What we do is produce pilots
and then test them on ourselves
that age demographic.
So I am a very young 73
slowing down anytime soon.
our Research Committee
with the longevity economy,
you need evidence-based data.
can't really move forward
or you make any decisions
that's being presented to you.
So this economy that is rapidly growing,
of 55 plus in Niagara
that are of that age bracket.
So for those of you, when you're talking
about health ramifications of this market,
those of you who are in the 50 range,
in terms of living to 110.
- 110.
to our various systems.
probably one in three, one in two.
As healthcare improves,
working life, active life.
And what that does
a talent shortage.
that's very much untapped.
Do I want to work 40 hours a week? No.
or maybe one day a month.
So you've got an untapped variety
of people that you can draw upon.
It's also a very large group of experience
that you don't want to lose.
So we call that an experience dividend.
When you've worked,
like can you train a new council member
in a weekend seminar?
ready to be a council member.
I would say no, right?
experience that we also work with.
equity. So you're pairing up.
very ancient approach
to this type of demographic shift
that was very popular in Europe
and still is, mentoring.
So you take a craftsperson
and you mentor someone coming into
a variety of different activities.
We also are willing to coach businesses.
So think also in terms from an economic,
socioeconomic growth potential,
change your business plan
if you haven't thought of it?
variety of businesses?
terms of age friendly,
it is not just 55 plus.
So as many people have mentioned,
if it's accessible to a 55-year-old,
those of you in the 50 range,
then it's also going to be accessible
carrying a two-year-old
and a bag of groceries.
So that kind of walkability,
that kind of what's going on in the city
and how Niagara can improve,
it's considered one of the fastest-growing
retirement communities in Canada.
idea why it matters,
I think I've hit upon that, that this
is socioeconomic value.
is good for some people,
not for others.
have not stopped working.
Next slide.
So do I slaughter a goat? There we go.
of the longevity economy
that you can take a look at
as what it can bring
in terms of value to the city.
One of the partnerships
we're working with right at the moment
through a New Horizons grant
is building these packages.
So at the MacBain Centre this afternoon,
we got hit with two other requests
from a variety of seniors.
on revisioning retirement?
Yeah, we can design that.
And also a program about purpose.
would be an interesting one
as well to do workshops or seminars
around how do you find your purpose
haven't figured it out yet?
So this just gives you some
of the ideas of what we're doing.
We have also partnered with CARP.
So between,
Association of Retired Persons,
of participant list,
subscriber list with CARP,
we've got about 3,500 subscribers,
that is also a very large voting block
and it's a very large voice.
So we try and bring that voice to you
and also back down into the community.
So if you have any questions,
we'd be pleased to answer them.
workshop, even for the council
idea of a longevity economy
or what MIT is calling a longevity hub,
what does that look like?
So thank you for having us
in front of you soon
with some more results.
- Ginger, thank you.
council has any questions
before you run away.
Do we have any questions of council?
Okay, we don't have any.
(attendees laugh)
- Thank you to you and Ursula.
Ursula, you've got some brochures?
Yeah, go ahead, hand them out.
to receive the presentation.
Councilor Baldinelli.
All those in favor? Okay.
Thank you. That's approved.
Thank you very much, Ursula.
(all chatter)
- The computers working now.
- Okay, next up we move to 7.6.
Transportation Master Plan.
acknowledge Joyce Morocco,
who's joining us here today.
Welcome, Joyce.
And I welcome Diana Morreale,
director of infrastructure and planning.
And Jill Stephen.
through the presentation.
- Welcome.
- Thank you, Mayor Diodati,
for having us today.
My name's Jill Stephen, as was mentioned,
I'm the associate director
at Niagara Region.
And Diana Morreale,
planning and development,
is with us today.
all 12 local municipalities
transportation master plan.
of today's presentation.
plan itself, its scope,
that goes with that.
on future transportation needs
businesses, and employees
as we're looking at how Niagara will grow
to 2051 and beyond.
The regional transportation network,
network, plays a huge role
move every day in Niagara.
within the region,
it connects people to destinations,
and it links the region
markets in Ontario and beyond
the provincial highway network
and through federal infrastructure
such as the Welland Canal,
our border crossings.
But that regional network
transportation picture.
So is our primary focus of the 2051 plan,
is either the regional network itself,
but understanding how it fits in
across the local, regional, provincial,
and federal levels is very important
to developing a good plan.
plays a different role
in how people and goods move every day.
are always some exceptions.
facilitate those daily trips
to school and work.
The local network is primarily made up
of the lower-speed, two-lane roads
walking and cycling trips
and on-street parking.
on connecting communities,
and it's those main arterial corridors
that support goods movement
and regional mobility across Niagara.
arterial roads.
then supports movement
between Niagara and the rest of Ontario
via our highways and GO Transit.
mentioned, includes borders,
air, marine, and so forth.
plan was completed in 2017
so it is time for a change.
It is a high-level plan.
that comes after that
to move the projects forward,
but it does do that identification
of what we need for growth.
we understand the networks,
connect the plans together.
So there are local transportation plans.
TA-TMP not too long ago.
inputs into the regional plan.
They each have their own focus areas,
supporting and identifying
what infrastructure we need to move
for the different types of trips
different jurisdictions.
We do have a vision statement
that we've developed for the master plan.
It is draft at this point
first phase of the study
input that we received
through our public information centers
our presentations today
it as we move into the part
where we're identifying the projects
that we want to analyze.
As part of that too, we're also looking
at the visions and objectives
that are in the different local plans.
those all be identical,
that we understand them
both what is common
but what's also unique
character into our work.
We have a three-phase plan.
We're looking at growth needs
to 2051, hence the title.
We're currently in Phase 1,
problems and opportunities
network so that we can understand
we're looking for growth,
looking towards growth.
That phase is about to wrap up this summer
and we're moving into Phase 2.
And then overall the plan
will be completed at the end of 2027.
At each phase of the project,
there will be engagement with the public,
with each of the municipalities,
primarily through your staff teams,
agencies and interested parties.
to a regional council
Committee at key milestones.
Right now in Phase 1
conditions review.
We're updating our model
the system performance
jurisdictional reviews
(time chimes)
of public consultation.
phase, we'll be developing
and evaluating the alternatives
and presenting those to the public.
Those alternatives build on work
that's been done in local plans.
from your TMP and TA-TMP
will be important to that.
the preferred network
capital program for that.
Sorry.
we've included a number
of different ways to engage people
hearing from the public.
We have had two PICs this round
and we will move into Phase 2
centers for those as well.
Our information's available online
to still provide comments.
that we've heard so far
the revision of the vision
and, as well as part of the planning.
of the comments we've heard
to Public Works Committee,
Steering Committee,
and a council workshop.
And we'll continue to track those
and evolve things as we move forward.
to local councils
about six weeks ago.
This is our eighth presentation,
thank you again for having us,
and we will finish the last four in July.
And over the next few months, as I said,
study, move into Phase 2.
And I would like to say thank you again
do that presentation.
I'd be happy to take any questions,
that very quickly.
your presentation, Jill.
for our presenters?
support, right. (laughs)
you very much for your time.
receive the presentation.
Councilor Strange. Councilor Baldinelli.
All those in favor? Unanimous.
out and enduring the time
of the presentation.
- Thank you.
- All right, thank you.
we've all been waiting for,
administrative officer, Ken Todd,
the Unhoused Action Plan.
of various community groups
that are here as well to support.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
- Hi everybody, how are you?
- The seat's empty. You can come back up.
- Yeah, I scared 'em away.
But we do have some of my friends here.
We have reps from the Project SHARE board,
the co-chairs from the Soup Kitchen
and Steve from The Bridge.
and AJ and Chris Russell,
Judy and Sherry from the Soup Kitchen.
- Welcome. Good to have you back.
- They just came to throw tomatoes
or whatever at me as I speak.
a crunch here for time.
So do you want me to just narrow this down
- Yeah.
Like give us the high points, you know,
and we'll have some tough questions.
- So thank you.
Started this engagement several months ago
and I've got to tell you over that
time, we certainly have learned a lot
and I think the recommendations
that we're coming up with tonight
can carry this council forward
with a fairly reasonable plan.
So, you know, when we started out,
I got to start off by saying there's a lot
happening in this community.
There are so many people on a daily basis
in the community and all over.
And there's so many, so many good people
and good groups doing that.
But we found, or I found that,
you know, people were holding onto things.
things should be done.
trying to get them to open up
to abandon, if you will,
some of the ways of the past
because a lot of the models
and a lot of the things that we're seeing
sustainable in the long run.
You've got a lot of volunteerism.
not as many volunteers.
look at a different model.
we had a lot of interaction,
we had a lot of online submissions,
we had open houses at the MacBain Centre.
We had an open house,
a workshop with the experts.
Probably had 50 to 60 individual meetings
over that period of time,
asking a lot of questions,
might be an acceptable plan.
is a desire for change
in how we handle the unhoused
and vulnerable people in our community.
be focused on the fact
that even though there's a lot
people in our community,
there's really two sets of clients here.
There's the people we want to serve
that are the unhoused and vulnerable,
mindful of our residents
their neighborhoods,
their public parks, their public spaces,
the businesses that are seeing some
of the sort of undesirable elements
at some points out on our streets.
So, you know, the plan is trying
to find a way to balance that
the people we need to serve,
but we're also doing things
that can help improve the quality of life
for the people that live here.
principles as we go through.
empathetic in our approach,
but we also want to make sure
that those people that are paying taxes
and are living here
with those hardships.
community partnerships.
That's a big part of this plan,
community groups together
to serve the community better.
the impact on municipal taxes.
And there is going to be some asks here,
but I think you got to remember
projects and the community
should have a big share
in how this project
get paid for as well.
And we want to keep it volunteer focused.
out doing a lot of good work
and we want to make sure that
we keep that in mind.
So in the recommendations,
and we kind of came up with three spheres.
This started out to be an unhoused,
that was kind of the title.
quickly morphed into something
that is more about just unhoused
because you just can't focus
on the unhoused element of this.
It expands into so much more.
housing and shelter for sure.
Another sphere is the whole food security,
which is a big piece of this.
I'll call the street life
and what's happening out on the street
and what things we can do to improve.
And so as we go forward, just be mindful,
intersect into, at the end,
integrated community hub plan
that we're going to present to you.
So on housing and shelter, several things,
through these quickly as I can,
I heard loud and clear,
working on it already,
council is very mindful of this,
shelter on Summer Street
has to be dealt with, has to be relocated.
There has to be purpose built.
that neighborhood back
their community, the whole Main ferry.
So I know council's working on that.
have more to come on that,
so I won't dwell on it.
But we have to really advocate
for more supportive housing opportunities.
I'm not talking about shelter,
Campbell type of development
with the hardest to serve,
issues and the addiction issues.
That is where I think time and effort
really has to be spent.
The region knows this.
numbers and the statistics.
But where council can really help,
and I've heard this more than once,
by coming up with property
that when a development
or an opportunity comes along,
this community's ready to pounce on it
other levels of government.
go to some other community.
find those opportunities
to get that land, get it zoned,
and literally be waiting
of supportive housing
going to be meaningful.
coming down the pipe.
on it on the GNGH site.
I think it's a great opportunity
to provide a whole realm of housing
going forward into the future.
center the community.
issues that are going on now
that'll help accomplish that for you.
call the street part of it.
I got to tell you, there's been a lot
of good things happening in the community.
here, Carey and others
that have a group that meets biweekly.
Other communities are now starting
to look at what Niagara Falls is doing.
'Cause I tell you, we've traveled around
and looked at different municipalities.
Falls has serious problems.
others. I can tell you that.
more proactive approach.
the gas down on the pedal
a little bit more resources.
report as to how to do that
because if you can get out ahead of that,
people are compassionate,
to see it around my community."
So if you can get ahead of it
and provide more resources for by-law,
for groups like NASO or REACH
to provide street services to help people,
helping that other client,
which is the taxpayer
who just simply doesn't want to see it
in front of their business,
in their neighborhood
and in their park.
we did this of, you know,
just things going on at our parks
that should not be happening.
that a little bit more,
helping the situation.
couple good pilot projects
I think the staff should look to
approach to the street.
has been doing a great job
and I think with a little more resourcing,
you can just put it over the top.
One thing I will say is that I believe
whole evacuee situation
not being handled properly
by the federal and provincial governments.
more than its fair share.
several conversations
over the last couple of months.
As we speak today,
across the province.
are housed in Niagara Falls.
- To me, that's not fair.
to be, Mr. Mayor, Vegas North.
of tourism in Ontario.
And unfortunately a lot of the residents
and people will see Indigenous people
on the streets walking around
people in this community,
and they're not.
And I think they deserve better.
I don't think children deserve
to be playing their recess time
in a parking lot beside the casino.
there's a better approach.
And I think that should be
facility in the province
have a sense of community
and not be forced
rooms across the province.
But in spite of all that,
report, in spite of all that,
be certain resources
that come back to the community.
getting nothing out of it.
And I've spoken to the Native Centre
and Native Centre people
and even their resources are being drained
additional services as well.
tapped and drained by this.
should be a better model
that takes the strain off Niagara Falls
the police and the CORE unit.
solutions, Mr. Mayor,
and they're outlined in the report.
Now, having said all that,
with the most vulnerable,
you know, there is a bit of a myth
because a lot of the people
day at the Soup Kitchen
day are not unhoused.
or in poverty. Deep poverty.
but they can't afford food.
that need additional help.
these partners together.
And what we're recommending
is that the three large partners,
SHARE, the Soup Kitchen,
three boards of directors
have agreed to come together
of a hub for Niagara Falls.
function under one roof.
resources, sharing of services,
sharing of food recovery.
There'd be sharing of staff
and warehouse-based whatever.
way to deliver service.
that is that not just
organizations coexisting.
I've approached a number of groups,
about 18 groups in total, that have agreed
to partnering at a hub like this.
associated social services,
Community Health Centre, REACH,
Niagara Public Health,
Outreach Positive Living,
Service Canada, the Library,
Canadian Mental Health Association,
Project SHARE, Soup Kitchen, The Bridge,
Ontario, Feed Niagara,
and Niagara Nutrition Partners, to start.
cobble together at this point.
But I think there's an opportunity there
where all of those other individuals
supportive housing,
that are housed, maybe marginally,
these kind of services,
access on a daily basis.
Because if you look at the clients
that are visiting these sites now,
you're looking at about 300 to 400,
maybe 4 or 500 individuals each day
accessing these different sites.
But you could bring that together
and then let them tap into these services.
I think we've got a much better chance
of getting them to help,
to get them that next step up,
to help them get on with a better life.
So Mr. Mayor, that's,
that's basically what the report is about,
any questions and anyway.
- Okay, that's great.
And I want to say thank you, Ken.
take any kind of payment
and it doesn't go unnoticed.
We're grateful. It's been a lot of work.
kilometers and a lot of meetings
a buzz in the region.
Everybody wants to see the findings,
all the other municipalities.
So we're grateful for all your efforts.
- Oh, you're welcome. Yep.
councilors have questions.
Strange, then Councilor Lococo,
over here, Councilor Patel?
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
- And then Councilor Nieuwesteeg. Yes.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
the work you've been doing.
has seen you in the room
and talked to you for a lot of hours
to everybody, stakeholders,
nothing shows your compassion.
at the Soup Kitchen
- Thank you.
And I really appreciate that.
- I know you do.
But that's the type of guy you are,
you don't want to take credit for it.
- But there's hundreds of people
- No, I know.
- And your team.
- So yeah, thank you.
- That's the type of guy
and I'm sure that you've learned
in the last how many months
type of unhoused person,
you know, it's mental, it's addictions.
are on the borderlines
help at the Soup Kitchen
and maybe they're not unhoused,
but they're on that borderline.
And you know, like I said, you're showing
and there's so many out there.
And our team here,
with everybody and, you know,
we've seen it on Main Street
with Councilor Nieuwesteeg
shelter there on Summer Street
and it's a little bit of a mess.
And I was kind of really disturbed
I opened up the paper
and it was May 25th
and you might know where I'm going here,
attending a nearby shelter
and was arrested by detectives.
another drug transaction
that was at the Summer Street.
And it just blows my mind
on a future court date
and bailed out in a number of hours.
And our Bylaw are doing our work,
our staff are doing our work.
You guys are doing our work
trying to help themselves
by going to a shelter and staying clean
and getting the help they need.
And we all know once you get a little bit
of this horrible drug fentanyl in you,
it's tough to not crave that again.
And I'll even say this guy was caught
with 35.5 grams of suspected fentanyl.
this is the first time,
just free like that,
I think this guy should be away,
you know, for five years right away.
Because, you know, this is what's killing
our homeless population is this fentanyl.
I remember growing up
and everyone could around the table that,
there was two homeless people
weren't even homeless.
One was mental.
I think his name was Big Bird,
he just walked the streets.
And they were nice people.
last, you know, maybe 20 years.
And with fentanyl it's just been,
it's been just crazy.
And you have someone like this
that's just let out the next day
and I don't know what the answer is.
And I love what we're doing
with the Soup Kitchen
and other Project SHARE, Bridge.
I think it's a great idea.
And if we can have a complex
the transitional housing,
the Wayne Campbell, something like that.
I know it's going to take a lot from us.
We're just following your guidance
and I don't know what, whatever we do,
that, you know, these unhoused
addicted are trying to get help.
And then you get someone from the outside.
And our Bylaw have been amazing.
"Okay, here's a little,"
bit that they're selling
they'll buy it off them later,
our upper-tier government
or the judges or whatever
to keep them in jail
because it's not helping the situation.
- Yeah. Of course.
recommendations are to say
some additional resources
you know, with the CORE group,
with the police, very important,
advocating for that to continue,
with Chris and his crew
and some of the street workers.
that a little bit more.
putting a push on the street
supportive housing units.
In the meantime, if we can get a hub built
providing services, it will service
mental health clients
that are housed and are doing okay,
but just need a little bit more help.
If this comes together,
it's kind of a phase thing,
but I think if we can attack
that street stuff now, to your point.
- Yeah. 'Cause the police
- Let the other things-
- They are doing their jobs.
They're just not keeping them in jail.
fault, it's the system's fault.
I think I'll say this,
it's a little bit of tough love.
Falls is having some success
little bit more aggressive,
which, as long as you're providing
those other support services,
is perhaps not a bad thing.
that we visited
more lax approach to it.
And I know there's a big, big issue
right now with encampments,
that if you let an encampment take hold,
difficulty managing it later.
So get ahead of it
to the right services
and help that they need
before these things grow into something
that becomes totally unmanageable
- Yeah.
'Cause we've seen it in so many cities
and you even said it like, you know,
we think Niagara Falls is bad,
but it's not even close
municipalities are going through.
- I'm sure you know,
area is really, really bad.
St. Catharines as well.
going in the right direction.
I think this is such a positive step.
Having it all in one house
where we can help everybody
and show shared services.
I think it's great.
credit to the three boards,
each group listened
and it was unanimous
on every board that I went to.
realizing the model
is maybe not sustainable.
It is time for a change.
still going to get worse
before they get better.
different model in place
coming down the path here.
the next step or timeline?
that's up to council,
but I, you know, the hope would be
the idea of a hub,
getting that off the ground.
from council there.
And we're not here asking council,
we know that there's going to have
to be community partnerships, fundraising,
financial assistance needed.
We think if we can get this thing built,
then I think the agencies have done
a good enough job in the past
that we can monitor it and run it.
Not asking the city to run it,
operating dollars to run it.
The city is providing some funds now,
which is very, very welcomed.
But yeah, we just need council
the concept with this.
- Well I think everyone is behind it.
All of council will be behind it.
taking the time to do this.
We know you're volunteering
your time and effort into this,
- Yeah, thank you.
- [Diodati] Okay. Thank you, Councilor.
Councilor Nieuwesteeg next.
I'm sorry, I, you did have your hand up.
And then I got Lococo, Patel, Pietrangelo,
to try to ask questions.
questions of our presenter.
if you can. Councilor.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
fabulous presentation,
was your balanced approach
we have on the street
community and businesses.
So it was a nice combination.
My questions are, first one is this,
more for me, this hub.
So do you have a place
coordinate this hub?
- Okay.
- But we... No.
- Okay.
working in different places.
Is the concept that like Project SHARE,
all come to that one area?
to have their operations
at these locations
- Well, the concept right now
is all under one roof.
- Okay. Very good.
to getting this done?
- Well, realistically, you know,
and it depends if it's a greenfield site
of a site or a retrofit,
you're probably two to three years
in the whole, you know, design development
to the point where you could occupy.
would cost? Any preliminary?
honest, nothing's cheap today.
talk several million dollars
end of it, I would think.
But I have no idea.
getting to the next step,
at what the actual cost
of this would be and see if it's feasible.
- Okay, well, and through Mr. Mayor,
the one thing in your presentation
about municipal role
and you hit the three things
about invest, advocate, and regulate.
So it's the advocacy piece
because as we all know,
this is not really at our municipal level.
provincial and federal level.
look at, in doing all of this,
is maybe having somebody do the advocating
government to help fund this
because it's not fair to the tax,
although I fully support it,
taxpayers to carry this.
of other tiered governments.
all the municipalities
are taking it upon themselves,
getting away with it.
And I really think that's something
very strongly in all of this,
dedicated to advocate for funds.
And you mentioned earlier, you know,
we be ready so when the funds come.
But I think we have to be very proactive
and say this is a situation.
were saying about the evacuees,
year because of my business
and I heard their stories.
I saw how they were living.
hospital and they were taxed.
there was no funding for them.
really comes back down
to our taxpayers.
So I really hope in all of this model
that we do keep in mind our taxpayers
levels of government
I think it's fabulous,
your plan, it makes sense.
be at higher levels.
- I totally agree there's an advocacy part
for around this horseshoe.
But there's also a lot in the report
that really is community driven.
And that's kind of the hub part.
advocacy you can do here.
And as I said, with, for example,
property and stuff, council, you know,
properties identified,
get them pre-zoned, get them serviced,
get whatever you have to do
application, you're ready.
supportive housing piece.
You did a great job over on Park Street.
building, great example.
Maybe not purpose built, you know,
but still a great example
you set your mind to it.
- And one final question,
what kind of metrics for success
are you looking for out of all of this?
So is it, I know to eliminate homelessness
and to make sure everyone has everything
is kind of a nice dream, but to maintain,
hope that the end of the day,
in 5 years or 10 years from now,
we brought to council
was extremely successful
because we did all of these things.
those items would be?
- Well, you know, it's as I said before,
going to still continue
to even get worse before it gets better.
put that question around,
some of these actions,
I'm not sure even what the end result
will be of these actions.
of these things in place,
more supportive housing,
the ground on the street
parks and public spaces,
my hope would be that in five years,
improvement to what you see today.
I, sorry, Councilor.
I don't think I can put it in numbers.
- You know,
you see numbers at Project SHARE,
you see numbers at the Soup Kitchen.
It'd be great to say we could, you know,
cut those numbers down.
all poverty related issues
and, you know, I'm not sure
that either of those kind of services
are going away anytime soon.
- Okay, I want to thank you so much
and to bring everyone together
- Oh, thanks.
the Project SHARE board,
doing different things
doers out there too,
sometimes in isolation.
we can centralize everything
and communicate that out to the public,
the right direction.
these groups, you know,
to show a willingness to come together.
It's, I think in the long term,
thing for the city.
- Well, thank you very much for,
participated in all of this.
- Thank you.
Next up, Councilor Lococo,
then Patel, Pietrangelo, Baldinelli.
through to Mr. Todd.
Thank you so much.
of the different perspectives
because we can't make decisions
just with parts of the puzzle.
puzzle pieces together.
I'm really happy about that.
Councilor Nieuwesteeg was saying
are not at our funding level.
prevention, was in your report.
And then I'm thinking the other side of it
about landlord protection as well.
two sides, two sides to it.
landlords who won't rent
because of some of the challenges.
who are evicted unfairly too.
But that's provincial.
And then we have mental health,
through the region.
And then we have substance use,
through the region.
- So my question is,
knowing that we have boots on the ground
for outreach workers
the people on the street
or the people who need the services.
are looking for services,
but the services are not available.
There's not a shelter bed,
there's not a mental health bed to go to.
There's not an addiction bed to go to.
get more of those resources,
I can see putting the resources
for more boots on the ground.
the more boots on the ground,
they'll tell me, "Lori, I've asked
anywhere for me to go."
ago I went through this.
process with somebody
and they go and do what I suggest,
what I've been told to suggest,
and then there's no resources for them.
So I think we really need to hone in
to get those resources,
an addiction bed, a mental health bed,
a shelter bed, or a sustainable,
put more boots on the ground,
"There's nothing for you."
And that's what we keep on running into.
the beginning of the plan,
but how will we overcome all of that?
- So I don't see those as being
contrary to one another.
helps from that street level
for businesses and residents
who I don't think deserve
these kind of issues.
You're absolutely right.
here and challenge council to do
is, the best thing you can do
to get those supportive units built
is have somewhere to build them.
And council is directly in charge of that.
pieces of land that you own
and are zoned, serviced, ready to go,
next supportive application
is going to increase tenfold
because you can turn the key tomorrow.
We can get in the ground tomorrow.
it's going to pass you by
some other community.
that come out all the time.
So that, I agree.
The funding of building that
would be other levels of government,
region, federal, provincial.
But if you're there as a council saying,
"Here's the plate to put it on,"
you're way ahead of the game.
- I agree.
But I just want to bring that back
that we're having.
Our mental health, addiction.
If those services are not available
because of the provincial funding,
the issues down here.
that out there to say,
how are we going to deal with that?
Back to the advocacy.
else for funding,
who's going to fund those extra things.
- But it, I guess, again,
and it's much easier
to advocate from a position of strength.
is, "We're ready to go.
Here's a couple properties.
We want this, we're ready to go.
We've committed to it."
little bit of a time lag.
keep, in my opinion,
with Chris and his group
and whoever else doing what they're doing
rightly so, you know,
the other partners,
which is the community, satisfied,
which they deserve.
think all of these pieces
can work together and do your advocacy,
but be in a position of strength
when you go and ask for things
because other communities are doing it
and have been successful doing it.
- Yes.
funding has to come from,
to come from other levels.
- Thank you. One final comment on that.
first, housing first,
we wanted to get people into housing,
supportive wraparound services.
things, you can't just say,
"Here's your apartment, go to it."
They need all of those services
so we have to have those as well.
So I'm going to move on.
A lot of the ideas that are in this report
Councilor Ioannoni and I found
when we went into Texas
and we saw the tiny homes community.
the word tiny homes
because everybody gets stuck on that.
you had all of these hubs,
the wraparound services of everybody
health, the addiction,
everything in one place.
that within the report.
(alarm chirps)
I'm just going to, two more things.
This was brought up to me by a worker,
that they have with a hub
is sometimes people get banned from,
and I brought this up to you before,
banned from one agency.
But the way we're set up now,
it's a more effective way.
I agree with it.
But what we have to think about
is sometimes the clients get banned.
Say they get banned from Project SHARE,
but they can still go to the Soup Kitchen,
they can still go to The Bridge.
If all of the services are in one place,
mind to, if someone gets banned
because of one of their behaviors,
accessing all of the services?
I know I'm not expecting an answer,
I just want to put it out there
because it is important.
think as we move forward
and the design and operation of it
those kind of things.
You know, these are,
operating these services
compassionate people.
So they're going to be very mindful
of all of that as we move forward.
a compassionate person
because she was concerned.
- And my last point is,
I know we spoke about this before too,
and I didn't see it in the report.
Niagara Falls and the Niagara region,
we're very over-housed.
in a three-bedroom apartment.
There are programs out there,
council over the past few years.
they're working on right now
that you co-share.
And somebody is doing all of the vetting.
They're matching people.
that four-bedroom house
that one person is living,
now you have two people living in it.
affordable housing that we need.
So I hope that we look into that too.
I know I've tried to work
with different organizations about this.
And it just keeps falling down.
it somehow. (laughs)
- Well, we had a great conversation,
have a good conversation
that exact thing, so.
thinking about from that.
detailed into the report
because it's still early days.
But I did follow on and follow up
and have that conversation
with the regional people after we met.
- Well, thank you so much for all the work
and all of the connections.
that we remove those silos
and figure out what everybody needs,
what services we can offer,
and hopefully more effective
that we can serve the residents,
whether they are unhoused or in need
businesses that live here.
So thank you.
- Thank you.
Pietrangelo, and Baldinelli.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
much for this presentation.
- It's Ken. Yeah.
- One thing I found interesting,
what is in the report is,
the street is not unhoused.
- And how is that?
of people on the street.
out walking to Project SHARE.
Soup Kitchen to get a meal.
And many or most
are returning to a roof over their head.
might be a basement apartment,
it might be whatever.
But, you know, the majority,
the vast majority of those individuals
they're socializing,
the majority of them
are housed in some format or the other.
- Well, that's good information,
through you, Mr. Mayor,
would email us or call us
saying they saw 15 people on Lundy's Lane.
- Yes. Yep.
- So that means everybody is not unhoused.
- No.
No and that's what I got to,
I'm sorry, with the Indigenous
and, you know, the Indigenous
that are relocated here, the evacuees,
and they're out just, you know,
whether they're out seeing the city
but they're not homeless.
But the first perception is,
"Oh, there's a homeless person."
may just be walking down
to get a meal at the Soup Kitchen.
Or they might just be having,
at a corner somewhere.
Like, but that's the perception.
majority of them are not unhoused.
- Thank you.
Through you, Mr. Mayor,
given to the GNGH site
for turning that into a hub?
as a hospital right now,
are meeting rooms there,
there's community areas there.
answer is no, only because
I'd say no for now,
only because that's not where
the majority of the clients
services are living.
much greater opportunity
for the redevelopment of that site
for supportive housing,
rent-geared-to-income kind of housing,
Park Street type developments.
Hawkins has a couple really good examples
those kind of opportunities
to get you that next level up
that this city needs.
supportive housing that we need,
get those kind of units built
and leave the hub somewhere else
clients in that community.
I had your same thought earlier
but after thinking it through
what the opportunities
the GNGH site can offer,
you know, you could kind of
have two different areas working together.
Great sort of greenfield housing sites,
which are desperately needed.
And let's find another spot for the hub.
- Yeah, to that point, Mr. Mayor,
but the need is now
and the hospital's already there.
be vacating that building.
So until we are building a new place,
as one of the services.
- Well, I think the timing,
probably the hospital site
till 2028, possibly 2029,
I think along that timeline.
we'll be well on the way
hub at another location.
So, but I would say to this,
the concept really would be,
together in a new hub yet,
but the approach would be
the conceptual done here,
we would be working together back end
as much as we can
until we move to a new site.
doing while that gets built,
so that, we're not going to delay.
I mean, we've got the partners here,
I think Steve's ready to run out right now
and start doing stuff tonight if he could.
So we're anxious to get started. Yeah.
know, all the recommendations,
and if councilors want to pick one or two,
which one would you prioritize?
Which one would you say we do first
of all the recommendations?
- Well, I'm going to be a little selfish
'cause I think the hub is a wonderful idea
that you should get on, really. (laughs)
- Other levels of the-
- Having said that, I truly believe
that reinforcing and continuing on
street, get that solidified.
the greatest immediate impact
on the people of the community.
So I would say that's a quick one
that I know that the CAO and by-law
and others are already mindful of.
I think that will just give the residents
a little bit of a lift
in some of these neighborhoods
if you can get that under control quickly
develop, which are really needed,
bit more time to develop.
- Okay. Thank you.
- [Diodati] Thank you, Councilor.
Pietrangelo, then Baldinelli.
- Yeah. Thanks, your worship.
Through you, to Mr. Todd.
back in council chambers.
- Good seeing all of you.
though you haven't left,
but I know you have.
want to start off by saying
that to us it's important to have a plan.
So I want to say thank you, Ken,
a plan in place for us
and bringing it to us.
that you're not someone
that really wants a lot of accolades
and you kind of pointed behind you
hundreds of people
- Every day.
- every single day.
And I do recognize that
a lot of the faces,
that I would be remiss in
if I didn't mention is the fact
someone special to go out
people and all their opinions
and all their ideas together.
who actually has a desire
to come forward with a plan
and puts it all into place, Ken.
thank you for doing that.
so I'll leave it at that.
lived it your entire life
and I recognize that.
Your worship, I know
recommendations in the plan.
start pulling them apart
one better than the other.
centralized integrated hub
is an absolute great idea.
I mean, I hope that that's something
that we can move forward on.
I understand that as a council,
we will have to put more funds,
funds into this initiative.
that we're willing to do.
wanted to mention, your worship,
has said a number of times
need to identify sites.
We've already talked about some sites.
So perhaps if you can tell us the point
to in terms of a rezoning
that would fit on those lands,
that direction to staff.
sites off the top of my head.
I don't really want to pop them out now,
site needs to be rezoned
it's institutional or R4,
whatever the case might be,
type of direction to staff
and then we can get moving on that, so.
- Thank you. Yeah, that'd be wonderful.
- Thank you, Councilor.
Councilor Baldinelli.
- Okay. Thank you, Ken, through you mayor.
you just... (laughs)
- But yeah.
it's mostly faceted,
house opposing street, but you did mention
that we had 1,100 out of 1,800 Indigenous
in Niagara Falls, 61%.
- This week.
do you think it had
area in Niagara Falls
where we've accepted,
and I'm not sure how that acceptance works
have been enriched by it
could have been used
are taking care of others.
It continues on today
and it affects, you know, souvenirs,
restaurants, you know, the tourism.
But what about the effects
on our local population and the unhoused
know, need assistance?
- Well, I don't have quantifiable numbers,
over the last six months,
police, emergency room,
EMS vehicles, it's, you know,
know, social services.
Councilor Lococo said it,
we don't really even have enough resources
to serve our own people.
And here on a weekly basis,
another 1,100 people
from outside the community.
And the city of Niagara Falls,
the region, police, emergency rooms
offset that additional burden.
I just think there's a better model.
be too critical here,
but, you know, other people got to step up
and take their fair share.
has a lot of hotel rooms,
business of this municipality
rooms for visitors, so.
model where, you know,
side of who the client is,
the evacuees of, you know,
them into or uprooting them
and putting them into,
like, I'm sure there's a place somewhere,
whether it's an old campus somewhere
where you could, you know, use it
and an evacuee center
the facilities there
on an ongoing basis
in hotels in Fallsview
or on Lundy's Lane.
fair to the residents,
because I think Councilor Patel said,
when you look around the streets,
a lot of what you're seeing are just,
carrying on their day,
not causing trouble,
I don't know what the situation is,
impression on our residents
homeless people around
and that's really not quite the case.
- Yeah, we've had some correspondence
policing that basically,
and they're very overworked
and they've had too many calls
and they're just, you know,
it's not paying attention to our community
and et cetera, et cetera.
staff, I mean, how do we,
of these people coming
to Niagara Falls and staying in our rooms.
I mean, it just can't be, you know,
there's lots of rooms within Ontario.
specifically get targeted.
I know there's a lot of money involved.
I'm not sure that it benefits,
this during our term,
and affecting our tourism,
but it's just too lucrative.
three years have been hard
your studies in the last,
last year or so, whatever it's been,
and I think it's contributed to it.
And I think we got to focus on
provincially and federally,
putting it to where we need it.
guess back to my point,
I don't think it's fair to the evacuees
with children and uprooting families.
solutions that are out there
that would help our community
the evacuees themselves
it's a temporary situation,
that they're dislocated
a better way to do that.
I think there's a better model out there.
(alarm chirps)
right on. That was excellent.
great big thank you to you
and to all the volunteers for being here.
trying to get different groups
collaborate, but it's happening,
could do it would be you.
pretty, pretty good.
out there in our community,
day, volunteering their time
that I am, you know, took this,
out of the house, that's all.
So, I mean,
- Secretly paying your salary.
about, you know. (laughs)
going to look to council to do.
receive the reports.
Second of all, okay.
I'll come to you, Councilor Lococo
and Councilor Nieuwesteeg for this.
that I'm going to introduce,
before you agree to it.
Second part is that motion
that I'd like to put on the floor
a steering committee
with necessary participants from agencies
of non-elected officials
under the leadership of Ken
the recommendations,
in the 78-page report.
itself be referred to staff
and brought back to council
for implementation.
with that, Councilor? Okay.
Councilor, with that? Okay.
going to suggest that we put.
moved by Councilor Lococo,
seconded by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
And if we have no further discussion.
Oh. Yes, Councilor Pietrangelo.
- Thanks, your worship.
up on Ken's suggestion
have those sites pre-zoned.
- Do you want to add that to it?
be part of your motion.
- I think that's an easy one,
have a couple sites in mind,
that we know that we can rezone.
So if we're just given the information
in terms of what the zoning needs to be,
industrial or high density,
whatever the case might be,
then we can follow through on that.
So if that could be part of the motion
- Great.
Are you good with that, Councilor? Yep.
Councilor?
- Direction to rezone those properties
that we've identified,
then that would get us moving faster.
- Yep. Throw in the amendment.
motion, we'll call the vote.
All those in favor.
Okay. And that's unanimous.
- Mr. Mayor, if I could say
thank you, first of all for that.
Secondly, I just want to thank,
of people behind here too
this report to this stage.
City staff, CAO,
some of the higher ups along this side
giving me some guidance as well.
So I really, really appreciate that.
- Well I think we got an opportunity here.
made-in-Niagara Falls solution
want to replicate and duplicate
and I can't think of anybody better
to put something like that together.
and to all the volunteers.
Thank you very much everybody.
(attendees applauding)
Yeah. (laughs)
Thank you.
ankle bracelet off of 'em.
you. Don't try to hide from us.
Okay, Mr. Clerk.
Okay, we're good for that. Thank you.
anyone following along now,
of the council agenda.
been patiently waiting
for us to address this.
I'll call on our city clerk
to introduce the next item on the agenda.
- Thanks, your worship.
A public meeting is now being convened
to consider a proposed amendment
Plan and Zoning By-law
townhouses within six blocks
at 5691 through to 6017 Valley Way.
Notice was given by first class mail
Planning Act on May 22nd, 2026,
the property in question
in accordance with Bill 185,
or a specified person,
owner of any land
amendment by-law will apply,
at a public meeting
or written submissions to city council
the official plan amendment
and/or passage of the by-law
amendment and/or the by-law
to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
no longer permitted.
- Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
We'll now call on Nick DeBenedetti,
and explain the purpose
and reason for the proposed amendments.
- Good evening, council, your worship,
members of the public.
My name's Nick DeBenedetti.
City of Niagara Falls
and we're here to discuss Official Plan
and Zoning By-law Amendment 2026-002.
Non-Profit Housing Corp.
Greg Olson.
stacked townhouse buildings
with a total of 99 dwelling units
located at 5961 and 6017 Valley Way.
And again, just in this area over here,
the area in blue is the location.
neighborhood map,
gives you the road network,
the current institutional use
and amenity areas.
And again, the area here
in green is the proposal.
look of the actual site itself.
There's Shirley Avenue here, Stevens,
there's Valley Way located here.
Again, the institutional use there.
There's a dead-end street over here,
which is Sidney Street.
And then there's the proposal
with the institutional use here,
dwellings in this location,
a couple of apartment buildings here,
and again, singles all along Valley Way.
Now the official plan indicates
designated residential
and is in the built-up area.
The official plan amendment is required
to increase the density from 75 units
to 92 units per hectare.
The residential designation,
dwelling units of all types,
catering to a wide range of households,
which includes this townhouse development.
Now the zoning by-law amendment,
the current zone is institutional.
it to an R5C density
in accordance with Zoning By-law 79-200.
And the proposal will include,
there's a number of parts and regulations
that need to be recognized.
The reduced minimum lot frontage
will be reduced from 30 down to 20.
minimum rear yard depth
from 10 down to 7.5 meters.
interior side yard width
to the west and east lot lines.
up the side yard setback
where the requirement is 5.5.
We're actually going to be increasing
the interior side yard width to the north,
which again, it's 5.5,
and the proposal will be at eight meters.
the height requirement.
So the proposal in this zone,
the typical height requirement is 19,
we're capping it at 11.
Furthermore, there's a parking standard
that's being decreased from 1.4 to 1.1
and then the maneuvering aisle
is increasing from 6.3 to 6.
So this gives you a proposed layout
of what's being contemplated on this site.
of Shirley Avenue here,
it's been purposely designed
to have a little of an angle,
and then there's a further access
that has been introduced off of Valley Way
to help assist in traffic.
here, it's the pinch point.
It's only at the 7.5 meters
and then actually the rear yard increases
along this perimeter.
here is at the six meters
where the proposal is 5.5.
No, just got to get rid of that.
over here is a six meter.
And then on the top here we're looking at
having the eight-meter interior side yard.
the side yard requirements
that what you typically would have.
There also is noted here,
Moloks in the islands there.
Those are the little round circles.
And they've indicated some snow storage
landscape area is being shown.
of what's being proposed.
Again, there's going to be the rooftop,
with a porch in the front.
There's a step up
and also an additional area on top.
This gives you the elevation drawings.
actually are limited
to the one windows as indicated.
the front perspective
and the rear perspective.
Now this is an interesting map.
Typically we're looking at what amenities
are located with this proposal.
So the area marked where the star is,
proposal's going to be placed.
And along, there are,
500-meter perimeter radius,
there are actually parkettes,
there, there's Huck Park there.
perimeter, there's a Stanford,
sorry, the Niagara Falls Lions Club there.
So there are close proximity
within a 500-meter radius of parks.
the general location,
Valley Way over here,
Stanford in this area.
There's some commercial nodes.
commercial plaza at Stanley,
and Valley Way.
which is a commercial entity.
There's also some commercial
where you have the bakery over here
and Scott's Variety over here.
There's also the institutional use
where the bank is up in this area
Morrison and Portage.
There's also obviously the healthcare.
Currently there is the hospital
in this location for the time being.
some health center use.
There's the medical building there.
medical building there.
station in close proximity.
And also looking at this,
Portage and Valley Way,
there are bus stops.
There's numerous bus stops
where the little yellow dots are,
stop just across here.
not even five minutes away.
There's a bus stop here at Scott Street.
here, right on Valley Way,
right in front of the institutional use.
bus stops in the location.
And there's the bus network
and also the bike network dashed in red.
So this, when you're looking at this,
perspective that where the star is,
in close proximity.
So moving to the public open house,
we had a meeting on March 18th
and there was comments
meeting from the citizens.
"Opening Shirley Avenue
generates traffic and safety issues."
According to the transportation briefs,
most of the traffic is anticipated
to be utilized on Valley Way entrance
rather than the Shirley Avenue.
to be reduced down to the 1.1
and there could be a potential spillover
onto Shirley Avenue.
completed a technical study
to modernize parking rates,
which again is being recommended
stacked townhouse unit.
study was not required
and spillover is not anticipated.
adjacent property values.
an infill opportunity
land use policies encourage.
Proposal will have 99 attainable units
allowing for adequate separation,
with adjacent properties
and using existing services.
The increase of traffic is minimal,
and over time the value of the properties,
mostly an increase in value.
The coordination of installation
of basically fencing along the perimeter.
of fencing will be decided
during the future site plan control stage.
Fencing is typically always a requirement
along the property line
with the requirement
fencing along the lot lines.
The privacy, noise, and lighting concerns.
The conceptual site plan has designed the,
basically to minimize overlooking
in the conceptual site plan.
There's no balconies are proposed
on the rear or the side elevations.
stacked town dwelling
maintains a minimum of 7.5.
And I indicated that at the pinch point
along the rear lot line.
Through the site plan control stage,
wood fencing, plantings
will be addressed and the applicant agrees
with the placement of the wood fencing
and additional plantings for privacy.
the City of Niagara Falls,
will be controlled under the noise by-law.
And again, the site plan control process
will review the lighting proposed
there is zero setback
and basically you're not going
to be emitting over the lot line.
enclosure that will be used
as indicated on the site plan,
putting the Molok system
areas on the site plan.
The potential pest disturbance.
The applicant will have best efforts
to make sure that it'll be minimized
for potential pest disturbance.
And during construction,
all debris will be cleared
to control any rodent activity.
Questions regarding city infrastructure.
Now the city has retained GEI Consultants
as the third party modeling
to evaluate the wastewater impacts
and propose on the townhome development.
The study concluded
will have minimum impact
on existing wastewater system.
on Valley Way and Portage
in relation to the regional trunk sewer
sophisticated capacity
and the 10-year design.
opening up Shirley and Sidney
if the old school site is demolished?"
The city has no current application
for the removal of the school site.
be reviewed on its merit
and any planning application, again,
involving a rezoning
of the public process.
are private amenity areas.
The location of the snow storage
was identified on the site plan.
Again, it would be carried out
for future property owners,
which would be basically
the condominium corporation.
If there's a heavy snow event,
we'll have to truck out the snow.
noted on the site plan.
plan will be reviewed
as part of the site plan control process.
And again, there's no amenity areas noted
on the rear of the dwellings.
Concerns about access going through
as a through route through Valley Way.
Through traffic from Valley Way to Shirley
due to the design.
not a straight access.
shows it as curvature.
The design, the layout,
and the private internal road network.
network is only six meters,
your typical local road.
The roadway is not as straight
and its physical design
convenient cut-through route.
As such, the Paradigm conducted
using the internal roadways
residents and the visitors
and additional signage can be placed
to make sure to deter this through access.
And finally, now there was a petition
of the consent application
that was done back last fall.
A member of the public requested
from the consent application.
The current proposal with the layout
and the access on the Valley Way
was not included at the time.
two different applications
and the members of the public at that time
to see the full layout
that's been proposed tonight.
zoning by-law justification.
The proposal conforms
and city policies,
intensification target
in the built-up area.
located near parks, transit,
local commercial amenities
as I noted on the amenity plan.
The proposed stacked townhouse dwelling
is a max of 92 units,
existing abutting residential
maintaining low-rise built form.
at the city's benchmark
of the attainable values.
selling all those units,
all 99 units will be attainable.
The rezoning.
is a site-specific R5C
with adequate rear yard buffer.
to add additional buffering.
reduction of the standard,
transportation requirement.
restricting the height down
from 19 down to 11
and we're blending in the roof designs
the surrounding neighbors,
which is achieving the compatibility
of the residential properties.
And the proposal contributes
to the neighborhood's housing options,
introducing a mix of unit types
the residential character
the scale development.
approve the official plan
located on Valley Way
to increase the permitted density
subject to the site-specific R5D density
for the proposed 99 stacked townhomes.
- Done? Thank you.
Questions of council.
Nieuwesteeg, Strange, and Lococo.
So Councilor Nieuwesteeg. Yeah.
Great presentation.
homes are on Shirley Avenue?
get a close-up view.
if you go up this way-
- to the corner.
No, Shirley going into like that.
- Well that, that would be Stevens,
up then that bends around.
is going to attach over,
like they can go off that way?
- Yeah.
will then connect to Scott
and then Scott will go on to Portage
and then this access at Stevens
would eventually go out to Drummond Road.
- But that little piece
like where it connects from...
- Yeah.
So how many houses are in that little...?
- That little area, you could probably get
four, about five in that,
in that little perimeter.
traffic going into Valley Way,
experience no traffic right now,
of increase in traffic.
- Well again, based on the Paradigm study
why they updated the study.
that the majority of the flow
Valley Way, which is 85%,
will go up this way.
- How did they know that?
- They did their studies. Paradigm.
Well, they're the traffic consultants.
They feel that the Valley Way is,
you look at the overall,
action is on Valley Way.
So if people want to go south,
they want to get onto the highway,
down to the Main Street,
down to that area,
coming off the Valley Way.
If you want to go north,
really, you're pretty much going
to the Meridian Bank down to Queen Street.
would come down Valley Way
would go up Drummond.
facts that they looked at.
totally agree with that.
But let's go back to the Valley Way.
that comes out of that.
there right now, right?
based on the site plan.
- Right here.
Yeah, they're going to have
right here where I have the dash-
- So there's going to be a legitimate-
- There's a road access.
saying access, is it a-
- It's a road. It's a six-meter wide road.
like it'll be a special road?
- No, no, that's an internal road.
You don't, it's not a public street,
it's an internal road network.
- Okay, so if I'm there,
can go out that other area
way out, going to Valley Way.
I guess I just don't see it the same way
as this Paradigm sees it.
to go that way as opposed to...
takes your shortest route.
If you want to go to the police station,
why would I want to go down?
and go down up Valley Way.
If you want to go to the south side,
why would I want to go up Shirley?
They're looking at,
route off of Valley Way.
Why would I cut up Shirley?
I'll go off of Valley Way.
They're always looking at the short,
everybody looks at the shortest route.
- I see the other way as a short way.
that traffic on Valley Way.
anyways, the way I drive.
But, so this is a real road that's coming.
It's not, you keep calling it access,
that's why I'm just so...
- It would be part of their future consent
that they would have an easement
connecting onto Valley Way-
- An easement or a road?
of having the road network.
- Okay. So I...
- It's a basic, the bottom line,
wide road connection
onto Valley Way.
- An internal road.
- Yes.
- Okay. All right.
Those are my two questions. Thank you.
you. Councilor Strange.
- Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
know we have two access points,
but you know, the one on Shirley
is going to be at least very disruptive
for the current residents.
They've been there for years
without having any through traffic there.
to be a potential problem.
Is there a way that we can use Shirley
as an emergency access
EMS, that sort of stuff?
And we've done it in the past
they do it as well.
as an emergency access
the road going in and out.
be a question for you
- Ms. Dolch.
- Thank you, Councilor.
are something that we consider
at certain times in certain situations.
In this case in particular,
secured for the south roadway.
- It's not secured?
- No.
this off as an emergency access
chain or bollards across
because, again, it wouldn't provide
that access at this point.
applicant's not intending
to secure that easement, but again,
it's predicated on the fact
be approved tonight
or will it be denied?
They may not have to go through
that extra step at this point.
and long-term planning,
we want to see every connection possible
to disperse traffic.
was saying, you know,
the easiest point of travel
its collector road,
it manages more volume of traffic,
it's easier to get in and out
obviously Shirley and out,
you have to wind through subdivisions.
So most people won't take that path
to going somewhere
in that area specifically.
And that's where Paradigm comes up
with their assessment and is probably best
here tonight on that.
But to close that access point,
a planning perspective.
So that would be my concern at this point.
- But we do have,
I remember in Chippewa
I believe we had the same type of thing
access and it was closed off.
And maybe even Chief Jo,
fire department as well?
- Thank you, your worship.
- Yeah, sure.
Zambito, or Chief Zambito,
terms of emergency access.
secured another access point.
an emergency access only,
I would have some concerns.
- Okay. Thank you.
Well, I guess we can hear from Chief Jo.
- Chief, I know Optimist Lane,
kind of closed lanes
for the fire department.
Mayor, to the Councilor.
I guess if we were to say hypothetically
in terms of planning
and it met all the conditions that staff,
terms of a site plan,
it is something that we have done
access in other areas.
So we could take a look at that for sure
for emergency services.
only if all the other areas
the easement, et cetera,
of all the city departments.
assuming hypothetically
certainly look at that
and find an alternative to,
or some sort of emergency access.
- Okay. Thank you.
report, it explicitly says
that the applicant requires an easement
over the retained parcel
perpetuity onto Valley Way.
In perpetuity means forever.
on the title of the land
at the Land Registry Office.
corporation sells the property
in 20 years from now,
the easement remains legally binding.
The new owner cannot block, alter,
or cancel that right of way.
- [Diodati] Yep.
- Through you to the councilor.
is no condition on the zoning
for that to be done.
an emergency access,
make sure it's a condition
that that easement be secured.
Otherwise, we would have no access
for this development.
- Go ahead.
Go ahead, Councilor. Yep.
- Yeah, just on that point, your worship,
I guess through you to Ms. Dolch.
So if the easement is not secured,
can the easement go away at this point?
Because we're being shown a plan right now
that has an access out to Valley Way.
that easement is not secured,
can that easement be deleted at any point?
Through you to the councilor.
That's correct.
Right now, obviously it's in the report,
there's no condition that that easement
be provided through this report.
So that's why I'm cautioning
if you do close up that access to Shirley,
you could potentially have an issue
that there would be no access point.
So either way, if the access was open
or if the easement is not there,
I would suggest that a condition be placed
as a condition of the zoning.
doesn't strike me as normal
when we're presented a plan
and then I guess I hear that
plan, that can change,
like the easement can go away.
So I mean, we're looking at a plan
that has access out onto Valley Way.
It is somewhat odd to say
that all of a sudden we could approve this
to Valley Way could go away.
- Thank you, your worship.
the original proposal.
no access out to Valley Way.
Obviously this has been added as something
to address the concerns raised
by the residents at the open houses.
now being suggested.
It hasn't been yet applied for though.
- Okay.
And I just want to say, your worship,
I tend to agree with the emergency access.
I can, I mean, yes, we did it in Chippewa,
yes, we did it at Optimist,
we also did it on Beaverdams,
we also did it on Mountain Road.
sites across Niagara Falls
where we've actually done that
where we have one access in.
the areas that we've done it,
they've been larger developments.
development actually has to be
before the Planning Department
requires a secondary access.
of that size and nature
where it would require a secondary access?
developments that we've done
that are just simple townhouse condos
and they're all attached
than a hundred units in them
one access in the node.
through you to the councilor.
in my opinion anyway,
it can't have one access,
sole access without a median.
a planning perspective.
So if one access point gets blocked,
if the firetrucks needs to go in,
they can go through the other access
on the other side of the median.
Again, still can have one access
but you put a median in between
to make sure you have another point of,
in case there's an accident,
but you have some barrier in between.
recommendation if that was the case
or a secondary access point.
Strange, you're done?
Lococo, then Dabrowski.
we're all on the same page.
We've talked to the same residents.
I was speaking to the chief today
and that was one of my suggestions
was about the emergency access.
if we look at that picture,
the one that says the one
that's at the far left, 5961 residential,
right of the green mark,
right where the road would be.
there's a house on that.
Is the house being removed?
I can't see online?
Like what am I not seeing there?
you look at a house
and there's no house on this.
to be to the left of that lot
or part of that lot?
- Through, chair.
right here. Is that the lot?
Yeah, there is a house on there. Yeah.
So for some reason
the mapping didn't catch it,
but there is a house there.
building right next to it,
but no, you are correct.
There is a house.
There is a house there.
- So...
over that 5961 property?
- No, this, let me get my bearings here.
Just hold on one second here. Sorry.
right now this is, sorry,
we were talking about.
This gives you the error photo.
Right here, there is a vacant area
looking at straight,
of it is the road access.
- Okay, thank you. That explains that.
approving a development
where we don't even have this access yet.
Originally when the proposal came,
it was just one access on Shirley.
expressed their concerns.
Now we have two accesses
and like Councilor Nieuwesteeg,
if I, can we go back to that one,
if I lived in any of those townhouses
there, I would go out that way.
I wouldn't go all the way down.
So to me, that's half of the development
and go out different ways
so you don't have to go down Valley Way.
consultant, Paradigm,
but I would go out that way.
about the emergency access,
and could we do that
because the wording in the report
actually says fire's preference
would be that the access from Shirley
regular access driveway.
Well that's their preference.
mandated or it has to be.
So that's why I was wondering
if we could do the emergency access.
So two things out of this
see an emergency access,
to approve a development
where we don't have the easement yet.
do something about that.
I'll put that on the floor
that the easement be taken care of first
before this, the development gets-
- [Diodati] So maybe we'll ask,
so we're not at that point yet.
to put that forward.
a conditional approval
subject to approval, an easement.
- Thank you, your worship.
is if you're looking at that,
that you would just put a condition,
if you were anticipating approval tonight,
I would suggest that the by-law be held
pending the successful easement
through Committee of Adjustment.
Because normally Committee of Adjustment
decision on an application
until they know the, in some instances,
the decision of council.
So I think that would be helpful tonight
with that condition added.
- Okay, thank you.
So I'll put that motion forward later
then the emergency access.
- Okay, great. Thank you.
Councilor Dabrowski?
Thanks for the presentation.
my house in the morning,
I go right, doesn't matter.
somewhere where I'm like,
"Oh, why did I go that way today?"
So we can all speculate on what-ifs,
a problem on Shirley Avenue.
discussion around the table.
Regarding the sunset clause.
If this development weren't to go
or if it were to go through,
but the development didn't break ground,
what happens to zoning permission?
- Thank you, your worship.
So there is some ability obviously
for myself to extend it another year
for them to come to council
to extend as well.
There's certain circumstances,
policy in place to do that.
But let's say for hypothetical sakes
that they're not moving forward at all.
There's no market issue, no nothing.
Then the zoning permissions
would revert back to what they were.
- Okay. Thank you.
further questions of council.
Thank you, Mr. DeBenedetti.
are advised that failure
submission at this public meeting
could result in the Ontario Land Tribunal
dismissing any referral that it receives.
anyone other than the applicant
the proposed amendments.
pre-registered speakers?
- Yes, your worship, we do have two
that are registered to speak
to the gallery as well.
And before we call on those members,
members of the public
this application or report
relevant to the subject matter
is before council today.
registered is Penny Clendennin.
- Okay, Ms. Clendennin.
well, we know your name,
got up to five minutes.
stay in that five minutes.
Good evening, Mayor, members of council.
opportunity to speak tonight.
My name is Penny Clendennin.
I reside at 5935 Stevens Street
in the Scott subdivision in question.
I'm here to share my concerns
who are all here tonight.
our continued concerns,
been addressed and brought,
they've been all brought up before,
quite address our concerns.
And also, just to go on record,
that there was a petition submitted.
have signed a petition
opposing the development
from Shirley Street.
city's built-up area policy
in this case.
of encouraging infill
and mixed housing types,
but the new development must still respect
the surrounding neighborhood.
The proposed stacked townhouse development
from the existing area,
which is made up primarily
of single-family dwellings.
We're also concerned with the intensity,
development being 99 units
in that compressed area.
It appears to be excessive,
leaving little green space,
parkettes and whatever nearby.
Green space, our neighborhood is known
with lots of trees.
That property line where Stevens,
or where Shirley is planned to be open,
that would be removed.
And that's what our neighborhood is,
one of our appeals of our neighborhood.
We feel that removal of those would affect
and environmental quality.
remains a concern of ours.
As said with the plan,
put into those roads,
to go out Shirley Street.
It just seems that way.
The fire department has mentioned that
preferred access point.
So why wouldn't everyone else living there
be their primary access point?
to reconsider at Valley Way
the only ingress, egress,
ingress, egress location.
The emergency exits,
I think we would all be fine with that.
the day-to-day traffic,
is, I think our biggest concern.
And other concerns we had,
and I still feel these are legitimate
to the concern to the project at hand
is that I'd like to just call into record
which are public record
and have a direct bearing on this project,
as well as the website
Regulatory Authority,
the HCRA.
2021 and '22 in the "Review"
and as well as the "Standard,"
and his past conduct.
- I would just caution you to be careful
area we don't want to go into-
- For libelous reasons.
- Yep. Okay.
It's public record.
would find the information.
messages, your email.
- So we appreciate that.
that would be, again,
aren't going to finish.
There are a lot of those in our city now.
We don't want one in our neighborhood.
report mentioned that they feel
that the property values would increase,
at some point in time
once our property values have decreased
because of this project.
In addition to the proposed price point,
it will attract investors of the project.
rather than owner-occupants.
Our concern would be with rental units,
Airbnbs, short-term rentals,
all of that that comes with those.
a quiet dead-end street
(alarm chirps)
where children ride bikes, play outside,
and gather safely with their friends.
change the character of the area
safety families now enjoy.
planning documents
once envisioned Shirley Street
extending into the planned area.
But those plans are 70 years old
and at that time
similar type of residences.
(sighs) personal point,
the impact that this is having
on residents in our neighborhood.
We're a peaceful, close-knit community
so special for us.
Many are now questioning
in this neighborhood.
lived in this community
for more than 50 years
created by this proposal
has caused a real concern and anxiety.
In summary, we ask council and city staff
the long-term impacts
on our neighborhood,
its character, its safety,
invested their lives here.
significantly revise this proposal
location protects Shirley Street
and protects and respects the concern
live, work, and vote here.
- Thank you.
can just, before you run away.
for Ms. Clendennin?
Okay. So I think we're good.
see if we can get an answer to,
you did make mention of vacation rentals.
Ms. Dolch can address that.
- Thank you, your worship.
So vacation rental units
would not be permitted in this area,
it is only permitted
in tourist, commercial, commercial areas.
rentals are permitted,
to be present on site.
- Where they would stay in with the owner.
- With the owner.
- Right, and I don't know,
short-term rental website.
I'll just ask how that's going.
manager of by-law is here today
tell you we've been blitzing
and shutting them down very aggressively.
if you want to address that
proactive with it now.
- Yeah, again, through the mayor,
we're actively blitzing the VRUs.
just started this week,
we have 72 that have been recognized
that we're addressing right now.
And we're continuing to monitor daily.
advertising, we go after them.
- Yeah.
So we've been very aggressive.
So I want, yep, you have a question.
Yes. Councilor Baldinelli.
- Just one question.
overhead view of this
and I see right now,
and I'm not sure if it's current or not.
They have garden blocks, garden beds?
community harvest garden
where people could grow,
they've been evicted.
- Oh, it's no longer?
- They're not operating this year.
it was their last summer
and they're not operating anymore.
community togetherness?
togetherness, the church.
bread food bank may have even
- So the non-profits-
the lots, nonprofit entity,
- Yeah.
- I'm going to keep saying non-profit.
And booted everybody out of there?
- Okay. Thank you.
Okay, thank you very much.
- Okay. Mr. Clerk.
presenter is Robert Ward.
- Mr. Ward,
if you can just state your address please.
got up to five minutes.
at 5952 Stevens Street.
And as most of you'll understand now,
opening of Shirley Street, okay?
Keeping Shirley Street closed
to change its landscaping
20 more lots for parking.
already over density.
this property of 1.08 hectares
is run between 47 and 75 stacked houses.
You can find this information anywhere
on the government sites.
city council can find it.
So by allowing it to expand by 20%,
right, from 75 to 90, 99,
and decreasing the parking from 1.4 to 1.1
is just against what your planning says.
We should not be so dense.
to have this assessment
or this reamendment done.
So by keeping the project smaller,
going to go ahead at some point,
provincial government
is demanding this to be done.
Infilling is what's going to happen.
We could keep this at a smaller project.
change the landscaping,
increase the parking back to 1.4,
keep Shirley Street closed,
have in many areas in the city,
especially a new one over on Portage there
behind St-Antoine Church,
units, one entrance, okay?
everybody is worried about,
Shirley Street opened up.
over by the Optimist Club
and all that.
Solves the problem, okay?
Downsizing solves the problem.
wanted for this thing.
like it's just there
than to fit into our area.
It's a very quiet neighborhood. Okay?
density is another. Right?
prevents a third throughway
from Valley Way to Scott Street.
everybody wants, right, so.
- Thank you, let me check if we,
yes, see questions we've got.
Councilor Patel.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
coming to the council chambers
and telling us what you are worried about.
And I'm with you.
My major concern about this development
is the access from Shirley Avenue
onto the Shirley and Scott.
Even if you have emergency exit,
it just closed with the gates or chain,
people can still park on the stairs.
just walk right over.
And I agree reducing parking
is something we are doing lately,
but our parking standards are seeing 1.4.
And I want to ask Ms. Dolch,
approve the reduced parking?
- Thank you, your worship.
Obviously if council chooses
parking, they could appeal.
to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
that our parking study
that's been recently done
by our transportation division
at 1.1 spaces per unit.
- So would we be able to see the study?
Would that pass down to us?
Because I was just wondering that
broader data from Ontario
from Niagara Falls data.
- Thank you, your worship.
that over to Mr. Nickel.
- Yeah, thank you.
Through you, Mr. Mayor.
surveys of similar sites,
apartments, multi-res units,
townhouse units to get a sense
parking demands are on site.
guide our new zoning by-laws.
will be coming forward
by-laws going to be updated.
We have successfully implemented that
on a number of applications
use proximity to transit
'cause we don't, you know,
we can't force everyone to use transit,
but if we want to encourage transit,
reliance on an auto vehicle.
- To that point, through you, Mr. Mayor,
data in consideration,
parking fines that issued,
was everything taken in consideration?
- Yeah. Through you, Mr. Mayor.
people survey actual sites
and some sites were close to transit,
some sites were not close to transit.
We had sites in Niagara, there were sites
Ontario that were included.
what the actual demands are
range, depends on demographics,
bedrooms in those units
and those sort of things.
But we have ranges
that were down below one space per unit.
Generally what this rate results in
is one car dedicated per unit
and that can be dealt with
of the purchase of the unit
and then one visitor space
or for every 10 units.
So that we know that
visitors all the time.
And if there are, streets like Valley Way
do have on-street parking
and so there are places in the community
when things overflow.
- Thank you.
The parking is a major concern for me
the holidays happen,
people have friends and family come over.
spaces for visitors
and other cars
will be parked on a neighborhood street.
So that will be a concern
in the development like this
and we avoid to go to their house
parking around there.
So that will be a concern.
That's my major concern as well.
it should be downsized,
keeps Shirley closed,
your parking by 20%.
we close the Shirley access,
if we don't really require that-
- [Diodati] Right now it's just questions.
questions of the presenter.
- Oh, oh sorry. After for your, thank you.
- Yeah, there'll be time for the dialogue.
Any other questions for Mr. Ward?
Okay, thank you very much, sir.
else registered? We don't.
other than the applicant
who wishes to address, come forward,
address, up to five minutes.
Try not to repeat 'cause we've heard,
don't close or don't open up Shirley.
so if you've got anything new.
- Well I just want to thank you, Mayor,
and to members of council.
live at 5122 Cabot Drive.
longest residents in that area.
And I just want to speak to the point
said the shortest route
would be Valley Way.
'Cause if you go out Shirley,
you end up at Portage and Morrison.
That is incorrect.
If you go out Shirley you end up at Scott,
which goes on to Portage.
So it's not very far.
So yes, if you go to Portage to Morrison,
you wouldn't want to go that way.
Shirley you go to Scott,
you can have a nice exit.
Drummond Road for 10 minutes,
you're not sitting at Valley Way.
So I just wanted to make a point on that.
- Thank you. Hold on.
Morocco? Any questions?
Okay, you're good, thank you.
Is there anyone else other?
Yes, if you'd like, step forward,
five minutes, try not to repeat.
Mayor, and council members.
I've never done this so hopefully,
can I go to, I don't know if I can scroll,
but the image of just our subdivision
with the houses, am I able to?
- Yeah, well they'll do it.
- Okay, thank you.
- I know the,
where it zoomed in a little bit back.
don't know what I'm doing.
I don't want to mess it up.
- Okay.
moved, where's my cursor?
home, 5134 Shirley Avenue.
I specifically moved to this area
with my three small children.
bit of a transition in life,
but I specifically moved to this area
because of this being a dead end.
A very quiet residential neighborhood.
Obviously it's been reiterated,
opened up for this reason,
but I just wanted to highlight
three, four, five, six homes
there are 15 small children,
sorry I'm shaking a little bit,
months old to 14 years old.
They all play in this area.
fear it's going to create
a significant safety concern.
So that's really all I have to say.
questions for our presenter?
No? Okay, thank you for that.
- I'm probably a little too nervous ever.
- Thank you.
- Anyone else, other than the applicant,
who wishes to address council?
you for all of your input.
Now council will now hear
or her representative.
members of council.
(Mary Lou whispers)
Oh, can we go back to our presentation?
We're, you're onto the next one.
- [Tech] Not that one? I did, sorry.
applicant's presentation.
- [Tech] Yep, I did.
- It's okay.
Well, while we're pulling that up,
my name's Rocky Vacca.
firm Sullivan Mahoney.
Tanner of NPG Solutions.
planner for the applicant.
So Mary Lou's going to be addressing
the planning merits of the application
raised by the area residents.
recognizing the work put in
assessing the application
applicant to make changes
compatible infill development.
you meets that goal.
the recommendation report
and accept all of the recommendations
as set out in the staff report.
So as you've heard,
the project includes 99 stacked townhouses
within six blocks.
the attainable threshold
of $567,574.
units being at $399,000.
That's all the units will be attainable.
On the issues of access,
be through Shirley Avenue,
as you've heard, and via an easement
Housing to Valley Way.
an agreement of purchase
and sale that secures that easement.
Committee of Adjustment
to be registered on title.
right to that easement
is closed for these lands.
You will hear that having only one access
leaving Shirley Avenue
as an emergency access only
to suggest, poor planning.
planning director, Ms. Dolch,
very difficult to finance
and to sell units to the public
through easement lands.
And that hasn't been addressed yet.
Studies that have been completed
supporting the development
include: a noise impact study,
assessment Phase 1 and 2,
archeological assessment,
plan, urban design brief,
a transportation brief,
full access to Shirley Avenue.
agencies and departments
do not object to the development:
Region of Niagara, DSBN School Board,
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation,
Six Nations of the Credit Union,
sorry, First Nations of the Grand River,
City's Fire Services,
expresses a preference
that full access to Shirley Avenue
be maintained for fire safety.
Urban Design and Landscape Services,
Municipal Works, Transportation Services,
which as you've heard,
parking spaces per unit
and acknowledges that traffic
Valley Way to Shirley Avenue
and vice versa.
GIS Services do not object.
professional expert consultant,
circulated agency or city department
objects to the proposal.
objections before you
residents, which I respect,
but the issues they have raised
investigated and signed off
by the experts including your city staff.
I'm now going to call on Mary Lou
to discuss the planning merits
and take you through the PowerPoint.
I'll be back with concluding remarks
the financial benefits
directly with the issue
access for legal reasons.
- Thank you very much.
name is Mary Lou Tanner.
NPG Planning Solutions.
Our office is in Niagara Falls.
So let's move to our presentation.
And I'm not going to propose
DeBenedetti shared with you
because there are some commonalities
time we can move forward.
of this particular air photo
in relation to Shirley Avenue.
would be a future severance
off of the broader parcel,
Way Non-Profit Housing.
The easement would also be provided
and Ms. Dolch said,
an easement that would have to be approved
by the Committee of Adjustment.
We fully intend to apply for those.
of Adjustment did request
position on the development
before we proceed with those applications.
that we are working towards.
Oops.
So Mr. DeBenedetti showed you
an air photo of the subject lands.
This colored visualization
just gives you a bit more context.
The subject lands are shown,
blue are institutional uses.
higher-density residential,
are lower-density residential.
the street network here
Way as well as Portage Road.
This is the proposed development.
about it this evening,
but just confirming this is the drawing
we are working towards
and the zoning by-law has been tailored
to this specific development.
Want to touch a bit on the issues
of affordable and attainable housing.
The anticipated sale price is $399,000.
the city's requirements
for both affordability and attainability.
sizes within the development.
families of different sizes.
This is the built form and massing drawing
that Mr. DeBenedetti showed you.
amendment is site-specific,
development at a density
stacked townhouse dwellings.
It's a very tight official plan amendment
and it would apply to the blue block,
which is the developable lands.
DeBenedetti touched on,
is Residential Apartment 5C.
I'm actually going to skip by this
have gives a bit more context
of where the variances are.
minimum lot frontage, this is,
it's required to be 30 meters.
are, it would be 20 meters.
We cannot meet 30 meters
frontage is at Shirley Avenue.
The minimum rear yard setback,
right in the orange box,
as Mr. DeBenedetti said.
point so it narrows down,
further along in the development.
Moving to the left-hand side
parking requirements,
discussion about those.
study is 1.1 spaces per unit,
which is what we're proposing.
aisle would be six meters
instead of 6.9 meters.
Six meters is quite common
and does work for vehicles backing in
in opposite directions.
And finally, the building height.
has a height of 19 meters.
reducing that to 11 meters,
which is generally consistent
with what a two-story house would be.
I want to move now to the public concerns
through the open houses
discussions with residents.
as Mr. DeBenedetti indicated,
there will be no balconies
on the rear side elevation
overlook from the higher units.
We have been requested
to include a 2.5-meter tall wood fence
and we're supportive of that
as well as additional landscape buffering.
All of that will be dealt with
through the site plan process.
With compatibility, stacked townhouses
form of development.
the request of city staff
to increase certain building setbacks
from existing residential homes
in the existing residential community.
And then making certain choices
that I'll share with you in a minute
Way as the primary access.
Mr. DeBenedetti indicated,
city's noise control by-law.
Parking, I've touched on.
there were no concerns
with the ability to service the site.
And increased traffic on Shirley Avenue.
So let's just share a bit more
than on that is on this slide.
Paradigm Transportation Consultants
are professional engineers
and traffic engineering.
Their data comes from Niagara Falls data.
They use data from across Ontario.
incorporates Niagara Falls data.
live in this community
about their travel choices.
So that is incorporated into their model.
will be six to seven vehicles
to use Shirley Avenue,
the peak traffic hours,
either in the morning or the afternoon,
which represents approximately 12 to 17%
of projected site traffic.
But we understand the concerns.
I mean, I don't want to say that we don't,
we do understand the concerns.
So in discussions with our client,
we really want to commit
Avenue as an access.
the curved nature of it,
and that will remain.
It is a six-meter road,
portion is eight meters.
We are going to put signs up
that indicate no through traffic.
side on our client's land
and we will ensure
treatment at the entrance.
So it really does not look like a place
Shirley Avenue will go,
"That's a street. I'm going to go there."
roads within the development.
the Valley Way access.
no-through-traffic signs up.
at the Valley Way entrance
an entrance to the development
and there'll be a warning clause
in the future purchase and sale agreements
main and preferred access
while Shirley Avenue is secondary.
Just want to touch on one other issue
that came up in questioning
related to the gardens that are on site.
Way Non-Profit are here.
Those gardens have been relocated
to the other side of the building
of their nonprofit.
access to community gardens,
but it's not in the location
that you would see on the air photo.
So in conclusion, this development
is in the public interest.
city staff, by agency staff.
The technical reports have been completed.
It does create new housing
and provides affordable home ownership
and attainable home ownership.
It implements intensification
on an underutilized parcel of land.
To the best of our ability,
and feedback from residents
Way as the primary access.
I should also add that our client did try
church lands to Portage Road
trying to do that.
That was ultimately not successful
Way easement approach
being brought forward.
Rocky, who will conclude.
- Okay, if we can go to the last slide.
assist me with that.
- [Tech] You have the use of the...
- Oh, sorry?
- Oh, okay.
Didn't know I could do that. Okay.
impact of the development.
charges and permit fees
would be $2,254,270.
would be $3,500 per unit
times 99 units.
Estimated construction costs, $35 million.
Construction labor hours anticipated
is over 200,000 hours.
income to our trades.
And again, the price of the units
will generally sell for $399,000.
financial benefits
to this project.
Now the complaint I often hear
is that projects get approved,
but shovels don't go in the ground.
And I think that's what led
provision you've been using.
I can assure you that's not the case here.
This developer has a proven track record.
Over 220 total units have been approved
region by this developer.
obtaining site plan approval
building on Stanley Avenue
that you approved several months ago.
You may recall that approval.
If approved, this will be built.
Moving on to the Shirley Avenue issue.
So you've heard Mary Lou Tanner's opinion,
planning director's opinion
that mandating Shirley Avenue
only is not good planning.
I want to remind you that the staff report
departments on this issue
do not support emergency access only.
Nowhere in any of the comments,
nowhere in your staff report
emergency access only.
department's comments
that Shirley access be open
and your Transportation Department
report and also confirmed
that Paradigm's recommendation
that it remain open ought to be followed.
So fundamental problem
emergency access only
is the ability to finance this project
and to sell units to unit owners
get mortgages to buy the units.
mortgages or had mortgages.
and say, "I want a mortgage,
I'm buying this new residential unit,
but the only access is through an easement
that is not owned by the developer,
it's not owned by the condo corporation
and there's no other access
because Shirley Avenue has been closed off
or is emergency access only."
to get is, "Seriously?
You want us to give you money
when there really is no legal access?"
It's an easement.
here, there's many cases
have been registered in title
and they've been removed from title
for various reasons.
So I'm telling you right now,
through an easement,
this project is not going to go anywhere.
And you're going to force us
Ontario Land Tribunal
because I've never heard
Ontario Land Tribunal
of a development where the only access
not owned by the developer
and not owned by the municipality.
So that's the lay of the land.
You're free to ask your city solicitor
if she agrees with that assessment.
about other examples.
Optimist Lane, Chippewa.
others in the city.
is, in all those cases,
there is access through a public road.
Optimist Lane, it's through Victor Road,
which goes right in front of my office.
Public access. It's a road, city road.
This is not a city road.
leading to the condominium,
condominium corporation
and not owned by the developer.
Chippewa, same thing.
through a public road
and that's why there is emergency access
through the other route.
So that is the major problem.
Now, I asked my client, "Have you talked
to the Valley Way Housing Corporation
instead of an easement?"
Not going to happen, way too much money.
deal with the easement
would satisfy planning,
which I believe it has.
And now he's been asked to go back
and consider having Shirley Avenue closed.
want to buy that property
just doesn't make sense.
This development is done.
So that's where that stands.
I think those are all my comments.
some of the comments
that were made by the public,
but I'd love to agree to have Shirley
if there was legal access
through a public road to Valley Way
condominium corporation owns.
Someone mentioned the development,
the Millennium Towns behind St-Antoine's.
That's my client who developed that.
I got that approval.
The density was much higher
than what you're looking at today.
Difference is it is a public road,
a private road owned by the condo corp
taking you to Portage.
getting financing to build it,
mortgages to buy a unit.
So that's the biggest problem.
That's the conundrum we're in. Okay?
available for any questions.
Mr. Vacca and Ms. Tanner.
Lococo, Dabrowski, Nieuwesteeg.
question through the mayor
will the development start?
said that it will start,
do you know when?
asking when it would start?
the same timeline as Stanley
- One year.
- Yep.
- One year for site plan.
at Stanley Avenue,
is we got the approval,
he immediately began doing the drawings
and the work for site plan approval.
So within one year he'll have approval
and shovels will be in the ground.
- Okay, thank you.
I guess my more difficult question,
we could talk to our legal,
that we can go in-camera
can our legal give us
some information right now?
- In-camera?
- Yeah, well, depending on the question,
we can ask our solicitor
if it's something she can answer in open
or she'll need to go in-camera.
Did you want to ask her the question?
- Yes.
Further to what Mr. Vacca said
owned by the developer
and it's not a public road,
that there would be issues with financing
and that sort of thing.
So, and I know Ms. Dolch said that maybe
best planning argument.
does say fire preference
Shirley be maintained
as a regular access driveway.
at the word preference.
Usually it's mandatory or required
and I thought maybe it was a little bit,
but now we hear different information
that it's not the property,
property and it's not a road.
So I would like some legal advice on that.
- So Ms. Punyarthi, so the first question,
if you agree with the statement
going to be a challenge
if they don't own it
or the municipality doesn't own it,
access easement agreement.
Is that something you can answer us here?
- Through the chair,
it sounds like a question for legal advice
could address in open council.
- I'd like to put
a motion forward that we go in-camera
and receive legal advice.
asking to speak. Yes.
- Yeah, just for efficiency.
Maybe put all the questions out-
- save any other legal ones.
to go back and forth.
- Thank you.
questions in the meantime?
- That was it?
Dabrowski, then Nieuwesteeg.
- Yeah, through you.
subject to an easement
within the municipality,
maybe we can get that answer after,
to this development.
to Mr. Vacca's point,
is it a safety or operational concern
talking about the mortgage,
those answered in-camera
or I'll give planning staff an opportunity
to look into that address and others.
- Okay.
- Just by way of clarification,
address you're talking about
- Yep. Yeah.
- And if there's others.
- Okay. And Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
Question to Mr. Vacca.
You made a comment that they can't afford
to buy the property, the easement road,
but that kind of leads me to the question,
are they able to afford this development
afford to buy a road?
And to Penny's point,
we don't want to have a development
that gets started and can't finish.
about the financial ability
not able to even buy a road,
their project to go through.
- So the scenario is, a deal was made,
an agreement to buy the lands.
And with an easement,
the Committee of Adjustment,
he then had to pivot back
I buy the property instead?"
So basically when that happens,
how do I put this politely?
Somebody has you over the barrel.
They know you need this
and the price given is based on the fact
that you're desperate and you need it.
So that's where we're at on that.
And I'm not going to disclose a number,
expensive strip of land
for roads to cross that I've ever heard of
in the city of Niagara Falls.
- So it's really not fair in this church
or in this community that's selling.
Okay. No, that's good, thanks.
- Thank you. Councilor Pietrangelo.
- Thanks, your worship.
you to Mr. Vacca as well.
once the easement is in place,
for other than access?
- Well, the easement will be for access
or condo corporation
once it's formed.
Problem is, all easements
and requirements,
and that's where you get into some issues
the provisions in the easement.
A new buyer comes in.
Not-For-Profit Housing
but down the road,
property, there's a risk.
And I can give you cases
have been removed by a judge
in cases where there has been breaches
gray areas in the easement.
That's the concern.
And when you go to a bank
and say, "You know, I want to build this,
it's $35 million of construction,"
and they say, "Okay,
well what's your legal means of access?"
"Well, I have it through an easement
that goes to Valley Way."
"So you don't own that property?" "No."
own that property?" "No."
"So basically you're at the mercy
it, that at any point in time
can challenge the easement?"
And that's going to tell the bank,
"Yeah, I don't think we want to do this."
And even if they do get financing
and you're looking to buy a unit,
in that circumstance
where the only legal access,
and if you make Shirley emergency access,
will be to Valley Way.
are not owned by the city,
not owned by the condo corp.
to an easement agreement
that gives you the right to use it.
And you know how agreements go.
get deleted from title.
So, and I'm sure
addressing those questions-
- In-camera.
land would be financial.
- Yes. That's the only reason.
- Thank you.
- Councilor Patel.
to Mr. Vacca. I think.
the property gets sold
and the easement agreement
gets denied, declined, or gets canceled,
then Shirley Avenue becomes
the primary access to that development.
Is that true?
become primary access.
When the approval makes an emergency.
- That's the only access would there be.
No. In the future.
- It will,
our staff is saying
Shirley Avenue access open.
open, an easement in the future,
when the property gets sold
and that agreement gets canceled,
then Shirley Avenue becomes
the only access to the development.
- Yes. Yeah, that's right.
it, you can get a mortgage
that will never go away.
It's a public road.
Whereas relying on easement lands
as your only means of legal access
is not going to get you anywhere
for financing and for selling units.
- So having an easement, we're not really
answering all the concerns we have
about traffic going through Shirley.
So you kind of just answered the question.
If the property gets sold,
becomes a primary access.
- I'm not saying if it gets sold-
- it automatically,
try and challenge the easement.
will have to happen, yes.
Probably very slight.
But when you go to a bank
and say, "Well yeah, you have an easement,
it'll never go away.
But if it does, we've lent money to you
longer has legal access."
putting helicopter pads,
access to that house legally.
- Thank you.
- Councilor Dabrowski.
it might be to staff.
So to Councilor Patel's point, if we left,
access open only on Shirley
and we left the easement the way it is
as the main focal point of access
if one day down the road
the easement was removed,
could we reverse that emergency access
to open it up to Shirley?
- Mm-hmm.
Thank you, your worship.
Yeah, that would be up to council.
You'd have to bring it back from,
- Thanks.
- Okay. If there's no further questions,
so what we're going to do folks,
in our committee room.
be in there for 15 minutes.
If you have to go to the washroom,
it's a good chance, smoke break,
and we'll resume right after
we get our legal questions answered.
- Call to vote on that.
folks, Councilor Strange.
Seconded by Councilor Lococo.
we're going in-camera.
Thank you. Thank you for that, Bill.
- [Clerk] Three.
- Well everyone, welcome back.
We just concluded going in-camera
to get legal advice from our solicitor
once again in open session.
So we are prepared here for council.
Any questions that you have at this point?
Councilor Lococo.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
One question that came from a resident,
on page five of the agent's proposal,
sale price of $399,000,
the affordability rate.
Is that just showing us
would be in Niagara Falls?
That's not what they're selling them for.
what I'm getting out of that?
- Thank you very much,
you to Councilor Lococo.
The affordability rates in the chart
are what the city has set
in terms of its housing impact assessment
requirements for applications.
- But it's not the value of the homes.
it was the value of the homes,
that you're selling it for $399,000.
That's not it.
It's $399,000, that's what the value is
criteria is the $567,574.
- Thank you very much.
- Okay. Any other questions of council?
- Yes, Councilor Patel.
- Through you, Mr. Mayor,
there was one concern about the fencing
from one of the residents.
eight feet tall fence.
two and a half meters,
board wood fence, yes.
through the site plan process.
- They'll build a privacy fence there?
- Thank you.
further questions of council,
the public meeting
with respect to the proposed official plan
amendment is now concluded.
I'll go to Councilor Lococo.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
I propose the recommendations
that are on the proposal with an addition.
must secure permanent access
to a public road being Valley Way
to support the development
as per the applicant's traffic study
and that access to Shirley Avenue
be used as an emergency access only.
second by Councilor Dabrowski.
Do we have any discussion to the motion?
Okay. Seeing none, we'll call the vote.
All those in favor? Okay.
And that's approved unanimously.
appreciate your time today.
understands what happened?
Okay, great. Thank you.
Appreciate your patience.
Is it the same one? Okay.
the next item on the agenda.
is now being convened
to consider a proposed amendment
Plan and Zoning By-law
to permit the construction
apartment dwelling
with 57 units at 6104 Garner Road.
Notice was given by first class mail
Planning Act on May 22nd, 2026,
the property in question.
In accordance with Bill 185,
or a specified person,
owner of any land
amendment and by-law will apply
at a public meeting
or written submissions to city council
the official plan amendment
and/or passage of the by-law
may appeal the official plan amendment
Ontario Land Tribunal.
no longer permitted.
- Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
I'm now going to call on Chris Roome,
to explain the purpose
and reason for the proposed amendments.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
council and staff,
and any area residents.
Thank you for joining the public meeting
for the official Plan and Zoning By-law
file number AM-2025-033
for the property at 6104 Garner Road.
submitted by Maria Nguyen
official Plan and Zoning By-law
rezone the subject lands
to facilitate the construction
of a six-story residential apartment
containing 57 residential dwelling units.
the east side of Garner Road,
are surrounded by commercial
and residential uses to the north,
dwellings to the east and south,
and agricultural lands to the west,
which are the location
West secondary plan area.
designated residential,
apartments along arterial roads
75 to 100 units per hectare.
This application proposes a density
of 150 units per hectare,
official plan amendment.
development holding zone,
accommodate future development
zoning by-law amendment.
new site-specific R5E zone
to permit an apartment dwelling
with site-specific provisions.
Staff at this time are also recommending
the inclusion of a holding provision
servicing report
satisfaction of city staff.
Should a new FSR be submitted
coming back to council,
which has addressed staff's comments,
from the amending by-law.
proposed site layout.
the north side of the site,
allowing for parking on the south side
and into the rear yard,
Garner Road and Angie Drive,
the front and the rear yard,
private ensuite balconies.
The requested site-specific provisions
depth of six meters,
center line of Garner Road,
a rear yard depth of 8.74 meters,
width of three meters,
1.14 parking spaces per unit,
a maneuvering aisle width of six meters,
a minimum landscaped open space of 33.2%,
and a canopy projection of 3.02 meters.
depicts the renderings
elevations of the building.
the architectural treatments
the building materials,
break up the building mass.
a clear relationship
and the building itself
distinct sense of place
through its orientation and detailing.
hosted by the applicant
and their agent on April 2nd, 2026.
open house was circulated
within a 120-meter radius
of the subject lands on March 19th, 2026.
attended the open house
and concerns were raised
the Shapton Crescent area,
light trespass, and sidewalk extensions,
the following response.
With regards to drainage,
responsibility of the applicant
to address the existing drainage issues,
staff are aware of this issue
and have noted that the sanitary sewers
the Angie Drive subdivision
are still under developer maintenance.
from these drainage concerns
the existing conditions.
Stormwater from the area will be conveyed
management facility
property, which is expected
for this development.
With regards to light trespass,
a photometric plan will be required
with the site plan control application.
there is zero light trespass
at the property lines.
sidewalk extensions,
a 1.5-meter sidewalk is proposed
along Garner Road abutting the site.
at the site plan stage
of the applicant to install.
has already been extended
towards Garner Road.
The proposed development conforms
and city policies
as it is transit-supportive,
of a complete community,
and will assist the city
in meeting its intensification targets.
urban land consumption,
efficiently use underutilized land,
existing municipal services
traffic impacts expected.
multiple housing dwelling
contribute to the diversification
of housing supply within the urban area
as prescribed by the 2024 PPS
and regional and city official plans.
As such, staff recommends
official plan amendment
to re-designate the lands
to permit apartment dwellings
with a density of 150 units per hectare
a development holding zone
to permit the construction
of the six-story apartment building.
And that council authorize the inclusion
in the amending by-law
to require the submission
of a revised functional servicing report
to the satisfaction of city staff.
the amending by-law
to require the execution
within three years
of the amending by-law coming into effect.
presentation for this application.
Questions of council?
Councilor Lococo.
Through the mayor to Mr. Roome.
the industrial BVGlazing.
We've had this discussion before.
This report and the last report said
that BVGlazing is a class 2 industrial
said it was a class 3.
So my concern, the comment on the report
says it's not expected to infringe
permits or nearby businesses,
but we know from the past,
when there's a complaint,
has to deal with it.
And then that onus is on the business.
Do you have any comments?
this class 2 designation?
mayor to the councilor.
Land Use Compatibility Study
designated it as a class 2.
And further there was, if you're familiar
the north of the property,
the same designation as well.
on those two studies.
provide a study this time
or did we rely on the last study?
provided a study this time
- Okay.
So this study says class 2 again?
Again, I'll put it out there,
like we need to have a better system.
I don't think it's fair or accurate
developer's consultant
on an industrial business
they know what they're doing,
how much noise they make,
they're a different class.
that we can deal with,
closer to industrial,
we have these competing interests.
yes, we want residential,
but when the two of them are colliding,
we end up with issues.
So I hope we don't get any issues.
- Maybe we'll go to our planner.
I mean, do we get an independent peer?
have their own motives
for the different classification.
case? How do we decide?
- Clue me in.
- So usually we evaluate their study work,
we assess whether we agree with the fact
it was a class 2 facility.
We do vet it a little bit.
to a peer review situation.
In this case, we haven't,
at this point in time.
So we haven't gone to a peer review.
required, we could do that.
We've done it in the past.
something we automatically do.
It's something if we've raised concerns,
adding up in their reports
or not making sense,
beyond what we can do.
- Okay. Thank you.
I did send the report to the owner
and they didn't get back to me.
I guess that says they're not concerned,
so we'll just leave it at that.
- Thank you.
council for Mr. Roome?
at this point. Thank you.
Members of the public are advised
oral or written submission
at this public meeting
could result in the Ontario Land Tribunal
dismissing any referral that it receives.
anyone other than the applicant
the proposed amendments.
anybody registered? No.
other than the applicant
who wishes to address council?
now hear from the applicant
or his or her representative.
Mayor, members of council.
My name is Ethan Laman.
Upper Canada Consultants.
I do have a presentation prepared,
but I think in the interest of time,
I'll forego the presentation
answer any questions.
- Okay. Sounds good.
of council for Mr. Laman?
- Laman.
- Same thing. good enough.
- Okay. I think we're good.
answered. Thank you very much.
Where are we here? Here we are.
All right.
to the proposed official plan
amendment is now concluded.
Councilor Dabrowski.
without any recommendation.
- Okay. Seconded by Councilor Baldinelli.
motion? Seeing none.
All those in favor?
Okay. And that's approved unanimously.
Thank you gentlemen. Thank you.
Okay. Back at you.
Thank you, Kira.
You don't have to go. You can stay.
I actually kind of prefer you.
- You're less noisy.
- No chip bag.
- No chip bags crunching.
- That too.
No flatulence, you know.
(councilors laugh)
- Okay. She let him get away with that.
- He smelt it and dealt it.
- Oh, don't worry. I'll pay for that.
Yes, so, Mr. Clerk, so we've got some,
do we need motions for deferral
on a couple of the issues on the agenda?
- Yes. So 9.1, 9.2 are a couple of matters
that, just like last meeting,
Kerrio was curious about
and in his absence,
hearing from this council,
entertain a motion for deferral.
by Councilor Dabrowski.
- And 9.5 as well.
the other one, right?
- Yep. We can do 'em all in once.
- Okay. So 9.1, 9.2, 9.5.
Motion by Councilor Dabrowski,
seconded by Councilor Strange.
we'll call the vote.
All those in favor?
Okay. And that's unanimous.
So we will move on to 9.3. So-
- I'll move the fee waivers, your worship.
- Okay, motion by Councilor Pietrangelo,
to move the fee waivers.
Any discussion to that? Councilor Lococo?
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
You know, I look at these fee waivers,
we need to come up with a better system
different categories.
fees, some that are labor,
and then some that are rental amounts.
And we've already exceeded our budget.
Like they're all things
that are coming back to the community.
things for the community.
Some are very small, some are larger.
challenge with this process
time, it's coming in August.
We're already over budget.
And I know we've talked
about doing something different before,
but I just have a challenge with this
and I'm not even going to get
we're going to approve them all.
They're just very different.
And I think we should have different ways
of approaching them
money out of the city's pocket.
It might be some labor cost, permit cost.
Yes, there can be some labor,
but like for example, the convention sign,
it is city property.
is the cost of a permit?
So, you know, I really think we need
to do something different
like it's a free-for-all.
Everybody's asking the city for money
and they're all good causes, and...
- Well, the other one is,
some of them are opportunity costs.
firefighters, I mean,
you know, using the ball diamonds,
you know, I mean I know it's hard
to monetize and quantify some of these,
an accounting practice
more than anything on a lot of them.
the value of what they were.
actually costing the city.
we rent it to somebody else?
Are we losing that opportunity?
If it's a permit, how much staff time
actually goes into that permit?
Convention Centre at $6,574,
$6,574 worth of labor?
That's where I'm getting at.
won't be up as high
budget if the real costs,
that's what I'm trying to get at.
GM of planning here
and see if, well, you can answer this.
(councilors chuckle)
there's fee cost studies
and there's usually cost.
when you're renting,
just because it's a rental
doesn't mean that there's not cleanup,
janitorial costs, garbage.
When we host a baseball tournament,
out there doing that.
Permit fee for a sign,
we have engineers reviewing that.
We have our people reviewing that.
think it was two years ago
showed what is our cost
to process all those things.
So those are true costs.
And you know, like I'll just be blunt,
in the five years I've been here,
down one of these things.
system would be better.
We are just being very clear with,
this revenue each year
for these things.
I'm happy for the next council term
if there was a suggestion,
but like I said, at the end of the day,
of these turned down.
So I'm not sure any system
would result in anything different.
- Okay.
brainstorming session on it
know where to go with it.
I don't know what the answer is,
you're looking at them.
And now that we're the third,
what is, so this is the third time, March?
No, this is the second time. June.
There's one more coming
and we're going to be over budget again.
realistic on our budget?
- Okay. Yeah, well that's the other thing.
the budgeting part, you know?
I've got Councilor Patel, then Dabrowski.
- That's okay.
we talk about the budget
for this fee waiver applications,
a major chunk went into the YWCA's
building permit applications, I think.
And that's a one-time occurring cost.
So next year it will not be there.
happy to support that.
coming from the reserves,
put everything together
giving away per year.
budget is not an issue for me
of these organizations
are doing a great job
and if we can support them in some way,
I'm really happy to support them.
that. Councilor Dabrowski.
- Yeah, I share the same sentiment.
I'm wondering if looking at the expenses,
but they're fee waivers,
so they're not necessarily hard costs.
that says hard costs?
a slo-pitch tournament,
organization's looking for.
or expense to the city.
'Cause the way I look at it,
especially the Convention Centre sign,
a rolling billboard of events
that are taking place in the city.
revenue generation there.
that, if that makes sense.
that Convention Centre sign,
strictly fees, not hard cost?
who wants to answer that.
The assistant GM?
- Yeah, and I can refer,
review the plans for that.
So there's a plan review for all signs.
So when someone wants to post a sign,
it has to go to our Building Department.
They have to review it.
drawings that we look at.
that go back, back and forth.
And that's why the fees are based upon
does it take to review a sign
with the same fee.
So in all these, a road closure,
it's just a road closure,"
but Mr. Nickel will say
that he's got staff out there on overtime,
the stuff, you know,
and then picking the stuff up.
If there's, I'll put it this way,
all our fees in the city,
100% of our cost back.
In most cases, our fees lose.
I don't charge enough for hockey,
for a baseball field.
I don't charge enough.
So when I'm putting a fee there,
that's what would've been paid.
at that fee to begin with.
just losing more money.
- No, no, it's an actual cost.
Like I get $40,000,
well actually this year is higher.
I think it was $67,000
our parks and fields,
of thousands of dollars
to cut the grass and do all that stuff.
to say it's hypothetical.
there and maintain stuff.
to review applications,
we have staff that have to do that.
And when someone comes in,
and I just, like I said, I'd be careful
because when I put a building permit in,
and someone's paying it.
I don't want someone coming and say,
"Well, it's a hypothetical fee."
fee. It's a real fee.
And it's fine, like at the end of the day,
this is transparent for what it is.
And if you go over budget,
to go over budget.
In certain cases we have to transfer this.
So for a planning or building fee,
I have to take it from my levy
and put it into that reserve
because I can't just wave that revenue
because the planning and building
has to be sustained on its own.
So the fee has to go over.
for the Chippewa Arena,
it's right pocket, left pocket.
I'm taking it from one reserve
and moving it over to rec and culture.
But when it's planning and building,
it's no different than a water levy.
the money over there.
to take it from levy
to put it over to DCs.
- Well, I understand that, but I don't,
again, back to fee waiver
for the slo-pitch tournament.
- There's additional costs
- Yeah.
- That's right. Yeah.
we put extra staff on.
So even that cost is low.
- So why don't we show the real,
like why don't we show the true,
I'm not saying it's not the true number,
it might make it a lot easier
to turn down specific.
out exactly what the cost is.
- Yeah, like on rec and culture,
we can put some more to that.
dollars for a tournament,
that on salaries for that day.
I'm not even forgetting about, you know,
whether I could have rented the field
to somebody else or whatever.
It's, I don't want to spend more money
to tell you what the actual cost is
money out of it anyways,
to be quite frank.
- But we're already over budget
we're even more over budget.
- Okay.
- Any other questions?
Nieuwesteeg, and Lococo.
- Actually, according to my math,
I don't think we're over budget at all
because if we take out the two anomalies
to us at that last minute
wouldn't look like that.
And the Falls Manor, it really shows
that we have $17,144 under budget.
So, 'cause in normal times
those things wouldn't have been there.
'Cause the fee waivers are usually,
all the other ones that are consistent.
we're not over budget.
took those two anomalies.
is a big concern at all.
- Thank you, Councilor Lococo.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
I have a different perspective on that.
Maybe take out the YWCA,
'cause that was something different,
but RibStock, technically they should have
which was now filled out.
So they are part of that process.
But I wanted to talk about
Development Fund Grant.
So $70,000 every year is given
to the recreation and culture
for arts and culture applications.
And people have to put in the applications
what these applications are.
You're putting sort of a business case,
where's your money coming from?
I know we asked for budgets,
didn't even give a budget.
And I've brought this up before.
the proper applications
with the proper information
and we're giving a lot of money out.
more requirement on their end
to fill out the proper paperwork.
We're giving a lot of money.
So, you know, if you look at
Cultural Development Fund,
there's a whole process that goes,
there's a committee that looks at it.
I'm not suggesting a committee,
application process.
You're outlining the business plan.
It's a more fulsome application.
So I just wanted to look at that as well.
- Something we can definitely look at.
- Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
other municipalities
a no direct staff cost rule
state that the city
rental or permit fees.
Direct costs like staff overtime, set up,
teardown, security or paid officers
are completely non-waivable.
It must be paid by the group.
And then they have financial disclosure.
Groups are required
financial statements
or the specific event budget.
If an event is heavily sponsored
or the group has deep reserves,
the waiver's scaled back or denied.
what I was getting at.
- Yeah.
like, you know what I mean?
We're not supplying staff for that
or clean up or anything like that.
Like if it is, they have to cover it.
- Yeah, I agree with you.
- So what are your...
- And that's,
is that what you were meaning?
- That's what I was referring to.
I was saying we're listing the fee waiver.
listing the hard cost
cleanup and the staffing.
- It's actually paid by them.
don't see that number.
It'd be nice to see both numbers
to us looking for relief,
responsible for this much
and you'd be on the hook for the rest
with the same sort of proposal
a lot different as well, so.
- [Strange] Can we bring something back?
Actually can staff bring back?
that part of the motion.
So Councilor Pietrangelo made it,
and who seconded it, Mr. Clerk?
- Oh, Mike did. Okay.
ask the guy next to you
if he's willing to add that to it?
- Okay, great.
And are you agreeable to your idea?
- Okay. Good.
budget time, I think, Paul's.
- Yeah, that's fine.
- Okay, perfect.
- Yeah, of course. Let's ask Mark
room rental fee for 2026,
the Pathstone Mental Health,
funding from our budget.
So how is this different from that?
- Say that again.
- For Pathstone Mental Health,
there's the room fee waiver here.
- And we do give them
some amount from our budget
when it comes to social services, correct?
- Who wants to address that one?
- Yeah, so they've asked for a fee.
They rent our boardroom, I believe.
community room too upstairs.
was an agreement that-
- they came to council,
of the location downtown
to that location and, you know,
reduction in fees for that.
occurring every year?
- Most likely it will.
to the grant altogether,
would that make sense?
to increase that budget,
remembers correctly,
that came before council.
- Right.
- Because the social services budget,
that, has been frozen in time.
Ms. Clark for a decade.
- At least.
- At least a decade.
up, frankly, with this motion
to look at some other items.
- Yeah, that'll be good.
I think that's...
- Thank you.
- Okay. Yes, Councilor Pietrangelo.
- Thanks, your worship.
Is the motion with the amendment,
to approve the fee waivers.
Is the amendment to not allow staff costs
to be paid by the city?
Is that the amendment?
- I've taken that we come back
and look at a new policy in the new year.
So I said we would bring that
through the next budget process
Strange's concept
hard costs are not waived.
That rental costs are eligible for waiver.
for staff cost for an event.
But that would be for the next council
to decide as part of their budget process.
- Okay, so just so I understand,
like Women's Place comes down,
we give 'em to Gale Centre every year.
there's a rental fee for the ice,
but I'm sure that that rental fee
would include staffing costs.
Would the thought be that they would have
to pay the staffing costs?
- I don't know.
I'd go back and take a look
municipalities are doing that
recommendation at budget.
- 'Cause I just think that
I would like the city
help them out anyway.
- Yeah, and I would say that
we're very deliberate in the wording
that we put on these motions
that we give council the choice to deny,
to do in part, or to accept.
council is 0 for 5 years
on choosing door A or B.
It's always been door C.
- All right, okay. Thanks very much.
(councilors chuckle)
seconded. Let's call the vote.
All those in favor?
Okay. That's unanimous.
Thank you. Okay, where are we now?
We just, we're on 9.4?
Or 3? No, 4.
Yeah. 9.4, right?
- Okay.
So 9.4, schedule a user fee update
for vow renewal ceremonies.
Councilor Dabrowski.
- Yeah, looking at the four options,
align with current market trends
and offer our residents a discount.
So if I had to weigh the four options,
forward to move option two.
seconder for the motion?
Second, Councilor Strange.
motion, Councilor Lococo.
- Sorry.
I wanted to approve the recommendations
that were there with option one.
- Well there's already
- I know that's my discussion.
what I wanted to approve.
So I won't approve option two.
- I liked option one.
- Okay. Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
at option one as well
because in the report, when we look at it,
it says basically this is a market
that is very highly price sensitive.
for regular ceremonies,
our volume has decreased by 50%.
So I think that's telling us in itself
that if we're going to offer this service,
we got to offer it to the price,
obviously, price-sensitive,
that's looking at this.
- Any other discussion to the motion?
vote. All those in favor?
Okay. Opposed?
Okay, so that passes, four-three.
Next is nine-
- That's a pretty good math for you.
'cause I have 10 fingers.
I can do that.
What? Okay, wait a minute.
9.5, we've already deferred. Okay.
9.6, 2026-27 insurance renewal program.
seconded by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
- Sure but I have a comment.
- Yes, but you have a comment. Yep.
Mayor, to Ms. Punyarthi.
that it covers directors,
so the BAOs, the BAOs?
The BIAs have director's insurance.
city's insurance policy?
- Through the chair.
I have our risk manager, Ms. McQuay here
and she can answer questions.
- Sorry, I didn't see her.
- Through the chair to the councilor?
under the city's policy.
director's insurance,
but you don't need to do this.
- Director's insurance is different.
coverage separately.
- Yes.
- You're welcome.
- Okay. All right.
All those in favor?
That's approved. Thank you very much.
with Ontario Utility Locates.
- With recommendations.
- Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
Patel. Councilor Lococo.
- Quick question.
Resident asked, what is the,
it says partial acquisition by HoldCo.
What is the percentage that that is owned?
assistant GM of planning.
- Yeah. We own 33% of the corporation.
- Okay. Any other questions?
Seeing none, will call the vote.
All those in favor?
That's unanimous. Thank you.
9.8, McLeod Road reconstruction.
approve the budget amendment.
- Move the recommendation.
- Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
Second by Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
- I just got a quick question.
- Yes. Councilor Patel.
Quick.
- Through you, Mr. Mayor.
I'm sorry, Mr. Nickel.
Is this being proactive
construction is happening
and we are changing the water,
meaning is that being proactive?
it would be proactive.
There are active developments
on all edges of this development.
We are now a little bit further along
in the development planning,
so we know the size and type and location
the upcoming contract
to go out this year.
is being reconstructed,
is it going to be a little cheaper for us
because it's already happening?
will be more cost effective
and it will limit disruptions.
If we were, you know, the alternative is
developer at a later date
or by the city at a later date
and it's going to disrupt the sidewalks,
the road, the curb and everything else.
- Okay, thank you.
do we have the motion?
I can't remember now.
Yes? Okay.
We will call the vote. All those in favor?
Okay. That's unanimous.
Thank you.
9.9, PBD-2026-28, Bill 119,
and Communities Act.
Two recommendations.
Yes. Councilor Lococo, are you moving it?
- I'll move it. And I had one question.
- Okay. Let me just get a seconder.
Councilor Patel, second. Okay.
general question for AMPS.
fine them through AMPS,
do we give them notice
something wrong, stop it,"
and then fine them?
Or do we just fine them?
touch with me the other day
getting parking tickets anymore.
sent to them in the mail
they had a parking ticket.
through AMPS now too,
is that correct?
- So we can go to Mr. Gallagher
that for that report.
- I don't believe that to be true.
I believe that they are being enforced
and receiving a ticket for it.
a little bit further
and confirm for you.
- Okay, thank you.
And for this, for all of AMPS,
do we give them a notice first
and then the AMPS outside of parking?
- Through the mayor.
Traditionally, we will go ahead
notice to make them aware
complying with the by-law.
And then we will go ahead and enforce it,
unless it's a repeat offender,
to the AMPS program.
- Okay. Thank you for that.
We'll call the vote. All those in favor?
All those in favor? Yes.
That's unanimous. Thank you.
We go to consent agenda.
- Move consent again.
- Okay, before we do that,
lifted before we do that?
No? Okay.
Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
we move the consent agenda.
All those in favor? Okay.
And that's approved. Thank you.
And then we go to communications
and comments of the city clerk.
that council approve
and support 11.1 through 11.5.
that? Councilor Baldinelli.
Seconded by Councilor Patel.
All those in favor? That's approved.
Let me just quickly read what they are.
Flag raising request
Week, November 19th.
Hepatitis Day, July 28th.
National Coaches Week,
September 14th through 20th.
Flag raising request,
Independence Day of India, August 15th.
And proclamation and flag raising
for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
That'll be for September.
comments of city clerk.
receive 12.1 through 12.6.
Anyone want anything lifted?
Yes. Councilor Lococo.
- 12.5 please.
- Okay. 12.5.
the Recreation Committee,
presence at city events.
some of the discussion
Accessibility Committee
accessibility committee,
what Shania brought about the Green Team,
what Councilor Patel talked about,
be working together.
So when, when I saw that I thought,
you know, we should be working together.
We're all working in silos
some similar projects.
So maybe we can do
Committee be part of things,
but maybe look at opportunities
together at different times.
Maybe not all the time,
but with some of the same events.
sense to have a booth.
at community events,
- Yeah.
And the Accessibility Committee
is having a booth at the Canada Day.
So there was a whole process
of what they had to do to get there.
So maybe we can streamline the process,
that people can go.
and maybe refer that to staff,
committees can integrate
and have other opportunities.
got her hand up. Yes.
it's through the mayor.
welcome at any event
and we do encourage committee members
to attend and volunteer as well.
open door right now.
any committee, so that's fine.
- Okay. Thank you.
make that referral motion?
by Councilor Baldinelli
that we refer 12.5 to staff
for further input, feedback.
And then now is there a motion
for the remainder of the correspondence?
by Councilor Baldinelli.
Then that'll be 12.1 through 12.6.
All those in favor?
Okay. And that's unanimous.
ratification of in-camera.
Mr. Clerk.
- Yeah. Thanks, your worship.
Council did meet earlier today
to go in-camera.
is that council direct
that the city enter into a lease
Volunteer Fire Department
for a portion of the lands and building
known as 1120 Sodom Road
with various terms and conditions,
including annual rent
in the amount of $32,343 plus HST.
the mayor and clerk
to execute that lease agreement.
- Okay. A motion for, so we need to...?
- Motion for ratification.
Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
There's no discussion.
All those in favor?
Okay. And that's unanimous.
Then we've got motions for consideration.
So Councilor Patel, you have one there?
- Yes.
- Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
The motion for consideration
is enhanced washroom facility
and Naisbitt Parkette,
Ramp and Naisbitt Parkette
are among the city's most heavily used
waterfront recreation areas
serving residents and visitors
kayaking, picnicking,
recreation, and community gatherings.
And whereas residents have raised concerns
regarding the availability, accessibility,
facilities at the site.
that council direct staff
enhanced washroom facilities
and Naisbitt Parkette,
modular, self-contained,
washroom solutions,
staff report back to council
with options, cost, and recommendations
on the most appropriate
solution for the site.
As I mentioned before, when I was there,
during the long weekend.
from lots more people.
And I know a couple weeks ago
when we were at the trade show,
we saw some very inexpensive options
for the washrooms for the parks.
knows about some options too,
staff to come up with a report
and recommendation to see what we can do.
- Okay.
- I will have to get a seconder.
- Yeah, we've got Councilor Dabrowski
has agreed to to second that.
- Let me just send,
do something here.
Give me one half a second. Okay.
going with my computer.
I can't close that out.
seconded. All those in favor?
Thank you for that.
business, first of all?
Patel, Councilor Lococo.
brought to my attention
a rain barrel program.
I'm not sure if we ever had them before.
- We do?
- We used to. Yep.
- Oh, I know somebody contacted me
has a rain barrel program,
- They copied us. Yeah.
- Yes.
- We used to have it. Yes.
still have it though?
Mr. Nickel can speak to it.
We just didn't have a lot of uptake on it.
the contact I got for this.
St. Catharines had, we do not.
why I want to bring it in
new business to see what we,
free, there was still a cost.
People just didn't want to pay for them.
- I got two.
- No, you, maybe you can.
some context to Councilor.
At a point in the past,
bit more of a new product
and people were looking to implement them
to help offset the cost of watering,
driving up those costs.
We did reach, and most cities reached
what I'll call a saturation point
a rain barrel for low cost
kind of got one
on marketplace and things
and they were being sold at our expense.
So what some municipalities have done
third-party delivery agents
like rainbarrel.ca
and they'll bring the program to you
host it at a city facility.
- And that's an option.
Some municipalities will provide a subsidy
if you submit a receipt.
Those are some of the various options.
At this point though,
paying any city dollars
to offset those costs
we have combined sewers
and we know that we can
connected downspout.
to taking a report back
wants to pass a motion on.
the calls coming in my office
eager about rain barrels.
- Thank you, Mr. Nickel.
we can have maybe options
tree giveaway next time.
don't want to spend money
when you said rainbarrel.ca,
we have them come there.
If people want to buy it there
giving away the trees,
then it is environmentally friendly.
come in just the same time
and have a counter or table there to them?
- [Nickel] You refer it to Jeff Karachi
and then he can bring forward.
- Okay, perfect. Maybe I can help.
Kathy can take care of it.
- We'll take Kathy. Sure.
- Okay. Thank you.
uses his for a cold plunge.
Yeah. He uses it for, yeah. (laughs)
- For his one leg.
- Yeah. Yeah.
Okay, so Councilor Lococo.
- Just one quick thing.
the RFP for the Ferris wheel.
I know that the Let's Talk page went up
so our residents are giving input.
on Facebook as well,
and I've had some messages.
about the Ferris wheel? (laughs)
- Not today.
We've been in council,
anything if there was any-
- Yesterday, was there anything?
haven't gotten any updates.
They typically wouldn't until it closes.
- And then-
ideas back, so I don't know.
- Oh, yeah. Yeah.
So yeah, so I haven't heard anything.
I don't know. I have no updates.
today was the RFP deadline,
coming in on July 9th
are not going to be for nothing.
the strong deadline.
time to have some input.
- Yeah. Yeah.
So, and again, that's Parks.
- I know, I understand that.
they're really relying
on us to say something.
- Yeah. Yeah.
speak in favor of it.
So anybody, well, one person.
Yes. Councilor Baldinelli.
for next meeting on MAT tax,
actually received anything
like an update on the STAR system
and what we currently have.
Oops, sorry, Mona.
STAR? Oh, the STAR, yep.
- The STAR system. And what's going on.
And geez, now I spilled the water.
I forgot I was going to say next.
all over Councilor Patel?
- I do that often.
that'll be it for now.
(Diodati laughs)
- Sorry about that, Councilor Patel.
(attendee chatters)
Yeah. No, you did.
Any other new business? Okay.
adjournment. Councilor Nieuwesteeg.
Seconded by Councilor Dabrowski.
- Oh, the by-law,
- Wow!
- Wow. My apologies.
- Well, the water threw you off.
- It threw me off. Yes.
- Motion by Councilor Pietrangelo.
second, and third reading.
Seconded by...
- I'll second it, but 060 has to come off.
Commissioner report by-law.
And we didn't...
- Yep, yep, yes, absolutely.
with obviously the removal
of the Integrity Commissioner by-law.
All those in favor?
Okay. Thank you.
Councilor Dabrowski.
Second by Councilor Patel.
All those in favor? We're adjourned.
Thank you everybody.