[3:59] Okay. Good evening, everybody, and welcome to tonight's council meeting.

[4:08] I'm going to call the meeting to order and ask

[4:10] the clerk to do a roll. Call Mr. Clerk.

[4:25] Adopted law. All right. Beginning with Councilor Balashak. Present. Councilor

[4:32] Burrows. Present. Councilor Sharapeta. President. Councilor Maritius. Here. Councilor Nivevin?

[4:40] Present. Councilor O'Connor. Present councilor bizarre is online. Present. Deputy

[4:50] lord marwiens. Present. And I'm here. Thank you. Next item

[4:56] of business is our focus statement. I will ask councilor

[5:00] Maritis to read that for us. Councilor. We begin this

[5:04] meeting by acknowledging that the land in which we gather

[5:07] is the traditional, highly significant spiritual place of the Anishnabi

[5:13] and the Hodeno Sony peoples, many of whom continue to

[5:17] live and work here today. This traditional gathering place is

[5:24] covered under the Upper Canada treaty and is within the

[5:26] land protected by the dish with one spoon. Wampalm agreement.

[5:31] We meet to serve our community. To use our resources

[5:33] wisely and well to represent all members of our community

[5:37] fairly, to make decisions that promote the common good as

[5:42] people for centuries have. Gathered in cities, towns and villages

[5:45] to create and share wealth and well being. So may

[5:49] we in Niagara and the lake, with our natural and

[5:52] historic heritage, our villages and farmlands. Are flowing creeks and

[5:55] vibrant culture. May we flourish in this town, the place

[5:59] that we call home. We recognize our responsibility to the

[6:02] past and future and the rights and needs of both

[6:05] individuals and community. As trusted public servants. We will focus

[6:09] on our deliberations and on our efforts here today. May

[6:12] we act wisely and well. Okay. Thank you, councilor. Let's

[6:18] ask everybody to rise for the playing of O Canada.

[6:33] Power home and native. Land. To face. With love. In

[6:41] all of us. Alive. With flowing what we. See. I.

[6:51] Do want. To see. From. Wide open. We stand on?

[7:02] The. Land. Lord.

[7:37] Okay, next item. Adoption of the agenda clerk. Any updates

[7:42] to the agenda recorded? We have two changes. One is

[7:46] a request to add a delegation to the agenda by

[7:48] Tom Richardson. Sullivan Mahoney re review of special events. And

[7:53] there is a mover and seconder. For that, it would

[7:55] require. A two thirds vote. Also a request to withdraw

[7:59] for a separate vote, recommendation 7.2 of the municipal heritage

[8:02] committee meeting minutes and that pertains to. 766 four mile

[8:07] creek road municipal heritage register. Two items, so we'll deal

[8:12] with the first item. First one is a request for

[8:15] a delegation. It's moved and seconded, so let's put it

[8:18] on the floor for discussion. Discussion for members of council

[8:22] councilor Maritis. Thank you. Through you, Lord Mayor. The chair.

[8:28] I'm just wondering. The legal. I don't know what I

[8:31] can say. In public realm, the ramifications. Of. Council. Are

[8:38] you looking for assistance with some legal advice? So if

[8:41] you were looking for that, you. Would want to perhaps

[8:44] ask to go on camera for a discussion about the

[8:45] item. Yes. So I'll go to the clerk. I think

[8:49] that would be require mover and secondary. Direction to go

[8:52] on camera, is that correct? You would need direction to

[8:55] add that to the existing closed session agenda. Yeah, that's

[9:00] a good idea. So. We could take this item. And

[9:05] kind of defer the decision to. The agenda to go

[9:09] in camera and some input from that in camera. Is

[9:12] that what you would want to do? Yes. I can

[9:15] add that. I think what I'm hearing is like, the

[9:18] councilor would like to. Add this to the in camera

[9:22] session, and then that would effectively. Defer the decision for

[9:27] the agenda to be changed until after we rise. Is

[9:30] that correct? Correct. And then when we come back into

[9:32] open, we can continue. Can you have a seconder for.

[9:35] That. Councilor Tropida. Okay? Let's discuss that discussion on this

[9:42] item, Councilor O'Connor. Thank you to you, Lord Mayor. My

[9:47] question is. I also on this issue of special Vince.

[9:55] I would like to have a discussion on the policy

[9:57] section. That's, I think, appendix two. Or something under the

[10:02] bylaws because council did not yet approve the policy. Can

[10:08] I back up? Cancer. So we're actually discussing a motion

[10:11] to add an item for. In camera do you have

[10:13] another item? You have another item? Well, I wanted to

[10:14] know if that would be included or not. If you

[10:17] want me to do it separately. And then just help

[10:19] me understand. Are you looking to have that included in

[10:22] the encamera? Discussion? No. Okay, so that's what we're. Looking

[10:26] to add it to the agenda. Yes. I would like

[10:30] to. Come back to you. Right now we're discussing councilor

[10:33] Marvitis's motion. To go on camera speakers to the motion

[10:37] to go in camera. Seeing that councilor Waynes. Try again.

[10:46] Sorry. We're going to discuss that first in camera and

[10:49] then come out because. We still just helped. The way

[10:57] that this would happen, and the clerk can correct me,

[10:59] is this. We would add this. Particular request to the

[11:02] agenda in camera we would discuss all our items. Agenda

[11:05] in camera we would rise and then come back and

[11:08] deal with the adoption of the agenda, Mr. Clerk. I

[11:13] think that's the way we would do it. Okay. Makes

[11:17] sense, so. Call the question to go in camera for

[11:20] that particular item so that item will be added all

[11:22] in favor. And any opposed, so that's carried so. A

[11:29] lot of that. Okay, so other items prior to the

[11:33] other one. Other items? I believe you. Had one. Councilor

[11:36] O'Connor, you go ahead. Yes. I wanted to through you,

[11:41] Lord Mayor, ensure that. We had an opportunity somewhere here

[11:46] to discuss. The finalized policy of the special events because

[11:53] we did not, as a council, prove it, and I'd

[11:55] like to have an opportunity to discuss some of the

[11:58] items in there, so I don't know how to put

[12:00] that on the agenda. Because I know you don't want

[12:02] to do it under bylaw. No. So I think you're

[12:04] asking about an item that's. Part of the minutes from

[12:07] committee of the whole. If I'm not mistaken. Right. Which

[12:10] ones will those be? Clerk. Those would be. 7.3, I

[12:14] believe. I believe so. Arguably ahead of me. Yeah. So

[12:17] basically, councilor. Yeah. That item is an item that's in

[12:20] the minutes from committee of the whole. I know. That

[12:24] our rules ask that you bring it up ahead of

[12:27] time. Has that item been requested to be left there?

[12:31] Mr. Clerk, she's certainly been in that. Conversation or request

[12:35] about it. So we'll make sure we do that. So

[12:38] when we come to that item. We'll lift that particular

[12:40] minute and then it can be discussed. At that time.

[12:45] Okay. Thank you, Councilor Burrows. Another item, council? Yes, well,

[12:49] that one and one. Other. I had put in a

[12:53] request in time. For it to be added to today's

[12:59] agenda, both on those same minutes. One. On the heritage

[13:05] committee and one on events, and I believe that's what

[13:09] we have here. So let's. Consider that. So those will

[13:13] be items that we'll add to the agenda. And so.

[13:17] That would be those two items. So, Mr. Clerk, we

[13:18] just want to clarify that and we'll make sure we're

[13:21] going to move her in second or for those two

[13:22] items, so. Then we'll vote on that. So that's done.

[13:24] So actually, what we will be doing is removing item

[13:28] 11.1 from the committee, the whole planning in general minutes

[13:31] for a separate discussion as well as. Item 7.3, which

[13:38] is out of 16. Point. Sorry. I'm trying to do

[13:44] this all for memory out of. 16. Out of 16.1

[13:51] to be withdrawn and voted on separately as well. We

[13:54] don't. Actually have to have a mover on that because

[13:57] it is part of the procedure. The clerk tells me

[14:00] that we're good to go. Councilor Burrows, is that comfortable

[14:02] with that? Thank you very much. Okay. Any other items

[14:07] for the agenda? If not the next item that we'll

[14:12] be doing. Is. Well, declarations of conflict of interest or

[14:17] any declarations of conflict of interest. Seeing none. Next item

[14:21] is our discussion to go and close. So we added

[14:23] the item. So Mr. Clerk, can I get a mover

[14:26] and seconder for the motion? Councilor burrows and councilor. Bell.

[14:29] Thank you, Mr. Clerk. So just moved by councilor Burrows,

[14:34] seconded by councilor Balashak, that council convene. In a closed

[14:38] session at 05:13 p.m. to consider matters that qualify under

[14:42] the Municipal act. Section 239, 2d labor relations. Or employee

[14:50] negotiations, including communications necessary for that purpose, specifically regarding the

[14:55] 2025 compensation review and matters related to litigation or potential

[15:00] litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals affecting the municipality or

[15:04] local board. Okay. Thank you for that. And it's moved

[15:08] and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor? And any

[15:13] opposed that's carried. So at this point, we'll ask you

[15:17] to clear the chambers and we'll go on camera and

[15:19] we will let you know when we arise. Back and

[15:22] open. Thank you very much for your understanding.

[1:56:35] We're back in open session and. We do have some

[1:56:40] motions to deal with. Can we get a mover and

[1:56:43] seconder for the motions? Councilor Nizan. Councilor. Balasuk and Mr.

[1:56:48] Clerk to the first item. First one is moved by

[1:56:52] councilor Niven, seconded by councilor Balashuk, that. The proceedings reconvene

[1:56:57] in open session at 06:52 p.m. and that council approved

[1:57:00] the allocation of funding for the compensation changes through the

[1:57:03] funds identified with an allocation of $283,128 to be transferred

[1:57:10] to the tax stabili. Stabilization reserve from the 2025 budget,

[1:57:14] funded from WSIB rebates and surplus and unspent operating initiatives

[1:57:19] that council direct staff to develop a total compensation policy

[1:57:23] and performance based compensation plan for. The nonunion employee bargaining

[1:57:28] group staff to return to council with a recommended policy

[1:57:31] and plan. For implementation in 2027 to support consistent employee

[1:57:36] development, accountability, and organizational effectiveness and that council direct staff

[1:57:41] to implement the recommendations resulting from the 2025 market review.

[1:57:44] Consultation for the total amount of. $557,825 that is fully

[1:57:50] funded by reallocations within the approved 2026. Budget and recommendation

[1:57:55] number one. Okay, thank you. Any discussion? I call question.

[1:58:00] All in favor? Any opposed? Seeing none. Next item. Next

[1:58:09] item is moved by Councilor O'Connor and seconded by Council

[1:58:12] Bros. The agenda. Be amended to allow an agenda delegation

[1:58:15] from Tom Richardson, Sullivan, Mahoney re review of special events,

[1:58:19] and this would require a two thirds approval. So the

[1:58:22] first vote is two thirds to set. Aside our bylaw.

[1:58:25] And then the next one would be to change the.

[1:58:29] It's actually within our. So just for a clarification, it's

[1:58:33] all just one vote, so I'd. Be required two thirds

[1:58:37] majority. And so the motion is that we. Add. The

[1:58:43] delegate to our agenda. So, any questions? Just before we

[1:58:48] call that one? Any questions, councilor? Weeds? Not questions, but

[1:58:52] a comment. And the one concern I always want to

[1:58:57] have. All of our residents have the ability to speak.

[1:59:00] So I'm low to ever not allow somebody to vote

[1:59:05] to come to speak, and I'll allow Mr. Richardson come

[1:59:07] to speak. The concern I have is Mr. Richardson. Is

[1:59:12] arguably the best municipal lawyer in the process, so let's

[1:59:16] not keep. The comments to not personal. This delegate that

[1:59:22] wants to come before us and thank you for. Is

[1:59:29] well familiar with the rules of what's happening, and so.

[1:59:35] The concern I always have is last minute changes to

[1:59:37] agendas. There was two weeks because of Roma. Last week

[1:59:42] there was two weeks between the one meeting and. This

[1:59:45] meeting. Where agenda delegations could have come forward and information

[1:59:49] could have come forward. And I got emails late last

[1:59:53] night and today. I was prepared for the last meeting,

[1:59:57] and the delegate had the opportunity at the last meeting

[2:00:00] to delegate and for whatever reason, did not. I'm going

[2:00:03] to vote to allow him to speak. But the concern

[2:00:08] I have is somebody with a vast amount of experience

[2:00:11] and knowledge and expertise. And municipal law. It concerns me

[2:00:17] that I found out about it today. Thank you, Councilor

[2:00:20] Burrows. Recorded vote, please. Again. I recorded votes requested. Councilor

[2:00:25] O'Connor. Yes. Thank you. In my opinion, because we do

[2:00:31] not approve the policy for special events permits. It should

[2:00:36] have come back as a discussion item or report on

[2:00:40] the agenda, which would have given any delegate an opportunity

[2:00:45] to redelegate based on the final report. And this is

[2:00:49] why I'm putting this forward. So, councilor, I would actually

[2:00:52] disagree with you. The report was a report that was

[2:00:55] presented to the committee. Of the hall two weeks ago,

[2:00:58] debate would happen. Presentations were made public, meetings were had

[2:01:03] committee made. A decision. Yes. Committee made a decision. No.

[2:01:07] Mr. C. O. Can you please confirm there was a

[2:01:09] report with committee decision. I can have the clerk read

[2:01:15] what the recommendation was. That was approved by committee. I

[2:01:21] think the salient partner Council direct staff to finalize the

[2:01:24] proposed special events policy and bylaw, including completion of the

[2:01:27] list of community sponsored events and to bring forward final

[2:01:31] versions of the policy bylaw. And permit fees for approval

[2:01:35] at the subsequent council meeting. Correct. Okay, so just clarifying

[2:01:39] your statement. Go ahead, councilor. To bring forward the policy

[2:01:44] for approval. And in order to approve it, we need

[2:01:48] to have a discussion because it had to be finalized.

[2:01:51] First. So it wasn't the original policy. It was to

[2:01:55] finalize policy, which we haven't. Had a chance to discuss

[2:01:58] yet. Okay, well, thank you for your comments. We did

[2:02:01] discuss. The committee, but I appreciate your remarks on that

[2:02:03] point. Next speaker. Any other comments, councilor? No. Councilor. You've

[2:02:09] already spoken. Any others on this one? Record. A vote

[2:02:14] was requested. So we'll get the clerk to do the

[2:02:16] vote. Mr. Clinton. Would you like me to reread the

[2:02:20] motion? Sure. The agenda be amended to allow an agenda

[2:02:24] delegation from Tom Richardson, Sullivan, Mahoney re review. Of special

[2:02:28] events, beginning with councilor Burrows. Yes. Councilor Balashak. No, Councilor

[2:02:35] Sharapata. No, Councilor Maritius. No, Councilor Niven? No, Councilor O'.

[2:02:43] Connor? Yes. Councilor Vizari? Yes. Deputy lord marine? Yes. And

[2:02:52] the Lord mayor. No motion fails. Okay, so, Mr. Clerk,

[2:02:58] that leaves us with the balance of the agenda to

[2:03:00] be adopted. Yes, we have a mover and secondary already.

[2:03:04] Let me get back there and see. We do not.

[2:03:08] Okay, I need a mover and secondary for a balance

[2:03:10] of agenda, councilor. Niven councilor tropoda into questions. Councilor O'Connor,

[2:03:14] I just want to. Make sure that I get to

[2:03:16] discuss the special events policy lifted from the minutes. Thank

[2:03:21] you. Thank you for confirming. There are questions on the

[2:03:24] agenda. Seeing question councilor Maritis. Did 15.2. We amended the

[2:03:31] agenda to separate. 15 point. Yes, we made that. Okay.

[2:03:37] Thank you. Just wanted to confirm. Call the question. All

[2:03:42] in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. The motion is adopted.

[2:03:48] The agenda is adopted. Pertinent. Making sure that would bring

[2:03:58] us to page five. Council on committee of the whole

[2:04:07] minutes. Seven point. One to 7.8. Can I remove her

[2:04:13] and second her to put these on the floor? And

[2:04:15] we'll do the council drop it up. Seconded by councilor

[2:04:18] Niven and. I believe. I'll let you read it out.

[2:04:21] And I think we had the one separate, so go.

[2:04:23] Ahead. Yes. So. I've made provision to allow item 11.1

[2:04:30] from the committee of the whole planning. In general, to

[2:04:32] be voted on separately. So the motion would read that

[2:04:35] the minutes of following meetings be approved. Special council meeting

[2:04:38] minutes January 15, 2026 special council minutes closed session January

[2:04:42] 15, 2026. To remain private and confidential. Committee of the

[2:04:47] whole planning and general minutes. January 13, save and accept

[2:04:49] item 11.1 to be voted on separately. Committee of the

[2:04:53] whole planning in general. Minutes closed session January 13, 2026

[2:04:57] to remain private and confidential. Council workshop meeting minutes, January

[2:05:01] 13, 2026 council minutes, December 9, 2025 counci. Council workshop

[2:05:07] meeting December 9, 2025 council minutes closed session December 9,

[2:05:12] 2025 to remain private and confidential. And speakers is councilor

[2:05:16] Burrows correct. Thank you, Lord Mayor. And further to my

[2:05:21] request this morning. With the clerk. Out of the committee.

[2:05:26] The whole item 7.3. I had also requested that 6.2

[2:05:31] Heritage district plan CDS 26 six. Be lifted as well.

[2:05:45] I think we have that. Listed. Under the heritage committee

[2:05:51] meeting minutes of January 14. When those committee minutes come

[2:05:55] forward, Come forward in the agenda. Councilor Burrows, when we

[2:05:59] discuss the MHC minutes. That's where those minutes are.

[2:06:10] Thank you, Lord Marin. That's not what my direction was,

[2:06:13] however. I guess we're going to vote on 7.3 separately

[2:06:17] anyway. So I can. On item 11.1. In the minutes

[2:06:26] of 7.3. Correct. Thanks. Okay, so basically, now we have

[2:06:31] a motion for the balance of items except for 11.1.

[2:06:35] Second. I thought we did. Councilor Nivin and councilor Tropoda.

[2:06:38] Thank you. Other questions. On the balance, all in favor?

[2:06:45] And any opposed. Those are carried and then to save

[2:06:49] and accept item 11.1. Wish to speak to that councilor

[2:06:54] Connor. Thank you. Through you. Lord Mayor, there are some

[2:07:03] things that. I still am not clear in my mind

[2:07:07] with regards to. The special events permit. I think one

[2:07:11] of the most important things is. That we have hid

[2:07:16] off a whole section of special events permits that no

[2:07:19] longer apply because the land use zoning or site specific

[2:07:23] zoning apply. I guess I am concerned in part with

[2:07:28] what are we going to do and how are we

[2:07:30] going to deal with them. For instance. I know that

[2:07:35] this is being put forth so that we can enforce

[2:07:39] the special permits. What kind of enforcement powers does this

[2:07:45] give us now that we didn't have before? The question.

[2:07:50] Through to Director Plato, Chief, is that correct? Thank you

[2:07:54] for the question through the Lord mayor. Just to clarify,

[2:08:00] we're asking what the new bylaw enforcement powers within the

[2:08:04] new bylaw. Provider. So that just for clarity. That's correct,

[2:08:07] chief. The new bylaw in itself actually provides us. With

[2:08:14] the ability. To. There's fees, there's amps, pieces related to

[2:08:18] it, so somebody has to come. In actually apply if

[2:08:21] they're not applying properly through the bylaw, we have the

[2:08:25] ability to deny at that point if the event continues,

[2:08:27] or our amp provisions letting us actually to enforce in

[2:08:30] that capacity if they're not complying with the way they

[2:08:33] said they're going to do it. Timeline is extended, not

[2:08:35] potentially within what we've actually said. They can do. So

[2:08:38] where the current policies right now don't permit us to

[2:08:41] really pursue. It in that capacity. Right now, it's just

[2:08:43] a policy that we have to pursue. Okay, so Amps

[2:08:48] does not apply now and no other enforcement. Tool can

[2:08:53] now be used. So. If this gets asked, then we'll

[2:08:57] be able to use. Okay. Thank you. Okay, good. Now.

[2:09:05] What about? For the events that are under the site

[2:09:10] specific zoning. Do we have any tools to enforce those?

[2:09:13] Now or is that something that needs to come forward

[2:09:16] later, or how is that being done? Thank you for

[2:09:18] the question. Would that be to the planning director? No.

[2:09:24] The newly minted planning through the chair. Thank you. I'd

[2:09:26] like to redirect. To director Plato. Thank you through the

[2:09:30] Lord mayor. Anything that is currently within zoning that would

[2:09:33] be permitted all of our regular bylaws apply at this

[2:09:36] point. So that is how the enforcement of those happen.

[2:09:41] And then even just actually on last week's, agenda. There

[2:09:43] were a couple additions to property standards and noise and

[2:09:47] lighting and of other couple enhancements that we've made that

[2:09:49] have actually increased that ability to be able to apply.

[2:09:54] Two special events that would. Well, I guess I wouldn't

[2:09:55] technically be called a special event. Just things are permitted

[2:09:58] within zoning to be happening within property. So, yes, we

[2:10:01] have the ability to enforce within the current bylaws that

[2:10:04] we have at that point. Okay. Next question deals with.

[2:10:09] I asked staff. About all of the various. Regulations. And.

[2:10:19] Does one take precedence or the other? Or how are

[2:10:21] they going? To be enforced, such as building fire safety

[2:10:25] or any other town regulations. And I was told that.

[2:10:30] They would all be enforced. But then. I read somewhere

[2:10:34] on line 54. Says the provision which establishes the higher

[2:10:39] standards shall prevail. So, do we have a hierarchy? Of

[2:10:44] these standards for regulations or bylaws, or are they all.

[2:10:51] Applied equally. Thank you for the question, Mr. Cao. Thank

[2:10:56] you. I'm going to redirect it. I'm just waiting to

[2:10:59] see. Whether director Plato. Or deputy clerk. We're working to

[2:11:06] get the best source of information for you. Yeah, we're

[2:11:08] good. Okay, so director Plato can speak to this. Again,

[2:11:15] thank you for the question through Lord Mayor. So the

[2:11:18] provisions on the way, that would come. Through is depending

[2:11:20] on again. What the. Mainly relating to safety is kind

[2:11:24] of the angle that I would be taking on it.

[2:11:26] It's the building code and or fire code. Both had

[2:11:28] a provision, building code and fire. Code aren't 100% in

[2:11:32] synced all the time, so whichever one then prevailed or.

[2:11:34] Had, the strongest clause that we could apply would be

[2:11:38] the one that prevailed in a certain situation. I don't

[2:11:41] have an exact example for you, but. If there was

[2:11:43] one weaker than the other, we would obviously go with

[2:11:45] the stronger at that point. Sorry. So as clarification, you

[2:11:50] wouldn't necessarily go with all of the ones that they

[2:11:53] are not in compliance with. It would be the strongest

[2:11:57] one, in your opinion. Like, for instance, noise and fire.

[2:12:03] Would both of them be, would you? Apply. Whatever enforcement

[2:12:11] amps or whatever, for both or just one. No. In

[2:12:17] that situation, if we are. Comparing noise versus a fire

[2:12:20] complaint. Both are going to apply in the similar situation.

[2:12:25] It'd be the example of there are similar requirements for

[2:12:27] a tent within the fire code. As there are within

[2:12:29] the building code. The building code requirements are actually a

[2:12:34] little bit more stringent. Than those required from the fire

[2:12:36] code. So those from the building code would be required

[2:12:40] as they are a little bit more stringent. Therefore, those

[2:12:43] are the ones we would go with, not. Just necessarily.

[2:12:45] The clauses from the fire code. Is those kind of

[2:12:48] situations, not noise versus light versus fire safety. All of

[2:12:54] those are important at the same time. But if there's

[2:12:55] ever clauses that are similar and or one from an

[2:12:59] act or provincial or our own bylaws that would overrule

[2:13:02] the most stringent one would apply at that point. Okay.

[2:13:08] My next question. I'm getting a little confused over the

[2:13:13] numbers of people that events and those that are. At

[2:13:18] special events versus just regular events. Could someone sort of

[2:13:22] review. The numbers. And how they're applied or assessed. Thank

[2:13:28] you for your questions for your staff, Mr. SEO. I

[2:13:30] think deputy clerk can speak to the numbers specifically and

[2:13:34] what that. Thank you. Through the chair. So, again, site

[2:13:38] specific zoning those events are going to be regulated by.

[2:13:41] The site specific zoning. But for our special events is

[2:13:47] what we have is we have both the definition of

[2:13:50] special events. Where it meets any of the following criteria,

[2:13:53] which is expected to include over 200 people over the

[2:13:56] course of the event. Will occur in whole or in

[2:14:00] part on public property or will. Occur in whole or

[2:14:03] in part on private property where there is no site

[2:14:05] specific zoning. Meaning if you're having an event, over 200

[2:14:09] people. You're going to trigger a special event permit unless.

[2:14:15] You have site specific zoning, which is why we have

[2:14:16] is not entirely on private property and explicitly allowed by

[2:14:20] site specific zoning. And then we also have the clause

[2:14:23] where if you're under 200 people, but you're fully on

[2:14:26] public property. That's where we look at. Are you less

[2:14:29] than 50 people. It's 24 people having a picnic in

[2:14:32] a park. You don't. Qualify as a special event. If

[2:14:35] you're 250 people in a park, you're going to qualify

[2:14:37] as a special. Event or if you're 150 people. That's

[2:14:40] why we have that clause in there. Because we wanted

[2:14:42] to make sure we could capture between 51 and 200

[2:14:46] people, because. We do have smaller special events that take

[2:14:50] place in public that don't necessarily hit over that 200

[2:14:54] person threshold. But we also had ones under our current

[2:14:58] policy. Where because it was so vague. We were requiring

[2:15:02] them to get a special event permit, and they really

[2:15:04] didn't need to. So if the councilor is speaking to

[2:15:07] the tiers of special events that also. Has provisions for

[2:15:13] people. So a tier one special event. Is less than

[2:15:19] 500 people. With no road closures and less than one

[2:15:23] day in duration, a tier two special event is going

[2:15:27] to be 500 plus people are expected. Or a road

[2:15:31] closure. Or less than three consecutive days. And not a

[2:15:36] tier three event. The tier three event. Are typically going

[2:15:40] to be the ones that are taking place on Queen

[2:15:41] street. They're the bigger ones. 1000 plus people. Closure restricted

[2:15:46] access to Queen Street, Queens, Royal Park, Simcoe park, three.

[2:15:50] Or more consecutive days or a special event series which

[2:15:53] are two or more non consecutive days which is, the

[2:15:56] festival we just had was two consecutive days, but over.

[2:16:00] Two consecutive weekends. Yes, and I think this may be

[2:16:05] my last question, so thank you for bearing with me

[2:16:08] and. It has to deal with. Guidelines on numbers of

[2:16:14] events or numbers of people. Like, for instance, I know,

[2:16:17] and not only in special events, but also in site

[2:16:20] specific zoning as well. I know that the staff has

[2:16:25] provided information on those properties that currently have sites specific

[2:16:29] zoning and how many events are allowed, and so we're

[2:16:32] looking at upwards of 25. Annually of these special events.

[2:16:40] Are there any guidelines? That is our maximum. Or can

[2:16:44] they apply for more, or will we be. Anticipating staff

[2:16:48] to come in the future with guidelines on how to

[2:16:51] implement. The bylaw or policies. Thank you for that. Should

[2:16:58] we go back to the deputy clerk? Let's start there.

[2:17:03] It may be more of a planning through the chair.

[2:17:06] I will have to tag in director alderman at some

[2:17:09] point. We don't have a restriction from the town on

[2:17:14] the number of special events. We don't. Have that. There

[2:17:16] can only be 25 special events on Queen street in

[2:17:19] a year or. There can only be. 100 special events

[2:17:23] in the park. Those are evaluated on a case by

[2:17:26] case basis as the applications come in, and then we

[2:17:29] do give priority to community sponsored events, annual events, community

[2:17:35] partner events. So, for instance, If we have an application,

[2:17:38] come in at, say, the same time as the candlelight

[2:17:40] stroll and. They're going to conflict with each other, the

[2:17:43] candlelight stroll is going to take precedence. We're going to

[2:17:45] reach out to the applicant of whatever event has been

[2:17:48] submitted and tell them. We're not able to permit this

[2:17:52] event and give them some options. You can switch your

[2:17:54] days, you can switch your location. Or. We're going to

[2:17:59] have to deny your event because. We do have one

[2:18:01] that's already taking precedence. For the number of events on

[2:18:06] site specific. Areas. I'm going to pass it over to

[2:18:11] director Ultimate. Thank you. Through the chair. So we do

[2:18:16] have some provisions in the zoning bylaw that's. Applicable to

[2:18:20] the urban area that relates to estate wineries. It does

[2:18:24] say that a maximum of 24 events would be permitted

[2:18:27] each year. That is only found within the urban bylaw

[2:18:30] itself. I would suggest that as part of. Our winery

[2:18:34] policy review that we will start to undertake this year,

[2:18:38] that we could loop in what qualifies as an appropriate

[2:18:41] number of events as part of that review itself, to

[2:18:44] make sure that we're considering our current permissions for wineries

[2:18:48] and then any future applications that we would be getting

[2:18:50] for site specific zoning that would include outdoor. Events on

[2:18:54] wineries. Okay. Thank you for those answers. It's helped a

[2:19:00] lot. And again, I just want to. Reiterate that, I

[2:19:03] guess. My concern about the policy and bylaw is more.

[2:19:09] With not addressing things that were hid off as not

[2:19:13] being under the special events. So thank you. Very much.

[2:19:18] Okay, just other questions on that segment. Council Burrows. Thank

[2:19:22] you, Lord Mayor. And just a question. I have a

[2:19:25] question on the bylaw. But would you rather me wait

[2:19:28] till then or do it now? It's matter of the

[2:19:32] minute. Maybe through you, Lord. Maybe through you, Lord Mayor

[2:19:39] to our Cao. You could explain the process. If I

[2:19:46] just read the bylaw, it appears that the clerk is

[2:19:49] the one that approves. Events over 200. But my understanding.

[2:19:57] Not on the bylaw is that there's a bigger procedure

[2:20:01] than that. Maybe the CAO. Could outline that. No. Thank

[2:20:04] you for the question through the staff. Thank you. Through

[2:20:07] the Lord mayor. So essentially, when. An application comes in

[2:20:13] and is processed and received through the clerk's department. It's

[2:20:16] distributed throughout. The different operating areas of the town to

[2:20:19] gather input. On the application. Specific to, so. We would

[2:20:27] see reviews by the planning department specific to, specifically to

[2:20:30] do with zoning the fire department. Would review it. We

[2:20:36] would have our public works and infrastructure department as well

[2:20:40] go through from a roads perspective. Or parks and recreation

[2:20:45] as well away in if there's impacts. So it's distributed

[2:20:49] throughout comments or received as part of the review process.

[2:20:53] And then the review process then takes into consideration those

[2:20:57] and that helps inform. Whether the approval is to proceed

[2:21:01] or not. And then typically. If it is not straightforward,

[2:21:07] it comes to the senior leadership team. For further evaluation

[2:21:11] and for us to weigh in on some of the

[2:21:14] impacts. If there's any ambiguity through that process. Okay. Thank

[2:21:18] you. And as a follow up, I heard earlier, That

[2:21:22] we wouldn't be having. More than 1200 event thing per

[2:21:28] day. Did I hear that correctly? Verification through back to

[2:21:32] the staff. Sure I can start. But essentially that's part

[2:21:37] of the process. So staff evaluate the number of events,

[2:21:41] the location, of the events that are occurring and the

[2:21:44] impacts. So. If it's. As the deputy clerk was speaking

[2:21:51] to. Sometimes events requests come in. And for events that

[2:21:56] are in close proximity that perhaps have a high number

[2:22:00] of attendees and typically we would discourage that from occurring

[2:22:05] to avoid kind of overloading areas. Yes. And having. The

[2:22:10] peripheral issues with parking and some of those others, but

[2:22:12] there's no set number. We could have five if staff

[2:22:17] decided they were spread out enough. Yes, essentially. But I'll

[2:22:22] just defer to staff. My understanding is at this point,

[2:22:24] it's part of the evaluation process. But. Sure if the

[2:22:30] deputy cleric has anything to add to that. Through the

[2:22:33] chair. It's unlikely to have five events at the same

[2:22:39] time. If. They have all properly applied for a special

[2:22:43] event permit. Now, that being said, We may have an

[2:22:47] event happening in Queenston and an event happening in the

[2:22:51] old town and. An event happening at Virgil Sports Park.

[2:22:57] And a private event with a special event, permanent. Permit

[2:23:02] happening at the same time. We do try to avoid

[2:23:06] a large number of events occurring in the same area

[2:23:09] at the same time. But the decision maker. Is staff

[2:23:16] on this case. Is there a part on the decision?

[2:23:21] No. So, essentially. It's staff take kind of a critical

[2:23:25] analysis of the number of events, the impact to the

[2:23:28] community, the timing of those events. So, I mean, a

[2:23:30] good example would be Canada Day or. Some of those

[2:23:33] right throughout the community. We may have. A more significant

[2:23:37] number of events going on, but it's typically at the

[2:23:41] senior leadership level. It's a review to determine what the

[2:23:44] impact would be across the broader community so that we

[2:23:46] don't inadvertently approve multiple events that create. Issues. Thank you

[2:23:52] for that. And my final thing, I think I confused

[2:23:55] it. I use the number. 200, but if it was

[2:23:59] 170, so. They don't need a special event permit, isn't

[2:24:04] that correct? What's dependent on some of the other criteria.

[2:24:09] So, as the deputy cleric had mentioned, it's going to

[2:24:11] depend on the location, is it? Private property. Is it

[2:24:13] public property? Assuming private. I'll let the deputy clerk and

[2:24:17] speak to the specifics. Through the chair. Let me just

[2:24:25] flip to that section. So. If. You're under

[2:24:35] 200 people and you're entirely on private property. But. You're

[2:24:45] still not. So any of it is expected to include

[2:24:45] over 200 people. Is in whole or in part on

[2:24:49] private property where temporary site specific zoning or site plan

[2:24:52] exemptions are required. That is not contingent on the 200

[2:24:56] people. It's any of the three criteria. So if your

[2:25:00] event. Is on private property and you don't have site

[2:25:04] specific zoning, and you're not. A garage sale, yard sale,

[2:25:08] similar occasional use. Like a protest or on provincial or

[2:25:14] federal land, you would require a special event permit so

[2:25:18] it's not just the number of people. I guess I'm

[2:25:20] more confused than ever. Thank you, Mr. Lord. It's pretty

[2:25:24] clear, actually. Okay, councilor tropida. Thank you. And through the

[2:25:30] Lord Mayor, my understanding that this is correct, that this

[2:25:35] is a more robust policy than what we had in

[2:25:38] the past. Or we didn't have one, but. What I

[2:25:42] liked is the fact that it's based on impact on

[2:25:46] the community, and I hope that the community can see

[2:25:49] that. This study, which is the eight month long study

[2:25:54] with lots of engagement. Was done. I think a very

[2:25:57] thorough process. But the end result is the policy is

[2:26:02] based on the impact that the event has on the

[2:26:05] community, and I think that's something that the community will

[2:26:08] be very pleased with. Am I correct in assuming that.

[2:26:12] That is fact. Yeah. That's exactly the intent, is, and

[2:26:18] I would agree. Over eight months of work has gone

[2:26:22] into this. A considerable amount of staff time. So we're

[2:26:26] very happy with where we've landed. And you are correct.

[2:26:31] Currently, we do not have a bylaw and we do

[2:26:33] not have anything enforceable. As far as the special events

[2:26:37] process currently. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Maritis. Thank you.

[2:26:42] Through you, Lord Mayor. Back to what, councilor Burrows? Was

[2:26:46] getting at. I'm just going to simplify this. So if

[2:26:49] there's a winery. That doesn't have site specific zoning for

[2:26:53] an event, and they only have 80 people at an

[2:26:56] event, it doesn't meet the criteria. So it's against the

[2:27:02] special events, am I correct? Madam deputy clerk. Through the

[2:27:08] chair. For that. It will occur in whole or

[2:27:18] in part on private property where temporary, site specific zoning

[2:27:21] or site plan exemptions are required. That would still require.

[2:27:26] A special event permit. However, the intention with the site

[2:27:30] specific zoning. For businesses and things of that nature is

[2:27:36] they should be one offs. If you're coming. To us

[2:27:39] once a week, twice a week. Once a month and

[2:27:43] applying for the same types of special event permits at

[2:27:46] that point. We are going to direct you to planning

[2:27:51] because you require site specific zoning. A one off event.

[2:27:54] Say may be that you're celebrating your centennial and you'd

[2:27:57] like to have a party and invite. The community in

[2:28:04] and you are expected to have a significant number of

[2:28:07] people, but you don't. Have site specific zoning. That would

[2:28:10] be an event that would be classified as special because

[2:28:13] you're not going to be doing that on a consistent

[2:28:15] basis. I just want to say that I think this

[2:28:18] finally, we have a policy in place because we didn't

[2:28:22] have anything prior, and I think it covers pretty much

[2:28:25] every concern that I've had for the last three years

[2:28:29] since being on council and that we've heard from. Residents,

[2:28:31] et cetera. So thank you. Okay, we have a motion.

[2:28:36] Duly moved. A second. It's been lifted properly in the

[2:28:38] minutes. I'm going to call the question. All those. Mr.

[2:28:43] Clerk, do you want to read it out? So the

[2:28:45] motion is exactly as it's written in the minutes. And

[2:28:49] if it passes, then we immediately go to the two

[2:28:51] bylaws that relate to it. Okay. All in favor? And

[2:28:59] any opposed. That motion is carried. And so the next

[2:29:03] item is, I just need to move around. Seconder to

[2:29:06] put the bylaws on the floor. Councilor Marias, Councilor Niven.

[2:29:08] Mr. Clerk. Those two bylaws moved by Councilor Mariti, seconded

[2:29:12] by councilor Niven. That leave be given to introduce bylaw

[2:29:16] number 2026. Five. The novel special event bylaw and bylaw

[2:29:21] number 53. 34 d, 26 amps non. Non parking bylaw,

[2:29:27] special events and the same be considered right at a

[2:29:29] first, second and third. Time and passed this 27th day

[2:29:32] of January, 2026. Any discussion on mobiles. Council Burrows. Thank

[2:29:39] you, Lord Mayor. Could we just pull. The two special

[2:29:43] event ones, the amps and the special events. 19. Seven.

[2:29:48] That's exactly. What we're doing. You got it. Thank you.

[2:29:51] Thank you. Okay, I'll call the question. All in favor?

[2:29:55] And any opposed. That's carried. Thank you. Okay, back. To.

[2:30:15] Next committee of the Whole and council meeting dates, Mr.

[2:30:17] Clerk. The next committee of the whole is a committee

[2:30:21] hall of planning February 3, 2026. The committee of the

[2:30:24] whole general meeting. February 10, 2026, the special Council meeting

[2:30:28] for the final draft official plan February 17, 2026, and

[2:30:32] a council meeting of February 24, 2026. Thank you very

[2:30:38] much. And the next item is the Lord Mayor's report.

[2:30:42] So since our meeting in 2025 in December. Happy new

[2:30:46] year. And December 10, I was pleased to be joined

[2:30:51] by members of Amnesty International here at town hall. We

[2:30:55] raised a flag. To recognize a human rights day. In

[2:31:02] support of. For rights campaign. Members of the community were

[2:31:05] here, you might recall, that addressed Mr. Lies letter writing.

[2:31:10] Campaign and volunteers at the community center are available doing

[2:31:14] that. So congratulations to everybody who tries to raise that

[2:31:18] profile. Of that particular issue in addition to human rights

[2:31:23] in general. So thank you for the Niagara Lake group

[2:31:28] for helping us raise the profile the next day. We

[2:31:32] had an open house here at town hall. We opened

[2:31:35] the town hall for residents to come in and have

[2:31:37] a meeting with the mayor. We had. I can't remember

[2:31:40] exactly how many, but about a ten or eleven groups

[2:31:43] of people came in, I was pleased to have conversations

[2:31:46] with. Those groups of individuals system with connecting with appropriate

[2:31:52] staff for further follow up, and it was well received

[2:31:55] and people, I think, appreciated the opportunity to come into

[2:31:58] the office that same day. I got to drive a

[2:32:01] tractor. And thank you to the deputy lord mayor and

[2:32:04] his wife. For really outfitting a really wonderful tractor for

[2:32:08] myself and my spouse, Tammy, to drive through the streets.

[2:32:12] And what a beautiful event that was. It seems like

[2:32:14] so long ago, but it was a wonderful event to

[2:32:17] see. All the participants. I know the organizers of a

[2:32:22] huge success. You raised a great amount of money. In

[2:32:26] support of the Terry Fox foundation. So thank you to

[2:32:29] you and Dorothy for that and all. The participants. And

[2:32:33] I understand you had the largest number of tractors submitted

[2:32:36] already, and next year you're looking to break that, so

[2:32:38] good for you. But what a great event to see

[2:32:40] our community lined up. All across. The community of Virgil.

[2:32:46] Street to street Chakra block full of people enjoying themselves.

[2:32:50] It was a pretty cold night. Cold this night. Pretty

[2:32:52] cold night. So well done. What a lot of fun.

[2:32:55] It was just a pleasure to participate and one of

[2:32:59] my favorite things to do. On the 12th. The next

[2:33:02] day we were celebrating a birthday. The Niagara Lake Museum

[2:33:06] 130th birthday. Anniversary. It was my honor to attend with

[2:33:10] many of you as well. To support and celebrate. With

[2:33:14] the council. We provided a plaque to commemorative block to

[2:33:20] the museum. And we also got to thank Sarah Kaufman

[2:33:25] for all her work to get us there. And I

[2:33:28] know we missed Sarah already. I know she's doing a

[2:33:31] great job. City of Fort Coburn at their museum. So

[2:33:35] good for her. And we'll be watching. Her for good

[2:33:37] things happening there. But congratulations to the board and all

[2:33:41] the volunteers at the museum. For the wonderful work that

[2:33:44] they do. And councilor and Ivan, thank you. Is on

[2:33:47] that representative. On that board as well. On the 13th.

[2:33:51] That was the Christmas parade, another favorite day of the

[2:33:54] year. And the privilege of attending alongside members of council.

[2:34:00] And participating in the parade in many different ways. All

[2:34:03] of us participated in different ways. It's. Great. It's wonderful.

[2:34:06] What a turnout that was. What a beautiful day. Cool,

[2:34:10] but sunny. We have the best Christmas parade in southern

[2:34:14] Ontario, if you don't mind me saying that. Think it's

[2:34:17] safe to say, and the turnout was exceptional, and I

[2:34:20] just want to thank. The Christmas Parade Committee. All the

[2:34:25] folks that work very hard on that, and we know

[2:34:27] who they are, so I won't. Embarrass them by mentioning

[2:34:30] their name here, but we're so very lucky to have

[2:34:33] the hard work and dedication of those individuals that just

[2:34:35] make that seem to come. Off, like, easy, like, it's

[2:34:37] just. We just happen naturally. But there's a lot of

[2:34:41] work that goes behind that. And I just want to

[2:34:44] thank. Everybody for making that happen. Such an exceptional event.

[2:34:49] On the 14th, I was invited to attend. A menorah

[2:34:54] lighting in Simpical park hosted by Chibada Niagara. That was

[2:34:58] a very cold evening. I was joined by the Niagara

[2:35:02] Regional Police chief and deputy chief, as well as over

[2:35:06] 30. Residents. It was a beautiful ceremony and. I was

[2:35:13] very privileged to light the first candle. And it was

[2:35:16] a wonderful event with some singing and dancing, and I

[2:35:19] think my dancing is maybe improving a little bit, but

[2:35:23] they're wonderful. It was very friendly and really appreciate the

[2:35:26] community. Inviting us to that. On the 15 December. I

[2:35:33] attended what they called a roundtable. The Minister of Tourism,

[2:35:37] Mr. Cho. Minister Cho and announcement. By the premier that

[2:35:42] day as well in Niagara Falls. I was pleased to

[2:35:44] participate in the roundtable. Deputy Lord Mayor attended with me,

[2:35:49] is there? We continue to bring our issues forward in

[2:35:53] front of members of cabinet to the minister of Tourism,

[2:35:56] Culture and gaming. That was at table Rock. And following.

[2:36:01] That roundtable, which is at the, actually, that was at

[2:36:04] the power plant, but following that at the table rock.

[2:36:08] We had announcement where the premier was highlighting. The province's

[2:36:13] vision. For creating Nagar region as a leading destination. In

[2:36:18] tourism, not only in Ontario but in North America and

[2:36:21] probably the world and some of the key economic growth

[2:36:24] objectives that the province has where we fit. Very importantly,

[2:36:29] into those efforts. And appreciated being asked to participate in

[2:36:34] that. On the same day I was Bizet. I was

[2:36:39] pleased to be invited to the 809. Newark Squadron, Royal

[2:36:44] canadian air cadets annual mass dinner. Been attending for quite

[2:36:48] some time, and this is. A great organization, a great

[2:36:53] event. Obviously, they're hosted at the rural Canadian Legion. Thank

[2:36:57] you to the Royal Canadian Legion for bringing the cadets

[2:37:00] kind of into their property and allowing them to use

[2:37:02] their property. What a waterfall. Dinner. They do if you

[2:37:05] ever attended a mess dinner. If? You haven't come join

[2:37:09] us next year, because I'll tell you, having a messed

[2:37:12] dinner with young cadets. It's just a fun thing to

[2:37:16] watch. There's a little bit of ribbing goes on at

[2:37:19] a mass dinner. And good time had by all. And

[2:37:24] encourage you to look out for that in the future.

[2:37:27] So congratulations to the air squadron for doing that. On

[2:37:31] the next day. I was invited to the Shaw Festival.

[2:37:34] Mr. Jennings, this year. Thank you. They received a reader's

[2:37:37] choice award. And so. That's a best live theater in

[2:37:43] the 2025 Readers Choice Awards. So congratulations to the SHA

[2:37:46] little bladed on that. But we give our best and

[2:37:49] congratulations again to. What a wonderful organization. We're so blessed

[2:37:54] and lucky to have that organization in our town, the

[2:37:57] Shaw Festival theater. Into January. Of course, the 1 January

[2:38:01] was a day of levees, and we had many of

[2:38:04] them, and that's what makes Niagara, like, so special. We

[2:38:08] had the first one at the Royal Canadian. Legion branch,

[2:38:10] where they have a ceremony for their new members. So

[2:38:15] they invite the new members to come forward and introduce

[2:38:18] them to the rest of the members. And I believe

[2:38:21] deputy lord may have became a member of the legion

[2:38:23] this year. So, on behalf of the membership there. We

[2:38:25] welcome you and great to see you there. Encourage anybody

[2:38:28] else who's. Looking for a membership club to join. Belgian

[2:38:31] is a good place to be, councilor Burrows. Was there

[2:38:33] as well. And we had levy there speeches from our

[2:38:38] MP and MPP. As well as the legion's leadership. And

[2:38:43] of course, my sophomore got to bring some greetings. On

[2:38:45] behalf of all of us and did a great job

[2:38:47] they do and. That was the next levee. The same

[2:38:51] day, of course, was held. At the Navy hall. Friends

[2:38:56] of Fort George and Parks, Canada do amazing job. It's

[2:38:59] something. That celebrates our heritage by having a great levy

[2:39:03] to invite residents in to the Navy hall on a

[2:39:06] very cold day. But packed was a packed event. People

[2:39:10] love that place and lots of fun. Got to bring

[2:39:13] greetings again. And welcome residents to the new year. And

[2:39:16] joined by Parks Canada staff. Again the MPP and MP

[2:39:21] and myself. And then we get to fire cannon at

[2:39:24] the Americans. And that's always fun. Don't take it too

[2:39:27] seriously, because there's nothing. In the cannon, but that's just

[2:39:30] letting them know we're here, and that was. Executed very

[2:39:33] well again. The canon. Farming creek. So, all done. Four

[2:39:37] pound gun, I believe, if I'm not mistaken. Quite bang

[2:39:41] it down the pointed downwards. We didn't want to lob

[2:39:44] one too close. Right council. Apparently it would make it

[2:39:47] across the river, I'm told. 1000 Canada geese that were

[2:39:50] right in front. Yeah, just a few geese lost. Yeah.

[2:39:54] Okay, never mind. Okay, so, January 6, crime stoppers, flag

[2:39:58] raising. I was pleased to host crime stoppers. They are

[2:40:02] usually our first flag raising of the year. Congratulations to

[2:40:05] the group in Niagara. That helps. Raise awareness for the

[2:40:10] importance of crime stoppers, as we all know. It's an

[2:40:15] anonymous service where residents can contact and feel comfortable in

[2:40:19] giving information to the police and remaining anonymous. Sometimes that's

[2:40:22] really important. And so great for crime Stoppers as an

[2:40:26] organization to provide that service through our volunteers and their

[2:40:30] partners and to partner with law enforcement for our community

[2:40:34] safety needs. So you can find as if a resident

[2:40:37] can find that on their website. At Crimestoppers. If you

[2:40:41] google that crime stoppers nagger, you'll find that and I

[2:40:43] don't have the URL here. January Twelveth was the visit

[2:40:48] to Crossroads public school, grade five class. We were really

[2:40:52] pleased to be invited to meet with the grade five

[2:40:55] students and. Do a session and talk about the importance

[2:40:59] of municipal government and the role the town plays. In

[2:41:03] supporting our community. I tell you? 50 students were there,

[2:41:07] and many of you members of council were there, and

[2:41:11] I really appreciated us. All being there. Thank you to

[2:41:13] the staff for preparing, I think, a very enlightening curriculum.

[2:41:17] That the students were very engaged in. They came prepared

[2:41:20] with their questions. And some of them were pretty tough

[2:41:23] ones, pretty tough questions. And that's good, I think. We're

[2:41:26] in good hands. In the future, but a very engaged

[2:41:30] group, and I applaud the teachers. At Crossroads Public school

[2:41:35] here in Virgil for encouraging their students to learn. About

[2:41:39] the importance of civic participation. And learning. What the town

[2:41:44] does for them and how that works with the federal

[2:41:46] government, the provincial government in the region, and it was

[2:41:49] just an excellent. Afternoon we were late morning. We were

[2:41:54] with them and really appreciate the schools for engaging us

[2:41:56] in that. And just to let everybody know, we usually

[2:42:00] then follow up with an invitation to bring them. The

[2:42:02] town hall, and that's something that. We'll do soon in

[2:42:06] the future. In fact, we had scheduled a January 15

[2:42:10] for the St. David's public school students to visit us

[2:42:12] here, but that was a snow day. If I'm not

[2:42:14] mistaken and so they got to go to boggin and

[2:42:18] so we'll. Schedule that again. So I'm looking forward to

[2:42:22] rescheduling that and inviting the St. David's. Public school here

[2:42:26] to run a mock council meeting. They pick an issue,

[2:42:30] they debate it. They discuss it. They elect council members

[2:42:34] and a lord mayor, and it's a lot of fun

[2:42:36] I get. To be the clerk for the day. And

[2:42:39] so I learned from our clerk, and we have a

[2:42:41] great session, and the students also get to go visit

[2:42:44] around town hall and find out what. Some of her

[2:42:49] work of our employees do. What happens in certain departments,

[2:42:52] they get to go the operations center and see people

[2:42:56] working on equipment. And so I think it's a really

[2:42:58] great way for young people to see. What kind of

[2:43:01] jobs they might think about in the future, and it's

[2:43:03] very. Quite a few. Number of them told me that

[2:43:07] they're very interested in running for office. So there might

[2:43:10] be some competition for assault. And special announcements. I have

[2:43:14] a couple here, and you may have some as well,

[2:43:17] but just a couple from myself. On February the 7th,

[2:43:21] I'm hosting a fundraising dinner with friends of Fort George.

[2:43:24] You may know I've done this now for the last

[2:43:26] few years. We're. Raising funds for hiring summer students. In

[2:43:32] fort, in parks, Canada and at the Queensland Heights monuments.

[2:43:35] There are still some tickets available. I'm almost sold out.

[2:43:38] But if you go to friends of Fort George, Ca,

[2:43:41] you can. Get your ticket. If you haven't, I know

[2:43:43] some of you can't make it. So. Hey, I understand.

[2:43:46] That's the way it is. But, yeah, we'd love to

[2:43:49] see you there. Love to fill the house and raise

[2:43:52] a significant amount of money to hire some more students.

[2:43:56] For their programming on the 25 February. I'm going to

[2:43:59] be at the Tim Hortons bowl for kids sake. Municipal

[2:44:01] challenge supporting. Big brothers and big sisters. I saw many

[2:44:06] of you have signed up to come and bowl with.

[2:44:08] Us. So thank you, because my bowling is not very

[2:44:10] good, even though I've done this. For a few years.

[2:44:12] I still haven't got really good at bowling. And if

[2:44:15] you'd like to donate to our team. Just contact Christy

[2:44:18] in my office if you want to do that. I

[2:44:19] know some of you have. Done that. So thank you

[2:44:21] kindly for that and looking forward to that day. It

[2:44:24] is a lot of fun. And I look forward to

[2:44:26] that on the 28th, which is the end of February.

[2:44:29] Pardon? Me. And the coldest night of the year. Walks

[2:44:33] will be held across the region. As mayor, I'm going

[2:44:36] to participate. If we haven't already sent it out to

[2:44:40] you, you're welcome to participate with me. It'd be on

[2:44:43] the 28 February. And we look forward to supporting all

[2:44:46] those organizations at Coldest night of the year. It's www.

[2:44:51] Cno y.org. they do amazing things, members of our community.

[2:44:58] Are volunteering and working agencies that are helping people deal

[2:45:01] with housing and homelessness issues. Which is challenging for everybody

[2:45:05] right now, even the town of Niagara Lake. And so

[2:45:08] just a little way to give support and help our

[2:45:12] community. So love it if you can join us. My

[2:45:16] last item that I like to do. I just want

[2:45:18] to congratulate Ms. Alderman for her selection and promotion to

[2:45:24] director of planning and building. And grow services. Congratulations, director.

[2:45:29] It's a thrill to have you here to work with

[2:45:32] you. Congratulations. Thank you for that. With that, I'm going

[2:45:37] to pass on to members announcements and look for members

[2:45:41] announcements. We'll go in order here, Councilor Valesick. Thank you.

[2:45:47] And through. You just wanted to go back to the

[2:45:49] Santa Claus parade? It is my favorite committee that I

[2:45:54] do get to sit on. With deputy board mayor Weens,

[2:46:00] but a big thank you goes out to Darka Jensen,

[2:46:02] who? Is the backbone of Santa Claus parade and has

[2:46:05] been for ever from what I've been. Able to gather.

[2:46:12] We have Kevin Turcott, staff member, who helps with stakes

[2:46:16] and that sort of stuff. He's a huge help, but

[2:46:19] Paul Mace, who's also been involved, and Pat Deach for

[2:46:24] years as well. Who helps with the books and the

[2:46:27] finances and that sort of thing. But a tebbit. Sorry,

[2:46:32] pat Tebbitt. I know. Where is Mrs. Beach? And then

[2:46:37] big thank you to John Strucker. It is his last

[2:46:41] year fundraising, selling the buttons. I think he's been doing

[2:46:46] it for ten years now. So. He runs a great

[2:46:50] team of almost ten people. It is his last year.

[2:46:55] He will be helping his successor next year, but just

[2:46:58] a big thank you to John strucker for all that

[2:47:00] he's done for the Santa Claus for it. Over the

[2:47:02] years. Councilor thank you so much for that. I appreciate

[2:47:05] that. Councilor Weens, I love the fact that councilor Balasuka

[2:47:09] goes by names of people 30 years ago. Minds of

[2:47:13] the community. It's awesome. Last week myself. Councilor Nevin and

[2:47:20] councilor Madridis, along with CAO ruler director Krupash and director

[2:47:24] alderman attended the Roma Ruler Rural Ontario Municipalities association for

[2:47:30] the meetings, and we did meet with the town put

[2:47:33] out a statement, but we did meet. With McGregor's office.

[2:47:37] In regards to heritage, we met with Minister Cho. In

[2:47:40] regards to tourism. We met with municipal housing and Affairs

[2:47:45] Minister Flack. We met. Minister bailey. And Thompson from rural

[2:47:52] affairs and also with minister Fideli. From economic development. We

[2:47:59] had only applied for those five because we wanted to

[2:48:01] do a quality job. Of advancing. What the town of

[2:48:05] Ny Lake needs and wants moving forward along with we

[2:48:09] had many offline. Commentaries with ministers that spoke to us

[2:48:14] as we were in the area. And we also cited

[2:48:17] on some. There was some very meaningful. Planetary meetings that

[2:48:23] were, that were very helpful to listen. And. What was

[2:48:28] also came about is the town of Narlake. One award

[2:48:30] for rural partnerships with the with the township of Minto,

[2:48:34] because we share a greater with them and so it's.

[2:48:37] An incredible savings of staff time and staff economics money

[2:48:42] because we share one grader between the two of us.

[2:48:44] So we're going to come back with a more meaningful.

[2:48:48] Report on what it was, but it was very helpful

[2:48:50] and always is, to develop those relationships with the municipality.

[2:48:55] With the province that's making our decisions so that we

[2:48:57] can have these conversations. And secondly, during the last snowstorm,

[2:49:02] I had the opportunity. To ride in a snowplow. And

[2:49:07] although it made me feel like an eight year old

[2:49:09] kid again, being on the truck and watching that. I

[2:49:13] had the luxury of being with Rob Reed, who took

[2:49:15] me around the old town and. What I was stunned

[2:49:20] by, as I do have an AZ class driver's license

[2:49:22] and can drive truck. But there's more to driving these

[2:49:25] than just having a license. I watched a man navigating

[2:49:30] roads, navigating a plow the wing, and also having to

[2:49:35] do the standing and worry about in a two wheel

[2:49:37] drive vehicle, worrying about going back. And forth and knowing

[2:49:41] he's in a snowstorm, so. He doesn't even see the

[2:49:44] edges of the road. It was amazing to watch how

[2:49:47] good he was. All the while waving at all the

[2:49:51] people that he saw on the road, and he knew.

[2:49:54] Everybody that was. But what's more importantly that people don't

[2:49:58] realize is he can only drive for 12 hours. So,

[2:50:01] Casey, over. In operations. He's trying to figure out when

[2:50:05] the last he has 12 hours from the time the

[2:50:07] last snow flake flies to the time he has to

[2:50:10] have all of our streets. Covered at least once. So

[2:50:13] you only have those drivers and we only have certain

[2:50:15] drivers there we don't have. Dedicated drivers. They're the road

[2:50:18] screw that goes there. So he's got to decide. When

[2:50:20] to start these people and how often to drive and

[2:50:22] how much sand to use. And that it is a

[2:50:26] very complex thing. All the while, there'd be an ambassadors

[2:50:29] at one point in time. He's also got a phone

[2:50:33] call about whether the arena was open from local residents

[2:50:37] because he's a local. Guy lives right around the corner.

[2:50:40] What happens is. And these are the ambassadors of our

[2:50:44] town, the front line people that are out there working

[2:50:46] and nothing to take away from. Our directors are doing

[2:50:48] a wonderful job, but these guys are out there. At

[2:50:51] four in the morning. Five in the morning, eight in

[2:50:53] the morning. Whatever it is they're. Out there and doing

[2:50:56] that. And our equipment is. We have great equipment, but

[2:51:01] it is dated because it's not cheap. And these guys

[2:51:03] treat it like it's their own. I very much appreciate

[2:51:07] that, Councilor Burrows. I'm not going to be quite as

[2:51:11] lengthy. As my friend here, but it's also to thank

[2:51:15] and congratulate the winter cruise. Out here. This is an

[2:51:19] amazing winter we're dealing with. And I know in my

[2:51:23] area. The roads are done as soon as they can

[2:51:27] be, and even the sidewalks. And this year they're doing

[2:51:30] a super job. So I think they deserve a lot

[2:51:34] of credit. And some hard times. But look, I've been

[2:51:38] in some other communities that don't. Look anywhere near as

[2:51:41] well as ours do, so I think they deserve a

[2:51:44] lot of credit and. A big thank you here. I

[2:51:47] appreciate you saying that. And I know last week before

[2:51:51] I went, I was away. I dropped off a little

[2:51:54] something for this cruise in there and we'll continue to

[2:51:57] do little things we can. And Mr. CEO thank you.

[2:52:01] I will pass that along to our staff. And I

[2:52:02] just like to mention as well. Some of the equipment

[2:52:06] that's out there right now. Is a direct result of

[2:52:09] recent. Capital approvals by this council as well, so they

[2:52:14] are appreciative of the investment. In the equipment. And I

[2:52:16] know some comments were made about our new sidewalk snowblower,

[2:52:20] which was getting significant use, right, because of the nature

[2:52:23] of what we faced. So that is one of the

[2:52:26] newest pieces of equipment. I will pass on your comments

[2:52:31] to staff. But as well, I think I can speak

[2:52:32] on behalf of staff and say that they're appreciative of

[2:52:35] the investment in the tools. And equipment to do their

[2:52:38] jobs well. Councilor dropping. And I'll add to that the

[2:52:43] side. They must love that new piece. Of equipment because

[2:52:45] they're getting to small areas within the community within the

[2:52:48] first 24 hours. So they love that and they're doing

[2:52:51] a wonderful job. I would just ask residents to be

[2:52:55] kind to our snowplow staff because too many people are

[2:52:59] parked on. The street, and then those streets don't get

[2:53:03] plowed. And I would hope that our friends in the

[2:53:07] media might pick that up because it has been an

[2:53:09] issue this year. I appreciate you saying that? And no

[2:53:12] doubt, when the snow starts falling, it's a good idea

[2:53:15] to get your car off the road if you can,

[2:53:17] because your street will be well serviced. If that's nice.

[2:53:22] And just one quick announcement. The long awaited grocery store

[2:53:26] in the village called food land. Is going to be

[2:53:29] opening this Thursday. The 29th. At 07:00 a.m. But to

[2:53:37] the public. It is open at 08:00 a.m. So we

[2:53:41] didn't line it hour. And the general manager, or I

[2:53:43] should say the franchisee. Is so excited and somebody that

[2:53:48] is a local Niagara person and really excited to be

[2:53:52] able to be part of the community. Those are not

[2:53:54] fantastic. Thank you for mentioning that. Look forward to that.

[2:53:57] And they've also already been very busy in our community,

[2:53:59] sponsoring events and attending different things, so good on them

[2:54:02] and we look forward to that new business opening. Any

[2:54:06] others seeing that. Okay, Councilor Connor. Most of everything has

[2:54:12] been said, but I just want people to know I

[2:54:15] attended the ice wine. Festival. And it was enjoyed by

[2:54:19] everyone who was there. I thought it was fantastic. Thank

[2:54:22] you. No, thank you, and I apologize. I missed that.

[2:54:26] What? Another great ice wine festival it was, right? And

[2:54:30] lots of fun. And congratulations to the organizers. And, yes,

[2:54:34] we'll leave that. So thank you, everybody. Next item. 14.

[2:54:40] I believe we go to a recommendation. We have a

[2:54:43] report. Regional planning service agreement. Can I get a mover

[2:54:48] and a second, or. Councilor burrows. Councilor. Tropoda. Discussion, Councilor

[2:54:53] Burrows. Thank you, Lord Marin. Just the section dealing with

[2:54:57] waste. Management, and obviously we're trying to deal with. Producers

[2:55:02] responsibility and how that's going to affect our business community.

[2:55:06] What. Is the status of our report, and are we

[2:55:12] dealing? I know we're doing Queen street. But are we

[2:55:15] doing the other commercial areas in town? Thank you for

[2:55:18] your question, Mr. CEO. Who could we direct that to

[2:55:21] director Freebourne? Can give you a status update. Thank you

[2:55:24] for the question to the Lord Mayor. We're putting on

[2:55:25] the final touches of our report and we'll be coming

[2:55:28] forward in February. Commute. A whole. February committee of the

[2:55:33] hall. A report. Do you want a glimpse of it?

[2:55:41] So it's going to include. All the commercial parts of

[2:55:44] town. That's all I don't want. Did you want. To

[2:55:46] speak to it a little bit. No, that's all. Just

[2:55:48] that part. Okay, we're. Good, then. Thank you. Thank you,

[2:55:52] councilor O'Connor. To you. Lord Mayor, if I understand this

[2:55:56] correctly, the staff are looking for some direction on which

[2:56:01] way to go in negotiating. This new agreement. Am I

[2:56:06] correct in that? Mr. CEO. That's correct. Director alderman is

[2:56:13] prepared to introduce the report, provide a bit of context.

[2:56:17] If that's helpful before we get it. Okay, perfect. Thank

[2:56:19] you. All right. Thank you. And through the chair. This

[2:56:23] report is seeking direction from council to allow planning staff

[2:56:26] to engage in discussions with Niagara region with respect to

[2:56:30] the current planning service agreement. This agreement delineates the region's

[2:56:34] review function of our current planning applications as a result

[2:56:38] of provincial changes to planning processes. Planning responsibilities were removed

[2:56:43] from Niagara region on March 31, 2025. The terms of

[2:56:48] the agreement currently utilize regional staff for the review of

[2:56:51] matters related to natural environment land use compatibility, former landfill

[2:56:56] sites screening to address water protection and urban design. The

[2:57:01] report outlines the terms. Of the agreement to allow for

[2:57:03] its extension, amendment or termination. Staff are interested in engaging

[2:57:07] in discussions with the region about the terms of the

[2:57:10] agreement and in order for us to negotiate the terms.

[2:57:13] And inform future decisions about its use or amending or

[2:57:16] updating the terms we require. Direction from council. We are

[2:57:20] not seeking approval from council to enter. Into a new

[2:57:22] agreement. At this point in time, we are just looking

[2:57:25] for support to enter into. Good faith negotiations about the

[2:57:28] terms of the agreement and to explore possible alternative approaches

[2:57:32] to addressing these planning matters. Thank you, director. Madam Director.

[2:57:37] Councilor. Thank you to you, Lord Mayor. It's my understanding

[2:57:43] that we've been building up some more expertise in the

[2:57:47] urban design area through. Our new panel. And also in

[2:57:52] the environmental areas, to some recent hires. So if I

[2:57:59] am reading that correctly, I think that perhaps. Staff should

[2:58:06] negotiate in that spirit. And try, if they feel that

[2:58:10] we can start doing those functions here with the staff

[2:58:13] that we have. That I think that they should go

[2:58:16] in that direction, so I'm just giving my opinion. That's

[2:58:19] good feedback, and I think that is the intention. So

[2:58:22] nothing inconsistent there. I have councilor Weens, Tropida Nibbin. Thank

[2:58:28] you. So absent of us doing anything that naturally ends

[2:58:32] on January 24, 2027, correct? Through to Miss Alderman. Through

[2:58:39] the chair. Thank you for the question. The current planning

[2:58:43] service agreement would expire 90 days following the next regular

[2:58:46] municipal election, being January 24 2027. Yes. Okay, thank you.

[2:58:51] And the other thing is, just following up what, councilor?

[2:58:54] O'Connor was saying. So I think this council has done

[2:58:57] a wonderful job of bringing on planners and heritage planners

[2:59:01] and urban design. So some of this could be narrowed

[2:59:05] down. To just the things we need. Maybe landfill or

[2:59:09] whatever. Is that my understanding? Through the chair. Yes, that

[2:59:13] is correct. Any direction that council wishes to provide this

[2:59:16] evening to allow? Us to enter into those negotiations is

[2:59:18] most appreciated. And so sometimes the region. Does. Not third

[2:59:26] party. Peer review. Would we be able to do that?

[2:59:32] Peer review from internally here? Now that. We have. The

[2:59:37] planners downstairs. Thus, for lack of better words, avoid the

[2:59:40] middleman. Through the chair. Yes, certainly. We would look to

[2:59:45] create rosters for peer reviews of certain studies. So within

[2:59:49] the next year, while we have this current service agreement

[2:59:51] in place, we could utilize that. Time to create a

[2:59:54] roster that would allow us to utilize consultants for a

[2:59:57] third party peer reviews. Do you look to other municipalities

[3:00:02] to see if they have some of the offerings that

[3:00:05] the region has to see. If that's either more affordable

[3:00:08] or. Easier to use. Through the chair. Yes, we do

[3:00:13] connect with other municipalities. There are some municipalities that do

[3:00:17] not currently have service agreements, and if we are looking

[3:00:19] to remove some of these features from our agreement with

[3:00:23] the region. I would be more than happy to chat

[3:00:25] with them and see how they're making do with their

[3:00:28] processes. Thank you. So, Mr. Chair. So what I understand

[3:00:31] is. They're just looking for direction to start exploring of

[3:00:34] how we're moving forward. From a broad spectre, and then

[3:00:38] they're going to narrow it over. The next several months.

[3:00:42] Thank you. Council Tropida. Thank you. I just have one

[3:00:50] question. Do we find the regional consultation helpful? Necessary. And

[3:00:57] helps us to improve our planning results based. On the

[3:01:02] agreement today. I'll let the staff answer that. I have

[3:01:07] an opinion, but I'll let staff. Answer that. Through the

[3:01:11] chair. Thank you for the question. We do have a

[3:01:14] strong working relationship with the region. What we really want

[3:01:17] to focus on is being able to streamline our processes

[3:01:20] and ensure some transparency. So we do think that there

[3:01:22] could be opportunities to change how we are currently addressing

[3:01:26] a few of these matters, and that could be through

[3:01:28] building some staff capacity to review these things. In house

[3:01:31] or creating rosters to allow us to utilize consultants which

[3:01:35] could have a bit of a faster turnaround. As an

[3:01:37] example, maybe some different staff complementer qualifications. Then I would

[3:01:42] leave it up to the experts to make those kind

[3:01:44] of decisions, and I would be open minded to what

[3:01:47] you suggest in the future. Thank you. Thank you. And

[3:01:51] councilor Nibbon. Thank you, Lord Merritt. My question is more

[3:01:56] about any possible associated costs in any staffing capacity. That

[3:02:01] we may have to take on. So I assume the

[3:02:03] associated cost would be passed down through. The individual applications.

[3:02:08] So that would more or less be a break even.

[3:02:10] Instead of going through the region is going through the

[3:02:12] town. But do you foresee. A tipping point from a

[3:02:17] staffing capacity, or how do you predict that saying, okay,

[3:02:20] now we're becoming possibly overwhelmed. With jobs that were at

[3:02:24] the region. And now being seen through the town. I'm

[3:02:28] just curious, looking ahead. Thank you for the question to

[3:02:32] the director. Madam director. Through the chair. Thank you for

[3:02:35] the question. There are a couple of items that are

[3:02:38] on this. List that we currently utilize the region for

[3:02:40] that town staff could undertake. We do have some staff

[3:02:45] that have some training related to noise studies that touches

[3:02:48] on land use compatibility, and then we are also working

[3:02:51] to start the urban design review panel for some other

[3:02:55] matters. That are on this list, we would need qualified

[3:02:57] professionals to provide that service. So that would include the

[3:03:00] natural environment review, as well as screening to address water

[3:03:03] protection. So that's not something that we could necessarily build

[3:03:06] capacity with our current team. That would need to be

[3:03:08] the introduction of new staff complement if we wanted to

[3:03:11] go down that road. Otherwise, we do have opportunities to

[3:03:15] Utili. Utilize consultants and third party peer reviewers for these

[3:03:17] types of matters. Okay, seeing no other speakers, I'll call

[3:03:23] the question. All in favor? And any opposed. That's unanimous.

[3:03:31] Okay. Information reports, item 15.1. That's the financial indicators. Can

[3:03:38] I get a mover and secondary. Councilor Burrows, councilor tropida

[3:03:41] and questions or. Comments, Councilor Burrows. Thank you, Lord Marin.

[3:03:46] That's a terrific report. I think. Staff are to be

[3:03:51] congratulated, and I think if we can take some of

[3:03:54] this information. Forward as we go through budgets that. We

[3:04:00] appear to be in pretty low risk. In every category.

[3:04:06] So it's just a positive. And that's the province telling

[3:04:08] us that. So when we compare to the other 440

[3:04:12] municipalities, I think we're probably doing very well. Comments. Councilor

[3:04:17] niven, councilor o'connor. Thank you, lord mayor. So it's a

[3:04:21] great report and it's great to see as councilor Burrows.

[3:04:23] Pointed out the amount of low risk. So I guess

[3:04:26] my question is, how does this then guide us forward.

[3:04:29] Where do we go with this report? Do we look

[3:04:31] at more long term planning when we get to the

[3:04:33] budget or larger ticket items for long term planning. So

[3:04:36] I'm just curious what our next? That's a good question.

[3:04:39] We'll go through to Director Fibonacci. Thank you for the

[3:04:42] question. So this information is simply for this report? Simply

[3:04:45] for information? No action is required. Once we get into

[3:04:49] budget, we'll look to address longer term capital requirements. If

[3:04:54] there were any indicators on this list that were probably

[3:04:57] above low risk we'd want to be taking? Action or

[3:05:00] doing something differently, but otherwise, this is saying that we're

[3:05:03] low risk in many of these categories and. Remain sustainable

[3:05:07] and flexible, at least within the short term. So really,

[3:05:11] no action to take other than we'll consider some of

[3:05:14] these items when it comes budget time, particularly around debt

[3:05:17] or policy setting. Thank you. And I also had council

[3:05:22] tropodock sorry. Yes, and thank you. I think the report

[3:05:25] is great, but. It does also say that. We should

[3:05:29] not be interpreting this in isolation because. We just had

[3:05:33] an asset management report which showed we had a $13

[3:05:36] million funding gap, so. It does say that any other

[3:05:39] studies that you have should be included. In looking at

[3:05:44] our risk, the future. If you could find out municipality.

[3:05:48] It doesn't have a funding gap. Any different than any

[3:05:52] others, but I thought, let's make. Points better than all

[3:05:56] the rest. Well said, councilor Con. Thank you to you,

[3:06:01] Lord Mayor. No, it's right. No. Problem. There's one sentence

[3:06:09] in here that sticks out with me, and I think

[3:06:11] it's worth repeating, and I think it's worth people to

[3:06:13] know about it, says the town continues to generate an

[3:06:17] annual operating surplus, supporting reserve contributions and long term finance

[3:06:23] stability. I know it has to be also seen in

[3:06:26] light with the other reports. But this is one good

[3:06:30] news statement that I thought was worth repeating. Thank you.

[3:06:34] No, I thought. So. Very well. Thank you for repeating

[3:06:36] it. Maybe it'll actually get picked up properly in the

[3:06:40] media rather than what we sometimes see. But that's just

[3:06:44] my opinion. Okay, we call the question. All in favor?

[3:06:48] Any opposed? That's carried. Thank you very much. Next item

[3:06:52] is 15.2. That's the 766 four Mile Creek Road Municipal

[3:06:58] Heritage Demolition permit. Just going to move her in secondary

[3:07:02] to put that on the floor. Council maritis and councilor.

[3:07:06] Valley, and I'm going to go to Director Alderman to

[3:07:10] preamble us and. Walk us through this one. Thank you.

[3:07:13] And through the chair, this information report has been prepared

[3:07:16] to advise council of staff's. Recommendation in the decision of

[3:07:20] the municipal heritage committee regarding the heritage permit application at

[3:07:23] 766. 774 and 796 Four mile Creek Road. The property

[3:07:29] is currently listed on the municipal register. And any demolition

[3:07:32] of buildings. On the property requires approval via heritage permit.

[3:07:37] Staff had recommended approval of the demolition of two barn

[3:07:39] structures that includes one partially collapsed barn and one large

[3:07:43] barn and silo. Given that they do not hold cultural

[3:07:46] heritage value or interest. Based on the provisions of Ontario

[3:07:50] Regulation 906, the committee recommended the demo. Demolition of the

[3:07:54] one partially collapsed barn, but denied the request to demolish

[3:07:58] the large barn and silo. The committee directed staff to

[3:08:01] evaluate the merits of designating the property as a cultural

[3:08:04] heritage landscape. As noted in the report, a cultural heritage

[3:08:07] landscape does not offer protection to a heritage structure from

[3:08:11] demolition unless the property itself. Is designated or is designated

[3:08:15] as part of a conservation district. The conclusion of the

[3:08:19] information report provides options for council to consider, including accepting

[3:08:23] staff's recommendation to the committee to demolish the buildings as

[3:08:27] supported by applicable regulations and provisions in the Ontario Heritage

[3:08:31] act, or accepting the recommendation from the munic. Municipal heritage

[3:08:34] committee with a request for added clarification regarding designation as

[3:08:39] we need to understand whether the committee and council wishes

[3:08:42] to pursue designating the property or designating the cultural heritage

[3:08:46] landscape. Thank you. And councilor Malcic first. And Councilor Marias

[3:08:52] next. Thank you. And through you, just a little background.

[3:08:58] As far as the municipal heritage committee meeting, when the

[3:09:02] majority of the conversation. Was based around the idea that

[3:09:06] a lot of these large barns in Niagara lakes, rural

[3:09:10] areas. Are disappearing. And we've seen them over the years.

[3:09:15] And are sort of a bit of a landmark. And

[3:09:17] of course, the municipal heritage committee would weigh in on

[3:09:20] this. The one barn, obviously. Is due for demolition. The

[3:09:27] other large barn attached to the structure again. Is more

[3:09:32] of the image of the barn and if there was

[3:09:34] an opportunity to save it, since then there has been

[3:09:38] emails that have come in that have showed the structural

[3:09:40] integrity of the barn. Does not look sound, in my

[3:09:45] opinion. That was what I think the municipal heritage committee

[3:09:49] was looking for some sort of evidence that's. What we

[3:09:51] were hoping that staff would be able to bring back,

[3:09:54] but some of the images. That the homeowner has sent

[3:09:58] in or the property owner has sent in, in my

[3:10:01] opinion. It looks like the old timbers. And it does

[3:10:06] look. Rather darrellect. I hate to see it go. It's

[3:10:12] one of those things that we've seen all of the

[3:10:14] old burns in. Niagara and the lake disappear over the

[3:10:17] years and this will be another one that's just. My

[3:10:20] comment. Okay, Councilor Maritis. Thank you. Through you, Lord Mayor.

[3:10:29] I watched the heritage committee meeting and followed. And at

[3:10:35] the end of the day, I was expecting this report

[3:10:39] to come back from staff. Reiterating that neither buildings have

[3:10:44] cultural heritage. I will be supporting. The staff report. To

[3:10:53] approve the demolition permits. Only because, like I said, There

[3:10:59] is no heritage value on the actual buildings that they're

[3:11:03] asking to demolish. While I understand the house itself. Was.

[3:11:10] I heard councilor Balashak say he rode his bike by

[3:11:14] there as a kid and. I mean, these are memories.

[3:11:19] The skyline, et cetera. But we've got a long list

[3:11:24] of heritage properties that are designated that we've been meeting

[3:11:27] with ministers trying to save, and I think the staff

[3:11:32] can spend more time ensuring that we meet those goals.

[3:11:37] And so I support the staff report and recommendation. Thank

[3:11:42] you, Councilor Burrows. Thank you, Lord Marin. As the other

[3:11:46] member on the heritage committee, I. Have a slightly different

[3:11:50] opinion. We all. There value driving by that property and.

[3:11:58] It's. A cultural. Agricultural image. That all we were trying

[3:12:04] to do at the committee level was to see if

[3:12:06] that could be. Preserved, obviously. The damage building should be

[3:12:11] immediately removed. But. I think what the committee was hoping

[3:12:17] is they could get more involved in visiting. And having

[3:12:21] an assessment. So that they could be helpful. To the

[3:12:28] owner. In trying to save what could be saved or

[3:12:34] not. And then be very supportive of demolition if that

[3:12:38] was. It's really a pacing out trying to get a

[3:12:42] little time. To value. The. Recording of pictures of everything

[3:12:50] else it relates to. What was. A very important farm

[3:12:55] scene in our community, so. I'm obviously going to be

[3:12:59] different than the other voters. Thank you. Okay. Thank you

[3:13:02] for that maybe just to the director. My understanding would

[3:13:05] be if, as the staff report was suggested, there would

[3:13:08] be a documentation of the heritage assets. Can you just

[3:13:11] maybe walk us through what the process would be if

[3:13:14] council were to accept your report. Through the chair. Thank

[3:13:18] you for the question. Yes. So part of the recommendation

[3:13:23] was that photography or sorry. Photos be provided prior to

[3:13:27] demolition and that the photographs. Sorry. Be provided to the

[3:13:31] museum as well as to the town for our records

[3:13:34] and that. Any viable material be salvaged from the buildings

[3:13:40] are offered to salvage companies to reduce high quality materials

[3:13:43] from entering landfill. So we do make efforts to continue

[3:13:48] discussions with the owner of the property. To ensure that

[3:13:51] the photos are provided and to work with them to

[3:13:53] ensure that any materials can be salvaged. Thank you, director.

[3:13:58] Councilor Tropida. Councilor reigns. I'm so torn by this one.

[3:14:04] And I do understand the staff report and certainly the

[3:14:07] one barn is not salvageable. The second one. I hear

[3:14:11] from councilor Balasuk that. It is structurally maybe unstable as

[3:14:16] well. But that's silo. It's like when you drive by.

[3:14:20] That is the cultural heritage. Of the rural area and

[3:14:24] that one. I have a hard time with this one,

[3:14:28] and I wish that I would like to see whatever.

[3:14:32] Can be saved because. Those old barns and the silo

[3:14:37] itself. Is really reflective of the great heritage that we

[3:14:42] have in our rural area and so much of it

[3:14:44] is disappearing. So I'm torn, and I think I'm leaning

[3:14:50] towards accepting the MHSC. Okay, councilor reeds. Thank you for

[3:14:57] clarity. The house is on the registry, but the buildings

[3:15:02] that we're talking about are not, and do not have

[3:15:05] heritage value. I just want to clarify just through the

[3:15:08] director, madam director, through the. Chair. That is correct. So

[3:15:13] we as town council now. Are talking about the owner

[3:15:19] to keep that building a building up or a silo

[3:15:22] up even. Though. Under municipal heritage rules. It doesn't qualify

[3:15:29] under municipal heritage. As a feature. That's what the staff

[3:15:33] report suggested. Madam director, do you want to comment? On

[3:15:36] it through the chair. Thank you for the opportunity to

[3:15:39] clarify. The property is listed on the municipal register. However,

[3:15:44] as part of SAS evaluation, And coming to a recommendation

[3:15:48] on the request for demolition. We did consider the applicable

[3:15:50] criteria under the Ontario Regulation. In order to protect the

[3:15:55] building through that regulation, it needs to meet two different

[3:15:59] criteria. It only satisfied one and therefore it was deemed

[3:16:03] to not have cultural heritage, value or interest. And that

[3:16:07] allowed for staff to proceed with a recommendation for its

[3:16:10] demolition. Okay. Thank you. So, notwithstanding a couple of the

[3:16:16] issues I have, is the committee direct staff to evaluate

[3:16:20] the merits of seven. Six. Six merit four Mel Creek

[3:16:24] Road to be designated as a cultural heritage landscape. What

[3:16:27] are we looking at what that means? That's the committee

[3:16:30] recommendation. That's committee recommendation. I just want to know what

[3:16:33] that just want to clarify that if we adopt Adam

[3:16:36] director, could you explain what that would mean? Thank you.

[3:16:40] And through the chair. We could probably think about a

[3:16:42] cultural heritage landscape similar to something like a heritage conservation

[3:16:46] district in the sense that it applies to land, it

[3:16:48] applies to landscape. That could be things like road networks.

[3:16:54] Lotting fabric, that type of thing. It's not protecting individual

[3:16:58] buildings or structures on properties. It evaluates a swath of

[3:17:02] land or an area itself. Almost sounds like. It almost

[3:17:08] sounds like what they're asking doesn't meet the criteria. But

[3:17:10] can you? Confirm that. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, I guess. Would.

[3:17:14] In your opinion, does the committee recommendation match? The policy

[3:17:18] that they're looking to subscribe to. Through the chair, so

[3:17:22] staff would not recommend pursuing an evaluation of the cultural

[3:17:26] heritage landscape within this area. However, if that is council's

[3:17:30] desire, then we can take direction and further investigate to

[3:17:32] report back. Mr. Mayor, the concern I kind of have,

[3:17:37] the real concern I have here is opportunity cost. Because.

[3:17:45] We met in Minister McGregor's office in regards to heritage,

[3:17:49] and, of course, we're. Coming up to a serious deadline,

[3:17:52] a hard deadline, we're being told, which is January 1.

[3:17:54] 2027. So her decisions have to be made about how

[3:18:01] we're going to allocate staff. Time, notwithstanding what my colleague

[3:18:04] just said here in regards to wanting to do this.

[3:18:08] What buildings are they not going to get to? We

[3:18:13] did speak to McGregor's staff in regards. Minister McGregor stuff

[3:18:17] in regards to getting help. But what kind of help

[3:18:20] we might be getting, like we don't need money. We

[3:18:25] need boots on the ground, help to get through 200

[3:18:27] homes. We're working hard at it, but if we focus

[3:18:30] on this one. Which staff said they wouldn't recommend to

[3:18:35] what other ones we're not going to. Get to. So

[3:18:38] I'm making a hard decision on this one. I'm going

[3:18:40] to stick with the plan that we started. When the

[3:18:44] ministry came down three years ago. With the edict of

[3:18:47] how we got to get through it, because we got

[3:18:48] to get through a lot of work. I also have

[3:18:51] concerns. About the monetary value of what we're asking this

[3:18:56] resident to do. I like the building too. I live

[3:19:00] around the corner from it. Somewhat around the corner. But

[3:19:04] we all go past it. I like it, and I

[3:19:05] like the look of it, but what? I like. I

[3:19:08] don't know if it's up to me to impose those

[3:19:11] views. From a monetary value of what this resident is

[3:19:16] now going to get to. Those barns are in poor

[3:19:19] shape. They've gotten old. They're not heritage that we're being

[3:19:23] told. So I'm going to go along with the staff

[3:19:26] for those reasons. A, the fact that we don't have

[3:19:28] the staff time. Do it. And we got very important

[3:19:30] homes. We got to get to and b. They're not

[3:19:34] heritage. And see the resident. Is going to have a

[3:19:39] large financial impact on this. That concerns me. And the

[3:19:46] staff have talked about. Trying to repurpose. And schedule and

[3:19:52] try to get pictures of everything. So I'm going to

[3:19:54] go along with the staff report. When that time comes.

[3:19:58] Thank you. Thank you, Councilor O'Connor. Thank you to you,

[3:20:03] Lord Mayor. I don't know very much about. How you

[3:20:08] classify or what's the criteria for cultural heritage landscape? Could

[3:20:13] the staff elaborate on that for me, please? I thank

[3:20:16] you for the question, Madam Director. Through the chair. Thank

[3:20:21] you for the question. There is a bit of information

[3:20:24] that's included. In the report that provides some background on

[3:20:26] cultural heritage landscapes and to implement our investigation into when

[3:20:31] we would need to undertake a similar process to the

[3:20:33] heritage conservation district. So we would have to consider financial

[3:20:37] impact, staff resourcing, historical merit of an area. It would

[3:20:41] likely be more of an agricultural theme or rural agricultural

[3:20:45] theme that we would investigate as part of a cultural

[3:20:48] heritage landscape itself. And we would need to see if

[3:20:52] the area itself warrants further evaluation or further recommendations through

[3:20:58] the heritage committee. Thank you. Councilor navar. Thank you, lord

[3:21:03] mayor. Just, I think, highlight councilor Bellaster's comment from a

[3:21:08] committee level. So I appreciate that to help to clarify

[3:21:11] my decision, but. I just look at everything that's been

[3:21:14] said. So the evaluation really only meets one of the

[3:21:17] two Ontario Heritage criteria. The cultural heritage landscape. It really

[3:21:22] doesn't prevent the demolition unless it's being paired with the

[3:21:26] designation. So again, that would take added time and resources

[3:21:29] that really aren't scoped. Out. And even I foresee a

[3:21:32] funding risk outside of time. To me, it's just more

[3:21:37] just based on the heritage aspect, it doesn't meet. A

[3:21:39] lot of the criteria, so. I am also aligned with

[3:21:42] the staff. Thank you. So we have a motion to

[3:21:46] receive the information request. So. Seeing no other comments. Point

[3:21:51] of information, if I may, Mr. Mayor, just a point

[3:21:54] of information. So how do we move forward? Because the

[3:21:57] MHC has got recommendations and the staff have recommendations. So

[3:22:02] we're now going to receive this? Good question. I'm going

[3:22:06] to suggest that we're just going to receive this as

[3:22:08] information, and then the next order of business is. Our

[3:22:11] committee of council minutes. The item has actually been lifted,

[3:22:15] so we'll be discuss. Discussing it, and you can make

[3:22:17] your decision on, okay? Great. Call the question on the

[3:22:21] receiving of the information report. All in favor? And any

[3:22:26] opposed. That's carried. And there we go. Committee of council

[3:22:32] minutes. We have 16.1 and 16.2. And I'm going to

[3:22:38] get a mover and seconder, and then the clerk will

[3:22:40] read the motions. Councilor Maritis seconded by Councilor Burrows. And

[3:22:46] Mr. Clerk. Have moved by councilor Murdy, seconded by councilor

[3:22:51] Burrows, that the following minutes being the Municipal Heritage Committee

[3:22:54] meeting minutes January 14, 2026, be approved. Save and accept

[3:22:58] item 7.2 to be withdrawn and voted on separately and

[3:23:02] committee adjustment minutes, November 20, 2025, to be received. So

[3:23:07] clear we're pulling together item out. So we're just dealing

[3:23:09] with. To be clear, we're pulling the item 7.2 item

[3:23:16] out. We'll be doing the balance of the minutes. So

[3:23:20] any discussions to the balance of the minutes? Councilor Burrows.

[3:23:25] Yes. On the 16.1 the municipal heritage committee minutes the

[3:23:30] issue of insurance. The staff have done a lot of

[3:23:34] work trying to clarify. What should be happening from the

[3:23:42] insurance companies. But clearly the residents are not getting the

[3:23:46] same message from the insurance companies. So I'm just wondering

[3:23:52] if it'd be possible. To, I hate to say, get

[3:23:55] an expert. I don't know what they are. We're. All

[3:23:58] experts, I guess. But. That would meet with residents under

[3:24:04] your direction, Lord Mayor. And. Discuss what the answers are.

[3:24:11] Because. Clearly. I don't know of any of the residents

[3:24:16] that have heard the message from staff. To say, but

[3:24:20] that's not the message we're getting from our insurance company,

[3:24:22] so. We need some clarity. And I'm happy to bring

[3:24:26] forward a notice of motion at the next appropriate. I

[3:24:30] was going to say that's where we would be better

[3:24:31] suited. I'm just suggesting that that's what I would like

[3:24:35] to do. I'll. Leave that with you, then. Council. Thank

[3:24:37] you. Back to our. Back to our business, which is

[3:24:44] actually just the balance of the minutes, if I could.

[3:24:47] All in favor? And any opposed. Okay, that's carried. And

[3:24:55] then the next item of business is the item that

[3:24:57] we lifted. That's 7.2. So the matter of 766 four

[3:25:03] Mile Creek Road and the Municipal Heritage Register. Demolition request.

[3:25:07] Sure. And can I get a mover in second or

[3:25:10] so we can put this on the agenda. Councilor Balasu,

[3:25:12] councilor tropida. Mr. Clerk. Sure. So what I have is

[3:25:16] moved by councilor Balashak, seconded by councilor Sharapata. That. Council

[3:25:20] approves as presented in the minutes, recommendation 7.2, as follows,

[3:25:25] the committee recommends refusal of the request to demolish the

[3:25:27] big barn and silo the committee direct staff to evaluate

[3:25:30] the merits of 776 Four Mile Creek Road to be

[3:25:33] designated as a cultural Heritage landscape. The committee recommends approval

[3:25:37] of the request to demolish the bind that is partially

[3:25:40] collap. Collapsed. Okay. And, Mr. Clerk, can you just guide

[3:25:43] council on this, just so everybody understands? This is. The

[3:25:46] committee recommendation. So if you didn't agree with the committee

[3:25:49] recommendation, you would want to vote no if you wanted

[3:25:52] to support the committee's recommendation. Be yes if the committee's.

[3:25:56] Recommendation is defeated, that we would then go back to

[3:25:59] a new recommendation. Mr. Clerk, just walk us through. That

[3:26:01] is absolutely correct. You would vote on that? If it

[3:26:04] is. Upheld as it's written. As in the minutes we

[3:26:08] go no further. If it is defeated, then we have

[3:26:11] the ability to. Bring the original staff recommendation back. And

[3:26:15] it'll be moved, as in the report. So we'll have

[3:26:19] some discussion on it. We've already had quite a bit,

[3:26:20] but. Do you have any other discussion on the motion

[3:26:23] that's in front of us right now? Which is to

[3:26:25] adopt the recommendation of the MHC committee. Recorded, votes requested.

[3:26:31] Very good. Thank you, councilor. Councilor Tropida. Further discussion. Just

[3:26:35] one. Point of clarification. That property is listed or it

[3:26:40] is not listed. Let's get that done. Madam director, can

[3:26:42] you please help us out through the chair? The property

[3:26:45] is listed that's. What I thought. Let's get clarification, though,

[3:26:50] on the pieces involved, please. Yeah. Can you please just

[3:26:53] clarify? Sure. Through the chair. So the property itself is

[3:26:57] listed on the municipal heritage register, but there are no

[3:27:00] specific protections in place for any of the buildings or

[3:27:05] use of the property through that listing. Thank you, Councilor

[3:27:10] Weens. Further question, but I want to clarify. It's on

[3:27:13] the registry listed. It's not part four or part five.

[3:27:19] Correct. Through the chair? That's correct. What's the criteria to

[3:27:22] get on the registry? Okay, Madam director. Through the chair.

[3:27:30] Through previous evaluations of the properties we had considered. Many

[3:27:37] years ago. Several properties within the town just general evaluations

[3:27:42] regarding heritage interest and value with regard to this specific

[3:27:46] property. I can look back through our files to get

[3:27:48] more information on that. And I'd be happy to follow

[3:27:50] up with you. No, that's fine, but just. To clarify,

[3:27:52] when the demolition came up, you looked. At the two

[3:27:57] barns. The one collapsed and the other one. And the

[3:28:00] silo, and it was. Your professional recommendation that there is

[3:28:04] no heritage value there. Am I correct? Through the chair?

[3:28:07] Yes, that it was heritage staff's evaluation and recommendation. Thank

[3:28:13] you. So court of Mood has been requested. So recorded

[3:28:18] vote on the matter, Mr. Clerk, beginning with councilor. Burrows.

[3:28:22] Yes. Councilor Balashuk. No, Councilor Sharapata. No, councilor. Mabritis? No.

[3:28:31] Councilor niven? No. Councilor O'Connor. No. Councilor bizarre, no. Deputy

[3:28:39] Lord Marwiens. No. And the Lord mayor. No. So that

[3:28:43] is defeated. And now we can receive the new motion

[3:28:48] to receive the report. Can I get a mover and

[3:28:50] a seconder? To introduce that councilor Maritis, councilor Niven and

[3:28:54] Mr. Clerk, if you can. Read that out for us.

[3:28:57] Moved by councilor Marvin second. Seconded by Councilor Niven. That

[3:29:01] the notice of intent to demolish the two barn or,

[3:29:05] sorry, the two barn structures located at 766, 774 and

[3:29:09] 796 Four Mile Creek Road. Be approved subject to the

[3:29:13] following conditions that the property be photo documented prior to

[3:29:18] demolition and that the photographs be provided to the Niagara

[3:29:20] on the lake mus. Museum and town for their records.

[3:29:23] The property at 766 Four Mile Creek Road is retained

[3:29:27] as listed property on the municipal heritage registrar and that

[3:29:31] any viable material be salvaged from the buildings. Or offered

[3:29:34] to salvage companies to reduce high quality materials from entering

[3:29:39] the landfill. Any discussion. Call the question. All in favor?

[3:29:47] And any opposed. That's carried. Okay. And that brings us

[3:29:55] to motions, right? Item 17, correct? That is correct. Okay.

[3:30:00] First item is from councilor Visari. Mr. Clerk, if you

[3:30:04] don't mind. Do we have a mover and secondary? Moved

[3:30:08] by councilor Rosari. Seconded by council ravides. Do you want

[3:30:10] me to just. Read the enactment clause. Sure. The enactment

[3:30:13] clause is therefore, be it resolved that the council of

[3:30:17] the town of Niagara on the lake formally request that

[3:30:19] Niagara region place a hold on the St. David's roundabout

[3:30:22] project until completion of the forthcoming transportation master plan. Transportation.

[3:30:35] Any speakers to this? Councilor Visare. Go ahead. Thank you.

[3:30:43] Are you able to hear me? Yes, go ahead. Thank

[3:30:51] you. Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to comment. This

[3:30:55] motion is not about opposing a roundabout. Or is it

[3:30:58] about delaying? Infrastructure for the sake of delay. The region

[3:31:02] is currently updating its Transportation Master plan, which will guide

[3:31:06] long term transportation decisions across Niagara. Given that this work

[3:31:10] is underway, it is reasonable to ensure that any major

[3:31:13] investment. In St. David's aligns with that updated plan once

[3:31:16] it's finalized. So this motion asks the region to pause

[3:31:20] significant construction under the broader planning frame until this broader

[3:31:23] planning framework is complete, so decisions are made with the

[3:31:27] best and most current information available. So I'm happy to

[3:31:31] answer any questions if my motion isn't clear. Okay, thank

[3:31:34] you. Deputy Lorraine. Mayor is not here. Councilor Balser. Go

[3:31:39] ahead. Thank you. Through you, I guess. It's. A question

[3:31:45] for staff. I'm just wondering about the deadlines. When there

[3:31:50] is a projected deadline for the completion of the roundabout

[3:31:53] or the beginning of the work. On the roundabout. And

[3:31:56] is there a projected. Completion date for the transportation master.

[3:32:03] The region's transportation master plan. Mr. Co, do we have

[3:32:06] any information like that? As it's a regional project. I

[3:32:11] don't have the details. Specific to those. So. I'll say

[3:32:17] so. I called the director and I asked him. What

[3:32:22] his thoughts and advice would be. For doing something like

[3:32:26] this. And I wrote down what he said and. He

[3:32:30] said the regional master plan, which is what I think

[3:32:33] we're referring to, not the. Towns just for clarification. Is

[3:32:37] a macro level study. He said to me that in

[3:32:42] transportation expertise, And Dr. Jordan might pick up on this,

[3:32:48] too. That. That level study. Will not dictate. The level

[3:32:55] of service. And suggest. Suggested infrastructure for. A particular piece

[3:33:05] of infrastructure. Again, he sits a macro level study, so

[3:33:08] it will have actually nothing. To do with that, he

[3:33:11] says. A macro level study. Will look at the movement

[3:33:14] of goods and corridors. And the movement of active transportation.

[3:33:21] And. Will not dictate the type of infrastructure. That would

[3:33:27] be placed in that. I just wanted to pass that

[3:33:31] along because I think that's a critical piece of information.

[3:33:35] That you should have before you do something like this.

[3:33:40] Okay, Councilor Maria, thank you. Through you, Lord Mayor. Can

[3:33:45] I ask a question? It's council. So I just wanted

[3:33:49] to ask councilor Rosari. What the end intent was with

[3:33:54] the motion, because the way that I understood it was

[3:33:57] that. In our conversations that you wanted to guarantee that.

[3:34:04] There are the sidewalks, all the safety for walkability. Was

[3:34:10] included. And that the idea was through this master regional

[3:34:14] master transportation plan. It would be addressed. And now I'm

[3:34:18] thinking, from hearing this information, That maybe it's something else.

[3:34:23] So maybe if we could amend. This motion to align

[3:34:29] more with what the end goal was. Is it okay

[3:34:32] to ask? I'll? Leave her to speak last. It's her

[3:34:35] motion, so I'll let others bring questions so she can

[3:34:37] take that question away. And if the counselor wants to

[3:34:40] address that, she can. If she has expertise to do

[3:34:42] that. It's not expertise. What I'm asking is what the

[3:34:46] intent is, what the end? Goal is. Councilor Nibbon thank

[3:34:50] you, mayor. So I guess just a question from background.

[3:34:54] So when the region did their original transportation master plan.

[3:34:57] Isn't that the plan that highlighted the roundabout to begin

[3:35:01] with. Anybody want to answer that? I have my answer,

[3:35:08] but I'm not the staff. Again. I'm not in a

[3:35:11] position. To speak on how the region prepared their master

[3:35:16] plan. The request for the infrastructure review was requested by

[3:35:21] the community and that went to the region before our

[3:35:25] time. That answers your question. Actually, that was my next

[3:35:30] question. So if safety. Is there a way to maybe

[3:35:36] amend the motion also to ask just for an additional

[3:35:39] safety review? And community consultation. I know we've done that,

[3:35:42] right, but. The councilor Maritis point is the concern and

[3:35:46] what we're looking to get out. Of this. To just

[3:35:49] really address possibly additional safety concerns. That have come out.

[3:35:53] That's what I'm just trying to additionally figure out. Just

[3:35:57] suggest if you had an amendment you wanted to make,

[3:35:58] you could do that. We could be. Debated and discussed

[3:36:01] and added in, if we so choose. Are you complete?

[3:36:06] I guess, just to amend possible an amendment to request

[3:36:09] additional safety review or community consultation. Do you have a

[3:36:13] second? Councilor Maritis. And so we'll just make sure we

[3:36:19] get clarification that we're looking for an additional safety review.

[3:36:25] Of. Sorry, Lord Mary. I'm just trying to work with

[3:36:32] the motion. I'm just trying to pull out based. On.

[3:36:38] Your comments, if that's the goal. If there's some feelings

[3:36:41] that there may be some safety issues as we go

[3:36:44] forward with this. Maybe pull those safety mechanisms out of

[3:36:48] the transportation master plan when it comes up. And present

[3:36:51] it back. Is that even more confusing for you? Sorry.

[3:36:58] Put something in writing and bring it up to us,

[3:36:59] and we'll be happy to deal. With it. The clerk

[3:37:03] is also saying that if you want to refer it

[3:37:06] back to committee and let them talk about it some

[3:37:08] more, but that's up to you. Can't do that. Yeah.

[3:37:13] Upload. Any other speakers. Before I go back to councilor

[3:37:21] bizarre to close this out. So if there's no other

[3:37:25] speakers, I'm going to go back to council for. Zora

[3:37:26] to close this out, and she can wrap this up,

[3:37:29] and we'll go from there, Councilor Vazari. Thank you. Through

[3:37:32] you, Lord mayor. I think what you're suggesting almost aligns

[3:37:35] with my motion in a way that, looking at St.

[3:37:38] David's as a whole and. How? Transportation is moved around

[3:37:44] it. We've now decided on a massive piece of infrastructure.

[3:37:49] Within St. David's. And I'm suggesting that if we're doing

[3:37:52] a transportation master plan for the area. That we pause

[3:37:56] that to make sure that we look at what exactly

[3:37:59] this plan suggests. So. I'm obviously not an expert on

[3:38:04] this. I'm sitting on this committee, but I. Do think

[3:38:06] there's some alignment in that, in what this suggestion is?

[3:38:13] From town staff or this recommendation, so I don't know

[3:38:16] if that helps with the motion. But. That's the motion.

[3:38:21] Thank you. Staying as is. Okay, so we've gone around

[3:38:23] the table. Let's call the question. Call the question. Point

[3:38:29] of order, councilor. Go ahead. Yeah. Just for clarity, Lord

[3:38:32] Mayor, so was that, councilor. Niven giving a friendly amendment

[3:38:36] and councilor Lazari saying she wasn't going. To take it

[3:38:39] well. I don't hear a motion come out of the

[3:38:42] counselor. Did we have a motion? I thought I seconded

[3:38:47] it. Oh, we're waiting for some wording. Yeah. Sorry. I

[3:38:50] appreciate waiting for somebody. I don't have wording for you

[3:38:55] because I don't know what you want. To do. I

[3:38:58] would need it in writing. Right. Okay. Yeah. I just

[3:39:01] wanted to. No worries.

[3:39:19] So if this works, you so. Request briefing for additional

[3:39:26] safety review or community consultation.

[3:40:17] And I'll have a quick read it out and then

[3:40:19] we can consider that amendment.

[3:40:32] Request additional safety review or community consultation based off the

[3:40:36] regional transportation master plan. So that's an amendment. All right,

[3:40:43] discussion on the amendment. Councilor Burrows. I'd like to hear.

[3:40:49] What? The mover of the motion. It's an amendment. We're

[3:40:53] suggesting. As councilor bizarre in agreement. Let her speak to

[3:40:59] it when her time goes up. Anybody else want to

[3:41:02] speak? Councilor Vizard, do you want to speak to the

[3:41:04] amendment? Sorry. Unfortunately, nobody was. People weren't using their mic

[3:41:14] for a minute. Can you just. Okay. We'll get it

[3:41:16] reread for you. Councilor nevering. Could you just read? It.

[3:41:21] Request additional safety review or community consultation based off the

[3:41:24] regional transportation master plan. I would suggest that could be

[3:41:29] as the final enactment clause. Okay. Council for zuri.

[3:41:42] You're last to speak. On the amendment. Thank you. I

[3:41:47] guess I don't really understand the amendment. In the sense

[3:41:53] of just that, something that's coming back to staff. And

[3:41:57] town staff. Can I just get clarity on the amendment?

[3:42:02] I think the intention was to request that the region

[3:42:05] review that. Okay, Councilor Frazeri, any other questions?

[3:42:16] No other questions. Sure. Okay. Yes. The amendment. I'm fine

[3:42:21] with you. Okay, we'll. Call the question on the amendment.

[3:42:27] All in favor of the amendment. Any opposed? Obviously me.

[3:42:35] Carried. Okay, so we have a motion. Are we clear?

[3:42:38] It's amended. It says amended. It's moved and seconded. By.

[3:42:45] Councilor Bazari and Councilor Maritis any further discussion. Okay. All

[3:42:50] in favor? And those opposed. That's carried right click. Okay,

[3:42:58] next item. 17.2. Councilor Vazari. Maybe. The kirk can read

[3:43:03] this one out for you. Would you like? Just the

[3:43:06] enactment clause. Right again. Sure. All right. Move by councilor.

[3:43:12] Moved by Councilor Visari. Seconded by Councilor Mabritis. Therefore, be

[3:43:16] it resolved. That the Council of the town of Niagara

[3:43:17] and the Lake respectfully urges the government of Ontario. Through

[3:43:20] the Ministry of Education to incorporate mandatory water safety and

[3:43:24] swim to survive training into the elementary school curriculum for

[3:43:28] all Ontario students and be it further resolved that a

[3:43:31] copy of this resolution. Be forwarded to the Honorable Minister

[3:43:33] of Education of Ontario, local members of provincial parliament, the

[3:43:37] association of Municipalities of Ontario and all Ontario municipalities with

[3:43:41] a request for their endorsement. Thank you. And comments or

[3:43:46] questions? Seeing none. All in favor? Any opposed?

[3:43:56] Did you get account? Okay. All in favor of this

[3:44:02] motion? Any opposed? That's carried. Yes, it's carried.

[3:44:12] All right. Council. I didn't expect that. Guy's always getting

[3:44:18] a guessing here. Councilor O'Connor has a motion, and Mr.

[3:44:21] Clerk if you want to read us or move her

[3:44:23] and seconded by and then. It's moved by Councilor O'Connor,

[3:44:29] seconded by councilor Burrows and reading. The enactment clause. It's

[3:44:33] therefore, be it resolved that the council of the town

[3:44:35] of Nagar on the lake endorsed the motion approved by

[3:44:38] the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority regarding the consolidation of the

[3:44:42] NPCA into a new Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority.

[3:44:47] For reasons noted. In the resolution. And. Be it further

[3:44:51] resolved that this endorsement before it to the Chief Conservation

[3:44:55] executive, Hussein Bethat, and the other organizations noted in the

[3:44:59] resolution. Comments, councilor Connor. Okay. Through you, Lord Mayor.

[3:45:09] The negative Peninsula Conservation for a held a special meeting

[3:45:12] on December 5, 2025, to address the provincial government's amendment

[3:45:17] to the Conservation Authorities act through Bill 68. They passed

[3:45:21] a motion which is very lengthy and is in this

[3:45:26] motion here noting that grave concerns. With this development. And

[3:45:30] so I'd like to summarize the main issues for Niagara.

[3:45:33] And the lake. First of all, conservation authorities operate on

[3:45:37] a watershed basis to prevent flooding, conserve natural areas and

[3:45:41] safeguard water quality. After the NPCA government governance restructuring a

[3:45:48] few years ago. This was a prior one. We lost

[3:45:53] our direct appointed representative on that conservation rate. There is

[3:45:58] a Naga region as representation, but. No longer did Nagar

[3:46:01] and lake representative. Now the MPCA will be consolidated into

[3:46:07] this new Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority, which. Was

[3:46:13] spanned through Niagara, Hamilton, Holton, Peele, serving 828 municipalities and

[3:46:21] nearly 2 million people. Across approximately 4900 km². Niagara. The

[3:46:30] region is almost 50% of the land area jurisdiction of

[3:46:34] this new conservation authority. But only about 25% of the

[3:46:39] population. This change would be risking local representation at the

[3:46:44] regional of an Agar region and Nagara Nalitz input and

[3:46:48] the delivery of locally focused programs and services. Restructuring at

[3:46:54] this scale would erode local decision making. Weaken municipal accountability

[3:46:59] and disrupt long standing community partnerships that are central to

[3:47:03] delivering. Responsive watershed management. Considering that the provincial transfer payment.

[3:47:13] Is only 0.5% of the budget, so that's all the

[3:47:16] province gives for. Conservation authority activities. Or that's less than

[3:47:22] 1%. We, the municipalities, should determine the direction of the

[3:47:26] organization. But that's not what's happening. The Roma Rural Ontario

[3:47:32] Municipalities associations, they state about this development. The scale. Of

[3:47:39] the proposed seven regional conservation authorities, at seven for the

[3:47:42] whole of the province, could negatively impact real time emergency

[3:47:46] response. Erode local decision making and accountability and underlying conservation

[3:47:53] authority's ability to effectively balance watershed management and community growth

[3:47:58] plan. Amo or association of Municipalism. Ontario is concerned that

[3:48:04] the scale and pace of the proposed changes. Risks increasing

[3:48:09] regulatory burden and costs and also eroding responsive local decision

[3:48:14] making. I understand the province wants to build things faster,

[3:48:18] and they see that. The conservation authorities may be holding

[3:48:25] the timelines back. But. This particular. Development. I don't think.

[3:48:32] Is going to help them in their long term goal.

[3:48:35] This is a background that I and council burls have.

[3:48:39] The reason why we propose this. Motion to endorse. Basically

[3:48:44] endorse the motion from the Negro Peninsula Conservation Authority. And

[3:48:49] if we approve this motion would place us with several

[3:48:51] other municipalities. Letting the province know where we stand on

[3:48:56] the issue and how important flood protection and water quality

[3:49:00] along with the environment is to us. Now I know

[3:49:03] we've passed. The official date of informing the environmental registry,

[3:49:10] but I think it still is important for us to

[3:49:13] stand out up and have our position known to our

[3:49:17] residents and to anyone else. Who is. Viewing this particular

[3:49:23] situation. And it's basically to urge the province to look

[3:49:27] at these issues and think that we think there's a

[3:49:31] better way of going about this if they examine it

[3:49:33] a little further. And so I'm asking your support for

[3:49:36] this motion. Thank you. Okay. Any other comments? Councilor reins.

[3:49:46] So thank you, Councilor O'Connor, for bringing this forward. Councilor

[3:49:49] Burrows, for second. Me? It, and I think. What it

[3:49:53] has done. If there's a silver lining. It's brought to

[3:49:57] our attention how important NPCA is and also how important

[3:50:01] are getting representation down here in Niagara Lake. Councilor O'Connor

[3:50:06] quite rightly said that, I think. We represent 50%. Of.

[3:50:10] The land affected, yet we have no real representation, and

[3:50:15] that's a concern. And along with this, I think we

[3:50:19] should moving forward and councilor O'Connor has committed. To also

[3:50:23] working towards. Getting us some representation here in Niagara on

[3:50:28] the lake in regards to how we move forward. So

[3:50:31] thank you for bringing this very important issue forward. And

[3:50:36] we did do some offline conversations at Roma because it's

[3:50:40] important. It's. Important that Niagara gets represented in regards to

[3:50:44] these issues. If. We're going to be the leader that

[3:50:48] we always want to be in that with our commanding

[3:50:49] us to be, then we also want the representation there.

[3:50:52] So I do support this. And I think it's a

[3:50:55] wonderful motion. Thanks. Any other comments for all, call the

[3:51:01] question. All in favor? And any opposed. That's unanimous. Okay.

[3:51:10] Next up, bylaws. That we have none of this is

[3:51:14] a motion, so the bylaws and can I get. A

[3:51:17] mover in second or for the bylaws. Councilor Balasuk. Councilor.

[3:51:20] Maritis and Mr. Clerk, if you don't mind. Take us

[3:51:22] through them. Move by councilor. Balashuk seconded by councilor maritis

[3:51:27] that leave be given to introduce bylaw number 41 52.

[3:51:31] G 20. Six signing officers. Bylaw number 45 88 d

[3:51:37] 26. Noise bylaw amendment bylaw number 51. 92 b 26

[3:51:44] property standards bylaw amendment bylaw number 2026, two bylaw to

[3:51:48] authorize assumption of municipal services. For 16. Four mile Creek

[3:51:53] Subdivision 16 on four mile Creek subdivision bylaw number 2026.

[3:51:58] Three designation bylaw 1791, concession two. Road bylaw number 20260

[3:52:04] zero four. Designation bylaw for 263 Regent street. And then

[3:52:09] the council proceedings bylaw number. 2026. For the proceedings of

[3:52:15] January 27, 2026, and let the same be considered. Read

[3:52:19] a first, second and third time and past this 27th

[3:52:21] day of January, 2026. Thank you. All in favor? You

[3:52:28] can ask questions. Sorry. I'm supportive of the bylaws. I

[3:52:38] guess in the first one. The noise by law. If

[3:52:43] you read the body of the bylaw, it says. May

[3:52:47] cause or permit sound. Bylaw or vibration at any time

[3:52:51] which is likely disturbed a quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort

[3:52:56] or convenience of the inhabitants of the town. It's so

[3:53:01] broad that I'm just concerned that we pass this bylaw.

[3:53:06] We're going to have 150 complaints under this bylaw. It's

[3:53:12] not clear enough. Okay to the director. Thank you for

[3:53:18] the question through the Lord mayor. With this bylaw amendment.

[3:53:23] Is this an amendment so that this clause can have

[3:53:26] an amps? Fine applied to it. That clause already exists

[3:53:29] within our bylaw. This is not a new clause. To

[3:53:31] it. But currently, when any of these incidents happen, staff

[3:53:35] have to go out and just have a conversation with

[3:53:37] somebody and try to get them to stop where now

[3:53:39] we actually have the ability to show up on, apply.

[3:53:41] Applying amps, fine. If it does not stop. That is

[3:53:44] the intent of clarification, director. Increasing the enforceability of our

[3:53:48] current bylaw. Thank you. Here we go. Lord Mayor, I

[3:53:51] appreciate that it's an update and the ability to add

[3:53:55] it to amps. I get that. That's what they're all

[3:53:57] doing. My concern is the generality of the bylaw itself.

[3:54:04] Makes a fourth item for new business then, because that

[3:54:07] was not actually part of the. So I'll bring them

[3:54:09] up next time on all of the bylaws. The wording

[3:54:13] is poor. Look forward to it. Perfect. Thank you. Several

[3:54:16] opportunities to kick at it. And first we heard it

[3:54:18] tonight. Okay. All in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. Thank

[3:54:25] you. And a motion to adjourn. Councilor wayne. Councilor burrows.

[3:54:32] All in favor? Any opposed? Were adjourned to our next

[3:54:37] meeting. Thank you very much, everybody.

Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript