03/01/2022NiagaMINUTES
Fa1! Council ANADCity Meeting
4:00 PM - Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Council Chambers/Zoom App.
The City Council Meeting of the City of Niagara Falls was called to order on Tuesday, March 1,
2022, at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
PRESENT:
Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Chris Dabrowski, Councillor Lori Lococo,
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne
Thomson (Chambers), Councillor Carolynn loannoni (Zoom).
EXCUSED: Councillor Vince Kerrio, Councillor Wayne Campbell
STAFF Jason Burgess, Margaret Corbett (Acting Clerk), Shawn Oatley
PRESENT: (Chambers)
Jonathan Leavens, Kathy Moldenhauer, Nidhi Punyarthi, Trent Dark, Erik
Nickel, Kira Dolch, Serge Felicetti, Chief Jo Zambito (Zoom App.)
1. IN CAMERA SESSION OF COUNCIL
1.1. Resolution to go In -Camera
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
That Council enter into an In -Camera session.
Carried Unanimously
2. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:06 PM.
0 Canada - Sung by: Isabella Milano (recorded version)
Land Acknowledgement and Traditional Indigenous Meeting Opening: Chief Stacey
Laforme
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1. Council Minutes of February 8, 2022
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Page 1 of 10
That Council approve the minutes of the February 8, 2022 meeting as
presented.
Carried Unanimously
4. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
a) Councillor Lori Lococo declared a conflict of interest to Item #7.4 - R&C-2022-
03 - Canada Day - Fee for Service, as it involves her spouse's employer.
b) Councillor Victor Pietrangelo declared a conflict of interest to Item #7.3 - L-
2022-02 - Prospective Land Acquisition by the City - Road Widening for
Niagara South Hospital - Biggar Road, as his family owns land, not part of this
report, but part of the overall road widening project which will be affected.
c) Councillor Chris Dabrowski declared a conflict to Item #9.2 - Flag -Raising
Request - Poland's Constitution Day, as the request was made by his father.
5. MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Mayor Diodati extended condolences to Mr. Firenze, Father of Rosanna
Firenze, former employee of our Legal and Clerk's Departments.
b) Mayor Diodati informed Council and residents of the following events:
Ukraine [photos of falls illuminations were shown)
• Our hearts are with Ukraine—flag behind me in Council Chambers
o And also flying on our flag poles outside
• Falls illuminated blue & yellow for 1 hour each evening
o Friday, Feb 25, Saturday, Feb 26 & Sunday, Feb 27
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska visited
Niagara Falls in 2019
Key to the City—Congratulations [photos were shown]
• Erika Casupanan—Survivor 41
• First Canadian to win
• Used resilience & ingenuity / experience in hospitality
• Resilience in her DNA
• Gino's Pizza—Survivor flame pizza
• Key—one-of-a-kind art piece by local artist, Skye Hicks
Council Representatives
Councillor Lococo
Interview for Coldest Night of the Year
12 -Hour Challenge
Councillor Pietrangelo Walking in the Coldest Night of the Year
& Strange
Farmer's Market Recognition [photos were shown]
• Niagara Falls Farmer's Market won
o 2021 Farmer's Market of the Year in Ontario
o Great visibility and accessibility at MacBain Centre
o High attendance
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• Congratulations to Recreation & Culture Staff as well as Farmer's
Market Coordinator, Janet Zylstra
Jim Pay—Artwork [photos of 2 donated art pieces were shown]
• It is a pleasure to announce—the artwork of former City Councillor and
local artist, James E. Pay has been donated to the City's collection
• Former City Councillor Jim Paye contacted me at my office saying he
wanted to donate some of his artwork to the City of Niagara Falls
• After selections were made by the City's Public Art Advisory Task Force,
two pieces were selected [show photos]
o Brink of the Horseshoe Falls, Niagara &
o Niagara falls, from the American Side
o Both are acrylic on canvas
• Jim studied under the late A.J. Carson, the last of the members of
Canada's famous Group of Seven
• Thank you to Jim Pay—for his generous donations
Grand Openings/ Business Happenings [photos were shown]
• WingsUP Niagara Falls—same plaza as Garrison's Subs
c) The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
6. DEPUTATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
6.1. Niagara Regional Police Services
The Niagara Regional Police Services, Office of the Chief of Police, Bryan
MacCulloch, addressed public safety concerns within the community by
sharing a presentation.
The Chief was joined by the following:
• Mario Lagrotteria (Inspector), whom made a brief presentation.
• Marco Giannico (Superintendent)
• Bob Gale (Police Services Board Member)
• Brett Flynn (Deputy Chief)
• Stephanie Sabourin (Corporate Communications)
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council receive the presentation for information.
Carried Unanimously
7. REPORTS
7.1. CAO -2022-01
Delegated Authority to the Mayor and CAO to extend the agreement with
the Niagara Falls Hotel Association on the collection of the Municipal
Accommodation Tax (MAT)
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Page 3 of 10
That Mayor and CAO be provided delegated authority to extend the agreement
with the Niagara Falls Hotel Association on the collection of the Municipal
Accommodation Tax (MAT), under the same terms as the previous agreement.
Carried Unanimously
7.2. F-2022-13
2022 Plow Truck Procurement
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
1. That council amend the 2022 Capital Budget to approve the inclusion of
three (3) additional plow trucks into the plow truck tender, valued at
approximately $987,000, to be funded by the fleet reserve via project
FR10-22;
2. That an increase to the annual fleet reserve contribution through vehicle
rental rates be referred to the 2023 operating budget process;
3. That staff report back during the 2023 capital budget process to provide
an update on the status of the 2022 plow truck procurement and the
feasibility of a multi-year procurement for 2024 to 2026.
Carried Unanimously
7.3. L-2022-02
Prospective Land Acquisition by the City - Road Widening for Niagara
South Hospital - Biggar Road
Councillor Pietrangelo left the meeting as he declared a conflict to Item
#7.3.
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
1. In the event that Council determines that it is in the best interest of the
public to do so, that the City enter into an Agreement of Purchase and
Sale with Niagara Health System (the "Vendor") to purchase Part of Lot 1
Concession Broken Front being Parts 4 and 5 on 59R-17077 (the "Subject
Lands") and shown on Schedule "A" to this Report for nominal
consideration.
2. That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the Agreement
of Purchase and Sale, and to affix the corporate seal.
3. That the City Solicitor, or in her absence, the Chief Administrative
Officer, or his designate, is authorized to execute all documentation and
take whatever steps necessary to carry out the purchase transaction
under Recommendation 1.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Pietrangelo declared a conflict).
7.4. R&C-2022-03 (Letter from Downtown BIA added)
Page 4 of 10
Canada Day Celebrations Fee for Service
Councillor Pietrangelo returned to the meeting.
Councillor Lococo left the meeting as she declared a conflict to Item #7.4.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council defer this report and the delivery of the Canada Day Celebrations
as a Fee for Service for 2022 and for staff to further discuss with the Downtown
BIA Council representatives and the Downtown BIA ; furthermore, to bring a
report back to Council on March 22, 2022.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Lori Lococo declared a conflict of
interest).
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Councillor Lococo returned to the meeting.
8.1. CLK-2022-03
Fee Waiver Application Fallsview BIA - Ontario BIA Association
Conference
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council approve the Fee Waiver Application for:
1. Fallsview BIA - Ontario BIA Association Conference - in the amount of
$2,276.95 for the waiving of fees for the busses to be provided without
cost.
Carried Unanimously
8.2. F-2022-10
Monthly Tax Receivables Report - January
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council receive the Monthly Tax Receivables report for information
purposes.
8.3. MW -2022-12
Aintree Drive - Parking Control Review
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Carried Unanimously
Page 5 of 10
That a 40 -metre No Parking zone be installed on the east and south sides
(inside of curve) of Aintree Drive between a point 220 metres north of Paddock
Trail Drive (south intersection) and a point 250 metres west of Paddock Trail
Drive (east intersection).
Carried Unanimously
8.4. R&C-2022-02
Naming and Renaming of City Property — Dr. Henry Girdlestone Acres
Application
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
THAT Council approve the Recreation Committee's recommendation to name
Section 2 of the Millennium Recreational Trail in honour of Dr. Henry
Girdlestone Acres.
Carried Unanimously
9. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK (FOR
SUPPORT/APPROVAL)
9.1. Resolution - Town of Ajax - Nuisance noise created by modified/missing
mufflers.
Town of Ajax is soliciting other municipalities to request support of this issue.
9.2. Flag -Raising Request - Poland's Constitution Day
The Polish National Union of Canada is requesting that the City of Niagara
Falls raise Poland's National Flag at City Hall on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, to
officially celebrate Poland's "Constitution Day."
9.3. Flag -Raising Request - Italian Heritage Month
National Congress "12th Annual Italian Heritage Month is taking place on
Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 12:00 PM. Council is being asked to approve this
request and to attend the event if approved.
9.4. Flag -Raising Request - Meals on Wheels
The Executive Director of Meals on Wheels for the Niagara Falls/NOTL area,
has reached out to the City to request that the "Meals on Wheels" flag be
raised at some point in March 2022, to help promote the "March for Meals"
campaign.
9.5. Proclamation Request - Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week - June
6-12, 2022
The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is requesting the City of Niagara
Falls to proclaim the week of June 6-12, 2022 as "Hidradenitis Suppurativa
(HS) Awareness Week."
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The CPSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocate, educate and
support Canadians living with skin diseases, conditions and traumas.
9.6. Proclamation - Green Shirt Day - April 7, 2022
To bring awareness to the importance of organ donation, Council is being
asked to proclaim Thursday, April 7, 2022 as "Green Shirt Day." Green Shirt
day came out of the horrific bus crash in Canadian history in April 2018,
involving the Humboldt hockey team.
The Niagara Falls Illumination Board is already recognizing April 7, 2022 as
Green Shirt Day 2022 but illuminating the Falls green at 10:00 pm that evening
for fifteen (15) minutes.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve the request to proclaim
Thursday, April 7, 2022 as "Green Shirt Day."
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
That Council approve/support Item #9.1 through to and including Item #9.6.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Dabrowski declared a conflict of
interest to Item #9.2).
10. COMMUNICATIONS (RECEIVE AND FILE FOR INFORMATION)
10.1. Resolution - Town of Lincoln - Partners for Climate Change Protection
(PCP) Program
See attached Town of Lincoln Council resolution regarding Partners for
Climate Change Protections (PCP) Program, passed at the February 7, 2022
meeting.
10.2. Resolution - City of Thorold - Support for Increased Fines for Firearms
Infractions
Please be guided by the attached correspondence regarding support for
Increased Fines for Firearms Infractions.
10.3. MP, Peter Julian, New Westminster, Burnaby - Seeking endorsement for
Bill C-229.
Attached is a letter from Peter Julian, MP, New Westminister - Burnaby
addressed to Mayor and Council seeking support for this leglislation.
10.4. Correspondence from Niagara Region - Report COME -2022 respecting
Evaluation of 2019 and 2020 Niagara Prosperity Initiative
Attached is report from Niagara Region respecting the Evaluation of 2019 and
2020 Niagara Prosperity.
10.5. 2022 Ontario Farmland Forum
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Attached is information pertaining to the 2022 Ontario Farmland Forum, hosted
by the Ontario Farmland Trust, held virtually on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
This year's theme is "The Future of Farm Diversification."
10.6. Resolution - Town of Bracebridge - Hospital Capital Funding
Attached is a motion from the Town of Bracebridge regarding Hospital Capital
Funding.
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
That Council receive and file for information Item #10.1 through to and
including Item #10.6.
Carried Unanimously
11. COMMUNICATIONS (REFER TO STAFF)
11.1. Correspondence from resident, David Leach - re: Gas Powered Leaf
Blowers
Resident David Leach sent attached email to Mayor Diodati and Council
Members addressing his concerns regarding the use of gas powered leaf
blowers in the City of Niagara Falls and the harmful emissions and excessive
noise they cause.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
That Council refer to Staff Item #11.1.
Carried Unanimously
12. RATIFICATION OF IN -CAMERA
Council met earlier during an In -Camera session on a property matter and there was
further direction to staff and a more fulsome ratification will be forthcoming at a future
meeting of Council.
13. NOTICE OF MOTION
There were no notices of motion.
14. BY-LAWS
2021- A by-law to authorize a Franchise Agreement between The Corporation of the
86. City of Niagara Falls and Enbridge Gas Inc.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
Page 8 of 10
That by-law 2021-86 be read a third time and passed.
Carried Unanimously
15. BY-LAWS
2022- A by-law to establish Block 103 on Plan 59M-395 (one foot reserve) as a
23. public highway to be known as, and, form part of Mann Street.
2022- A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting
24. held on the 1st day of March, 2022.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
That the by-laws be read a first, second and third time and passed.
Carried Unanimously
16. NEW BUSINESS
a) Councillor Lori Lococo discussed the return of public to the gallery now that we
are moving ahead post -pandemic. Jason Burgess, CAO, informed Council that
this was an item for discussion at the next EOC meeting, pending information
sent from Dr. Hirji.
b) Pot Holes
Councillor Carolynn loannoni mentioned the pot hole issue that exists in the
City, particularly in the Chippawa area. Erik Nickel, Director of Municipal
Works, provided an explanation as to the process taken to repair. Direction to
staff to address the potholes in the Willoughby Road area (Main Street and
Weaver area).
c) Chippawa Welcome Sign - Portage Road
Councillor Chris Dabrowski discussed the welcome sign as you enter
Chippawa that needs repair. Direction of staff to bring a report back to Council
regarding the current condition of the sign and options to maintain the condition
of the sign. (half o the sign is on the City's right-of-way and the other half is on
Niagara Parks Commission property).
d) Councillor Dabrowski recommended our City's website be updated to include
pertinent information to residents for travelling to and from the U.S.
Direction to staff be update the website accordingly by including the
appropriate provincial and federal links; furthermore, to advise NFT (Niagara
Falls Tourism) to do the same.
e) Hospice in Niagara Falls
Councillor Pietrangelo discussed the importance of having a hospice in the City
of Niagara Falls to service the ageing population.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
Page 9 of 10
That Council waive the procedural by-law to allow for a motion to be passed
under new business.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
That Council request Staff to report back on how the City of Niagara Falls can
get a hospice within its boundaries and to include possible sites.
Carried Unanimously
17. ADJOURNMENT
a) Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
That Council adjourn the meeting at 6:30 PM.
Carried Unanimously
City Clerk
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