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2004/07/12 ELEVENTH MEETING Monday, July 12, 2004 From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. City Hall, Committee Room #2A & B 'l ) Approval of the 2004-06-14 Community Services Minutes. 2) DEPUTATIONS: 4:00p. m. a) Value for Money Audit Presentation Presenting: Deloitte Touche b) 5:00p. m. R-2004-44 - User Fees Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre Members to speak 3) REPORTS: STAFF CONTACT: a) BBS~2004-04 - Louis Tussand's Wax Museum 5709 Victoria Avenue - Sign and Encroachment Variances Ed Dujlovic b) MW-2004-76 - Niagara Falls Combined Sewer Overflow Study Ed Dujlovic c) MW-2004-I 10 - Corwin Avenue, No Parking/Heavy Vehicle Restriction Ed Du.ilovic d) MW-2004-113 - Portage Road between Fallsview Boulevard and Marineland Parkway Stopping Restrictions Ed Dujlovic e) MW-2004-114 - Municipal Parking Lot #4 (Ellen Avenue) Private Storm Drain Connection Ed Dujlovic f) MW-2004-120 - Request to Extend the Hours of Paid Parking in The Downtown Ed Dujlovic g) MW-2004-122 - Garner Road Drainage Outlet - Niagara Falls Golf Club Ed Dujlovic h) R-2004-42 - Actions Stemming fi.om The Park in the City Committee (formerly EP&G Committee) Meeting - May 19, 2004 Adele Kon i) R-2004-43 - Memorandum of Understanding for the Copperlen Indoor Soccer Facility - Part of the Home for Girls Soccer Adele Kon j) R-2004-47 - 2004 Sports Wall of Fame Inductees Adele Kon k) R-2004-49 - Winter Ice Schedule for Municipal Arenas Adele Kon I) R-2004-50 - Pesticide Use on Commercial Properties Adele Kon m) F-2004-42 - Mount Carmel Park Association Ken Burden n) F-2004-43 - Renovation Costs - Willoughby Volunteer Fire Station Ken Burden 4) NEW BUSINESS 5) ADJOURNMENT MINUTES OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, June 14, 2004, City Hall, Room 2 at 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chair, Mayor Ted Salci, Alderman Janice Wing, Alderman Joyce Morocco, Alderman Jim Diodati, Alderman Vince Kerrio. REGRETS: Chairman Alderman Victor Pietrangelo, Alderman Wayne Campbell, Alderman Carolynn Ioarmoni, Tony Ravenda. STAFF: John MacDonald, Ed Dujlovic, Ray Kallio Ken Burden, Adele Kon, Dean Iorfida, Pat Burke, Bob Darrall, Tom Mussari, Bob Bolibruck, Marianne Tikky- Steno. PRESS: Corey Larocque, Niagara Falls Review. GUESTS: Clyde Carruthers - Trails & Bikeway Committee, Bob Romanuk - Trails & Bikeway Committee, Martin Berzins - Trails & Bikeway Committee, Brian Cembalisty - Trails & Bikeway Committee, John Buonvivere - representing Shell Canada, Nick Paloumba - Delcan, John Vander Mark - Cycle Specialist brought in by Delcan, Rick Hein - Delcan, Scott Wright - Gordon Wright Electric. 1) MINUTES: IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN MOROCCO and seconded by Alderman Kerr/o, that the minutes of the May 31,2004 meeting be approved. Motion: Carried Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 2) PRESENTATION: a) Delcan Presentation MW-2004-46 - Dorchester Road Update IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR SALCI and seconded by Alderman Morocco, that the Committee authorizes staff to file thc Environmental Study Report for the revised recommended preferred design. Motion: Carried Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 -2- 3) REPORTS a) MW-2004-100 - Nassau Avenue at Southerland Court Intersection Control Review IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR SALCI and seconded by Alderman Morocco that a stop sign be installed facing eastbound motorists on Southerland Court at the intersection of Nassau Avenue and Southerland Court. Motion: Carried Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 b) MW-2004-111 - Renovations to Council Chambers IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR SALCI and seconded by Alderman Morocco that Committee award Tender #09-2004 for the Renovations to Council Chambers, Niagara Falls, City Hall, to the low bidder Lancing Construction of Hamilton, Ontario for the tender amount of $49,900.00 for Scheme "A' and that spectator seating be reviewed. Motion: Carried Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 c) MW-2004-106 - Proposed Land Exchange/Purchase Gordon Wright Electric - 6260 Don Murie Street IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN DIODAT! and seconded by Alderman Morocco that; 1. That part of Block "A," Plan M 67, located on the north side of Chippawa Parkway and the south side of lands owned by George Gordon Wright Jr. and Shirley Anne Wright, shown as Part 1 on the attached Schedule "A" (herein described as the "subject lands") be declared surplus; and, 2 That a land exchange be authorized as follows: (a) That the "subject lands" be transferred to Gordon Wright Jr. and Shirley Anne Wright, for fair market value and in accordance with the City's policy regarding the payment of costs associated with the transfer; and, (b) That land required for the construction of a cul-de-sac at the westerly terminus of Don Murie Street shown as Part 2 on the attached Schedule "A" be acquired by the Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls fi.om George Gordon Wright Jr. and Shirley Anne Wright, for fair market value and in accordance with the City's policy regarding the payment of costs associated with the transfer. Motion: Carried -3- Conflict: Alderman Ken:lo Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 d) MW-2004-97 - Disposal of Surplus Lands - Chippawa Parkway, Part Block "A" - Plan M 67 IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR SALCI and seconded by Alderman Diodati that the City of Niagara Falls declare Part Block "A" Plan M 67 as surplus lands and further that staff be authorized to enter into negotiations with the adjacent landowners (if interested) for the sale of these lands subject to any easements, exchanges, setbacks or access constraints that may apply on an individual basis. Motion: Can:ied Conflict: Alderman Kenio Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 e) R-2004-39 - Proposed Bike Lanes Along River Road IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN DIODATI and seconded by Mayor Salci that Committee supports the removal of existing "No Parking Except by Permit Zone" signs and placement of painted bike lanes along River Road from Hiram Street north to the Leader Lane area. Furthermore, that a copy of this report be sent to the Niagara Parks Commission for their approval. Motion: Carried Conflict: Alderman Wing Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 f) R-2004-41 - Request for Financial Assistance Niagara Falls U12 Boys Soccer Team IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN WiNG and seconded by Alderman Morocco that the request for funding be denied. Motion: Carded Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 4) NEW BUSINESS: a) IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN WING and seconded by Alderman Morocco that prepare a report on turn movements to the Tim Horton's access on Drummond Road at Frederica Street. -4- Motion: Carried Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2004-06-14 5) ADJOURNMENT IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN KERRIO and seconded by Alderman Morocco, that the regular meeting of the Community Services Committee be adjourned at 5:25 p.m. BACKGROUND Three models were reviewed: 1) Traditional Value for Money Audit - These types of audits have gained considerable attention lately especially at the Federal Government level. 2) Program Review - This was a method developed by the Province of Ontario to review all programs across Ministries 3) Corporate Performance Management (CPM)- "Is the combination of methodologies, metrics, processes and systems used to monitor and manage the business performance of an enterprise" Deloitte. Summary of Analysis Decision Criteria ~;"~,/ "~ ~'~".',~ ~ Reviews Safeguards and Controls Controls X Reviews the Relevence of the activity/program Relevence X X Reviews whether resources were used efficiently Efficiency X X X Was the programs effective, did they obtain the required results? Effective X X X Increases transparency Transparency X X X Assists Council with Governance responsibility Goverance X X X Is the program affordable and sustainable Sustainabflity X Is program is aligned with City Objectives Aligned X Builds accountibility into the system Accountabifity ~ ~ X ,~an it be used to make budgetary decisions Resource Allocation ~ X Ties in all business functions (planning, reporting, 3erformance measurement, evaluation) Integrated X Fosters continuous improvement Improvement X X - meets criteria ~ - partially meets criteria Recommendation We would recommend adopting the Corporate Performance Management (CPM) approach, for the following reasons: · The city would have difficulty employing either of the first two options as the City is not in a position to measure against existing goals. · At this point one cannot determine whether a service delivered value or not because the measurement criteria has not been established. · The CPM approach is forward looking with its intent to establish goals and objectives. Its goal is to drive optimal taxpayer value out of current and future tax dollars. By setting the goals and objectives and developing a reporting system, city staff and council can work against those goals and objectives. Recommendation (cont.) The goals to achieve the objective are; 1) Identify what delivers value to the taxpayers and other identified stakeholders. 2) Providing a method to measure and determine value, and assign responsibility to the right people to ensure value is delivered. 3) Providing a mechanisms to monitor, measure and report the city's performance, and; 4) Use this information to enhance and improve further decisions at both the staff and council level Project Overview Our approach to this project has 3 steps: 1) Pilot Project - We would implement a CPM system into a division or business unit. This would allow the city the opportunity to evaluate the approach prior to committing further resources. 2) City Wide Strategic Review - An analysis of the city's strategic planning and performance measures would be reviewed on a city wide basis. 3) Division Rollout - We would roll out a CPM strategy across the city on a division by division basis. A goal of our project is to transfer sufficient knowledge to city staff so that they can implement CPM system to some of the divisions without the assistance of Deloitte. Deliverables Following the implementation of all three phases of our approach the City will obtain the following: Defined performance measures (or "metrics") with accountabilities for each area under review; Metric definition, data requirements and metric calculation where data exists; A city-wide process by which the city establishes critical, controllable goals, and measurements throughout the organization; A city-wide process by which performance is reviewed and realigned on a formal and informal basis; z A training module ready to be delivered which enables people to undertake their roles and responsibilities within the performance management system; and, Recommendations on on-going data capture improvement opportunities for the City, including system enablement. Community Services Department R-2004-44 ~'~ ~. % ©~ ~1~ Parks Recreat on & Cu ture Adele Ken .. ,.,, I~-- 4310 Queen Street ~,~r~ r ~]iS ~J~lr P.O. Box 1023 Director ~ ,~~' N,agara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 ~11~~'~ web"~==~'5 ~'!'~ site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-44 User Fees Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre RECOMMENDATION: To Members of City Council for information BACKGROUND: At the April 5, 2004, Council meeting, staff was directed to obtain input concerning the user fees from the membership at the Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre. Staffworked closely with the Advisory Committee in developing the wording of the ballot and the process whereby input would be obtained. The Annual General Meeting was held on Monday, May 28, 2004, with 138 members in attendance. Of those who attended, 125 submitted a ballot. Voting continued for the remainder of the week and an additional 133 members voted. Therefore, a total of 258 members voted which represented approximately 17% of the 1,525 members. The options presented on the 'secret' ballot were as follows: 1. To maintain the $15.00 membership fee (GST Included) with annual increases of $1.00 on January 1s~ and to discontinue the 50-cent drop-in fees for all programs except those, which are instructor lead programs. 2. To maintain the $15.00 membership fee (GST Included) with annual increases of $1.00 on January 1st and to uphold the 50-cent drop-in fee with the exception of poolroom, computer room, games room, fitness room, library and worship service. Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - R-2004-44 3. No membership fee and no drop-in fees. 4. To increase the membership fee to $25.00 (GST Included) subject to review on an annual basis and to eliminate all drop-in fees except for instructor lead programs. Results: Question # 1 #2 #3 #4 Spoiled Total 45 163 6 40 4 258 The majority of those who cast a vote selected the second option which was to maintain both the annual membership and the drop-in fee. This was the fee structure which was previously adopted by the Advisory Committee. Reco~de, d~y: ~' Respectfully submitted: Adele Kon /~ J/51m MacDonald Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture /C/,/Chief Administrative Officer AK/das ~&, Communlt~ Services Department BBS-2004-04 Niagara f:=lls~l~,~_ Build]n. & By-Law Sm'vices John Castr[ll] Cc~n~ ~.. 4310 Queen Street Director P.O. Box 1023 ~ ! ~ Niagara Falls, ON L2.E 6X5 web site: www.city, niagarafalls.on,ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 374-7500 E-mail: jcastrilli@city.niagarafalls.on .ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chair and Members oft.he Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: BBS-2004-04 - Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum 5709 Victoria Avenue Sign By-Law Variances & Encroachment RECOMMENDATION: That the Committee denies thc variances and encroachments. * that sign variances requested be approved subject to encroachment agreements being entered into and that the applicant work with staff to ensure BACKGROUND: pedestrian safety.* The applicants arc proposing to reestablish the well-known museum previously located on Clifton Hill to a property on Victoria Avenue near Centre Street and in doing so three separate variances to municipal by-laws have been requested. 1) In order to accommodate the architectural design of the new building an encroachment has been proposed over Municipal property (sidewalk) of 48 inches, whereas no encroachments are permitted. The plan calls for a cantilever ora Tudor design starting at approximately 10 feet above the sidewalk and varies from a few inches to 48 inches at the roof level. The site has been cleared of all buildings and it is felt that the new building can be accommodated within the confi,es of the property lines without the need to encroach over the municipal sidewalk. 2) Perm/ssion to install a ground sign near the edge and on the City sidewalk in front of the applicants property is being proposed. This sign would overhang the traveled portion of Victoria Avenue and will be more than 42 feet high, whereas the maximum height permitted is 25 feet and, of course, no signs are permitted on municipal property. 3) The installation of a 'tightrope' across Victoria Avenue attached to their building on one Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture * Business Development * Build/rig & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 -2 - BBS-2004-04 side and stretched over to a post on Municipal property on the other is also being proposed. In the centre of this tightrope would be the figure of"Blondin" which formerly hung over Clifton Hill for many years at their previous location. This figure would be considered a sign and again signs are not permitted on Municipal property. Individually these proposals would not appear to be overly obtrusive, however, when grouped together, a visual impact would be created that would contribute to the 'clutter' at this already congested area. Encroachment agreements and proper insurances would be required, if approved. /¢~spect fully submitted: Manager of By-Law Services / Chief Administrative Officer ( John/C~'strilli x,D2r, ffctor of Building & By-law Services JC:rj Attachment FRONT/NORTH ELEVATION/VICTORIA AVE) SCALE: ~" = 1'-0" I! I as ~n 12-6' [Buiiiding ~ge SIGN LOCATION STUDY o 4' Section/Elevation I ~1 I I I Community Services Department MW-2004-76 · ~ Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic The City of . . BE--, 4310 Queen Street Director lagar.a t-ails fJ ,, l r p.o. Box 1023 ~.on~~ Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 ~~'"-~'5 "I'"'~T,~ web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca ~ Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-maih edujlovi@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and the Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: MW-2004-76 Niagara Fails Combined Sewer Overflow Study RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Ryerson University and the National Water Research Institute for provision of consulting and advisory services at a total cost orS 74,000. The net cost to the City for this study is approximately $ 8,000 by virtue of the funding arrangements detailed below. BACKGROUND: The City of Niagara Falls in conjunction with the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada and the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation are partners in a study to identify innovative and cost-effective methods of eliminating or mitigating combined sewer overflow. The City of Niagara Falls Pilot High Rate Treatment Study will be conducted from the fall of this year until approximately September of 2005. For further details on this study, please consult the following reports. Report # Title Date MW-2003-136 Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation Funding 11/08/2003 MW-2003-196 Pilot High Rate Treatment Consultant Selection 11/17/2003 In order to determine the most appropriate treatment technology City Staffrecognized the need for a non partisan third party assessment of the efficacy of the devices being tested. City Staff contacted the engineering faculty at the University of Ryerson and requested that they submit a proposal in conjunction with National Water Research Staff at the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters. Doctors Jiri Marsalek of N.W.R.I. and James Li of Ryerson University submitted a proposal for the required works. Working Together to Serve Our CommuniO~ Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - MW-2004-76 City staff then contacted the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund for funding of this portion of the project. Great Lakes staff authorized a $ 50,000 grant for the project. The funding for this project is as follows: Agency Amount City of Niagara Falls $ 8,000 Regional Municipality of Niagara $ 8,000 Great Lakes Sustainability Fund $ 50,000 Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation $ 8,000 This project will provide staff from municipal, provincial and federal levels of government with an invaluable and objective opinion on the effectiveness of the technology and its applicability to the twelve other combined sewer overflow locations located within the City of Niagara Falls. The project also provides invaluable experience for graduate and doctoral students in the field of engineering and wastewater treatment while providing the City of Niagara Falls with a cost effective non biased alternative to traditional consulting firms. A copy of the proposal is attached. Council's concurrence with the recommendation is requested Prepared by: Respectfully submitted: David Watt // John MacDonald Manager of Infi'astructure ~' Chief Administrative Officer Approved by: ¢ ~l~)irector o f M ~ic ~t~al Works S:\REPORTS~2004 Reports\MW-2004-76 Ryerson University_ National Water Research Institute.wpd RYERSON 4/15/2004 David Watt, OLS, OLIP Manager of Infrastructure Community Services Department, Municipal Works P.O. Box 1023, 4310 Queen Street Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6X5 Dear David: Re: Niagara Falls Combined Sewer Overfiow { CSO) Treatability Study We are pleased to submit the proposal to investigate the feasibility of using high-rate treatment devices to treat combined sewage in Niagara Falls. As indicated in the attached proposal, our study objectives are to · Participate in the design of the pilot demonstration project; · Develop a monitoring and evaluation protocol for pilot demonstration project; · Characterize combined sewage durmg storm events at the pilot demonstration project; · Assess different approaches to objectively evaluate technologies for CSO treatment; · Investigate the settleability of combined solids using two settling columns; · Evaluate the treatment efficiency of CDS end StormKing vortex separators; and · Conduct a simulation study using the Niagara Falls' XPSWMM CSO model. Our research team comprises Dr. Jiri Marsalek of NWRI, Mr. Philip Cheung of CH2M Gore & Storrie Ltd., and our undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students. We would like to thank the City of Niagara Falls for offering this excellent training opportunity to our students. Our students will definitely benefit from this practical experience. If there is any question, please contact me. Yours truly, Eno. RYERSON L X,'l\, City of Niagara Falls High Rate Treatment Pilot Study Introduction The City of Niagara Falls has commissioned a series of studies to investigate cost- effective technologies for controlling combined sewer overflows to the Niagara River. One of the potential options is the construction of a high-rate treatment (HRT) facility near the Muddy Run trunk. In order to provide design information for the potential HRT, a pilot study of two HRT devices wilt be conducted at the Central Pump Station Study Objectives The study will focus on the performance evaluation of two common vortex separators (i.e. Storm King Vortex Separator and Constant Deflective Screening) using field data as well as computer modeling. Methodologx, The research consortium, comprises Ryerson University (RU), National Water Research Institute (NWRI), and CH2M Gore & Storrie Ltd. (CH2M), will develop a sampling protocol and work with RV Anderson in the design of the pilot facility; · analyze the collected quantity and quality data ever the sampling period; · conduct a laborato~ study of the settleability of combined solids collected at the pilot facility; and · estimate the performance of these devices, within the context of procedure F-5-5, using the City of Niagara Falls long term dynamic XPSWMM model. Tasks 1. Sampling Protocol Measurement of rainfall and flow, and collection of water and sediment samples are the main focus of the sampling protocol. Rainfall will be measured within the sewershed using rain gauges. A flow splitter will be used to distribute equal flow to each of the HRT device. Water samples will be collected from influent and effluent of each HRT and sediment samples will be collected from the underflow of each HRT. RU and RVA will jointly develop the sampling protocol. NWRI will provide advice on the protocol. 2. Analysis of field data Upon receipt of the monitored data from the city, RU will analyze the rainfall, flow, and water quality and estimate the field performance of each HRT. The RYERSON L, I\ RSI" data will be compiled for the long-term performance evaluation using the XPSWMM model in Task 4. 3. Analysis of the settleability of the combined solids The settleabili~~ of the combined solids is the most important parameter in the design of HRT. Combined solids collected at the pilot facility will be analyzed by NWRI and RU using two different columns (e.g. brombach column - Aston column and Elutriation Column). 4. Performance Evaluation of HRT using computer models Using the measured data at the pilot facility, the City of Niagara Falls long term dynarmc XPSWMM model will be calibrated. The average performance of HRT will then be simulated over a typical year. RU ',','ill conduct this task in cooperation with CH2M. Schedule Task 1/04-3/04 4/04-6/04 7/04-9/04 10/04-12/04 1/05-3/05 ] ** Interim report Final report Budget Task RU* NWRI CH2M Total Cost I 9,000 3,000 12,000 2 12,000 12,000 3 i 14,000 18,000 32,000 4 [ 10,000 8,000 18,000 Subtotal 45,000 21,000 8,000 74,000 *included 40% university administration overhead Community Services Department MW-2004.t t0 Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic ~ 4310 Queen Street Director P.o. Box 4023 N~agara Niagsr~ Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Canad?,~~ web sRe: www.¢J~y.nisgar~fsJl$.on.ca ~~ J-- Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-mail: edujlovic@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: MW-2004-110 Corwin Avenue - No Parking Restriction/Heavy Vehicle Restriction RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that the existing "no parking" zone on thc east side of Corwin Avenue from Lundy's Lane to a point 10 metres south of Lundy's Lane be extended to a point 20 metres south of Lundy's Lane. BACKGROUND: In reply to a request from the Community Services Committee meeting on April 19, 2004, staff has investigated the feasibility of implementing a heavy vehicle restriction on Corwin Avenue and reviewed the regulations for heavy vehicles carrying out 3-point tums. Corwin Avenue extends in a north/south direction from Lundy's Lane to Stokes Street and is primarily residential with the exception of the Flying Saucer Restaurant and the former Salvation Army located at the comer of Lundy's Lane. Conversations with the owner of the Flying Saucer Restaurant indicate that tour buses park on the street on Corwin Avenue to allow passengers access to the restaurant. The tour buses typically arrive in the morning with the last departure being approximately 9:00 a.m. The location where the buses park is directly adjacent commercial property and therefore, does not interfere with the residential establishments. Upon leaving, the buses usually carry out 3-point tums and leave via Lundy's Lane, however, they sometimes travel south to Spence Street to exit. A review the Ontario Highway Traffic Act was carried out to determine if there are provincial regulations in place prohibiting heavy vehicles from carrying three point tums. There is no specific reference to 3-point tums, however, there is an applicable regulation pertaining to U- tums for all vehicle types. Section 143 HTA states, "No driver or operator of a vehicle upon a Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - MW-2004-110 highway shall turn the vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction when," · upon a curve where traffic approaching the vehicle from either direction cannot be seen by the driver of the vehicle within a distance of l SO metres; on a railway crossing or within 30 metres of a railway crossing; · upon the approach or near the crest of a grade where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of another vehicle of approaching from either direction within 150 metres; or within 150 metres of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance Thus, given the topography and geometrics of Corwin Avenue, U-tums are able to be carried out in this area. It should however, be noted that companies using heavy vehicles for transportation may have internal policies regarding drivers carrying out reversing and U-turn maneuvers. Given staff's observation there is no evidence to indicate that heavy vehicles are using Corwin Avenue as a cut-through route. Tour bus operators parking on Corwin Avenue in the commercial area is attending a bona fide destination that being the restaurant, therefore, implementing a heavy vehicle restriction at Lundy's Lane would not preclude their travel on this street. Therefore, staff is suggesting that no changes regarding this matter be made at this time. At the aforementioned Community Services Committee meeting, a motion was passed to implement a comer parking restriction on the east side of Corwin Avenue from Lundy's Lane to a of Lundy's Lane. During sign noted that I Om is within the radius of the intersection and thus the restriction is not effective in ensuring visibility. Therefore, it is recommended that the existing "no parking" zone be extended an additional 10 metres southerly to correspond with the restriction on the opposite side of Corwin Avenue. Looking north on Corwin Avenue towards Lundy 's Lane This will ensure that the stop sign is unobstructed and that adequate maneuvering room is available. Again, it was discussed with the owner of the Flying Saucer Restaurant, the need to relocate the parking restriction for safety reasons. Provided that no other changes to the parking arrangement are to be made, the owner was receptive to the change. Additional modifications to the on-street parking are not required at this time. Therefore, it is recommended that the parking restriction be extended 1 Om southerly on the east side of Corwin Avenue. July 12, 2004 - 3 - MW-2004-110 The Committee's concurrence with the recommendations outlined in this report would be appreciated. Prepared by: >,espectfully submitte~l: , Karl Dren, C.E.T. opm MacDonald Manager of Traffic & Parking Services Chief Administrative Officer '~ ~r eDc~Jolr°~i? 'Ju'n~ cn ~ a, Work Tim Burshtein S:\TRAFFIC\REPORTS~2004kCommunity ServicesXJuly 12\MW-2004-110 Corwin Avenue - Heavy Vehicle Rest - No Parking.wpd LE__E__EEM~_G._SiI ~1 L LEEMINGIS~I'. ~ HIGH ST. ~ , , ~ , ~ LU~DY'S LANE ~ ~') ~ Salvation I ~ Amy , ~ Flying' Saucer L cRescenT LEGEND: ~ [ Existing "No Parking"  J M~IClPAL WO~S  , T~FFIC & PARING SERVICES Corwin Avenue Proposed Extension To The Comer Parking Restriction NORTH NO* *o sca~[ July 12, 2004 Tim Burshtein Community Services Department MW-2004-113 Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic 4310 Queen Street Director The City of Niagar~a Falls P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 OQ~(3dQ web site: wvc~.city, niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-maih edujlovic@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: MW-2004-113 Portage Rd. - Fallsview Blvd. and Marineland Pkwy. Stopping Restrictions Fallsview Blvd./Murray St. - Two-way Left Turn Lanes RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that: 1. the existing "no stopping, tow away zone" restriction on both sides of Portage Road between Fallsview Boulevard and a point 630 metres south of Fallsview Boulevard be extended south to Marineland Parkway; and, 2. Schedule U of Parking and Traffic By-law 89-2000 be amended to include the permissive movements for the two-way left turn lanes on Fallsview Boulevard and on Murray Street. BACKGROUND: Following the implementation of area wide stopping prohibitions in the Fallsview district, staff have noted that a cluster of motorists have relocated to an area on Portage Road beyond the initial signing limits. Observations noted that vehicles are parking on the grass boulevards perpendicular to the road. Not only is there a rapid deterioration of the boulevard occuring, but of prime concern is motorists safety. Upon leaving the premises motorists are required to reverse onto the road, and cross 2 lanes of traffic depending on their intended direction of travel. As a result, staff is recommending that the existing stopping prohibition on both sides of Portage Road extend to Marineland Parkway. Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - MW-2004-113 In addition, it was noted that the reconstruction of Fallsview Boulevard & Murray Street incorporated a shared centre lane for left turning motorists in both directions, commonly referred to as two-way left turn lanes. Schedule U of Parking and Traffic By-law 89-2000 needs to be amended to include this lane designation and the permissive movements as per the Highway Traffic Act. Signs to illustrate the lane designation will also be installed, as mandated by provincial guidelines. The Committee's concurrence with the recommendations outlined in this report would be appreciated. Prepared by: (-~espectfully suCmitted: Karl Dren, C.E.T. /r ./John MacDonald Manager of Traffic & Parking Services 'C,/ Chief Administrative Officer Approved by~ E Eng. 5~ Director of Municipal Work J Grubich S:\TRAFFIC\REPORTSL2004\Community ServicesXJuly 12\MW-2004-113 Portage Road-Murray-Fallsview -No Stop - Left Turas.wpd , ~ '~ [ ! Coca's Cascade I \ ¢"''""~% [ / Restaurant Inn ~ ~,, J/ ] ~ ~ J } ~ Mu~ay St. k~, ,~ ~ mlton ~ Fallswew LBGBN Proposed Parking Prohibition · ow ~wa~ Zo~ ~'~ ~ ~VmC~ WO~S ~] ~ ~mc & e~m~e seawces Potage Road be~een Fallsview Boulevard & Marineland Parkway - Stopping Restrictions NORTH so* ~o sc~[~ July 12, 2004 John Gmbich Community Services Department MW-2004-114 Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic ,~ 4310 Queen Street Director The City Of Falls"~"-- P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 CQnad?~=~,~'~ web site: w'~r~,.¢ity.niagarafalls.on.ca ~~11~ ~ Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-mail: edujlovi@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: RE: MW-2004-114 Municipal Parking Lot #4 (5616 Ellen Avenue) Private Storm Drain Connection RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City enter into an encroachment agreement with Mr. Vijay Gupta of 5701 Victoria Avenue, concerning a storm drainage connection within Municipal Parking Lot #4 on Ellen Avenue. BACKGROUND: A request has recently been received from Mr. Vijay Gupta, owner of Gupta Souvenirs Ltd. at 5701 Victoria Avenue for permission to connect his sump pump into a storm drain in Municipal Lot #4 (Ellen Avenue). This would consist of connecting a two-inch (2") diameter drain pipe complete with a backflow preventer from the rear of 5701 Victoria Avenue into the existing eight-inch (8") diameter line between catch basins on the cities parking lot. The approximate length of the connection is 55 feet of which approximately 20 feet is on city property. All connections will be made below grade with the requirement of excavating approximately 20 feet of asphalt. The request was circulated to all applicable departments for review. Based on the comments received, Staffhas no objections to this request, subject to the following conditions being met: 1. The applicant enter into an encroachment agreement with the City; 2. The applicant be required to obtain a reference plan; 3. The encroachment agreement be registered on title; 4. The applicant will be required to obtain all necessary sewer/plumbing permits from the Building Division, prior to commencing works; Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 -2 - MW-2004-114 5. Provide a certificate of insurance showing the City as an additional insured with minimum coverage of $2 million is required, prior to commencing the work; 6. Upon receiving 30 days written notice the applicant will disconnect the sump pump connection, and bear all costs; 7. Municipal property must be restored to its original condition according to city standards; and 8. All costs including the preparation and registration of the encroachment agreement, preparation and registration of the reference plan, be borne by the applicant. Therefore, staff is recommending that Council approve this request with the conditions stipulated above. Council's concurrence with the recommendation outlined in this report would be appreciated. Prepared by: ARespectfully submitted: Karl Dren, C.E.T. acDonald Manager of Traffic & Parking Services ~' Chief Administrative Officer ~4~)d. Dujlovic, P.Eng. irector of Municipal Works J. Grubich S:\TRAFFIC\REPORTS~2004\CounciI\MW-2004-114Municipal Lot 4 Sump Pumpwpd PRiG ST. ' ~ gRIN( ~ T ~/ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ s~ ~~/ ~//  MUNICIPAL WO~S  T~FFIC & PARKING SERVICES Municipal Lot $4 Private Sto~ Drain Connection NORTH ~o~ m ~c~ July 12, 2004 Tim Burshtein Community Services Department MW-2004-120 Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic · ~,~. 4310 Queen Street The C ty of Director .... P.O. Box 023 N~ogora I-ollsyJl,~l~ Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Can~~ web site: w'ww.city.niagarafalls.on.ca ! ~ Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-mail: edujlovi@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: MW-2004-120 - Request to Extend the Hours of Paid Parking in the Downtown RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the recommendations outlined in report MW-2003-47 - Review of Extending Paid Parking in the Downtown, be approved. BACKGROUND: Early in 2003, the Downtown Board requested that staff look at the possibility of extending paid parking hours in the Downtown area. In March, Staff prepared the attached report, however, it was deferred until Fall 2003. Council, at it's meeting of September 22, 2003, at the request of the Municipal Parking and Traffic Committee, deferred the abovementioned report. In May 2004, Staff attended a Downtown Board of Management meeting, where it was once again requested, that the recommendations outlined in Report No. MW-2003-47 - Review of Extending Paid Parking in the Downtown, be implemented. The Board of Management Executive endorsed the recommendations outlined in the abovementioned report as follows: It is recommended that: 1) extended hours of pay parking be implemented starting at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until 3:00 a.m., year round with no exemptions; 2) several pay and display machines be pumhased and installed both on-street and in Municipal Parking Lot # 10A; Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - MW-2004-120 3) up to $150,000 be allocated from the Parking Reserve Fund to purchase new equipment and reprogram existing equipment. 4) the permit parking zones be extended, as outline in the report; 5) parking be restricted in the area's outline in the report; and, 6) for the initial start up of the extended pay parking, an off-duty Police Officer be hired to provide enforcement assistance to the Parking Control StaffPatrolling the area during the evening hours. The Committee's concurrence with the recommendation outlined in this report would be appreciated. Prepared by: Respectfully submitted: Karl Dren, C.E.T. John MacDonald ~ Manager of Traffic & Parking Services /~/~°hih~ef~dministrative O ffi c er Approved by:. IEd Dujlovic, P.Eng. 3Ce([Director of Municipal Works S:\TILAFFIC\REPORTSX~2004\Community Serviceskluly 12\MW-2004-120 Extend Hours Paid Parking Downtown.wpd File: G-180~19 Community Services Department MW-2003-47 The Cify of ' ~ Municipal Works Ed Dujlovic, P. Eng. Niagara Falls yJ~..~l~ 4310 Queen Street Director :01'~~~' P.O. BOX 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 ~- I ~ web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-mail: munwks{~city.niagamfalls.on.ca September 16, 2003 Alde~msa Y-Jm Craitor, Chdrpe~son sad Membem oD_he Municipal ?ar~ng and Tnu~c CommJttee, City o£Niaga~ Fails, Ontario Members: l~C: Review et' F~xteadlng ])aid Parking }{oa~ the Downtown RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that: ]) extended horn's of pay parking be Lmpiemented sta_,-t~g at 9:00 a.m. and continuing unfi! 3:00 a.m., year round w~th no exemptions; 2) several pay and display maci~ines be ptLrchased sad fl~talled both on-street sad ~ Mu~cipa] ?az~g Lot # 3) up to $] 50,000 bo a~ocated from the Park~g Reserve Ftmd to parchase new equipment sad repmip'am exist~g equipment. 4) the permit par~inE zones be extended, as outline in the report; S) pafld~g bc ms~cted in the a~a's ondine in the report; sad, 6) for the i~fia] sta'~ up ot' thc extended pay p=kiz~8, an off-duty Police Officer be hLmd to provide ent'orcement assistsace to thc paryjng Contzo] Sta~ ?atroll[ng the a~a du.~tg the eYening lioum. BACKGROUND: The Downtown Board of Management has requested Staff to review the possibility of extending the hours of paid parking in the Downtown. Currently, Downtown paid parking hours operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, holidays excepted. Over the last several years numerous night time establishments, (i.e. bars and restaurants) have moved into the Downtown. As a result, there is an increased demand for parking facilities during the evening hours, typically between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. As well, there has been an September 16, 2003 -2- MW-2003-47 increased expense in cleaning up the lot due to this nighttime activity. Further, parking lot snowplowing operations are delayed as well. Extended hours of pay parking already occur in other areas of the City that warrant it, such as Clifton Hill, Fallsview and the Hospital. Staffobservations of what is occurring during the evening hours has indicated there is a definite need to control the parking activity. To help offset the additional expenses for extra clean up, as well as, to address increased nighttime parking demands, Staff is recommending that paid parking hours be extended to 3:00 a.m. on a dally basis, and year round with no holiday . exemptions. Plan of Action In order to address the evening pay parking demands and lessen the burden of purchasing new equipment, staff has defined an extended paid parking zone. Through'nighttime observations it has been determined that there is a core area of activity that wan~ts the extended pay hours. This area is bounded by Park Street (includes) to the north, Huron~;treet (includes) to the south, up to, but not including Ontario Street to the east and up to, but not including Buckley Avenue to the west. It is recommended that: 1. Pay and Display machines be installed on St. Clair Avenue, Crysler Avenue, St. Lawrence Avenue and in Municipal Parking Lot # 10A (leased parking during the day). 2. A flat rote of $4.00 be charged after 6:00pm, until 3:00am, every day, all year with no holiday exemptions, for the parking on the side streets stated above as well as Municipal Parking Lots 3, 9, 10A and 10B. 3. Municipal Parking Lots 7 and 8 would remain as leased parking during the day and restricted to parking after 6:00 p.m. except for some extended lease permits. 4. The side streets would be free during the day until 6:00 p.m. (currently 5:00pm), and continue to operate under the 2-hour/5-hour rule, Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday there would be no restrictions during the day, and where no proposed pay and display machines are recommended, parking would be restricted after 6:00pm. (Buckley Avenue, Ontario Avenue and Erie Avenue). 5. Ail metered parking hours (2-hour maximum at parking meters) in the Downtown would be extended, starting at 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m., every day, all year with no holiday exemptions. 6. That permissive parking zones in the areas bounded by Victoria Avenue, Erie Avenue, Park Street and Morrison Street be eliminated either through extending permit hours or increasing parking restriction hours. September t6, 2003 -3- MW-2003-47 Financial Impacts It is estimated that the cost of installing new equipment, as well as, reprogramming the existing equipment will be approximately $150,000.00. The funds to purchase and reprogram this equipment will take from the parking reserve fund. Because of the flexible nature of the equipment being purchased, should after a reasonable trial period, it be deemed that pay parking is not warranted after hours, then ti'ds equipment could be moved to other areas of the City, as part of the five-year plan to replace many of the parking meters with on-street pay and display machines. The Committee's concurrence with the recommendations outlined in this report would b~ appreciated. Recommended by: Approved by: _ Karl Dren, C.E.T. Ed Dujlovic, P ng Manager of Traffic & Parking Services Director of Mun/cipal Works S:\TR.AFFI~REPORTS~2003~Sq0tembcr 16~t~V200347;wpd PAY PARKING CORE AREA - q Le ._, · _e · e -~1' __ - ' , ~ ---~-- ~"~J ~ ~ ~//~ / LE6END: Municipal Par~g ~t ~w~g 1: Sandy Area ~q Ba~es~u~nts~avems/Cafes NORTH ~ John Gmbich ~ Septemb~ 16, 2003 ST. * t..' ..~.'. ..~..;..7.7-...EZ.'; ................................. ~ ? ..................... ~......--~ ............ ~ 'No ~' ~"~o S~" R~cOon & T~ S~& TR&~C & PARKING SERV1CES H [~J ~.~(~3~y) X~s~'~oP~ng"(6~-6mn, D~ly) John Ombich S~tember 2003 Community Services Department MW-2004-122 i~ Of s~il~ Municipal~jk Works Ed Dujlovic }'he C y · 4310 Queen Street Director N~agara Fall P.O. Box 1023 Ca;q~~' Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 ~111~~ r web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2354 E-mail: edujlovi@city,niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: MW-2004-122 Garner Road Drainage Outlet Improvements Through Niagara Falls Golf Course RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Municipal Works staff be directed to investigate and secure a suitable storm drainage outlet through the Niagara Falls Golf Course property to accommodate drainage from Garner Road and runoff from adjacent lands upstream. BACKGROUND: The owners of the Niagara Falls Golf Course are currently constructing a new practice facility on their property and are preparing a formal Site Plan that will address the concerns raised by the neighbours involving a number of issues. One of these concerns, shared by Municipal Works staff, is the proper construction of a storm drainage outlet. In the past, the storm runoff from the Garner Road road allowance discharged into a low-lying area situated to the west of Garner Road, south of Lundy's Lane just behind three established residential properties. The planned redevelopment of this area provides the City with an opportunity to secure a suitable storn] drainage outlet through the property to an existing tributary of the Shriner's Creek system. Municipal Works staff has conducted some preliminary field work to assess the viability of this undertaking and are seeking formal direction from City Council to secure an outlet through the Site Plan process. Please note that the residents adjacent to the new practice facility will be consulted as part of this review so that drainage discharged from their properties can also be accommodated in this new system I~orking Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - MW-2004-122 Attached is a plan showing the approximate alignment identified to date. Once additional information with respect to the scope and costs of this project have been finalized a further report will be presented to Council seeking authorization to implement the solution. Prepared by: Respectfully submitted: Gloff nolman ' ( acDonald Manager of Development ~Chief Administrative Officer Approved by: -J' ' ~)irector of Municipal Works Attach: S:\REPORTS\2004 Reports'xMW-2004-122 - Garner Road Drainage Outlet - Niagara Falls GolfClub.wpd The C~ Garner Road Drainage Outlet Improvements Niagara Falls Golf Course Community Services Department R-2004-42 Parks, Recreation & Culture Adele Ken 4310 Queen Street Director P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-42 Actions Stemming from The Park in the City Committee (formerly EP&G Committee) Meeting - May 19, 2004 RECOMMENDATION: That Council receive and file this report. BACKGROUND: At The Park in the City Committee Meeting held on May 19, 2004, the Committee approved report R-2004-28 Beautification Program Update, of which a copy is attached as Appendix [. This report outlines the various beautification projects and operation expenditures planned for the $250,000 approved by Council in the 2004 Budget. The report recognizes that the implementation program is an ambitious one, given the large number of projects currently underway through the Parks, Recreation & Culture Office. The various volunteer sub-committees under The Park in the City Committee continue to work on their beautification projects which in many cases include working together with staff. For example, some of the Landscape Sub-Committee Members, together in partnership with GNGH planted the flower bed in front of the Hospital. The Hospital in turn has recognized the work of the volunteers. This partnership will continue to grow as the plans for the new Emergency Department develop. Other partnerships on a variety ofproj ects throughout the community have been formed and Council will be apprised of the status of all these projects in the Fall. In addition, there continues to be strong interest from the community in being involved in the beautification efforts. We have seen a strong interest amongst the City's BIA's. An example is the Lundy's Lane BIA who has established its own Beautification Sub-committee and allocated $67,000 Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - R-2004-42 toward hanging baskets and a banner program commencing at Main Street and Ferry Street down Lundy's Lane to Townline Road starting this July, and running through to 2007. In conclusion, staff will continue to work through The Park in the City Committee and with the various groups and volunteers to help beautify and instill community pride throughout the City. Prepared by: ./ Respectfully submitted: Bob Bolibruck ~. i' / John MacDonald Manager of Community Developlnent '-/ Chief Administrative Officer & Landscape Design Recommended by: / Adele Kon Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture BB/das Attachment s:\Council\Counci12004\R-2004-42- Actions Stemming from The Park in the City Committee Meeting.wpd Community Services Department R-2004-28 The Ci'~y O.f ~-~ Parks, Recreation & Culture Adele Kon FC~ii$ ==~l 4310 Queen Street Director - YJ~I~.. P.O. Box 1023 Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Niagara ~~ ! ~ web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 APPENDIX l Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-mail: akon@city.niagarafalls.on.ca May 19, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chair and Members of the Environmental Planning & Greening Committee Members: Re: R-2004-28 Beautification Program Update RECOMMENDATION: That the Environmental Planning & Greening Committee endorse the proposed Beautification Program for 2004. BACKGROUND: On April 19, 2004, City Council approved the allocation of $200,000 for beautification projects in 2004. This amount was in addition to the $50,000 identified the 2004 capital budget. With this allocation of monies, staff has developed an implementation program that largely follows the implementation program proposed last fall as part of Report R-2003-71 which resulted from the Beautification, Streetscape and Gateways Master Plan prepared by Paula Berketo. The proposed implementation program also reflects the initiatives of The Park in the City Committee who have been actively working on a variety ofproj ects through the various four sub groups being the Heritage Group, Landscape, Floral Displays & Turf Group, Tidiness/Environmental Group and the Urban Forestry Group. A list of projects and operational items with associated costs are highlighted in this report. It should be noted that the projected costs are estimates only and they could be higher or lower. Furthermore, the Committee should understand that with the lateness in the City approving the budget, there is a need to prioritize the projects. It should also be understood that Parks, Recreation & Culture has a number of other projects that are underway and there is a need for patience if projects are not earned out as quickly as thought. Staffwill continue to do the best they can. Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services May17,2004 -2- R-2004-28 A. List of Projects and Related Costs 1. Thorold Stone Road and Portage Road - Five Corners $8,000 This will involve the construction of a raised stone bed with irrigation similar to what was constructed at the comer of Stanley Avenue and Thorold Stone Road. This project will be carried out this spring. It is anticipated that D&R Landscaping will once again sponsor and plant the flower bed. 2. Thorold Stone Road and Townline Roads Gateway $16,000 This project was identified in the previous staff report and reflects a prominent sign and entry feature. This gateway is planned to be a fall project. 3. Portage Road Chippawa Streetscape $10,000 This was another project identified in the previous staff report. This project involves the planting of trees and falls within the initiatives of The Park in the City Committee who have selected Portage Road as an area of concentration for beautification. 4. Oak Hall Flower Bed (new) $25,000 The Park in the City Committee has identified the Oak Hall Flower Bed as a major project this year. The allocation of budgeted monies will assist in making this project a reality. Preliminary plans have been prepared and require refinement in order to have a contractor complete the project. This site will be irrigated and provide an attractive flower bed along Portage Road in close proximity to the Niagara Parks Commission's Administrative Building. This will be a spring project with active involvement by the Landscape, Floral Displays & Turf Sub Group of The Park in the City Committee. 5. St. Paul Avenue Historical Sign and Flower Bed (new) $4,000 Staff has been working for sometime with the Friends of Stamford Village in locating a wooden historical sign along St. Paul Avenue. The Region has recently approved a location for the sign along the west side of St. Paul Avenue, north of Mountain Road. A flower bed was recommended at the base of the sign and the Friends of Stamford Village have offered to contribute $1,000 toward the planting. The flower bed is a project of the Historical Sub Group of The Park in the City Committee and will be completed this spring. 6. Banner Program (new) $22,000 The Park in the City has initiated a Banner Sponsorship Program involving the City's BIA's along prominent streets. Banner Programs have been widely accepted in other centres across Canada to promote beautification and pride within their community. The banners will highlight The Park in the City logo and involve sponsorships by local businesses. A number of businesses have indicated an interest in the program and it is hoped that a large portion of the initial startup of $24,000 will be recovered. The Park in the City is actively working with City staff for this program to be implemented this summer. 7. Bulb Planting Program $9,250 An intensive bulb planting program was initiated for a number of City owned sites last year. The results of this program are apparent. It is recommended that the bulb planting program continue this May 17, 2004 - 3 - Ro2004-28 fall. 8. Annual Plants for New Flower Beds $750 The previous staff report noted an amount of $750 to cover the costs of annual plants for the new flower beds that are developed. This amount will be added to the City's Annual Flower Quote carried out for all the City's flower beds. 9. Drawing and Auto CAD Assistance $5,000 A number of the projects noted above require the preparation of drawings and Auto CAD assistance. Parks, Recreation & Culture is currently in the process of hiring a drafting technician who will be able to assist in the preparation of the necessary drawings. This will be a 6-month contact. The total cost of the above noted projects is $100,000. As noted above, there is an expectation that the banner program will recover some costs through sponsorships. The money that is recovered can be utilized to enhance other projects such as the gateway sign project scheduled for the Thorold Stone Road and Townline Road in the fall. B. Operational Costs Related to Beautification 1. Maintenance $10,000 The Environmental Planning & Greening Committee and The Park in the City Committee have strongly supported the maintenance of flower beds throughout the City. Last year, $43,000 was budgeted for the contracting out of maintenance and this allowed the City to hire a landscape contractor to maintain some 20 flowerbeds throughout the City. The City received a number of compliments from the public for the maintenance of the beds last year. With the additional beds constructed last year and those to be constructed this spring, an additional $10,000 will be added to the $43,000 from last year to create an amount of $53,000 for shrub bed maintenance for 2004. 2. Irrigation Staff & Equipment $40,000 The previous report noted the need for an irrigation maintenance person as a result of the City's recent installation of a number of irrigation systems both for sports fields, as well as, flower beds. The previous report had included a cost for truck, but it has been determined that a truck is available within the City's current fleet for an irrigation staff person. The $40,000 will cover wages and benefits. 3. Roving Crew $100,000 With the budget allocation, a third roving crew will be added through the Municipal Works Department. The two existing crews carry out litter pick-up and grass mowing within the City's tourist districts. The new roving crew will carry out litter pick-up and grass mowing of prominent non tourist areas of the City. The total for the operational side of the beautification program for 2004 is $150,000. Conclusion May 17, 2004 - 4 - R-2004-28 The above noted beautification program is an ambitious one that will take the efforts of a number of City staff and volunteers from The Park in the City Committee to become reality. However, it is believed that the implementation of the program will go a long way in improving the appearance of the City and developing a sense of community pride that will place the City in a good position for eventually competing in the Communities in Bloom Program. Respectfully submitted: ~,dele Kon Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture BB: S:\Council\Council 2004~R-2004-28 Beautification Program Update.wpd Community Services Department R-2004-43 Parks Recreation & Cu ture Adele Kon 4310 Queen Street Director P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon @city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-43 Memorandum of Understanding for the Copperlen Indoor Soccer Facility - Part of the Home for Girls Soccer RECOMMENDATION: That Council support and direct the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Copperlen Marketing Group. BACKGROUND: Parks, Recreation & Culture staffhas been meeting with the representative of Copperlen Marketing Group, Mr. James Douglas over the past few months on a public/private partnership which will see the development of an indoor soccer facility on City owned property. This process began last summer when the Girls Soccer Club received interest from three different groups wanting to construct an indoor facility at the Home For Girls Soccer site along Kalar Road. Staff developed Terms of Reference for the project and two proposals were received. Following a detailed review of the proposals and input from the Girls and Boys Soccer Clubs, the Copperlen proposal was selected as the preferred proposal. Staff has endeavored to assist the Copperlen Group through the submission of a rezoning for the indoor facility and also working on a site plan agreement. Mr. David Schram has been hired to help facilitate the preparation of the detailed agreement between the City and the proponent and to assist in other activities necessary to ensure the construction of the facility. Details of the legal agreement, which will include the term of lease of the land and financial obligation of the proponent will be worked on and finalized over the next couple of months. As an interim step, it has been agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding would be the first step in laying out some basic roles and responsibilities of both parties. The attached Memorandum accomplishes this and includes a key section dealing with community use of the facility. The proponent has agreed to a specific number of hours and a discounted rate for both the Girls and Boys Soccer Clubs. Working Together to Serve Ottr Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - R-2004-43 Through this report, we are requesting Council to support the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Copperlen Marketing Group. Prepared by: '- Respectfully submitted: Bob Bolibruck -J~"--~ .// John MacDonald { t/ Chief Administrative Officer Manager of Community Development & Landscape Design Recommended by: Adel~e Kon Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture BB/das Attachment S:\Council\Council 2004\R-2004-43 - MOLt for the Copperlen Indoor Soccer Facility.wpd MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING dated the 7th day of July 2004. BETWEEN THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS hereinafter called the "City" OF THE FIRST PART - and - 1609732 Ontario Inc. hereinafter called "Copperlen" OF THE SECOND PART WHEREAS the City publicly issued a Terms of Reference in July 2003 requesting proposals from private sector interests to develop and operate an indoor soccer facility on City-owned lands; AND WHEREAS the City received two submissions and agreed to initiate discussions and negotiations with Copperlen to develop ai,!nutually acceptable project; AND WHEREAS this Memorandum is the basis of the expression of understanding between the City and Copperlen to develop an indoor soccer and recreational facility with ancillary uses for public and private uses; THEREFORE, the parties hereby express their intention and understanding concerning the development and operation of the Facility in the following terms, while recognizing that a more detailed agreement (The Agreement) will be required in order to more fully set out the respective fights and obligations of each party. Page 1 of 8 1.0 Facility Name 1.1 The name of the project will be the Copperlen Indoor Soccer Facility (the "Facility") or such other name as the parties may hereinafter agree upon. 2.0 Facility Location 2.1 The Facility shall be located on approximately 1.2 hectares of land owned by the City and located on Kalar Road at the Kalar Road Sports Park in the City of Niagara Falls. (The "Site") 3.0 Facility Description 3.1 The Facility will be a multi-recreational sports complex comprising approximately 93,000 square feet. 3.2 The pr/mary use of the Facility will be for indoor soccer. The main indoor soccer playing surface wilI be 85 metres by 45 metres that could also be used as two playing surfaces. The primary field can be used for other indoor recreational uses including baseball, basketball and golf. 3.3 The Facility will also include other types of services including: (i) Soccer wam~-up and stretching area (ii) Four (4) multi-purpose modular sport surfaces (iii) One (1) licensed restaurant (iv) Four (4) food and beverage concession stands (v) Health and Wellness training clinic (vi) Five (5) to six (6) mini athletic "pro shop" retail outlets (vii) Washrooms and locker room area for Facility users (viii) Office space 3.4 Copperlen will provide suitable space within the Facility to the Niagara Falls Girls Soccer Association for office, administration and storage uses. This space will be provided to the Girls Soccer Club at no cost. The Agreement will establish the size and location within the Facility of this space as well as any terms and conditions of its use including responsibilities for the payment of utility and including responsibilities for the payment of utility and any other applicable operating costs. 3.5 Copperlen will provide public washrooms accessible to users of the outdoor soccer fields. The Agreement will provide the terms and conditions of the use and responsibilities for maintenance of the public washrooms. Page 2 of 8 3.6 Copperlen will provide Architectural Floor Plans for consideration by3he City no later than June 30th, 2004. Once agreed to, these plans will form part of the Agreement. 3.7 Copperlen will submit to the City a Site Plan including all required applications, fees and supporting documentation no later than July 30th, 2004. 3.8 Copperlen will provide the required parking spaces as determined by the City, the extent of which will be determined from the Architectural Floor Plans and specified in the Site Plan and the Agreement. 4.0 Terms of the Memorandum 4.1 This Memorandum shall become effective on the date it is signed by both Parties and shall terminate the earlier of: (i) December 31st, 2004. It can be renewed upon consent of both parties, or (ii) The execution of the Agreement. 5.0 Scope of Responsibilities 5.1 The City has agreed to be responsible for: (i) Leasing the Site to Cooperlen on a long term lease basis (ii) Preparing this Memorandum and the Agreement (iii) Sponsoring the zoning by-law amendment and site plan approval necessary to permit the proposed uses (iv) Providing lighting rela~d to the outdoor soccer pitches and lighting for the parking related to the outdoor soccer pitches (v) Providing parking spaces related to the outdoor soccer pitches (vi) Designing and constructing required access improvements on Kalar Road, namely one outbound right turn lane and one outbound left turn lane. 5.2 Copperlen has agreed to be responsible for: (i) Development, design and construction of the Facility (ii) Provision of services and utilities to the Facility (iii) Securing all approvals (iv) Payment of all approvals fees including but not necessarily limited to the costs to obtain site plan approval, building permits, and development charges Page 3 of 8 (v) Operations and maintenance associated with the Facility inclucling concessions (vi) Payment of all applicable taxes (vii) Completion of paving and landscaping as specified in the Site Plan (viii) Provision of lighting and on-site parking necessary to serve the Facility including replacement of existing parking tot lighting that must be removed by Copperlen to construct the Facility (ix) Repair and/or replace infrastructure damaged or destroyed as a result of constructing the Facility 5.3 Copperlen will prepare a business plan that outlines in sufficient detail the proponents approach to developing and operating a financially sustainable Facility. Copperlen will provide to the City the business plan no later than June 30th, 2004. 6.0 Community Use 6.1 Copperlen will offer the Niagara Falls Girls Soccer Association and the Niagara Falls Boys Soccer Club use of the primary indoor soccer field at least 40 hours of playing time per week during October to May through the operating life of the Facility. The terms and conditions of this commitment will be established in the Agreement, having regard to: (i) At least 16 hours of playing time would be offered during the weekend. (ii) At least 24 hours of playing time would be offered during the week. 6.2 Copperlen will commit to a re~tal cost of$135.00 per 55 minutes of playing time for the primary playing surface for the 40 hours of week field time offered to the soccer clubs. 6.3 The Agreement will establish a more comprehensive schedule of fees and usage times including a mutually satisfactory procedure to amending either the rental costs or the terms and conditions of useage. 7.0 Design and Construction of the Facility 7.1 Copperlen will be fully responsible for all costs and liabilities associated with the design and construction of the Facility. Copperlen has agreed to complete Facility design including but not necessarily limited to: Page 4 of 8 (a) Architectural Drawings prepared by an architect, licens~ed to practice in the Province of Ontario, to a level of detail and completeness sufficient for submission to the City for an application and issuance of a building ~ermit and provided to the City no later than July 30t , 2004. (b) A traffic study that assesses the potential impacts of Facility bound traffic and the need for any mitigative measures or road improvements and provided to the City no later than June 30th, 2004. (c) A site servicing study prepared by a licensed professional engineer that assesses the capability and capacity of municipal services (water mains and sanitary sewers), including a completed storm water management plan and an evaluation of the feasibility of providing all required utilities to the site. The site servicing study will be provided to the City no later than July 30th, 2004. (d) Completed applications for Site Plan approval to the City and a building permit for the Facility submitted no later than August 13th, 2004. (e) A Construction Plan that describes a detailed program and schedule for Facility construction that addresses such matters as the full extent of the proposed construction site, construction site access, staging and materials storage areas, and plans for the repair and remediation areas of any property used and damaged during construction. 8.0 .Insurance 8.1 The City will require Copperlen to obtain and maintain insurance coverage during the construction and operation of the Facility. The Agreement will address the events, coverages and amounts of insurance coverage that will be required\. 8.2 Copperlen will name the City as an additional insured on all policies of insurance maintained by Copperlen for the Facility and to be described in the Agreement. Page 5 of 8 9.0 Long Term Net Leases 9.1 The City ~vill enter into a long term lease with Copperlen for the use of the City property required to develop and operate the Facility, for such terms as the Parties may hereinafter agree upon, with options to renew on such terms and conditions as the parties may hereinafter agree upon. The basic rent under the Copperlen long term lease is to be $1.00 per year. 10.0 Exclusive Dealing t 0.1 The Parties will deal exclusively with each other to develop the Facility until the end of the Term of this Memorandum at which time it is expected that the Agreement will establish the terms, conditions, rights and obligations of the Parties. The Parties agreed to negotiate in good faith prior to the execution of the Agreement, or such later date as the Parties may, in writing, mutually agree upon, after which time, if an agreement has failed to be executed, the negotiations shall be terminated. 10.2 The City will address in the Agreement its commitment not to enter into any other agreement with any other private partner to develop a similar or competing facility without the expressed and written permission of Cooperlen. 11.0 Responsibility for Costs 11.1 The Parties agreed that in the event that either Party withdraws from negotiations prior to the execution of the Agreement, they shall be solely responsible for their own costs incurred for any activity undertaken in the preparation of submissions, project development and Facility design. 11.2 In the spirit of the agreement between the two Parties, the Parties agree to share and provide reasonable access to work prepared by or on behalf of the Parties that is relevant to the successful implementation of the Facility. The Parties acknowledge that information of a proprietary, confidential or business advantage nature will be withheld at the discretion of the affected Party. 12. General 12.1 Each Party represents and warrants to the other that this Memorandum represents its genuine intentions with respect to the development of the proposed Facility and acknowledges that the other Party is relying on that representation and warranty. Page 6 of 8 12.2 Neither Party may assign its interest pursuant to this Memorandum, without the specific written consent of the other. 12.3 The purpose of this Memorandum is to confirm the discussions to date between the City and Copperlen concerning the Facility, their mutual intent relating to it and their basic understanding of it. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Memorandum, none of the provisions contained in this Memorandum except for those contained in section 10, 12, 13 and 14, shall in any way be binding on either of the parties hereto and shall not be construed as necessary elements of the Agreement to be entered into between the Parties. The execution of this Memorandum by either Party shall not result in the formation of any binding obligations on either Party hereto, except as to the matters specifically referred to in sections 10, 12, 13 and 14, which the Parties hereto mutually agree to be binding upon them. All of the provisions contained in tiffs Memorandum may be negotiated in the context of the formation of the Agreement to be entered into bet~veen the Parties hereto. 13. Time is of the Essence 13.1 Time shall be of the essence for this Memorandum. In this spirit, the Parties shall work diligently and use their best efforts to meet a Schedule that reflects working toward the implementation of the Facility in 2004. 14. Confidentiality 14.1 Except for any disclosure specifically author/zed in writing by both of the Parties hereto, both of the Par~/,~s hereto agree to keep confidential their negotiations pending their execution of the Agreement and the Parties hereto further agree not to disclose to any other person any confidential documentation or other information exchanged in relation to this Memorandum or the Facility either before the time this Memorandum is executed or during the negotiations or any due diligence exercised by either Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that the Parties hereto shall be entitled to disclose all information to their legal and financial advisors without violating this provision. IN ~VITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have hereto set their respective hands and seals. Page 7 of 8 SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED ) THE CORPORATION OF THE ) CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS in the presence of: ) ) Per: ) ) ) Per: Page 8 of 8 Community Services Department R-2004-47 The CiT'y Df Parks, Recreation & Culture Adele Kon 4310 Queen Street Director NJccjc?~ rOi,lS P.O. Box 1023 CO,~GC~-,..q Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: ~ (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-47 2004 Sports Wall of Fame Inductees RECOMMENDATION: To Members of City Council for consideration. That the 2004 Sports Wall of Fame and the $5,000 requested be approved; and BACKGROUND: that the inductions continue on an annual basis. As a budget saving measure, the funds for the Sports Wall of Fame were deleted from the 2004 budget. The staff recommendation was that the event occurs on a biannual basis. However, the planning for the January 2005 event had already commenced by the time that the operating budget was approved. Therefore, the Sports Wail of Fame Committee is requesting that $5,000 be allocated for this event. If Council agrees with their recommendation, staff is requesting direction from Council on whether the event should continue to occur on an annual basis or in future, become a biannual event. For the past fifteen years, the Sports Wall of Fame Committee has hosted the Sports Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Niagara Falls Memorial Arena. This recognition is an honour bestowed on our athletes, builders, tean~s and sponsors. More than 350 people attend the event each year and the Committee works to gather program sponsors, ~vhich covers the cost of the program and the reception. The Sports Wall of Fame Committee is also recommending that Council endorse the following Inductees to the 16~' Annual Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame: Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - R-2004-47 1951 - 1970 Era Inductees Category Sport Carol Ann Biamonte Chamberlain Athlete Figure Skating 1971 - 1990 Era Inductees Category Sport Chippawa Super Chicks Basketball Team Team Basketball Peter Fiorentino Athlete Hockey Rick Morocco Athlete Hockey Bob Stewart Builder Hockey 2004 Sponsor Award recipients: Mick & Angelo's Bright's Winery Niagara Battery & Tire Fallsview Hose Brigade Prepared by: Respectfully submitted: a:._/ Lori Albanese ~///John MacDonald Community Development Coordinator Chief Administrative Officer Recommended by: ,~- Adele Kon Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture AK/LA/das S:\Council\Counci12004LR-2004-47 2004 Sports Wall of Fame lnductees.wpd Community Services Department R-2004-49 Parks Recreation & Culture Adele Kon 4310 Queen Street Director P.O. BOX 1023 Niagara Fails, ON L2E 6X5 web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon @city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-49 - Winter Ice Schedule for Municipal Arenas RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the Schedules for Special Events and Regular Use of Winter Ice for the 2004-2005 season. BACKGROUND: One significant change to the schedule is the proposed cancellation of adult public skating at Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena on Wednesday evenings. Staff is recommending this cancellation due to poor attendance. On average, only fourteen (14) to fifteen (15) adults participated. It is being recommended that this prime time slot be allocated to Girls Hockey. Adult public skating is still provided at Niagara Falls Memorial Arena. During the 2003-2004 season, staff offered an hour time slot during the al2emoon for senior hockey. This was provided on a free of charge basis and was well attended. The pro,am will be continued and an additional afternoon hour will be provided for a pay as you play senior hockey program. On Wednesday, June 23, 2004, all interested organizations and individuals were invited to attend a meeting to review the proposed schedules. As a result of this meeting, and subsequent discussion, a general agreement was reached regarding the schedules. Upon Council's approval, permits for the use of Municipal Arenas will be issued. Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 .- 2 - R-2004-48 Ade]e Kon ,,,9/John MacDonald Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture ~/ Chief Administrative Officer AK/das S:\Council\Counci12004\R-2004-49-Winter Ice Schedule for Municipal Arenas,wpd Community Services Department R-2004-50 The Ci~'v o~ ~/~A. Parks, Recreation & Culture Adele Kon ~, "~' IB~-- 4310 Queen Street Director ,' ~ ~ ,~ ,'~a ~C~C 3:,.yJ~ll~,~p.O. Box1023 ~'Q~~W Nwiaga:t~ Falls, ON it Ln2iEa 6X5 ~ T"~ eb s' e: www.c' y. ' garafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-7404 E-maih akon @city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chairperson and Members of Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: R-2004-50 Pesticide Use on Properties RECOMMENDATION: 1. That Council support the continued limited use of pesticides on City property. 2. That Council allow the Parks, Recreation & Culture initiate two town hall type public meetings concerning the potential banning of pesticide use on all properties. 3. That staff initiate a progran~ne of educational seminars, brochures and pamphlets for the public that will provide information to the community on alternatives to using pesticides on properties and report back to Council. BACKGROUND: At a previous meeting, Council directed staff to investigate the potential ban of pesticides in the Tourist Sector. 1. Research: Research has been conducted on the merits of allowing pesticides to be used on commercial property. Many commercial and industrial businesses and organizations will argue that the small amount of pesticide used on commercial proper~y will not affect humans and animals. Many grassroots organizations will argue that the use of pesticides can leave residues that are harmful to both humans and animals, increase the presence of air borne harmful chemicals and pesticides can remain in the soil for years. The research continues to be inconclusive as to whether pesticide use on these lands is harmful to the community. Working Together to Serve Our Community Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Services July 12, 2004 - 2 - R-2004-$0 Regional Niagara Public Health Department: The issue of pesticides has clearly moved from an issue of Horticulture and Arboriculture and how to manage landscapes without pesticides, to a matter of health. Staff has discussed the issue of pesticide use on private/commercial property with staff of the Niagara Region Public Health Board, who report that they continue to review on going research with respect to this topic, as well as the efficacy of alternatives to pesticides. The Niagara Region Public Health Board believes that the issue should be handled by the local municipality. Included in commercial properties are the golfcourses and bowling green operator who have expressed a real concern that Council will ban the use of pesticides. The golf course superintendents m~d bowling green manager have been following an Integrated Pest Management (1PM) approach to plant healthcare which includes pest monitoring, target spraying, least toxic spray alternatives and physical pest control. 2. Public Input: Discussion has taken place with various stakeholders regarding the ban of pesticides on their commercial property. Most people were not pleased with this alternative. One particular stakeholder maintains over 1,000 acres of land and he has noxious weeds to contend with. As he stated "banning the use of pesticides would have a major effect on me and my business. This is impossible to i/~ict on a seasonal operation and non-economical with no options." Another tourism operator indicated that "if the City was going to ban the use of pesticides, there should be public input from all tourist operators and that the City provide some o£tions for the owners." The Niagara Parks Commission, one of Niagara's largest tourism attraction has an [PM approach to plant healthcare. The Niagara Parks Commission has an obligation to care for their parks. Sometimes, the use of pesticides are needed to ensure the plants are kept healthy. Debbie Whitehouse, Director of Parks stressed that "we need responsible application of pesticides. ~'e must also be cognizant that members of the public have expectations. They enToyfruit that is blemish fi'ee, healthy forest, turfs, and beautiful trees, and with a ban some of these could be compromised." Golf courses and the bowling green operator have expressed a real concern that Council will ban the use of pesticides on their property. The golf course superintendents and bowling green manager have indicated that over the years, pesticide use on golf courses has been reduced drastically through following the principles of [PM and cultural practices that are promoting optimum plant health, pest prevention and application of pesticides, only when necessary. In general, golf courses manage turf grass to such a high degree, that pesticides such as herbicides are only required as spot applications. The second reason for the decline of pesticides on golf courses and bowling greens is the sheer cost of the pesticides. It would appear that while golf course use pesticides as little as possible, putting greens, bowling greens, fairways and tee decks require pesticides to protect them from disease (fungicides) and from insect infestations (insecticides). One golf superintendent stated that "it costs July 12, 2004 - 3 - R-2004-50 altrwhere from $20,000 to $I 00, 000 to build a green. The bent grass is highly susceptible to fimgus therefore you would apply a spray at the first sign of a fungus. If it was let go, to rebuild that green would be anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000. Ifa total ban was placed on pesticides in Niagara Falls, it could place Niagara Falls at a disadvantage with golf courses. For example, if Welland and Fonthill did not impose such a ban then the condition of their greens cozdd possibly be better and therefore, better golfers could potentially leave ottr golf courses and frequent Welland and Fonthill golf courses who continue to use pesticides." Research indicates that the Tourism Industry uses a very small percentage of pesticides while the pesticide use on agricultural lands within the urban boundary are used at a significantly higher percentage. The Municipality has no authority to prohibit the use of pesticides on agricultural lands that are located within the urban boundary. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the jurisdiction of all pesticide use on agricultural lands. 3. Legal Issues Staffbelieves there are practical difficulties with monitoring and enforcing a pesticides by- law if one was in place. Also, identifying and obtaining evidence of the contents of pesticides in use may prove to be difficult to determine. With respect to the use of pesticides by landscapers, golf courses and bowling green operator, it may also be difficult to determine whether pesticides are designated for specific areas of treatment. Conclusion: In conclusion, staff recommends that Council continue to support the limited use of pesticides on City property. A by-law to prevent the use of pesticides on properties is not recommended at this time; however, public meetings with the various stakeholders should take place and staff should initiate a programme of educational seminars, brochures and pamphlets for the public that will provide information to the community on alternatives to using pesticides. Prepared by: Respectfully submit, led: /~)/ohn MacDonald Community Development Coordinator ~" Chief Administrative Officer Recommended by: / Ade l e Ko n Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture SF/das &\Council\Council 2004\R-2004-50 Pesticide Use on Commercial Properties.wpd Corporate Services Department F-2004-42 ~¢, Finance Division Kenneth E. Burden The "'~"~~ 4310 Queen Street Director Niagara ral,$11~Jl~ P.O. Box 1023 Carq~d~.~~ Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 ~ [ ~ web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2016 E-maih kburden@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chair and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: F-2004-42 - Mount Carmel Park Association RECOMMENDATION: That the commitment by the Mount Carmel Park Association to pay the City $7,500 be forgiven. BACKGROUND: In early 1999, a number of Mount Carmel Park area residents established the Mount Carmel Park Association to provide various recreational programs for the area youth, and to establish and maintain flower gardens in the park. In 2001, an amount of $31,485 was approved for the development of Mount Cannel Park and the Mount Carmel Park Association committed to paying $7,500 of this amount over a two-year period. Through the volunteer efforts of the Mount Carmel Park Association, a number of significant improvements have occurred. The toddler play equipment has been installed, the volleyball court has been constructed, the stone dust pathway has been paved, and a new skating pond was developed. The Association is to be commended for their efforts that have resulted in this neighbourhood park becoming a model for the development of parks throughout the province. In a letter dated April 5, 2004, Mr. Alfred Rampado, President of the Mount Carmel Park Association, advised the City that the Association would be dissolved. The City is holding an account receivable in the amount of $7,500 for the commitment from the Mount Carmel Park Association. This receivable is unlikely to be collected due to the dissolution of the Association. Staff recommends that in view of the improvements to this City-owned facility, the commitment by the Mount Cannel Park Association to pay the amount of $7,500 be forgiven. Working Together to Serve Our Community Clerks Finance Human Resources Information Systems Legal Planning & Development July 12, 2004 - 2 - F-2004-42 Recommended by: Respectfully submitted: K. E. Burden ,"/John MacDonald Director of Finance (~/Chief Administrative Officer Approved by: T. Ravenda Executive Director of Corporate Services Corporate Services Department F-2004-43 ~i~ Finance Division Kenneth E. Bu rd en The City ,of ¢ 4310 Queen Street Director N,oga,o Fo, li;~l~.,~lf P.O. Box 1023 C~r~,d~ ~,m~.. Niagara Falls. ON L2E 6X5 ~~J~r~ ~ web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca Tel.: (905) 356-7521 Fax: (905) 356-2016 E-maih kburden@city.niagarafalls.on.ca July 12, 2004 Alderman Selina Volpatti, Chair and Members of the Community Services Committee City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Members: Re: F-2004-43 - Renovation Costs - Willoughby Volunteer Fire Station RECOMMENDATION: That the material costs for the 1999 renovations to the Willoughby Volunteer Fire Station be fully refunded to the Station Volunteers in the amount of $20,197.95. BACKGROUND: In late 1999, the Willoughby Volunteer Fire Fighters undertook renovations to the Firehall through a cost-sharing with the City. At the Council meeting of February 7, 2000, a motion was approved that consideration be given to treating the renovation material costs as "gratis free". All work has now been completed at a total cost of $20,197.95. Staff recommends that this total cost be refunded to the Station Volunteers. The funding for this payment will come from capital reserves. Recommended by: Respectfully submitted: K. E. Burden ,/'// John MacDonald Director of Finance O/ CNef Administrative Officer Approved by: T. Ravenda Executive Director of Corporate Services Working Together to Serve Our Community Clerks Finance Human Resources Information Systems · Legal Planning & Development