HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-2025 - Capital & Parking Budgets•
1FNiagara MINUTES
1 Falise
City Council Meeting
(Capital & Parking
Budgets)
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 -4:00 PM
Council Chambers/Zoom App.
The City Council meeting of the City of Niagara Falls was called to order on Tuesday,
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM, in the Council Chambers/Zoom App, with the following
members present:
COUNCIL Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Couoncillor Chris
PRESENT: Dabrowski (attended virtually), Councillor Vince Kerrio, Councillor Lori
Lococo, Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Councillor Mona Patel,
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange
STAFF Jason Burgess, Margaret Corbett, Heather Ruzylo, Erik Nickel, Tiffany
PRESENT: Clark, James Dowling, Kathy Moldenhauer, Kira Dolch, Shelley
Darlington, Dave Etherington, Signe Hansen, Jo Zambito (attending in
Chambers)
James Sticca, Kent Schachowskoj, Mat Bilideau and Nidhi Punyarthi
(attended meeting via Zoom)
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:06 PM and Councillor Pietrangelo chaired the
meeting.
2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
a) Councillor Pietrangelo declared a conflict of interest to Item #3.2 - CS-2025-59
and specifically under Municipal Works, project name: Montrose Road and
Biggar Road reconstruction - land acquisitions, as the Councillor's family and
himself own property that may be affected.
3. DEPUTATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
3.1 CS-2025-60
. 2026 Mayor's Proposed Parking Budget
Tiffany Clark, Director of Finance, provided a presentation to Council, outlining the
details of the 2026 Mayor's Proposed Parking Budget.
Paul Brown, Acting Senior Manager of Municipal Enforcement and Security Services,
was in attendance and answered questions of Council.
Councillor Mike Strange left Chambers at 4:24 PM and returned at 4:28 PM.
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Moved by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Seconded by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
1. THAT Council RECEIVE the Mayor's Proposed 2026 Parking Budget with
revenues and expenses each totaling $1,665,925 as per attachment 1.
Strong Mayor Powers Motions
30-day Review Period
Should Council be satisfied all possible amendments have been
considered:
2. THAT Council shorten the 30-day Review Period (November 10, 2025 to
December 9, 2025), allowed under the Strong Mayors Act, by 14 days, such that
the review period ends on November 25, 2025.
No amendments have been made and recommendation #2 above has been
approved to shorten the review period, then the budget will be deemed adopted as of
November 25, 2025.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, and City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo
Carried (Councillor Lococo was opposed and Councillor Dabrowski was absent).
7-1 on a recorded vote
3.2 CS-2025-59
2026 City of Niagara Falls Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget
James Dowling, Deputy Treasurer, provided a presentation to Council outlining an
overview of the 2026 City of Niagara Falls Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget.
Councillors were provided an opportunity to address their questions to Mr. Dowling,
pertaining to the proposed capital budget.
Mayor Diodati left Chambers at 4:47 PM and returned at 4:49 PM.
Councillor Patel left Chambers at 5:12 PM and returned at 5:15 PM.
Joedy Burdett, resident of Niagara Falls, of 4480 Bridge Street, addressed Council. He
submitted a written debrief outlining his presentation. His presentation included
mention of the following: Reserve Transparency; Election Cycle Clarity; Sustainability
Check; Section 326 Preparatory Work (tourist core).
The 2026 Capital Budget Book was presented and was subject to questions and
discussion from Council.
Mayor Diodati asked for clarification of the transparency of the reserves. Jason
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Burgess, CAO,
provided a response regarding the transparency of the reserves and addressed the
questions around the election cycle and sustainability checks.
Councillor Kerrio left Chambers at 5:46 PM and returned at 5:57 PM.
Councillor Pietrangelo stepped down as Chair at 5:50 and left Chambers as he had a
conflict to a question raised by Councillor Lococo regarding the hospital. Mayor Diodati
resumed as Chair at 5:50 PM. Councillor Pietrangelo returned as Chair at 5:55 PM.
Councillor Strange left Chambers at 5:57 PM and returned at 6:04 PM.
Mayor Diodati left Chambers at 6:14 PM and returned at 6:19 PM.
James Dowling, Deputy Treasurer, presented the amendments as brought forth by
Councillors.
Councillors Lococo, Strange, Patel and Nieuwesteeg all presented amendments for
consideration.
Councillor Nieuwesteeg left Chambers at 7:45 PM and returned at 7:59 PM.
Mayor Diodati left the meeting at 8:18 PM and returned at 8:21 PM.
Council took a brief recess starting at 8:25 PM.
Council resumed at 8:45 PM.
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
THAT Council direct Staff to report back in 3 cycles, with an itemized listing of the
expenses for the hospital, including what funding sources were used and to anticipate
the Payment in Lieu (PIL) for inclusion.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Lori Lococo,
Councillor Tony Baldinelli, and Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Nays: Councillor Mona Patel
Carried (Councillor Patel was opposed and Councillor Kerrio was absent;
Councillor Pietrangelo declared a conflict of interest; Councillor Dabrowski was
absent). 5-1 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
Amendment #1 - Submitted by Councillor Strange
THAT Council hold and not spend any additional funding for the Chippawa Arena
Progressive Design Build - Phase 1, until further Council direction is provided by Staff.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Amendment#2 - Submitted by Councillor Nieuwesteeg
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THAT Council exercise a more cautious and staged approach leveraging grant and
reserve funding, as it pertains to the Chippawa Arena Progressive Design Build -
Phase 1.
Not Put (motion was withdrawn due to discussion of previous motion).
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Amendment#3- Submitted by Councillor Lococo
THAT Council direct staff to suspend or delay the AYSNF CRM Solution Phase 2 with
Al Service Agent, and to re-allocate to the road program.
Ayes: Councillor Lori Lococo and Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Nays: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Chris Dabrowski, and City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Defeated 2-7 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Amendment #4 - Submitted by Councillor Patel
THAT Council direct staff to defer the Al Service Agent (AYSNF CRM Solution - Phase
2) portion to a Phase 3 beginning after completion of the City's Digital Master Plan and
once Phase 1 and 2 performance data, KPIs and service metrics are available.
Ayes: Councillor Mona Patel and City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Nays: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, and Councillor Chris Dabrowski
DEFEATED. 2-7 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Amendment #5 - Submitted by Councillor Lococo
THAT Council direct staff to suspend or delay the "Work and Asset Management
(WAM) System Replacement - Phase 1", and to re-allocate to the Road Program and
Water/Sewer Infrastructure.
Ayes: Councillor Lori Lococo and Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Nays: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Chris Dabrowski, and City Councillor Vince Kerrio
DEFEATED. 2-7 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
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Amendment #6 - Submitted by Councillor Lococo
THAT Council direct Staff to suspend or delay the "Artificial Intelligence Building and
Zoning Checks - Phase 1" and to re-allocate to the Road Program.
Councillor Lococo withdrew this motion prior to a vote called after further
discussion.
Moved by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
Amendment #7 - Submitted by Councillor Nieuwesteeg
THAT Council remove the $100,000 allocation for the Jolley Cut Pathway Investigation
& Feasibility Assessment from the budget.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Amendment #8 - Submitted by Councillor Nieuwesteeg
THAT Council direct Staff to add security improvements to the scope of the Stamford
Columbarium Capital Improvements project.
Taken as Direction to Staff as measures have already been taken to add security
improvements to the Stamford Columbarium.
Moved by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
Amendment#9 - Submitted by Councillor Nieuwesteeg
THAT Council direct Staff to look at a parking redesign and capacity expansion for the
Exchange, resulting in a $75,000.00 increase to the 2026 Capital Budget.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Councillor Lori Lococo
Amendment #10 - Submitted by Councillor Patel
THAT Council DEFER the Centre Street and Ellen Avenue Reconstruction (Design) for
one year.
No vote taken as Councillor Patel withdrew this motion after further Council
discussion.
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
Amendment #11 - Submitted by Councillor Patel
THAT Council swap the funding from the Capital levy to the OLG Reserve Fund for the
"Roadway Design and Soil Investigation" and; that there be no change to the scope or
timelines.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
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Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Councillor Chris Dabrowski, and City Councillor
Vince Kerrio
Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo
Carried (Councillor Lococo opposed) 8-1 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Amendment #12 - Submitted by Councillor Patel
THAT Council direct Staff to defer the Parking Lot 4 Improvements until rehabilitation is
operationally required or coordinated with future roadwork on Ellen Avenue.
Not put as Councillor Patel withdrew her amendment after Councillor discussion.
Moved by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
1. THAT Council RECEIVE the Mayor's Proposed 2026 Capital Budget as
amended totalling $78,468,531; and
2. THAT Council APPROVE the closure of the projects and associated budget
amendments listed in Attachment 2; and
3. THAT Council APPROVE the budget amendments swapping previously
approved funding with Development Charges as outlined in Attachment 3; and
4. THAT Council APPROVE the budget amendments closing and merging projects
with previously approved funding, and adjusting the funding to reflect an in-year
grant approval as outlined in Attachment 4; and
5. THAT Council APPROVE the budget amendments adding funds from Capital
Special Purpose Reserves to two (2) existing contingency projects, as outlined
in Attachment 5, to encourage prompt project closure.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
THAT Council APPROVE the new staffing requests identified in Attachment 1, fully
funded by the capital budget.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, and City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo
Carried (Councillor Lococo was opposed and Councillor Dabrowski was absent
from vote). 7-1 on a recorded vote
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Moved by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
THAT Council shorten the 30-day review period (November 4, 2025 to December 3,
2025), allowed under the Strong Mayors Act, by eight (8) days, such that the review
period ends on November 25, 2025.
(The Mayor provided written documentation to members of Council and the Municipal
Clerk to shorten the Veto Period, such that the Veto Period ends on November 25,
2025, thereby allowing the Mayor's Proposed Draft 2026 Capital Budget to be deemed
adopted on November 25, 2025).
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor
Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Councillor Chris Dabrowski, and City Councillor
Vince Kerrio
Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo
Carried (Councillor Lococo was opposed) 8-1 on a recorded vote
4. REPORTS
4.1. MW-2025-26
Capital Prioritization Framework
Moved by City Councillor Vince Kerrio
Seconded by Councillor Lori Lococo
THAT Council RECEIVE for information Report MW-2025-26 regarding the
development and use of a Capital Project Prioritization Framework used to
systematically evaluate all capital projects requests for 2026.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Dabrowski was absent)
5. CONSENT AGENDA
5.1. CS-2025-61
2025 Q3 Parking Fund Budget to Actual Variance (Unaudited)
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
THAT Council RECEIVE the 2025 Q3 Parking Fund Budget to Actual Variance
report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Dabrowski was absent from vote)
5.2. CS-2025-64
2026 Library Capital Budget
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
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Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
THAT Council RECEIVE the 2026 Library Capital Budget report and
accompanying materials.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Dabrowski was absent)
6. BY-LAWS
2025- A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of the City Council at its
134. meeting held on the 25th day of November, 2025.
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
THAT the by-law be read a first, second and third time and passed.
Carried Unanimously
7. ADJOURNMENT
a) Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Chris Dabrowski
Seconded by Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg
That Council ADJOURN the meeting at 8:57 PM.
Carried Unanimously
. ‘C/( r
M yor
—
City Clerk
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