Loading...
2007/01/08FIRST MEETING SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING His Worship Mayor Salci called a special meeting of Council that met on Monday, January 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. All members of Council were present. Alderman loannoni offered the Opening Prayer. Alderman Kerrio indicated a pecuniary interest on the by -laws pertaining to the Hilton project as they are his neighbours. Capital Sports DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST DEPUTATIONS /PRESENTATIONS Council Chambers January 8, 2007 Mr. Gary Green, Senior Director of Stadium Consultants International (SCI) began the presentation to Council along with Mr. Roy Mlakar, President CEO of Capital Sports. The presentation was to propose a new multi- purpose arena complex for Niagara Falls. The facility would include an OHL- suitable arena of 5000 to 5500 stadium seats for the Mississauga Ice Dogs team, now owned by Tom Bitove. The facility would cost between $35 to $40 million. It would be an attraction in itself, therefore, location was not crucial. The proponents hoped that the facility would be active with over 100 events a year. The proponents felt that a community twin pad could be constructed for $7 million based on other SCI models. They hoped to have the 5500 seat facility opened by September 2008, with the team playing in the Niagara Falls Memorial arena next season. Mr. Green stated that they would work with the Mastersons, owners of the Jr. B Canucks. Mr. Cyril Leeder, C.O.O. of Capital Sports indicated that the owner, Mr. Bitove, would commit $5 million in exchange for future revenue streams. He estimated that the direct economic benefit would be $1.8 million and that there would be $6.2 million in indirect benefits and $7.6 million in induced benefits. Mr. Leeder felt that the facility could generate between $150,000 to $300,000 in naming rights annually. Mr. David Branch, Commissioner of the Canadian Hockey League gave some history on Junior Hockey in Niagara Falls and changes in the approach of the OHL in recent years. OHL would enter into a long term lease with the City of Niagara Falls to play at the sports centre. Chris O'Reilly, Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, outlined various arena complexes done in North America and Europe. Mr. Green outlined that the next steps are for Capital Sports to receive feedback from Council, have complete by February 2nd major Agreements, including a design agreement, a lease for a CHL team, and a facility management contract, and obtain CHL Board of Governor approval. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Diodati, seconded by Alderman Wing that a committee of Council and senior staff be formed to determine the feasibility of the proposal and to report back to Council. Carried Unanimously 2 January 8, 2007 Council Minutes The following volunteered for the Committee of Council: Alderman Thomson, Alderman Kerrio, Alderman Pietrangelo, Alderman Wing and Alderman Diodati. MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Salci acknowledged Regional Councillor Barbara Greenwood, who was in attendance at Council. Mayor Salci announced the arrival of Luca Matteo Fabbro, new baby to the City's Council Secretary Teresa Fabbro and her husband Rene. Mayor Salci regretfully announced the passing of Mr. Boyle, father of Peggy Boyle in the Planning Department. Alderman loannoni is putting together a Council team to compete in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Trivia Night on Friday, January 26 The Stamford Centre Fireman's Association is having their annual tree burning event at Fireman's Park, Sunday January 14 from 2 pm to 5pm. The 18 Annual Sports Wall of Fame induction ceremony is on Sunday, January 21S Despite the weather, the New Year's Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park was a great success. Sarah Wood at Niagara Parks Commission and Serge Felicetti, from the City were acknowledged. Special thanks go out to the many major sponsor from the evening: Niagra Parks Commission, the City of Niagara Falls through OPG funds that were granted to us earlier this year, the Fallsview, Clifton Hill and Victoria Centre BIA's, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) and the Fallsview Casino. 2007 -01 2007 -02 2007 -03 BY -LAWS ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Thomson, seconded by Alderman Fisher that the by -laws be given a first reading. Alderman Kerrio declared a conflict. Carried Unanimously A by -law to amend By -law No. 79 -200 to permit the construction of a 56 storey hotel, including a convention centre and a parking structure, to permit a portion of the required parking to be provided off site and to repeal By -law No. 98 -157. A by -law to amend By -law Nos. 79 -200 and 2007 -01, to provide temporarily relief from provisions which require all of the required parking to be provided on the same land as the use and to provide standards for a temporary parking lot. A by -law to authorize the execution of a Section 37 Agreement with Hospitality Resorts Inc., 1140464 Ontario Inc., 1229142 Ontario Inc. and 876891 Ontario Limited pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act respecting the provision of certain facilities and services and matters by Hospitality Resorts Inc., 1140464 Ontario Inc., 1229142 Ontario Inc. and 876891 Ontario Limited in return for an amendment to By -law No. 79 -200 for an increase in height to allow the development of a hotel to a maximum building height of 172 metres and 56 storeys including a convention centre and a parking structure on lands owned by Hospitality Resorts Inc., 1140464 Ontario Inc., 1229142 Ontario Inc. and 876891 Ontario Limited and located on 6361 Fallsview Avenue and 6408 Stanley Avenue, in the City of Niagara Falls. 2007 -04 3 January 8, 2007 Council Minutes A by -law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting held on the 8 day of January, 2007. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Diodati that the by -laws be read a second and third time and passed. Alderman Kerrio declared a conflict. Downtown CIP ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Wing, seconded by Alderman loannoni for reconsideration of funds identified in the budget for the Downtown Revitalization project. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Wing that Council's commitment to the Downtown Revitalization be limited to a maximum of $12 million for necessary improvements to the existing infrastructure, following the short and long term time lines indicated in the Community Improvement Plan (C.I.P).; and that the $5.6 million from the sale of the Montrose Road property, that Council's already identified for use of revitalization, be directed instead to the general capital works budget; and that the municipality continue to pursue equal funding for downtown revitalization from the superior levels of government. Alderman Diodati Alderman Fisher Alderman loannoni Alderman Kerrio Mayor Salci Letter of Congratulations AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE Enbridge/Winter Warm Fund Alderman Diodati informed that Enbridge has a program administered through Project S.H.A.R.E., for people who may be having financial difficulty during the winter paying their gas bills. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Diodati seconded by Alderman Wing that Council send an official letter of congratulations to Rob Nicholson, who was appointed Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada and to House Leader Peter Van Loan, who was also born in Niagara Falls. Conflict of Interest Legislation NEW BUSINESS Alderman Mayes Alderman Pietrangelo Alderman Thomson Alderman Wing Carried Unanimously Carried Unanimously AYE AYE AYE AYE Carried Unanimously Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Thomson, seconded by Alderman Fisher that a resolution be sent to the Province calling on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Housing to set up a section where municipal councillors can get information and advice on Conflict of Interest, rather than depending on private solicitors; and that staff report back on the current coverage for councillors for errors and omissions in case of legal action. Carried Unanimously Human Resources Committee ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Fisher, seconded by Alderman loannoni that staff report back on a possible terms of reference for a Human Resources Committee, look at similar examples in other municipalities and outline the past history of such a committee in the City of Niagara Falls. Complaints ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Fisher, seconded byAlderman Thomson that a report be brought back to Council updating the status of complaints regarding the condition of Ridge Road and flooding in various spots in Chippawa. Carried Unanimously Code of Ethics ORDERED on the motion Alderman Wing, seconded by Alderman loannoni that staff report back on implemeting a code of ethics for Council and senior staff. Carried Unanimously David MacNaughton ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Wing that staff report back on what has been spent to date and what services have been provided by lobbyist, David McNaughton ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Diodati that the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Carried Unanimously DEAN 10 IDA, CITY CLERK 4 January 8, 2007 Council Minutes 1 Carried Unanimously Carried Unanimously R.T. (TED) SALCI, MAYOR