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2006/01/27 Council Information Package For period ended January 27, 2006 *Municipal* 1. Letter of Thanks from Mayor of Charleston, S.C. 2. Invite to Train Station Antiques, Sunday, Feb. 4th 3. Re: Woodbine Street E.A. 4. Notifications on passing of various Zoning By-laws 5. Park in the City Agenda & Minutes 6. Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards *Regional* 1. Invite to Region's Business Planning Session re: Emergency Preparedness 2. Regional Council Highlights 3. Places to Grow Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 4. Niagara Escarpment Commission re: Niagara to GTA Corridor 5. Police Services Board Chair & Vice-Chair Re-elected *Provincial* 1. A.M.O. Statement from President 2. Ontario Heritage Trust's Young Heritage Leaders Program *Resolutions* 1. Public Libraries 2. Wholesale Gas Sector ~; ~ ,. : ~ ~, '~'~ Janu~ 5, 2006 Mayor Ted Salci and Members of City Council City of Niagra Falls 745 Main Street Niagra Falls, NY 14302 Dear Mayor Salci and Councilmembers: Thank you so very much for the beautiful clock that you presented to me Wednesday, January 4. It is now proudly displayed in my office and to the benefit of my constituents and those with whom I work, it will help keep me on time. I will think of all of you and your kindness often as I check the time and I will think fondly of your beautiful city. Best of luck. Joseph?. Riley, Jr. _ Mao~, City of Charleston JPR, jr/rd From: Dean Ion'ida To: tmark@cogeco.ca Date: 1/26/2006 10:02:51 AM Subject: Re: Woodbine Street Update/Address to Council Very good, Jonathan. Keep me posted. Dean >>> <tmark@cogeco.ca> 1/26/2006 9:58 AM >>> Dean; Yes, I've been in communication with Mr. Dujlovic. I'll await word on the budget results, and then we'll see how long the E.A. drags on. I will call you regarding a council address should either of these two items not be addressed sufficiently, or in a timely manner. You can anticipate a phone call, or further correspondence in late Feb./early March. Thanks, Jonathan Mark Committee for the "Woodbine Street Landing Strip" ..... Original Message ..... From: "Dean Iorfida" <diorfida~niagarafalls.ca> To: <tmark~cogeco.ca> Cc: <ianice winq~co~eco.ca>; "Bart Skiba" <bskiba~nia,qarafalls.ca>; "Ed Dujlovic" <edujlovic~nia.qarafalls.ca>; "Jim Diodati" <idiodati~nia,qarafalls.ca>; "Karl Dren" <kdren~,nia,qarafalls.ca>; "Nathan Hyde" <nhyde~,nia,qarafalls.ca>; "Ted Salci" <tsalci~nia.qarafalls.ca>; <4744~nrps.on.ca> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:02 AM Subject: Re: Woodbine Street Update/Address to Council Jonathan: Thank you for your e-mail. On Wednesdays, we have a Senior Staff meeting and I brought your issue forward for discussion. The Woodbine EA is identified in the 2006 budget. As you may or may not know, Council is currently in budget deliberations. I can not accurately predict when the budget might be passed but hopefully it will not drag on too long. Once the budget is passed, staff will be able to begin the process for the EA. Our Engineer, Mr. Ed Dujlovic, would be better versed than myself to give an idea of timelines for a typical EA of this nature. As for addressing Council, give me a call and we can discuss this further. page2 ] Sincerely, Dean Iorfida City Clerk 905-356-7521, Ext. 4271 >>> <tmark~,cogeco.ca> 1/24/2006 10:45 AM >>> Dean; I am watching a situation closely to see how it proceeds. The issue of speeding on Woodbine Street in Niagara Falls needs immediate attention, and we are proceeding on this street/and the surrounding area, with a committee of concerned citizens just in case 1) the budget doesn't OK the EA for our Street this month 2) the EA does not result in a reasonable solution; and or this solution isn't arrived upon in a reasonable amount of time. Days pass, danger grows. I have been in contact with the NRP (Inspector Lorne Lillico), the Mayors Office (the Mayor himself), various Aldermen, and the Cities Traffic Department -- all on numerous occasions.. This correspondence has been going on for almost a year now, and this issue is much older than that. We have found citizen's who have been complaining about this issue for a surprising amount of time, as our presentation will address, should it come to that. Please tell me what procedures I need to follow to have our committee address council. The address would be handled by myself, with help from an independent traffic engineer (if necessary). We are trying to be as patient as possible, and we're trying to let the city indulge in it's due process, but as days pass, dangers grow for the children of the street. rd like to address this in the Summer time. Please respond, Jonathan Mark 7864 Woodbine 905-354-4784 "The Woodbine Street Speedway" ..... Original Message ..... From: "Dean Iorflda" <diorfida~,city.nia,qarafalls.on.ca> To: <tmark~,co.qeco.ca> Cc: "Russ Stout" <rstout~,city.nia.qarafalls.on.ca> Sent: Friday, March 11, 2005 5:25 PM Subject: Elected Representative > Dear Friend: > Niagara Falls has an at large electoral system; therefore, you are > represented by the head of council and all eight council members. > The previous e-mail you received had the link with the contact > information for Niagara Falls City Council. > Welcome to our community! > > Dean Iorfida > City Clerk The City of Niagara FallsI Canada PLANNING ACT NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTE OF THE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW NO. 2006-16 CITY FILE: AM-25/2005 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls passed By-law No. 2006-16 on the 23rd day of January, 2006, under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The purpose of By-law No. 2006-16 is to add a site specific provision (737) to the Light Industrial (LI) zoning of the land on the east side of Montrose Road, opposite Preakness Street. The by- law will permit a retail store as a temporary use on the land. Please see the map on the back of this notice to locate the subject property. By-law No. 2006-16 is in conformity with the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan and is not the subject of an amendment to the Official Plan. AND TAKE NOTICE that anyperson or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the by-law by filing with the Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls not later than the 16th day of February, 2006, a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection, together with the Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00 in the form of a certified cheque or money order, made payable to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Planning Act provides that only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a Zoning By-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of the individual who is a member of the association or the group on their behalf. Notice of Appeal, including the filing fee, must be submitted by the date set out above in order to constitute a valid Appeal. Failure to submit a complete Notice of Appeal or the fee of $125.00 or both, on or before the date set out above will result in an incomplete Appeal application and will not be processed further. A copy of the by-law is available in Planning and Development, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you wish to review it. Dated at the City of Niagara Falls this 27th day of January, 2006. Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development for the City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 S:~ZONING~AMS~2005XArn-25kBYLAWPAS.NOT I .wpd SCHEDULE 1 TO BY-LAW No. 2006-16 Subject Land 54.96 60.96 m Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 Description: Part of Township Lot 115, in the former Township of Stamford, now in the City of Niagara Falls, n in the Regional Municipality of Niagara ~ S Applicant: Angelo Marino 1 :NTS Assessmem #: 272509000307400 AM-25/2005 K:\GIS_Requests\2005\Schedules~zoningAM~,M -25\mapping.map The City of Niagara Falls Canada PLANNING ACT NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTE OF THE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW NO. 2006-17 CITY FILE: AM-25/2005 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls passed By-law No. 2006-17 on the 23rd day of January, 2006, under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The purpose of By-law No. 2006-17 is to add a site specific provision (736) to the Light Industrial (LI) zoning of the land on the east side of Montrose Road, opposite Preakness Street. The by- law will permit an accessory residential use and recognize the existing landscaped open space and southerly interior side yard width. Please see the map on the back of this notice to locate the subject property. By-law No. 2006-17 is in conformity with the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan and is not the subject of an amendment to the Official Plan. AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the by-law by filing with the Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls not later than the 16th day of February, 2006, a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection, together with the Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00 in the form of a certified cheque or money order, made payable to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Planning Act provides that only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a Zoning By-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of the individual who is a member of the association or the group on their behalf. Notice of Appeal, including the filing fee, must be submitted by the date set out above in order to constitute a valid Appeal. Failure to submit a complete Notice of Appeal or the fee of $125.00 or both, on or before the date set out above will result in an incomplete Appeal application and will not be processed further. A copy of the by-law is available in Planning and Development, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you wish to review it. Dated at the City of Niagara Falls this 27th day of January, 2006. Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development for the City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 S:'~ZONINGLttMS~2005~Mn-25~BYLAWPAS.NOT2. wpd SCHEDULE 1 TO BY-LAW No. 2006-17 Subject Land ST ~' 54.96 60.96 m Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 Description: Part of Township Lot 115, in the former Township of Stamford, now in the City of Niagara Falls, n in the Regional Municipality of Niagara ~ Applicant: Angelo Marino s 1 :NTS Assessment #: 272509000307400 AM-25/2005 K:\GIS_Requests\2005~Schedules~zoningAM~Ab1-25\mapping.map The City of Niogom Foils PLANNING ACT NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTE OF TItE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW NO. 2006-15 CITY FILE: AM-06/2005 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls passed By-law No. 2006-15 on the 23rd day of January, 2006, under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The purpose of By-law No. 2006-15 is to add a site specific provision (734) to the Hazard Land (HL) zoning of land on the north side of Bridgewater Street, being part of the Oliver Street Road allowance. The by-law will permit the erection of a single family detached dwelling. Please see the map on the back of this notice to locate the subject property. By-law No. 2006-15 is in conformity with the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan and is not the subject of an amendment to the Official Plan. AND TAKE NOTICE that anyperson or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the by-law by filing with the Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls not later than the 16th day of February, 2006, a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection, together with the Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00 in the form of a certified cheque or money order, made payable to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Planning Act provides that only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a Zoning By-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of the individual who is a member of the association or the group on their behalf. Notice of Appeal, including the filing fee, must be submitted by the date set out above in order to constitute a valid Appeal. Failure to submit a complete Notice of Appeal or the fee of $125.00 or both, on or before the date set out above will result in an incomplete Appeal application and will not be processed further. A copy of the by-law is available in Planning and Development, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you wish to review it. Dated at the City of Niagara Falls this 27th day of January, 2006. Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development for the City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 S:kZONINGkAMSk2005kAm-06kBYI.AWPAS.IqOT.wpd SCHEDULE 1 TO BY-LAW No. 2006-15 Subject Land Fl/l/l/lA Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 N Description: Part of the Oliver Street road allowance, ~ lying between Bridgewater Street and the Welland River, w-~~ E in the former Village of Chippawa, s being Part 1 on Reference Plan 59R-11790, now in the City of Niagara Falls, ~:~rs in the Regional Municipality of Niagara Applicant: Ralph Terrio AM-06/2005 ASSESSMENT # 272512000500200 The City of Niagara Falls Canada PLANNING ACT NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTE OF THE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW NO. 2006-24 CITY FILE: AM-30/2005 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls passed By-law No. 2006-24 on the 23rd day of January, 2006, under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The purpose of By-law No. 2006-24 is to change the zoning of the land on the southeast corner of Thorold Stone Road and Carroll Avenue, known municipally as 6030 and 6046 Thorold Stone Road, from General Industrial (GI) to a site specific Light Industrial (LI-738) zone. The by-law will permit a new car agency on the lands. Please see the map on the back of this notice to locate the subject property. By-law No. 2006-24 is in conformity with the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan and is not the subject of an amendment to the Official Plan. AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the by-law by filing with the Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls not later than the 16th day of February, 2006, a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection, together with the Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00 in the form of a certified cheque or money order, made payable to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Planning Act provides that only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a Zoning By-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of the individual who is a member of the association or the group on their behalf. Notice of Appeal, including the filing fee, must be submitted by the date set out above in order to constitute a valid Appeal. Failure to submit a complete Notice of Appeal or the fee of $125.00 or both, on or before the date set out above will result in an incomplete Appeal application and will not be processed further. A copy of the by-law is available in Planning and Development, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you wish to review it. Dated at the City of Niagara Falls this 27th day of January, 2006. Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development for the City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 S:XZONING~MSL2005~aan-30~BYLAWPAS .NOT.wpd SCHEDULE 1 TO BY-LAW No. 2006-24 THOROLD STONE RD 81.93 m ~i~ ~~/· 81.29m EL.[ZABETH 8'1' ~ [ Amending Zoning. By-law No. 79-200 Description: Part of Township Lot 77, n in the former Township of Stamford, /[ now in the City of Niagara Falls, in the Regional Municipality of Niagara Applicant: 1609652 Ontario Limited s 1 :NTS Assessment #s: 272504000414100 272504000414000 AM-30/2005 272504000413900 272504000413801 K:\GIS_Requests\20OS\Schedules~zoningAM~AM-30\mappin~.mao November 2005 The City of . Niagara Falls Canada PLANNING ACT NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTE OF THE PASSING OF ZONING BY-LAW NO. 2006-18 CITY FILE: AM-11/2005 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls passed By-law No. 2006-18 on the 23rd day of January, 2006, under Section 34 of The Planning Act. The purpose of By-law No. 2006-18 is to add site specific provisions (718) to the Light Industrial (LI) zoning of the lands on the northeast corner of Montrose Road and Industrial Street. The by-law will join two lots into one parcel for the purpose of providing required parking for the existing development, and will permit an addition to the existing building. Please see the map on the back of this notice to locate the subject property. By-law No. 2006-18 is in conformity with the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan and is not the subject of an amendment to the Official Plan. AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the by-law by filing with the Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls not later than the 16th day of February, 2006, a Notice of Appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection, together with the Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00 in the form of a certified cheque or money order, made payable to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Planning Act provides that only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a Zoning By-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A Notice of Appeal may not be filed by an unincorporated association or group. However, a Notice of Appeal may be filed in the name of the individual who is a member of the association or the group on their behalf. Notice of Appeal, including the filing fee, must be submitted by the date set out above in order to constitute a valid Appeal. Failure to submit a complete Notice of Appeal or the fee of $125.00 or both, on or before the date set out above will result in an incomplete Appeal application and will not be processed further. A copy of the by-law is available in Planning and Development, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you wish to review it. Dated at the City of Niagara Falls this 27th day of January, 2006. dug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development for the City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 S:~ZONING'VtMSX2005XAm- 11 ~BYLAWT'AS.NOT.wpd SCHEDULE 1 TO BY-LAW No. 2006 -18 Subject Land 144.~ m t'~ '145.15 m 09 ' - I-- O ! Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 N Description:Lots 10 and 11 according to Plan No. 160, in the~ former Township of Stamford, now in the City of w~ E Niagara Falls, in the Regional Municipality of Niagara s I:NTS Applicant: Altieri Building Supplies AM-11/2005 Assessment #: 272509000305000 & 272509000305100 The Park in the City Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:00 p.m. The l~ark in the ~it~ MacBain Community Centre - Coronation Centre (2nd Floor) AGENDA 1. Welcome Theresa Fabbro Clerks Dept. 2. Adoption of Agenda 3. Adoption of Meeting Minutes · Minutes of Wednesday, December 14, 2005 Meeting 4. Urban Forestry Frank Fohr 6. Heritage Eloise Schumacher 7. Environment/Tidiness Pat Mascarin 8. Community Improvement Plan-Main St. Update from Public Meeting & Lundy's Lane BIA Fran Berry 9. Projects Update - Jamie Douglas L.A. (a) Deerfield (b) Balden Powell Park 10. Correspondence 11. Other Business (a) Meeting Dates for 2006 (b)Earth Day Activities for 2006 12. Adjournment NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 22, 2005 MacBain Community Centre - 4:00p. m. THE PARK IN THE CITY COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, December 14, 2005 4:00 P.M. Community Centre - Multi- purpose Room A MINUTES OF MEETING Attendance: Janet Krowchuk, Resident Volunteer Eloise Schumacher, Resident Volunteer Irene Kotsch, Resident Volunteer John Kotsch, Resident Volunteer Patricia Mascarin, Resident Volunteer Arlie DeGuili, Resident Volunteer Frances Berry, Resident Volunteer Frank Fohr, Sub-Committee Volunteer Barb Dyck, Resident Volunteer Carol Johnson, Resident Volunteer Shirley Fisher, Resident Volunteer Margaret Mingle, Resident Volunteer Barbara Hawken, Resident Volunteer Joyce Sankey, Niagara Falls Nature Club Jack Hall, Resident Volunteer Gary Gunning, Resident Volunteer Ronald Brown, Resident Volunteer Michael Vincent Cuviello Janet Devine, Niagara Falls Horticultural Society Marina Fohr, Resident Volunteer Adele Kon, Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture Jamie Douglas, Staff Sue Forcier, Staff Regrets: Alderman Selina Volpatti Anne Angelone, Regional Councillor Don Campbell, Regional Planning Department Reg Jones, Resident Volunteer Carla Cavassin, Niagara Parks Commission Paisley Janvary-Pool 1. Welcome Sue welcomed everyone to The Park in the City meeting. Eloise Schumacher Chaired the meeting in Alderman Volpatti's absence. The Park in the City - 2 - December 14, 2005 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved by Ron Brown and seconded by Pat Mascarin that the agenda be adopted. Carried. 3. Adoption of Meeting Minutes - November 16, 2005 Moved by Frank Fohr and seconded by John Kotsch that the minutes of November 16, 2005 meeting be approved. Carried. 4. WinterLights National Competition · Fran Berry provided an overview of the itinerary that the WinterLights Committee has designed for the Judges. Everyone is invited to the opening reception Friday, December 16, 2005 and Fran encouraged the Committee to come out and support our pancake breakfast for tender wishes and project share. 5. Smart Gardening - Sue Forcier · Sue presented a sample project that the Niagara Region is working on - SMART GARDENING · Sue provided some samples of designs and layouts the Region will be promoting in 2006. The Region is hoping to launch this in April/May of 2006. Sue indicated that she was invited to the meeting as The Region has been impressed with our Park in the City Committee and projects. · Sue will provide to the Committee updates on this exciting project the Region is embarking and that there may be room for partnership with the Region. 6. 2006 Proposed Capital Projects for The Park in the City Committee · Sue presented the proposed projects for the Park in the City Committee · Frank Fohr requested that an addition should be made under 2006 projects that a potential project Heritage trees in the City of Niagara Falls would require a budget of $500 total. · Pat Mascarin asked if the Sub-Committees will be getting a budget in 2006. Sue replied that the request was made to the Director Adele Kon for the 2006 budget. Moved by Frank Fohr and seconded by John Kotsch that the 2006 Proposed Capital Projects be approved. The Park in the City - 3 - December 14, 2005 7. Correspondence Received and Read. 8. Other Business Frank Fohr mentioned to the Committee a workshop he attended at the Public Library that the provincial government was spearheading regarding the Greenbelt initiative. Many planners were there including the City of Niagara Falls. This public forum explained the greenbelt concept and the core growth areas, concentrating on the Greater Golden Horseshoe area -Niagara to Collingwood. in protecting these areas. · Eloise mentioned a Heritage Passport should be developed for Spring Break 2006. This could possibly be a fund-raiser for the Committee. We will contact Kathy Powell from the Museum to investigate further. Margaret Mingle suggested that the Municipal Heritage Committee could participate by providing factual information. Sue mentioned that there was a public information session on the proposed Traffic Calming Islands proposed for Portage Road starting at O'Neil and continuing to Mountaingate. · Sue did indicate that this Committee will be involved with the landscape to these islands and that the Consultants stated that the gum trees will not be effected. Frank Fohr stated that the plan looked nice like the parkway. 9. Motion to adjourn by Pat Mascarin. NEXT MEETING January, 2006 The Park in the City The l~ark in the (~it$ Meeting Dates for 2006 January 25 February 22 March 22 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 August 23 September 20 October 18 November 15 December 20 The Pad~ in the ~it~ Up Coming Sub-Committee Meetings * Urban Forestry- Tuesday, Jan. 31 - 7:00 pm MacBain Community Centre Board Room *Tidiness/Environment - Tuesday, Feb. 7 - 6:30 pm Niagara Falls Public Library - La Marsh Room Anyone interested in participating in the Sub-Committees are always welcomed. From: Information Niagara 905-682-6611; FAX g05-682~,31~, Date: 1/28/06 Time: 2:34:06 AH Page i of 1 NIAGARA ENTREPRENEUR... ORDER TICKETS NOW! of the Year Awards ~ loin us on March 3, ~006 at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Centre when we gather to honour thi~ year's nominees and announce the 2005 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalists and award recipients. We are proud to induct the following into our Hall of Fame. Archie Katzman Community Contribution Award Being lauded for his contributions to the community is Archie Katzman, an eminent businessman and fundraiscr. An:hie is the General Manager of the St. Gatharines Glub, one of the fastest growing private clubs in Ontario and Vice-Ghairman of the Niagara Parks Gommission. As an outstanding auctioneer, Archie has encouraged support for countless organizations throughout the Niagara Region. Recent recipient of the Ganadian Red Gross Power of Humanity Award, Archie is being recognized for his life-long commitment to his community. As Founder of the Leonard B. Herzog Foundation, Ghairman of the St. Catharines GAT Scan Fundraising Committee, Co-Chairman of the MRI Gampaign and Go-Founder of the Gommunity Leader's Golf Tournament, Archi¢ has tirelessly spearheaded and organized multiple fundraising campaigns that have raised over $10.5 million for local healthcare initiatives. We are also proud to honour the following outstanding entrepreneurs Paul Bosc Sr. Lawrence Beattie Lift,,time Achi~n,emen. t Award .HisloricaI Award 2005 Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation Friday, March 3, 2006 Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Gonference Centre, 6755 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, Ganada Company Name Name Street City Postal O_axle Phone Fan Email Iwouldlil~toorder~ ticketa priced at $75 ~ach for a total amount of $__. {~ Ghequeenclosed [~ Pleas~invoice Rtservad tables of lO are auailablt. Please make cheque payable m Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards P.O. Box 116, Thorold Ontario, L2V Phone 905.688.5757 F~ 905.688.3502. Your [e~s and in,ice will ~ maEad ~t ~ ~u upon ~ceip~ of ~en~ ~nk You. prtsented by '~~-~t~. ~~~ ~~.~~. ~~u~-~.~. ~ 0 award s~n~rs  p~atinum ~or N'ag Reg i ara n You are cordially invited to attend The Regional Municipality of Niagara Council Business Planning Session Special Focus on Regional & Municipal Emergency Preparedness and Response February 16, 2006 from 4:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m. Four Points Suites by Sheraton, Brock Ballroom (3530 Schmon Parkway, Thorold) Keynote Speaker Dr. James Young, M.D. Presentation "No End in Sight" Special Advisor to the Minister, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Government of Canada Regional Chairman, Peter Partington Please RSVP by February 6, 2006 to Ms. Kimberly Bowman - 905-685-1571 x. 3222 A detailed agenda will follow shortly From the January 19, 2006 Meeting of Regional Council Volume 14, Issue 1 State of the Region Address I~1 ew Environmental Policies for kl Niagara - Approved! The Regional Chair provided Regional Council with the "State of the Region" Regional Council approved Regional Address, which outlined Niagara's Policy Plan Amendment 187, A accomplishments in 2005, and the Healthy Landscape - Healthy challenges and opportunities for 2006. Communities, New Environmental The "State of the Region" Address can Policies for Niagara, which replaces be found at the following link: http:// the existing environmental policies in www.re.qional.nia.qara.on.ca/ the Regional Policy Plan with a .qovernment/council/Vision-for-Niaqara- comprehensive new approach to Future.aspx maintaining and enhancing environmental quality in Niagara. 006 Capital Budget - Approved! Regional Council at their meeting of ~ost of Healthy Eating- Out of January 19, 2006, approved the 2006 Reach for Many in Niagaral Capital Budget as presented in Report CSD 175-2005, with one exception, In comparing the increased cost in .Line ZCA0601, respecting the purchasing a Nutritious Food Basket Dunnville Spur Line, was deferred until and the increase in available social a public meeting canbe held. assistance dollars and minimum wage rate, it was acknowledged that the cost N of healthy eating is becoming iagara-Hamilton WastePlan - increasingly out of reach for many Preferred Disposal System - individuals, .children and families in Commenting Deadline Niagara. Regional Council was reminded of the Niagara-Hamilton WastePlan / unding for Land Ambulance commenting deadline on the preferred Announcedl disposal system, which is February 6, 2006. Comments are to be received The Ministry of Health and Long Term by the deadline in order for them to be Care announced funding for Niagara's considered and addressed during the Land Ambulance has been set at preparation ofthefinal report. $443,196.00 and must be spent by March 31, 2006 on new ambulances, For further information contact: ['he Regional Clerk's office at (905) 685-157! or 1-800-263-7215 www. regional, niagara .on .ca new equipment, defibrillators and stretchers, nominated for the Leadership she has shown in streamlining and promoting the new multi-year S financial planning process. Ina Mulholland was icycle Friendly Awards nominated by her peers for her dedication to the well being of staff and residents at Linhaven and The Bicycle Friendly Awards were presented received the Customer Service award. Scott as follows: Laugher was nominated by his peers for his Government Institutions - Gold - Team Participation in providing innovative ways City of Niagara Falls - (Parks, Recreation and to highlight and share memodes of special events Culture); within the Community Services Department. Certificate of Merit - The Corporation of the City Staff and residents appreciate the dedication to of Thorold; Customer Service that Dave Hare demonstrates Workplaces - Gold - Pan Abrasive Inc.; Silver - to improve the quality of life at Deer Park Villa on Ministry of Transportation; a day-to-day basis. Lin Ganchou has made Bronze - Oxy Vinyls Canada Inc. and Niagara waste reduction a personal mission at Gilmore EMS; Lodge! Lin took on a Leadership role by Educational Institutions - Gold - Niagara involving the entire management team, staff, College; Silver- Fort Erie Elementary; residents, family members and volunteers in her Business- Gold - Liberty! Bicycles; Silver- waste reduction efforts. BIKEFIT Inc.; Certificates of Merit were presented to Clarkson Cycle & Fitness; Rapid ~ City Cycle and Market Cafe. I nter-Municipal Transit Action Plan - Update p Councillor Papp (Town of Pelham) and Ms. laces to Grow, A Growth Plan for the Sutton, Project Manager, Niagara Tourism Greater Golden Horseshoe Human Resources Council provided Council with an update on the Inter-Municipal Action Regional Council approved the forwarding of Plan that was put in place to provide Regional Niagara's comments to the Province on employment opportunities to individuals living Places to Grow, A Growth Plan for the Greater in Welland and Port Colborne, in positions that Golden Horseshoe, which requests that the were being filled by off-shore workers. The Province: recognize the special opportunities in program resulted in an eighty per cent retention Niagara to reinforce other Provincial initiatives; rate. Congratulations should be extended to collaborate with Niagara when developing a the 21st Group for stepping forward and being Border Crossing Strategy; indicate their position part of this program and its success. on the future extension of Highway 406 to Port Colbome; designate Welland as an Urban Regional Council congratulated all of the Growth Centre and recognize Port Colborne's participants and wished them continued suc- growth potential including its port and consider cess! Niagara as a Sub-Area de-linked from Haldimand County and focus on economic assessment. H appy New Year H '~-,~ERTAwards of Excellence Regional Chairman Peter Partington wishes everyone a very Happy New Year. The following employees, who were nominated by their 'peers for their outstanding contributions to life and work at the Region were presented with Excellence Awards. Margaret Murphy from the Corporate Services Department was The Regional Municipality of Niagara gi 3550 Schmon Parkway, P.O. Box 1042 Niagara Re on Thorold, Ontario L2V 4T7 Telephone: 905-984-3630 PLANNING AND DEVELOPI~IENT Fax: 905-641-5208 E-mail: plan@regional.niagara.on.ca January 24, 2006 File: D.16.UR.re Mr. Dean Iorfida Clerk City of Niagara Falls ", 4310 Queen Street Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6X5 Dear Mr. Iorfida: Re: Comments on Places to Grow the Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Please find enclosed Regional Niagara's comments on the Province's draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe entitled Places to Grow (DPD 3-2006). Overall, many of the future goals that are discussed in the Growth Plan are already shown within existing Niagara initiatives and policies centred around the Regional Policy Plan. The Province has commendably recognized some of Niagara's 'go south' strategy with support for the Niagara-GTA Corridor, however recognition of the Highway 406 Corridor is strongly recommended in a similar fashion as the proposed Highway 404 extension. In a similar line, we also highly recommend that VVelland be considered as an Urban Growth Centre, and Port Colborne be recognized for its future potential. Niagara should be a target for economic investment in the final Growth Plan through area specific investment or incentives due to our location, amount of development capacity in existing urban areas boundaries and cultural assets. We have asked that we be considered a Sub-Area unto ourselves, de-linked from Haldimand. Finally, we noted that we look forward to working with the Province on such important initiatives as a Border Crossing Strategy and the Gateway Economic Zone that will better position the Province and Niagara economically. This is truly the time to plan for the future of the Greater Golden Horseshoe that we want. Please call me if you have any questions. Yours truly, CC Oo mrw~, sT;, oCnaemr ~, opment Enclosure Cc: Pam Gilroy, Clerk, Regional Municipality of Niagara Mr. Doug Darbyson, MCIP, RPP, Director of Planning & Development, City of Niagara Falls Building Community. Building Lives. Recommended for Approval as Amended by the Planning and Public Works Committee on ,Tanuary :t 1, 2006. Approved by Regional Council on ~Tanuary :tS), 2006. DPD 3 -2006 January 11, 2006 File: D.16 UR. Re D.12.PR REPORT TO: Chair and Members of the Planning and Public Works Committee SUBJECT: Comments on Places to Grow A Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (November Draft) RECOMMENDATIONS That this Committee recommend to Regional Council: 1. That this report be forwarded to the Province as Regional Niagara's comments on Places to Grow particularly noting the following points as reasoned in this report: · That the Province recognize the special opportunities in Niagara to reinforce other Provincial initiatives, accommodate more development and enable economic activity through increased investment in both hard and soft infrastructure. · That the Province collaborate with us in developing a Border Crossing Strategy that better positions Niagara and the Province economically. · That the Province indicate the future extension of Highway 406 to Port Colborne, in the same manner as the indicated Highway 404 extension. · That the Province designate Welland as an Urban Growth Centre, and recognize Port Colborne's growth potential including its port. · That the Province consider Niagara as a Sub-Area de-linked from Haldimand County and focus on economic assessment. DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 2 2. That copies of this report be circulated for information to the local municipalities and the Smarter Niagara Steering Committee. 3. That staff provide further information on the next steps when the Growth Plan is approved. PURPOSE This report provides comments to the Province on the Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe entitled Places to Grow and dated November 2005. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Province has recently released a third draft version of the Draft Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and an approved Plan is expected in the spring. The Growth Plan is intended to address seven ,challenges through policy directions on: o Directing growth to built-up areas, o Promoting transit-supportive densities and a healthy mix of residential and employment land uses, o Preserving employment lands for future economic opportunities, o Identifying and supporting a transportation network that link urban growth centres; o Planning for community infrastructure to support growth, o Ensuring suitable water and wastewater services, and o Identifying a natural system and prime agricultural areas. Since this is effectively our last chance to comment, the report focuses on the following seven key issues: o Be proactive by recognizing the special opportunities in Niagara to reinforce other Provincial initiatives, accommodate more development and enable economic activity. o Collaborate with us in developing a Border Crossing Strategy that better positions Niagara and the Province economically. o Put more concem on the water/wastewater infrastructure and waste-resource management/recycling as important components of growth within existing centres. DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 3 o Indicate future extension of Highway 406 to Port Colborne, in the same manner as the indicated Highway 404 extension. o Designate Welland as an Urban Growth Centre. o Consider Niagara as a Sub-Area de-linked from Haldimand County and focus on economic assessment. o Ensure implementation measures will achieve the intended results, by, for example adjusting the timing requirements for conformity to allow for adequate drafting of policies and public consultation, remove Ontario Municipal Board appeals for amendments required to implement the Places to Grow Plan, and taking the lead in educating the public on the Plan. The Province has started a process that will lead to the development of stronger communities and a healthy environment, but only if well implemented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Not applicable at this time. REPORT A Brief Summary of the Growth Plan The Draft Growth Plan, entitled Places to Grow, is the third and final draft of the Province's initiative to plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. Comments are due by January 27, 2006 and the final version is anticipated in the spring. Planning reports have been written on the previous versions of the draft Growth Plan (DPD 114-2004 and DPD 44-2005) and the Regional Chairman and Chair of Planning Services Committee spoke before the Standing Committee in Toronto when the Places to GrowAct (Bill 136), 2005 was being considered. The Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) is bounded by the Counties of Peterborough and Northumberland to the east, Wellington to the west and Brant and Haldimand to the south. Essentially the Growth Plan plans for the population and job growth that is expected in the by 2031 over a broader area than a single municipality. Overall, many of the future goals that are discussed in the Draft Growth Plan reflect existing Niagara initiatives and policies centred on the Regional Policy Plan. These initiatives include our smart growth program and incentives in partnership with the local municipalities, supporting the agricultural industry through the Agricultural Task Force and Agricultural Sub-Committee, and -protection of the natural environment through the Water Quality Protection Strategy and recent environmental policies. DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 4 The Growth Plan is discussed in the document as one that 'demonstrates leadership for improving the ways in which our cities, suburbs, towns, and villages will grow over the long-term' (page 4). The Growth Plan is based on the following six guiding principles: o 'build compact, vibrant and complete communities; o plan and manage growth to support a strong and competitive economy; o protect, conserve, enhance and wisely use natural resources of land, air and water for current and future generations; o optimize the use of existing and new infrastructure to support growth in a compact, efficient form; o provide for different approaches to managing growth that recognize the diversity of communities in the GGH; and o promote collaboration among all sectors - government, private and non-profit sectors and citizens - to achieve the vision' (page 8) The Growth Plan is divided into different sections that deal with where and how to grow, infrastructure to support growth, protecting what is valuable, implementation and interpretation, definitions and schedules. Implementation includes future analysis and amendments to the Policy Plan and local official plans and by-laws. Capital Investment, Resources and the Movement of People and Goods Niagara has been very active in the area of Smart Growth for a number of years. We welcome the Province's strides to ensure that all settlement areas become complete communities with a balance of housing and jobs. Niagara welcomes the Provincial interest in capital investment in hard infrastructure including transit and soft services such as schools and hospitals that serve as the backbone to communities that are walkable, compact, accessible, and contribute to a high quality of life for all residents. We also welcome changes in legislation that will make Smart Growth development easier and more cost efficient. To do our part to ensure that our communities are well developed and recognize their distinct characteristics, we are currently reviewing the planning system in Niagara that includes the involvement of a large number of stakeholders. Water/wastewater and waste/recycling are two very important components of growth. More information needs to be provided as to the intentions of the Province with regard to the further analysis of the water and wastewater systems to serve the projected growth. Similarly, more emphasis needs to be placed on resource use and appropriate waste- resource management. The recycling of materials is a key component that can create a DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 5 competitive, self-sustaining marketplace and should be explored further in this Plan. The Corridor also will enable further development of small centres in Niagara such os Smithville. Niagara is well located within the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Ontario as a key border crossing, which positively impacts our local economy through trade and tourism, but also socially enriches us through cultural relationships with our American neJghbours. Niagara welcomes the Improved Inter-Regional Transit to 2031 (GO Transit Buses) and the Future Goods Movement Corddor (Niagara-GTA Corridor) that appear on the Places to Grow Concept Plan. Theses items, however would not in themselves appear to adequately address our cross- border relationship. Early next year the Region will be holding our next Smarter Niagara Summit on the topic of our Bi-National relationship in an effort to better understand and integrate ideas and solutions. We respectfully request that the Province collaborate with Niagara in considering how this relationship could better be fostered Jn a Border Crossing Strategy to be reflected in the Plan. It is recognized that this effort will require inclusion of the Federal government to ensure that all required levels of government will be at the table. Urban Growth Centres and Niagara's 'Go South' Strategy The Province has identified Downtown SL Catharines as the only Urban Growth Centre (UGC) within Niagara. The goal for this UGC, as stated in the draft Growth Plan, is to meet a minimum gross density target of 150 residents and jobs combined per hectare by 2031. The northem part of Niagara, however, is in the Greenbelt due to its agricultural capability for growing fruit and grapes, and St. Catharines does not have much land in designated greenfield areas within its settlement areas boundary. Therefore, the successful implementation of the Growth Plan requires an additional Urban Growth Centre in the southern part of Niagara where the land is less agriculturally sensitive and the existing communities already have some room to expand the built-up area onto designated greenfield areas within the existing settlement area boundaries. (Please note - this terminology is that used within the Growth Plan and settlement areas should be considered urban areas boundaries in the Niagara context). While the Province has recognized the two settlement areas of Niagara Falls and Fort Erie in the Gateway Economic Zone, little information has been provided on this concept. These two communities form one leg of the Go South Strategy that Niagara has long endorsed as the appropriate direction for growth within the Region. It is understood that further details of the Gateway Economic Zone Strategy will be provided during the sub- area assessment. DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 6 The Region, local municipalities and our Niagara Economic Development Corporation look forward to working with the Province in this assessment. An important part of this assessment should be directed towards infrastructure needs and funding for the key employment lands within the southern part of Niagara Falls and the northern part of Fort Erie settlement areas to enable their development. We also hope this assessment will look at the entire settlement areas to ensure that these communities reflect destinations in themselves, as well as entry points for our American neighbours. The other leg of the Go South Strategy follows the Highway 406 CorridOr. Niagara has long advocated an extension of this corridor that follows the Welland Canal and would link the communities of Thorold, Welland and Port Colbome, while taking development pressure off of the fruitlands to the north. Although our previous comments to the Province have requested consideration of extending the 406 corridor and recognizing these communities in the Provincial Growth Plan, there has been no recognition of this leg of the Go South Strategy in the proposed Growth Plan. We respectfully request that the Province indicate the future extension of Highway 406 into Port Colborne, in the same manner as the indicated Highway 404 extension. We also respectfully request that downtown Welland be designated as a second Urban Growth Centre within Niagara and r~cognize Port Colborne's growth potential including its port. These two positive steps, recognizing the Highway 406 extension and Welland as a UGC, are planning for the future. They are supportive of other Provincial initiatives such as the Greenbelt and the Niagara-GTA Corridor as well as enabling development in the southern part of Niagara for the Province's own economic vitality. Implementation - Sub-Areas, Timing, and Public Information In an effort to implement the Growth Plan, as well as other Provincial initiatives, Niagara is proceeding ahead with our own Niagara Growth Management Strategy. This Plan will identify nodes and corridors, opportunities for intensification, and the phasing and timing of infrastructure investment within our existing urban areas boundaries. In the draft Provincial Growth Plan, however, Niagara is located in the same sub-area as Haldimand County. We have little functional relationship with this municipality, and respectfully request that Niagara be considered a Sub-Area unto itself. We I°ok forward to working with the Province in the Niagara Sub-Area Assessment to further develop regional economic assessment to guide planning policies for employment, refinement and phasing of the proposed transportation network and implementation measures for the Gateway Economic Zone, extension of Highway 406, and the role of Welland as an Urban Growth Centre in South Niagara. While there is some question about what the analysis of the water / wastewater capacity and requirements refers to, we also welcome the opportunity for further discussion on this topic. Niagara has just DPD 3-2006 January 11, 2006 Page 7 completed revised environmental policies for the Regional Policy Plan for which the niatural areas were mapped, and has long been know for an area with extensive agricultural mapping and initiatives including the Agricultural Task Force. As for further identification of the natural system and pdrne agricultural and rural areas, we would request that these not be the focus of our Sub-Area assessment. In addition to further study being required for the Sub-Areas, there appears to be a need for more study on some concepts including built boundaries, designated Greenfield areas, and urban growth centres. It has been understood through consultations that all of this further study will be done over the next year or two. The Places to Grow Act, 2005, however, indicates that municipalities are required to make amendments to their official plans before the third anniversary of the Growth Plan coming into effect. Two things must be considered by the Province: 1. Any timing requirements that the Province mandates should be reflective of the amount of time it takes to adequately draft upper-tier and lower-tier policies and consult with the public; and 2. Any amendments for conformity to the Provincial plans and policies should not be subject to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. ' While the Province has made great headway in providing a direction for how the Greater Golden Horseshoe should grow until 2031, the implementation of the Growth Plan will truly be a measure of its success. It is recognized that the Province has just introduced the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 into the legislature. VVhile this Act appears to go a long way to helping municipalities implement the Growth Plan, the Province should be the key leader in educating the residents of Ontario on this Plan in an effort to ensure it is implemented. These requirements that are mandated by the Province represent a considerable amount of additional workload, but will hopefully result in a significantly better direction for the Province and the Greater Golden Horseshoe as a whole. Submitted by: Approved by: o.rwin T. Cambray, MCIP, RPP/j Mike Trojan (/) Commissioner of Planning and~E~velopment Chief Administr~e Officer This report was prepared by Terri Donia, MCIP RPP and Corwin Cambray, Planners with input from Alan Gummo, MCIP RPP, Senior Policy Coordination Planner and from Public Works, Niagara Economic Development Corporation and the Area Planners Group. I~ Ontario NOntano's Lagara Niagara Escarpment Commission I:scarpment 232 Guelph Street rEscarpemei3t Georgetown ON L7G 4B1 du N~agara de Tel. No. (905) 877-5191 - Fax No. (905) 873-7452 I'Ontano Commission de I'escarpement du Niagara 232, rue Guelph Georgetown ON L7G 4B1 NO de tel. (905) 877-5191 - T616copieur (905) 873-7452 www. escarpment.org January 24, 2006 The Honourable David Caplan Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal ~-~ 6th Floor, Frost Building South Queen's Park Crescent / Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Y7 Dear Honourable Minister Caplan: ~:' RE: Places to Grow - Better Choices, Brighter Future Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe(GGH) (November 2005) The Niagara Escarpment Commission considered the Proposed Growth Plan at its meeting of January 19, 2005 and resolved to provide the attached recommendations to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and associated Ministers, municipalities and conservation authorities. The Commission continues to support the concept of the Growth Plan and commends the provincial government for initiating the development of a long- range provincial vision for the Greater Golden Horseshoe area to guide future development such that the environment, natural resources, the economy, communities and quality of life are enhanced and sustained in the long term. Notwithstanding this over arching commendation, the Commission provides the following additional recommendations. The staff report considered by the Commission and dated January 19, 2005 is attached for your reference which is also available on the Niagara Escarpment Commission web site at www. Escarpment.or.q. NIAGARA ESCARPMENT The Niagara Escarpment Plan - 20th Anniversary r6serv~ de la biosphere de biosphere reserve 1 9 8 5 - 2 0 0 5 L'ESCARPEMENT DU NIAGARA Plan d'am6nagement de I'escarpement du Niagara - 20' anniversaire My staff and I look forward to working with you and your staff and would be pleased to meet to discuss the Commission's recommendations in more detail. Yours truly, Don Scott Chair c: The Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Transportation The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier The Honourable, David Ramsay, Ministry of Natural Resources The Honourable Joseph Cordian, Minister of Economic Development and Trade The Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ministry of Agriculture and Food The Honourable, Donna Cansfield, Ministry of Energy The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Ministry of Finance The Honourable John Gerretsen, Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Honourable James Bradley, Minister of Tourism and Recreation Jason Thorne, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Heads of Council and Planning Directors of Niagara Region, City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, Town of Lincoln, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Town of Pelham, City of Thorold, Town of Grimsby, City of Hamilton, Region of Halton, City of Burlington, Town of Milton, Town of Halton Hills, Region of Peel, Town of Caledon, Dufferin County, Town of Mono, Township of Mulmur Simcoe County, Township of Clearview, Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Credit Valley, Toronto and Region and Nottawasaga conservation authorities. Niagara to GTA Stakeholders Advisory Group Niagara Escarpment Commissioners Brad Shaw, CONE Richard Murzin Valerie, Stankiewicz, Land Use Coordination Section, MNR 2 Recommendations of the Niagara Escarpment Commission On the Places to Grow - Better Choices, Brighter Future Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (November 2005) Recommendation 1 The Commission commends the Minister on the Proposed Plan. The changes made to the Proposed Growth Plan constitutes a significant improvement from the Draft Plan and provide much clearer provincial direction. Recommendation 2 That the Commission reiterates its position that there is the need for a vision-based approach to planning and that forecasts to be used as an indication of what populations may be expected if planning is not undertaken, and not as a replacement for planning. Recommendation 3 The Niagara Escarpment Commission reiterates its recommendation that it is premature to identify Future Goods Movement Corridors without having developed and completed the Provincial Transportation Strategy ih conjunction with the Growth Plan. Recommendation 4 It is recommended that Improved Inter-Regional Transit Lines be illustrated on the Schedules more conceptually to ensure future interpretation is not narrowly interpreted to imply highway solutions only. Recommendation 5 The Commission continues to recommend an earlier target date of 2010 for achieving 40 % of development being directed to the built up areas rather than to greenfields within the designated urban areas. Recommendation 6 That the Commission support the Growth Management Policies under Part 2.2.2 which directs significant portions of new growth to built up areas and through intensification as a means of achieving the vision and principles of the Proposed Growth Plan. Recommendation 7 In keeping with the principle of protecting and conserving water resources, Part 2.2.2 Managing Growth Policy j) should be revised as follows: j) directing development to settlement areas that offer municipal water and waste water services and limiting growth in settlement areas that are served by other forms of water and waste water services or are limited in their ability to accommodate future growth. Recommendation 8 That Part 2.2.8 include a policy that allows municipalities at the local level to limit urban boundary expansion notwithstanding the growth forecasts, where such expansions do not meet the long term vision of the municipality and provision for consultation with lower tier municipalities. Recommendation 9 That the policy clarify that settlement boundary expansions would only be permitted at the time of the comprehensive review to bring municipal official plans into conformity with the Growth Plan, i.e., within three years of approval of the Growth Plan. Recommendation 10 The establishment of the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority and its role should' remain the responsibility of the Province or as a minimum the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Recommendation 11 The Commission reiterates the following recommendation: The Commission applauds the establishment of an umbrella authority (Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) which will have the role of coordinating an integrated transportation system. This support is conditional upon the ability of the authority to play an effective role in coordinating and collaborating with the full range of multi-modal stakeholders in the private, 4 and public and federal sectors, including air, rail, marine and roads. A truly integrated approach is necessary if the transportation infrastructure is to be addressed in a coordinated and collaborative manner. The Greater Toronto Transportation Authority should be given broad authority and have the ability to strategically coordinate transportation issues beyond the Greater GTA, such as the Windsor/Sarnia/Detroit border gateway and federal and private transportation modes. New legislation or collaborative agreements may be necessary to achieve this end. Recommendation 12 The Niagara Escarpment Commission continues to recommend that in order for the Growth Plan to be "supported by a long-term multi-year provincial infrastructure investment strategy" a long-term multi modal provincial transportation strategy should be developed in conjunction with the Growth Plan to the year 2031. Incremental short-term transportation strategies, such as ReNew Ontario may result in compromising future long-term strategies and economic resources. It is wise to attempt to approach the Growth Plan and transportation infrastructure in an integrated and comprehensive manner with a view to the long term vision for 2031. Recommendation 13 In support of a long-term multi-modal Transportation Strategy, the following modifications are recommended to the policies of Part 3.2.1: Policy 3.2.1 (2) Priority will be given to infrastructure investments ....... · .... prcvmce that support the policies and schedules in this Plan. The deletion of the phrase "made by the Province" limits investment to provincially regulated highways and Go-Transit and does not encourage co-operative arrangements with other stakeholders (e.g., rail and marine transport). 3.2.1.3 The Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal will work with other Ministries of the Crown, the Federal government, public and private sector partners to identify strategic infrastructure needs and opportunities to support the implementation of the long-term multi modal provincial transportation Strategy to 203'1 and through the sub area assessment of regional and local transit and transportation, and water and waste water systems as provided for in policies 3.2.2.4 and 3.2.5.6. ri-: 3.3.3b) Offer a balance of transportation choices that reduce reliance upon any single mode and promotes transit, cycling, walking, rail and other alternative modes to roads. 3.2.2d) Offer multi-modal access to jobs, housing, schools, cultural and recreational opportunities and for the movement of goods and services. Recommendation 14 That the policy be re-evaluated to give less emphasis to the long-term reliance on highways for goods movement, giving more emphasis to rail and marine. The following policy modifications are suggested: 3.2.4(2) The Ministers of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Transportation, other appropriate Ministers of the Crown, and municipalities will work with the federal government, agencies, and public and private operators of transportation infrastructure, e.g., rail, marine and highway, to: Recommendation 15 The Plan is not clear exactly when the sub-area assessments, are to be carried out. The Plan should be clarified to require the identification of agricultural lands and specialty crop lands occurs prior to the official plans being brought into conformity with the Growth Plan. Recommendation 16 If the Province is serious about protecting agricultural resources, the term "where appropriate" in policy 4.2.2.1 should be deleted. Recommendation 17 Policy 4.2.2.3 should be refined as follows: Municipalities are encouraged to maintain, improve and provide opportunities for farm related infrastructure such as drainage and irrigation provided such works do not negatively impact natural heritage features and functions and maintain or enhance the water quality and quantity. Recommendation 18 The Commission supports the development of a long-term Mineral Aggregate Resources Strategy and reiterates the following previous recommendation: That the policies that guide the development of a Mineral Aggregate Resources Strategy include the following: · A comprehensive review of projected demand based upon different development scenarios to determine exactly how much of the resource will be required by 2031 and what effect the different development scenarios would have on the consumption of the reserves currently licensed both within and outside the Greater Golden Horseshoe that serve the GGH. · A comprehensive analysis of the availability of reserves within existing licenses both within the GGH and outside the GGH that currently serves the GGH, and the area that may potentially serve the GGH in the long term based upon among other relevant factors, economies of scale, transportation infrastructure, extraction techniques over the next 10-20 years. · A comprehensive analysis of potential aggregate resources (not licensed) within and outside the GGH that may serve the GGH on the basis of specific transportation scenarios and extraction techniques (e.g., underground mining) within the short and long term through to 2031. · The identification of resources to be protected and the establishment of priority areas for resource extraction after applying natural and cultural heritage constraints, source water protection and other applicable policies under the PPS and the municipal official plans. (Town of Caledon OPA 161 process). · In addition to the above, the recommendations of the Environmental Commissioner (2002-2003 Annual Report) with respect to a conservation strategy for mineral aggregate resources, along with the comprehensive analysis and recommendations of the recent report prepared by The Pembina Institute should be considered in the development of the terms of reference for a Mineral Resource Strategy.~ ~ The Pembina Institute, Rebalancing the load: the need for an aggregates conservation strategy for Ontario. This Report was copied to the Commission and circulated at the February 2005 Commission Meeting Recommendation 19 The Commission continues to recommend that policy 4.2.4 prohibit transfer of water between watersheds. Recommendation 20 That the Plan acknowledge that the Monitoring and Performance measures will be developed and implemented in conjunction with those of the Greenbelt Plan. Recommendation 21 In addition to Recommendation 5 above, the Commission recommends that the Greenfield policy (Section 2.6.2) be clarified and expanded upon to address the following: 1. That the density of 50 and 40 residents and jobs per hectare, within the inner and outer ring municipalities respectively, applies to the net area after removing the natural heritage, natural hazards, and infrastructure, and 2. That the policy clearly establish that development within designated greenfields will be phased through the secondary planning process to require that the higher density areas develop before the lower density areas are allowed to develop. This is recommend for two reasons, namely, first to ensure that transit supportive development is put in place early and second to reduce future potential land use conflicts between subsequent lower density development. ~ Ontario NOntano's /agara Niagara Escarpment Commission ~scarpment 232 Guelph Street rE~carpement Georgetown ON L7G 4B1 du N~agara de Tel. No. (905) 877-5191 - Fax No. (905) 873-7452 I'Ontano Commission de I'escarpament du Niagara 232, rue Guelph Georgetown ON L7G 4B1 January 20, 2006 NO de tel. (905) 877-5191 - T~16copieur (905) 873-7452 www. escarpment.org Michael Harrison, MOE Project Officer Ministry of the Environment Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch EA Project Coordination Section 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A Toronto, ON M4V 1L5 Dear Mr. Harrison: RE: NIAGARA TO GTA CORRIDOR Environmental Assessment Draft Terms of Reference November 2005 The Niagara Escarpment Commission, at its meeting of January 19, 2006, considered the Niagara to GT^ Corridor Environmental Assessment Draft Terms of Reference (November 2005). The Commission's comments are provided below: 1. The Niagara Escarpment Commission reiterates its position that the initiation of the Niagara to GTA Corridor Environmental Assessment process is premature and should not proceed until the Provincial Multi-modal Transportation Strategy and the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan are finalized and approved. The consideration of new regional transportation corridors within the Greater Golden Horseshoe should only be considered within the context of a broader approved provincial strategy which is intended to address a new paradigm and vision to guide transportation infrastructure over the next 30 - 50 years. It is recommended that the Provincial Transportation Strategy address all modes of transportation, including federal and private jurisdictions, in order to create an integrated solution which may dramatically shift the way Ontario has been planning for transportation over the past 50 years. 2. The Commission further recommends that an expanded and appropriately modified Phase 1 component of the EA Study Terms of Reference could form the basis for a Provincial Multi-modal Strategy. The modifications would include: NIAGARA ESCARPMENT The Niagara Escarpment Plan - 20th Anniversary r6serve de la biosphere de biosphere reserve 1 9 8 5 - 2 0 0 5 L'ESCARPEMENT DU NIAGARA Plan d'am6nagement de I'escarpement du Niagara - 20" anniversaire a) An enlarged study area to address the transportation vision for the Province, e.g., from Sarnia to Ottawa and north to at least Muskoka. b) The identification of the purpose and rationale, i.e., problem identification and need for improvements within the entire study area. c) The identification of alternatives to address the problem(s), including the transportation planning alternatives, identified in the Terms of Reference under Section 4.1, namely: ·travel demand management strategies, · transportation systems management, · improved and new transit services, · improved and / or new passenger rail services, · improved and / or new movement of goods by rail, · improved and new marine services, · improved air transport services, · improved and / or new roadway/transit ways, · combination of the above, and · do nothing. d) The expansion of the Phase 1 Process (evaluation of alternatives) to address the problem(s) to include the level of detail outlined in Table 5.2, which has been identified to address alternative methods. 3. In addition, the Commission reiterates and expands upon the technical comments previously provided and as outlined under Appendix 1, attached. The Commission looks forward to working with your ministry and would be pleased to meet to discuss the Commission's concerns in more detail at your convenience. Yours truly, Don Scott Chair Cc: The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier The Honourable, David Ramsay, Ministry of Natural Resources The Honourable Joseph Cordian, Minister of Economic Development and Trade The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ministry of Agriculture and Food The Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Transportation The Honourable David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal The Honourable, Donna Cansfield, Ministry of Energy The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Ministry of Finance The Honourable John Gerretsen, Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Honourable James Bradley, Minister of Tourism and Recreation Heads of Council and Planning Directors of Niagara Region, City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, Town of Lincoln, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Town of Pelham, City of Thorold, Town of Grimsby, City of Hamilton, Region of Halton, City of Burlington, Town of Milton, Region of Peel, Town of Caledon Paul Hudspith, URS Canada Inc. Mr. John Slobodzian, MTO Mr. James O'Mara, Director Environmental Assessment & Approvals Branch Jason Thorne, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Niagara to GTA Stakeholders Advisory Group Niagara Escarpment Commissioners Brad Shaw, CONE Richard Murzin Valerie, Stankiewicz, Land Use Coordination Section, MNR Patricia Boeckner, MOT MP:jw\C:~)ocuments\Chair~Janua~ 20, 2006 Letter to Michael Harrison re: Niagara to GTA Corridor EM N104 05 09 01 Appendix 1 TECHNICAL COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In addition to the above overarching recommendation, the following outlines technical comments and recommendation with respect to the Terms of Reference to be considered at the appropriate time. 2.1 Introduction Section 1 continues to states that the EA process "will confirm" the transportation problems and opportunities and evaluate potential solutions. This statement assumes that there are pre-determined problems to confirm. Since the EA is intended to address a 30 year planning period, the use of the term "confirm" is inappropriate and should be deleted, as the previous needs analysis was flawed. The problems and opportunities should be re-evaluated in the context of a Provincial Multi-modal Strategy and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, once approved. Until the problems/opportunities are re-evaluated as part of the Growth Plan and boarder provincial transportation strategy, this individual EA is premature. Assuming the EA would go forward following the approval of a Provincial Transportation Strategy, the Study Area Key Plan should be enlarged to address a comprehensive evaluation of all alternatives identified through the broad provincial multi-modal transportation strategy. For example, the study area has not, as a minimum, included the Waterloo, Brantford, Cambridge area identified as part of the Growth Areas for the Greater Golden Horseshoe in the Proposed Growth Plan. Nor has it provided for the scope to evaluate whether the identified transportation problems may be addressed by focusing cross border traffic to the west to Sarnia/Detroit or east to the Thousand Islands Bridge east of Gananoque. 2.2 Proponent of EA Under Section 1.4, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) continues to be identified as the proponent, although the revised EA indicates it will invite the Ministry of Infrastructure Renewal to participate directly on the project team. The Terms of Reference also states that where other transportation modes are identified as the preferred planning alternative, MTO will refer the planning alternative to the appropriate agency. However, it must be acknowledged that the identification of MTO as the proponent may limit the solutions to any problems to those under the jurisdiction of MTO. This would exclude rail, marine and air. In order to comprehensively address all modes of transportation, the proponent should not be confined to MTO. Perhaps the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority or the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal is the more appropriate proponent, subject to the roles and jurisdiction being defined through legislation. 2.3 Purpose of the Undertaking Section 2 identifies the purpose of the undertaking "which is to assess existing and future anticipated transportation capacity deficiencies within the corridor and to determine needs from a regional and provincial perspective." The use of the term "provincial perspective" should be clarified such that solutions are not intended to be limited to those that can only be implemented by MTO. For long term multi-modal solutions to be effective, all modes must be considered. Also, the study area should be referred to, rather than the corridor. 2.4 Policy Framework The policy framework is addressed under Section 2.1. The following policy documents previously identified by the Commission have not been included: · The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (once approved); · The Transportation Strategy (once approved); · The Conservation Authority regulations and policies; · The Kyoto Protocol; · 2000 Air Quality and Climate Change - Insights Opportunities Solutions; · The Ontario Gateway Council Study; and · other applicable provincial and federal studies. 2.4 Summary of the Purpose of the Undertaking Section 2.4 outlines that the summary of the purpose of the undertaking as to assess "existing and future anticipated transportation capacity deficiencies (problems and opportunities) within the corridor." The reference to the corridor may limit the consideration of the alternative solutions outside the identified corridor. The term corridor should be changed to study area in order to provide scope to address rail and / or other transportation alternatives outside the existing study area, e.g., rail and or highway transportation alternatives outside the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGHS) such as Sarnia, Detroit and Gananoque border crossings. The description should be refined to allow the broadening of the scope and area within which the alternatives can be evaluated. 2.5 Overview of Environmental Conditions The inclusion of the reference to the Niagara Escarpment Plan and its significance as a World Biosphere Reserve is a welcome addition and underlines the significance of the Niagara Escarpment Plan. 2.6 Description and Statement of Rationale for Alternatives Section 4 states: "Phase 1 of the EA will focus on the purpose and rationale for the undertaking and the identification and assessment of alternatives to the undertaking." This section continues to be drafted as though "an undertaking" has been predetermined, e.g., a highway solution, and that alternatives to the "undertaking" will be examined. This section should be redrafted to clearly state that the alternatives considered will address the problems identified and not alternatives to "the undertaking." 2.7 Alternatives to the Undertaking Section 4.1 similarly assumes, through the title and the text, that there is a predetermined undertaking against which all other alternatives will be vetted. The title should be renamed "Alternatives to Address Identified Transportation Problems." Similarly, Exhibit 4.1 a) - the diagram illustrating the EA process, should be modified to remove any references to an undertaking and replace the term with the phrase "to address the problem(s) identified." 2.8 Assessment of Alternatives to the Undertaking The title for Section 4.2 should be revised to Assessment of Alternatives to "Address the Problem(s) Identified," for the same reason as discussed above. Table 4.1 outlines the minimum criteria to be considered to assess the alternatives. The identification of the best alternatives to address the transportation problems is a critical phase in the EA process, and may result in more than one alternative to address the problem. The criteria of Table 4.1 are very general. It is therefore recommended that in order to evaluate the best alternatives to address the identified problem(s), the evaluation criteria should be expanded to at least the level of the criteria outlined under Table 5.2 ( intended to address alternative methods) in order to properly evaluate the alternatives. If there is to be a paradigm shift to address transportation infrastructure into the next 30 -50 years, every effort should be made to evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and environmental impacts of all identified alternatives as carefully as possible. 2.9 Selection of Preferred Alternative(s) to the Undertaking The terminology of this section should also delete the term "undertaking" and replace it with "to address the identified problems." This section acknowledges that the preferred alternative(s) may in fact be outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation. It states that if the preferred alternatives are outside the jurisdiction of the MTO, then the current EA is to be halted. If a combination of solutions are identified, then MTO is to proceed with its component of the EA. This section points to the need for provincial co-ordination of the alternatives and clarification of the jurisdiction of each alternative, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach is taken to future infrastructure implementation. Priorities and the applicable jurisdiction need to be established through a Provincial Transportation Strategy in order to implement the preferred alternatives. 2.10 Alternative Methods This section should be refined to reflect that more than one preferred alternative may be the result of the Phase 1 process. 2.11 Process of Generating a Study Area Section 5.1 identifies the process for generating a study area. As indicated previously, the study area should be developed through the problem identification process. There should be no limits placed on the study area until the completion of Phase 1. For example, the study area should include all border crossing alternatives and not simply be limited to the Niagara crossing. The process should be consistent with the long term problems and vision for the Greater Golden Horse Shoe area and not simply the GTA. 2.12 Process to Generate Alternative Methods Section 5.3 and Table 5.1 outline the process for generating alternative methods, including the evaluation of environmental and technical considerations. Table 5.1 sets out a minimum set of criteria which is meant to be elaborated upon through the EA process. This is acceptable, but at the appropriate time the criteria will need to be expanded and made more measurable. For example, the following will need to be addressed: the designations and policies in the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP), visual impacts within the area of the NEP, species of concern, and the full suite of provisions of the PPS 2005. 2.13 Consultation with Other Transportation Service Providers Section 7.4 addresses consultation with other Transportation Service providers and proposes to: · consult with other transportation providers, GO Transit, CN, CP etc., during Phase 1 to identify transportation alternatives and improvements. It would appear that a critical first step has been missed i.e., consultation to identify problems and needs of the system. This first step should be included under Section 7.4. An additional provision has been added to engage GO Transit throughout the EA process along with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and that consultation "as appropriate" will continue throughout the EA process with transportation service providers. In order to have a coordinated and ideally seamless, transportation infrastructure, on-going consultation and integration of other service providers is mandatory throughout every step of the process, and in particular the problem identification stage. In addition, the term "as appropriate" should be deleted. 2.14 Consultation with NEC Once an EA process is initiated, the Niagara Escarpment Commission should be a member of both the Municipal and Regulatory Advisory Groups as it is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Natural Resources and has overlapping interests with MOE on water quality and quantity, while its policies are implemented through the Niagara Escarpment Plan and have been incorporated into municipal official plans. O REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA POLICE SERVICES BOARD 68 CHURCHSTREET, ST. CATHARINES,ONTARIO L?.R 3C6 Tel: (905) 685-0321 Fax: (905)688~0036 E-mail: nrpboard~nrps.co rn Website: www.nrps.com Forlmmediate Release M E D IA R E LEAS E Jan uary 26, 2006 POLICE SERVICES BOARD RE-ELECTS CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR (St. Catharines, ON) - Larry I ggulden a nd Doug Martin, Regional Coundllor, were t he unanimous c hoioe o f their colleagues to return as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Regional M unidpality of Niagara Police Services Board. The elections were the opening piece of business a t the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board held on January 26, 2006. Mr. Iggulden was re-elected to serve a third term as Chair and Mr. Martin was re- elected as Vice-Chair for a second term. "I'd like t o thank the Board for their support and confidence," said Mr. Iggulden. "1 look forward to working with my fellow Board members a nd Chief S outhall a s we wrestle with some tough decisions in the months ahead. I know we'll make the right derisions when it comes to the safety of our citizens. It's going to be another busy year, and I know we'll meet every polidng challenge that faces us in 2006." Mr. I gguldenw as re-appointed by Regional Coundl on January 22, 2 004 a s its citizen appointee for a second three-year term. He is a Chartered Accountant a nd has over 25 years of finandal and public accounting experience. Mr. Iggulden is a partner in the firm of Partridge Iggulden LLP, Chartered Accountants and is currently President of the St. Catharines Downtown Rotary Club and a member of the Niagara District Estate Planners. Regional Councillor Doug Martin began his political career as a C oundllor for the Town of Fort Erie from 1982 to 1994. He is currently serving his third term on Regional Coundl and is Chair of the Region's Corporate a nd F inancial Services Committee and Chair of the Budget Review Committee. "1 want to thank the members for their support for this second year as Vice-Chairman," says Coundllor Martin. "1 am proud o f o ur accomplishments last year a nd I Iook forward t o another productive year with t he Board, Chief $outhall a nd t he Niagara Regional Police Service," says Coundllor Martin. The Regional Munidpality o f Niagara Police Services Board is a seven member dvilian body governing the Niagara Regional Police Service. The current membership of the' Board comprises M r. Larry Iggulden, Chair of the Board; Mr. Vance Badawey; Regional Coundllor Bob Bentley; Regional Coundllor Doug Martin and Vice-Chair of the Board; Regional Coundllor Bill Smeaton; Mr. Larry Tufford; and Mr. Mai Woodhouse. The Police Services Board i s responsible for t he provision of adequate and effective police services for 12 munidpalities, totally some 420,000 residents and an estimated 15,000,000 visitors annually. In accordance with Section 28 o f the Police Services Act and the Board's Procedural B y-law, t he Board elects its C hair a nd Vice-Chair at the first meeting in each year. For further information contact: Deb Morton, Executive Director, iV/agara Nice Sen/ices Board (905) 688,3911 Exter~ion 5170 January 16, 2006 [~: ",. "'~'?~.. ~ m Mayor Ted Saloi ~:~ "' C ~ Ci~ of Niagara Falls 'N~ ::' PO Box 1023 4310 Queen S~eet Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Dear Mayor Salci: ~ am pleased to i~t~ yo~ co.oil to pa~ioip~t~ i~ the ~o H~ge T~st's Foung Heritage Leaders Program. SuppoRers of heritage ptese~tion ~ energized by the recent amendments and improvements m~de to the Ontario Heritage ~ct t~ough Bill 60 - ~g this year a ~at time to r~oo~iz~ yo~g vol~t~s who i~volved in protecting, presemng or c~lebrating h~ge in yo~ co~i~. For too many years, o~ reso~ces have been leR ~lnerable - this pro.am is an excellent way to promote awareness ofyo~ communi~'s heal.ge and reco~ize the ex~aordina~ effo~ of young people wor~ng to prese~e and protect it. Councils may submit up to t~ee nomina~ons - one in each of ~e h~ge ~eas - b~ilt, cal~ral and n~al. Small project ~oups may also ~ consid~ed for nomia~tion wh~ ~r~ has b~ ~ sh~d aocomplis~ent. Nominations m~st b~ endorsed by a Chair, Mayor, Reeve, Warden, Chief or Co.oil ~esi&nt of ~ m~ioipal co~ncil, r~gion~l co.oil, First Nations co.oil or ~ftis co~ani~ co~cil. ~ncipals of schools c~ also endorse nominations. For the first time, th~ T~st - with thC genCro~ sappo~ of o~ pro.am sponsors ~t-W~st Life, Loadoa Life and Canada Life - will be rew~ding the most outs~nding indi~d~l Young He.rage Leader with a $2,000 scholarship. ~e scholarship will be held ia ~st ~nd will be paid to the recipie~t's post-seoond~ education insti~tion of choice apon ~ollment. Ew~ indi~d~al nominee to the Young Heritage Leader~ pro.am will be considered for this scholarship to assist with the expenses of the reoipi~t's ~e post-seoond~ edacation. ~e enclosed broch~e is being dis~b~ted to local hefi~ge organi~tions, school boards and youth ~oups to help promote ~e pro.am. I encourage yo~ council to work ~th ~ese ~oups to ide~ti~ wo~hy yo~g people. ~e nomination deadline is March 10~ 2006. ~ ~oo~a~ yo~ co.oil to pmicipat¢ in this pro.am to r~oo~iz~ the si~i~ca~t work being done to prese~e and promote he~ge in your co~uni~. Yours ~ly, The Honorable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chaiman I0 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario MSC I j3 Telephone: (416) 325-5000 Facsimile: (4I 6) 325-507I I0, rue Adelaide est, Toronto (Ontario) MSC IJ3 T~l~phone: (416) 325-5000 T~l&opieur: (416) 325-507I Website: www. heritage fdn.on.ca As the Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust, I believe that the province's most important heritage resource is its young people. Every year, youth across Ontario step forward and take on leadership roles in helping to preserve, protect and promote our rich and diverse heritage. We must encourage young people to continue to support the preservation of heritage by recognizing those who have demonstrated the energy and will to improve the quality of life in their communities. Through the Young Heritage Leaders program, municipal councils, regional councils, First Nation councils, M~tis community councils and schools can acknowledge local youth for significant voluntary contributions to cultural, natural or built heritage preservation. The councils and schools work in conjunction with local education, youth and heritage groups to determine candidates for recognition. Since the program was introduced in 2000, over 2,000 young people have been honoured for their local heritage preservation activities. For the first time this year, the Trust - with the generous support of our program sponsors Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life - will be rewarding the most outstanding Young Heritage Leader with a $2,000 scholarship to assist with the recipient's future post-secondary education. The scholarship will be held in trust and will be paid to the ec~p~ent s post-secondary education institution of choice upon enrolment. We are fortunate to have strong Young Heritage Leaders volunteering across Ontario. I encourage you to nominate worthy candidates in your community and help us to celebrate their accomplishments. The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander Chairman, Ontario Heritage Trust NOMINATION FORM NOMINATING COUNCIL/SCHOOL (Municipal Council, Regional Council. First Nations Council, M&is Corrununity Council, School): ADDRESS: TOWN/CITY: POSTAL CODE: COLrNTY/KEGION/DISTRICT OF COUNCIL OR SCHOOL: NAME OF ADMINISTRATWE CONTACT: TITLE: TELEPHONE: E-MAIL: [ endorse the attached nominatio~ NAME ~Prinapal /Mayor /Ree~ /Warden / Chief/Pres,dent or delegate): TITLE: SIGNATURE: DATE: NAME OF NOMINEE/GROUP: FOR GROUPS-- NAME OF SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION: NAME OF PAREN-I], GUARDIAN OR GROUP LEADER: MAILING ADDRESS OF NOMINEE(S): TOWN/CITY: POSTAL CODE: TELEPHONE: E-MAIL: pn~onal information on this form is collected under the Ontario Heritage Act, RSO. 1990. c. 18 and will bt osed to de~ermine ¢llgibility of the nominees and notify nominators. This information will not be reed for ptorn~tion~] purposes without the permission of the r~cipi~n~. ©Ontario Trust Ol/06 E&OE H¢l~tage [] INDMDUAL NOMINEE Age __ [] SMALL PROJECT GROUP Age Range __ Number of group members __ If nominating a small project group, please attach a list of names of all members. CATEGORY OF SUBMISSION (max/mum of one nominee per category):. I-I BUILT [] CULTURAL [] NATURAL THE ACTIVITIES OFTHE NOMINEE/GROUP OCCURRED FROM __ ./.__ TO __ Month Year Month Year DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS: Please print or attach a separate typed page - 250 words or less. Additional material (publications, media stories, photographs) supporting the nomination should be submitted. If you are submitting more than one nomination, please photocopy the original blank form. NOMINATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH I 0, 2006 This nomination form is available in electronic format at www. heritagefdn.on.ca. You may submit it by e-mail to markefing~heritagefdn.on.ca. A hard copy of the signed/endorsed form with supporting documentation/images must be mailed to the Ontario Heritage Trust. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION? Any resident of Ontario, 18 years old and under, who has made outstanding contributions to their local community in the area of built, cultural or natural heritage preservation is eligible for nomination. For schools, a specific class or small project group may also be considered for nomination where the effort is shared. An entire student body of a school is not eligible. Project groups from youth organizations, such as Girl Guides, Brownies, Field Naturalists, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Cadets and Cubs also qualify for nomination. WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES QUALIFY FOR NOMINATION? Built Category: · hands-on voluntary work to restore or maintain a heritage structure (buildings, bridges, etc.) · significant fundraising to support restoration of a historical building · research or writing (books, walking tours, exhibits, websites) on heritage buildings Cultural Category: · significant volunteer service to a museum or historic site · research or writing (books, walking tours, exhibits, websites) related to local history · sustained participation in historical re-enactments at local events · significant voluntary participation on an archaeological dig · collection of local artifacts, heritage photographs or memorabilia that are shared with the community · volunteer work in preserving, restoring or re-creating a heritage garden based on historica/research · volunteer participation in activities or events that protect, preserve or promote First Nations, M~tis, Franco-Ontarian or other ethnic heritage Natural Category: · significant volunteer work at a conservation authority/area or other parkland · demonstrated leadership in the protection of natural heritage - for example, endangered species habitats, rare Carolinian forests, wetlands and tall grass prairies · hands-on efforts to improve a natural heritage site · research or writing (books, walking tours, exhibits, websites) related to local natural heritage resources HOW ARE NOMINATIONS SUBMITTED? Nominations must be endorsed by the Chair, Mayor, Reeve, Warden, Chief or Council President (or delegate) of a municipal council, regional council, First Nations council or Mdtis community council. Principals of schools can also endorse nominations. Councils and Principals can each submit one nomination for each of the three categories. Staff and volunteers of community, youth and heritage organizations are ideally suited to identify young people who are making exceptional contributions to heritage preservation in their local area. The Trust encourages these organizations to contact their local Council with proposed nominations. Teachers are encouraged to propose candidates for nomination to their school Principal Endorsed nominations must be submitted on the form provided. A detailed description of the nominee and his/her achievements must be included. Additional material (publications, media stories, photographs) supporting the nomination should be provided. Please limit the additional material to items that will provide new information and insight into the nature of the nominee's contributions. Please do not send originals of important or official documents, as they will not be returned. This nomination form is available in electronic format at www. heritagefdn.on.ca. WHAT IS THE YOUNG HERITAGE LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP? The Ontario Heritage Trust and our program sponsors - Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life - will be rewarding the young person whose leadership in preserving, protecting and promoting heritage is deemed to be the most exceptional with a $2,000 scholarship. Every individual nominee wil/be considered for this scholarship to assist with his/her furore post-secondary education. The scholarship will be held in trust and will be paid to the recipient's post-secondary education institution of choice u_pon enrolment. Students who are nominated as art of a ro'ect rou will not be eligible for the scholarship. HOW ARE THE RECIPIENTS SELECTED? -- Ontario Heritage Trust staff will review all nominations to ensure compliance with the program guidelines. All nominations that meet the criteria oudined in the guidelines will be recognized through the program - recipients will be given certificates and achievement pins. The recipient of the Young Heritage Leaders scholarship will be selected from the pool of individual nominees submitted to the Trust for consideration. The scholarship will be presented at the discretion of the Ontario Heritage Trust to the young person whose efforts to preserve, protect and promote heritage are deemed to be the most exceptional WHO MAKES THE PRESENTATIONS TO RECIPIENTS? The Trust will notif~ the Council/Principal of the nominations by mail and will provide certificates and achievement pins for the recipients. It is the responsibility of the Council/School to frame the certificates. The Trust will send out letters of congratulations/r6 the recipients after the Councils/Principals have been notified. Councils/Principals must notify the Trust when and where their presentations will take place - for example, at a council meeting, volunteer recognition event, school ceremony or annual celebration. 1593 CREEK ROAD ~ T PO. Box 100 Office of the Town Clerk · The Town o! /~ (T~ T ] TELEPHONE 905468-3266 lx~agara'~tn'lne'j~.Ke VIRGIL, ONTARIO F~CS~M~LE 905-468-2959 LOS 1TO danuary 23, 2006 The Honourable Dalton McGuinty Office of the Premier Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1 Dear Honourable Sir: Re: Funding for Public Libraries in Ontario Please be advised that the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, at its regular meeting held on Monday, January 16, 2006, adopted the attached resolution whereby it is understood the value and significance of the public library, and its central role in creating a dynamic, connected community, and calls on the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Culture to: a) review the impact of public libraries across Ontario to recognize this vital network of resources which works across sectors to meet the demands of Ontario's knowledge-based economy, and supports the future growth and prosperity of Ontario; b) provide increased provincial funding for public libraries, and base the Provincial library grant on an updated and sustainable indexing model. On behalf of the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I look forward to a favourable response. Yours truly, ! :.~.; Holly Dowd, Town Clerk ~" copy: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister of Culture Association of Municipalities of Ontario Regional Municipality of Niagara Area Municipalities Area MPPs ...... First Capital of Upper Canada - 1792 TELEPHONE (905) 468-3266 P.O. BOX 100 VIRGIL, ONTARIO LOS 1T0 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NIAGARA-ON'..T- 'LAKE DATE: JANuARy 16, 2006 ....~ /// NO. _ SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR: ~WHEREAS public libraries in Ontario receive an annual grant from the Province of Ontario to support resource-sharing between libraries and the direct delivery of public library service in the province; AND WHEREAS the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake recognizes that the public library, as the information hub of the community, is the best place in the community to access information in a variety of formats, with the support and expertise of trained, professional staff, and supports the public library in its endeavours to manage and sham information and build community capacity in the knowledge-based economy; AND WHEREAS the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake recognizes that public libraries support economic development by creating an environment in communities that supports and attracts creative persons who, in turn, develop the ideas and innovations that drive economic development in a global economy in which ideas have become the key raw material; AND WHEREAS the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is vitally interested in its citizens having the widest possible access to the growing number of government programs and services to further community aspirations, to contribute to healthy living, to ensure equitable access to literacy and the life-long learning opportunities that are central to a growing, vibrant community, and which are the cornerstone of a literate and democratic society; AND WHEREAS the Province increasingly regards libraries as public access points for e- government services, and as distribution points for information relating to legislation and government programs and services; AND WHEREAS the Provincial base funding to all public libraries in the Province of Ontado has not increased since 1999, in spite of significant increases in growth, population and operating costs; AND WHEREAS the annual Provincial grant for libraries is based on 1997 statistics from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the number of households in a community, calculated using the 1998 rate of $4.08 per household; BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1) the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake endorse a similar resolution which was passed by the Council of the Corporation of the City of Waterloo on November 28, 2005 2) the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake understands the value and significance of the public library, a nd its central role in creating a dynamic, connected community, and calls on the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Culture to: a) review the impact of public libraries across Ontario to recognize this vital network of resources which works across sectors to meet the demands of Ontario's knowledge- based economy, and supports the future growth and prosperity of Ontario; b) provide increased provincial funding for public libraries, and base the Provincial library grant on an updated and sustainable indexing model; 3) that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontado, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Culture, the Association of Municipalities of Ontado so that municipalities might consider passing their own resolution, the Regional Municipality of Niagara and all area municipalities and local members of Provincial Parliament; and 4) that the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library Board be requested to circulate this resolution to all public library boards in Ontario through the Ontario Public Library Association a nd Federation of Ontario Libraries, requesting support for this resolution." POLLED VOTE ~-~ January 19, 2006 The Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2 Dear Honourable Sir: ':~.' RE: WHOLESALE GAS SECTOR FILE: C10.M0 At a meeting held on January 16, 2006, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington considered and endorsed the following resolution of the City of Niagara Falls: "WHEREAS Canadian consumers have witnessed skyrocketing gas prices in recent weeks; and WHEREAS many have attributed the increases to recent natural disasters in the United States; and WHEREAS despite recent natural disasters in the United States, Canada did not face a shortage in gasoline or an increase in costs; and WHEREAS experts, economists and analysts have attributed the increases to a dearth of competition in the wholesale gasoline sector; and WHEREAS the wholesale gasoline sector is dominated by a handful of refining companies who exclusively share infrastructure, such as pipelines and terminals; and WHEREAS it is speculated that the recent increase in gas prices meant pure profit for gasoline wholesalers; and WHEREAS without a sufficient number of competitors, price competition does not exist; and CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 1' (905) 623-3379 -2- WHEREAS supply and demand economics only exist when there are numerous competitors; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Niagara Falls City Council support the Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association's (C.I.P.M.A.) idea of asking the Federal Government to intervene in the wholesale gasoline sector to restore the free market system of competition; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution be circulated to area municipalities, the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (A.M.O.)." PLB/ta cc: Dean Iorfida, City Clerk, City of Niagara Falls~. Pat Madill, Regional Clerk, Regional Municipality of Durham