2009/02/23 CORPORATE SE~RVICES COMMITTEE AGENDA
FOURTH MEETING
Monday, February 23, 2009
Council Chambers - 6:00 p.m.
1. Minutes of the'February 9, 2009 Meeting
2. General'Purposes Budget Staff Contact
a) F-2009-08 Todd Marcison
2008 Operating Results (Handout to follow)
b) General Pur.poses Budget Discussion Ed Dujlovic
3. Fees
R-2009-04 Denyse Morrissey
User Fees for Sports'Playing Fields
FS-2009-02 Lee Smith
Amendment to User Fee By-law
for Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Services
FS-2009-03 Lee Smith
Carbon Monoxide By-law
4. New Business
5. Adiournment
REM~INDER: PLEASE BRING YOUR 2009
BUDGET BINDER TO THE MEETING
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Naagar~,FaIIs
MINUTES OF CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Third Meeting, Monday, February 9, 2009 Council Chambers, 6:05 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ted Salci, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair; Councillor Jim
Diodati, Shirley Fisher, Vince Kerrio, Bart Maves, Janice Wing and
Carolynn loannoni
ABSENT: Councillor Thomson
STAFF: Ed Dujlovic, Ken Burden, Dean lorfida, Ken Beaman, Denyse
Morrissey, Alex Herlovitch, Todd Harrison, Geoff Holman, Karl Dren,
Lee Smith, Serge Felicetti, Trent Dark, Cynthia Roberts, Kathy Powell,
Wendy Canavan and Lisa Wall.
PRESS: Corey Larocque, Niagara Falls Review
1. MINUTES
It was ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Fisher and seconded by Mayor Salci
that the minutes of the January 26, 2009 meeting be adopted as recorded with an
amendment to item 3 on page 2 that Councillor Wing declared a conflict.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
2. GENERAL PURPOSES BUDGET:
a) Spending Cuts
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Wing that staff reduce the
2009 General Purposes Budget by the highlighted items outlined in the 2009 budget
reduction considerations presentation.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Mayor Salci that staff reduce the 2009
General Purposes Budget by all the items outlined in the 2009 budget reduction
considerations presentation with the exception of the Project Share grant amount of
$31,400.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
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MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor loannoni that staff reduce an
additional $5,000 from the Mayor's Office advertising account.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Wing that staff report back
to Council regarding the preferred pool location reductions.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor Kerrio, seconded by Mayor Salci that staff report back on the
best financial returns for the existing arena sites which will be decommissioned as
a result of the completion of the Bob Gale Arena Complex. The report should include
appraised values.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor Kerrio that staff investigate and
report on potential cost savings due to staff reductions caused by attrition.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
b) Board of Museums Funding
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor Diodati that staff accept the Board
of Museums revised reduced budget.
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor loannoni
Conflict: Councillor Wing
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
3. REPORTS:
CPS-2009-01
Water and Sewer Rate Structure
MOVED by Councillor Fisher, seconded by Councillor Kerrio that the report be
deferred to the next Corporate Services meeting
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor Wing
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
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4. NEW BUSINESS:
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor Kerrio that staff report back
regarding future uses of the Heritage Week reserve fund.
Motion: Carried
Conflict: Councillor Wing
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor Kerrio that staff report back on
further reductions to the 2009 General Purposes Budget
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor loannoni
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council February 9, 2009.
5. ADJOURNMENT:
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor Diodati that the regular meeting of
the Corporate Services Committee be adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
February 23, 2009 R-2009-04
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Niaga~a~alls
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Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair
and Members of the Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: R-2009-04 - User Fees for Sports Playing Fields
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Sports Playing Fields fee schedule be approved effective May 1, 2009 for the
spring/summer 2009 season for adult residents, adult nonresident organizations, and
nonresidents special event/tournament playing fieid fees.
BACKGROUND:
As outlined in the Playing Field Fees report (R-2009-01), many municipal governments are
grappling to ensure that all user fees are reflective of the cost to provide the service with
a fair and equitable balance of subsidization through tax dollars. The provision of all
sports fields at no charge results in 100°/o of the costs being soleiy paid by the taxpayer.
Council approved, on January 19, 2009, 'that playing field fees be developed for
implementation in 2009" based on the following implementation plan:
• A report presented to City Council outlining and recommending proposed fees by
the end of February 2009.
• Adult resident and nonresident organizations, out of town and special event playing
field fees will be implemented in the 2009 spring/summer season.
• Local youth playing field fees will be prepared for Council's consideration, by the
end of June 2009 for implementation in the 2010 spring/summer season.
• Staff will meet with applicable user groups to discuss and outline the
implementation plan.
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~ : Parks, ReCreation & CWlure
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February 23, 2009 - 2- R-2009-04
The City of Niagara Falls has generally subsidized the cost of sports playing fields
(baseball, softball, slo-pitch and soccer) for all out of town users, and tournaments which
may also be for profit events.
Playing Field Fees: Proposed 2009
The sport field fees being recommended are based on the principle that user groups,
sport organizations and /or other corporate users should contribute toward the cost of
recreation service delivery by paying fees.
The proposed playing field rates have been recommended by reviewing the fees charged
in a number of other communities. The fees are not intended to provide full cost recovery
and would generate new revenues to marginally offset the annual operating costs of
athletic field services.
A common approach is for City playing fields to be designated as a Category "A or B or C"
field. The designation is generally tied to the basic features provided at each park and the
general maintenance level provided at the playing field. Generally the higher the level of
maintenance or parks amenities or services the greater the cost of operating the fields or
the park. The list of City playing fields based on an A, B and C schedule Category is
attached. (Attachment 1).
2009 Athletic Field Proposed Rates
Description Hourly Rate GST TOTAL
A CATEGORY PLAYING FIELDS
Non Resident Minor/Youth Sport Organization $20.00 $1.00 $21.00
Resident Adult Not-For-Profit, Sport Organization $25.00 $t25 $2625
Non Resident AduH Not-For-Profit, Sport Org. $37.50 $1.88 $39.38
Commercial, Private Clubs or For Profit $50.00 $2.5D $52.50
Lights per usage to a maximum of 3 hours $25.00 $1.25 $26.25
B CATEGORY PLAYING FIELDS
Non Resident Minor/YOUth Sport Organization $15.00 $0.75 $15.75
Resident Adult Not-For-Profit, Sport Organization $20.00 $1.00 $21.00
Non Resident Adult Not-FOr-Profit, Sport Org. $30.00 $1.50 $31.50
Commercial, Private Clubs or For Profit $40.00 $2.00 $42.00
C CATEGORY PLAYING FIELDS Seasonal/Hourlv GST TOTAL
Non Resident Minor/Youth Sport Organization $100.00 /$5.00 $5.00/$0.25 $105.00/$5.25
Resident Adult Not-For-Profit, Sport Organization $200.00! $10.00 $10.001$0.50 $210.00!$10.50
In a few specific cases organizations have provided significant financial contributions to
park field development based on a partnership model. It is recommended that the
"Johnson Over 40" softball league be exempt from user fees at Don Johnson Park. Any
fields booked at other City parks would require the applicable fees to be paid.
February 23, 2009 - 3- R-2009-04
The fees, pending approval of Council will be outlined to the applicable users immediately
by staff, and in conjunction with the annual spring/summer field allocation meeting which
is scheduled for March 26, 2009.
Recommended by: l ~%~s
Denys Morrissey Direct of Parks, Recreation & Culture
Approved by:
Ed Duj ic, E iv rector of Community Services
Attachment
S:1CouncillCouncil 20091R-2009-04 - User Fees for Sports Playing Fields.wpd
R-2009-04
Attachment 1
SPORT FIELD CLASSIFICATIONS
Category A: washrooms, bleachers, maintained/lined daily; may have lights
Category B: bleachers, maintained/lined regularly, portable washroom(s)
Category C: designated primarily for practice use; often located in neighbourhood parks;
not eligible for tournament use
BASEBALL SOCCER
Multi-purpose Sports Fields
Kalar Artificial Turf Field #6
CATEGORY A CATEGORY A
Oakes #1 (Lights) Oakes
Ker #1(Lights) Mitchelson #1 (soccer/football)
Palmer#1, 2 (Lights) Kalar#5
Patrick Cummings #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
CATEGORY B CATEGORY B
Oakes #2, 3 Mitchelson: Mini -#2, 3, 4
Ker #2, 3, 4 Intermediate -#5, 6
P. Cummings #7 Senior 5/6, 10
Prince Charles Kalar: Mini -#7, 8
A. G. Bridge #1, 2 Intermediate 2, 3, 4
Don Johnson #1, 2 Senior- #1
Palmer#3 Ker#1, 2, 3, 4
John Allan #1, 2 McKinley
L. B. Pearson Cherryhill Park
Houck#1, 2
Chippawa Lions #1
CATEGORY C
CATEGORY C Kalar Practice Field
Gus Munro L. B. Pearson
Glenview Ker Hydro Field (Swayze Drive)
Meadowvale Grey Robinson
A. J. McKinley Prince Edward
Crowland Park Prince Charles
Riverview
February 23,2009 FS-2009-02
Niagara~alls
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
and Members of the Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: FS-20U9-02
Amendment to User Fee By-Law for Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression
Services
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve the report initiating amendments to the User Fee By-law for fire
prevention and suppression services.
BACKGROUND:
Niagara Falls Fire Services provides a number of fire prevention and suppression services to
the public, both residents and non residents of the city. Amending this by-law will introduce
new fees designed to partially recover costs associated with providing varied services to the
public.
The proposed user fees are calculated on a cost recovery basis and industry standards
intended to offset some or all costs in delivering services and will not in any way compromise
access by the public to fire protection services. In addition, these fees will not, in any manner,
jeopardize public fire safety.
An overview of fees to be charged is as follows:
1) Non-resident Motor Vehicle Responses
The recommendation is that Niagara Falls Fire Services charge a fee for responses to
incidents on city streets involving motor vehicles owned by residents living outside
the municipal boundaries of the City of Niagara Falls. A number of municipalities
in the Province of Ontario already have this user fee in place, including Toronto,
Hamilton, London, Windsor, Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington. The citizens of the
City of Niagara Falls pay for services provided by Niagara Falls Fire Services through
their municipal taxes!Individuals residing outside of the City of Niagara Falls may
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February 23, 2009 - 2- FS-2009-02
presently receive some of those same services at no cost. In 2008, Niagara Falls Fire
Services responded to 191 motor vehicle incidents; based on statistics from those
municipalities with this userfee, approximately 5% ofthose responses involved vehicles
owned by persons living outside ofthe respective municipality. The proposed fee to be
charged is based upon the established Ministry of Transportation rates that are
presently billed for responses on Provincial highways. The rate would be $350.00 per
apparatus for the first hour or part thereof and $175.00 per piece of equipment foreach
additional half-hour or part thereof.
This proposed fee is intended to offset some or all of the costs in delivering a service
to a non-resident of the City of Niagara Falls. The overall costs for providing
emergency services to resident taxpayers are minimized by shifting specific cost
recovery to those who actually use the service. Non-residents may be able to recover
this fee from their insurance company.
2) Second Response for Open Air Burning
The recommendation is that Niagara Falls Fire Services charge a fee for any second
emergency response to an address or property where open air burning is being
conducted withoutthe required approval from Niagara Falls Fire Services orwhere the
owner is not in compliance with the requirements of the Burning By-law. After an initial
response, the owner is provided a copy of the Burning By-law and warned by the
responding emergency vehicle that a subsequent occurrence will result in not only
prosecution for violation of the Ontario Fire Code, but also a charge for the responding
emergency vehicle. The proposed fee to be charged is based upon the established
Ministry of Transportation rates that are presently billed on Provincial highways. The
rate would be $350.00 per apparatus for the first hour or part thereof and $175.00 per
apparatus of equipment for each additional half hour or part thereof. In 2008, Niagara
Falls Fire Services responded to 397 responses for open air burning; approximately 40
of those responses were for a second occurrence.
3) Re-inspection Fee
The recommendation is that Niagara Falls Fire Services charge a fee when re-
inspections are required for outstanding violations of the Ontario Fire Code. The
Ontario Fire Code states compliance with its provisions is the responsibility of the
owner.
This user fee would promote more timely compliance with the requirements of Niagara
Falls Fire Services by imposing an automatic fee for re-inspections when an owner is
non compliant with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code or other municipally
legislated Fire Services requirements.
The re-inspection fee would be based on partial cost recovery (calculated on staff time
spent) and would apply to owners when a re-inspection is required to ensure all
violations of the Ontario Fire Code have been corrected. A fee of $100.00 is proposed
for the second and each subsequent re-inspection.
February 23, 2009 - 3- FS-2009-02
This fee has the potential to improve public fire and life safety by providing a financial
incentive to comply with the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code. The resources of
Niagara Falls Fire Services would not be committed to countless re-inspections and
could be reallocated to additional fir preve t~on and public education activities.
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Recommended by: ~ ~ , Z
Lee Smith, ire C ie
Respectfully submitted:
Ed Dujlovic, Executive Director of Community Services
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February 23, 2009 FS-2009-03
Niagara,Falls
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
and Members of the Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: FS-2009-03
Carbon Monoxide
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve the amended Carbon Monoxide By-Law.
BACKGROUND:
A by-law requiring the installation and maintenance of Carbon Monoxide Alarms was passed on
December 6, 2008. The by-law was recommended and passed by City Council in order to
protect members of the public from the deadly effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
The proposed amendments to the by-law serve to achieve the following objectives:
1) Increase consistency of the by-law with the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
The by-law requires existing buildings with multiple occupancies to provide a level of
protection that exceeds the requirements of the Ontario Building Code. The proposed
amendments would require owners of buildings to provide the same level of protection
to their occupants that they would be required to provide if constructing the building
today.
2) Introduce a cost recovery mechanism to the Carbon Monoxide By-law. Niagara Falls Fire
Services has purchased a number of carbon monoxide alarms to ensure that if Fire
Services has cause to attend a property in the City, the fire crews install a carbon
monoxide alarm prior to leaving the home. The owner will be directed to pay the City for
the cost of the carbon monoxide alarm, failing which, the cost of the carbon monoxide
alarm will be added to the owner's unicip prope y taxes.
Recommended by: `
Lee Smith, ire Chief
Respectfully submitted:
Ed~Dujlovic, Execu e Director of Community Services
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