2002/01/28 SECOND MEETING
Monday, January 28, 2002
From 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City Hall, Committee Room #2A & B
Approval of the 2002 01 14 Community Services Committee Minutes
PRESENTATION
Totten Sims Hubicki
re: Main Street EA
DEPUTATION
George Barkwell on behalf of the Niagra Heavy Construction Association
re: Infrastructure
Rick Dritsacos, Helia Enterprises
re: Main Street EA
REPORTS
MW-2002-13-
R-2002-05-
Municipal Drain No. 6, Montrose Road
-Interim Levying By-law
Staff Contact:
Ed Dujlovic
Main Street Closure Study Environmental Assessment DarrellSmith
4) ADJOURNMENT
MINUTES OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING,
Monday, January 14, 2002, CITY HALL, ROOM 2
AT 4:15 P.M.
PRE/ENT:
Chairperson Victor Pietrangelo, Mayor Wayne Thomson,
Alderman Gary Hendershot, Alderman Art Federow, Alderman
Wayne Campbell, Alderman Shirley Fisher, Alderman Ken Feren,
Alderman Norm Puttick, Alderman Selina Volpatti, Alderman
Janice Wing, Alderman Kim Craitor, Alderman Carolynn Ioarmoni,
Alderman Judy Orr
J'T~FF:
PREr$:
Ed Lustig, John MacDonald, Ed Dujlovic, Ken Burden, Tony
Ravenda, Adele Kon, Barney Ruddell, Ray Kallio, Geoff Holman,
Dean Iorfida, Karl Dren, Cathy Crabbe (Steno)
Mr. Corey Larocque - Niagara Falls Review, Bob McGregor (CHRE)
0 M~NU~.~
IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN FISHER and seconded by Alderman Craitor that the
minutes of the December 3, 2001 meeting be accepted.
Motion: Carried
2) DEPUTATION
Mr. Paul Juliar
ParkingPermitFees
Paul Juliar, a downtown business owner, a member of the Downtown BIA and
former member of the Parking and Traffic Committee spoke to the Committee on
behalf of many downtown business owners with respect to the 50% increase in
monthly leased parking rates for the downtown lots. He expressed the opinions
that; the rate ~was unwarranted in light of the locked-in rate extended to Acres
House; it posed a significant financial increase to many businesses and that; the
action served as a disincentive in bringing new business to the area. Mr. Juliar
respectfully requested the Committee consider treating everyone fairly by
reversing its decision and allowing everyone to pay the same rate as Acres
House.
2
Mayor Thomson reminded the Committee that six years ago when it appeared
Acres House was going to sit vacant the Downtown BIA was consulted and by
general consensus agreed that the City should do whatever necessary to see that
the property was rented and that is why we are locked into an agreement with
Acres House regarding parking charges.
Referring to a Report to Council dated July 22,1996, Alderman Volpatti
reminded the Committee that when a deal with Acres was struck it was quite
clear that the Downtown Board had been consulted and agreed we should do
whatever we could to secure the business. It was never mentioned that other
people would get the same deal.
Alderman Puttick expressed the opinion that $1 a day for parking in a City-
owned lot was extremely reasonable compared to many other cities in the
province.
Alderman Hendershot said he would have liked to have seen this come from the
Parking and Traffic Committee and that it was regrettable the public did not
have an opportunity to discuss the matter. He also indicated that he would like
to see the matter deferred to Parking and Traffic for a report.
Alderman Craitor reminded the Committee that this report was prepared at the
request of Council and that to send the item back to the Parking and Traffic
Committee would mean dealing with the whole issue again with the same
recommendation. He also felt that in lieu of the comparison study with St.
Catharines, Welland and Hamilton, the rate increase was reasonable.
WAS MOVED BY' ALDERMAN CAMPBELL and seconded by Alderman
Hendershot that the report be deferred to Parking and Traffic.
Motion: Carried
Action: Referred to Parking and Traffic for a report
REPORTS
MW-2002-01
Winter Maintenance Operations
In addition to the many snow removal complaints he had received, the Mayor
informed Committee he had received two calls from Municipal Works
Department Staff regarding phone calls from an alderman who accused the staff
of waiting too long to put the equipment on the road and said "if I were
Mayor....the equipment would have been on the road by now." Mayor Thomson
defended the staff's concerns regarding the alderman's comments and referred to
the report which indicated there was a misjudgement in the timing of sending
out the plows, sanders and salters to the roads and hopefully it will not happen
again.
Several Aldermen asked to know the identity of the alderman in question.
Alderman Craitor indicated that he was the member of Council who had
contacted the~Municipal Centre because of the high number of snow removal
complaints h~ had received over the course of the storm. In reference to the
Mayor's comments regarding staff complaints about his comments, Aldexacmn
Craitor indicated that he never said anything critical about staff during his calls
and regretted any misinterpretation of his comments at that
Alderman Wing asked who should be contacted in the event of snow plow
complaints (ie. streets missed) and was advised by Ed Dujlovic they should
contact reception and/or the duty foreman at the Service Centre. Policy issues,
timing or levels of service should be directed to Doug Good and/or Ed Dujlovic.
IT WAS MOVED by Alderman Feren, seconded by Alderman Fisher that the report be
received and filed and that a letter of thanks (at the request of Alderman Hendershot)
1:~ directed to the workers for the great job.
Motion: CARRIED
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2002-01-14
I~9 MW-2002-06
Cash-in-Lieu - Update of Parking Space Costs
Mayor Thomson indicated that this has been a policy for some time which
provided older and newer developments with insufficient land an opportunity,
at a later date, to develop the necessary parking spaces required under the
4
zoning by-law.
IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN VOLPATTI, seconded by Alderman Feren that the
Cash-in-Lieu cost of parking spaces be updated as outlined in Report IVI3N-2002-06 and
that staff undertake a complete review of the Cash-in-Lieu policy and report back to
this committee in March 2002.
Motion:
Action:
Carried
Recommendation submitted to Council 2002-01-14
c) R- 2002-05
Response to an Inquiry for an Indoor Horseshoe Facility
IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN HENDERSHOT, seconded by Alderman Feren that
the Committee direct staff to respond to Mr. Rudy Tychysnki's inquiry with regard to
an Indoor Horseshoe Winter League.
Motion:
Action:
Carried
Recommendation submitted to Council 2002-01-14
ay R-2002-06 Financial Status of the Lundy' s Lane Millennium Grant Project
Alderman Volpatti posed the question of responsibility and accountability of the
Friends of Lundy's Lane to the City.
Adele Kon suggested that had a legal management agreement been in place from
the beginning, indicating the responsibilities of all parties, perhaps this situation
may not have occurred. The Lundy's Lane Battlefield property is City owned
and therefore the responsibility of the City, however, the Friends of Lundy's
Lane Battlefield feel that because they applied for and were approved for the
Millennium Grant, they should be responsible for the property's restoration
Alderman Puttick suggested he would like to see a complete audit of the Friends
of Lundy's Lane Battlefield by an outside agency. Ken Burden suggested he was
unsure if the City could force an audit.
Aldexman Feren questioned why the City would not receive all of the grant
monies.
IT WAS MOVED BY ALDERMAN HENDERSHOT and seconded by Alderman
Volpatti that Council receive the financial report provided by staff with regard to the '
Lundy's Lane Millennium Grant; that no more monies be expended on this property
effective immediately; that a meeting with the Friends of Lundy's Lane and staff be
5
arranged immediately and that; an audit of the project be performed.
Motion: Carried
Opposed: 4
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council 2002-01-14
NEW BU.JIN E/$
Alderman Puttick questioned the status of the City's warranty with regard to the
Millennium Clock and was advised by Adele Kon that the warranty has expired,
however, since the clock is computer operated, staff is able to make time adjustments
whenever necessary.
In response to Alderman Fisher's inquiry, Ed Dujlovic advised the Committee that as
and "enhanced service", the City of Niagara Falls has a biweekly leaf pick up from June
to October similar to other communities in the Region.
5) A, DJOURNMENT
MEETING WAS ADJOURNED, MOVED BY ALDERMAN FEREN, seconded by Mayor
Thornson at 5:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls
Community Services Department
Municipal Works
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
web site: www.city.nlagarafalls.on.ca
Tel.: (905) 356-752~-
Fax: (905) 357-2354
E-mail: munwks@city.nlagarafalls.on.ca
MW-2002-13
Ed Dujlovic, P. Eng.
Director
January 28, 2002
Alderman Victor Pietrangclo
and Members of thc Community Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
re: MW-2002-13 - Municipal Drain No. 6 - Montrnse Road
Interim Levying By-Law
Recommendation:
It is recommended that Council pass an interim levying by-law that states thc costs incurred by
the City of Niagara Falls to construct Municipal Drain No. 6 will be assessed to all landowners
as set out in the assessment schedule in the Engineer's Report.
Background:
Municipal Drain No. 6 has been substantially constructed by CRL Campbell Construction in the
Fall of 2001. Due to inclement weather, the contractor was unable to complete minor items in
the contract such as fmal grading and hydro-seeding. The contractor will return in the Spring of
2002 to complete these works, as soon as weather permits.
As a substantial portion of the works were completed, a grant application can be submitted to the
Ontario Minislxy of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairg for the completed works. The
project was approved by the provinea for the 2001 fiscal year. In order to receive the provincial
gxant, this by-law is necessary, along with the Court of Revision decision and the Engineer's
Report.
Working Together to Serve Our Community
Municipal Works · Fire Services · Parks, Recreation & Culture · Business Development · Building & By-Law Sen, ices
January 28, 2002 - 2 - MW-2002-13
Your favourabl¢ approval of this report is appreciated.
Rick Volpin~
Drainage SuI
,adent
Recommended by:
Director of Municipal Works
~prov_~ by.~ / |
John MacDonalfif
Executive Dir6ctor of Community Services
RV:kk
'The City of
~~Niagara FallsI
Community Services Department
Municipal Works
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
web site: www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca
Tel.: (905) 356-7521
Fax: (905) 356-2354
E-mail: munwks@city.niagarafalls.on.ca
Ed Dujlovic, P. Eng.
Director
MW-2002-14
File S-60-11
January 28, 2002
Alderman Victor Pietrangelo, Chairperson
and Members of the Community Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
RE: MW-2002-14
Main Street Closure Study
Class Environmental Assessment
RECOMMENDATIONS:
xT~a~t~i~mport be xecei~td £ox~uformatior~ T o d e f e r t o a
of Council and
BACKGROUND:
special meeting
locs! stskehotders.
In 1998, the City of Niagara Falls commissioned Totten Sims Hubicki and Associates to prepare
a Master Traffic Study. The study followed the Class Environmental Assessment as required by
the Ministry of the Environment. When completed, it recognized the need for improvements to
the road network in the Fallsview Tourist Core Area to handle the additional traffic expected for
growth. In 2000 the study was updated to reflect the permanent casino location. The study
contained the following recommendations:
Stanley Avenue be widened to four lanes with a centre tum lane
Allandale and Buchanan/Fallsview be developed as a couplet system to help with traffic
volumes
That operational improvements would be required for the couplet system to function
properly, which may include the closure of Main Street.
Therefore, in May of 2001, a Class Environmental Assessment was undertaken to address the
operational difficulties with the Main/Dixon / Stanley intersection and the Main/Allandale/
Murray intersection. The first step was to review the existing situation and the background
documentation. As part of that review the "Do - Nothing" option was considered. This was not
feasible due to the existing operational and safety concerns raised by the Niagara Regional Police
and the Niagara Regional Works Department. The expected increase in traffic will only cause the
situation to deteriorate to an unacceptable level of service
On June 28, 2001, the first Public Information Centre (PIC) was held. At that time, several
options were presented, most of which dealt with the full closure as outlined in the Master Plan.
2002-1-28 -2- MW-2002-14
There were eight key issues that came out of the PIC, they were
Public Input
Close Allandale instead
of Main
Closure of Main Street
and the impact on
businesses
Request to close Murray
Street to prevent
,,;pillover traffic
Improve signalization
and signage
5hnpact on through
traffic from Chippawa
to/fxom Main Street
IProject TeamResponse
Allandale is a key part of the furore road network, although we
could not accommodate this comment, alternatives with Main
Street open were prepared
Meetings were held with the BIA groups and alternatives with
Main Street open prepared. Increased area traffic is expected
regardless of alternative selected.
This was adopted and is recommended as part of the preferred
solution with pedestrian and emergency aecess maintained
Alternatives were prepared with both improvements to signal
phasing and signing - however they were unable to address the
problem
Several alternatives were developed to try to keep Main Street
open, however, they did not address the problem. Further, due to
the increased traffic and additional signals at the casino exit on
Portage Road, the through movement is expected to be impeded
regardless
Historical Significance Alternatives with Main open were developed as well as a
of Portage - Main Route commemorative walkway/trail for full closure option
Casino Traffic Impacts Meetings were held with FMC for additional input on their traffic
needs. Alternatives were developed that reflect those meetings
No Traffic problems Both the Niagara Regional Police and Niagara Regional Works
now - walt until there is Depaxtment have expressed concern with the safety of the
an actual need. intersection under existing conditions.
(Riginally it was planned only to have one PIC, however, due to the high volume of responses
and the complexity of the issues, it was decided to prepare additional alternatives and have a
second PIC meeting.
t~or to evaluating alternatives, a working group was held with the Main Street BIA, the
Fallsview BIA and FMC to try to get a consensus on how the alternatives should be evaluated.
The meeting provided valuable information to fine tune the evaluation criteria. This rating
system was used for all alternatives.
During the PIC, a presentation was made outlining the alternatives, the evaluation and the
preferrad solution. Essentially the same comments were received as in the first PIC, with the
following addition:
2002-1-28 -3- MW-2002-14
Additional Public Input Project Team Response
Request to close Dixon This was adopted and is recommended as part of the preferred
Street at Allandale to solution with pedestrian and emergency access maintained
prevent spill over traffic
Taking the concerns and comments noted in both PIC meetings, the full closure alternative was
refined to keep the roads open for local access, but centrols the turning movements at Dixon and
Stanley.
Of the five alternatives, three rated higher ~han the others. They were No. 4 (proposed by FMC),
No. 5, Full Closure and No. SA, Refined Full Closure. They are attached to this report. During
the presentation the pros and cons of each will be more thoroughly discussed. A brief description
and some of the key points for each alternative are as follows:
Alternative 4 (FMC)
This alternative modifies the intersection of Dixon Main and Stanley.
No through movement on Main Street, vehicles must turn either on Dixon or Stanley
No through movement East bound on Dixon, vehicles must turn right on Stanley
Complicated signal construction and phasing
Operationally confusing for tourists and pedestrians
Local access maintained.
Alternative 5 (Full Closure)
.This alternative is the full closure of Main Street, maintaining a pedestrian walkway along the
current road allowance.
No local aecegs
No through movement on Main Street
Standard intersection configuration
Standard pedestrian movements
Alternative 5 {Modified Closure)
This alternative allows Main Street to stay open, but controls the turning movements at Stanley
and Dixon
No through movement on Main Street, vehicles must mm either on Dixon or Stanley
Local access maintained.
Standard intersection configuration
Standard pedestrian movements
.Alternative 5A was rated as the best overall solution to the problem. In addition the report will
:recommend that both, Dixon and Murray be cul-de-saced west of Allandale, maintaining both
emergency and pedestdan access.
2002-1-28 -4- MW-2002-14
NEXT STEPS
At this time the final Environmental Assessment Report will be prepared. It will outline the
process to date, inelucling ali the altematives, comments and refinements made. Once prepared
the report will be filed with the Ministry of the Environment and placed for the public to review
for thirty days. During that period any member of the public, business community or agency can
request that the Ministry order a "bump up" if they feel their concerns were not addressed. The
Ministry of the Environment will role on whether or not the appeal ha~ merit.
Council's concurrence with the recommendations outlined in this report would be appreciated.
Prep// ] y:ar~ ~ .~"
Darrell Smith, P. Eng.,
Manager of Engineering Services
R~w~fUlly Submitted b
Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended by:
Ed Dujlovie, P. Eng.,
Director of Municipal Works
Appro-v~ by.'~
Executive Direct~bf Commun' y '
V:~2002COUNCILk2002 01 28'~1W2002-14 Min Strict EA.wpd
TRAFFIC co~n~o~ - s~ O~ERATIO~ N~D STOP SK~S
STREET
ALTERNATIVE 4
~e C~ o~
Niagara FeES
Canada
MAIN STREET;
ALTERNATIVE 5
The C.i~/of ~.
8TRF..ET
FO~
TO
'FR.~"RC
LOCAL CIRCULATION
IOUNTABLE CURB FOR
EMERGENCY VEHICLE USE
(-AWAY' BARRIERS
AT 2.Om SPAC1NG/~.
ALTERNATIVE 5A
MAIN STREET I STANLEY AVENUE I
DIXON STREET INTERSECTION
AND DIXON STREET CLOSURE WEST OF
ALLENDALE AVENUE