02/23/2016 THIRD MEETING
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 23, 2016
Council met on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016 at 5:20 p.m. for the purpose of
considering Regular Business matters. All members of Council were present.
The National Anthem was sung by Julianna Moore.
ADOPTION OF COUNCIL MINUTES
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor Craitor
that the minutes of the February 9th, 2016 meeting be approved, as printed.
Carried Unanimously
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DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
Councillor Ioannoni indicated a pecuniary interest with cheque number 391793,
made out to a member of her family.
Mayor Diodati indicated a pecuniary interest with cheque number 391589, made
payable to himself.
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REPORTS 5:00 P.M.
R&C-2016-01 — Merger of Arts & Culture and Museum Committees
The report recommends the following:
1. That Council approve the merger of the Arts & Culture Committee with the
Museum Advisory Board to form the Arts, Culture and Museum Committee; and
2. That Council approve the Terms of Reference for the Arts, Culture and Museum
Committee as outlined in the report.
Committee Chairs, Laura Moffat and Dino Fazio spoke to the report and how the two
committees are in full support of the merger.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor Thomson
that the report be approved as recommended.
Carried Unanimously
2015-2018 Strategic Priorities Update
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Kerrio, seconded by Councillor
Pietrangelo that the presentation be received.
Carried Unanimously
Council Minutes
February 23, 2016
Councillor Pietrangelo chaired the Budget meeting.
BUDGET MATTERS
TS-2016-12 — Public Consultation — Phase Two Transit Service Improvements
The report recommends that the report be received and Council approve of the options
outlined in the report.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor
Campbell that the report be deferred until the next meeting to allow further discussion to
take place with the transit operators.
Motion Defeated
With Councillors Kerrio, Strange, Craitor, Morocco and Mayor Diodati opposed.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Mayor Diodati that
Council approve the implementation of the phase 2 improvements as outlined in report
TS-2016-09 presented to Council on February 9, 2016, with the exception of the
changes to the WEGO Purple/Green line, and conduct a public outreach initiative plan
attached) in parallel to the improvements; and
That staff meet with the Bus drivers, as soon as possible, and that Councillors be invited
to attend those meetings.
Carried Unanimously
BDD-2016-001 — Niagara Falls Illumination Board (NFIB) Lighting Project.
The report recommends that Council approve a one-time capital contribution of
$350,000 towards the Niagara Falls illumination lighting replacement program.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Thomson, seconded by Mayor Diodati
that the report be approved as recommended.
Carried Unanimously
Councillor Pietrangelo stepped down as Chair 6:35 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS/ DEPUTATIONS 6:30 P.M.
Aging Strategy Implementation Committee
Domenic Venetrasca, Chair, from the Aging Strategy Implementation Committee
of the Niagara Age-Friendly Community Network, made a presentation to Council.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor Kerrio
that staff bring back a report to Council on possible next steps in implementing an Age-
Friendly Community Strategy.
Carried Unanimously
2021 Canada Summer Games
Henry D'Angela, Chair, and Bram Cotton, Chief Executive Officer, of the Niagara
Sports Commission made a presentation on investigating a Regional bid application to
host the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
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ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Strange, seconded by Councillor
Morocco that Niagara Falls City Council support the Niagara Sport Commission's
investigation of a regional bid application to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games;
and
That Niagara Falls City Council request the Regional Municipality of Niagara
endorse the investigation of a regional bid application to host the 2021 Canada Summer
Games.
Carried Unanimously
PLANNING MATTERS 7:00 P.M.
Public Meeting:
PBD-2016-08 - AM-2015-012, Zoning By-law Amendment Application, 9687 Biggar
Road and Abutting Lands to the North, Applicants: 918969 Ontario Inc. (Bob Robinson)
& 284612 Ontario Inc. (Carol Robinson), Agent: Jack Bernardi
Proposal: Recognize the Expansion of a Contractor's Yard
Background:
Applicants have requested a Zoning By-law amendment for 1.1 ha (Part 1) parcel of
land and a 0.14 ha (Part 2) parcel of land that currently is used as a contractor's yard.
Applicant is requesting a new site specific Rural Agriculture (RA) zone over both Parts 1
and 2 to recognize the existing contractor's yard use on both parts and to adjust the
regulations for lot area, side yards, landscaped open space and maximum floor area.
NEIGHBOURHOOD OPEN HOUSE
Held on January 18, 2016, with one resident attending, who had no objection to the
application.
Planning Analysis:
Official Plan Lands designated Good General Agriculture are intended to be used for
agricultural purposes.
Special Policy Area designation permits a contractor's yard with one storey buildings not
exceeding a gross floor area of 1650 sq m. and can be used for an office, vehicle
storage and maintenance facility.
Proposal can be supported as it meets the general intent of the Official Plan as the
expansion of the contractor's yard use onto the lands to the north is considered a minor
rounding out of the use.
Part 2 lands are designated Environmental Conservation Area (ECA) — Significant
Woodland. The land has already been cleared of all trees and as no new development
is proposed, there is no adverse impact on the adjacent woodland.
Zoning:
Part 1 is zoned Rural Agriculture with site specific regulations that permit a contractor's
yard and Part 2 is zoned Rural Agriculture.
The applicant is requesting to recognize the use of the whole of the lands (Parts 1 & 2)
for contractor's yard.
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February 23, 2016
The use on the whole of the lands can be supported as a minor rounding out of the
property.
The following are the proposed amendments:
Minimum Lot Area
- Current whole of the lands ( Part 1 with an area of 1.1 ha)
- Proposed Parts 1 and 2 with a total area of 1.24
Interior Side Yard Width
- Current 10m
- Proposed 8m west; 5m east
Minimum Landscaped Open Space
- Current 1650 sq m
- Proposed 2128 sq m
Maximum Floor Area
- Current 2128 sq m
- Proposed 1800 sq m
Conclusion:
The amendment is recommended for the following reasons:
The Official Plan permits a contractor's yard in this location as an exception to the Good
General Agriculture designation. The expansion of the site by 0.14 ha is a minor
rounding out of the use and meets the general intent of the special policy of the Official
Plan. The expansion has not removed a significant amount of agricultural land nor has
it had a significant impact on the adjacent woodland; and
The requested zoning will resolve the existing non-conformities of the use of the land
and the location of the existing buildings which are minor adjustments.
Recommendation:
That Council approve the Zoning By-law amendment application to recognize the
expansion of the contractor's yard at 9687 Biggar Road onto 0.14 ha of the abutting
property to the north and to adjust several zoning regulations through a new Rural
Agricultural (RA) zone, as outlined in the staff report.
Jack Bernardi, representing the applicant, was in support of the staff report and
recommendations and was available to answer any questions of Council.
The Public Meeting was Closed.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Pietrangelo, seconded by Councillor
Thomson that the report be approved as recommended.
Carried Unanimously
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February 23, 2016
MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Diodati offered condolences on the passing of Ron MacKenzie, father of
Ronald and Warren MacKenzie, a city employee, and Nicholas Milojevich, son of
Rodney Milojevich, a retired Fire Prevention Officer.
Mayor Diodati advised of recent events: Zonta Club My Funny Little Valentine
Breakfast fundraiser, Family Day events such as Niagara Falls Museum free day and
Gale Centre Skate, Annual Kub Kar Races for Scouts Canada, Paul Harris Fellowship
Award Evening, and the 107th Birthday Yvonne Thomson.
Mayor Diodati advised of upcoming events: 2nd Annual Meridian Celebrity Ice
Cup Hockey Tournament, State of the City Address, Komedy for Kidneys, 13th Annual
Strike Out Violence Brunch and Bowling tournament for Women's Place of South
Niagara, and the State of the Southern Tier.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor
Campbell that the Niagara Falls Public Library Board consider having one of the
branches open for Family Day 2017.
Motion Carried
With Councillor Thomson opposed.
COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee — requesting 50 cent bus rides for March
Break.
RECOMMENDATION: For the Consideration of Council.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor
Strange that the request be approved.
Carried Unanimously
2. Autism Ontario — requesting a flag raising for April 4th
RECOMMENDATION: For the Approval of Council.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor
Morocco that the request be approved.
Carried Unanimously
3. Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference — requesting a Council
representative at the 2016 conference.
RECOMMENDATION: For the Consideration of Council.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor
Campbell that Councillor Morocco attend the conference.
Carried Unanimously
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February 23, 2016
REPORTS
CONSENT AGENDA
THE CONSENT AGENDA IS A SET OF REPORTS THAT COULD BE APPROVED IN ONE
MOTION OF COUNCIL. THE APPROVAL ENDORSES ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
CONTAINED IN EACH OF THE REPORTS WITHIN THE SET. THE SINGLE MOTION WILL
SAVE TIME.
PRIOR TO THE MOTION BEING TAKEN, A COUNCILLOR MAY REQUEST THAT ONE OR
MORE OF THE REPORTS BE MOVED OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE
CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
F-2016-08 — Monthly Tax Receivables Report— January
The report recommends that Council receive the Monthly Tax Receivables report for
information purposes.
F-2016-09 — Municipal Accounts
The report recommends that Council approve the municipal accounts totalling
$9,481,352.36 for the period January 8, 2016 to February 4, 2016.
MW-2016-06 —Woodland Management Plan Final Report
The report recommends the following:
1. That the Final Report of the City of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Woodland
Management Plan be approved by Council.
2. That staff be directed to implement the Woodland Management Plan
recommendations and where necessary integrate the prescribed policies into the
appropriate documents as they are updated.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Kerrio, seconded by Councillor Strange that
the reports on the Consent agenda be approved as recommended.
Carried Unanimously
R&C-2016-02 — Millennium Trail Update
The report recommends that Recreation & Culture staff be authorized to initiate the
public engagement process April 2016, to discuss the design of the Millennium Trail
phase six, between Lundy's Lane and Royal Manor/Dorchester Road.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor
Campbell that Recreation and Culture staff be authorized to initiate a public
engagement process regarding the remaining phases of the Millennium Trail.
Carried Unanimously
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Councillor Pietrangelo chaired a resumption of the Budget matters at 7:45 p.m.
Operating Budget Update
Todd Harrison provided Council with a power point presentation on the operating
budget.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor Campbell
that that the operating budget be approved.
Carried Unanimously
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February 23, 2016
Councillor Pietrangelo stepped down 8:10 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS
NO. 3 — KERRIO — CAMPBELL THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Mayor Diodati
not only rescinds his December, 2015 letter, but that Mayor Diodati and City Council,
together, offer their support to the CRTC's Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-326.
Carried Unanimously
BY-LAWS
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Pietrangelo, seconded by Councillor
Strange that the by-laws be given a first reading.
Carried Unanimously
2016-17 A by-law to authorize the payment of $9,481,352.36 for General Purposes.
2016-18 A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its
meeting held on the 23rd day of February, 2016.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Pietrangelo, seconded by Councillor
Strange that the by-laws be given a second and third reading.
Carried Unanimously
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NEW BUSINESS
Fundraiser
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor
Pietrangelo that Council purchase a table for the Journey of Song, Katy Campbell
Fundraiser, April 7, 2016.
Carried Unanimously
Prime Minister Statues
Ordered on the motion of Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Strange
that staff investigate the possibility of bringing the Prime Minister Statues, subject of a
Maclean's editorial, to Niagara Falls, possibly on Niagara Parks Commission property.
Carried Unanimously
Yanks Property
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor
Strange that staff investigate the issue of unloading in front of Yanks' bar, which has
resulted in Police ticketing.
Carried Unanimously
Rural Drains
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Kerrio, seconded by Councillor Morocco
that staff prepare a report on the Rural Drain program.
Carried Unanimously
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ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Kerrio, seconded by Councillor Morocco
that the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Carried Unanimously
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DEAN IORFIDA,)TY LERKJAMES M. DIODATI, YOR
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