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2004/03/01FIFTH MEETING SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Council met on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 4:00 p.m., for the purpose of considering Budget matters. All members of Council were present. Alderman Vince Kerrio offered the Opening Prayer. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST Alderman Pietrangelo indicated a pecuniary interest on Report F- 2004 -13, Cheque No. 282412 because the Niagara Catholic District School Board is his employer. Alderman Morocco indicated a pecuniary interest on Report F- 2004 -13, Cheque No. 282316, dealing with Niagara Falls Tourism, because it is her place of contract of work. His Worship Mayor Salci indicated a pecuniary interest on Report F- 2004 -13. Cheque No. 282442 because he is the recipient. Casino /Gateway Project His Worship Mayor Salci stated that in 1998, the Provincial government had chosen the Falls Management Company (FMC) as the preferred proponent for the Niagara Falls Casino/ Gateway project. As part of the successful bid, the FMC proposed several "attractors" including a 12,000 seat indoor /outdoor amphitheatre. The attractors were to provide a year -round tourist to the area and be in place by the time the permanent Casino opened. To date the amphitheatre has not come to fruition. The Mayor requested that Council endorse the following Resolution. RESOLUTION 03 -WING PIETRANGELO THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and appropriate staff meet with Premier Dalton McGuinty, the Honourable Joe Cordiano, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Timothy Reid, Chair, of the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation, to proceed with the year -round 12,000 seat indoor /outdoor ampitheatre and entertainment venue; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that area M.P.P's, Kim Craitor and the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Tourism, be enlisted to assist in this matter; and FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Jim Dougan, President and COO, Falls Management Company, and Duncan Brown, incoming Chief Executive Officer for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, impressing upon them the need for the FMC to fulfill their $40 million obligation for a year round 12,000 seat indoor /outdoor ampitheatre and entertainment venue AND The Seal of the Corporation be hereto affixed. Carried Unanimously. SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING Council Chambers March 1, 2004 F- 2004 -15 Chief Administrative Officer Re: 2004 General Purposes Budget Discussion. The report recommends that the report is for the information of City Council. -2- March 1,2004 Minutes The Chief Administrative Officer provided introductory comments on the 2004 General Purposes Budget. He advised that this meeting was intended to provide an overview of some of the key issues facing the various departments and that no decisions were to be made this evening. In response to questions raised, the Chief Administrative Officer advised that information regarding fixed costs and variable costs would be provided at the next meeting of Council. F- 2004 -14 Chief Administrative Officer Re: 2004 2008 Capital Projects Budget Discussions. The report recommends that the report is for the information of City Council. 2004 -2008 Municipal Works Operating /Capital Budget The Director of Municipal Works provided a brief overview of the Municipal Works Operating Budget for 2004; he reviewed the Transportation and Environmental Services, elaborating on the following budgetary matters: roving crew, traffic signals, salt management plan, road maintenance, waste management,; winter control services and the Municipal Works Capital Budget for 2004. 2004 -2008 Fire Services Capital Program The Fire Chief provided an overview of the new projects being considered in the 2004 -2008 Fire Services Capital Program. The Chief indicated that the staffing plan and operations for 2004 were geared to holding a recruit class in April to run for 12 weeks and requested Council approval for the hiring of 8 additional firefighters. Following the discussion, it was ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Morocco, that Council approves to proceed with the hiring of 8 additional firefighters. Carried Unanimously. 2004 -2008 Parks, Recreation and Culture Capital Budgets Program The Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture advised that her division consisted of Community Development and Landscape Design, Cemeteries, Parks, and Recreation Facilities. She referred to the budget challenges, which projects were in progress and which new projects were under consideration. Discussions led to the costs associated with the Community Centre and the financing approvals. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture provided clarification as to the costs of the project. The Chief Administrative Officer assured Council that the funding formula and the tendering was approved by Council and advised if there were any overruns on the project, staff would bring the information back to Council. MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS REMARKS Ripley Entertainment Group /Great Wolf Lodge His Worship Mayor Salci advised that the Ripley Entertainment Group had extended an invitation to members of Council to attend a press conference at the Table Rock, on March 5, 2004 at 1 p.m. to unveil plans for their proposed world -class family destination. Nexus Pass His Worship Mayor Salci advised that the Whirlpool Bridge has opened as a "Nexus Only" Bridge and would be used for vehicular traffic only. -3- REPORTS March 1. 2004 Minutes MW.- 2004 -39 Chief Administrative Officer Re: Dorchester Road Environmental Assessment (EA) Update. The report recommends that this report be received for information. Following some discussion, an option was presented by Alderman Joyce Morocco, for having a Dorchester Road, 4 -lane construction with a 3 -lane layout, with mutual center left -turn lane /bicycle lanes which could be turned into a 4 -lane with no bicycle lanes. The Director of Municipal Works advised that he would present this option to the Consultant for review. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Campbell, that the report be received and filed for information and Alderman Morocco's proposal be forwarded to the consultants. Carried Unanimously. MW- 2004 -40 Chief Administrative Officer Re: Stanley Avenue Watermain Information Report. The report recommends that Council receive this report for information. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo, that the report be received and filed. Carried Unanimously. F- 2004 -13 Chief Administrative Officer Re: Municipal Accounts. The report recommends that Council approve the municipal accounts totalling $6,861,850.98 for the period ending March 1, 2004. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman loannoni, that the report be received and adopted. The motion Carried with Mayor Salci, Aldermen Morocco and Pietrangelo abstaining from the vote on conflicts of interest previously noted and with all others voting in favour. See By -law No. 2004 -50 FS- 2004 -07 Chief Administrative Officer -Re: Purchase and Installation of New Boat Motors and Related Marine Operations Equipment. The report recommends that Council authorize the purchase and installation of new replacement motors from Nicholls Marine Ltd. From Fort Erie and related marine operations equipment for the Marine Response Units, at a total cost of approximately $23,000.00 including taxes. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Volpatti, that the report be received and adopted. Carried Unanimously. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Morocco, that a letter of congratulations be forwarded to the team of firefighters for a job well done during a recent rescue and that they be recognized at a future Council meeting. Carried Unanimously. CAO- 2004 -02 Chief Administrative Officer Re: Niagara Falls Hydro Shareholder Declaration. The report recommends that the City of Niagara Falls Shareholder Declaration Concerning Niagara Falls Hydro Holding Corporation (the "Declaration be amended as follows: 1. That the number of Directors of the Niagara Falls Hydro Holding Corporation (the "Corporation be reduced from ten Directors to nine Directors; 2. That all compensation responsibilities be transferred from the Board of Directors of the Corporation "the Board to Niagara Falls City Council; 3. That the composition of the Board be made up of the President, four community members, the Mayor and three Aldermen; -4- March 1,2004 Minutes AND FURTHER THAT the Board be so notified by the Shareholder Representative; AND FURTHER THAT the Board be requested to make the necessary amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, By -laws or any other document of the Corporation to give effect to these resolutions as stated above; AND FURTHER THAT these resolutions be considered to be special resolutions as may be required pursuant to the Declaration. Following the discussion, it was moved by Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Wing, that Council representation on the Hydro Board will not be paid. The vote was recorded as requested. The motion was Defeated and with the following vote: NAYE:Aldermen Campbell, Diodati, loannoni, Kerrio, Morocco and Mayor Salci. AYE: Aldermen Pietrangelo, Volpatti and Wing. Following further discussion, it was moved by Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni, that Council representation on the Hydro Board be paid equal to the citizen appointments. The motion Carried. It was moved by Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni, that the number of Directors of the Niagara Falls Hydro Holding Corporation (the Corporation) be reduced from ten Directors to nine Directors. Carried Unanimously. It was moved by Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Wing, that all compensation responsibilities be transferred from the Board of Directors of the Corporation "the Board to Niagara Falls City Council. The motion Carried with Aldermen Campbell and loannoni voting contrary to the motion and with all others voting in favour. It was moved by Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni, that the composition of the Board be made up of the President, four community members, the Mayor and three Aldermen. The motion Carried with Aldermen Pietrangelo, Volpatti and Wing voting contrary to the motion and with all others voting in favour. It was moved by Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Kerrio, that the Board be so notified by the Shareholder Representative; that the Board be requested to make the necessary amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, By -laws or any other document of the Corporation to give effect to these resolutions as stated above; and that these resolutions be considered to be special resolutions as may be required pursuant to the Declaration. Carried Unanimously. Following further discussion, it was moved by Alderman Diodati, seconded by Alderman Campbell, that consideration be given to reducing the level of compensation of Board members from $4,000 to $2,000 and that the per diem be reduced from $250.00 to $150.00. The motion Carried with Alderman Kerrio voting contrary to the motion and with all others voting in favour. BY -LAWS ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Morocco, that leave be granted to introduce the by -laws and the by -laws be read a first time: 2004 -50 To authorize monies for General Purposes (March 1, 2004). 2004 -51 To adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting held on the 1st day of March, 2004. The motion Carried with Aldermen Morocco and Pietrangelo abstaining from the vote on By -law No. 2004 -50 on conflicts of interest previously noted and with all others voting in favour. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Morocco, that the following by -laws be now read a second and third time: 2004 -50 To authorize monies for General Purposes (March 1, 2004). 2004 -51 To adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting held on the 1st day of March, 2004. The motion Carried with Aldermen Morocco and Pietrangelo abstaining from the vote on By -law No. 2004 -50 on conflicts of interest previously noted and with all others voting in favour. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Campbell, that the enquiry dealing with a contract be deferred. The motion Carried with Alderman Wing abstaining from the vote, on a conflict of interest and Alderman loannoni voting contrary to the motion. Niagara Falls Armoury No Buses Signage No Crosswalks at Kelsey's corner -5- March 1, 2004 Minutes NEW BUSINESS ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Diodati, seconded by Alderman Wing, that Council reconsider its decision regarding the Niagara Falls Armoury. The motion Carried with Alderman Campbell abstaining from the vote on a conflict of interest, because he resides in the area, and Alderman loannoni voting contrary to the motion. Following some discussion, it was ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo, that staff meet with the Community groups who wish to express their interest in the Armoury. The motion Carried with Alderman Campbell abstaining from the vote on a conflict of interest previously noted and with all others voting in favour. Alderman Janice Wing indicated that the direction of Grey Avenue had been changed and that a "No Buses" sign had been posted at the corner of Ferry Street and Grey Avenue and she requested that another "No Buses" sign be posted at the corner of Grey Avenue and Peer Street. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Wing, seconded by Alderman Morocco, that a "No Buses" sign be posted at the corner of Grey Avenue and Peer Street. Carried Unanimously. Alderman Diodati requested the status of having no crosswalks from Clifton Hill across Victoria Avenue to Centre Street (at Kelsey's corner). He was advised by the Director of Municipal Works that there are issues of site lines and grade differences in that area and that those issues could be identified in the Capital Works Budget. Water Rate Considerations The Director of Municipal Works provided information on the Water and Waste Water rate increases for 2004 -2012. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Volpatti, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried Unanimously. READ AND ADOPTED, Qeb DEAN IORFI CTY CLERK R. T. (TED) SALCI, MAYOR -6- March 1,2004 Minutes