01/24/2023Niagara,"—y-MINUTES
FURS City Council Budget
CANADA
Meeting
4:00 PM - Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Council Chambers/Zoom App.
The City Council Budget Meeting of the City of Niagara Falls was called to order on Tuesday,
January 24, 2023, at 4:37 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Wayne Campbell, Councillor Lori Lococo,
COUNCIL Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
PRESENT: Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson (Present in Chambers)
Councillor Tony Baldinelli (Present via Zoom app.)
COUNCIL Councillor Ruth -Ann Nieuwesteeg
ABSENT:
STAFF Jason Burgess, Bill Matson, Margaret Corbett, Shelley Darlington, Kira
PRESENT: Dolch, Erik Nickel, Chief Jo Zambito, Kathy Moldenhauer, Tiffany Clark, .
Trent Dark, Dan Ane, Paul Brown, Dale Morton (present in Chambers)
Dave Butyniec, Gerald Spencer, Kenneth Williams, Kent Schachowskoj,
Marianne Tikky, Nidhi Punyarthi, Serge Felicetti, Andrew Bryce, Sam
Valeo, Mathew Bilodeau, Mark Richardson, Travis Jeffray (present via
Zoom app.)
1. IN CAMERA SESSION OF COUNCIL
1.1. Resolution to go In -Camera
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
That Council enter into an In -Camera session.
Carried Unanimously (Councillor Wayne Campbell was absent from the
vote).
2. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:37 PM.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1. Council Minutes of January 17, 2023
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council approve the minutes of the January 17, 2023 meeting as
presented.
Page 1 of 8
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council schedule another Special Council Budget meeting to confirm the
operating budget for final approval on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Carried Unanimously
a) Mayor Jim Diodati extended condolences to Councillor Ruth -Ann Nieuwesteeg,
for the passing of her father, Francis Patterson.
4. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None to report.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1. 2023 Parking Budget and Presentation
Tiffany Clark, Director of Finance and Paul Brown, Manager of Parking
Services, presented the 2023 Parking Budget.
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
That Council APPROVE removing tiered fines in the Downtown and Main/Ferry
areas estimated to add $7,200 in revenue in 2023, instead implementing a City
wide fine structure and that staff be directed to report back with necessary
amendments to by-laws and Schedule of Fees, in principle.
That Council APPROVE a 10% increase in parking fines estimated to add
$34,400 in revenue in 2023 and that staff be directed to report back with
necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle.
That Council APPROVE a 10% increase in parking permit fees estimated to
add $8,900 in revenue in 2023 and that staff be directed to report back with
necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle.
That Council APPROVE an increase in the "Summer Flat Rate Parking" from
$10/day to $15-20/day estimated to add $10,000 in revenue in 2023 and that
staff be directed to report back with necessary amendments to by-laws and the
Schedule of Fees, in principle.
That Council APPROVE adding additional on -street parking on Fallsview
Boulevard fronting Casino shops during the off season estimated to add
$14,400 of revenue in 2023, in principle.
That Council APPROVE extending on -street parking on Victoria Avenue From
Labour Day to May 24 (currently Thanksgiving to May 24 only) estimated to
add $6,000 in revenue in 2023, in principle.
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That Council APPROVE the 2023 proposed parking budget as presented
including any approved amendments from recommendations 1-6, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
5.2. Niagara Falls Public Library - 2023 Operating Budget
Alicia Subnaik Kilgour, Chief Librarian, along with Vice -Chair, John
Ansthruther, provided a brief presentation to Council regarding the forecast
budget for 2023.
5.3 Presentation - 2023 Operating Budget
Jason Burgess, CAO, presented the 2023 Budget to Council.
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council not APPROVE the closure of the Niagara Falls Lion's outdoor pool
located at 4981 Drummond Rd estimated to reduce expenditures by $65,000, and
continue with its use in 2023, in principle.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Wayne Campbell, Councillor Victor
Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson,
Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Mona Patel, and Councillor Tony
Baldinelli
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0 on a recorded vote
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council not APPROVE the closure of the EE Mitchelson outdoor pool located at
3750 Springdale Ave. estimated to reduce expenditures by $65,000, subject to a
report coming back to Council that will detail any expenditures required to open the
pool, in principle.
Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Wayne Campbell, Councillor Victor
Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson,
Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Mona Patel, and Councillor Tony
Baldinelli
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8-0 on a recorded vote
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE a reduction in Museum hours at the Battleground and
Willoughby Museum's estimated to reduce expenditures by $10,000, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
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Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council APPROVE staff in increasing dry floor utilization at the Gale Centre
during the summer, estimated to increase revenue by $15,000, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE the reduction of Spooky Award prizes, paid advertising and
transportation by 50% estimated to reduce expenditures by $3,000, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council APPROVE staff to work with Nustadia Media and add of 1-2 monitors at
Recreation and Culture Facilities to display advertising estimated to increase
revenue by $10,000, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
That Council APPROVE a reduction in the City's beautification service level to
remove any Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) from the scope, estimated to
reduce expenditures by $20,000, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Wayne Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE a reduction in splash pad hours from 9:OOam to 8:OOpm (11
hours) to 10:30am to 7:30pm (9 hours) estimated to reduce expenditures by $10,000,
in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council APPROVE the addition of a licence fee to Sidewalk Cafe's in the
amount of $35 per square meter, estimated to increase revenue by $30,000 and the
staff be directed to report back with any necessary amendments to by-laws and the
Schedule of Fees, in principle.
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Carried Unanimously
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That Council APPROVE the addition of an application fee structure for Special Event
Applications to assist with administrative costs in processing the application as
follows:
i.$100 per application from small events
ii.$250 per application for medium events
iii.$500 per application for large events
estimated to increase revenue by $10,000 and that staff be directed to report back
with any necessary amendments to by-laws and that Schedule of Fees, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council APPROVE staff to charge the following fees for Preventable False
Alarms as approved in the 2023 Schedule of Fees, estimated to increase revenue by
$120,000:
a. No charge for the first two alarms, written warning after second alarm
b. $300 for the third alarm
c. $400 for the fourth alarm
d. $800 for the fifth alarm
with the alarms being calculated based on the calendar year commencing January
1st, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Wayne Campbell
Seconded by Mayor Jim Diodati
That Council acknowledge the approved fees for Training Ground Rentals as
approved in the 2023 Schedule of Fees, estimated to increase revenue by $30,000,
in principle:
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Mayor Jim Diodati
That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Boards and Commissions, in
principle, as follows
for the:
• Niagara Fall Public Library Board $5,368,608 to $5,348,608.
Carried (Councillor Campbell) and Lococo were opposed).
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
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That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Boards and Commissions, in
principle, as follows:
i.Niagara Falls Illumination Board - $45,978
ii.Niagara District Airport Commission Operating - $190,014
iii.Niagara District Airport Commission Capital - $130,133
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Fee for Service groups, included in
the 2023 proposed tax supported operating budget, in principle, as follows:
i.Animal Control Services - $556,670
ii.Boy's & Girl's Club - $211,149
iii.Downtown BIA (Santa Claus Parade & Sparkle Awards) - $22,000
iv.Firemen's Park - $31,950
v.Niagara Falls Art Gallery - $28,000
vi.Niagara Falls Concert Band - $3,600
vii.Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub - $274,626
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council APPROVE 2023 funding level for St. John Ambulance Water Patrol
totaling $32,900, in principle.
Carried Unanimously
5.4. F-2023-03
Proposed 2023 Tax Supported Operating Budget
Moved by Mayor Jim Diodati
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the Debt Placeholders Budget
from a levy impact of $668,186 to $334,093 and furthermore; that Council
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APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the increase in the Fleet Replacement
Reserve contribution from a levy impact of $1,547,601 to $773,801, reducing
the transfer to Capital Special Reserves from $3,449,850 to $2,676,049, in
principle.
Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the proposed 1% Special
Capital Levy from $787,254 to $393,627, in principle.
Carried (Councillor Lococo was opposed).
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Mayor Jim Diodati
That Council APPROVE the hiring of 6 probationary Fire Fighters to backfill
long term leaves of absence and that Council APPROVE a reduction of
$200,000 from the Firefighter Suppression Overtime Budget from $1,700,000
to $1,500,000., in principle.
Carried Unanimously
6. REPORTS
6.1. F-2023-08
Single Source Funding Application Services
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council APPROVE a single source procurement for funding application
services with GrantMatch.
Carried Unanimously
7. RATIFICATION OF IN -CAMERA
a) Ratification of In -Camera
Moved by Councillor Wayne Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That there be direction to staff on how to proceed with employee negotiations
by adjusting the labour budget by a $100,000 reduction.
Carried Unanimously
8. BY-LAWS
2023- A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting
008. held on the 24th day of January, 2023.
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Page 7 of 8
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That the by-laws be read a first, second and third time and passed.
Carried Unanimously
9. ADJOURNMENT
a) Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council adjourn the meeting at 9:17 PM.
Carried Unanimously
Act t v City Clerk
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