02/07/2023Niagara MINUTES
FURS CityCouncil Meeting
CANADA
4:00 PM - Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Council Chambers/Zoom App.
The City Council Meeting of the City of Niagara Falls was called to order on Tuesday, February
7, 2023, at 4:22 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:
COUNCIL Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Wayne
PRESENT: Campbell, Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Ruth -Ann Nieuwesteeg,
Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike
Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson (All present in Chambers)
STAFF Jason Burgess, Bill Matson, Margaret Corbett, Michael Stewart, Danijel
PRESENT: Dragosavljevic, Shelley Darlington, Dave Etherington, Nidhi Punyarthi,
Erik Nickel, Jo Zambito (Present in Chambers).
Shawn Oatley, Andrew Bryce, Serge Felicetti, Kathy Moldenhauer,
Tiffany Clark, Trent Dark (Present via Zoom).
1. IN CAMERA SESSION OF COUNCIL
1.1. Resolution to go In -Camera
Moved by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council enter into an In -Camera session.
Carried
Councillor Campbell was absent for vote
2. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:22PM.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1. Council Minutes of January 31, 2023 (Special City Council Meeting)
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council approve the minutes of the January 31, 2023 Special City Council
Meeting as presented.
4. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
Carried Unanimously
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a) Councillor Lococo declared a conflict of interest for the meetings of January
24th and January 31st for any reference to the Niagara Falls Art Gallery in F-
2023-10 Operating Budget. Councillor Lococo sits on the board as a resident.
b) Councillor Pietrangelo declared a conflict of interest for item #9.1, Niagara
Region Correspondence. The Councillor's family owns land in the affected
area.
5. MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Mayor Diodati extended condolences to the following:
• Ilona Kouidere, sister of Anita O'Neil of our Building Department,
• David Watt, former City Employee with our Municipal Works Dept.
• John "Jack" Lea, father of Tim Lea in Fire Suppression Services.
• Louise Baglieri, mother of city staff members, Evan & Jonathan Baglieri
and mother-in-law of Carey Campbell.
• Sal Pietrangelo, father of Nick Pietrangelo of our traffic and Parking
Division and uncle of Councillor Victor Pietrangelo.
b) Mayor Diodati made the following announcements:
City Council Representatives
Summit of Coalition of Support Groups in
Canada
Councillor Patel
Tools of Tools (Photo shown)
• Featuring Wayne Moore
• Runs until Sat. April 8th at the NF History Museum
• Also attended by Councillor Patel
Crime Stoppers Flag Raisinq(Photo shown)
• Also attended by Councillor Nieuwesteeg and Councillor Patel
Sports Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony(Photo shown)
• Inductees for 2021 & 2022
• Also attended by Councillors Patel, Nieuwesteeg, Lococo, Pietrangelo
and Strange
Grand Openings/ Business Happenings (Photos shown)
• F45 Niagara Falls Grand Opening
o Also attended by Councillors Patel and Nieuwesteeg
• S&C Tattoo Parlour and Barber Shop
o Also attended by Councillors Lococo, Patel and Nieuwesteeg
• Niagara Fasteners -50th Anniversary
c) The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
6. DEPUTATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
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6.1. Deputation regarding property matters
Resident Evi Mitchinson addressed Council regarding a severe ponding
problem recurring in her mother's backyard. Members of Council were able to
ask questions and Staff provided comment.
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
THAT staff amend the wording on the waiver to only include the pipe and not
the discharge or street water.
Carried Unanimously
6.2. Request to Refund Development Charges - Lucas Bandi Building permit
number BP -2021-0048 at 4389 Beechwood Road
Resident, Lucas Bandi requested a refund for development charges paid on
building permit BP -2021-0048.
Moved by Councillor Mike Strange
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
THAT Staff refund the City's portion of the development charges paid for the
property of 4389 Beechwood Road to Mr. Lucas Bandi, in the amount of
$8,321.00,
AND THAT the refund be funded from reserves.
Carried
Councillor Lococo opposed
7. REPORTS
7.1. F-2023-05
2020 Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls (Draft) Consolidated
Financial Statements
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
Recommendation:
That Council APPROVE the 2020 Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls Draft
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Carried Unanimously
7.2. L-2023-04
Proposed Conveyance of City Own Land to 2808378 Ontario Inc.
Ferguson Laneway adjacent to 4473-4478 & 4499 Ferguson Street
Our File No. 2022-134
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Recommendations:
Page 3 of 8
1. In the event that Council determines that it is in the public interest to do
so, that the Ferguson Street Laneway (located between 4473-4478 &
4499 Ferguson Street) hereinafter referred to as the "Subject Lands", as
shown in red on the attached map as Schedule "A", be permanently
closed and declared surplus to the City's needs for the purposes of
selling the Subject Lands to both abutting landowners, being the owners
of 4473-4478 and 4499 Ferguson Street.
2. That any sale of the Subject Lands be conditional upon the lands being
merged in title with the abutting lands.
3. That the City Solicitor and Chief Administrative Officer, or their
designate, is authorized to execute all other documentation and take
whatever steps necessary to carry out Recommendations 1 and 2
Carried
Councillor Strange was not present for vote
7.3. MW -2023-02
Forestview/Garner Stormwater Management Pond Cleanout and Retrofit -
Cost Sharing Agreement
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Lori Lococo
Recommendations:
1. That the City enter into a cost sharing agreement with the developers of
Garner Place Subdivision (Plan 59M-510) to implement improvements
and an expansion to the existing Stormwater Management Pond located
at Garner Road and Forestview Boulevard.
2. That the General Manager of Municipal Works be authorized to execute
the cost sharing agreement on the City's behalf for the estimated
amount of $270,770, the amount to be funded through the approved
2021 Stormwater Management Pond Assessment and Cleanout account
(STMS51-21).
Carried Unanimously
7.4. PBD -2023-06
Information Report
Vacant Building Registry and Vacant Residential Building Tax
Moved by Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Recommendations:
1. That Council direct staff to initiate a Vacant Building Registry and a
Vacant Building Registry By-law to be in place during the fourth quarter
of 2023 to encourage the repurposing of vacant building stock for
residents and businesses.
2. That Council direct staff to bring back a report at a future date outlining
how the City may implement a vacant land tax to deal with idle
properties.
7.5. PBD -2023-09
Carried Unanimously
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Information Report to Council for Uppers Quarry
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
Recommendation:
That Council receive this report for information purposes.
Carried Unanimously
8. CONSENT AGENDA
8.1. F-2023-06
Monthly Tax Receivables Report (December)
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Recommendation:
That Council RECEIVE the Monthly Tax Receivables report for information
purposes.
Carried Unanimously
8.2. PBD -2023-07
Downtown Community Improvement Plan Application DOW -2022-001
4578-4588 Queen Street
Applicant: Edward Pybus
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council approve the Commercial Building and Facade Improvement Grant
Application for 4578-4588 Queen Street, subject to the applicant satisfying the
program requirements.
Carried
Councillor Patel opposed
8.3. PBD -2023-08
Lundy's Lane Community Improvement Plan - Commercial Facade,
Landscaping and Property Improvement Grant Application, LLN-2023-001
6915 Lundy's Lane
Applicant: On the Ridge Retail Inc.
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
That Council approve the Commercial Facade, Landscaping and Property
Improvement Grant Application for 6915 Lundy's Lane, subject to the applicant
satisfying the program requirements.
Carried Unanimously
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9. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK
9.1. Niagara Region Correspondence
Attached is correspondence sent from the Niagara Region regarding the
following matters:
1. Niagara Region Report CSD 4-2023 - Approval of 2023 Interim Levy Dates
and Amounts
2. Niagara Region Report PDS 3-2023 - Approval of the Niagara Official Plan
3. Niagara Region Report CSD 2-2023 - 2023 Budget - Waste Management
Services Operating Budget and Rate Requisition
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
THAT Council receive and file for information.
Carried Unanimously
Councillor Pietrangelo having a conflict of Interest
9.2. Letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing - 234-2023-285
City of Niagara Falls
Attached is letter from the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs
and Housing regarding the extension of the Streamline Development Approval
Fund
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
THAT Council receive and file for information.
Carried
Opposed by Councillor Patel
9.3. Resolution — Town of Fort Erie — Freshwater Health Campaign
Attached is a resolution from the Town of Fort Erie that was passed at its
meeting of January 23, 2023 regarding the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
Cities Initiative — Freshwater Health Campaign
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
THAT Council receive and file for information.
Carried Unanimously
9.4. Memo from Finance - Niagara Falls Hydro Holding Corporation
Attached is a memo from Tiffany Clark, Director of Finance, informing Council
of the Niagara Falls Hydro Corporation update to the Shareholder.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
THAT Council receive and file for information.
Page 6 of 8
Carried Unanimously
Councillor Lococo abstained from vote
10. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK
10.1. Special Occasion Permit Request — 2023 Niagara I Heart Beer & Taco
Festival
Organizers of the event are looking to Council for a letter of Municipal
Significance for this festival taking place at the Niagara Convention Centre on
Saturday March 25, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. With Council declaring
the event as "municipally significant", this will assist the organizers with
obtaining a Special Occasion permit from the AGCO.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Mike Strange
That Council declare the 2023 Niagara I Heart Beer & Taco Festival as an
event of municipal significance in the City of Niagara Falls in order to assist
with obtaining a Special Occasion Permit from the AGCO.
Carried Unanimously
10.2. Comments from Resident
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Wayne Campbell
That Council receive the correspondence for information.
Carried Unanimously
11. RATIFICATION OF IN -CAMERA
a) Ratification of In -Camera
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
That Council approve a 2023 Capital Budget amendment of $75,000 for
software licensing, funded by the OLG Reserve.
Carried Unanimously
12. NOTICE OF MOTION/NEW BUSINESS
a) Niagara Military Museum
Councillor Thomson discussed the need for an elevator for the veterans at the
Niagara Military Museum. Staff to come back with a report.
Moved by Councillor Wayne Thomson
Seconded by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
THAT Council direct staff to come back with a report regarding the Niagara
Military Museum about the possible use of a 2nd floor elevator or chair lift.
Page 7 of 8
Carried Unanimously
Councillor Strange absent from vote
13. BY-LAWS
2023- A by-law to amend By-law No. 89-2000, being a by-law to regulate parking
010. and traffic on City Roads. (Parking Prohibited)
2023- A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting
011. held on the 7th day of February, 2023.
Moved by Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
Seconded by Councillor Mona Patel
THAT the by-laws be read a first, second and third time and passed.
Carried Unanimously
14. ADJOURNMENT
a) Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Ruth -Ann Nieuwesteeg
Seconded by Councillor Tony Baldinelli
That Council adjourn the meeting at 6:25PM.
Carried Unanimously
ity Clerk
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