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2005/12/12Sleep Cheap, Charities Reap TWENTY- FOURTH MEETING IN CAMERA SESSION Council met on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 5:45 p.m. in an In Camera Session. All members of Council were present. Alderman Volpatti presided as Chairman. Following consideration of the items presented, the In Camera Session did not rise to report. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST DEPUTATIONS /PRESENTATIONS Canadian Niagara Hotels Sheraton on the Falls, Gary MacGregor Hilton Niagara Falls, Vince DiCosimo Americana Conference Resort Spa, Alan McCauley Greg Frewin Theatre, Greg and Art Frewin Rodeway Inn Fallsview Amy Bignucolo Sheraton Fallsview Tony Zappitelli Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Spa Anthony Lucisano Courtyard By Marriott Anthony Lucisano Embassy Suites Mike Rotundo Committee Room 2 December 12, 2005 Council Chambers December 12, 2005 Council met on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering Regular /Planning Business matters. All members of Council were present. Alderman Victor Pietrangelo offered the Opening Prayer. Alderman Wing indicated a pecuniary interest to Community Services report MW- 2005 -137 the section pertaining to the Niagara Parks Commission, as she owns property with a Niagara Parks Commission Employee. Mayor Salci expressed his thanks to the hoteliers and all others that participated in the Sleep Cheap Charity Promotion. A special thank you to Dick Derhodge for designing the Sleep Cheap logo at no charge. Mayor Salci and Alderman Diodati presented Mr. Derhodge with a gift to show the City's appreciation for his help. Representatives from the following hotels were at Council and presented cheques to the three beneficiary charities, Project S.H.A.R.E, GNGH Emergency and Women's Place South Niagara /Nova House. 2 December 12, 2005 MAYOR'S REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Salci advised that Pat Simon of Simon's News Stand celebrated his 75 birthday on Saturday, December 10 Mayor Salci advised of an upcoming event, Dec 13 he and Alderman Kerrio along with Serge Felicetti and a number of community stakeholders will be meeting with Minister Caplan regarding the two casino issue. As this year is coming to a close, Mayor Salci took a moment to thank City staff for all their hard work and effort throughout this past year, the efforts have gone a long way to making the city a better place. Also, Mayor Salci thanked Council for their great efforts and committment to the City. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK 1. Niagara Falls Community Policing Re: Graffiti requesting that Council consider adopting an anti graffiti by -law. -AND- Memo from City Clerk RECOMMENDATION: That the matter be referred to staff. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman loannoni that the matter be referred to staff. Carried Unanimously 2. New Year's Eve Fireworks FX WORX Inc. is requesting permission to hold the annual fireworks display from the Skylon Tower on New Year's Eve. -AND- Memo from City Clerk RECOMMENDATION: For the approval of Council. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni that the request be approved. 3. Memorial Handball TournamentlYMCA "Partnerships with Youth" Fundraiser. request to have an event with liquor at the MacBain Community Centre, January 7, 2006 event. -AND- Memo from City Clerk Carried Unanimously RECOMMENDATION: That Council give approval for this one off event and that staff come back in the new year with an amendment to the Municipal Alcohol Risk Management Policy. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni that the communication be approved as recommended. Carried Unanimously 4. Elections Canada Request the use of fire station 6 for a polling station on January 23, 2006. RECOMMENDATION: That Council give direction to the City Clerk and Mayor to sign agreement allowing City facilities to be used as a polling stations. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Kerrio that the communication be approved as recommended. Carried Unanimously APPOINTMENT MATTERS 3 December 12, 2005 REPORTS CD- 2005 -13 Chief Administrative Officer Appointments to the Niagara Transit Commission The report recommends that Council vote on the slate of applicants to serve the Niagara. Transit Commission. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman loannoni to appoint Ken Burden and Karen Kelly as scrutineers. Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Campbell that based on the results of the ballots that Norm Puttick and Anthony DiGiacamo be appointed to the Niagara Transit Commission. Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Campbell that the ballots be destroyed. Carried Unanimously R- 2005 -65 Chief Administrative Officer Appointment to Arts Culture Committee The report recommends that Brian Smylski be appointed to the vacancy on the Arts Culture Committee. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman loannoni to approve the report as recommended. Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo to accept the resignation of Jane Embleton and that she be thanked for her service. Carried Unanimously RATIFICATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE ACTIONS ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Campbell that the actions taken in Community Services Committee, earlier this evening be approved. Carried Unanimously 1. That the minutes of the December 5, 2005 meeting be approved. 2. That the sign variance for the Niagara Falls Optimist Club at Morrison Street, sign "A" be approved. 3. That Mayor Salci petition the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Transportation to increase their level of landscape maintenance service in the Hwy. 420 corridor between Dorchester Road and Stanley Avenue. 4. That the interim amendments to the City's existing sign by -law on tonight's Council agenda be approved and; 5. Public Meetings with stakeholders which includes the general public, sign industry and businesses /BIA's be held during January and February 2006 in regards to the proposed new sign by -law. RATIFICATION OF CORPORATE SERVICES ACTIONS A request was made to have 7 voted on separately. 4 December 12, 2005 ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman Volpatti that the action items taken in Corporate Services Committee, earlier this evening be approved. Carried Unanimously 1. That the minutes of the November 21 meeting be adopted as recorded. 2. That the 2006 Comprehensive Insurance Program from Frank Cowan Co. Ltd. be approved at an annual premium of $825,731; and, further, that staff be directed to investigate the impact from increasing deductibles. 3. That the property tax accounts detailed in Report F- 2005 -57 be removed from the City's accounts. 4. That the change to the 2004 annualized taxes of the Lundy's Lane Factory Outlet Mall be approved for the purposes of collecting the 2005 property taxes. 5. In cooperation with the Region of Niagara, that Staff investigate what is done in other municipalities for property tax deferral for low- income seniors and low- income disabled persons. 6. That Staff report on the cost of additional sidewalk snow removal. 7. That Council send those Council members, along with three staff, who wish to visit the suggested sites in the U.S., that have successfully revitalized their downtowns. 8. That the next Budget Meeting will be January 16 BD- 2005 -02 Chief Administrative Officer Strategic Implementation Plan for Downtown U.S. Downtown Site Tours. The report is recommended for the information of Council. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman D? that Council approve sending interested members of Council and appropriate staff on the U.S. Downtown Site Tours Outlined in report BDD- 2005 -02. Alderman loannoni requested a recorded vote. Alderman Campbell Alderman loannoni Alderman Morocco Alderman Volpatti Mayor Ted Salci AYE NAY AYE AYE AYE Alderman Diodati Alderman Kerrio Alderman Pietrangelo Alderman Wing AYE AYE AYE NAY Motion Carried 5 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, AN ALDERMAN MAY REQUEST THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE REPORTS BE MOVED OUT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. MW- 2005 -144 2006 148 -05 Park Street Crysler Avenue Tender Award. It is recommended that the unit prices submitted by the low tenderer, Nexterra Substructures Incorporated, be accepted and the financing of this construction from the 2006 Municipal Works Capital Projects Budget, Bridge Street Storm Separation program, be approved. PD- 2005 -102 Municipal Heritage Committee Work Program 2006. It is recommended that Council receive for information the attached Municipal Heritage Committee's Work Program for 2006. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Diodati that the recommendations be approved. Carried Unanimously MW- 2005 -147 Boyers Creek Drain Extension of Works Under the Drainage Act. In accordance with the Drainage Act and the City's Consultant Policy, it is recommended that the City Council accept a petition that will be forthcoming from the Town of Fort Erie to extend the scope of work previously approved by Council and amend the Consulting Services Agreement with Wiebe Engineering Group Inc. in Welland, Ontario to include the extended scope of works for the estimated cost of $4,500.00 including GST. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Diodati that the recommendations be approved. Motion Carried with Alderman Kerrio declaring a conflict. BY -LAWS December 12, 2005 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 given a first reading. Carried Unanimously 2005 -214 A by -law to authorize the execution of a Subdivision Agreement Ascot Woods Ltd. respecting Ascot Woods Extension 7 Subdivision. 2005 -215 A by -law to amend and consolidate by -law 6661 -1964, and subsequent amendments, being a by -law with respect to signs in the City of Niagara Falls, with a view to enact a new sign by -law for the City of Niagara Falls in 2006. 2005 -216 A by -law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of City Council at its meeting held on the 12' day of December, 2005. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Morocco that the by -laws be read a second and third time and passed. Carried Unanimously Council Information Packages 6 December 12, 2005 NEW BUSINESS ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Campbell, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo to refer to staff to come back with a report with suggestions on a better way to circulate the Council Information package. Carried Unanimously GNGH Drop Dead Date Alderman loannoni indicated that on December 21s 11 medical beds on unit D would be closing leaving only 46 medical beds total on this unit. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Wing that a letter be sent to the NHS, Minister of Health and MPP Kim Craitor, expressing Council's objection to the closure of the medical beds and requesting that the closure of the beds be deferred until an opportunity is given to look into alternatives. Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman loannoni, seconded by Alderman Volpatti that MPP Kim Craitor, the NHS and representatives for the Doctors and Nurses at GNGH be invited to a Council meeting to discuss the issue noted above. Carried Unanimously Region of Niagara A discussion occurred regarding the recent media reports that the proposed expansion of the Regional facilities is 10% inadequate. ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Diodati, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo that the Region of Niagara be asked to try and live within their means, absorb the 10 percent shortage of space, including having the Health Department on site and make the expansion work in the space they have. Carried Unanimously ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Morocco that the meeting be adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Carried Unanimously DEAN IORI -tbA, CITY CLERK R.T. (TED) SALCI, MAYOR