2001/09/17TWENTY- SECOND MEETING
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Council met on Monday, September 17, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of
considering the Water Meter Report. All members of Council, with the exception of
Alderman Feren, who was away on personal business, were present.
His Worship Mayor Thomson provided a brief update of the City's Involvement in
the wake of the terrorism attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and
requested that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mayor Rudolph Guiliani of New York
City and New York State Governor George Pataki, on behalf of the City of Niagara Falls.
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Hendershot, seconded by Alderman Volpatti, that
a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mayor Rudolph Guiliani of New York City and to
Governor George Pataki, and President Bush, on behalf of the City of Niagara Falls.
Carried Unanimously.
His Worship Mayor Thomson requested that a moment of silence be observed,
followed by the Lord's Prayer.
Alderman Fisher informed that Wanda's Carousel of Flowers in Chippawa, wished
to donate 10% from her sales, commencing September 14'", 2001 to October 17' 1 2001
toward the City of New York Disaster fund.
Council Chambers
September 17, 2001
Alderman loannoni extended an invitation to the community to attend a Candlelight
Vigil being held at Optimist Park on September 18, 2001 at 7 p.m., sponsored by the
Niagara Falls Community Policing and the Niagara Falls Charitable Labour Foundation.
During the discussion, it was ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Puttick,
seconded by Alderman Orr, that the amount of a donation to be given by the City of
Niagara Falls to the City of New York be referred to staff. Carried Unanimously.
Mayor Thomson advised that a Special meeting of Council had been called for
Wednesday, September 19, 2001 in order that the negotiating team could reportto Council
with respect to the acquisition of the CN /CP railway corridor and for the purpose of
obtaining a decision on this matter and advised that the public was invited to speak to the
matter.
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His Worship Mayor Thomson advised that the meeting was being held as a result
of serious concerns of the community about the water billing and the method and means
by which it was being carried out. He advised that following a presentation by staff, there
would be an opportunity for residents to speak to the matter.
MW- 2001 -124 Chief Administrative Officer Re: Water Meter Information Report.
The report recommends that the report be received for information.
The Executive Director of Community Services provided an overview of the history
and the decisions made by the City from 1992 to the present and provided the key points
of the report; 1) Why did the City institute water meters? 2) 1992 the formation of the
Water Wastewater Subcommittee; 3) 1995 Council ratified report for user pay system;
4) 1999- Water meter rate study 5) 2001 Consumption Based Billing Program; 6)
Anticipated Results.
The Executive Director of Community Services reviewed the following Frequently
Asked Questions: 1) Why haven't I saved under the new system; 2) What is a Cubic
Meter? 3) How does the City determine the rates? 4) Why does the City charge more for
water and treatment to users than it pays the Region? 5 i What is the City doing to resolve
the problem of its aging infrastructure? 6) How much profit does the City make under the
new system? 7) How does the City's water charges compare to other municipalities within
the Region? 8) What can I do to decrease my consumption? 9) How can I tell if I have a
leak?
Discussions ensued with respect to the City's aging infrastructure; the combined
sewer issue in Niagara Falls; the treatment of storm water; and the water and sewer
charges; the cost to separate the combined sewers would be approximately $100 million
and that $2.3 million are allocated in the budget yearly toward the sewer separation
program.
The Executive Director of Community Services responded to concerns expressed
regarding increasing taxes and maintaining the current level of services; and the redirection
of funds from other projects in order that taxes would not be increased.
The Director of Municipal Works responded to questions raised regarding the costs
that are paid to the Region and the rates that are charged to the residents.
Mr. Bill Hunter expressed concerns regarding the increased sewer rates being
charged; and expressed the opinion that many of the senior citizens have been misled by
not having seen the savings that the City promised.
Mr. Ron Planche, 6344 Forestridge Drive, expressed the opinion that there should
be a fair system of user pay; commented on the issue of industrial and residential waste
and the processing of industrial waste through the Region; suggested that residents put
a meter on their outside sprinkler system in order to monitor their water usage; and stated
that the City can separate out capital construction or reconstruction costs from the
operative costs and charge the residents for the sewage and water and not for the
replacement of the sewers.
A resident expressed concerns respecting her high water bill and stated that she
was on a fixed income and sole resident in her home; and questioned whether she might
have a water leak. She was advised to speak to Mr. Brian Wilkie of Niagara Falls Hydro
with regard to her specific concerns
Mr. Ed Mocniak, questioned why the City got water meters in the first place, he was
advised that it was to provide a more fair and equitable system. He also expressed
concerns regarding the water pressure for high rise hotels.
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Mr. John Lamb, 4651 Pettit Avenue, advised that he was in favour of having water
meters and provided comments on the sewage problems in Niagara Falls.
Ms. Lee Poirier, Chippawa, advised that she had saved on her water bill by cutting
back on water usage through the conservation of water, but expressed anger at still
having to pay the high sewer charges.
Mr. Tony Cerella, pensioner, expressed concerns regarding the high cost of water
and hydro and indicated that such costs were unfair to the pensioners in the community.
Mr. Garfield McComb, 6682 Riall St., expressed concerns regrading the high cost
of water and sewer charges.
Mr. Barry Kimpton, expressed concerns with regard to paying for the treatment of
storm water; and questioned what portion of sewer costs annually, are due to rainfall and
suggested that the costs should go back to the general tax rate; he further commented that
consideration be given to charging either a flat rate or having the costs placed onto the
general tax rate.
Mr. Clive Jones, 6296 Stamford Drive, expressed concerns with respect to sewer
consumption rates and service charges; referred to correspondence from Schlumberger
indicating that there would be no charges for water meter installation; he also referred to
a City Notice in the Niagara Falls Review advising of water /sewer service charges being
increased.
The Manager of Engineering Services provided clarification with respect to the costs
for the water meter installations.
The Director of Finance advised that the information in the notice had provided only
a broad coverage of information regarding an average increase throughout the year;
indicated that the cost for a meter was $175.00 included the installation; he further advised
that this presentation was required in order to provide information to the residents of
Niagara Falls on how the City charged for water and sewers.
In response to water rate comparisons between the City of Niagara Falls and St.
Catharines, the Director of Finance advised that the City compared the combined costs,
differences in value and assessment and make up of assessment; and compared the
normal water sewer bill and average home, the kinds of programs and services, the level
of services costs in that regard.
A concerned resident enquired whether he was charged for water and sewer if he
was away for 6 months of the year.
The Director of Municipal Works advised that there was a fixed charge, that there
were costs to maintain the infrastructure in the ground and that he would be charged for
water and sewer.
Mr Larry Owen expressed concerns regarding the service charges and sewer
consumption charges. He indicated that he had a lateral sewer line that had a collapsed
tile for 50 years; he was assured by the Director of Municipal Works that the City had the
technology to look into the sewer laterals and see if it was a collapsed tile and replace it.
Following the discussion, it was ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo,
seconded by Alderman Craitor, that the report be received and filed and to refer all
comments and concerns to staff for consideration and further report. Carried Unanimously.
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Following further discussion, it was ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Craitor,
seconded by Alderman Wing, that staff be directed to look toward making the City's
infrastructure repairs our number one priority and to direct any unexpected revenues
toward the Infrastructure system. The motion was Lost with the following vote:
NAPE: Aldermen Fisher; Hendershot; Pietrangelo, Campbell, Volpatti and
Mayor Thomson.
AYE: Aldermen Wing, loannoni, Federow, Orr, Puttick, and Craitor
CD- 2001 -11 -Chief Administrative Officer -Re: Minutes of Council Meeting of August
13, 2001. The report recommends that Council authorize the amendment to the Minutes
of the August 13, 2001 Council Meeting as outlined in the report.
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Pietrangelo, that
the report be received and adopted. Carried Unanimously.
BY -LAWS
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Campbell, that
leave be granted to introduce the following by -laws, and the by -laws be read a first time:
2001 -201 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Zimmerman Avenue Road Construction)
2001 -202 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Millennium Trail Phase I)
2001 -203 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Wiltshire Boulevard Road Reconstruction)
2001 -204 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures :'(Re: Collins Drive/Toby Crescent)
Carried Unanimously.
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Pietrangelo, seconded by Alderman Volpatti, that
the by -laws be read a second arid third time:
2001 -201 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Zimmerman Avenue Road Construction)
2001 -202 A by -law td authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Millennium Trail Phase I)
2001 -203 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures. (Re: Wiltshire Boulevard Road Reconstruction)
2001 -204 A by -law to authorize the Council to borrow money by way of
debentures` (Re: Collins Drive/Toby Crescent)
Carried Unanimously.
Lifting of Parking Restrictions
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Gary Hendershot advised that the Jewish High Holidays would be
celebrated this Tuesday, Wednesday and next Wednesday and Thursday and that the
Jewish Synagogue on Ferry Street had been ticketed; he requested that the parking
restrictions be lifted during the holidays.
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Hendershot, seconded by Alderman Orr, that the
parking restrictions be lifted at the Jewish synagogue on Ferry Street, this Tuesday and
Wednesday and next Wednesday and Thursday for the Jewish High Holidays.
Carried Unanimously.
Minor Hockey Reports
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ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Fisher, seconded by Alderman Volpatti, that Council
receive a copy of the OMH Committee report as soon as possible for information. Carried
Unanimously.
Overpayment of Taxes
Alderman Craitor referred to the Assessment and Notices of Appeal regarding the
overpayment of taxes. He advised that the individuals had won the appeals and requested
that they be reimbursed their overpayment of taxes as soon as possible.
READ AND ADOPTED,
ORDERED on the motion of Alderman Volpatti, seconded by Alderman Hendershot, that
the meeting be adjourned. Carried Unanimously.
E. C. WAGG, CITY CL YNE THOMSON, MAYOR