Update on Strategic Initiatives

Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Niagara Falls, Ken Todd, provided Council with an update on six of Council's strategic initiatives at Tuesday's meeting.

The six updates included:

GO Train to Niagara
Inter-Municipal Transit
Niagara Health System (NHS) Niagara South Hospital
Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Casino Patrol Unit
Niagara District Airport (NDA)
Canadian National (CN) Rail Crossings in Niagara Falls

View the details of each update.

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Allister Young Arts & Culture Endowment Fund 2016 Recipient

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Tristan Zammit was recognized as the 2016 Allister Young Arts & Culture Endowment Fund recipient.

The Allister Young Arts & Culture Endowment Fund is awarded annually to one Niagara Falls resident in any creative arts field. Tristan is a local 2D Animator and Illustrator who has created animation for web and TV based program.

Congratulations to Tristan and all the other applicants!

View Tristan's portfolio.

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District School Board of Niagara

Helga Campbell, Trustee for the District School Board of Niagara, made a presentation to Council on general facts and updates about the school board at Tuesday's meeting.

Low Income Seniors' Water & Property Tax Rebate

Applications for the Low Income Seniors' Water Rebate and Low Income Seniors' Property Tax Rebate program will become available on July 4, 2016 until October 31, 2016.

Applications for both rebates will be made available at City Hall, the MacBain Centre or online at www.niagarafalls.ca

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Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program

The Federal Government recently announced the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program. This program includes a funding commitment of $150 million over two years to assist municipalities in their plans to renovate, expand or improve existing community or cultural infrastructure.

At the request of Council, staff have been directed to submit an application for funding for the design and construction for the following two projects under the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program:

Sylvia Place Market (estimated project cost $2.0 million)
Chippawa Lions Park (estimated project cost $1.0 million)

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Alterations Approved for Cummington Square

At the June 14, 2016 City Council meeting, Council approved the proposed alterations to Cummington Square in Chippawa. The alterations will not alter its heritage designation, and will assist in the preservation and enhance continued use of the square as a public gathering place.

The alterations include:

Installation of a memorial bench in honour of Don Ede
Enlarging the concrete area in front of the bandstand
Placement of the cornerstone from the former Chippawa Post Office
Landscaping and the installation of new plant material

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Road Closures: Highway 420 and QEW Rehabilitation

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be rehabilitating 5 structures within Niagara Falls, and undertaking resurfacing of Highway 420 from Stanley Avenue to Montrose Road and the Highway 420 interchange including all ramps and crossing roads, over the next two years.

Upcoming Road Closures

Closure - 420 Eastbound to QEW Northbound
Closure - QEW Southbound (Fort Erie) to Hwy 420 Eastbound

Full closure both lanes.
Thursday June 16 – 11 pm to 6 am

Long Term Closure
The ramp Hwy 420 Westbound to QEW Fort Erie will be closed until late Fall and a signed detour route will be in place.

During this time period, please use signed detour route(s).

Road and ramp closures will be in effect while the rehabilitation work takes place. We will provide the details regarding these future closures as the information becomes available.

Morrison Hershfield is the MTO’s Contract Administrator for this project.

For more information, contact:
Katherine Kirkpatrick, Principal Contract Administrator, Morrison Hershfield
Phone: 289-434-4297 Email: Hwy420QEW@morrisonhershfield.com

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Porchfest Niagara Falls

The first ever Porchfest Niagara Falls will be held on Sunday July 24, 2016 in downtown Niagara Fall!

Porchfests are annual music events held across the United States and Canada on front porches, bringing local musicians and neighbourhoods together to celebrate and create a sense of community.

Porchfest is a celebration of music and community. Musicians will perform on porches in the residential neighbourhoods of downtown Niagara Falls.

Bring your family and friends, slather on the sunscreen and wander from proch to porch, on foot or by bike, and enjoy an afternoon of amazingly talented local musicians.

This is a free event - musicians play for tips only. Tip jars will be located on each porch.

Free parking will be available at all City lots in the Queen Street district. After the event, check out the restaurants along Queen Street for a bite to eat or a cold beverage!

Visit porchfestnf.ca for details.

Livestock Niagara

Celebrate the 2nd Annual Livestock Niagara on Sunday July 17, 2016 at Taps Brewery (4680 Queen St., Niagara Falls).

Livestock Niagara is a FREE festival featuring over 40 bands on 4 stages over a 12 hour day!

Visit livestockniagara.com

Special Recognition: Hilde Mercnik

At Tuesday's meeting, Mayor Jim Diodati, along with Council, recognized Hilde Mercnik, the proprietor of the Happy Wanderer restaurant, for her many years of service in the local hospitality industry.

Thank you Hilde for your many years of contribution!

Proclamation: Peace Flags in the Wind

The week of June 19-24, 2016 has been proclaimed as 'Peace Flags in the Winds'.

'Peace Flags in the Wind' is an international traveling art installation that uses art as catalyst to bring peace, happiness and oneness into the world by asking the public to create a symbol representing their individual vision for their life's journey to peace.

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Proclamation: Garden Day in Niagara Falls

Council proclaimed Friday, June 17, 2016 as the Garden Day in Niagara Falls.

Garden Day is a country-wide celebration, celebrating the role of gardens in our lives and communities.

On June 17, we will celebrate Niagara Falls garden culture and heritage, along with our local landscape, nursery and garden industry.

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Next City Council Meeting: July 12, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.