City Council Meeting: May 12, 2015

Niagara Falls City Council To Open Council Meetings With Singing of "O Canada"

At last night's meeting, it was decided that Niagara Falls City Council will no longer recite an opening prayer before each Council meeting, ending the decades old tradition. The decision was influenced by recent Human Rights and court decisions that have called into question the practice at municipal councils. It was also influenced by the Supreme Courts decision on the issue released last month.

Council will now open the meetings with the singing of "O Canada", a moment of reflection (silence) or alternatively a motivational, non-denominational reading. Similarly, Fort Erie and some other Niagara municipalities are looking at the possibility of a mission or focus statement opening their proceedings. 

Council Commits OLG 2015 Reserve Funds

The City of Niagara Falls recently received the reconciliation of annual revenue for the second year of OLG's Municipality Contribution Agreement for hosting two casinos. The total amount the City received for 2015 was $21,468,273, compared to the $21,263,695 received in 2014. 

During recent budget deliberations, City Council has committed $17,285,736 of the revenue to operational and capital needs. Council has agreed that the balance of funds will be allocated to capital projects identified by Senior management that currently do not have funding.

Council approved the following additional 2015 projects, totaling $4,177,105, to be funded from the OLG Municipal Contribution Agreement:

• Tree Planting $37,500
• Fleet Purchase (including transportation) $400,000
• Buchanan Avenue Reconstruction $2,176,000
• Sidewalk Replacement $150,000
• Royal Manor Bridge Design $50,000
• Peer Street/Grey Street Design $100,000
• Fire Station 3 Renovations $60,000
• Fire Administration Roof Replacement $45,000
• Cemetery Renovations $246,000
• Boiler Replacement - Armoury Building $60,000
• Oaks Park Grand Stand Improvements $315,000
• Battlefield Park $150,000
• George Bukator Park Improvements $250,000
• Fire Station Diesel Fumes Extraction $99,515
• Second Ave. Sanitary Sewer Design $38,000
  Total: $4,177,015

The revenues received in 2014 from the OLG contribution agreement have been used in a variety of ways including levy reduction, capital reinvestment, regional policing, establishment of a reserve for future hospital development and economic development initiatives.

The following is a summary of how the money from the OLG has been spent over the past two(2) years: 

• Capital Asset Reinvestment 49.10%
• Tax Levy Support 28.40%
• Niagara Regional Police Contract 19.80%
• Economic Development Initiatives 1.73%
• Contribution to Hospital Reserve 1.00 %
  Total: 100.00%

Furthermore is a summary of the allocation of Capital Investments by City Responsibility: 

• Core Infrastructure (Roads, Sewer, Water, Bridges, Sidewalks) Investments 67.00%
• Park Investments 9.90% 
• Fleet Purchases 5.50%
• Transit Investments 3.40%
• Building Investments 3.60%
• Fire Investments 2.80%
• Transportation Investments 1.90%
• Parking Asset Investments 1.70%
• Other Municipal Investments 4.20% 
  Total: 100.00% 

The OLG Agreement has had, and will continue to have, a positive impact on the City of Niagara Falls. The spending has been focused on core areas, with the majority of capital investments to core infrastructure improvements, fleet and park and recreational improvements.  

Open Air Burning By-law Remains In Review

Council has agreed to maintain the existing provisions of the Open Air Burning By-law until staff report back on options to better regulate recreational camp fires. The current by-law is in conformance with the Ontario Fire Code (OFC) and allows for "approved" fires by the Chief Fire Official which can be addressed conditionally, city-wide or within defined areas. Certified gaseous fuel appliances are also allowed by the OFC (e.g. barbecues, gas fire pits).This includes approved devices that burn similar to a gas fireplace but are for outdoor use. View the City of Niagara Falls Open Air By-law

Council Approves Stamford Green Shopping Plaza Expansion

Council has approved the expansion of the Stamford Green Shopping Plaza located on Portage Road. The expansion will realign parking spaces, and will allow for the construction of 335 square meter commercial building within the plaza. 

Council Turns Down Application for New Apartment Complex

Council unanimously voted against the construction of a new rental apartment complex, containing a total of 154 units, within two buildings. The apartment complex was planned to be constructed on a 1.4 hectare parcel of land on Dorchester Road, the former site of Diamond Jubilee School.  

Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara 

Last night Council received a presentation regarding the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara. The Centre opened in the Fall of 2008, and serves the Niagara Region, helping children and families cope with the life altering impact of child abuse. 

National Public Works Week: May 17-23, 2015

The week of May 17-23, 2015 is National Public Works Week. This week calls upon all citizens and civic organizations to acquaint themselves with the issues involved in providing our public works and to recognize the contributions which public works officials make every day to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life.