March 3, 2020 City Council Meeting
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State of the City with Mayor Jim Diodati
On Thursday, March 26, 2020, Mayor Jim Diodati will be presenting his annual State of the City address, sharing his vision for Niagara Falls in 2020 and beyond. This will be Mayor Diodati’s first State of the City in two years, and will include a luncheon for local businesses and residents. The address will be held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are on sale now.
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2020 Operating Budget Approved
At Tuesday's meeting, Niagara Falls Council passed the 2020 Operating Budget, with a tax levy increase of 3.5%, the equivalent of approximately $64 for the average Niagara Falls homeowner. Niagara Falls 2020 tax increase is the third lowest of the 11 municipalities in the region that approved tax levy hikes this year.
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Two New Hotel Towers Approved for Fallsview Boulevard
Council approved the zoning by-law amendment application to allow for the construction of a 16-storey Hyatt Regency and a 14-storey Hyatt Centric to be built on Fallsview Boulevard. The two-co-joined towers will replace the existing 6-storey Best Western Hotel, adding another 1,095 hotel rooms and create more than 1,500 jobs.
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Seniors Ride Free Transit Pilot Program Review
In the Fall of 2019, Council approved a three month Seniors Ride Transit Free pilot program, at the request of the Seniors Advisory Committee. Throughout the pilot, nearly 1,500 passes were issued, including 219 to new users. The program proved to be successful at increasing ridership within the City with minimal impact of service delivery. However, the legislated requirement to provide parallel rate structures for both conventional and paratransit services resulted in the program having a negative impact on the Chair-A-Van service. As an alternative to free transit for all resident seniors 65 or older, staff recommended providing subsidized transit passes to low income senior residents. Council referred the report back to staff, and requested an update on the status and budget implications on Chair-A-Van.
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Niagara Falls Cultural Ambassadors Update
Following the retirement of City Historian Sherman Zavitz, the Niagara Falls Cultural Committee is looking to fill the role of "Historian in Residence". This revised role will provide new perspectives on our history to be presented to the community in a way similar to the former City Historian position. The roles and responsibilities may include: walking tours, lectures, events, podcasts, virtual exhibitions or other ways of presenting our history to the community. The proposed Poet Laureate position was not approved, due to budget constraints.
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Housing Directions Study Approved
On Tuesday, Council approved the request for staff to undertake a Housing Directions Study to help guide future housing initiatives in the City.
The City's Housing Directions Study will aim to:
- Understand the current and future demographic profile of the City.
- Assess and quantify the current and future housing need in the City
- Develop a more diverse housing stock that will accommodate the broad needs of an increasingly diverse community.
- Address how the City can utilize intensification opportunities to meet long-term housing requirements.
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Council received additional applications and reports at the March 3, 2020 meeting, including:
- PBD-2020-04 Matters Arising from Municipal Heritage Committee
- MW-2020-02 Gunning and Mears Sewage Pumping Station Upgrades
- MW-2020-03 Kitchener Street Sewer Separation
- TS-2020-11 Third Avenue – Parking Review
- Niagara Regional Housing 4th Quarter Report
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Recognition, Proclamations & Events
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Event: Komedy for Kidney's
Organizers of the Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show are proud to announce the 13th annual event will feature some of Canada’s funniest stand-up comedians on Thursday, March 12th (World Kidney Day) at the Greg Frewin Theatre. Event proceeds will be donated to the Niagara Health Foundation in support of Dialysis Care in Niagara. Tickets are on sale now.
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Proclaimation: Fresh Air Fund Day
March 20, 2020 has been proclaimed as Fresh Air Fund Day in Niagara Falls. This year, The Fresh Air Fund will celebrate its 144th summer of providing children with free, fun and safe summer experiences. Learn more.
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Flag Raising: Autism Ontario
A flag will be raised in honour of Autism Ontario's "Raise the Flag" campaign on April 2, 2020, officially recognizing World Autism Awareness Day in Niagara Falls. The goal is to increase awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism and their families. Learn more.
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Event: Hockey Canada Foundation Gala
Larry Landon, Executive Director of the Professional Hockey Players Association, along with Honourary Co-Chair, Marcel Dionne presented to Council information pertaining to the upcoming Hockey Canada Foundation 2020 Gala. The annual event will be hosted in Niagara Falls, June 15-16, 2020 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. View more information.
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Next Council Meeting: March 24, 2020
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Council Meetings
Niagara Falls City Council meetings can be viewed live on the City's Vimeo Channel. The next meeting will be held on March 24. 2020. Minutes from past Council meetings can also be viewed online, once they have been approved. Find them at niagarafalls.ca/council.
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