October 5, 2021 City Council Meeting
|
|
|
City of Niagara Falls Vaccination Policy | UPDATE
On Tuesday night, Council received a report providing an update on the implementation of the vaccine policy for City staff. Staff were directed to also provide Council with a vaccination status update after November 15, 2021 to include the percentage of City employees who are vaccinated.
CAO-2021-07 - Vaccination Policy Update
|
|
|
Access to City Facilities
All City facilities require anyone over 12 years of age to be fully vaccinated and able to provide proof of their vaccination status along with photo ID to access our facilities. Persons without proof of vaccination, wishing to access regular services will be required to book an appointment where alternative service delivery options may be accommodated.
|
|
|
Future Strategic Growth Direction: Intensification Target
The purpose of Future Strategic Growth Direction: Intensification Target report was to provide a review of Regional Report PDS 33-2021 and seek Council’s endorsement to strategically direct the City’s future housing growth. The Regional report provides an overview of population allocations and future land needs.
Council endorsed:
- the Regional forecast of 44,430 additional people and 20,330 jobs for the City of Niagara Falls by 2051.
- option 1 to direct 50 percent of the City's future housing growth to the City's Built-Up area.
- staff being directed to notify the Region of the preferred intensification target to help guide the Region's upcoming Settlement Area Boundary Review assessment.
Interesting Facts:
- the City will grow to a population of 141,650 people and 58,110 jobs by 2051.
- the anticipated growth in the population of 44,430 people will require the construction of more than 20,000 new units of housing over the next 30 years.
- the Region assigned a draft 50% intensification target for the City resulting in the need to expand the City’s urban land supply by 272 hectares.
- the Region provides that the majority of the City’s new housing growth should be in the form of single and semi-detached residential units constructed on Greenfield lands.
|
|
Integrity Commissioner Report
The Integrity Commissioner Report (IC-13443-0421 - Peebles/Pietrangelo) dismissed this complaint on the basis that it is vexatious and was made in bad faith. It also concluded that even if the matter were not to be dismissed on this preliminary issue, there is nevertheless no basis on which to make a finding of a contravention against the Councillor, as the Councillor had no definable and/or real pecuniary interest in the March 23rd Resolution.
|
|
|
New on-street Bicycle Lanes on Morrison Street!
|
|
|
Garner Road Basketball Courts
The basketball goal at Garner Park was vandalized and rendered unusable in Fall 2020. City Staff conducted a neighbourhood survey to determine what recreational amenity replacement would be preferred by local residents. Based on all feedback and the existing area recreational amenities, Council approved staff's recommendation to install a new multi-sport goal and a children’s ball game goal.
MW-2021-67 Garner Park Basketball Court
|
|
|
Property Tax Penalty and Interest Rate
The property tax and interest rates have been set at 0.5% per month for the 2021 fiscal period, as Council had decided to reduce interest on taxes owed to the City to support businesses and the community as the City dealt with the impacts of the global pandemic. At Tuesday's meeting, Council reinstated the penalty and interest rate for unpaid property taxes to 1%, for the next 6 months, starting November 1, 2021. Staff are to report back to Council in 6 months.
F-2021-52 2021 Property Tax Penalty and Interest Rate
F-2021-52 Attachment 1
F-2021-52 Attachment 2
|
|
|
2022 Budget Engagement
The 2022 Budget page on Let’s Talk Niagara Falls is a one-stop shop for the latest news, updates, and engagement opportunities relating to next year’s budget. Residents are encourage to:
Feedback will be received until Friday October 29, and will be shared with City staff and Council as part of the 2022 City budget process. To learn more and have your say, visit at letstalk.niagarafalls.ca.
|
|
|
Additional Reports and Presentations
|
|
- 2022 Schedule of Fees
- The schedule of fees is a consolidated list of fees charged by City departments. These fees are an important revenue source and reduce the amount of property tax revenue to be raised by the City. City Council approved the 2022 Schedule Fees effective January 1st.
- Civic Petitions Procedure
- Council approved a process whereby residents may submit a petition to Council. Petitions have appeared previously at Council by way of an established agenda and as well as occasionally being informally introduced. Establishing formal procedures will assist the public, staff and Council on how to best introduce civic petitions.
- 2022 Council Meeting Schedule
- The proposed 2022 Council Meeting schedule was approved on Tuesday night. In addition to the scheduled meetings, special meetings can be called if needed, as per the Procedural bylaw. The 2022 meeting schedule includes the following dates:
- January 18, February 8, March 1, March 22, April 12, May 10, May 31, June 21, July 12, August 9, November 22 and December 13, 2022.
- PBD-2021-55, AM-2021-012
- Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Application, 2788-2798 St. Paul Avenue | 5 Storey Building with 39 Apartment Dwellings
|
|
|
Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illumination Requests
|
|
Proclamation | October 1 - 31, 2021
Islamic History Month
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women Niagara Halton requested Council to proclaim "Islamic History Month" from October 1st - 31st, 2021. This month acknowledges and provides unity for the those who identify as Muslim in the community. ihmcanada.com
|
|
|
Proclamation | October 3 - 9, 2021
Meals on Wheels Week
Meals on Wheels is a non-profit, volunteer service providing home delivery of hot and/or frozen nutritious, well-balanced meals to seniors and physically or mentally challenged individuals. The week celebrates their service to the community. mownf.org
|
|
|
Proclamation | October 23-29, 2021
Respiratory Therapy Week
The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) celebrates Respiratory Therapy Week annually.
Council proclaimed this week-long celebration that serves to educate the public about the varied roles and responsibilities of respiratory therapists and raises awareness of the significant contribution made by respiratory therapists across our health care system. www.csrt.com
|
|
|
Flag-raising | November 22, 2021
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week
Positive Living Niagara requested that Council approve a flag-raising for Monday, November 22, 2021 for HIV/AIDS Awareness Week. It's an occasion to raise awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS issues nationally and culminates in the international observance of World AIDS Day. positivelivingniagara.com
|
|
|
Flag-raising | November 25, 2021
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25th marks both the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Council proclaimed November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and will be raising a Wrapped in Courage flag on November 25th to raise awareness and promote gender equality. un.org
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Proclamations. Flag-Raising and Illuminations
(approved at previous Council meetings)
Proclamation | Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (October 2021)
Proclamation | Fire Prevention Week (October 3 - 9, 2021)
Proclamation | Waste Reduction Week in Canada (October 18 - 24, 2021)
Proclamation | Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day (October 21, 2021)
Illumination | Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (October 29, 2021)
Flag-raising | 16 Days of Activism Gender Based Violence (November 25 - December 10, 2021)
Illumination | Women's Brain Health Day (December 2, 2021)
Proclamation | Bullying Elimination Week (May 23 - 30, 2022)
|
|
Next Council Meeting: October 26, 2021
The next City Council meeting will be held on October 26, 2021. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
