October 26, 2021 City Council Meeting
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Niagara Region 1-5 Year Transportation Capital Budget Outlook
Carolyn Ryall, Director Transportation Services and Frank Tassone, Associate Director - Transportation Engineering for the Region of Niagara, shared a presentation reviewing the 1-5 Year Transportation Capital Budget Outlook for projects in Niagara Falls. Niagara Region’s Capital Transportation Budget is broken down into four (4) main areas:
- Network Expansion
- Intersection Improvement
- Road Rehabilitation, and
- Structure Rehabilitation.
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Recreation, Culture & Parks Plan
Consultants from Monteith Brown Planning, Todd Brown and Anand Desai shared a presentation on the new City of Niagara Falls' Recreation, Culture & Parks Plan. The Recreation, Culture & Parks Plan will guide services provided by the City of Niagara Falls between 2021 and 2031.
The plan includes:
- indoor and outdoor recreation facilities operated through the Recreation & Culture Department;
- arts and cultural facilities operated through the Recreation & Culture Department;
- parks and open spaces maintained by the Municipal Works Department;
- and programs and services offered throughout the municipal recreation, culture and parks system.
Council approved the Plan and directed staff to report back to Council with a detailed formal implementation plan to include timing and financial impact.
R&C-2021-17-RCP Plan
R&C-2021-17 - Attachment #1 Niagara Falls RCPMP_DRAFT v3_Aug30
Niagara Falls Council Presentation October 2021 RCP Plan
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City Of Niagara Falls Climate Adaptation Plan
James Sticca, City of Niagara Falls Manager of Environmental Services and Dr. Jessica Blythe, Assistant Professor at Brock University's Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, shared a brief presentation regarding the new City of Niagara Falls Climate Adaptation Plan. The Plan was developed to initiate climate adaptation on the Municipal level. Staff will move forward with the five following Plan objectives, and develop an integrated project approach to moving the plan forward within the corporation’s overall activities:
- Increase climate change literacy among staff and public
- Invest in infrastructure and assets that are prepared for the impacts of climate change
- Encourage green methods of transportation
- Create and implement energy conservation strategies for City facilities
- Mitigate consequences of extreme weather, emergency events and safety risks to the community
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2022 Budget Road Map
Niagara Falls Chief Administrative Officer Jason Burgess provided a presentation for discussion on the 2022 Budget Road Map. It included an overview of the 2022 Budget process, budget pressures for 2022, the implications of Niagara Falls future growth, and how we can effectively use debt room, tax room and reserves moving forward.
View the 2022 Budget Road Map presentation.
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Niagara Falls Exchange Operating Plan
Construction on The Exchange, the City’s new market facility, gathering space and culture hub, commenced in late 2020, and is expected to be complete mid-2022. To prepare for the opening, recruitment for new positions will begin to ensure that proper planning, facility maintenance and community needs are met. Staff will need to bring in artists for the studios, establish a gallery schedule, work with café operators, build the Farmers’ Market capacity, establish new policies and practices and work with the community on utilizing the facility for many events and activities. On Tuesday, Council approved the hiring of two full-time caretakers and a Culture Development Coordinator.
R&C-2021-15- Niagara Falls Exchange Operating Plan.docx
R&C-2021-15- Attachment #1 Operating and Business Plan
R&C-2021-15- Attachment #2 Draft NF Exchange budget of new costs
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Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism / Discrimination Policy
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Gale Centre Press Box to be named to honour Steve Ludzik
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Additional Reports and Presentations
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- Naming and Renaming of City Property Policy
- A policy addressing the Naming and Renaming of City Property Policy was approved at Tuesday’s meeting. The name and purpose of the policy has been revised to outline a procedure for naming or renaming City Property including buildings, parks/open spaces and amenities. Commemorative naming refers to the naming of a property in honour of outstanding achievement, distinctive service, or significant community contribution, generally without financial consideration.
- Integrity Commissioner - 15052-0921 MCIA - (Burdett/Diodati and Thomson)
- A letter from the Integrity Commissioner in regard to a complaint filed against Mayor Jim Diodati and Councillor Wayne Thompson (as well as other unspecified Councillors) was dismissed as the Complaint did not set forth any or sufficient grounds for conducting an investigation under the City’s Code of Conduct for Members of Council.
- Children’s Memorial Walkway – Update
- Niagara Falls City Council authorized the development of the site works for the Children’s Memorial Walkway at Firemen’s Park with a capital budget of $160,000 as tendered bids exceeded the approved budget. Council directed staff to maintain the tender (scheduled to start in Spring) and investigate how to accept donations to cover the shortfall (approximately $30,000) and to complete the project as envisioned.
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Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illumination Requests
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Proclamation | November 26, 2021
Economic Abuse Awareness Day
The Canadian Centre for Women's Empowerment (CCFWE), a national organization providing resources and programs to support survivors of domestic violence and help them recover from economic abuse, along with raising awareness and advocacy for economic justice requested that the City of Niagara Falls declare Friday, November 26, 2021 as "Economic Abuse Awareness Day."
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Proclamation & Illumination Request |
November 30, 2021
Giving Tuesday
Niagara Gives is a local organization, encouraging people to be involved in Giving Tuesday, a national movement to promote the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners - nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals - to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness. Niagara Gives is requesting that the City of Niagara Falls officially proclaim Tuesday, November 30, 2021 as "Giving Tuesday" and to request that the City of Niagara Falls commit to illuminating the Falls in red, blue, white and gold - the colours of the global Giving Tuesday movement, from 7 pm to 8 pm on November 30, 2021.
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Upcoming Proclamations. Flag-Raising and Illuminations
(approved at previous Council meetings)
Proclamation | Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (October 2021)
Illumination | Rett Syndrome Awareness Month (October 29, 2021)
Flag-raising | HIV/AIDS Awareness Week (November 22, 2021)
Flag-raising | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
(November 25, 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)
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Next Council Meeting: November 16, 2021
The next City Council meeting will be held on November 16, 2021. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
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