May 11, 2021 City Council Meeting
|
|
|
|
City of Niagara Falls - Virtual Grand Opening of Fire Station No. 7
|
|
|
Niagara Falls Fire Station No. 7 - Virtual Grand Opening
The City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Fire Department are proud to officially open the City's newest Fire Station! Located at 8530 Lundy’s Lane, Station 7 is a state-of-the-art fire station, built for the future of fire service in our community. This station will extend our established high level of fire service with prompt response times to our expanding community in this area.
On behalf of the Niagara Falls Firefighters, Justin Canestraro, Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters’ Association (NFPFFA) President, thanked City Council and Senior Staff for the efforts put forth to allow for the completion of Fire Station #7.
Stay tuned to the City's social media and website for a complete, in-depth virtual tour of the station!
|
|
|
|
Whirlpool Road Pedestrian Bridge - Installation
|
|
|
Installation of the Whirlpool Road Pedestrian Bridge
The Whirlpool Road Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Extension project is the first step toward establishing a safe and convenient way for users of the Millennium Trail to continue along to the Niagara Parkway Recreational Trail. This project is being implemented for the City of Niagara Falls by Rankin Construction Inc. and is expected to open to the public in Summer 2021.
|
|
|
Brown Road is getting a Bike Lane!
A painted and signed bike lane will be established in the westbound lane of Brown Road between Hackberry Trail and Kalar Road. When cyclists reach Kalar Road, they can continue straight on Brown Road along the existing bike lanes to west of Chestnut Crescent (at the western end of the subdivision), or they can turn right onto Kalar Road which has a continuous bike lane to Lundy’s Lane. An eastbound bike lane through this corridor will be established when the south side of Brown Road is widened.
|
|
|
Mountain Road Landfill End-Use Master Plan
Council received information from staff regarding development of an updated end-use master plan for the Mountain Road Landfill that incorporates some, or all, of Firemen’s Park and 2430 Mewburn Road properties. The plan presents a major opportunity for the City of Niagara Falls to add up to 94 hectares (234 acres) of new naturalized and/or passive outdoor recreation space (in addition to those already present at Firemen’s Park) for residents and visitors to enjoy. The end-use plan will be considered during the 2022 Capital Budget Review process.
|
|
|
UPDATE: Queen Street – 2021 Promenade Proposal
Staff were requested by Council to review alternatives along Queen Street to allow for the creation of a pedestrian promenade while taking into consideration the concerns raised by area residents and merchants. At the Council meeting, approval was given to allow for the installation of the permanent metal gates within a one block area (between St. Lawrence Avenue and Crysler Avenue).
Road closures will only be permitted during event times on weekends, and after 5:00PM on weekdays, when a SpecialEvents/Road Use Permit has been obtained.
|
|
|
Chippawa Boat Ramp Operational Review Results
Based on the results of engagement with the public through the City’s Let’s Talk Niagara Falls site and an online survey, Council authorized staff to increase signage and enhance parking enforcement at the Chippawa Boat Ramp, and directed staff to closely monitor the ongoing operational challenges that arise during the Summer of 2021.
The survey comments indicated a very strong concern for the safety of swimmers and floaters in inflatables who frequently congregate around the tie-up docks and boat ramp, and Council responded by restricting the Chippawa Boat Ramp facilities from swimming. Council will also consider a Chippawa Waterfront Recreation Plan as part of the 2022 Capital Budget process, and established a Committee to include Councillors Thomson, Strange and Dabrowski, resident Jay Mason, and St. John Ambulance.
|
|
|
Former Parks, Recreation and Culture Building Proposed End Use
The former Parks, Recreation and Culture Building has been vacant since September 2005 after operations were moved to the MacBain Community Centre. Over the past 14 years, there has been substantial deterioration of the interior and exterior of the building. The sale of the lands and building has become less attractive due to its condition. The costs to renovate the building and/or modify the structure for an indoor columbarium are prohibitive. Council reaffirmed their intention to remove the Heritage Designation, in order to proceed with demolition of the building and incorporate the property into the current landscape of Lundy’s Lane Cemetery; including the development of much needed Columbarium Niches and additional in ground lots.
|
|
|
Licensing By-law for Vacation Rental Units and Bed and Breakfast
Council passed the Licensing By-law for Vacation Rental Units and Bed and Breakfasts and the associated amendment to the Municipal Accommodation Tax By-law. The new by-law establishes new contemporary definitions, operational rules and inspection requirements which must be met before opening. Under the new by-law, these licenses remain the property of the City and are non-transferrable. In addition, any operator who receives 3 violation notices will have his license suspended. Anyone caught operating without a license would be subject to a chargeable offence.
|
|
|
Tax Relief Application for Sickness or Extreme Poverty
Section 357 (1)(d.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 allows a municipality, through Council authority, to cancel, reduce or refund property taxes due to sickness or extreme poverty. These types of applications are not administrative in nature and would require the applicant to disclose significant personal health and/or financial information. Council delegated this authority to the Assessment Review Board (ARB), an independent adjudicative tribunal, authorized and trained to hear Municipal Act appeals such as these.
|
|
2021 Property Tax Rates
The 2021 General Purposes Budget was approved on February 9, 2021 with amendments made on April 20, 2021. The annual general levy of $74,177,044 was approved at this time. Council approved the new City tax rates reflecting the approved general levy.
View the full report (F-2021-30).
View the attachment.
|
|
|
Niagara District Airport Long Term Lease
Council endorsed seeking an interested private-sector partner through a Request for Proposals (RFP)to engage in a long-term lease for the operation and management of the Niagara District Airport, with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake maintaining control of the ownership.
View the full report (CAO-2021-02).
|
|
|
|
Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) Proposes a Regional Youth Advisory Committee
On behalf of MYAC, Salony Sharma and Arul Dilwaria made a virtual presentation to Council proposing a Regional Youth Advisory Committee to facilitate collaboration between student leaders in each municipality of the Region.
|
|
|
The complete list of reports, including consent agenda items, may be viewed in the May 11, 2021 agenda at niagarafalls.ca/council.
|
|
|
Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illumination Requests
|
|
|
Proclamation | May 16 - 21, 2021
National Public Works Week
City Council proclaimed the week of May 16 - 21, 2021 as "National Public Works Week." The theme this year is "Stronger Together" and aims to educate, engage and inform the public about the essential role public works plays in the quality of life.
|
|
|
|
Flag-Raising | May 18, 2021 | Haitian Day
The City of Niagara Falls has declared Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 as "Haitian Day" and will raise the Haitian Flag in its honour.
|
|
|
|
Flag-Raising | June 1, 2021
Niagara Pride Week
The City of Niagara Falls will participate in the annual flag-raising on Tuesday, June 1st for Niagara Pride Week.
|
|
|
|
Flag-Raising | June 4, 2021
Italian Heritage Month
The City of Niagara Falls will raise the Italian flag on June 4th, 2021 to honour Italian Heritage Month.
|
|
|
|
Proclamation | June 7-13, 2021
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week
The week of June 7-13, 2021 has been proclaimed as Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Awareness Week in the City of Niagara Falls. The week provides an opportunity for the public to better understand HS, a chronic, inflammatory skin disease.
|
|
|
|
Illumination | December 2, 2021
Women's Brain Health Day
The Horseshoe Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls will be illuminated in purple the evening of Thursday, December 2nd, 2021, in recognition of Women's Brain Health Day.
|
|
|
Next Council Meeting: June 1, 2021
The next City Council meeting will be held on June 1, 2021. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
