December 10, 2024, City Council Meeting
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Niagara Falls Innovation Hub
The Niagara Falls Innovation Hub aims to offer entrepreneurs an affordable environment for growth so they can better position themselves to succeed in today’s economy.
Their mission is to create an affordable, all-encompassing, collaborative workspace that provides tailored programming, tech resources, piloting and validation opportunities, and expertise to assist entrepreneurs in Niagara in growing, scaling, creating jobs, and diversifying the economy.
Dan Bordenave, from the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, presented his annual presentation to the Council on the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, reviewed 2024, and shared the vision for 2025.
Learn more about the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub.
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Niagara Association of Realtors Presentation
Nathan Morrissette, Chair of the Niagara Association of Realtors, along with Christopher Connor, External Relations Coordinator from Niagara Association of Realtors, presented housing statistics for the Niagara Region to Council, as polled by Nik Nanos of Nanos Research.
The Niagara Association of Realtors represents more than 1,450 members serving the Niagara Region. They strive to be a leading catalyst for positive change in the real estate industry, driving growth, prosperity, and community development throughout the Niagara Region.
View the presentation.
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Physician Recruitment Update and 2025 Budget Consideration
Dale Morton, the City of Niagara Falls' Director of Communications, and Jill Croteau, the Niagara Region's Physician Recruitment Specialist, presented a recruitment update to Council.
Since 2000, the City of Niagara Falls has managed a Physician Recruitment program to attract more family doctors. The program has an annual budget of $300,000, which provides incentives of up to $50,000 per physician (plus moving expenses in some cases) for coming to the City to practice family medicine.
There are 40 practicing family doctors and a shortage of 36, the largest among Niagara Regional municipalities.
Increasing the incentive amount could encourage more doctors to locate in the City of Niagara Falls beginning in 2025.
Council received the report and referred the funding decision for the Family Physician Recruitment program to the 2025 Tax Levy-Supported Operating Budget.
View the report. View the presentation.
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Mayor's Proposed 2025 Water and Wastewater Budgets
Council approved the 2025 Mayor's Proposed Water and Wastewater Budgets and the use of reserve funding, as presented by Tiffany Clark, Director of Finance. The budgets and associated rates will take effect on January 1, 2025.
The presentation included details of:
- The 2025 Utility Budget, which includes Water and Wastewater
- The two-tiered service delivery (Region/City of Niagara Falls)
- A breakdown of City and Region expenditures for 2025
- Highlights and a summary of the rebate programs included in the budget
- The proposed 2025 rates and impact on users
The budget reflected revenues and expenses totalling $29,481,441 and $38,384,938, respectively.
View the report. View the presentation.
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Minor Zoning By-law Amendment
5901-5929, 5930-5950, 5933-5953 & 5985 Bentley Common
Council considered an application for a minor Zoning By-law Amendment to permit vacation rental units for twenty-one of the existing townhouse dwellings located at the southeast corner of Robinson Street and Main Street and deferred the matter to a subsequent meeting so that the applicant can work with City staff on an improved application.
View the report. View the Staff presentation. View the Applicant presentation.
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CLEAResult and Energy Affordability Program
CLEAResult is an energy efficiency company that helps deliver energy conservation programs, including the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) and the Home Winterproofing Program (HWP) to Ontarians.
EAP and HWP are electric and gas energy-saving initiatives directed toward income-eligible individuals and families in Ontario. Both programs aim to help eligible individuals and families reduce their home energy bills and enhance the comfort level of their homes by offering them energy upgrades that are 100% free of charge.
Ehsan Dibaji, Vice President of Policy and Market Development, and Tara Willard, Senior Manager Outreach Manager from CLEAResult, presented before Council to gain endorsement of the programs and receive additional support to promote them and their benefits.
Council received the presentation and has deferred to Staff for the promotion of the program.
View the presentation.
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- Honourary Street Name: Rick Rose
- An application to honourarily name the block on Queen Street between Buckley Avenue and St. Lawrence Avenue after Rick Rose was approved by Council to recognize Mr. Rose’s contribution to the community through his significant music career, spanning over 40 years. The proposed street is significant to his history as it featured the former location of the Niagara Institute of Music and Arts which he founded.
- Follow up on Sidewalk Winter Maintenance
- Council deferred this report and asked Staff to provide clarification on the legalities of the recommendations.
- Cost of Council Meetings
- 2025 Council Meetings will be held at 4:00 pm, with In-Camera sessions beginning at 2:00 pm and Planning Matters scheduled for 5:00 pm.
- Fence Variance – 5528 Buchanan Avenue
- Council denied an encroachment agreement with Niagara Regional Housing to allow a fence on City property and not to approve the minor variance for the height of the proposed fence.
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Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illumination Requests
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Flag-Raising Request | February 14, 2025
Serbian Statehood Day
Council approved a request from the Founder and Director of the Serbian School Nikola Tesla to organize a flag-raising ceremony for the Serbian Flag at City Hall on Friday, February 14, 2025, in honour of Serbian Statehood Day (Sretenje).
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Flag-Raising & Proclamation Request | January 2025
Crime Stoppers Month
Council approved a request from Crime Stoppers Niagara to hold a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall in January 2025 and proclaim January 2025 Crime Stoppers Month.
Crime Stoppers Niagara has been extremely effective since 1985, helping the Niagara Regional Police Service solve crimes and working with various organizations to make communities safer for residents of the Niagara Region.
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Upcoming Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illuminations
(approved at Previous Council Meetings)
Proclamation Request | Christian Heritage Month (December 2024)
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Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, at 4:00 pm
The Niagara Falls City Council meeting will be open to the public and held on Tuesday, January 14, at 4:00 pm. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
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