February 27, 2024, City Council Meeting
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2024 Development Charges (DCs) Study: Draft DC Rates
Jackie Hall, Project Manager, Hemson Consulting Ltd., shared updates on the 2024 Development Charges Study, including:
- The Development Forecast
- DC Capital Programs
- Draft Calculated DC Rates
- Rate Comparison
- DC Policy Considerations
- and next steps.
Development charges (DCs) are fees collected from builders and developers to help pay for the capital cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to new development. Eligible services include roads, water, storm and sewer infrastructure, parks and recreation, libraries, fire services, etc.
The intent is to ensure that “growth pays for growth” to avoid existing taxpayers having to pay to subsidize the costs related to servicing growth developments.
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Development Charges - Draft Rates and Capital Program
James Dowling, Senior Manager of Capital Accounting, presented a companion report to the presentation by Jackie Hall on Development Charges - Draft Rates and Capital Program.
Council received and approved the report, including:
- endorsing the draft population and employment forecasts to inform the capital programs and development charges rate calculation
- endorsing the list of draft projects eligible for development charges funding to be used as input into the 2024 Development Charges Background Study, subject to amendments as part of the ongoing public consultation and staff reviews;
- directing Staff to bring forward an Industrial DC Grant Program and Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Policies for consideration as part of the adoption of the 2024 DC By-law;
- and directing Staff to release the draft by-law and Development publicly Charges Background Study by March 29, 2024, to ensure it is released a minimum of 60 days before the anticipated DC By-Law passage.
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Water and Wastewater Long-Range Financial Plan
presentation by BMA Management Consulting
Jim Bruzzese from BMA Management Consulting Inc. discussed the City of Niagara Falls Water and Wastewater Long-Range Financial Plan.
The Ministry of the Environment, under the Safe Drinking Act 2022, requires municipalities to update their water financial plan with the application for licence renewal. The Long Range Financial Plan was last prepared in 2019. The City is taking an integrated approach in updating the Plan, including a water and wastewater financial plan to ensure transparency and sustainability of the system. The Plan will cover a six-year period from 2025 to 2030.
The Financial Plan is not binding on Council but provides a framework for guiding future and capital budgets.
Council approved the Financial Plan, as outlined in the BMA Management Consulting Inc. Water and Wastewater Long-Range Financial Plan presentation and associated Report.
View the presentation. View the report.
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Niagara Region & Niagara Falls Non-Profit Housing Presentation
Gord Szaszi, Project Manager of Housing Development at the Niagara Region, along with John Potts, Board Director of Niagara Falls Non-Profit Housing, presented information on the planning of a new 100-unit affordable housing development on McLeod Road.
Council received the presentation and will provide a supporting letter to help the project receive regional, provincial and federal grants. Staff will come back with a report to address potential areas of support from the City.
View the presentation.
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Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendment Application:
8885 - 8911 Lundy’s Lane
Council approved an Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment to permit a 10-storey mixed-use building with 1,330 square metres of commercial space and 192 residential dwellings on lands located at 8885-8911 Lundy's Lane. The approval was subject to several recommendations and a 3-year sunset clause.
View the report. View the Staff presentation. View the Agent presentation.
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Fire Communications Consolidation
Council approved that the Niagara Falls Fire Department maintain current operations of fire dispatch for the City of Niagara Falls. Staff directed the Fire Department to research and share opportunities for future savings.
View the report.
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- Main Street (Chippawa) Road Reconstruction (Sodom Road to Dock Street) Contract Award 2024-594-23
- Council awarded the Main Street Road Reconstruction to Baiocco Construction Corp. with recommendations.
- South Chippawa Infrastructure Improvements – Cost-Sharing
- Council directed Staff to enter a cost-sharing agreement for upsizing of local sanitary sewer and watermain along Sodom Road and a sanitary sewer within the Chippawa East Development with recommendations.
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Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illumination Requests
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Proclamation Request | April 2, 2024
World Autism Day
Council proclaimed Tuesday, April 2, 2024, as "World Autism Day" to help Autism Ontario "Celebrate the Spectrum."
Celebrate the Spectrum is an opportunity for positive action to provide spaces of support and advocacy for our diverse communities — while learning about autism and how we can all make our communities better and more inclusive places for autistic people.
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Proclamation Request | April 21, 2024
Knights of Columbus Week
Council proclaimed April 21 through April 28, 2024, as "Knights of Columbus Week" in Niagara Falls. Founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney.
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Proclamation Request | May 2024
Jewish Heritage Month 2024
Niagara Falls City Council proclaimed May 2024 as Jewish Heritage Month to mark the significant contributions that Jewish people have made to Canada’s well-being and success. The City will provide a video statement about the month.
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Flag-Raising Request | May 3, 2024
Polish Constitution Day
Council approved a request for a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Friday, May 3, 2024, to bring awareness to our community and officially celebrate Poland's Constitution Day.
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Flag-Raising Request | May 6 - 11, 2024
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
This year, Children's Mental Health Awareness Week will run from May 6 -11, 2024. Council approved a request from Pathstone Mental Health to support the celebration of the week and to bring awareness to children's mental health by raising the CMHAW Flag for that week.
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Proclamation Request | May 14, 2024
Apraxia Awareness Day
Council proclaimed Tuesday, May 14, 2023, as "Apraxia Awareness Day." Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a very misunderstood and very challenging speech disorder.
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Flag-Raising Request | June 7, 2024
Italian Heritage Month
Council approved a request from the National Congress Italia Canada, the Niagara Peninsula District for a flag-raising ceremony on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 12:00 pm to celebrate the 14th year of Italian Heritage Month.
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Upcoming Proclamations, Flag-Raising and Illuminations
(approved at Previous Council Meetings)
Proclamation Request | World's Parkinson's Awareness Day (April 11, 2024)
Proclamation Request | Parental Alienation Awareness Day (April 25, 2024)
Flag Raising Request | Restoration Day of the Dominican Republic (August 19, 2024)
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Special Council Meeting on the Niagara Falls Official Plan: Tuesday, March 5, 4:30 pm
The Niagara Falls City Council meeting will be open to the public and held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 4:30 pm. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, March 19, at 4:00 pm
The Niagara Falls City Council meeting will be open to the public and held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 4:00 pm. For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca/council.
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