City Council

That Council enter into an In-Camera session.

That Council approve the minutes of the January 17, 2023 meeting as presented.

That Council schedule another Special Council Budget meeting to confirm the operating budget for final approval on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

That Council APPROVE removing tiered fines in the Downtown and Main/Ferry areas estimated to add $7,200 in revenue in 2023, instead implementing a City wide fine structure and that staff be directed to report back with necessary amendments to by-laws and Schedule of Fees, in principle. That Council APPROVE a 10% increase in parking fines estimated to add $34,400 in revenue in 2023 and that staff be directed to report back with necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle. That Council APPROVE a 10% increase in parking permit fees estimated to add $8,900 in revenue in 2023 and that staff be directed to report back with necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle. That Council APPROVE an increase in the “Summer Flat Rate Parking” from $10/day to $15-20/day estimated to add $10,000 in revenue in 2023 and that staff be directed to report back with necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle. That Council APPROVE adding additional on-street parking on Fallsview Boulevard fronting Casino shops during the off season estimated to add $14,400 of revenue in 2023, in principle. That Council APPROVE extending on-street parking on Victoria Avenue From Labour Day to May 24 (currently Thanksgiving to May 24 only) estimated to add $6,000 in revenue in 2023, in principle. That Council APPROVE the 2023 proposed parking budget as presented including any approved amendments from recommendations 1-6, in principle.

That Council not APPROVE the closure of the Niagara Falls Lion’s outdoor pool located at 4981 Drummond Rd estimated to reduce expenditures by $65,000, and continue with its use in 2023, in principle. Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Wayne Campbell, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson, Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Mona Patel, and Councillor Tony Baldinelli

That Council not APPROVE the closure of the EE Mitchelson outdoor pool located at 3750 Springdale Ave. estimated to reduce expenditures by $65,000, subject to a report coming back to Council that will detail any expenditures required to open the pool, in principle. Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Wayne Campbell, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson, Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Mona Patel, and Councillor Tony Baldinelli

That Council APPROVE a reduction in Museum hours at the Battleground and Willoughby Museum’s estimated to reduce expenditures by $10,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE staff in increasing dry floor utilization at the Gale Centre during the summer, estimated to increase revenue by $15,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE the reduction of Spooky Award prizes, paid advertising and transportation by 50% estimated to reduce expenditures by $3,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE staff to work with Nustadia Media and add of 1-2 monitors at Recreation and Culture Facilities to display advertising estimated to increase revenue by $10,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE a reduction in the City’s beautification service level to remove any Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) from the scope, estimated to reduce expenditures by $20,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE a reduction in splash pad hours from 9:00am to 8:00pm (11 hours) to 10:30am to 7:30pm (9 hours) estimated to reduce expenditures by $10,000, in principle.

That Council APPROVE the addition of a licence fee to Sidewalk Café’s in the amount of $35 per square meter, estimated to increase revenue by $30,000 and the staff be directed to report back with any necessary amendments to by-laws and the Schedule of Fees, in principle.

That Council APPROVE the addition of an application fee structure for Special Event Applications to assist with administrative costs in processing the application as follows: i.$100 per application from small events ii.$250 per application for medium events iii.$500 per application for large events estimated to increase revenue by $10,000 and that staff be directed to report back with any necessary amendments to by-laws and that Schedule of Fees, in principle.

That Council APPROVE staff to charge the following fees for Preventable False Alarms as approved in the 2023 Schedule of Fees, estimated to increase revenue by $120,000: No charge for the first two alarms, written warning after second alarm $300 for the third alarm $400 for the fourth alarm $800 for the fifth alarm with the alarms being calculated based on the calendar year commencing January 1st, in principle.

That Council acknowledge the approved fees for Training Ground Rentals as approved in the 2023 Schedule of Fees, estimated to increase revenue by $30,000, in principle:

That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Boards and Commissions, in principle, as follows for the:  Niagara Fall Public Library Board - $5,368,608 to $5,348,608.

That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Boards and Commissions, in principle, as follows: i.Niagara Falls Illumination Board - $45,978 ii.Niagara District Airport Commission Operating - $190,014 iii.Niagara District Airport Commission Capital - $130,133

That Council APPROVE 2023 funding levels for Fee for Service groups, included in the 2023 proposed tax supported operating budget, in principle, as follows: i.Animal Control Services - $556,670 ii.Boy’s & Girl’s Club - $211,149 iii.Downtown BIA (Santa Claus Parade & Sparkle Awards) - $22,000 iv.Firemen’s Park - $31,950 v.Niagara Falls Art Gallery - $28,000 vi.Niagara Falls Concert Band - $3,600 vii.Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub - $274,626

That Council APPROVE 2023 funding level for St. John Ambulance Water Patrol totaling $32,900, in principle.

That Council APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the Debt Placeholders Budget from a levy impact of $668,186 to $334,093 and furthermore; t hat Council APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the increase in the Fleet Replacement Reserve contribution from a levy impact of $1,547,601 to $773,801, reducing the transfer to Capital Special Reserves from $3,449,850 to $2,676,049, in principle.

That Council APPROVE a reduction of 50% of the proposed 1% Special Capital Levy from $787,254 to $393,627, in principle.

That Council APPROVE the hiring of 6 probationary Fire Fighters to backfill long term leaves of absence and that Council APPROVE a reduction of $200,000 from the Firefighter Suppression Overtime Budget from $1,700,000 to $1,500,000., in principle.

That Council APPROVE a single source procurement for funding application services with GrantMatch.

That there be direction to staff on how to proceed with employee negotiations by adjusting the labour budget by a $100,000 reduction.

That the by-laws be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That Council adjourn the meeting at 9:17 PM.