City Council

THAT Council enter into an In-Camera session.

THAT Council approve the minutes of September 12, 2023 and for September 19, 2023 (Special Council Meeting).

THAT Council request the City promote the Lip Sync Battle and other upcoming events on its social media channels.

THAT Council approve the Zoning By-law amendment as detailed in this report to rezone the eastern portion (Part 2) of the subject land a site specific Residential 1E Density (R1E) zone to facilitate the creation of a new lot for the construction of a detached dwelling.

THAT Council approve the proposed 2024 meeting schedule and to include an additional meeting on January 16, 2024; AND FURTHERMORE, to leave the July 2024 and August 2024 Council meetings to begin at 1:00 PM.

THAT Council receive the attached draft corporate policy (Whistle-blower), and information for their consideration.

THAT Council support the recommendations of the Building Permit review fee study; THAT Council approve the recommended building permit fees as amended by staff for clarification and outlined in Appendix 2; THAT Staff forward an amended Building Permit Fee By-law to Council for approval; THAT Staff incorporate the building permit fees into the consolidated user fee by-law in 2024 and increase the building permit fees 3% annually starting in 2024; THAT Staff establish the Reserve Fund policy for Building Fees at a multiple of between 1.0 to 1.25 times the annual direct cost; and THAT Staff report back to Council on the parameters of an expedited service program (fast tracking) for building permit applications as well as any necessary financial or resource implications to administer the program.

THAT the Parking Fund Budget to Actual Variance report for the period ended June 30, 2023 be RECEIVED .

THAT Council approve the Niagara Gateway CIP Tax Increment Based Grant program and Municipal Employment Incentive Program Application for 6162 Progress Street, subject to the Owner satisfying the program requirements. THAT Council approve the use of the CIP City Wide reserve fund if reserves are required to offset the approximate planning and building permit fees and study grant costs of $64,890.00. THAT the Niagara Region be advised of the decision of City Council. THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign and execute the Tri-Party grant agreement and Municipal Employment Incentive Program Agreement.

THAT Council approve the request to proclaim the week of October 8 to 14, 2023 as "Fire Prevention Week."

THAT Council approve the request to proclaim Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 as "Mike Glavcic Day."

THAT Council approve the request to proclaim the month of November 2023 as "Lung Cancer Awareness Month."

THAT Council defer the resolution from the Niagara Region regarding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Damaging Impacts of Hate and Intolerance, until the Region provides a report.

THAT Council change the recommendation for this resolution from the Town of Fort Erie regarding the Region's 2023 Operating Budget Levy Approval, to receive and file for information.

THAT Council change the recommendation for this resolution from the Town of Parry Sound regarding Provincial Regulations regarding Short-Term Rental Digital Platforms, to receive and file for information.

THAT Council receive for information the resolution from the County of Brant regarding Guaranteed Livable Income.

THAT Council receive and file for information Item #11.1 through to Item #11.8, excluding Item #11.6.

1.THAT the following Task Force recommendations be endorsed as the top 5 recommendations, and the associated comments be provided to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing . •Recommendation 56 (Originally No. 48): The Ontario government should establish a large “Ontario Housing Delivery Fund” and encourage the federal government to match funding. This fund should reward: a) Annual housing growth that meets or exceeds provincial targets b) Reductions in total approval times for new housing c) The speedy removal of exclusionary zoning practices. Comment: Funding for large scale affordable housing projects is supported, however it should be noted that while the City can address procedures to efficiently bring projects to a shovel ready status the actual construction of projects depends on the private sector (developers and builders). It is recommended that further measures to encourage the private sector to develop vacant lands that are shovel ready be considered by the Province. •Recommendation 38 (Originally No. 31): In clearing the existing backlog, encourage the Tribunal to prioritize projects close to the finish line that will support housing growth and intensification, as well as regional water or utility infrastructure decisions that will unlock significant housing capacity. •Recommendation 50 (Originally No. 42): Provide provincial and federal loan guarantees for purpose built rental, affordable rental and affordable ownership projects. •Recommendation 51 (Origina

THAT Council request a summary of all of the other municipalities' lists that were submitted from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

THAT the current vacancy on the Niagara Falls Public Library Board be filled by Michael Fraiman.

Council met in closed session on September 19, 2023, after publicly passing a resolution in open session, to go In-Camera. At this meeting there was direction to staff to obtain outside legal counsel regarding an OLT matter, as well as provide staff with direction regarding Council's Strategic Plan, to be presented at the October 24, 2023 Council meeting, AND, from this evening's In-Camera meeting, THAT Council provide direction to staff to continue to negotiate a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the municipality.

THAT staff bring a report back to Council to see how the City and other appropriate agencies can improve public safety in the Welland River (aka- The Chippawa Creek) and to focus more attention and awareness to the danger of the current with the use of additional signs.

THAT Council pass a motion to reconsider the above noted decision to refuse Official Plan Amendment (OPA 157) and that Council direct Staff to bring back the matter at a future public meeting of Council with a recommendation report and notice to be provided in accordance with the Planning Act, including to all persons that provided comments and appeared at the previous Council meeting. Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Wayne Thomson, Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Councillor Mona Patel, and Councillor Tony Baldinelli Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo

THAT Council direct Staff to request the Region and Health Department to take responsibility of the rat/rodent issue in Niagara Falls by handling the complaints; and that Council waive the procedural by-law regarding the notice of motion process.

THAT the by-law be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That Council adjourn the meeting at 7:38 PM.