City Council

THAT Council ENTER into an In-Camera session on January 14, 2025.

THAT Council APPROVE the minutes of December 10, 2024 meeting as presented.

THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments for a 20 storey residential use building on Park Street and a 20 storey mixed-use building on Queen Street, subject to the recommended regulations outlined in this report.

THAT Council APPROVE the Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the lands to a site-specific Residential Apartment Density (R5A) Zone to permit the conversion of the existing building, from a retirement home to a boarding or rooming house, subject to the regulations outlined in this report. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the amending by-law to include a sunset clause to require the execution of a Site Plan Agreement within three years of the amending by-law coming into effect, with the possibility of a one-year extension at the discretion of the General Manager of Planning, Building and Development.

THAT Council APPROVE the general amendments to Zoning By-law No. 79-200, as outlined in this report.

THAT Council APPROVE the amendments to Zoning By-law No. 79-200, to update Section 4.45 Additional Dwelling Unit regulations, as outlined in this report.

THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate the development of 544 dwelling units, parkland and a stormwater management facility, subject to the regulations and modifications detailed in this Report; THAT the amending by-law INCLUDE a Holding (H) provision to require the review and approval of a Risk Assessment and Land Use Compatibility Study, an assessment of the job replacement to justify the conversion, and the implementation of various noise mitigation measures/warning clauses through the future Subdivision Agreement; THAT the McLeod Meadows Draft Plan of Subdivision be draft APPROVED subject to the conditions contained in Appendix A; THAT the Mayor or designate be AUTHORIZED to sign the Draft Plan of Subdivision as "approved" 20 days after Notice of Council’s decision has been given as required by the Planning Act , provided no appeals of the decision have been lodged; THAT Draft Plan approval be given for three years, after which approval will lapse unless an extension is requested by the Owner/Developer and granted by Council; and THAT the Mayor and City Clerk be AUTHORIZED to execute the Subdivision Agreement(s) and any required documents to allow for the future registration of the Subdivision(s) when all matters are addressed to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

THAT Council approve moving to Item #9.2 on the agenda at 8:15 PM.

THAT Council agree to extend the Council meeting past 10:00 PM.

THAT Council DEFER Report CAO-2025-01, Municipal Accommodation Tax until Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Ayes: Councillor Lori Lococo, Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, and Councillor Chris Dabrowski Nays: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, and Councillor Mona Patel

THAT Council RECEIVE the attached report and proposed Municipal Accommodation Tax bylaw with the following amendments: That the Municipal Accommodation Tax move to 4% of the Room Rate effective April 1, 2026 and 5% effective April 1, 2027 That section 5.1 and 5.2 of the proposed bylaw change from a minimum of $1 (one dollar) to a minimum of 1% respectively. That Council direct staff to come back to Council with a revised bylaw prior to June 1, 2026 with any other changes that may be required to implement these changes. THAT a committee be formed to work on the specifics of how the money is to be allocated.

THAT Council APPROVE the transfer of $30,000 from the Downtown BIA unspent levy being held in reserve to offset the cost of a seasonal flower beautification program in the Downtown core in 2025 and that Council APPROVE a single source supplier for the flowers. THAT staff be AUTHORIZED to enter into a contract with 843081 Ontario Inc o/b Snips Landscape and Nursery for the 2025 Flower Beautification Program in the amount of $25,524.31 plus HST.

THAT Council APPROVE the 2025 Interim Tax Levy calculation and by-law providing for the 2025 Interim Tax Levy.

THAT Council DIRECT staff to begin a multi-year coordinated effort to review all 159 vacant land parcels across the City and report back to Council with any potential sales opportunities including detailed valuations, risks and plans for sale.

THAT Council APPROVE the elimination of wireless internet service from City pool facilities while not in operation (September to May), effective at the end of the current contract, approximately June 2026. AND THAT Council APPROVE the elimination of wireless internet service at Kalar Sports Park and Oakes Park during low-usage months (November to April), effective at the end of the current contract, approximately June 2026.

THAT Council AMEND the 2025 Schedule of Fees to include a vehicle parking fee at the Chippawa Boat Ramp at a cost of seven dollars ($7) per day, effective March 1, 2025; AND THAT Council AMEND the 2025 Schedule of Fees to include a vehicle with trailer parking fee at the Chippawa Boat Ramp at a cost of ten dollars ($10) per day, effective March 1, 2025; AND THAT Council AMEND the 2025 Schedule of Fees to include a resident vehicle with trailer parking fee at the Chippawa Boat Ramp at a cost of $120 per year, effective March 1, 2025. AND THAT Council DIRECT Staff to provide alternative options should a resident have a Resident's Convenience Pass.

THAT Report CS-2025-17 Procurement Policy Update be RECEIVED for information. AND THAT Policy No. XXX Procurement Policy be APPROVED with an effective date of March 15, 2025; AND THAT Report Number MW-2013-02 Consultant Selection Policy be DISCONTINUED as of March 15, 2025; 4. AND THAT the necessary By-law be ADOPTED.

That Council RECEIVE for information Report MW-2025-01, a Budget Accompaniment Report, containing the supporting details for the financial implications pertaining to Council's Motion for Staff to report back on options to increase service levels for roadside maintenance and weed control on Regional Roads in Niagara Falls. That, Subject to Budgetary Approval, Council DIRECT Staff to negotiate with Niagara Region on advancement of Option 2 described in this report, for contracted services to perform weed control on commercial and tourist regional road thoroughfares.

THAT Council RECEIVE this report for information; THAT Council CONSIDER passing the related Resolution on today's agenda to accept the Provincial funding and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute any documents necessary as part of the EV ChargeON grant requirements; THAT Council APPROVE a the reallocation of $100,000 from FR11-22 - Electric Vehicle Charging Station Pilot Program (contingent on previous, unsuccessful grant application), to be used for the implementation of EV chargers leveraging approved EV ChargeON grant funding; THAT Staff REPORT BACK prior to execution of construction contracts with a summary of financial impacts and budgetary recommendations.

That Council AUTHORIZE the initiation of a Neighbourhood Plan process for the lands identified in Appendix “1” , and That Council AUTHORIZE staff to advertise a “Request for Expression of Interest” to seek interested persons from the community to participate on a Community Focus Group to provide input over the course of the Neighbourhood Plan exercise.

THAT Council RECEIVE the Quarter 3 Development and Housing Status Report that reviews the status of current development and housing activity in the City of Niagara Falls from July 1 through September 30 of 2024 (Q3); and THAT Council DIRECT staff to forward the housing information to the Province as required.

THAT Council RECEIVE this report for consideration and adoption purposes; THAT Council AMEND By-law No. 2024-045 and approve the additional Non-Parking Administrative Monetary Penalties By-laws as detailed in report PBD-2025-09 and attached as Appendix 1 . THAT the attached Designated By-laws

THAT Council DEFER this Single Room Occupancy Project Update for information, until such time as more information is gathered.

THAT Council RECEIVE the 2024 Q3 Parking Fund Budget to Actual Variance report for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

THAT Council agree to waive the Procedural By-law to allow a member of the public to speak.

That Council AUTHORIZE that 8196 Cummington Square West, hereinafter

That Council AUTHORIZE that 11211 Sodom Road, hereinafter

THAT Council RECEIVE reportCS-2025-09, Sport Tourism Rebate Program Funding for information.

THAT Council RECEIVE this report for information.

THAT Council APPROVE a flag-raising ceremony for the first week of June 2025 to promote "Italian Heritage Month."

THAT Council PROCLAIM Monday, June 30, 2025 as "Indigenous Survivors Day."

THAT Council agree to continue the Council meetings with the Canadian National Anthem played first.

THAT Council RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION Item #11.1 through to and including Item #11.4.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Niagara Falls: 1.Accept the funding offered by the Province of Ontario through the ChargeON Program for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations within the City of Niagara Falls, as outlined in the application. 2.Authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute any necessary agreements, documentation, or contracts required to secure and implement the funding and to ensure compliance with all terms and conditions of the ChargeON Program. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the appropriate provincial authorities overseeing the ChargeON Program for their records.

THAT Council APPROVE the resolution pertaining to AM-2024-003 - 6546 Fallsview Bouelvard & 6503-6519 Stanley Avenue (OPA & ZBA).

Pertaining to the In-Camera meeting of January 13, 2025, Education Session regarding the operating budget, there was nothing to ratify; pertaining to the January 14, 2025 In-Camera meeting, direction to staff was provided to carry out multiple OLT matters.

THAT Council DIRECT staff to discuss other options for grants for social service groups that the City funds.

THAT the City of Niagara Falls utilize and maximize all on-site parking and surrounding street parking to enhance the Exchange and Museum and to redesign the parking lot to maximize the number of parking spaces and that this be done as soon as possible to better serve the users of the facility; AND THAT Staff come back with a report to Council prior to work being commenced.

THAT the City of Niagara Falls recognize "March" as "Youth Empowerment Month."

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

THAT Council ADJOURN the meeting at 11:11 PM.