City Council

THAT Council ENTER into an In-Camera session on February 4, 2025.

THAT Council APPROVE the minutes of January 14, 2025 meeting as presented.

THAT Council APPROVE the minutes of the January 21, 2025 Budget Meeting as presented.

THAT Council RECEIVE the presentation and direct staff to post donation information on City social media, to inform the public how donations can be made to the Nearly New thrift Store Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Niagara, located at 4311 Queen St. in Niagara Falls.

It is recommended: THAT Report MW-2025-04 and the accompanying presentation regarding Sidewalk Winter Maintenance be RECEIVED for information; THAT Council ADOPT the Snow Clearing Bylaw on today's agenda with an effective enforcement date starting October 1, 2026; and, THAT Council DIRECT staff to develop a financial assistance program for low-income individuals with physical limitations, including seniors.

It is recommended: THAT Staff be DIRECTED to enter a cost sharing agreement with the Niagara Parks Commission for the replacement/improvement of the Portage Road Watermain from Marineland Parkway to Old Mcleod Road allowance. THAT the Mayor and City Clerk be AUTHORIZED to execute all necessary agreements. THAT Council APPROVE a capital budget amendment of $1,250,000, to be funded by Capital Special Purpose Reserve (CSPR) 73, so that Staff can proceed with initiating this new project.

THAT Council DIRECT staff to change the street name for a portion of Schisler Road, west of Montrose Road, shown on Appendix 1 as the affected segment, to Pattison Lane.

It is recommended: THAT Council RECEIVE this Report or information purposes; THAT Council APPROVE and enact the Construction Fencing By-law attached as Attachment 1 to this Report (hereinafter

THAT Council RECEIVE the addendum report for information. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the initiation of Phase 2 of the SRO report to be undertaken in 2026 THAT Council APPROVE a budget amendment of $70,000 in the 2025 budget. THAT Council DIRECT staff in Phase 2 of the update to the SRO Project to revisit all options of the Study as well as to develop location criteria to limit the number of SRO operators, ensuring that there is no concentration of SRO’s in any particular area of the City.

1. That Council ALLOW Staff to commence the application process to fill recent vacancies on the Senior's Advisory Committee and Heritage Committee; and 2. That Council ALLOW for the Senior Advisory Committee, Anti-Racism Committee, Environmental Committee and Heritage Committee to implement a range of committee members for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Council Term; and 3. That Council ALLOW Staff to open the application process when a committee is below their minimum threshold of members.

It is recommended: THAT Council APPROVE a 2025 Capital Budget Amendment to create project F-112-25 for the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Decontamination Washer project with a total budget of $58,000 (inclusive of non-recoverable HST), to be funded by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Fire Protection Grant 2024-25; And THAT Council permit a Single Source procurement with A.J. Stone Company Ltd. in the amount of $49,606.00 excluding HST to purchase a MEIKO decontamination washer in accordance with Section 18 of the City’s Procurement By-Law No. 2021-04.

THAT Council RECEIVE the 2024 Q3 Water and Wastewater Fund Budget to Actual Variance report for the period ended September 30, 2024 for information.

THAT Council APPROVE/SUPPORT Item #9.1 through to and including Item #9.9

THAT Council RECEIVE for information Item #10.1 through to and including Item #10.4.

THAT Council ENDORSE the MOU and AUTHORIZE the CAO to sign.

THAT Council APPROVE the resolution pertaining to AM-2024-035-9304 McLeod Rd & PID 1337, to deem the proposed changes minor and exempt the requirement for further notice for the purpose of granting the zoning relief required to permit accessory buildings, with or without additional dwelling units, in the front yards of the lots abutting McLeod Road or Beechwood Road, and to eliminate the maximum width of a driveway or parking area in the front yard for these same lots.

Motion to go back In-Camera at 6:41 PM, to reaffirm earlier items that were on the February 4, 2025 In-Camera Agenda. The meeting reconvened at 7:07 PM. Items that were ratified: 1. Council supports the library board's decision to move forward in a partnership with the University of Niagara Falls, in a lease agreement and further direction will be given to staff 2. THAT Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to act on behalf of the City to execute a lease for the MacBain Community Centre cafe from House Cook. And that the Mayor, City Clerk and City Solicitor be authorized to prepare, review and execute whatever documents are required to complete the lease 3. That due to the existing conditions of volatility with both the City's supply chains and currency rates, THAT Council provide delegated authority to the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager of Corporate Services, to authorize modified procurement process including single source procurements up to $2 million. This delegated authority must be reported to Council at the next available Council meeting. This delegated authority expires no later than May 1st, 2025 or unless cancelled by Council.

THAT Council WAIVE the Notice of Motion requirements within the Procedural By-law to allow Council to discuss and vote on item #14.1 on today's agenda.

THAT the City of Niagara Falls RE-INSTATE the Homelessness Committee to assist in dealing with the issues that the City has regarding homelessness, mental health and addiction.

THAT Council WAIVE the Notice of Motion requirements within the Procedural By-law to allow Council to discuss and vote on item #14.2 on today's agenda.

THAT Staff PREPARE a report to come back to Council outlining:  How many private parking lots exist in the City and indicate the locations.  What the requirements are to be compliant with the City’s Commercial Parking Lot Licensing bylaw.  How many lots are compliant with the City’s Licensing by-law with; paved/lined/lights/signs/updated/updated license/insured/etc.  The current fees required for a Commercial Parking Lot license; and identifying if there are there different fees charged for different sized lots  A comparison to other by-laws in larger cities, including Toronto, and cities with a high number of visitors.  That this comparison is done this season  That it takes into account a review of rates  When the fees were last reviewed and updated within the licensing by-law.  Whether all noncompliant parking lots have been served notices by Enforcement Staff to comply with the by-law.  What the ramifications are with regard to commercial parking lot staff trying to solicit potential customers while walking onto City sidewalks/roads with signs and/or hand gestures. The efforts made this season to ensure all parking lots are in compliance, including:  giving notification to these parking lots about some form of budget or proforma on what kind of review to anticipate  giving notification of a renewed updated parking fees schedule that is reflective of Niagara Falls and the parking opportunity.

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

That Council adjourn the meeting at 7:32 PM.