City Council

THAT Council ENTER into an In-Camera session.

THAT Council ENTER into an In-Camera Education session on July 7, 2025.

THAT Council APPROVE the minutes of the May 6, 2027 meeting as presented.

THAT Council ACKNOWLEDGE Ashley Marazzo as the 2025 Allister Young Arts & Culture Endowment Fund recipient.

THAT Council refer the matter to staff in an effort to address the hours of operation of the Sportsplex on Sinnicks Avenue and to work with the owners to come up with solutions in order to mitigate the noise concerns and to further bring back a report at the June 17, 2025 Council meeting.

THAT Council ALLOW Mr. John LaPenna to work with staff to address his concerns about the completion of his application under the Gateway CIP Program

Vince Kerrio THAT Council agree to move up Item #9.1 in the agenda to address prior to the Planning Public Meetings.

1. THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to increase the permitted density and rezone the subject lands for the development of 28 stacked townhouse dwelling units, subject to the regulations detailed in this report. 2. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the amending by-law which includes 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. 3. THAT Council ALLOW residents of the neighbourhood to be in involved in the site-plan process with the development and to look at parking solutions so as to not impede the residents of the existing neighbourhood; and to inquire with the Niagara Transit Board about the possibility of expanding service to the area of Stanley Avenue and Portage Road in Niagara Falls and to ask that the Board offer the City a response for any associated costs and implications involved with this request; and to have staff investigate the possibility of adding additional sidewalks to the area.

THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to increase the permitted height and rezone the subject lands to Residential Apartment 5F Density (R5F) and Environmental Protection Area (EPA) Zones with site specific provisions, subject to the regulations detailed in this Report. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the amending by-law which includes 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 Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the lands to a site-specific Residential Low Density – Grouped Multiple Dwellings (R4) zone to facilitate the construction of 42 stacked townhouses, as 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.

1. THAT Council AMEND the Municipal Accommodation Bylaw to delete from Section 3.1 of the Bylaw the following sentence; "The MAT will apply even if the Accommodation is provided to the travelling public for free or at no cost". 2. THAT Council DIRECT staff to further investigate this issue with the appropriate Ministries at the Province and or obtain a fulsome legal opinion on this matter.

THAT Council AGREE to move up Item #15.1 in order to discuss the matter prior to the Planning Public Meetings as Regional Councillor Joyce Morocco was in attendance.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council RECEIVE report CS-2025-26 2023 Budget to Actual Variance (unaudited) - Tax Levy Supported Fund for information. THAT Council APPROVE the recommended operating special purpose reserve consolidations (transfers) as outlined in the charts in attachment 9 - Operating Special Purpose Reserve Updates.

That Council RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION the construction status update at the M.F. Ker Park Pickleball Court Facility. That Council DIRECT staff to defer the installation of noise attenuation curtains at the M.F. Ker Park Pickleball Court Facility for the 2025 summer play season and monitor the noise within the park.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council RECEIVE this report regarding the initiation of the new Community Improvement Plan project. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the extension of the City’s current CIP Incentive Programs and CIP Development Charge exemptions, as outlined in this report, until December 31, 2025. THAT Council DIRECT staff to send a copy of this report to the Region of Niagara.

1. THAT Council RECEIVE the Quarter 1 Housing and Growth Monitoring Report that reviews the status of current development and housing activity in the City of Niagara Falls from January 1 through March 31 of 2025 (Q1). 2. THAT Council DIRECT staff to forward the housing information to the Province as required.

1. THAT Council APPROVE the proposed Commercial Parking Lot by-law as detailed in Appendix 1of the staff report PBD-2025-036. 2.THAT Council AUTHORIZE staff to update the Schedule of Fees to include the licencing fees associated with the Commercial Parking Lot By-law as identified in this report.

THAT Council RECEIVE the report on Voting Methods for the 2026 Municipal Elections report as information. THAT Council AUTHORIZE in-person ballot voting using vote tabulators as the primary voting method for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections.

Vince Kerrio 1. THAT Council APPROVE the implementation of a designated pet cemetery section within Fairview Cemetery, allowing for either pet only and or human and pet combined interment. 2. THAT Council DIRECT staff to develop a revised bylaw to accommodate this approval as well as update our internal policies and procedures prior to December 31, 2025.

That Council Approve waiving yearly registration fees for Service Dogs as defined by the City Animal Control By-Law. That Council NOT APPROVE an unlimited exemption to the number of dogs permitted per residence if the dogs are identified as service dogs as defined by the City’s Animal Control By-Law. That Council NOT APPROVE the definition change from Service Dog to Service Animal.

THAT Council APPROVE the Terms of Reference for the Licence Appeal Committee; AND THAT the committee still consist of 7 members but the composition will now be 5 members of the public and 2 Council members; and THAT Council RECEIVE the report for information.

THAT Council RECEIVE the Water/Wastewater Fund Budget to Actual Variance report for the year ended December 31, 2024.

THAT Council DECLARE the Niagara Falls Ribfest as an event that is "municipally significant," to assist the organizers with obtaining a Special Occasion permit from the AGCO; AND THAT Council APPROVE an exemption to the City's Noise By-law to allow for the playing of amplified sound until 10:00 PM on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

THAT Council APPROVE/SUPPORT Item #11.1 through to and including Item #11.5.

THAT Council RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION Item #12.1 through to Item #12.4.

THAT Council approve extending the meeting past its curfew of 10:00 PM.

THAT Council waive the procedural by-law and approve the motion brought forth by Councillor Strange, THAT City Staff INCLUDE residential use at the Chippawa Boat Ramp Park as part of the Resident Convenience Parking Pass, and allow a longer parking option for passholders there than the current 2-hour time limit the pass affords.

THAT Council ACCEPT the offer of Regional Councillor Joyce Morroco, as the Co-Chair of the Regional Public Health and Social Services, to arrange a community meeting with Regional Staff, including the Core team as well as Regional Police Services, to come to Niagara Falls City Council to discuss the challenges, solutions and a plan to move forward to assist our community as it deals with issues of homelessness, drug addiction and mental health; AND FURTHERMORE, THAT Councillor send all of their questions in advance of the meeting so that the Regional team can come prepared.

THAT staff REVIEW: - the current by-laws that reference trailers to possibly consolidate them. - the ability to address different types of trailers and their uses. - the ability to tow trailers for non-compliance. - the ability to use AMPS for non-compliance. and report their findings to Council for their review.

THAT the Council of the City of Niagara Falls request that the Niagara Transit Commission consider, through the master plan and budget processes, adding the service areas not currently within the urban area boundary, but within the municipal boundary of Niagara Falls, to its service area for commingled microtransit; AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Niagara Transit Board as correspondence.

THAT Planning Staff EXPAND the Circulation Area for Planning Public Notices.

THAT Council REQUEST that staff prepare a report outlining options and recommendations for a standard approach to timelines for responding to Council directions that require a report back. AND THAT the report include:  Suggested standard timelines, including the consideration of a fixed 120-day or 150-day timeframe or a reasonable period based on the nature of the request and departmental involvement.  A process for keeping Council informed when more time may be needed.  Potential tools or practices for tracking and updating Council on the status of outstanding items.

THAT the meeting would bring together business owners, residents, City Council members, BIA representatives, and city planners to explore the following topics:  The Impact of Motel Conversions: How the transformation of motels into long-term residential units is affecting housing, the tourism economy, and the overall character of the area.  The Future Vision for Lundy’s Lane: Community input on how the area should evolve, with a focus on achieving a healthy balance between residential needs, tourism, and local economic vitality.  Zoning and Land Use: Reviewing whether current zoning supports this evolving area and assessing whether updates are needed to manage future development responsibly.  Affordable Housing: Discussing how to ensure a variety of housing options are available for future residents while maintaining the area’s mixed-use identity.  Impact on Local Businesses from Land Use Changes: Understanding how the decline of tourist accommodations and the introduction of permanent residential units may affect foot traffic, customer base, and business sustainability along Lundy’s Lane.  Understanding the Impact on Social Services: Exploring how increased residential density may place new demands on social services, and how to ensure that future residents have access to housing supports, reliable transportation, and community programs.  Changing the Landscape of Historic Lundy’s Lane: Discussing how these changes may affect the historic character of Lundy’s Lane and

THAT City Council work with the property owners, utilizing penalties and financially punitive tools in order to address this unsightly hole, to enforce the erection of proper construction hoarding and to ensure property standards to be enforced.

Vince Kerrio THAT City Council SUPPORT allowing convenience stores to sell beer and wine until 1 AM and that staff contact the AGCO to consider changes to its current rules regarding alcohol sales. Ayes: Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Councillor Mike Strange, Councillor Tony Baldinelli, Councillor Mona Patel, Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Councillor Chris Dabrowski, and City Councillor Vince Kerrio Nays: Councillor Lori Lococo

THAT Staff create a program offering CPR training for City Staff and Councillors encouraging those interested to attend.

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

That Council ADJOURN the meeting at 10:39 PM.