City Council

THAT Council enter into a closed meeting session on December 9, 2025.

THAT Council enter into a closed meeting session on January 6, 2026.

THAT Council APPROVE the Council minutes of November 18, 2025 as presented.

THAT Council APPROVE the Council minutes of November 25, 2025 (Budget) as presented.

THAT Council RECEIVE the 2026 Mayor's Proposed Water and Wastewater budgets with revenues and expenses totaling $31,682,192 and $42,657,924 respectively. THAT Council APPROVE the use of reserve funding as outlined in Attachment 3. THAT Council APPROVE the two (2) new staffing requests identified in Attachment 4. Strong Mayor Power Motions 30-day Review Period Should Council be satisfied all possible amendments have been considered: THAT Council shorten the 30 day review period (December 4, 2025 to January 2, 2026), allowed under the Strong Mayors Act, by 24 days, such that the review period ends on December 9, 2025; and Ayes: 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

1. THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment to exempt 4500 Park Street from Transit Station Secondary Plan Policy, Part 5, Section 3.12.3.1, requiring a mid-block laneway between Park Street and Queen Street, for the reasons outlined in this report; and 2. THAT Council APPROVE a site-specific Zoning By-law Amendment to amend the rear yard and exterior side yard regulations to implement the building design concept, for the reasons outlined in this report.

That Council RECEIVE the Draft Community Improvement Plan attached as ‘ Appendix 1 ’ for information purposes. That Council RECEIVE the public input provided at the Statutory Public Meeting on the Draft Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan . The Council DIRECT staff to consider the public input received and bring forward the Community Improvement Plan and implementing by-laws to a future meeting of Council for adoption. That Council AUTHORIZE the extension of the City’s current CIPs, as outlined in this report, until March 31, 2026. That Council DIRECT staff to send a copy of this report to the Region of Niagara.

THAT Council RECEIVE report CS-2025-69 Continuous Improvement Program (Shark Tank) Update for information.

THAT Council APPROVE the attached Schedule of Fees with fees effective January 1, 2026 AND THAT Council DIRECT Staff to amend the by-law to have the non-resident cemetery fee apply to those that live within the Region but outside of Niagara Falls. Ayes: 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 provide Council with an update of the proposed use of capital allocated for 2026, based on the proposed project development timeline for the Chippawa Arena and Library Redevelopment Project; AND to give authority for Staff to spend the $990,000, as outlined in the report.

THAT, in the absence of an adopted 2026 Tax Levy Supported Operating Budget, Council APPROVES that City departments be allowed to incur costs to a level of 50% of the departments’ expenditure budget of the prior year.

1. THAT Council AUTHORIZE that the lands and building municipally known as 4990 Walnut Street (the "Lands") as shown outlined in yellow on Attachment 1 attached hereto be declared surplus. 2. THAT Council AUTHORIZE that the requirements in the City's Sale of Land By-law to give notice to the public of the proposed sale be dispensed with. 3. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the transfer of the Lands to the Niagara Falls Music Theatre Society. 4. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the Chief Administrative Officer and City Solicitor, or their designates, to execute all documentation and take steps necessary to carry out Recommendations 1, 2 and 3.

THAT Council APPROVE , effective January 5, 2026, that a school crossing guard be assigned to the west side of the McLeod Road at Kalar Road intersection, to assist pedestrians crossing McLeod Road; and, THAT Council APPROVE , effective January 5, 2026, that the school crossing guard be removed at the intersection of St. Paul Avenue at Church’s Lane.

That Council RECEIVE this report for information.

That Council APPROVE an all-way stop to be installed at the intersection of Culp Street at Carlton Avenue.

THAT there be direction to staff to come back with a report after speaking with the City’s Integrity Commissioner about addressing code of conduct complaints to discuss practicing discretion and possibly dismissing or discontinuing an inquiry if it is determined the complaint is vexatious or frivolous, not made in good faith and/or deemed to be an abuse of process. This review would also look int the current fee structure, how to possibly deal with frequent complainants and costs related to staff time to deal with complaints and protect the taxpayers. AND THAT staff look to suggest amendments to the Code of Conduct to eliminate anonymous complaints. AND THAT a letter be sent to our local Member of Provincial Parliament in respect to Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, to emphasize empowering Integrity Commissioners to invoke monetary penalties on a complainant to be responsible for costs associated with complaints that may be deemed to be frivolous or vexatious, not made in good faith or an abuse of process AND to be able to dismiss some complaints, without having to conduct a full, or any investigation, when complaints are deemed frivolous or vexatious, not made in good faith or an abuse of process.

THAT Council RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION Item #11.2 through to and including Item #11.4.

THAT Council APPROVE free 2 hour on-street parking for Queen Street until December 31, 2025 to support shoppers and businesses during the holiday season.

THAT Council APPROVE the sale of Part of Township Lot 209, being Part 12, Plan 59R-16783 for the price for $1,073,250; AND THAT Council AUTHORIZE the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Agreement of Purchase and Sale; AND THAT Council AUTHORIZE the Chief Administrative Officer and City Solicitor, or their designate to execute all documentation, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and take whatever steps necessary to complete the transaction; AND FURTHERMORE, THAT Council AUTHORIZE that prior to the sale of Part of Bossert Road between Willoughby Drive and Niagara River Parkway, access rights be provided to the owners of 12051 Niagara River Parkway and the vacant lands north of the Bossert Road road allowance in the locations upon which the owners current access are located, subject to city-solicitor approval. THAT Council AUTHORIZE that upon the sale of Part of Bossert Road between Willoughby Drive and Niagara River Parkway, an easement be retained by the City for permanent access to the City's cemetery known as the Byer Burial Ground. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the Chief Administrative Officer and City Solicitor, or their designate, to execute all documentation and take all steps necessary to carry out the transaction.

THAT Council extends its appreciation to the Stamford Centre Volunteer Firefighters Association, community partners, and all participants for their contributions to the success of the inaugural Pumpkin Trail; AND THAT staff be directed to develop and report back with options for establishing an annual community recognition program — under a name such as, but not limited to, the "Spooky & Spectacular Pumpkin Awards," “Jack-o’-Lantern Glow Awards," “Pumpkin Spirit Awards,” “The Great Jack-o’-Lantern Awards,” or “The Great Niagara Pumpkin Awards” — to celebrate creativity, community participation, and artistic expression as part of next year’s Pumpkin Trail or similar events. AND THAT staff include recommendations on potential award name, categories, and a judging process for Council’s consideration prior to next year’s event.

THAT Council direct staff to develop and launch a citywide Niagara Falls Holiday Indoor and Outdoor Display Competition and Awards program for the 2026 holiday season, open to all Niagara Falls businesses throughout the entire city including Downtown Niagara Falls on Queen Street, all BIAs, and businesses 2 located in restaurants and cafés, hotels and hospitality properties, retail shops, attractions and entertainment venues, and small businesses in plazas across the City. AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to consider a public voting system and a judging panel to support a formal display competition and awards program with categories such as Best Overall, Best Use of Lighting, Most Creative, Best Restaurant or Café, Best Hotel, Best Attraction, Best Small Business, and People’s Choice, along with district themes, nighttime illumination, unveiling events, and promotional activities. AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to include a citywide interactive digital map for public viewing and voting, similar to the interactive map used for the Sparkle Awards, to guide residents and visitors to participating displays across the city. AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to consider a modest optional registration fee for participating businesses, with proceeds directed to a local charity or community initiative to be determined by Council or waived where appropriate to encourage participation. AND FURTHER THAT the program

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

That Council ADJOURN the meeting at 7:30 PM.