City Council

THAT Council ENTER into an In-Camera session.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council APPROVE the minutes of the March 3, 2026 meeting as presented.

THAT Council AGREE to move up Item #15.1 (Motion - submitted by Councillor Mona Patel - Human Trafficking Prevention) in the agenda.

THAT Council agree to move Item #13.3, Victoria Centre BIA - 2026 Budget Levy, to Item #7.3 on the agenda.

THAT Council RECEIVE the presentation by David Adames, Chief Executive Officer at Niagara Parks pertaining to the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

THAT Council DIRECT staff to come back with a report with an update on the City's fireworks by-law, including penalties.

THAT Council APPROVE the Victoria Centre BIA's proposed budget for 2026.

WHEREAS human trafficking is a serious issue affecting communities across the Niagara Region; and WHEREAS hotels in Ontario are required to provide human trafficking awareness training, while short-term rental operators are not currently subject to the same requirements; and WHEREAS Niagara Falls is a major tourism destination and has a responsibility to take proactive steps to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back to Council on options to require human trafficking prevention training for all licensed short-term rental operators, including both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied accommodations (including Airbnb operators), as a condition of licensing or licence renewal within the City; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back to Council on implementing human trafficking awareness training for City By-law and Parking Enforcement staff, delivered in partnership with the Niagara Regional Police Service and any other relevant agencies, and made available to any City employee who wishes to participate; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff engage with local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), including those representing tourism-focused areas, to promote access to human trafficking awareness training and prevention resources; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back to Council on the City of Niagara Falls becoming a signatory to the Code of Conduct for Human Trafficking Prevention in Niagar

THAT Council ALLOW Dave Augustyn, Policy Consultant, TOES (Tools of Empowerment for Success) and Crime Stoppers to delegate to this matter.

That Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to facilitate the development of three blocks containing 51 stacked townhouse dwelling units, subject to the regulations and modifications detailed in this Report. That Council APPROVE the inclusion of a Holding (H) provision in the amending by-law to require the submission of a letter from the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism acknowledging entry of the Stage 1 & 2 Archaeological Assessment into the Ontario Public Register of Archeological Reports. That Council AUTHORIZE the amending by-law to include a sunset clause to require the execution of a Site Plan Agreement or the receipt of Draft Plan of Condominium approval 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 permit the use of the lands for one (1) Vacation Rental Unit (VRU) within the existing duplex, subject to the regulations outlined in this report.

THAT Council APPROVE the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to increase the permitted density, to rezone the subject lands for the conversion of the two existing motels to 71 permanent dwelling units, to permit the construction of a 6-storey residential apartment containing 66 units with 50% of the ground floor being commercial space, and to provide for a centrally located amenity space for the residents subject to the regulations detailed 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 AGREE to move Item #9.4 and Item #15.2 up in the agenda to be presented after Item #8.3.

1. THAT Council approve, approve in part or deny the Fee Waiver applications received for the March 31, 2026 submission date, listed as follows: (a) Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw - in the amount of $212.56, to waive the costs of the facility rental (gymnasium at the MacBain Centre). (b) Birchway Book Riot - 2026, Women's Place of South Niagara o/a Birchway Niagara - in the amount of $11,946.29, to waive the costs associated with the ice rental at the Gale Centre. (c) Stamford Centre Volunteer Firefighters Association Annual Easter Egg Hunt - in the amount of $3,357.00, to waive the costs of staffing and painting of parking lot (temporary) at Firemen's Park. (d) First Annual Krampusfest, Cat & Monkey Events/Ronnie Dons Ice Cream - in the amount of $356.00, to waive the costs of the fees associated with the road closures and special event permit. (e) Meeting Room Rental Fee for 2026 - Pathstone Mental Health - in the amount of $4,675.00 to waive the costs of the facility rental at the MacBain Community Centre and for drop-in recreation passes. (f) Meeting Room Rental Fee for 2026 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara - in the amount of $9,345.00 to waive the costs of the MacBain Community Centre meeting room. (g) Cruising the Q, Heart Niagara - in the amount of $4,983.05 to waive the fees associated with the road closures. (h) Coldest Night of the Year, Project Share - in the amount of $226.00 to waive the fees associated with the special event permit. (i) Recharge

THAT Council RECEIVE Staff Report CS-2026-14 Cemetery Software Management Project – Budget Amendment for information ; THAT Council APPROVE a 2026 Capital Budget Amendment in the amount of $100,000 for the Cemetery Software Project (Capital Project ID G97-25) to be funded from the OLG Reserve Fund resulting in a total project budget of $445,000.

THAT Council RECEIVE this report for information regarding the use of tabulators for in person voting during the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections.

THAT Council APPROVE Interim Control By ‑ law 2026-029,attached as ‘APPENDIX A’ , to restrict new motel conversion applications on Lundy’s Lane for a period of one year.

THAT Council pass a motion to DEFER Report PBD-2026-18 - Recreational Vehicle & Trailer Parking By-Law with direction to staff to bring back a report to Council after getting public consultation.

Vince Kerrio 1. THAT Council AUTHORIZE that the City laneway located east of Magdalen Street and west of Centre Street (the "Subject Lands") as shown outlined in pink on Appendix "1" attached hereto, be permanently closed and declared surplus to the City's needs. 2. THAT Council AUTHORIZE the Manager of Realty Services to engage in negotiations with respect to the sale of the Subject Lands in accordance with the City's Sale of Land By-law.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council DEFER Report CS-2026-12 - Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Committees until the next Council meeting.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council RECEIVE report CS-2026-16 Shark Tank Update (Supplementary) for information.

Vince Kerrio THAT this report be RECEIVED for information and that the updated Operational Plan be ENDORSED by Council.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council RECEIVE the Development and Housing Monitoring Report that reviews the status of development, housing and growth management activity for the City of Niagara Falls in 2025.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council RECEIVE Report CS-2026-18 (Clerks) for information; and THAT Council APPROVE By-law 2026-026 in the form attached at Attachment 1.

THAT Council APPROVE/SUPPORT Item #11.1 through to and including Item #11.8.

THAT Council Approve the two day street closure request subject to staff meeting with the organizers of the event and agreeing to a plan for the two days.

THAT Council RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION Item #12.1 through to and including Item #12.9.

Vince Kerrio THAT Council PASS By-law No. 2026-027 to repeal and replace By-law No. 2025-096, thereby updating the City of Niagara Falls Site Plan Control By-law in accordance with Council's direction.

THAT Council APPROVE a Noise By-law Exemption for Niagara Ribstock, 2026, held at Firemen's Park, 2275 Dorchester Road to allow for the playing of amplified music and live music performances until 11:00 PM on Friday, June 19, 2026 and Saturday, June 20, 2026 and until 10:00 PM on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

THAT Council DIRECT staff to look at the fee structure pertaining to rural ditching/draining on private property and a program on how the cleaning of the ditches/drains will be done and how many residents will be affected, in particular, to look at the Union Marsh drain.

THAT the by-laws be read a first, second and third time and passed, excluding By-law 2026-028.

THAT Council ADJOURN the meeting at 9:24 PM.