Niagara Region public meetings in 2023
26 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee approved several infrastructure and waste management contracts, including a major sanitary sewer project. The committee also established a new Transportation Strategy Steering Committee and authorized a feasibility study for a joint operations centre with the Town of Pelham.
- Awarded Quaker Road Sanitary Trunk Sewer contract to Peter’s Excavating Inc. for $12,066,888.63
- Awarded Bridge Street Waste and Recycling Depot operations contract to Waste Innovators Niagara Inc. for $1,129,873 per year
- Approved feasibility study for joint public works operations centre with Town of Pelham at 1495 Victoria Ave
- Approved residential Blue Box depot collection services for Circular Materials Ontario (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025)
- Endorsed terms of reference for new Transportation Strategy Steering Committee (TSSC)
- Dissolved Transportation Steering Committee, Active Transportation Sub Committee, and Greater Niagara Circle Route Committee
- Approved appointments to the Niagara Road 12 Landfill Citizen Liaison Committee
- Approved recommendations regarding recycling collection from non-eligible sources (Confidential PW 37-2023)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee received reports on the Consolidated Housing Master Plan and the Strategic Transformation Office Attainable Housing Workplan. Members also received presentations on the Lobbyist Registry By-law and the Affordable Housing Strategy.
- Received Report COM 32-2023 regarding Update on the Consolidated Housing Master Plan (Carried)
- Received Report PDS 27-2023 regarding Strategic Transformation Office - Attainable Housing Workplan (Carried)
Waste Management Planning Steering Committee
The committee meeting was primarily procedural, consisting of receiving several reports and updates for information. No substantive policy changes or budget approvals were decided during the open session.
- Received Councillor Information Request (WMPSC-C 22-2023)
- Received Ontario’s Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement Update (WMPSC-C 23-2023)
- Received Humberstone Landfill Public Liaison Committee Update (WMPSC-C 24-2023)
- Received Niagara Road 12 Landfill Citizen Liaison Committee Update (WMPSC-C 25-2023)
- Received Waste Management Strategic Plan Update (WMPSC-C 26-2023)
- Received letter from Ontario Minister of the Environment regarding Hazardous and Special Products Regulations (WMPSC-C 27-2023)
- Received confidential verbal update on Collection of Non-Eligible Sources and Depot Service Contract
Procedural By-law Review Committee
The Procedural By-law Review Committee directed staff to provide definitions and provisions for the 'Other Business' agenda item. The committee also updated its 2023 work plan to prioritize two specific items.
- Directed staff to provide options and definitions for 'Other Business' agenda items (Carried)
- Approved 2023 Work Plan Update and changed items 3(f) and 3(g) to high priority (Carried)
Joint Board of Management
The Joint Board of Management directed staff to create a business case for resources needed to support the voluntary transfer of Part III and Part IX Provincial Offences Court Matters from the Province. This case will be considered as part of the 2024 Court Services Budget. The Board also received several operational and financial reports.
- Approved direction for staff to prepare business case for Part III and Part IX Provincial Offences Court Matters (Carried)
- Received 2nd Quarter Variance Analysis and Forecast to December 31, 2023 (Carried)
- Received Court Services Operational Update - August 2023 (Carried)
- Received Vision Zero Automated Speed Enforcement Program Updates (Carried)
- Approved May 8, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
- Rescheduled September 21, 2023 meeting to September 18, 2023
Council
Regional Council approved a modified Official Plan Amendment regarding employment policies for the City of Niagara Falls. The council also passed several by-laws related to traffic regulation and record retention. Additionally, Councillor Ganann was appointed to the Corporate Services Committee.
- Approved City of Niagara Falls Official Plan Amendment No. 147 (22-2)
- Appointed Councillor Ganann to the Corporate Services Committee
- Passed Bill 2023-55: Speed limits of 40 km/h in School Zones on Regional Highways
- Passed Bill 2023-56: Designation of Community Safety Zones on Regional Highways
- Passed Bill 2023-57: Classification, retention and destruction of records
- Passed Bill 2023-58: Ratification of Council actions from August 17, 2023
- Approved minutes and recommendations from Procedural By-law Review, Budget Review, Public Works, Public Health and Social Services, and Corporate Services committees
Accessibility Advisory Committee
The committee appointed Councillor Bateman as Chair and Liz Hay as Vice-Chair for the 2023-2024 term. Members received orientations on committee responsibilities and accessibility legislation. The committee requested a proposed 2023 meeting schedule for the next agenda.
- Appointed Councillor Bateman as Chair for the 2023-2024 term
- Appointed Liz Hay as Vice-Chair for the 2023-2024 term
- Received 2023 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Dates for information
Planning and Economic Development Committee
The Planning and Economic Development Committee approved the City of Niagara Falls Official Plan Amendment No. 147 (Employment Policies) as modified. A separate motion to remove 9015 Stanley Avenue from the Employment Area designation was defeated.
- Approved City of Niagara Falls Official Plan Amendment No. 147 as modified (16-0)
- Denied motion to remove 9015 Stanley Avenue from Employment Area designation (2-15)
- Received Economic Development Quarterly Update ED 9-2023 for information
- Received correspondence from Turkstra Mazza Associates and Thomson, Rogers Lawyers for information
Corporate Services Committee
The Corporate Services Committee approved a tax interest write-off for the Town of Lincoln and appointed a new Lobbyist Registrar. The committee also updated the Records Retention By-law and the Vehicle and Equipment Use Policy. Additionally, the committee expressed support for updated municipal codes of conduct recommendations from the AMO.
- Approved write-off of $208,692.21 in 2022 tax installment interest for Town of Lincoln (13-0)
- Approved single sourcing of Lobbyist Registrar Services to Boghosian+Allen LLP and appointed David Boghosian as Registrar
- Approved draft Records Retention By-law and repealed By-law 2013-063
- Approved updated Policy C-HR-023 Vehicle and Equipment Use
- Supported AMO recommendations for updated Municipal Codes of Conduct and urged provincial legislation
- Referred request for development charge refund at 4389 Beechwood Road to staff for more information
- Approved land acquisition recommendations for Regional Road 81 in St. Catharines
- Approved land acquisition recommendations for Regional Road 45 in Township of Wainfleet
PHSSC
The committee approved several budget adjustments for social services and child care, all funded through provincial ministries. It also authorized increased funding for emergency shelters and directed the Regional Chair to advocate for provincial coverage of birth control.
- Approved $1,287,250 gross budget adjustment for Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities (Carried)
- Approved $6,232,181 gross budget adjustment for Child Care and Early Years and two new permanent full-time Reporting Analyst positions (Carried)
- Increased Emergency Shelter contracts by $300,000 and approved an additional $300,000 contingency (Carried)
- Directed Regional Chair to send a letter to the Provincial government advocating for birth control coverage for all Ontario residents (Carried)
- Approved recommendations in Confidential Report COM 30-2023 regarding Building Safer Communities Fund & Grant Program Pilot (Carried)
- Requested a future staff report on costs associated with asylum seekers using the Region's shelter system (Carried)
Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee approved a major construction contract for water treatment upgrades in St. Catharines and adopted a new Community Safety Zone Policy. The committee also directed staff to seek federal funding for explosive ordinance remediation at a wastewater site in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
- Awarded DeCew Falls WTP Plant 3 Upgrades Contract 2 to Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. for $45,081,350.00
- Increased Associated Engineering Ltd. contract for DeCew Falls WTP administration to $2,101,923.06
- Approved adoption of Community Safety Zone Policy and designated specific safety zones
- Directed staff to request financial aid from the Government of Canada for UXO remediation at NOTL WWTP and Lagoon
- Authorized CAO and Treasurer to execute funding agreements with the Government of Canada for NOTL land remediation
Budget Review Committee of the Whole
The Budget Review Committee of the Whole approved the 2024 budget timetable and directed that the planning report be circulated to agencies, boards, and commissions. The committee also requested additional information regarding rent increase legislation, health equity assessments, transit levies, shared services, and police budgeting.
- Approved 2024 budget timetable (Carried)
- Approved circulation of Report CSD 38-2023 to agencies, boards, and commissions (Carried)
Council Special
Regional Council approved the 'Growing Better Together: 2023-2026 Council Strategic Priorities' report. An amendment to the 'Prosperous Region' section was proposed but defeated.
- Approved Growing Better Together: 2023-2026 Council Strategic Priorities (Carried)
- Denied amendment to Section 4.1 under Prosperous Region (Defeated)
- Passed Bill 2023-53 to ratify actions of the July 20, 2023 Special meeting (Carried)
Council
Council approved a motion requesting the Province of Ontario eliminate the 6.1% wine basic tax on VQA wines sold at onsite winery stores. Council also referred a proposal to transition states of emergency for homelessness, mental health, and opioid addictions to states of crisis back to committee for further data.
- Approved request to Province of Ontario to eliminate 6.1% wine basic tax on VQA wines at onsite retail stores
- Approved request for a permanent uncapped VQA wine support program via the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Referred transition of homelessness, mental health, and opioid addiction states of emergency to 'states of crisis' back to Public Health and Social Services Committee for data
- Approved Open Session minutes CL 9-2023 (June 15, 2023)
- Approved recommendations from Public Works Committee (Minutes PWC 7-2023)
- Approved recommendations from Corporate Services Committee (Minutes CSC 7-2023)
- Approved Open and Closed Session recommendations from Planning and Economic Development Committee (Minutes PEDC 7-2023)
- Received correspondence regarding opposition to ending states of emergency for mental health, homelessness, and addiction
Procedural By-law Review Committee
The Procedural By-law Review Committee approved several amendments to the Procedural By-law, including new definitions and decorum rules for delegations. One item regarding the submission of materials by delegates was deferred to August 28, 2023.
- Approved new definition of 'Delegation'
- Approved Delegation Decorum rules prohibiting disrespectful speech and unparliamentary language
- Approved 5-minute limit for Council members to ask clarification questions of delegations
- Approved 5-minute speaking limit for delegates appearing at Council who already presented at a Standing Committee
- Approved deletion of Section 24.6(c) regarding Appointment of Acting Standing Committee Chairs
- Approved 10:30 p.m. curfew for Committee of the Whole meetings, extendable to 11:00 p.m. by majority vote
- Deferred Item 6 regarding Submission of Materials by Delegates to August 28, 2023
- Received Workplan Update PBLRC-C 6-2023 for information
Planning and Economic Development Committee
The Planning and Economic Development Committee confirmed citizen appointments for the Accessibility Advisory, Agricultural Policy and Action, and Women’s Advisory committees. The committee also approved recommendations regarding a legal appeal for West Lincoln OPA 63.
- Approved citizen appointments to Accessibility Advisory, Agricultural Policy and Action, and Women’s Advisory committees (Carried)
- Approved recommendations in Confidential Report PDS 15-2023 regarding Ontario Land Tribunal Appeal of West Lincoln OPA 63 (Carried)
- Received report ED 7-2023 on Emerging Sectors Research and Analysis (Carried)
- Received reports PDS 10-2023, PDS 20-2023, PDS 21-2023, PDS 22-2023, PDS-C 30-2023, and PDS-C 31-2023 for information (Carried)
Corporate Services Committee
The committee received a report on budget adjustments for emergency shelter and phase 1 bridge housing for information. No other substantive items were decided as the meeting adjourned early due to a loss of quorum during a closed session.
- Received Report COM 26-2023 regarding Emergency Shelter and Phase 1 Bridge Housing Budget Adjustment for information (Carried)
PHSSC
The committee voted to transition the declared states of emergency for homelessness, mental health, and opioid addictions to states of crisis. Members also approved several budget adjustments for seniors and housing services and updated the community housing waitlist priority groups.
- Transitioned states of emergency for homelessness, mental health, and opioid addictions to states of crisis (7-4)
- Approved $7,682,725 budget adjustment for Seniors Services funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care
- Approved changes to Housing Services Local Priority Groups for the community housing centralized waitlist
- Approved $6,153,900 gross budget adjustment for Emergency Shelter and Phase 1 Bridge Housing funded by MMAH
- Authorized transfer of $6,903,900 to Niagara Regional Housing for capital projects
- Approved 2022-2023 Public Health and Emergency Services Program Audits
- Approved confidential recommendation regarding Associate Medical Officer of Health labour relations
- Approved confidential acquisition of property in the City of St. Catharines by Niagara Regional Housing
Public Works Committee
The Committee approved a $2.5 million budget increase for repairs at the DeCew Water Treatment Plant. It also decided to opt out of providing curbside blue box collection on behalf of producers starting January 1, 2024, and approved a road jurisdiction transfer in West Lincoln.
- Approved $2.5M gross budget increase for DeCew Water Treatment Plant Lower Reservoir Berm Repair
- Approved transferring ~3,791 sq m of South Grimsby Road 10 to Township of West Lincoln and ~794 sq m to Niagara Region
- Approved continuing recycling collection at special events until December 31, 2025, pending a processor
- Approved discontinuing collection of non-designated materials under Blue Box Regulation effective January 1, 2024
- Decided not to 'opt in' to provide curbside Blue Box collection on behalf of producers after January 1, 2024
- Approved public member appointments to the Waste Management Planning Steering Committee
- Removed updates to the Hauled Sewage Program Policy from the agenda
Waste Management Planning Steering Committee
The committee received presentations on 2024 waste management capital projects and the 2022 Keen on Green waste audit results. No substantive items were decided or voted upon for action, as there were no items for consideration.
- Received for information: Councillor Information Request (WMPSC-C 16-2023)
- Received for information: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Proposed Methane Regulation (WMPSC-C 18-2023)
- Received for information: Regulatory Framework Paper and Technical Paper to Advance the Plastics Circular Economy (WMPSC-C 19-2023)
- Received for information: Proposed Amendments to the Blue Box Regulation (WMPSC-C 20-2023)
- Received for information: Illegal Dumping Campaign Videos (WMPSC-C 21-2023)
Procedural By-law Review Committee
The Committee received a memorandum regarding speaking lengths and delegations for information. Members requested staff provide proposed language and additional information on delegation limits, decorum, and councillor protections. The Committee also requested a review of the effectiveness of the monthly meeting cycle.
- Received Memorandum PBLRC-C 4-2022 regarding Speaking Length and Delegations (Carried)
- Requested staff provide proposed language for delegation decorum
- Requested proposed language to reduce Regional Council delegation speaking time from 10 to 5 minutes for those who presented at Standing Committee
- Requested proposed language to limit councillor questions to delegates to 5 minutes
- Requested proposed language to limit organizations to one speaker instead of two
- Requested proposed language for delegate material submissions
- Requested consultation with CAO and Senior Staff on the effectiveness of the monthly meeting cycle
Council
Regional Council approved a Local Official Plan Amendment for 2360 First Street Louth in St. Catharines despite opposition from residents and environmental groups. Council also approved an operating budget adjustment for the Niagara Transit Commission and scheduled lobbyist registry training for members.
- Approved Local Official Plan Amendment for 2360 First Street Louth (17-9)
- Approved Niagara Transit Commission operating budget adjustment
- Approved training session for Council on Niagara Region’s Lobbyist Registry
- Adopted Council Minutes CL 8-2023
- Approved recommendations from Public Works Committee Minutes PWC 6-2023
- Approved recommendations from Public Health and Social Services Committee Minutes PHSSC 6-2023
- Approved recommendations from Corporate Services Committee Minutes CSC 6-2023
- Approved recommendations from Planning and Economic Development Committee Minutes PEDC 6-2023 (excluding Item 5.1)
Planning and Economic Development Committee
The Planning and Economic Development Committee approved a Local Official Plan Amendment for 2360 First Street Louth in the City of St. Catharines. The committee also received reports on the Niagara Irrigation Initiative and several provincial planning items.
- Approved Local Official Plan Amendment for 2360 First Street Louth, City of St. Catharines
- Defeated motion to deny Local Official Plan Amendment for 2360 First Street Louth (5-8)
- Received Report PDS 19-2023 regarding Niagara Irrigation Initiative – Next Steps
- Received for information Report ED 8-2023 regarding Support to Local Area Municipalities
- Received for information Report PDS-C 19-2023 regarding Bill 97 and proposed Provincial Planning Statement
- Received for information Report PDS-C 20-2023 regarding Staff Comments on Proposed Provincial Planning Statement
Corporate Services Committee
The Corporate Services Committee approved a land acquisition for a Public Health extension in Niagara Falls. The committee also directed staff to create a working group for a social procurement implementation plan.
- Approved land acquisition for Public Health Extension Term – Niagara Falls (Confidential Report CSD 32-2023)
- Directed staff to create a cross-functional working group to develop a multi-year social procurement implementation plan (Report CSD 28-2023)
- Received Report CSD 31-2023 regarding vaccination status data in the DEI Action Plan for information, with a provision to consider delegate input in future surveys and updates
- Received Provincial Advocacy Plan Debrief (CHR 03-2023) for information
Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee approved a major road reconstruction contract in St. Catharines and a budget increase for a project in Niagara Falls. It also approved funding adjustments for a sewer replacement project involving Welland and Pelham.
- Awarded Regional Road 42 reconstruction contract to Rankin Construction Inc. for $16,144,790.25 (Carried)
- Approved $1,252,109.27 gross budget adjustment for Regional Road 42 (Carried)
- Approved $2,418,188 gross budget adjustment for Regional Road 98 reconstruction (Carried)
- Increased Regional Road 98 contract for Beam-Rankin Joint Venture Ltd. by $2,685,291.31 to a total of $30,646,491.56 (Carried)
- Approved $3,727,895 gross and $285,896 net budget adjustment for Quaker Road Trunk Sewer Replacement (Carried)
- Received confidential memorandum PWC-C 2-2023 regarding Residential Blue Box Program negotiations (Carried)
PHSSC
The committee approved a motion to investigate and collect data on mental health crisis responses and 9-1-1 triaging. Other decisions included adding EMS dispatch positions and adjusting the homelessness services budget. The committee also approved two community services program audits.
- Approved motion to investigate mental health crisis response options and report findings in January 2024 (12-0)
- Approved addition of three full-time permanent System Status Controller positions in Niagara EMS Communications
- Approved $2,587,500 gross operating budget adjustment for Homelessness Services
- Approved 2022 audited annual reconciliation return for Community Support Services Program
- Approved 2023 audited schedule of Revenue and Expenses for Reaching Home Program
- Received reports on Housing Services Income Asset Limits and Canada-Wide Early Learning Child Care Expansion Plan for information
- Received Homeless Shelter Capacity Review report for information