Port Colborne public meetings in 2023
21 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council Meeting
Council approved the implementation of traffic calming measures and new stop signs at three intersections. The city also authorized road and parking lot closures for the 2023 Harvest Festival and approved a funding agreement for the Rural Economic Development program.
- Approved implementation of traffic calming measures and new stop signs at Knoll St/Highland Ave, Omer Ave/Queen St, and Wellington St/John St
- Directed further study of the intersection at Delhi Street and Catharine Street
- Approved road closures for Market Square parking lot and Charlotte Street for the 2023 Harvest Festival
- Approved a Noise By-law Variance and fee waivers for the Harvest Festival
- Approved Amending Agreement with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for Rural Economic Development program funding
- Authorized deletion of the Right to Reconveyance Agreement for the Chestnut Park property
- Appointed Deanna Rudyk to the Port Colborne Seniors Advisory Committee through December 31, 2027
- Granted a sign variance for 690-700 Elm Street
Social Determinants of Health Advisory Committee
The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from June 1, 2023. Members discussed the draft lodging by-law, hospital services, and transportation access. The chair and vice chair will develop starting points for 2024-25 goals.
- Approved Sept. 7, 2023 meeting agenda
- Approved June 1, 2023 meeting minutes
- Elected K. Kerridge as vice chair (unanimous)
Council In Closed Session
Council adopted the agenda and passed a by-law to ratify previous proceedings. The body then entered a closed session to discuss a Chief Administrative Officer report regarding negotiations.
- Confirmed the September 5, 2023, Closed Session agenda
- Passed by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm Council proceedings
- Approved motion to enter closed session to address CAO Report 2023-171
Public Meeting
Council held a public meeting to consider a zoning by-law amendment for an 82-unit apartment building at 395 Elm Street. The meeting consisted of a report receipt and discussions regarding parking, traffic, and affordable housing; no final decision on the amendment was made.
- Received Planning Division Report 2023-172 for information (Carried)
Council Meeting
Council approved the operating guidelines and the appointment of members for the Downtown Port Colborne Business Improvement Area Board of Management. Previous appointments made on February 28, 2023, were rescinded. A report on firearms by-law amendments was deferred to a later meeting.
- Approved Downtown Port Colborne Business Improvement Area Board of Management operating guidelines (Carried)
- Approved By-Law to appoint members to the Downtown Port Colborne Business Improvement Area Board of Management (Carried)
- Rescinded BIA Board of Management appointments made on February 28, 2023 (Carried)
- Deferred amendments to the Discharge of Firearms By-Law to September 12, 2023
- Passed By-Law to adopt, ratify and confirm Council proceedings (Carried)
Council In Closed Session
Council confirmed the agenda and passed a by-law to ratify previous proceedings. The meeting primarily consisted of a closed session to address a verbal update from the Mayor regarding health care services.
- Confirmed Closed Session Agenda (Carried)
- Passed By-Law to adopt, ratify and confirm Council proceedings (Carried)
- Approved motion to enter closed session for item 5.1 regarding health care services (Carried)
Council Meeting
Council approved grant allocations for seven non-profit organizations and authorized the sale of three city-owned properties. The body also approved a road closure and noise variance for the Port Colborne High School 100 Year Anniversary.
- Approved $17,500 in grants for seven non-profits (Carried)
- Authorized sale of city property adjacent to 157 Sugarloaf Street (Carried)
- Authorized sale of city property adjacent to 216 Linwood Avenue (Carried)
- Authorized sale of city property adjacent to 52 Elm Street (Carried)
- Approved road closure and noise variance for Port Colborne High School anniversary (Carried)
- Approved 50% reimbursement of Committee of Adjustment fee for 480 Northland Avenue (6-2)
- Deferred Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment for 135 Coronation Drive to Oct 10, 2023 (Carried)
- Referred firearms by-law amendments to Sept 5, 2023 meeting (Carried)
Council In Closed Session
Council approved a by-law to ratify and confirm the proceedings of the City of Port Colborne. The remainder of the meeting was conducted in closed session to discuss confidential reports regarding litigation, personal matters, and land acquisition.
- Approved by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the proceedings of the Council (Carried)
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee denied consent application B12-23-PC because the site lacks adequate access to sewage, water, and waste management systems. The property will remain in its original condition. The minutes from the July 19, 2023, meeting were also approved.
- Denied consent application B12-23-PC (Carried)
- Approved July 19, 2023, Committee of Adjustment meeting minutes (Carried)
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee of Adjustment approved consent application B13-23-PC and minor variance applications A14-23-PC and A15-23-PC. Approval is subject to several conditions, including the submission of a topographic survey and a revised site plan for parking.
- Approved consent application B13-23-PC subject to 9 conditions
- Approved minor variance applications A14-23-PC and A15-23-PC
- Required applicant to submit a topographic survey to demonstrate drainage patterns
- Required a revised site plan showing two parking spaces on Part 3
- Required a closed construction fence on northerly, southerly, and easterly boundary lines of Part 1 and Part 3
- Required a private utility locate to identify if servicing crosses proposed boundary lines
- Required the relocation of any services crossing boundary lines to ensure each dwelling is on its own parcel
- Required a final certification fee of $231
Council Meeting
Council approved the purchase of land at 316 2nd Concession for $840,000 and a long-term fire and emergency dispatch agreement with the City of St. Catharines. Other key actions included approving a zoning amendment for VL Knoll Street and appointing members to several advisory committees.
- Approved $840,000 purchase of 316 2nd Concession (Carried)
- Approved 15-year Fire & Emergency Dispatch agreement with City of St. Catharines (Carried)
- Approved zoning change from R1 to R2 for VL Knoll Street (Carried)
- Approved 5-year lease with The Kennedy Club for food operations at Vale Health & Wellness Centre (Carried)
- Approved Downtown CBD CIP Grant agreement with Hometown Properties Inc. (Carried)
- Approved 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements and reserve transfers (Carried)
- Directed staff to apply for federal Housing Accelerator Fund (Carried)
- Waived Planning Act application fee for Royal Canadian Legion at 67 Clarence Street (Carried)
Public Meeting
Council held a public meeting to consider an application for a stacked townhouse development at 135 Coronation Drive. The meeting involved discussions on parking, drainage, and traffic impacts, but no final decision was made on the amendments.
- Received Planning Division Report 2023-124 for information (Carried)
Council In Closed Session
Council met in a closed session to address four confidential items, including reports on community safety, public works litigation, and personnel matters. The meeting was primarily procedural, with the only open action being the adoption of the agenda and a by-law to confirm previous proceedings.
- Confirmed closed session agenda (Carried)
- Passed by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm proceedings of Council (Carried)
- Approved motion to proceed into closed session for items 5.1 to 5.4 (Carried)
Council In Closed Session
Council met in a closed session to address a confidential report from the Chief Administrative Office. The meeting primarily consisted of procedural actions and the review of a confidential item.
- Approved the agenda dated June 27, 2023
- Enacted and passed the by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm Council proceedings
- Approved moving into closed session to address Chief Administrative Office Report 2023-110
Council Meeting
Council approved the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and updated rates for storm sewer, water, and wastewater services. The board also authorized road closures for the 45th Annual Canal Days Festival and approved the closure of a portion of Catharine Street.
- Approved 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
- Approved revised 2023 Storm Sewer Rates
- Approved Water and Wastewater Rates By-law updates
- Approved road closures and noise by-law exemption for 45th Annual Canal Days Festival
- Approved Stop-Up and Close By-law for part of Catharine Street (PIN 64457-0087)
- Approved Young and Hopf-Wagner Drain Levy By-law
- Approved sending a letter to the Chief Firearms Officer of Ontario regarding shooting range approval for Port Colborne and District Conservation Club
- Supported the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury regarding the right-to-repair movement
Museum, Heritage and Culture Board
The Board approved contracts and potential budget overages for re-siding the William's House and replacing the Heritage Resource Centre porch. Members also discussed rebranding the Board of Management and formed an ad-hoc committee to explore the change.
- Approved contracts and overages for William's House re-siding and Heritage Resource Centre porch replacement (Carried)
- Adopted June 20, 2023 agenda (Carried)
- Approved May 16, 2023 minutes with amendments (Carried)
- Created ad-hoc committee to discuss rebranding the Board of Management
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee granted one minor variance for an accessory structure and two consent applications for land parcels. A third consent application was adjourned to allow staff to gather more information regarding property access and servicing.
- Approved minor variance A11-23-PC for a garage height variance (Carried)
- Approved consent application B05-23-PC subject to four conditions (Carried)
- Approved consent application B11-23-PC subject to four conditions (Carried)
- Adjourned consent application B12-23-PC to gather further information on access and servicing
Council Meeting
Council passed a resolution urging Niagara Health and government officials to maintain full-service hours at the Port Colborne Urgent Care Centre. The body also approved new terms of reference for several advisory committees and waived marina fees for a local volunteer group.
- Passed resolution calling on Niagara Health to reverse planned hour reductions at Port Colborne Urgent Care Centre
- Approved Terms of Reference for nine advisory committees, including Economic Development and Environmental
- Appointed Angie Desmarais to the Property Standards/Notice to Muzzle Appeal Committee
- Repealed By-law Nos. 6422/102/16, 6299/125/15, 6069/35/14, 6471/38/17, 6317/143/15, 5328/83/09, 6530/97/17 and 6642/06/19
- Waived 2023 Sugarloaf Harbour Marina dock/storage fees for Friends of the Port Colborne Lighthouses
- Denied motion to pursue a court challenge against Sun Retreats regarding easement interpretation
- Proclaimed June 1–30, 2023, as Seniors’ Month
Public Meeting
Council received a planning report regarding a zoning amendment for a vacant lot on Knoll Street. Council also directed the Economic Development Officer to bring forward a by-law to stop up and close a portion of Catharine Street at a future meeting.
- Received Planning and Development Report 2023-108 regarding Zoning By-law Amendment for vacant lot on Knoll Street (Carried)
- Received Chief Administrative Office Report 2023-104 (Carried)
- Directed Economic Development Officer to bring forward a Stop Up and Close By-law for a portion of Catharine Street to a future meeting (Carried)
Social Determinants of Health Advisory Committee
The committee approved the agenda and the April 6 meeting minutes. Members discussed a draft bylaw for supportive living businesses and reviewed updated Terms of Reference regarding voting membership. The Mayor reported the creation of a working group to address reduced Urgent Care Centre hours.
- Approved June 1 meeting agenda
- Approved April 6 meeting minutes
Council Meeting
Council approved sponsorship and road closures for Canada Day celebrations and authorized a gift agreement with Vale Canada Limited. A proposal to demolish the Lock 8 Pavilion was rejected in favor of securing the structure until a Master Plan is finalized.
- Approved sponsorship and fee waivers for Optimist Club Canada Day Celebrations
- Approved road closures for Canada Day on July 1, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Approved exempting 263-273 Lancaster Drive from Part Lot Control provisions
- Authorized execution of a gift agreement between Vale Canada Limited and the City
- Denied demolition of Lock 8 Pavilion; directed staff to secure it until a Master Plan is approved
- Supported City of Cambridge correspondence regarding Automated Speed Enforcement Systems
- Approved appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and a City Clerk
- Denied request to repeal By-Law 6788/38/20 regarding Open Air Burning