The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, March 20, 2017
Present:
Absent: | Mayor Walter Sendzik Councillors Mike Britton, Mark Elliott, N. Carlos Garcia, Matt Harris,
Councillors Sandie Bellows, and Bill Phillips |
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Officials Present: | Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services / Acting CAO Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations Jeanette Pillitteri, Director of Corporate Support Services Brian York, Director of Economic Development and Government Relations Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services David Wood, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services Heather Salter, Director of Legal and Clerks Services/City Solicitor Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Jim Riddell, Director of Planning and Building Services Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk Rebecca Alfieri, Council and Committee Coordinator |
Mayor Sendzik was in the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 8:59 p.m. |
1. | Call for Reports to be Brought Forward from Consent |
Item 4.3 - 136 James Street, 51 Lake Street - Brownfield Tax Increment Based Incentive Grant Agreement (Councillor Elliott)
Item 4.4 - 189 Riverview Blvd. - Development Agreement (Councillor Kushner)
Item 4.6 - P17-004 Sanitary Sewer Repairs Strada Boulevard Easement - Award of Tender, Budget Amendment and Early Budget Approval (Councillor Britton)
Item 4.7 - P16-100 Broadway - Award of Tender and Water Budget Early Budget Approval (Councillor Britton)
Item 4.8 - Prohibition of Nuisance Parties (Councillor Kushner)
Item 4.9 - Proposed Expansion to the St. Catharines Downtown Business Improvement Area (Councillor Elliott)
2. | Motion to Move Reports on Consent |
That Council approve the Consent Agenda, save and except those items brought forward for discussion. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Haywood, Kushner, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
Council then proceeded with General Committee Agenda, Item 3.2
3. | Discussion Reports |
Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of March 20, 2017
3.1. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Parks, Cemeteries, Forestry and Horticulture Tree Management Framework (Deferred by General Committee, March 6, 2016) (Staff presentation to precede discussion of report) |
Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks Recreation and Culture Services, provided an update regarding the Tree Management Framework, and answered questions from Council.
That Council direct staff to implement a two year pilot project that will make trees available to the public at reduced rates, set to maximize program participation; and
That Council direct staff to implement a year round communication and partnership strategy to increase public awareness and stakeholder participation in the stewardship of private trees; and
That Council direct staff to prepare a comprehensive tree by-law that addresses trees on public property based on the framework presented within this report; and
That Council direct staff to explore the costs to partner with a service provider to engage private tree owners and other stakeholders to create and maintain an inventory of trees on private property (staff to report back to Council in Q2 of 2017; target start date is Q1 2018); and
Further, that Council direct staff to report back on the findings of the private tree inventory, monitoring and analysis regarding the number of trees that may potentially be affected by a proposed private tree by-law based on the framework presented within this report. FORTHWITH
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Councillor Siscoe requested that part of the motion be referred to the Budget Standing Committee.
That Council refer the following sections of the motion to the Budget Standing Committee: That Council direct staff to implement a two year pilot project that will make trees available to the public at reduced rates, set to maximize program participation; and
That Council direct staff to explore the costs to partner with a service provider to engage private tree owners and other stakeholders to create and maintain an inventory of trees on private property (staff to report back to Council in Q2 of 2017; target start date is Q1 2018); and
That Council direct staff to report back on the findings of the private tree inventory, monitoring and analysis regarding the number of trees that may potentially be affected by a proposed private tree by-law based on the framework presented within this report. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Britton, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Motion to Refer Carried
Councillor Siscoe requested the remainder of the motion be voted on separately.
Moved By: Councillor Haywood
That Council direct staff to prepare a tree by-law that addresses trees on private property based on existing tree by-laws in other Ontario cities, and that this by-law be ready for consideration by Council no later than the first Council meeting in June. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays: Councillor Siscoe
Carried
Council then voted on the remainder of the original motion by show of hands.
That Council direct staff to implement a year round communication and partnership strategy to increase public awareness and stakeholder participation in the stewardship of private trees; and
That Council direct staff to prepare a comprehensive tree by-law that addresses trees on public property based on the framework presented within this report. FORTHWITH
Carried
Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Business Planning and Strategic Services Centennial Gardens Revitalization Plan Update, 2010 - 2017 (Staff presentation to precede discussion of report) |
Mayor Sendzik left the chair. Deputy Mayor Harris assumed the chair.
Amy Tomaino, Manager of Business Planning and Strategic Services, and Kristen Sullivan, Project and Development Planner, Parks, Recreation and Culture Services provided an overview of the report regarding the Centennial Gardens Revitalization Plan 2010 - 2017, and answered questions from Council.
That Council receive the 2017 work plan for Centennial Gardens for information; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws and agreements for funding under the Niagara Region’s Waterfront Investment Program. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Haywood, Kushner, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, and Harris
Nays: Carried
Mayor Sendzik was not present for the discussion nor the vote.
Council then proceeded to General Committee Agenda, Item 3.1.
Mayor Sendzik resumed the chair.
3.3. | Planning and Building Services, Planning Services 136 James Street, 51 Lake Street – Brownfield Tax Increment Based Incentive Grant Agreement; Owner: Penn Terra Group Limited (Item 4.3 moved from Consent) |
That Council authorize the execution of a Brownfield Tax Increment Based Incentive Grant Agreement for the development at 136 James Street, between Penn Terra Group Limited and the City of St. Catharines and any necessary by-laws authorizing the execution of the agreement and other related documents; and
That Council authorize the execution of a Brownfield Tax Increment Based Incentive Grant Agreement for the development at 51 Lake Street, between Penn Terra Group Limited and the City of St. Catharines and any necessary by-laws authorizing the execution of the agreement and other related documents; and
Further, that the Clerk be directed to make the necessary notifications. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Britton, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays: Carried
Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Subject: 189 Riverview Boulevard – Development Agreement; Owner: Peter McDonald, Sharon McDonald (Item 4.4 moved from Consent) |
That Council authorize the execution of a development agreement with Peter McDonald and Sharon McDonald in fulfilment of a condition imposed by the Ontario Municipal Board in its decision dated September 2, 2016, for a Consent application at 189 Riverview Boulevard; and
That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-law; and
That the Clerk be directed to make the necessary notifications. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Kushner, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, Britton, Elliott, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
3.5. | Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk Proposed Expansion to the St. Catharines Downtown Business Improvement Area (Item 4.9 moved from Consent) |
That as requested by the Board of Management of the St. Catharines Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), the City Clerk commence the process to approve the expansion of the boundaries of the BIA in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001. FORTHWITH
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That Council defer the report in order to ask staff to invite the St. Catharines Downtown Business Association to make a presentation to Council on the reasons for the expansion.
Motion to Defer Carried
4. | Consent Reports |
Follow this link to view General Committee Agenda reports of March 20, 2017
4.1. | Financial Management Services, Accounting 2017 Water and Wastewater Budget and Associated Rates (Report for tabling of public meeting on March 27, 2017) |
That the report from the Financial Management Services Department – Accounting, dated February 28, 2017, regarding the 2017 Water and Wastewater Budget and
Associated Rates, be referred to City Council for consideration after the Public Meeting scheduled for March 27, 2017, for which notice will be duly given. FORTHWITH
Motion to Refer Approved on Consent
4.2. | Financial Management Services, Billing To Amend Various By-Laws to include 26 Raymond St Parking Lot to By-Law 89-305 (Report for tabling of public meeting on March 27, 2017) |
That Council refer to the report from Financial Management Services, dated March 1, 2017, regarding the addition of 26 Raymond St Parking Lot for consideration after the public meeting scheduled for March 27, 2017. FORTHWITH
Motion to Refer Approved on Consent
4.3. | Brought forward for Discussion - See Item 3.3 Planning and Building Services, Planning Services 136 James Street, 51 Lake Street – Brownfield Tax Increment Based Incentive Grant Agreement; Owner: Penn Terra Group Limited |
4.4. | Brought forward for Discussion - See Item 3.4 Planning and Building Services, Planning Services 189 Riverview Boulevard – Development Agreement; Owner: Peter McDonald, Sharon McDonald |
4.5. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Business Planning and Strategic Services Lighting of Parks and Trails Guidelines |
That Council receive the report for information purposes. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
4.6. | Brought forward for Discussion - Deferred to the meeting of March 27, 2017 Transportation and Environmental Services, Engineering and Construction P17-004 Sanitary Sewer Repairs Strada Boulevard Easement - Award of Tender, Budget Amendment and Early Budget Approval |
4.7. | Brought forward for Discussion - Deferred to the meeting of March Transportation and Environmental Services, Engineering and Construction P16-100 Broadway - Award of Tender and Water Budget Early Budget Approval |
4.8. | Brought forward for Discussion - Deferred to the meeting of March 27, 2017 Legal and Clerks Services, Legal Services Prohibition of Nuisance Parties (Report for tabling of public meeting on April 10, 2017) |
4.9. | Brought forward for Discussion - See Item 3.5 Legal and Clerks Services, Office of the City Clerk Proposed Expansion to the St. Catharines Downtown Business Improvement Area |
4.10. | Legal and Clerks Services, Office of City Clerk Council Correspondence |
That Council receive and file the items listed within the report; and
That Council receive and file additional correspondence distributed for the meeting held March 20, 2017, which is available upon request, and includes: (1) Memorandum from Planning and Building Services - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment 115 Martindale Road, 117 Martindale Road, and 14 Grapeview Drive, (2) Memorandum from Planning and Building Services - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision, 4 Berkley Drive, (3) Letter from Joanne Atkinson - Response to Tree Management Framework, (4) Unifor Local 1999 - Support for Niagara Casino Workers, (5) Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) - Letter of Support - Casino RFPQ, (6) Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce - Letter of Support to Premier of Ontario - Casino RFPQ, (7) Ontario Chamber of Commerce-Letter of Support to Premier of Ontario - Casio RFPQ, and (8) MPP Cindy Forster - Support for NPCA Third Party Audit. FORTHWITH
Approved on Consent
5. | Report Requests and Directions for Staff |
Deferred to the meeting of March 27, 2017
5.1. | Requirements to be Declared a Bee City At the meeting of March 6, 2017, Councillor Siscoe provided notice that he would request the following report request: That Council direct staff to look into the requirements to be declared a Bee City, a David Suzuki Foundation initiative, and report back to Council. |
5.2. | Process to Utilize Barn on Buchanan House Site At the meeting of March 6, 2017, Councillor Haywood provided notice that he would request the following report request: That Council direct staff to report on what the process and costs would be for community groups who have expressed interest in utilizing the barn on the site of the Buchanan House property. | |
In-Camera Session (General Committee) | ||
The In-Camera Session was Deferred to the meeting of March 27, 2017
Council will meet In-Camera for the following purposes:
• Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees
Adjournment |
There being no further items of business, General Committee adjourned at
10:31 p.m. and City Council reconvened.
Certified Correct:Confirmed by:
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Council CoordinatorMayor