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The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Regular, Monday, July 9, 2018 

Council Chambers, City Hall, 6:30 PM

 

His Worship Mayor Walter Sendzik takes the Chair and opens the meeting

 

 

 

1.

Mayor's Report

 

 

 

2.

Adoption of the Agendas

 

 

 

3.

Adoption of the Minutes (Council and General Committee)

 

 

 

3.1

Regular Meeting of Council, Minutes of June 25, 2018

 

 

 

 

3.2

General Committee, Minutes of June 25, 2018

 

 

 

 

3.3

Budget Standing Committee, Minutes of April 16, 2018, and May 23, 2018

 

 

 

 

4.

Declarations of Interest

 

 

 

5.

Public Meetings Pursuant to Planning Act

 

 

 

5.1

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Planning Act Continuation of Public Meeting - Recommendation Report

Application to Amend Zoning By-law 2013-283; Subject Lands: 116 Glenridge Avenue; Owner: St. George & St. Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church; Agent: Schiedel Construction Incorporated

Report PBS-155-2018

 

 

 

 

5.2

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Planning Act Public Meeting - Information Report

Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Subject Lands: 50 Herrick Avenue; Application for Zoning By-law Amendment; Subject Lands: 40 Woodburn Avenue; Owner: Downing Street (Heritage Point) Inc.; Agent: LANDx Developments Inc.

Report PBS-154-2018

 

 

 

 

6.

Delegations

 

 

 

6.1

Michael Commisso

Re: Petition - Against Installation of Sidewalks - Olde School Court

(see General Committee Agenda, July 9, 2018, Item 4.6, Sub-item 3)

 

 

 

 

6.2

Doug Whitty

Re: Employment Land Needs Assessment

(see General Committee Agenda, July 9, 2018, Item 3.1)

 

 

 

 

6.3

Michael Bissett

Re: Employment Land Needs Assessment

(see General Committee Agenda, July 9, 2018, Item 3.1)

 

 

 

 

7.

Presentations

 

 

 

8.

Motions

 

 

 

8.1

Cancellation of Council Meeting - July 30, 2018

 

That Council cancel the meeting scheduled for July 30, 2018, due to scheduling conflicts.

 

 

 

 

8.2

Appointment of Deputy Treasurer

 

That Council appoint Mr. Adam Smith as Deputy Treasurer; and

 

That Mr. Smith have all the powers and duties of the treasurer under the Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25, c. 286(2) or any other Act; and

 

That the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-law.

 

 

 

 

8.3

Rental Licensing By-law

At the meeting of June 25, 2018, Councillor Britton provided notice that he would present the following motion:

 

WHEREAS staff were directed to prepare a report and draft by-law to regulate and license rental housing in the City of St. Catharines on September 25, 2017, for public consideration by April 2018; and

 

WHEREAS public consideration has been overwhelmingly against the proposed by-law including submitted emails, comments made at a recent public meeting, and a petition containing over 1000 signatures against the by-law; and

 

WHEREAS the rental vacancy rate in St. Catharines is extremely low causing the supply of affordable housing in St. Catharines to shrink; and

 

WHEREAS any additional fees placed on landlords will be passed on to renters thereby placing increased upward pressure on monthly rents; and

 

WHEREAS recent local media has reported that rental rates in St. Catharines are up 15.1% compared to last year; and

 

WHEREAS there are existing by-laws and enforcement mechanisms at the City of St. Catharines to protect tenants from improper accommodations;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council recognizes the affordable housing issue in our community and the negative impacts increasing rents can have on lower income residents; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that due to overwhelming public opposition, City staff be directed to cease all further work associated with developing a by-law to license rental housing in the City of St. Catharines; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Council requests the Mayor’s Working Group on this topic to study possible reforms within the jurisdiction of the City to enhance tenant protections and ensure rental housing is safe that will not result in increased rents for tenants; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City staff explore opportunities to hold education sessions for tenants across St. Catharines to inform the public about existing requirements around property standards and enforcement mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

8.4

Council Representative - Niagara Folks Arts Council

Councillor Siscoe will present the following motion:

 

That Council appoint Councillor Mike Britton as the Council representative to the Niagara Folk Arts Council for the duration of the term of Council.

 

 

 

 

9.

Call for Notices of Motion

 

 

 

10.

Resolve into General Committee

 

 

 

11.

Motion Arising from In-Camera Session

 

 

 

12.

Motion to Ratify Forthwith Recommendations

 

 

 

13.

By-laws

 

 

 

13.1

Reading of By-laws

By-law List

 

 

 

 

14.

Agencies, Boards, Committee Reports

 

 

 

14.1

Minutes to Receive:

         Accessibility Advisory Committee, March 28, 2018 and May 23, 2018

 

 

 

 

15.

Adjournment