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The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Regular, Monday, August 13, 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 July 9, 2018

 

 

 

 

3.2

General Committee, Minutes of July 9, 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 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 contains links; copies available upon request)

Report PBS-182-2018

 

 

 

 

5.2

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Planning Act Public Meeting - Information Report

Application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment at 201 St. Paul Street; Owner: 201 St. Paul Inc.; Agent: Renée Leung, Dialog

Report PBS-183-2018

 

 

 

 

5.3

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Planning Act Public Meeting - Information Report

Application for Draft Plan of Standard Condominium; 405 Merritt Street; Owner: 2605831 Ontario Inc.; Agent: Better Neighbourhoods Inc.

Report PBS-181-2018

 

 

 

 

5.4

Planning and Building Services, Planning Services

Planning Act Public Meeting - Information Report

Application for Draft Plan of Standard Condominium; 43 Church Street; Owner: 43church.ca Inc.; Agent: Brent Larocque

Report PBS-176-2018

 

 

 

6.

Delegations

 

 

 

6.1

Michael Commisso

Re: Request to Delete Sidewalks along Olde School Court

(see General Committee Agenda, August 13, 2018, Item 3.2)

 

 

 

7.

Presentations

 

 

 

8.

Motions

 

 

 

8.1

Rental Licensing By-law

At the meeting of June 25, 2018, Councillor Britton provided notice that he would present the following motion at the meeting of July 9, 2018, and was subsequently deferred to the meeting of August 13, 2018:

 

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.

 

 

 

 

8.2

Additional Council Meeting – August 27, 2018

Councillor Harris will present the following motion:

 

That Council approve the addition of a meeting to the Council meeting schedule to be held on August 27, 2018; and

 

That the meeting be held in the Council Chambers commencing at 6:30 p.m.; and

 

That the City Clerk be directed to make the necessary notifications.

 

 

 

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:

         Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, June 5, 2018

         Environmental Sustainability Committee, July 10, 2018

         Green Advisory Committee, May 16, 2018

         Museum Advisory Committee, June 26, 2018

         Public Art Advisory Committee, April 25, 2018

         Public Art Advisory Committee, June 27, 2018

         Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee, June 19, 2018

         Heritage Advisory Committee, June 14, 2018

         Heritage Permit Advisory Committee, June 28, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

14.2

Appoint Members to the Clean City Advisory Committee

 

That Deborah Cartmer and Olivia Hickson be appointed to the Clean City Advisory Committee, as recommended by the Environmental Sustainability Committee.

 

 

 

15.

Adjournment