The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Regular, Monday, November 9, 2020 

Electronic Participation, 6:00 PM

Additional meeting to complete the business from

November 2, 2020

As part of the City's commitment to safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting of Council will be held electronically.

This Meeting may be viewed online at www.stcatharines.ca/youtube

Electronic Delegations: Those wishing to speak to an Item on the agenda must complete the City’s Electronic Delegation Form by Sunday, November 8, 2020 before 11:59 p.m. and attend a test session with City staff on Monday,

November 9, 2020 at 10 a.m.

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

1.

Mayor's Report

2.

Adoption of the Agendas

3.

Declarations of Interest

4.

Adoption of the Minutes (Council and General Committee)

There are none.

5.

Public Meetings Pursuant to Planning Act and Public Notice By-Law

The Public Meetings were held on November 2, 2020 to hear delegations from the Public for Item 6.1, Item 6.2, and Item 6.3

6.

Special Presentations

7.

Resolve into General Committee

Council will proceed to General Committee Agenda Item 3 - Discussion Reports

8.

Motion Arising from In-Camera Session

9.

Motion to Ratify Forthwith Recommendations

10.

Motions

Deferred at the meeting of November 2, 2020 due to curfew

10.1

Merritt Trail Enhancements, Updating the Parks Policy Plan (Trails) and the Creation of a Merritt Trail Connectivity Project Task Force and 2029 Welland Canals Project Task Force

Councillor Littleton will present the following motion:

WHEREAS the First Welland Canal opened for a trial run on November 30, 1829, after five years of construction, which means it will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2029; and  

WHEREAS remnants of the First and Second Welland Canals flow through Merritton and other portions of the city; and

WHEREAS the 2019 Capital Budget outlined that the highest priority locations for the First and Second Welland Canals are located in Merritton – namely Locks 6, 7 and 9 in what is currently referred to as “Canal Valley”; and

WHEREAS further work, including identifying the historical value and mapping the ultimate state of the historical assets of the First and Second Welland Canals, could be done in cooperation with various City departments and members of the community; and

WHEREAS the City of St. Catharines Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019; and 

WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to be able to be outdoors in order to exercise and experience the city; and

WHEREAS many people, not just those who are environmentally-conscious, are looking for alternative ways to travel around their city other than in automobiles; and

WHEREAS upgrading our trail system present a unique opportunity to make significant, sustainable improvements in the area for generations to come;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that council endorse the senior staff recommendation in Report FMS-146-2020, the 2021 Capital Budget, Four Year Forecast and Asset Management Status Update, that the City apply for Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding to connect and improve the Merritt Trail, among other listed trails in Report FMS-146-2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff be directed to upgrade the Parks Policy Plan (Trails) by November 30, 2021 in order to create an overarching strategy for trail creation, maintenance and connectivity throughout the entire city; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff be directed to prepare terms of reference for a Merritt Trail Connectivity Project Task Force, to include a representative of the cycling community, a representative from the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, a representative of the Queenston Neighbours or Fitzgerald Neighbours community groups, a representative of the Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee and a representative from the Transportation Advisory Committee, plus both Merritton Councillors and one other City Councillor, tasked with finding creative ways of connecting the Merritt Trail through the city and potentially raising funds for trail improvements to be matched by the Parks Legacy Project up to $50,000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff be directed to prepare terms of reference for a 2029 Welland Canals Project Task Force, consisting of three residents of St. Catharines, a representative of the Heritage Advisory Committee, a local community or noted expert on Welland Canals history, a representative from Brock University who has extensive knowledge about the subject, a representative of the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee, both Merritton Councillors and two City Councillors, tasked with creating an overall plan on how to better showcase the old First and Second Welland Canals, including both current exposed and buried locks, wayfinding signs, public art, look out points and liaising with other community groups to be identified and which are currently working to attain national historical status for the First Welland Canal.

11.

Call for Notices of Motion

12.

Report Requests

12.1

Residence at 5 Michigan Avenue

Councillor Garcia will request a report regarding 5 Michigan Avenue

13.

By-laws

13.1

Reading of By-Laws

By Law LIST - November 9, 2020

14.

Agencies, Boards, Committee Reports

There are none.

15.

Adjournment