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Council Recap

Proclamations

6.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed Wednesday, April 2 as World Autism Day while committing to embrace awareness and acceptance today and every day throughout the year.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Steele discussed a visit from Niagara Centre Member of Parliament Vance Badawey to announce the City receiving $19.2 million to improve water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. He spoke about the Top Hat Ceremony, which was held Monday, March 24 to celebrate the spring opening of the Welland Canal and the arrival of the first ‘downbound’ vessel. He also discussed his attendance at a ceremony in St. Catharines to welcome the first ‘upbound’ vessel in the canal this season. He highlighted the 2025 Community Concert Series, which will see live music on various Friday evenings throughout the summer. He congratulated the Communications and Events teams for winning three awards from Festivals and Events Ontario related to the 2024 Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival. He concluded his remarks by asking people to register with one of the 35 family doctors across Niagara who are taking new patients.

Staff Reports

11.3 a. Council received an annual report from Public Works about the quality of the City’s drinking water system.

11.3 b. Council received a report with the auditors’ audit strategy for the financial statement year ending December 31, 2024.

11.3 c. Council approved the 2024 statement of Council remuneration and expenses.

11.3 d. Council declared two City properties on Progress Drive as surplus.

11.3 e. Council accepted ownership of the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery located at Lot 18 Concession 3.

Correspondence items

11.4 a. Council endorsed a resolution from South Huron Council that requests the Province of Ontario reconsider the amendment to Subsection 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Items Requiring Separate Discussion

12.1 Council established a Healthcare Advisory Committee to ensure residents have adequate access to, and knowledge of, healthcare services in the City of Port Colborne. Council also approved the Healthcare Advisory Committee Terms of Reference.

Council directed the Healthcare Advisory Committee to propose a draft Healthcare Services Strategy by the end of 2025.

Staff Remarks

  • Roads and Parks Operations Manager Curtis Dray advised Council and the public that street sweeping operations will begin soon. The ditching program and tree planting program will also begin in the next few weeks.
  • Director of Development and Government Relations Gary Long advised Council that a new Chief  Planner has begun working for the City. He also mentioned funding the City has received from the Housing Accelerator Fund and an upcoming report from staff to outline how that money will be spent. He concluded by discussing Mayor Steele and other City staff attending the Good Roads Conference next week.
  • CAO Bryan Boles thanked the Mayor and Council for the behind-the-scenes work they have done on recent grants the City has received. He thanked Public Works for their quick work to prepare the parks this spring. He also thanked staff for their work on the water/wastewater open houses, as well as to the Councillors who participated. He concluded by telling Council a new survey on backyard chickens would be launched the next day.

Councillors’ Remarks

  • Councillor Bodner thanked staff for taking care of his requests.
  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for their work on recent open houses.
  • Councillor Elliott asked for the City to communicate with the Ontario Medical Association about the future of healthcare in Port Colborne.
  • Councillor Bruno asked for enhanced security at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre.
  • Councillor Bagu asked about the status of a drain report. He thanked the Public Works team for moving pylons at a sidewalk repair site. He asked about what the City can do in response to tariffs on Canadian goods that have been imposed by the United States.
  • Councillor Beauregard mentioned that at the last Niagara Transit Commission meeting they discussed approaches to tariffs. He also discussed the Heritage Committee’s work to determine properties for designation.
  • Councillor Aquilina thanked Public Works for resolving an issue at a property on Killaly St. East and Miller Road. She congratulated the Communications team on the recent awards they won. She mentioned how happy she is with community engagement initiatives in the City.

The next Port Colborne Council Meeting will be held April 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Council Meeting agendas and livestream videos can be found at www.portcolborne.ca/councilagenda