Council Highlights for August 16, 2023
View the full agenda package for Council
The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill. Video recording and live stream of the meeting can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/live
Pelham Panthers Junior B Hockey Club
Council received a presentation from Tim Toffolo, the owner and general manager, with support from Wes Gee, owner and Emelie Ficht, assistant general manager from the Pelham Panthers Junior B Hockey Association, that provided background on operations of the team. The team participates in community events such as the Santa Claus Parade and Pelham Summerfest. The team provides training to young athletes and works to build strong individuals and role models. The youth participate in volunteer opportunities within the community, including food drives. Following the presentation council authorized and directed staff to enter into a licence agreement for the Pelham Panther Hockey Club and a licence agreement with the Pelham Junior Hockey Club concession and vending machine operations. https://panthers.gojhl.ca/
Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is adopting a new approach to issuing Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA) for low-risk projects related to municipal sanitary collection and stormwater management systems that the Town is required to comply with called the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA) program. The new CLI ECA process will replace the current process for lower-risk and routine sewage works. Once the Town has entered the CLI ECA process, the Town will be responsible for reviewing and approving all planned low-risk sanitary and stormwater for Town-led and developer-led applications. The full scope of work to implement and oversee the requirements of the CLI ECA process is being evaluated, and staff are working to prepare budget items that will be presented in the 2024 Capital Budget that will address some of the maintenance and reporting requirements of the CLI ECA.
Compensation Policy to Include Living Wage Clause
Council received Report #2023-0142 and approved the Non-Union Compensation Policy S600-30, which included updates to ensure, at minimum, all those employed by the Town, save and except students, earn the Living Wage. The Living Wage is calculated annually by the Ontario Living Wage Network and is the hourly pay rate a worker must earn to cover the basic living expenses in Niagara.
Professional Training and Education Financial Assistance Policy
Town of Pelham council approved the renamed and updated policy, Professional Training and Education Financial Assistance. Under the new policy, Town of Pelham employees wanting to enroll in a learning opportunity with courses or certifications related to their role are eligible for reimbursement for fees. The updated policy includes annual eligible reimbursement amounts that more accurately reflect current course costs. The amended policy defines what is and is not covered by the Town and includes two funding options for staff, ensures those who are reimbursed for tuition costs remain employed for a designated time following completion as well as a diminishing reimbursement schedule in the event they opt to leave their employment before the agreed upon timeframe.
Proposed Draft Replacement for Sign By-Law
Town of Pelham Council received the report for the proposed replacement of the Town of Pelham Sign By-law and directed staff to present the proposed by-law for consideration at the next regular meeting of Council. The proposed by-law sets out prohibited sign types and those requiring permits and prescribes requirements for all types of signs that may be displayed, with or without a permit. In addition, the proposed by-law details the procedure for obtaining a permit and allows the Town to impose appropriate conditions. The proposed by-law would enable the Town to enforce contraventions through the administrative monetary penalty system, compliance orders, or Provincial Offences Act charges.
Wellington Heights Pedestrian Crossing Update
Town of Pelham Council received report #2023-0182 for information and directed staff to proceed with a revised project to be charged to the Capital Budget RD 10-23. The revised pedestrian crossing project will include repainting the existing line markings, installing removable bollards along the road center line within the crosswalk, and installing a digital speed sign for westbound traffic between Sandra Drive and the pedestrian crossing. The 2023 Capital Budget included project RD 10-23 in the amount of $50,000.
Station Street Watermain Replacement Project
The Station Street Watermain Replacement project from Hurricane Road to Lyndhurst Avenue, WTR 04-21, was approved in the 2021 Capital Budget in the amount of $175,000. The existing watermain is a 150mm diameter cast iron pipe and has reached the end of its service life. It has been identified in the Town’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) that all cast iron watermains in Pelham are to be replaced with PVC pipe by 2030, including this section on Station Street. Staff tendered the Station Street Watermain Replacement Project in July, and the tender closed on August 2, 2023. Four bids were submitted, ranging from $356,694 to $818,188 (plus applicable taxes), with the lowest being Demar Construction Inc. (Demar). Council approved the budget increase of $187,972 for project WTR 04-21, funded through reallocating funds from project WTR 03-21 as both projects were funded from the Water Reserve.
Appointment to Committees of Council
The Town of Pelham Council appointed Adam Carter to the Pelham Active Transportation Committee and directed the Town Clerk to prepare the necessary appointment by-law for the next regular meeting of Council.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca