Council Highlights for June 7, 2023
View the full agenda package for Council
The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, June 7, 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
Niagara Chapter Trout Unlimited Canada, Update on Rice Road Stormwater Management Outlet Project
Council received a presentation from Dennis Edell, President Niagara Chapter of the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada. Upper Twelve Mile Creek is Niagara’s most significant watershed and home to the Region’s only year-round population of native Brook Trout, an indicator of a healthy watershed. Brook Trout populations are dwindling due to habitat loss from climate change, development (erosion) and invasive species. The tributary outlet at the Stormwater Management Pond in the Town of Pelham is an area of Concern, and a working group has approved 100 meters of riffles and step pools to mitigate the energy. This design has DFO and NPCA technical approval, and a Nature Park will be part of the site rehabilitation. A stage one archaeology study was required and was built into the cost of the design phase, and the onsite investigation turned up one ’flake,’ which requires a second field trip with observers. Council received the delegation from Dennis Edell, President of the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, regarding an update on the rice road stormwater management outlet project for information and council allocated $20,400 from reserve to assist with the additional studies required to move on with the capital project. https://tucanada.org/chapters/niagara-chapter/
Tim Nohara, Cannabis Control Committee Closing Memo, August 23, 2022, Ontario Land Tribunal Decision and Proposed Next Steps
Council received a presentation from Tim Nohara, a member of the former Cannabis Control Committee. The members of the former committee had previously requested that Council direct staff to implement the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) for the Redecan facility at 182 Foss Rd., in accordance with the Minutes of Settlement (MOS) agreed between Redecan and the Town as reported at the OLT Hearing on July 25, 2022. Town of Pelham staff has requested the odour plan from Redecan, which is required as the next step to implement the Community Liaison Committee. Council directed staff to prepare a report on the status of the work done by the cannabis control committee and the implications and costings of proceeding with the request presented by the delegation for the July 26 council meeting.
2022 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report
The Town has completed the Capital Asset Management Plan for the core assets, and it is in the process of completing the facilities assets in advance of July 1, 2024, which will give a more detailed and fulsome forecast and inform the reserve and reserve fund targets moving forward. The Town has four general categories of reserves and reserve funds. The report provides Council with financial information regarding reserve and reserve fund balances and the cash position of the Town to assist Council in financial decision-making.
2024 Budget Schedule
Council received Report #2023-0127-Corporate Services – 2024 Budget Schedule, for information and directed staff to include the “Budget Open House Public Meeting” to be conducted at the Public Meeting scheduled on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, and to allow unlimited delegations to register to speak on the 2024 Budget as part of the Public Meeting on September 13, 2023.
Pelham Finance and Audit Committee
Pelham Finance and Audit Committee met on May 23, 2023, to review the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2022. Staff presented the financial statements along with Management’s Financial Report. Trevor Ferguson, a Deloitte partner, presented Deloitte’s Auditors Report. The Committee Chair has written a resolution adopted by the Pelham Audit and Finance Committee. Council approved and endorsed the Pelham Finance and Audit Committee recommendation.
Pelham Minor Baseball Association Batting Cage Licensing Agreement
Through a partnership with Pelham Minor Ball Association, a grant was successfully received for $100,000 to build a batting cage and purchase a pitching machine. The batting cage was completed this spring at Centennial Park and is now ready for use. The license agreement will be for five years with the option for renewal for $1.00.
Town of Pelham Recreation Master Plan
The Town of Pelham Recreation, Culture and Parks Master Plan will guide the provision of leisure, recreation and culture services, programs, facilities, and park amenities for the next ten years. The Plan incorporates a detailed implementation strategy with 59 recommendations that include the priority and timing of each. On June 7, Council officially adopted the Town of Pelham Recreation, Culture & Parks Master Plan.
Public Works Invasive Species Management Policy
The Invasive Species Management Policy provides a framework to identify and address all invasive species through prevention, public awareness, detection, and control measures. The Invasive Species Management Policy prescribes prevention and early detection of invasives through public awareness and staff education to play an essential role in reducing the spread and damage caused by invasive species. Invasive species significantly threaten the Town’s tree canopy, local ecology, economy, agriculture, and public health.
Pelham Street Phase 4
The Pelham Street Phase 4 Reconstruction project from Spruceside Crescent South to 500m south of Quaker Road was originally budgeted for construction in 2024 and has been rescheduled for 2023 ahead of the Quaker Road Reconstruction project in 2024. The project includes road urbanization, including catch basins, bike lanes, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and replacing the existing waterman. It is estimated to take 120 working days to complete. Pelham Street Phase 4 from Spruceside Crescent to the Pelham /Welland town boundary has been awarded to Rankin Construction Inc. The Pelham Street Phase 4 project and the Quaker Road Reconstruction project are critical to supporting the development and improving safety for active transportation users and vehicular traffic. www.pelham.ca/pelhamstreet
For media inquiries, please contact:
Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca