Council Highlights - March 1, 2021

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Pop Up patios on the menu in 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant economic impact on local businesses. Restaurants have been significantly impacted due to the restrictions on their operations and some have not survived. The permission to allow ‘pop-up’ patios in the parking lots during the summer and fall months of 2020 was important to many of these business and it is anticipated that with the COVID-19 pandemic extending well into 2021 it will continue to have a significant impact on the operations of these businesses. By continuing to temporarily waive the requirement of up to 6 parking spaces for restaurants and allow those spaces to be uses as ‘pop- up’ patios during the pandemic in 2021 will be a support for these businesses and is consistent with the provincial government’s directive to provide flexibility to these businesses.

The Town also has a Sidewalk Encroachment Policy that allows for restaurants to apply to the Town for permission to encroach on the municipal right-of-way i.e. the sidewalk, for outdoor sidewalk patio use subject to meeting the policy requirements related to proof of insurance, provincial licensing requirements, pedestrian accessibility requirements and urban design zoning, sign and Building Code requirements. Approval of sidewalk patios under the Sidewalk Encroachment policy is managed through the Clerk’s Office and there is no fee associated with this permission. It is recognized that outdoor restaurant patios contribute positively to the vitality of downtowns, main streets and public spaces.

Staff recognize the need to open the economy slowly and safely during the COVID19 pandemic and at the same time want to support local restaurants in their ability to offer a dining and food experience. It is recognized that ‘pop-up’ parking lot patios are temporary in nature and will only be allowed during the period of pandemic. Also, it is acknowledged that the ‘pop-up’ parking lot patios provide some opportunity for restaurants to offer hospitality service and the waiving of up to six parking space requirements supports these small businesses during a very difficult economic time.

In 2020 all of the ‘pop-up’ parking lot patios occurred on private property and were subject to meeting Public Health protocols and Provincial licensing requirements related to food service and serving of alcohol. Should a ‘pop-up’ parking lot patio be proposed on municipal property, in addition to meeting Public Health, accessibility, and licensing requirements, the proponent would be required to provide evidence of having the liability and property damage insurance in the amount of $2,000,0000 in place for the patio area and name the Town as an insured entity prior to being allowed to operate the patio on municipal property.

By continuing to allow the temporary ‘pop-up’ parking lot patios during the pandemic, in addition to the sidewalk patios, Council continues to provide support to these local businesses.

The only cost associated with the extension of the program is the value of staff time. No additional monies are required to deliver the serice and permit the existence of temporary ‘pop-up’ parking lot patios. Continuing to allow the temporary ‘pop-up’ patios for restaurants supports local businesses during the pandemic and is one measure that the Town can offer to help these businesses survive the pandemic.

Motion re: Toronto Dominion Bank Pelham Branch Closure

WHEREAS the Toronto Dominion Bank has notified is customers that they are closing the Fonthill Branch July 16, 2021;

AND WHEREAS Council believes the Toronto Dominion Bank has not taken into full consideration the fact that Pelham is a fast growing municipality with many current and future residents depending on their in-person financial services;

AND WHEREAS the Town of Pelham has a large and growing senior population who will be seriously impacted by this closure;

AND WHEREAS a trip to a neighbouring city to a bank that is already overly busy is unacceptable;

AND WHEREAS many residents of the Town of Pelham are not tech savvy enough or do not have suitable access for internet banking;

NOW THEREFORE Council for the Town of Pelham asks that the Toronto Dominion Bank seriously take into account these concerns and reconsider the closure of the  Fonthill Branch.

Grants Update: Municipal Modernization, Canada Healthy Community Initiative and 2021 Regional Bikeways Network Facilities on Municipal Roadways

Background:

There are three grant opportunities for the Town of Pelham. They are as follows:

(1) Municipal Modernization Program highlights:

1. The intent of the grant is to provide support for a small and rural municipal efforts to modernize service delivery and develop new ways to be efficient and effective.

A municipality may apply individually or jointly with other eligible municipalities. To be eligible for funding, the municipality must confirm that it has fully spent or allocated the unconditional modernization funding provided by the province in March 2019. Pelham meets this eligibility.

2. The priority projects under both streams are: a) digital modernization, b) service integration, c) streamlined development approvals and d) shared services/alternative service delivery models.

3. There are two funding streams: Review and Implementation. Though the priorities are the same, the two streams differ in approach and funding.

4. Review Stream: This is essentially full funding (between $20-$150K) to hire a third-party consultant to conduct a line-by-line budget review or a review of service delivery and modernization opportunities or a review of administrative processes to reduce costs. This report must be completed by November 20, 2021 and posted on theTown's website.

5. Implementation Stream: This is shared funding (65% province, 35% Town) with the expectation that most projects will be between $20k and $250k. This project proposal must be based on demonstrated evidence of savings the municipality intends to realize through the project, with a completion date of September 30,2022. A report one-year post project must be submitted with actual savings realized as well as a revised forecast of annual savings for the following two years.

The due date for either stream is March 15, 2021. Applications for the Town of Pelham will include: Review Stream:

ITS Review: The Town of Pelham intends to improve web-based services for residents and create efficiencies for internal reporting and tracking capabilities. A third party is required to analyze the current functions and provide recommendations regarding the software and other steps required to integrate the current systems and databases, which includes the request for services generated by the public, the approved By-laws and the cemetery plot locations. Recommendations regarding the management of service requests, automated reporting, digitization of work orders, integration with the Town's Asset Management Plan (AMP) and the functionality of searchable databases for approved By-laws and cemetery plot locations will be expected from the third-party reviewer. Estimated Funding Request: $50,000

Automation of processes in Corporate Service: Review processes in Corporate Services for automation which includes the following: month-end close process, internal control testing, reconciliations, procure to pay process (Accounts Payable, Purchase Orders, Invoice matching), Automation of Capital Budget Book and Data Mining of procurement cards.

Estimated Funding Request: $60,000

(2) Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Highlights:

Healthy Communities Initiative projects will fund small, local projects that:

  • -  Respond to identified needs arising from the impacts of COVID-19

  • -  Create and adapt public spaces, and programming and services for public spaces in the public interest
    - Demonstrate consideration of and connections with the community Serve the general public or a community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and

  • - Fall within three theme areas of: safe and vibrant public spaces, improved mobility options and digital solutions

Funding available: $5,000 to $200,000 Applications due: March 9, 2021

Application for the Town of Pelham:
Peace Park Safety and Accessibility Enhancements

Enhancements will include fencing (with art inserts), accessibility enhancements at entrances to Peace Park and a sidewalk from the Famer’s Market to Peace Park.

Estimated Funding Request: $50,000

Application submitted by the Rotary Club of Fonthill: Replacement of the Arches: Seeking remaining funding to complete this project of replacing the four arches and adding WiFi. Estimated Funding Request: $60,000

(3) 2021 Regional Bikeways Network Facilities on Municipal Roadways

Criteria is a connection to existing active transportation facilities within the Regional Bikeways Network.

Total grant is $200,000. Application submitted on February 10, 2021.

Application submitted by the Town: bike lanes on Pelham Street Phase 1 to Hwy 20 and Port Robinson Road to Rice Road for $200,000.