Council Highlights - March 22, 2021
View the full agenda package for Council
Ice in both MCC arenas this summer
Ice will remain in both rinks at the Meridian Community Centre (MCC) this summer. Once again, as was the case in 2020, the Home Show; Art Festival; and Graduations have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pelham Minor Lacrosse has delayed and shortened their upcoming season, with a proposed start date of June instead of April ending mid-August. Lacrosse is one of the last users of non-iced pads, the total revenues from the proposed lacrosse season is $5,460, and the approximate cost of removing ice and reinstalling is $7,860 leaving a net loss of $2,460.
Revenues for Summer Ice requests received to date, without advertising availability, are $69,000 for the Duliban Arena and $64,000 for Accipiter arena. The City of Welland will not be offering summer ice, and Pelham staff have been in contact with the City of Welland to see if lacrosse can play this season in Welland.
During regular times, staff would never suggest a local organization go outside the municipality for facility use. However, during this continued challenging operating environment, the Town has an opportunity to offset revenue loss in the MCC by maintaining summer ice to come close to breaking even. It is not economically feasible to host one organization (lacrosse) with such limited use.
Due to Covid-19 recommendations with recreation facilities use during restrictions, it has been difficult for user groups to complete their seasons and sustain operations. By allowing two ice pads during the summer, the Town can enable organizations to complete their seasons and skill development. The pad's summer use is limited due to cancellations of major events and is financially unsustainable due to limited rentals.
Gypsy moth population assessment and defoliation forecast and 2021 treatment program development
A report submitted to Council Monday evening contained evidence that Pelham’s gypsy moth population may have passed its peak and is on the decline. Given the population levels and abundance of host species, the Town is forecast to experience severe levels of defoliation throughout Fenwick, Fonthill, and rural forested areas south of Fenwick and north/west of Fonthill.
The report provides three management options to protect the overall health of the Town’s urban forest canopy:
1) “Do nothing”, where the Town does not intervene and allows the gypsy moth population to run its natural course,
2) Targeted treatment of areas within the urban boundaries of Fenwick and Fonthill (with the option of adding forested areas adjacent to the urban boundaries),
3) Large-scale treatment, including both urban and rural areas.
The 2021 Operating Budget includes $150,000 for the Gypsy Moth treatment Program. The cost associated with the areal spray program's coordination and implementation of a scaled-down forest health program is $39,000. Program communications costs are expected to be similar to 2020 at $5400. Based on preliminary pricing of $920/ha for urban aerial treatment, the remaining $105,600 will be utilized for the spraying of 114ha.
Due to the resources available, staff recommend that the Town of Pelham design an aerial spray program for the treatment of gypsy moth based on Option 2 of the BioForest, 2020 Gypsy Moth Monitoring Program Report.
Compensation to facility users during – Facility Restrictions, funded under COVID-19 Provincial Financial Relief
Background:
COVID-19 has taken a toll on local facility users. Many had received registrations based on a normal operating season. Unfortunately, Covid restrictions in Recreation Facilities continue to force drastic changes for users especially in RED Level where the restrictions are 10 participants at a time to a facility, when it would be normal to have at least 15 participants at a time. To comply with health regulations, the users may need to double the ice time to accommodate the registration.
Analysis:
Ice Users: Most Municipalities across the Region have offered a 50% rate decrease to all ice users while in RED Level. In Pelham’s case, staff are recommending substituting prime time rates for non-prime time rates to provide financial relief to struggling community organizations which would see application of the Youth rate of $87.00 (compared to $148) and Adult rate $114.00 (compared to $207) per hour plus tax. The user groups have found these rates, although not the lowest in the Region, to be acceptable. When Niagara is no longer in RED the rates will revert back to the normal ice rates.
Pelham Basketball Association: Basketball is getting hit not only due to the participant limit, but also lack of facilities. As Council is aware, a vaccination centre will occupy one gymnasium and will be off limits to Pelham Basketball Association. This is a potential financial crisis, as registration fees were spent on uniforms, balls, facility use, etc. although didn’t take into consideration not having the ability to use one gymnasium which could result in refunds. A couple of factors play into this, school gymnasiums are not available for use and originally the thought was staff would tear down vaccine set up between usage. This is not the case, set up is too cumbersome and not feasible. Therefore, the Association will only have use of one gymnasium for an undetermined amount of time. Until we know how long the vaccination centre will occupy the gymnasium staff cannot know the exact amount that will be compensated although it should not be more than $5,000.00. Because the Town anticipates receiving compensation for use of its facility for vaccine distribution, it is fair and appropriate to compensate the PBA for its equivalent losses.
Pelham Minor Lacrosse Association: There may be additional costs to Pelham Minor Lacrosse Association in relocating their program to Welland Arena for the 2021 Season. This will be determined bv the number of players allowed in the facility at a time, as well as the additional per hour fee.
Financial Considerations:
All costs related to these considerations will be charged against the COVID-19 Financial Relief Funding that has been received, as it is directly related to COVID-19 restrictions.