Council Highlights - May 17, 2021

gavel

View the full agenda package for Council 

Watch the video

Streaming services at the Meridian Community Centre

The Town's Recreation, Culture and Wellness staff have been working with other municipal recreation departments throughout the Region during the pandemic to find common solutions to shared issues. Live streaming of activities is something that has been discussed over the last six months as a priority for families and user groups during Covid as facilities are not allowed spectators. Live streaming will allow loved ones to watch events in the arenas and gyms through an app they purchase for their cell phones or tablets. Two cameras have been installed in each rink and gym for this purpose. A Regional group of Recreation and Purchasing staff was created to review streaming company proposals to determine the best fit as a Region. Two municipalities in the Region, Port Colborne and Niagara Falls, now have agreements in place and another, St Catharines, has begun the process to negotiate an agreement with GameOn Streaming Inc. (GOS)

There are a number of service providers in this industry. There were a number of factors in deciding that GOS was the right solution for the Meridian Community Centre. GOS had the best camera system which allows for the best picture quality for the viewer. Also, having a system used by other Niagara municipalities allows users to have only one account and efficiently access files. The intent is to utilize GOS in as many facilities in the Niagara Region as possible to allow our users to view various sports and activities throughout the region.

Financial Considerations:

There is no cost to the Town of Pelham to offer this streaming service. Users have the option to subscribe for a monthly, ($9.99) or yearly (TBD) basis. The cost for this streaming service is reasonable based on the other services reviewed. There is a financial return to the Town of Pelham which is 10% of Gross Subscription Revenue. The Town has no reliable way to estimate the potential value of this future revenue stream.

The streaming service at the Meridian Community Centre will provide family members the opportunity to view activities and events when they cannot attend in person due to Covid-19 attendance restrictions. They will also be able to view practices, home and away games once we return to normal play.

 

Second Dwelling Units: what we heard

The Town continues to update planning policies and regulations to permit Second Dwelling Units (SDUs) within the Town of Pelham, this report is to provide a summary of “What We Heard?” to date and the next steps. Following the public meeting on February 8th, 2021, the Engaging Pelham website was launched to provide the public and various stakeholders with information pertaining to the proposed policy direction. The project specific webpage (https://engagingpelham.ca/second-dwelling-units) was the main source of information available to the public that included the presentation from the February public meeting, information detailing “What’s happening with Second Dwelling Unit(s) in Pelham?” as well as copies of the Draft Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA).

The website included a survey consisting of seven (7) questions that was released for public input beginning on February 17th, 2021 to May 2nd, 2021. The complete results of the survey have been included as Appendix A to this report and a summary of the outcome of the survey and comments are provided in the body of this report. At the time that this report was prepared, twenty (20) members of the public visited the survey section of the webpage and there were sixteen (16) participants. Further to the survey, Staff fielded several additional inquiries and comments having been received by way of email or telephone.

In addition to the comments collected from the public, the Region of Niagara has provided comments on the draft OPA and ZBA that were presented to Council and the public in February. These comments have been included as Appendix B to this report. As the project moves towards completion, staff will revise the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments in consideration of the comments received from the Region, the public and Council feedback. Staff are proposing to hold a second Public Meeting on June 14th, 2021, to inform the public of the proposed changes that are being considered with respect to the revised draft OPA and ZBA and to receive additional community and Council feedback on the proposed revisions.

What We Heard

The findings of the survey and comments received have assisted staff in addressing questions regarding establishing a SDU on a property. The most frequently asked questions and inquiries were about the size and type of unit, servicing requirements of those located outside the urban areas and the location of units on the property in proximity to the principal dwelling unit.

The demographics of those who visited the project webpage and contributed to the survey were broken down by postal codes as follows:

  • Fonthill – 16.7%

  • Ridgeville – 16.7%

  • Fenwick – 66.7%

The proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment will be revised based on the feedback received from the public, Council, and agency comments. The revised amendments will be presented at a further Public Meeting on June 14th, 2021 for further feedback and input. Following the second Public Meeting, a recommendation report will be prepared and presented to Council for consideration at a later date.

March 2021 Financial Reports

The Corporate Services Department has prepared the attached financial reports, as at March 31, 2021, for the information of Council. The MCC and Transit reports also include non-financial indicators such as hydro usage and ridership.

Appendix 1 to this report summarizes operating revenues compared to budget as at March 31, 2021, with approximately 25% of the year lapsed. Total revenues were at approximately 23% of budget. The financial impact from the closure of facilities and cancellation of programs as a result of COVID-19 are evident in the Recreation, Culture and Wellness department in particular, and Safe Restart Phase 2 funding has been applied to the shortfall. Most other revenue sources are in keeping with the budget, with some grant funding still pending in Public Works and Finance. The MCC closed on January 1, 2021 and was reopened March 2, 2021. On April 3, it was closed again and the impact will be seen on the April financial report. Two months of water and wastewater had been billed and are at 14% of budget because consumption tends to be higher in the summer months. The Phase 2 Safe Restart COVID-19 funding has been applied to $255,721 in lost revenues at the MCC, and $108,460 to offset the direct COVID-19 expenses incurred to March 31, 2021, for a total of $364,181 out of the total $969,149 available for 2021 operating pressures.

Appendix 2 to this report summarizes operating expenditures compared to budget at March 31, 2021. Total expenses were at approximately 23% of budget and appeared to be on track. This report includes $108,460 of direct costs related to COVID-19 such as purchase of computer equipment, additional cleaning costs, and personal protective equipment and protective facility materials.

Appendix 3 summarizes the revenues and expenditures related to the MCC at March 31, 2021. MCC revenues were at 13% of budget and trending below budget due to closures from COVID-19 from January 1 to March 2. The budget is also lower than previous years, to reflect reduced revenues that were anticipated due to the pandemic. Senior Active Living Centre grant funds continue to be received and MCC expenses were at 20% of budget, which is below the expectation for the first three months of the year as a result of reduced wages from the facility closure and some expenses for materials and supplies and repairs and maintenance, which are anticipated but have not yet been incurred. Phase 2 Safe Restart funding of $255,721 has been applied based on estimated lost revenues from January to March, resulting in a positive bottom line budget variance of 16%; however this is expected because the MCC normally generates a high level of revenues January through March and it will be needed to offset expenditures in future months. Currently Safe Restart funding applied to the MCC is at 52% of the budget for the year, and will be adjusted as the year progresses and the operating pressures resulting from COVID-19 are evaluated by the Treasurer.

Appendix 4 summarizes revenues and expenditures related to Pelham Transit. The Community Transit grant funding has been received for Q1 and Q2, and there is deferred provincial gas tax funding of $20,000 to be applied later in the year. Effective August 17, 2021, the Niagara Region has taken over the service delivery of the transit with on-demand service by a third party provider VIA. Transit expenditures were at 27% of budget because the Town paid the Region for services from January to April.

Appendix 5 to this report includes the 2021 capital report at March 31, 2021. Most capital projects are proceeding, totaling $8.17 million, and of those, 7% of the budget had been spent. $1.04 million in projects have been red-circled pending further information or funding. Projects carried forward from prior years total $5.21 million, and 23% of the carryforward amount had been spent.

All appendixes can be accessed through the agenda.