Council Highlights - October 7, 2019

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View the full agenda package for Council and Policy and Priorities Committee

View the video recording of Council and Policy and Priorities

Budget season

Pelham Town Council met last night for their regularly scheduled meeting of Council, also sitting as Policy and Priorities Committee.

As a primer to next week’s operating budget presentation, director of corporate services and treasurer Teresa Quinlin gave a brief presentation on the impact of the budget, highlighting grant opportunities, programs and services, and a brief look at taxes.

The assumption for the 2020 budget is that the Town of Pelham will receive the same level of grants received in 2019, save and except for one-time grants such as last year’s doubling of the gas tax. A significant recreation grant is available and the Town will aggressively pursue several projects and opportunities associated with it. 

On the services side, Pelham Transit operations will have up to a $42,000 budget impact compared to 2019 with a full year operating the second bus, though staff is looking into partnership opportunities to reduce the overall cost. 

And on the tax side, Quinlin noted that a 1% increase to the tax levy is $137,000 of additional revenue to the budget for 2020, meaning the 2019 impact to the average taxpayer equals:

  • 4% is $27.42/ year or $2.29/month 
  • 6% is $65.93/year or $5.49/month 
  • 8% is $104.44/year or $8.70/month 
  • 10% is $142.95/year or $11.91/month 

One outstanding budget impact item is the budget for Gypsy Moths. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Meridian Community Centre, inviting members of the public to share their voice on the topic and help shape the plan moving forward. 

Grant opportunity “of a lifetime”

Council discussed the many options available in the recently announced Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community, Culture, and Recreation grant. 

The federal government is providing $1.8 billion dollars in federal infrastructure funding to cost-share projects under four streams: public transit, green infrastructure, community, culture, and recreation, and rural and northern communities.

The Town has reviewed the 10-year capital forecast and identified capital projects eligible for this grant. The Town’s share of the cost will be 26.67%. This is an opportunity to address the cultural and recreational needs of the Town until 2028. This will also relieve a financial burden relating to the capital pressures on the Town by optimizing this grant. 

Funding, if approved, allows the Town to upgrade and review its infrastructure for less money and in a shorter time frame. This infrastructure supports population health and quality of life.

Some items being considered for this grant are: construction of two splash pads, pool improvements and park upgrades to sports fields, expanded parking at the community centre, purchase of gym and ice floor coverings, and more, including the possible relocation of the Fonthill library to the community centre.

With a tight timeline, Council approved staff moving forward with investigation on the feasibility of moving the library to the community centre, acknowledging the grant is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that cannot be missed.

Beautification in Pelham

Jen Pilzecker of the Town of Pelham Beatification Committee updated Council on what the committee has been up to recently and where they’re headed. 

Pilzecker says the committee was formed to inspire the residents and property owners of the Town of Pelham community to enhance the visual appeal of their neighbourhoods and public spaces through the creative use of plants and landscaping, with an overall respect to environmental stewardship.

The committee’s goals and priorities for 2019-2022 focus on three areas: engagement and research, planning and advising Council, and assessing the effectiveness of implemented recommendations. 

Available to the committee this year is a main street revitalization initiative grant and a gift from the Pelham Business Association, both of which playing a significant role in the committee’s ability to achieve their goals.

A few of the wish list items for the committee this year include:

  • Christmas lights
  • Bike racks
  • Small self-water hanging baskets
  • Benches
  • Tables
  • Shade-providing permanent structures like gazebos and pavilions
  • Dog waste receptacles
  • New or revitalized Town signs

All along the water tower

The Niagara Region invites Pelham residents to join them on November 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Fire Station #1 in Fonthill, to learn more about the Class Environmental Assessment for a new elevated water storage tank and transmission system upgrades. 

This meeting was originally scheduled for Oct. 16, so please take note.