Dual-Duty Councillors Across Niagara?

Photo Credit: St. Catharines Standard.

St. Catharines Council recently voted to ask Niagara Region to ask the Province to allow a change in the way the City elects their six Regional Councillors. Regional Council will consider their request this Thursday.

Currently, St. Catharines elects 12 City Councillors (two in each of six wards), and six Regional Councillors (“at-large” across the City). City residents also elect a Mayor who serves on both Councils. That’s 19 people (12+6+1) representing the City on the two Councils.

The request would see St. Catharines represented by 13 people: the Mayor and six Councillors would serve on both City and Regional Councils, while the other six would serve only on City Council (6+6+1).

Proponents suggest that the change will reduce the number of local representatives and increase the “communication, cooperation, and accountability” between the City and Region.

Opponents suggest that the change will turn six into full-time Councillors, make local government less accountable, give “more control to developers” and political parties, and allow fewer people to make decisions.

While this double role model might work well for St. Catharines, it doesn’t work as neatly across all Niagara’s Cities and Towns.

It could work in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Thorold because their local Councillors are elected at-large. Niagara on the Lake’s and Thorold’s at-large elections could elect one person to both the local and Regional Councils and seven to local Councils; the Niagara Falls election could elect three to the City and Regional Councils and five others to City Council only.

But, this dual role model doesn’t work for in other Cities / Towns with ward systems because the number of local ward seats do not neatly match the Regional seats:  Fort Erie (6 wards / 6 local councillors / 1 regional councillor), Grimsby (4w / 8lc / 1rc), Lincoln (4w / 8lc / 1rc), Pelham (3w / 6lc / 1rc), Port Colborne (4w / 8lc / 1rc), Welland (6w / 12lc / 2rc). (Only the Mayors of Wainfleet and West Lincoln serve on Regional Council.)

If the Region agrees to the proposal, the Province will ask for at least one public meeting and require approval by the Region, and by a majority of the Cities, Towns, and Township Councils representing a majority of Niagara’s population.

While I am might support this change for St. Catharines, this dual-role plan will not work across Niagara. Nor is it needed in Pelham because we receive a written and verbal report by Regional Councillor Baty at every Town Council meeting.

Finally, while we discuss improving governance, I will continue to advocate for directly electing the Chair of Regional Council “at large” across all of Niagara.

Community Centre Design Paused & Twin-Pad Recommended

In April I provided you with a timeline for the design and possible construction of a new Multi-Faceted Community Centre in the East Fonthill area. Council recently paused that process to get more information.

You will recall that, based on a resident survey, a detailed business case analysis and a comparison to industry standards, Council confirmed that sustaining demand for a multi-faceted community centre containing a single-pad arena (with a potential second-pad after 2023), a fitness centre, walking / running indoor track, multi-purpose space, and gymnasium sports / uses existed in 2014.

So, Council appointed a citizen/user-based Architectural Design Advisory Committee (ADAC) in August 2014 to help design this type of facility.

In February 2015, Council agreed with ADAC’s recommendations of adding a large multi-purpose/ performing arts space, an atrium / shared public space, and +1,200 spectator/arena seats.

Council also agreed with ADAC’s later recommendations to 1) re-evaluate the business case for building a twin-pad arena during the initial build (instead of after 2023), and 2) tender the operation of the potential centre to the private sector.

After presenting a draft schematic design to ADAC and Council in the winter, the Architect worked with individual users via specialized consultations this spring. On June 18, ADAC approved the architect’s revised schematic design in principal.

On June 23, Council also approved this design in principal, but paused further work by the architect until Town staff provided a high-level costing evaluation of the design and until ADAC met to review the plan again. (Please click here for a copy of the latest schematic design.)

Concerned with the project’s affordability, Council also met on June 29 and directed staff to provide additional information to help determine potential capital and operating costs for the revised design, including: 1) fundraising potential; 2) grant potential from other Governments; 3) estimated operating revenue; 4) any benefit of increased assessment; 5) results of twin-pad business case re-evaluation; and 6) response to the tender for potential private-sector operation. Town Staff expects to present this information to Council over the summer.

Finally, Council received the first report on Monday – the re-evaluated business case for a potential twin-pad arena. LeisurePlan updated their 2013 projections by considering missing information and additional demand from existing arena ice-users (13-15 hours/week) and from the Pelham Panthers Junior B Team (5 hours/week). They concluded that “a second ice pad would be utilized 69%-77% during prime time” and therefore recommended that the Town “should consider the provision of a second ice pad by 2018/19.” (Please click here for a copy of the report.)

I will continue to keep you informed about progress of the potential multi-purpose community centre.

Happy Canada Day in Pelham 2015!

As we take this opportunity to gather and to proudly celebrate all it means to be Canadian, let’s also celebrate all the wonderful features about our Town!

From breathtaking vistas, to babbling brooks, to plentiful orchards and rich agricultural soil, Pelham enjoys a refreshingly natural and rural character. This natural character especially stands out during the spring and summer.

From the historic settlements of Effingham, Fenwick, Fonthill, Ridgeville, and North Pelham, the Town of Pelham remains grounded with a distinctive, small-town feel.

Home to diverse and creative businesses, Pelham also offers unique goods and services to residents and visitors. Their continued success depends on our patronage.

You and I are also blessed to have so many of our neighbours working to make our Town a prosperous, vibrant and caring community. I continue to marvel at the work and dedication of so many generous volunteers who form the foundation of our vibrant community. From the Fenwick Lions Carnival, to the weekly Farmer’s Markets, to the 10th Annual Fonthill Bandshell Concert Series, to Pelham Summerfest, to the Canada Day Parade, volunteers organize and run our Town’s significant public events.  From Communities in Bloom, to the Horticultural Society, to those that have “adopted a road”, volunteers work to beautify our Town. In every sport from baseball and hockey, to soccer and tennis, volunteers – like the coaches, convenors, and score keepers – ensure that our children enjoy the fun-of-the-game.

We also live in a peaceful, safe community with great schools, and many recreation opportunities. We enjoy clean water, wonderful libraries, and a great mix of fully-accessible neighbourhood and community parks.

A devoted volunteer firefighters, dedicated police service, and expert emergency personnel protect you and I from harm. We have fair access to good and affordable healthcare.

We enjoy freedoms of conscience and religion, of thought, belief, opinion and expression, of assembly, and of association. We are free from persecution and from tyranny.

And, while we may have some work in a few of these areas, when compared on a global scale, we fare very well and should be very thankful.

The Pan Am & Para Pan Am Games and the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by and in Canada this summer help showcase our amazing country and her dedicated volunteers

As you and your family and friends commemorate our country’s 148th Birthday, I hope you will join me in celebrating and in giving thanks for our Pelham and our Canada.

East Fonthill Finally Proceeding

Breaking ground with David Allen of Fonthill Gardens Inc.
Maryanne Firth/Welland Tribune/Postmedia Network

On Friday afternoon, Town Council, Staff and consultants, Federal, Provincial, and Regional representatives, and land-owner representatives gathered to break ground for the East Fonthill development.

Why was it an historic moment for Pelham? Because 25-years of thinking, discussing and planning have finally become action and construction!

Former Mayor Ralph Beamer told me that it took more than a decade to get Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) approval in 2000 to expand Pelham’s built boundary from east of Station Street to Rice Road – creating the 450 acres of “East Fonthill.”

But the OMB ruled that the Town needed to undertake more detailed planning – called a Secondary Plan – before development could proceed. Pelham’s 2000/03 Council hired the Planning Partnership to work together with the community and area developers to finalize the plan.

The 2003/06 Council, led by former Mayor Ron Leavens, purchased 32 acres of land at the corner of Hwy 20 and Rice Road to build recreational facilities and playing fields, and to construct a gateway feature. That Council also gave control of the Secondary Plan to private sector developers – hoping it could be completed more quickly.

Since 2006, Council and I took back the leadership of the Secondary Plan and, with exceptional planning and legal resources, worked together with the development community, the Region, and the public to complete the Plan and get OMB approval in January 2014.

Then we overcame the next obstacle by thinking more broadly. We notionally erased ownership lines and thought not just about the Town lands or the commercial / mixed use lands, but about how we might ensure this new area could improve the rest of the Town. And, Council directed Town CAO Darren Ottaway to work very closely with the commercial developer to design a great development.

This great development not only includes new commercial, retail, and food establishments, but also a Medical Centre, a significant Retirement Residence, and new Wellspring Niagara Cancer Support Centre. This development also includes a gateway pond, pedestrian and cycle-friendly paths and roads, a two-acre public square, new parks, and protection of significant environmental features – all linked to existing community. Finally, the development also includes space for a potential new Community Centre – with a single-pad arena, expandable to two pads, fitness facility and walking track, double gymnasium, multi-purpose & performing arts space.

With the vision, determination, and hard work of so many, we have worked together to complete this 25-year steeplechase. This groundbreaking signifies the start of construction of a more integrated and complete community and puts Council’s vision of a more vibrant, creative, and caring Pelham into action.

Welcoming Proposals to Operate Potential Community Centre

At our Pelham Council meeting last week, we received the March minutes of the Architectural Design Advisory Committee (ADAC). (You will recall that Council appointed ADAC last August – with representatives from recreation user groups, youth, seniors, artists, service clubs and the community-at-large – to provide advice on the design of a potential new Community Centre.)

The March minutes of the ADAC’s meetings highlighted the committee’s interest in the way in which the facility might be operated. Some members expressed concerns with the Town beginning discussions with the YMCA of Niagara to potentially operate the fitness and other components of the potential Multifaceted Community Centre. Some committee members thought that the Town should ask the private-sector to put forward proposals to operate the Centre; others suggested that the Town should operate the potential Centre ourselves.

Over the weeks since Council signed a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA to begin talks, some members of the public have also expressed similar concerns.

Council addressed these concerns at our June 1st meeting by directing staff to “explore additional means by which programs and activities within the proposed multi-faceted community centre can be delivered.”

Highlighting the importance of transparency and community involvement, Council asked staff to recommend operating solutions that “ensure and maximize effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability, all the while meeting and sustaining the needs and demands of the community.”

Council accepted Town Staff’s suggestion to develop and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to operate components of the potential new facility. Staff will investigate service delivery options and potential operating partnerships, which may include not-for-profit, for-profit, or other public/private-partnerships.

In essence, the motion puts the memorandum of understanding between the Town of Pelham and the YMCA of Niagara to explore an operating agreement on hold.

Rather, this June 1st motion opens up the process and allows others (and including the YMCA) to put together a bid to potentially operate the new Centre.

Allowing enough time for bidders to develop and submit their proposals, and for Staff to evaluate and make a recommendation, Staff suggested the entire process could take six to eight weeks.

Finally, Council reiterated that this RFP process should in no way impact the Community Centre design timelines. The Architect hopes to present a final draft schematic design to ADAC on June 18, and Council will receive this plan and ADAC’s feedback on June 23. Then, since Council wants to ensure that you and other members of the public have a chance to review these plans, we hope you will participate in public consultations (at community events like Pelham Summerfest) in July.

Improving Thursday Evenings in Pelham’s Peace Park

Over the last six weeks, Council approved requests from the Pelham Farmers’ Market, Pelham Supper Market, Fonthill Bandshell, and the broader community to help improve the Thursday Evening experience in Peace Park in Pelham.

And, based on some significant (and largely negative) feedback, Council reversed one of its earlier decisions.

First, Council approved expanding the number of Supper Market vendors and to include even more flavours and varieties. Some venders will also offer cooking demonstrations by local chefs using fresh produce from the nearby Farmers’ Market.

Second, Council approved the request from the Pelham Farmer’s Market to allow Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine samples and sales in the market (as permissible through a Provincial pilot program). Any wine purchased is intended for personal use at home. I took advantage of this opportunity last Thursday and bought wine from Calamus Winery. (Vineland Estates also sells their wines at the Fenwick Farmer’s Market – Wednesday nights at St. Ann’s Church.)

Third, because of significant feedback from the Fonthill Bandshell and the broader community, all of Peace Park will NOT be licensed for alcohol; only a portion of the Park – the northern part containing the Supper Market – will be fenced and licensed.

In mid-April, upon recommendation from Town Staff, Council initially approved licensing all of Peace Park for the consumption of craft beer and local wine. The Special Occasion Permit would have required placing a discreet 36” fence around the Park’s perimeter each week, except for six access points. Licensing the entire area was to be a trial and Staff were to report monthly to Council.

But, after meeting directly with volunteers organizing the Bandshell, the Farmer’s Market, and the Suppermarket, and listening to the significant public opposition to the change, Council reversed this decision in early-May.

In late-May, Staff recommended that the Bandshell hire Police to patrol Peace Park to ensure folks weren’t drinking alcohol in the non-licensed areas while enjoying the concerts. Instead, Council directed staff to hire security personnel to monitor the non-licensed area at the Town’s expense.

Finally, Council approved a joint promotions committee to help circulate a weekly newsletter about the features of the Farmers’ and Supper Markets, the Bandshell schedule, shuttle bus and parking information, and to review operations.

After considering the recommendations of Staff and the feedback from residents and some of the Town’s most dedicated volunteers, Council approved these improvements so that your Thursday evenings in Peace Park might continue to offer a unique experience of food, family, friendship, music and fun. Hope to see you there!

“Freedom Does Not Happen On Its Own”

I haven’t written here lately because my family and I travelled to Europe for a couple of weeks on a long-planned trip. While there, we attended some special commemorations.

Celebrating Liberation Day:

Jim Summersides, Wageningen, 5 May 2015

On May 5, we travelled to Wageningen, where 70 years before German General Blaskowitz surrendered to Canadian General Foulkes, officially ending the war in the Netherlands.

Each year on this Liberation Day, Wageningen hosts a huge festival and parade. Being the 70th Anniversary, the parade this year included hundreds of Allied veteran soldiers (including 70 World War II vets from Canada), marching bands from varies Allied nations (including the Burlington Teen Tour Band), and current troops and cadets. Thousands and thousands lined the parade route – at least five or six people deep – and cheered and applauded each of the veterans driven by in vintage vehicles.

We knew that among those Canadian veterans was Jim Summersides, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 in Fonthill. It wasn’t easy finding him from among the hundreds of vets sheltered under several structural tents at the parade-start. Finally, we found him being led to one of the parade’s jeeps; you see, Summersides wasn’t with the others was because he was among eight veterans speaking with our Prime Minister. (You may recall that American Congressional leaders awarded Summersides and 41 other Canadians with the Congressional Gold Medal on February 3 for their service and determination in the first Joint Canadian-American Special Forces unit.)

Full Honours:

The next day, on our way to Belgium, we specifically travelled to the Canadian War Cemetery in Bergen-op-Zoom. We arrived just as members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian government, and family, laid the remains of Private Albert Laubenstein from Saskatoon to rest. While serving with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment, Pte. Laubenstein was killed during the Battle of Kapelsche Veer on Jan. 26, 1945. While Laubenstein’s body was interred in a battlefield grave, during the chaos at the end-of-the war, his grave was lost. His remains were discovered in 2014. Now he was buried with full honours with fellow members of his regiment near a large monument that reads “Their Name Liveth For Evermore.”

What Is Freedom?
Two huge banners surrounded one of the three Wageningen music stages on Liberation Day. Loosely translated, one banner read “Freedom Is Something We Celebrate Together!” The other: “Freedom Does Not Happen On Its Own.” My family and I will remember both poignant statements whenever we recall our special trip and commemorate our veterans.

Please Help Protect the Fonthill Kame, Again!

The Ontario Government is currently seeking feedback as they review four land-use plans: Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and Niagara Escarpment Plan.

On behalf of Pelham Town Council, I recently wrote to the Expert Advisory Panel of this Land-Use Planning Review and implored them to increase the protection of the Fonthill Kame. I am hoping that you too will write to the Panel to indicate your support.

The “Fonthill Kame-Delta” is Niagara’s rare, 75-metre-tall landmark that was formed by retreating glaciers 13,000 years ago. At 6 km long, 3 km wide, and nearly 1,000 hectares, the Fonthill Kame boasts the highest point in the Niagara Region. As the “hill” in Fonthill and Shorthills and the “ridge” in Ridgeville, the feature also serves as a significant water recharge area and forms the headwaters of the Twelve Mile Creek. Further, the Kame’s microclimatic and soil conditions create an ideal environment for tender fruit production including peaches, sweet and sour cherries, plums and pears.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) identified the Fonthill Kame as provincially significant in 1976 and as a Provincial “Area of Natural and Scientific Interest” (ANSI) in 1988 as a way to help restrict development.

The Province also protected parts of the Kame with general provisions in either the Niagara Escarpment Plan or specific provisions in the 2005 Greenbelt Plan.

And, you will recall that after considerable public feedback, research and scientific evaluation, MNR confirmed a new ANSI boundary for the Kame in October 2013.

Sadly however, despite these efforts to protect it, residential development and aggregate extraction pressures seriously threaten the Kame.

As the Province reviews the Greenbelt Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan, they could inadvertently (or purposefully!) lessen these protections of the Fonthill Kame.

That’s why I wrote the Expert Panel and urged them to reinforce the recent ANSI re-designation by increasing the protection of the Fonthill Kame in their land use Plans. (Please click here to review a copy of my letter.)

Now, I am asking you to provide similar feedback to the Panel before May 28; please let them know that you are interested in protecting the Kame and curtailing further aggregate extraction or development.

Please email your comments to landuseplanningreview@ontario.ca or send mail to:
Land Use Planning Review
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ontario Growth Secretariat
777 Bay Street
Suite 425 (4th floor)
Toronto, ON M5G 2E5.

Thank you for helping to further protect the Fonthill-Kame so that its distinctive features, microclimatic and water recharge functions might be better safeguarded for future generations!

Design of Community Centre Progressing

At our April 7 meeting, Council received an updated timeline for the design and potential construction of a new Multi-Faceted Community Centre in the East Fonthill area.

You will recall that based on a resident survey, a detailed business case analysis and a comparison to industry standards, Council confirmed sustaining demand for a multi-faceted community centre containing a single-pad arena (with the potential second-pad after 2023), a fitness centre, walking / running indoor track, multi-purpose space, and gymnasium sports / uses. This business case demonstrated that the operating costs could be accommodated within the net costs for the existing arena ($92,486 in 2013). Given the dire condition of the existing arena, Council also determined that a potential new community centre should be part of other imminent East Fonthill developments – Medical Centre, Retirement Home, Wellspring Cancer Support Centre, and new retail.

Council appointed an Architectural Design Advisory Committee (ADAC) last August – with representatives from recreation user groups, youth, seniors, artists, service clubs and the community-at-large. In addition to recommending hiring the architect, the committee recommended adding a large multi-purpose, performing arts space (~6,000 sq ft), an atrium / shared public space (~9,600 sq ft) that would help link each of the centre’s main elements, and 1,200 to 1,500 spectator seats in the first arena to support ice and non-ice ice uses.

After working with the committee and presenting draft schematic designs in February, the Architect is now working with individual ADAC members on a series of specialized consultations. For example, representatives of ice users – figure skating, minor hockey, Junior B, etc. – met to review their specific needs. This process should be completed by the end of the April.

Based on these specialized consultations, the Architect hopes to present a final draft schematic design and preliminary capital-cost estimates in June. While ADAC and Council will review this plan, Council also wants to ensure that the public has a chance to review this progress at that time.

And, based on several requests from the community, Council has also asked for a concurrent report outlining the capital and operating cost-benefit analysis of building the second ice pad during the initial build instead of after 2023.

The Architect committed to presenting detailed design documents in September 2015. This will allow for “tighter” construction cost estimates. If these documents are approved, then “construction-ready” tender documents could be ready by January/February 2016.

This is an exciting project for Pelham! I will continue to keep you informed about progress on the potential multi-purpose community centre.

Pelham’s 2015 Residential Taxes to Increase by 0.8%

As I wrote about last week, at our March 26 Regional Council meeting, we approved the 2015 Property Tax Rates and Tax Ratios. These rates and ratios apply to all property tax classes across all Cities, Towns, and Townships throughout Region.

What does it mean for Pelham?

The amount of property tax you pay to the Town of Pelham, to the Region, and to the Province (for Education) is not only based on the Market Value Assessment of your property; we multiply your assessment by each of the tax rates and add them up for your total bill.

You may recall that 2013 was a “reassessment” year. That means that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) – the Provincial body that sets a value your home and property – re-evaluated and assessed all properties in the Province as of January 1, 2012. While this amount will be used as the value of your home in 2016, MPAC phases in any assessment increases evenly over a four-year period. The Town uses that changing assessment value when we calculate your property taxes each year.

When Town Council approved our 2015 Budget on February 17, we anticipated that the Pelham portion of your property tax bill would increase by 1.9%.

Now that the Region (+1.6%) and the Province (-2.3%) set their rates, we know that the combined property tax increase for an average residential property (valued at $302,815) in Pelham will be 0.8% or approximately $32. We anticipate this increase to be the lowest or second lowest in Niagara Region again this year.

The average increase of property taxes on your combined residential property tax bill for the last five years was 1.3% (total increase 6.9%). This was the “pocket-book” increase – the amount it cost an average residential property owner by adjusting for the average MPAC increase.

How do we measure whether that is “good” or not? Another important comparator would be inflation. Inflation for the last five-year period was 8.5% or an average of 1.6% per year.

I hope you too are pleased that our residential tax increases have been 1.6% below inflation for the last five years. Please see the chart for more information.

Pelham Council and I continue to direct staff to ensure that we only minimally impact you and other property tax-payers while we increase the level and quality of services to the Town.