Region Increases Water & Waste Water Rates

Some Regional Councillors congratulated themselves for approving a “combined 0.03 per cent reduction in the Region’s Water and Wastewater budget, resulting in a net operating budget of $108 million.” A recent news release quoted the Regional Chair that, “These reduced budgets show that our Council is focused on affordability for Niagara residents.”

This upsets me. First, this misleads by telling only part of the story. Second, the facts show that the Region’s “zero budget guidance” did not focus water and wastewater affordability.

As you may recall, the Regional portion of your water and sewer rates pays for both the water and sewer treatment costs and delivery costs to 11 of Niagara’s Towns and Cities. The Region works with local staff to estimate the amount of water each municipality will sell to its residents and businesses and the amount of waste water it will send to the Region to treat.

Essentially, the Region wholesales water production and waste water treatment to the local municipalities. The local municipalities then add local distribution (water) and collection (sewer) costs to retail service to residents and businesses.

So, while a near zero budget change sounds good, it’s the impact on the customers (the 11 Cities & Towns) and, ultimately, residents and businesses, that really matters.

The Region charges 25% of their water budget to the local municipalities as a fixed cost; that portion of the bill is increasing by the 0.3%. But, what about the other portion? The Region will recover the remaining 75% at a set rate. Council increased that rate from $0.537 per cubic meter (m3) to $0.554 / m3; that’s a 3.2% increase!

What does that mean for local Cities? First, Cities will have to mitigate the Region’s 0.3% fixed-cost increase on the fixed-cost portion of our water bills. Second, the 3.2% increase on the consumption portion of our bill means a huge uphill battle – we will need to recover nearly $970,000 of distribution savings / innovations or pass along the costs to consumers.

What about waste water? It’s a similar scenario. While the overall Regional sewer budget will decrease slightly (by 0.2%), the Region expects to treat 2.0% less waste water. This forces Niagara Cities to contend with 1.8% increases in the costs per unit treated! That will force Towns to pass along another $853,800!

Unfortunately, despite the rhetoric, these significant rate increases show that Regional Council failed to focus on water and waste water affordability for Niagara’s Cities & Towns and ultimately failed Niagara’s residents and businesses.

How should we spend your money in 2016?

Do you have any suggestions on how the Town should spend your money?

Council will begin our 2016 budget process with a special public meeting where we listen to you and other members of the community about what you would like to see in next year’s and future budgets. That meeting will occur on Monday, November 30 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at Pelham Town Hall.

While Pelham Council first started this type of a “pre-budget consultation” for the 2007 Budgets, we continue each year to welcome residents, representatives of sports teams and service clubs, businesses and property tax payers to provide input.

I am pleased that, following Council deliberations each year, we have been able to follow-through on most of the suggestions offered by your friends and neighbours. In previous year, folks have requested a dog park, a skate park, sidewalks along a number of roads, crosswalks, sidewalk snow clearing on every sidewalk in Town, partnerships on service club signs, and a girl’s change room in the arena. The Town has completed each of these requests or they have been approved and will get done soon.

That’s why we are undertaking this consultation process again. Council and I want to hear directly from you about your needs, wants, and ideas for our Town. Our community improves when more and more people become involved in its success!

And, this is just the start of our 2016 budget deliberations:

• Pre-Budget Consultation – beginning November 30, 2015;
• Draft Capital Budget available to public – December 31;
• Draft Capital Budget presented to Committee – January 4, 2016;
• Council consider approving Capital Budget – January 11;
• Draft Operating Budget available to the public – February 5;
• Draft Operating Budget presented to Committee – February 8;
• Council consider approving Operating Budget – February 16;
• Draft Water & Sewer Budgets available to the public – February 8;
• Draft Water & Sewer Budgets presented to Committee – February 16;
• Council consider approving Water & Sewer Budgets – March 7.

Prefer to provide written input?  Simply send a letter via email to a special email address:  ourbudget@pelham.ca. You will also soon be able to view background budget information at the Town’s website: www.pelham.ca.

Not internet savvy?  You can also provide written comments via normal mail c/o Town Clerk, Town of Pelham, 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON   L0S 1E0.

I hope to hear from you and I look forward to discussing your ideas so that we can continue to build a better future for our Town together.

“Freedom Does Not Happen On Its Own”

Jim Summersides displaying his Congressional Gold
Medal while in Wageningen on 5 May 2015

As we commemorate Remembrance Day this year, I was reminded of part of my family’s trip to Europe last spring.

On May 5 we made our way to Wageningen, in Southern Holland. That’s where 70 years before German General Blaskowitz surrendered to Canadian General Foulkes, officially ending the war in the Netherlands.

Being the 70th Anniversary, Wageningen hosted a huge parade and festival including 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. It was amazing to be among the thousands and thousands who lined the parade route – at least five or six people deep – and cheer each of the veterans as they passed 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 and a frequent Remembrance Day participant in Pelham.

It wasn’t easy finding him from among the hundreds of vets sheltered under several structural tents at the parade-start. You see, Summersides wasn’t with the other Canadian veterans because he was among eight veterans speaking with Canada’s Prime Minister. He was telling the PM about the Congressional Gold Medal (that he kept in his pocket!), awarded in February 2015 for his service and determination during WWII in the first Joint Canadian-American Special Forces unit.

After meeting Summersides, I noticed two huge banners surrounding one of the three Wageningen music stages. Loosely translated, one banner read “Freedom Is Something We Celebrate Together!” The other: “Freedom Does Not Happen On Its Own.”

These are appropriate words this week.

During our Remembrance Day commemorations we celebrate together our many freedoms – the freedom to express ourselves, to participate in cultural, religious, and political activities, to come and go as we please, and to pursue a safe and happy life.

And, we also recognize the words on the second banner: that our freedoms did not happen on their own. Rather, our freedoms are due to the sacrifices of Veterans and of those members of the Canadian Armed Forces who serve today. They sacrificed their futures and continue to make those sacrifices so that our future might be free and might be one of peace and happiness.

As we celebrate our freedoms together and commemorate Remembrance Day 2015, let us be thankful. Let us never forget. And let us remember the “Freedom Does Not Happen On Its Own.”

All Pelham Volunteers Are Precious!

Sometimes in our fast-paced society, we neglect to honour and thank those that do something special. And, yet, those who volunteer in our community make a conscious choice to give of their time and talents to improve our community.

When you volunteer, you make a conscience choice and, I believe, carry out a sacred act of giving of yourself.

This goes for the many coaches and conveners of the various sports in Pelham and for members of the Town’s outstanding Service Clubs. It’s the same with the specially appointed members of Town Committees like those that volunteer on the Library Board, the Active Transportation Committee, the Beautification Committee, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council.

Presenting Peer Award to Fonthill Lion John Mills.

It’s a similar commitment from those involved in community based endeavours like the Farmer’s Market Committee, the Bandshell Committee, the Pelham Art Festival committee, the Pelham Horticultural Society, the Suppermarket Committee, and the hundreds of other volunteers in our community.

That’s why hosting the Town’s Annual Volunteer & Community Corporate Recognition Ceremony – like Council and I did last Wednesday – is one of our favourite events! It’s when we recognize the dedication and hard work of hundreds of Pelham’s volunteers.

We presented the “Peer Award” as a special way of recognizing outstanding individuals. Each community-based group or organization in Pelham nominated one of the most exemplary volunteers from among their group of exceptional volunteers.

We offered our deep appreciation and congratulations to each of the Peer Award recipients: Barb Matthie, Fonthill & District Kinette Club; Anne Durst, Pelham Farmers Market; Maria McMillan, Pelham Historical Society; Brian Iggulden, Fonthill & District Kinsmen Club; Enid Gatcke, Fonthill Lioness Club; John Mills, Fonthill Lions Club; Marisa Battista, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council; Cora Ann MacKinnon, Niagara Centre Skating Club; Bill Gibson, Pelham Active Transportation Committee; John Swart, Pelham Art Festival; Sue Kicul, Pelham Cares; Gail Hilyer, Pelham Seniors’ Advisory Committee; Stuart MacPherson, Pelham Soccer Club; Robert Eamer, Rotary Club of Fonthill; Claire Rochette, Royal Canadian Legion, Ladies Aux.; Jake Dilts, Royal Canadian Legion.

We also honoured our Corporate Citizens – those businesses that give money, resources, product – to all facets of our community. We especially honoured the Fonthill Sobey’s with a Corporate Peer Award for their generosity to so many charities and commitment to improving our Town.

I offer deep thanks to each of the Town’s volunteers and corporate citizens for giving of themselves to help other people and to make Pelham a vibrant, creative and caring community for all.

Capping the Costs for Affordable Community Centre

At the end of July, I wrote here about how Council changed gears in the design of a more affordable Multi-Faceted Community Centre (MFCC). Council considered the matter again last week and approved hiring a construction manager and capping the operating and capital costs.

You will recall that, based on a detailed business case analysis in 2013/14, the Town confirmed that “sustaining demand” for a MFCC (single-pad arena, a fitness centre, walking / running indoor track, 2,000 sq ft multi-purpose space, and double gymnasium) existed.

So, Council appointed a citizen/user-based Architectural Design Advisory Committee (ADAC) in August 2014 to help design that type of facility. In February 2015, Council agreed with ADAC’s recommendations of adding a large multi-purpose/ performing arts space (+6,000 sq ft), an atrium / shared public space (+9,600 sq ft), 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.

Concerned with the project’s affordability in June, however, Council directed staff to determine potential capital and operating costs of this expanded design.

In early-July, Council agreed with a Leisureplan recommendation that, because “a second ice pad would be utilized 69%-77% during prime time,” the Town should provide a second ice pad by 2018/19.

In late-July, Council learned that no private firms wanted to operate the Centre; that a “Class-D” estimate pegged the expanded design at $54 million; and that a pro forma estimated operating costs of that design at +$500,000 per year.

Clearly the design ballooned above the initial operating and capital business case and had to be rationalized and reduced.

So, Council directed staff to refine the pro forma’s operating costs, to start develop a realistic fundraising plan, and to recommend a construction manager who would help make the design more affordable to build and operate.

When these matters arose on October 19, we took action. First, Council approved hiring Ball Construction as a construction manager to help the architect and staff to find cost efficiencies and assist in reducing the facility’s overall capital and operating costs. Second, Priorities Committee placed a $30-million capital cap and a $200,000 operating-subsidy cap on the project’s design. When we sell excess property, raise community funds, or receive government grants, those funds will make these capital costs even more affordable. Third, we directed staff to circulate this information to ADAC members.

Staff suggested that we might see the next major re-design in early 2016.

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

A Bit of Pelham to Help Bearskin Lake

Pelham Town Council and Welland Rotary welcome
Wayne Brown, deputy chief of Bearskin Lake First
Nation, and Larry Laviolette, Fire Safety Officer,
First Nation Fire Commissioner’s Office,
5 October 2015

How do you make the best use of a decommissioned fire truck? Despite be maintained in excellent condition and with just over 2,000 hours of operation time and 24,000 km, Provincial insurance regulations require that the Town has to decommission and replace the 1991 pumper from Pelham Fire Station #2 this year. (We planned for this and approved a new pumper in our 2015 Capital Budget.)

The Town could sell the vehicle for non-fire use. Or we could sell or donate the fire truck to communities or a
reas where less stringent insurance rules apply – in another country or areas covered by Canadian Federal regulations.

That’s where the Welland Rotary Club came in. After hearing the Town approved the purchase of a new pumper, the Club wondered whether there was a community in Central or South America that might need such a vehicle.

Then the Club heard about fires in First Nation communities in Northern Ontario. The Club made contact with Larry Laviolette, Fire Safety Officer, First Nation Fire Commissioner’s Office. Working out of Sioux Lookout, Mr. Laviolette indicated that Bearskin Lake First Nation (which is more than 400 km north) desperately needs fire equipment.

It was my pleasure to welcome and help host Wayne Brown, deputy chief of Bearskin Lake First Nation, on Monday, October 5. Deputy Chief Brown told us that while Bearskin Lake has a growing population of 900 people across four areas – airport, downtown, residential, and medical – they do not have adequate fire protection. Since they have been unable to get parts following the breakdown of a 1982 fire pumper, their community is served by a pickup truck carrying a water tank and a small pump.

In addition, Mr. Brown indicted that people access Bearskin Lake by air during the spring, summer and fall, and by an ice road during the winter. I understand this remote community gets all their building and medical supplies, non-perishable food, and fuel via that 12-hour ice road route!

Once removed from active service in November, Rotary will transport the fire pumper (via flat-bed truck) to Sioux Lookout; Mr. Laviolette will store the vehicle until February when the truck will be transported to Bearskin Lake via the ice road.

Hand-stitched moccasins presented in
appreciation to Pelham by Bearskin Lake 

Councillor John Durley, Deputy Mayor, and I presented ceremonial keys for the truck to Councillor Peter Papp, president of the Rotary Club; in turn, Councillor Papp presented the keys to Deputy Chief Brown during our October 5th Council meeting.

I am delighted that this bit of Pelham can help serve Bearskin Lake First Nation for many years. And, I hope this can be the start of a special relationship between our two communities.

Will a Chicane Help Calm Traffic?

Last Friday, Town Staff installed a temporary traffic calming measure on Haist Street North (north of Regional Road 20). Shortly after, I drove through and posted a photo on my Facebook pages and other social media. The reactions were immediate and polarized.

The Town has been grappling with ways in which to help calm traffic and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists for a number of years. More than a decade ago, the Town implemented “Community Safety Zones” on Haist Street (near AK Wigg School) and on Pelham Street (near GA Green School) to double the normal fine for speeders. We have added flashing lights in most school zones and employ a team of dedicated crossing guards help local students to cross the road.

Over the last nine years, we’ve also dramatically improved our walking and cycling infrastructure. We’ve added more than 13 km of sidewalks in areas like Pelham Street (Pancake to Broad), Haist Street (from Welland Rd to north of Regional Rd 20), Regional Road 20 (from Rice to Lookout), Maple Street (from Canboro to Sandra), Port Robinson Road (from Pelham St. to Rice), Church Street (from Martha Crt to Centennial Park) and along Pelham Town Square. We’ve also added more than 9 km of new bike lanes – notably on Haist, Port Robinson, and Regional Road 20.

To make it safer for folks to cross the street, we’ve added five new crosswalks – at the Fonthill Library Branch, at AK Wigg, and on Pelham St. at Church Hill, at Pancake and at Spruceside. We also added a traffic light at Pelham and Port Robinson and improved the pedestrian crossings on Regional Road 20 at Pelham and Haist Streets. We have also added stop signs to better regulate traffic – Quaker at Line, Port Robinson at Station, Canboro at Balfour, and Sawmill at Wessel.

To help slow traffic we’ve added speed bumps to Haist Street, and narrowed the road width on Regional Road 20 (up the hill between Canboro and Church Hill), and in Downtown Fenwick. We’ve even painted center lines and edge lines on a few roads to make them appear narrower so that drivers slow down.

Because of ongoing speeding and persistent resident complaints, staff recently set-up a temporary traffic calming measure – called a chicane or a bulbout – on Haist Street North. While they will be monitoring pre- and post-speeds, area residents emailed staff that the “temporary installment made an instant improvement. Traffic is slowing!”

Because of the diverse reactions on Facebook – some in favour, some confused, some vigorously opposed – I thought I would write about the pilot project here.

Please provide your own reaction to Town Councillors or me directly.
---------------------------------------------------
To see a sample of what other communities across the United States are trying to reduce traffic speeds, please see this USA Today article.

Update November 2016:
Tests showed a significant decrease in speeds as a result of this temporary chicane. Council approved the installation of a permanent feature. It is being installed before the end of November 2016.

WW1 Trench Mortar & Creative Solution Process

(Credit: G.Furminger/Welland Tribune/Postmedia Network)

Back in the spring, I wrote briefly in my capital budget update about efforts to restore the World War One cenotaph and German mortar at Old Pelham Town Hall.

Since that time, thanks to the direction of a committed group of residents and funding support from Veteran’s Affairs, the Town beautifully restored the lead lettering on the historic cenotaph. (If you have not seen the work yet, I would encourage you to stop by Old Pelham Town Hall sometime!)

But, that left the future of the trench mortar uncertain. The Town received a pricey estimate to restore the mortar – more than $30,000 plus the costs for a new base. Another option? The Niagara Military Museum generously offered to remove the mortar from the site and painstakingly restore it at their location – so that they might display it there.

When the issue came to Council in late-August, many other suggestions arose: removal because it’s not a Canadian weapon; full restoration on site; partial restoration and protection; transformation into a serenity or “contemplation” garden. Some felt strongly one way, others as strongly the other way.

The solution? Council directed staff to host a creative problem session with as many of the key stakeholders as possible to discuss and make recommendations to Council. The thinking? Let’s get all the pertinent players in one room and discuss the emotionally-charged matter and, most importantly, try to understand each other.

The well attended session included: Jake Dilts, Jim Summersides, Bernie Law from the Royal Canadian Legion; Dell Clark, Carolyn Botari, Gary Chambers, interested Residents; Mary Lamb, from the Pelham Historical Society; seven members of the Niagara Military Museum; and Councillors Junkin and Rybiak.

The meeting was very positive and the group was able to work through the process respectfully and came to the conclusion of “How might we help Council make a decision to preserve the mortar at its current site?”

I understand that the session included some key “eureka” thoughts / challenges:

Since not many know the history of this German Trench Mortar, “how might we identify and interpret” the mortar’s history?

And, while some initially disliked displaying a “trophy of war,” others pointed out it was given to the Town in 1921 for a specific goal: How might we “never forget the sacrifice Pelham residents paid in WWI.”

The result? Last week, Council agreed to leave the WWI Trench Mortar at the Old Pelham Town Hall site and directed staff to work with the group again to recommend the extent of the restoration and identification and possible funding sources. (Please click here to review a copy of the Staff report of the creative problem solving session.)

Thanks, again, for the dedication of all involved!

Electing the Chair to Become Accountable, Open, and Democratic

Ken Seiling was re-elected in Waterloo Region, 2014.
Waterloo Region has elected the Regional Chair-at-large since 1997.

You may recall that in January, I wrote here about the effort to help make Niagara Regional government more accountable, open, and democratic, by electing the Regional Chair at large. What happened?

Well, Regional Council voted to defer the debate and get more historic information. That motion comes up for consideration at our Corporate Services committee on Wednesday, September 23.

Role of the Chair:
The full-time Regional Chair sets the legislative and economic agendas for the Region, presides over Council meetings, votes on every committee, and is the “face” of Niagara with Provincial, National, and other governments.

So, while serving as the face of the entire Niagara Region, ironically, the Regional Chair is only accountable to the majority of Regional Councillors.

Antiquated Process:
Our current process of appointing a sitting member of Council as chair comes from the Baldwin Act of 1849, which established local County Councils. The names of the annually appointed, former Wardens of Welland County and Lincoln County are etched on plaques at the Regional HQ (across from Brock University).

When they first created Regional Governments in the 1970s, the Province also appointed the first Regional Chairs. After our first Chair (John Campbell) retired in 1985, Council appointed one of its own as Chair (Wilber Dick).

But, this appointment differs significantly from County Councils days – the new Chair give up his or her seat and is appointed for the entire four-year term of Council.

Lagging Behind Other Regions:
All other Ontario Regional governments have already either adopted a more accountable and democratic process to directly elect their Regional Chair at large or are in the process of doing so.

Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wilmot, Wel
lesley, Woolwich, and North Dumfries) began electing their Chair 17 years ago.

Halton Region (Burlington, Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills) has elected a Regional Chair since 2000.

Durham Region (Pickering, Ajax, Uxbridge, Oshawa, Whitby, and Clarington) first elected their Regional Chair last Fall.

A bill to elect the York Region (Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch–Stouffville) Chair “at large” is currently before the Ontario Legislature.

Finally, in 2013, Peel Regional Council (Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon) directed staff to report in 2015 on options to directly elect their Chair for the 2018 municipal election.

It’s Time for Niagara:
It’s clear that the way in which Niagara Region currently appoints our Regional Chair is antiquated, undemocratic, and out-of-synch with all other Regions in Ontario.

That’s why I am supporting the effort to change toward a directly elected Chair. If you agree, please contact your Mayor and Regional Councillor and / or send me an email directly at mayordave@pelham.ca.

Let's work together now to become more open, transparent, accountable, and democratic in Niagara!

Help Increase Protection of the Kame

As I wrote about in the spring, the Ontario Government is reviewing the Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Oak Ridges Moraine Plan, and Niagara Escarpment Plan.

In April, I wrote to the Expert Advisory Panel overseeing this Review and implored them to increase the protection of the Fonthill Kame. I recently sent another letter to the Panel, and I am hoping that you will too! (Please click here for a copy of my letter.)

The “Fonthill Kame-Delta” is Niagara’s rare, 75-metre-tall, 1,000 hectare landmark that was formed by retreating glaciers 13,000 years ago. As the “hill” in Fonthill and Shorthills and the “ridge” in Ridgeville, the Kame boasts the highest point in the Niagara Region and 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 including peaches, sweet and sour cherries, and plums.

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

As the Province reviews the Greenbelt Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan, they could inadvertently lessen these protections.

That’s why I wrote the Expert Panel in April and urged them to reinforce the ANSI re-designation by increasing the protection of the Fonthill Kame in their land use Plans.

During the summer, Niagara Region approved maps and commentary as part of their submission to the Expert Panel. In that submission, Regional Council reiterated its request that the lands forming part of the “total morphology” of the Fonthill Kame be recognized and protected. (Please click here and see page 3 and 4 and appendix of Regional report. [Large 11.3MB.])

In fact, the Region suggested that lands as identified through scientific study by expert Dr. Menzies be added to the Niagara Escarpment Plan for increased protection. (For a map of those lands, please click here. [Please note, it would exclude lands in the Fonthill Urban Area and in the Ridgeville Hamlet.])

And, at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conferences, Town Councillors and I asked the Ministry of Natural Resources representatives to add Fonthill Kame lands to the Niagara Escarpment Plan area. (For more about this and a copy of our presentation, please see my recent column.)

Now, I am asking you to provide similar feedback to the Panel this month; please let them know that you are interested in protecting the Kame via the Niagara Escarpment plan to help curtail further aggregate extraction or development.

Please email your comments to landuseplanningreview@ontario.ca or send mail to:
David Crombie, Chair
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, again, 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!