The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake held its regularly scheduled Council meeting this evening, December 10, 2024, covering presentations, motions, approvals and more, marking the last Council meeting of 2024.
Below is a summary of Council’s decisions and discussions. To review the meeting agenda, which includes links to all reports, meetings and presentations, please visit www.notl.com/council-government/meetings-agendas-minutes. A video recording of the meeting has been posted and can be found here.
Presentations:
The three winners of Lord Mayor Zalepa’s Holiday Card Design Contest were presented with a certificate, a skating pass, and a box of their printed holiday cards. Congratulations to Michael, Vivienne, and Dean! To learn more, please read the Town’s News Release.
Lord Mayor’s Report:
Lord Mayor Zalepa provided a verbal report highlighting his participation in the flag-raising event with CAO Bruce Zvaniga and Positive Living Niagara to recognize HIV/AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day. December began with the Candlelight Stroll on Queen Street on December 6, where he addressed attendees, extending special thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for organizing another memorable event, and joined the stroll. Additionally, he acknowledged the Canadian Junior Squash Championships at White Oaks, celebrating the opportunity to host such a prestigious event in the community.
Delegations:
Representatives from Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake requested $50,000 from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to support the re-launch of the Icewine Festival. Council received the Information Report on this item and agreed to have the Lord Mayor and Councillors Cheropita and Mavridis meet with Tourism NOTL to advocate for the use of their portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax funding for the Icewine Festival.
Decision Highlights
- Council approved the authorization of town departments to incur costs of up to 35% of their prior year's expenditure budget to ensure uninterrupted municipal operations. The Town, in accordance with the Municipal Act, must continue funding necessary services and operations between budget approval cycles.
Consolidation of Front-ending Agreements along Line 1 Road (CDS-24-188)
- Council approved a By-law to authorize the Lord Mayor and Town Clerk to sign the front-ending agreement associated with consolidating and extending the three (3) existing front-ending agreements for the construction of the sanitary sewer main in the Line 1 Road allowance to December 2034.
Area-Specific Development Charges
- Council directed Staff to prepare a 2025 background study to consider an area-specific development charge in the Glendale Secondary Plan Area to address growth-related costs.
- Council implemented a $100 application fee for Special Event Permits starting January 1, 2025, to cover administrative processing costs. This interim fee will remain in effect until a comprehensive review of the Special Events program is completed.
- Council approved pausing the issuance of new Short Term Rental licenses (Cottage Rentals, Country Inns, Vacation Apartments, and Villas), effective December 10, 2024, and directed Staff to conduct a detailed analysis to be presented by June 1, 2025.
Closed Session:
Council entered a Closed Session under Section 239(2)(3) of the Municipal Act, litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board specifically relating to 187 Queen Street and the Lament Drain.
By-laws:
Council approved several by-laws during the meeting, including appointing GEI Consultants Canada, Ltd. to prepare an Engineer's Report for the Airport Municipal Drainage System, authorizing a 2025 Interim Tax Levy (50% of the previous year's property taxes) with payments due February 28 and May 21, 2025, and extending a front-ending agreement for the Line 1 Road sanitary sewer main through December 2034. Additional approvals included a purchase and sale agreement with Village NR (NOTL) Inc., the closure of a road allowance between Township Lots 113 and 118, and confirming the meeting’s proceedings.
Next Council Meeting:
The next Council meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Community members are invited to attend in person at Town Hall (1593 Four Mile Creek Road, Virgil) or tune in via the Town's livestream. Agendas, minutes and meetings will be available on the Town's website at www.notl.com/council-government/meetings-agendas-minutes.
Thank you to community members for staying engaged with Council business throughout 2024. Council and Staff greatly appreciate your involvement and look forward to continuing to serve and collaborate with you in the year ahead!
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Media contact:
Marah Minor, Communications Coordinator
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com