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Proclamations
8.1 Mayor Steele declared April 28 to May 3, 2026, as Navy Week in the City of Port Colborne.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Steele reported that the City of Port Colborne is redesigning its website and seeking community feedback through a survey, which is open until May 1, to help guide improvements in backend technology, accessibility, and user experience. He encouraged residents to participate online at portcolborne.ca, or via paper surveys at City Hall, the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, and the Port Colborne Public Library. He thanked organizers and participants for the successful Easter Egg Hunt and family-friendly activities at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, noting the Easter Bunny’s traditional tugboat arrival. He shared that he had spoken with Minister Robert Flack, and has been advised that the Province will address Council composition before May 1. He recapped a recent trip to Ottawa with CAO Bryan Boles and Director of Development and Business Enterprises Gary Long, where they had constructive conversations with federal officials and agencies. Mayor Steele was also joined by Council members and senior staff for the recent Good Roads Conference in Toronto.
Staff Reports
13.3 a. Council approved the 2026 Tax Rate By-law.
13.3 b. Council approved amendments to the Municipal Alcohol Management Policy, allowing for the delegation of authority to designate an event as a cultural or community event to the City Clerk for the purpose of prescribing it as a special event occasion where an application has been made, pursuant to the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019.
13.3 c. Council approved a land exchange and associated agreement between the City of Port Colborne and Algoma Central Properties Inc. for a vacant parcel of City-owned land to support economic development and local business growth.
13.3 d. Council approved an amended Open Air Burning By-law.
13.3 e. Council approved the advance assumption of municipal infrastructure constructed as part of Westwood Estates Subdivision Phase 2, and approved a by-law to formalize the assumption.
13.3 f. Council received an update on municipal drain maintenance billing, and approved a levy by-law, allowing staff to bill outstanding maintenance balances on the 2026 final tax bill as previously directed.
Correspondence Items
13.4 a. Council received a joint letter to Premier Ford regarding lower-tier municipalities of Niagara Region.
13.4 b. Council received correspondence from the Niagara Region regarding municipal governance reform.
13.4 c. Council received a letter from Hon. Robert Flack regarding the proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026.
13.4 d. Council received a letter from Hon. Robert Flack regarding the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 (Bill 98).
13.4 e. Council received Niagara Transit Commission’s Fleet Electrification Strategy and Implementation Roadmap.
13.4 f. Council received Niagara Region’s 2026 Property Tax Policy, Ratios and Rates.
13.4 g. Council received the City of Thorold’s Support for Winter Cold Weather Support Plan.
13.4 h. Council received the Town of Lincoln’s request to the Province of Ontario to extend the deadline for notices of intention to designate listed heritage properties.
13.4 i. Council received Northumberland County’s correspondence regarding ‘Elbows Up for Climate Action.’
13.4 j. Council received the Town of Saugeen Shores’ endorsement of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) proposal to include $10M per year in the 2026 provincial budget for Heritage Helping Housing (HHH) grant funding.
13.4 k. Council received the Regional Municipality of Durham’s request to Premier Doug Ford to consider giving municipal councils more authority to adjust Police Service Budget proposals to reduce municipal financial vulnerability.
13.4 l. Council received the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s Provincial Announcement – Next Steps to Improve Ontario’s Conservation Authority System.
13. 4 m. Council received the City of Mississauga’s Motion regarding support for locally elected school board trustees.
Items Requiring Separate Discussion
14.1 Council received the 2025 Year End Surplus and Project Close Out.
14.2 Council referred Report 2026-41 back to staff to clarify their position on the applicant's requests, and requested it be brought forward at the April 28 Council meeting.
Staff Remarks
City Clerk Charlotte Madden spoke about the upcoming Municipal Election Candidates Information Night, hosted by the City of Welland on behalf of Niagara municipalities, scheduled for April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Welland Community Centre.
Fire Chief Stan Double shared that Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services has completed its transition to a digital platform. He noted the Fire and Emergency Services team has installed almost 500 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors over the past year, and congratulated the team on their work.
Director of Public Works Steve Shypowskyj noted parking restrictions on King St. and Princess St., which are in place to support a capital project taking place at the Museum. He shared that the Roselawn Accessibility Project has been completed. He discussed the upcoming road reconstruction program, which will take place on the roadway and sidewalks on King St. between Clarence St. and Charlotte St.
Director of Development and Business Enterprises Gary Long discussed productive conversations at recent conferences in Ottawa and Toronto.
Chief Planner Erik Acs discussed an upcoming public open house for Elite Developments’ subdivision application at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre on April 30 at 3 p.m., followed by a statutory public meeting for the application in Port Colborne Council Chambers on May 5.
Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Boles thanked the Finance Department for their presentation. He recognized Fire Chief Stan Double for his leadership in transitioning Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services to a digital platform, noting the project’s completion ahead of schedule and under budget. He said he looks forward to public feedback regarding the Elite Developments application. He shared that Manager of Communications Jasmine Peazel-Graham will present community feedback regarding governance review public engagement at the April 28 Council meeting. He added that Manager of Communications Jasmine Peazel-Graham and Senior Health Advisor Genevieve-Renee Bisson have prepared a report summarizing the work of the Healthcare Advisory Committee, and said he looks forward to input from both Council and community as the City continues to move forward on healthcare priorities. Lastly, he discussed the amendment to the Municipal Alcohol Management Policy, noting potential updates related to City events, with more information to be shared as it becomes available.
Councillors’ Remarks
Councillor Hoyle discussed upcoming Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce events: Lunch and Learn: Practical AI Use Cases in Sales, Marketing, and Operations at noon on April 21 (online), Coffee Club from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on May 1 at Tea on West, Port Colborne, and noted that tickets are for sale for the annual Tickle Your Ribs Comedy Night, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Whisky Run Golf Course on Friday, June 12. He asked about sidewalk construction on Johnston St.
Councillor Elliott inquired about weekend and after-hours parking on Clarence St. He also asked about water rebates.
Councillor Bruno thanked Public Works for recent quick action. He thanked staff for their efforts regarding potential governance changes.
Councillor Bagu discussed tree planting efforts on boulevards. He asked about upcoming budgets. He asked about the 2026 painting schedule. He also asked about Westwood Estates Subdivision, Phase 3.
Councillor Beauregard discussed his attendance at the Good Roads Conference alongside Mayor Steele and senior staff. He thanked staff for their dedication in preparing conference materials.
Councillor Aquilina highlighted the Friends of Roselawn Centre’s annual juried fundraising art auction, “May Masterpieces,” which is scheduled from May 15 to May 22. She recognized the late Burdett “Burd” Sisler, honouring his life and contributions to his country.
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