Email icon Back to Search
Council Recap

Council Recap - April 15, 2025

Council met for a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 15.

Delegations

Council heard delegations from Marsha and Mike McCreadie; Anne Yagi on behalf of the Lorraine Bay Association; Rick Froese on behalf of the Lorraine Bay Association; and Robert Henderson on behalf of the Lorraine Bay Association, all of whom were delegating on item 6.1 about waterfront road allowances.

Staff Reports

6.1 Council received a report about Road Allowances. Council directed Public Works to do the following:

1. Have the City retain ownership of the waterfront road allowances outlined in the report.

2. Keep the existing parking signage related to the pandemic parking prohibition and amend a by-law regulating traffic and parking on City roads.

3. Continue to promote tourism to the City’s destination locations including Nickel Beach, Centennial Park, and H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park.

4. Install gates at the following road allowances:

  • Weaver Road
  • Pinecrest Road
  • Cedar Bay Road

5. Keep the gates at the Weaver Road and Cedar Bay Road allowances open during the day.

6. Upgrade existing gates to be functional as needed.

7. Transition all road ends to new locks and grant permission to access the road allowance gates to waterfront property owners and properties with valid legal access to the waterfront between Reuter Road and Holloway Bay Road, allowing each property access to the closest two gates to their property.

8. Implement a new process which includes:

  • An indemnification and waiver form.
  • Acknowledgement of By-law 4527/58/04 being a by-law to Regulate Access over Road Allowances Leading to the Waters of Lake Erie.
  • An education article on the Fowler’s Toad and it’s habitat.
  • Acknowledgement of rules to abide by when utilizing the road allowances.
  • Installation of signage indicating that only permitted vehicles are allowed to access the road end.

 

 Council Recap - April 22, 2025

Proclamations

8.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed May 2025 as "Leave a Legacy Month" in Port Colborne and encouraged all residents to consider how they can leave a meaningful charitable gift in their will.

8.2 Mayor Steele proclaimed May 4 to 10, 2025 as “Emergency Preparedness Week” in the City of Port Colborne.

Presentations

There was a presentation of grants to non-profit organizations, including the Port Colborne Girls Hockey Association, the Port Colborne Optimist Club, Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses, the Port Colborne Feline Initiative, and Community Living Port Colborne Wainfleet.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Steele discussed Earth Day observations in Port Colborne and beyond. He applauded the recent tree giveaway and Easter activities in the city. He said Port Colborne will join communities across the country in celebrating Doctors’ Day on May 1. He spoke about May being Community Living Month and also mentioned that May is the month when the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum opens for the season. This year is the Museum’s 50th anniversary. He discussed the upcoming volunteer appreciation banquet to honour those who volunteer with the City. He said there would be an upcoming observation to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic.

Staff Reports

13.3 Council received an update on several planning-related matters related to the City’s Official Plan. This includes the intention of staff to undertake a competitive procurement process to retain consultant services for the development of a new City Official Plan.

Correspondence Items

13.4 d. Council endorsed a correspondence item from the Town of Grimsby about the manufacturing of emergency response vehicles in Canada.

Items Requiring Separate Discussion

14.1 Council approved funding to enhance the service and hours of the animal shelter located at 1080 Elm Street, Port Colborne.

14.2 Council received a report that highlighted the funding budget to actual results and provided recommendations pertaining to surplus, capital and related project closeouts and reserve activity for 2024.

14.3 Council directed staff to continue working with subject matter experts in the field to assess and identify viable future tenants for the Port Colborne Grain Terminal.

14.4 Council directed staff to continue gathering cost estimates for the disposal of dredged material from the area closest to the public boat launch, with two potential disposal sites under consideration: the lagoon area at Sugarloaf Marina, and the industrial land adjacent the Nickel Beach parking lot.

Staff Remarks

  • Manager of Strategic Projects Joe Colasurdo shared that he attended the 2025 North American No Dig Conference. He also provided an update on several watermain replacement projects.
  • Manager of By-Law Services Sherry Hanson reminded everyone that Clean Community Day will take place May 24.
  • CAO Bryan Boles thanked the City’s new CFO, Adam Pigeau, for his presentation to Council. He also thanked Jade McDowall, the City’s new Deputy Treasurer.
  • Councillors’ Remarks
  • Councillor Beauregard thanked Public Works for sharing about the conference they attended. He also discussed a governance review for Niagara Transit.
  • Councillor Bagu asked about piping at the corner of Sugarloaf Street and West Street.
  • Councillor Bruno thanked CAO Bryan Boles for a schedule he shared with Councillors.
  • Councillor Elliott asked Public Works when sidewalks on a project on Clarence Street will reopen. He thanked CFO Adam Pigeau for his presentation.
  • Councillor Danch asked about when Sugarloaf Marina officially opens.
  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for addressing his requests. He reminded local businesses to share their events and promotions with the Port Colborne Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce.
  • Councillor Bodner discussed the Easter egg hunt at the Sherkston Community Centre.

 

The next Port Colborne Council Meeting will be held May 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Council Meeting agendas and livestream videos can be found at www.portcolborne.ca/councilagenda