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Council Recap

Statutory Public Meeting

8.1 Council reviewed a Public Meeting report regarding a request to have 395 Elm Street added to the Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) area. Council directed Planning and Development staff to bring forward a recommendation report to the next available meeting.

Proclamations

9.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed Feb. 16 to 22, 2026 as Heritage Week in Port Colborne.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Steele highlighted the four new Port Colborne Sports Wall of Fame inductees honoured on Feb. 7 at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre during SportsFest weekend. He noted that the event was well attended, with over 200 guests, and shared that a livestream is available on Port Colborne’s YouTube channel. He also congratulated Team Port Colborne on winning both the ‘A’ and ‘D’ Divisions in the Mayor’s Cup Hockey Tournament, along with other tournament champions, and thanked everyone who contributed to a successful SportsFest. Mayor Steele recognized Fire Chief Stan Double for his leadership and commitment to community safety over the past year. He also reminded residents about the importance of railway safety, encouraging the public to stay off railway tracks except at designated crossings. He acknowledged February as Black History Month, highlighting the 2026 theme, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries”. He encouraged the community to learn more about and celebrate the diversity and accomplishments of Black Canadians, while also reaffirming the shared responsibility to address systemic barriers that Black communities continue to face. In response to recent frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, he encouraged residents to limit time outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbours, and thanked the community for looking out for one another. He noted that residents can warm up at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre and the Port Colborne Public Library, and that Niagara Region Transit continues to provide free rides to designated public facilities during extreme weather events. Mayor Steele thanked those who joined him at the EarlyON Child & Family Centre for Family Literacy Day on January 27. He also noted that City facilities, aside from the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, will be closed to observe Family Day on Monday, Feb. 16. A variety of events are planned throughout the long weekend and can be found on Port Colborne’s online events calendar. He highlighted a recent presentation by KPMG at Port Colborne’s Healthcare Advisory Committee meeting on Feb. 9, and advised that a final report will be submitted to City Council in late March. He concluded by sharing that Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 is hosting its annual public speaking contest on Feb. 17 and 19 at 6 p.m., and he encouraged the community to attend.

Staff Reports

14.3 a. Council approved a lease agreement between the City of Port Colborne and Bell Mobility Inc. (Bell) for their telecommunications equipment to be located on a portion of City land adjacent to the Fire Hall.

14.3 b. Council classified the lands at 837 Reuter Road, which house PC Forge, as a Class IV Noise Area in accordance with the Ministry of Environment’s Environmental Noise Guideline.

14.3 c. Council approved that the lands at 30 Knoll Street be deemed not to be on a lot within a registered Plan of Subdivision for the purposes of Subsection 50 (3) of the Planning Act.

Correspondence Items

14.4 b. A letter from Larry Rosnuk was received for information regarding a Referendum Question to be placed on the next Municipal Election Ballot.

Items Requiring Separate Discussion

15.1 Council received a report from the Niagara Region’s upcoming waste collection services contract and approved the City of Port Colborne’s waste collection service levels for the next contract period. The report is about waste and organics collection – not blue or grey bin recycling, which recently transferred to a new collection model under the producer responsibility model at the direction of the Province.

15.2 Council formally closed an unopened road allowance for a portion of Raglan Street (also known as Bell Street) and declared the road allowance surplus to City requirements.

15.3 Council supported a Winter Cold Weather Response Plan Review from the City of Welland, and referred it to staff to monitor for the Niagara Regional Council’s response.

Staff Remarks

  • Fire Chief Stan Double thanked Mayor Steele, City Council and members of Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services for their ongoing support.
  • Director of Public Works Steve Shypowskyj said the City commenced overnight snow removal operations in Port Colborne’s downtown core on Feb. 9, and will continue throughout the remainder of the week.
  • Chief Planner Erik Acs said the City’s New Official Plan Open Houses on Feb. 4 and 5. were well attended, and public engagement initiatives will continue through the spring.
  • Chief Administrative Officer Bryan Boles discussed winter sidewalk maintenance. He said the City was fined $1 and ordered to make a payment of $80,000 to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to support Fowler’s Toad habitat protection and restoration efforts as a result of laying gravel inside the Nickel Beach gates without a proper permit in 2022. He noted that Port Colborne’s annual Polar Plunge is postponed due to frigid conditions, and looks forward to a great beach season.
  • Director of Development & Business Enterprises Gary Long thanked coaches, volunteers, and staff for a successful SportsFest weekend. He said SportsFest and the Mayor’s Cup Hockey Tournament have become signature Port Colborne events, and congratulated the winning hockey teams.

Councillors’ Remarks

  • Councillor Bodner highlighted Port Colborne’s team spirit during Sportsfest. He asked about snow removal services for residents who require support. He thanked staff for addressing his concerns.
  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for addressing his concerns. He said he had a great time at SportsFest and thanked staff for their behind the scenes work to make it a successful weekend.
  • Councillor Danch discussed a recent Main Street Business Improvement Area (BIA) meeting. He spoke about the parking situation at the future child care facility located at 76 Main Street West. He asked about sidewalk snow clearing on Main Street. He also asked about commercial buildings that contain residential units. He said that residents have made him aware of accessibility concerns when using Niagara Region Transit services.
  • Councillor Elliott discussed the Downtown BIA. He also discussed commercial buildings with ground-floor residential units.
  • Councillor Bruno discussed Business Improvement Area (BIA) audit costs. He thanked everyone involved in SportsFest and the Mayor’s Cup Hockey Tournament. He asked about railway tracks on Main Street/Highway 3.
  • Councillor Bagu asked about waterlines near the Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada facility. He asked about the City’s $80,000 payment to the NPCA. He also asked about long-term care beds in Port Colborne.
  • Councillor Beauregard thanked staff for their hard work planning SportsFest. He said he enjoyed playing in the tournament and meeting members of the community.
  • Councillor Aquilina congratulated everyone on a successful SportsFest weekend. She also congratulated all Sports Wall of Fame inductees. She discussed the City’s $80,000 payment to the NPCA and acknowledged staff’s clarification on the matter. She also discussed accessibility concerns with Niagara Region Transit services.