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Proclamations
7.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed July 28th, 2025 World Hepatitis Day in Port Colborne.
Presentations
8.1 Brock University provided an update on its new strategic plan, ‘Transforming people, reimagining the future.’
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Steele welcomed newly appointed regional councillor Vance Badawey. He congratulated the graduates of the class of 2025 from both high schools in Port Colborne. He congratulated the museum on its 1970s-themed picnic as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. He mentioned that a film crew will be in town this week to film the buildings and gardens of the museum. He congratulated the Port Colborne Optimist Club for its Canada Day celebration. He discussed an upcoming fundraiser at Splash Town on July 16, where all proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara. He reminded everyone that the Lions Carnival would be running during the upcoming weekend. He thanked Hot Wax Meltdown for their performance at the recent Community Concert Series, presented by Asahi Kasei. He thanked the museum for displaying symbols of Canada Day in Council Chambers during the meeting. He reminded everyone that the annual Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, Presented by GIO Rail, will take place from Aug. 1 to 4.
Staff Reports
12.3 a. Council directed staff to provide the full public engagement and survey results related to the future of healthcare in Port Colborne to the Healthcare Advisory Committee for further analysis and consideration.
12.3 b. Council declared an unaddressed municipal address on Elgin Street as surplus.
12.3 c. Council directed the CAO and Director of Public Works to execute the agreements to complete the 2026 watermain lining program on Hampton Avenue and Schofield Avenue with a budget of $1.8 million. Council pre-approved the inclusion of this project and the related financing costs into the 2026 water budget.
Correspondence Items
12.4 c. Council supported a correspondence item from the City of Pickering that asked the Ontario Provincial Government to significantly raise the payments of Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Items Requiring Separate Discussion
13.1 Council approved a formal response to a letter received from Niagara Health on June 2, 2025 that asked the City of Port Colborne to make a decision by September 12, 2025, regarding two key matters: the $6.2- million contribution toward the local share commitment for the new South Niagara Hospital, and the City’s potential interest in purchasing Niagara Health’s Port Colborne Site for municipal use once the property is vacated.
13.2 Council received a summary of the feedback gathered during public engagement activities related to a proposed by-law to license, regulate and govern short-term rental accommodations in Port Colborne. Council approved adjusting the proposed by-law in the areas related to limitations on the number of renters and guests, garbage management requirements, and the number of required parking spaces.
Council directed the CAO to hire a by-law enforcement officer to address issues related to short-term rentals, to be budgeted for under the 2025 by-law services budget until the passage of the Short-Term Rentals by-law. Council also directed the CAO to investigate an on-call system for by-law officers (subject to the collective bargaining agreement), and to update education and training for officers as needed.
13.3 Council approved the redevelopment of 242-246 Highway 58/West Side Road with an eight-storey residential apartment.
Staff Remarks
Manager of Strategic Projects Joe Colasurdo discussed the completion of storm sewer and watermain work on Clarence Street, as well as the ongoing surface restorations. He provided updates to Council on the West Street electrical improvements. He said the pergola on West Street will be installed the week of July 21st.
Director of Development and Government Relations Gary Long assured Council that changes at the Grain Terminal are an open file. He said preparation for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference are underway. He said he felt good about a meeting with the local Member of Regional Council and the local Member of Provincial Parliament.
CAO Bryan Boles mentioned that there are still volunteer opportunities available for Canal Days. He thanked Public Works for its short presentation on the status of ongoing projects. He reminded everyone that the next Council meeting will take place in August.
Councillors’ Remarks
Councillor Bodner asked if Council would be updated on how things are going at Port Colborne’s beaches this summer.
Councillor Hoyle asked about the status of construction on Berkley Avenue and Davis Street. He also asked for an update on how things are going at the beaches. He asked about the possibility of a regional bus stop on the east side of the city as well as direct regional transit to medical facilities.
Councillor Elliott asked about whether construction projects will be completed before Canal Days. He asked about the potential installation of a guard rail on a newly installed ramp.
Councillor Bruno asked about the removal of graffiti, as well as the removal of weeds in the middle of a road. He also asked about getting a tour of the ongoing construction at the Asahi Kasei facility. He asked if people who are having issues with their sump pump should call the City. He gave an update on his attendance at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference.
Councillor Bagu thanked the citizens of Port Colborne for watering newly planted trees. He asked if the local Urgent Care Centre will be open during Canal Days.
Councillor Aquilina congratulated museum staff for doing a great job at their recent event. She welcomed Regional Councillor Badawey. She gave kudos to Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores for a ‘non-eventful’ Canada Day.
Motions
16.1 Council approved a motion that the Fire Chief and By-law staff be directed to investigate and bring forward a report for Council’s consideration regarding possible amendments to the Open-Air Burning By-law as well as possible amendments and/or a complete review of the Public Nuisance By-law.
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