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Council Recap

Proclamations

6.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed the month of September 2025 as “Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)” awareness month in the City of Port Colborne.

Presentations

7.1 Mayor Steele, Frank Horvath, and Jennifer Laur presented the Isadore Sponder Trophy to recipient Evanny Fairchild

7.2 Mayor Steele, Councillor Aquilina, and Councillor Hoyle presented grant awards to the following organizations:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara
  • Birchway Niagara
  • Community Connect
  • Friends of Roselawn Centre
  • Port Colborne and District Conservation Club
  • Port Colborne Operatic Society

7.3 Tracy McQueen from McQueen Golloway Associates delivered a presentation on the first phase of engagement for the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Steele spoke about the Community Concert Series, which will conclude on Friday, Sept. 12. He mentioned that Port Colborne’s volunteers will be celebrated at the concert, and he thanked volunteers for all of the work they do. He also reminded concert attendees to bring non-perishable food donations for Port Cares. He spoke about the Terry Fox run, which will take place Sunday, Sept. 14 at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. He invited the public to join the Friends of Roselawn Centre for an upcoming art auction, featuring local artists. He encouraged the public to share their feedback on additional dwelling units via a survey or at an upcoming open house. He discussed an upcoming firetruck pull on Sept. 18, in which City staff will raise money for United Way Niagara. He spoke about a completed project to update the lockers in the family change room at the YMCA. He reminded the public of the annual tree giveaway and rain barrel sale, which will take place at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre on Sept. 27.

Regional Councillor’s Report

Regional Councillor Vance Badawey spoke about the master plan that guides the development and maintenance of water/wastewater infrastructure processing across Niagara. He spoke about the importance of asset replacement. He discussed an environmental assessment that could result in the building of a new sewage processing plant. He discussed several additional upcoming water/wastewater projects. He discussed the potential of a new transit stop on the east side of Port Colborne.  

Staff Reports

11.3 a. Council approved the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

11.3 b. Council approved two adjustments to be made to the Council remuneration by-law; one that would implement a supplemental payment program for Council Members ineligible to participate in OMERS, and one that includes a provision with respect to annual cost of living increases.

11.3 c. Council approved a zoning by-law amendment for 70 Nickel Street.

Items Requiring Separate Discussion

12. Council approved upgrading the Clarence Street pedestrian crossing to honour veterans using regular road paint for a cost of $3,100 to be funded from the Public Works Operating Budget before October 18, 2025. The Director of Public Works also received the authority to allocate future funds received from the Port Colborne Legion towards the veterans crosswalk line painting project.

Staff Remarks

  • Fire Chief Stan Double let Council know about the volunteer firefighter recruitment program that is currently taking place. He also talked about distributing fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to citizens during the month of October.
  • Director of Public Works Steve Shypowskyj discussed the 2025 bridge rehabilitation program. He spoke about the beginning of work on the watermain lining program. He discussed ongoing progress in the east side employment land project. He said the remainder of the 2025 ditching program will be completed in the next month.
  • Director of Development and Government Relations Gary Long discussed a meeting with Member of Parliament Fred Davies. He also mentioned conversations with the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority related to ongoing projects. He said a report about the feasibility of a hotel in Port Colborne is nearing completion. He mentioned the Azure Sustainable Fuels company and a meeting that took place related to their Port Colborne project.
  • Chief Planner Erik Acs reminded the public to attend the open house on Sept. 16 related to additional dwelling units in Port Colborne.
  • Chief Building Official Danny Rodgers spoke about work on the short-term accommodation by-law.
  • Manager of Recreation and Tourism Greg Zwiep said the Port Colborne Junior B Sailors will be playing their first game of the season on Sept. 12. He also reminded everyone that the final Community Concert will also be taking place Sept. 12.
  • CAO Bryan Boles thanked staff for their updates. He discussed an upcoming review that will be conducted by the Niagara Region to review allocated water/wastewater funding.

Councillors’ Remarks

  • Councillor Aquilina gave a shout out to Port Colborne Soccer. She thanked all of the players and the coaches for the season. She gave a special shoutout to her daughter’s U-16 team for their undefeated season. She thanked the coaches of the team for the time and effort they put in.
  • Councillor Bagu asked about damage to street light wiring along West Street. He also asked about a lift that had been parked on West Street.
  • Councillor Bruno asked about how the condition of abandoned buildings in town is assessed. He complimented Public Works staff for their work on roadside cutting during the spring and summer months. He asked about potential work to smooth the surface of intersections in the city.
  • Councillor Elliott thanked the Building, By-Law and Planning for their efforts related to an issue on Clarence Street. He asked about the content that will be shared at the public open house related to Additional Dwelling Units.
  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for taking care of all of his questions. He expressed concern about speeding in school zones.
  • Councillor Bodner asked Public Works for an update about the gates that are to be installed on the road ends. He asked about whether the additional dwelling units consultation applied only to the urban area. He asked about the progress of a proposed change to the nuisance by-law.

The next Port Colborne Council Meeting will be held September 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

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