Council Meeting

That Council do now proceed to meet in Closed Session at 5:05 p.m. under:  Section 239(2)(f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, where a closed meeting is held if the subject matter being considered is advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;  Section 239(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, where a closed meeting is held if the subject matter being considered is educational or training sessions, where a meeting of a council or local board or of a committee of either of them may be closed to the public if the following conditions are both satisfied: 1. The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members, and 2. At the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board or committee.

That Council does now rise and reconvene from Closed Session at 6:30 p.m. without report.

WHEREAS May is recognized as Leave a Legacy Month, a national awareness campaign created by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners to highlight the importance and impact of charitable gifts in wills, encouraging individuals to consider how their legacy can extend beyond their lifetime and benefit future generations; and WHEREAS many residents of Port Colborne may believe that philanthropy is only for the wealthy, when in reality, even a small percentage of one’s estate can create meaningful and lasting change in the community. Generosity is a powerful force for good, and individuals from all walks of life have the ability to make a difference by including a charitable gift in their will, ensuring their values live on through causes that matter most to them; and WHEREAS Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) has been Niagara’s philanthropic partner for 25 years, helping turn intent into impact. Since its founding in 2000, NCF has raised over $91.5 million in permanent endowment funds and has granted over $31 million to charities across Niagara, supporting education, health care, environment, sports and recreation, arts and culture, and community development; and WHEREAS NCF continues to connect donors with causes, communities to resources, ensuring that charitable gifts are invested strategically to strengthen the local community in perpetuity. NCF’s 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the power of legacy giving and to inspire more residents to consider how e

WHEREAS Safety starts with being prepared and having a plan; and WHEREAS All Ontarians have a part to play in preparing for emergencies; and WHEREAS Emergency Preparedness Week is a national event that educates communities across the province about actions people can take to prepare for emergency situations; and WHEREAS the 2025 fire prevention theme for this period is: “Plan for Every Season”. This theme reflects the unique challenges facing Ontario on a seasonal basis and the opportunities to practice emergency preparedness throughout the year. NOW THEREFORE I, Mayor William C. Steele, do hereby proclaim May 4 to 10, 2025 as “Emergency Preparedness Week” in the City of Port Colborne. AND, I urge all citizens to make a plan, prepare an Emergency Kit and know what to do so that they and their families can be better prepared for an emergency.

That Council hereby approves the listed consent items on the April 22, 2025, Council agenda; and That the consent items be approved on the recommendations as contained therein.

That Community Safety & Enforcement Department Report 2025-76 be received; and That Council approve providing enhanced animal control services at the Port Colborne Animal Shelter; and That the funding associated with the enhanced services in the amount of $14,197 for the remainder of 2025 be approved; and That $24,280 and $24,905 for Years Two and Three of the contract, respectively, be allocated into the annual budget process to ensure continued service.

That Corporate Services Department, Financial Services Division, Report 2025-68 Subject: 2024 Year End Surplus and Project Close Out, be received; and That the year-end levy surplus be allocated to the City’s Encumbrance Reserve; and That the reserve transfers recommended in Report 2025-68 be approved; and That the capital and related project and reserve balances of Appendices E, F, and G of Corporate Services Department Report 2025-68, be approved.

That Chief Administrative Officer Report 2025-94 be received; and That Council direct staff to continue working with subject matter experts in the field to assess and identify viable future tenants for the Port Colborne Grain Terminal site.

That the word "site" be added to the end of the second paragraph.

That Chief Administrative Officer Report 2025-93 be received; and That Council direct 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.

That Council endorse the correspondence from the Town of Grimsby regarding Manufacturing of Emergency Response Vehicles in Canada.

That Development and Government Relations Department Report 2025- 89 be received for information.

That the following by-law(s) be passed and enacted, as presented:  By-law No. 7342/33/25  By-law No. 7343/34/25  By-law No. 7344/35/25