Council Highlights
The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham municipal building at 20 Pelham Town Hall. Video recording and live stream of the meeting can be...
Council Highlights
The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham municipal building at 20 Pelham Town Hall. Video recording and live stream of the meeting can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/live
Cannabis and Odour Threshold in Pelham
Council received two presentations regarding Cannabis in Pelham. The first was from Dr. Jim Jeffs regarding the cannabis odour unit threshold and the second was from Marc Brule, a resident of the City of Welland, with remarks on odour control of cannabis production. Following the presentations, Council approved a motion to direct staff to prepare a comprehensive report reviewing the current threshold for odour levels as stipulated in the Odourous Industries Nuisance By-law 4202(2020). Staff were directed to include further examination of newer and existing odour testing technology, equipment, and data in the report, as well as provide recommendations for revised odour limits that align more closely with community expectations while respecting industry standards. As part of this review, staff will consult the Town’s odour expert to obtain professional insights and recommendations on appropriate odour thresholds before presenting their findings and recommendations, including progressive penalty rates, to Council on October 16, 2024, for consideration and potential amendment of the threshold of odour limits in the By-law.
Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) 2024- 2026 Proposal
Council received Report # 2024-0160 -Clerks - Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) – 2024-2026 Proposal and approved the 2024-2026 Proposal to coordinate AODA Compliance for 2024-2026 with The Herrington Group Ltd., at a cost of $10,000 per year. The Town of Pelham, along with the Town of Lincoln, the Township of West Lincoln, the City of Thorold, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, The City of Port Colborne and the Town of Grimsby are partnered together and participate in the established the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC). The AODA requires that the Council of a municipality prepare an accessibility report each year, adopt an Annual Accessibility Plan and provide accessibility training. In addition to these tasks, the JAAC group also audits and re-audits municipal facilities to address physical barriers ahead of the 2025 legislative deadline, aids staff in AODA interpretation and compliance support and comments on other documents as requested by the municipality.
Soccer Field Maintenance
Council received Report #2024-0179, Soccer Field Maintenance Report, for information which addressed the feasibility of in-year soccer field repair and maintenance. The Town of Pelham currently operates and maintains three full-size soccer fields, one at Harold Black Park and two at Centennial Park. All three soccer fields are lit for night play and utilized by the Pelham Soccer Club. The Town of Pelham Public Works Department has committed to minor field repairs once the soccer season is over in the fall of 2024. These repairs can be easily completed within the current operating budget.
LAS Electricity Hedging
Council received Report #2024-0173-Corporate Services and approved the Town of Pelham to enter into an Electricity Hedging agreement with Local Authority Services (LAS) effective January 1, 2025, after final review from the Town Solicitor. Council approved 50% of all accounts for Electricity Hedging. LAS is supported by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), which represents the municipalities of Ontario. The program has received positive feedback from other municipalities that participate. The Town also has a gas hedging agreement with LAS.
Station Street Extension Detailed Design & Development Charges Refund Agreement
The Forest Park subdivision, located south of Port Robinson Road and east of the Steve Bauer Trail in the East Fonthill Secondary Plan area, requires the extension of Station Street south of Port Robinson Road for access and servicing. During the draft plan of the subdivision application process, many concerns were received from members of the community and Council regarding the preservation of trees, the trail and the parking area along the Steve Bauer Trail. Conditions of draft plan approval required the developer to complete a detailed road and intersection design, complete a tree-saving plan, provide a landscape/restoration plan and front end the cost of construction with reimbursement by the Town through the development charges collected. The Port Robinson Road and Station Street intersection will be a four-way stop. Town staff have requested that a tabletop design be implemented to promote traffic calming and pedestrian safety at the intersection. The Station Street extension has been designed to swing as far east as possible to avoid the trees along the Steve Bauer Trail. The design also includes a 3.0 metre-wide asphalt path connecting the future park in the Forest Park subdivision to the Steve Bauer Trail near the existing culvert. The Forest Park subdivision intersection/road design and tree removal and enhancement plan have been prepared to reduce impacts on the Steve Bauer Trail and retain and grow the tree canopy. The collection of development charges to reimburse the developer for the Town’s portion of the Station Street extension ensures that growth-related costs are not borne by the general taxpayer.
