Council Highlights for April 16, 2025

View the full agenda package for Council. 

The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 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 

Ward One Councillor 

Following the selection of Wayne Olson to be appointed to fill the vacancy of the Regional Councillor for Pelham, Council received report 2025-0090 “Declaration of 2025 Ward One Council Vacancy,” and declared one(1) Ward One Council seat vacant, effective immediately following the adjournment of the April 16, 2025, Council Meeting. The Town of Pelham Council, through an application and appointment process, selected Bryce Brunarski to be provisionally appointed to fill the vacancy as the Ward One Councillor for the Town of Pelham, which is anticipated to occur at the May 7, 2025, meeting of Council. www.pelham.ca/council

Lincoln Pelham Public Library

Council received a 2024 annual report presentation from Julie Andrews, CEO and Amy Guilmette, Director of Customer Experience of the Lincoln Pelham Public Library (LPPL). The presentation highlighted the unique programming that occurred during 2024, such as solar eclipse preparation, the introduction of the memory lab, the baby’s first book initiative, and the LPPL achieved provincial accreditation, meeting the guidelines of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council. The LPPL saw increased use during 2024 across the physical items borrowed of +6%, digital items borrowed +23%, active cardholders +24% and new cardholders +24%. In total, 238,597 visits occurred through the LPPL branches in 2024, a 11% increase over the previous year. Learn more about the services at www.lppl.ca

Habitat for Humanity Niagara – Fonthill Restore

Council received a presentation from Al Rolleman, Operations Director and Jodi Krah, ReStore Manager from Habitat for Humanity Niagara. On April 15, the Fonthill Restore location, at 2499 Highway 20, celebrated its 10^th anniversary. Habitat for Humanity has three locations in Niagara, and in the last 10 years, has successfully supported the building of 37 homes in Niagara, providing a safe and affordable home to 138 children. In addition to the items sold at the Restore locations, Habitat for Humanity have expanded to recycling items including metal, electronics, batteries and paint, accounting for 104,329 lbs in waste diversion in 2024. The Fonthill location also provides a Kitchen Salvage program. Learn more about the organization and ways to get involved at www.habitatniagara.ca

2026 Municipal and School Board Election

Council received report 2025-0007 2026 “Municipal and School Board Election – Alternative Voting Method Recommendation Report,” and approved using vote-counting equipment such as optical scanning vote tabulators for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. The 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026. As an alternative to in-person voting, which will be offered selectively during the election period, Council approved the use of online voting as an alternative voting method. Council directed staff to work with Niagara Regional local municipalities regarding a joint procurement of election voting equipment. Council further directed the Clerk to prepare the necessary By-law for voting, vote counting equipment and alternative voting methods for Council’s consideration before May 1, 2026. Details about the upcoming 2026 Municipal and School Board Election will be shared as they become available at www.pelham.ca/election 

Emerald Trail Parking Lots

Council received report 2025-0095 “Emerald Trail Parking Lots,” and directed staff to transfer $37,245.45 from the Parks and Recreation Reserve to the Public Works operating budget for the Town’s costs for the construction of two parking lots in the Emerald Trail subdivision, as per the draft subdivision plan. The Emerald Trail subdivision is located on a portion of the former Pelham arena lands, on the west side of Haist Street, north of Welland Road, east of Rhodes Court, and south of the town-owned park.

Recreational Space Allocation Policy

Council received report 2025-0091 “Recreational Space Allocation Policy Update” and approved the proposed Policy No. S701-06 Recreational Space Allocation Policy. This policy update outlines identified spring/summer and fall/winter application timelines, deadlines, and user group meetings. In addition, council approved the implementation of a Special Events Review Team (SERT) to ensure special events and tournaments meet the requirements to host events successfully on Town property. The policy promotes fair and reasonable guidelines for residents, organizations, and businesses using indoor and outdoor spaces in the Town.

Pelham Finance and Audit Committee Terms of Reference: Membership Composition, Amendment

Council received report 2025-0093 “Pelham Finance and Audit Committee Terms of Reference Membership Composition Amendment,” and directed the Clerk to amend the Pelham Finance and Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference to allow for up to three Town Councillors and up to four resident representatives.

Public Parking on Pelham Street South

Council directed staff to explore the feasibility of increasing public parking and enhancing accessibility along Pelham Street, with the possibility of removing certain decorative items along Pelham Street. Council requested a staff report with analysis, findings, and recommendations on the feasibility of this initiative to support improved access to local economic activity and ensure accessibility for all individuals, including those with mobility challenges.

Fiscal Responsibility in Response to Economic Impacts of U.S. Tariffs

Council directed staff to review their departmental budgets and identify potential cost-saving measures, including deferring capital projects and reducing operating expenditures where feasible. To ensure that the Town remains within its approved 2025 operating and capital budget with the potential for increased costs for goods and services due to tariffs, staff are to report back to Council with recommended budget adjustments.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca