Council Highlights for January 29, 2025

View the full agenda package for Council 

The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, January 29, 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 

Community Mural Project

Council received a presentation of the Community Mural reveal. The mural was completed with the support of a grant from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario. MPP Sam Oosterhoff and local artist Heather Potts, who designed the mural, assisted with the reveal. The finished mural had over 95 people contributed to the painting of the mural, including community volunteers and representatives from MYAC, E.L. Crossley Secondary School art students, Rotary Club of Fonthill, Fonthill Bandshell committee members, Brushed Buddies painting group, Pelham Cultural Advisory Committee and Raiders Lacrosse.  The project has approximately 136 hours of painting to fill in each of the paint-by-number spaces. The project received positive feedback from participants, who ranged in age from 8 to 90. The completed mural will be installed at Town Hall.  www.pelham.ca/muralproject

Town of Pelham 2024/2025 Compensation Review for the Management/non-union Employee Group

Council received a presentation from Marianne Love, ML Consulting Council, regarding the Town of Pelham 2024/2025 Compensation Review for the Management/non-union Employee Group Summary Report. The presentation provided a summary of the review of the Town of Pelham’s current compensation program. It included the assessment of the competitive pay market and the current pay practice (percentile target). In addition, the consultant included an update to pay equity compliance and developed proposed job rates for consideration for implementation in 2025.

2025 Drainage Open House Meeting

Council received memo 2025-0028, “2025 Drainage Open House Meeting,” for information. The Town of Pelham will hold a public information session regarding Municipal Drainage within the municipality and the Drainage Act R.S.O. 1990, O. Reg. 500/21, in accordance with Town of Pelham Policy S302-02 “Municipal Drain Maintenance and Billing.” The meeting's purpose is to provide an opportunity for the public to engage with the Town of Pelham Staff and the Town’s Drainage Superintendent to learn more about municipal drainage in the Town of Pelham and the Drainage Act, 1990. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 26th, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm at the Pelham Station 2 Fire Hall located at 766 Welland Rd, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0. www.pelham.ca/municipaldrainage

2024 Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport Commission Report

Council received a verbal report from Councillor Ker for the 2024 Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport Commission operation. The Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport has recently hired a new facility operator. Hanger Two has been built and is now fully rented. Discover Aviation Day in 2024, 100 children participated with support from COPA. A group from Pilots oxford aviation toured through the facilities.  The emergency services plan is currently being reviewed, and the Town of Pelham Fire will have the opportunity to tour the facility. Code of Conduct and operating procedures have been standardized. East and West sides of the airport – roadways have been named to ensure ease of use and for emergency response if required. The commission is continuing to review and update lease agreements, including one with the Air Cadets 87th Eagle Squadron. Hangar One was initially built in 1940 with a wood truss construction and continues to be reviewed for usage. Several groups are interested in continued rental of the facilities into 2025. The Airport Commission is currently investigating the ability to have an LED streetlight installed at the entrance to the location on River Road. 

2025 Capital Budget Reallocation for Project RD 02-25 Road Reconstruction – Canboro Road from Haist Street to Hwy 20

Council received report 2025-0027 “2025 Capital Budget Reallocation for Project RD 02-25 Road Reconstruction – Canboro Road from Haist Street to Hwy 20," and approved the deferral of project RD 02-25 (# 300665) Road Reconstruction – Canboro Road from Haist Street to Hwy 20 to a future capital budget. Council also approved the 2025 Capital projects that include the Detailed Design of Emmett Street and College Street (# 300638) in the amount of $250,000, the Bridge Replacement of Roland Road Bridge (# 300652) in the amount of $1,250,000 and the Detailed Design of Church Hill in the amount of $200,000.

Non-Union Compensation Review

Council received report 2025-0003, “Non-Union Compensation Review,” for information and Council approved the formal adoption of a compensation target of the 60th percentile, on average, of the comparator group for non-union staff, effective July 1, 2025. There is a zero net tax levy for 2025. Implementing a fair and competitive wage structure satisfies one of Council’s action items to enhance capacity and future readiness and ensures internal and external wage equity.

Pelham Arches Rehabilitation

Council received report 2025-0039, “Pelham Arches Rehabilitation Options,” for information and council directed staff to continue to investigate a peer review of the design. In addition, council directed Town staff to remove the cladding from the Arches as soon as possible to reduce the potential of wind-induced movement.

Strategic Plan Update

Council received report 2025-0045 “Strategic Plan Update – Process and Status Report,” for information and directed a special meeting of Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, to be held on February 22, 2025, at 9 am in the Kinsmen Room at the Meridian Community Centre. www.pelham.ca/strategicplan

Telecommunication Tower Protocol Review

Council directed staff to conduct a review and analysis of the existing protocol for the development and redevelopment of telecommunications towers within the municipality and directed staff to consult with the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Council directed staff to provide a report back to Council by February 19, 2025, that will provide an analysis of the review and any proposed updates or amendments, including those required by current federal regulations, to the current policy.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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