NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF PELHAM
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The Town of Pelham regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Square. Video of the meeting can be viewed here.
2024 Budget Request Delegation Presentations
Council received a presentation from Laura Nelson to request improvements to the Isacc Riehl Skatepark in Marlene Stewart Streit Park in memorial for her son Shawn, who passed away in September of 2022. The request included suggestions, as indicated by youth who knew Shawn and are frequent skatepark users, to provide additional landing areas, upgrades to current elements and additions to improve overall condition.
Pickleball in Pelham
Council received a presentation from Ron Hall, an active participant in pickleball, to request improvements in the area surrounding the pickleball courts located at Centennial Park in Fenwick. The request included the Centennial Park location, shade elements, installation of defibrillators, the potential for paving and additional washroom facilities. The presentation also included the proposal for window treatments at the Meridian Community Centre to decrease glare for players in the gymnasium.
Pelham Cares Inc.
Council received a presentation from Nancy Yungblut, Vice President, Pelham Cares Inc., to request additional support to assist in offsetting the increased needs and demands placed on the services Pelham Cares offers. The request included assistance with future grant writing, financial aid or partnership in supporting the current and future needs of Pelham Cares, and consideration inclusion in any future planning for new municipal facilities.
Pelham Minor Baseball Association
Council received a presentation from Matt Peters from the Pelham Minor Baseball Association to request improvements to Pelham's baseball facilities to meet the growing demand for participation in the game. The request included elements designed to increase the safety and playability of the available diamonds and the potential to utilize the softball fields when not in use. The primary proposal is to convert current fields that are gravel to clay/sand to improve safety, with additional requests for tarps to maintain the mounds.
Council received the presentations for information and requested information to be referred back to staff for consideration in the 2024 budget decisions. Additional written correspondence was received from Larry Dolan for Climate Change Initiatives and Barbara Rybiak for a tennis practice wall request at Centennial Park.
Council Remuneration Review
The Town of Pelham Manager of People Services, Brianna Langohr, provided a presentation to report on the findings of a study to create a comparative group from all 12 municipalities of Council remuneration. Pelham's Town Council is compensated below the 55% percentile when the comparison is made across all the lower-tier municipalities in Niagara, excluding the Region of Niagara. In Pelham, this compensation is adjusted once annually based on the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation in accordance with By-law #4226 (2020). Staff endorsed the compensation recommendation to target the 55th percentile to determine the Mayor's and each Councillor's annual remuneration. Council received the presentation and the accompanying report #2023-0144 for information and recommended that Council adopt the recommended increase for elected officials and direct the proposed salary increase to align with the 55th percentile effective January 2024.
Licence Agreement at the Meridian Community Centre
Council received Report # 2023-0199 Town Solicitor, MCC – Revised Draft Licence Agreements – Pelham Panthers Hockey Club Limited and Pelham Junior Hockey Club, for information. Council authorized and directed the Town to enter into a licence agreement with Pelham Panthers Hockey Club Limited and Pelham Junior Hockey Club for concession and vending machine operations at the Meridian Community Centre.
Proposed 2024 Council Meeting Schedule
Council received Report #2023-0189, which detailed the proposed 2024 schedule based on the procedural by-law that states Council to meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Council approved the 2024 Meeting schedule with amendments and will publish the schedule on the Town of Pelham website.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Pay for Service
Council received Report # 2023-187 EV Charging Stations Pay for Service Report for information and approved the usage fees to be included in the 2023 User Fee and Rate Guide for the Level 2 EV and Level 3 EV Chargers. Council approved any net revenue acquired by the Town from the electric vehicle charging stations to be put into the Fleet Reserve Fund to expand and maintain the electric vehicle charging station network. The Town of Pelham Parking By-law be amended to restrict parking in the designated spaces for EV Chargers.
Town of Pelham Employee Vacation Policy Update
Council received Report # 0192 for information, and Council approved the updated policy for all non-unionized staff. The policy update includes a change in vacation days based on years of service and a procedure for the timely submission of time off requests to avoid significant accrual issues.
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