Attachment 1

MW-2011 20-

NiagaraJalls May 30, 2011

REPORT TO: Councillor Carolynn loannoni, Chair and Members of the Committee of the Whole City of Niagara Falls, Ontario

SUBMITTED BY: Municipal Works Department Clerks Department

SUBJECT: MW-2011 20- Proposed New Chippawa Boat Dock

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Committee recommend for ratification that Council endorse the concept, location and timing of the proposed new Chippawa public boat dock and arrangement with the Chippawa Public Docks Committee.

2. City staff be directed to undertake a Crown lease arrangement with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)and seek the consent of other approval agencies.

3. That funding for the City's portion of this project be referred to the 2012 Capital Budget deliberations.

4. That staff conduct a review of on-street parking on Front Street so that any modifications can be incorporated into the design and implemented during the project construction phase.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Chippawa Public Boat Dock Committee is a non -profit group of citizens interested in the development of a formal public dock facility intended to improve opportunity for public access to the Welland River. The proposed location for the dock is on the north side of the Welland River, along Front Street, adjacent to the Weightman Bridge. The proposed arrangement has the Chippawa Public Dock Committee committed to fundraising for the dock portion of the project. The facility will also require proper parking, sidewalk links, emergency access and amenity space to be constructed along the shore, proposed to be funded by the municipality.

The goal of the proposed new Chippawa boat dock is to beautify the waterfront and provide tourists with additional opportunities to access the businesses of Chippawa. In addition, this dock would provide emergency service staff with better access to the Welland River.

BACKGROUND

In 2010, Council received a series of reports on the proposed relocation of the former Chippawa BIA-sponsored boat dock. Council' s motion was to return the former dock to its' original location (south side of the Welland River) and that a City committee be formed to establish a long term plan for public docks along the Welland River. It should be noted that May 30, 2011 2 - MW-2011 20- the south side boat dock was installed on May 19 2011 through the joint efforts of Municipal Works staff and the firefighters from Station 4 in Chippawa.

Since Council's motion City staff having been working with a group known as the Chippawa Public Docks Committee. Staff developed a concept plan that situated the proposed new boat dock on the north side of the Welland River, along Front Street adjacent to the Weightman Bridge. This location meets the needs of the project by; providing dock users with access to the Chippawa businesses, allowing vehicular access for emergency services and gives an opportunity to beautify and better utilize existing City of Niagara Falls lands.

The proposed concept plan developed with the Chippawa Public Docks Committee includes the following elements; a new, fixed (non -floating) dock with an approximate length of 30m 100'),( a parking area, sidewalks, a lock able- pedestrian gateway to the dock, information signage, lighting and picnic tables. Furthermore, the proposed concept plan has been developed with accessibility in mind and will be compliant with the Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS),the guiding document for new municipal facilities.

On May 4,2011, City staff participated in a stakeholder open house meeting hosted by the Chippawa Public Docks Committee to receive comment on the proposed new Chippawa Boat Dock. The meeting was attended by approximately 40 individuals and included Chippawa residents, merchants and representatives of Ontario Power Generation, Emergency Services and the Niagara Parks Commission. The comments received from the stakeholder open house meeting were strongly supportive of the proposed new Chippawa boat dock (see attached).

ANALYSIS RATIONALE/

The purpose of the proposed new Chippawa boat dock will beautify the waterfront and provide tourists with additional opportunities to access the businesses of Chippawa. In addition, this dock would provide emergency service staff with better access to the Welland River.

The proposed arrangement is that the Chippawa Public Docks Committee will fundraise for the financing of the physical dock. The municipality would be responsible for the "up land" works i.( e.,the public lands leading to the dock).The dock would be a municipal asset under City ownership, which would help facilitate needed consent from the various, possible approval authorities (Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Power Generation, Oceans and Fisheries et al).The municipality would also be expected to issue receipts for the fundraising initiatives of the Chippawa Public Docks Committee. Finally, City staff would create the design work and issue appropriate tenders to see the project come to fruition.

City staff has prepared a concept plan for the dock and surrounding lands. St. John Ambulance and the Fire Station No. 4 Fire Chief will be consulted in the formal design planning stage to ensure the dock and lands are optimized for emergency service staff. In addition, a review of on-street parking on Front Street by Transportation Services is recommended so that any modifications can be incorporated into the design and implemented during the project construction phase. May 30, 2011 3 - MW-2011 20-

FINANCIAL/ LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

The proposed new Chippawa boat dock is not currently funded in the 2011 Capital Budget. It is listed within the 2011 capital budget addendum. The project will be identified in the forthcoming 10 year- capital plan with the possibility that it would be approved in 2012. The anticipated cost of the project (including external contributions) is estimated at $130,000, subject to the public procurement process.

The Chippawa Public Docks Committee has stated a commitment to funding 100%of the new fixed dock portion of the project. The value of this commitment to funding is anticipated to be approximately$000,50,with the site works (the City portion)estimated at 80,000.

To permit the development of the proposed new Chippawa boat dock, a Crown lease arrangement is required with the Ministry of Natural Resources, which will provide the municipality with the right to occupy the Welland River bed for the purpose of constructing a boat dock. This arrangement will need annual renewals with an associated fee, yet to be determined.

In addition, it will also be necessary to receive Federal approval from Transport Canada, Oceans & Fisheries branch, under the Navigable Waters Protection Act. There may be other permits or approvals required for the project.

As the facility will be municipally-owned, staff will be discussing appropriate measures to mitigate the risks with its insurer.

CITY'S STRATEGIC COMMITMENT

Promote awareness and opportunities for active living by providing accessible recreational facilities and green space for Niagara Falls residents

Actively pursue economic development opportunities such as authentic Eco and Heritage Tourism opportunities.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment #1 Proposed New Chippawa Boat Dock Location Map Attachment #2 Proposed New Chippawa Boat Dock Concept Plan Attachment #3 Comments from the Public Open House

Recommended b : DA r Geo Holman, t rector of Municipal Works

Recommended by: I' 1 Dean Iorfida, ty Cle

Respectfully submitted: Ke Todd, Chief Administrative Officer

DA/DI GH/

C H I U._.,u. COMMITTEE

The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City ofNiagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks of the Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek)in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

There are a number of ways businesses and individuals will be able to assist us and the City to bring these great facilities to reality and we encourage you to sign up as an interested party and attend a meeting. Please attach your contact to this comment sheet or speak to one of our representatives for further information.

Name 34Z4M) 54.- e L , 7 Address 2n 1,2? !`/

Phone # Y 70 3591

Email 6 w' c- C L/ AM/ c Co

I we/ would be interested in assisting the Chippawa Public Docks Committee lam'

COMMENT

Y ff a y / M " 4 1' CHPPAWA PUDIC D K S COMMITI FE

The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks of the Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek) in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

Name i\ v1W

Address i A.; f . _ I . .

Phone # c 5 1 , 4 5}

Email 4`"r1 : ‘-\ 4" t 4

Uwe would be interested in assisting the Chippawa Public Docks Committee

COMMENT

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The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks ofthe Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek) in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

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Phone # 10 S - S - - Ss'

Email iYl S c:r 1 _l hoifn tt.iC)' . ( .

Uwe would be interested in assisting the Chippawa Public Docks Committee

COMMENT

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The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks of the Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek) in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

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COMMENT

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The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks of the Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek) in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

Name 7i

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Phone # S a

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COMMENT

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Name lf`t-ie-C for

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Phone # ry

Uwe would be interested in assisting the Chippawa Public Docks Committee

COMMENT

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Phone #

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COMMENT

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COMMENT

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The CPDC was formed to over see the private sector responsibilities within a public private/ partnership with the City of Niagara Falls and various other agencies to provide service enhancing facilities along the banks of the Welland River (aka Chippawa Creek) in Chippawa. Principally, these take the form of public dock and upland improvements that will allow waterside access for the public, including but not limited to; swimmers, visiting boaters, emergency personnel, fishermen and limited accessibility individuals.

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COMMENT

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