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Niagara Falls Council Notes

Tobogganing at Firemen's Park and controversial Downtown BIA budget on council agenda today

Niagara Falls city council will be asked to approve the Downtown BIA’s 2022 budget during today’s meeting.

But the budget is not without controversy with some business owners on the street demanding spending be reduced in light of the pandemic .

The BIA is requesting just over $400,000 in funding for its proposed $591,604 budget.

A petition being circulated started by a Queen Street business states the budget was passed with no input or voting from BIA members.

The petition asks that  “if no resolution is reached to rescind the budget to a reasonable amount than the board be disbanded and a new board re elected.”

Also on the agenda...

Will Niagara Falls councillors play Scrooge?

Councillors will be asked to make a tough decision at today’s meeting, ban tobogganing at Firemen’s Park or adopt measures to help prevent injuries and possible lawsuits.

A staff report notes should council wish to allow the public the opportunity to safely toboggan at the park , then the city should adopt a Risk Mitigation Strategy aimed at reducing risk and ultimately liability.

The strategy includes daily inspections , hazard protection with hay-bales or alternative products, safety fencing  as well as  snow removal and ice melting on the parking area and staircase.

The staff report also notes the city’s insurance company has asked if tobogganing is allowed two spotters be hired to serve as full-time on-site supervisors.

The cost of the plan is estimated to be just over $31,000 for the season.
 

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