Council Highlights for August 5, 2026

Council Highlights for August 5, 2026

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Hall. 

Presentation to Teaghan Brown for Life-Saving Measures

The Town of Pelham presented a certificate of recognition to Teaghan Brown, who performed life-saving measures on a child on July 3, 2026. Brown was also recognized with a certificate and challenge coin by Niagara EMS Chief Karen Lutz; as well as a second challenge coin presented by Pelham Fire Chief Bob Lymburner, Pelham Station 1 District Chief  Ben Gutenberg, and Pelham Station 2 District Chief Adam Arbour.

Community Land Trust of Niagara - Building Affordable Housing in Niagara

Council listened to a presentation from John Armstrong from Community Land Trust of Niagara. This is a non-profit entity that focuses on building and developing affordable and attainable housing in the Niagara Region. Council received the presentation for information.

Jessie My Love Foundation

The Town of Pelham Council listened to a presentation from Raine Laurent-Eugène, Founder & CEO of the Jessie My Love Foundation. The Jessie My Love Foundation is an organization working to develop a long-term supportive housing model for Black and Indigenous women and their families. Council received the presentation from the Jessie My Love Foundation for information and directed staff to prepare a letter of support for the organization to be signed by the Mayor.

Community Benefits Charges Study, Parkland Dedication By-law Review and Creation of Cash-in-Lieu of Parking By-law

Council receive report 2026-0163 Initiation Report - Community Benefits Charges Study, Parkland Dedication By-law Review and Creation of Cash-in-Lieu of Parking By-law” for information and approved staff to move forward with the project. These are three unique planning tools that a municipality can use to support growth management and enable the delivery of community infrastructure in a fair and consistent manner. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued shortly for the study and implementation of the CBC Study, the Parkland Dedication By-law Review, and the Cash-in-Lieu of Parking By-law Creation; followed by additional staff reports on the matter in the future.

Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program and Community Climate Change Mitigation Plan Update

Council received report 2026-0167-Planning “Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program Summary, Resolution to Join the Partners for Climate Protection Program, and Next Steps Towards a Community Climate Change Mitigation Plan,” for information and directed staff to produce a Community Climate Change Mitigation Plan using data collected during the Town’s participation in the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program. Additionally, Council approved Pelham’s participation in the Partners for Climate Protection Milestone Framework Program.

Proposed 2027 Council Schedule

Council received report 2026-0133 “Proposed 2027 Schedule,” for information and approved the meeting schedule. The proposed 2027 Council Meeting Schedule was developed with consideration for statutory holidays, significant religious observances, and major municipal conferences, to minimize scheduling conflicts and support participation by Council, staff, stakeholders, and members of the public.

Sacred Fire Policy 

Council received report 2025-0211 “Sacred Fire Policy S500-09,” for information, and adopted a Sacred Fire Policy. Sacred Fires are an important cultural and spiritual practice for many Indigenous peoples, and recognizing these practices reflects the Town's commitment to reconciliation. This new policy establishes a framework for the safe and respectful facilitation of Sacred Fires within the Town of Pelham, including a system for notifying appropriate departments that a Sacred Fire will be taking place.

Leah Letford, Manager of Communications and Government Relations | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca