Council Highlights for November 4, 2026

Council Highlights for November 4, 2026

The Town of Pelham's regular council meeting was held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Pelham Municipal Building at 20 Pelham Town Hall. 

View the full council agenda at https://pelham-pub.escribemeetings.com//Meeting.aspx?Id=9a46f397-3c10-42e0-ab92-f272f22a7a2e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

2026 Summerfest Final Report

Council received report 2026-0183 “Pelham Summerfest 2026 Final Report,” for information, along with a presentation by Daniel Klimowicz, Summerfest Working Group Member, recapping the four-day event. Pelham Summerfest 2026 attracted approximately 45,700 attendees over four days, with Friday's Country Night and Saturday's programming drawing the largest crowds. Using Ontario's Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM) the economic impact of Summerfest was calculated at approximately $5,100,587.

Council approved the Clerk to apply for a Special Occasion Permit and staff to bring forward the necessary Festival Licensing Bylaws for the next Pelham Summerfest that will place July 15 – July 18, 2027. Additional details on the event will be posted on pelhamsummerfest.ca as they become available.

Request for Election Recount Discussion

Council received a letter for information from Mayoral Candidate Frank Adamson requesting that Council approve a recount for the mayor’s race of the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. Following extensive discussion, council made the decision not to move forward with a recount. Results of the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election can be found at pelham.ca/election.

Support for City of St. Catharines Electricity Bill Relief for Flood Affected Residents

Pelham Council approved a motion to provide a letter of support in favour of St. Catharines City Council’s request for electricity bill relief for flood-impacted residents. The City of St. Catharines is requesting that the Ontario Energy Board establish a one-time flood relief credit, refund or other financial assistance program for St. Catharines residential customers who can demonstrate a significant increase in electricity consumption directly associated with flood cleanup and recovery. The Town Clerk will share this letter of support with other local area municipalities and hydro companies.

Installation of a Peace Pole Update

Council received report 2026-0225 “Installation of a Peace Pole,” for information and approved the installation of the Rotary Club of Fonthill Peace Pole located near the Peace Park Sign. The Rotary Club of Fonthill has committed to providing the Peace Pole to the Town. Town costs related to the installation of the Peace Pole, the purchase and installation of a commemorative plaque, and the provision of a small annual planting bed are expected to be between $4,000 and $5,000.        

Growth-Related Planning Tools Study RFP Options

Council received report 2026-0228 “Growth-Related Planning Tools Study RFP Options” for information and directed staff to defer the Community Benefits Charge Study and reissue the request for proposal for the update of the Town’s Parkland Dedication By-law, and the development of a Cash-in Lieu of Parking By-law.  The initial RFP for these projects closed on October 8, 2026, and received only one proposal, with the submitted price exceeding the available budget by approximately $50,000. Staff anticipate that removing the CBC component from the reissued RFP will allow the remaining two projects to proceed within the existing budget. The community benefits charge study will be considered in the future alongside the Town’s Zoning By-law Review.

Health and Safety Policy Review Updates

Council received report 2026-0215 “Health and Safety Policy Review and Updates” for information and approved a psychological safety policy, extreme temperature policy, and air quality policy for the Town of Pelham.  Council also approved updates to Pelham’s existing health and safety policy and workplace violence, harassment and discrimination policy.