Fire ban remains in effect
The City of St. Catharines' ban on all open-air burning remains in effect, despite some small rainfall earlier this week.
Fire Chief Dave Wood called for the ban on open-air burning because recent hot and dry weather has increased the risk of a fire burning out of control by quickly spreading to nearby grass and plants.
The ban prohibits all open-air burning, such as cooking fires, fireworks and sparklers and other types of outdoor burning. Barbecues are still permitted under the ban, but the fire chief advises residents to be careful when cooking.
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Go online with your City business
Pay a parking ticket. Purchase dog tags. Submit water meter readings. Register for activities and leisure programs.
There are a number of online tools that can help you do your City business without leaving the comfort of your pajamas.
Register for swimming lessons and other recreation programs easily with ePlay. You can also view the availability of rinks, fields, parks and facilities for rentals.
Conveniently pay parking fines anytime, anywhere.
Submitting a water meter reading online is quick and easy.
Purchase dog tags and access a local online community in case your dog goes missing.
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An easier way to pay City bills
Have property tax and water/wastewater bill payments paid automatically from your bank account and never miss a payment again.
Pre-authorized payments are easy to set up and offer the convenience of automatic withdrawals from your bank account and the peace of mind that your City bills will be paid on time.
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Share your vision for the Port Piers
The City of St. Catharines wants residents to share their vision for the Port Dalhousie Piers.
The
Port Dalhousie Piers survey is available online at www.portpiers.com. Paper copies of the survey are available at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and the Citizens First counter inside City Hall. The survey closes July 18.
Feedback from residents will be incorporated into a staff report to council outlining the City's position on the future of the piers.
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Shakespeare in Lakeside Park
Driftwood Theatre Group is coming back to St. Catharines this summer and the outdoor Shakespearean experience is set for a new venue in Port Dalhousie.
Driftwood's Bard's Bus Tour rolls into St. Catharines Saturday, July 16 with a live, outdoor performance for all ages of the Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. The show takes place at Lakeside Park and starts at 7:30 p.m.
Bring your own blanket, lawn chair, snacks and drinks (concessions will also be available). Admission is pay-what-you-can ($20 suggested). In the event of rain, the performance will take place at Market Square.
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Free Summer Concerts Wednesday in July
The City of St. Catharines' free Summer Concert series continues tonight with classic rock night. Back in the Daze opens the free concert at 6 p.m. with Up Yer Kilt taking the stage at 7 p.m.
This season wraps up Wednesday, July 20 with Latin Night. Solstice and Sabor Latino will be performing.
Summer Concerts take place at Montebello Park rain or shine but may be cancelled due to severe weather.
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Free outdoor movies are back
Port Dalhousie will be a great place to catch dinner and a movie on Tuesday nights this August.
Free outdoor movies on Tuesday nights during the Port Dalhousie Supper Market kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Lakeside Park. Movies begin at dusk (9 p.m.) and should conclude by 11 p.m.
Washrooms are available onsite. Free parking is available. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks.
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Nominate a garden today
Nominations for the 2016 City of St. Catharines Trillium Awards are open.
The Trillium Awards honour the many beautiful gardens that liven up streets and neighbourhoods across the city.
You can nominate your own property or other properties that have caught your eye. Entry is free.
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Free wood chips
There's a pile of wood chips at Jaycee Park and St. Catharines residents can help themselves to a bushel full.
Wood chips can be picked up weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from the wood chip pile near the park's parking lot. Wood chips are from City trees that have been taken down and turned into mulch.
Availability of wood chips depends on supply. Residents need to bring their own shovel and container. No truckloads allowed.
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Dancing in Montebello Park
Strap on your dancing shoes and head to Montebello Park this August for live music and dancing.
Music and dancing begins Sunday, Aug. 7 and continues every Sunday until Aug. 28. The event goes from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., rain or shine.
Aug 7 - So What Jazz
Aug 14 - Lincoln and Welland Ambassadors Swing Band
Aug 21 - Hired Hitmen
Aug 28 - David Ian Andrea
Musicians will be in the bandshell and dancing will take place in the pavilion. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
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HOT TICKET memberships on sale
2016/17 HOT TICKET memberships
are on sale now for $100. Don't miss your chance to get first access to tickets and exclusive discounts to HOT TICKET shows this season. Other perks include limited offers, invitations to special events and much more.
From now until July 27, members will be automatically entered to win their entire order and membership for free.
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A Report from
Mayor Walter Sendzik
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Welcome to summer in St. Catharines!
I hope you're able to relax and enjoy the weather and sunshine with friends and family. There are many great activities to enjoy: our pools and splash pads are open; public beaches are busy; and, our parks and trails are alive with activities and events. From concerts in the park, farmers markets and supper markets, to movies under the stars, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy right here in our hometown.
Later this summer the world will tune in to watch the very best athletes compete at the Rio Olympics and I'm very proud that we will be watching two of St. Catharines own.
Congratulations to Eric Woelfl (rowing) and Mohammed Ahmed (running) who have each earned a spot on Team Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics. We are very proud of you.
Thank you to everyone who signed a St. Catharines flag for Eric at the Canada Day celebrations. There will be a flag for Mo circulating this Wednesday at the Summer Concert Series in Montebello Park. Please stop by to write a message for Mo and join me in cheering on Eric and Mo at the Rio Olympics!
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Cat by-law scratched
A proposed by-law that would require cat owners to license their pets has been scrapped.
Instead, council directed staff to work on the City's cat issues with Dr. Julia Murray, Dr. Kimberly Costello, Niagara Regional Animal Services, the OSPCA and other community stakeholders.
The proposed by-law council considered after a public meeting Monday night would have required cat owners to purchase annual licenses for their pets, to keep their pets on their properties and also limited the number of cats living at one property to five, although some exceptions would have been allowed.
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Great response to fallen workers memorial fundraising
Fundraising to build a memorial to pay tribute to 137 workers who died during construction of the fourth Welland Canal is on track. The Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial Task Force reported to council the City has received $631,327 in pledges, donations and grants to date.
Greg Wight, fundraising chair reported that the campaign goal is $841,480 to cover the project costs including construction of the memorial, interpretive signage, lighting, a website and a book.
Once fundraising is complete, the memorial will be built in 2017.
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Changes to make council meetings quicker
If councillors have thoughts about a particular issue they are now going to have to say it in fewer words.
In an attempt to help council meetings move along more efficiently, councillors have shortened their speaking time by five minutes each for any matter or motion that's on the floor.
The change means they will each have five minutes of continuous speaking time on any issue. The change is one council made to its procedural by-law to speed up its meetings.
Other changes include reducing delegations to five minutes and encouraging written submissions to supplement, only pulling items from the council meeting's consent agenda to discuss changes to staff recommendations, and holding special ceremonies 15 minutes before council meetings begin for presentations recognizing the accomplishments of sports teams, individuals and other community groups.
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City to fund Culture Days activities
The City will be investing nearly $24,000 in arts and culture through the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program, including $15,000 to the Foster Festival.
Council approved recommendations from the SCCIP review committee that also included $1,000 in funding for the Facer District Merchants and Residents Association. Council also divided nearly $7,000 in funds set aside for Culture Days programs and activities among 10 recipients to help encourage free activities over the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 weekend.
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Other council news
Parking, heavy vehicles and no left turns
Council banned parking on the following City roads:
- The south side of Glory Hill Road from Moffatt Street to Hilts Court.
- The south side of Heywood Avenue from Niagara Street to Clover Street.
Council prohibited heavy vehicles from using Winnifred Avenue and Roehampton Avenue.
Councl recinded the rush hour bans on left turns from Queenston Street to Berryman Avenue and Berryman Avenue to Queeston Street.
Child advocacy centres
Council urged the Ontario government to direct the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Corrections and Public Safety to work together to create a sustainable core funding formula for Ontario's child advocacy centres.
Hospital site
Council requested an on-site meeting at the former St. Catharines General Hospital site with developers, City staff, ward councillors and other council members for early September to determine a definite date for the start and completion of redevelopment.
Waived fees
Council waived fees for the community events:
- Grantham Food Truck Festival
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More council online
Council Highlights offers informal summaries of some of the recent decisions and business discussed during St. Catharines City Council meetings. The Office of the City Clerk provides a full recap of decisions and motions in its official minutes, available on the Friday after every St. Catharines City Council meeting.
Click here for City of St. Catharines council meeting agendas and minutes.
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More council online
Digital versions of the Garden City Current are available. Click here to read past issues.
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July 26
City Council
6:30 p.m., City Hall
to discuss a planning matter
Aug. 22
City Council
6:30 p.m., City Hall
Click here to learn about other upcoming meetings.
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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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