| An item in the Upcoming Meetings section of the Feb. 1 issue of the Garden City Current should have stated that the Budget Standing Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 5 starts at 4 p.m. The meeting takes place in Council Chambers at City Hall. A livestream is also available. We apologize for the confusion. |
| 
City partnering with Brock University to develop parks & rec pricing policy
The City of St. Catharines invites residents to have a say in its new parks, recreation and culture services pricing policy.
The City has partnered with researchers at Brock University to develop the City's pricing policy for parks, recreation and culture services. St. Catharines residents can offer their feedback on the City's current parks, recreation and culture services pricing structure during focus groups this February and March.
Residents interested in taking part in a focus group can learn more by visiting www.stcatharines.ca/Pricing. Registration and the review of a focus group workbook is required for participants. Focus group participants will receive two free passes to either public swimming or public skating.
|
Ontario Street Parking Garage to be renovated
The Ontario Street Parking Garage will remain open during renovations to replace two stairways in the building and upgrade the elevator.
Both stairways, including the stairs, landings and railings, their enclosures and the elevator lobby on the William Street side of the building will be removed and replaced.
The first phase of renovations starts Wednesday, Jan. 31 with the removal and replacement of south-east stairway and enclosure (closest to the parking garage entrance on William Street). The stairway will be closed during the renovations. The elevator and the three other parking garage stairways will remain open during the first phase.
The first phase should finish by late September.
|
|
Get your Arts Awards nominations in
Nominations for the 2018 St. Catharines Arts Awards are open.
Help us celebrate arts in the community by nominating a local artist or arts champion in one of five award categories:
- The Arts in Education Award
- The Emerging Artist Award (recognizing two recipients)
- The Established Artist Award
- The Making a Difference Award
- The Patron of the Arts Award
Nominees must be a St. Catharines resident or been consistently active in the arts in the Garden City over an extended period of time.
Nominations are due at midnight on Sunday, Feb. 11.
The St. Catharines Arts Awards take place Monday, June 4 at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
|
| 
City looking for community garden coordinator for Centennial Gardens
Want to use your green thumb to help grow community spirit? We invite individuals and organizations to submit their interest in operating the community garden at Centennial Gardens for the 2018 growing season.
The community garden coordinator will organize, plan, administer and manage the community garden at Centennial Gardens. The community garden coordinator is a voluntary position.
Individuals and organizations should contact Jessica Button, the City's community garden liaison, by email at
[email protected] for more information and to express their interest.
The deadline to submit interest is Friday, Feb. 16.
|
|
Nominate a St. Catharines volunteer
There are many people in St. Catharines who unselfishly volunteer their time and efforts to help make the community a better place. Help us give them their due: share their stories by nominating them for our volunteer awards.
The City celebrates volunteers from across St. Catharines Tuesday, April 10 during Volunteer Recognition Night, a special event where the recipients of the Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award and the Margaret MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award will be announced.
Nominations are due by Friday, March 16.
|
Protect your home from frozen water lines
Water lines are at risk for freezing when extremely cold weather leads to deeper than normal frost levels. Most water lines are safely buried below the frost line of a typical winter. However, periods of extremely cold temperature can move the frost line deeper underground, putting water lines at risk for freezing.
Reduce the risk for frozen water lines with the following tips:
- Use caulk or insulation to seal air leaks throughout your home, garage and especially in the area near the water line. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.
- Insulate water lines inside the home with pipe sleeves, especially in unheated areas like crawl spaces, basements, attics and storage rooms.
- Disconnect, drain and shut off all outdoor hoses and faucets.
- Insulate all exposed outside water pipes with foam pipe covers.
- If water lines are in cupboards or closets, open cupboard or closet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the water line.
- Set the thermostat to at least 12C (55F) and leave the furnace on, even at night and when not at home.
Frozen water lines can leave a home without running water for days. Residents should ensure their emergency preparedness kits have enough bottled water and supplies for everyone in the home for at least 72 hours.
Residents who experience frozen water lines are asked to email Citizens First or call 905.688.5600.
|
| 
Books and Brews kicks off Feb. 20, books available now
If you enjoy a good read and a good brew then the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre has a perfect pairing for you.
Books and Brews is a book club with a St. Catharines Museum twist: participants meet to chat about recent books they've read while sipping on brews, such as local craft beer, coffee or tea, in a unique after-hours museum experience. Books and Brews features Canadian literature with a historic connection.
The 2018 series kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 20 with a discussion about the science-fiction mystery Company Town by Canadian author Madeline Ashby.
Books and Brews is for those 19 years old and older. Space is limited. Registration is required. Email [email protected] to register. Admission is $35 and includes a beer tasting seminar by the Lock Street Brewing Company and a copy of the book or $15 without the book.
|
|
|
|
|
A report from Mayor Walter Sendzik
This week I delivered my fourth State of the City address at an event hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
It was an honour to present four more local businesses with Team St. Catharines awards and to see so many people come up on stage to sign the Compassionate STC charter at the event. I'd like to invite you to join in and sign the charter at www.compassionatestc.ca and make a commitment to making our city a more compassionate and prosperous community by taking personal action and working together.
If you missed my address, it will be on YourTV Niagara (formerly Cogeco) on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 9 pm and Sunday, Feb. 4 at 9 pm. You can also watch the livestream here:
Thank you all for your support of our amazing city.
|
City Council backs Brier bid
A bid to host the 2020 Brier at the Meridian Centre got a boost on Monday night.
City Council approved the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club's request for financial support in the amount of $225,000 ($50,000 in 2018; $87,500 in each 2019 and 2020) to offset operating expenses of hosting the Brier in the Garden City, should the bid be successful.
City Council also directed any profits for the Meridian Centre from hosting the event be first used to recover the fees waived for Brier activities at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, and then added to the Meridian Centre Event Fund Reserve to bid on future events.
|
City hires builder for new splash pad
City Council awarded the tender for the Bogart Street Park splash pad to Stolk Construction Limited in the amount of $433,010 plus HST.
City Council also awarded a contract for consulting engineering services for a dam safety review for the Martindale Pond Weir / Heywood Generating Station to HATCH at an estimated cost of $117,757 plus HST.
|
Council wants sale of water in plastic bottles out of City facilities
City Council is moving forward with a proposed ban on the sale of water in plastic bottles at municipal facilities and directed the City to prepare a comprehensive plan to fully implement the ban that's based on best practices in Ontario municipalities.
Council also directed staff to provide an implementation strategy and budget, advise of implications for existing contracts and agreements, and develop a communications plan and education strategy with timelines for implementation.
|
Council supports affordable housing build
City Council supported the designation of a 127-unit affordable residential development at 111 Church St. as a municipal capital facility, recognizing that such municipal capital facility shall be exempt from municipal, regional and education taxes.
|
Public feedback wanted about rental housing licensing
City Council directed staff to undertake public consultation with stakeholders, such as the public, local landlords and the tenant community, regarding the City's draft Rental Housing Licensing By-law and to report back with the comments received.
|
Other business
Youth advisory committee
City Council appointed Madi Fuller and Alexis Kleiman to the Youth Advisory Committee as community liaisons and approved terms of reference for the committee.
Garbage collection
City Council urged the Niagara Region to review its waste collection contract and explore alternate waste collection service providers.
Strategic plan
City Council revised some goals and actions outlined in the City's Strategic Plan.
Design review
City Council directed staff to review and report back on requiring lots for individual townhouse units (and similar dwellings with common walls, such as semi-detached units) to be created before building permits are issued, so developments don't bypass public input associated with a severance application or input by the Urban Design Review Panel.
Finances
City Council also endorsed Port Colborne's motion and strongly objected to the Niagara Region and its audit committee interfering in a local municipality's finances.
Long term facility funding
City Council call on the province to ensure long term care facilities in St. Catharines and Niagara receive the necessary funding to implement four hours of direct care per resident per day and requested the Niagara Region to endorse the motion.
Legal opinion
City Council directed staff to prepare a legal opinion clearly identifies what information Council has a right to request and obtain from staff and includes references to applicable legislation and pertinent case law.
|
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.
City Council meeting agendas and minutes are available online.
|
Feb. 5
Budget Standing Committee
Feb. 12
City Council
6:30 p.m., City Hall
|
Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
|
|
|
|
|
