Pleanty to do Victoria Day weekend
The Victoria Day holiday weekend marks the opening of Happy Rolph's Animal Farm and some of the community's other favourite summer activities.
City Hall, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Services administration office and some other City of St. Catharines facilities will close on Monday, May 22 as part of the Victoria Day holiday weekend.
City offices return to regular business hours Tuesday, May 23.
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| Make sure vendors have a permit to sell fireowrks before you buy. |
Use fireworks safely
St. Catharines residents are allowed to use consumer fireworks on private property on Victoria Day and Canada Day, including the day before and the day after these holidays.
Only licensed businesses who have a City Consumer Fireworks Sales Permit are allowed to sell fireworks in St. Catharines on Victoria Day and Canada Day and the seven days leading up to these holiday. Residents should only purchase fireworks from businesses that have a posted permit from the City.
Report unsafe and innappropriate use of fireworks or vendors selling fireworks without a permit to St. Catharines Fire Services at 905.684.4311. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
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Talk budget dollars and sense with the City
It's your money and the Budget Standing Committee wants to hear from you about how to spend it.
Tell the Budget Standing Committee what your priorities are and what you think is important to include in the City's 2018 Operating budget at its upcoming community consultation.
The details:
Wednesday, May 31
Council Chambers at City Hall
50 Church St.
6 to 7:30 p.m.
RSVP by noon Monday, May 29.
For more information or to provide feedback on the City's Operating Budget or the budget process, please email budget@stcatharines.ca.
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DocuPet helps losts dogs find their home
Go online to purchase tags for the family dog.
Visit stcatharines.docupet.com to set up an account, complete online dog profiles and even upload photos.
DocuPet allows residents to manage and update contact information and details about their dogs as well as access to DocuPet's lost pet network should their dogs go missing.
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How ready are you for an emergency?
Are you and your family ready for anything? A power outage lasting for days? A rain storm? An ice storm?
These types of emergencies can happen anywhere in the city, anytime and without warning. If you're not ready, you and your family could be scrambling for food, water and a safe place to stay.
Fire Chief Dave Wood suggests storing a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for every member of the family just in case an emergency happens as well as First Aid kits, battery-powered radios, lights, extra batteries and cash.
Everyone should have a 'go bag' packed with a change of clothes, medication, copies of important documents and keys in case they need to leave home quickly.
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PA Day activities at the City
There's a PA Day coming up on Friday, May 19. Check out what the City has to offer to keep your children busy.
No school, get in the pool
Museum
The wild adventure takes place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission $5 per participant. For students in Garde 4-6; children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.
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Put yard waste in its place
Branches and yard waste should not be dumped in ravines or creeks because they could be carried downstream, create a blockage and cause water levels to rise.
Can't get the mess cleaned up in time? Branches and grass clippings can be dropped off at landfills any time free of charge.
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Artists wanted for project outside
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
The City of St. Catharines is seeking Canadian and/or Indigenous artists and creative teams interested in developing ideas for a permanent art installation along the Carlisle Street side of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
It will be one of the largest public art projects the City has commissioned and is expected to draw attention from across the country.
Artists are invited to review the project documents and submit expressions of interest by 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 31.
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Elton John coming to Meridian Centre
Check this once in a lifetime experience off your bucket list!
Elton John will perform at the Meridian Centre in Downtown
St. Catharines Wednesday, Nov. 15. This concert will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks as well as selected tracks from his latest release, Wonderful Crazy Night.
Tickets go on sale for this intimate concert to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m.
Fight for Youth Saturday, May 13
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A report from Walter Sendzik
At
Monday's meeting, City Council approved a number of changes to the City's Official Plan, Comprehensive Zoning By-law, and Committee of Adjustment. The changes come after the City's nearly six-month review and consultation with residents at public meetings and information sessions. City Council also approved the creation of new urban design guidelines and a design review panel as a one-year pilot project to provide guidance and input on new lot creation. The changes include new public notice guidelines and clear communications so residents can be better informed about development in their neighbourhood.
These new guidelines are a step forward in balancing growth and preserving established neighbourhoods. The policy changes and improved procedures help ensure that future growth is a good fit with established neighbourhoods, and that together, we are building an attractive place to live.
St. Catharines is open for good business and smart development. These new measures reflect our vision for
St. Catharines as a sustainable, innovative, dynamic and livable city. Taken together with the upcoming housing action plan, I am confident we will continue to grow for the future without compromising our neighbourhoods and community heritage."
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New building rules for infill projects
City Council approved new City building rules relating to residential infill developments to help balance housing projects in established neighbourhoods and lifted a moratorium on new developments in lower density neighbourhoods.
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Rankin selected for St. Paul St. construction
City Council awarded a $1.87 million contract for St. Paul Street and Carlisle Street road construction relating to streetscaping to Rankin Construction Inc.
The $146,000 contract for construction administration and inspection services for the project was awarded to Upper Canada Planning and Engineering Ltd.
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Next property tax instalment due June 30
City Council approved the City's 2017 property tax rates.
The Niagara Region approved tax ratios for all Niagara municipalities in late March and the City was recently notified the 2017 education property tax rates were approved, putting the City in the position to finalize its own property tax rates.
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Other business
Noise by-law exemption
City Council granted a noise by-law exemption to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario to allow night work on north and south bound Highway 406 bridges over Chestnut Street, the highway bridge over the Merritton-CNR railway tracks and an extension to the north-bound on-ramp at Gelndale Avenue.
The work is scheduled to take place from May to November this year and next year.
No parking
City Council banned parking on the south side of Thorncliffe Drive from Hartzel Road to a point 70 metres down the road.
Dorchester Boulevard
to be extended
City Council directed the City to enter into an agreement with Fruitbelt Developments to share costs to extend Dorchester Boulevard 45 meters south of Meredith Drive, build new sidewalks and the replace a cast iron watermain.
The City's share will be $88,000 and will support a future development at 45 Dorchester Blvd.
Louth Street apartments approved
City council approved amendments to the City's Zoning By-Law to allow a 30-unit apartment building development proposed for 141 Louth St. to move forward.
Motions
City Council directed staff to prioritize funding for lighting, access points, trail connections and maintenance at Centennial Gardens in next year's work plan and operating budget for its consideration.
City council called on the Ontario government to eliminate the provincially-mandated commercial and industrial property tax rebate program and allow municipalities to tax land owners who allow properties to remain vacant for more than three months.
Debentures
City Council directed the City Clerk to request Niagara Regional Council to issue debentures in the amount of $14,646,760.
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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.
City Council meeting agendas and minutes are available online.
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City Council
6:30 p.m., City Hall
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HWY-406 has a one-lane closure on both northbound and southbound sides until May 30 for work related to the Burgoyne Bridge.
On-ramps at Geneva Street at McGuire Street on the north-bound side will be closed as well.
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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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