Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway
this Saturday
The City of St. Catharines' Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway is set for this Saturday (June 17).
St. Catharines residents can buy rain barrels at a discounted rate of $40 per barrel, cash only. Four types of trees are available to residents for free to plant on their own property: Shademaster Honeylocust; Tulip Tree; Freeman Maple and Redmond Linden.
The Rain Barrel Sale and Free Tree Giveaway takes place at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre parking lot from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until supplies run out.
Proof of St. Catharines residency required. Limit of two rain barrels and one free tree per household. Residents do not need to buy a rain barrel to receive a free tree. Barrels and trees can not be reserved in advance.
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How ready are you for an emergency?
Were you and your family prepared to shelter in place during this week's emergency? Were you ready to evacuate if told to.
On June 13, residents in 3,500 homes in the area of Martindale Road and the QEW were ordered to stay inside with their windows closed as a precaution while emergency responders dealt with a potential chemical spill on the highway. Zero contaminants were detected during the incident and the order to 'shelter in place' was lifted after the chemical was safely removed from the scene.
While this emergency lasted several hours, it could have gone on for much longer. 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 urges residents to store a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for every member of the family as well as First Aid kits, battery-powered radios, lights, extra batteries and cash.
Everyone should also 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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Be warned, stay informed during an emergency
Download Pingstreet, the City's free smart phone and tablet app, to receive instant messages during an emergency.
Pingstreet is available from your device's app store. The City uses Pingstreet to send messages when disasters or emergencies are imminent and occurring. Download Pingstreet and sign up to receive notifications for important, timely information you can use to protect yourself and your family.
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Help shape the plan to connect to the
GO network
Niagara Region is holding a series of public meetings to provide information and consult with residents about future development of the area surrounding proposed GO train stations.
In 2016, the province announced daily GO train service for three station locations: Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.
The
public meeting for St. Catharines is set for
Monday, June 19 at Ridley College - 2nd Century Building (2 Ridley Rd.) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Online survey
Residents can also help shape future growth in their community by completing a
survey on future GO stations.
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An easier way to pay property tax bills
Have property tax 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. The City's 10-month preauthorized payment plan is particularly helpful for those who prefer to budget monthly payments.
Next property tax payment due June 30
The City mailed final residential and commercial property tax bills Friday, June 9. All payments must be received in the office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30.
Payments received after 4:30 p.m. on instalment due dates will be subject to a 1.25 per cent late payment charge on the first day of default and the first day of each calendar month until paid.
Property tax payments made through banks, financial institutions and online banking are not immediately received by the City and can take several days to be processed. Property owners making their property tax payments through banks, financial institutions or online banking should do so several days ahead of June 30 to allow payments to be forwarded to the City by the due date.
Property tax payments can be made in person at City Hall, 50 Church St., Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Payments can be made with cash, cheque or debit card. Cheques can also be deposited in the City Hall deposit box at the James Street entrance. Do not deposit cash.
Mail cheques for property tax payments to: City of St. Catharines; Citizens First, CSS Department; PO Box 3012 Stn. Main; St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2. Do not mail cash.
The final property tax payment of the year is due by Friday, Sept. 29. Failure to receive a tax notice does not excuse the responsibility for payment of taxes and penalties. Call Citizens First at 905.688.5600 if you haven't received your final tax bill.
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Explore St. Catharines during Doors Open
From the seldom-seen to heritage homes, properties across St. Catharines will be on display as part of Doors Open.
Doors Open St. Catharines is set for Saturday, June 24 with more than 20 organizations taking part, including, industrial sites, businesses, places of worship, government bodies and heritage sites. Historical and natural walking tours are also being offered as part of the day.
All locations and tours are free. Admission times vary for each location, but most locations will be open from 10 a.m. to late afternoon.
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Splash pads open, pools gearing up for summer
City splash pads at Lester B. Pearson Park and Catherine Street Park are open for the season. Splash pads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
The pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre are currently closed for maintenance and will reopen Saturday, July 1. The City's outdoor pools also open for the season July 1.
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Sign up for swimming lessons
Swimming lessons at all City pools begin Monday, July 3. Online registration for St. Catharines residents opens Tuesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. In-person registration at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre and Citizens First at City Hall starts Wednesday, June 21.
Registration for non-residents opens Thursday, June 22 at 6 p.m.
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Plans for Father's Day?
Treat dad to a round of golf this weekend at Garden City Golf Course.
The City's par-60 executive golf course, located at 37 Lincoln Ave., features a licensed pro shop and patio, putting and chipping green and practice driving cages.
Tee times can be booked online at www.stcatharines.ca/Golf or by calling 905.688.5601 ext.1677.
Green fees on weekends (and holidays) are $15.50 for nine holes and $25.50 for 18 for all ages. Prices include HST.
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Go West this summer at the Film House
The Film House is bringing a sizzling series of gritty westerns to Downtown St. Catharines this summer.
The Film House will screen the best of the west the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen. Purchase a pass to these eight gun-slinging greats and saddle up pilgrim - passes include eight 25 per cent off vouchers for the Merchant Ale House.
Also, The Film House will present a free outdoor screening on Thursday 22 June at dusk. Vote for your favourite camping film from Meatballs, Stand By Me and The Great Outdoors.
Become a FirstOntario Perfroming Arts Centre member to access tickets today and enjoy special events, discounts, offers and more. Tickets for the 2017/18 HOT TICKET season go on sale to the public on Sept. 12.
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A report from Walter Sendzik
The City of St. Catharines is moving forward with a housing action plan to address affordable housing needs in the city.
Housing is one of the most pressing issues facing our city and it is critical that City Council take a leadership role and do its part to support more quality, affordable housing. As other cities are dealing with the same challenges, we know this will take leadership and a long-term commitment from City Council and stakeholders.
I look forward to working together with City Council and the community to move forward on the priority items and continue to look at creative and innovative housing options for our city.
Check out
staff's report to City Council and let us know what you think. Email your comments to
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New housing plan takes aim at affordable housing issues
The City's new housing action plan will address the need for more affordable housing in
St. Catharines.
City Council directed staff to move forward with phase one of the plan, which identifies issues, tools and next steps, including assembling a working group.
Council also directed staff to move forward with some of the plan's 41 action items, including petitioning the Ministry of Housing for funding, encouraging and supporting innovative housing options, and encouraging built-in accessory apartments in new developments.
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City sharing costs of airport studies
St. Catharines will share the costs of two studies relating to transferring ownership of Niagara District Airport to the Niagara Region with Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
City Council approved $25,000 in funding to cover one-third of the costs of studies.
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City Council supporting community events
Lacrosse Day
Lacrosse Day in Niagara is set for Saturday,
June 17.
City Council approved
a request from the
St. Catharines Athletics Lacrosse Club to host its Lacrosse Day in Niagara event at Jack Gatecliff Arena. Council also authorized Kully's Original Sports Bar to license the upper lobby at the arena during the community event.
Canada Day fireworks
City Council
authorized $2,000 in funding for the Port Dalhousie Lions Club for its Canada Day fireworks display. The funding will help cover club's shortfall in funding due to the cancellation of its annual carnival.
Special event fees
City Council waived just over $8,000 in City fees for 12 organizations holding special events this year. Council also increased the City's 2017 budget for waiving fees by about $4,000 to $16,418.
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Other business
Acting CAO
City Council appointed Shelley Chemnitz as acting CAO while the City recruits for the position. Chemnitz currently serves as the City's Commissioner of Corporate Services and as the City treasurer.
Parking ban
City Council banned parking on the south side of the bend on Jasmin Crescent.
City Council awards contracts
City Council awarded a $2,936,775 contract to Rankin Construction for road construction on Oakdale Avenue, including road and sidewalk reconstruction, watermain and sanitary sewer replacement and new storm sewer installation, from Westchester Crescent to Lincoln Avenue.
City Council awarded a $2,934,032 contract to Wesroc Construction for watermain upgrades, sanitary sewer replacement and storm sewer installation on Leeper Street from St. Paul Street to Rykert Street and on McDonald Street from Ridley Road to St. Paul St. West.
Zoning by-law
City Council updated the City's zoning by-law with a transition clause to implement changes stemming from the Residential Infill and Intensification Development Review.
Code of conduct
The City will consult its integrity commissioner on including a council motion outlining council members' loyalty to residents and not to the boards or commissions they are appointed to in its code of conduct.
Horse racing
City Council endorsed a motion from Fort Erie Town Council opposing a new policy at Woodbine Race Track that limits how often horses stabled at Woodbine can race at other tracks.
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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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St. Paul Street between Carlisle and James streets and part of Carlisle from St. Paul to Race St. will be closed during
road work from now until the fall.
Businesses will be open and pedestrian access will be maintained.
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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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