Where were you when the lights went out?
It's been 15 years since a blackout shut down power for most of Ontario (and the northeast U.S.) and it still serves as a good reminder to be ready for anything.
"No one expects an emergency to happen but everyone can plan for one," said Acting Fire Chief Jeff McCormick.
Residents should have three-days worth of the basics at-the-ready just in case:
- three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for every member of the family
- First Aid kits
- battery-powered radios and lights
- extra batteries and cash
The acting fire chief advises being emergency ready includes having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as well as a home escape plan.
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The Fall and Winter 2018 Leisure Guide is out
The City's new Fall and Winter Leisure Guide will be available online on Thursday, Aug. 16. Check out the wide variety of inclusive programs, including new additions such as sitting volleyball, Pilates and soapstone carving as well as tried and true favourites such as shinny hockey, pickleball, swimming and lifeguard training.
The Fall and Winter 2018 Leisure Guide will be home-delivered and available at City facilities on Thursday, Aug. 23.
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Join the team for the 2018 election
Voters head to the poles on Oct. 22. We are recruiting now for a number of roles, such as Deputy Returning Officer, Ballot Handler, Vote Tabulator Operator and Greeter.
Interested? get your applications in by Monday, Aug. 20. Applying is easy. Download our application form and bring it to St. Catharines City Hall (third Floor - Legal and Clerks Services). You'll be interviewed on-the-spot so plan to be at City Hall for up to 30 minutes.
Training will be provided for all successful applicants.
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Are you on the voter's list
With just over 100 days until the 2018 Municipal and School Board Election, voters are encouraged to visit www.voterlookup.ca to ensure they're on the voter's list and that their information appears correctly.
Those without Internet access are encouraged to phone the Office of the City Clerk at 905.688.5601 ext.1517.
Voter notification cards for the election will be mailed out in September.
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Help shape the future of Sunset Beach
The City of St. Catharines is calling out to the community for help shaping the future of Sunset Beach. The City invites residents to its open house to help develop a community vision for Sunset Beach that will guide future decisions on park use and improvements.
The open house is set for Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Port Weller Community Centre (1 Bogart St.).
This Open House will provide participants with an overview of project goals and an opportunity to discuss the project with City representatives.
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Carlisle Street / Garden Park garage closed this weekend and next
The Carlisle Street / Garden Park Parking Garage will temporarily close this weekend and next for regular maintenance.
The City is replacing the waterproof membrane, a thin rubberized coating on the concrete, in sections of the parking garage where it has worn away due to regular traffic. Crews will also repair or replace drains and drain covers relating to the parking garage's water proofing system. The parking garage will close on the following dates:
- 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20
- 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24 to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27
Because of the nature of the repairs, all vehicles must be out of the parking garage at
6 p.m. on Fridays in August. The repairs will produce dust and debris and any vehicle left in the garage is done so at the owner's risk.
Vehicles that must be left in the garage for weekends in August should be moved to the top level and parked along the exterior perimeter and away from the centre aisle spaces by 6 p.m. on Fridays. Drains to be repaired or replaced are located in centre area of the level.
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Dancing in Montebello Park
Dancing in the Park continues this weekend with a free concert by the
Marty Allen Band on Sunday, Aug. 19. The free events at Montebello Park run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. rain or shine.
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Summer fun heating up with Open Late
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is the place to be on Tuesday nights this summer.
The museum is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday night from now to Oct. 2 for Open Late, a series of "out-of-the-vault" programs, events, and special exhibits that promise to stretch the minds and imaginations of participants while they discover
St. Catharines' expansive history.
Open Late is a chance for visitors to see objects on display from the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre to celebrate its 50th
anniversary and to enjoy Canal Side Creations: family activities such as outdoor crafting with ships passing by.
Canal Side Creations continues Aug. 21. An End of Summer Bash on Aug. 28 promises the kind of fun only Open Late can deliver with giant, oversized games outside, board games in the galleries, a popcorn machine, scavenger hunts, and more.
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Work on rental housing licence by-law halted
City Council
passed a motion
to stop work on
a draft rental housing licence by-law.
City council received the draft by-law for information at its Jan. 29, 2018 meeting and instructed staff to begin public consultation.
Public consultation regarding the draft rental housing license by-law was held in the spring, including an online survey and public open house.
After several months of public consultation on a proposed rental housing licensing by-law, the City is taking a deeper look at other solutions to the issues. A rental housing licence by-law is not coming forward at this time.
Council also requested the Mayor's working group to study possible reforms enhancing tenant protections and ensuring rental housing is safe that address property standards issues and enforcement of existing by-laws that won't result in increased rents for tenants.
Council also directed City staff to explore opportunities to hold education sessions for tenants across to inform the public about existing requirements around property standards and enforcement.
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No ice at Rex Stimers Arena this season
City Council directed staff to continue to work with the Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee to develop a strategy for the future provision of ice time and allocated $50,000 from the Civic Project Fund to help staff draft a report that builds on work already completed and data collected over the last four years.
Due to the age of the facility and refrigeration plant equipment, as well as anticipated changes to health and safety regulations, the City discontinued operation of the plant at Rex Stimers Arena, taking the ice pad out of play for the 2018-19 season. Council also directed staff to continue to work with user groups to address needs for ice time.
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City preparing for legalized pot
City Council directed staff to study the City's official plan policies, zoning by-law standards and regulations and implementation procedures pertaining to retail recreational cannabis stores and cannabis consumption lounges and venues and report back with recommendations.
Council also passed an Interim Control By-law prohibiting retail recreational cannabis stores and cannabis consumption lounges and venues for one year on all properties zoned as follows:
- Local Convenience Commercial
- Community Commercial
- Arterial Commercial
- Major Commercial
- Downtown Commercial Core
- Downtown Traditional Main Street
- Business Commercial Employment
- General employment
- Medium Density Mixed Use
- Medium/High Density Mixed Use
- High Density Mixed Use
- Community Institutional
- Medium density Residential
- High density Residential
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Other business
50 Herrick Ave. and
40 Woodburn Ave.
City Council approved planning applications for official plan and zoning by-law amendments to allow a proposed development for three five-storey apartment buildings, an access driveway and 16 parking spaces at 50 Herrick Ave. and 40 Woodburn Ave.
Monday, Aug. 27
City Council set an additional meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27 at City Hall.
Emergency repairs
City Council will use $105,000 left over from the Hartzel Road Sewer Replacement project to fund emergency repairs to a wetland located adjacent to Twelve Mile Creek near the Pelham Road / Louth Street intersection. The wetland collects storm water draining from storm water sewers and required repairs due to erosion.
New printers
City Council directed staff to enter into a five-year lease agreement with Beatties Basics Office Products for the leasing and support services of the Print Centre's production digital copier and printers.
New forestry trucks
City Council reallocated funds in the 2018 equipment reserve in order to replace two forestry trucks at an estimated cost of $515,181 plus taxes. The costs to replace the trucks was the lowest bid submitted that met the specifications.
Adult entertainment
City Council delegated the authority for administration, inspection and enforcement of business licensing of adult entertainment establishments including body rub parlours to the Niagara Region.
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More City 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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Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.
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