Nov. 19, 2015

Correction

An article of the Nov. 18 edition of the Garden City Current contained incorrect information.

The article regarding downtown holiday parking should have said:

"The St. Catharines Downtown Association will spread good cheer during the holiday season by offering free parking tokens for City lots and metered spots. Tokens are only available to members of the St. Catharines Downtown Association."

The Garden City Current regrets the error.

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Free family fun this weekend

One weekend. Two reasons to celebrate and loads of free family fun.

The City of St. Catharines invites families to celebrate National Child Day and RBC Sports Day in Canada with free swimming, skating and other activities Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21.

Click here for more details.

Friday is National Jersey Day

Join City staff and others across the country in wearing a jersey or club uniform on National Jersey Day Friday, Nov. 20.

Santa Claus comes to town this weekend

The 13th annual St. Catharines Santa Claus Parade is set for Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Beginning at the corner of Church and James Streets, the parade marches along James Street, makes right turns at St. Paul Street and William Street and ends at Lake Street.

A parade after-party at Market Square features free family activities and Santa himself.

Volunteers will collect non-perishable food, hats and mittens along the parade route for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold. Click here for more information.

Support the Tree of Little Angels toy drive

Help spread holiday cheer across the Garden City through the City of St. Catharines' 18th annual Tree of Little Angels campaign.

The City will collect new, unwrapped gifts to support Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold. Trees with the names and ages of "Little Angels" are up at City Hall, the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre and other City community centres. Participants can take a "Little Angel" tag from a tree, purchase a gift for that child and return it with the angel attached to City facilities. The campaign ends Dec. 12.

Click here for more information about the City's Tree of Little Angels campaign.

Stop circling and start shopping

Just in time for holiday shopping, the City offers free afternoon parking from Thursday, Dec. 10 to Thursday, Dec. 24. Free parking starts at noon.

The St. Catharines Downtown Association will spread good cheer during the holiday season by offering free parking tokens for City lots and metered spots. Tokens are only available to members of the St. Catharines Downtown Association.

City parking meters and hourly machined lots are for short visits only and have a three-hour limit. If you require more time to finish your shopping, long-term parking is available at Ontario Street and Carlisle Street/Garden Park parking garages.

Click here to learn more about parking in St. Catharines.

Where to park for the new FirstOntario PAC

Going to an event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre or the Meridian Centre but don't know where to park? The City of St. Catharines makes it easy find a spot.

There are more than 1,000 City parking spaces available within a few minutes' walk to both downtown venues, including secure, covered parking at the Garden Park/Carlisle Street and Ontario Street parking garages.

Event parking at the garages and parking lots at Garden Park, Head Street and Race Street costs $5 a car. Premium parking at the City lot across from the Meridian Centre on IceDogs Way cost $10. Parking is available free of charge during evening and weekend events at other nearby City parking lots and on-street parking metered spaces.

Need accessible parking? The City offers 30 accessible spaces at the Meridian Centre, and more over-sized, barrier-free spots at its nearby garages and lots, available for persons with disabilities who properly display a valid Accessible Parking Permit.

Accessible parking spots are available on a first come first served basis.

Click here to learn more about where to park downtown.

2016 dog tags on sale now

Dog leashes are an important part of a dog's life, from training to daily walks around the block.

There are many kinds of leashes to choose from and many ways to use them to control your dog. In St. Catharines, all dogs must be leashed when off your property and leashes have to be shorter than three metres. Click here to learn more about keeping dogs in St. Catharines and dog licences.

Why get a dog licence?

Dogs can get out and dog licences give a lost dog a better chance at getting home. If your dog becomes lost or injured, a dog licence gives the City the information it needs to contact you when your dog is found.

Dog licences are $30 for spayed or neutered dogs and $55 for dogs not spayed or neutered. 2015 dog licences are good until Dec. 31. Dog licences for 2016 are on sale now. Click here for more details.

Move your cars for street cleaners

The City is now out cleaning leaves and grit from City streets.

Now that most of the leaves have fallen, City workers and contractors will use street cleaning equipment to collect leaves from City streets. St. Catharines has been divided into sectors and crews will be deployed on a sector-by-sector basis until all streets have been cleaned.

You can help the City by not parking on the road between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. when street cleaners are in your neighbourhood. Don't rake yard waste or other garbage onto roads: It could cause drainage issues and other hazards to pedestrians and motorists.

Click here to find out when crews will be in your neighbourhood.

Older Adult Forum set for Nov. 26

Are you an older adult with something to say about how to make St. Catharines a better place? Do you know any older adults who have an opinion?

Mayor Walter Sendzik encourages St. Catharines older adults to share their feedback in a short survey available online, at the St. Catharines Public Libraries and the City's older adult centres until Monday, Nov. 23.

The survey will help develop the program and discussion for the St. Catharines Older Adult Community Forum set for the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre Thursday, Nov. 26.

All are welcome to attend the Older Adults Forum, set for 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to the Mayor's Office at mayorsadministration@stcatharines.caor at 905-688-5601 ext. 1540 by Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Scotties may rock Meridian Centre

A local bid to bring the women's national curling championship to St. Catharines got a big boost with two weeks of free rent at the Meridian Centre.

Council agreed to waive $140,000 in fees for the St. Catharines Golf and Curling Club to use the Meridian Centre for the major curling event, known as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, during two weeks in February 2017.

Council's support is important to the bid since Curling Canada expects a bidding municipality to contribute dollars to the cost of hosting the games. Organizers have also applied for funding from the Tourism Partnership of Ontario and Celebrate Ontario.

St. Catharines could see an economic impact of around $12 million, as fans dine, shop and stay at local businesses, thanks to Scotties. St. Catharines could also benefit from more than 60 hours of national TV coverage.

What should City do with Merritton Town Hall

Council wants to hear from residents about what to do with the former Merritton Town Hall?

City staff have recommended council declare surplus the former Merritton Town Hall and old fire station at the corner of Merritt and Walnut streets. But, before it votes on selling the buildings, which have been vacant since 2013, council will hold a public meeting to hear from residents about how they think the building should be used.

The public meeting takes place in the next few weeks. Details will be posted at www.stcatharines.ca.

At council's request, the City asked the St. Catharines Public Library if it was interested in using the building for its Merritton branch. The library responded it is satisfied with its the current location due to its modern space and available parking.

Should council decide to sell, the City will first offer the property to the Niagara Region and local school boards at market value before offering it publicly through a request for proposals.

More info needed on Port pavilion plan

Council wants more information about a proposed plan to tear down and rebuild the pavilion at Lakeside Park.

The City needs a heritage permit to proceed with the demolition but council paused on giving the go-head because of a number of questions, and a request for more information about the costs of the project.

Snow parking when plows are out

Don't park on the road when snow plows are out cleaning up a wintery mess. It will eventually cost you.

The City is banning overnight parking across St. Catharines during and after winter storms that require snow plowing. The winter storm parking ban will come into full effect during the 2016-17 winter.

Council directed staff to phase in the new regulations, starting this winter by informing residents they have to find somewhere else to park their car during heavy snowfall.

The City will also use this winter to see how residents respond to the parking ban, identify problem areas and investigate exemption and permitting processes.

Other business

Fire Master Plan

The plan will help the City develop, maintain and enhance service levels relating to fire prevention, fire protection and emergency management.

Council also directed staff to report back on the committee's composition outlined in its terms of reference.

Firefighter Recruitment

Council wants to give local candidates who meet the minimum requirements for firefighter a more than fair shot at landing an interview.

Council tweaked the City's firefighter recruitment process to include completing Fire Fighter College, training and other applicable skills training as preferred requirements.

Council also directed staff to prepare guidelines for a fair hiring process and to look at the processes used by other municipalities. Staff is to report back on the costs of setting up a mentorship program for pre-screened candidates.

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.

Nov. 30

City Council

6:30 p.m., City Hall

Click here to learn about other upcoming meetings.

Click here to learn about construction projects happening in the City.

City of St. Catharines | communications@stcatharines.ca | http://www.stcatharines.ca
50 Church St
St. Catharines, L2R 7C2

The Garden City Current is produced by Corporate Communications at the City of St. Catharines.

Have questions or comments? Email us at communications@stcatharines.ca