City looking for proponent to help redevelop surplus Geneva Street property into housing | |
The City of St. Catharines has reinitiated its efforts to see 320 Geneva St. redeveloped into a project that includes affordable housing.
On Monday night City Council approved the issuing of a negotiated request for proposal for the property, in an attempt to once again redevelop the surplus City lands into a mixed-income housing development that includes a long-term affordable requirement. To address some ongoing health and safety concerns, the City will also move forward with the demolition of the remaining buildings on the property.
Building off previous efforts to develop the property, the new process will allow the City to solicit purchase and redevelopment proposals from proponents who will redevelop the property with the long-term affordable housing initially envisioned when the lands were deemed surplus and put on the market in 2020. As part of the process, the City will also be working with partners to look at incentives and funding opportunities to support the private construction of affordable housing.
The 3.9-acre property, formerly home to the City’s Community, Recreation and Culture Services (CRCS) administrative offices and vehicle bays, was originally deemed surplus in February 2020. Council directed staff to look at redevelopment opportunities, including a component of social, affordable, and market housing.
| Celebrate Family Day in St. Catharines | |
Find everything you need to celebrate a perfect Family Day right here in the city of St. Catharines.
Swimming and Activities at St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatic Centre
Free leisure swims will be running throughout the day from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. Visit stcatharines.ca/Kiwanis for facility information and stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC to make a reservation. Residents can make reservations starting at 9 a.m. two days before the scheduled swim. Non-residents can book a reservation at 9 a.m. the day before. Supervision and admission requirements for children will apply, visit stcatharines.ca/SwimmingRequirements for details.
Learn how to survive an unexpected fall into deep water with the Swim to Survive program happening over Family Day weekend. This program is geared toward children at least five years of age and their families. There is no fee to participate. Learn to roll into deep water, tread water for one minute, and swim 50 metres. All participants must have some swimming abilities and be comfortable in deep water, though lifejackets are available. Reserve a spot in the one-hour lesson on Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m., Feb. 19 at 11:30 a.m., or on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. at stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC.
Pick up a take-home collage kit made by Niagara Artists Centre member Jenn Judson (Paper Bananas) from St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre anytime between Feb. 18 and 20 while supplies last. Kits contain instructions and materials. This activity is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Public Skating
On Feb. 20 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre will host free public skating throughout the day. Hour-long time slots are available starting at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required at stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC. Bill Burgoyne Arena will also host a free drop-in family skate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Recreation Programs
Pre-register the family for activities at Port Weller Community Centre and find some exciting things to do including exploring the big blue blocks from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or Zumbini for children up to four years of age from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Family indoor yard games like washer toss, corn hole, ladder ball and connect four start at noon, and family bingo begins at 1 p.m.
Adults must remain on-site with kids.
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Take advantage of a fun-filled day at the museum. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Family Day, there will be structured programming between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Under the theme of All Fun and Games, the museum will be transformed into a carnival-style destination where families can join in activities and learn about the types of play enjoyed by people in the past at carnivals and circuses.
The collection vaults will be open with behind-the-scenes tours throughout the day. Behind-the-scenes tours are limited to groups of 10. While there is no pre-registration required, visitors must register for these tours when they come on-site.
Family Fun at the Market
Visit the St. Catharines Farmers Market on Feb. 18 for some family fun at the discovery table. The market will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don’t miss the free crafts and a special basket of fun raffle happening between 9:30 a.m. and noon.
Closures
The following facilities will be closed for Family Day on Mon, Feb. 20:
- City Hall and administrative offices
- Dunlop Drive, Port Dalhousie and West St. Catharines Older Adult Centres
- Russell Avenue Community Centre
- Victoria Lawn Cemetery offices (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)
A detailed list of events and closures can be found at stcatharines.ca/FamilyDay.
| City issues interim property tax bills | |
The City has issued its 2023 interim property tax bill – the first of two tax bills mailed out annually ahead of installment due dates.
The deadline for the first interim installment is Tuesday, Feb. 28. Payments must be made by 4:30 p.m. on the due date to avoid being subject to a late payment charge. This applies even if a bill has not been received in the mail. Any resident who does not receive a bill should contact Citizens First at 905.688.5600 or by email at CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca.
Bills are due four times a year, with interim installments on Feb. 28 and April 29. Final installments will be on June 30 and Sept. 29. The City offers differing payment options to suit the needs of residents, including in-person payments at City Hall, 50 Church St., Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., using cash, cheque or debit card. Cheque payments can also be deposited in the City Hall deposit box next to City Hall’s James Street entrance. Do not deposit cash.
Additionally, residents can also make property tax payments through most financial institutions, in person or via online baking, or via mail to: City of St. Catharines; Citizens First; 50 Church St., PO Box 3012; St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2. Cash payments should not be made via mail.
Residents also have the opportunity to register for pre-authorized payments, including a plan that sees payments automatically withdrawn from a bank account on installment due dates, or an automated payment plan that allows for a year’s worth of taxes to be spread across 10 monthly payments.
Property owners who make their tax payments through their financial institutions, or online banking by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 will not be subject to a late fee. Penalty charges of 1.25 per cent will be added on the first business day of each month. Learn more about property taxes and pre-authorized payment options at stcatharines.ca/Taxes.
A reminder that residents can choose paperless e-billing. Residents can access their water and tax bill information anytime, anywhere, with just a few clicks. Visit stcatharines.ca/ebilling for more details on this option, including info on how to register.
| Applications now open for community garden funding | |
The City of St. Catharines is providing funding to help community gardens take root.
The City is once again supporting community groups looking to establish new community gardens, and/or improve existing ones. Applications for the annual program are now open, providing the opportunity for incorporated charities and not-for-profit groups to apply to receive matching funds from the City for up to half of eligible start-up costs, including lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels, and other materials and equipment.
The application process includes a requirement to identify sources of projected funding, a proposed budget, and a proposed work plan that details the work that will need to be undertaken, and the timeline for those efforts. All projects must be completed by Oct. 31, 2023. The funding application outlines all of the program details, including the criteria used for evaluation.
Developing partnerships to expand the community gardens network across St. Catharines are a piece of the City’s larger strategic priorities of fostering environmental stewardship and social well-being. In addition to the purpose of growing produce for personal consumption and the environmental benefits, the hope is the project will also reach at-risk populations, such as donating some of the yields or collaborating with community organizations that offer support services for the vulnerable sector.
Applications will remain open until Wednesday, March 8, at 4:30 p.m. For more information, or to apply, visit stcatharines.ca/CommunityGardens.
| Tenant, property owner plead guilty, facing fines for not maintaining smoke alarms | |
Failure to ensure smoke alarms were installed and properly maintained at a Currie Street home has netted a property owner and tenant fines and convictions for Ontario Fire Code offences.
In a Jan. 26 court appearance in Provincial Offences Court, the two defendants and prosecutor for the City of St. Catharines arrived at a resolution, on a joint-submission basis, that led to the property owner pleading guilty to a charge related to a failure to maintain a smoke alarm in operating condition, and the tenant plead guilty to two charges related to failing to notify the landlord once they became aware smoke alarms on two floors of the dwelling were disconnected and not operating. With the conviction, the owner is facing a fine of $3,000 plus court costs, while the defendant is facing $4,000 in fines plus court costs.
Ontario law requires working smoke alarms on every storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas. The law also requires working carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas in units where a fuel-burning appliance is installed or shares a common wall or floor with a service room containing such an appliance or an attached garage.
Visit stcatharines.ca/Fire or call 905.688.5601, ext. 4224, for more information about fire safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, provincial requirements, and other home safety tips.
| Call for St. Catharines Farmers Market vendors for the 2023 season | |
The City is calling on new farmers and producers to apply for a space at the 2023 St. Catharines Farmers Market.
Each spring the market expands to include outdoor spaces from May to October welcoming back farmers for the main harvest season. In addition to more market vendors, the outdoor market also features local musicians, community engagement, and an interactive Discovery Table with free and fun experiences for all ages.
Farmers Market vendors and producers can apply for a market stall at stcatharines.ca/VendorApplication anytime before Mar. 4 to receive priority screening.
Further details on the market, including a list of existing vendors, rules and regulations, selection criteria and market stall rental rates can be found online at stcatharines.ca/FarmersMarket.
The St. Catharines Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. from March through December. Extension of the outside market happens on Saturdays from May 14 to Oct. 14, 2023.
| Lions Club set to end operating lease at Merritton Centennial Arena | |
After operating the Merritton Arena autonomously through a lease agreement originally dating back to 1979, the Lions Club of Merritton membership recently approved a motion to not renew the lease agreement beyond this year’s ice season.
The City of St. Catharines has allocated funding in its 2023 operating budget to support arena operations when the lease ends at the end of May. Lions Club treasurer Keith Brown, says it’s a “bittersweet decision” for the Lions, who have historical ties to its construction in 1967, when it was originally built as an outdoor rink.
The arena was built in 1967 as an open-air rink with assistance from the Lions, Merritton Legion, Merritton Athletic Association, Merritton Volunteer Fire Department and the community at large. While the City has shared costs for some repairs and capital expenses – including a recent $2.2 million upgrade that assisted with accessibility issues, the Lions continued to support its operations financially since construction, including funding to assist with the arena enclosure in 1969, as well as investing in renewal and upgrades to keep the arena operating.
While the City has included $250,000 in the approved 2023 operating budget to support the operation change, it will be reviewing options on how best to continue to operate the key recreational asset. Information will be coming to City Council as the process evolves.
The Lions Club continues to operate the Merritton Community Centre, located adjacent to the arena, as part of a separate lease agreement. The City and Lions are negotiating an extension of the lease for the centre, while also looking at additional opportunities to make it an even more vibrant facility.
| | A message from Mayor Mat Siscoe | |
Hello St. Catharines,
On Monday we had our third council meeting of the year. The night was highlighted by the unanimous vote by council to streamline the patio permit process for St. Catharines businesses to take part in.
Additionally, council approved the issuing of a negotiated request for proposal for the 320 Geneva property, to redevelop the surplus City lands into a mixed-income housing development that includes long-term affordability.
Although affordable housing does not fall under a lower-tier municipality’s jurisdiction, this decision demonstrates that the City – and our new Council – is committed to supporting the creation of more affordable housing using any tools available to us to address the issue.
Feb. 27 - Next Council Meeting
- 2023 Municipal Housing Pledge
What’s Happening in the Community
FAMILY DAY
This coming Monday, Feb. 20 is Family Day and there are plenty of ways for you to celebrate together with your family through our city facilities and programming.
Aquatics – Swimming and Activities
Free leisure swims will be running throughout the day from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. Visit stcatharines.ca/Kiwanis for facility information and stcatharines.ca/activestc to make a reservation.
Public Skating
On Feb. 20 Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre will host free public skating throughout the day. Hour-long time slots are available starting at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required at stcatharines.ca/activestc. Bill Burgoyne Arena will also host a free drop-in family skate from 5-8 p.m.
Recreation Programs
Pre-register the family for activities at Port Weller Community Centre and find some exciting things to do including exploring the big blue blocks from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or Zumbini for 0-4 years from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Family indoor yard games like washer toss, corn hole, ladder ball and connect four start at noon, and family bingo begins at 1 p.m. Adults must remain on-site with kids.
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Take advantage of a fun-filled day at the museum. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Family Day, there will be structured programming between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Under the theme of All Fun and Games, the Museum will be transformed into a carnival-style destination where families can join in activities and learn about the types of play enjoyed by people in the past at carnivals and circuses.
For a detailed list of events visit stcatharines.ca/FamilyDay
Black History Month
A reminder that there are lots of events to take part in as we continue to celebrate Black History Month. For a full list of Black History Month events in the downtown visit MyDowntown.ca. Also be sure to check out the performances at First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in celebration of Black History Month by visiting firstontariopac.ca. On Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. join me at the official opening reception for the St. Catharines Museum’s newest exhibition called the Last Stop.
This program will explore what life was like for Freedom Seekers and the development of the Black Community in St. Catharines.
Coldest Night of the Year
On Feb. 25 join me for The Coldest Night of the Year - a winterrific family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. The money raised in St. Catharines supports Start Me Up Niagara, an organization that works with individuals facing significant life challenges such as addiction, mental illness, poverty, homelessness and unemployment. I am on a team called Freezin for a Reason, please think about joining our team or donating to the cause by visiting cnoy.org
State of the City
Join me on March 9 at my inaugural State of the City address in partnership with the GNCC. This year’s event will take place at Club Roma from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be served. For tickets please visit State of the City - St. Catharines Tickets, Thursday, March 9, at 11 a.m. I look forward to seeing you all there and sharing my vision for the City over the next four years of council.
Have a great weekend.
Mayor Siscoe
| What's Happening this Week in STC | |
Sidewalk Patios and Pop-Up Café Programs
The City’s existing Sidewalk Patios and Pop-Up Cafés Program and the Temporary Outdoor Patios during COVID-19 Recovery Program have been consolidated into a single permanent program.
The STCPatio Program allows commercial patios to be placed on a municipal right of way, and private and municipal properties on a temporary seasonal basis. Patios must follow outlined terms and conditions in the seasonal commercial patios guidelines and annual application fees will apply.
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Bridge crossing concerns in Port Weller
City staff will be meeting with representatives from Transport Canada and the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority with the strong recommendation to not allow either the Welland Canal bridge at Lock 1 (Lakeshore Rd.) or the bridge at Lock 2 (Carlton St.) to be raised at the same time amid concerns for traffic flow and emergency response to the Port Weller neighbourhood on the east side of the canal.
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Hospital and Ambulance Patient Offload Wait Times
On Monday night, Council discussed the ambulance offloading delay crisis that has been making waves across the province. The situation leaves patients sitting in ambulances or laying on gurneys in hospital hallways while paramedics wait to hand them over to hospital staff. This causes ambulances that are needed elsewhere unnecessarily tied up – a chronic problem commonly referred to as a code zero.
Council has directed City staff to submit a resolution to Niagara Regional Council (which is responsible for emergency pre-hospital medical care and transportation in the region), local provincial representatives, the Ontario Minister of Health, and local area municipalities expressing concerns over these delays and expressing the need for more funding and solutions to alleviate them.
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2023 Water and Wastewater Budget tabled
A public meeting will take place during the Monday, Feb. 27, City Council meeting after the City tabled its 2023 Water and Wastewater Budget.
The proposed budget supports an 8.97 per cent increase (or about $84.58 annually for average household consumption of 170 cubic metres) that supports providing clean, safe and affordable drinking water to residents, while also targeting regulatory compliance and renewal and investment in the future of the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
Residents can share their input at the meeting, or ahead of time.
Visit stcatharines.ca/council for ways to send correspondence or to speak at council on Feb. 27.
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