Parking Garage – No Decision

A new parking garage for downtown Kingston is on hold after city council delayed a decision to let Homestead break its agreement on a parking garage deal.  The developer wants out of the deal to build the garage as part of a high rise development at Queen and Wellington Streets.

City staff is recommending the 18 million committed by council for the project be used to build a 350 space garage on the Byron parking lot.  It is on Queen Street across from the proposed Capitol Condominium.  But a decision on that will wait while appeals of the Capitol Condo are heard by the Ontario Municipal Board.

The developer of the condominium has agreed to lease spaces if the garage is built on the Byron lot.

School Deal

City council has agreed to reconsider its approval of a plan to sell some of the property at St. Joseph/St. Mary School to a private developer.

Councillor Jim Neil presented a petition with 969 signatures of people opposed to selling the land.

A motion to reconsider the decision was passed by council last night.

Credit Rating – Kingston AA

The City of Kingston has maintained its AA credit rating from the Standard and Poors Rating Agency.

The rating give the city a glowing report saying…among other things…the city adheres to prudent debt and related policies…including a self-imposed debt limit.   The report also noted that a weaker Canadian dollar, low oil prices and good weather have all contributed to recent economic growth – and that healthy growth is expected to continue “as business interest in the city remains strong.”

The rating will allow the City to continue to secure funds on the investment market at attractive interest rates and terms.

Weight Loss Surgery – HDH

Hotel Dieu Hospital is launching its new weight loss surgery program today.

The Kingston Bariatric Centre of Excellence is holding an Open House today.

It serves patients who require assessment and treatment for obesity and morbid obesity.

The public was invited to tour the centre and hear about the new weight loss surgery program until 2:00 p.m.  The official opening takes place at 11:00 a.m.

Wear Purple

Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is asking people to wear purple today to help mark Child Abuse Prevention Month.

It’s also encouraging people to use the hashtag…#SpeakUp4Kids…on Facebook and Twitter.

United Way

The United Way Campaign in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington has hit the 40% mark.

The thermometer climbed to almost $1,386,000 yesterday.

The goal this year is $3,451,000.

Belleville – Stabbing Sentence

A man from Kingston and a Belleville man have been handed suspended sentences after pleading guilty to assault in connection with a stabbing incident in Belleville.  23 year old Mitchell Empey of Kingston and 27 year old Jacob McCardle of Belleville have also been placed on probation for 12 months and are banned from having weapons for five years.

The pair were arrested after three men were sent to Belleville General Hospital with knife wounds after a fight on New Year’s Day.

Vollebregt – Pie Toss

The President and CEO of St. Lawrence College will be the target of a fund raising pie toss today.

Staff will be able to toss a pie at Glenn Vollebregt for $20 and students will be able to enter the pie toss for $10 today in the cafeteria.

The Student Association at St. Lawrence is supporting the annual Hotel Dieu Winter Coat Drive and money raised today will go to purchasing winter accessories for the coat drive.

Heritage Committee

City council has agreed to let its heritage committee continue making recommendations about proposed alterations to historic building.

A report from city staff had recommended only staff reports should be considered by council when there are requests to alter heritage buildings.

City council has now agreed to consider staff reports and recommendations from its advisory committee before making decisions.

Filed under: Belleville, Byron Parking Lot, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Credit Rating, Family and Children Services of Frontenac, HDH, Heritage Committee, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston AA, Lennox and Addington, Parking Garage, School Deal, Stabbing Sentence, Wear Purple, Weight Loss Surgery