City hall sets out what they are changing now that the province has stepped into phase 1 of Re-opening.

By Pepper Parr

June 9th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

With the news that the public is about to leave the pandemic bondage we were put into most people focus on deciding where they will go to for their first drink in a public place in many months.

The people that toil away at city hall on our behalf now need to pivot once again and begin providing service to people directly.

The following is an Update on City services and outdoor facilities…

The City of will now open up more outdoor activities with smaller crowds where risk of transmission is lower. It will also allow more limited indoor settings to be open, all with restrictions in place.

Changes to City services and programs:

City Hall
City Hall will be open to the public for washroom access every weekend until Labour Day weekend. Washroom hours are: Fridays, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Beginning Monday, June 14, the Service Burlington counter at City Hall, at 426 Brant St., will be open to the public to offer in-person payments for:
• Parking permits and tickets
• Property taxes
• Freedom of Information requests
• Garbage tags
• Dog licenses
• Property information requests
• Recreation services

The counter will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Service Burlington will continue to offer marriage licenses and commissioning services by appointment only. Please call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or start your booking online to schedule an appointment at burlington.ca/marriagelicences or burlington.ca/commissioning.

Anyone entering City Hall must wear a mask or face covering unless exempted from by the Mandatory Mask Bylaw. Residents are asked to bring and wear their own masks.

Payment methods accepted
Debit card payments and cheques are accepted for all payment types. Credit cards are accepted for all payment types except property taxes. If you would like to pay property taxes in cash, please visit your local bank to make the payment.

Customers are also welcome to use the drop box outside City Hall, located at the Locust Street entrance, to drop off cheque payments, letters, or small packages.

Burlington Transit
Burlington Transit continues to operate on a modified schedule. For schedule and real-time bus information, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca. Reduced Youth Summer passes and SPLIT passes are available to purchase at the Downtown Terminal, 430 John St.

Halton Court Services
In-person court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday. Telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services.

Patio Program
Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households, will be allowed. City staff have been installing sidewalk detours and patio set-up this week in support of local business owners under the City’s patio program. As long as public health measures allow, the patio program will run until Oct. 31, 2021.

Recreation Services, Parks, Amenities and Facilities

Sport Fields
Sport fields will open Saturday, June 12 for program user groups to hold skills and drills with a maximum of 10 people. Sport organizations will be contacted for scheduling.

Outdoor Pools
Nelson and Mountainside Pool and Splash Parks will open on Saturday, June 12 for lap swimming and drop-in recreational swims, including Tim Hortons Free Summer Swimming days throughout the summer, from June 19 to Sept. 6.

LaSalle Splash Park will open later in June.

For all outdoor pools, registration is required 25-hours in advance at burlington.ca/dropinandplay, and all participants must fill out the pre-screening form one-hour before their pool time at burlington.ca/screening.

Rec-Summer Swim Passes and 30-day lap swim passes can also be purchased at liveandplayburlington.ca
For more information on pools, visit burlington.ca/swimming.

Outdoor Adult Drop-in Programs
Outdoor adult drop-in programs for wellness and fitness will start June 28. Pre-registration is required at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.

Roads, Parks and Forestry
Services provided by the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department will continue as needed. Residents with questions or concerns can email RPF@burlington.ca or call 905-333-6166.

This is the province’s three-step plan to safely lift public health measures based on provincewide vaccination and infection rates.
As the provincewide vaccination rate and key public health and health care indicators improve, and City staff receives and reviews updated orders from the Province of Ontario and more details under its Roadmap to Reopen, we will continue to comply and keep you up-to-date on available City services and what can open while keeping City of Burlington staff and residents safe.