Step One of Provincial Roadmap to Reopen – City of London service updates

In alignment with Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen announced by the Province earlier this week, the City of London is preparing to reopen a number of City facilities for in-person services and programs.

Beginning Monday, June 14, the first three floors of City Hall will reopen for in-person services. As well, the service counters at Citi Plaza will open and the satellite offices for Ontario Works will also reopen to the public.

All Middlesex-London Health Unit health guidelines and Provincial regulations, including greater restrictions and capacity limits, will be followed at all times.

Changes to City of London services include the following:

City Clerk’s Office:

• As of Monday June 14, City Hall will be open to the public for Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requests, burial permits, bus tickets, passes, commissioner of oath, lottery, animal licenses, and general information.  Appointments are encouraged.  Please book an appointment to ensure prompt service availability with the City Clerk’s Office by calling 519-661-4530 prior to your visit.
• Appointments for marriage licence can be made with the City Clerk’s Office by calling 519-661-4530 or emailing marriage@london.ca  prior to your visit. Licences will only be issued to eligible individuals who are not currently subject to a stay-at-home order or quarantine requirement.
• Civil marriage ceremonies are not being offered at this time.
• The option to provide input remotely for Public Participation Meetings will continue. Pre-registration is required for individuals wishing to participate remotely by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or by emailing PPMClerks@london.ca.

Public Participation Meetings before Standing Committees:

During Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, public participation meetings will continue to be offered virtually. Anyone wishing to speak at a Public Participation Meeting can do so virtually, using Zoom online or by phone.  Pre-registration is required.

• Members of the public are required to pre-register to speak at the public participation meeting.  Registration requests must be submitted by no later than 9 a.m. the day of the meeting.  Speakers will be limited to five minutes of verbal presentation.
• Registered speakers will be given the information to connect to the Zoom meeting, this includes a phone only option.
• Pre-register by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or by emailing PPMClerks@london.ca.  Please indicate the meeting and item you wish to speak to when pre-registering.  Directions on how to participate will be provided upon registration.
• Members of the public can also participate by submitting written communications to the committee or to Members of Council prior to the meeting.

Pre-registration is only required for those wishing to speak at a Public Participation meeting. Standing Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of London’s website or YouTube.

Life Stabilization (Ontario Works):

Beginning Monday, June 14, residents can access drop-in Ontario Works services Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., including cheque pick-up at Citi Plaza, cheque encashment stamps and emergency services and drop-in supports at the following locations:

• Citi Plaza
• London East
• Northland Mall
• South London Community Centre
• Westmount Shopping Centre

Wherever possible, clients are encouraged to email a copy of their documents to their caseworker or drop them off at one of the drop box locations. For those with no fixed address, monthly cheque pick-up at Citi Plaza will take place the last two business days of the month between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., and those who have recently applied will be informed of when cheques are available for pick up. Individuals are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit whenever possible.

Recreation Programming:

• Outdoor individual and team sport training will be permitted.
• The Riverbank Spray Pad, located at Storybook Gardens, will open on Friday, June 11.  Registration opened this morning, Wednesday, June 9 at 8:30 a.m. online at london.ca/PlayYourWay or by calling 519-661-5575.
• Registration for limited outdoor recreation programs is currently underway. Residents can register at london.ca/PlayYourWay or by calling 519-661-5575.

Work is underway to reopen outdoor pools for limited programs at Westminster, Gibbons and Stronach pools. More information when pools will reopen and programs will be offered will be available at london.ca/aquatics.

Tourism London:

Tourism London Welcome Centres will reopen to the public beginning Monday, June 14.

Animal Services:

The City’s Cat Adoption Centre (Catty Shack) will open for cat adoptions beginning Monday, June 14.

Parking Services:

Beginning June 14, City of London Parking Office, 824 Dundas Street, will open front counter for in-person services. Appointments are encouraged, to make an appointment, please call 519-661-4537.

Business Inquires:

Beginning June 14, the Business Hub on the first floor of City Hall will be open for building, planning and economic services and supports.

Broader impacts of the Step One category includes a limit of up to 10 people for outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, outdoor dining with up to 4 people per table, with exceptions for larger households, and modified measures for local businesses including restaurants and retail stores among others.

While London moves into this new step of the Provincial reopening framework, the City reminds residents of the importance of following health precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Please continue to wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible.

City of London Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officers will continue to work with partners to ensure education and compliance with these regulations.

For further information and a list of current City of London services that have been impacted by COVID-19, please continue to visit www.london.ca/covid-19. This site will be updated as services are changed.