Tell Me More About...the Customer Experience Department

📹 In today's episode of Inside Kingston we talk about the Kingston Climate Summit, the Neighbourhood Tree Planting program, highlights from the last city council meeting, street sweeping and Science Rendezvous Kingston. You can learn more about everything mentioned in this week's episode here: ✨ Kingston Climate Summit - https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVEQ... ✨ Neighbourhood Tree Planting Program - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/climate... ✨ City Council Meetings - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/council... ✨ Street Sweeping - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/roads-p... ✨ Science Rendezvous Kingston - https://www.queensu.ca/science-rendez...

Kingston, like cities across the country, is in a housing and affordability crisis that is compounded by insufficient addiction and mental health supports. These realities continue to put strain on the emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing systems. These systems are part of the housing continuum, a conceptual framework that spans everything from emergency shelters to market housing. And to help us understand how the continuum guides supports and programs in the community, Jayne Hartley, Director of Housing and Social Services joins the podcast in the first of a series of conversations about municipal housing initiatives.  To learn more about how the City of Kingston is expanding housing options and working to improve service to people who are unhoused or precariously housed, visit our Strategic Priorities page. To find a list of housing programs, visit CityofKingston.ca/Housing.  Home Base Housing's Street Outreach team monitors homeless individuals. If you're homeless, or know someone in need, call 613-542-6672 ext.130 or email [email protected]. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please reach out to the Addictions and Mental Health - KFLA 24/7 Crisis Line at 613-544-4229 or 1-866-616-6005. In case of an emergency, call 911.

Check out our links below to learn more about the topics from this week's episode of Inside Kingston! Kingston Transit updates: https://www.kingstontransit.ca/schedules-and-maps/ Emergency preparedness: cityofkingston.ca/emergency-services-and-public-health/preparing-for-an-emergency/ Council meeting: https://www.CityofKingston.ca/Council-Meetings Kingston Community Climate Action Fund: https://www.CityofKingston.ca/climate-change-and-environment/climate-change/kingston-community-climate-action-fund/ Extend-a-Family Kingston: https://www.eafkingston.com Lasalle Causeway lift schedule: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/infrastructure-buildings/bridges-docks-dams/lasalle-causeway.html Inclusion toolkit: https://www.possiblemadehere.org/employer-toolkit/

📹 In today's episode of Inside Kingston we talk about upcoming property taxes, the future of Culligan water park, celebrating national volunteer week, a walking tour of the market square heritage conservation district, and the city nature challenge. You can learn more about everything mentioned in this week's episode here: ✨ Pay your property taxes - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/Propert... ✨ MyTax portal - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/Propert... ✨ Culligan Water Park enclosure - https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca... ✨ Volunteer with the City - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/careers... ✨ Walking tour - https://events.cityofkingston.ca/default/Month?StartDate=05/01/2025 ✨ City Nature Challenge - https://inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2025-city-of-kingston    

📹 In today's episode of Inside Kingston we talk about how the Easter long weekend affects City services, a public information session on the Official plan and Integrated Mobility plan, and some highlights from the last council meeting. You can learn more about everything mentioned in this week's episode here: ✨Easter Long Weekend: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/news/po... ✨Kingston Transit schedule: https://www.kingstontransit.ca/schedu... ✨Official Plan and Integrated Mobility Plan: https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca... https://www.cityofkingston.ca/garbage... ✨City Council: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/council... ✨Lasalle Causeway lift: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-servi... ✨Kingston Artists’ Showcase: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/arts-cu... Latest Council Meeting: https://pub-cityofkingston.escribemee...

We're excited to share something new with our podcast listeners -- Heritage Hour! The quarterly sessions feature speakers from across the community who speak about Kingston’s past and living heritage. Over the next few months, we will release our Heritage Hour archives for you to learn more about Kingston's built and cultural heritage. First in this re-release is the firest Heritage Hour of 2025, featuring Cassandra Giarrusso and the illiegal fur trade at Fort Frontance.  They will discuss the foundational history of the Fort, the colourful personalities who were part of its history and why it served not only as a strategically important fort but also as the epicentre of an illicit trade in New France. Cassandra is a master's student at University of Toronto. She is also a former museum worker and previous guard at Fort Henry. 

📹 In today's episode of Inside Kingston we talk about new speed limit signs in neighbourhoods on residential roads, the Home Ownership Program, City Council meeting highlights and a reminder that the Household Hazardous Waste Depot opens this week. You can learn more about everything mentioned in this week's episode here: ✨ Neighbourhood Speed Limits - https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/neighbourhood-area-speed-limits ✨ Home Ownership Program - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/community-supports/housing-and-homelessness/affordable-housing-programs/ ✨Council Meetings - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/council-and-city-administration/council/council-meetings/ ✨Primary Care Doctor - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/community-supports/community-supports-and-well-being/family-physician-recruitment/ ✨Hazardous Waste Depot - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/garbage-and-recycling/what-goes-where/ 🏛️ Full Council Meeting on April 1, 2025: https://pub-cityofkingston.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=9de7e0a3-908e-4bcf-8594-3cbb938638be&Agenda=Merged&lang=English

In this episode of Tell Me More, we’re going to talk about a topic that has drivers gripping their steering wheels a little tighter and cyclists checking their tire repair kits at this time of year….potholes. While potholes might seem like they appear over night, we’ll learn from Adam McDonald and Amy Dimock, two members of the City of Kingston Public Works team, why it seems like there more pot holes in the spring, how climate change and Kingston’s beautiful lakeside location create challenges for road maintenance and opportunities for innovation and with the help of AI and residents, potholes are being detected and more importantly repaired faster than ever.    Opening Track: Tell Me Twice by The Meringues – courtesy of The Meringues. TheMeringues.com   Podcast production by City of Kingston Communications & Public Engagement.

Want to keep up with City Council but can’t make it to meetings, whether in person or virtual? Tune into Council Catch-up with Mayor Paterson every Wednesday after a Council meeting! He shares the key takeaways on big topics. Find links to the meeting agenda and reports below so you can dig deeper into what matters to you. Agenda Addendum

The Municipal Fee Assistance Program, what’s often referred to as MFAP, is an income-based program that provides certain City services for free or at a lower cost:  🚌 Transit passes  💪 Fitness memberships  🦷 Extended health benefits  🎫 PumpHouse Museum and Grand OnSTAGE tickets  🐶 Spay and neuter services  🍅 Fresh food pop-up markets  📃 Marriage licences  We are joined by Ruth Noordegraaf, Director of Community Development & Well-being and IIDEA, who tells us more about how MFAP supports low- and moderate-income households to build a more resilient and inclusive community.  We discuss the origins of MFAP, how program offerings have expanded over the years and how the range of health, transportation, recreation, household and cultural services support physical and mental well-being for recipients.  Visit CityofKingston.ca/MFAP to learn more about the program.  In addition to the Municipal Fee Assistance Program, the City offers a variety of other programs and services for low- and moderate-income households. Explore the links below to learn more and see if you qualify.  Homelessness Prevention Fund Homemaking Services Tax Assistance and Rebates  Energy Affordability Program (Utilities Kingston) Low-income Energy Assistance Program (Utilities Kingston) Ontario Electricity Support Program (Utilities Kingston)  Send us your questions or suggestions for future episodes at [email protected].    Opening Track: Tell Me Twice by The Meringues – courtesy of The Meringues. TheMeringues.com   Podcast production by City of Kingston Communications & Public Engagement.