Mayor Mat Siscoe says the city covers infrastructure extensively, but 'outside' eyes can help
St. Catharines mayor says he's heard from people, and council, in creating an independent review board looking at the floods.
Mat Siscoe points out the city has done extensive work, but outside eyes from engineers and storm water experts will help.
They'll look to avoid future floods and build better. "We know it's probably going to include bigger pipes in the ground, but we also think it's going to include things like storm water retention. And, building parks differently, so that in severe weather events they can act as sponges, to deal with the extra water. There are many ideas out there, it isn't just about spending money on pipes."
They will also look at ways to improve public reporting on problem areas, and expand public education.
He hopes this will show the provincial government they mean business. "Every dollar spent is competing with another priority somewhere in our assets, and we don't want to create another infrastructure crisis by ignoring something while we're trying to deal with this. That's where other levels of government have to come in, as we spend a lot of time on taxpayer affordability."
He adds the federal and provincial government collect 90% of all taxes, the city gets the rest.
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