City, Utilities Kingston issue notices ahead of possible postal strike
With the possibility of Canada Post workers striking as early as Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, both the City of Kingston and Utilities Kingston have issued notices to residents.
To avoid potential postal disruption, the City of Kingston will be mailing out Voter Information Notices (VINs) for the upcoming October 22 municipal election.
“If you don’t receive your VIN by the end of September, contact the Elections office at [email protected] or 613-546-4291, ext. 1430,” the City said in a press release on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
The City also wants to remind residents not to use the mail to send payments or time-sensitive correspondence.
“You are still responsible for on-time payment of bills, fines and parking tickets – even during a postal disruption,” the City said.
The City would also like to make residents aware that Ontario Works cheques and Statements of Assistance must be picked up in the event of a postal disruption. Those who live in Kingston can pick up cheques at 362 Montreal St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Those who live in North or Central Frontenac can pick up cheques at the Rural Frontenac Community Services office at 1020 Elizabeth St., Sharbot Lake from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. week days. After hours, documentation and correspondences can be dropped off in the exterior drop box located near the first floor entrance of the Montreal Street offices. The City encourages residents to contact their case manager to sign up for direct deposit to ensure they receive their benefit payments as scheduled.
For those expecting payment or other correspondences from the City, the City advises:
– Vendors can sign up to receive payment via electronic funds transfer. Request a form from financial services at 613-546-4291 ext. 2204 or [email protected]. A detailed notice will be sent to the vendor with payment information by email and will be directly deposited into the proper bank account.
– If you are expecting other time-sensitive correspondence, the City will make alternate arrangements for you to receive it.
– If your expected correspondence is not time-sensitive, expect to receive it after any postal disruption.
For those who need to make a payment, the City advises that residents are responsible for paying property tax, parking tickets and fines, Utilities Kingston bills and other payments due to the City on time. Avoid late payment fines by making your payments using one of these options:
– See www.CityofKingston.ca/Pay for online payment options for parking tickets and permits, Provincial Offences fines, garbage bag tags, recreation programs, transit passes and pet licences.
– In-person: Payment Centre in City Hall, 216 Ontario St. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
– For Provincial Offences fines: Provincial Offences Court at 362 Montreal St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
After hours/drop-off (cheques only):
– City Hall, 216 Ontario St. Through the mail slot in the door in the Market Street entrance of City Hall.
– 1211 John Counter Blvd. in the 24-hour drop box.
Need to deliver an invoice to the City?
Vendor invoices can be dropped off at City Hall, 216 Ontario St. or emailed to [email protected]. To receive payment via electronic fund transfer, request a form from financial services at 613-546-4291 ext. 2204 or [email protected].
Need to deliver other correspondence to the City?
– Any correspondence for housing and social services, including income statements and other documents for Ontario Works, Children’s Services and housing, should be brought to 362 Montreal St.
– If you have time-sensitive correspondence that needs to get to the City, please drop it off at City Hall, 216 Ontario St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If it is an envelope, you can put it through the mail slot in the Market Street entrance to City Hall after hours.
Utilities
Utilities Kingston is urging its customers to sign up to receive their utility bills online to void missing a bill during a postal disruption.
Customers are responsible for keeping their accounts up to date and Utilities Kingston has options in place to help. Sign up for the MyUtilities Customer Portal at https://My.UtilitiesKingston.com to stay on top of paying your bills. To sign up you will need:
- Your Utilities Kingston account number
- The amount of your most recent payment to Utilities Kingston
Customers can also drop off cheques to Utilities Kingston at City Hall, 216 Ontario St., 1211 John Counter Boulevard or 85 Lappan’s Lane.
For other options to pay your Utilities Kingston bill, go to: UtilitiesKingston.com/Accounts/PaymentOptions.