Besides sending children and teenagers back to class in September, city residents also deal with what Coun. David Alexander referred to as "the monster," the 2,000 students, a new high, that will be attending Niagara College's Welland campus this academic year.

Of that, 800 are from outside the region, with a significant percentage expected to live in off-campus student housing.

So the off-campus student housing committee, comprised of representatives from Niagara College, the city, the police and fire departments and Niagara Region waste management, met to discuss the annual concerns of noise, safety and property maintenance, to name a few.

"It's up to us to show them the rules and expectations of their new community," said Brigitte Chiki, director of student services at the college.

Chiki said changes have occurred since the last school year that could help alleviate problems associated with student housing, including the U-Pass, a transit pass that allows students to ride across the region, that is now included in all schooling fees.

The college has also partnered with Brock University to create an online off-campus student living service, complete with a database of both students looking for accommodations and landlords with rooms available for rent.

Alexander said most of the complaints associated with student housing include noise or yard maintenance. Bob Vanyo, contract manager with the region's waste management division, said any students or residents with concerns or questions regarding garbage collection can call the information line at 905-356-4141.

Everyone at the meeting agreed that, with Niagara's student services and the city's annual good neighbour guide, due diligence is being done to ensure a smooth transition every year.

"There's lots of education here," said Chiki.

Mike Mantesso, chief building official, added that the city is putting together a comprehensive business licencing bylaw, expected to be presented to council sometime next year.

The bylaw includes provisions to make student housing licencing mandatory, which will help enforce building and fire code violations, said Mantesso, as well as zoning and property standards bylaws.

Deputy fire chief Kevin Roach said the fire department's main concern continues to be student safety, while Geoff Skaftfeld, acting supervisor for Welland's District No. 3 police detachment, said noise and partying concerns are tackled by extra patrols in the first two weeks of September.

"That's the plan that's proven effective in previous years," said Skaftfeld.

During the closing of the meeting, Alexander said that great strides have been made since the committee began meeting in recent years.

"It's a very small number of students that create the headlines that affect the reputation of the neighbourhood, the school and the student body as a whole," added Chiki.