By Welcome Back
I hope that you and your family enjoyed a fabulous and relaxing summer. I look forward to working with you throughout the coming months, addressing issues important to Central Park residents.
Baseline Road Sewer Replacement Project
Work will commence next week to replace the sewer along Baseline Road, west of Merivale Road. These sewers are located under the eastbound lanes of Baseline Road and provide a sanitary outlet to various commercial and government buildings in the area. This project includes the replacement of 240 metres of 225mm sanitary sewer pipe along Baseline Road. The boulevard and roadway will be reinstated following completion of the project. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, construction is expected to last for three to four weeks. To lessen the impact on traffic, work on this project will take place overnight from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., during which time one eastbound lane will be closed.
Recycling and Waste Collection Changes – Coming to a Curbside Near You
In early 2011, City Council approved changes to the City’s waste collection contract resulting in savings of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds per year. The new contract will also help extend the life of our Trail Road landfill and will reduce the number of trucks on our streets.
You should have recently received your new Collection Calendar in the mail. It provides information about the new solid waste collection schedule, which takes effect during the week of October 29, 2012.
Please note that your collection day may change. If it does, you will receive a personal letter in the mail. You may also visit ottawa.ca.
- Recycling: Blue and Black Box Materials, such as paper, cans, plastic, bottles, etc.: Weekly Pickup
- Green Bin: Organics, such as tables scraps, etc.: Weekly Pickup
- Residual Waste: Non-recyclables such as packaging, etc.: Bi-Weekly Pickup
The City has also launched a new collection calendar web tool that allows residents to access their collection schedule more easily. In addition, a pilot project allows you to sign up for weekly reminders via telephone, e-mail or Twitter of your upcoming collection day and what materials are being collected that week. You can set the method and timing of the notification to suit your needs. Sign up for this pilot online at ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1.
Fall/Winter Recreation Guide Now Available
The Fall/Winter edition of the Recreation E-Guide is now available at ottawa.ca/recreationguide. Most recreation facilities also have printed brochures and flyers detailing the programs and services offered at that location. If you do not have access to the Internet, the City’s libraries and some other facilities offer public computers for your use. Alternatively, visit a recreation facility or a Client Service Centre near you, where customer service staff will help you register. Please also feel free to contact my office at 613-580-2486 and I would be happy to follow-up.
Registration for all programs is now open, and can be completed in person during regular business hours, online or over the phone.
Additional Funds for the 2012 Emerald Ash Borer Strategy
On July 11, 2012, City Council unanimously approved a motion, moved by myself and seconded by Mayor Jim Watson, to invest an additional $1 million in the Emerald Ash Borer Strategy. This investment will increase the number of injections of diseased trees and the number of replacement trees being planted in 2012.
City Appoints Integrity Commissioner
Robert Marleau, our River Ward neighbor, was appointed as the City of Ottawa’s first Integrity Commissioner on August 29, 2012. The Integrity Commissioner, whose powers and duties are set out in theMunicipal Act, 2001, will report directly to City Council and oversee the City’s new Lobbyist Registry, which came into effect on September 1, 2012.
In addition to his role as Lobbyist Registrar, Mr. Marleau will fulfill the role of the City’s Meetings Investigator and provide input in creating a Code of Conduct for Members of City Council and any related policies, including the Expense Policy and Gifts Registry. Following Council adoption of these policies, the Integrity Commissioner will oversee their implementation, providing advice to Members of Council, issuing interpretations and, where necessary, investigating complaints and recommending sanctions.
Mr. Marleau has 32 years of parliamentary experience, including 13 years spent as the Clerk of the House of Commons. He also served as the interim Privacy Commissioner of Canada and as the Information Commissioner of Canada.
Mr. Marleau received many honours in recognition of his service to the people of Canada, including a Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal, Canada 125 Medal, Commander, Ordre de la Pléiade et de la Francophonie and a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Ottawa.
The Commissioner will produce an annual report summarizing complaints, investigations and advice and will make recommendations for improvements to the accountability policies he oversees. Rulings and periodic reports by the Integrity Commissioner will be posted
on ottawa.ca.
City Launches Lobbyist Registry
The City implemented its online Lobbyist Registry, a key component of the City’s Accountability Framework, on September 1, 2012 as part of a continuing commitment to making municipal government more transparent and accountable to the public.
The Lobbyist Registry, found at ottawa.ca/lobbyist, is a bilingual online tool that provides accountability and transparency to lobbying activities by giving the public access to information about who is communicating with Members of Council and City Staff.
Lobbying is considered any communication with a Member of Council or City Staff by an individual who is paid or represents a business or financial interest with the goal of trying to influence a legislative action or the outcome of a decision outside of normal processes.
While most types of interactions will not need to be registered, including speaking on the record before Council and its Committees or following a Council-approved process, in instances where lobbying has occurred, the subject matter, the client, the individual(s) lobbied, the method of communication and the date will need to be disclosed on the Registry.
The Lobbyist Registry is overseen by the City’s independent, arms-length Integrity Commissioner, Robert Marleau.
Fall Cleaning the Capital Campaign
The fall Cleaning the Capital campaign began on September 15, 2012 and runs until October 15, 2012. I invite everyone to get involved to help keep our city clean, green and free of litter and graffiti. With your help, River Ward can be the cleanest ward in the City.
You can begin by selecting a cleanup location where litter or graffiti has accumulated. It can be a park, woodlot, ravine, shoreline, bus stop, pathway, schoolyard or any public property requiring tidying up. Large or small, all cleanup projects are welcome! Once you choose your cleanup location, register online at ottawa.ca/clean or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).
The registration form also includes a section for our Cleanup Starter Kits. Cleanup Starter Kits for litter pickup and/or graffiti removal projects donated by our campaign sponsors, and are available to all registered volunteers. Should you wish to receive a kit, please indicate the type (litter or graffiti) and select a pick up location near you.
Every year, entire communities – including schools, neighbourhood organizations and associations, businesses, families, friends and individuals take part in the Cleaning the Capital challenge. Together we can help keep Ottawa clean, green, graffiti-free and litter-free.
OC Transpo Implements Fall Service Improvements
On Sunday, September 2, 2012, OC Transpo released revised schedules for most bus routes and introduced several service improvements to meet residents’ transit needs. Fall service highlights for River Ward residents include:
- Additional trips to reduce crowding and improve service on routes 8, 87 and 111;
- The use of higher capacity buses during the busiest trips on routes 8, 14, 87, 111 and 118;
- Schedule changes on route 85 to improve reliability; and
- The special summer weekends-only service to the Canada Agriculture Museum on Route 185 is suspended until next year.
With seasonal service increases and schedule revisions to bus routes, customers should check their route at octranspo.com or octranspo.mobi, by calling 613-560-1000 or by texting 560560.
Park and Ride
While Park and Ride facilities across the city provide more than 5,000 free parking spaces for commuters, some lots fill up quickly, so check octranspo.com for alternative lots in your community. Customers are also reminded to park in designated parking spaces only, to avoid receiving a fine and allow safe passage of emergency vehicles.
Students
Full-time college and high school students ages 13-19 are reminded to get their new photo ID card before last year’s card expires on September 30, 2012. Photo sessions are available at many schools, so check octranspo.com for the schedule. ID cards are also available at OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres. University students can get their new U-Pass on campus.
Civic Events Funding Applications Now Available
Local not-for-profit organizations, such as volunteer-based community or recreation associations, are invited to apply for funding to provide one- to two-day civic events with free admission that foster civic pride and strengthen communities. Each group can apply for a maximum $3,000 grant.
These events are linked to and celebrate a civic or statutory holiday in Ontario (New Year’s Day, Family Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Ontario Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day), are held in a specific geographic district in Ottawa, and encompass a broad range of activities and family entertainment.
The application deadline is November 1, 2012. Application forms are available at City of Ottawa Client Service Centres or online beginning September 19, 2012 at ottawa.ca. For more information, contact 613-580-2424, ext. 24322 or ext. 14133 or e-mail rec-info@ottawa.ca.
Free Try It Fitness Passes
The City of Ottawa is offering free fitness passes that allow you to try out fitness facilities and various fitness classes. This week, from September 17 to 23, 2012 you’re invited to participate in our aquafitness, cycling and group fitness classes or work out in our fitness centres free of charge. Don’t miss this opportunity to ‘test drive’ our participating fitness facilities or check out a Bootcamp, Zumba or Yoga class. For a full list of participating facilities and for more information, visit ottawa.ca/tryit.
City Seeks Applicants for Advisory Committees and Boards
The City of Ottawa is seeking volunteers to sit on the Ottawa Police Services Board, the newly restructured Accessibility Advisory Committee; Arts, Culture, Heritage and Recreation Advisory Committee; Community Services Advisory Committee; Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee; French Language Services Advisory Committee; the Built Heritage Sub-Committee; and the Cumberland
Museum Board for the term ending November 30, 2014.
You can be a part of one of these new Committees, which will focus on the City’s Term of Council Priorities. Make a difference by becoming a volunteer member of an Advisory Committee. The City will benefit greatly from your expertise, enthusiasm and civic pride and in return, you will gain insight and knowledge of how the City works.
For more information on eligibility, roles and responsibilities and the application process, please visit ottawa.ca or contact Diane Blais at 613-580-2424 ext. 28091 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or e- mail diane.blais@ottawa.ca.
Sharing in Student Success Program
This year, the Ottawa Public Library has partnered with the Sharing in Student Success program (under the Caring and Sharing Exchange program). Seven Library branches are accepting school supply donations.
- Alta Vista, 2516 Alta Vista Drive
- Nepean Centrepointe, 101 Centrepointe Drive
- St-Laurent, 515 Côté Street
- Carlingwood, 281 Woodroffe Avenue
- Greenboro District Library, 363 Lorry Greenberg Drive
- Ruth E. Dickinson, 100 Malvern Drive
- North Gloucester, 2036 Ogilvie Road
This program provides Ottawa children living in poverty with school supplies that have been donated, or a gift voucher to buy school materials.
Barbara Ann Scott Exhibit Relives her Exciting Career
An exhibit honouring Ottawa’s Golden Girl, Barbara Ann Scott, officially opened at Ottawa City Hall on August 9, 2012.
The City of Ottawa Archives acquired a donation of documents, photographs and artifacts from the only Canadian woman figure skater to win the ladies singles figure skating Olympic gold medal. She is also the only Canadian to hold the European, North American, Canadian, World, and Olympic Championships simultaneously.
The exhibition will remain on display at City Hall for five years. Come and relive Ms. Scott’s exciting career by viewing the exclusive collection of photos, medals and other treasures.
Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit Project Receives Consortia Submissions
On September 10, the City of Ottawa received submissions from three industry teams to design, build, finance and maintain the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) Project. Proposals were submitted by: Ottawa Transit Partners (led by Vinci Concessions), Rideau Transit Group (led by ACS Infrastructure Canada) and Rideau Transit Partners (led by Bouygues Travaux Publics).
Each of these teams was prequalified to submit proposals after an initial Request for Qualifications was completed in October 2011. Collectively, these firms have successfully built over $100 billion in light rail projects and 2,000 kilometres of tunnels in cities around the globe.
The City of Ottawa and Infrastructure Ontario will now commence the evaluation of these submissions, and will recommend a Preferred Proponent along with their design, cost and schedule to City Council for approval by the end of this year. Construction of the ORLT Project is anticipated to begin in early 2013 and the system is expected to enter full revenue service in spring 2018. For more information about the OLRT Project, please visit ottawalightrail.ca.
Safer Roads Ottawa Program
September Initiatives
The City of Ottawa’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is targeting drivers who follow too close and school zone safety this month as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping Ottawa’s roads safe.
Between 2007 and 2011, following too close was the cause of 24,487 traffic collisions, 6,872 injuries and eight fatalities. Between 2007 and 2011, there were 41 collisions in schools zones throughout the city resulting in nine injuries.
Police officers are not required to witness the vehicle passing a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing in order to lay charges against the vehicle owner. Citizens who witness such occurrences can contact the police and provide the make, model, colour of vehicle; license number; location, date and time of the incident; and, if possible, a description of the driver.
August Initiatives
The City of Ottawa’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) targeted distracted driving and appropriate seat belt and child safety restraint use in August as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping Ottawa’s roads safe.
Between 2008 and 2010, driver distraction was either fully or partially the cause of 6,129 traffic collisions in Ottawa. The collisions resulted in nine deaths and 1,976 injuries (84 of them serious).
Between 2006 and 2010, 26 people were killed, 50 suffered life-threatening injuries and another 202 were injured in Ottawa as a result of not wearing vehicle occupant restraints. 20 of those 26 fatalities were male.
July Initiatives and Results
The City’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) focused on unsafe heavy vehicles and impaired drivers during the month of July.
In 2010, 181 reportable collisions on Ottawa roadways involved unsafe vehicles – resulting in 58 injuries; six were life-threatening and two were fatalities. Causes of these collisions included defective brakes, steering, tires, lights, engine controls, trailer hitches, suspension, as well as obscured vision.
In 2010, there were 372 collisions, 22 serious injuries and 5 fatalities involving impaired drivers.
July’s STEP program enforcement resulted in a total of 131 charges being laid. 105 tickets were issued to drivers operating vehicles while just at or above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. In addition, 26 charges were laid for unsafe vehicles, the majority of which were to drivers for not properly tying down their cargo.
June Results
The City of Ottawa’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) laid almost 2,000 charges during the month of June with speeding and a lack of safety equipment (bike light and bike bell) being the most common infractions. 358 charges were laid with regards to cycling safety and 1,623 drivers were fined for speeding.