By Service Ottawa Launch – Get Online, Not In Line
Accessing City information and services is now easier for Ottawa residents and businesses as the first phase of Service Ottawa went live at ottawa.ca on February 1, 2012. You can now complete 250 service transactions online, such as:
- Booking and paying for last-minute ice time
- Making some payments
- Reporting graffiti
- Making a by-law or parking complaint
- Requesting a recycling bin or a garbage and recycling calendar
- Requesting road maintenance
- Registering for classes and activities
- Viewing photos, floor plans and videos of rental facilities
The web launch is the first phase of the Service Ottawa project that will implement new technology to improve the way the City delivers services to residents. The project also focuses on the delivery of more efficient and cost-effective services.
UPDATE – Summer Student Employment Program
Students interested in summer employment with the City of Ottawa can apply online until Friday, March 9, 2012. The Summer Student Employment Program is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience and insight into today’s workforce, discover a career path, showcase skills and enhance academic goals.
Monitor ottawa.ca/careers for updated information, eligibility criteria, and other requirements on the 2012 Summer Student Employment Program.
Rideau River Ice Breaking
Ice-breaking operations, including blasting, began on the Rideau River between Rideau Falls and Hog’s Back on Monday, February 13. The City, in partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, undertakes ice-breaking operations each year to alleviate possible spring flooding in flood-prone areas. These operations are carried out daily.
Ice-breaking operations will create open water. Please stay at a safe and reasonable distance from the river until operations are completed, and to supervise children around water.
City of Ottawa Water Rate
The City of Ottawa’s Environment Committee tabled the 2012 Water and Wastewater Rate Budget and the Long Range Financial Plan for Water and Sewer Rate Supported Programs on January 31, 2012. The proposed budget sees the combined rate increasing by 6% this year. This increase will assist in the funding of Ottawa on the Move, the Ottawa River Action Plan and several Integrated Road-Water-Sewer projects, and to ensure that Ottawa’s drinking water remains of exceptional quality. These reports will be brought before the Environment Committee on February 21, 2012 and City Council on February 22, 2012.
City of Ottawa Archives Strategic Plan
You are invited to complete a brief online questionnaire at ottawa.ca/archives in order to help inform the strategic plan of the Archives for the next five years.
The Archives recently moved into the new James Bartleman Archives and Library Materials Centre on Tallwood Drive. The questionnaire requests your feedback on this new facility, as well as the programs and services offered by the Archives. Your input will help make the Archives a community meeting place and ensure that its services meet your needs.
The questionnaire can be completed online before February 24, 2012.
Young at Art 2012 – Applications Now Available
The City of Ottawa invites young artists to enter Young at Art 2012 – the citywide artist juried exhibition for youth. Applications are now available for young Ottawa artists between 12 and 19 years of age. Works selected for Young at Art 2012 will be displayed in Ottawa community galleries and recognized for outstanding work at awards presentations across the city.
Application forms and guidelines are available online at ottawa.ca/youngatart, or by visiting community centres, Ottawa Public Library branches and by contacting Mike Taylor at 613-580-2424, extension 29288. The deadline for Young at Art 2012 submissions is Friday, March 4, 2012 at 4 p.m.
Ottawa’s Rink of Dreams Open
The first skaters made their way onto Ottawa’s Rink of Dreams on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. The 12,500 square foot oval ice surface, located at Ottawa City Hall, is a refrigerated outdoor skating facility that will operate annually from November to March. During the spring and summer months, the area will serve as a community space and play host to festivals and events. The project is a collaboration between the Sens Foundation, Hockey Canada, the City of Ottawa and several local partners and construction companies.
The Rink of Dreams change hut is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information on the Rink of Dreams, visit ottawa.ca.
Ottawa Fire Services Vehicle Donation Program
Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is encouraging residents to donate their old or scrap vehicles to the Vehicle Donation Program. Your donation can help firefighters continuously practice their skills and rescue techniques, and you will receive a $500 tax receipt in return. Even if your vehicle does not run, it can still be used, and OFS will arrange to have it picked up for free.
If you wish to donate a vehicle, please first call 613-580-2424, extension 29492 to receive instructions about how to donate your vehicle.
Integrated Road Safety Program
The City of Ottawa continues to view traffic safety as a top priority. In light of this, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is currently undergoing a transformation to better serve you and ensure the safety of Ottawa’s communities. The new Safer Roads Ottawa Program will begin this month and sets out a bold vision and a new Action Plan that is more comprehensive and responsive to road safety priorities and will help make the “City of Ottawa the safest traffic environment for all”. The program will focus on four areas: distracted driving, vulnerable road users, aggressive driving and age-specific issues.