River Ward City Councillor Maria McRae's Report to Hunt Club Community Organization Annual General Meeting 3 November 2008

Another Year Gone, Another Job Well Done

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the HCCO Board on another successful year in serving the Hunt Club community. I look forward to working with you over the next year and wish you the best of luck.

Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan Update - Airport Parkway

I want to bring to your attention that City staff are recommending the twinning of the Airport Parkway from Brookfield Road to Hunt Club Road during Phase 1 of the IMP which will take place from 2009 to 2015. Any associated infrastructure regarding the widening of this roadway such as noise berms, cycling paths, etc. will be addressed during the Environmental Assessment phase. I encourage you to contact me directly, by phone at 613-580-2486, or by e-mail at Maria.McRae@ottawa.ca, to express your opinions on the City's Transportation Master Plan.

Southern Corridor Update

You will recall that, in December 2003 the National Capital Commission (NCC) appealed the City of Ottawa's Official Plan designation of some Southern Corridor lands to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). These lands are currently designated "Major Open Space", with McCarthy Woods being designated "Urban Natural Area". The NCC would like the majority of the lands to be designated a "General Urban Area", while maintaining the "Urban Natural Area" designation for McCarthy Woods.

I have strongly stated at the launch of the appeal, I would like to see as much protected public open space as possible, including the expansion of the protective area surrounding McCarthy Woods. In the Spring of 2006, both the NCC and the City of Ottawa hired consultants to study the boundaries of the Urban Natural Area, based on the assumption that the meadow provided prime raptor hunting and feeding habitat. As a result, both studies concluded that the McCarthy Woods proper and the adjacent scrub thicket habitat currently designated as an Urban Natural Feature are important to protect, along with a functional wildlife corridor along the railway tracks. The meadow was not considered to be important habitat.

On December 6, 2007 the NCC's appeal to the OMB was adjourned to a pre-hearing. As a result of this pre-hearing, the OMB directed the City and the NCC to enter into mediation on April 23 and 24, 2008. During the mediation, all parties were advised that the NCC is undertaking a Capital Urban Lands Master Plan study. It is anticipated that this study will be completed and adopted by the NCC sometime in 2009 or 2010. To allow time for this study to be completed and approved by the NCC, all parties agreed that there will be no change in the use or ownership of the lands prior to 2011.

It has always been my strong belief that an outside body should not determine the future of this treasured land. As the issue of the land designation is not yet settled, I will continue to work hard with residents, City staff, the NCC and other parties to find a solution to this issue.

Hunt Club Road: In-Service Safety Review

The City's Traffic and Parking Operations staff have monitored the conditions along Hunt Club Road at three intersections: Airport Parkway, Daze Street/Bridlepath Drive and Bank Street. By 2004, Dazé Street and Hunt Club Road showed an average of 20 collisions per year for the last three consecutives years, and the Airport Parkway and Hunt Club Road showed similar results. By 2005, Hunt Club Road and Bank Street were ranked number 8 in the City's "Top 10 Collision Locations List" after reporting 28 collisions in 2004.

An investigation was initiated at each intersection to identify potential hazards that may have contributed to the high number of collisions. During the course of this investigation, three factors were identified requiring special consideration: the layout of Hunt Club Road, which is unique across the city; the proximity of the three intersections and its impact on traffic operations; and the fact that this roadway serves multiple users.

The outcome of this preliminary assessment demonstrated that these intersections should be assessed using a corridor approach, given the multifunctional characteristics and traffic operations of this facility, rather than reviewing each intersection in isolation.

Under the conditions described above, City staff decided to conduct an In-Service Safety Review (ISSR). The ISSR is an independent and formal process conducted by a team of road safety experts who, based upon experience and expertise, provide opinions on safety issues from the perspective of all road users. This in-depth engineering study will assess the safety performance of the road and identify cost-effective recommendations that will improve road safety and operations for all road users.

The study area on Hunt Club Road comprised from the Airport Parkway (ramps) to Albion Road. The length of the corridor is approximately 1.2 km. As well, it includes about 100m of adjacent roads. The data collection component of this study was completed this summer. City staff have informed me that they are currently analyzing all of the data they collected, and will be able to provide me with a full update on their study in the first quarter of 2009. I will be pleased to update you at that time.

Former Bayview Public School - Acquisition Update

On November 28, 2007 City Council gave staff direction to pursue the acquisition of the former Bayview School (3071 Riverside Drive) from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board ("Board"). City staff met with Board staff on several occasions, and communicated with them on a regular basis in an effort to move this matter forward and to conclude the purchase of the property.

As part of the City of Ottawa's due diligence, it came to light there are some environmental issues pertaining to this property. During an attempt to resolve these issues before the sale of the property, the school board requested an extension of the closing date to December 1, 2008 on the sale to allow sufficient time to satisfactorily address the environmental issues.

Since it had been almost one year since Council first gave direction to staff to acquire the former Bayview School property and given the importance for the Board to provide a timely, clear and unequivocal position on the environmental issues pertaining to the property such that the City understands all factors related to the acquisition of the property, on September 24, 2008 I moved a motion that:

  1. Council approve an extension to the conditional date and the closing date for the purchase of 3071 Riverside Drive (Bayview School) from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board from September 30, 2008 to October 31, 2008; and,
  2. Staff report back to Council before October 31, 2008 to further advise on the status of this matter.

City Council passed my motion and granted the extension.

I am pleased to inform you that on Friday, October 31, 2008, the City of Ottawa finalized the purchase of the former Bayview Public School. Unfortunately, in order to fully remediate the site, the former Bayview Public School building will have to be demolished. In the new year, City staff will begin to work with my office and the community to create a development design plan for this property. I will provide you with further information on this matter as it becomes available.

Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre Expansion

Demand for recreation and community services programs has increased in the Hunt Club and Riverside Park communities. In 2006,1 was successful in obtaining funding to physically assess the site for possible construction. City Council continued to acknowledge the need to expand this City-owned facility in February 2007 when Council unanimously passed my inclusion of funding for this project in the 2007 Budget.

Over the years, you have come to know me as a fiscally conservative Councillor who looks for opportunities to deliver services in the most efficient manner. This expansion provides an opportunity for our community to access services provided by both the community centre and the Hunt Club/Riverside Community Services Centre, currently located in the Hunt Club Plaza off McCarthy Road, under one roof. In essence, "one-stop shopping".

Following years of public feedback, on September 23, 2008, the community had the chance to view the draft concept drawings for the expanded Centre. Over the past few weeks, City staff and the architect have been working together to revise the plans to incorporate feedback received from the community, the Hunt Club Riverside Recreation Association and the Hunt Club Riverside Community Services Centre.

I look forward to continue working with the residents of Hunt Club and Riverside Park to successfully see through the expansion of the Centre.

Free Transit Service For Veterans

War veterans who wear their medals and/or uniforms can ride OC Transpo and STO (Société de transport de 1'Outaouais) free during National Veterans' Week - November 5 to 11, 2008. In addition, both OC Transpo and STO are planning other activities and service changes to commemorate Remembrance Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2008.

OC Transpo buses will pull over to the side of the road (where it is safe to do so) to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. Taps and Reveille will be played over the radios of OC Transpo buses. OC Transpo will run a revised weekday schedule with minor reductions on some routes. OC Transpo Sales and Information Centres will be closed with the exception of the Rideau Centre, which will be open from 12:30 to 9 p.m. For OC Transpo service information or travel planning, customers can call 613-741-4390 or visit www.octranspo.com. Automated schedule information is available 24 hours a day by calling 613-560-1000 plus the four-digit bus stop number.

STO will also operate a special service on November 11. Riders are invited to consult the User's Guide, the STO Web site at www.sto.ca or call 819-770-3242 for more details. The INFOBUS system will also provide the exact time that the next two buses are scheduled for a particular stop. Simply dial 819-778 + the bus stop number.

Free Medication to Help Quit Smoking

Residents of Ottawa may be eligible to participate in a treatment study using nicotine replacement therapy (i.e. nicotine patch or inhaler) to help them quit smoking. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (AMH) in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion and in collaboration with Ottawa Public Health is rolling out the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Study. Treatment study sessions will be held November 26 and 27, 2008 at various locations throughout Ottawa. To learn more, to see if you qualify and to register, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

Moving Forward With Ottawa's Transportation Future

As many of you are aware the City is currently updating its Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a city-building document that explains the need for future transit, roads, pathways and other transportation infrastructure, and provide guidance on where and when they will be built. This update, and the development of a new transit vision for Ottawa began in July of 2007.

Over the past year, extensive public consultation and planning exercises have provided input on transportation and transit trends and issues, residents' priorities and potential solutions. A new transit vision for Ottawa and four transit options were developed based on this information and the need to address the city's main point of congestion, the downtown. On May 28, 2008, City Council adopted 'Option 4' - a city wide light rail network that builds from the core out through a downtown tunnel - as the new Rapid Transit Network for Ottawa. Council also provided direction for further extensions of light rail to the east, west and south as population growth warrants and funding becomes available.

Over the summer, further detail was added to the transit network and options for the staging and construction of the complete network were developed. As road expansion is needed to support efficient mobility throughout the city, a prioritized set of road improvements was also developed.

On September 11, 2008, City staff announced the staging and construction scenarios for public feedback. Public consultation for these scenarios took place from September 11, 2008 to September 30, 2008.

Making the right transportation choices for Ottawa is one of the most important decisions to be made by Council this year, and will be a reflection of consultation with Ottawa residents. I encourage you to continue to participate in the debate when the draft Transportation Master Plan is tabled at a joint meeting of the Transportation and Transit Committees on November 10, 2008.

Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP)

In 2003, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Service strengthened their commitment to road safety by initiating the Integrated Road Safety Program to reduce traffic fatalities or serious injuries by 30% by the year 2010. In 2004, as part of the strategy, a campaign-based Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) was initiated where, on a monthly basis, two initiatives are launched that target specific traffic offences. Following are the statistics for the STEP program since the 2007 Annual General Meeting:
January 2008Tailgating and Stop Sign Running61 charges for following too closely. 328 tickets for failing to stop at stop signs.
February 2008Unsafe Lane Changing, Speeding to HeartData not available.
March 2008Red Light Running and Tailgating558 charges for red light running 68 tickets for following too closely.
April 2008Unsafe and Heavy Vehicles and Vehicle Occupants that Fail to Buckle Up or Fail to Use Required Child Car Seats.57 unsafe and heavy/commercial vehicle-related charges. 567 tickets to vehicle occupants for failing to buckle up or ensure the use of required child car seats.
May 2008Stop Sign Violation and Speeding4,017 charges for speeding and 641 tickets issued for running stop signs.
June 2008Motorists Exceeding Set Speed Limits in Construction Zones and Impaired Driving3,295 speeding charges, of which 207 were construction-zone related. 109 charges and 50 12-hour driver's license suspensions.
July 2008Pedestrian Safety and Drivers Who Make Unsafe Lane Changes27 charges laid against both pedestrians and motorists - pedestrians for disobeying "Don't Walk" signals and failing to use crosswalks and drivers for failing to yield to pedestrians. 131 charges for unsafe lane changes.
August 2008Cycling Safety and Drivers Who Run Red Lights157 cycling safety charges. Red-light running - resulted in the laying of 514 charges.
September 2008Drivers Who Failed To Stop For School Buses and Stop Sign Runners203 chargers laid failing to stop for school buses when their flashing red lights were activated, and not obeying stop signs.
October 2008Buckling Down on Vehicle Occupants That Fail To Use Their Seatbelts or Fail To Use Required Child Car Seats and Drivers Who Follow Vehicles Too CloselyData not yet available.

Integrated Road Safety Program - November Initiative

This month, the City of Ottawa's Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), is focusing its attention on motorists who drive illegally in reserved transit lanes, fail to yield to buses and run red lights.

In 2007, 48 collisions occurred on Ottawa's roads where the improper use of Reserved Transit Lanes were to blame, resulting in eight injuries. The fine for driving illegally in a Reserved Transit Lane is $150. Red light running is also a serious issue on Ottawa roads. In 2007, 916 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads due to drivers failing to stop for red lights. These collisions resulted in two deaths and 416 injuries - 14 of them life-threatening.

2008/2009 Free Ottawa Flu Shot Clinics

The Ottawa Public Health Department will be holding free flu shot clinics around the city. The flu shot is free for persons 6 months of age and older who live, work or attend school in Ontario. Please note: Children 13 years of age and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

The following people will not be immunized at Ottawa Public Health community clinics and are referred to their family doctor:

The Meningococcal C vaccine for youth 12 to 21 years of age will be available at all flu shot clinics. For more information, call Ottawa Public Health Information at 613-580-6744, ext. 24179 (TTY: 613-580-9656) or toll free at 1-866-426-8885.

The following flu shot clinics are taking place near the Hunt Club community:
LocationDate & TimeAddressDetails
Ridgemont High SchoolWednesday, November 12, 2008 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.2597 Alta Vista DriveCafeteria OC Transpo - routes 8, 88 and 111 Parking available on site
Brookfield High SchoolThursday, November 27,2008 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.824 Brookfield Road,Cafeteria OC Transpo - route 140 Parking available on site
Jim Durrell Recreation CentreWednesday, December 10,2008 2:30 to 8:30 p.m.1265 Walkley RoadEllwood Room OC Transpo - routes 8 and 82 Parking available on site

Snow Go Program And Snow Go Assist Pilot Program

The City of Ottawa is partnering with the Seniors Citizens Council and 11 local community support agencies to deliver two winter programs for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Snow Go Program: The Snow Go Program matches seniors and persons with disabilities with contractors and/or individuals who will perform the service of clearing snow and ice from their private driveways and walkways. The Snow Go Program snow removal workers have been screened by the Ottawa Police through a police record check, and a review of the service fee is performed to ensure an appropriate cost range is charged to the client. Once matched up with snow removal help, residents are responsible for making payments directly to the individual or contractor. To be matched with a snow removal provider, contact the participating community support agency closest to your area (see list below).

Snow Go Assist Pilot Program: Eligible low-income seniors and persons with disabilities may apply to receive financial assistance to pay for a portion of their snow and ice removal costs through the three-year Snow Go Assist Pilot Program. Approved participants may be reimbursed for up to 50 per cent of the cost of snow and ice clearing per event, up to a seasonal maximum of $250. The community support agencies have the ability to limit the funds allocated to participants if the demand is high. For more information about the Snow Go Program matching service and the Snow Go Assist Pilot Program eligibility criteria and application process, contact one of the participating community support agencies, or visit the Services for Seniors section on www.ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1.
AgencyGeographic AreaPhoneE-mail
City of OttawaGeneral Inquiries3-1-1311@ottawa.ca
Glebe Center (Abbotsford House)between the Queensway and Hunt Club Road, between Fisher and the Rideau River613-230- 5730outreachservices@glebecentre.ca
Senior Citizens CouncilGeneral Inquiries613-234-8044kayf@seniorcouncil.org

Organics: Green Bin Program Moving Forward

The City's Green Bin Program will become a reality in the fall of 2009. On September 20, 2008 City Council discussed the Program and will maintain weekly garbage pickup after the Program is launched. Once the program starts, residents will be asked to place kitchen waste such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, bones, dairy products, coffee grounds and filters as well as other organic materials in the Green Bin. The remaining dry garbage can be put at the curb for separate pickup.

The City of Ottawa generates more than 330,000 tonnes of residential waste each and every year. With a current recycling rate of approximately 30 per cent, the potential for an additional 30 per cent organics diversion from the Green Bin Program will move the City forward toward its goal of diverting 60 percent of the residential waste from landfill.

Waste Diversion: City Partnership with Businesses and Institutions

While waste generated by local stores, offices, manufacturing works, schools and health care facilities is not managed by the City of Ottawa, it has a significant impact on the environment within the City. Many municipalities including the City of Ottawa, have developed pro-active programs to encourage diversion of waste from businesses and institutions away from disposal in our landfills.

Diversion 2015 is the City's Draft strategy outlining how we in Ottawa intend to proactively address the disposal of waste from businesses and institutions. The draft strategy, Diversion 2015, makes recommendations that will help the City move forward with aggressive diversion in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors and outlines how the City proposes to address them. For more information about the Diversion 2015 I encourage you to visit www.ottawa.ca, or to call my office at 613-580-2486.

Progress Report Shows Efficiency Savings and FTE Reductions

The City of Ottawa has identified $25.2 million in efficiency savings and will eliminate 100 positions by the end of the year, according to a quarterly report released October 6, 2008. The savings and full-time equivalent (FTE) reductions are part of the Efficiency Savings Program - a three-year, $100-million savings target directed by Council - and are outlined in the Quarterly Report - Efficiency Savings -April 1 to June 30. The savings program is comprised of four areas; productivity improvements, technology investments, asset rationalization and procurement savings.

The productivity target for 2008 is $23.7 million of which $23.2 has been achieved. The remaining $500,000 has been identified within Transit Services and will be achieved in 2009. The remaining $12.5 million of the overall 2008 efficiency target is comprised of $2 million in asset rationalization, and $10.5 million in procurement savings.

Management has identified $2.7 million in savings related to asset rationalization, which will be realized in 2009 and 2010 and will have minimal impact on existing programs or service levels. A report on further asset rationalization opportunities for Council's consideration will be brought forward as part of the 2009 Budget deliberations to facilitate public consultation.11

Council had been previously advised that procurement savings of $ 13 million are anticipated by 2010, less than the original $35 million target. In order to compensate for this and to remove the impact on the 2009 Operating Budget, the report recommends bringing forward the 2010 productivity improvements target of $13.75 million to 2009. The report further recommends carrying forward the remaining procurement savings target to 2010. A detailed explanation of each component is contained in the full report, which can be found at www.ottawa.ca.

Get It, Plant It, Grow It - Register For Your Spring Tree Today

I would like to invite residents of Central Park to register for a tree to plant on their property through the Trees, Reforestation and Environmental Enhancement (TREE) Program. One potted tree (approximately 1.5 to 2 metres in height) per household is available by registering online at ottawa.ca/TREE or by calling 3-1-1. Residents are eligible to receive only one tree over the life of the program.

Registration runs year-round and trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last. Once registration for the spring 2009 tree distribution is complete, residents may register to receive a tree that will be available in fall 2009.

The TREE Program is a four-year initiative that aims to enhance the City of Ottawa's urban and rural forests through tree planting. The program is nearing the halfway milestone towards the goal of planting 100,000 trees. The TREE Program empowers residents, businesses, community groups and schools to participate in planting trees to increase and maintain the city's forest cover and combat climate change.

Residents who have registered to receive a tree during the fall 2008 distribution are reminded to refer to their registration letter for the date and time of pick up. This fall, distributions will take place at the City of Ottawa's tree nursery and at community distribution sites across the city in partnership with local community associations. Only residents with a confirmation letter or who can provide proof of a municipal address to confirm that they are registered for the fall 2008 distribution period will be eligible to receive a tree. For more information on the TREE Program, visit ottawa.ca/TREE or call 3-1-1.

City Strategic Plan

On April 23, 2008, Ottawa City Council approved the City Strategic Plan, a roadmap document to guide the City's work for the remainder of this Term of Council. The Plan focuses on key improvements that will be delivered to residents in order to maintain and continue to build a world-class city. The Plan includes nine priority areas that will guide decision-making and strategic investments, shape partnerships with community groups, and reflect the values of residents and City Council. Highlights of some of the objectives contained in the plan include:

The need for a City Strategic Plan was first identified in the Ottawa 20/20 Growth Management Strategy approved in 2003, which establishes a vision for Ottawa's future. The City Strategic Plan establishes direction on how to achieve priorities within the context of Ottawa 20/20

OC Transpo: Smart Cards

On August 27, 2008, the City and Province announced joint funding for a new $21-million Smartcard fare system for Ottawa's transit riders. With the City's contribution of $14 million already earmarked by Council, the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced that the Province would provide $7 million for the project, which is slated to begin implementation in mid-2010.

Once fully installed in 2011, the system will allow transit riders to ditch their passes in favour of contact-free Smartcards, which riders will wave at a card reader as they board the bus, O-Train and future rail lines. Transit users will be able to configure their cards as any one of a number of period passes (monthly, annual, Ecopass, semester, etc.), or casual riders will be able to load the cards up with money and have the fare deducted from the card every time they use transit. Customers will also have the convenience of purchasing their fares from their home, office or "on the go" through the Internet, telephone or pre-authorized debit payment. Customers who do not have a Smartcard will still be able to pay their fare with cash.

The introduction of Smartcards will also allow riders to continue seamless transfers between the Societe de transport de 1'Outaouais (STO) - which has had a Smartcard system since 1998 - and OC Transpo's transit system. Card readers on Ottawa's buses, O-Train and future rail lines will be able to read STO Smartcards. Alternatively, their readers will be able to read OC Transpo cards, thanks to a $1.8-million technology upgrade the STO will undertake as part of their partnership agreement with the City.

City Strategy To Contain Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Moves Forward

As many of you are aware, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in Ottawa this past summer by City staff within the St-Laurent Boulevard and Ogilvie Road area. The EAB is an invasive, alien beetle that kills ash trees. The beetle continues to devastate ash forests in the United States and Canada and biological, chemical and mechanical methods of killing the beetle and its larvae have been expensive and met with limited success. This invasive beetle does not spread quickly and is most commonly spread when people move infested materials such as firewood, branches, nursery stock, chips or other ash wood. The City is asking residents to help stop the spread of the EAB by only buying and using local firewood and refraining from moving firewood.

A comprehensive strategy to manage the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Ottawa was approved by the City's Planning & Environment Committee (PEC) on October 28th, 2008. The Committee Report will be presented to City Council in November.

Experts from the City and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continue to evaluate the extent of the problem to determine best options for containment. The management strategy defines the City's responsibilities and outlines program elements for regulating the movement and disposal of infected ash trees, new-tree planting, and a public consultation and outreach campaign. The CFIA is the lead Federal Government agency in the fight against invasive alien pests and confirmed the presence of the EAB in Ottawa in July. Depending on climate conditions and the extent of an infestation, the beetle can kill ash trees within two to five years.

The City will continues to collect leaf and yard waste from infected areas and will take all steps necessary to dispose of the material and prevent further spread.