River Ward City Councillor Maria McRae's Report to Hunt Club Community Organization 5 December 2005

Southern Corridor

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) pre-hearing regarding the National Capital Commission's appeal of the City of Ottawa's Official Plan designation of Southern Corridor lands took place on October 3, 2005.

At my request, City of Ottawa staff met with environmental planners and ornithologists to discuss what they could learn through additional fieldwork carried out in the Southern Corridor in River Ward. It was suggested that an additional field investigation of McCarthy Woods and adjacent lands could be used to create a more precise boundary for the Urban Natural Feature in and adjacent to McCarthy Woods. Staff informed me that fieldwork in May and June 2006 is required in order to capture the movements of raptors in the area, identified as a key indicator of the overall diversity of McCarthy Woods and the adjacent meadow. This is great news! The configuration of the lands continues to be examined based on the findings of the Urban Natural Features Study (this report is available at www.ottawa.ca). The objective is to ensure that in reviewing the Southern Corridor lands in River Ward, we end up with the preservation of an equal, if not greater, area of land that is described in the Urban Natural Features Study. This continues to form a large part of the ongoing discussions between the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission (NCC).

From a process perspective, staff met with the National Capital Commission to propose various approaches in dealing with the green spaces that were appealed in the Official Plan. With respect to the Southern Corridor lands in our Ward, the staff recommendation is to continue to review appropriate designations that achieve the objective noted earlier (i.e. the preservation of more green space). Both the City and the NCC are anxious to avoid a hearing on these matters and alternate ways of resolving the future use of these lands are open to the City, leading to the designation of more public open space than we currently have. You will recall that the current zoning in the Southern Corridor allows for a variety of development ranging from an industrial park to a federal correctional facility. As I have stated previously, I would like to see as much protected public open space as possible - i.e. an expansion of the protective area surrounding McCarthy Woods both east and west of the woods.

I continue to discuss this issue on an ongoing basis with City of Ottawa staff and officials from the National Capital Commission, including the Chair, Mr. Marcel Beaudry. I am optimistic that the National Capital Commission will continue to uphold their undertaking to me that they will not pursue an OMB hearing date while discussions about the Southern Corridor between the City of Ottawa and the NCC are underway. I will let you know ASAP if a hearing date is set. I would like to sincerely thank members of the board of directors of the Hunt Club Community Organization (HCCO) and many community residents for continuing to support my efforts to work with the NCC to solve this issue. I want to clearly reiterate that I favour finding a local solution to this local issue. I do not support allowing precious taxpayer dollars to pay for costly litigation. The OMB is an outside body that should not be determining the destiny of our treasured Southern Corridor.

Sawmill Creek Watershed

Completion of the Sawmill Creek Constructed Wetland has always been a priority for me. City Council's approval of the 2005 budget on February 7 included $9 million for Phase n of the constructed wetland. Phase II work comprises the remaining cells south of the OCR line and includes the on-line diversion structure, utility locates and a pathway around the constructed wetland.

As you know, Phase I of the constructed wetland began construction in Fall 2004 with the official sod-turning event on September 20, 2004 attended by Mayor Bob Chiarelli and myself. Phase I, which had a budget of $3.5 million, involved the northerly cell (Cell 3) of the wetland (Plante Drive sewer diversion and the hydro pole relocate). This work is essentially complete, except for a few trees and shrubs that will be planted this fall.

The Phase II tender closes on December 15, 2005. It is anticipated that construction will start the second or third week of January 2006, depending on the weather, and the project completion is scheduled for October 2006. The digging and laying of underground pipes will take place during the winter months. The landscaping, pathways clean up work will be carried out in August, September and October. Work will be suspended in June/July for environmental considerations and risk management related to fish habitat.

Uplands Park

On September 17, 2005, Mayor Bob Chiarelli and I had the pleasure of cutting a ribbon to celebrate the new play structure at Uplands Park. The work included replacement of the play structures, both school age and preschool, the swings and the pathways. Engineered wood fiber was used in place of sand to encourage access by children of all abilities.

I strongly supported this project during the 2005 Budget deliberations last February and was pleased when City Council approved it. $48,000.00 was allocated to the Uplands Park redevelopment. I would like to acknowledge the community input that was provided to this project by Sarah McCormack and Celine Melanson and others. At this time, I am pursuing the possibility of funding from the corporate community to have a gazebo-type sun shelter installed at Uplands Park. The City will provide matching funding.

Cahill Park

I am pleased to report on action that the City of Ottawa has taken over the last several months to deal with Cahill Park, which was experiencing problems of drug use, alcohol, trespassing, vandalism and other nuisances. When Police attendance alone did not deter these undesirables, I asked that the provisions of the City of Ottawa Parks and Facilities Bylaw No. 2004-276 be applied to its fullest extent. The bylaw prohibits persons from entering into any City park between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without authorization. Despite Bylaw Services joining the Police patrols to address trespassing issues, the problems continued. I solicited the assistance of City of Ottawa Corporate Security and in August, enhanced security was added to Cahill Park with the installation of new high-tech security equipment. This pilot program, uses the latest in integrated security technology to identify persons committing acts of vandalism, illegal drug and alcohol use and prohibited use of City property. Because of the evidence provided by the on-site camera, incidents are being dealt with in conjunction with the Ottawa Police Service. Since then, the number of troublesome incidents has dropped.

This crime prevention initiative enhances security and Police response to community problems as well as lessens maintenance and financial strain on City of Ottawa parks. I am grateful to March Networks, Storm Internet, Sunotech Canada and Pelco for partnering with the city on this initiative in respect of the equipment.

Centralla Neighbourhood Watch

On August 17, 2005, I hosted the First Annual Centralla Community BBQ and Neighbourhood Watch Sign-Up for the Centralla neighbourhood. We had a great turnout for the BBQ on a beautiful sunny day and thirty-three families signed up to become Neighbourhood Watch members. The Centralla community joined the Twyford Neighbourhood Watch program. The Twyford Watch is very active in the neighbourhood and has been keeping a careful watch over Cahill Park. Congratulations to the new Watch members. And, a big thank you to Enbridge for looking after the BBQ.

Anyone wishing to start or reactivate a Watch program in their neighbourhoods should contact Constable Len Vaz by email at len.vaz@ottawa.ca or by phone at 236-1222, ext. 5842, or Constable Mark Cartwright at mark.Cartwright@ottawa.ca or by phone at 236-1222, ext. 3424, or contact my office.

Town Hall on Community Safety and Crime Prevention

In light of theft and vandalism at McCarthy Plaza, problems at Cahill Park and vandalism at Paget Park and on Vanhurst, I convened a Town Hall meeting on August 8, 2005. Representatives from the Ottawa Police Service, City of Ottawa Bylaw and Traffic were in attendance. Approximately 60 community residents came out on a very hot and humid evening to this very important meeting. Ottawa Police personnel provided various statistics concerning East Division operations and answered questions from the audience concerning community safety and crime issues. This meeting was an excellent opportunity for residents and the Police to exchange information. As community safety is one of my highest priorities, I plan to convene more Town Hall meetings in 2006.

Community Safety and Speeding

As you know, an ongoing problem with speeding throughout our local communities remains a priority for me. Requests are made to the Ottawa Police Service for ongoing enforcement on McCarthy, Plante, Cahill, Walkley, Riverside, Uplands, and other local streets as speeding issues are brought o my attention.

The Airport Parkway has been added to the list for proactive enforcement. I am increasingly concerned about the excessive speeds, improper entering from the ramps, and aggressive driving occurring on a regular basis on both southbound and northbound lanes. There have been two recent accidents with fatalities on the Parkway, which indicate a need for proactive enforcement. I keep in constant contact with Superintendent Bordeleau of East Division in regard to enforcement.

Integrated Road Safety Program

The Integrated Road Safety Program was launched in 2004 with the objective of reducing collisions on Ottawa's roads and to raise public awareness of road safety issues. The goal of this program is to reduce traffic fatalities or serious injuries by 30% by the year 2010. As part of the strategy, a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) was initiated where, on a monthly basis, two initiatives were launched that target specific traffic offences. Over the past year, the STEP focussed on the following campaigns:
January Improper lane changing and following too close
February Red light running and speeding
March Unsafe vehicles and stop sign violations
April Vehicle restraints and red light running
May Following too close and speeding
June Improper use of reserved transit lanes and impaired driving
July Cycling on sidewalks and improper lane changing
August Pedestrian safety and following too close
September Failing to stop for school buses and red light running
October Failing to buckle up or use child car seats and speeding
November Stop sign violations and red light running
December Impaired Driving and speeding

A new initiative was added recently for 2005. The City's Integrated Road Safety Program shed some light on intersection safety for Ottawa drivers by deploying large illuminated signs and by increasing enforcement at the Hunt Club and Riverside intersection -the City's highest of its top 10 collision locations. The signs informed motorists that the intersection is a "high collision" site. Increased enforcement was also initiated. Statistics compiled to mid-September reveal that 26 collisions have already occurred this year at the Hunt Club and Riverside intersection. Twenty of those incidents were rear-end collisions, suggesting that speeding and tailgating were the likely causes.

I strongly support the STEP program. We must reduce the number of accidents that occur on our roadways because of Highway Traffic Act violations.

Budget 2006

I hosted my draft 2006 Budget Consultation Meeting on November 21, 2005. Several Hunt Club residents attended, asked questions and made suggestions in regard to the 2006 budget. The 2006 budget deliberations began today (December 5, 2005). The input from my Budget Consultation Meeting and the emails and telephone calls that are coming into my office are important to the budget deliberation process and very much appreciated.

The draft 2006 budget meets the approved budget directions. It maintains the City's existing programs and services, while providing for some service enhancements that City Council has already approved. It includes increases to user fees, new provincial revenues and a property tax increase at the rate of inflation, now at 3.5 per cent.

The draft budget indicates that, once the 3.5% tax increase, increased user fees and charges, and the service delivery efficiency savings are applied, there remains $19 million in unfunded budget pressures. Staff have provided Council with options on how to pay for these services. These proposals include some challenging questions about what services should be funded from users fees on the utility bill, what should be paid for with taxes, about which new or enhanced services should proceed and which should be deferred, and about how much pay-as-you-go funding should be included for new capital strategic initiatives.

Cleaning and Greening the City

In order to maintain a clean and green Ottawa, on November 30, 2005 City Council decided to: increase standards for street cleaning and litter pick-up; expand the Spring Cleaning the Capital program to twice per year; amplify the Community Pride Program to encourage and support community involvement in keeping the city clean, including implementing a city-wide anti- littering campaign; review ground cover options for City green spaces and boulevards; and pilot a community-based Green Partnership Program. This decision will increase litter pick up, street sweeping, shrub maintenance across the city. The pilot Green Partnership Program will seek opportunities to renew the commitment of the community to participate in the overall cleaning, greening and beautification of the City.

Residents place a high priority on Ottawa being clean and green, which is a source of community pride. City beautification projects benefit neighbourhoods by creating a more aesthetically appealing place, improving the quality of life, and helping the environment. The visual impact and relief provided by the softening of hard urban structures with plants and landscaping, as well as the maintenance of parks and open space all contribute to the greening of neighbourhoods. The overall effect is one of a healthy environment. Current studies based on neighbourhood greening also indicate that there is solid evidence that investment in greening yields significant economic returns, specifically, dramatic increases in real estate values.

Recycling and Waste Diversion

Ottawa residents are once again recycling plastic tubs and lids, which includes any clean wide-mouth plastic container and lid used to contain products like margarine, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc. Small pails and buckets are also acceptable as long as there is no metal handle. These plastics have been reintroduced into the recycling program due to market developments. High oil prices have resulted in a sustainable market demand for recycled tubs and lids material in the manufacture of plastic products.

Residents can also use their blue box to recycle plastic bottles coded with a 1 or 2 recycling symbol; drink containers such as milk and juice cartons, or drink boxes; glass; and metal such as metal cans, soft drink cans, aluminum containers, empty and clean paint cans, and jar lids. All items must be clean and placed loose in the blue box, with caps and lids removed.

The Integrated Waste Management Master Plan (IWMMP) approved by Council on July 13, 2005 included a strategy to implement City-wide organic waste collection in 2008. The City expects to begin diverting as much as 60% of the current waste stream into compost and recycling facilities. Residents will be encouraged to dispose of their food and other organic waste through a green bin recycling program. This program has already been undertaken in other Ontario cities like Toronto where it has been met with success - both in terms of popularity and meeting waste diversion targets.

Council endorsed a comprehensive education campaign as part of the overall diversion strategy. This aggressive education campaign will commence early in 2006 and continue right through and beyond the beginning of the organics diversion program.

North-South Light Rail

City Council approved the North-South Corridor Light Rail Transit Project Environmental Assessment, which recommended the best route and technology for Ottawa's North-South Light Rail Transit line from Rideau Centre to South Nepean. The new electric line will go from Rideau Centre along Albert and Slater Streets through LeBreton Flats to Bayview Station, south along the current O-Train Pilot Project line past Carleton University and South Keys Shopping Centre to Riverside South, over a new Strandherd-Armstrong Train/Car Bridge and ending at Woodroffe Avenue in South Nepean.

Council approved a number of steps to reduce downtown bus volumes and enhance public transit services for residents, including introducing of a new rapid transit 90-series bus route along Innes Road in Orleans and Blackburn Hamlet and implementation of transit priority measures on Baseline/Heron corridor to accommodate the new rapid transit 90-series East-West route; extending of rapid transit Route 95 to the Marketplace commercial core of Barrhaven; restructuring suburban transit services to provide increased frequent feeder routes connecting to Light Rail and rapid bus transit services; designing a new Transitway station at Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard to be built and completed by 2008; and designing improvements to the Eagleson Transitway Station to be built and completed by 2008.

Further measures adopted by Council to provide smoother transit operations through the downtown core include increased use of higher-capacity buses; significant reduction in out-of-service buses in the downtown moving two bus routes in the downtown onto Queen Street; introducing a smartcard fare system; and displaying real-time information for passengers (with "smartbus" GPS tracking).

Council gave the go-ahead to enter into discussions with the University of Ottawa to extend the planned North-South Light Rail Transit corridor onto university property, and to initiate a Public-Private Partnership to develop an underground parking facility, integrated Light Rail Transit station and other uses on the proposed site. If these discussions are successful, the North-South Light Rail Transit line will be extended to the University of Ottawa in the vicinity of Stewart Street at a cost of approximately $5M for the track extension and station. This move would allow vehicles to share the planned Light Rail Transit lane on the Mackenzie King Bridge.

Mayor's Fifth Annual Christmas Celebration on December 16, 2005

The Mayor's Fifth Annual Christmas Celebration will take place on Friday, December 16 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. As the closing event of the City's 150th anniversary celebrations, this year's theme is Ottawa 1855, and Festival Plaza will be transformed to reflect this theme. A Christmas adventure will unfold in Ottawa 1855 where you can warm up by the fire and roast marshmallows, take a horse-drawn carriage or wagon ride. Meet Mayor John Bower Lewis and other personalities of yesteryear. Visit her Majesty's Theatre, listen to storytelling and savour maple syrup on the snow. In addition, Santa's Workshop will be set up in Jean Pigott Place and Santa's Little Theatre in Andrew Haydon Hall. Santa's Main Stage will be set up in the Cartier Drill Hall located adjacent to City Hall.

As in previous years, because of a large corporate sponsorship drive, the event is free to everyone but attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Ottawa Food Bank. OC Transpo will provide free transportation on all routes leading to City Hall for children 11 years of age and under when accompanied by an adult. More information on the event will be posted on ottawa.ca as it becomes available.

Community Association and Volunteers

As you come to an end of another year, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Hunt Club Community Organization and community volunteers who work very hard on behalf of our community. It is a pleasure to work with Fred McLennan and the HCCO Executive in making Hunt Club a great place to call home. As the City Councillor representing the Hunt Club community, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all Hunt Club residents for a joyous Christmas and holiday season, and a prosperous, healthy and rewarding New Year. All the best in 2006!