River Ward City Councillor Maria McRae's Report to Hunt Club Community
Organization 6 March 2006
Walkley Road/Bank Street Eastbound Left-Turn Lane
This summer, the City will be undertaking operational improvements at Bank Street and
Walkley Road in order to provide a second, westbound left-turn lane. These works will
be accommodated by modifying the size and location of the centre median and traffic
islands.
Fireside Chats
In addition to reaching out to constituents by holding community meetings, attending
public meetings, and communicating by email, letters and phone, I have scheduled
several "Fireside Chats" to give River Ward residents additional opportunities to discuss
their concerns with me. My Fireside Chats are taking place as follows:
- Friday, March 10, 2006
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Carleton Heights Community Centre
1665 Apeldoorn Avenue
- Wednesday, March 29, 2006 ll:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mooney's Bay Bistro 731 Ridgewood Avenue
- Friday, April 21,2006 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Alexander Community Centre 960 Silver Street
I invite Hunt Club residents to stop by to chat over a cup of coffee or tea. I will advise
you of other dates and locations as more Fireside Chats are scheduled.
Community Safety and Crime Prevention
I would like to remind Hunt Club residents about my Community Safety and Crime
Prevention Meetings taking place next month:
Date: Monday, April 3, 2006
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre 3320 Paul Anka Drive (at
McCarthy)
As reported last month, these Town Hall meetings give residents an opportunity to speak
directly with officers from East Division of the Ottawa Police Service. They have always
been largely attended in the past and I have always received positive comments about the
benefits of these face-to-face forums with the Police. These forums provide an excellent
opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions, learn how to enhance the security of our
own homes, and more.
Note that I have invited Ottawa Fire Services to join me at this Town Hall meeting to
answer any questions regarding the new provincial legislation that requires a smoke
detector on each level of our homes that came into on March 1, 2006.
Property Tax Collection Dates
The Interim Tax Bills for 2006 were mailed. The interim tax bill is based on 50% of last
year's full-year taxes (before special charges).
The payment due date is March 16, 2006. Residents are reminded that payments must be
received by the City on the due date. A penalty of 1.25% for late payment is added the
day following the due date and the first day of each month thereafter.
Property Assessment
The issue of the property assessment process and fairness remains on my horizon. I know
firsthand the effect that it has on property owners whose property has increased in value.
In this regard, I have written a letter to the Premier of Ontario, M.P.P. Dalton McGuinty,
requesting that, further to the review of the report on MPAC by Ombudsman, he
establish a Taskforce to study this important issue. The Taskforce should be comprised
of provincial and municipal representatives, MPAC officials and members from the
business and residential community.
Civic Appreciation Awards
More than 225,000 volunteers are hard at work in every corner of our city. The City
requests your assistance in saying thank you to that special volunteer who has touched
your life by nominating him or her for a City of Ottawa Civic Appreciation Award.
Volunteers dedicate their time and expertise to make our community a better place to
live. Volunteers have a direct impact on many aspects of our day-to-day life, including
health, education, social services, arts and culture, sports and recreation, protective
services, literacy services and the environment.
If you know someone in your community whose volunteer efforts should be recognized,
please fill in a nomination form and send it back before Friday, March 31, 2006, at 4
p.m.
Any adult, youth or senior who willingly volunteers their time and effort to benefit others
in the City of Ottawa is eligible for an award. Perhaps it's the person who coaches your
child's sports team, volunteers at our community food bank, or gives of their time to
helping seniors.
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Citizen of the Year (Youth, Adult
and Senior); the Brian Kilrea Coaching Award; Arts and Culture; Recreation and Sports;
Education; Environment; Health; Heritage; Humanitarianism; Rural/Agriculture; and
Community Activism (Youth, Adult, Senior, Group).
To find out more about the Civic Appreciation Awards or to get a nomination form,
please visit the City's website at ottawa.ca or call and leave a message at 580-2624.
The 2006 Civic Appreciation Awards will be presented at a ceremony by invitation in
May. The awards are given to recipients who are selected from nominations sent in by
residents.
Intersection Controls in Centralla Community
I am pleased to report the installation of Stop Signs at the following intersections in the
Centralla community.
- Annapolis Circle at McCarthy Road
- Yorkberry Gate at Cahill Drive West
- Yorkberry Gate at Annapolis Circle
- Annapolis Circle at Annapolis Circle, facing westbound traffic
In addition, Yield Signs were installed on Columbia Avenue East and West at both
entrances to Annapolis Circle.
Integrated Road Safety Program
During the month of March, Ottawa Police Services will be targeting Unsafe and Heavy
Vehicles and Following-too-Close.
As you know, during the month of February 2006, the Police targeted Red Light
Running and Speeding violations. A statistical report will be provided in a future report
to the community association.
Riverside Drive/Ridgewood Avenue Intersection
I received a traffic safety concern about drivers running the red light on Riverside at
Ridgewood and speeding on Riverside Drive. The combination of red light running,
speeding and the fact that northbound drivers approach this intersection uphill, causes
very serious concerns for me for the safety of River Ward residents and other citizens
who use this intersection to get to Mooney's Bay. Seniors in particular, along with
mothers and caregivers with young children in tow, and all pedestrians, need sufficient
time to cross Riverside Drive.
On February 17, 2006,1 requested East Division of the Ottawa Police Service to carry
out enforcement of traffic light and speeding violations at this location. I am advised by
the Police that they attended this location in the evening hours of February 23, 2006, for
the span of two hours. 10 Provincial Offence Notices (PON) were issued, most of which
were for speeding. The average speed was 68KM; the highest was 93KM. Another 14
PONs were issued on February 27, 2006.
Draft New Comprehensive Zoning By-Law
The Draft New Comprehensive Zoning By-law will be tabled at Planning and
Environment Committee on March 28, 2006. Public Hearings on the Draft Zoning
By-law will be held by the Planning and Environment Committee at the end of June.
To accommodate expected public interest, the Draft By-law will be available on the
City's website commencing April 3, 2006. Public consultation on the Draft Zoning
By-law will take place between March 28, 2006 and the date of the Public Hearings.
Staff will be setting up thirteen public open houses. I will advise you in this regard as the
information becomes available
Outdoor Rink Program
The official outdoor rink season came to a close on February 28, 2006. While community
groups operate and maintain the rinks on the City's behalf between December 15th and
Feb. 28th (weather permitting) annually, many of them continue to maintain their rinks in
March, if the weather permits. On behalf of the community, I would like to thank
everyone involved in the Hunt Club outdoor rink program for providing first class rinks
in spite of the changeable weather this year that made rink maintenance challenging.
Without these volunteers, we would lose this time-honoured Canadian winter tradition.
The trailers are rented on a monthly basis for December, January, and February.
Therefore, the electricity will be unhooked in preparation for their removal the week of
March 6th.
Spring/Summer Recreation Guide
The new City of Ottawa Spring/Summer 2006 Recreation Guide is now available. The
guide can be picked up at your neighbourhood recreation facility, Client Service Centre,
library, or participating retail outlets.
The city-wide Recreation Guide provides an impressive selection of recreation programs
for all ages at affordable prices and convenient locations. City programs are a great way
to get active, meet new people and have fun. It's the only Recreation Guide you need!
Registration for Aquatic programs begins March 7th. Registration for all other programs
commences March 9, 2006. For a complete listing of sites where you can pick up your
Recreation Guide, please visit the City of Ottawa Web site at ottawa.ca.
March Break OC Transpo Service
OC Transpo will operate a reduced service during the school March Break, from March
13 to 17, in response to the reduced demand for service.
All school routes numbered in the 600s and supplementary school trips will be cancelled
and arrival times may vary on all routes. Service will be reduced slightly on most express
(green) and peak period (red) routes and regular routes 2, 3, 14, 84, 85, 86, 95, 99, 111,
116, 129, 148, 149, 172 and 174. O-Train service will be unchanged.
Call 613-560-1000 plus your four-digit stop number for automated schedule information,
24 hours a day, up to six days in advance.
For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, phone 613-741-4390 or
visit octranspo.com.