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

dated 1 December 2008, delivered 2 December 2008 by email

Happy Holidays! Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. All the best to you and your family in 2009.

Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan Update

On Friday, November 28, 2008, City Council approved the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) The plans for transit and roads endorsed by Council are grounded in detailed technical and operational work, and supported by the findings of an independent risk assessment. Ongoing feedback and public input from Ottawa residents was also a significant factor in the final shape of the TMP.

The TMP's Implementation Schedule (amended version of Implementation Scenario 3) determines the priority for investment to be developed in three distinct increments. Overall, the City will invest approximately $2.5 billion in 40 kilometres of new light rail transit (LRT) track and vehicles to services these lines. The schedule also determines that a further $500 million be spent on bus rapid transit (BRT) technology and additional bus lanes.

Winter Overnight Parking Regulations in effect November 15, 2008 to April 1, 2009

Winter overnight parking regulations will be in effect from November 15, 2008 to April 1, 2009. These regulations ensure the City's snow-clearing crews are able to keep Ottawa's roads safe and clear for motorists, public transit, pedestrians and cyclists.

Be in the know about snow. Sign up for Winter Parking e-Alerts at ottawa.ca/winterparking. Every time a winter overnight parking restriction goes into effect or is lifted, you will receive an e-mail alert. You can also find out if a winter overnight parking restriction is in effect by visiting ottawa.ca/newsroom, calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or tuning in to local media for announcements about on-street parking restrictions.

Between November 15, 2008 and April 1, 2008, when a snow accumulation of 7 cm or more is forecast by Environment Canada, the City initiates an enforcement of winter overnight parking restrictions. During winter overnight parking restrictions, vehicles may not be parked on any City street between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. This includes any forecast for a range of snow of more than 7 cm, for example 5 to 10 cm. Vehicles parked on the street during a winter overnight parking restriction keep the City from clearing the way for you. Vehicles parked on the street when a restriction is in effect will be ticketed, even if it does not snow. On-street parking permit holders are exempt from winter overnight parking restrictions.

Snow Removal Operations

Residents should keep in mind that snow may be removed from City streets, during the day or night, even when no snow is forecast. When snow removal operations are planned, temporary "no parking" snow removal signs will be posted before snow removal begins. Vehicle owners are reminded not to park on streets where temporary "no parking" snow removal signs are placed as their vehicle will be ticketed and towed to a nearby street. This restriction applies to all vehicles, including those with on-street parking permits.

For more information on winter overnight parking regulations and planned snow removal, visit ottawa.ca/winterparking or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

City of Ottawa 2009 Budget

The 2009 Draft City Budget was tabled at the November 12, 2008 City Council Meeting. In addition to the tabling of the budget, I was pleased to co-host a budget consultation to receive input towards the 2009 budget from residents living in River Ward on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.

I encourage you to review the 2009 draft Budget, available online at www.ottawa.ca, and provide me with your input. If you wish to address Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, I encourage you to call 3-1-1 or send an e-mail to budget@ottawa.ca to register.

City of Ottawa 2008 Budget Process Timeline:
December 1 to 4, 2008: Committee of Whole Receives Public Delegations
December 4 to 5, 2008 & December 8, 11 and 12, 2008 (if required): City Council Deliberates Budget

Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP)

November Results: Last month, the City of Ottawa's Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), issued 455 tickets to vehicle occupants for failing to buckle up or ensuring the use of required child car seats and laid another 131 charges for tailgating.

As part of the Province's "Fall Seatbelt Campaign," Ottawa Police and Ottawa Public Health nurses conducted roadside spot-checks during the period of October 1-7, to check that vehicle occupant restraints were being used, child passengers were sitting in appropriate restraints and that child car seats were properly installed. Of the 218 child passengers observed, 125 were using or sitting in the appropriate restraint for their height, weight and age. Of the 65 child car seats checked, 36 appeared to be properly installed.

The STEP tailgating initiative is part of a larger awareness and enforcement campaign that runs until December 1, 2008, entitled "Back Off".

December Initiative: In December, the City of Ottawa's Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), is focusing on speeding and impaired driving.

In 2007, 3,107 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads as a result of drivers exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. These collisions resulted in 17 deaths and 967 injuries - including 57 serious injuries.

In addition to our focus on speeding in December, impaired driving will also receive close attention. In 2007, 338 impaired driving-related collisions occurred on Ottawa roads. These collisions resulted in seven deaths and 128 injuries, 23 of them serious. 79 percent of the impaired drivers were male and 24 percent were between the ages of 16 and 25.

To help keep Ottawa roads safe from impaired drivers in December, the IRSP will be teaming up with the CAA North & East Ontario and Ottawa Police in the delivery of four additional R.I.D.E. initiatives - on December 5, 6, 12 and 13.

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: Jim Durrell Recreation Centre Wednesday, December 10, 2008 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. 1265 Walkley Road, Ottawa Ellwood 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 communitysupport 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.

City of Ottawa General Inquiries 3-1-1 311@ottawa.ca
Glebe Centre Inc (Abbotsford House) Serving between the Queensway and Hunt Club Road, between Fisher Avenue and the Rideau River 613-230-5730 outreachservices@glebecentre.ca
Senior Citizens Council General Inquiries 613-234-8044 kayf@seniorcouncil.org