The centre expansion is on track for completion by the end of December 2009. Some exterior upgrades that took place over the past few months include the application of a new plexipave treatment for the basketball court, a fresh coat of paint for the court lines, a new rubberized surface for the playground and the recently completed parking lot is now open to our community.
I am pleased to announce that I worked closely with City staff over the summer to find additional funds to install a new sports floor in the gym. This project was one of my summer priorities as many residents raised this need as one of their main concerns.
The library kiosk, the first of its kind in Canada, is on schedule for installation once the expansion is complete. In preparation for this exciting new service in Hunt Club and Riverside Park, I encourage you to get your library card, if you don't already have one, so you can make use of this service as soon as it is available. To obtain more information on how and where to get a library card, please visit the Ottawa Public Library website at www.biblioOttawalibrary.ca, or call InfoService at 613-580-2940.
The first Public Open House, held on June 23, 2009, was well attended. City staff and the project consultant have reviewed all community feedback and I am in the process of organizing another Open House, where you can learn more about the results of the EA to date. Please stay tuned for Open House details.
Another major tenant for the site is a pharmacy with a second floor medical facility. On September 2, 2009, City Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment Proposal to add "medical facility" as a permitted use on the property. There was also a concurrent site plan amendment approved for minor revisions to a proposed restaurant. City staff are currently modifying the Site Plan under delegated authority to change the proposed use of one of the buildings from a bank to a fast food restaurant.
The safety study reviewed a total of 489 collisions reported between January 1, 2002 and December 31st, 2006. For the study period, there were no fatal collisions on the corridor but 28% (136) of all collisions resulted in injuries and 72% (353) of all collisions resulted in Property Damage Only (PDO). As well, six cyclists and eight pedestrians were involved in collisions. Four collisions involving cyclists resulted in injuries and two in PDO. The total societal economic loss due to collisions resulting in injuries and PDO was estimated close to $14.5 million in 2006 figures.
The results of the data analysis and field observations led to the formulation of two problem statements that are used to define in a comprehensive manner the causal factors linked to the safety and operational concerns along the corridor. The first problem is linked to the existing constrained operating conditions along the corridor and how it may impact drivers. The second problem considers a number of road elements that may have contributed towards creating a challenging driving environment for motorists.
The Department reviewed the study findings to prepare an implementation plan based on both low cost and medium cost strategies.
Low cost strategies include: upgrading/adding signs and traffic signal displays, continuation of the enforcement / education campaign and conducting a traffic operational study on existing median breaks on the approach to Bank Street and Hunt Club Road intersection.
Medium cost strategies include: modifying the northbound left turn lane at Bridle Path Drive; extending the dedicated transit lane entrance to the northbound Transitway ramp; improving driving surface (2010-2013); acquiring the land necessary to reconstruct the northbound right turn (lane) channel to a smart channel at the intersection of Hunt Club Road and Albion Road; and developing an incident management plan.
Further details of the study findings and recommendations that were approved by City Council on October 28, 2009 are available at the city's web site.
The RCC is recognized internationally as one of the best training centres for paddle sports. The club prides itself on welcoming paddlers of all skills ranging from weekend paddlers to seniors to Olympians to persons with disabilities. When construction is completed, it will be Canada's first fully accessible canoe/kayak club.
The RCC was built on a foundation of volunteers and I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and thanks to all RCC members for their tremendous work in making this expansion a reality
Through the implementation of the recently approved Ottawa Older Adult Plan, City Council will determine how to best address the needs of our aging population, determine what services are required, how to deliver them, and what partnerships can address this growing population. This comprehensive strategy will review a variety of factors including service delivery, organization and management, partnerships with agencies and governments, volunteer support, financial incentives and subsidies.
| Standing Committee | Meeting |
|---|---|
| Corporate Services and Economic Development | November 2, 2009 |
| Transit | November 6, 2009 |
| Transportation | November 9, 2009 |
| Planning and Environment | November 10,2009 |
| Audit, Budget and Finance | November 17, 2009 |
The Ottawa Police Services Board and Ottawa Public Library Board will undergo separate budget reviews and will present their Budgets to Council on December 9, 2009.
I encourage you to contact me if you have any feedback regarding your priorities for the 2010 Budget.
H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics - Fixed Sites October 26 to November 27
Roving Clinic Sites
There is sufficient vaccine for everyone who wants to be immunized. The vaccine will initially be distributed to those people with existing health conditions and seniors since they are at greater risk of developing complications from the seasonal flu virus. Here are the dates and times for the remaining seasonal flu clinics for seniors. Seniors are asked to bring their Ontario Health card to receive the flu shot.
Recycling organic waste can extend the life of local landfills and reduce greenhouse gases. Aside from garden and yard waste, the green bin will take all food-related waste, including meat, bones, dairy, cooking oils, used tissues, food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes, and more.g
| Month | Initiative | Results |
|---|---|---|
| November 2008 | Failing to use Reserved Transit Lanes Properly and Failing to Stop for Red Lights | 114 charges for failing to use reserved transit lanes properly 357 charges for failing to stop for red lights |
| December 2008 | Speeding and impaired driving | 94 alcohol-related criminal charges 1 ,06 1 tickets were issued to drivers caught speeding |
| January 2009 | Following too close and failing to stop for stop signs | 90 charges for following too closely 294 tickets for failing to stop at stop signs |
| February 2009 | Speeding and unsafe lane changes | 116 tickets for unsafe lane changing 2,690 charges for speeding |
| March 2009 | Failing to stop for red lights and following too closely | 410 charges for red light running 60 tickets for following too closely |
| April 2009 | Unsafe and Heavy Vehicles and Vehicle Occupants that Fail to Buckle Up or Fail to Use Required Child Car Seats | 25 unsafe and heavy/commercial vehicle-related charges 394 tickets for failing to use a seatbelt or ensure the use of required child car seats |
| May 2009 | Drivers who run stop signs and change lanes unsafely | no data |
| June 2009 | Speeding and Impaired Driving | 2,483 charges for speeding and 109 charges, 34 three-day driver's, license suspensions and one seven-day license suspension for impaired driving |
| July 2009 | Pedestrian Safety and Tailgating | 22 pedestrian safety-related charges to both motorists and pedestrians, and 67 tickets issued to motorists for following the vehicle ahead too closely |
| August 2009 | Red Light Running and Cycling Safety | 346 cycling safety charges and 475 tickets issued to motorists for running red lights |
| September 2009 | School zone, School Bus Safety and Speeding | 2,927 tickets were issued to drivers who failed to adhere to posted speed limits, while the school bus initiative resulted in the laying of 40 charges. |
Refined Cost Estimate On October 23, 2009 the City released more detailed costing information for the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel (DOTT) and light rail transit (LRT) system. The refined cost estimate for running LRT between Blair Road and Tunney's Pasture, including the construction of the tunnel, is $2.1 billion. City staff also provided Council with a detailed analysis regarding the City's financial capacity to fund its share of the cost of the project.
To ensure the reliability of the estimate, City staff worked in consultation with some of the most experienced and respected transportation and tunnelling project firms in the world - experts familiar with the types of challenges that can be expected in a project of this magnitude. The estimate has also been subjected to a third-party review by a major, international engineering and project management firm. Following recommendations made by the third-party review, City staff added a $100 million Director's Contingency that is included in the above estimate.
This more refined estimate reflects the projected costs of land acquisition, as well as the expected cost of a number of significant changes to the design, including increasing the length of the tunnel by 30 percent, and building an underground, rather than above-ground station at the University of Ottawa. The new estimate also includes modifications to some existing stations, as well as the cost of some additional work to prepare for the next stage of LRT construction in order to reduce capital costs for the next phase of implementation. This evolution in cost estimating is an accepted part of the implementation process in any large capital project.
The next major step in the process will take place in December, when Transit Committee will be asked to approve the functional design of the project. I encourage you to visit the city web site to find further information on the City's LRT plan.