Regional Councillor Wendy Stewart's

Report to the Hunt Club Community Organization

June 7, 1999

________________________________________________________________________

1. 1998 Water Quality Report & 1999 Beach Recommendations

The Regional Environmental Health/Communicable Disease Control Division monitors water quality at all beaches within the Region. A total of 25 sites on the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers are sampled. The three in-town beaches (Mooney’s Bay, Westboro Beach and Britannia Beach) are sampled five days a week from late May through August. Samples are tested for the presence of E. coli bacteria and measured against the Ontario Ministry of Health standard of 100 organisms of E. coli per 100 ml of water.

At Mooney’s Bay, water quality was good in 1998, exceeding the Provincial standard on 8 sampling occasions. (Three of these occurred prior to the beach opening for the swimming season.) Mooney’s Bay Beach has a pump system which brings water from the centre of the Rideau River into the beach area to improve water circulation. This beach is also equipped with gull netting over the swimming area to deter seagulls from frequenting the beach. Both of these measures have had a positive impact on water quality at Mooney’s Bay.

In 1999 the Health Department will continue to monitor all beaches in the Region on the same schedule as in 1998, with increases as necessary. All in-town beaches will be open to the public on the following dates: June 12-13, June 19-20, June 26 to August 20th.

The Medical Officer of Health has again recommended that Mooney’s Bay Beach be open for swimming, without restrictions – the only in-town beach which will not have to close for 24 hours following a rainfall of 5 mm or more. Of course, if bacteriological trends indicate a problem, the MOH will recommend the beach in question be closed until such time as sample results indicate it is safe for bathing.

2. Region Acquires 4160 Riverside Drive

This property consists of 34.9 hectares located between the Rideau River and River Road, just south of Hunt Club bridge. It is located at the end of the longest runway at the International Airport. Recent noise studies indicate that noise levels are above those acceptable for residential uses. Experience elsewhere suggests that this will give rise to complaints from residents about airport operations affecting quality of life, which has led to limitations on flight frequency and hours of operation in other jurisdictions.

The acquisition of this property will assist in protecting the Airport’s operating capabilities which have an impact on the economic well-being of this community. In addition, the Region will secure over 800 metres of frontage along the Rideau River which supports our objective of protecting river-front corridor.

The $6 million purchase price will be shared by the Airport Authority and RMOC. Lands along River Road will likely be sold for airport-compatible industrial or commercial uses.

3. Proposal for Botanical Garden in Experimental Farm

I have had an opportunity to meet with Mr. Ian Efford, President of the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society, regarding the proposed development of a botanical garden at the eastern edge of the Experimental Farm. This would provide a means whereby the arboretum, Fletcher Wildlife Garden and the heritage buildings on site would be maintained and protected indefinitely. Furthermore, the garden is expected to be instrumental in initiating programs in horticulture and cultural heritage which are lacking at this time. It has been suggested that this endeavour would make an excellent millennium project.

My office has advised this group to hold a public meeting in conjunction with area community associations so that residents will be able to review and comment on this idea.

4. Better Health Care

The Task Force on the state of Health Care in Ottawa-Carleton, after consultation with nearly 200 individuals and organizations has tabled a report which gives Regional government a role as advocate for better health care. Some of the recommendations are:

Regional Council will debate these proposals at its meeting of June 9th.

5. OC Transpo

Transplan ’99 has been approved by the Regional Transit Committee. This service plan, based on public and employee consultations, is scheduled for implementation in September 1999. Please refer to my HCCO Report of March 1th, for details of these changes.

The Transit Commission has also approved extra service for up to 2,400 students from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board who will no longer be eligible to use yellow school buses in September. The cost of providing the required 4,800 hours of service will be approximately $275,000 which will be offset by fare revenues. The new school service will use a combination of existing and new routes designed to reduce transfers and travel time.

Starting June 1st, a new Day Pass will be available for $5 issued by the transfer printer ($6 if purchased at the fare box). Starting on Canada Day, the Day Pass will double up as a family day pass on Sundays and statutory holidays. This means that up to 6 persons (two adults, four 11 years or younger) will be able to travel on those days for the price of a Day Pass.

A pilot project to try fold-down bike racks installed on the front of buses will start on June 18 with buses assigned to route 97. On Sundays these rack-equipped buses will make the rounds of Sunday bike day routes to spread the word.

The OC Transit Commission has dropped the senior’s monthly pass price to $19.99 from $28.00 in recognition of the International Year of Older Persons.

6. Outstanding Performance in Waste Reduction

The Recycling Council of Ontario has presented RMOC with two waste diversion awards which confirm our policies are making a difference in waste reduction. One, the Product Responsibility Award recognizes the product stewardship program known as "Take it Back" which enables residents to return waste products such as automotive products, garden and computer supplies, expired medication, propane cylinders and eyeglasses to retailers for proper disposal. The Waste Minimization Bronze Medal was awarded for our performance in generating only 236 kg of garbage per capita in 1998, a full 20% lower than the provincial average (340 kg).

Congratulations to all citizens who willingly participate in these recycling programs – Blue Box, leaf and yard waste, backyard composting and "Take it Back". A reminder that our new alternate week recycling schedule has now begun: one week Black Box, other week Blue Box. Don’t forget to check your collection calendar to find out which box to put out this week, or call the Regional Hotline at 560-1335.

7. Illegal Sign Removal

With the arrival of spring, illegal signs have again started to appear on hydro/bell poles and trees. These signs are prohibited by the Highway Signs By-law (Part 2.12 of the Regional Regulatory Code).

Staff will remove rigid signs from Regional roads as part of the regular spring clean-up. First, a notice will be placed on the ‘regional page’ of major newspapers informing the public to remove these signs before a certain date. Further, this notice will advise that sign owners may be liable for the cost of removal. Rigid signs that are removed will be stored for 30 days in case owners wish to reclaim them (for $50 per sign). Unclaimed signs will be disposed of following the 30 day grace period.

8. Compost and Woodchips Available

The Region of Ottawa-Carleton produces thousands of tonnes of rich compost every year from its leaf and yard waste collection program. In addition, thousands of tonnes of wood chips were produced from the branches collected during the ice storm in 1998. During May and June only, and while quantities last, householders can order compost and/or wood chips via direct home delivery.

My office has received several inquiries about the quality of these products. The compost (leaf & yard waste) looks and smells like earth, only lighter. In addition to revitalizing poor soil, this compost can reduce requirements for fertilizers, pesticides and water. Compost is $10 per cubic yard, plus delivery. Those who only require small quantities may want to purchase pre-bagged product at the Brookfield High School Spring Plant sale (RMOC donated a load for fundraising purposes).

The wood chips can be rough and uneven and include small sticks, twigs and large chip pieces. As mulch material, wood chips are extremely effective at suppressing weeds. They are available for the cost of delivery only.

Both products come in loads of 8, 12 and 16 cubic yards. A 12 cubic yard load will take up at least one parking space in your driveway to a height of four feet.

If you are interested, call 560-1335 ext. 2701 for an order form and expect delivery within one week after your order, with payment, is received. COD orders are also accepted. The householder must be home to receive delivery.

9. 1999 Resurfacing Program

Pavement structural condition information along with traffic loading data and other information by Transportation Department’s Pavement Management System to determine the optimum time (time that provides the lowest life cycle cost) for resurfacing work. If resurfacing is delayed beyond this optimum time, the pavement structure starts to rapidly deteriorate toward a "failed" state and road maintenance costs increase dramatically. The most effective treatment for failed pavement is total reconstruction, which costs at least 10 times as much as resurfacing.

Priorities for road sections identified as requiring resurfacing in the current year are established based on cost-effectiveness. User costs and the overall road system condition are considered.

The 1999 resurfacing Capital Budget is insufficient to cover all of the 1999 needs, however, the actual number of road sections that can be completed will depend on tender prices received. Works not constructed in 1999 will be carried over for reconsideration in the 2000 program.

Roads that are scheduled for resurfacing this year in our community include:

In 1999, the Environment and Transportation Department will continue to use "hot-in-place" and "cold-in-place" recycling on various projects to significantly reduce the amount of new aggregate and asphalt used. The Department is also embarking on a plan that targets a zero net production of waste material from the Resurfacing Program.

 

Please do not hesitate to call my office if there are questions or comments on these, or any other matters of a regional interest.

Best wishes for a safe and happy summer. Reports will commence in September.