NEWS ARCHIVES

August 28, 2009

Moratorium on development premature

Recently, a motion was tabled that would put a moratorium on developing all lands that drain into the Carp River or its tributaries until the modeling for water levels has been updated to reflect the data collected from the July 24 storm.

I have some concerns with the content of this motion, making it difficult for me to give it my full support.

I am concerned for the residents who were affected by the flooding; it is was an incredibly invasive and unfortunate event that took place. To this end, I firmly support remedial action, which is why I am endorsing focusing the City’s sewer budget for next year on sewer improvements for the west-end.

Having said this, a moratorium on development would considerably delay the widening of Hazeldean Road, thus potentially risking its funding arrangement. Furthermore, a pumping station is also planned for near Hazeldean Road, and a moratorium may also delay this project.

In my opinion, the development review and approval process can continue to carefully review projects with conditions in the approvals that allow for revisions or additions to drainage ponds, lines and swales.

I believe we should be approaching this scenario from a three-stage standpoint. Firstly, we need to wait for the staff review to be completed and the solutions to emerge. Following this, we should update the modeling from the recently completed third party review with the data collected by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. Finally, when this is completed, we can look at what we should do in the future, whether that is to improve standards, review development, policies and procedures. This ensures the efforts me make and the dollars we spend are grounded in fact. 
 

Traffic lights installed

The traffic lights installed at the intersection of Hazeldean, West Ridge and Kittiwake are now operational, just in time for the start of the new school year.

Due to the installation of this traffic light, some of the speed limits in this area may be adjusted.

I am happy to see this project come to fruition; it has been a long time in the making. I thank the community for their on-going patience.
 

City set to green its fleet

The City recently unveiled its plan to green fleet technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Hybrid vehicles and other technologies that reduce pollution are key components of the City’s new Municipal Green Fleet Plan. The shift to adopting a more environmentally-sensitive approach to purchasing municipal vehicles was encouraged by a motion Councillor Rainer Bloess and I put forward last year, requesting the City adopt a Green Fleet and Emissions Plan in order to reduce fuel use, fuel costs and the fleet’s environmental impact byway of investing in sustainable vehicles and fuels.

The plan approved by the transportation committee calls for getting rid of old vehicles and replacing many of them with hybrid technology. The City’s fleet consumes approximately 8.8 million litres of fuel a year. The objective in mind is to switch some vehicles to an ethanol blend and biodiesel fuel.

Fleet Services is proposing to commit to reducing 14 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2012. If the action items contained within the Green Municipal Fleet Plan are implemented, there will be a total reduction of over 3,100 tonnes of emissions.

The City is also ensuring that vehicle size and specification are consistent with actual operational requirements.
 

Add your voice, create a vision

The City of Ottawa wants you to contribute your expertise, enthusiasm and civic pride to one of the City’s advisory committees or boards.

Advisory Committees provide on-going advice to Standing Committees and Council and contribute to the development of policies, programs and initiatives. Boards are the governing bodies for such entities as conservation authorities, the Cumberland Museum and the Pineview Municipal Golf Course.

With 23 Advisory Committees and Boards looking for new members and mandates touching on a wide range of topics, chances are there’s an Advisory Committee or Board that will interest you.

To serve on a City of Ottawa advisory committee or board, you must be a resident of the City of Ottawa and 18 years of age or older. You can apply to several committees or boards at once, but can only be appointed to one of these at a time.

There are two ways to apply - submit a resume outlining how the committee(s) or board(s) would benefit from your membership, and how your work, education, hobby and/or volunteer experience are relevant to its mandate or fill out an application form, which can be obtained from any Client Service Centre or downloaded at www.ottawa.ca.

Please remember to include your home address and an e-mail address or telephone number where you can be reached.

All applications must be received by September 18 and should be directed to Jamie Lalonde by e-mail to committees@ottawa.ca. Applications can also be mailed to Jamie Lalonde, City Clerk’s Branch, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa ON, K1P 1J1.
  

Pitch in to give your City a clean sweep

I encourage you and your family to participate in the City’s Fall Cleaning the Capital Campaign between September 15 and October 15.

Fall Cleaning the Capital is a great opportunity for high school students to get a head start on their volunteer hours, and for families, friends, schools, neighbourhood groups or organizations and businesses to band together on a community cleanup project to help keep Ottawa clean, green, graffiti-free and litter-free – and it’s easy to get involved.

First, pick a cleanup location. It can be a park, woodlot, ravine, shoreline, bus stop, pathway, schoolyard or any public property requiring tidying up.

Once you have selected a cleanup location, registration is quick and easy. Register your project online at www.ottawa.ca/clean or by calling 311. Register on or before September 14 for your chance to win early bird prizes. Registration continues until October 15, the last official day of the campaign.

While registering, participants may request a cleanup starter kit. Kits are available upon request and can include disposable vinyl gloves, garbage bags, leaf-and-yard waste bags, campaign posters, magnets, stickers and safety tips to assist your cleanup project. Check the collection calendar for when to put out garbage, recycling and leaf-and-yard waste resulting from fall cleanup projects.

In 2008, more than 65,000 participants completed more than 1,225 cleanup projects as part of both the spring and fall campaigns. A record 65,066 participants completing a record 993 litter cleanup and graffiti removal projects made Spring Cleaning the Capital 2009 the most successful campaign to-date. Let’s build on this spring’s success and have a record year for Fall Cleaning the Capital.

For more information and to register, visit www.ottawa.ca/clean or call 311.
 

Schedules change for Labour Day

I would like to remind residents of the following schedule changes for the Labour Day holiday on September 7.

Ottawa City Hall and all six Client Service Centres, including the Government Service Centres located at 110 Laurier Avenue West and 580 Terry Fox Drive, will be closed on September 1. Business will resume as usual on September 8.

There will be no curbside garbage and recycling pickup. The usual Monday pickup will take place on September 8. In addition, the curbside collection of garbage and recycling materials will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

OC Transpo will operate a Sunday schedule on September 7. Call 613-560-1000 plus your four-digit bus stop number for automated schedule information. For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, phone 613-741-4390 or visit www.octranspo.com.

Some pools, arenas and fitness centres will be open on September 7 for public swimming, skating, and fitness classes with modified schedules. Please check with www.otttawa.ca or the facility of your choice for details.

Most registered programs at swimming pools, community centres and arenas are cancelled on September 7; however, clients should check with their facility to confirm, as some exceptions will apply.

All branches of the Ottawa Public Library are closed September 7 and there will be no bookmobile service. Regular branch hours and bookmobile service will resume September 8.

My office will be closed on September 7. Should an urgent matter develop which requires the City's immediate attention, client service representatives are available by calling 311.

Have an enjoyable long weekend.
 

Always listening and acting on your concerns

As your Councillor, I always welcome your keen input and ideas on how we can sustain and improve Stittsville.

 Please contact our office anytime by phone at 613-580-2476 or by e-mail at Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca.

My ward office is located in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex, located at 1500 Shea Road. The hours of operation are Mondays 9-2pm, Wednesdays 3-8pm, Fridays 9-4pm, and Saturday 9-1pm. Please do not hesitate to pay us a visit. I welcome your call or e-mail to arrange an appointment.

[ close window ]