Category: City of Ottawa

Notices and other information from the City of Ottawa that is of relevance to our neighbourhood.

250 Lanark Avenue

From: Katherine.Hobbs@ottawa.ca
Subject: 250 Lanark Avenue
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:50:46 +0000

Dear Community Association Presidents of Kitchissippi Ward,

On Monday, February 11th, I learned that the Federal Government has determined that 250 Lanark, a 7 acre parcel of land with a remaining 7 storey office building located adjacent to the Westboro Transitway Station in Westboro Beach, is surplus and are looking to dispose of it.

They have advised the City and requested feedback on the City’s interest in the property. I have advised staff that I would like for the City of Ottawa to acquire the site so as to be able to guide the process of the re-use of the property. At this time I have been in discussions with my colleagues and the senior management at the City to develop a potential strategy.

Should we be successful, my expectation moving forward is for the City to lead a process to create a community vision and support for a redevelopment of the site that would include new park and recreation space as well as a mixed-use private development component. The proceeds from the private development would off-set the cost of the land and new facilities built for our growing community.

Moving forward, I will be looking for community partners to engage on this issue and work together to develop a plan and a new part of our community we can all be proud of for generations to come. I am motivated and hopeful that working together we can make this a reality.

Thanks,

Katherine

Preston-Carling Plan Meeting – Feb. 5th

Of development interest if you use the Preston street area. From the original press release at the city’s web site in English and French.

Date: Tuesday 29 January 2013
Contact: City of Ottawa – Media Relations (613-580-2450), mediarelations@ottawa.ca
PSA: City holds public meeting on Preston-Carling district plan
Ottawa – Urban design consultant George Dark’s recommended development plan for the Preston-Carling district, one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in the city, will be presented at a public information session on Tuesday, February 5.

The Preston-Carling strategic directions will complement two community design plans in the Preston Street corridor: One for Bayview Station District at the north and Gladstone Station District farther south.

This information session will be a chance for residents to see and comment on the Mr. Dark’s recommended approach for redevelopment of the Preston-Carling district, including project timelines, and to view the results of a recent public design charette. The Preston-Carling district plan was commissioned to ensure orderly development after the City received a number of applications for major developments in the area.

The charette was conducted by Mr. Dark and resulted in a model showing possible buildings, greenspace and transportation links. After the public information session, City Planning staff will review the public comments and present their recommendations to the City’s Planning Committee and Council for consideration in March.

Date: Tuesday February 5, 2013
Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Tom Brown Arena, 141 Bayview Road, Ottawa

For more information on the Carling-Bayview Community Design Plan and to review and comment on the results from the design charette, please visit ottawa.ca/carlingbayview.

– 30 –

Jim Watson – 2013 will be a year of action

Posted on January 23, 2013 

Today, I delivered the 2013 State of the City address at City Council.

This was a chance to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. It is clear that we have much to be proud of and much to look forward to.

2012 was a year of making decisions, and 2013 will be a year of action.

Budget 2013: Brought in the lowest tax rate in seven years – lower than most major Canadian cities. This year we will continue the freeze on recreation fees and make important investments in community services and basic infrastructure

Arts and culture: I have agreed to lend my name to the Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, to benefit the future redevelopment of Arts Court, this November. I will also host an Art Expo at City Hall later this year for our artists to showcase their talents and promote upcoming seasons.

Rural affairs: I look forward to hosting a Rural Fair at City Hall this year, which will provide an opportunity for our rural residents to promote fairs, museums, agriculture and crafts to our urban population.

Lansdowne: Construction will continue this year as we start work on key features like the urban park, skating rink and new stadium. We’re working hard to keep the project on budget and on schedule – ready for CFL football and pro soccer in 2014.

Light Rail Transit: Shovels in the ground this year – finally! Work will begin in a few weeks with the widening of the Queensway (to fix the Split).

Ottawa on the Move: We will continue our $340-million infrastructure program to get our roads, sidewalks and pipes up to par.

A green city: We work to secure provincial and federal funding to clean up the Ottawa River, while cleaning up our streets through a renewed focus on recycling

Big events: We will host the International Women’s World Hockey Championships in April, the Canadian Gymnastic Championships in May, and many more. We’re building momentum and showcasing our city leading up to the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Recreation facilities: Opening a new indoor pool in Orleans and a new recreation complex in Kanata North. We will start construction on the Barrhaven Recreation Centre and break ground on three new ice pads at Sensplex East.

These are just a few examples of some of the exciting things happening in 2013. To read the full speech, please visit my website.

In 2013, we will continue to be fiercely proud of our city and unwavering in our commitment to make it even better.

I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2013.

Jim Watson
Mayor

Our email address is: Jim.Watson@ottawa.ca

Source: Received email:
To: CPCA executive
From: Jim.Watson@ottawa.ca
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:45:03
Copyright (C) 2013 All rights reserved.

Snow bank removal schedule for tonight and tomorrow

Hello all,

With over 7000 kilometers of roads in Ottawa clearing all the snow from our streets is a big operation that has been compounded by two major storms within 7 days of each other depositing more snow than we had all last winter. There are many parked cars on our roads which impede plowing as the plows have to go around them, and ultimately we are left with more snow on the road. This Sunday with Ottawa receiving another 7cms, it created yet another plowing requirement.

However it was just last Wednesday the City finally finished clearing snow from all the collectors and arterial in the core of the City. Now all the residential streets in the core are scheduled to have snow cleared within the next 8 days. This includes all the residential streets in Kitchissippi.

In case you are getting questions I have the schedule for tonight and tomorrow snow bank removal below. As soon as I get the schedule for Wednesday I will let you know.

Tonight the following streets are being cleared:

  • Huron
  • Daniel
  • Cowley
  • Huron
  • Western
  • Ross
  • Smirle
  • Fairmont
  • Spadina
  • Foster
  • Rosemount
  • Whitby
  • Westhaven
  • Kerr
  • Broadview

Tomorrow during the day the following streets are being cleared:

  • Hinton
  • McCormick
  • Caroline
  • Bullman
  • Pinhey
  • Carruther
  • Grant
  • Pinehurst
  • Reid
  • Hamilton
  • Kenilworth
  • Gwynne
  • Irving Place

Thanks,

Katherine Hobbs
Councillor/Conseillère – Kitchissippi
613-580-2485
OurKitchissippi.ca

Public Art for Churchill Avenue

From: Katherine.Hobbs@ottawa.ca
Subject: Public Art for Churchill Avenue
Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2013 16:50:07 +0000

Happy New Year all!

I wanted to make sure you had seen the following PSA from the City of Ottawa. I was very pleased to have the Public Art department step in early to consider the public art component for the Churchill reconstruction project. It helps to ensure the art is integrated with the environment and not just plopped in later on.

Hope to see you out on January 7th if you can make it!
Thanks,
Katherine

Have your say in selecting public art for Churchill Avenue

Ottawa – Residents will have an opportunity to meet the four shortlisted artists/artist teams and review their proposals for public art to be installed at the intersection of Churchill and Byron avenues. The road reconstruction project, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2014, will improve the pedestrian corridors, feature separated cycling lanes and implement traffic calming and transit priority measures.

Four of the 14 local artists/artist teams that responded to the call to artists: request for proposals, have been shortlisted and an opportunity to meet the artists, view the proposals, and record your comments will take place on Monday, January 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Churchill Seniors Centre at 345 Richmond Road. Comments from the public will be provided to the Art Selection Committee as they deliberate and select the winning proposal.

Public input will ensure that residents and future visitors to the Westboro community will be able to view innovative public art integrated into the streetscape. The four finalists – Marcus Kucey Jones, Don Maynard, Jennifer Stead and artist team Oded and Pamela Ravek – will present sketches, scale models or maquettes and detailed work plans including budgets of the proposed artworks.

The City of Ottawa commissions local artists’ works for display in public spaces from a per cent of funds that is set aside for municipal development projects. Public art is found in municipal buildings, open spaces, pedestrian corridors, roadways, and transit ways. It creates a unique sense of place, a destination, focal points for activity, and meeting places.

For more information, please call 613-244-3745 or e-mail publicartprogram@ottawa.ca

Katherine Hobbs
Councillor/Conseillère – Kitchissippi
613-580-2485
OurKitchissippi.ca
Twitter: Katherine_Hobbs
Facebook: Katherine Hobbs for Kitchissippi

Light Rail Showcase in Kitchissippi Ward

Light Rail Showcase details

Two Bombardier Talent low-floor DMUs on the O-...Light Rail Showcase to be held in Kitchissippi Ward.
Please note that below is the location for the Ward and also the City Hall location.

On December 5th, 2012, the City of Ottawa will launch a series of public showcases unveiling its recommended light rail transit plan for the largest infrastructure project in Ottawa’s history.

Return to this site to view an online showcase <http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/en/&gt; or visit a public showcase at one of the locations listed below.

Council will review and vote on the recommended plan on December 12th and 19th, 2012.

Ward:  December 11  5-9pm

Hintonburg Community Centre, Wellington Room
1064 Wellington

City Hall: December 5-19 Weekdays Only  11am-7pm

City Hall, Former Entrepreneurship Centre
110 Laurier Ave. West

==============================================

Regards,
Andrew Hickey
Manager, Community Relations and Communications
Office of Councillor Katherine Hobbs
Ward 15: Kitchissippi
T: 613-580-2424 ext. 26689
Our Kitchissippi
Twitter <http://twitter.com/#!/katherine_hobbs&gt; and Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katherine-Hobbs-for-Kitchissippi/313988174514&gt;
City of Ottawa/Ville d’ Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

2013 City of Ottawa Budget Highlights

Budget 2013 Kitchissippi.doc
Budget 2013 Kitchissippi.pdf

From: Katherine.Hobbs@ottawa.ca
Subject: Highlights of the 2013 Budget – Kitchissippi Ward
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:33:26 +0000
TO: Kitchissippi Community Associations
Westboro BIA
West Wellington BIA

SUBJECT: 2013 City of Ottawa Budget Highlights

Today, October 24, 2012 the 2013 City of Ottawa Draft Budget was tabled at Council. This draft budget sets a property tax increase of only 2.09%, below last year’s increase of 2.39%, setting a record for the lowest tax increase in six years.  I am proud to work with Mayor Watson and my Council colleagues to continue to respect residents and taxpayers by keeping property tax increases below 2.5% while enriching our community and City.The 2013 budget is a document that keeps us moving forward with real progress for the people of Ottawa.  Together we are getting the job done and making progress that we can all see and be proud of.   This budget will focus not on significant additions to our work but instead on delivering on the commitments made to you: core services, responsible taxation and good value for your tax dollars. This budget shows Council’s real commitment to Ottawa residents.

Notwithstanding Provincial changes which will reduce approximately $7.4 million in funds for Ottawa residents on social assistance, our commitment to our communities most in need will be unwavering. In addition to continuing our annual $14 million housing and homelessness initiative, we have stepped up to replace almost all of the Provincial dollars being removed. Ottawa will continue to be a caring and compassionate city, and Ottawa will continue to take care of its residents.

There are approximately 41,000 residents and over 42,000 jobs in Kitchissippi Ward.  I am pleased to continue my work with the various businesses, hospitals, retailers and community partners to increase economic development and to support local jobs. At the same time I am working with all the communities in Kitchissippi to improve our neighbourhoods. Three new Community Design Plans are underway for Westboro/Hampton-Iona, Champagne/Beech and Scott/Holland/Parkdale to guide future development in these areas and provide certainty for residents. These reviews will be carried out in a much expedited process by outside experts and will involve extensive community input. The urban infill guidelines are now in place, to ensure new homes being built fit better into our existing neighbourhoods. The West Wellington CDP is now in place, and all applications to date have adhered to the new zoning dictated by the CDP.  In addition the City reached an agreement with the Salvation Army to give Bethany Hope House and the lawns in front of it and Grace Manor, heritage status.

There are park projects planned in almost all of the parks in Kitchissippi, including two new recreation buildings in Reid Park and in Westboro Beach. Evergreen Park in McKellar Heights was completed this summer, complete with the first dog run in Kitchissippi.  Additionally Fisher Park design was completed and a renewal will take place next summer that includes a new splash pad.  Street painting projects are being looked at to reduce traffic speeds in two neighbourhoods while still retaining a residential feel. Other traffic calming projects are scheduled to be completed next summer in McKellar Park, Westboro, and Hintonburg.  My office has a radar board that is regularly deployed on the streets of Kitchissippi to gather data on vehicle numbers and speeds so the City can better recommend measures to help with traffic in our neighbourhoods.

I welcome your suggestions for other improvements in the neighbourhood, such as the request from the Westboro Legion that led to the Winston Square project being developed along Richmond Road at the dead end of Winston.  This new community space will be built in 2013.

Specifically some of the budget items tabled today include:

KITCHISSIPPI WARD HIGHLIGHTS

  • Implementation of the East-West bikeway, as well as construction of the Hampton Park pathway
  • Addition of sidewalks along Iona between Kirkwood and Island Park to make the walk to the park and schools safer for all
  • Addition of  traffic control signals at Kirkwood and Clare Avenue, with a new intersection designed to reduce the crossing width
  • A new raised bike track and separate raised pedestrian track implemented as part of the reconstruction of Churchill Avenue
  • The multi-use pathway along the O-Train corridor will be completed
  • $1.5 million for the new Hickory Pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the O-Train corridor which will link residents to the west of the O-Train to the east side in order to better access the O-Train, and the adjoining neighbourhood of Little Italy
  • New cycling infrastructure to be implemented on Byron Avenue west of Churchill Avenue
  • Richmond Road/Westboro Transportation Management Implementation Plan
  • Ruskin Street, Inglewood Place, Harmer Avenue, Clarendon Avenue, Churchill Avenue integrated road, water, sewer renewal
  • Scott Street resurfacing (Bayview to Smirle) along with pedestrian and multi-use pathway improvements
  • Sidewalk renewal along Broadview Avenue from Dovercourt Avenue to Carling Avenue

CITY WIDE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS 

  • $1 million combined capital and operating funding is allocated for the Arts, Culture and Heritage Renewal Plan
  • A 2% increase for social service and health agencies, cultural, community and recreation funding will allow these groups to continue to respond to growing demand
  • The freezing of Parks and Recreation frees for third year in a row keeps rates within reach of families
  • $14 million of continued funding for Council’s poverty and homelessness initiative
  • 4.4 million of realigned and reallocated funding to offset changes in provincial priorities which will preserve the majority of benefits for the most vulnerable and low income residents
  • Increased forest and greenery with $975,000 of new funding to bring our annual commitment to more than $1.8 million to replace trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer
  • Ottawa on the Move will see 141 renewal and cycling projects complete by the end of 2012, with another 11 continuing into 2013.  140 projects will get underway in 2013.
  • A new “My Ottawa Account” for residents to easily monitor their service requests, sign up for notifications and view water accounts, and “My Business Account” allowing business owners to view their transactions with City services all in one place
  • An older Adult Portal providing customized services for older adults
  • The investment of $500,000 in our Older Adult Plan, which is the product of very broad public consultation and includes many suggestions from our very successful Seniors Summit, including more transit hours of service and $200,000 for added Para Transpo service
  • $2 million for accessibility retrofit work to existing buildings and parks
  • $500,000 in additional funding for Economic Development to maintain prosperity and local jobs
  • $500,000 for the Municipal Green Fleet Plan which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • $2.9  million for the ServiceOttawa Smart Energy Program, a program to help reduce annual energy costs
  • $4.9 million to improve safety and mobility with new traffic control signals, intersection control measures, pedestrian countdown signals and Audible Signal Program
  • For the second year in a row there is a reduction of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff at the City, this year 139 positions for a net savings of approximately $3.5 million
  • Investments in basic infrastructure through initiatives like Ottawa on the Move, a citywide transportation initiative to build and improve our roads, sidewalks and cycling networks, the revitalization of Lansdowne Park, and Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit project
  • Additional $5.5 million in funds to maintain and improve infrastructure
  • The solid waste charge on residential tax bills will be reduced by $11 per household as we implement our new waste collection program

MULTI-WARD PUBLIC BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

I want to hear what you think about our 2013 budget. The City of Ottawa is holding four public budget consultations the last week of October / first week of November and I would be pleased to meet with you and hear your thoughts. I will be attending the session below:

DATE AND LOCATION:

Thursday November 1
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
City Hall, Andrew S. Haydon Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
Available on Rogers TV, Cable 22
This session will include assistive listening devices and simultaneous translation.  If there are any accessibility requirements, such as ASL sign language interpretation or CART services needed, please call the City’s Accessibility Coordinator at 613-580-2424 Ext 16654, or email accessibilityoffice@ottawa.ca

To comment on Budget 2013:

Visit Ottawa.ca/budget2013
Email budget2013@ottawa.ca
Use the hashtag #ottbudget on Twitter
Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401
Fax 613-560-2126

The three other sessions will be held in the south, east and west of the City. If you are interested in attending, there are further details on those locations at Ottawa.ca/budget2013

PUBLIC DELEGATIONS

You can also make a five-minute presentation to a Standing Committee on the 2013 draft budget.

Date Committee/Commission/Board
November 6 Finance and Economic Development
November 7 Transportation
November 13 Planning
November 15 Community and Protective Services
November 16 Agriculture and Rural Affairs
November 19 IT
November 19 Public Health Board
November 20 Environment
November 21 Transit
November 26 Police Services

See Ottawa.ca/budget2013 for times, locations and instructions on how to register to speak.

CONTACT MY OFFICE

As always, it is an honour to serve.  I am always happy to hear from you on the budget or any other municipal issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me and share your thoughts.

Best regards,
Katherine

Katherine Hobbs

Councillor/Conseillère – Kitchissippi
613-580-2485
OurKitchissippi.ca
Twitter:  Katherine_Hobbs
Facebook:  Katherine Hobbs for Kitchissippi

City accepting applications for the Better Neighbourhood Program

From: Andrew.Hickey@ottawa.ca
Subject: City accepting applications for the Better Neighbourhood Program
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:58:34 +0000

Good afternoon,

Councillor Hobbs is very supportive of this initiative, I hope you will apply.

Applications for the City’s new Better Neighbourhoods Program will be accepted starting as of October 17, 2012.
This program is part of the Neighbourhood Connection Office, which helps residents and community groups identify, prioritize and implement projects aimed at improving their neighbourhoods.
The program offers assistance to qualified groups for the development of resident-driven improvement projects aimed at addressing identified short-comings in the community or enhancing the community experience. The program is part needs assessment and part project implementation. Selected neighbourhoods will work with City staff to identify opportunities, and to plan and implement projects chosen by the community.
Projects will be supported financially by the City up to a maximum of $30K. Opportunities for neighbourhood-level projects that could be supported through the program might include making streets more walkable, park revitalizations or artistic initiatives such as street painting. Projects requiring elevated levels of funding may be referred to the City of Ottawa’s budget priority setting process.
In addition to improving the neighbourhood, these projects will provide opportunities for building relationships among residents, community groups and the City of Ottawa, leading to a stronger sense of community.
Three to four neighbourhoods will be selected for the program in 2013 and another three to four in 2014. Interested neighbourhood or community groups can submit applications until Tuesday, November 27, 2012.
Application criteria can be found on the City’s website and includes: having support from your Ward Councillor, volunteer capacity to support the projects. Priority will be given to neighbourhoods that are not actively involved in other City planning initiatives during the 2010-2014term of Council.
The focus of the Better Neighbourhoods program is urban/suburban neighbourhoods.
Regards,

Andrew

Andrew Hickey
Manager, Community Relations and Communications
Gestionnaire, Relations avec la communauté et Communications
Office of Councillor/Bureau de la Conseillère Katherine Hobbs
Ward/Quartier 15: Kitchissippi
T:  613-580-2424 ext.  26689
Our Kitchissippi Notre Kitchissippi
Twitter and Facebook
City of Ottawa/Ville d’ Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West/110 ave Laurier Ouest
Ottawa, ON   K1P 1J1