Water Rates under Review

From Jeff Lieper’s newsletter. More at http://kitchissippiward.ca/content/water-and-wastewater-rate-review-new-lac-associates-research


As many know, the City is currently undertaking a review of how it charges for water and stormwater. I sit on the Environment Committee, and am looking forward to hearing how staff will or won’t recommend charging for water – which is currently billed strictly according to how much a household uses.

Reviewing how we charge for water and wastewater has become important since water usage is declining while expenditures are generally fixed and predictable.

To deal with this, the City is contemplating a new rate structure that could, for example, fix a fee that everyone pays for water, no matter how much they use, and then charge for any additional water on a consumption basis.

Invitation to Urban Forest Management Plan Workshop – November 24

Subject: Fwd: Invitation to Urban Forest Management Plan Workshop/ Invitation à l’atelier sur le Plan de gestion de la forêt urbaine
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 12:55:32 -0500
From: Heather Pearl <hpearl2012@gmail.com>

Hello all. Please see the invitation from the City of Ottawa, below. The City is beginning to work on an Urban Forest Management Plan. Once it is completed, Ottawa will join the many cities in North America which already have developed and implemented these plans.

Thriving Urban Forests are vital to promoting human health. Trees clean our air and water, cool our neighbourhoods, support habitant and biodiversity and control storm water run-off. When mature trees are lost, communities suffer both immediate and long term costs. Yet, while, “The City of Ottawa has many policies, programs, initiatives, and regulations related to trees” it “is lacking a comprehensive, long-term vision and strategic direction for protecting and enhancing the urban forest.”

This is an important initiative. The first round of public consultations will be held on November 24. I hope that Champlain Park will be well-represented.

The web page:

http://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-consultations/environment/urban-forest-management-plan

Please let me know if you are interested in participating in or receiving updates on this project.

Thank you,

Heather

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Urbantree/Arbreurbain <urbantree@ottawa.ca>
Date: 2015-11-03 12:16 GMT-05:00
Subject: Invitation to Urban Forest Management Plan Workshop/ Invitation à l’atelier sur le Plan de gestion de la forêt urbaine

[Picture of Urban Forest e-Mail - formatting too complex to put in a post]

Click here to attend
Cliquez içi pour y assister

Bill 52, Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015, Passed

Subject: Ontario Passes Legislation to Safeguard Public Participation in Debate
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:25:35 +0000
From: Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Constituency Office) <ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>

Dear Friends,

I am very proud that today the Ontario Legislative Assembly passed Bill 52, Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015. This legislation will allow courts to quickly identify and deal with strategic lawsuits, minimizing the emotional and financial strain on defendants, as well as the waste of court resources.

In our community, I have heard about the need to preserve and protect public participation for many years and I committed to bring this issue forward. This lead to the introduction of my Private Member’s Bill, the Protection of Public Participation Act 2012 in October 2012, and you can learn more about that Bill here.

I was very pleased when last December our government built on the work we did through extensive public consultations here in Ottawa Centre and across the province, and introduced Bill 52 to help allow courts to quickly identify and deal with strategic lawsuits, which are commonly referred to as SLAPPs (Strategic lawsuits against public participation). I was honoured to speak in the Legislature in support of Bill 52 earlier this year, and you can watch my comments at this link.

The Protection of Public Participation Act provides a “made in Ontario” approach to addressing the issue of strategic lawsuits, and is based on consensus recommendations of an expert advisory panel and extensive stakeholder consultations. The legislation strikes a balance that will help ensure abusive litigation is stopped but legitimate actions can continue. Anyone who has a legitimate claim of libel or slander should not be discouraged by this legislation. Note that the legislation applies to lawsuits begun after December 1, 2014, which is when Bill 52 was introduced.

Using intimidation tactics to silence one’s opponents is a misuse of our court system – one of the central institutions of a fair and democratic society. By protecting citizens against strategic litigation, our government is protecting the right of Ontario residents to speak out on matters that are important to us.

I want to thank our community for all of your advocacy on this issue. Your efforts and hard work have helped to create laws that benefit the whole province.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Yasir

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre

Queensway Bridge Replacement Study Progress

Previously mentioned in Queensway Bridge Renovations, Queensway Bridge Replacement Meeting, and way back in 2013 Bridge Replacement along the Queensway.


Subject: Queensway Mid-Town Bridges Project
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:01:05 +0000
From: Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Constituency Office) <ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>

Dear Friends,

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Morrison Hershfield Limited to undertake a preliminary design and environmental assessment (EA) study for the rehabilitation and / or replacement of twenty-three bridges (twelve locations) on the Queensway from Holland Avenue to O’Connor Street, in the City of Ottawa. This study determined the appropriate strategy for the rehabilitation or replacement of the bridges.

Several alternatives were reviewed for each bridge including structural and construction staging options in order to minimize disruption to the Queensway. In addition, engineering, environmental, and property requirements have been established, along with the identification of mitigation measures to reduce or negate short and long term residual effects. Technically Preferred Alternatives have been identified for all twenty-three bridges and the recommendation is for rehabilitation of bridges at Holland, Parkdale, Fairmont, Bayswater, Bank and O’Connor and replacement of bridges at the CPR/O-Train, Preston, Rochester, Booth, Bronson and Percy.

A Transportation Environmental Study Report has been prepared which includes a summary of the undertaking, consultation process, the existing environmental issues, alternatives evaluation, and the mitigation measures that have been developed to address environmental concerns. I encourage you and your neighbors to review this report. It will be available from starting today, Wednesday, October 14, 2015 until Monday, November 16, 2015 at the following locations:

  • Ottawa Public Library – Main Branch
    120 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa
  • McNabb Recreation Centre
    180 Percy Street, Ottawa
  • Plant Recreation Centre
    930 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
  • Ottawa Public Library – Sunnyside Branch
    1049 Bank Street, Ottawa
  • Hintonburg Community Centre
    1064 Wellington St., Ottawa
  • City of Ottawa Service Centre
    110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa

For more information please see the attached Notice, or visit http://www.queenswaymidtownbridges.com. I hope that you can take the time to review this plan, and provide any feedback you may have.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Yasir

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre
Description: Study Area Map report - English 10-21-2013
GWP_4075-11-00_OGN_Notice_of_Submission_ENGLISH.pdf


Update in May 2016, the study results are now available:

May 2, 2016

To Whom This May Concern,

Re: Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) – Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment Study for the Rehabilitation / Replacement of Ottawa Queensway Mid-town Bridges from Holland Avenue to O’Connor Street (G.W.P. 4075-11-00) – Notice of Submission of Transportation Environmental Study Report

THE STUDY – The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained Morrison Hershfield Limited (MH) to undertake a preliminary design and environmental assessment study for the rehabilitation and / or replacement of twenty-three bridges (twelve locations) on Highway 417 (Ottawa Queensway) from Holland Avenue to O’Connor Street, in the City of Ottawa. This study determined the appropriate strategy for the rehabilitation or replacement of the bridges. The study areas are shown below.

Study Area Map report – English 10-21-2013 (same as map in previous post – editor)

Several alternatives were reviewed for each bridge including structural and construction staging options in order to minimize disruption to the Queensway. In addition, engineering, environmental, and property requirements have been established, along with the identification of mitigation measures to reduce or negate short and long term residual effects. Technically Preferred Alternatives have been identified for all twenty-three bridges and the recommendation is for rehabilitation of bridges at Holland, Parkdale, Fairmont, Bayswater, Bank and O’Connor and replacement of bridges at the CPR/O-Train, Preston, Rochester, Booth, Bronson and Percy. Full closures of the Queensway will be required for the bridge replacements for up to 82 hours at a time over a long weekend with Queensway traffic detoured to municipal streets including: Booth Street, Bronson Avenue, Carling Avenue, Catherine Street, Chamberlain Avenue, Gladstone Avenue, Kent Street, Somerset Street, Riverside Drive and Rochester Street. Other localized lane reductions, closures and detours will be required for general traffic, transit, cyclists and pedestrians.

THE PROCESS – This Study was completed in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) process for a Group “B” project. External agency and public consultation took place throughout the study. As required, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) has been prepared which includes a summary of the undertaking, consultation process, the existing environmental issues, alternatives evaluation, and the mitigation measures that have been developed to address environmental concerns. The public is encouraged to review this report. It will be available from Wednesday, May 4, 2016 until Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the following locations:

Ottawa Public Library – Main Branch
120 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa
tel: 613-580-2940
Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Hintonburg Community Centre
1064 Wellington Street, Ottawa
tel: 613-798-8874
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Ottawa Public Library – Sunnyside Branch 1049 Bank Street, Ottawa
tel: 613-580-2940
Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

McNabb Recreation Centre
180 Percy Street, Ottawa
tel: 613-564-1070
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Plant Recreation Centre
930 Somerset Street West, Ottawa
tel: 613-232-3000
Monday to Friday: 6:45 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:45 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:45 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

City of Ottawa Service Centre
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

If, following consultation with MTO and MH, you have serious unresolved concerns with the project, you have the right to request the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (77 Wellesley Street West, 11th Floor, Ferguson Block, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2T5) to “bump-up” (i.e., make a Part II Order under the Environmental Assessment Act) this project. A Part II Order may lead to the preparation of an Individual EA. The Part II Order request must be received by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change at the above address by June 8, 2016, and a copy of the request should be forwarded to MTO at the address below. If there are no outstanding concerns after June 8, 2016, the project will be considered to have met the requirements of the Class EA.

COMMENTS – If you would like to provide comments, or require additional project information, please contact the Consultant or MTO Project Manager listed below or visit the project website at http://www.queenswaymidtownbridges.com:

Steve Taylor, P.Eng., Project Manager
Morrison Hershfield / BT Engineering
2440 Don Reid Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 1E1
tel: 613-228-4813, toll free: 1-855-228-4813
fax: 613-280-1305
e-mail: steven.taylor@bteng.com

Peter Freure, P.Eng., Senior Project Engineer
Ministry of Transportation
1355 John Counter Boulevard
Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5A3
tel: 613-547-1740, toll free 1-800-267-0295
fax: 613-540-5106
e-mail: peter.freure@ontario.ca

While accessible locations are being used in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA), if you have any other ODA requirements in order review the TESR at the locations listed above, please contact one of the Project Team members. All information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (2009). With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Pour des renseignements en français veuillez communiquer avec Karine Bertrand au: (613) 739-2910 ou KBertrand@morrisonhershfield.com.

Yours truly,

Steve Taylor, P.Eng.
Project Manager
c.c. Peter Freure, Senior Project Engineer, MTO Eastern Region Planning & Design Section
Kevin Ogilvie, MTO Senior Environmental Planner
Andrew Harkness, Consultant Environmental Manager

United for Refugees / Ensemble pour les réfugiés

Related to a previous post about a forum on refugees

Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2015 11:30:23 +0000
From: jim.watson@ottawa.ca
Subject: United for Refugees / Ensemble pour les réfugiés

(le français suit)

This past Thursday, I announced United for Refugees – a community initiative focused on raising money to support the sponsorship and settlement of people affected by the crisis in Syria.

You have likely seen the devastating photos or read the heartbreaking stories of parents and their children torn from their homes and loved ones in the worst global humanitarian crisis of our time.

Together, we are rallying the community to help families come to Ottawa and begin rebuilding their lives.

I am asking you to make a contribution to this important initiative.

United for Refugees is committed to getting resources to where they are needed the most and will have the greatest impact. I urge you to continue to support United Way Ottawa through your workplace campaigns this year, but ask you to also consider digging a little deeper to support this pressing issue.

Ottawa, and the whole of Canada, has an important role in accepting these refugees. Please join me today in making an impact. Let’s show our city’s compassion by giving refugee families new starts in Ottawa.

Sincerely,

Jim Watson
Mayor

This campaign is a collaboration between United Way Ottawa, the Community Foundation of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa and Refugee 613.


Jeudi dernier, j’ai lancé l’initiative communautaire Ensemble pour les réfugiés qui met l’accent sur la collecte de fonds qui serviront à soutenir le parrainage et l’établissement des personnes touchées par la crise en Syrie.

Vous avez sans doute déjà vu les photos troublantes ou lu les histoires déchirantes des parents et de leurs enfants arrachés à leurs foyers et obligés de quitter leurs proches, le tout dans le contexte de la pire crise humanitaire à sévir dans le monde aujourd’hui.

Ensemble, nous tenons à mobiliser la communauté afin d’aider les familles nouvellement arrivées à Ottawa à se bâtir une nouvelle vie.

Je vous invite à faire un don à cette importante initiative.

Ensemble pour les réfugiés s’engage à obtenir les ressources nécessaires pour combler les besoins les plus pressants et à utiliser ces ressources où elles auront le plus d’effet. Je vous prie de continuer à soutenir Centraide Ottawa par l’entremise de vos campagnes en milieu de travail, mais je vous invite à considérer également débourser un peu plus cette année afin de soutenir ce problème urgent.

Ottawa, comme l’ensemble du Canada, joue un rôle important dans l’accueil de ces réfugiés. Veuillez vous joindre à moi pour changer des vies. Témoignons de notre compassion en donnant aux familles de réfugiés un nouveau départ à Ottawa.

Sincèrement,

Jim Watson
Maire

Cette campagne est une collaboration entre Centraide Ottawa, la Fondation communautaire d’Ottawa, la ville d’Ottawa et Refugié 613.

Intelligent Community Assessment by Stakeholders – Survey

From: Kelley.Shields@ottawa.ca
Sent: 25/09/2015 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Intelligent Community Assessment by Stakeholders

Our vision is to have Ottawa become known as the most innovative city in Canada.

An important step to get there is to measure our strengths, in order to be able to better manage and improve them.

We would therefore greatly appreciate it if you could give us your views on our community’s strengths. Your views will determine the necessary activities for transforming Ottawa into an exemplary centre that competes in the global knowledge world of today and tomorrow.

The link below takes you to an on-line questionnaire which should take no more than 35-45 minutes to complete. The questions are mostly multiple choice, and involve your personal opinions on how well our community is prepared to compete.

The results will present a dashboard of Ottawa’s status on its way to become and be recognized as an intelligent community. It will trigger new programs and innovations, and set new targets to satisfy unmet needs. With your help, we will super-charge Ottawa and give all of our colleagues and citizens a boost.

The survey is online, at the link below:

http://fluidsurveys.com/s/Intelligent_Ottawa_Study_2015/

Thank you in advance for your help! You will be invited to an event where the results of the study are presented.

Best regards,

Saad Bashir

Director, Economic Development and Innovation/ Directeur, Développement économique et Innovation
City of Ottawa/Ville d’Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1J1/110, avenue Laurier Ouest, Ottawa (Ontario) K1P 1J1
tel/tél, : 613-580-2424 poste 22339
cell : 613-897-9441, fax/téléc. : 613-560-6028
email/courriel : Saad.Bashir@ottawa.ca

Home

Syrian Refugee Resettlement Public Information Forum – October 1

Forwarded by our co-chair Heather:

From: jim.watson@ottawa.ca
To: pearhea@aol.com
Sent: 25/09/2015 6:01:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Syrian Refugee Resettlement – Public Information Forum

Le français suit l’anglais

Heather —

I wanted to give you an update on the local efforts that are underway to support the resettlement of Syrian refugees.

Earlier in September, I held a very constructive first discussion with frontline organizations and faith leaders to discuss our community’s response. The next step is to begin facilitating the community’s humanitarian efforts by bringing together individual residents and subject matter experts. To this end, I would like to invite you to a public forum that will bring together residents and community groups who wish to help, and provide them with the knowledge and contacts that will make their involvement possible.

Thursday, October 1
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Jean Pigott Place (Ottawa City Hall)

At this forum, attendees will hear short presentations from previously sponsored families, experts in refugee resettlement, and representatives from frontline organizations. The goal is to ensure members of our community can learn more about how they can assist in resettlement efforts.

More information can be found here: http://www.ottawa.ca/syria. I encourage you to share this information with your networks.

I hope to see you there.

Jim Watson
Mayor


Je tiens à vous transmettre un compte rendu des efforts qui sont présentement déployés à l’échelle locale pour soutenir l’établissement des réfugiés syriens.

Plus tôt en septembre, j’ai eu des discussions très constructives avec des organismes de première ligne et des dirigeants religieux au sujet de notre intervention en tant que communauté. La prochaine étape vise à faciliter les efforts humanitaires de notre communauté en sollicitant la participation des résidents et des spécialistes en la matière. Je vous invite donc à participer à un forum public où se réuniront les résidents et les groupes communautaires qui veulent aider, et où ils pourront obtenir des renseignements et des contacts utiles qui faciliteront leur participation.

Le jeudi 1er octobre
de 17 h 30 à 19 h
Place-Jean-Pigott (hôtel de ville d’Ottawa
)

Lors du forum, les participants entendront de courtes présentations d’anciennes familles ayant déjà été parrainées, de spécialistes en établissement de réfugiés et de représentants d’organismes de première ligne. L’objectif du forum est de s’assurer que les membres de notre communauté en apprennent davantage sur les façons de participer aux efforts d’établissement des réfugiés.

D’autres renseignements sont accessibles ici : http://www.ottawa.ca/syrie. Je vous encourage à partager cette information à tous les membres de votre réseau.

J’espère vous voir nombreux au forum.

Jim Watson
Maire

Ottawa 2017 Information Session for Community Groups – November 12

From: Jeff.Leiper@ottawa.ca
Subject: Ottawa 2017 Information Session for Community Groups
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:33:22 +0000

Good afternoon,

Please join me on November 12, 2015 for a special community information session at City Hall.

This session will provide an update on Ottawa 2017 programming, including important information about new funding for community events celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Space at this event is limited to 250 people and I expect demand will be high, so I encourage you to register early to ensure that you can participate.

Jean Pigott Place
City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West

November 12, 2015
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Register on Eventbrite

Jean Pigott Place is an accessible facility. However, if you require unique accommodations, please contact info@ottawa2017.ca or call 613-580-2424 ext. 23404 so that we may make the necessary arrangements.

Sincerely,

Jeff Leiper

Councillor, Kitchissippi, City of Ottawa | Conseiller, Kitchissippi, Ville d’Ottawa
613.580.2485 | @jleiper | ottawa.ca / kitchissippiward.ca
110 Laurier Avenue West | Ottawa ON K1P 1J1

Progress on Ontario Bill 73, Smart Growth for Our Communities Act

Subject: Community-Inspired Development
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 12:57:54 +0000
From: Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Constituency Office) <ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>

Dear Friends,

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking in the Ontario Legislature in support of Bill 73, the Smart Growth for Our Communities Act. You can view my comments online here.‎

If passed, Bill 73 would encourage community-inspired development – giving residents more say in how their communities grow, setting out clearer rules for land-use planning, giving municipalities more independence to make local decisions, and making it easier to resolve disputes. It would also make the development charges, section 37 density bonusing and parkland dedication systems more predictable, transparent and accountable.

Our community has been working together since 2009 to address issues around land-use planning and development, and this legislation reflects many reforms that have been promoted by our community. As such, I am supportive of this bill, and was honoured to join the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing when it was announced earlier this year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Yasir‎

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre

Federal Election All Candidates’ Debate – October 1

Federal Election All Candidates’ Debate

The Champlain Park Community Association, along with 5 neighbouring community associations, is pleased to co-sponsor an all candidates’ debate on October 1, 2015.

Location: St. George’s Parish, 415 Piccadilly Avenue

Time: 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Amanda Pfeffer, CBC journalist, will moderate the debate.