Trees and Forest Management

From: patobrien@sympatico.ca
Sent: 19/06/2015 10:53:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: FW: Trees and Forest Management

The following was sent to Mayor Watson and members of Council this morning. Thank you all who contributed and to those community associations and organizations that endorsed the letter.

Pat.

From: patobrien@sympatico.ca
To: jim.watson@ottawa.ca
Subject: Trees and Forest Management
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:50:16 -0400

Dear Mayor Watson,

Attached is a letter endorsed by members of the Community Associations Forum on Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) welcoming Council’s decision to develop a forest management strategy for the City.

We look forward to contributing to this important initiative.

Sincerely;

Liz Bernstein/Pat O’Brien
Co-organizers, CAFES

CAFESTreesandForestManagement.pdf

Community Mailboxes

via Heather Pearl via Bob Brocklebank for the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa which our Champlain Park Community Association is a member of.

The attached letter has been sent to Mayor Watson with copies to the 23 Councillors.

FCAmailbox.pdf

June 1 2015

Re: Say ‘No’ to Community Mailboxes Now

Dear Mayor Watson:

The members of the Federation have directed me to again write on their behalf. As you may recall, I wrote on January 20 requesting City Council ask Canada Post to:

halt the elimination of door-to-door delivery until concerns are addressed through meaningful consultations with municipalities and affected residents before implementation of the plan;
give assurance not to download the costs and maintenance of the community mailboxes onto municipalities without proper consultation and compensation.

Canada Post has not placed its plan on pause. The implementation of Community Mailboxes (CMBs) across Canada by Canada Post, without full and meaningful consultation, is a slap in the face to the citizens who live and/or pay taxes in the affected communities. All citizens – whether residing in Ottawa or in municipalities across the country – deserve to be treated with fairness and respect by the federal institutions that provide us with services. The actions being taken by Canada Post to implement CMBs are anything but fair, transparent or respectful. Consultation with neighbourhoods has been rare and hard to arrange.

Ottawa is a diverse city with many neighbourhoods being mature and urban, without the benefit of large, under-used spaces to accommodate CMBs. Accompanying traffic, litter, crime and noise will be a burden to adjacent property owner or nearby resident. CMB’s will lower property value and quality of life.

Reported experience of some of our members suggest any placement will be contentious and divisive. Worse though is that Canada Post proceeding with no consultation and minimal information for the affected neighbourhoods. We know that these CMBs will impose undue hardships on seniors or those with disabilities, especially in our harsh winters. There will also be additional municipal cost burdens to provide for lighting, litter and snow removal. Many questions remain unanswered regarding costs, security and accessibility.

Considering all of the negative impacts associated with this action by Canada Post, we call on you, our Mayor and Council to join close to 600 other Canadian municipalities and to officially oppose Canada Post’s plan for CMBs.

Should a motion come before Council, know that our residents we represent want to see leadership from the City of Ottawa, Canada’s capital in fighting plan for CMBs.

Yours truly,
Graeme Roderick, President
cc councillors
& Peter Eady

Winston Square Grand Opening – June 6

From: Jennifer.Falconer@ottawa.ca
Subject: Winston Square Grand Opening
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2015 20:43:00 +0000

Press Release

For months the buzz has been building, and we’re a few short days away from the Winston Square urban park grand opening! The whole city is invited to the party on June 6 at 388 Richmond Road

Join Councillor Jeff Leiper, Mayor Jim Watson, the Westboro Village Business Improvement Area, and special guests to officially open the space. There will be musical performances, activities and more for much of the day, and the official ribbon-cutting happens at 2:00. See you there!

Winston Square is the first of its kind in Ottawa: a disused right-of-way repurposed to create a dynamic urban space for gathering in the heart of Westboro. The space combines a sleek, modern design with an architectural theme mimicking the rooflines of the homes along Winston Avenue, joining the square to the community. In the spring, the living walls are now coming to life and, in the fall, the Virginia Creeper ivy will be ablaze in oranges and reds. Permanent fixtures and moveable furniture will invite guests to make themselves at home in the Square, and the addition of a custom-designed chandelier later this summer, celebrating the flora and animals indigenous to the Ward, will add a warm, welcoming glow.

Key Contacts

Mary Thorne, ED, Westboro BIA executivedirector@westborovillage.com 613-729-8145
Councillor Jeff Leiper jeff.leiper@ottawa.ca 613-580-2485

The Facts

What: A new urban park in the heart of Westboro that will be programmed with music, crafts, and entertainment all summer long by the Westboro Village BIA. The park had its genesis in a request by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 480 to beautify the right-of-way space next to its building. Community consultations resulted in the beautiful oasis now being opened.

Where: Adjacent to the Westboro Legion at 391 Richmond Road

How: The Winston Square Park was paid for through $420,000 cash-in-lieu-of-parkland funding from the Councillor’s office.

For more information visit: http://www.westborovillage.com/winston_square

Please Join Us!

Jennifer Falconer
Assistant to Councillor Jeff Leiper
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Ave. West
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1
jennifer.falconer@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 ext 17015
http://www.kitchissippiward.ca

Funding for Rosemount Library Update

Also see the previous post on this topic.

Date: Wed, 27 May 2015 16:55:25 -0400
Subject: Funding for Rosemount Library Update
From: readrosemount@gmail.com

From: Richard Van Loon, READ Chair

Attached is the Ottawa Public Library Board Document approved at a special meeting on May 26, 2015 requesting City Council to include the Rosemount Library on a list of projects to be submitted for funds from the federal government’s new Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Fund.

Here is the subsequent announcement from Councillor Jeff Leiper, today May 27, indicating that Council had approved the request. As Councillor Leiper says “Fingers crossed!”

https://kitchissippiward.ca/content/rosemount-library-update

Richard Van Loon, Chair
Rosemount Expansion And Development Group

E. readrosemount@gmail.com
FB. https://www.facebook.com/READRosemount
Twitter: @READRosemount

RosemountFunding-May26-Board May 26, 2015.pdf

Sustainable Community Summit – Reminder May 30

From: ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Subject: Reminder! Sustainable Community Summit: Speed Limits and Road Safety
Date: Thu, 28 May 2015 14:37:49 +0000

Dear Friends,

A reminder that I will be holding a Sustainable Community Summit in Ottawa Centre this Saturday, May 30th. Our main discussion topic will be on Speed Limits and Road Safety and what it means for our community. We will be having leading experts speak on this important topic and also welcoming input from the public.

Event Details:
Saturday, May 30, 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall
523 St Anthony St, Ottawa

If you would like to attend, please register by:

Phone: 613-722-6414
Email: ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Visit: http://www.yasirnaqvimpp.ca

I have also attached the invitation for you reference.

I hope to see you on Saturday!

Sincerely,

Yasir

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre

See the original post for the invitation.

Sustainable Community Summit: Speed Limits and Road Safety – May 30

From: ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Sent: 22/05/2015 4:03:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Yasir Naqvi’s Sustainable Community Summit: Speed Limits and Road Safety

Dear Friends,

As you know, I will be holding a Sustainable Community Summit in Ottawa Centre on Saturday, May 30th. This year, our main discussion topic will be on Speed Limits and Road Safety and what it means for our community. We will be having leading experts speak on this important topic and also welcoming input from the public.

Event Details:

Saturday, May 30, 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
St. Anthony’s Banquet Hall
523 St Anthony St, Ottawa

If you would like to attend, please register by:

Phone: 613-722-6414
Email: ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Visit: http://www.yasirnaqvimpp.ca

I have also attached the invitation for you reference. Please feel free to put this information on your website, and circulate it through your mail lists. We are hoping for a strong turnout to encourage discussion and make sure our community’s stance on this issue is well-represented.

I hope to see you there on May 30th.

Yasir Naqvi, MPP
Ottawa Centre

SustainableCommunitySummitInvite2015.pdf

Tree planting in Hampton Park

Subject: Tree planting in Hampton Park / Plantation d’arbres dans le parc Hampton CRM:0025258
Date: Wed, 13 May 2015 17:39:08 -0400
From: Jocelyne Moncion <jocelyne.moncion@ncc-ccn.ca>

(le français suit)

Hello,

As part of its emerald ash borer management activities, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to inform you that approximately 200 trees will be planted in Hampton Park in the coming weeks. This planting program is a follow-up to the tree cutting that took place in January as a result of emerald ash borer infestation.

Work will begin today and will take place from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm. The replanting is being performed by Gemma Property Services, and should be completed by mid-June, depending on equipment availability and weather conditions.

Prolonged street and trail closures will not be required for this work. However, it may require the temporary closure of trails and streets to allow access for the vehicles required to perform the work. We ask you to exercise caution, and to follow instructions provided by on-site workers.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact NCC Client Services at 613-239-5000 or info@ncc-ccn.ca.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Jocelyne Moncion
Officer, Public and Community Relations
Agente, Relations publiques et communautaires

Bonjour,

Dans le cadre de ses activités de gestion de l’agrile du frêne, la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN) a le plaisir de vous informer qu’elle plantera au-delà de 200 arbres dans le parc Hampton au cours des prochaines semaines. Ce programme de plantation fait suite à l’abattage des frênes qui a eu lieu en janvier dernier.

Les travaux se dérouleront du lundi au vendredi, entre 7 h et 17 h, à compter d’aujourd’hui. Ils se termineront au plus tard à la mi-juin, selon la disponibilité du matériel et les conditions météorologiques. Les travaux seront effectués par Gemma Property Services.

La fermeture de sentiers ou de rues pour une longue période ne sera pas nécessaire. Toutefois, ces travaux entraîneront, au besoin, la fermeture temporaire et de courte durée de sentiers et de rues afin de permettre la circulation des véhicules requis pour faire les travaux. Nous vous demandons d’être vigilants et de respecter les consignes émises par les travailleurs.

Si vous avez des questions, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec le service à la clientèle de la CCN au 613‑239-5000 ou à info@ncc-ccn.ca.

Merci de votre collaboration.

Jocelyne Moncion
Officer, Public and Community Relations
Agente, Relations publiques et communautaires

Minimum Parking Requirements Review

From: Tim.Moerman@ottawa.ca
Sent: 04/05/2015 12:57:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Minimum Parking Requirements Review – Révision des exigences minimales en matière de stationnement

(Le français suit)

Good afternoon,

We are writing today to let you know that the City of Ottawa is undertaking a review of the minimum parking requirements under the Zoning By-law. These are the rules that specify how much on-site parking must be provided as part of any new development.

Ottawa’s parking minimums have not been comprehensively reviewed in decades; in key areas, the parking requirements are the same under today’s zoning as they were in 1964. A lot has changed since then, and these old parking rules are increasingly out of step with today’s realities and planning goals.

Recognizing this, the new Official Plan adopted in 2013 calls for these zoning requirements to be reduced in certain parts of the city, notably near rapid-transit stations and in the inner urban area.

As of May 4th, you can access the project website at http://ottawa.ca/minimumparking. We plan to hold a public open house in the fall of 2015 and expect to bring a zoning amendment to Council in 2016.

In the meantime, the project website includes a short discussion paper that talks about the pros, cons and consequences of the City’s parking requirements, as well as some of the possible changes under consideration. It’s a good introduction to the issue of parking requirements, what changes we’re considering making and why.

We hope you will participate in this important discussion. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at:

Email: tim.moerman@ottawa.ca or minimumparking@ottawa.ca
Regular mail: Minimum Parking Review
City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, 4th Floor
Mail Code 01-14
K1P 1J1
Fax: (613) 580-2459
Website: http://ottawa.ca/minimumparking.

Bonjour,

Ce message a pour but de vous informer que la Ville d’Ottawa entreprend la révision des exigences minimales de stationnement fixées par le Règlement de zonage. Il s’agit des règles qui précisent le nombre de places de stationnement qui doivent être prévues pour tout aménagement.

Cependant, cela fait des dizaines d’années que ces exigences minimales en matière de stationnement n’ont pas fait l’objet d’une révision exhaustive; dans certains secteurs clés, elles sont restées les mêmes, aux termes du zonage actuel, qu’en 1964. Les règlements de stationnement élaborés au milieu du siècle dernier vont à l’encontre des politiques, des priorités et des objectifs présents sur le plan de l’urbanisme.

Or, les choses ont beaucoup changé en cinquante ans et les anciennes règles sur le stationnement correspondent de moins en moins à la réalité et aux objectifs d’urbanisme d’aujourd’hui.

C’est ainsi que le nouveau Plan officiel qui a été adopté en 2013 prévoit l’abaissement de ces exigences de zonage pour certaines parties de la ville, notamment près des stations de transport en commun rapide et dans la zone intra-urbaine.

À compter du 4e mai, vous aurez accès au site Web du projet, à l’adresse http://ottawa.ca/stationnementminimum. Nous comptons tenir une réunion publique à l’automne 2015 et soumettre une modification de zonage au Conseil en 2016.

Par ailleurs, le site Web du projet renferme un bref document de travail qui expose les avantages, les inconvénients et les conséquences des exigences de la Ville en matière de stationnement ainsi que certaines des modifications envisagées. Il s’agit d’une bonne présentation du dossier, des changements auxquels nous songeons et de leur raison d’être.

Nous espérons que vous participerez à cette importante discussion. N’hésitez pas à communiquer avec nous aux coordonnées suivantes :

Par courriel : tim.moerman@ottawa.ca ou bien stationnementminimum@ottawa.ca
Par la poste : Révision des exigences minimales de stationnement
Hôtel de ville
110, avenue Laurier Ouest, 4e étage
Code de courrier interne : 01-14
K1P 1J1
Par télécopieur : 613-580-2459
Site Web : http://ottawa.ca/stationnementminimum

Electronic Waste Collection Event at Elmdale School – May 9

From: “peterlaughton@rogers.com” <peterlaughton@rogers.com>
Subject: Electronic Waste Collection Event at Elmdale School

Elmdale School in Westboro hosts public electronic waste and used clothing collection event to divert waste from landfills and to support Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Elmdale will host a collection event on May 9th, 9-3p.m. to collect and recycle unwanted electronic waste such as MP3 players, cameras, telephones, TVs, VCR & DVD players and recorders, radios, and more.

As part of our Annual Spring CTE, Plant, and Bake sale, Elmdale will be trying to raise money through the collection of both e-waste, and new this year, used clothing. The OES pays by the ton and so the more we collect the more money we can raise.

The event is being held in cooperation with RecycleYourElectronics.ca — Ontario’s electronic waste diversion program, operated by Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES). OES makes it easier for Ontarians to safely recycle their electronic waste and keep it out of landfill. 44 electronic items are accepted at hundreds of OES-approved collection sites and events across the province.

Sandra Pakosh, OES Marketing and Communications Director for OES has said that “Since beginning operations in 2009, the program has diverted well over 200,000 metric tonnes of electronics from landfill. If stacked in tractor trailer loads parked end-to-end, it would stretch from downtown Toronto to Elliot Lake.”

Electronics contain precious and base metals that can be recovered through recycling programs and reused for new products. There is no better example than the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic medals which contain recycled metal from electronic waste.

Residents who cannot attend the event can visit the website: http://www.recycleyourelectronics.ca/ to find the closest collection site or drop-off depot to recycle their unwanted electronics free of charge.

City of Ottawa Cycling Newsletter

Original and likely better formatted version is at http://cityofottawa.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=beed13602b9b0e6ecb5b568ff5058f07.514&ref=twitter&hash=e215bc45c4937a4fe915fe98fb4536f0

Cycling in the City – April 2015

O’Connor Street Bikeway

The City has developed a recommended plan for a new cycling facility along O’Connor Street between Wellington Street and Glebe Avenue. The plan achieves the goal for a cross-town bikeway linking Confederation Boulevard, the Central Business District, Centretown and the Glebe. This new facility will require reallocating the existing road space between the curbs. For most of the project length, a separated bi-directional bikeway on the eastside of the road is proposed. Pre-cast concrete curbs, paint and flexible bollards will be used to separate the cycling facility from the adjacent traffic lanes.

The current proposal identifies that the project would be constructed in two segments; with the first segment, Laurier Avenue to Glebe Avenue, tentatively planned to begin in 2016. The second segment will be undertaken following the construction of the Confederation Line. More information about the project, including a plan showing all of the proposed changes, is available on the project webpage.

May is Bike to Work Month

May 2015 is Bike to Work month in Ottawa. Kick off the spring season by biking to work and participating in our online pledge. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist, or getting back on your bike for the first time in years, Bike to Work Month is the perfect opportunity to enjoy your commute and show your support for cycling. Plus you can win great prizes! Participate by:

Registering for the free online pledge (open now!). You can register as an individual or as part of a workplace team and be eligible to win fabulous prizes; and
Engaging your workplace by booking one of our popular Lunch & Learn presentations. Visit the website to find out more about our workshops.

We encourage you to pump up your bike tires, spread the word to your colleagues and sign up straight away! Bike to Work Month is brought to you by the City of Ottawa.

Hickory Street Bridge – Progress Update

Proposed bridge image and photo of construction

Construction is underway on the Hickory Street Bridge, which will provide improved walking and cycling access over the O-Train Trillium Line. As of mid-April, the casting of the abutments had been completed and preparation to receive the bridge structure is on-going.

The bridge improves the active transportation network in this neighbourhood and provides better connections between Carling station and the communities on either side of the O-Train Line. The bridge will also connect with an existing pathway on the east-side of the rail line, which is identified for future improvements too. These improvements will include a safer crossing at Carling Avenue and additional paving. Further details can be found on the City’s website.

Bike Corral Pilot Project – Continuing in 2015

In the spring of 2015, the City of Ottawa will be continuing the on-street bike parking pilot project. The on-street bike parking units, known as bike corrals, will be reinstalled into the curb-side vehicle parking lane on Second Avenue at Bank Street in the Glebe, and on Wellington Street West at Fairmont; a third location is still to be finalized. . Each corral will provide parking for up to twelve bikes within the space that can typically accommodate one automobile. The trial project will be in place for the duration of the 2015 cycling season and its effectiveness will be evaluated following that period. Look out for the bike corrals appearing on-street soon.

For more information contact Alex Culley.

A Safer Crossing of Colonel By Drive at Clegg Street

Before / after images of Clegg Street and Colonel By Drive intersection

As part of National Capital Commission (NCC) ongoing efforts to improve the level of comfort and safety of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the parkways, the NCC and the City of Ottawa are working together on improvements at the Colonel By Drive and Clegg Street intersection. Throughout late 2014, the planning and design phases have taken place towards implementing a safer crossing at this location. The result is that a traffic signal will be implemented at the intersection along with changes to the layout of Echo Drive at Clegg Street. Construction on this project began earlier in April and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

More information including images of the proposed changes can be found on the NCC’s website.

Major Milestone – Rideau River Bridge

Photo of Rideau River bridge construction

In early February a major milestone was achieved in the construction of the new Rideau River pedestrian and cyclist bridge when the large metal girder components were craned into place. Three metal spans now stretch across the river from the east side in Overbrook to the Sandy Hill shoreline on the west side. The spans are supported by two mid-river piers which were completed in late 2014. Work through 2015-2016 will involve construction of the travel surface of the bridge including the deck, railings and lighting, and new connecting multi-use pathways. These will connect through Strathcona Park to Somerset Street East/Range Road on the west side, and along the south side of Donald Street to North River Road on the east side. Landscaping at both ends of the bridge and along the pathway connections will be the final work item planned to occur in 2016.

Airport Parkway Bridge Opening

Photo of Airport Parkway and bridge opening celebration

On 29 November 2014 Mayor Jim Watson and former River Ward Councillor Maria McRae officially opened the new bridge over the Airport Parkway. The bridge brings significant local benefits; Residents will enjoy shorter commute times with a direct link to the South Keys transit station and the O-Train. They will have better access to nearby recreational space and retail areas, and the shops and businesses in adjoining neighbourhoods will benefit from the increased traffic.

The new connection provides improved access to the Sawmill Creek multi-use pathway, which opened earlier in 2014. Using the connection at Plante Drive, local residents can take this long-distance multi-use pathway for travel between Hunt Club Road and Confederation Heights.

Coventry Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge Opening

February 9 2015 marked the opening of the Coventry Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge, another important connection between neighbourhoods. The bridge connects existing multi-use pathways on Coventry Road and Tremblay Road, providing a crossing over Highway 417. The bridge also provides a means for residents to safely access the Ottawa Baseball Stadium, the Ottawa Train Station, and the future site of the Tremblay Light Rail Transit station. Undertaken as part of the Confederation Line project, landscaping is currently being done as part of the final bridge works.

Further details about the bridge are available on the City’s website; Confederation Line construction updates are also available.

Spring Sweeping

With the change in seasons, the City’s maintenance focus transitions from snow and ice control to spring sweeping. The Public Works department began their main spring clean-up operation in mid-April, deploying staff and vehicles across the City’s networks of roads and pathways to clear the winter debris. This year, following a recommendation in the 2013 Ottawa Cycling Plan, the City has increased the focus on sweeping of the East-West Bikeway. As debris typically ends up at the edges of the roadway, it can cause a hazard for cyclists who are riding in the same space. Undertaking sweeping of the bikeway as a high priority helps to create a safer cycling surface for residents. With the amount of debris on the City’s roads, several sweeping passes are often required to ensure that the roadway and bike facilities comply with the City’s standards.

Residents can use Service Ottawa to report road, sidewalk and pathway hazards using the Service Ottawa website or by calling 311.