April 19, 2024 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.
A Message from Councillor King
Your Councillor in the Community
Black Business Expo 2024
Sidewalk project - Frances Street - Now underway
The City is beginning installation of a new 1.8m sidewalk along Frances Street.
Wateridge Village Community Clean-up - April 20
The Wateridge Village Community Association is hosting a community clean-up on April 20, from 9 am to 12 pm. Everyone is welcome, and invited to meet at Alliance Park, located at 398 Codd's Road. Association representatives will supply bags and gloves and other fun stuff. This is a great activity for kids and a great chance to meet others in the community!
Household Hazardous Waste Event in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward - April 21
The City's household hazardous waste drop-off events for 2024 begin in Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward 13 on Sunday, April 21, from 8 am to 4 pm, at the RCGT ballpark at 300 Coventry. The last vehicle will be emptied at 4 pm. For details, please visit ottawa.ca/hhw.
Eugène Martineau Playground Closed - April 22
My office has been advised that the playground at Eugène Martineau Park in Wateridge Village will be closed on Monday, April 22 for some warranty repair work. Third-party contractors will be on site to do this work. There will be no access to the play area for the day.
My office has been advised of an upcoming environmental investigation at the Caldwell-Carver Conservation Area at 750 Hillsdale Road. The Environmental Remediation Unit of the City’s Corporate Real Estate Office is conducting this environmental investigation for due diligence purposes in order to characterize the soil and groundwater quality surrounding McKay Lake and the conservation area due to the reported historical landfilling or other potentially contaminating activities. The work mainly includes test pit excavation, borehole drilling, monitoring well installation, and soil and groundwater sampling at various locations. Test pitting will be done on April 24 and 25 and drilling is scheduled for April 29 and 30. For health and safety purposes, access to the vicinity of the test pitting and borehole drilling areas will be restricted when the work is in progress. The northern section of the park along McKay Lake will be closed on April 24 and 29. The southern section of the park along the Pond will be closed on April 25 and 30. There will be no restrictions outside of 7:30 am to 5 pm on the dates noted. If one of the park entrances is temporarily closed, residents are advised to please proceed to the other entrance for park access. Park visitors and neighbouring residents may experience elevated noise levels due to the construction activity, however no traffic impacts are expected. Signage and caution tape will be in place. Please note that this work plan is subject to modification depending on the progress of the construction work.
Hydro pole replacement project - Oakhill & Corona between Acacia & Beechwood - Until April 26
Free tax clinic - April 27
Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard host a free tax clinic by appointment at 237 Montreal Road on April 27. For details and to make an appointment, please call 613-744-4484.
So Chic Charity Fashion Show & Luncheon - April 27
Oakhill, Corona and Carsdale Integrated Renewal - May to November
In May 2024, the City of Ottawa will start construction for the replacement of underground sewers and watermains, and full road reconstruction on Oakhill, Corona and Carsdale. More information about the project can be found at ottawa.ca/OakhillRoadRenewal
What: The contractor will complete the following work:
• Install a new sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain and complete full road reconstruction on Oakhill Road and Corona Avenue
• Install raised crosswalks on Oakhill Road and Corona Avenue at Beechwood Avenue for traffic calming
• Replace the watermain and replace the asphalt road surface on Carsdale Avenue
• Replace the asphalt road surface on the paved laneway (Lane 147V) between Carsdale Avenue and Green Avenue
• Driveway and landscaping reinstatements
Why: This work is required to improve the aging infrastructure and system reliability.
Where: Oakhill Road, Corona Avenue, Carsdale Avenue and the laneway between Carsdale and Green Avenues. While construction is underway on each road, the road will be closed to through traffic (the roads will be open only to local residents only).
When: Construction is expected to begin in May 2024 with final paving expected to be completed in late fall 2024. Some final landscaping may be completed in spring 2025.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, K.C.E Construction Limited, to complete the work.
Proposed fibre optic project - Donald Street - May 10
Hiboo Networks has requested the City's permission to perform fibre optic installation work along the City's right-of-way on Donald Street between Vanier Parkway and Beaudry Street starting May 10, 2024. The work would include trenching and bore work, placement of conduit and trace wire, as well as removal and replacement of concrete sidewalk bays. More details will be shared as they become available.
Mother's Day Tea - May 11
Join the African, Caribbean and Black Wellness Resource Centre at 610 Donald Street for an enchanting High Tea event filled with elegance, laughter, and love on May 11 from 11 am to 3 pm. For details, please call the ACB Centre at 613-801-7426 or email [email protected]. This is more than a tea party. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the centre's cupboard to continue to support the overwhelming need of food insecurity in our community. Get your ticket at this link.
New Edinburgh Parking Survey - open until May 13
My office is seeking feedback from New Edinburgh residents with the goal of understanding preferred parking regulations to enhance overall parking in the community. Your participation in the survey is appreciated by May 13, 2024. Please click here for the survey link.
Hydro Ottawa project - Donald Street - May 15
My office has been advised that Hydro Ottawa will be conducting work in the City's right-of-way along Donald Street between Brand Street and Telford Avenue from May 15 to June 30. The project involves pole work and open trenching.
City of Ottawa News, Events, Meetings and Engagement Opportunities
Leaf and Yard Waste Season
Spring Cleaning - register before May 3
Repair Café at City Hall - April 20
Repair Cafés aim to reduce landfill waste by fixing items, teaching new skills, and building community! Ottawa Tool Library’s fixers and menders will be sharing their knowledge and skills around fixing everything from darning socks to re-wiring kettles. There will be free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry and more! At the same time, learn new skills, enjoy coffee and snacks and meet your neighbours! There will be a children's activity table and a selection of tools for sale. For more information, visit ottawatoollibrary.com/repair-cafe.
Saturday, April 20
Jean Pigott Place, City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West
10 am to 2 pm
Climate Resiliency Strategy - Survey and Open Houses in April
You can help shape Climate Ready Ottawa, the City of Ottawa's draft climate resiliency strategy. Visit engage.ottawa/climate-resiliency to learn more, share your feedback in a survey (before May 21) or learn about upcoming in-person and virtual open houses. Open house dates and locations where you will learn about resilient communities, buildings, transportation and water systems, natural environment and parklands, as well as extreme weather preparedness and response:
- Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, City Hall – Jean Pigott Place
- Thursday, April 25, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Nepean Sportsplex
- Sunday, April 28, 10 am to noon, Ray Friel Recreation Complex
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 t0 8 pm, Zoom
New policy framework for voluntary donations for community benefits - Survey open until April 30
The City of Ottawa is seeking public input regarding the role of Members of City Council in soliciting, facilitating and accepting voluntary donations for community benefits. The City does not currently have a policy that applies to Members of Council who solicit and/or facilitate voluntary donations for community benefits. There is a Council-approved Donations to the City for Community Benefit Policy, but this does not apply to Members of Council. Visit Engage Ottawa for more information and to share your feedback on voluntary donations for community benefits that are solicited and/or facilitated by Members of Council. The survey will be open until Tuesday, April 30. Your input will help inform the updated policy framework, which will be brought forward for consideration by the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and City Council no later than July 2024.
Economic Development Update - Q4 2023
The City of Ottawa Economic Development Update provides an overview of quarterly and annual economic indicators to the city’s economy. The Q4 2023 update covers the months of October, November, and December 2023. Click here for details.
Recreation and Parks Funding: Community Partnership Minor/Major Capital Programs - Deadline is May 1
The Community Partnership Minor Capital Program is designed to implement capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities by partnering with community groups and sharing costs. The next deadline to apply for the Community Partnership Minor Capital Program is May 1, 2024.
Inaugural Better Buildings Ottawa Awards Ceremony - May 8
Tickets are still available for the inaugural Better Buildings Ottawa Awards Ceremony! On May 8 from 8 to 9:30 am, join Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and the Better Buildings Ottawa team at Ottawa City Hall in celebrating excellence in sustainable building management and operations. In keeping with our Better Buildings Breakfast series, this ceremony will take place in the morning at City Hall over breakfast and refreshments. The session will also feature a keynote address from a leader in the building decarbonization movement, Bala Gnanam. Bala is the Vice-President, Sustainability, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations at BOMA Canada.
BIPOC Youth Job Fair - May 11
Black Canadian Scholarship Fund - Apply before May 31
The Black Canadian Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 to encourage academic excellence and promote community leadership by providing annual scholarships to outstanding young black students in Ottawa. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024. Download the application form. For more information, please visit bcsf.ca.
The 211 Helpline
The 2-1-1 helpline helps residents navigate community and social services in Ontario. They provide interpretation in over 150 languages. Ask for the language you need and hold for an interpreter to join the call.
Reach out for Help - Call or text 9-8-8
Do you feel like there’s no solution to your problems? Whatever you’re going through, you can call or text 9-8-8 any time of day. We’re here to listen without judgement. Please know that help is always out there. Find out more: 988.ca/get-help/help-right-now
Emergency Services News
Report illegal guns
Caring about your community means engaging in it. Help Ottawa Police remove illegal guns by reporting them. Call OPS at 613-236-1222 ext. 5050 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Grandparent scams on the rise
Nine Grandparent Scams have been reported to the Ottawa Police Fraud Unit from January to March this year, with a total financial loss close to $55,000 from vulnerable residents in our community. Statistics show that in most cases, targeted residents are in their 70s and 80s. Please speak to your loved ones about the risks of fraudulent phone calls. Known as “Emergency Scams” or “Grannie Scams,” fraudsters will often target vulnerable residents by identifying themselves as a friend or family member in urgent need of financial help. In 2023, 62 related reports were made to the Ottawa Police Fraud Unit – with a total financial loss close to $550,000. If someone unknown to you calls for financial help – double check the source of the call, ask questions, and verify with your family members that this is not a scam.