August 13 Newsletter 2021

August 13, 2021 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

August is turning out to be a great month and many things are going on at the City. First, I would like to bring your attention to a date change for the Joint Planning Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee which is now set to take place on Thursday, October 14th. After reviewing public feedback on the draft of the new Official Plan, the City has revised a few key dates that are described below. The City has also been working hard to make getting vaccinated as accessible as possible and is now offering neighbourhood vaccine hubs. I also wanted to note the City’s partnership with Neptune Technology to replace 85,000 aging small water meters with new high-resolution meters in Ottawa. Residents whose water meters are at the end of their lifecycle will receive information from Neptune Technology and will be prompted to book an appointment to install a new meter. Further, the City is collecting public feedback on three different curbside garbage collection options and I would encourage residents to have their say and complete the survey. 

I wanted to highlight the Order of Ottawa and the 2021 Crime Prevention Ottawa Awards. If you know an outstanding citizen who is deserving of recognition under any of these awards, please consider nominating them. Finally, I wanted to note two in person events that will be taking place. First, the Vanier BIA is once again hosting Sunshine on Beechwood tomorrow from 11am to 1pm. I will be there along with Councillor Fleury and we hope to see you there. Second, residents can look forward to Overbrook Day which will be happening at the end of the month. The event promises to be great fun and will be an excellent way to end the summer. 

Notice of Special Meeting - Date Change – Joint Planning Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee 

The City of Ottawa has actively been reviewing and tracking public feedback on the draft new Official Plan, which has resulted in a number of recent revisions.  The proposed revisions are being published on the City’s Engage Ottawa webpage for public review as they become available. It is anticipated that the final revised draft of the proposed new Official Plan will be published on the Engage Ottawa webpage later this month.  

In order to provide additional time for public review in advance of Committee and Council consideration of the final staff report, the Planning Committee co-Chairs and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chair have agreed to move the joint statutory meeting of the Planning Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to October 14, 2021.   

Please be advised of the following revised dates in respect of the consideration of the comprehensive final draft of the new Official Plan:    

• Wednesday, September 29th    – Public Open House 
• Thursday, October 14th - Joint statutory meeting of the Planning Committee and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, under the Planning Act, convened in accordance with Subsection 88 of the Procedure By-law pursuant to the delegated authority granted by City Council at its meeting on February 10, 2021. The location and format of this meeting is to be determined. Details will be communicated at a later date. 
• Wednesday, October 27th - City Council Consideration of the report on the final draft of new Official Plan 

Public Health Neighbourhood vaccine hubs now open to all Ottawa residents 12 years and up for 1st and 2nd doses  

Ottawa Public Health has opened public health neighbourhood vaccine hubs to offer convenient and accessible ways to access COVID-19 vaccines in neighbourhoods across the city.   

Residents can access hubs for a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, to ask Public Health nurses questions about COVID-19 vaccines, or to receive more information about vaccines.  

Public health neighbourhood vaccine hubs are vaccination locations with Public Health Nurses available in high priority neighbourhoods. These have been established in collaboration with our community health partners, with locations chosen based on discussions with these partners and availability of space. These immunization teams are available to answer questions, provide vaccine information, and vaccinations.   

Four hubs are currently operating, with more scheduled to launch this week, and additional locations will be opened over the coming weeks. Please check the Ottawa Public Health website for hub locations and hours of operation, as these will be updated regularly.   

This program is another initiative intended to help reduce barriers for residents who have not yet received the vaccine. The hubs will work with community leaders to promote a comfortable, convenient, and easily accessible option for vaccination, as another step towards the goal of ensuring that anyone 12+ in Ottawa who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can get vaccinated.    

If you are a resident 12 years or older and need a first or second dose, you can drop-in to any public health neighbourhood vaccination hub. No appointment is needed to receive a vaccine or to speak with a Public Health nurse about COVID-19 vaccines.  

There are many appointments available at community clinics for anyone who still needs a vaccine. Visit the provincial booking system or use this tool to find a convenient time and date, or drop-in at any clinic without making an appointment. You can also book an appointment with your local pharmacy.  

In addition, workplaces, community organizations, places of worship and other groups can request a mobile vaccination team to administer first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on-site, at their own location.   

If you are booked for a vaccination in the Fall, you are encouraged to move your appointment up to take advantage of the many appointments that are available. 

City replacing aging small water meters with new high-resolution models 

The City, in partnership with Neptune Technology Group, is about to begin a four-year project to replace 85,000 aging small water meters with new high-resolution meters in Ottawa. This year, Neptune Technology will kick off by installing 10,000 meters in homes in Capital, Rideau-Vanier and Rideau-Rockcliffe wards starting in early August. 

Water meters are the property of the City of Ottawa and require replacing after their lifecycle – which can be up to 25 years. As a condition of service, the City will be replacing these aging water meters in order to effectively support the delivery of drinking water to households and businesses.  

Your new water meter will ensure continued accurate billing and enable enhanced online features through MyServiceOttawa.ca including the ability to: 

• View usage data right down to the litre – which can help detect even the smallest leaks 
• Sign up for advanced leak and usage alerts 

Visit ottawa.ca/meters to read more about how to view your usage online and subscribe for leak alerts 

When Neptune Technology Group is in your community, you will receive information at your home that prompts you to book an appointment that is convenient for you – including weekends or evenings, if spots are available. Booking an appointment is quick and easy and can be done either online or through Neptune’s call centre. 

The installation time for a new meter is approximately 30 to 90 minutes, and will require the water to be shutoff by Neptune Technology technicians during that time. 

COVID-safety protocols in place 

The health and safety of residents and the Neptune Technology technicians is the number one priority for the City and Neptune Technology Group. All public health measures and COVID-safety protocols will be in place during the installation, such as: 

• Technicians will wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) – including masks and gloves  
• Maintain physical distancing with clients at all times  
• Allow homeowners to open all the doorways to the water meter area 
• Sanitizing all installed equipment and instruments  
• Contactless acknowledgement for work completed 

Have your say on three different curbside garbage collection options 

More than half of what we throw in the garbage could be recycled or composted and the Trail Road landfill is filling up fast. We need to do better, and that means rethinking how we collect garbage at the curb. As a community, we can divert more waste from the landfill, reduce emissions that contribute to climate change and turn more waste into new products and resources.  

The City of Ottawa is engaging on options for the Solid Waste Master Plan, and curbside garbage collection is up first. Between now and September 12, we want your input on three options to divert more garbage:  

• Partial pay-as-you throw: Households would be allowed to place a set number of garbage items out for collection. Households with more than this limit would purchase garbage tags for each additional item. Recycling, organics, and leaf and yard waste would still be picked up without any tags and with no limits. 

• Reduced item limits: Households would set out a reduced number of garbage items for collection. Anything above the limit would not be collected.  
• Clear garbage bags with recycling and organics bans: Households would set out their garbage in clear bags. Recyclables and organic waste would not be permitted in the garbage. 

Visit ottawa.ca/wasteplan to have your say and be part of the solution. You can share your thoughts by completing a survey or participating in one of our online workshops. 

Feedback from this engagement series will be used to help select a new curbside garbage collection option for Ottawa. It will also feed into the ongoing development of the Solid Waste Master Plan – a guide for how garbage, recycling and household organics will be managed for the next 30 years.  

The next Solid Waste Master Plan engagement series will take place in the fall, when you will be asked to share your thoughts on a wide range of options, such as more ideas to encourage diversion of waste from landfill, ways to reduce and reuse, improving waste collection in multi-residential buildings and parks, better management of food and organics, and much more. Your feedback will help create a waste management system we can all feel good about – one that serves your needs while working towards a zero waste Ottawa to protect the environment for future generations. 

Council will consider a recommended option for curbside garbage collection in the first quarter of 2022, and the draft Solid Waste Master Plan in the second quarter. 

Order of Ottawa: Deadline for Nominations September 10, 2021 

Do you know an outstanding citizen deserving of recognition? Consider nominating them for the Order of Ottawa! 

This prestigious civic award recognizes exceptional citizen contributions in the many areas of city life including arts and culture, business, philanthropy, health care, education, public service, labour, communications and media, science, sports, entertainment or other fields of endeavour that benefit the citizens of Ottawa. 

Eligibility 

Any resident of Ottawa who has made a significant contribution in a professional capacity that has been of benefit to our community is eligible for nomination. 

Submissions consisting exclusively of volunteer work will not be considered. Such submissions, however, could be considered for the Mayor's City Builder Award, a civic honour created to recognize outstanding volunteerism. 

Nominations by immediate family members, self-nominations, and posthumous nominations will not be accepted. Municipal, provincial and federal officials are not eligible to be considered for this award while they are in office. 

Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission. 

Nomination Process 

Please submit your nomination using the online form at the link below. 

Order of Ottawa or the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching Nomination Form(link is external) (link is external) 

You can also download and print a copy of the nomination form(link is external)PDF opens in a new tab or window (for print purposes only) 

Mail to: 

City of Ottawa 
Order of Ottawa Selection Committee 
c/o Office of Protocol and Intergovernmental Affairs 
110 Laurier Avenue West 
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1 

Deadline for nominations 

The nomination deadline is Friday, September 10, 2021 at 11:59 P.M. EST. 

2021 Crime Prevention Ottawa Awards Call for nominations  

Do you know a person, group, program or collaboration working to build a better Ottawa through community safety or crime prevention? Help us celebrate them by nominating them for the 13th annual Crime Prevention Ottawa Awards.   

Our previous winners and finalists represent all ages and walks of life, including volunteers and staff  from diverse communities and organizations. They include groups of dedicated individuals working to build community pride or address crime and safety issues in their neighbourhoods.  

How to make a nomination   

We are seeking nominations for many award categories including:   

• Leadership Award  
• Business Award  
• Youth Leadership Award  
• City Employee Award   
• Enforcement Professional Award  
• Volunteer Award  
• Volunteer Program Award  
• Community Program Award   

Given the unprecedented events of the past two years with COVID-19 and worldwide support for social justice, we welcome nominations that might also highlight a person, group or program’s involvement in initiatives that have served to build a better, safer, more inclusive city. All nominees must have been involved in reducing crime and creating a safer community for a minimum of two (2) years.  

You can find the nomination form, criteria and frequently asked questions at www.crimepreventionottawa.ca. Please send nominations to [email protected] by October 7, 2021.   

Awards ceremony and COVID-19  

After a successful online awards program in 2020, we plan to perfect our approach this year! We are excited to see the interesting and inspiring ways that nominees have continued to serve the community in the context of a global pandemic.  

The awards ceremony will take place online on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 12 to 1 pm and will comply with the latest Ottawa Public Health recommendations.  

Please help us spread the word by sharing this email with a friend or colleague. 

Sunshine on Beechwood 

Are you looking for something to do this Saturday? As a thank you to customers for supporting local businesses throughout the pandemic, the Vanier BIA will once again be hosting the Sunshine on Beechwood event on Saturday August 14, from 11am-1pm. Many Beechwood merchants will be offering samples and freebies to attendees. Councillors King and Fleury will be outside St. Charles Church at 140 Beechwood handing out apples and pears, so be sure to stop by!  

Save the Date! Overbrook Day 2021 

Join us for family fun and excitement! Overbrook residents of all ages are welcome! 

Councillor King’s office in partnership with Ottawa Community Housing and the Overbrook Community Association invite you to celebrate our community and neighbours. 

Who? ALL residents of Overbrook are invited! 

What? A day of fun for everyone. Free hot dog lunch! Free ice cream for kids! 

When? Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 12pm – 3pm. 

Where? Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill Street at Queen Mary. 

Montreal Road Revitalization 

Please find below a two-week update (August 9 to 20) for the Montreal Road Revitalization project. The work activities planned for the next two weeks will include: 

• Vanier Parkway/Montreal Road intersection – Surface work continues in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the intersection focusing on cycle track and paver stone construction. The east-west crosswalk on the south side of Montreal Road has reopened and the eastbound right turn at the intersection has been reduced to one lane.   

• North River Road to Vanier Parkway – The sidewalk on the north side of Montreal Road is complete. The sidewalk on the south side of Montreal Road between Montgomery Street and just west of Vanier Parkway will be completed this week. Sections of sidewalk around the existing hydro poles will be backfilled with gravel until the hydro poles are removed in late summer/early fall.   

• Vanier Parkway to Marier Avenue – The northside concrete curb, base asphalt, sidewalk and the asphalt cycle track are complete for this section. Crews have excavated the south side of the road and are progressing with the construction of underground electrical utility work and concrete curb. Soil cells for urban trees are also being constructed on the south side. A temporary pathway was constructed on the south side to improve accessibility and side street connections. Construction of the sidewalk fronting the LCBO will occur over the next two weeks. 

• Marier Avenue to Lafontaine Avenue – Installation of underground utility work and soil cells continues, as well as construction of north sidewalk from Marier Avenue to Bradley Avenue. Sections of concrete sidewalk have been constructed along this segment and grading for the cycle track is continuing. Paving of the base lift asphalt is scheduled this week on the north side of Montreal Road from Marier Avenue to Lalemant Street. Underground electrical work is continuing between Mona Avenue and Altha Avenue on the south side. 

• Lafontaine Avenue to de l’Église Street – Underground sewer and catch basin work continues. The north side of Montreal Road between Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street has been paved.  Paving of the south side of Montreal Road from Ducharme Boulevard to de L’Eglise Street is scheduled this week.  

• De l’Église Street to St. Laurent Boulevard – Excavations for new sanitary sewers and the watermain are continuing at de L’Eglise Street with crews working east towards St. Laurent Boulevard.   

• Continued traffic impacts and road closures – Montreal Road is reduced to one westbound lane from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard. All streets are closed between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard, except for Olmstead Street, Marier Avenue, Granville Street/Lafontaine Avenue and Cantin Street. Lane modifications were completed on the east leg of the McArthur Avenue/Vanier Parkway intersection to improve traffic flow and accommodations for cyclists. The improvements include extending the eastbound merge lane and reinstating the cycling lane east of the intersection.  

• Month-long construction outlook – Underground and aboveground work between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard will continue. Traffic flips from north to south will occur between de L’Eglise Street to St. Laurent Boulevard. Road, electrical and utility work will continue on the south side of Montreal Road between the Vanier Parkway and Olmstead Street, including construction of the road and concrete curbs. Concrete sidewalk forming and construction will continue between Vanier Parkway and North River Road on the south side of Montreal Road. Streetlight electrical work and removals will continue on North River Road (north of Montreal Road), followed by construction of the multi-use-path (MUP) on the west side of North River Road.  

• Hydro update – Hydro Ottawa removed their overhead power line between North River Road and Vanier Parkway on the weekend of July 17. Before the hydro poles can be fully removed, the new streetlights must be installed and energized. Complete removal of the poles will happen towards the end of the summer.