August 21 Newsletter 2020

August 21, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

**Correction**

In last week’s newsletter we wrote about Ottawa Cares’ call for volunteers, but provided incorrect information about the initiative. Ottawa Cares was a creation of the Community Collective, not solely of the Manor Park Community Council. This is an important distinction as Ottawa Cares is an umbrella organisation, providing support to local community response teams, such as Overbrook Community Care. Our apologies for this miscommunication!

245 Squadron Crescent Public Meeting

The City of Ottawa will hold a Public Meeting on September 2, 2020 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm over a Zoom conference call to discuss a proposed plan of condominium. The proposed condominium applies to 245 Squadron Crescent, within Wateridge Village.

Persons who intend to participate during the meeting may wish to register/sign up in Zoom, if they have not already done so. The following information is provided for your consideration and guidance during remote participation in the meeting:

How to Join the Meeting

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92262937020?pwd=T0pvb3Q4ZU41ZjhEeUVleGc2dTBzdz09&from=msft Zoom ID: 922 6293 7020

Password: 912314

Or Telephone:

Dial +1 204 272 7920 (Toll Free)

Webinar ID: 922 6293 7020

Password: 912314

Format of the Meeting

The meeting will begin at 4:30pm on September 2, 2020. The format of the meeting will be:

1. Opening remark by Ward Councillor.
2. Presentation by City
3. Presentation by the
4. Question and answer
5. Wrap up by City

To ask a question to the presenter or to make a comment during the meeting, there are a few options available:

1. Provide a list of your questions to City staff ahead of the meeting by emailing Jean- Charles Renaud at [email protected]. Staff will ask the question on your behalf during the meeting or respond to your question prior to the meeting. Please limit it to two questions per
2. Register to ask questions prior to the meeting by emailing Jean-Charles Renaud. City staff will go down the list of requested speakers during the question and answer period, and you may ask questions during the
3. You can also use the “raise hand” function in Zoom during the question and answer period, and you will be placed on the requested speakers

Other Considerations

Project information can be found on the City’s devapp website:https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__AC3LLQ

Ward Boundary Engagement Opportunity

The City is seeking public feedback on six options for re-aligning Ottawa’s wards through an online survey at ottawa.ca/wardboundary from August 19 to September 25 and through virtual public consultation sessions scheduled from September 10 to September 23.

Since the last major review in 2005, Ottawa’s population has grown significantly – especially in suburban wards. This has resulted in substantial population imbalances between wards that affect fair and equal representation for voters and their communities.

As a result, City Council directed staff in June 2019 to retain an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive, impartial, and unbiased review and establish ward boundaries that could be used in at least three municipal elections in 2022, 2026 and 2030, and possibly a fourth election in 2034.

The consultant team of Beate Bowron Etcetera Inc., in association with The Davidson Group and Hemson Consulting Ltd., has developed six options for a new ward boundary model – which are available online atottawa.ca/wardboundary. Here are brief highlights of the options:

• Option 1 increases the number of wards to 25, with 13 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
• Option 2 increases the number of wards to 24, with 12 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
• Option 3 maintains the current number of wards, 23, and includes 11 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
• Option 4 also maintains the number of wards at 23. It also includes 11 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards. The boundaries for each ward are different than those in option three.
• Option 5 reduces the number of wards to 17, with nine urban wards, six suburban wards and two rural wards.
• Option 6 increases the number of wards to 24, with 12 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards. It minimizes ward boundary changes.

Give your feedback online at ottawa.ca/wardboundary or register to take part in one of the upcoming virtual consultation sessions on Zoom. Following registration at ottawa.ca/wardboundary, you will receive an email with a passcode and login information. Three of the sessions will invite comments from participants all over the city, while another three sessions will focus on the urban, suburban and rural parts of the city.

Tree Seedling Fundraiser

Will you help restore Ottawa's tree canopy? You wood not believe how easy it is - scroll down to order and learn more!

Ecology Ottawa is thrilled to join Ferguson Tree Nursery to offer you local native tree seedlings at an extremely reduced price. There are seven different species available. By participating, you will not only be helping to green-up your community, but you will help support the important work of planting protecting, and promoting trees in Ottawa.

Order here!

But don’t wait! You only have until August 28^th to get your orders in! You will be able to pick-up your tree seedlings at Kunstadt Sports’ (Glebe) parking lot between September 3^rd and 6^th.

And if that weren’t exciting enough, each tree you purchase equals an entry in our raffle! The more trees you order, the more entries you get. Click here to check out the prizes you could win.

City of Ottawa Before and After School Programs

The City will be starting its Before and After School programs at various locations on Thursday, September 3 to coincide with the reopening of schools. Registration opens online on Monday, August 24 at 9 pm.

The program guide will be online Friday, August 21, providing information on hours and program locations.

Prior to the program beginning, parents will receive a Before and After School Parent Handbook with additional information on expectations and protocols.

The COVID-19 modified activities will include creative physical-distancing games, sports, and arts and crafts. Quiet homework time will also be provided.

Following provincial guidelines and advice from Ottawa Public Health, enhanced COVID-19 prevention measures and protocols will also be in place to safeguard children and staff. These measures include:

• Additional COVID-specific training for all staff
• Health screening of children and staff
• Physical distancing
• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting

Mask requirements will follow the same provincial protocols implemented in the schools. Students in Grade 4 and up will be required to wear masks indoors. While it is not formally required, the City encourages students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 to wear masks indoors.

Aquatic registration on August 24 kicks off City’s fall recreation programming

The City is offering COVID-modified recreation programming this fall.  It will kick off with the registration on Monday, August 24 at 9 pm. The Recreation eGuides will be available to browse online on Friday, August 21. 

You will be able to register for swimming lessons, power swim and advanced aquatic certifications with programs beginning as early as Monday, September 14. For swimming lessons, a parent or guardian is required to accompany younger children in the pool during instruction to support physical distancing. 

You will also be able to register for Before and After School programs, which will begin on Thursday, September 3 to coincide with the reopening of schools.  

As of Saturday, September 15, additional drop-in services will also be available for online reservation at ottawa.ca including aquafitness, yoga, kindergym, older adult programs, fitness classes, pilates, volleyball, basketball, racquet sports and indoor soccer. 

Registration details for additional fall program offerings will be announced in the coming weeks on ottawa.ca and on our social media pages.

Please review the COVID-19 safety measures that are in place at City facilities prior to registering for a program or attending a drop-in activity.

Road Closures

Where: Acacia Ave, from Thorold Rd, to Sir George Etienne Cartier Pkwy.

Duration: Monday, August 24, 2020, to Friday, October 2, 2020.