June 19 Newsletter 2020

June 19, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

OC Transpo Mandatory Mask Policy

The Transit Commission advised that OC Transpo customers have been successfully transitioning to wearing cloth masks, as several health and safety measures were introduced on June 15 to help keep everyone as safe as possible before the return to full transit service on June 28. OC Transpo was the first public transit agency in Canada to implement a new mandatory mask policy as a result of COVID-19.

Enforcement of on-street parking limits resumes on June 29

Starting Monday, June 29, the City will resume the enforcement of parking in excess of posted time limits, including 15-minute, one-hour, two-hour, three-hour and six-hour zones.

Initially, parking control officers will issue warning notices to vehicles that are parked longer than the posted time limit. Officers will begin to issue tickets on Monday, July 6.

Until further notice, parking control officers will not enforce overtime parking on streets without signs.

Food vendors in parks

The City of Ottawa is opening Food Vending spaces in a number of City of Ottawa park parking lots to assist local businesses and food truck/cart operators through the economic recovery efforts. This is an opportunity to offer food vending services in some of the City’s active park spaces for residents to enjoy through the summer months. A number of approved park locations are available for allocation during the 2020 summer season.

All interested Food vendors should fill out the application form and indicate their preferred park. The application deadline is Thursday June 25, at 4:30 p.m. Please consult the 2020 Food Vending in Parks Program: Information Package for more information.

Food vendors will only be permitted to sell in parks if they obtain the proper permissions, insurance and licenses beforehand.

Garage Sales

Garage sales are permitted now in Ottawa. However, buyers and sellers are still required to limit groups to no more than 10 and to wear masks when physical distancing is not possible.

Indoor and outdoor facility rentals

All City facility rentals for indoor events of 100 or more people and outdoor events of 250 or more people will be cancelled for July. 

The City will consider rentals of indoor space for up to 10 people on a case-by-case basis. Sports fields can be booked for events of up to 10 people, under the condition that sports teams and clubs follow the guidelines of their governing organizations.

Arenas

All existing arena bookings from July 1 to August 3 have been cancelled. The following organizations may rebook ice time at select arenas to train amateur or professional athletes, in groups of 10 or less:

• A national sport organization funded by Sport Canada or a member club of such an organization;
• A provincial sport or multi-sport organization recognized by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture or a member club of such an organization;
• A professional sport league or a member club of such a league.

The City will be reopening some ice pads in July, based on demand. As part of the modified return to ice process, City staff will issue a notice to all current permit holders to reapply for available ice time in July.  Only organizations that meet the Provincial requirements and hold valid insurance will be considered.

Memberships to gyms and fitness centres

All City of Ottawa fitness memberships expiring in the month of July will be cancelled and clients will receive a prorated refund. Memberships expiring after July 31 will be re-evaluated at a later time.

Meals on Wheels

Self isolating? Meals on Wheels Ottawa delivers nutritious and affordable bulk frozen meals to seniors and adults with disabilities across Ottawa. They offer flexible short term or ongoing meal service (no contracts); accommodation to many dietary needs; a caring contact by friendly volunteers trained to deliver meals following health & safety protocols; and peace of mind and security checks. Contact them to learn more or to place an order: call 613-233-2424 or visit https://www.mealsonwheels-ottawa.org/meal-programs/frozen-meals/

Planned closures for O-Train Line 1 from June 21 to 24

OC Transpo has scheduled full and partial closures of O-Train Line 1 between Sunday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 24 for work to improve service reliability. R1 replacement bus service will operate on these dates to ensure continuity of service.

On Sunday, June 21, Line 1 will be closed, and R1 replacement bus service will operate all day between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.

Additionally, from Monday, June 22 until Wednesday, June 24, a section of O-Train Line 1 will be closed. Trains will operate between uOttawa and Blair stations while R1 replacement bus service will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Lees stations. Customers will be able to transfer between trains and R1 buses at Lees Station.

O-Train Line 1 service will resume on Thursday, June 25.