November 6 Newsletter 2020

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November 6, 2020 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

Ward 13 Food Bank Fundraiser

The RPRA is launching its Annual Holidays Fundraising Campaign for the Food Bank at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre at 815 St Laurent Blvd https://www.crcrr.org/.  The Food Bank serves those in need in Ward 13 (Rideau-Rockcliffe), part of the federal riding of Rideau-Vanier which has the highest rate of child poverty in the city. 

We invite you to participate in this campaign through our “Local Food for our Local Food Bank” initiative which supports members of our community and our small businesses.  Both need your help during these difficult times. To make your tax-deductible donation visit this link.

Rockcliffe Park Library to Reopen

The Rockcliffe Park Library branch is now scheduled to reopen on January 18, 2021. The Rockcliffe Park branch is the home of two special collections: an art book collection funded by Margaret Bailey and a science collection funded by Michael Potter. This neighbourhood library has a quiet and dignified ambiance, making it a pleasure to visit. We look forward to the branch’s operational restart.

Rockcliffe Park Book Drive

WHEN: Saturday November 7

TIME: 10 AM to 1:45 PM

LOCATION: Parking Lot, Rockcliffe Park Community Centre  - 380 Springfield Road
As it is still not feasible to hold an actual Book Sale in the near future, donated books will be sold en masse and the funds will be used to support the Library and the Community. 

The book donation drive will be managed in keeping with Public Health guidelines.   As such, there are a number of very strict guidelines that we all must follow.

  1. Please arrive with only 1 person per car(we need to restrict our total number in the area to under 25 and that includes individuals in cars).
  2. Please wear a mask – even in your car.
  3. We ask that you never leave your car.
  4. Please enter the parking lot only when directed to do so by a volunteer.
  5. Keep cars 2 meters apart. 

Instructions for donations:

  1. Pack your gently usedbooks FACE DOWN in small to medium boxes, such as wine-bottle boxes. Pack them so the box will close. (This protects the books, as the boxes will be stacked.)  
  2. Place your boxes in the trunk of your car.
  3. Drive to the Rockcliffe Park Community Centre (380 Springfield Road) parking lot, Springfield Road entrance.
  4. Line up to enter along Springfield.
  5. At the entrance to the parking lot, we will have volunteers who will direct you – when to enter the parking lot and where to go.
  6. Once in your designated spot, open your trunk.  Our volunteers will remove the boxes of books from your trunk.
  7. As soon as your boxes have been removed, you will be asked to depart the parking lot through the Buena Vista exit.

St. Bart’s 2020 Virtual Bazaar

The annual St. Bart's Bazaar will be held online this year! Check out this website to find out what will be available from November 12 to 14.

SHINE: Youth Arts Microgrants
 
Let your artistic talents shine bright this winter. Apply for a Crime Prevention Ottawa (CPO) youth arts microgrant to help bring your ideas to life. The call for proposals will be available on October 28, 2020. The art projects should be completed by April 30, 2021.
 
This grant is to support artists aged 12-25. Lead applicants must be 18 years old or older. Community agencies supporting youth artists are also welcome to apply.
 
For more information about funding, please visit crimepreventionottawa.ca   for the program guidelines and application form. Applications must be completed by Monday, November 30th, 2020. Please join us for our virtual information session on Monday November 16th from 6 to 7 p.m.
 
To confirm your attendance, please register

Winter Weather Parking Ban

Earlier this week, the City of Ottawa received it’s first significant snow of the season. It was a wake-up call of what is to come.  We know that things are different this year with a pandemic keeping so many of us at home.  Residents have many priorities and planning for winter might feel daunting.  While our Roads and Parking team is ready to respond to any weather event at any time, residents may need more time to prepare.  We are asking for your support to help us let residents know what to expect on November 15 – the first day our Winter Weather Parking Ban can be enacted.  COVID-19 has changed the way we do business, and in the coming weeks, we will keep you posted on the positive additions we are making to our winter weather parking options for this unique winter season.

What is a Winter Weather Parking Ban?

Last year, the City moved to a new parking ban system that was timed to match winter weather patterns rather than set times.  Between November 15 and April 1, The Director of Roads and Parking Services may declare a winter weather parking ban for inclement weather including freezing rain or when Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow more than 7 cm, including 5 to 10 cm.  During a winter weather parking ban, vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during a parking ban may be ticketed and towed.

When a winter weather parking ban is called, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on social media, sends an email to registered residents and updates the City’s App. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is completed and the City issues an advisory indicating the ban has been lifted.

Why Is a Winter Weather Parking Ban Called?

The winter weather parking ban will be called to support clearing operations.  Residents are asked to remove their parked cars from the roadway to allow our snow clearing machines – including snowplows, salt trucks and graders to complete their work in the most efficient and effective way.  When there are no cars on the road, our machines can clear snow closer to the curb.  This opens up the road to keep it wider – even when snow accumulates.  It can also help our Roads and Parking team remove the ice and snow that can build up on catch basins.  When there are no cars on the road, the Roads and Parking team can clear the road more quickly and thoroughly.

How Will Residents Know There is a Winter Weather Parking Ban in Place?

Residents are responsible for moving their vehicle during a winter weather parking ban.  Residents can sign up to receive an email notice about the parking ban at Ottawa.ca.  Residents can also follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Ottawa.ca webpage for updates.   Local media will also have information about the winter weather parking ban. 

Where Can Residents Park During a Winter Weather Parking Ban?

Residents are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are removed from the roadway when a winter weather parking ban is in place.  Residents may wish to approach a neighbour, local business or friend to see if they can park their car at their home or workplace during a ban.

The City also offers free parking at select municipal parking facilities and four specific OC Transpo Park and Ride Locations.  A list of the available locations that can be accessed during a winter parking ban is available at Ottawa.ca.

This year, with many residents working and learning from home, finding parking during a winter weather parking ban could be challenging.  To support residents throughout this pandemic, we are exploring additional parking options, including other City facilities and Park and Ride locations.  Please consult the Ottawa.ca website for updates on free parking locations during a winter weather parking ban.

Remembrance Day activities and schedule changes

The annual Candlelight Tribute honouring Canada’s Veterans at the Canadian War Museum, to kickoff Veterans’ Week from November 5 to 11, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Royal Canadian Legion is planning to broadcast live the National Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11. Residents are encouraged to pay their respects from home.

To commemorate Veterans’ Week, the Poppy Flag will be flown at Ottawa City Hall and at City facilities from Thursday, November 5 to Wednesday, November 11. The flags at all City of Ottawa sites will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour all Canadians who have served their country in time of war.

The following services will operate on different schedules on Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11.

Client services

  • The Client Service Centres including the Government Service Centre at 110 Laurier Avenue West and the service centre at Ben Franklin Place will be closed.
  • All other client service centres and the City’s Provincial Offences Courtremain closed due to COVID19.
  • The City’s 3-1-1 Contact Centre will be open for urgent matters that require the City’s immediate attention. Call 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400 (TTY: 613-580-2401) to speak to a customer service representative.

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection

Parking and roads

  • All City parking regulations and restrictions apply.
  • Veterans who wear their medals or uniforms or who have a veterans’ license plate on their vehicle can park for free at City Hall on Wednesday, November 11 between 6 am and 1 pm.

OC Transpo

  • Veterans who wear their medals or uniforms during National Veterans’ Week, from Thursday, November 5 to Wednesday, November 11, can ride OC Transpo buses, O-Train Line 1, Para Transpo and STO buses for no charge. Companions accompanying veterans also ride at no charge. Use the video-chat function at ticket machines to get through fare gates at O-Train stations, or ask any OC Transpo employee for help.
  • On Wednesday, November 11, all customers can ride OC Transpo buses, O-Train Line 1, and Para Transpo at no charge.
  • OC Transpo will operate on a regular schedule.
  • Use the OC Transpo Travel Planner to plan your trip.
  • Masks or alternative face coverings are mandatory on buses and trains and inside stations and shelters. Help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa: don’t take public transit if you’re feeling sick, do a self-assessment before leaving home, use the hand sanitizer dispensers in select stations, and always wash your hands thoroughly when you reach your destination.
  • OC Transpo and Para Transpo buses will pull over to the side of the road at 11 am to observe two minutes of silence, if it is safe to do so.  Line 1 trains will also pull into the nearest station at 11 am to observe two minutes of silence.
  • For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, visit OC Transpo or call 613-741-4390.  
  • The OC Transpo Customer Service Centre at the Rideau Centre will be open from 12:30 until 7 pm. All other OC Transpo Customer Service Centres continue to be closed until further notice.
  • You can buy or load a Presto card:
    • Using ticket machines at all O-Train stations and the Ottawa International Airport
    • At Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations
    • Via ca
    • By phone at 1-8-PRESTO-123 (1-877-378-6123)
    • By downloading the PRESTO app
  • You can load your ParaPay account on octranspo.com or by calling 613-741-4390.
  • OC Transpo Customer Service (613-741-4390) will be open from 7 am until 9 pm. Customers who are deaf or who have hearing loss can use the relay service offered by their service provider or call 711 with a TTY to contact OC Transpo. You can also visit our web site atoctranspo.com.
  • You can plan Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) trips using Plani-bus.

Para Transpo

  • Para Transpo will begin taking bookings for Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 4. Regular bookings will not be automatically cancelled, so please call 613-244-4636 or use the online booking system to suspend a regular booking for Wednesday, November 11.
  • Masks or other face coverings are mandatory on Para Transpo vehicles. Please do a self- assessment before you leave home. OC Transpo is asking all customers to not use public transit if they’re experiencing COVID-related symptoms, have had contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case, or should be self-isolating.
  • Para Transpo:
    • The Taxi Coupons line (613-842-3670) will be closed.
    • The reservations line (613-244-7272) will be open from 7 am to 5 pm.
    • The trip cancellation and general inquiries line (613-244-4636) will be open from 6 am to midnight.

Recreation services

  • All facilities will be open as normally scheduled for drop-in activities.
  • All registered programs at swimming pools will operate as normally scheduled. Check with your facility to confirm, as there are some exceptions.
  • Inclusive Recreation programs will not be running.

Ottawa Public Health

Assessment Centre and Care Clinics:

  • COVID-19 Care and Testing Centres at Ray Friel, Moodie, and at Heron will be open regular hours -  8 am to 3:30 pm.
  • CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer will be open during regular hours - 8:30 am to 7:30 pm.
  • The Brewer Assessment Centre will be open during regular hours - 8:30 am to 7:30 pm.
  • The COVID-19 Drive-thru Assessment Centre on Coventry Road will be closed on Wednesday, November 11.

Cultural and archives services

Municipal child care

Libraries

Retail businesses

In recognition of Remembrance Day and in accordance with the City’s Remembrance Day By-law, most retail businesses cannot open until 12:30 pm.

Lansdowne Park Consultation

Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard will hold a public consultation concerning proposed changes to the Lansdowne Park Partnership on Tuesday, November 10 at 6 pm. The public can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87325833314?pwd=elNnUzhUd1NIcmpUVU5FdTM5R0duZz09

Traffic impacts

  • Highway 174 – The following Highway 174 ramps will be closed for Stage 2 LRT roadwork: 
    • The westbound off-ramp at Blair Road will close nightly from 10 pm until 7 am, from Saturday, November 7 until Monday, November 9. 
    • The eastbound off-ramp at Montreal Road will close nightly from 10 pm until 7 am, from Friday, November 13 until Monday, November 16. 
    • Both on-ramps from eastbound Montreal Road will close nightly from 10 pm until 7 am, from Friday, November 13 until Monday, November 16.  
    • The westbound on-ramp from westbound Montreal Road will close nightly from 12 am until 7 am, until Wednesday, November 11. 

 

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