Ward Boundary Review 2020

 Here is information from the Ward Boundary Review 2020 meeting that took place on September 24th:

The meeting was livestreamed to our Youtube channel at https://youtu.be/Li-R9EpAido for convenience. (It still says LIVE but I'll figure it out)

If you find yourself with questions not addressed, here are the links for the research materials;

Mandate: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/OWBR-Backgr_EN.pdf

Maps: https://app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/cache/2/pmtflaojzpoq3l1pp3okfeig/65304409242020123350490.PDF (appendix A)

Option 6: https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/Option%206%20Supplementary%20Report_en_Final_rev.pdf

Everything WBR 2020 can be found at the following link. There is also an interactive map I really found useful with the enhanced zooming capabilities. 

https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/ottawa-ward-boundary-review-2020#reports-and-documents.

 

A copy of the presentation can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cG4jyfrVhqDeB7Vj4W-VwQhJwZ79TS3_/view?usp=sharing 

CUSTOMER SURVEY: Library Services during COVID-19

 From Ottawa Public Library:

Hello,

OPL is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all customers and employees. We are also committed to delivering valuable service to our customers during this challenging time. As we continue to develop our reopening plans, we want your input on what services are most important to you, and which services you want us to prioritize as we safely return to in-person services.

Please take a moment to fill out this short survey to help us inform, plan, and offer in-branch services in these unprecedented times: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/customer-feedback-survey-during-covid-19. The survey will be available until Sunday, September 27.

The survey will help us gain a better understanding of which services you currently value most, how you feel about the health and safety measures implemented in branches, and what additional in-person services you would like to see at OPL.

OPL continues to monitor the situation as it develops and follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health. Your feedback will help us respond to new opportunities and challenges as they arise.

For more information about in-branch services, visit our current branch services webpage.

Thank you.

City of Ottawa - Cycling in the City - September 2020

 

Have Your Say on the Active Transportation Plan Update

The City of Ottawa would like your input on the Active Transportation (AT) Plan, which updates and combines the 2013 Pedestrian and Cycling Plans. The AT Plan is a long-term planning document that sets out the vision, strategic direction, and policy goals for walking and cycling in Ottawa. The AT Plan also identifies and prioritizes stand-alone projects to enhance the City’s walking and cycling networks. The AT Plan is one element of the Transportation Master Plan update, scheduled for presentation to Council in 2023. At this time we are looking for your input on the AT Plan’s focus areas, missing links, prioritization criteria for candidate projects, and more. Visit the Transportation Master Plan Update webpage and participate in the Active Transportation Plan Update consultation to inform the future of walking and cycling in Ottawa. The consultation is open until October 31, 2020.

Electric Kick Scooter Pilot

The first shared electric kick scooters (e-scooters) hit Ottawa’s multi-use pathways, bike lanes and streets in mid-July. The e-scooter pilot aims to provide an additional physically distanced transportation choice, to gauge public interest in the program and evaluate safe and courteous riding and parking. Since their launch, shared e-scooters have been very popular, with 82,000 trips recorded in the first month, or an average of over 2,600 per day. Three companies, Bird Canada, Lime and Roll, now offer dockless e-scooters for rent in and around downtown Ottawa. E-scooters are allowed on City cycling facilities including bike lanes, cycle tracks, and multi-use pathways. Their maximum operating speed in Ottawa is 20 km/h. They are not allowed on sidewalks, National Capital Commission pathways, across the river in Gatineau, in the Byward Market, in any OC Transpo vehicle or facility, or on streets with speed limits of more than 50 km/h. E-scooters must be parked upright in the sidewalk "furniture zone" closest to the curb – out of the way of pedestrian travel. Please visit the City’s e-scooter webpage for information including the e-scooter deployment areas. The pilot will run until the end of October, at which time the City will be looking for feedback from residents on the e-scooter webpage.

Booth Street Cycle Tracks

Cycle tracks are nearing completion for a 400m section of Booth Street, from Fleet Street to the NCC’s Ottawa River Pathway. The Booth Street cycle tracks provide a fully segregated facility connecting the heavily used Ottawa River Pathway with Cross-Town Bikeway #2 at Albert Street and the Pimisi O-Train station. The project also includes protected intersection features at the Ottawa River Pathway crossing and Wellington Street. Future extensions of the cycling facility north over the Chaudière bridge to Gatineau are planned in conjunction with the Zibi development project.

Bay Street Cycle Tracks

Cycle tracks are also under construction along both sides of Bay Street, from Wellington Street to Laurier Avenue. The new Bay Street cycle tracks are an upgrade to the previous northbound-only bike lane. In the southbound direction, they add a valuable alternative to the previous options: cycling in mixed traffic on Lyon Street or sidewalk cycling on the west side of Bay Street (one of the few locations in the City where this was specifically permitted). The project also adds protected intersection features at most intersections. This upgraded 300m link connects the Portage Bridge cycle tracks to Cross-Town Bikeway #2 along Laurier and enables cyclists on the NCC’s Ottawa River Pathway to reach downtown from the west. Construction is expected to be substantially complete in Spring 2021.

Heron Road Cycling Facilities

Heron Road, from Data Centre Road to Bank Street, is part of the City’s Cross-Town Bikeway #7. It is a four-lane arterial road with a posted speed limit of 60 km/h where the addition of separated cycling facilities will dramatically improve cyclist safety and comfort. The City has completed the first phase of the Heron Road cycling facilities project, from Clover Street to Data Centre, and the second phase of construction is underway. The first phase added a protected intersection at Clover Street, a new multi-use pathway connection to connect Heron Transitway Station, and a new eastbound cycle track from Data Centre to Clover. Cycle tracks are now being built from Clover to just east of Gilles Street. Substantial completion of this second phase is expected by the end of the year. The final connection to the planned Bank Street cycling facilities will occur as part of Bank Street renewal in a few years’ time. There are long-term plans to extend the separated cycling facilities west along the Heron/Baseline corridor.

Cedarview Pathway Upgrades

The City has completed upgrades to a 2km section of the Cedarview Pathway between Bruce Pit (at Bruin Road) and Holly Acres Road. Improvements include repaving and widening sections of the pathway and adding a new cross-ride at the Baseline Road intersection. The pathway follows Cedarview Road and then passes to the west of the Queensway Carleton Hospital, providing valuable north-south connectivity and access to recreation areas in Bells Corners.

Manotick Village / Doug Thompson Pathway Connection

Improvements are substantially complete on a community connection between the Doug Thompson Pathway (formerly Osgoode Pathway), and Manotick Village.  The project includes: extra-wide paved shoulders along Mitch Owens Road between River Road and Dozois Road; a new multi-use pathway segment in front of George Nelms Park and St Marks High School; upgrades to an existing pathway through the Rideau Forest neighbourhood between St. Marks School and Gough Road; and additional pavement markings, signage, and paved shoulders. This upgraded route provides a comfortable cycling connection between Manotick Village and the Doug Thompson Pathway.

Jackie Holzman Bridge Opening

After two years of reconstruction, the new Jackie Holzman Bridge (formerly Harmer Avenue Bridge) officially opened on Sept 10, 2020. The new pedestrian and cycling bridge connects Harmer Avenue North, in Wellington West, to Harmer Avenue South and the Ottawa Civic Hospital across Highway 417. This restores a neighborhood connection across the highway, reduces walking and cycling distances and offers a comfortable active transportation route, including for students of Fisher Park School. Mrs. Holzman is a passionate accessibility advocate and was the first Jewish woman to become Mayor of Ottawa.

Cyrville Station Pathway Under Construction

A new multi-use pathway is under construction from the Cyrville O-Train Station to the south end of the NCC’s existing Aviation Pathway at Ogilvie Road. This new 500m pathway provides a comfortable and direct walking and cycling route to Cyrville Station for residents living north of Ogilvie. It provides a particularly valuable link to transit for residents of the Carson Grove community and La Cité College students. It also allows cyclists arriving by O-Train to ride on pathways all the way to the NCC's Ottawa River Pathway system, via the Aviation Pathway. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.

Urban Boundary Review Update / Tree Planting

Update from Councillor Rick Chiarelli's Office:

Please be advised that the date of the UBR consultation with our office has been moved to Sept. 24 at 11am to allow time for more residents to participate vs the short notice of the previous date. The current registrants have been notified. 

I would also like to share with you the following notice from the Parks, Forestry, and Stormwater Services department.

We are pleased to inform you that Forestry Services’ fall planting program will run this year and planting requests for 2021 are now being accepted. Planting program information can be found at Ottawa.ca/forestry.

 

The fall planting program is scheduled to begin the week of September 21st and will run, weather permitting, until mid November. This includes tree planting in parks, at City facilities, and along streets. Please find attached a detailed list of locations where trees will be planted in Ward 8.  Note that this information is what is planned as of today and cancellations/changes typically occur. Where a tree planting is scheduled on City property adjacent to a residence, individual notifications will be provided to the resident in advance of planting.  Residents should also expect to see utility locate flags and paint on the ground prior to planting.  Planting takes place through the City in following ward order: 21-3-22-20-10-18-2-19-1-11-13-12-17-14-15-7-4-5-6-23-8-9-16.

The list of trees to be planted in our ward is attached. Requests for 2021 can be made at https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment/trees-plants-and-forests/tree-planting.

City of Ottawa Recreation - Fall Updates

 

Before and after school program

For those looking for a before and afterschool program our start date has been rescheduled to begin on October 5 to give families time to determine their needs. Rest assured, these programs include COVID-modified activities such as creative physical-distancing games, sports, and arts and crafts. Quiet homework time will also be provided.

Fall registration has begun

Fall programming is back. Registration for COVID-modified swim lessons, power swim and advanced aquatic certification is open and look for all new recreation and arts eGuides coming later this month.

New drop-in classes and activities

Our weight and cardio rooms and pools are open already and, as of today, we are offering more drop-in activities including aquafit, yoga, fitness classes, racquet ball and walking clubs. Booking your spot is easy and you can reserve up to two days in advance.

Arts centres are open

With public health measures in place we are happy to welcome back residents to our cultural buildings. On September 24, the Trinity Art Gallery at Shenkman Arts Centre will open a new exhibit.  On October 13, specialized arts courses, virtual and in-person, are on offer from the Nepean Creative Arts Centre, Nepean Visual Arts Centre, and Shenkman Arts Centre. Stay tuned for more details.

Day of visibility

Both Shenkman Arts Centre and Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe will be lit up in red to recognize the pandemic’s impact on the live entertainment industry. Watch in person and via social media on Tuesday, September 22, one hour after sundown. #LightUpLive