November 2009.

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RIVER WARD CITY COUNCILLOR MARIA McRAE'S REPORT TO
THE CARLINGTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
November 10, 2009

Community Development Framework - Update.
As you are aware, in December 2008, Carlington was identified as the proud recipient of the City's new Community Development Framework (CDF). The CDF is an innovative way to coordinate municipal and community services. It brings together a cross-section of community partners to share information and leverage resources and community strengths to address needs in neighbourhoods. I am proud to be a member of the Steering Committee overseeing this CDF.
The CDF began in the Caldwell neighbourhood and will gradually move to other areas of Carlington. As a first step in the process of engaging residents and identifying priorities, a neighbourhood survey was conducted. Survey results were compiled and in the coming weeks, the CDF Steering Committee will further engage residents to confirm the survey results and to begin action planning to address issues raised in the surveys.

Site Plan Application - 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road.
Recently, at my request, the Shepherds of Good Hope distributed a flyer to inform the community about a Site Plan application they submitted to the City of Ottawa. Additionally, although it is not standard procedure, I asked the City of Ottawa's Planning Department to circulate a copy of the Site Plan to the community and to the CCA. If you have any comments or questions, I encourage you to directly contact the City Planner for this file, Simon Deiaco at
613-580-2424, ext. 15641 by November 20, 2009.

New Collection Calendar.
The City's 2010-2011 Collection Calendar for recycling, the new green bin program (which begins January 2010,) leaf and yard waste and garbage pickup is currently being delivered and should be in mailboxes by November 30.

The Ottawa Older Adult Plan: Investing in Our Seniors.
The number of senior citizens living in Ottawa is set to explode. Over the next 20 years, the number of people aged 65 and over will increase by 50%, creating significant demands and pressures for new services.
Through the implementation of the recently approved Ottawa Older Adult Plan, City Council will determine how to best address the needs of our aging population, determine what services are required, how to deliver them, and what partnerships can address this growing population. This comprehensive strategy will review a variety of factors including service delivery, organization and management, partnerships with agencies and governments, volunteer support, financial incentives and subsidies.

Integrated Road Safety Program
September Results
During the month of September, the City of Ottawa's Integrated Road Safety Program (IRSP), through its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), laid a total of 2,967 charges for speeding and failing to stop for school buses when their flashing red lights were activated.
Specifically, 2,927 tickets were issued to drivers who failed to adhere to posted speed limits, while the school bus initiative resulted in the laying of 40 charges.
October Initiative
In October, STEP will focus on seatbelt safety, child car seat safety and distracted divers. The results of this initiative will be available later on this month.
November Initiative
In November, STEP will focus on improper use of Reserved Transit Lanes, red light running and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics Opened October 26, 2009.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) will begin providing free pandemic H1N1flu vaccinations to Ottawa residents who need it most. Citywide clinics begin October 26, 2009.
As the initial supply will be limited, OPH will focus on providing the vaccine to the following groups of residents in the first seven to 14 days of operation:
- People 6 months old to 65-years-old with chronic medical conditions
- Pregnant women
- Healthy children between 6 months and five years of age
- Health care workers
- Household contacts and care providers, infants younger than six months and people with compromised immune systems.

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics - Fixed Sites October 26 to November 27
Kanata Recreation Complex
100 Walter Baker, Kanata
Monday to Friday: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Vanier Richelieu Community Centre
300 Des Pères Blancs, Vanier
Monday to Friday: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Orléans Client Service Centre 255 Centrum, Orléans
Monday to Friday: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tom Brown Arena
141 Bayview, Ottawa
Monday to Friday: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

City of Ottawa -Administrative Building 100 Constellation, Nepean
Monday to Friday: 5 - 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics - Roving Clinic Sites
Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier West, Ottawa
November 16, 23: 4 - 9 p.m.
November 18, 25: 9 am - 3 p.m.

West Carleton Community Complex
5670 Carp Road, Kinburn
November 3, 25
2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Jim Durrell Arena
1265 Walkley Road, Ottawa
November 5, 9, 11, 12, 19, 23
2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Fred G. Barrett Arena
3280 Leitrim Road, Ottawa
November 7, 8, 14,15, 21, 22
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
November 6, 10, 13, 16-18, 20, 24-27
2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Walter Baker Sport Centre 100 Malvern Dr, Barrhaven
November 23, 24
2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Stittsville and District Community Centre
10 Warner Colpitts Lane, Stittsville
November 27
2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Alfred Taylor Community Centre
2300 Community Way, North Gower
November 26: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Osgoode Community Centre
56 Main Street, Osgoode
November 23: 2:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Flu Assessment Centres Open to Take Pressure off Emergency Rooms
Six flu assessment centres open across Ottawa today to help respond to rising flu activity in the community and lessen the burden on our local hospital emergency departments.
Most cases of the flu, which can last several days and make people feel very sick, can be treated at home. However, people whose symptoms are getting worse quickly, as well as people at risk of severe complications from the flu, should see a family physician or flu assessment centre. People at risk of severe complications include children under 5 years, especially those under 2; seniors over 65 years; pregnant women; and people who have a cardiac disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, cancer, weakened immune systems, renal anemia or morbid obesity.
Residents who have a family physician or primary care provider are asked to seek medical attention from their existing provider first. Residents who do not have a family physician or who cannot access their usual care provider within 48 hours have the option of going to a flu assessment centre.
Both family physicians and flu assessment centres are equipped to provide health assessment and appropriate treatment for people with flu symptoms. Flu assessment centres will not provide vaccine.

Central
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
221 Nelson Street, Ottawa 613-789-1500

Central
Somerset West Community Health Centre
55 Eccles Street, Ottawa 613-238-8210

Central
Centretown Community Health Centre
420 Cooper Street, Ottawa 613-233-4443

South
Dempsey Community Centre
1895 Russell Road, Ottawa 613-737-5115

West
Carlington Community Health Centre
900 Merivale Road, Ottawa 613-722-4000

West
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre
1365 Richmond Road, Ottawa613-820-4922

These clinics will run seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information on preventing and treating the flu, visit http://www.ottawa.ca/health or contact the Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744.

2010 Budget Process.
This year, City Council approved a new process for the 2010 Budget to increase engagement by Councillors and the public at the beginning of the budget process. These changes also include an increased role for Standing Committees, including the creation of the new Audit, Budget and Finance Committee, of which I am a member. As Chair of the City's Transportation Committee, I am working closely with senior staff reviewing and challenging the budgets for the departments under my responsibility.
2010 Budget Standing Committee Meetings:
Standing Committee / Standing Committee Budget Release and Briefing / Standing Committee Meeting
Corporate Services and Economic Development / October 26, 2009 / November 2, 2009
Transit / October 23, 2009 / November 6, 2009
Transportation / October 26, 2009 / November 9, 2009
Planning and Environment / November 3, 2009 / November 10, 2009
Audit, Budget and Finance / Audit, Budget and Finance Committee will review draft budgets from Standing Committees on November 17, 2009 / November 17, 2009

The Ottawa Police Services Board and Ottawa Public Library Board will undergo separate budget reviews and will present their Budgets to Council on December 9, 2009.

Budget 2010 Timeline:
Review and Development of Budget Strategy by Audit, Budget and Finance Committee:
October 1, 2009 to November 27, 2009

Tabling of the Draft Budget by the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee:
December 9, 2009

Public Consultation Period:
December 10, 2009 to January 22, 2010

Committee of the Whole/Council Approval:
January 25, 2010 to February 5, 2010
I encourage you to contact me if you have any feedback regarding your priorities for the 2010 Budget.

Dates for 2010 Budget Standing Committee meetings are:
Standing Committee / Standing Committee Budget Release and Briefing / Standing Committee Meeting
Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will review budget matters on October 22, 2009 / October 22, 2009
Community and Protective Services / October 22, 2009 / October 29-30, 2009
Transit / October 23, 2009 / November 6, 2009
Corporate Services and Economic Development / October 26, 2009 / November 2, 2009
Transportation / October 28, 2009 / November 9, 2009
Planning and Environment / November 3, 2009 / November 10, 2009
Audit, Budget and Finance / Audit, Budget and Finance Committee will review draft budgets from Standing Committees on November 17, 2009 / November 17, 2009

The Ottawa Police Services Board and Ottawa Public Library Board will undergo separate budget reviews and will present their budgets to Council on December 9, 2009.

Light Rail Transit
Transit Technology Choice
The Rail System Selection Report was tabled at the October 21, 2009, Transit Committee meeting and was referred to the November 18, 2009 Transit Committee meeting.
The selection of the appropriate rail system technology for the City of Ottawa is a major component of the 2008 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) process and a set of principles that reflect the goals of the Council approved TMP were applied. Ultimately, city staff identified Light Rail (LRT) as the preferred technology choice for deployment in Ottawa. I encourage you to visit the following web link to view the full report as presented by City Staff: http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/cityco ... A-0017.htm

Refined Cost Estimate
On October 23, 2009 the City released more detailed costing information for the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel (DOTT) and light rail transit (LRT) system. The refined cost estimate for running LRT between Blair Road and Tunney's Pasture, including the construction of the tunnel, is $2.1 billion. City staff also provided Council with a detailed analysis regarding the City's financial capacity to fund its share of the cost of the project.
To ensure the reliability of the estimate, City staff worked in consultation with some of the most experienced and respected transportation and tunneling project firms in the world - experts familiar with the types of challenges that can be expected in a project of this magnitude. The estimate has also been subjected to a third-party review by a major, international engineering and project management firm. Following recommendations made by the third-party review, City staff added a $100 million Director's Contingency that is included in the above estimate.
This more refined estimate reflects the projected costs of land acquisition, as well as the expected cost of a number of significant changes to the design, including increasing the length of the tunnel by 30 percent, and building an underground, rather than above-ground station at the University of Ottawa. The new estimate also includes modifications to some existing stations, as well as the cost of some additional work to prepare for the next stage of LRT construction in order to reduce capital costs for the next phase of implementation. This evolution in cost estimating is an accepted part of the implementation process in any large capital project.
The next major step in the process will take place in December, when Transit Committee will be asked to approve the functional design of the project. I encourage you to visit the following webpage to find further information on the City's LRT plan: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_c ... dex_en.htm