Councillor's Message
I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying the start to the Paris Olympics!Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in Orléans South—Navan. We used the time to discuss important community issues, meet with residents and business leaders and receive updates on projects happening in the ward.
We made stops at Café Latte Cino, one of my favourite spots to meet for a chat, and to Robert Plante Greenhouses – underscoring the importance of support Navan Road businesses in the months ahead.
It wouldn’t be a trip through Orléans South without discussing our transportation issues. I continue to meet with the mayor regularly to discuss finding solutions to the untenable congestion situation in our community, and it was helpful to show him first-hand some of the biggest pain points.
Please continue to give your feedback on the Transportation Master Plan by filling out the surveys found here. If we want City staff to hear loud and clear about our challenges ahead of the important prioritization and financing that will happen through the Transportation Master Plan refresh, this is our moment to do so.
We also stopped in Navan to hear from the Navan Community Association about progress on its Pavillion project. A true whole of community effort to bring more event space to our area. You can learn more about it here (page 6): https://ow.ly/XEkO50SKmu7
Finally, the mayor and I really enjoy going door-to-door in the community. I always appreciate the opportunity to connect with you directly, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to chat with us. It’s great to work with a mayor who prioritizes spending time in all corners of the city.
If you missed us, please join us at the Mayor’s BBQ Saturday, August 10 at Millennium Park (11 am to 3 pm)! He’s bringing the food and games, I’m bringing Monkey Rock Music. See you there!
In the last edition of my newsletter, I shared a lengthy update about the legal situation with Ashcroft Homes and what the settlement means for Navan Road. If you missed it, you can read it here. At this time, timelines are still not clear for when construction will begin. As previously shared, Ashcroft Homes must fulfill many requirements before a permit can be issued, and it’s my understanding that not much progress has been made since my last update. Once I have clarity on timelines, I will send a “Special Update” edition of my newsletter, so that you are aware of the details.
As July comes to a close, I’m looking forward to all of the opportunities to connect with you in August! First up is our cherished Navan Fair, running from August 8 to 11. With so many family-friendly activities on deck, I can't wait to see you all there. Make sure to come by my booth on Saturday and say hi, and if you see a volunteer in a blue shirt make sure to thank them for all the hard work that goes into bringing this annual event to our community! You can find out more about the schedule of events here.
Finally, it’s a Navan Market weekend! Support our local businesses and swing by this Sunday, July 28 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Navan Fairgrounds. A reminder that the Cumberland Market also runs every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Catherine
Sarsfield Road closure for geotechnical investigation
As part of the Sarsfield Bridge replacement, a contractor is required to install two geotechnical boreholes.
To facilitate this work, crews need the entire length of the bridge to work safely. As a result, Sarsfield Road from Dunning to Magladry will be closed for one day only during work hours, Friday, August 9.
Local access to residents will be maintained and detour signage will be installed prior to the closure.
Ongoing culvert work across the ward
Thank you for your understanding as culvert replacement crews have been hard at work on Navan, Renaud, and Russell making upgrades. Work is slated to start at the end of the month and into August on Birchgrove and Magladry.
Below are a few more to be aware of for traffic impacts. Please plan your trips accordingly. A reminder that crew availability and weather can shift work schedules and timelines.
MAGLADRY RD & 0.53KM EAST OF HEUVELMANS RD – Scheduled July 29 to August 2. Road Closure of Magladry Rd will be in place between Heuvelmans Rd to Dunning Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.
MAGLADRY RD & 0.01KM EAST OF BIRCHGROVE RD – Scheduled August 6 to August 12. Road Closure of Magladry Rd will be in place between Birchgrove Rd to Canaan Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.
BIRCHGROVE RD & 0.01KM NORTH OF MAGLADRY RD – Scheduled August 12 to August 16. Road Closure of Birchgrove Rd will be in place between Watson Rd to Magladry Rd with signed detours in place. Local Traffic Access will be maintained.
Road rehabilitation work continues on Frank Kenny & Wall
Base paving on Frank Kenny from Russell to Colonial has been completed, and granular shouldering has been added for top lift paved shoulders, with top lift paving continuing this week.
On Wall from Mer-Bleue to Tenth Line, signage has been installed and construction crews have started milling and pulverizing.
The tentative completion date for both projects is end of September, which is both weather and crew-dependent.
Thank you for your ongoing patience during construction season!
Trim to Tenth Line Westbound full closure August 2-5
Stage 2 will be performing a full closure of westbound Highway 174 between Trim and Tenth Line from 10:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, August 5.
Crews will be working on excavation, hauling and slope finishing.
Traffic will be able to travel westbound on either St. Joseph or Jeanne d’Arc and rejoin westbound Highway 174 at the Tenth Line interchange.
Rural Summit pop-up at Cumberland Farmer’s Market & Engagement Results are out!
Ruby & I had a great time catching up with residents at the Cumberland Farmers' Market last week!
A big thank you to city staff who hosted a pop-up on the Rural Summit and to everyone who took the time to share your comments with us. Shoutout to members of our resident working group Glen Edwards and Steve Lecomte who helped out and to everyone who stopped to give Ruby a pet or a treat.
Staff have just released the Engage Ottawa results with your top concerns and feedback that came out of the ward workshops, grouped by relevant topic. To hear what the rural community is saying in Ward 19, please click here. Over 350 residents came out to give us their perspectives and talk about some of the challenges and concerns they have living in and doing business in the rural part of Ottawa.
The rural summit continues to be planned for early November. Once a date, time, and location is confirmed, I will let you know. Thank you for your ongoing engagement on this important file.
Construction slated to start on new Colonial Road Automated Speed Enforcement Camera
Residents will start to see crews mobilizing on Colonial Road in front of Heritage Public School this week as they prepare to install a new Automated Speed Enforcement Camera.
Work will include excavation and reinstatement to install electrical infrastructure on the south side of Colonial Road on the school frontage. As various activities are in progress, on-street parking may be restricted- at times. Access to the school will be maintained.
Please note, the camera is not expected to be operational until mid-October.
Pre-construction meeting for Caivan’s Cassette development
Please join my office for a virtual information session alongside Caivan to discuss their Cassette development at the corner of Brian Coburn and Mer Bleue and what to expect during construction.
It’s taking place Wednesday, July 31 from 7-8 pm online.
To register, click the link here: https://www.catherinekitts.com/.../caivan-cassette.../form
REMINDER - residential daytime parking regulations
I would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the daytime parking regulations on residential streets, as my office has been seeing increased outreach recently.
The policy states, regardless of if signs are posted or not, residents are not permitted to park on-street in excess of three hours, Mon. – Fri. between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and in excess of six hours on Sat. & Sun. between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
In areas like ours, By-Law Services respond to parking issues in residential areas on a reactive basis, not a proactive one; this means a complaint was received regarding the on-street parking and an officer attended the site. When a complaint is received officers will investigate the issue and take necessary action to ensure compliance, this is a practice implemented city wide.
This is also a good time to remind residents my office does not have the legal ability to overturn any by-law, police, and/or automated speed and red-light enforcement. All municipal elected representatives formally recognize the independent function of the Provincial Offences Court process through the oath of office as well as the Transfer Agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Ministry of the Attorney General.
For additional questions regarding the on-street parking policy: https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/regulations-and-restrictions. Please contact By-Law services directly through 3-1-1 with questions on ticket contention.
East-end focused engagement sessions for draft new Zoning By-law
I’d like to invite you to a couple of virtual engagement sessions on the draft new Zoning By-law.
You can participate with my east-end colleagues on Tuesday, August 27 with a suburban focus, and/or with my rural colleagues on Thursday, September 5 with a rural focus. More information will be available soon, including to RSVP, but for now, mark your calendars!
Additionally, I recently took part in a fireside chat with industry experts and Councillors Johnson and Leiper; if you haven't watched the YouTube video, it's available to watch here.
The City is currently developing a new comprehensive Zoning By-law for approval by Council in 2025. The Zoning By-law is a set of regulations that sets rules on what can be built in different areas of the city, how high, and the specific purpose of each parcel of land.
Mayor’s First Community BBQ at Millennium Park
Join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe & I on Saturday, August 10 from 11 am – 3 pm for the Mayor's inaugural free community BBQ!
You can register today to secure your spot for a free afternoon of food fun, and festivities. https://ca.mar.medallia.com/BBQRSVP2024
Since I know you've all come to love seeing Monkey Rock at my own annual Millennium BBQ, we've secured the band to perform yet again, so make sure to mark it in your kiddos' calendar.
I can’t wait to see you there!
REMINDER - please fill out the Transportation Master Plan surveys
A reminder that this is your opportunity to inform staff about the transportation issues you experience in our community with two surveys. This review will influence funding and prioritization of projects like the expansion of Brian Coburn and the Cumberland bus-rapid transitway, guiding infrastructure investment for the next 20 years.
Orléans South has seen rapid growth, and it's crucial to invest in infrastructure to support our community. I've been advocating for better connectivity in our ward, addressing traffic congestion, inadequate public transportation, and limited active transportation infrastructure. Now, I need your help.
There are two surveys, one is a mapping exercise where you can pinpoint your daily issues, and the second, what infrastructure improvements should be prioritized financially. Both can be found here: https://ow.ly/g92450SlvCY
This is our chance to make the case for investment in Ward 19, and we can't let the opportunity pass us by!
Also, if you haven’t read my Ottawa Citizen op-ed from TMP Part 1, please take a moment and check it out here: Kitts: Ottawa’s new transportation plan must not overlook South Orléans
While I always love hearing from you directly, do note that the best way to have your feedback on this issue captured at this time is to fill out the surveys above.
Fierté d'Orléans Pride Flag Raising and Picnic
Orléans Pride will be celebrating Pride month with a flag raising at Ray Friel Recreation Complex this Sunday, July 28 at 1:30 pm. The event starts with speeches, followed by the flag raising ceremony and a picnic open to 2SLGBTQIA+, allies and their families.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1006036537803069?active_tab=about
Have your say on the Community Garden Action Plan
The City is in the process of reviewing the Community Garden Action Plan and community-led green initiatives in order to improve related services, programs, and resources for Ottawans.
Visit https://engage.ottawa.ca/community-gardens-and-community... for more information on how to get involved including the opportunity to take an online survey and share your ideas, input and feedback on community gardens and community-led green initiatives.
Help shape a city where older adults age well
The City is planning for the development of its Older Adult Plan and they want to hear from you!
In collaboration with partners, staff are consulting with residents and community agencies to determine the priorities and structure needed to facilitate the implementation of a new plan.
Your opinion matters. Please take a few moments to complete the survey using the link provided below: engage.ottawa.ca/oap
The Survey will be open until September 2, 2024. If you have questions, email olderadults@ottawa.ca
Parks and Facilities By-law Review
The City is currently undertaking a review of the Parks and Facilities By-law.
This review is essential to ensure our indoor and outdoor recreational spaces continue to foster community engagement and provide opportunities for recreational and cultural activities that are inclusive, safe and accessible to all.
You can participate here.
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