COUNCILLOR/CONSEILLER RILEY BROCKINGTON

Councillor’s Update - Nov 26, 2019

Claymor and Senio Water Infrastructure Renewal complete their work early. The project has just been Information Session tendered and they will meet with their contractor in the On November 7 I hosted a public information session for coming weeks to see if there is any opportunity to tighten the the Claymor Avenue and Senio Avenue (and a short stretch schedule timelines. of Falaise) integrated road, sewer, and watermain In asking both agencies the City has reiterated the delays that replacement project. The objective of this project is to have been caused by the Hog’s Back work and the rehabilitate underground and roadway infrastructure that inconvenience being borne by those having to travel around is nearing the end of its lifespan. The watermain, sewer and the work and through the detours. roadway infrastructure will be rebuilt, including a slight Traffic flows, in all directions are being continuously widening of the road for Claymor Avenue and Senio monitored. Traffic Services staff have been monitoring the Avenue. On Claymor Avenue, curbs will be installed with a impacts of the closure and have been adjusting signal timing new concrete sidewalk. Construction is planned to start late in real-time to mitigate the impact where possible spring 2020 and be completed by the summer of 2021. The understanding that there will inevitably be delays due to the project limits are Claymor Avenue ( to sheer volume of traffic. Falaise Road), Senio Avenue (Normandy Crescent to Falaise Traffic Services as well as OC Transpo officials have looked at Road) and Falaise Road (Claymor Avenue to Prince of Wales providing access to the transit lane on or Drive). Significant planning, designing, and budgeting is underway to undertake this major infrastructure project. removing it for general traffic use. Whether it is opened up completely or in sections or to facilitate right turn vehicles The design drawings and plans are available on my website only there is an impact on transit operations, none of which for public review. The cost of this project is approximately are acceptable at this time. The lane was put in place to $7.5 million. ensure transit travel times and to allow transit to stay on Hog’s Back Bridge Update schedule, changing the use of the lane would significantly Construction on the Hog’s Back disrupt transit travel times. Transit travel is on a fixed route Road swing bridge is ongoing. I and schedule so they are not adaptable to the traffic situation understand and acknowledge the in that they are not able to look at alternative routes. traffic impacts that the closure of Traffic Services continue to monitor and make adjustments the Hog’s Back swing bridge by the but using the transit lane beyond the current westbound right NCC has had in this area. Last week turn lane extension is not deemed to be an option at this I initiated a request that the City of reach out to the time. NCC to see if there is a possibility that the NCC can adjust OC Transpo: O-Train Confederation Line and Bus Service their construction schedule to complete the work earlier. The NCC responded indicating it would be highly unlikely Since the launch of the LRT and the largest route system that they had room in the schedule to complete their swing change in OC Transpo history, there has been numerous and bridge work early. That said they have new stages in the continuous issues with bus and train reliability. As a member project coming up for review and they would look to see of the Transit Commission, I intend to continue to hold OC Transpo officials accountable and request their continued where they can find efficiencies. NCC will follow up on their updates on improvements being implemented to deal with findings. not just the continuing growing pains but also with historical The City has also asked Parks Canada to see if their fixed issues with reliable bus and Para Transpo service. bridge work schedule, which will begin next Spring at the At last week’s Transit Commission meeting, I successfully conclusion of the swing bridge work, can be altered to moved a motion to have OC Transpo provide a ‘Family Pass’ www.RileyBrockington.ca | 613-580-2486 | [email protected] option during periods when children are off school: recurring issues with hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts, March Break, Summer Break and at Christmas holidays. the City would not create any additional regulations or The motion was passed. licensing for these establishments. I voted against the Transit Budget at the Transit Rooming houses would see no further regulations either as Commission meeting at this time because I believe the the City hopes to prevent further decline of this affordable proposed budget fails to provide the necessary resources form of housing. Instead, the City would use incentives like for bus reliability. I am willing to amend my vote at provincial funding for property enhancements to improve Council if further details and resources are committed to living conditions. improving bus reliability. I am meeting with OC Transpo Increased Focus for Sidewalk management next week to discuss this matter further. Clearing This Winter City Council Moves to Regulate Rental Accommodations The City of Ottawa is increasing In response to the proliferation of short-term rentals its focus on 24/7 snow clearing (AirBnb’s) in Ottawa and concerns about the quality of on sidewalk beats this rental housing, low vacancy rates and a growing need for upcoming winter. Conditions of more affordable rental housing, the City’s Community sidewalks were not acceptable and Protective Services Committee approved a new last winter and I voiced my regulatory framework for rental accommodations on frustration with City staff who have been working on Friday, November 15. City Council will consider the improved service strategy over the last several months. proposed regulations at its meeting tomorrow. New ice-breaking equipment has also been purchased to In cases where property owners continue to not comply assist with clearing the ice off of sidewalks after freeze-thaw with property standards, the City would immediately cycles. increase the re-inspection fee to $500. Revenue from this Overnight Parking Bans This Winter Season fee would be used to fund two new by-law officers who The City of Ottawa’s winter overnight parking regulations would focus on repeat offenders and high-risk properties. are in effect between November 15 and April 1st. Parking is The proposed regulatory regime for long-term rental not permitted on city streets between the hours of 1 a.m. housing also includes new by-laws to improve landlord- and 7 a.m. when 7 cm of tenant communication and pest and vermin snow or more is forecast management. The City would provide additional by Environment Canada in educational information on tenant rights and related by- the Ottawa area and the laws. City has enacted a parking The City would pilot new regulations permitting short- ban. term rentals in residential neighbourhoods for three Vehicles that remain years, enabling property owners to rent out their parked on the street when principal residences, rural cottages and vacation homes an overnight parking ban is on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, in effect are subject to being ticketed and towed. The City HomeAway and FlipKey. Short-term rentals of of Ottawa will be strictly enforcing the bans this winter. commercial and investment properties would still be Your co-operation in finding alternate parking will help city prohibited. crews clear the streets quickly and efficiently, which Short-term rental platforms, property managers and benefits all of us. hosts would need to register with the City and follow You can stay informed about overnight parking bans by rules related to consumer protection, health and safety, signing up for an e-alert or by following the City’s official and community nuisances. Short-term rental hosts would social media channels. The local media is also advised in the need to get a permit that would be valid for two years. event overnight parking restrictions are in effect. The City would use revenues from the new registration Enforcement of winter overnight parking restrictions will and permit fees and from the municipal accommodations continue each evening until snow clearing is completed and tax to enforce the rules. the City issues a special advisory indicating that the Following public consultation, staff would report back to overnight parking restriction has been lifted. the Committee next year with by-laws to enact the To sign up for a Winter Parking alert, or any other city- proposed regulations. As there are no systemic or related notifications, go to https://app06.ottawa.ca/ esubscriptions/signup-form-en.html. www.RileyBrockington.ca | 613-580-2486 | [email protected] Send Feedback on Traffic Calming Requests documenting data review and field investigation, public Over the next few months I will be reviewing additional feedback, countermeasure evaluation, and any short- locations across River Ward to add temporary traffic term and long-term recommendations. A copy of the calming on local neighbourhood streets. If you have a report will be available for public review in Q1 2020. location that you would like reviewed for local traffic The survey is available online at www.Ottawa.ca/ calming, please share them with me via HuntClubRiverside. email [email protected]. Fraudulent phone calls claiming to be from Service Canada The Ottawa Police Organized Fraud Unit is warning the community about a recent phone scam that is being reported in Ottawa and across the country. The fraudulent phone calls are coming to both cell phone and land lines and may display the phone number of a legitimate government agency. The recorded message when the phone is answered claims that it is ‘Service Canada’ calling and that there has been a crime committed with ‘your social insurance number (SIN) and to press “1” to avoid prosecution’. Pedestrian Bridge Naming Police are urging Ottawa residents not to press 1 and to On Friday, November 8 the Airport Parkway Pedestrian simply hang up. People who have continued with the call Bridge was officially renamed the Juno Beach Memorial have been directed to purchase gift cards or bitcoins in Bridge, in honour and memory of the 75th anniversary of order to avoid prosecution. Financial losses have ranged the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. The Juno Beach from $3000 to $15,000. Association and Royal Canadian Legion (Strathcona With regards to this and similar type of calls, police Branch) were supportive of this initiative and participated advises that: in the ceremony along with numerous military veterans •No government agency will demand or accept payment and dignitaries. A new plaque will be installed on the in Bitcoin or gift cards; bridge to reflect this change. •Never give out personal or banking information over the Winter Road Maintenance and Repairs telephone unless you are absolutely sure of who you are If you see any roads or potholes that require winter giving it to (do not release your PIN to anyone); maintenance or repair, please contact my office who will •Do not rely on your phone’s call display option to assist with arranging for additional maintenance and validate who you are actuallyt speaking with, as repairs with City Supervisors. If a City snow plow has fraudsters can spoof phone numbers. caused any damage to your front grass, please let me know and we will arrange for grass repair which typically With regards to this specific false“ Service Canada” calls, occurs in the spring. I continue to push for budget police would also like to advise that these are robocalls allocation for road repair and renewal. and that the caller does not know any information about you. They will only know your SIN if you provide it to Volunteers Needed for Local Outdoor Rink Maintenance them. More information is available with Service Local outdoor winter ice rinks are maintained by Canada. For more information on this and other frauds, volunteers in the community with support from the local please follow @FraudOttawa or visit OttawaPolice.ca. community associations and the City of Ottawa. Without Hunt Club Road and Intersection Review the help from local volunteers the community ice rinks would not be operational. If you are interested in The City of Ottawa is undertaking an intersection review assisting with local ice rink maintenance and operations at Hunt Club Road and Riverside Drive. I invite residents in River Ward, please contact my office or your respective to take part in the survey in order to share their community associations. High school students are experiences and help inform the intersection review. The reminded that this provides a great opportunity to earn intent of the review and survey is to identify potential more volunteer hours towards fulfilling their mandatory countermeasures that would improve safety and 40 volunteer hours of community service. operations for all users. The City consultant hired to undertake the review will prepare a technical report www.RileyBrockington.ca | 613-580-2486 | [email protected]