Wild Parsnip, Rural Clean Water Program, Cleaning the Capital & More

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With spring on the way, By-law & Regulatory Services (BLRS) would like to remind residents that not all small wild animals found alone without an adult are orphans. It is very common for mothers to leave their babies in the nest or den while they forage for food. In the majority of cases, these mothers will return to their young. If you find a baby wild mammal on its own (skunk, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel, etc.), please contact the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary first before calling 3-1-1. Please do not attempt to move the animal from its den/nest or to feed it. If a resident has already touched the animal, please return it to where it was found. It is a myth that the mother will reject her babies if they have been touched. In addition, please note BLRS only responds to calls about injured or sick small wild animals .

With spring on the way, By-law & Regulatory Services (BLRS) would like to remind residents that not all small wild animals found alone without an adult are orphans. It is very common for mothers to leave their babies in the nest or den while they forage for food. In the majority of cases, these mothers will return to their young. If you find a baby wild mammal on its own (skunk, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel, etc.), please contact the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary first before calling 3-1-1.

Please do not attempt to move the animal from its den/nest or to feed it. If a resident has already touched the animal, please return it to where it was found. It is a myth that the mother will reject her babies if they have been touched. In addition, please note BLRS only responds to calls about injured or sick small wild animals.

With Spring possibly upon us, I am hopeful that I will not have to cancel any of our rescheduled Town Hall meetings due to snow. As you already are aware, our Rideau-Goulbourn team has hosted a number of town hall meetings throughout the ward since the start of 2019. Unfortunately, due to the less popular Lionel Richie/Diana Ross collaboration, Endless Winter, we had to cancel a few meetings.

Our rescheduled Town Halls will be held on the following dates:

  • Monday, April 15th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Kars RA Centre (1604 Old Wellington Street)

  • Tuesday, April 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at St. Philip’s Parish Hall (127 Burke Street)

  • Saturday, May 4th from 10:00am to Noon at Christ Church (8948 Flewellyn Road)

  • Saturday, May 4th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Munster Community Centre (58 Dogwood Drive)

Drop in to Chat in Goulbourn

Our inaugural drop in session last week in North Gower was very successful. Our next "Drop in to Chat" session will be on Wednesday, April 17th at the Goulbourn Town Hall (2135 Huntley Road) from 10:00am to 3:00pm. We host "Drop in the Chat" sessions on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at different locations across the ward. On these days, you are invited to stop by to chat about any concerns or issues that you have. Our following session will be on Wednesday, May 1st, tentatively scheduled for the new Morning Owl Café in Manotick.

If there is a specific location you would like us to hold one of these sessions, please let us know! We are open to suggestions. The only requirement is that we need Wi-Fi.

Wild parsnip management

Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that is increasingly common within the City of Ottawa in areas of uncultivated land, roadside ditches, nature trails, as well as on and surrounding rural and residential properties. Wild parsnip may pose a health risk to humans. The plant sap contains chemicals that may cause skin and eye irritation and make the skin prone to burning and blistering when exposed to the sun.

While the Public Works and Environmental Services Department has been proactively mapping out and controlling wild parsnip growth on public property, By-law & Regulatory Services would like to remind residents that they are responsible for removing invasive weeds on their private properties.

In accordance with the Property Maintenance By-law, the owner or occupant of a residential property must clear the lands of heavy undergrowth, long grass and/or weeds so that it is consistent with the surrounding environment.

Section 3(4) of the By-law also requires yards be clean and free from objects or conditions that may create a health or accident hazard. If a property owner fails to comply with an order to remove wild parsnip, the City is able to contract out the work at the expense of the property owner. In addition, the Ontario Weeds Act requires residents to destroy any noxious weeds, including wild parsnip growing on their properties.

We appreciate residents' help in managing wild parsnip! 

Apply Now for Grants through the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program

The Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program (ORCWP) provides funding to landowners and non-profit organizations for projects that protect surface water and groundwater quality. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for 18 kinds of projects related to nutrient management, soil protection, water management, land stewardship, and education and innovation.

The next application deadline is May 1, 2019.

Farmers from rural and urban Ottawa along with landowners within rural Ottawa are eligible to apply. Approved applicants must complete a 3rd or 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (farm projects), or Healthy Home Guidebook (non-farm projects). Canadian Organic Certification is also accepted for some farm projects. Non-profit organizations can apply for education and innovation projects.

Applications will be accepted through the LandOwner Resource Centre, which works in partnership with the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities and the City of Ottawa. 

Contact the LandOwner Resource Centre at 613-692-3571 or toll free at 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1136. Visit www.ottawa.ca/cleanwater to see a full list of eligible projects and to download an application form.

Cleaning the Capital Spring Campaign

After the winter snow, frigid temperatures and ice, you can now turn your attention to the City of Ottawa’s 2019 GLAD Cleaning the Capital campaign, taking place from April 15 to May 15.
 
Registering is quick and easy:

Visit ottawa.ca/clean or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) to register your cleanup. Our interactive map will show you which locations have already been claimed, and our online registration form will allow you to choose your own project site and indicate the cleanup supplies that you need. Select a location, such as a park, ravine, shoreline, bus stop or pathway – any public area that requires litter pickup or graffiti removal.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the past and helped Rideau-Goulbourn win the Cleaning the Capital "Ward Award" for the greatest participation based on project participants per capita two years in a row!

Community Dancing in Manotick

Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras on Friday, April 26th, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at the Manotick United Church. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses.  Admission for adults is $10, $5 for those aged 12-18 while kids under 12 are free. There is a family maximum admission of $20. For more information, call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

LED Street Lights, City of Ottawa Winter Maintenance, New Ottawa Library & More

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Thank you to all residents who have come out to our Town Halls thus far! We've had great discussions and are excited about the work we have to do. Photo credit: Jeff Morris from the Manotick Messenger

Thank you to all residents who have come out to our Town Halls thus far! We've had great discussions and are excited about the work we have to do. Photo credit: Jeff Morris from the Manotick Messenger

Due to some unpredictable weather recently, I have had to postpone two of our previously scheduled town hall meetings. The two were planned for Munster and Ashton. Additionally, the Richmond Village Association scheduled their Annual General Meeting on the same evening as we have scheduled a town hall meeting in Richmond. As a result, we will be rescheduling that town hall as well as the ones in Munster and Ashton. We will be looking to April to hold those three meetings. We do, however, have two upcoming meetings on the following dates:

  • February 26th: Marlborough Community Hall, 7:00pm

  • March 5th: Goulbourn Town Hall, 7:00pm

LED Street Lights in Rideau-Goulbourn

At my North Gower Town Hall, we had a discussion about LED lighting and a resident wanted to know how many LED street lights were installed in Rideau-Goulbourn. We have a total of 1880 streetlights in Rideau-Goulbourn. Currently, we have 193 Hydro Ottawa Retrofit lights and 215 LED lights. There are still 1472 street lights that need to be changed to LED lights. Staff anticipate all of the lights being changed in 2020.

City of Ottawa Winter Maintenance

I know residents are frustrated by the amount of snow they have been forced to deal with this winter. City crews have been operating around the clock since January 19th and all resources have been deployed during snow events. The City is trying to clear and remove snow as quickly and efficiently as possible but with a record amount of snow in January, and February likely bringing a similar fate, it has been challenging. Please note that snow removal is based on a road-priority system, with high-use roads and emergency and transit routes cleared first. After the last snowflake falls, the city standard is that residential roads are cleared within 16 hours. If your street is missed, please call 311, as they are available to action your request 24/7.

The City also encourages residents to avoid parking on the street where possible, to support efficient snow removal. Please remember not to push snow onto the street as this puts others using the roadway at risk, and makes it more difficult for City plows to pass. We sincerely appreciate your help and your patience as the City continues to clean up the streets.

Ottawa Public Library and Library Archives Canada Joint Facility Project  

In December, Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects were selected to design the new central library, which will be an Ottawa Public Library and Library Archives Canada joint facility. Part of the design will include a robust public engagement process, both online and in person.

Billed as the Inspire555 series, in a nod to the facility’s new address at 555 Albert St., the engagement process will include design workshops, pop-up events, expert lectures, online activities (local and national) and engagement with Indigenous communities - all planned for 2019.

The first in-person design workshops on Building Blocks are set for later this month and the details are as follows:

Phase 1 Design Workshop: Building Blocks
Participants will be invited to register for one of two design workshops on how to make best use of the site for the new joint facility:

  • Thursday, February 28, 6 pm to 9 pm, Jean Piggott Hall, Ottawa City Halll

  • Saturday, March 2, 9 am to 12 pm, location to be determined

The public is invited to visit Inspire555.ca to pre-register for one of the two workshops.

From 2013 to 2016, more than 3,000 people provided input into the spaces and uses for a new central library. In 2016, following the decision to explore a partnership with Library and Archives Canada, the public provided input into the selection criteria for a site for the joint facility, as well as its functional programming.

This is an exciting time for our City and we encourage Rideau-Goulbourn residents to have their say!

Community Dancing in Manotick

Interested in a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music? Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. The fun takes place Friday, February 22nd, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, at the Manotick United Church.  Admission is $10, $5 for those aged 12-18 and free for anyone under the age of 12. The family max admission is $20. For more information, please call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, ARAC Review & Upcoming Events in Rideau-Goulbourn

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ENews.jpg

Similar to last month, the publish date of the Messenger during the first week of May does not align with the release of the agenda for our May 3rd meeting of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Although not completely set, the agenda will include the revisions to the Site Alteration By-Law that will improve clarity and remove ambiguity surrounding the agricultural exemption and some of the definitions. The agenda is also expected to include the Zoning By-Law Amendment for the Rideau Carleton Raceway property, which is a major step in the Hard Rock Casino development. Please be sure to sign up for our e-Newsletter, if you have not already, as the complete agenda will be sent out next week.

Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

The Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is now accepting applications for summer student positions. Please note that these jobs are still pending approval, expected in mid to late April, under the Canada Summer Jobs program.

To be eligible under the program, students must:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
  • have been registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year;
  • intend to return to school on a full-time basis during the next academic year;
  • be a student in a secondary, post-secondary, CEGEP (Quebec only), vocational or technical program;
  • be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act* and;
  • be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial legislation and regulations

The positions are:

To apply, send your resume; covering letter, including your availability and eligibility under the Canada Summer Jobs program; and two references by email to [email protected]. Only complete applications will be accepted. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Scott Moffatt Golf 4 Youth Classic

The Scott Moffatt Golf 4 Youth Classic is back! The tournament will be on Friday, July 6th at the Canadian Golf and Country Club. Last year, this event raised over $20,000 for Youth of Manotick Association and the Richmond Youth Centre! We are currently in the process of obtaining sponsorships for the tournament. If you are interested or would like more details, please contact our office and we can connect you with the tournament organizers. Furthermore, if you are interested in participating, you can buy tickets at golf4youth.ca.

Community Dancing in Manotick

Interested in a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music? Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. This evening of fun takes places at the Manotick United Church on Friday, April 27th  from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Admission is $10, $5 for those aged 12-18, and children under 12 are free. There is a family max admission of $20. For more information, please call 613-692-4576. http://dance.manotick.net

7th Annual Zumba MS Fundraiser

The 7th Annual Zumba Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser is taking place at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre in North Gower on Friday, April 27th. Admission is $10. All process go to the MS Society. Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. The event begins at 7:00pm but you are encouraged to arrive early to sign the waiver form. The evening will also feature a live auction and plenty of door prizes.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.

ARAC, 5514 Manotick Main Street Update & Community Events

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After a couple of lighter agendas, the May the Fourth be with you meeting of Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee has a few more items on it. As usual, the meeting is held at 10:00 am at Ben Franklin Place. Agenda items include the following:

  • Commemorative Naming Proposal: Ronald Warren Ball Diamond (Osgoode)
  • Housekeeping Amendment to Coach House Policies
  • Official Plan Amendment: 2715, 2777 Tenth Line Road, 810 Wall Road, 2390, 2484, 2656 Trim Road
  • Zoning By-Law Amendments: 6202 Nick Adams Road, 3400 & 3468 Old Montreal Road, 1156 – 1170 March Road, 3746 Larry Robinson Road, 6840 Rideau Valley Drive South, 557 & 577 Jinkinson Road
  • Partial Abandonment of Staidler Municipal Drain
  • Omnibus Zoning Amendments

The item on Coach Houses is just some minor changes to the policy. I continue to work with staff on addressing the main issues relating to the requirements for a hydrogeological study and Site Plan Control. Similarly, the Omnibus report includes minor changes to certain properties and by-laws, including a property in Richmond that was incorrectly rezoned during the 2010 Richmond Community Design Plan process.

The Official Plan Amendment for Tenth Line Road, Wall Road and Trim Road is an application to re-designate agricultural lands to general rural. The recommendation is to refuse the application. The Zoning By-Law Amendments on Larry Robinson Road and Rideau Valley Drive South are to prohibit residential uses following approval of surplus farm severances. The Zoning By-Law Amendment for 557 & 577 Jinkinson Road is to permit Rural General Industrial uses on portions of the properties that are setback from the natural heritage features on the properties. A large portion of this property is already zoned Rural General Industrial.

The abandonment of a portion of the Staidler Municipal Drain includes a section north of Mackey Road and includes the Brooks Branch. A request for abandonment must be made by owners representing no less than 75% of the area assessed for benefit under the by-law for the drain. That has been met in this request. This item was originally on the March agenda but was deferred.

The full agenda with reports is available at Ottawa.ca. Every month, our office also sends out an e-Newsletter with the agenda and link to the reports, among other information. You can sign up for these at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca. Our next one will be sent out this Friday, April 28th.

5514 Manotick Main Street Update

Two weeks ago, I provided an update on the property that used to be home to the Falls House. As many have likely seen, there is a new retail/office building proposed for the site. Since last year, a group of community leaders has been assisting me in working with the owner of the property. Just last week, this same group had the opportunity to sit down and discuss the proposed design with the owner and the architect.

At the meeting, the architect presented some revisions to the design which responded to some of the comments we have been hearing from the community. Those present felt more improvements could be made to help soften the look of the building and make it more of a feature in the village, knowing the importance of this site. As a result, the owner and architect have agreed to look at further revisions. This work has already commenced and we will be updated as soon as possible.

Please stay tuned to this column for further updates. More information on the background and current application for 5514 Manotick Main Street are available at www.rideaugoulbourn.ca/fallshouse.

Community Dancing in Manotick

On Friday, April 28th, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, come on out to the Manotick United Church and enjoy a fun, interactive session of dance, laughter & music. Join the Ever Hopeful Stringband and caller Pippa Hall for a family-friendly, alcohol-free evening of community dancing, including circles, squares and contras. Each dance is taught and the whole family is invited. The evening begins with simple dances, followed by dances that build on skills as the evening progresses. Admission is $10; $5 for those aged 12-18; participants under 12 are free. There is also a family maximum admission of $20. For information, please call 613-692-4576 or visit http://dance.manotick.net.

Scott Moffatt Golf4Youth Classic

Join me on July 7th for the Scott Moffatt Golf4Youth Classic Presented by Caivan Communities at the Canadian Golf & Country Club. It promises to be a fun day for the whole family with all proceeds going directly to the Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA) and the Richmond Youth Centre (RYC). I would love for you to participate!

We are also acquiring sponsorships and silent auction donations. If you are a local business and want to be involved in this event, please contact me and we’ll find an exciting way to get you involved.

For more details or to register, visit www.golf4youth.ca. Hopefully we can make this a successful event that will benefit our youth and families all across Rideau-Goulbourn.

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491. For information on Rideau-Goulbourn issues, please visit RideauGoulbourn.ca.