Councillor’s Message
After a marathon session last Wednesday, the City's $5.8 billion-dollar 2024 Budget was successfully passed, maintaining a 2.5% cap on property tax increases despite ongoing economic challenges caused by inflation.
I’m particularly pleased to see the positive outcomes of my continued advocacy for Orléans South-Navan, resulting in specific investments in our infrastructure, parks, and paths. Budget 2024 earmarks over $17 million for road rehabilitation in our ward, including the final section of Frank Kenny Road from Russell Road to Colonial Road, and multiple sections of Innes Road. This year’s roads investment triples what was allocated in last year’s budget. Additionally, nearly half a million has also been allotted for new multi-use pathway links on Orléans Blvd, Pineglade, Esprit, and Brockstone, and $1.9M for bridge renewals in our rural area.
Responding to my concerns after last year's engineering review, the problematic Brian Coburn/Tenth Line intersection is now included in the city's 2024 Network Modification program improvements. Residents can expect to see improvements made to make this intersection function more safely and efficiently.
Our local parks are also set to benefit significantly from Budget 2024, with $1.3 million dedicated to kickstarting the creation of the district park at François Dupuis. Additional funds of up to $8 million are proposed in 2025 to further the project. Furthermore, $325,000 is earmarked for expanding the accessible playground at Notre-Dame-des-Champs Park, home to our beloved Miracle League. The junior play structure and equipment at Isaie Savage Park will also be replaced.
I believe this year’s budget is balanced, responding to our most pressing city-wide needs, including a historic investment in affordable housing, while respecting the affordability crisis so many families are grappling with. However, I feel as though our rapidly growing ward needs an even greater investment in solving our pressing mobility issues, and made comments to this effect during the council deliberations. Since the budget was tabled earlier this fall, I have had several positive conversations with the mayor and City staff and have commitments that creating a plan to balance Ward 19’s transportation issues with the rapid pace of development will be a focus for the City in 2024.
I want to express my gratitude for your collaboration throughout the year, not just during budget consultations. Your active engagement and ongoing feedback play a pivotal role in shaping our priorities, and I look forward to your continued involvement in our community's growth and development. For a full breakdown of the city’s approved budget, please visit https://ow.ly/kuXl50QgtJH
As the holiday season is in full swing, I hope you are all making the most of the festivities! It’s been wonderful to see so many of you at events throughout the City and ward during this special time of year.
Signalization of Lamarche and Innes in 2024
Since assuming responsibility for the Orléans Village area in late 2022, I have been fiercely advocating to accelerate the timeline for signalization of the Lamarche / Innes intersection as I know that it is a serious concern for this community.
Despite multiple follow ups from my office, the completion of the front-ending report that would allow this project to proceed was delayed this year due to a heavy workload in the Transportation Planning department. The report was approved by council in July, but by then there was insufficient time in the 2023 construction season for the project to be completed. As such, the detailed design and circulation process will occur in the new year for 2024 construction.
Since the front ending report was approved, a new development application was received for a commercial site on the northwest quadrant of the intersection. This new development plan provides an opportunity to coordinate work in the area, particularly the median configuration to allow for access. The continuous median on Innes will be modified to allow for a slotted eastbound left turn lane into the commercial site.
I am disappointed by the delay in this project but wanted to keep you informed. I’ll continue to proactively communicate with staff about the timelines going forward.
Office hours reduced for the holidays
My team and I are taking some much-needed time to recharge over the holidays. We’ll still be monitoring email and voicemails for urgent requests, but please note that response times may be longer than usual.
If you’re looking to submit a service request during the holiday break, you can do so by calling 3-1-1 or online at https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1.
For all urgent matters, please email me directly at Catherine.Kitts@ottawa.ca.
As well, my ward office at François Dupuis Recreation Complex will be closed. Our Friday office hours will start up again on Friday, January 5, 2024.
On behalf of Team Orléans South-Navan and I, we’re wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Thank you for your support and engagement this year. I’m looking forward to working with you in the new year!
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Planning for 2024 temporary traffic calming
The arrival of winter and cooler temperatures hasn’t stopped my team and I from going out and speaking to residents in Ward 19 about speeding issues and planning ahead for spring reinstatements and new measures.
While my small discretionary budget for this year was exhausted in the late summer, I’m committed to continually assessing and enhancing our traffic calming efforts.
My team continues to track all requests for traffic calming that we receive throughout the year to review them for the next budget cycle.
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Annual Food Drive by the McWilliams family in Navan
Today (Saturday, December 17) the McWilliams family and friends will be picking up donations around the village for the Ottawa Food Bank from 1 pm - 3:30 pm.
If you’re in the village, please leave your donations on your doorstep before 1 pm, or you can drop off items between 1-3 pm at Station 71 (1246 Colonial Rd).
Thanks to McWilliams family for this heart-warming holiday tradition and to the whole community for your generosity!
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Celebrating inspirational ideas at École élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé
It was great to spend Friday morning hearing inspiring presentation from students! Thank you Mr. Benay and École élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé for organizing this annual contest that encourages students to bring forward ideas to better their school and community.
This year’s winner was Zoé and her winning idea was the creation of a music club for the school. The idea will be realized thanks to a generous donation from La Fondation Momentum Jeunesse.
Congratulations to all!
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Gisèle-Lalonde’s Enviro Club presents innovative environmental projects
Last week, I had the privilege of joining the Enviro Club at l’École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde, Greater Avalon Community Association, Les Serres Robert Plante Greenhouses, Rotary Club of Orleans, and TVC22 (Rockland Community TV) as students presented a variety of innovative projects.
I'm looking forward to participating in a spring reforestation project to expand the forest that the club adopted recently. The collaboration between these forward-thinking students and the City has been an amazing example of what we can accomplish when we work together.
Vacant Unit Tax portal now open for early declarations
The City has opened its Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration portal earlier than last year.
Residents who want to declare now and before the formal declaration period can do so by clicking here: https://ow.ly/1aaT50QjgSV
The portal opened on December 14 with notices being distributed in January, along with a complementary robust communication campaign to formally launch the 3-month declaration period.
The deadline to declare is March 21, 2024.
For any VUT-related questions or inquiries, including on-going audits or declarations, please email VUT_ILV@ottawa.ca or contact Revenue Services at 613-580-2444.
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Merivale Road dental clinic reopening
It was great to welcome provincial Health Minister Sylvia Jones, along with local MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Goldie Ghamari to the reopening of the recently expanded dental clinic in Nepean on Monday.
Thanks to the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health, more Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Dental Care Program clients will be cared for.
To learn more about Ottawa Public Health’s dental health services, please visit https://ow.ly/ktVL50QhBST
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Waste disposal survey for farmers
As part of the City’s commitment to sustainable waste management practices, the City would like to invite registered farm property owners to participate in a crucial survey.
Given the inherent nature of farm properties and their potential for generating additional unavoidable farm waste beyond the upcoming 3-item limit, Council has directed staff to develop a policy exemption.
This exemption aims to allow farm properties that receive bi-weekly residential curbside collection services to dispose of additional unavoidable farm waste, including packaging materials, plant containers, wooden pallets, old fencing, feed bags, used irrigation materials, and more.
To effectively shape this policy exemption, staff are asking if it’s possible, to take a moment and complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/T12T7tTkdy
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'Tis the season to sleigh holiday waste!
With many exciting holidays coming up over the next few months, now is the perfect time to think of how you can cut down on waste this season.
There are many ways you can reduce waste when it comes to gifts, food, and decorations.
For a few great ideas, please visit https://ow.ly/oBMj50QhzxX
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OC Transpo announces winter service changes
OC Transpo has announced their winter service changes that come into effect on Saturday, December 24, 2023.
Among the highlights, special holiday service (Monday, December 25 to Friday, January 5), A Severe Storm Schedule for buses on weekdays when 31 cm or more of snow is expected, and a return to the Rack & Roll winter program which is now permanently year-round!
These adjustments reflect seasonal changes in ridership and the changing needs of our customers.
For a full list of schedule changes, please visit https://ow.ly/vXZ250Qj5af
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Reminder to get your COVID-19/Influenza vaccines
As the holiday season approaches, Ottawa Public Health is expressing concern over low COVID-19 vaccination rates among older adults. To ensure the safety of our loved ones and the community as a whole, it's crucial that everyone receives their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at least two weeks before potential exposure.
Here's a list of pharmacies in Ward 19 offering the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines:
Metro Pharmacy - 4510 Innes Road / Ottawa, ON / K4A 4C5
Avalon Pharmacy - 2026 Tenth Line Road, Unit 1B / Orleans, ON / K4A 4X4
Real Canadian Superstore - 4270 Innes Road / Ottawa, ON / K4A 5E6
Portobello IDA Pharmacy - 1968 Portobello Boulevard / Orleans, ON / K4A 4E7
Shoppers Drug Mart - 3940 Innes Road / Orleans, ON / K1W 1K9
Walmart Pharmacy - 3900 Innes Road / Orleans, ON / K1C 1T1
Shoppers Drug Mart - 2301 Tenth Line Road / Orleans, ON / K4A 3W6
Sobeys Pharmacy - 5150 Innes Road / Orleans, ON / K4A 0G4
St Mary Health Centre Pharmacy - 2010 Trim Road / Orleans, ON / K4A 0G4
Navan Medical Pharmacy - 3349 Navan Road / Orleans, ON / K1W 0K7
Residents are strongly encouraged to contact the pharmacy beforehand to ensure availability.
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