City council sets 3.77 per cent tax increase
Posted Feb 5, 2010 By Shad Qadri
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Tweet ThisEMC News - City council has set the 2010 tax increase at 3.77 per cent, which results in a $140 increase in property taxes for the average property.
While I voted for the 2010 budget and I am happy with the new budget process, the results still left me wanting a smaller increase.
To this end, I will continue to pursue my concerns on staffing levels in an effort to realize further savings for residents.
In 2008, my office uncovered a major problem with the city's organizational chart and the number of "vacant positions."
This lead to the closure of more than 100 positions. However, there is still more work to be done. I have a motion that will be coming before the city's Corporate Services and Economic Development committee that requests the closure of any "vacant position," which still has a dollar amount assigned to it, closed if it has been vacant for two years or more.
With respect to the results of the budget, the city will invest more than $600 million into our infrastructure while encouraging university students to access public transit by introducing the U-Pass pilot project.
The city is also introducing the next phase of the Green Bin program, which will extend the lifespan of area landfills.
Twenty-three new paramedics will be hired and the city will be purchasing 37 new replacement buses.
Locally, the west-end fire station, to be located on Iber Road, has been approved.
As well, a second ice surface will be constructed at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex. In addition, the "rural" premium that transit users pay will be eliminated.
I will have further details on this in a future column.
While there is much to celebrate with the investments the city is making, I still have many concerns with the city's fiscal framework.
I will do my part over the next year to ensure we are oriented in the right direction.
If you have any comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
City's resolution accepted by Dharma Developments
The City of Ottawa and Dharma Developments have reached a settlement on the Orville Station development.
My office, responding to concerns raised by the community, put forward solutions that were agreeable to both the City of Ottawa and Dharma Developments.
These solutions addressed the need for the numerous minor variances that were originally granted by the Committee of Adjustment and that the community found excessive.
While not all of the community's concerns have been addressed, we did the best that could have been done under the circumstances.
I thank the community for the patience they have displayed while this file has progressed. The settlement recognizes the community's involvement and has ensured that their input is valued and respected in the development process.
One of my mandates as councillor is to ensure any development across the city works well not only in the short-term but in the future, especially for residents moving into these developments.
The matter of rezoning will be brought before the Planning and Environment Committee on Feb. 23 and Council on Feb. 24.
Stittsville flooding public meeting
I will be hosting a public meeting with city staff to provide Stittsville residents with an update on the severe rainstorm event that occurred on July 24.
The meeting will be held on Feb. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Goulbourn Recreation Complex Hall A located at 1500 Shea Rd.
City staff will discuss the specific areas where flooding occurred and identify the causes and possible solutions for each area. Please note that definite solutions may not be provided at the public meeting, as the research is currently ongoing.
The investigation consists of five phases. Phase 1 - Background data collection - and Phase 2 - Assessment and problem definition - have been completed and the summary report is available on my website.
An estimated budget of $20 million over three years has been identified, including $4 million in spending for 2010 with work that will begin immediately based on the results of the completed investigation.
'Sweet Art' Exhibition
OWAA members would like to invite you and your family to the "Sweet - Art" Exhibition on Feb. 13 from 10am-4pm.
Bring your sweetheart to the Goulbourn Recreation Complex on February 13 between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for painting demonstrations, children's Valentine's crafts, door prizes and sales.
Rink for Pink
The two Stittsville Atom A teams are helping fight cancer in the National Capital Region by hosting Rink for Pink - a charity event for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
The event will take place on Feb. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Stittsville and District Community Centre. A charity game will kick off the afternoon and will be followed by a special presentation, raffle and an auction. A suggested cost for admission is $5 with all proceeds going to cancer research.
Trust Fund established for injured father
As many of you are aware, Rene Faucher suffered a major spinal cord injury during a recent pick-up hockey game. He underwent surgery and was told he should not expect to walk again.
Rene and his wife, Dianne, have three small children under the age of 5. Unfortunately, they do not have long-term disability insurance.
If you wish to make a donation, you can mail a cheque made out to the "Faucher-Douglas Trust Fund" to Scotiabank, attention Russ Reil, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0 or you can make a direct deposit at any Scotiabank through Branch number 25486 and Account number 0016713. A silent auction will be held on March 3.
For more information, please contact Jen Mcgahan at jenmcgahan@rogers.com.
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