RELAXED PARKING RULES NEEDED UNTIL BUS OVERCROWDING FIXED

With the plan to restore service on all bus routes on March 16, there has been discussion about when the rules for on street parking should go back to normal. I feel strongly that the rules should stay in place until there are enough buses running to end the problem with overcrowding that Kanata residents have faced over the last few weeks. 

During the strike, people were permitted to park all day on streets with no parking meters where one hour, two hour or three hour parking is normally permitted. Originally, the relaxed parking rules were supposed to stay in place until all bus routes were operating on April 6. With the decision to move up the resumption of service to March 16 it has been suggested that regular parking restrictions can resume earlier.

The problem with that is that until April many routes will still be missing a couple of trips. Service will be comparable to what OC Transpo normally operates during March Break.

After what Kanata residents have had to put up with, I don’t want to see changes to parking restrictions until we are sure capacity problems on buses between downtown and Kanata are fixed. At Transit Committee last week, I asked staff to guarantee that relaxed parking rules would remain in place until they were sure there were enough buses running to accommodate everyone. I will be following up at the next council meeting.

Because a final decision has not been made, it is important to check the City’s website for any change in the rules. I will also be including information on my website at www.feltmateforkanata.com.

MAKING SURE STAFF KNOW ABOUT POTHOLES

City of Ottawa road maintenance staff want to hear about potholes. At this time of year potholes are always a problem. With the number of times we have had freeze-thaw conditions in the last couple of months, the problem is worse than normal.

If you see a pothole that needs fixing, it can be reported by calling 311 or e-mailing 311@ottawa.ca.

COLD PATCH AND POTHOLES

One question that comes up a lot is why repairs to potholes in the winter often don’t last very long. After asphalt plants close down at the end of construction season, City of Ottawa road maintenance crews have to use cold patch to repair potholes. It is less durable and can easily become loose. Once the asphalt plants open up again, crews then have to go back to do permanent repairs. This is why there is considerable interest in innovations that would allow us to by-pass the limitations of using cold patch to fix potholes in the winter.

CIVIC EVENTS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL NON-PROFIT GROUPS

Community associations, recreation associations and other community groups are able to apply for funding from the City to assist with organizing neighbourhood events around holidays. These grants recognize the role local events like Canada Day in Kanata play in building strong communities.

Funding of up to $3,000/group is available. The deadline for applications for civic events funding is April 2. Application forms can be obtained at client service centres or by going to http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/funding/community/civic/index_en.html. For more information, please contact Brenda Denault at 613-580-2424 ext. 26459.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca