Latest news with #CityStaff
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Here's what you need to know about the Ottawa Charge-Minnesota Frost PWHL final series
City staff install the first "Charge Avenue" sign on Bank Street in Ottawa on Wednesday. The city declared Bank Street "Charge Avenue" to celebrate the playoff appearance by the Ottawa Charge. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Here are the best places to get wet in Barrie this summer
Barrie lifeguards will be on duty for beach season.(CTV NEWS/BARRIE) It might not feel like it this week, with temperatures in the mid-teens, but hot weather is on the horizon and Barrie is known for its fun water parks. Both the Heritage Park and Lampman Lane Park splash pads are already open for the season. And Barrie's four beaches will be ready once summer weather arrives: Centennial Beach, 65 Lakeshore Drive Lifeguards not yet on duty for the season Johnson's Beach, 2 Johnson Street Lifeguards not yet on duty for the season Minet's Point Beach, 10 Lismer Boulevard No lifeguards Tyndale Beach, 45 Tyndale Road No lifeguards A new splash park will be coming to Ward 7 soon. See budget highlights. Although there will be life guards on duty on two of Barrie's beaches, city staff want to remind the public that children require direct supervision at the beach, and to practice water safety. Both Centennial Beach and Johnson's Beach have posted signs behind each lifeguard chair advising residents when lifeguards are on duty. Buoy lines indicate the safest areas for swimmers, and deeper water is marked by drop-off markers that are anchored in the water. An accessibility mat at Centennial Beach is anchored on the sand between lifeguard chairs #4 and #5. This mat allows caregivers to push wheelchairs and strollers closer to the water's edge and is accessible from the boardwalk. To ensure Barrie's beaches are safe for swimming, weekly water samples are analyzed by the health unit. During humid weather or after storms, watch for warnings that will be posted at designated swimming beaches when bacteria levels exceed provincial guidelines. Beach-goers can check the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit beach water testing results before heading to the beach. During the summer season, the Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) or lifejacket loaner program allows visitors to borrow lifejackets for free (a deposit is required). PFDs are available from the lifeguard office at Centennial Beach and Johnson's Beach, seven days a week between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. .
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Drinking in Ottawa public parks could be allowed this summer
Social Sharing Ottawa parkgoers could soon enjoy alcohol in public parks, as a report from City of Ottawa staff is recommending consumption be allowed within certain parameters. In a report tabled for the city's Community Services Committee, staff included a proposed update to the parks and facilities bylaw. This proposed version would allow alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks and would establishe parameters for where it will continue to be prohibited. The current bylaw prohibits anyone from possessing alcoholic beverages in park spaces, except for at events with a proper permit. City staff outlined two options for councillors to consider. The first option would identify parks where personal consumption of alcohol is allowed. Councillors would then work with communities in their wards on designating parks or continuing prohibition. This option would establish parameters for limiting consumption of alcohol, such as before before 11 a.m. or after 9 p.m. It would also forbid drinking within five metres of playgrounds, parking lots, beaches, and sports fields. The report said these restrictions are designed to prioritize the safety of children and park users and ensure that areas frequently used by them remain secure, while also maintaining public safety. The second option would test drinking in parks with a pilot that would run from July to October. The Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department would select up to one park per ward with the local councillor to authorize the consumption of alcohol. Afterwards there would be a post-pilot evaluation that would go to council for further direction. Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard introduced a motion last year to launch a pilot program, citing cities like Toronto that allow alcohol consumption in designated parks. Both Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Police Service voiced concern with the proposed bylaw. In a letter, Police Chief Eric Stubbs said, "permitting alcohol consumption in public parks presents risks that could compromise public safety and strain our resources." A letter from Ottawa Public Health raised concerns linking increased alcohol consumption to several types of cancer, as well as the risks of underage drinking. Councillors will discuss the report from city staff at a Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for May 27. If approved, the proposed bylaw would then go to city council.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Pilot program aims to fast-track housing construction in Barrie
A new pilot program is in the works that could help fast-track housing construction in Barrie by easing up-front costs for builders. Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall directed city staff to create a Development Change Deferral Program aimed at stimulating new development and supporting the creation of much-needed housing across the city. The initiative is being designed as a 12-month pilot and would allow eligible builders to delay paying development charges - a fee currently due before a building permit is issued. Instead of requiring the full payment upfront, developers would be able to defer charges interest free until either the date the building is occupied or two years after the permit is issued, whichever comes first. "This is about getting homes built faster and reducing the red tape that slows down construction,' said Nuttall. 'By deferring development charges up front, we're giving builders the flexibility they need to get shovels in the ground and deliver the housing our community desperately needs.' Details of the program, including eligibility requirements and the application process, have yet to be released.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Ottawa to ban attaching consumption monitoring devices to municipal water meters
Ottawa residents will soon be prohibited from using a smart consumption monitoring device to track their water usage, under proposed changes to Ottawa's Watering Bylaw. The Environment and Climate Change Committee will vote May 20 on changes to the Watering Bylaw, which serves as the comprehensive regulatory framework governing the municipal watering supply. The bylaw regulates water connections, usage, and metering to 'maintain system efficiency and prevent unauthorized access.' In a bid to prevent damage to municipal water meters, staff propose prohibiting property owners and renters from attaching a device to a city water meter. 'In recent years, property owners have begun attaching smart consumption monitoring devices directly to City Water Meters to remotely track water usage, particularly in non-residential and multi-residential properties,' says the report for the committee. 'These devices interfere with the function of the water meter and its recording of accurate water consumption.' Staff note the ban on smart consumption monitoring devices on a city water meter is designed to prevent damage to the city's water meters and to 'mitigate the risk of City staff inadvertently damaging privately owned equipment during service appointments.' The proposed changes to Ottawa's Watering Bylaw also propose a $567 fee for cancelling an appointment for water service to address lost productivity. 'A new section and charge are being proposed to address costs incurred with same-day cancellation and rescheduling of drinking water service appointments,' the report says. 'Schedule changes impose additional operational costs not captured by the current fee structure, and the new charge will reflect the time and resources lost when appointments are cancelled or unable to be completed due to incomplete work.' Staff also recommend 'more explicit language' requiring owners to notify the city within 60 days of taking possession of a property connected to Ottawa's drinking water system.
