GUELPH, ON, May 21, 2013 – The Guelph Fire Department is testing a new product called Mark-A-Hydrant that makes it easier for firefighters to see hydrants at night.

The plastic markers, placed behind the hydrant port cap and shaped as a Maltese cross—an internationally recognized symbol of fire services—have a reflective finish making fire hydrants more visible in the dark by capturing the beam from a vehicle’s headlights.

Available in blue, green, orange, and red, the markers are a more cost effective and less labour intensive option to the National Fire Protection Association requirement that all hydrants are colour-code compliant.

“The standard identifies painting hydrants to indicate available water flow capabilities to extinguish a fire, while the markers convey the same information in a cost effective, reflective and easily identifiable package,” says John Osborne, Guelph’s deputy fire chief.

He adds, “The markers also benefit firefighters by making the nearest hydrant to a fire scene easier to find in the dark, which could save time in an emergency.”

To date, the City has installed markers on every other hydrant located along Gordon Street, between Stone and Clair roads, and along Imperial Road North between Willow Road and Speedvale Avenue.

The testing phase will last until next spring so fire officials can gather feedback on how well the markers work during the winter months. Osborne says that any decision to adopt the markers citywide will be considered after a review of the trial period. There are 2,500 fire hydrants in Guelph.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

John Osborne
Deputy Fire Chief
Guelph Fire Department
T 519-822-1260 x 2140
E john.osborne@guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, May 21, 2013 – Community members are invited to attend an open house to learn more about, ask questions, voice concerns and support, and provide input on the development of a new business licence category for driving instructors operating in Guelph.

The amended by-law, if approved by Council, will allow the City to regulate when and where driver instruction can take place in Guelph.

Licensing driving instructors will help address community safety concerns related to an increase in traffic from driver training on residential streets near Guelph’s Drive Test Centre, and ensure more driving instructors are licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and possess liability insurance.

To inform the City’s Business Licence by-law amendment, the City hopes to hear from a variety of community members.

WHAT
Licensing driving instructors open house

WHO
Doug Godfrey, the City’s manager of Bylaw Compliance, Security and Licensing
Jennifer Jacobi, the City’s licensing coordinator
Representatives from the Drive Test Centre of Guelph, Driving School Association of Ontario, and Allstate Driving Instructors’ Association of Ontario

WHEN
Wednesday, May 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

WHERE
City Hall, 1 Carden Street, room 112

Community members unable to attend, can send the City their comments by May 31, by email to licensing@guelph.ca, phone 519-822-1260 extension 2551, fax 519-822-1751 or mail to Driving instructor licensing comments, City Hall, 1 Carden Street, Guelph, ON N1H 3A1.

All feedback will be considered in the development of the proposed amendment to the Business Licence By-law, which is anticipated to be presented to Operations, Transit and Emergency Services Committee in July.

More information is available online at city government > by-laws and policies > draft by-laws. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Doug Godfrey
Manager, Bylaw Compliance, Security and Licensing
Operations, Transit and Emergency Services
T 519-822-1260 x 2520
E doug.godfrey@guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, May 17, 2013 – At the Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment Committee meeting earlier this week, Councillors learned Guelph’s award-winning Organic Waste Processing Facility (OWPF) is functioning well and has successfully achieved all testing and compliance approvals required by the Ministry of the Environment. 

“We’re pleased all commissioning is now complete, the facility is performing as intended, and its construction came in $1.3 million under budget,” said Dean Wyman, the general manager of Solid Waste Resources.

The OWPF was constructed for $31,525,000, which is $1.3 million less than the $32,825,000 allocated capital budget for the project.

The facility was up and running on September 27, 2011, once completed by Maple Reinders Ltd., the designer and builder. A voluntary closure of the facility delayed commissioning by four months, during which time the City refined the OWPF’s odour management system.

“Through responsive and cooperative practices with the Ministry of the Environment, Maple Reinders, local residents and members of the OWPF public liaison committee, we’ve addressed odours, ensured the OWPF does not negatively impact residents, and strengthened important relationships with our community,” said Wyman.

The OWPF was nominated for two construction industry awards. It received the Building Excellence Award from the Grand Valley Construction Association of Canada for best project in the project greater than $20 million category and was the first runner up in the Canadian Design Build Institute’s Award.

The facility uses odour minimization, management and control features—including a thorough odour reporting and investigation process—considered by industry experts as best management practices.

Composting organics at the Organic Waste Composting Facility is expected to increase Guelph’s diversion rate by 10 per cent, helping to achieve the City’s waste diversion target of 65 per cent by 2016.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dean Wyman

General Manager

Solid Waste Resources

T 519-822-1260 x 2053

E dean.wyman@guelph.ca

Mayor and local MPP speak at Public Works Week Open House

GUELPH, ON, May 17, 2013 – The City of Guelph invites the community to join in celebrating National Public Works Week, May 21 to 25 <http://guelph.ca/2013/05/2013-public-works-week/> , at its annual open house.

“The open house is a celebration of Public Works staff and the work they do to maintain clean and safe roads, outside infrastructure and parks,” explains Rod Keller, general manager of Guelph’s Public Works department. “We hope people bring their families, have fun and get to know the City staff who work each day to take good care of our community and maintain our quality of life.”

Media representatives are invited to film, photograph and conduct interviews during the following event:

WHAT

Public Works Week Open House

WHO

Mayor Karen Farbridge (speaking at 10:30 a.m.)

Honourable Liz Sandals, MPP Guelph (speaking at 10:35 a.m.)

Families and children are invited to explore City vehicles and equipment, ride in a bucket truck, navigate a tricycle obstacle course, paint on a snowplow blade and enter a colouring contest.

WHERE

City of Guelph Public Works Department, 50 Municipal Street

WHEN

Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m.–noon

About National Public Works Week

The annual national celebration of public works professionals takes place May 21 to 25. This year’s theme – “Because of Public Works …” conveys how Public Works professionals help to build and maintain city infrastructure and community assets.

National Public Works Week was established by The American Public Works Association (APWA) and is supported by the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) as a way to educate the public about the vast ways that Public Works serves the community.

About Guelph Public Works

Guelph Public Works department is responsible for many activities that improve the lives of Guelph residents.  These essential services are offered 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.  The Public Works department is responsible for:

·         Roads and right of ways;

·         Forestry;

·         Traffic and parking;

·         Guelph Farmers’ Market operations; and

·         Fleet and equipment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rodney Keller

General Manager

Public Works

519-822-1260 extension 2949

GUELPH, ON, May 16, 2013 – Today, the City of Guelph and Guelph Hydro, hosted a Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue workshop to discuss community energy projects and the impact they have on economic development.
As keynote speaker, Mayor Karen Farbridge spoke about the importance of integrated community energy systems for sustainable city building, competitiveness, and economic development.

“Managing our community’s energy future is foundational to achieving our vision to make a difference, our mission to build an exceptional city by providing outstanding municipal service and value, and our mandate for proud, progressive and pragmatic city building.”

She added, “We are making history today as we continue a discussion that seeks integrated community energy solutions to global challenges. This Dialogue has proven to be an excellent opportunity for us to deepen our understanding about shared transatlantic challenges with local energy and climate policy development and implementation.

The morning session, held at Cutten Fields, was an opportunity for a select group of policy makers, municipal leaders, energy experts and academics from Canada, Germany and the United States to exchange ideas and learn from leading communities that have successfully adopted:

• Renewable energy
• Green transportation technologies
• Energy conservation programs including low-energy use communities
• Energy efficient building standards and initiatives
• Community-based energy projects as catalysts for economic development
• District energy systems

One question often asked of the City is why can’t Guelph use energy like they do in Germany where per capita energy use is at least half what it is in here. “Through this Dialogue we are finding useful answers to that question and the challenges it represents,” said Mayor Farbridge.

Last week, the Ontario government announced that communities will be engaged in regional energy plans that, through strong public consultation, will lead to better decision making so future electricity generation contracts site energy infrastructure in the right location, right from the beginning.

In addressing the group, Barry Chuddy, chief executive officer of Guelph Hydro Inc. said, “Guelph Hydro applauds the Ontario government for taking the step to develop a new regional energy planning process based on formal input from municipalities, communities and the energy sector—and we are volunteering to help.”

He continued, “Guelph Hydro believes regional energy planning that considers district energy and thermal energy networks as part of the energy mix is critical to ensure the sustainability and resiliency of the Ontario grid.

“Consultation is critical to ensure distributive, integrated and system-based decisions are made and it was in multi-stakeholder gatherings like this one today where we started to develop Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative,” Mayor Farbridge added. “Our progress has been supported by many. So sharing our journey has been central to how we work. The Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue is one expression of that principle of sharing.

Today’s workshop was to be the last in a series of four workshops that have taken place over the course of the two-year dialogue. The other workshops were held in Northern Virginia, and in Germany’s Ruhr region and the city of Stuttgart. However, during her speech, Mayor Farbridge said she was pleased to learn that two more international workshops are being planned.

About Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative

The Community Energy Initiative is Guelph’s commitment to create a healthy, reliable and sustainable energy future by continually increasing the effectiveness of how we use and manage our energy and water resources. To read more, visit guelph.ca/energy.

About Guelph Hydro Inc.

Wholly owned by Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. which is, in turn, 100 per cent owned by the City of Guelph, Guelph Hydro Inc. is the holding company for Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc., the local electricity distribution company serving 52,000 customers in Guelph and Rockwood, Ontario, Canada, and for Envida Community Energy Inc., an alternative energy company, also located in Guelph.

Guelph Hydro Inc., named Large Company of the Year by the Ontario Energy Association in 2011 and awarded the Environmental Stewardship award by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce in 2012, is helping to create a reliable, diversified and sustainable energy supply to ensure the long-term competitiveness and prosperity of the communities it serves. The company is actively developing sustainable energy projects as a key implementer of the City of Guelph’s internationally renowned Community Energy Initiative. For more information, visit guelphhydroinc.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rob Kerr
Corporate Manager, Community Energy
City of Guelph
T 519-822-1260 x 2079
E rob.kerr@guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, May 15, 2013 – On May 27, City Council will consider a $35 fee to cover the City’s cost to transport and clean each exchanged blue or grey waste cart, after a 12 week trial period.   

A staff report outlining the details of the recommendation was presented yesterday at the Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment Committee.

“Based on last fall’s waste cart rollout, we know 95 per cent of cart exchanges take place in the first 90 days of use,” said Dean Wyman, the City’s general manager of Solid Waste Resources. “Recognizing this, we’re recommending to Council a program that balances residents’ needs for free waste carts exchanges during the first three months and a cost recovery fee for each cart exchange after that.”

A proposed $15 fee, as an alternative to the $35, will be an option for residents willing to clean and transport their own carts.

If approved by Council, neighbourhoods that received carts in 2012 during the first rollout phase will have until July 2 to exchange their carts, without incurring a fee. From that point forward, residents in the second and third phases will have 90 days to exchange their carts before the fee takes effect.

“The winter holiday season—the time of year that generates the greatest amount of residential curbside waste in Guelph—falls within the first three months of cart use,” said Dean Wyman. “This provides residents the opportunity to judge if the cart sizes selected are in fact adequate, when the most waste is put out at their curb.”

All residents have the option to select the size of their blue and grey carts in advance. If size preferences are not identified, the City delivers an extra large blue cart and a large grey cart. Residents scheduled to receive carts this fall are to provide their blue and grey cart size preferences to the City by May 31.

About Guelph’s waste carts program

The City of Guelph is rolling out a new way to collect organics, recyclables and garbage. Carts will be used instead of plastic bags. Using carts will reduce the amount of waste Guelph sends to landfill, lower the City’s operating costs and decrease Guelph’s carbon footprint. The waste cart program is rolling out across the city over three years, each fall, starting in 2012. For more information, visit guelph.ca/waste <http://guelph.ca/living/garbage-and-recycling/curbside-collection/cart-program/user-guide/cart-storage/> .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Heather Connell

Manager, Integrated Services

Solid Waste Resources

Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment

T 519-822-1260 x 2082

E heather.connell@guelph.ca 

City seeks transparency though Community Investment Strategy

Guelph, ON, May 14, 2013 – Earlier today, Guelph’s Community and Social Services Committee voted in support of a more transparent and consistent approach to funding 12 local community benefit programs.

As part of Guelph’s Community Investment Strategy, the City recently reviewed all non-legislated grants administered by the County of Wellington which provide financial support for programs and services delivered by Trellis, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), The Children’s Foundation, Guelph Community Health Centre, Women in Crisis, Action Read, Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County.

The City evaluated each program based on the level of community need, other available funding or partnerships, and the City’s mandate to provide each program or service.

In light of the review, the City is exploring alternative funding sources for the Give Yourself Credit and WDPH Dental programs. The City compared Give Yourself Credit with similar programs across the province, and confirmed alternative education programs are not normally funded by municipal governments.

“The Give Yourself Credit program is vital. This decision is not about whether or not it should continue; it’s about how we ensure that it does continue,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge.

“Important programs like Give Yourself Credit and the Dental program offered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health serve some of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our community,” said Barbara Powell, general manager of Community Engagement. “It’s critical for us to work together to find the right role for the City, the County and the province so we can reduce duplication and increase accountability for these shared funding arrangements.”

To support the transition to a different funding model, the City will continue supporting the Give Yourself Credit program until June 2014, and is working with the program’s steering committee, Family and Children’s Services, the County of Wellington, the Ontario Ministries of Education, Children and Youth Services, and Community and Social Services to identify alternative funding options for the program.

If the province is unable to find a more suitable community partner for the Give Yourself Credit program, the City will revisit its decision before approving the 2014 budget.

The province is mandated to fund the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Dental Health Program, and the City has been contributing funds to help meet demand for the program in Guelph and Wellington County. The City will continue working with the Ministry of Health to ensure adequate provincial funding to continue this public health initiative.

Next year, rather than using County-administered discretionary grants, the City plans to enter into Community Benefit Agreements to provide continued financial support for six of the programs reviewed: a seniors at risk co-ordinator (Trellis), Poverty Task Force (WDGPH) Subsidies for Children (The Children’s Foundation), a drug strategy co-ordinator, a data analysis co-ordinator and Parent Child Place (Guelph Community Health Centre).

Four programs currently receiving County-administered discretionary grants—Garden Fresh Box, Action Read, Women in Crisis, and Growing Great Kids—will be eligible to apply for municipal funding through the City’s Community Wellbeing Grant program in 2014.

For more information

Barbara Powell
General Manager
Community Engagement
519-822-1260 x 2675
barbara.powell@guelph.ca

May 2013

What happens when you combine good people, long term vision and sound community leadership? You get an endless stream of grants for great community programs. Endowments at The Guelph Community Foundation give back to the community for good… forever.

Two granting streams are now accepting proposals until July 26, 2013: The Community Grants Program and the Musagetes Grant Program.

The Community Grants Program: Several Foundation funds support the Community Grants program, including The Foundation’s Community Fund, to which anyone can donate any amount. A number of local businesses, families, and individuals have also set up unrestricted funds in their name to support the Foundation’s Community Grants program.

The Community Grants Program accepts applications from registered charitable organizations that provide projects/activities in: Health and Wellness, Social Services, Arts and Culture, Children and Youth, Recreation, Education, and the Environment. For 2013, a total of approximately $50,000 is available with most grants ranging between $1,500 to $3,000.

Musagetes Grant Program: The Musagetes Fund, a donor advised fund, was created in 2004 to focus on performing, visual, and literary arts excellence in our community. Since then, the fund has disbursed more than $220,000 locally. For 2013, the Musagetes Fund is particularly interested in new approaches to building community and culture. A total of approximately $50,000 is available from the Musagetes Fund Grants Program.

Interested in applying to a granting program at The Foundation? Be sure to review specific eligibility criteria, project guidelines, and The Foundation’s submission process, before completing an online application. Guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on the Grant Programs <http://www.guelphcf.ca/ForbrCharities/GrantPrograms.aspx>  area of our website.

Good Day

Please be advised that Building Services has approved the installation of a new Telecommunication Tower at 430 Laird Road.  The tower is 50 metres in height and is intended for collocation opportunities for providers.  This Telecommunication Tower complies with the City of Guelph Telecommunication Towers and/or Antennas Policy.  The property is zoned industrial and the tower is 470 meters removed from any property zoned residential.

Building Services has been advised from two carriers of the proposed installation of towers at the following addresses:

235 Starwood Drive-existing commercial plaza

403 Arkell Road- existing commercial plaza

Both installations are less than 16.6 metres in height and are exempt from the City Policy and Industry Canada also exempts these from public comment. The proposed towers are monopole in nature.

Thanks

Pat

Patrick Sheehy |Zoning Inspector III/Senior By-law Administrator

Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment, Building Services

City of Guelph

T 519-837-5615 x 2388 

E patrick.sheehy@guelph.ca

guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, Friday, May 10, 2013 – On Thursday, May 16, the City of Guelph and Guelph Hydro will host a Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue workshop to discuss community energy projects and the impact they have on economic development.

The half-day session is an opportunity for a select group of policy makers, municipal leaders, energy experts and academics from Canada, Germany and the United States to exchange ideas and learn from leading communities that have successfully adopted:

• Renewable energy
• Green transportation technologies
• Energy conservation programs including low-energy use communities
• Energy efficient building standards and initiatives
• Community-based energy projects as catalysts for economic development
• District energy systems

WHAT
Transatlantic Urban Climate Dialogue

WHO
Mayor Karen Farbridge, City of Guelph
Barry Chuddy, CEO, Guelph Hydro Inc.
Colin Anderson, CEO, Ontario Power Authority

WHERE
Cutten Fields, 190 College Avenue East, Guelph N1H 6L3

WHEN
Thursday, May 16, 2013
8:30 a.m. – Keynote speech – Mayor Karen Farbridge
Noon – Closing remarks – Colin Anderson
12:30 p.m. – Interviews and photo opportunity

TWITTER
Twitter hashtags for this event are: #TUCD and #Guelph.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rob Kerr
Corporate Manager, Community Energy
City of Guelph
T 519-822-1260 x 2079
E rob.kerr@guelph.ca