Jim Furfaro – Ward One Blog

Mayor Farbridge and Councillors,

I received a call from Doug Hallet yesterday afternoon. The Tribune will be running a story on Thursday about Guelph Central Station (GCS). I told him that from an operations perspective, things had been going smoothly since Sunday. I indicated that we had staff at GCS all day long to assist passengers find the right platform. Staff are monitoring pedestrian traffic to minimize the risk of an incident with one of our vehicles. I talked about some riders having trouble with the concept of platform numbers not matching route numbers and that staff was available to explain the workings of the terminal and give them a map of the layout – I believe that as riders get more experience with the facility, the confusion and questions will disappear fairly quickly. Doug said that he had surveyed a number of riders about GCS and got a variety of responses ranging from “didn’t like it” to “excellent facility”.

Thanks.

Michael Anders | General Manager

Community Connectivity and Transit
Operations, Transit & Emergency Services

City of Guelph
T 519-822-1260 x 2795 | F 519-822-1322
E michael.anders@guelph.ca

Strategy to guide programs and services that reflect Guelph’s diversity

GUELPH, ON, May 16, 2012 – The City’s new diversity strategy will guide the organization’s efforts to support a workforce reflective of the diverse Guelph community, ensure equity in its employment systems, and improve service to the community.

“To provide the best public service, we need to attract and keep the most talented and skilled workforce,” said Mark Amorosi, the City’s Executive Director of Corporate and Human Resources. “This process begins by recognizing and respecting the diversity, including the unique skills and experiences, of our employees.”

The strategy is a five-year plan, now underway, that identifies over 50 actions ranging from policy development, education, a workplace census, employment systems review, and customer service tools.  Learn more at guelph.ca > employment/careers > diversity.

The diversity strategy is part of the People Practices Strategy — the City’s blueprint for achieving organizational excellence through exemplary human resources practices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Mark Amorosi

Executive Director

Corporate and Human Resources

T 519-822-1260 x 2281

E mark.amorosi@guelph.ca

Council to review about 300 services provided by City over next four years

GUELPH, ON, May 16, 2012 – The City’s service and operational reviews have started. Over the next several months, a staff-led Service and Operational Review Team (SORT) will complete the fieldwork.

Last fall, Guelph City Council began the examination of about 300 services provided by the City. All services are to be considered over the next four years.

“These reviews are not new to the City of Guelph and are an ongoing part of the City’s fiscal sustainability and continuous improvement of the delivery of services to the public and business community, as well as fulfilling a requirement of Council under the Municipal Act,” says Michael Psotka, project director for the City’s service and operational reviews.

From the first block of 75 services, Council selected 10 specific services for review in 2012. The six areas selected for service reviews are ServiceGuelph, special events coordination, legal representation, boulevard maintenance, seasonal recreation facilities and Corporate Communications.

In addition, four areas were selected for operational reviews. They are business information systems, traffic flow management, procurement process and property standards bylaw.

Service reviews assess whether a service should be provided by the City and at what service level. Operational reviews assume the City will continue to provide the service, but offer recommendations on how programs and services can be offered in a more efficient and effective way. Potential benefits can include cost savings, streamlined processes, improved service quality and increased levels of service satisfaction.

Once the service and operational reviews are complete this fall, the reports will be presented to City Council for approval.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Michael Psotka C.A.

Project Director

Corporate Administration

T 519-822-1260  x 2243

E michael.psotka@guelph.ca

This e-mail is to advise you about an interview that I did with Jessica Lovell from the Guelph Tribune about Market Square events.

I provided her with the following information about events:

-       City hosted events planned for Market Square include both summer and winter activities and tentatively include:

o       June 22^nd – Fourth Friday celebration of dance and water in partnership with the DGBA and Fab 5 Festivals

o       August 4^th – John Galt Day

o       September 28^th – Fourth Friday dance event featuring two performances by CORPUS to launch Culture Days weekend

o       Winter family skating events and Friday night DJ’d Shake ‘N Skates

o       Annual Mayor’s Levee

o       Possible movie screenings on Saturday nights in the summer (this is still tentative and I told her I’d confirm details at a later date)

-       The City has a $69,100 annual budget to program a limited number of events each year but it is hoped that other community groups might see the opportunity to use the space to host events

-       Market Square events will always be free and open to the public, regardless of who is hosting them

She also asked several questions about the water feature.  I provided the following information:

-       the 7 water jets are still being commissioned but we hope to see them turned on sometime in the next few days

-       the water depth is very shallow and can be drained fairly quickly if there is an event on the square

-       the water system was designed with UV filtration so that the water meets public health standards

Lastly, she asked about the use of the term water feature and not splash pad, and I indicated that we felt interactive water feature was a more accurate description for the public who may think of a splash pad in terms of an aquatics playland (i.e. colourful animals and toys spraying water).

Colleen

Colleen Clack | General Manager Culture & Tourism
Community and Social Services | City of Guelph

T 519-822-1260 ext 2588 | F 519-763-9240
E colleen.clack@guelph.ca

Good Afternoon,

Please find the attached Construction Notice for the reconstruction of Victoria Road South (Arkell Road to MacAlister Blvd), slated to begin on or about Monday, May 14^th. It will be necessary to close Victoria Road South to through traffic for the duration of the construction, which will take approximately 5 months to complete. Traffic will be detoured along Arkell Road, Gordon Street and Stone Road East. Access to residential and commercial properties will be maintained.

This reconstruction will entail the installation of storm sewer, curb & gutter, sidewalk, street lighting and bikes lanes.

The Construction Notice will be hand-delivered to residents and businesses directly affected by the construction. It will be also be advertised on the City Page in the Guelph Tribune and posted on guelph.ca. Emergency Services and other City staff whose operations may be affected by the construction will be advised.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Brad Hamilton, at ext. 2319.

Kindest Regards,

<<Construction Notice Victoria Rd South Reconstruction (Brad) May-12.docx>>

Gwen Barthe, Administrative Coordinator
Engineering Services, Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment
City of Guelph

T 519-822-1260 x 2247  | F 519-822-6194
E gwen.barthe@guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, May 8, 2012 – Council approved the first residential development designed to attract more people and jobs to the City’s core and continue building downtown’s vibrancy and vitality.

Council considered and approved applications by Stantec Consulting Ltd., on behalf of The Tricar Group, for Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments to permit construction of an 18-storey building at the northwest corner of Macdonell and Woolwich Streets. It is expected to have 130 residential units and ground-level commercial uses.

Currently, underground water and sewer services are being removed from the property to allow clean-up of the brownfield site to be completed.

Last week, with broad community support, Council approved its Downtown Secondary Plan. The plan contains a comprehensive vision to revitalize downtown Guelph over the next 20 years and calls for significant residential development to complement more commercial and employment uses.

“We’re very excited. This is the first new downtown residential development we’ve seen in more than a decade, and we hope to see many more people living downtown in the next 20 years,” said Ian Panabaker, corporate manager, downtown renewal. “As Guelph continues to grow, we’ll see a mix of low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Taller ones like this will be located on four low-lying sites at the edge of downtown.”

The new residential development will complement several downtown renewal projects already underway. These include Market Square and Guelph Central Station. On Sunday, May 13, Guelph Transit will join GO trains and VIA Rail service when it moves its hub to the station.

“We’re starting to see our plans for downtown Guelph become a reality,” added Panabaker. “We know the city will grow and change over the next 20 years, and we are prepared to manage that growth in ways that benefit the entire community.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Ian Panabaker

Corporate Manager

Downtown Renewal

T 519-822-1260 x 2475

E ian.panabaker@guelph.ca

GUELPH, ON, May 8, 2012 – The City is celebrating a milestone in its pursuit to be a top employer by showing its commitment to diversity with a flag-raising ceremony.

A new, corporate diversity strategy aims to maintain and recruit a diverse workforce, contribute to positive workplace experiences and deliver programs and services that reflect the diversity of the Guelph community.

The strategy recognizes employees as the City’s greatest asset. Valuing and promoting their experiences, skills and abilities will equip the City to understand its diverse community and deliver programs and services better.

The diversity strategy is part of the People Practices Strategy — the City’s blueprint for achieving organizational excellence through exemplary human resources practices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Mark Amorosi

Executive Director

Corporate and Human Resources

T 519-822-1260 x 2281

E mark.amorosi@guelph.ca

One lane to be closed from Poppy Drive to Maltby Road

GUELPH, ON, May 3, 2012 – The City of Guelph has hired Cox Construction Inc. to remove and replace the asphalt surface along Gordon Street, from Poppy Drive to Maltby Road. The project is expected to take about two weeks starting on Wednesday, May 9.

During construction northbound and southbound traffic in the work zone will be controlled using flags and motorists can expect traffic delays. The City expects to permit two-way traffic flow during evenings and weekends.

In the interest of safety for motorists and construction personnel, speed limits will be reduced in the work zone and motorists are asked to obey all traffic signs and signals.

The contractor will make every effort to maintain access to driveways along Gordon Street, but construction operation and equipment may temporarily interrupt driveway access during regular work hours. All driveway access should be restored by the end of each working day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grant Ferguson

Program Manager, Technical Services

Engineering Services

T 519-822-1260 x 2251

E grant.ferguson@guelph.ca

First 15,000 homes to receive waste collection carts for organics, recyclables and garbage this fall

GUELPH, ON, April 26, 2012 – Residents scheduled to receive waste collection carts this year have until May 31 to choose the size of their blue recyclables and grey garbage carts. The carts will be used instead of plastic bags to place household waste at the curb for collection.

The first of three phases to roll out the cart program will take place this fall. The next phase is scheduled for 2013 and third and final phase in 2014. A map identifying the neighbourhoods in each phase is available on guelph.ca/waste. Alternatively, residents can call the City’s Solid Waste Resources Department at 519-767-0598.

“Using carts instead of plastic bags, sorting carefully and processing our organic material locally at the Organic Waste Processing Facility are all part of a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste Guelph sends to landfill,” said Dean Wyman, General Manager of the City’s Solid Waste Resources Department.

This year, about 15,000 homes will receive three waste collection carts—a green 80-litre organics cart, a blue 360-litre recyclables cart and a 240-litre grey garbage cart—and a food scraps container to keep in the kitchen. These homes will receive a cart program information package delivered to their door next week, starting April 30.

Residents at these addresses may select an alternate size of blue cart and/or grey cart from four size options to meet their household’s unique needs. Alternate size selections are required by May 31 and can be submitted online, by telephone at 519-767-0598 or dropped off at designated City facilities.

The cart program will be phased in over three years to keep costs affordable. The total cost of the cart program, including new collection trucks, is $8,812,743.

The City received a Continuous Improvement Fund (CIF) grant from Waste Diversion Ontario to put towards the cost of the cart program in the amount of $1,335,519—approximately $960,000 for the carts and $375,000 for the new trucks. 

All four sizes of carts are on display at City Hall, Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, Guelph Public Library Main and Westminster Square branches, Victoria Road Recreation Centre and the West End Community Centre.

For more information about the cart program, including the electronic form for selecting cart sizes, visit guelph.ca/waste or attend one of these four information sessions:

• Wednesday, May 9, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Victoria Road Recreation Centre
• Friday, May 11 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre
• Monday, May 14, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre
• Tuesday, May 15, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the West End Recreation Centre

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dean Wyman

General Manager

Solid Waste Resources

Planning, Building, Engineering and Environmental Services

T 519-822-1260 x 2053

E dean.wyman@guelph.ca

Share the Road Cycling Coalition Announces Bicycle Friendly Community Awards

Seven Ontario Communities Receive Awards at Annual Ontario Bike Summit

Toronto, Ontario – April 24 , 2012 – The Share the Road Cycling Coalition, (SRCC) an Ontario-based non-profit organization that promotes bicycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and fitness through provincial advocacy, announced today the latest Bicycle Friendly Communities awards.

The announcement was made at the Coalition’s 4th Annual Ontario Bike Summit in Toronto by CEO Eleanor McMahon, League of American Bicyclists CEO Andy Clarke and Bicycle Trade Association of Canada Executive Director Janet O’Connell. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli participated in the awards ceremony.

The following communities were awarded Bicycle Friendly status: Toronto – Silver; Guelph – Bronze; Mississauga – Bronze; Oakville – Bronze; Peterborough – Bronze; Richmond Hill – Bronze; Welland – Bronze. Honorable Mentions were given to Sault Ste Marie and Whitby.

“Share the Road is proud to announce these seven award-winning communities, and congratulates them on their achievements,” said Eleanor McMahon, CEO Share the Road Cycling Coalition. McMahon noted that this announcement brings the total of award winning communities to 15, representing close to 30% of the population of Ontario: “These municipalities join the 2011 award winners: Ottawa (Silver), Hamilton (Silver), Waterloo (Silver), Ajax (Bronze), London (Bronze), Oshawa (Bronze), Town of Blue Mountains (Bronze) and Windsor (Bronze).

“Even in challenging economic times, municipalities are choosing to invest in bicycling as a way to build places where people want to live, work and visit,” McMahon noted. “The fact that 30% of the population now lives in bicycle friendly communities is indicative of a growing trend that mirrors our polling numbers: 28% of Ontarians ride at least once a month, with 16% of that total number riding daily or weekly. These municipalities are responding to the growing desire of their citizens to choose the bicycle as a mode of transportation or recreation. We congratulate them on their progress, we look forward to sharing their successes with other municipalities who are looking to them for leadership and inspiration – and we look forward to working with them as they proceed to the next level of achievement,” McMahon added.

McMahon also noted that as a result of the awards process, some clear themes are beginning to emerge regarding gap: “Many municipalities are struggling to retrofit their infrastructure and accommodate cyclists in cities and towns that particularly in the last half a century, were built primarily for moving motorized vehicles – not people. Consequently they not only have infrastructure challenges – they have attitudinal ones as well.”

“A number of communities are struggling with the “Education” requirements. In Ontario, unlike other jurisdictions (Quebec, the U.S.) children are not encouraged to ride their bicycle to school, and numerous barriers exist. Further neither children nor adults have access to institutionalized bicycling education programs. In jurisdictions where cycling is a mainstream mode of transportation bicycling and road safety education begins when children enter the school system which builds healthy habits for life, grows the cycling population, and by the time they can drive, makes these cyclists better and safer motorists,” McMahon said.

“An equally important emerging dynamic that is leading the trend to embrace cycling is the growing interest in bicycle tourism as a mechanism for increased economic development. Ontario’s municipalities want to leverage their natural assets to attract bicycle tourists to their area, as Quebec and many U.S. states have done. In short, they want to encourage bicycling and it is our hope that this program will provide them with the advice they need to leverage the numerous benefits bicycling provides,” McMahon noted.

About the Bicycle Friendly Community Awards

The Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) Program, an initiative of the Washington-based League of American Bicyclists, provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. The League is the largest bicycling advocacy organization in the U.S. and represents the interests of the nation’s 57 million cyclists. With a membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists the League works to bring better bicycling to communities across the U.S.

The program provides incentives, hands-on assistance, and award recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. It was launched in Canada in August 2010 by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in partnership with the Washington-based League. The Bicycle Friendly Communities program requires that municipalities complete a thorough application. They are then judged in five categories often referred to as the Five “Es.” These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning.

A community must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories in order to be considered for an award. Communities with more significant achievements in these areas receive superior awards. Applications are assessed by a team of experts who receive input from local officials. The Award categories are: Honorable Mention, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Katherine Glowacz

Bicycle Friendly Community Program Coordinator

T 905-818-0377

E katherineglowacz@gmail.com

Eleanor McMahon

CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition

T 647-201-2820

E eleanor_mcmahon@rogers.blackberry.net