Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Auditor General's Report for 2006

Last week the Auditor General (AG) for the City of Ottawa tabled his report for 2006 at City Council. The AG reports directly to Council and reports annually on a workplan approved by Council. In 2006 he reported on 14 areas - Surface Operations, Employment and Financial Assistance Branch, Fire Services, Building Services, Public/Private Partnership (P3) Processes, IT Processes of the Computerized Financial System, Fleet Services, Property Management, Financial Control Environment, Wastewater and Drainage Services, Munster Hamlet Sewer Project, Client Services, Audits arising from the Fraud and Waste Hotline and a Follow-ups of Contracts awarded to Members of the Board of Hydro Ottawa, Police Service Budget Development and Governance of the Police Services Board. The office of the AG was set up to conduct three types of audits; financial audits, compliance audits and performance (or value-for-money) audits. The focus is examining economy, efficiency and effectiveness issues in areas within the City that provide direct services to the public. The information and recommendations show areas where improvement can be made to both improve services and save money. One of the reasons I ran for office last year was because I was did not feel we were getting full value for our tax dollars. The AG has confirmed this in some areas and provided solid recommendations for major improvments. Management staff have agree with 85% of these recommendations and provided full explanations on the other 15%. The report in full can be viewed on the City's website or at a Client Service Centre. The Corporate Services Committee, on which I am a member held public hearings on the report this week. The full Council will discuss the report with the AG at its meeting on May 23rd starting at 10 am. Council meetings can be viewed on cable (Channel 22) or through the City's website. A Council Audit Working Group will be providing on-going monitoring on the implementation of the recommendations and reporting through the Corporate Services Committee. I am particularly concerned by comments respecting management effectiveness , (particularly with front-line supervisors), lines of accountability and sustaining our infrastructure. These are areas we need to address within the transformation exercise that Council is presently undergoing. It is difficult within an organization the size of Ottawa but must be undertaken. Most City staff work very hard and professionally. Often they are frustrated by the systems that were put in place when the enlarge City of Ottawa was established. By making policies clearer, enabling managers to make decisions, and rewarding good employees it is possible to make significant improvements and to improve staff morale. That is the challenge that Council has to meet.

Campeau Drive Widening and Major Watermain Installation

There will be a public meeting on Tuesday May 22nd from 6 to 9 pm in the gym at W. Erskine Johnston School, 50 Varley Drive, to detail the plans for widening Campeau Drive to a 4 lane divided road and to inform the public about the construction of a large watermain and construction of a water pumping station. This is the final meeting on the environmental assessment for Campeau Drive. This is your opportunity to look at alternative design concepts, the recommended alternative (which is a divided road with a central, treed boulevard along much of its length), and the enviromental impacts of the project together with proposed mitigation measures. The timing for this widening has not yet been determined. The greatest need is in the vicinity of the Centrum, from Kanata Avenue to its west end at Didsbury. The watermain will be installed along the south side of Campeau Drive from just east of Teron Road to a future road location near Stonecroft Terrace. The pumping station will be a new building to be constructed on the north side of Campeau Drive adjacent to the Beaverbrook Park. This $8 million dollar project is planned to be constructed starting this summer.

Planning for a Pedestrian System

A Public Open House will be held on Tuesday, May 29th from 6 -9 pm at the Holy Trinity High School Cafetorium, 180 Katimavik Road, on the City of Ottawa Pedestrian Plan. This plan is being developed to provide a framework for pedestrian travel, planning, designing and implementing pedestrian facilities and establishing ways to encourage walking as a viable transportation system. City staff and the project consultant will be present to answer your questions and receive your feedback. You can also fill in the Pedestrian Plan Survey on the City website, www.ottawa.ca The survey is found at http://ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/pedestrian/survey_en.pdf

Development along Goulbourn Forced Road

Urbandale has constructed a fence 10 metres inside the boundary of the approved development area south of the Kizell Drain. They will be cutting trees along the road locations as approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. Richcraft will soon be installing services in its subdivision (at the corner of Kanata Avenue and the Goulbourn Forced Road) which includes connections across the Urbandale land. The construction of the first part of the Goulbourn Forced Road will start early in 2008.

Coming Events

May 19, plant sale by the Canadian Federation of University Women/Kanata to raise funds for scholarships, 66 Nanook Court, 8 am-noon May 22nd, Meeting on Campeau Drive widening and watermain installation, W, Erskine Johnston School, 50 Varley Drive 6-9 pm May 28th, Ward Council Meeting, All Saints High School, 7 -9 pm May 29th, Pedestrian Plan Open House, Holy Trinity High School 6-9 pm June 15th, Deadline for Green Partnership Pilot Program June 23rd, Give-Away Day

Working for the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion you can contact me at City Hall at 613-580-2474 or by email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com