The City of Ottawa turned into a news-generating machine Wednesday as the head of OC Transpo loses his job, a water rate hike gets the go-ahead, a tougher smoking bylaw passes and councillors endorse the latest detailed plan for Lansdowne Park.
OC Transpo:
Alain Mercier will be replaced by former Public Works general manager John Manconi.
Transit committee chair and councillor Diane Deans says the former general manager for OC Transpo was told early Wednesday he is no longer employed by the City of Ottawa.
A source with the City tells CTV, Mercier lost his job because of several incidents where there appeared to be a lack of transparency. This source suggests the final straw was after councillors discovered through an internal memo that renovations to OC Transpo buildings would cost $14 million. This source says Mercier originally reported the cost at $8 million and failed to let councillors know it had almost doubled.
Manconi assumes his new role immediately.
Water rate:
Ottawa city councillors unanimously passed a 6 per cent hike to the water and sewage rate Wednesday morning.
The rubber-stamped recommendation means an extra $34 a year for the average rate payer. And the recommendation is for similar hikes to happen every year for the next decade. It means the price of water in the city of Ottawa will go up by more than 73 per cent.
With light rail construction to start in the next few years, the City wants a head start on repairing aging water mains and sewers.
Smoking bylaw:
Councillors also passed measures to toughen the city's smoking bylaw. Smokers will now be in violation if caught smoking on city-owned properties including parks and beaches. Smoke-free regulations have also been expanded to include all bar and restaurant patrios.
City officials say bylaw officers will start to issue warnings on April 2 and that enforcement will begin in July.
Lansdowne endorsement:
In addition to all this, city council approved the detailed plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park, setting the stage for final approval this spring.
"For too many years, Lansdowne Park has been something that divided Ottawa as it rusted away and people squabbled over what to do. Now we have a chance to see Lansdowne unite the city," said Ottawa mayor Jim Watson. "This design brings the Glebe and Old Ottawa South together while restoring Lansdowne to its role as an exciting destination where people want to be."
City Council voted 21-1 in favour of forging ahead with new design plans.
The development includes a new stadium, a retail plaza. townhhomes and commercial buildings.
Construction on the project can't start until the courts rule on an appeal by the Friends of Lansdowne.
