Q: What is spring cleanup?

A: Spring cleanup for public works usually comprises of 2 parts Road Sweeping and Boulevard Sweeping. Spring clean-up activities involve removing the build-up of street debris that collects during the winter months.

Q: How long does spring cleanup take?

A: Spring cleanup can take four to five weeks depending on weather conditions.

Street sweeping - starts when the roads are clear of snow and the overnight temperatures remain above freezing.

All streets should be cleaned in the 4-5 week period. Sweeping on regional (P1) streets usually takes place at night, while daytime sweeping focuses on collector (P2) and residential (P3) streets.

Boulevards – Sweeping boulevards begins when there are no frozen or wet boulevard surfaces or approximately a week or two after street sweeping begins.

Clean-up of boulevards in residential areas is limited to areas with excessive sand (2 full wheel barrows or more). This is frequently seen on corners where snow from the street has been deposited.

If your boulevard has an unusually large amount of debris call 311 to request an inspection.

Q: Does the city sweep back lanes?

A: Paved back lanes are swept once a year. The program begins after streets are swept in spring.

Wednesday, January 9, 12:15 p.m. -

A special meeting of Council was called to table the following budgets:

1. 2013 Preliminary Capital Budget and 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Forecast

2. 2013 – 2015 Preliminary Operating Budget

Friday, January 11, 9:00 a.m. (delegations permitted) -

Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works

Monday, January 14, 9:00 a.m. –

Councillor Orlikow will post on www.orlikow.ca of his review of the neighbourhood and City impact of the 2013 Preliminary Capital Budget and 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Forecast and the 2013 – 2015 Preliminary Operating Budget and requesting your feedback.

posted at: http://www.orlikow.ca/issues/view/?iid=99

Monday, January 14, 9:00 a.m. (delegations permitted) –

Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services

Tuesday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. (delegations permitted) -

Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development

Wednesday, January 16, 9:00 a.m. (delegations permitted) -

Executive Policy Committee

Wednesday, January 23 (no delegations permitted) -

Executive Policy Committee will table its recommendations to Council.

Wednesday, January 23, 7:00 p.m. –

Councillor Orlikow’s Budget Town Hall at River Heights Community Centre to review and assess the 2013 Preliminary Capital Budget and 2014 to 2018 Five-Year Forecast and the 2013 – 2015 Preliminary Operating Budget and requesting your feedback.

Tuesday, January 29, 9:30 a.m. (delegations permitted) -

City Councillors will vote to approve or not approve the budgets.

If you wish to speak as delegate go to

How do I register to speak to Council regarding the 2013 Operating and Capital Budget?.

If you would like to appear in delegation to a committee

· You start the process by calling or e-mailing 311 (311@winnipeg.ca ) at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

o Indicate that you would like to speak to a specific Standing Committee, and item you would like to address.

o Examples of “items” would be roads, infrastructure spending, forestry, recreation, police services…

· 311 will take the information and then the City Clerks Department will call you back to confirm you are presenting in delegation, go over procedures and answer any questions you may have.

· Delegations are asked to stay within 10 minutes per presentation.

Neighbourhood Compatibility

Large houses have recently been built in the neighbourhood including one on Montrose Street in River Heights. The houses towers over the next door houses and is set farther forward than most houses on the block.

I held a meeting on September 5, 2012 to discuss in-fill houses, answer questions, and to hear what the neighbourhood had to say.

I have since prepared a motion concerning this issue and continue to work on your behalf. Please view the Q&A below in response to questions heard at the meeting.

Q: Is the city councillor notified when plans are submitted for a new home?

Yes and No, plans are submitted to Community Committee for approval only as long as the home does not require a variance, which is a modification of a provision of a zoning by-law, or a re-zoning or subdivision.

If the home complies with existing zoning the councillor is not notified of plans for a home.

Q: Why could I not see these plans before the house was approved?

So long as a property-owner complies with the City of Winnipeg Zoning By-law, the plans for the property are protected by privacy legislation.

Q: What is been done so similarly large home are in context with the neighbourhood?

The issue of the set back that allowed a house on Montrose Ave to be built closer to the sidewalk than others on the block has been dealt with through a motion requiring the if two set backs are permitted the one that matches the existing houses will be used.

The other issue of height and masses of homes relative to the neighbours homes is part of the over-all by-law review presently been conducted by the City of Winnipeg.

Q: The distance of the new home on Montrose was a distance of 3 feet from the edge of the yard. How is this possible without a variance?

A residential single-family detached home zoned as large or medium, such as the zoning on Montrose, must have a side yard setback minimum of 4 feet. However, various projections are allowed that may extend to 1 or 2 feet form the property line, depending on the projection.

Q: Could we set up design guidelines for the neighbourhood?

There are a number of options to help influence in-fill homes including Plan Development Over-lays and design guidelines and ensuring the Zoning By-law is adjusted appropriately to allow some flexibility while ensuring homes are somewhat consistent with the character of the neighbourhood. All these approaches are in the process of review.

Q: What can we do to aide John to ensure this doesn’t happen again?

I am always open to hearing new suggestions for improvements in the neighbourhood and the city. Public support at committee and council meetings gives weight to issues discussed on the agenda. You can also talk to other councillors, or residents of other wards, to make our council decision-making a more engaging and collaborative process.

Requirements for public notice (posting) are outlined in both the City of Winnipeg Charter and the City of Winnipeg Development Procedures By-law:

Board of Adjustment - Variances / Conditional Uses

· posted on site a minimum 14 days prior to the public hearing

Community Committee - Rezonings / Zoning Agreement Amendments / Secondary Plan By-laws / etc.

· posted on site a minimum 14 days prior to the public hearing and,

· advertise in two newspapers minimum 14 days before the public hearing

The information on DMIS is typically published the Thursday before the Public Hearing. http://winnipeg.ca/clkdmis/

The City is required to send those registered at a public hearing a letter regarding the decision made and if there is an appeal hearing date, however the City not required to mail out letters to give notice of an upcoming public hearing.

Public Open Houses / Public Consultation by a Developer is optional however we often recommend it for large scale projects.

Please let us know if you have suggestions on how communication can be improved and our office will continue advocate for improvements.

Q: Can I ask for a review of the ticket?

A: You can request a review of your ticket by the Winnipeg Parking Authority on line by going to http://theparkingstore.winnipeg.ca/theparkingstore/contestTicket/requestReview.stm and filling out the on line form, or come into the Parking Store at 495 Portage Avenue the next business day after you get the ticket and speak to someone in person.

Q: What if I want to challenge the ticket?

A: If you would like to challenge your ticket using the court process you may contest the ticket by appearing at Provincial Court. Before you do, you must have your ticket reviewed by the Winnipeg Parking Authority. You can do this with the on line process noted above, in person, through 311 or at 311@Winnipeg.ca.

Once this is done, you may file a plea of Not Guilty, or Guilty with an Explanation with Provincial Court, and your case will be heard by a magistrate or Judge.

Q: Where can I get information about parking regulations?

A: Parking rules and regulations are outlined in Provincial Legislation and City of Winnipeg By-Laws: The Manitoba Highway Traffic Act The Manitoba Summary Convictions Act City of Winnipeg Traffic By-Law No. 1573/77 City of Winnipeg Parking Meter By-Law No. 6547/95 City of Winnipeg Disabled Persons Parking By-Law No. 7171/98 City of Winnipeg Voluntary Payment of Fines By-Law No. 789/74

Recently there has been an increase in evening train whistling disturbing the residents of the Linden Woods, South River Heights, Mathers and Brockville Neighbourhoods (http://www.orlikow.ca/images/userfiles/Ward_Map.pdf) .

The following Q&A gives you a better understanding of why there is whistling, actions to stop it and what you can do to help.

Q: Why is there an increase in overnight Train Whistling?

A: The train whistling is a result of CNR delivery trains following federal train whistling regulations during scheduled deliveries.

Q: Can the City of Winnipeg prevent trains from whistling?

A: Depends - In order to have a ‘No Whistle’ crossing, the City must fulfill the appropriate safety requirements and send the corresponding documentation to the local railway company. It is then up to the rail company to apply for the ‘No Whistle’ sign with Transport Canada.

Q: What is a ‘No Whistle’ sign?

A ‘No Whistle’ sign informs a train crew that they need not whistle for the upcoming intersection. A train may still whistle if there is an obstruction on or near the railway, such as a pedestrian or an animal.

Q: Do the local crossings have ‘No Whistle’ signs?

A: All the crossings in the River Heights - Fort Garry Ward have “No Whistle” signs. The most recent sign went up at the Canadian Pacific Railway crossing at Sterling Lyon Parkway in spring 2012.

Q: Where are the train whistles coming from?

A: There are three railway crossings just west of Lindenwoods, within Paula Havixbeck’s Ward of Charleswood – Tuxedo.

CNR at Sterling Lyon

All the upgrades and requirements to make this crossing a ‘No Whistle’ crossing have been completed by the City. The City provided CNR the paperwork for them to submit to Transport Canada to approve the ‘No Whistle’ in 2010. CNR failed to file the paperwork with Transport Canada at that time. The City has since met with CNR urging them to re-initiate the ‘No Whistle’ process. We are presently awaiting confirmation that CNR has submitted the paperwork requirements to Transport Canada.

Lowson Spur Line

After discussing this issue of train whistling with Councillor Havixbeck, I understand that she has begun enquiries into upgrading this crossing.

Lindenwoods Drive West Crossing

The City has been informed by Transport Canada that it would not consider this crossing for ‘No Whistle’ at this time due to safety concerns about the configuration of the crossing and the nearby intersection.

Q: Is there any other way to cross a road without having to whistle?

A: Yes, It is possible for a train to cross a ‘Whistle’ crossing without whistling. The process is known as the ‘Stop and Proceed’.

My office is communicating with CNR to discuss this option.

My staff continues discussion with Member of Parliament Rod Bruinooge’s office as many issues are under Federal Jurisdiction.

Q: How is train noise governed?

A: Because trains cross the country and travel through many cities and municipalities, trains and train activity are under federal jurisdiction.

The cities take care of the roads that cross them, and work jointly with rail companies in working towards making crossings ‘safe’ as described by Transport Canada. Whenever we can do this it means that a crossing can be designated ‘No Whistle’, which results in less whistle blowing at that crossing.

Because activity on the rail property, like regulating train whistling, is under federal jurisdiction, your Member of Parliament is your representative who has authority over this area. The Member of Parliament for the Linden Woods area is Rod Bruinooge. The representative for the area to the north of Wilkes is Joyce Bateman. Their contact information is below:

Joyce Bateman 102-611 Corydon Avenue Winnipeg Manitoba R3L-0P3 Phone: 204-983-1355 Fax: 204-984-3979 joyce.bateman@parl.gc.ca Ottawa Office: 311 Justice Building Ottawa Ontario K1A 0A6 Phone: 613-992-9475

Rod Bruinooge 2855 Pembina Highway, Unit 27 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2H5 Phone: 204-984-6787 Fax: 204-984-6792 Rod@bruinooge.com Ottawa Office: House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Phone: 613-995-7517 rod.bruinooge@parl.gc.ca

You can also contact the rail companies directly:

CNR customer service is (613) 562-9732 during regular business hours.

CPR customer service is (403) 319-7000;

· Choose your language of preference,

· Choose option 7 for the Community Connect line

Q: What has your office done to stop the whistling?

· All intersections in the River Heights/Ft. Garry Ward have been upgraded to No-whistle

· Working with Rod Bruinooge’s office to supply possible resolutions to this problem. This includes the ‘Stop and Proceed’ procedure, and/or locating and asking for a rescheduling of train deliveries to daytime hours.

· Working with Councillor Havixbeck regarding nearby crossings in the Charleswood – Tuxedo Ward to work with her towards resolving this issue.

· Providing information and support to residents to lobby for change.

Q: Dursban, Why are we using it?

· It is currently the only effective product to use against Elm Bark Beetles that cause Dutch Elm Disease.

· There are no viable, effective alternatives at this time.

· Once a tree is treated and the product dries it is effective for two years against elm bark beetles.

Q: How it applied?

· It is sprayed on the ground within 22 cm of the tree trunks.

· Spray directly on the bottom 50 cm of the trunks of the tree.

· There is little to no spray drift.

· It is only being used by the Insect Control Branch as a direct spray on the base of elms trees where appropriate. (most jurisdictions in the US and any provinces that have a Dutch Elm disease program can use Dursban if they had access to product and licensed pesticide applicators)

Q: Is Dursban banned?

· It is for some uses but not for all uses, registered usage is still permitted in US as well as other provinces until the end of 2014; it cannot be used within structures but can be used to treat a variety of insect pests outside of homes.

· Dursban is only banned for application/use within houses, schools, apartments, etc (structures) for structural pest control.

Q: When is it safe to be near or on the sprayed area?

· It is safe to be near the treated area at any time once product has dried. The only time there is any perceived risk is when its wet on the bottom 50cm’s of t he bark but the smell of the Dursban would normally keep all away from touching or eating the bark.

· Notices would be present in public areas at the time of application to advise people of the products presence.

Q: How do I know what areas are to be sprayed?

· A map is provided that includes where the City intends on spraying Dursban and is attached at

· River Heights - http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/New%20IMA%20Map/images/Area_31_Map.gif

· Sir John Franklin, J. B. Mitchel, Mathers, parts of Central and South River Heights http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/New%20IMA%20Map/images/Area_30_Map.gif

· Lindenwoods, Linden Ridge and Chevrier - http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/New%20IMA%20Map/images/Area_24_Map.gif

· Beaumont - http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/New%20IMA%20Map/images/Area_25_Map.gif

· Rockwood, Grant Park http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/New%20IMA%20Map/images/Area_32_Map.gif

· Where it is being sprayed on private property (river properties) the residents receive notification.

· Signage is placed on all boulevards, park entrances and anywhere possible where treatment has occurred. Signs remain up for most of the day and removed at the end of the shift. Signs have dated sprayed, product used and 311’s # on it for further information.

Q: Is City Council approval required?

· Permission is granted for its registered use as a part of a Dutch Elm Disease management program and its proper urban use is identified on the label

· Permission for use is from the Pesticide Use Permit issued to the Insect Control Branch by the Province of Manitoba, Conservation.

· After 2014, the label/product is not being renewed and an alternative is not in sight at this time for the effective control of elm bark beetles.

Q: Notification how is the public notified?

· Official notification is done by the Insect Control Branch in the newspapers and on the website that the city would be using this product in that year http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/news_releases/default.stm

· Private, hand delivered notification are given to homes which back onto rivers where application will be done on private property.

· Web site information is available @ http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/bugline/dutch_elm/spraying.stm

Q: Where and What Time are Wading Pools Open in River Heights?

Wading pools in River Heights are at the following locations:

Brock Cordova : 372 Cordova Monday - Sunday 10:30 – 6:00pm

Crescentwood CC: 1170 Corydon Monday - Friday 11:00 – 5:30 pm

Harrow Park: 1000 Fleet Sunday - Friday 11:00 – 5:30 pm

Montrose Park: 631 Montrose Monday – Friday 11:00 – 5:30 pm

Sir John Franklin CC: 1 Sir John Franklin Thursday – Friday 11:00 – 5:30 pm

TR Hodgson: 303 Lockwood Wednesday – Saturday 11:00 – 5:30 pm

William Osler: 787 Brock Monday - Wednesday 11:30 – 5:30 pm

Operating schedules are subject to change. For the most current schedule information visit the City of Winnipeg Web site at www.winnipeg.ca or call 311 for additional information.

Q: When Causes Wading Pool Closures?

All wading pools are closed on days when Environment Canada forecasts either the projected high temperature for the day is 21°C or lower or the probably of precipitation is 70% or greater. For more information go to: http://www.winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/facilities/pools/wading_pools/wadingpoolrules.stm#closure

Wading Pools may need to close unexpectedly - please check for more information.

Go to: http://www.winnipeg.ca/cms/recreation/facilities/pools/wading_pools/wadingpools.stm after 10:30 am for the most current wading pool information.

Please note: Each pool closes one hour earlier on its last operating day of the season.

Q: I am a renter in a single-family dwelling/house. Does this affect me?

A: If the water bill is in your name, you will be responsible for the quarterly fee for garbage service. If the water bill is in the property owner’s name, the garbage collection fee may be added to your monthly rent.

Note: The carts belong to the property and not the resident. If you move, you must leave the carts behind.

Q: I am a property owner with renters. What does this mean for me?

A: As the property owner, you would be responsible for ensuring the carts are available for your tenants and, if the water bill is in your name, the fee.