KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North BUDGET CONSULTATION The West-End Budget Consultation meeting

is being held next Wednesday, Feb. 23rd at Holy Trinity High School, on Katimavik Rd., from 7 to 9 pm. The Mayor will make opening remarks. This will be followed by a Finance Department presentation, and then questions from residents will be moderated and answered by senior City staff. I will be present, along with other West-End Councillors, to listen to your comments and suggestions. As there is little opportunity to dialogue directly with Councillors at this meeting, I will provide time at my Feb. 28th Ward Council meeting for anyone wanting to direct questions to me. On March 1st the Mayor is holding a Spending Control Town Hall Meeting at City Hall at 7 pm when you can make specific recommendations on how we can reduce budget costs. I will be present to hear your suggestions. If you would like to speak on the Transit budget you can do so on Feb. 24th at City Hall at 9:30 am. Presentations are limited to 5 minutes. The police board will hear submissions on the police budget on Monday, Feb. 28th at 4 pm in the Champlain Room at City Hall. Council will debate the budget starting on March 8th. There will be no opportunity for public delegations at that meeting but you can view the proceedings on Rogers Channel 22 or via a podcast from the City website. Following approval of the budget, Council will develop strategic priorities for the Term of Council, conduct a comprehensive review of the capital budget and Fiscal Framework Policy, and update the Long Range Financial Plan. I will keep you updated on those items as they are developed. MEETING WITH MAYOR WATSON At the request of the residents who have been involved in actions to save the South March Highlands, I arranged for them to meet with Mayor Watson, his Chief of Staff, the City Manager and myself. Five representatives attended to present their concerns to the Mayor. Mayor Watson outlined the legal constraints to stopping the development and listened carefully to each persons comments. Mayor Watson has been very helpful to me in dealing with the difficult situation in the South March Highlands. He called the Special Meeting in December, and helped to negotiate the 80 metre corridor that was obtained, linking the Beaver Pond lands to Trillium Woods. He also supported requests to the developer and

province from the Algonquins of Ontario for a more thorough archaeological study. He was the driving force in having a fund established, that will be funded by a portion of City surpluses, for the purchase environmentally sensitive lands in the future. GARBAGE COSTS Questions have been raised about the cost of garbage collection and whether changes in service levels should occur. In 2010, the cost of garbage pick up, with a maximum 3 bag limit, was $89. The net cost of the blue and black box program for the average home was $19.60 and for the green bin program $22.52. The net cost of the household hazard waste depots was $.53. A decision on the level of service for the next round of garbage contracts is expected to be made by Council, through a recommendation from the Environment Committee, by June. COMING EVENTS Feb. 19, 3 pm, Kanata Choral Society concert, St. Pauls Church, Young Rd. Feb. 23, 79 pm, Budget Consultation, Holy Trinity Catholic High School Feb 25-26, Kanata United Churchs annual Book Sale Feb. 28 7-9 pm, Ward Council, plans to expand the Beaverbrook Library and City budget, Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau. Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern, or make a suggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.