Things have been exceptionally busy here at City Hall as a number of key items have been coming to Council.
Otter Lake, the multi district recreation facility report, crosswalk safety, the 2014/15 budget and of course snow removal and sidewalk issues have been on the agenda and consuming a lot of my time. Two weeks ago between regional council, the budget meeting and transportation standing committee I spent 15 and a half hours in council chambers on Tuesday and Wednesday, a new record for me!
So as a result my response time to emails and phone calls has been really slow the last two weeks, sometimes 5 business days before I can call back. I regret the delays, and I’m now scheduling time on Monday and Friday to make sure I have enough time to respond. If you’re waiting for a call you should get it today. Again, sorry for the delay, I’ll work hard to get caught up on this backlog!
Much of the backlog comes from snow removal, sidewalk snow issues, and damage caused by bobcats clearing sidewalks. I created an FAQ and update it frequently as new info comes up. I’ve included it below.
Please also note there is a lot more going on in District 7 that sidewalk snow woe! After the sidewalk snow clearing FAQ there are a number of great events and opportunities, from African Heritage Month to Define Halifax to the great Downtown I’m In event happening Feb 8, video attached!
Thanks and see you around at one of these amazing events!
Waye
SNOW REMOVAL FAQ:
I made the FAQ a separate post here on the website, you can read it here.
EVENTS AND NEWS:
Downtown…I’m In
Residents are invited to learn more and share their ideas on the best ways to create and sustain more vibrant and enjoyable downtown areas in Halifax and Dartmouth on February 8 from 10 AM to 3 PM. The events will build on the work being done by the Strategic Urban Partnership, Business Improvement Commissions, The Greater Halifax Partnership and others.
Halifax: Mezzanine level Pete’s Frootique, City Centre Atlantic, 1515 Dresden Row. (Charles Montgomery speaker)
Dartmouth: Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market. (Mark Brand speaker)
To assist people in getting to and from the events, Metro Transit is providing free harbour ferry service between 9:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Those who can’t attend can visit www.DowntownImIn.ca for information or to submit ideas. Comments can also be e-mailed to: downtownimin@halifax.ca or mailed to Downtown…I’m In, PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5. HRM residents can also share their ideas on Twitter using the hashtag #DowntownImIn.
You can see my relatively wooden acting skills compared to the video maestro Mayor Savage and Councillor McCluskey here:
HRM Budget: Resident Feedback
HRM residents are invited to contribute to the 2014 Budget Consultation process by sharing your thoughts on service priorities and how you’d like to see municipal tax dollars spent. Residents can attend a Council of the Whole meeting and provide comment to regional council at the end of each Committee of the Whole meeting on the budget topic being addressed (transportation, recreation services, police, fire, planning, etc). Staff is compiling the responses to December’s online budget allocator for presention to council in the near future.
Roundabout Projects at North Park Intersections – Jan. 29
The next phase of public consultation for the roundabout projects will take place Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 7-9 PM at the Maritime Hall, Halifax Forum (entrance off Almon St). For an update on the roundabout projects at North Park intersections, please click here.
African Heritage Month Kickoff – January 30
Black History Month, known as African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia, is an annual observance in Canada for remembrance of important people and events in the history of Peoples of African descent throughout the world. It is celebrated annually in the Canada in February. This year the theme is “Youth”. February, 2014 is a month to highlight opportunities for youth and to celebrate, honour and recognize African heritage. The evening features special guests, musical entertainment, refreshments, and social reception following the official program.
Join us for an inspiring evening of celebration. Thursday, January 30, 2014 | 7:00 p.m, Halifax North Memorial Public Library, 2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax
RSVP by Wednesday, January 22 to macinnm@halifax.ca
HRM Civic Events Grants – Deadline Jan 31
There will be one intake for grant applications for civic events this year with the deadline being Jan 31 at noon. HRM supports events that build community, foster good community relations, develop local economy and tourism industry, and enrich the quality of life of all residents and visitors. Preference will be given to events which are free to the public, run by non-profit organizations and have a broad appeal. There are three funding programs for which you can apply:
- Festival and Events Grant Program
- Summer Festivals Grant Program
- Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve
Coldest Night of the Year Walk – Feb. 22
A fundraiser to support ARK’s programs for people on the street. For more information on ARK and the walk, please click here http://coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/halifax
The Oval is Open: Free Lessons
Registration is required for the Oval’s free skating lessons for children and youth currently offered. Canadian Tire Jumpstart -I Love to Skate program is designed to teach recreational ice skating in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. The Skate the Common Marathon will take place Feb. 22-23 with Saturday events being the 10 km, 5 km and 3 km and Sunday event being the 25 km and speed skating racing.
HRM is pleased to offer registered non‐profit and charity organizations serving HRM the opportunity to host a community booth at the Oval during this winter to raise awareness of their organization and support fundraising opportunities. The community booth is one of two new blue huts at the oval. For more information: http://www.halifax.ca/skatehrm/or call 490‐4740.
Halifax Explosion 100th Anniversary Commemoration
Regional Council will convene an ad hoc advisory committee to provide input into the development and implementation of a municipal Halifax Explosion 100th Anniversary Commemoration Plan 2017. It is anticipated a municipal plan would be developed to encompass three programming streams:
- Municipal capital projects specific to the Halifax Explosion centennial;
- Civic commemorative event(s);
- Municipal grants to registered non-profit organizations.
For further information on the commemoration plans click herehttp://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/131210ca11110.pdf
HRM’s Branding Project: DefineHalifaxRegion
HRM has launched DefineHalifaxRegion.com – an initiative to create a brand for HRM. The feedback shared by residents and businesses – along with the research results from focus groups and telephone surveys – will be compiled, analyzed and developed into a brand recommendation. This recommendation will be brought to Regional Council in the spring of 2014. Pending Council approval, a phased implementation will begin, guided by detailed brand standards, templates and policies to protect the brand’s integrity and value. For more information, please visit:
- DefineHalifaxRegion.com
- Twitter: @DefineHalifax and hashtag #DefineHFX
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefineHFX
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/definehfx
- Google+ : https://plus.google.com/108287807006076287578/posts
Residents can also share their thoughts on what living here means to them by emailingcomment@DefineHalifaxRegion.com or calling 490-TALK (8255) or toll-free at 1-855-380-TALK (8255) to leave a message. Public engagement will continue until Feb. 2014.
Employment at HRM
Halifax Regional Municipality has a new service provider to assist with the online job application process through a web-based job application system designed to provide job seekers with a modern, user-friendly tool when applying for jobs. For more information
http://www.halifax.ca/employment/FAQ.php
311 Citizen Contact Centres
HRM’s call centre is open 7 days/week from 7 am to 11 pm to respond to routine inquiries and complaints. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.).
Residents can also send in service requests to HRM through contactHRM@halifax.caor through the webpage: https://apps.halifax.ca/311
For more information on the service please visit the 311 website.