Orgaworld audit: what it says
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

A long-awaited audit on the controversial green-bin recycling contract with Orgaworld says the city has paid more than $7 million in unnecessary costs — and that figure could rise even higher in the coming years. Here are some of the key questions the audit shed light on. Q What did the audit uncover? A The oversight of the project was unclear, certain records could not be located and communication with the council of the day about the project was ambiguous. Data from the green-bin pilot projects was, in the auditor’s eyes, misinterpreted, while the decision to increase the minimum amount guaranteed to Orgaworld throughout the life of the 20-year contract was raised from 70,000 to 80,000 tonnes without a rationalization of why. Finally, the possible cost savings related to internally processing separately collected leaf-and-yard waste don’t appear to have been factored in to the business case establishing a 100,000-tonne capacity or an 80,000-tonne minimum in the current Orgaworld contract. via Orgaworld audit: what it says | Ottawa Citizen.

Auditor says Orgaworld contract $7 M in ‘unnecessary costs’
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

The controversial green-bin recycling contract with Orgaworld cost the city more than $7 million in unnecessary costs — and that figure could rise even higher in the coming years, auditor general Ken Hughes has found.

In 2008, the city entered into a 20-year contract with Orgaworld that was worth more than $140 million to handle between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes of organic waste per year.

Chianello: Damning Orgaworld audit shows staff misled council
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

It is difficult to imagine a more damning denouncement of city staff’s incompetence than the audit delivered by Ken Hughes at City Hall examining the Orgaworld contract. Fiasco does not begin to do justice to the utter mess made of this $140-million deal. That 80,000-tonne minimum of green-bin waste that we’re obliged to deliver to Orgaworld each year? The auditor found zero documentation, formal discussion or analysis of how that number was determined. Indeed, the city’s own 2004 pilot project showed that we produced only about 57,000 tonnes of kitchen scraps a year although that’s not what staff told council. via Chianello: Damning Orgaworld audit shows staff misled council | Ottawa Citizen.

St. Patrick multi-use pathway approved despite jump in estimated costs
Ottawa Citizen

By Carys MIlls, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

A new St. Patrick Street multi-use pathway project, including a bike path, won approval from city council on Wednesday despite an increased estimate for how much it will cost. The pathway project was originally estimated to cost between $150,000 and $200,000. But up to $400,000 has now been found within the sidewalk/pathway links and cycling facilities budgets, deputy city manager Nancy Schepers wrote in a letter to councillors before the meeting. via St. Patrick multi-use pathway approved despite jump in estimated costs | Ottawa Citizen.

Analysis: Expect plastics in green bins to be on Ottawa’s 2015 agenda
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

If you’ve always wanted to use plastic bags in your green bin to keep the summer maggots out of sight, you may just be in luck. As a fallout of the damning audit of the city’s contract with Orgaworld, it now appears that the two sides could soon sit down to renegotiate the contract to discuss the possibility of including plastics in the green bin. via Analysis: Expect plastics in green bins to be on Ottawa’s 2015 agenda | Ottawa Citizen.

Volunteer Roundup
Ottawa Citizen

By Ottawa Citizen, July 9, 2014

Ecology Ottawa is seeking a volunteer to co-ordinate its communications department. You’ll help promote Ecology Ottawa’s image and work in the public sphere. Tasks include maintaining Ecology Ottawa’s website, its social media presence, sustaining contact with members of the media, and some volunteer co-ordination. An excellent opportunity for those finishing a communications degree and needing experience. English/French is a strong asset. Also needed are skilled and passionate individuals to help with volunteer co-ordination! Help with welcoming new volunteers, co-ordinating volunteers for events, data management, and volunteer recognition. Contact Brigitte Boudreau-Cassidy at 613-860-5353 or [email protected]

Letter: Road rules are a two-way street
Ottawa Citizen

By David Coakeley, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, July 7, 2014

Re: Ottawa is still not safe enough for cyclists, June 30.In her recent opinion piece, Theresa Wallace laments the fact that cycling in Ottawa is dangerous, as per “eyewitness anecdotal accounts, news stories and ghost bikes.” Again, the lion’s share of the blame is squarely placed on the shoulders of the car drivers involved in collisions. via Letter: Road rules are a two-way street | Ottawa Citizen.

Chelsea, Que., residents want water treatment plant approved - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 7, 2014

Residents in a west Quebec community say they’re getting frustrated waiting for the provincial government to sign off on a facility to improve the quality of their drinking water. People from Chelsea, Que., just north of the capital region, held a mock “water tasting” outside the provincial municipal affairs ministry in Gatineau. via Chelsea, Que., residents want water treatment plant approved - Ottawa - CBC News.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Green bin audit to reveal councillors were misled: Chiarelli :: News - Article

By CFRA News, July 7, 2014

The public will get the final word Wednesday on how the City of Ottawa entered a contract with Orgaworld to pay for 80-thousand tonnes of organics to be processed whether the city sent that much waste or not.

Councillor Rick Chiarelli said in a heated Lunch Bunch the long-anticipated green bin audit will likely reveal that staff misled the politicians.

Nature Canada to tag Purple Martin birds
Metro

By Amy Yee, Ottawa Metro News, July 7, 2014

Fifteen years ago, nature enthusiast Peter Huszcz came across a couple nesting pairs of Purple Martin birds living in cramped quarters of a birdhouse and he decided to build them better digs. Now, he maintains two multiple storey houses located at the Nepean Sailing Club NSC for over 100 nesting pairs of the Purple Martin birds. via Nature Canada to tag Purple Martin birds | Metro.

Get biking Ottawa – TD Place to offer 1,000 secure bike spots to fans
Metro

By Andy Lee, Ottawa Metro News, July 7, 2014

The countdown to the opening of TD Place at Lansdowne Park continues with fans being encouraged once again to leave their cars at home and take alternative transportation to games. Bernie Ashe, CEO of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group OSEG, announced Sunday that 600 on site parking spots will be available for cyclists riding into the park. For events with over 10,000 fans, the park will have 1,000 spots available, partnering up with Wheel-Up to offer supervised and secure bicycle parking. The zone will open two hours prior to an event and close when the last bike is picked up. via Get biking Ottawa – TD Place to offer 1,000 secure bike spots to fans | Metro.
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