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February Update 2020

Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,

Happy mid-winter!  Dreaming of the amazing Algonquin birch bark canoe build planned for this spring!

First of all we really wanted to reach out to thank Wayne Westfall, a truly wonderful man and a wonderful supporter of the Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour.  We were so touched by his thoughtfulness in suggesting that donations be made to us in his memory through our webpage.  Thanks so very much to those of you who have chosen to honour Wayne in this way. We are truly grateful. Donations in his memory are still welcome as a gesture of huge respect for all that he stood for.

Second, David McDonald says the XCountry skiing in the Inner Harbour is great right now!  Proceed at your own risk!

Third, a note of caution: There seems to be a problem replying to this e-mail address.
Instead please e-mail comments to me at inverarymary@yahoo.com
 
FEBRUARY EVENTS:
1) Health Coalition Meeting, Feb 11
2) Smart City Initiative, Feb 12 + other dates
3) Marine Museum talk, Feb 12
4) Williamsville Main Street Study, Feb 12
5) Panel to Celebrate Heritage Week, Feb 13
6) Love your Councillor: Fri, Feb 14
7) Family Day Activities, Feb 17
8) SPEAKingston Pro Downtown High Rise Meeting, Feb 19
+ Feb 20 Public Planning meeting re Capitol Project
+ Frontenac Heritage Foundation comments.
9) City Fluoridation Open Houses, Feb 19/27
10) Marine Museum Talk, Feb 26
 
OTHER NEWS, CLARIFICATIONS AND INTERESTING TID-BITS
A) Three universities & Parks Canada’s Survey of the Rideau Waterway
B) Martello on Brock!
C) Leadership on Climate Action
D) Residential Energy Retrofit Program
E) Single Use Plastics, Survey Deadline, Feb 12
F) Reasons to Skip Outdoor Salt
G) Third Crossing Update
H) Wastewater Treatment Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
I) Opening of Warming and Councilling Centre on Wellington St.
J) Amazing Contemorary Floating Drydock
K) Tuques4Trees
L) Kingston’s Vacancy Rate + Housing Issues
M) PFAS Test Kits
N) Interesting Graph: What We Should Be Eating to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
O) Clarification  re contacts for Density by Design and Capitol issues
 
FEBRUARY EVENTS:
1) Health Coalition Meeting, Feb 11
What:  Long-term care homes are facing a crisis. Personal support workers (PSWs), responsible for the daily hands-on care for long-term care residents, are overworked, underpaid, and unequipped to deal with the challenges of their profession. A new report released by the Ontario Health Coalition, commissioned by Unifor, details the harsh reality PSWs face and highlights how the huge shortage of PSWs has affected all Ontarians. A cross-province tour of the new report is underway 
Where: Artillery Park Centre, 382 Bagot St.
When: Tues, Feb 11, 10 am
MORE INFO? here
Let your local politicians know they need to act now to fix the crisis that will affect us all in due course.
 
2) City’s Smart City Initiative, Feb 12
Received Jan 28, 2020
What: City seeks innovative participants for SmartKingston working groups.
“We’re hoping to build on the momentum from the Oct. 2019 Smart Kingston Symposium with this. We have Queen’s University, RMC and St. Lawrence College here, and many extraordinarily smart residents, which gives us an opportunity to create made-in-Kingston solutions to benefit our community,” says Craig Desjardins, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships, and member of the Smart Kingston Steering Committee.
He points to the pilot Snowplow TrackerMy Neighbourhood and the Kingston Waste App as just a few examples of smart solutions the City has developed to improve the day-to-day lives of Kingstonians.
The Smart Kingston Working Groups will continue to develop ideas that came out of the Smart Kingston Symposium held this fall. The Symposium’s 140 participants were asked to brainstorm innovative ideas that were people-focused, secure, green and/or culturally enriching. Social issues were also addressed.
Interested?  Sign up to learn more about Smart Kingston and this commitment on Eventbrite.
Times and Locations of upcoming sessions:
Session 1:Central Public Library, Wed, Feb. 12, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Session 2: Web seminar,Thurs, Feb. 24, 2-3 pm.
Session 3: Gore Road Fire Hall, 211 Gore Rd,Wed, March 25, 11;30 am – 12:30 pm.
Session 4: INVISTA Centre, Hall A, Wed, April 29, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
More Info? CityofKingston.ca/SmartKingston
 
3) Marine Museum Talk, Feb 12
What: Phil Jenkins Long Point to Pointe-des-Monts: A Postcard Voyage down the St Lawrence In the course of researching his book River Song: Sailing the History of the St Lawrence, Phil Jenkins collected postcards, some over a hundred years old, along the length of the river. These postcards form the stepping stones of his engaging talk, prompting anecdotes and tales from history that illuminate the contribution the river has made to the narrative of pre and post-colonial Canada, and earned it the title ‘mighty’. He will include a song or two written while sailing the St Lawrence on the tall ship Mist of Avalon.
Where:  Kingston Yacht Club, 1 Maitland St., Kingston
When: Wed, Feb 12, 7:00 pm
 
4) Wiliamsvile Main Street Study, Feb 12
Received from Williamsville Community Association Feb 8
The Williamsville Main Street (WMS) Study was approved in 2012 to guide the transformation of Princess Street between Division Street and Bath Road/Concession Street. The plan was intended to create a main street that is pedestrian-oriented and transit-supportive with residential and commercial uses that would serve the nearby neighbourhoods. Do you like the results? Planning staff will be holding a workshop to discuss issues relating to the WMS corridor and the changes that are needed. Please come and express your concerns about:

  • Where more tall buildings (greater than 6 storeys) should be permitted in the WMS corridor
  • Changes to the size, scale and massing of buildings allowed on Princess Street (e.g. stepbacks of upper floors; setbacks of buildings from the sidewalk, etc.); and
  • Other concerns regarding the redevelopment of the WMS corridor.

If you are interested in Williamsville Main Street, please attend:
Date: Wednesday, February 12
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 pm, followed by the workshop)
Location: St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 236 Nelson Street


5) Panel Discussion to Celebrate Heritage Week
What: “What’s New in Heritage Planning?”
Who: Carl Bray and Marcus Letourneau
Where:  Central Public Library, Meeting Rm 1, 130 Johnson St.
When: Thurs, Feb 13, 7:00 pm
NOTE:  Public Event – Come and bring a friend.

6) Love your Councillor on Valentines Day, Feb 14.
Why not send a message of appreciation to your Councillor and city staff for their continuing hard work! 🙂

7) Family Day at Artillery Park,INVISTA & Tett,  Feb 17.
Artillery Park Aquatic Centre
Address: 382 Bagot St. Phone:  613-546-4291 ext. 1700 
Family Day hours: facility – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fitness centre – 10 a.m. – 7:30
p.m.  

Pool Schedule:
10:30 – 11:25 a.m. – Parent & Tot Swim
10:30 – 11:25 a.m. – Family Aqua Fit
11:30 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. – Lane (Vicki Keith Pool) & Family Swim (Leisure Pool)
1:30 – 3:25 p.m. – $2 Leisure Swim (both pools) 
3:30 – 4:25 p.m. – Parent & Tot Swim
3:30 – 4:25 p.m. – Swim Sport
4:30 – 5:55 p.m. – Lane (Vicki Keith Pool) & Family Swim (Leisure Pool)
6 – 7:25 p.m. – Leisure Swim (Leisure pool)
6:30 – 7:25 p.m. – Family Aqua Fit
Gym/fitness room schedules:
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Family Open Gym
12:15 – 1 p.m. – Family Quick Fit 4 Lunch 
1:15 – 2:50 p.m. – Family Badminton   
3 – 5 p.m. – Family Open Gym
5:15 – 6 p.m. – Family Fitness @ 5
6 – 7:25 p.m. – $2 Family Open Gym

INVISTA Centre
Address: 1350 Gardiners Rd. Phone: 613-54666-4291 x 1800
Family Day hours: 6 am – 6 pm.
At the Rink:
8:30 – 10:20 a.m. – Senior/ Adult Skating
9 -10:20 a.m. – Parent & Tot Stick & Puck
10:30 – 11:50 a.m. – Parent & Tot Skating
1:30 – 2:50 p.m. FREE Public Skate sponsored by Kingston Transit
In the fitness studio:
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Family Cardio Tone

Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
Address: 370 King St. W. Phone: (343) 266-0009
Family Day hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Spend your Family Day at the Tett Centre, and discover a variety of family-friendly, hands-on, interactive art experiences for all ages! You are invited to drop in and celebrate 5 years of creation and education. Activities include Ceramic Mosaics with the Kingston Potters’ Guild, Gary Rasberry conc erts in the Malting Tower, face painting, Twisted Balloons by Julie, Kids Creativity Club craft station, Wire Wrapped Gemstones workshop, button making, Textiles with the Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners, Creativity Studio Artists Exhibition in the Tett Gallery, and more! To view the full schedule visit: www.tettcentre.org/events. Donations welcome at the door. All ages welcome!
NOTES:  Activities listed may change. Updates will be posted on the City’s website, Facebook and Twitter
Unless otherwise indicated, drop-in fees apply.
Grade 5s and 9s can skate and swim for FREE with their ActivPass.
Go to www.KingstonGetsActive.ca to learn more about the ActivPass program.
Plan your family bus trip with Google Transit: www.kingstontransit.ca/tripplanner

8) SPEAKingston Pro Downtown High Rise Meeting, Feb 19 (First Meeting)
Feb 20 Public Planning meeting re Capitol Project (Second Meeting)
+ Frontenac Heritage Foundation comments.
First Meeting: Of group interesting in promoting high rise development in Kingston’s downtown.
Always good to be informed about these groups and issues!
Speakers include: Bryan Paterson (Mayor), Paige Agnew (Director of Planning), Mark Touw (IBI Group), Tom Greening (Home Base Housing), Brandon Law (RWDI), and Kathryn Wood (Pivotal Momentum)
Agenda:
Importance of high rise buildings downtown
What these buildings will mean to our economy
How high rises can enhance our historic downtown
How high rises help our tourism sector
Why high rises help our affordable housing issues
Environmental benefits of building intensity
The latest news on the Homestead and Capitol projects
Opportunity to share your opinions
When: Wed, Feb 16, 6-8 pm
Where: Memorial Hall, City Hall
NOTES: Cash Bar and hors d’oevres. RSVP by Feb 14 to info@downtownkingston.ca
Downtown Kingston is doing a survey and would be interested in your participationwww.surveymonkey.com/r/86TDQC2

Second Meeting:  Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak at the City’s Planning meeting being held in Council Chambers, City Hall on Thurs, Feb 20 at 6:30 pm

Relevant comments received Feb 5 from The Frontenac Heritage Foundation:
“On the Capitol project the FHF and the three other objectors (A. Burfoot, S. King and V. Schmolka) retained Gowlings, Ottawa, to continue the fight to Divisional Court.  Submissions from both sides were file and a hearing date in late February has been scheduled.  Divisional court an order a new hearing or an vary the Tribunal’s decision there as well.  In the meantime, the developer has submitted a new development application, this time for 12 storeys, with the bulk of the building on the Queen St. side of the property, and it will have stepbacks of 45 degrees required by the zoning by-law.   This is still a lot of height in a heritage character area (an area that is not protected by heritage legislation.)”
Approval of this and the proposed Homestead downtown high rises “will set a precedent for tall building development in the city’s historic core.”  Through the Density by Design project, the city is advancing recommendations for mid-rise and tall buildings across the city.  In the historic core, the recommendation is for development of 7-9 storeys in the heritage areas, subject to the completion of a feasibility study being done at present by C.N.Waton, a firm that has done commercial studies over the  years for the city.  It is time to figure out what area of the downtown we need to protect, because this year, with all this going on, the city has budgeted money for a heritage district in Portsmouth Village, but seems to be ignoring the historic core.  Is it just Lower Princess St, which has been protected in zoning to four storeys for many years predating amalgamation? Parts of Queen St. are in a proposed heritage district and have been limited to 25.5 metre height, which generally translates to an 8 story limit.  Twelve storeys is 50% higher than that!”

9) City Fluoridation Open Houses, Feb 19/27
Received from the city Feb 3.
What: The City is inviting input from residents to help Council consider whether or not to add fluoride to the water. Kingston’s water does not have fluoride added to it by the municipality.
Exploring the feasibility of fluoridating the municipal water supply is one of Council’s strategic priorities
Examining the feasibility of fluoridating drinking water is an initiative that falls under Council’s priority to “Foster healthy citizens and vibrant spaces.”
“Please note that the municipality is neither for, nor against, fluoridation at this point. We are just collecting information for Council’s consideration,” says Lanie Hurdle, the City’s Chief Administrative Officer.
Open Houses:
Wed, Feb 19, Rideau Heights Community Centre, 85 MacCauley St. 2;30 – 4:30 pm
Thurs, Feb 27, INVISTA Centre, 1350 Gardiners Rd., 5:30 – 7:30 pm
More Info? Fluoride and Water Fluoridation website page.
Survey:GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca by 4 p.m. on Tues, March 3.

10) Marine Museum Talk, Feb 26
What: Dr Erika Behrisch-Elce Lady Franklin and the Lost Franklin Expedition Lady Franklin, fearless widow of lost polar explorer Sir John Franklin, was one of Victorian England’s most intriguing rabble-rousers. She remains a polarising figure often portrayed as a conniving strategist, but this presentation considers Lady Franklin as more than the “Penelope of England”. Drawing on decades of research on Lady Franklin’s life and letters, Erika Behrisch-Elce explores the writer’s dance of history and fiction, the power of storytelling to move mountains, and the private tragedies that unfold beneath public adventures. Erika is an associate professor in the Department of English, Culture and Communication at the Royal Military College of Canada. She has published two books on Lady Franklin, one academic (2009) and one novel (2018); the novel was named one of Canadian Geographic’s “best books of the year”.
When: Wed, Feb, 26, 7:00 pm
Where:  Kingston Yacht Club, 1 Maitland St., Kingston 

 

OTHER NEWS, UPDATES, TID BITS & CORRECTIONS
A) Three universities & Parks Canada’s Rideau Waterway Survey
B) Martello on Brock!
C) Leadership on Climate Action
D) Residential Energy Retrofit Program
E) Single Use Plastics, Survey Deadline Feb 12
F) Reasons to Skip Outdoor Salt
G) Third Crossing Update
H) Wastewater Treatment Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
I) Opening of Warming and Councilling Centre on Wellington St.
J) Amazing Contemporary Floating Drydock
K) Tuques4Trees
L) Kingston’s Vacancy Rate + Housing Issues
M) PFAS Test Kits
N) Interesting Graph on What We Should be Eating
O) Clarification re who to contact re Capitol & Density by Design

A) Three universities & Parks Canada’s Rideau Waterway Survey
Received from Christine Beaudoin, Ph.D. Candidate in early Feb.
“Researchers from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and the University of Sherbrooke are partnering with Parks Canada to complete research on the social, ecological, and engineering issues and challenges facing the Rideau and Trent-Severn Waterways.
We want to hear from you! Whether you are a visitor to the waterways, a property-owner, or a member of the general public, we want to hear your views.
Please take a moment to complete the online survey for the waterway close to you: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/RC_TSW
You will be providing us with valuable information about your views of the Rideau Waterway and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Feel free to share the link with your colleagues, friends and family;
surveys are available in French and English.
More Info?https://historicwaterways.wixsite.com/research.

B) Martello on Brock!
Congrats to David Dossett for his new business on Brock St.
Wonderful new downtown art gallery. Check it out.  Something for everyone! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7X1qDy7rgw

C) Leadership on  Climate Action
Received from the city Jan 27
“Acting on Council’s priority to ‘demonstrate leadership on climate action,’ the City of Kingston has introduced a new division to further focus on tackling this issue. 
The city’s newly minted Climate Leadership Division will be focused on climate actions identified by Council in its Strategic Plan, and will report to the Commissioner of Business, Environment & Projects. The division has been created with existing staff resources that have experience working on several climate action projects.
‘As a City, we’re committed to achieving a 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over 2018 levels by 2022, and carbon neutrality by 2040. These are ambitious targets!’ says Mayor Paterson. ‘It’s important that we have resources and staff dedicated to climate action. I’m pleased to see a City division created that will work hard to achieve these goals and make sure we are examining future decisions through a climate lens.’
The City declared a climate emergency last year and has made demonstrating leadership on climate action one of its five strategic priorities.
This new division has a full roster of projects to realize, many of which are already underway, including:

  • the introduction of a home energy retrofit program to help residents reduce their home’s carbon footprint,
  • the development of a community climate change fund,
  • the creation of a net-zero new build policy, and
  • the Climate Leadership Plan.

This last item, the Climate Leadership Plan, will act as a corporate and community climate change management strategy and will help inform how we can all reduce harmful emissions.
‘We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we will be working with all departments and residents in order to realize drastic reductions in GHG emissions. Climate change is a global issue, and we have the opportunity here in Kingston to introduce local solutions that will benefit our community, and inspire others,’ says Julie Salter-Keane, Manager of the Climate Leadership Division.
‘The creation of the Climate Leadership Division will help ensure City staff are all well positioned to continue to deliver on Council’s strategic priorities in future years,’ says CAO Lanie Hurdle.”
More Info?www.CityofKingston.ca/city-hall/departments

D) Residential Energy Retrofit Program, Survey deadline Feb 17
Received from the City Jan 28
“The City of Kingston invites residents to provide input on a proposed Energy Retrofit Program, which will assist them in making improvements in their homes that reduce energy use and their carbon footprint.
The energy consumed to heat, cool and power homes represents 14 per cent of Kingston’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Go to GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca/Energy-Retrofit to complete a 10-minute survey by 4 p.m. on Feb. 17. Your answers will help the City decide how best to structure the Energy Retrofit Program, which could be piloted as early as this year.
‘Saving energy on home heating, cooling, and hot water heaters, can have a tremendous impact on reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions – and will also help control residents’ energy costs,’ says Dave Roewade, City of Kingston Climate Leadership Project Manager.
The survey will collect information from homeowners related to:

  • details on home heating/cooling and water heating systems currently used;
  • the barriers residents face to making energy-saving choices; and
  • how homeowners might be motivated to make energy-saving changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elkqzJg34RY&feature=youtu.be
Home energy retrofit program
Don’t wait to save energy! Check out: Conservation tips from Utilities Kingston

E) Single Use Plastics, Survey Deadline Feb 12
Received Jan 22
The City of Kingston is considering regulating retail single-use plastic bags and polystyrene take-out containers and is seeking input from businesses and residents.
“It’s time to stop producing needless waste. There is no doubt these items are convenient, but they generate huge amounts of waste – along with the greenhouse gases and other environmental impacts associated with managing that waste,” says Paul MacLatchy, Environment Director.
Businesses, Restaurants and Residents: Offer Input on Timelines, Exemptions
The City knows that any regulations around single-use items would directly impact both chain and independent businesses and restaurants along with other user groups. Business owners and managers are being encouraged to complete the survey at GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca by 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. 
The survey seeks input on:

  • Proposed timelines for phasing out single-use retail plastic bags and polystyrene take-out containers.
  • Potential exemptions
  • Potential alternatives

The feedback from this engagement will be reflected in a report that will go to the Environment, Infrastructure and Transportation Policies Committee mid-2020.
Last summer, City Council directed staff to report back on the results of a public engagement and offer a recommendation regarding the implementation of a potential bylaw, including the estimated financial impact to implement and enforce a ban.
Demonstrating leadership on climate action is one of the City’s strategic priorities.
In 2019, the Government of Canada also announced plans to reduce plastic waste.

F) Reasons to Skip Outdoor Salt
Received from the Ottawa River Keeper, Jan 31
https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/6-reasons-to-skip-salt-this-winter/?mc_cid=4c862a793d&mc_eid=1f56ec6760

G) Third Crossing February Update

Crews have been active with in-water construction for over a month. 
Here is what to  expect throughout February.
Temporary rock causeway
Work on the temporary rock causeway has been progressing on both the east and west shores. On the west shore about 15 per cent of the causeway has been built and on the east shore about 95 per cent has been completed. This causeway is the first step in providing access to start putting in the foundations, piers and the bridge structure itself. Locally sourced rock is being used for the causeway. 
Five wildlife passages
The first of five temporary wildlife passages has been installed and placed in the river. These passages allow for the safe and active passage of turtles and wildlife up and down the Cataraqui River. Below is an image of crews installing the first temporary wildlife passage. The second passageway will be installed in February. Once the bridge is complete, the wildlife passages will be removed.
 
Photo of crews installing the first temporary wildlife passage
   
 
Abutment work on the west shore
Building the abutments, the main structures that support the bridge at either shore, will begin in mid-February.  Beginning on the west shore, work will begin by preparing the surface and bringing equipment to the site. Once the equipment arrives, drill work will begin with the installation of 10 steel casings (an example image below).
As this is an active construction site with drilling work, higher than normal noise is anticipated during work hours as casings are drilled into rock. For near neighbours on the west shore and especially people working from home, you can anticipate noise during this mid-February work.
 
Please note we are doing our best to communicate and provide you with the most up-to-date site work schedules, however, due to weather and site conditions these may change.
 
Example of abutment work with casings
 
 
Temporary work bridge close to the east shore
Our approved method of construction analyzed through our recent work with Parks Canada, Department of Fisheries and Transport Canada through the Detailed Impact Assessment is called a Causeway-Trestle Solution. This is a hybrid construction approach involving building a temporary rock causeway and a temporary work bridge which was found to be the best solution in consideration of the natural environment and the wildlife that inhabit the area. The temporary work bridge, made by using a framework of steel trestle, will be used closer to the east shore and will maintain public access to the navigation channel. Preparation work will begin the second week of February with drilling anticipated to begin mid-February.
 
Photo showing where the temporary work bridge will be built allowing for the navigable channel with the same open dimension as the Cataraqui River at Belle Island.
 
 
  Project Manager for the construction contractor, Kiewit, gives us an upclose look at some of the work happening on the west shore.
About The Third Crossing Bridge
Once completed, the new 1.2 km bridge will connect the east and west sides of Kingston over the Cataraqui River. The two-lane bridge will improve emergency services, increase active transportation through a multi-use pedestrian and bike pathway, create greater business connectivity and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Kingston. The bridge is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Kingston.

H) Wastewater Treatment Reduces Greenhouse Gas  
NOTE: Sincere apologies on our part for not getting this information out in time for the meeting scheduled for Jan 20. However the content is really noteworthy and so we decided to include it fyi.

“Utilities Kingston is supporting the Kingston Climate Action Plan and needs your input.
Help us find ways to:

  • enhance wastewater treatment plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
  • capture and make local use of the biosolids and biogas that are beneficial products of wastewater treatment processes.

‘We continue to lead the way in environmental protection. Our wastewater treatment plants are some of North America’s most environmentally progressive and responsible,’ says Jim Keech, President and CEO of Utilities Kingston. ‘This initiative will help us pursue innovative solutions to further reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment, while reducing organics sent to landfill in Kingston.’

Help us reduce GHGs and create renewable natural gas for local use
The wastewater treatment process offers a great opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) because it produces methane gas (biogas) from digesting organic solids. Methane is 35 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas if simply released to the atmosphere.
This Master Plan recognizes the methane produced through wastewater treatment is a renewable resource and proposes to enhance its production so that it can be captured and used as a substitute for petroleum natural gas. The creation and use of this renewable natural gas could reduce community GHG emissions significantly.

We need your input on the proposed Master Plan
The public information centre will offer information on the proposed Master Plan and the expected impacts – such as noise, odour, traffic, etc. – associated with pursuing the plan.
Residents will have an opportunity to learn about and provide input on the following:
Capital costs and potential timelines.
Proposed locations for biogas production, including the Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility, Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Facility or a third brownfield site, such as the municipal land adjacent to the snow dump on Perth Road, also called Knox Farm.
End-uses for the biogas: Options to be considered include use of the renewable natural gas for electrical generation, heating, purifying for pipeline injection or vehicle fuel.
Adding organics to produce more biogas: The project also considers whether to include organic material as ‘feed’ to enhance the production of biogas and whether to obtain material from an existing company or construct facilities to receive and prepare organics for processing.
Exploring options for managing biosolids: Currently, Utilities Kingston disposes of biosolids by applying dewatered solids to land. This provides a benefit to the agricultural community as the material is an organic fertilizer with beneficial micronutrients. The project will review the long-term viability of this program, while considering options for further drying the material to create a fertilizer or other end uses such as feedstock for cement kilns.

How your input will be used
Utilities Kingston is conducting this consultation as part of the third phase of the work on this project and is developing a Master Plan in accordance with Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act and Regulations. Your input will be considered and reflected in the final report.
More info?
Read the Information Report to the Environment, Infrastructure and Transportation Policies Committee
View the project webpage
Info on Ravensview Wastewater Treatment: https://utilitieskingston.com/Wastewater/About/Ravensview

I) Opening of Warmng and Councilling Centre on Wellington St.
Received Jan 20, 2020
“Just in time for really low temperatures, Kingston’s newest warming centre has opened its doors. The Kingston Warming & Counselling Centre is located at 235 Wellington St. The centre offers warmth and counselling services seven days a week, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., January to April.
Kingston Warming & Counseling Centre is funded by the City and KFL&A Public Health and operated by multiple health and social service providers such as Home Base Housing, Kingston Community Health Centres and Providence Care.
‘This is a collaborative solution to a community issue. We’re proud to be funding the centre, but the real story is the hard work and close collaboration of the many agencies providing these critical services every night until April,’ says Ruth Noordegraaf, Director, Housing and Social Services. 
Since opening earlier this month the centre has served around 90 individuals.
‘We’re excited for the opportunity to provide immediate relief from the cold while providing longer-term solutions like counselling,’ says Tom Greening, Executive Director of Home Base Housing. “For many, the centre may be an entry-point into a larger solution for sustainable housing.
To contact the Kingston Warming & Counselling Centre call 613-561-4618 (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) or email adorosz@kingstonhomebase.ca.
For more information, see the Extended Health Benefits page

J) Amazing Contemporary Floating Drydock
https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-trp-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=trp&p=groupe+ocean+floating+dry+dock#id=5&vid=a13a13c86028b1da90c9ca38e76d028b&action=click

OCEAN – Floating drydockGroupe Océan (Quebec, Quebec), January 20, 2020.  Philippe Filion, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs at Groupe Océan says, “We are proud to share news about our new equipment: a floating dry dock.  Built by our teams at the New Brunswick Naval Centre, it is currently based at our facilities in the City of Québec.  With a capacity of 3,800 tons, a length of 61 meters, and a width of 31 meters, this exceptional equipment increases Ocean Group’s shipbuilding and ship repair capacity in Eastern Canada.  

K) Tuques4Trees – TreeCanada.ca
Keeps you warm and the planet cool! For your $40 donation you gret one stylish. Tree Canada tuque,a tree planted in the region, your donation is made and a tax receipt for the full amount! Trees are planted through our National Greening Program.

L) Kingston’s Vacancy Rate + Housing Issues
Received Jan 16, 2020
Kingston’s vacancy rate has more than tripled – increasing from a record-low 0.6 per cent  to 1.9 per cent, as reported yesterday by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This increase reflects an increasing housing supply, but also indicates there is still work to be done to achieve a healthy 3 per cent vacancy rate.
“There is no question that we are pleased with an increased vacancy rate. Generating more housing options of all kinds has, and continues to be, a top priority for Council and staff. I think this vacancy rate increase reflects this,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson.
What This Means
Kingston’s current vacancy rate reflects the percentage of purpose-built rental housing units available in our housing market at a point in time. A vacancy rate of 3 per cent is considered healthy. Over the past 10 years, Kingston’s vacancy rate has averaged 1.7 per cent. Kingston’s reported 1.9 per cent vacancy rate is slightly below the provincial average of 2 per cent.
Highlight commentary from the 2019 Rental Market Report for the Kingston Census Metropolitan Area includes:
“New rental supply exerted an upward pressure on vacancy rate. The number of vacant units more than tripled compared to 2018.”
“This year’s increase in vacancy rate was due to robust growth in rental supply, providing renters with more choice.”
“The average fixed sample rent for all bedroom types in Kingston CMA increased by 7.9 per cent between 2018 and 2019, which is significantly above the 2019 Ontario rent guideline of 1.8 per cent.
It is important to note that only multi-residential buildings with three or more units are counted in CMHC’s primary vacancy rate calculations so that certain rented dwellings, considered part of a secondary rental market, do not figure into the vacancy rate. The secondary rental market includes dwellings such as duplexes, houses, condos, one or two apartments attached to commercial space and secondary suites. 
Increasing Momentum
New rental building projects under construction
City building permit data indicates that there are now 973 residential units underconstruction through permits issued in 2019. This number reflects all housing types, with 639 of those permits being for multiple unit dwellings specifically. Many of these are expected to be completed in 2020 so that, starting in late 2020 and into 2021, there will be a greater number of new units to further increase the rental market supply.
In addition to the units currently under review by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, there are a number of multi-residential projects that have received Council approval that have not translated into building permit activities. Timing for building permit applications is led by the developer of a project and the City has no control over the timing of building permit applications. 
Housing initiatives to increase overall housing supply
The Mayor’s Task Force on Housing will present a report to Council in Marchthat will contain a set of recommendations to increase housing supply. Although some of these recommendations will include secondary rental market units, the overall range of recommendations could greatly influence the development of housing units.
Kingston is at the midpoint of the 10-Year Municipal Housing and Homelessness Planand has updated the plan to reflect Kingston’s current housing context and challenges. The updated plan has been submitted to the Province and will be presented to Council this spring for final approval and implementation.

M) PFAS Test Kits
If you saw the movie Dark Waters you will know what this is about.  Horrifying!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K82xFrPrEgU
https://truthout.org/articles/virtually-all-major-us-drinking-water-sources-likely-contaminated-with-pfas/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=53f89697-1e7a-47c4-8912-a520abe72708

PFAS Test Kits – GIFT a KIT!
Freshwater Future believes everyone has a right to know what is in their drinking water, regardless of what’s in their wallets. We have partnered with the University of Michigan Biological Station and other donors to offer PFAS testing for homes on private wells at reduced rates. You can help make our kits even more accessible by selecting Gift a Kit at check out. We’ll use your donation to send a kit to someone else as part of our “Pay What You Can Program”. Get (or gift) your test kits today!
N) Interesting Graph on What We Should Be Eating to reduce our carbon footprint.
https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local?fbclid=IwAR3Wi4pXG-SpZbWeWIw0EgBmUrt_B9-UbfcbWN_g4XpS-ztAy4giCAKfnGM
 
O) Clarification on who we should be contacting re Density By Design and Capitol Project
The contact for Density by Design (the City’s Mid-rise and Tall Buildings Policies project) is  Andrea Gummo – agummo@cityofkingston.ca
The Contact for the  site-specific application for development at 223 Princess (file number D14-027-2019) is Lindsay Lambert – llambert@cityofkingston.ca.

So you made it to the end.  Congratulations!
Cheers,
Mary Farrar, President, Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour