City in Brief

City Hall wraps up for World AIDS Day

Oshawa’s civic headquarters will be looking a little warmer Dec. 1 when a 45-foot red scarf is wrapped around its front railing.

The scarf, part of the Red Scarf Project put on by the AIDS Committee of Durham Region (ACDR), is a symbol to show support for World AIDS Day.

The ACDR campaign will also see the winter garments tied around trees and posts in downtown Oshawa and Whitby throughout the day. The initiative raises awareness and hopes to start a conversation about HIV/AIDS.

The scarves will also have tags welcoming passersby to take them if they’re cold.

Red scarves, whether knitted or crocheted, can be donated to the ACDR office at 22 King Street West until Nov. 25.

More info needed on invasive species

Invasive species are a threat not only to Oshawa’s Second Marsh, but to many of Ontario’s environmentally sensitive areas and Mayor John Henry thinks the information should be readily available to the public.

Based on a motion by Henry, council has called on two provincial ministries – the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment – to launch a website that collects all information on invasive species.

As well, best practices in dealing with these species at the municipal, provincial and federal levels be detailed on the site.

The resolution will also be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Water Keepers Canada, and all governors of states on the American side of the Great Lakes.

Blowing the bridge budget

Council has agreed to spend almost 30 per cent more on pedestrian bridge replacements than what was originally budgeted at the start of the year.

A trio of pedestrian bridges over Harmony Creek and one over Oshawa Creek were all tagged as in need of replacement following the city’s biennial inspection.

At the start of the year, council budgeted $295,000 for their replacement. However, council has agreed to spend almost $390,000 for their replacement, or approximately $95,000 more than originally planned.

The increase in price is what a city report has labelled “added-value,” with the structures being made of galvanized steel to increase their life expectancy by 200 per cent.

The extra funds will be moved from the city’s asphalt preservation and rehabilitation project, which is funded by the federal gas tax.

Following the tender process, Iron Bridge Fabrication has been awarded the project.

Under the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual, cities are required to inspect their bridges and culverts every two years.

New committee to tackle active transportation

Oshawa city council will have another group of advisors to help them. This time, it will be for matters of getting around on foot.

The active transportation advisory committee will assist councillors on issues related to transportation by means other than public transit or cars, such as by bicycle, skateboard or walking. The new committee is also providing a forum for public discussion, public education and to monitor the implementation of the city’s Active Transportation Master Plan.

Once passed through council, a work plan will be drafted and $5,000 could be set aside in the 2016 budget to assist the committee.