ottwatch
@ottwatch.bsky.social
Robot that monitors the City of Ottawa for you. Editorial by kevinodotnet.bsky.social web: https://ottwatch.ca
I've got a small backlog of features to write!
github.com/kevinodotnet...
The "memo scanner" is close to finished.
github.com/kevinodotnet...
The "memo scanner" is close to finished.
September 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I've got a small backlog of features to write!
github.com/kevinodotnet...
The "memo scanner" is close to finished.
github.com/kevinodotnet...
The "memo scanner" is close to finished.
What capability would you like ottwatch to have? The easiest way to get them on the radar is to submit them as issues directly into GitHub: github.com/kevinodotnet... (accounts are free and easy to create!)
September 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
What capability would you like ottwatch to have? The easiest way to get them on the radar is to submit them as issues directly into GitHub: github.com/kevinodotnet... (accounts are free and easy to create!)
While the NCC did a lot of consultation on this master plan ... the city has zoning controls, so if you have something to say on this ... our democracy still functions!
You can mash the feedback button here -> devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applicati...
You can mash the feedback button here -> devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applicati...
March 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
While the NCC did a lot of consultation on this master plan ... the city has zoning controls, so if you have something to say on this ... our democracy still functions!
You can mash the feedback button here -> devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applicati...
You can mash the feedback button here -> devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applicati...
It's like a game of "Where's Waldo?" but for spotting mega-million subsidies for billionaire sports team owners!
March 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
It's like a game of "Where's Waldo?" but for spotting mega-million subsidies for billionaire sports team owners!
"LeBreton Flats is envisioned to be a vibrant mixeduse community that includes a diverse range of housing, commercial and office space with expansive parkland and open space. The intent is to create a complete community that meets the daily needs of both residents and visitors of LeBreton Flats."
March 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
"LeBreton Flats is envisioned to be a vibrant mixeduse community that includes a diverse range of housing, commercial and office space with expansive parkland and open space. The intent is to create a complete community that meets the daily needs of both residents and visitors of LeBreton Flats."
This is the NCC making progress on the LeBreton Flats Master Concept Plan.
"Once draft approval is granted ... the NCC will enter
into agreements ... to advance the planning and development of portions of the site (likely a block or contiguous cluster of blocks) in development phases."
"Once draft approval is granted ... the NCC will enter
into agreements ... to advance the planning and development of portions of the site (likely a block or contiguous cluster of blocks) in development phases."
March 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
This is the NCC making progress on the LeBreton Flats Master Concept Plan.
"Once draft approval is granted ... the NCC will enter
into agreements ... to advance the planning and development of portions of the site (likely a block or contiguous cluster of blocks) in development phases."
"Once draft approval is granted ... the NCC will enter
into agreements ... to advance the planning and development of portions of the site (likely a block or contiguous cluster of blocks) in development phases."
Hang on, open mic session?
Sounds fun!
Can the Audit Committee get one too? Or is this just for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
🎶
Sounds fun!
Can the Audit Committee get one too? Or is this just for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
🎶
March 26, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Hang on, open mic session?
Sounds fun!
Can the Audit Committee get one too? Or is this just for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
🎶
Sounds fun!
Can the Audit Committee get one too? Or is this just for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
🎶
Yeah, this is one to watch.
Frustratingly the associated docs are not online yet.
The city's map indicates it's multiple parcels
Frustratingly the associated docs are not online yet.
The city's map indicates it's multiple parcels
March 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Yeah, this is one to watch.
Frustratingly the associated docs are not online yet.
The city's map indicates it's multiple parcels
Frustratingly the associated docs are not online yet.
The city's map indicates it's multiple parcels
That said, observer bias. I definitely notice every poorly parked scooter. I am unlikely to notice scooters that are not obstructing me.
I think this is good? I regularly move sandwich boards from local businesses out of my way all the time with at least this frequency
I think this is good? I regularly move sandwich boards from local businesses out of my way all the time with at least this frequency
March 20, 2025 at 3:56 AM
That said, observer bias. I definitely notice every poorly parked scooter. I am unlikely to notice scooters that are not obstructing me.
I think this is good? I regularly move sandwich boards from local businesses out of my way all the time with at least this frequency
I think this is good? I regularly move sandwich boards from local businesses out of my way all the time with at least this frequency
Bad parking of e-scooters is a topic I have a lot of time for. I don't use a wheelchair, and you probably don't either, but we should all imagine an inevitable future where we might.
It's a real problem if a scooter blocks any sidewalk for even a minute.
It's a real problem if a scooter blocks any sidewalk for even a minute.
March 20, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Bad parking of e-scooters is a topic I have a lot of time for. I don't use a wheelchair, and you probably don't either, but we should all imagine an inevitable future where we might.
It's a real problem if a scooter blocks any sidewalk for even a minute.
It's a real problem if a scooter blocks any sidewalk for even a minute.
why-u-scooter?
Feels like the scooter program - and I would bet another bikeshare program - help contribute to public transit adoption.
Feels like the scooter program - and I would bet another bikeshare program - help contribute to public transit adoption.
March 20, 2025 at 3:51 AM
why-u-scooter?
Feels like the scooter program - and I would bet another bikeshare program - help contribute to public transit adoption.
Feels like the scooter program - and I would bet another bikeshare program - help contribute to public transit adoption.
This legit surprised me. Scooter usage dominates 3pm to bar-closing time!
The Night Mayor might want to chime in here. And while they are at it, maybe get on the bikeshare file again.
How much night-life in the Byward Market/Centretown is related to e-scooters? How much more with a bikeshare?
The Night Mayor might want to chime in here. And while they are at it, maybe get on the bikeshare file again.
How much night-life in the Byward Market/Centretown is related to e-scooters? How much more with a bikeshare?
March 20, 2025 at 3:51 AM
This legit surprised me. Scooter usage dominates 3pm to bar-closing time!
The Night Mayor might want to chime in here. And while they are at it, maybe get on the bikeshare file again.
How much night-life in the Byward Market/Centretown is related to e-scooters? How much more with a bikeshare?
The Night Mayor might want to chime in here. And while they are at it, maybe get on the bikeshare file again.
How much night-life in the Byward Market/Centretown is related to e-scooters? How much more with a bikeshare?
Trip distances! The distribution here is so fascinating.
Under 500m happens more than over 2km. I feel like that's folks either joyriding (have fun!) or really benefiting from a mobility boost.
Then the mass surge: 500m to 2km is much easier by scooter than walking. Then the long-tail to 10km
Under 500m happens more than over 2km. I feel like that's folks either joyriding (have fun!) or really benefiting from a mobility boost.
Then the mass surge: 500m to 2km is much easier by scooter than walking. Then the long-tail to 10km
March 20, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Trip distances! The distribution here is so fascinating.
Under 500m happens more than over 2km. I feel like that's folks either joyriding (have fun!) or really benefiting from a mobility boost.
Then the mass surge: 500m to 2km is much easier by scooter than walking. Then the long-tail to 10km
Under 500m happens more than over 2km. I feel like that's folks either joyriding (have fun!) or really benefiting from a mobility boost.
Then the mass surge: 500m to 2km is much easier by scooter than walking. Then the long-tail to 10km
The usage heat-map is unsurprising. Byward Market businesses that are holdouts on how walking, biking and now scooters are good for business might want to clue into this report. Want more business? Make it easier for Centretown to get to the market by means other than a car.
March 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
The usage heat-map is unsurprising. Byward Market businesses that are holdouts on how walking, biking and now scooters are good for business might want to clue into this report. Want more business? Make it easier for Centretown to get to the market by means other than a car.
Those 1500 trips a day come from a total fleet of 1000 scooters. That feels like a pretty efficient usage ratio.
March 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Those 1500 trips a day come from a total fleet of 1000 scooters. That feels like a pretty efficient usage ratio.
Call it 1500 trips a day. That's more than I was expecting, which shows how observation bias is easy to fall into. I mostly notice e-scooters NOT being used, same as drivers mostly notice bikelanes being empty!
March 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Call it 1500 trips a day. That's more than I was expecting, which shows how observation bias is easy to fall into. I mostly notice e-scooters NOT being used, same as drivers mostly notice bikelanes being empty!
e-scooters up for renewal for another 5 years.
I live just outside the zone so I don't have much lived experience here.
But the charts are fun!
I live just outside the zone so I don't have much lived experience here.
But the charts are fun!
March 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
e-scooters up for renewal for another 5 years.
I live just outside the zone so I don't have much lived experience here.
But the charts are fun!
I live just outside the zone so I don't have much lived experience here.
But the charts are fun!
Corporations donating to the Ottawa Police Service, for the gala, yay!
No, these streams just shouldn't cross.
Versaterm, for $10k. "Versaterm ... develops computer... systems for police, fire, and other public safety agencies."
We pay taxes, OPS buys stuff, donations come back.
No.
No, these streams just shouldn't cross.
Versaterm, for $10k. "Versaterm ... develops computer... systems for police, fire, and other public safety agencies."
We pay taxes, OPS buys stuff, donations come back.
No.
March 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Corporations donating to the Ottawa Police Service, for the gala, yay!
No, these streams just shouldn't cross.
Versaterm, for $10k. "Versaterm ... develops computer... systems for police, fire, and other public safety agencies."
We pay taxes, OPS buys stuff, donations come back.
No.
No, these streams just shouldn't cross.
Versaterm, for $10k. "Versaterm ... develops computer... systems for police, fire, and other public safety agencies."
We pay taxes, OPS buys stuff, donations come back.
No.
To the emails!
You too can send emails: "Ben Guedria, Randa" <randa.benguedria@ottawa.ca>, habib.sayah@ottawa.ca
You too can send emails: "Ben Guedria, Randa" <randa.benguedria@ottawa.ca>, habib.sayah@ottawa.ca
March 20, 2025 at 3:03 AM
To the emails!
You too can send emails: "Ben Guedria, Randa" <randa.benguedria@ottawa.ca>, habib.sayah@ottawa.ca
You too can send emails: "Ben Guedria, Randa" <randa.benguedria@ottawa.ca>, habib.sayah@ottawa.ca
Always good to read the financials, even if it's some of the driest stuff around. Yawn. But money talks!
Chief bought a fancy camera, for $126k, w/o first seeking board approval.
I wonder - why did that had to be done in "special" mode?
Chief bought a fancy camera, for $126k, w/o first seeking board approval.
I wonder - why did that had to be done in "special" mode?
March 20, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Always good to read the financials, even if it's some of the driest stuff around. Yawn. But money talks!
Chief bought a fancy camera, for $126k, w/o first seeking board approval.
I wonder - why did that had to be done in "special" mode?
Chief bought a fancy camera, for $126k, w/o first seeking board approval.
I wonder - why did that had to be done in "special" mode?
Emailed!
I can't remember where OPS landed with the Zoom discrimination, and reverting to requiring only in-person delegations. But I'm happy to poke that bear every time.
Got thoughts on this agenda item or any other?
Email habib.sayah@ottawa.ca, Executive Director of the Ottawa Police Board.
I can't remember where OPS landed with the Zoom discrimination, and reverting to requiring only in-person delegations. But I'm happy to poke that bear every time.
Got thoughts on this agenda item or any other?
Email habib.sayah@ottawa.ca, Executive Director of the Ottawa Police Board.
March 20, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Emailed!
I can't remember where OPS landed with the Zoom discrimination, and reverting to requiring only in-person delegations. But I'm happy to poke that bear every time.
Got thoughts on this agenda item or any other?
Email habib.sayah@ottawa.ca, Executive Director of the Ottawa Police Board.
I can't remember where OPS landed with the Zoom discrimination, and reverting to requiring only in-person delegations. But I'm happy to poke that bear every time.
Got thoughts on this agenda item or any other?
Email habib.sayah@ottawa.ca, Executive Director of the Ottawa Police Board.
I was relieved to see they are including KPIs on the topic of improving the "proportionality of discretionary traffic stops and use of force with Black, Indigenous, Middle Eastern and other racialized persons" ... a still ongoing problem within OPS
March 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I was relieved to see they are including KPIs on the topic of improving the "proportionality of discretionary traffic stops and use of force with Black, Indigenous, Middle Eastern and other racialized persons" ... a still ongoing problem within OPS
Ottawa Police Service is adopting "KPI", which are key-performance-indicators, as an additional component to the strategic plan.
March 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Ottawa Police Service is adopting "KPI", which are key-performance-indicators, as an additional component to the strategic plan.
In good news, I love the idea of a new bookmobile serving communities.
One of my principles about government spending is really simple: would a kid love it?
Bookmobile? Yes, absolutely, a kid would love that. Raw, pure, joy.
Enthusiastic yes: buy another BookMobile!
One of my principles about government spending is really simple: would a kid love it?
Bookmobile? Yes, absolutely, a kid would love that. Raw, pure, joy.
Enthusiastic yes: buy another BookMobile!
March 7, 2025 at 2:39 AM
In good news, I love the idea of a new bookmobile serving communities.
One of my principles about government spending is really simple: would a kid love it?
Bookmobile? Yes, absolutely, a kid would love that. Raw, pure, joy.
Enthusiastic yes: buy another BookMobile!
One of my principles about government spending is really simple: would a kid love it?
Bookmobile? Yes, absolutely, a kid would love that. Raw, pure, joy.
Enthusiastic yes: buy another BookMobile!