Garbage, new central public library to make headlines in 2015

CBC Ottawa's municipal panel sat down with Our Ottawa host and CBC Ottawa TV anchor Lucy van Oldenbarneveld earlier this month to discuss the year in municipal politics and what's coming up in the next four years.

The panel is comprised of CBC municipal affairs reporter Alistair Steele and Ottawa Citizen columnist Joanne Chianello.

Here's a taste of what they had to say. Click on the video in the player above to see the full interview.

Chianello on the urban caucus

"I think you're going to see them put forward some plans on, say, cycling, public space in the downtown. These are the kinds of things that they're looking at, and there hasn't really been that cohesive plan, voice," Chianello said.

Steele on Mayor Jim Watson's relationship with MP John Baird

"I think it's good to hear Jim Watson ... admit that the relationship needs fixing. We're going to be looking for evidence that that is happening and I think a lot of that relationship building has to be Jim Watson's. I think he does have to swallow his pride," Steele said.

"We have a lot to lose here in terms of federal funding for major projects, not the least of which is LRT."

What's the most important issue coming up in 2015?

Chianello: a new central public library

"We are closer maybe than we've ever been to actually launching a project off the ground," Chianello said. "Jim Watson told me there's going to be maybe some consultations; he is hoping for an old-style town hall. So I encourage everyone who likes libraries, who all these years have said the capital needs a central library, come to those meetings and say what you think we should have because this is it, folks."

Steele: Plasco and municipal household waste

"For me it's garbage. Plasco Energy is going to be coming forth and telling the city whether or not they have the capital in place. ... We don't even have evidence that the technology works on a full scale right now," he said.

"The mayor is fond of saying that we have to stop dumping trash in a hole in the ground. ... Well, what's plan B? We don't really have one, and we run the risk, I think, of having put all our eggs in one basket, the Plasco basket. If that doesn't work out, what are we going to do? That's something they're going to have to figure out this term."

• ON MOBILE? Vote: What do you think will be the most important issue facing the city of Ottawa in 2015?