Chair: R. Chiarelli

Members: R. Cantin, B. Hill, P. Hume, G. Hunter, A. Loney, M. Meilleur, R. van den Ham

Regrets : D. Beamish, W. Stewart

No declarations were filed.

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Notes:
1. Underlining indicates new or amended recommendations approved by Committee.
2. Reports requiring Council consideration will be presented on 12 July 2000 in Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee Report Number 69.

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- A/Chief Administrator’s report dated 29 Jun 00

Councillor R. Cantin indicated that, while he supports the Region’s involvement in the event, he could not support the bridge financing requested. The Councillor said he was the regional representative on Ottawa 2000 but he has not seen much coming out of this initiative.

Ms. Shirley Westeinde, Chair, Ottawa 2000 Board of Directors, described a number of initiatives that have taken place under their aegis. She pointed out that work has been ongoing for over a year for the Trans Canada Trail Relay 2000 and this event will bring a high profile to the City of Ottawa.

Responding to questions from Councillor Cantin, the Acting Chief Administrative Officer, J. LeBelle, confirmed he has reviewed the report in detail and is confident that the funds will be repaid. Mr. LeBelle added that the budget for Relay 2000 is a realistic budget.

The Regional Chair, B. Chiarelli, thanked Ms. Westeinde and Mr. Doug Hotson, Executive Director, Ottawa 2000, for their commitment, their dedication and for the excellent work done to-date. Chair Chiarelli said he looked forward to the accomplishments for the rest of the year.

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 14 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 22 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 13 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 13 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 13 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 07 June 00

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 20 June 00

Pursuant to a request from Councillor R. van den Ham, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of Recommendation 3, pending further discussions between staff and the developers. The Environment and Transportation Commissioner, M. Sheflin, said staff is in agreement with the suggestion.

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 21 Jun 00

- A/Regional Solicitor’s report dated 16 Jun 00

- A/Regional Solicitor’s report dated 27 Jun 00

- General Manager’s report dated 21 Jun 00

- Planning and Development Approvals Commissioner’s report dated 16 Jun 00

- Planning and Development Approvals Commissioner’s report dated 27 Jun 00

The Planning and Development Approvals Commissioner, Nick Tunnacliffe, introduced Messrs. Rob Ennor, Director, Property Services Division and Rick Haycock, General Manager, Lansdowne Park. Mr. Tunnacliffe described the Region’s takeover of the park in January 2000, the immediate hiring of a consultant to review the operation and advise staff on the direction it should take in order to make Lansdowne Park the locus of more community recreational and sporting activities. Mr. Tunnacliffe added that staff has worked hard to "operationalize" the consultant’s ideas and is now seeking direction from Committee and Council in order to move forward for the remainder of the year.

Mr. Ennor provided additional details fleshing out the report recommendations.

Replying to a question from Chair B. Chiarelli, and in response to a concern expressed by Councillor M. Meilleur, Mr. Haycock said a number of outstanding items need to be resolved regarding the lease with the Ottawa Football Club (Agenda Item 15, deferred during the consent agenda). He said a report on this matter would be submitted to Committee on 1 August 2000.

In reference to the proposed lease, Councillor G. Hunter asked whether it wouldn’t be more prudent to present a progress report to Council, especially since only a few issues remain to be resolved. The Councillor expressed the hope the Committee would receive more and better information as opposed to the practice of items being presented as faits accomplis. He pointed out that Committee is also being asked to direct staff to implement a traffic and parking management program without having seen the DelCan parking study alluded to in the report.

Councillor Hunter wanted to know what will happen to the agreement calling for the $7 million Capital budget to be recouped through payments from the present City of Ottawa. Mr. Ennor replied the assumption is that the amalgamation process will have an accounting exercise that identifies this as a liability to Ottawa and as a credit to Lansdowne Park. The Acting Chief Administrative Officer, J. LeBelle, confirmed this would be the case. Mr. LeBelle added that the Transition Board has not yet resolved the issue of how to handle the debts of all the former municipalities that will comprise the new City.

Councillor Hunter asked about the possibility of a Special Area levy on the City of Ottawa for Lansdowne Park being one of the recommendations to Council. The Acting Finance Commissioner, Kent Kirkpatrick, responded that future Capital costs for Lansdowne Park would not fall within the specific services that can be rated according to the Special Area Rating legislation. He said the only way this could be done, in keeping with the Councillor’s intent, would be through the disposition of assets and liabilities.

Councillor Hunter inquired about subsidizing users, asking whether staff knows how much is provided at this time. Mr. Haycock replied there is no current financial reporting system that can identify what part of the $1.2 million net annual operating cost is considered a subsidy. He added that the intent is to apply a user-pay principle to all tenants. Responding to a subsequent question from the Councillor, Mr. Haycock indicated that a variety of principles could be applied to run Lansdowne Park in a business-like manner as per Recommendation 1: user groups would continue to pay costs and other groups that require more financial assistance would be encouraged to approach current and future Councils for help.

Councillor Hunter asked whether staff evaluated the effect expanding the Congress Centre to trade-show size would have on events at Lansdowne Park. Mr. Haycock replied that, while this has not been specifically examined, the general consensus is that there is a diverse market in the community and the two will complement one another. He added that there was no impact at the time the Congress Centre first opened, when a similar concern was expressed.

Replying to a question from Councillor Hunter about the effect parking charges would have on attracting events, Mr. Haycock said that the Park is one of the few facilities of its kind where free parking is available at any time. He added that, from a business perspective, it is felt that park management is simply "catching up" and that paid parking is not likely to have an adverse effect in attracting new customers.

Councillor R. Cantin stressed the importance of staff doing some work to provide Council with an estimate of how much would need to be set aside to subsidize particular events.

The Councillor pointed out that, because the new City of Ottawa will be inheriting many other recreational/sporting facilities, the amount required may be in the million-dollar range. The Regional Chair, B. Chiarelli, believed it would be sufficient to direct staff to undertake such an analysis at this time.

Councillor Cantin asked whether staff could provide additional information about discussions with the Central Canada Exhibition Association (CCEA) concerning its future plans and whether flexibility will be demonstrated towards this organization. Mr. Ennor noted that one of the objectives of the original Lansdowne Park agreement was to significantly increase the amount of green space therein by including walking paths and bicycle paths integrated with the Rideau Canal. He posited that the continued occupation of the site by the CCEA would conflict with that objective. Mr. Ennor added that the CCEA’s lease terminates in 2001 but, should it have absolutely no other option, and if Council were agreeable, the organization could continue using the site for one or two more years. In response to a question from Chair Chiarelli, Mr. Haycock indicated that the CCEA has not yet communicated its intentions to the Region. Councillor Cantin reiterated the importance of showing some flexibility in this regard, noting that a vision is a long-term process and that an organization must not be destroyed because of a lack of space.

Councillor A. Loney expressed the view the Committee needs to see both the DelCan and Graham studies to complement the staff report. He asked whether the DelCan study recommends a specific parking fee commencing in September or provides any guidelines in this regard. Mr. Ennor indicated that the Graham report recommends a range of $4 to $6 dollars as a starting point. Councillor Loney wanted to know whether the reports are considered confidential or whether they can be made available to Committee. Mr. Ennor replied that the DelCan report would not be considered confidential whereas the Graham report contains details about negotiating strategies and should remain confidential.

In response to a question from Councillor Loney regarding the proposed lease with the Ottawa Football Club, Mr. Ennor said what is envisioned at the outset is a three-year term to be considered a business development lease. At the time the lease is renegotiated, it would be done on the basis of additional contributions from the club once it is up and running. Mr. Ennor added that cost recovery means expenses incurred for operations with no contribution to capital improvements. Councillor Loney wanted to know why go through the Ottawa 67s for a possible naming arrangement as opposed to doing so directly. Mr. Ennor replied that the hockey club has contacts in the community and is very closely associated with the Civic Centre. In addition, it is in a position to bring something to the table quickly and staff felt it would be more beneficial to proceed in this manner.

Councillor Hunter wanted to know about Field Turf, specifically, why the regular tender or request for proposal processes were not utilized in this instance as opposed to relying on the word of the University of Ottawa for information on this product. He called this another instance where the Committee is being asked to take a great leap of faith based on a few pages in a report when it should have more information and more alternatives. Mr. Haycock said Field Turf is part of the new generation of artificial playing surfaces referred to as Infill Systems. The current technology consists of ground rubber mixed with silica sand that give the product its unique properties and its natural turf-like qualities. Mr. Haycock continued by saying staff has not solely relied on the University of Ottawa for information. It has consulted with users of the product and has met with the manufacturers. There are indications that several National Football League properties, the National Colleges Athletics Association, international soccer venues and major league baseball teams are interested in, or using, the product. Staff is extremely confident and believes Field Turf will provide a year-round playing surface for all sports. Mr. Haycock informed the Committee Field Turf has guaranteed that, if the product is not approved in time for les Jeux de la Francophonie, it will install a temporary, natural grass surface at its own expense so the Region can meet its obligation.

Addressing another concern of Councillor Hunter’s related to the cost of Field Turf being competitive, Mr. Ennor said staff knows what others have paid and will be concerned if there is a large discrepancy in the cost to the Region. He added that the supplier is anxious to have more representation in Canada and is prepared to give the Region a good price on the product.

Councillor R. van den Ham pointed out that the report shows a lot of capital work being undertaken in 2000 and 2001. He inquired whether all the year 2000 items are necessary or whether it would be more appropriate to undertake certain items over the longer term. In reply to additional questions from Chair Chiarelli, Mr. LeBelle confirmed that the $675,000 per year to be paid by the City of Ottawa totally amortizes the $7 million and represents the equivalent of principal and interest on that debt over 15 years. Chair Chiarelli asked whether the schedule of capital improvements is based on, and made mandatory, by the agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Region for the take-over of Lansdowne Park. Mr. Ennor replied this is largely the case, however the Region has reserved the right to decide what capital items will be undertaken. Councillor van den Ham said he could support the Region moving forward since funding is in place and commitments have been made.

Councillor Loney suggested that OC Transpo be involved in the transit study alluded to in Recommendation No. 8.

Chair Chiarelli presented the following Motions:

Moved by A. Loney

Moved by A. Loney

This item was withdrawn.

- Response to CS&ED Inquiry No. 10(00)

- Environment and Transportation Commissioner’s report dated 14 June 00

The Committee waived the requirement to move In-Camera and considered the following item in Open Session.

- A/Regional Solicitor’s report dated 21 June 00