APPENDIX D

Budget 2005 Public Consultation

Community-led Consultations

Summary Report of All Meetings

 

 

 

Executive Summary

 

As part of the City of Ottawa’s Budget 2005 consultation process, advisory committees, community groups, community associations, and other resident groups were invited to organize their own consultation sessions to discuss and provide input into the budget deliberations. This participation option was promoted on the City of Ottawa Web site, through advertising in the daily and community newspapers and e-mails to a master list of approximately 1,000 addresses.

 

Three community-led consultation meetings were held and resulting meeting summary reports submitted.  The host organizations included: Gallery 101, a joint public forum with the Health and Social Services, Accessibility and Poverty Issues Advisory Committees, and thirdly, the Riverside South Community Association.

 

Issues discussed at the three community-led consultations were diverse.  However, the main recommendations that emerged from the three community-led consultation meeting reports are that budget directions should honour the Ottawa 20/20 Official Plan, community grants should be restored, and that social assistance should be a priority.

 

Consensus at Gallery 101 hosted the community-led consultation with the arts community was that 2005 Budget Directions should honour the Ottawa 20/20 Arts and Heritage Plan which includes the role of the City as grant-maker, planner, developer, initiator, convener, researcher, communicator, partner, keeper and deliver of the arts.

 

A joint consultation meeting held by three Advisory Committees also provided recommendations that the 2005 Budget directions reflect the values and principles central to the Ottawa 20/20 Official Plan.   Social program expenditures are sound investments in a sustainable and inclusive city.

 

Finally, consensus at the Riverside South Community Association community-led consultation was that the 2005 Budget priorities should include improvements to transportation infrastructure, and increases in childcare and recreational opportunities in the South end of the city, potentially through the restoration of community grants.

 


Table of Contents

 

 

 

Executive Summary ................................................................................... 1

 

Section 1 – Report Overview ................................................................... 3

 

Section 2 – Arts and Cultural Community-led consultation............. 3

2.1         Meeting Details................................................................................ 3

2.2         Key Recommendations................................................................... 4

2.3         Additional Priorities and Requests................................................ 4

 

Section 3 – Advisory Committees Community-led consultation.... 4

3.1         Meeting Details................................................................................ 4

3.2         Key Recommendations................................................................... 5

Section 4 – RSCA Community-led consultation................................. 5

4.1         Meeting Details................................................................................ 5

4.2         Key Priorities.................................................................................... 5

 

 


Section 1 – Report Overview

 

As part of the City of Ottawa’s Budget 2005 consultation process, advisory committees, community groups, community associations, and any other group of residents were invited to organize their own consultation sessions to discuss and provide input into the budget deliberations.  This participation option was promoted on the City of Ottawa Web site, through advertising in daily and community newspapers and e-mails to a master list of approximately 1,000 addresses.

 

A meeting toolkit consisting of a facilitation guide, workbook for reporting, and Budget 2005 information package was provided to assist with the consultation meetings.  Following the meetings, each group submitted a report detailing the meeting results and recommendations to the City. 

 

Three groups hosted meetings and submitted meeting summary reports.  The host organizations included: Gallery 101, a joint public forum with the Health and Social Services Advisory Committee (HSSAC), the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) and the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee (PIAC), and thirdly, the Riverside South Community Association.  More detailed information on the meeting demographics is included in the respective report sections to follow.

 

A meeting summary report for each of the community-led consultations was submitted by the respective host organizations.  These meeting summary reports were posted on the City Web site in the language in which they were received.  

 

This report is based on a synthesis of the summary reports prepared by the respective host organization or group for each community-led consultation.  The discussion is summarized using the language of the participants.

 

 

Section 2 – Arts and Cultural Community-led Consultation

 

2.1 Meeting Details

Several arts and cultural organizations gathered at the community-led consultation hosted by Gallery 101 on October 6, 2004 at 236 Nepean Street.  Directors, art administrators, board and members from various organizations attended to voice their opinions on the 2005 Budget Directions.  There were 28 participants in attendance, representing the following organizations:

 

2.2 Key Recommendations

The consultation meeting identified the main issues affecting arts and culture in the City of Ottawa.  Three key recommendations were provided.

1.         Restore and increase funding to the arts.  Opposed to any cuts to art programs and services.

2.         Support implementation of 20/20 Arts and Heritage Plan.  Expect City Council to respect their previous motions to address outstanding arts issues including an increase in the per capita allocation to the arts.

3.         Recognize and make changes to correct inefficiencies in the existing system due to program duplication and lack of understanding about existing programs offered by art organizations and community.   By preventing duplication of services by the City costs for these services would be reduced.

 

2.3 Additional Priorities and Requests

The meeting summary report submitted following the Art and Culture community-led consultation provided further recommendations, priorities and requests for the City as follows.

 

 

Section 3 – Advisory Committees Community-led consultation

 

3.1 Meeting Details

In order to recommend 2005 Budget Directions to Council, the Health and Social Services Advisory Committee (HSSAC), the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) and the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee (PIAC) invited interested groups and agencies to present their recommendations at a community-led consultation held on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at City Hall.  No information was provided on the number of participants at the meeting.

 

3.2 Key Recommendations

The recommendations produced as a result of the consultation meeting are as follows:

 

 

Section 4 – Riverside South Community Association (RSCA)

                     Community-led consultation

 

4.1 Meeting Details

The Riverside South Community Association (RSCA) led a community consultation process to solicit input from its residents on the 2005 Budget Directions.  The meeting was held on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at the Rideauview Community Centre.  No information was provided on the number of participants at the meeting.

 

4.2 Key Priorities

The RSCA identified three key priorities for the 2005 City Budget as it pertains to the Riverside South community and to the City as a whole.  These three priorities are of critical importance for the ratepayers (residents and businesses) in the southern area of the City of Ottawa.

 

1. Transportation Infrastructure

 

2. Childcare Services

 

3. Recreational Programs & Services – Park & Greenspace Maintenance