OTTAWA CITY COUNCIL

10, 11 and 15 january 2007

ANDREW S. HAYDON HALL

10:00 a.m.

 

DISPOSITION 4

 

 

 

Committee of the Whole

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. McRae

Seconded by Councillor P. Feltmate

 

That City Council resolve to move into Committee of the Whole pursuant to Section 48 of the Procedure By-law.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. McRae

Seconded by Councillor P. Feltmate

 

That the Committee of the Whole rise and report to City Council.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

Postponements and Deferrals

 

CHIEF CORPORATE SERVICES OFFICER

 

 

1.             LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN III (PART 1)

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Council receive and table the Long Range Financial Plan III (Part 1) at its meeting on October 11, 2006 for consideration by Council at its meeting on January 11, 2007.

 

                                                                          RECEIVED and TABLED 11 OCTOBER 2006; and

                                                                                         CARRIED 10, 11 and 15 JANUARY 2007

 

 

2.             LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN III (PART 2)

 

 

            REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Council receive and table the Long Range Financial Plan III (Part 2) at its meeting on December 14, 2006 for subsequent approval by Council at its meeting on January 11, 2007.  

 

                                                                     RECEIVED AND TABLED 14 DECEMBER 2006; and

                                                                                         CARRIED 10, 11 and 15 JANUARY 2007

 

 

3.             2007 BUDGET DIRECTIONS REPORT

 

 

            REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the 2007 Budget Directions report be received and tabled at the Council meeting of 14 December 2006 for subsequent consideration by Council as Committee of the Whole on 10 and 11 January 2007; and that Councillors submit to the City Clerk by 05 January 2007 for Council consideration, any motions which provide additional direction to staff for the development of the 2007 Draft Budget.

 

1.                  That Council approve the development of a Draft Operating Budget for 2007 for all tax-supported services (excluding Ottawa Police Services), that includes:

 

a.                  The cost of maintaining current programs at current service levels;

b.                  The cost of providing provincially mandated and cost-shared programs;

c.                   The costs associated with growth in population or infrastructure that is operated and maintained by the City;

d.                  The costs of enhanced services as directed by Council through reports and directions received throughout the year;

e.                  An increase equivalent to 1% of taxation for the contribution to capital used to fund the strategic initiatives category of capital;

f.                    An increase to user fees at either the percentage increase in the cost of providing the program or service, or as directed through Council-approved policy;

g.                  A reasonable estimate of assessment growth from new properties added to the tax base;

h.                  Deferring a 2007 increase to the corporate efficiency target to 2008; and

i.                    No increase in taxation.

 

2.                  That the difference between the expenditures and revenues added to the 2007 Draft Operating Budget identified in Recommendation 1, be eliminated through the use of the following strategies:

 

a.                  Deferral of service enhancements that have not yet been implemented;

b.                  Use provincial gas tax revenues to the extent possible to offset increases in the cost of transit;

c.                   Use debt where possible, instead of contributions to capital, to fund the capital program;

d.                  Incorporate and pursue the cost-sharing shortfall with the provincial government;

e.                  Identify and incorporate any other one-time sources of funding;

f.                    Increase user fees and charges by more than that identified in Direction 1f; and

g.                  Identify program reductions.

 

3.                  That the Police Services Board be requested to table a Draft 2007 Operating Budget that is consistent with the directions identified above.

 

4.                  That the 2007 tax-supported Draft Capital Budget:

 

a.                  Be developed as identified in the Long Range Financial Plan III;

b.                  Incorporate the budget directions on contributions to capital and debt as identified in the recommendations above; and

c.                   Identify projects in the strategic initiatives category as prioritized by the administration, and provide a list of all other projects for information.

 

5.                  That the operating and capital budgets supported by the water/sewer rate be developed in accordance with the strategies identified in the Long Range Financial Plan III which includes:

 

a.                  A combined water/sewer rate increase of 9% in 2007

b.                  An increase in the amount of debt authority applied to the capital program;

c.                   The deferral of projects within the strategic initiatives category of capital; and

d.                  Allowing the reserve balance to fall below $20 million during the year.

 

6.                  Approve that the City continue to fund one-time 2007 operating requirements from a one-time transfer from reserves.

 

CARRIED as amended by the following Motions:

 
MOTION

Moved by Councillor P. Hume

Seconded by Councillor P. Feltmate

 

[Recommendation 1 (d)]

 

WHEREAS urban planning touches homeowners & tenants in a very direct and personal way; and

 

WHEREAS making it easier for everyone to be part of the discussion and debate will improve urban planning and decision-making; and

 

WHEREAS the current practice of directly contacting Planning staff to obtain basic planning application information such as general application information and supporting information such as traffic impact studies, servicing studies, marketing studies, and all other relevant supporting information is cumbersome and time consuming for both the Planner in question and the resident seeking the information; and

 

WHEREAS posting general planning application information and supporting documentation on the City web site will provide convenient and efficient access for the public and will promote transparency and thoughtful public input; and

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Planning Approvals Branch include a provision to post planning applications and supporting documentation on the City’s web site.

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet

Seconded by Councillor P. Hume

 

[Recommendation 1 (d)]

 

Whereas, the City of Ottawa approved an Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan in 2003;

 

Whereas, the City of Ottawa is on track to meet its targets under the Plan;

 

Whereas, actions to address the community targets laid out in the Plan have not been implemented due to limited financial resources;

 

Whereas, the City of Ottawa is the capital city of a country which has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and has taken on legally binding targets;

 

Whereas, climate change is one of the greatest economic, social and environmental challenges currently facing our city, country and world;

 

Whereas, acting to address climate change presents an opportunity to reduce expenditures, improve the health of citizens and maintain and enhance the prosperity of our community;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that staff be directed to include the appropriate resources in the budget 2007 budget to implement the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor D. Holmes

Seconded by Councillor D. Deans

 

That Recommendation 1(i) be amended to read:

 

1(i) Two options:

a)                  A zero percent tax increase, derived solely from sustainable sources that upholds the Long Range Financial Plan principles and that does not adversely impact the City’s credit rating;

b)                  An inflationary tax increase based on the same above principles.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. McRae

Seconded by Councillor P. Feltmate

 

That Recommendation 2 be amended to read as follows:

 

2.                  That any difference between the expenditures and revenues in the 2007 Draft Operating Budget as identified in Recommendation 1, be addressed through some combination of the following strategies:

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor D. Holmes

Seconded by Councillor P. Feltmate

 

[Recommendation 2 (a) and Body of Report 1(d)i.]

 

WHEREAS in 2006 City Council directed that the 2007 budget include the costs of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) financial sustainability;

 

WHEREAS OCHC has identified $6.3 million as the requirement to fund their Safer Communities Initiative and for the adjustments necessary to their capital and operating budgets in order to make them sustainable, based on the following breakdown:

 

Category

Increase over 2006

Notes

Capital

$1.5 million

1

Manageable Costs

$3.3 million

2

Utilities

$1.2 million

3

Fixed Costs

$0.3 million

4

Total

$6.3 million

 

 

 

Notes:

1. First increase since 2001

                2. Includes inflation, increase to meet provincial maintenance standards, and the
                   Safer Communities Initiative
                3. Reflects rate increases for electricity, natural gas, water and sewer charges

                4. Municipal taxes

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the budget request for $6.3 million for OCHC be excluded from Recommendation 2(a).

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor A. Cullen

Seconded by Councillor R. Jellett

 

[Recommendation 2 (a) and Body of Report 1(d)iii.]

 

WHEREAS previously City Council has considered and approved reports that have increased services, as listed in Budget Direction 1(d) as “enhanced services”;

 

                                                                                                                                                    $000

i.e.       Expansion of MINISIS application to Community Museums                                         55

            (as per the Museum Sustainability Plan)

            Administrative support for Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee                            100

            Accept postmark as date received for taxes (lost revenue)                                          100

            Francophone subsidized childcare spaces                                                                      765

            Museum Sustainability Plan                                                                                            740

            Community Funding Sustainability                                                                                 500

            Funding for Legion Remembrance Day Services                                                            11

            Tulip Festival Shuttle Service                                                                                           20

            Continuation of Ontario Disability Pass Discount (Community Bus Pass)                   600

            Para Transpo Taxi Script Pilot Project                                                                           170

            Transit operating impact of bio-diesel fuel                                                                     300

            Snow Windrow Clearing Assistance program for seniors                                              120

            Land stewardship and wetlands program                                                                       160  

                                                                                                                                                 $3,641

 

WHEREAS Recommendation 2(a) proposes to “defer” these items from the 2007 budget (i.e. not include them as part of the 2007 budget) as one of the strategies that could be used to achieve Council’s budget directions;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the items listed above be excluded from Recommendation 2(a).

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor D. Holmes

Seconded by Councillor G. Bédard

 

That Recommendation 2(g) be amended to read:

 

Identify program / service reductions.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor R. Bloess

Seconded by Councillor B. Monette

 

That Motion 3/11 as set out in the Agenda, be amended as follows:

 

That Recommendation 2(g) be amended to add “and include options for different ways of providing services both mandated and optional”.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. McRae

Seconded by Councillor P. Hume

 

[Recommendation 2 (g)]

 

WHEREAS stable, reliable and longer term community funding promotes healthy and robust community organization; and

 

WHEREAS these community organizations provide important community services in an entrepreneurial and cost effective manner and would greatly benefit from stable and reliable funding; and

 

WHEREAS other organizations such as the United Way and the Community Foundation also provide community funding in the same broad program areas as the City of Ottawa; and

 

WHEREAS other Cites such as Toronto establish non-profit arms length organizations (Toronto Arts Council) to administer cultural funding; and

 

WHEREAS this may present an opportunity to collaborate with community based organizations to deliver this important community funding on a longer term sustainable basis; and

 

WHEREAS it will take time to consult and develop a collaborative approach to the delivery of community funding;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Community and Protective Services Department be based on no funding reductions to community and cultural agencies; and

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Community and Protective Services Department include a financial provision that would allow Committee and Council to explore (with appropriate community consultation) a collaborative approach to the delivery of stable, reliable and longer-term community funding with other community partners such as the United Way, Community Foundation or new community based agency similar to the Toronto Arts Council.

 

CARRIED as amended by the following motion.

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. McRae

Seconded by Councillor P. Hume

 

That the second resolution of the Hume/McRae Motion, namely,

 

“FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Community and Protective Services Department include a financial provision that would allow Committee and Council to explore (with appropriate community consultation) a collaborative approach to the delivery of stable, reliable and longer-term community funding with other community partners such as the United Way, Community Foundation or new community based agency similar to the Toronto Arts Council.”

 

be referred to Community and Protective Services Committee.

 

                                                                                    REFERRAL CARRIED

 

(Note: On 11 January 2007, Council approved a motion to refer in its entirety the foregoing Hume/McRae motion, to the Community and Protective Services Committee.  Subsequently on 15 January 2007, Council approved a motion to suspend the rules to reconsider the Hume/McRae motion and the disposition is as set out above).

 

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor P. Hume

Seconded by Councillor M. McRae

 

[Recommendation 2 (g)]

 

WHEREAS child care is a vital service for critical service for families in the City of Ottawa; and

 

WHEREAS there are 17,037 childcare spaces in Ottawa with 7263 subsidized spaces; and

 

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa licences 282 childcare centres of which 200 centres provide subsidized spaces; and

 

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa owns and operates 17 childcare centres with 493 spaces; and

 

WHEREAS the vast majority of childcare spaces are located in regulated not for profit childcare centres which deliver vital services in an entrepreneur and cost effective manner; and

 

WHEREAS this childcare centres are governed by a community based board of directors making these childcare centres incredibly close to the communities that they serve; and

 

WHEREAS the communities served by the City owned childcare centres may wish to establish community ownership of these centres similar to the to that which exists in the regulated not for profit childcare centres;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Community and Protective Services Department include a financial provision that would allow communities served city owned childcare centres to explore the opportunity to establish community ownership model similar to that which exists in the regulated not for profits childcare centres that provide the bulk of the City’s childcare spaces.

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor A. Cullen

Seconded by Councillor D. Deans

 

That the Hume/McRae Motion be referred to Community and Protective Services Committee.

 

                                                                                    REFERRAL CARRIED

 

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet

Seconded by Councillor P. Hume

 

[Recommendation 2 (g)]

 

WHEREAS, it makes sense to look for budget savings in areas where Ottawa spends more than other cities;

 

AND WHEREAS, the Operating budget tend to rise in a predictable way from year to year but the total Capital budget varies by hundreds of million dollars up or down from one year to the next;

 

AND WHEREAS, it is more useful to make spending comparisons with other Ontario cities by looking at multi-year trends;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that historical data (averaged over multiple years) comparing City of Ottawa expenditures per household per function to other Ontario municipalities be made available along with the draft 2007 budget;

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor P. Hume

Seconded by Councillor J. Harder

 

[Recommendation 5]

 

WHEREAS the City has some 2050 sewer laterals that are damaged and in need of repair; and

 

WHEREAS this list grows by 200 newly damaged laterals each year and the City only repairs 130 to 140; and

 

WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the homeowner to prove that the damage is the responsibility of the City; and

 

WHEREAS once the City has reviewed the evidence it will reimburse the cost of having the lateral reviewed by television camera. However, at current staff levels it takes 9 months to 12 months for tapes to be reviewed and the homeowner reimbursed;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 operating budget of the Utility Services include a provision to ensure the timely review and reimbursement to homeowners of appropriate costs; and

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 capital budget of the Utility Services include a provision to address the backlog in damaged sewer laterals over an appropriate period of time period.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor P. Hume

Seconded by Councillor J. Harder

 

[Recommendation 5]

 

WHEREAS Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Services are rate supported programs that are designed to be self sustaining; and

 

WHEREAS the revenues, expenses and capital formation costs are typically scattered throughout the operating budget; and

 

WHEREAS these services face pressing needs that will require careful and knowledgeable consideration and debate; and

 

WHEREAS To completely understand the current financial situation and the impact on the rates charged for this service changes in presentation of the budget documents are required;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste services be based on the principle that any savings found within these rate supported programs be used to offset increases in these services or reductions to the rate charged for these services; and

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 budget for the Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste services be presented in such a manner that consolidates all revenues and expenses including internal transfers and capital formation costs related to each rate supported service.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. Wilkinson

Seconded by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that in Recommendation 5(a) that staff include an analysis of the changes required in the Operating and Capital budgets to create a water/sewer rate with a 0 percent increase in 2007. 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet

Seconded by Councillor M. McRae

 

WHEREAS, in order to be most effective in evaluating any budget and potential cuts, council consider the items in the order of their impact on the budget, not their order in the alphabet.

 

AND WHEREAS, considering the largest budget items first will ensure that the most time is available to debate the most important expenditures;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the items in the draft 2007 budget be presented and debated in an order which goes from largest to smallest in terms of their total draw on the City’s $2.2 billion total.

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet

Seconded by Councillor M. McRae

 

WHEREAS, in order to evaluate the sum costs of providing services, one must look at both operating and capital expenses;

 

AND WHEREAS, operating and capital budget are not independent e.g., most capital projects imply increases in operating cost;

 

AND WHEREAS, the Operating budget tend to rise in a predictable way from year to year but the total Capital budget varies by hundreds of million dollars up or down from one year to the nest;

 

AND WHEREAS, in the past Operating and Capital budgets have been considered separately which meant true total costs for major cannot be compared;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Operating and Capital Budget reports be released at the same time, and that the reports are presented such that both operating and capital costs for all projects and programs can be easily compared and totalled.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet

Seconded by Councillor R. Jellett

 

WHEREAS Smart Growth reduces the requirement for tax increases by lowering the cost of providing future city services;

 

WHEREAS development is to be encouraged in the area of green building initiatives;

 

WHEREAS development is slow in moving towards helping the city achieve the objectives of  the Official Plan without incentives to do so;


BE IT RESOLVED that staff investigate the establishment of incentives specifically aimed at encouraging the construction of buildings that achieve a LEEDs designation and present a report on findings and recommendations by September 2007. 

 

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor M. Wilkinson

Seconded by Councillor J. Harder

 

That the Doucet/Jellett Motion be referred to Planning and Environment Committee.

 

                                                                                    REFERRAL CARRIED

 
MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

Seconded by Councillor G. Hunter

 

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Budget 2007 Guidelines include a projected population increase of 1.5 and not 2%.  

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

Seconded by Councillor G. Hunter

 

That the El-Chantiry/Hunter motion be referred to the Long Range Financial Plan process.

                                                                                    REFERRAL CARRIED

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor J. Harder

Seconded by Councillor M. Wilkinson

 

[Additional Recommendation 7]

 

That as part of Budget Directions, staff be directed to develop a revised Corporate Plan and LRFP Framework for discussion by Council during the April to June timeframe as articulated in the Mayor’s State of the City Address.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD REPORT 1

 

 

1.                 OPS LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLAN AND 2007 BUDGET DIRECTIONS

 

 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION

 

That Council approve the following steps to action the OPS Long Range Financial Plan:

 

a)                  Approve the forecast Ottawa Police Service four-year operating expenditure requirements and ten-year capital needs as detailed in Attachments 1 and 2.

 

b)                  Approve a user fee policy that maintains the proportion of tax rate support and revenue from the benefiting user for all fees not otherwise governed by by-law or previously approved Board objective.

 

c)         Approve the 2007 transfer of Ottawa Police Services debt servicing budget of $5.258 million from the City of Ottawa to the OPS

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

 

Motions of Which Notice Has Been Given Previously

 

Moved by Councillor R. Bloess

Seconded by Councillor E. El-Chantiry

 

WHEREAS the City is committed to ensuring convenient Accessible Taxicab service to people with mobility impairment and other disabilities that is comparable to the standard taxicab service;

 

AND WHEREAS Council has directed that 40 new Accessible Taxicab plates be issued each year, until a total of 185 Accessible Taxicabs are in operation;

 

AND WHEREAS Members of Council received a letter from the Ontario Taxi Union noting concerns with the delivery of accessible taxicab service and a request for a immediate moratorium on the issuance of additional accessible taxicab plates;

 

AND WHEREAS the Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the community group Disabled and Proud oppose a delay in issuance of the 40 new additional Accessible Taxicab Plates; and some of the qualified drivers/owners have already ordered their Accessible Taxicabs in anticipation of being issued their plates;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to report back to the Community and Protective Services Committee and Council with recommendations that address the concerns raised by the Taxi Union, by the end of June 2007.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

 

Motion to Introduce By-laws                                                  Three Readings

 

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Councillor A. Cullen

Seconded by Councillor M. Bellemare

 

That By-law (b) listed on the Agenda, i.e. “A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2005-84 respecting the duties of the Auditor General of the City of Ottawa”, be referred to staff to consider the opportunity for public comment on the Auditor General’s report at a meeting of Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee.

 

                                                                                                            CARRIED

 

The list of by-laws as amended was then approved.

 

2007-1                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2005-499 respecting the Board of Management for the Barrhaven Improvement Area.

 

2007-2                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-499 respecting Fire Routes.

 

2007-3                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands on Ludlowe Street and Demeter Street, as being exempt from Part Lot Control.

 

2007-4                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands on Trim Road, as being exempt from Part Lot Control.

 

2007-5                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate 2030 Trim Road as being exempt from Part Lot Control and to repeal By-law No. 2006-454.

 

2007-6                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate 2367 Tenth Line Road as being exempt from Part Lot Control and to repeal By-law No. 2006-453.

 

2007-7                         A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2005-359 to appoint Municipal Law Enforcement Officers in the Transit Services Branch of the Public Works and Services Department.

 

 

                                                                                                CARRIED