Transportation Committee
2010 Budget Estimate Highlights

Transportation Committee (TRC) Accomplishments to-date:

Measured against the approved Corporate Strategic Plan, the TRC has been instrumental in the City’s progress in many areas of transportation, parking, infrastructure, and public works. Among TRC accomplishments:

Infrastructure:

• Managed investments in transportation networks to keep pace with City growth while ensuring existing infrastructure is well maintained and renewed
• Developed and approved the Transportation Master Plan
• Monitoring of $179M of transportation projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund
• Consistently applied progressive cost-benefit comparisons to ensure the economical use of resources for road resurfacing, preventative maintenance and infrastructure improvements
• Invested $29M in 2009 roadway renewal (roads, sidewalks, bridges, etc.) supported by the 2% Capital Tax Levy
• Completed road and sewer rehabilitation work on King Edward Avenue and completed significant milestones for key transportation corridors including: the Blackburn Hamlet Bypass, Hunt Club and Limebank roads, Strandherd Drive and Fallowfield
• Initiated critical transportation development projects in high-growth areas in the east, south and west of the City
• Improved road safety through strategic investments in traffic control and pedestrian signals (Pedestrian Countdown Signal Program), sidewalks, signs and through research-based road engineering project

Environment & Technology

• Approved the implementation of the Municipal Green Fleet Plan to achieve corporate emission-reductions targets and produce long-term savings in energy cost s, while reducing environmental impacts which will reduce GHG by 2,100 tonnes annually or 3% of City GHG emissions
• Proactive investments in green technologies, including fuel-efficient vehicles and the purchase of environmentally friendly equipment including three new street sweepers
• Continue road and sidewalk maintenance and snow clearing services while reducing costs and environmental impacts through new technologies that facilitate more efficient deployment of staff through the use of GPS technology resulting in a $1M savings in winter salt use
• Developed a comprehensive Municipal Parking Management Strategy covering parking management principles and objectives, parking rate setting guidelines, parking function accountabilities, a funding model and an implementation plan
• Developed and approved the City’s cycling and pedestrian plans to prioritize and improve alternative commuting options and reduce traffic congestion
• Monitoring the use of $12M from FISFP funding for multi-purpose pathway projects while ensuring all new arterial roads are designed and constructed with cycling facilities
• Worked with volunteers and stakeholders to ensure the success of annual community pride, environmental and city beautification campaigns and programs including the Fall and Spring Cleaning the Capital campaigns, anti-litter campaigns, murals and graffiti management initiatives and a new geese management strategy

Strategic Investments & Services

• Improved road safety by installing four new cameras at congested intersections, by securing ten new crossing guards, and by expanding the red light camera program to deter traffic violations
• Conducted high-profile public education campaigns, such as the new Distracted Driver Campaign, under the Integrated Road Safety Program
• Implemented “Snow Go” programs to help seniors and people with disabilities with snow removal
• Community engagement to identify priorities and update the City’s Speed Zoning Policy
• Conducted In-Service Safety Reviews for numerous roadways leading to improvements for motorists, pedestrians, transit and cyclists
• Approved the Graffiti Mural Program

2010 TRC Budget Highlights

The 2010 budget estimates associated with the Transportation Committee do not include any sweeping reduction options as in previous years and limits its budget increase of $5.6 million or a 0.56% tax increase. The budget estimates reflect cost of living and inflationary increases as well as innovative savings that result in efficient operations. The budget estimates also ensure that the City is enhancing infrastructure, transportation and public safety while holding the line on budgetary increases.

In general, 2010 pressures stem from contract settlement agreements, inflationary increases, and increased demand for service. These pressures are offset by savings found through corporate reorganization, service-excellence initiatives, and scrutinizing revenues and expenditures.

Some key highlights of the budget include:

• Integration of roadway modification process with the development review process to provide one-stop improved service
• Implementation of the Integrated Street Furniture Program
• Focus on creating a healthier, liveable downtown including pedestrian-friendly improvements in the ByWard Market area (William Street modifications and additional improvements to the Colonel By Underpass)
• Investment for implementation of the Green Fleet Plan is estimated to reduce the Municipal Fleet greenhouse gas emissions by up to 13% by 2010
• Funding to implement Innovation business, management, and operation practices leading to more efficient and effective operations
• Transformation of municipal fleet management
• Deployment of casual labour pool to improve flexibility in meeting seasonal operational work demands
• Additional staff resources to implement Cycling Plan and Pedestrian Plan and Investment in cycling and pedestrian facilities:
• $5 million for multi-purpose pathway projects in 2010/2011, funded under the Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Program
• New facilities constructed in conjunction with other capital roadway projects
• All new arterial road construction designed and constructed with cycling facilities
• Conduct a study on how the public realm can be improved in the downtown core once the transit tunnel is constructed, including examining whether one-way streets can be restored to two-way traffic, identifying opportunities to widen sidewalks, and determining locations for segregated cycling facilities

2010 TRC Budget Estimate numbers in brief

Proposed Operating Budget In Thousands ($000)

$5.6 million equates to a 0.56 % tax increase

Fleet services costs are allocated to other City programs and are shown net of recoveries in this budget. Parking operations costs are fully recovered through user fees.

Change in Operating Budget Estimates: $5.6 million:

Proposed Capital Budget authority of $ 254.8 million including:

• $63M for Integrated Roads, Water & Wastewater
• $28M for street lighting, traffic signalization and fleet renewal
• $163M for the renewal and expansion of the public road and bridge infrastructure

Efficiency Savings Initiatives

Casual Labour Pool: This initiative focuses on the creation of a casual labour pool to reduce costs related to the City’s use of contractors and provide timely access to resources to meet peak demands. The labour pool is expected to help optimize equipment usage, reduce overall costs and improve services. This initiative will primarily be considered for use in lieu of contract services for winter sidewalk plowing. Efficiencies are based on savings in compensation and other ancillary costs, representing approximately $0.25M savings annually, beginning in 2010. Realization of benefits is dependant upon the full implementation of new processes. There are no costs associated with this initiative.

Innovative Management, Operating and Business Practices:

This initiative will engage employees in a process of identifying innovative management, operating and business practices to improve performance and reduce costs. It will be piloted first in the Public Works Department and may eventually roll out to other departments. The project will explore:

• Innovative business management practices – job scheduling, planning, equipment, materials, etc.
• Methods to enable the delivery of the same services in different ways and lowering costs.
• Opportunities to increase the number of productive hours in a day.
• Savings begin in 2011 at $0.5 M, growing to $1M annually by 2012. Implementation and one-time costs are $0.5M. There are no on-going costs.

Transform Fleet Management:

This initiative transforms Fleet Services through strategies that “right size” the municipal fleet and implement procurement strategies and processes so that the City can move to a standardized vehicle inventory and migrate to a Green Fleet to reduce fuel costs. Savings begin in 2010 at $300K, growing to steady state of $3.9M annually by 2013. Realization of benefits is dependant upon the full implementation of new processes and technology solutions. This project will pay for itself within 3 years. Implementation and one-time costs are $2.39M. There are no on-going costs.

Next Steps

During late October and early November each of the City’s standing committees will review and discuss program area budgets relevant to their mandates. See Standing Committee Meetings for exact dates for each committee.

The TRC draft budget estimates will be tabled and debated at the Transportation Committee meeting on November 9. Anyone wishing to register as a delegation at Transportation Committee can contact Rosemary Nelson, the Committee Coordinator at 613-580-2424, ext. 21624 or by

e-mail at rosemary.nelson@ottawa.ca.

Key budget dates following the Transportation Committee meeting include:

November 17, 2009: All Committee draft budgets rise to Audit, Budget and Finance Committee

December 9, 2009: Consolidated 2010 draft budget tabled at Council

January 25 – 29, 2010: Committee of the Whole consideration and approval of the 2010 Budget