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Finance and Economic Development Committee
Minutes 27
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
9:30 a.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Notes: 1. Please note that these Minutes are to be considered DRAFT until confirmed by Committee.
2. Underlining indicates a new or amended recommendation approved by Committee.
3. Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on 10 May 2017 in Finance and Economic Development Committee Report 24.
| Present: |
Chair: Mayor Watson
Vice-Chair: Councillor E. El-Chantiry
Councillors: S. Blais, D. Chernushenko, D. Deans, K. Egli, J. Harder, A. Hubley, S. Moffatt, B. Monette, M. Taylor |
There were no declarations of interest.
| CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES |
| Minutes 26 - April 4, 2017 |
CONFIRMED
| POSTPONEMENTS AND DEFERRALS |
| 1. |
WESTBORO VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT |
|
ACS2016-PIE-EDI-0009 |
KITCHISSIPPI (15) |
Tabled from the Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting of
4 October 2016
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council: |
| 1. Designate the area described by Document 1 as an expanded Business Improvement Area, under Sections 204 and 209 of the Municipal Act, 2001; |
| 2. Authorize and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to send out a notice of Council’s intention to pass a by-law to alter the existing Business Improvement Area boundaries, as described in Document 1, in accordance with Section 210 of the Municipal Act, 2001; |
| 3. Authorize and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to prepare a by-law to designate the area as an expanded Business Improvement Area, as described in Document 1, in accordance with Sections 204 and 209 of the Municipal Act, 2001; and |
| 4. Enact the aforementioned by-law in accordance with Section 204 and 209 the Municipal Act, 2001, subject to the City Clerk and Solicitor receiving favourable results on the notices referred to in Recommendation 2, advising of the intention to pass a by-law expanding the boundary. |
The report recommendations were considered during the consent portion of the meeting and Committee proceeded to consider the following motion moved by Councillor El-Chantiry, on behalf of Councillor J. Leiper:
MOTION NO. 27 / 1
Moved by Councillor E. El-Chantiry (on behalf of Councillor J. Leiper)
WHEREAS the report entitled Westboro Village Business Improvement Area Boundary (ACS2016-PIE-EDI-0009) was listed on the Finance and Economic Development Committee agenda of 4 October, 2016; and
WHEREAS, following public delegations, Committee approved Motion No. 21/4, which tabled the item and directed the Ward Councillor to host a public consultation with the goal of making necessary changes to ultimately enhance acceptance of the boundary expansion, in addition to other consultations, as required; and
WHEREAS following the Ward Councillor’s public consultation on November 15, 2016, and additional stakeholder consultation by staff, staff have modified the proposed boundary expansion area to include McRae Avenue from Richmond Road to Scott Street, as well as 114 Richmond Road, 376 Madison Avenue, 393-399 Winston Avenue, 1960 Scott Street and 1976 Scott Street; and
WHEREAS this change should be made before the report is considered by Committee and Council;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Document 1 of the report (Westboro Village Business Improvement Area Boundary - ACS2016-PIE-EDI-0009) be replaced with the attached new map, and the Financial Implications section of the report be updated as follows:
The 2018 draft budget will include any required financial adjustments upon approval of a boundary change. |
The Report Recommendations, as amended by Motion No. 27/1 and as set out in full below, were put to Committee:
| That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council: |
| 1. Designate the area described by Document 1 as an expanded Business Improvement Area, under Sections 204 and 209 of the Municipal Act, 2001; |
| 2. Authorize and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to send out a notice of Council’s intention to pass a by-law to alter the existing Business Improvement Area boundaries, as described in Document 1, in accordance with Section 210 of the Municipal Act, 2001; |
| 3. Authorize and direct the City Clerk and Solicitor to prepare a by-law to designate the area as an expanded Business Improvement Area, as described in Document 1, in accordance with Sections 204 and 209 of the Municipal Act, 2001; and |
| 4. Enact the aforementioned by-law in accordance with Section 204 and 209 the Municipal Act, 2001, subject to the City Clerk and Solicitor receiving favourable results on the notices referred to in Recommendation 2, advising of the intention to pass a by-law expanding the boundary. |
5. Approve Document 1 of the report (Westboro Village Business Improvement Area Boundary - ACS2016-PIE-EDI-0009) be replaced with the attached new map, and the Financial Implications section of the report be updated as follows:
The 2018 draft budget will include any required financial adjustments upon approval of a boundary change. |
CARRIED as amended
| FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
| 2. |
FRENCH LANGUAGE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2015 – 2018 REVISED WORK PLAN |
|
ACS2017-CCS-FLA-0001 |
CITY WIDE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council approve the revised objectives contained in the French Language Services Advisory Committee’s 2015-2018 work plan, as detailed in Document 1. |
Vice-Chair El-Chantiry thanked the Chair of the French Language Services Advisory Committee and its members for the continued hard work and dedication.
The Committee CARRIED the revised work plan as presented.
| CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
| 3. |
2016 – PROCUREMENT YEAR IN REVIEW |
|
ACS2017-CSD-CPO-0001 |
CITY WIDE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee and Council receive this report for information. |
Councillor Harder was pleased with the reduction in the overall value of the contracts by 54 per cent but questioned staff about accessibility and purchasing. Specifically, she asked about the cost of the accessibility criteria and purchasing and whether the City continues to exceed the rules in place by the Province.
Will McDonald, Chief Procurement Officer advised that the City is achieving its objectives under the legislation. Not having the details on the cost on hand, he offered to provide a response to members of Council prior to the Council meeting of 10 May 2017.
RECEIVED
| 4. |
2017 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Q1 STATUS REPORT |
|
ACS2017-CSD-FIN-0008 |
CITY WIDE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council receive this report for information. |
RECEIVED
| 5. |
CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES – 2017 LEVIES |
|
ACS2017-CMR-FIN-0007 |
CITY WIDE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council approve the 2017 levies for the Rideau Valley, South Nation and Mississippi Valley Conservation Authorities as presented in Document 1, as outlined in this report. |
CARRIED
| 6. |
VACANCY REBATE PROGRAM REVIEW |
|
ACS2017-CSD-REV-0004 |
CITY WIDE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council approve: |
| 1. That the City of Ottawa’s Vacancy Rebate Program (VRP) be phased out over a period of three years as described in this report and such that the rebate amount is reduced to 20% in 2017, reduced to 10% in 2018, and eliminated in 2019; and |
| 2. That the City request that the Minister of Finance implement Council’s decisions with respect to the Vacancy Rebate Program by provincial Regulation. |
Wendy Stephenson, Deputy City Treasurer, Revenue Services spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is held on file with the City Clerk and Solicitor. Steve Kanellakos, City Manager and John Smit, Director of Economic Development were present to respond to questions.
The Committee then heard from the following delegations:
Danielle Ryan, Conseil des écoles public de l’Est de l’Ontario spoke in support oF the report noting that if approved, it will provide more funding on municipal taxes which will reduce a portion required to be transferred from the Province to the school board.
David Jeanes, Heritage Ottawa strongly supports the phase out of the Vacancy Rebate Program, noting that the program is a disincentive to renovation or adaptive re-use for heritage homes and heritage districts.
Ian Wright, Snow Goose Ltd also agreed with the report recommendations as he felt the program removed the urgency to fill vacancy properties.
Joshua Thatcher, Whole Foods Market – Lansdowne, supported the report but suggested that the money be redirected to investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Dean Karakasis, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) spoke of concerns if the Vacancy Rebate Program is phased out, noting the impacts on business owners and the community.
* Correspondence was received by the following organizations:
• Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa
• Hintonburg Community Association
• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
[ * Individuals / groups marked with an asterisk above either provided comments in writing or by e-mail; all submissions are held on file with the City Clerk. ]
Committee members posed questions to staff in regards to the Business Improvement Areas, property assessments, investments and cost of leasing retail space.
After discussion, Councillor Blais read the following motion:
MOTION NO. 27 / 2
Moved by Councillor S. Blais
WHEREAS the report entitled Vacancy Rebate Program (ACS2017-CSD-REV-0004) recommends a three-year phase out of the Vacancy Rebate Program with a declining rebate and defined eligibility criteria during the phase out as further described in the report, with the complete elimination of the program being effective in 2019; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the City and its residential taxpayers to accelerate the timeline for the proposed phase out of the Vacancy Rebate Program, with a timeframe for elimination of the rebates similar to that of the City of Toronto, to encourage commercial and industrial property occupancy rather than to continue to provide tax rebates for vacancies, and to further encourage renovations to occur to make vacant properties fit for occupancy; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Recommendation 1 of report ACS2017 be replaced with the following:
1. That the City of Ottawa’s Vacancy Rebate Program (VRP) be phased out over a period of two years, with the eligibility criteria during the phase out to be provided for as described in this report, and that the rebate amount is reduced to 15% in 2017 and eliminated in 2018. |
CARRIED with Councillor Moffatt dissenting.
Item 6 of the Finance and Economic Development Committee Agenda 27, as amended by Motion N0 27/2 and set out in full below, was put to Committee.
| That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council approve: |
| 1. That the City of Ottawa’s Vacancy Rebate Program (VRP) be phased out over a period of two years, with the eligibility criteria during the phase out to be provided for as described in this report, and that the rebate amount is reduced to 15% in 2017 and eliminated in 2018; and |
| 2. That the City request that the Minister of Finance implement Council’s decisions with respect to the Vacancy Rebate Program by provincial Regulation. |
CARRIED as amended
| RECREATION, CULTURAL AND FACILITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
| 7. |
APPROVAL OF THE OTTAWA ART GALLERY SERVICE DELIVERY AGREEMENT |
|
ACS2017-RCF-GEN-0001 |
CITY WIDE |
| That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council: |
| 1. Approve that the facility at 50 MacKenzie King Bridge be designated to be the Municipal Art Gallery, as described in this report, and named the Ottawa Art Gallery Building. |
2. Approve the establishment of a Service Delivery Agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Art Gallery for the operation and programming of the Municipal Art Gallery located at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge as described in this report and including as follows:
a) That the term of the Agreement be 10 years, with three options to renew for a term of five years each;
b) That the relevant provisions of the 1996 Purchase of Service Agreement for the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art between the City and The Ottawa Art Gallery be incorporated into the Agreement; and
c) The current $95,000 annual budget allocation to the Ottawa Art Gallery as the Service Provider for the Firestone Collection of Canadian Art be continued for the duration of the Agreement, subject to annual budget approval; and |
| 3. Delegate the authority to the General Manager of the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department to negotiate, finalize and execute the Service Delivery Agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Art Gallery, as outlined in this report. |
CARRIED
| 8. |
DESCHÂTELETS BUILDING (175 MAIN ST.) |
|
ACS2017-RCF-GEN-0002 |
CAPITAL (17) |
| That the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommend Council: |
| 1. Delegate authority to the General Manager Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services to enter into non-binding confidential discussions / negotiations with The Regional Group and its partners regarding potential inclusion of a City of Ottawa community recreation component in the redevelopment plans for the Deschâtelets Building located at 175 Main Street; and |
| 2. That staff report back to City Council on the results of the discussions / negotiations with The Regional Group and its partners. |
CARRIED
| INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED |
| A |
VANGUARD DRIVE EXTENSION WORK PROGRAM |
|
ACS2017-PIE-EDP-0009 |
CUMBERLAND(19) |
| INQUIRIES |
| Councillor D. Deans submitted the following inquiry: |
As an employer, the City of Ottawa is dedicated to providing quality services through a workforce that reflects the diverse community it serves. The initiatives that help ensure this include; joining the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism (CMARD), implementing the 2015-2018 Corporate People Plan (SI 55), and the Inclusive Community Initiative (SI 31).
As we are now over halfway through the term and the above noted initiatives have identified targets and requirements, could staff please provide information on the following:
Which department is the lead on advancing the City’s Equity and Inclusion initiatives?
When will Council see the next report on our participation in CMARD?
Can staff provide an update on the targets outlined in both SI 55-B and
SI 31- A?
Further to our approved initiatives, and with the recent announcement that the Federal Government of Canada will introduce blind name hiring in 6 departments, could staff provide information on whether the City of Ottawa has ever considered introducing blind hiring practices? |
Councillor D. Deans submitted the following inquiry: |
The LRT project is the biggest that the City has ever taken on and as with any project of that magnitude it is likely to face a variety of obstacles. Over the last few months we have heard reports of numerous incidents that have the potential to put both the safety of workers and the timeline at risk. Understanding that many of these are not uncommon, could staff provide a more detailed report on the following:
What are the specific Ministry of Labour stop-work orders that have been reported in the media and can staff advise on how they have been remediated?
Is the project behind schedule, and if so can staff please enumerate all of the contributing factors to the schedule delay?
Can staff provide a timeline of upcoming major milestones for the opening of the LRT? What factors contribute to determining these timelines?
Has RTG missed any milestones or are they at risk of missing any? If so, what penalties are in place?
Could staff also provide Council with more information on the requirements for the testing of the Confederation Line, including who governs the testing protocols, when trains must be running, and how long the testing period lasts. |
The meeting adjourned at 10:26 a.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Committee Coordinator Chair
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES 27
TUESDAY, 2 MAY 2017 |
14 |
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Tuesday, 2 May 2017 |
6 |
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