1. PRESENTATION BY RURAL MAYORS

Mayor D. Eastman, Township of West Carleton, introduced Mayor-Elect J. Stavinga, Township of Goulbourn, Mayor P. Bradley, Township of Goulbourn, Mayor-Elect D. Thompson, Township of Osgoode and Mayor-Elect G. Brooks, Township of Rideau.

Mayor Eastman asked the Board to consider a one-year delay in implementing the amalgamation of Regional Police services in the rural townships in light of the present uncertainty surrounding municipal restructuring. He believed that with the future of the Region so unsure, it would be sensible to delay the transition.

Mayor Bradley added that he believed moving ahead with the transition would prejudge the outcome of the governance review. He cautioned against limiting the options of the Citizens’ Panel in any way and maintained that to undo the transition in a year’s time would be much worse than to delay.

Member Baskerville believed the OPP had made long-term plans for the re-allocation of officers who did not wish to transfer to the Regional Police Service. He inquired what impact a one-year delay would have on officers who have already made career decisions in anticipation of the changes. OPP Inspector L. Beechey indicated the OPP has not yet made any commitments to officers in these areas. He stated commitments are made six months before the date of transition therefore, commitments will be made to these officers on or about January 5th. He added, there are 22 officers who have indicated they will want to transfer out and this represents a cost of $550,000. He agreed that to undo the transition would incur substantial costs. The OPP would prefer a longer contract with the Region to provide some stability.

Member Baskerville expressed doubt that a one-year delay would be enough to resolve the issue of municipal restructuring. Regional Chair P. Clark agreed that restructuring would not happen in one year and with the province facing an election in two years, he was doubtful the restructuring of Ottawa-Carleton would happen in the near future. He understood the reasons for the mayors’ request but did not believe a one-year delay would make a difference.

Vice-Chair Bouwers expressed concerns about uncertainty and felt a delay would only create more uncertainty for both residents and officers. He noted the transition team has spent a lot of time meeting with the rural communities on this issue and the feedback has been positive. He believed that to delay at this time would be very difficult.

Mayor Eastman expressed confidence in the timetable set out by the Minister of Municipal Affairs for the work of the Citizens’ Panel on governance. He was confident a decision would be made within the year, though he acknowledge the implementation would probably take much longer. He re-iterated it would be unwise to spend money proceeding with the transition when it is unsure what Ottawa-Carleton will look like in a year’s time. He stressed their request is to delay the transition for one year, not to stop it entirely. He added there is some urgency to the request to ensure the OPP do not start making plans to deploy officers elsewhere. In addition, Mayor Eastman believed the Regional Police Service was 90 officers short and he questioned its ability to implement the planned transition.

Chair Vice was concerned that many of the officers in question have already made their decisions to transfer. He believed the process has come too far to stop in Osgoode and Rideau Townships.

Councillor Kreling inquired about the potential staff shortage suggested by Mayor Eastman. S. Kanellakos, Director General, explained the Police Service has secured 25 positions in each of the three classes graduating from the Ontario Police College in 1998, which will provide more than enough officers to accommodate the OPP transition plus the Regional Service’s internal attrition rate.

Deputy Chief A. Mackie re-iterated the transition team has been working very hard in the past year to review operational needs, and the planning process for the transition of Osgoode and Rideau Townships is well under way.

Councillor Holmes inquired about infrastructure costs already incurred in anticipation of expanding Regional Policing into the rural areas. S. Kanellakos stated the radio system cost $18M and will be operational in approximately two weeks. In addition, the new Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System will allow seamless dispatch and access to the information base from any police vehicle across the Region. These projects are well underway; the Police Service has invested close to $8M in supporting infrastructure.

Mayor-Elect D. Thompson inquired what the board would decide if faced with the same request should there be a rural alliance by this time next year.

Chair Vice hoped the Region would be able to compete favourably for a policing contract in the rural municipalities. While he could not predict what decisions would be made if faced with that situation, he stated the Board has been given a clear mandate by the province to amalgamate police services in this Region.

Vice Chair A. Bouwers stated the dedication of spaces at the Ontario Police College, the purchase of the radio system, the Computer Aided Dispatch and the Records Management System are all steps taken and investments made towards amalgamation. He was confident that if a rural alliance is achieved, the Regional Police will be in a good position to bid on the contract because the Townships will still need policing.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board consider the Mayors’ request to delay the introduction of Regional Policing into their townships by one year.

RECEIVED

2. PRESENTATION BY RURAL TOWERS’ ASSOCIATION

- Board Secretary’s report dated 19 Nov 97

B. Hartman, Country Towing addressed the Board on behalf of rural towers who have had agreements with the police for many years. He explained rural towers can be on scene in minutes because they know the areas they serve and are close at hand. They are often used for rescue operations, and many are volunteer fire-fighters as well. He stated they have a very close relationship with the OPP. For these reasons, Mr. Hartman did not feel comparisons could be made between rural towing and city towing companies. In addition, he noted rural towers support their communities in a wide variety of ways. They spend a lot of money in their communities and contribute to charitable endeavours. If they are put out of business it will not only affect them, but other small businesses as well.

Mr. Hartman felt the rural towers were being pushed aside. He believed the costs quoted in the contract are unrealistic when you consider the diversity of towing in rural areas. Mr. Hartman asked that the Board hold off on extending the contracts for towing into the rural areas, and expressed their willingness to work with the Board on a new contract.

Chair Vice explained that the contract already signed will be in effect in Cumberland as of January 1, 1998 for one year. The contract in Osgoode will be in effect as of the take-over date in that municipality and will also be in effect until the end of 1998. These contracts have already been signed and represent a legal commitment by the Board. He believed that at the Board’s last meeting agreement had been reached that the rural towers would work with police staff on a new contract for 1999. He commended Mr. Hartman and his colleagues for the good work they do.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive this report for information and possible discussion.

RECEIVED

3. OTTAWA-CARLETON STREET AMBASSADOR PROGRAM:

ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDING

- Regional Councillor M. Meilleur’s report dated 19 Nov 97

That the Ottawa-Carleton Police Services Board continue its partnership with the Ottawa-Carleton Street Ambassador Program and include in its 1998 Budget the amount of $10,000 for the Program.

CARRIED

4. PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL FROM CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL OF OTTAWA

- Chief’s report dated 17 Nov 97

Chair Clark inquired whether the recommendation meant that funding to the Crime Prevention Council was to be discontinued. S. Kanellakos explained the intent is to review funding on a case-by-case basis and form partnerships accordingly.

Ms. L. Bordeleau, Vice-Chair, Crime Prevention Council (CPC) indicated that though she could not contest the Police Service’s decision to deal with funding on a case-by-case basis, the CPC was looking for something a little more concrete in terms of funding when it came before the Police Services Board a year ago. She added the CPC is in the process of regionalizing its services and was hoping for core funding from the Regional Police.

D. Pepper, Director of Community Development, stated there has never been a line item in the Police Services budget for the Crime Prevention Council so this does not represent a withdrawal of funding. The current report represents a continuation of the current partnership.

Chief B. Ford noted there are a wide variety of issues on which the Police Service and the Crime Prevention Council collaborate. He re-iterated staff are looking for a continuation of the process that is currently in place. He did not think the Police Service should be funding the CPC because if provides more of a community service than an operational service.

Councillor Holmes recalled that the CPC came before the Board a year ago because of the City of Ottawa’s reduction in funding. At that time, the Board asked staff to look at the kinds of partnerships that could be formed with the CPC. She requested that staff prepare a funding report, to come forward at budget time, to maintain the CPC at its present level of funding and that the CPC seek corporate funding to match the Regional contribution. She believed funding on a project-by-project basis would cripple the CPC.

Member Baskerville emphasized that in order for the Regional Police budget to provide funding, the CPC have to focus on acquiring a regional mandate. He stressed the Board’s ability to fund the CPC would depend on many other factors.

Member Boudreau agreed that for the Regional Police Service to continue funding, the CPC would have to regionalize its organization. L. Bordeleau indicated the CPC hope to have its board regionalized by January 1998. Member Boudreau indicated she would support a motion for funding on condition that they assume a regional mandate.

Moved by D. Holmes

That a funding report be brought forward at budget time to maintain the Crime Prevention Council at the present total level of funding, provided that the Crime Prevention Council: a) seeks matching funding from other agencies, municipalities, corporations, etc., and b) assumes a regional mandate.

CARRIED as amended

5. ALARM SYSTEM REVIEW

- Chief’s report dated 18 Nov 97

Superintendent Peter Cuthbert explained the background issues and concerns surrounding the False Alarm Reduction Policy and By-law. He noted the current report is a direct result of concerns raised at the July meeting and the Police Services Board’s direction to review the policy. He indicated a consultation process is proposed consisting of a public meeting and targeted mailing. The public meeting will be held on 15 January 1998 at Regional Headquarters and will be advertised in local newspapers. He stated the goals of the policy are to improve officer safety and response efficiency, reduce the number of police responses to false alarms, improve police service capacity to respond to higher priority calls for service, educate alarm owners on responsible use of alarm systems and encourage the alarm monitoring companies to improve its practices.

Member Boudreau recalled that at the July meeting, concerns were raised about the collection of the registration fee and false alarm fines. She wondered if the proposed recommendations could incorporate a provision for no free alarm calls, and the addition of the registration fee to the alarm call charge for those who have not register their systems. She also noted the recommendations do not include the suspension of service for premises with multiple false alarms. She suggested this also be included for public input.

Superintendent Cuthbert indicated staff would include these options in the report for public consultation.

Councillor Kreling expressed concern with the annual maintenance fee proposed in recommendation three and suggested increasing the false alarm fine in recommendation two instead. He feared the fee proposed in recommendation three would once again be viewed as a disguised tax.

Member Baskerville commended staff for their work on the report. He believed the purpose of recommendation three was to ensure the program is revenue neutral and to provide a mechanism to ensure updates to the database. He believed there should be some incentive for alarm companies to get involved and take some responsibility. He support levying fines against alarm companies and leaving them to collect from their clients or absorb the cost.

Chair Clark suggested providing both options to the public to solicit comments. He stated in the end, the policy has to be revenue neutral and the database needs to be updated.

Councillor Holmes also commended the officers for their work on the report. She was very concerned with the recent increase in the numbers of false alarms and was tempted to look at the possibility of not providing any free false alarms calls in light of the numbers of repeat offenders. Sgt. J. Ferguson acknowledged it is primarily commercial establishments that cause multiple false alarms.

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive the Alarm System Review Report and table it for public consultation; the report includes the following proposals:

CARRIED as amended

  6. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS REPORT (AS OF OCTOBER 1997)

- Chief’s report dated 7 Nov 97

  That the Ottawa-Carleton Police Services Board receive this report for information.

  RECEIVED

7. AWARD OF CONTRACT - COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH

AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CAD/RMS)

- Director-General’s report dated 19 Nov 97

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board:

CARRIED

8. AUTO BODY REPAIR TENDER

- Director-General’s report dated 19 Nov 97

CARRIED

9. PUBLIC CONSULTATION POLICY

- Chief’s report dated 17 Nov 97

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board approve the report and draft public consultation policy.

CARRIED

10. CUMBERLAND TRANSITION UPDATE

- Transition Team’s report dated 12 Nov 97

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board receive this report for information.

RECEIVED

11. THOMAS G. FLANAGAN, S.C. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

- Chief’s report dated 17 Nov 97

Member Baskerville volunteered to sit on the selection committee.

CARRIED as amended

12. SPECIAL CONSTABLE APPOINTMENTS: RCMP TRAFFIC DIVISION

- Director, Litigation & Employment Law, report dated 14 Nov 97

That the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Services Board:

CARRIED

 13. REGULAR REPORT FROM THE CHIEF AND OPP INSPECTOR

- verbal update from Chief B. Ford and Inspector L. Beechey

  Chief Ford reported he participated in a media event with the RCMP and the OPP announcing the Integrated Proceeds of Crime and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the three police services. It was a formalization of a co-operative venture undertaken over the past seven years. Recent legislation introduced a formal process which means the OCRPS will receive a check for $80,000 yearly from the Federal Government for the next five years. It is a worthwhile venture that has resulted in several millions of dollars coming back to the community through crime prevention programs.

Crime Prevention Week is November 2 to 9, 1997. The Police Service is involved in various displays in local community centres and shopping malls. Media releases will be going out.

  The Sunshine Foundation Airlift for Kids to DisneyWorld was an overwhelming success. Police Service members are to be congratulated for volunteering their time.

  Three people have been charged in the Earl Joe murder. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Peter Chenier who is still at large in connection with this crime.

  Inspector L. Beechey reported that the costing for the seven additional officers, as requested at the last meeting, will be available for the meeting in December.

  That the Ottawa-Carleton Police Services Board receive this report for information.

  RECEIVED

IN CAMERA

  CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

  The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.