THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
OF
OTTAWA-CARLETON
COUNCIL MINUTES
The Council of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton met at Haydon Hall, Regional Headquarters, 111 Lisgar Street, Ottawa on Wednesday, 25 November 1998 at 1:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. and opened with the singing of the National Anthem, sung by the students of First Avenue School Grade Five Choir, led by Choirmaster, Sue Toth-Blackburn.
The Regional Chair, Robert Chiarelli, presided and lead council in prayer.
ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT EXCEPT COUNCILLOR STEWART.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Special Council meeting of 9 November, 1998 and Regular Council meeting of 12 November 1998 were confirmed.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ARISING FROM PRIOR MEETINGS OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES
No declaration of interest were filed.
COMMUNICATIONS
2. Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), issuing various communiqués on the following:
- Final Recommendations of Provincially Appointed Social Housing Committee
3. Ontario Chapter, Canadian Public Works Association, requesting Council’s support in celebrating the third week of May, which has been declared as "National Public Works Week" and to send in submissions for the 1998 competition which is held by the Chapter each year for the best program undertaken by a municipality. (More information is on file with the Regional Clerk’s Department)
* COMMUNICATIONS HELD ON FILE WITH THE REGIONAL CLERK.
REGRETS
The following members of Council advising that they will be absent from Council and Committee meetings during the dates indicated:
Councillor A. Loney 16 - 24 November 1998 (Regional business)
Councillor W. Stewart
POSTPONEMENTS AND DEFERRALS
Moved by Councillor C. Doucet
Seconded by Councillor J. Legendre
WHEREAS the Region has the delegated responsibility for residential development and this development depends on adequate educational facilities;
WHEREAS there is a concern about inadequate suburban public education facilities throughout our region ;
WHEREAS suburban regional planning and development is based on the availability of schools for new residents and the Region is responsible for ensuring this availability, prior to approving developments;
WHEREAS intensification of residential development within the greenbelt is an Official Plan priority and it has come to our attention that many inner-city schools are slated for closure by the Provincial Government;
THEFEFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council:
"DEFERRED" to the next regular Council meeting.
RECONSIDERATION
MOTION NO. 293
Moved by Councillor G. Hunter
Seconded by Councillor R. Cantin
RESOLVED THAT Council reconsider Item 1 of Transportation Committee Report No. 23 - Baseline Road - South Side Bus Bay Closures.
1. BASELINE ROAD - SOUTH SIDE BUS BAY CLOSURES
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED
That Council:
1. Approve the preliminary design for the permanent closure of the bus bays at the intersections of Baseline Road and Farlane Boulevard, Zena Street and Marson Street as illustrated on Drawing No. RT-2353, subject to a public hearing if required;
2. That the Transit Services Committee consider moving the bus stop at Farlane and Baseline to the west corner from the east corner;
3. That staff examine the feasibility of creating a bonafide acceleration lane at the intersection of Baseline and Farlane and consider moving the bus stop to another location.
Reconsideration "LOST" on a division of 9 Nays to 9 Yeas as follows:
NAYS: Councillors Meilleur, Loney, Doucet, Munter, Davis, Byrne, Legendre,
Holmes and Chair Chiarelli….9
YEAS: Councillors Hume, Kreling, Bellemare, Beamish, Hunter, McGoldrick-
Larsen, van den Ham, Hill, and Cantin….9
As a result of the motion to reconsider Item 1 of Transportation Committee Report No. 23 being "LOST", recommendation 1 stands "CARRIED"; recommendations 2 and 3 stand "LOST".
MOTION TO INTRODUCE COMMITTEE REPORTS
MOTION NO. 294
Moved by Councillor D. Beamish
Seconded by Councillor M. Bellemare
RESOLVED THAT the memorandum dated 25 November 1998, from the Finance Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer tabling the 1999 Draft Estimates; Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee Report No. 25; Planning and Environment Committee Report No. 19 and Transportation Committee Reports No. 24 and 25 be received and considered.
"CARRIED"
(COMMITTEE REPORTS BEGIN ON PAGE )
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ‘S REMARKS
Chair and Council
In a few moments the Finance Commissioner, Mr. LeBelle, will be addressing the tabled options for the 1999 Budget under various scenarios. To say that this method of financial planning for an organization that provides the very basic fabric of services to over 750,000 residents daily at a cost of over $1.2 billion dollars annually is unacceptable, is a gross understatement. The intrusion by the provincial government into the delivery of local services is unprecedented in my 30 years of municipal administration. I believe that Council and staff know our business - we know our mandate - we know our community - we have been fiscally responsible - we have managed our debt level - we have provided for the renewal of our infrastructure - all the while maintaining a triple ‘A’ credit rating in the financial markets.
Mr. Chair, all we are asking for is fairness and equity from the provincial government and the right to carry out our mandate without further intrusion.
Mr. Chair, the scenarios that Mr. LeBelle will shortly place before you today are unpleasant. Your management team has prided itself in always providing Council with our best advice to address problems along with options for solutions. You will recall our innovative approach to achieve the objectives of the social contract, which, when implemented with the co-operation of our unions, were the envy of the municipal sector in Ontario and allowed us to meet our $10 million dollar target with minimal service reduction to our residents. Council will also recall the Corporate Review which provided the foundation for the 1997 Budget in which over $11 million dollars was removed from our budgets through a combination of downsizing our administration, service re-alignments and a general ‘do more with less’ approach by management and staff. In 1998 the Budget Review Board of Management Committee reduced budgets by a further $5 million dollars - again without major service cuts.
Mr. Chair, Members of Council - the lemon has been squeezed nearly dry. Yes, your Management Team will continue to diligently take advantage of all opportunities to combine and integrate services to further reduce costs. We are currently integrating the administration of OC Transpo and the Region and seeking out efficiencies. This is only part of the solution as you must also face the reality of implementing the recommendations of the current study while trying to meet the ridership goals in the Official Plan in the face of an aging and outdated fleet. A business case will be developed during 1999 to assist you in making the necessary decisions. Council took a bold step in ‘managed competition’ in internalizing a portion of our solid waste collection so that we can be benchmarked with the private sector. Part of our budget challenge today is to fund the revised collective agreements which council approved in 1997 following the termination of the social contract. We believe a compensation increase following a rollback and several years of compensation freezes will assist us in being competitive in the labour market, recognize that staff are doing ‘more with less’ and is entirely justified.
Mr. Chair, Members of Council, the 90’s have brought significant challenges to both the public and private sectors. The removal of over 600 corporate jobs in that time-frame has been a difficult exercise. Significant further reductions without accompanying service reductions are just not possible if we are to continue to meet community expectations. We desperately need a partnership, not further intrusion, with the province. We need the tools to further reduce the cost of government services to our citizens. We need restructuring. Through this seemingly endless debate between the upper-tier and the lower-tier, the lower-tier and the lower-tier, the rural vs. urban, the core vs. the suburbs, we have received no provincial support. Regardless of which model one favours, the proponents all claim to reduce costs to the one taxpayer. We need the tools to get on with it now. Our citizens expect it and we owe it to them to provide a safe, clean environment for families to grow and business to prosper.
Mr. Chair, Members of Council - the challenge before you and your staff is, indeed, formidable.
MOTION NO. 295
Moved by Councillor J. Legendre
Seconded by Councillor D. Holmes
RESOLVED THAT the complete text of the Chief Administrative Officer’s remarks relative to the Tabling of the 1999 Budget Estimates, be entered into the Council minutes.
"CARRIED"
The Finance Commissioner, Mr. Jack LeBelle, proceeded to brief Council on the 1999 Draft Operating and Capital Estimates, including three tax requirement scenarios on the potential impact of Bill 79.
1999 DRAFT ESTIMATES - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE AND TAXATION REQUIREMENTS
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council receive this report as an Executive Summary of the 1999 Draft Operating and Capital Estimates.
"RECEIVED"
MOTION NO. 296
Moved by Councillor D. Beamish
Seconded by Councillor A. Munter
RESOLVED THAT staff, in consultation with the Budget Sub-committee, prepare a schedule for approving the 1999 budget , pursuant to the process outlined in Council Motion No. 239 (23 September 1998) and;
FURTHER THAT this revised schedule be presented to Council for approval at the next regular Council meeting.
"CARRIED" with Councillor Holmes dissenting.
CORPORATE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 25
1. MEADOWLANDS PRESSURE DISTRICT EXPANSION
REJECTION OF ALL BIDS - CONTRACT NO. 98-326
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the rejection of all bids and the cancellation of tenders for Contract No. 98-326, for the construction of the watermains required as part of the Meadowlands Pressure District Expansion.
"CARRIED" with Councillors Hunter and Cantin dissenting.
2. MUNSTER HAMLET WASTEWATER TREATMENT
FACILITY - SEWAGE HAULING CONTRACT 98-201
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the award of Contract 98-201, Munster Hamlet Wastewater Treatment Facility Sewage Hauling to Vanson Construction Limited, Gloucester, for a total contract provision of $643,819.
"CARRIED"
3. WEST HUNT CLUB ROAD (REGIONAL ROAD 32)
REALIGNMENT AT MOODIE DRIVE (REGIONAL ROAD 11)
CONSULTANT SERVICES - CONTRACT C9444A
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve additional work to Contract No. C9444A for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment report, and preliminary design for the realignment of the West Hunt Road at Moodie Drive, to Robinson Consultants Inc., Kanata, in the amount of $35,000, bringing the revised total contract provision to $160,000.
"CARRIED"
4. SNOW REMOVAL CONTRACT FOR THE WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
TENDER AWARD 0988-65-T2/98
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the award of Tender 0988-65-T2/98 for the snow removal services at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre and all wastewater pumping stations and maintenance access locations for two (2) years to Burns Landscape Maintenance, Limoges, in the amount of $203,670.
"CARRIED"
5. SUPPLY OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
TENDER VARIATION 0885-38BB-T1/98
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve an increase in the authority to Tender 0885-38BB-T1/98 with Lavo Ltd. for the supply of Sodium Hypochlorite at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre in the amount of $15,000, bringing the revised total contract provision to $92,693.
"CARRIED"
6. CASH INVESTMENTS AND LOANS RECEIVABLE
(AS AT 06 OCTOBER 1998)
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive this report for information.
"RECEIVED"
7. 1999 SINKING FUND LEVIES
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive this report for information.
"RECEIVED"
8. BANKING SERVICES
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council authorize the extension of the contract for banking services with the Royal Bank of Canada for a three year period, effective January 1, 1999, at the unit prices presented by the bank resulting in an estimated annual cost of $94,000, and that the banking services contract be extended to include the requirements of OC Transpo at an estimated cost of $9,700 per year, for the same three year period.
"CARRIED"
9. YEAR 2000 CAPITAL PROJECT - BUDGET UPDATE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the Year 2000 Task Force request for pre-approval of the 1999 budget of the Year 2000 Capital Project.
"CARRIED"
10. AREA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council approve:
"CARRIED"
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 19
1. CARLSBAD ALTERNATIVE STANDARD WATER SYSTEM
IMPOSITION OF CHARGES
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council approve that:
1. A charge of $2032 be imposed upon all lots of record upon which a single dwelling is located and upon all lots of record upon which a single dwelling could be constructed;
2. The charges in respect of future lots be the same as those identified in recommendation 1 with the addition of interest from 1 March 1999 at the rate in effect on that date;
3. With respect to existing lots of record, owners have until 1 March 1999 to elect to pay the lump amount or to have the sum collected through the tax roll over a 10 or 20 year period.
"CARRIED"
2. MUNSTER HAMLET - WASTEWATER TREATMENT
ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED
That Council:
1. Receive the report of the independent consultant Conestoga-Rovers and Associates (CRA) "Wastewater Treatment Alternatives Evaluation - Munster Hamlet";
2. Approve the recommendation of the independent consultant to construct a pipeline to convey the wastewater from Munster Hamlet to the Region’s central collection system;
3. Direct staff to:
a) Immediately initiate a Route Selection Process and increase the scope of CRA’s assignment to include identifying a preferred routing for the pipeline;
b) Upon completion of the Route Selection Process to proceed with submission of the ESR Addendum to the Ministry of the Environment;
c) Initiate the required Official Plan Amendment;
d) Advise the Ministry of the Environment of the revised project schedule.
e) Request funding for this project from the Minister of the Environment.
"CARRIED"
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 24
1. AUDIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS ADVISORY
COMMITTEE - PROGRESS REPORT
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED
That Council approve:
1. That the mandate of the Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS) Advisory Committee be continued, in order to carry on work as approved by the Transportation Committee and by Council in 1997, as set out by the Fulton brief (Annex B);
2. That the APS Advisory Committee present a report to Transportation Committee by September 1999;
3. That the Draft Localization Prioritization Criteria,as set out in Annex E of the report be tested and evaluated by the Environment and Transportation Department, supported by the APS Committee in a pilot project of up to three installations and that the criteria and resulting priority lists be presented for public review and comment;
4. That the proposal for a research project as presented by Drs. Laroche and Giguère and Ph.D. Candidate Tony Leroux be accepted and awarded and that the findings of the research team come back to the Transportation Committee;
5. That the RMOC practice of providing audible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections be clarified;
6. That Councillor Doucet be appointed to the APS Advisory Committee.
"CARRIED"
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 25
1. ELGIN STREET REHABILITATION (QUEEN TO LAURIER) - PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED
Having held a public hearing, that Council:
1. Approve the scope of works contained in this project report;
2. Approve the preliminary design for the project, as detailed in
the presentation drawings;
3. Authorize the Environment and Transportation Department to proceed with the relocation of utilities to be determined in the detailed design stage;
4. Approve that medians continue to be provided through the pedestrian walkways as pedestrian refuges;
5. Approve the construction of a full lay-by in front of the Lord Elgin Hotel.
MOTION NO. 297
Moved by Councillor R. Cantin
Seconded by Councilor B. Hill
RESOLVED THAT an additional recommendation (6) be added to item 1 of Transportation Committee Report 25 to read:
" that a 45° angled entrance to the lord Elgin’s bus parking lot be constructed south of the proposed egress from the Lord Elgin’s main entrance to allow forward movement over the Elgin Street sidewalk."
"Lost" on a division of 12 nays to 4 yeas as follows:
NAYS: Councillors Hume, Meilleur, Kreling, Bellemare, Loney, McGoldrick- Larsen, Munter, van den Ham, Davis, Byrne, Legendre and Holmes….12
YEAS: Councillors Beamish, Hunter, Hill and Cantin….4
Item No. 1 of Transportation Committee Report No. 25 was then put to Council and "CARRIED" with Councillor Cantin dissenting on recommendation 2.
2. PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO FRANKTOWN ROAD FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE ACCESS/EGRESS REQUIREMENTS AT 8355 FRANKTOWN ROAD
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the construction of auxiliary lanes and associated roadway modifications along Franktown Road as described in the report and illustrated in Annex ‘B’, subject to the proponents, the Department of National Defence and Public Works and Government Services Canada, indicating in writing that they will fund the total cost of the proposed road works, and subject to a public hearing, if required.
"CARRIED"
MOTION TO ADOPT COMMITTEE REPORTS
MOTION NO. 298
Moved by Councillor A. Loney
Seconded by Councillor P. Hume
RESOLVED THAT the memorandum dated 25 November 1998, from the Finance Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer tabling the 1999 Draft Estimates; Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee Report No. 25; Planning and Environment Committee Report No. 19 and Transportation Committee Reports No. 24 and 25 be received and adopted as amended by Motion No. 296
"CARRIED"with dissents as recorded on various items
MOTION TO INTRODUCE BY-LAWS
MOTION NO. 299
Moved by Councillor W. Byrne
Seconded by Councillor B. Hill
RESOLVED THAT the following by-laws be enacted and passed.
By-law 91 of 1998 to amend By-law 68 of 1998 being a By-law to authorize the issue of debentures in the amount of $30,000,000.00 for the purposes of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.
By-law 92 of 1998 to appoint Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and to repeal By-law 24 of 1996.
By-law 93 of 1998 to approve area municipality by-laws regulating traffic
on local streets as follows:
City of Ottawa 233-98
"CARRIED"
By-laws enacted and passed.
MOTIONS
MOTION NO. 300
Moved by Councillor A. Munter
Seconded by Councillor D. Holmes
BE IT RESOLVED THAT if the Region continues to face a budget shortfall due to costs of downloading and the loss of revenue from federal government payments in-lieu-of taxes, THAT Council direct staff to deduct the shortfall from the amount owing to the province from downloaded services.
MOTION NO. 301
Moved by Councillor A. Munter
Seconded by Councillor P. Hume
RESOLVED THAT Motion No. 300, the motion to withhold funds from the Provincial government, be deferred pending the outcome of talks with the Povincial and Federal governments re: Bill 79.
"CARRIED"
CONFIRMATION BY-LAW
MOTION NO. 302
Moved by Councillor M. Bellemare
Seconded by Councillor W. Byrne
RESOLVED THAT By-law 94 of 1998 to confirm the Proceedings of Council be enacted and passed.
"CARRIED"
By-law enacted and passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
CLERK CHAIR