Report to/Rapport au :

 

Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee

Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique

 

13 November 2009 / le 13 novembre 2009

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe,

Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability/Services d’infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités 

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Johanne Levesque, Director/Directrice, Community Sustainability Department/Service de Viabilité des collectivités

(613) 580-2424 x 12257 Johanne.Levesque@Ottawa.ca

 

City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2009-ICS-CSS-0038

 

SUBJECT:

NAME CHANGE FOR VANIER bUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA (BY-LAW )

 

 

OBJET :

changement de nom pour la zone d’amélioration commerciale de vanier (règlement)

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee:

 

1.                        Approve that the name of the Vanier Business Improvement Area be changed to Quartier Vanier Merchants Association (BIA) – Association des marchands du Quartier Vanier (Z.A.C.);

 

2.                        Enact a by-law to amend By-law Number 2792 of the former Corporation of the City of Vanier that established the Board of Management of the Vanier Business Improvement Area to change the name of the BIA to “Quartier Vanier Merchants Association (BIA)” in English and  “Association des marchands du Quartier Vanier (Z.A.C.)” in French.

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique :

 

1.                  Approuve que le nom de la Zone d’amélioration commerciale de Vanier soit changé à Association des marchands du Quartier Vanier (Z.A.C.) – Quartier Vanier Merchants Association (BIA);

 

2.                  Adopte un règlement visant à modifier le Règlement 2792 de l’ancienne Corporation de la Ville de Vanier, qui a établi le conseil de gestion de la Zone d’amélioration commerciale, afin de changer le nom de la ZAC à « Association des marchands du Quartier Vanier (Z.A.C.) » en français et à « Quartier Vanier Merchants Association (BIA) » en anglais.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a privately-funded, not-for-profit entity created under the Ontario Municipal Act which exists within a specific geographic area in a municipality for the purpose of improving the business climate in that area.  Under Section 204 of the Ontario Municipal Act, the BIA has the authority to undertake various beautification, promotion, and improvement initiatives on municipally owned land within the BIA – beyond those provided by the municipality, and to market the local business community through advertising and promotion.  In addition to the revitalization and retention activities undertaken by the BIAs, they also play an important role in establishing a line of communication between the business community and local council.

 

The geographic boundaries of the Vanier Business Improvement Area (the BIA) were created in 1985 under section 217 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1980, Chapter 302 by By-law 2792 and By‑law 2792 was continued to be in force under section 5(6) of the City of Ottawa Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sch. E.  In addition, the Board of Management for the BIA was named by By‑law 75-89 and By-law 75-89 was continued to be in force under section 5(6) of the City of Ottawa Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sch. E.  Under By-law 2792, the BIA Board of Management was named “The Board of Management for the Vanier Business Improvement Area.” 

 

The BIA currently has 350 members, located along Montreal Road, Beechwood South and McArthur Avenues.  The area has marketed itself as Quartier Vanier since 2005.  Its two- and three-storey buildings in the older style with lovely sidewalks has been a defining feature to unite its merchants.  The French culture is reflected in the street design including heritage lamp posts of a “French Quarter” look and feel.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Vanier BIA has requested that a formal name change be adopted by the City of Ottawa.  The name “Quartier Vanier” was proposed in the 1990s in consultation with BIA members and the former City of Vanier.  The Community Design Plan at the time was called “Quartier Vanier” hence the street beautification program was also referred to by this name.  In 2005, the “Quartier Vanier” name was discussed with BIA members and a branding was launched under that name including “Quartier Vanier” signs installed at the entrances to the BIA.  Since February 2005, the BIA has used the “Quartier Vanier” name in all its publications and activities.

 

In June 2008, the BIA Board invited its members to respond to the proposal to officially change the name of the BIA from “Vanier Business Improvement Area (BIA)” to “Quartier Vanier Merchants Association (BIA)” by July 15 in its June Newsletter.  On June 2, 2009 the Board of Management of the Vanier BIA carried a motion requesting that the City of Ottawa officially change the name at its monthly Board meeting.

 

A formal letter to the City of Ottawa requesting the name change was received by the City’s Economic Development Branch in October 2009.

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no rural implications.

 

CONSULTATION

 

BIA members were informed of the proposed name change by newsletter in June, 2008 and asked to respond.  No opposition was voiced and the proposal was adopted by motion of the Board of Management in June, 2009.

 

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

 

The Ward Councillor is aware of this report and is in support.

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no legal or risk management impediments to approving the recommendations in this report.

 

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

 

N/A

 

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no direct financial implications associated with this report.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1      Letter to City Clerk from BIA

Document 2      BIA Board of Management Resolutions

 

DISPOSITION

 

The City Clerk and Solicitor Department will prepare the amending by-law to be placed on the Order of the Day.

 


LETTER TO CITY CLERK FROM BIA                                                               DOCUMENT 1

 

 

 

BIA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT RESOLUTIONS                                          DOCUMENT 2