5. RURAL SUMMIT - REVISED Emergency and Protective
Services Committee TERMS OF REFERENCE SOMMET RURAL - MANDAT RÉVISÉ du Comité des services
de protection et d'urgence |
commITTEE
RECOMMENDATION
That Council approve the
Committee’s Terms of Reference as outlined in Document 1.
Que le Conseil
municipal approuve le mandat du Comité décrit dans le document 1.
Committee Review
Date / Date d’examen par le Comité
6 April 2006 / 6 avril 2006
Present / Présences :
Chair / Présidente : D. Deans
Vice Chair/vice-présidente : J. Harder
Members / Membres : R. Chiarelli
G. Hunter
J. Legendre
S. Little
M. McRae
B.
Monette
Documentation
1.
Chief Corporate Services Officer’s report dated 20 March 2006
(ACS2006-CRS-CCB-0026)
Report to/Rapport au :
Emergency and Protective Services Committee
Comité des services de protection et
d'urgence
and Council / et au Conseil
20 March 2006 / le 20 mars 2006
Submitted by/Soumis par : Greg Geddes, Chief Corporate Services
Officer/Chef des Services généraux
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : M. Rick O'Connor, City Solicitor
Legal Services/ Contentieux
(613) 580-2424 x21215, Rick.Oconnor@ottawa.ca
|
SUBJECT: |
RURAL SUMMIT - REVISED Emergency and
Protective Services Committee TERMS OF REFERENCE |
|
|
|
|
OBJET : |
SOMMET
RURAL - MANDAT RÉVISÉ du Comité des services de protection et d'urgence |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Emergency and Protective Services Committee
recommend Council approve the Committee’s Terms of Reference as outlined in
Document 1.
RECOMMANDATION DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité des services de protection et d’urgence recommande au Conseil municipal
d’approuver le mandat du Comité décrit dans le document 1.
BACKGROUND
In January 2005, Mayor Chiarelli announced that the City of Ottawa would
host a Rural Summit to identify ways in which the City could improve how it
delivers services to its rural constituents.
In preparation for the two-day event, six sub-committees were formed to
research, investigate and develop options for solutions that could be
considered by the participants attending on Day Two of the Rural Summit. The Governance Sub-Committee was established
to identify realistic and practical governance options including modifications
to both the City of Ottawa’s political infrastructure and its administrative
implementation of policy. The Sub-Committee
focused its efforts on identifying various options which recognized rural
residents as valuable members of the City of Ottawa.
Of great importance to the Governance Sub-Committee was the strengthening of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee by enhancing its existing Terms of Reference. In an effort to decentralize policy development for non city-wide issues in the rural areas and to improve consultation on any new or revised policies or services impacting the rural community, the Sub-Committee recommended that the Terms of Reference be expanded to include additional areas of policy development and service delivery that affect rural communities of the City of Ottawa. On November 19th, 2005, Day Two of the Rural Summit, participants endorsed the recommendation of the Governance Sub-Committee, indicating that a strengthened Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee was a high priority for the participants. In the aftermath of the Rural Summit, the Mayor announced the creation of a Rural Summit Task Force. Briefly, one of the key functions of this group was to move forward the governance agenda and, in particular, the revisions to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee’s Terms of Reference. In its budget report submitted to City Council on December 9th, 2005, the Rural Summit Task Force identified the recommendation of the Governance Sub-Committee as a priority to be funded out of the $1.9 million allotted for Rural Summit initiatives.
As a consequence of the Rural Summit Task Force recommendations, enhancements to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee’s Terms of Reference have had a corresponding impact on the Terms of Reference of other Standing Committees of Council. Generally speaking, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will be dealing with policy issues with a distinct rural component or impact in the rural areas as identified in Schedule A of the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan and defined as follows: that ‘part of the City not intended for urban development’, which ‘contains a number of important natural resources and is characterized by the dominance of the natural rather than the built environment’. Language has been incorporated into the Terms of Reference to reflect the division of urban/suburban and rural planning and environment issues.
In addition to the impacts of enhancements to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, there are various housekeeping items that have been previously approved by Council and have been included in the revisions to the Terms of Reference for all Standing Committees including the following:
Approval of the Annual Budget
On 28 September 2005, City Council enacted and passed the Procedure By-law, being By-law No. 2005-431, which stipulated that the annual budget shall be considered by the Committee of the Whole and not by the various Standing Committees of Council. This specific amendment had originally been in place in December 2004 for Council’s debate on the 2005 Budget process. As a result, the Terms of Reference provision respecting the authority and approval process for Standing Committees to review and recommend the annual operating and capital budgets for their respective departments/branches is no longer correct. What remains within the purview of the Standing Committee is the ongoing authority to review and approve budget adjustments within existing funding envelopes for the relevant departments/branches.
At its meeting on 11 February 2004, City Council considered a report from the Acting City Manager entitled “Budget 2004 – Opportunity Log – Corporate Restructuring”, and approved a number of recommendations concerning the reorganization and realignment to the Corporate Structure. Further, on 26 May 2004, City Council approved additional changes to the City’s organizational structure including the realignment of senior management (i.e. General Managers become “Deputy City Managers”). As a result, the Terms of Reference for all Standing Committees have been revised in order to reflect the existing corporate structure.
DISCUSSION
As a result of the initiatives or amendments previously approved by Council, either through endorsing the recommendations of the Rural Summit Task Force or as part of the Corporate Restructuring in 2004, staff have undertaken a review of the Terms of Reference for each Standing Committee. The Emergency and Protective Services Committee is impacted by the enhancements to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee with respect to some by-law matters. In effect, the changes would mean that strictly rural by-law matters would rise directly to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Should Council approve these changes, it is acknowledged that the division of by-law matters between urban/suburban and rural is not likely one that will be easily achieved. In effect, many by-law issues will continue to be considered city-wide and addressed accordingly. Broadly speaking, those issues that have significant, city-wide implications will continue to report through the appropriate Standing Committee. Where possible, however, the Rural Issues Advisory Committee should be consulted to identify or evaluate any rural implications. Items with an overlapping impact or distinct rural implication should be dealt with, as much as possible, through joint meetings. Given the potential difficulty of dividing urban/suburban and rural issues in some cases, departmental staff and the City Clerk’s Office will endeavour to make use of the upcoming six-month period (from May to October 2006) to establish a routine for distinguishing between these types of issues.
The
proposed amendments that are summarized below have been highlighted in the
attached document for ease of reference:
· Revised Department and Branch titles; and
· Transfer of strictly rural by-law matters to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
CONSULTATION
The Chair of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee was notified and consulted with respect to this Terms of Reference review. Additional consultation took place with the City Solicitor, the City Clerk, the Financial Services Branch, and the Community and Protective Services Department. As this is an internal, administrative matter, public consultation was not conducted.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications with respect to this report.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1- Revised Terms of Reference (amendments in bold and italic font)
DISPOSITION
Upon approval of this report by City Council, the Terms of Reference
will become the mandate and governing authority for the Emergency and
Protective Services Committee and the City Clerk’s office will implement the
same.
EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE
Terms of Reference
City
Council: 26 April 2006
The Emergency and Protective Services Committee is responsible for issues relating to the Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, By-law Services (excepting those by-laws that are strictly rural in nature) and the Office of Emergency Management.
Membership of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall consist of 9 members of City Council, appointed by the Nominating Committee and approved by City Council. The Mayor is an ex-officio member.
The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall:
1. Be responsible directly to Council for those items emanating from:
a) the By-law Services Branch, the Office of Emergency Management, Ottawa Fire Services Branch, and the Ottawa Paramedic Service Branch of the Community and Protective Services Department; and
b) advisory committees that are within the area of responsibility of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.
2. Provide overall guidance and direction to the Community and Protective Services Department.
3. Monitor the associated activities and implementation of programs and projects of the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department.
4. Ensure
active public participation by receiving delegations from the public, and
holding public hearings as required by statute and Council.
5. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, review and approval of all operating and capital budget adjustments that are within the existing funding envelopes for the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department (inclusive of fleet and real property (new, renovations, major rehabilitation) capital projects falling under the responsibility of this standing committee).
6. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, consider, for recommendation to Council:
a) the policy direction and prioritization, but not the funding requirements, of new matters which are within the Committee’s mandate; and
b)
matters which were not previously
approved, but can be accommodated within the applicable departmental existing
capital or operating budgets.
7. Recommend to Council
proposed by-laws that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
8. Pursuant to the Delegation of Authority By-law, (Section – Conferences and Conventions), approve Councillors travel and attendance at conferences that are related to the Committee’s mandate.
9. Review and recommend to Council
revisions to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee Terms of
Reference, as required.
10. Review and recommend to Council matters
related to Advisory Committees under the Standing Committee’s responsibility,
such as but not limited to the Advisory Committee membership, the Terms of
Reference, annual workplans and reporting, and funding requests.
11. Recommend to Council, City of Ottawa
participation in federal or provincial cost-sharing programs or employment
incentive programs for matters within the mandate of the Committee.
Ottawa Fire
Services
Objectives
To oversee the provision of a wide range of preventative and emergency services (including: fire suppression; rescue, tiered response; prevention and public education; hazardous materials, public assistance, and disaster support) to ensure the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.
Guidance and Direction
The Emergency and
Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to
staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing
with Ottawa Fire Services, with responsibility to:
· ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, National Fire Protection Association Guidelines, Ontario Fire Marshal’s Guidelines, and other relevant legislation and guidelines;
· establish strategic direction and priorities for the Ottawa Fire Services Branch;
· ensure effective coordination between the Ottawa Fire Services Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
· ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.
Ottawa Paramedic Service
Objectives
To provide a high quality emergency medical service based upon modern medical science for pre-hospital care. This service will use the benchmarks of high performance emergency medical services: clinical excellence; response time reliability; customer satisfaction; and, economic efficiency with an overall goal to ensure the safety and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.
Guidance and Direction
The Emergency and
Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to
staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing
with Ottawa Paramedic Service, with
responsibility to:
· ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Ambulance Act, its Regulations and other relevant legislation;
·
establish strategic direction and
priorities for the Ottawa Paramedic
Service Branch;
· ensure effective coordination between the Ottawa Paramedic Service Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
· ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.
By-law Services
Objectives
To oversee the enforcement and administration of regulations and policies relating to animals, noise, the licensing of vehicles and businesses, care of streets and other regulatory by-laws, with a view to ensuring the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.
Guidance and Direction
The Emergency and Protective Services Committee
shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making
recommendations to Council on reports dealing with By-law Services, excepting
those by-laws that are strictly rural in nature, with responsibility
to:
· ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Municipal Act and other relevant legislation and in compliance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
· establish strategic direction and priorities for the By-law Services Branch;
· ensure effective coordination between the By-law Services Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
· ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.
Office of
Emergency Management
To oversee the provision of the Office of Emergency Management to ensure that effective emergency measures planning, disaster management processes, training and education services are in place to ensure the citizens and visitors of Ottawa are protected in the event of a major emergency.
Guidance and Direction
The Emergency and
Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to
staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing
with the Office of Emergency Management, with
responsibility to:
· ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Emergency Plans Act, and other relevant legislation and in accordance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
· establish strategic direction and priorities for the Office of Emergency Management;
· ensure effective coordination between the Office of Emergency Management and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
·
ensure that the service is in keeping
with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective
Services Committee.
9-1-1
Service
Objectives
To oversee the provision of 9-1-1 Services to ensure that the correct emergency service providers (Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Services) are dispatched to respond to a life-threatening medical emergency, a crime in progress, or a fire with a view to ensuring the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.
Guidance and Direction
The Emergency and
Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to
staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing
with 9-1-1 Services, with responsibility to:
· ensure that the service is provided in accordance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
· establish strategic direction and priorities for the 9-1-1 Service;
· ensure effective coordination between the 9-1-1 Service and other dispatch agencies; and
·
ensure that the 9-1-1- Service is in
keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and
Protective Services Committee.
License Committee
Composition
A License Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee with the balance of EPSC members being available to sit as necessary in the event of the unavailability of one of the sitting members, and with its members and Chair recommended by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and approved by City Council. Three members must be present for the entire proceedings to be heard.
Responsibilities
The License Committee shall:
·
review,
in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedures Act, cases relating
to license suspensions, revocations, refusals and renewals brought forward by
the Chief License Inspector;
·
make
final and binding decisions respecting license suspensions and revocations as
well as the imposition of conditions as a requirement for obtaining, continuing
to hold or renewing a license;
·
on
behalf of City Council, act as the Animal Control Tribunal to: conduct hearings
to review, in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedures Act,
appeals to dog muzzling and/or leashing orders issued by the Chief License
Inspector, or his/her designate, as a result of dog bite or attack incidents;
and
·
make
final and binding decisions respecting such appeals, including exempting the
owners of dogs from the muzzling or leashing requirement, or both, or
confirming the muzzling or leashing requirement or both.