Report
to/Rapport au :
Corporate
Services and Economic Development Committee
Comité des services organisationnels et du développement
économique
and Council/et au Conseil
21 March 2007 / le 21 mars 2007
Submitted
by/Soumis par : Chair, Business
Advisory Committee/
Président, Comité consultatif sur les affaires
Contact/Personne-ressource : Carole Langford,
Committee
Coordinator/coordonnatrice du comité
580-2424, ext/poste 28934:
Carole.Langford@ottawa.ca
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Ref N°: ACS2007-CCV-BAC-0001 |
SUBJECT: BUSINESS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE -
2006 ANNUAL REPORT AND THE 2007 WORK PLAN
OBJET : COMITÉ
CONSULTATIF SUR LES AFFAIRES -
RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2006 ET PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2007
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the
Business Advisory Committee recommend that the Corporate Services and Economic
Development Committee recommend Council:
a) Receive the 2006
Annual Report of the Business Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1; and
b)
Approve the objectives
contained in the Business Advisory Committee’s 2007 workplan, as detailed in
Document 2.
RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité consultatif sur les affaires recommande que le Comité des services
organisationnels et du développement économique recommande au Conseil :
a) De reçevoir le Rapport
annuel de 2006 du Comité consultatif sur les affaires, tel que décrit à la
pièce jointe no 1; et
b) D’approuver les
objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2007 du Comité consultatif
sur les affaires, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2.
BACKGROUND
City Council, 6 December 2006, reconfirmed its governance structure. This included the advisory committees, and the requirement for each to complete a workplan outlining proposed projects and activities for the upcoming year. The workplan is to identify each and every activity the Committee plans to undertake in the upcoming year, whether they have a budgetary impact or not. The item should be identified, a brief description of the project or activity should be noted, and the anticipated timing of the item should be provided.
The Lead Department Representative is to provide the Committee with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can assist the Department. The Lead Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources are available as part of departmental priorities.
There was no funding approved for the advisory committee 2007 workplans.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting of 12 March 2007, the Business Advisory Committee
approved its 2006 annual report and 2007 work plan. The final 2006 annual report and 2007 workplan of the Business
Advisory Committee are at Document 1 and Document 2 respectively of this
report.
The mandate of
the Business Advisory Committee is to provide a local perspective and advice to
City Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee, on City services and communications affecting Ottawa’s business
community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and the overall
business climate.
CONSULTATION
All
departments were consulted and the following comments were received:
CORPORATE
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Corporate Services will continue to
support the Business Advisory Committee by providing information and advice on
items in their work plans. The Department welcomes comments and suggestions
from the Business Advisory Committee on the information and services provided
on ottawa.ca.
PUBLIC WORKS AND SERVICES
The Department has reviewed the 2006 Annual Report, and 2007 Work
Plan as prepared by the Business Advisory Committee. The Department acknowledges the valuable work of the Committee in
providing input into the consultation process for the Yellow Bag Program. Staff in Utility Services Branch will
continue to work with the Committee on the further development and
implementation of this program. As Public Works and Services is not the
lead Department for this Advisory Committee, we will work with and support
Corporate Services on other Business Advisory initiatives as required.
PLANNING, TRANSIT AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES (Lead Department)
The
Planning, Transit and the Environment Department is supportive of the proposed
Workplan for 2007. The Business Advisory Committee plays an important and
valued role by providing input and advice from a business perspective on a wide
range of City
project and policy initiatives. The Department looks forward to continuing to
work with the Business Advisory Committee to support its workplan and advance
our common goals.
COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
The CPS
Department appreciates the work undertaken by the BAC in 2006 and is supportive
of its 2007 workplan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – 2006 Annual Report of the Business Advisory Committee
Document 2 – Proposed 2007 Workplan of the Business Advisory Committee
Business Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (held on file with the City Clerk).
DISPOSITION
City Clerks Branch staff will forward the recommendations approved by the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee to City Council for ratification.
document
1
2006 Annual Report
Business Advisory Committee
INTRODUCTION
Established in
June 2005, the mandate of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is to ‘provide
a local perspective and advice to City Council, through the Corporate Services
and Economic Development Committee, on City services and communications
affecting Ottawa’s business community, particularly small and medium-sized
enterprises, and the overall business climate.’
The BAC is composed of fourteen voting members
divided equally amongst representatives from business
organizations and business persons-at-large. Councilors Eli El-Chantiry and Rob Jellett
are non-voting Council Representatives who attend meetings, provide advice and
guidance to the Committee and support its activities in Standing Committee and
Council meetings. Mr. Rob Sproule is
Chair of the BAC and Earl Stanley is Vice-Chair.
To guide its work in 2006, the Business Advisory Committee
identified a focused set of activities related to three key objectives: 1)
communications; 2) transparency; and 3) accountability.
OBJECTIVE 1:
COMMUNICATIONS
The BAC provided input and advice on a variety of
issues to strengthen the City’s lines of communication with the business community.
Specific examples are as follows:
2006 City of Ottawa Budget
The Committee provided input into the 2006 City of Ottawa budget and its process and encouraged consultation with the business community. The BAC provided a formal submission to the Committee of the Whole during budget deliberations.
Pesticide Ban
The Committee recommended that policy guidelines be established to report on impacts to the business community prior to establishment of the formal policy.
Yellow Bag Program
The Committee provided significant input on the consultation process used to reshape the program and reviewed and approved amendments to the new program.
Temporary Signs on Private Property By-law - Blackburn Hamlet
The Committee
provided input on City recommendations and report on temporary signage
including that recommendations contain sunset clause to ensure regular review.
Enhancement of Business Information on City Web Site
The Committee provided on-going review and
input on the proposed changes to Ottawa.ca.
OBJECTIVE 2:
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Business Advisory Committee
received presentations and updates from City management pertaining to the
following (to which the BAC provide comments and suggestions):
§ Corporate Performance Measurement and Reporting
§ Proposed changes to the City of Ottawa Act
§
Changes to the Liquor License Act
§ City Tax Policy (Process, Parameters and Timelines)
§ City Strategy for Tax Capping
OBJECTIVE 3: TRANSPARENCY
The Business Advisory Committee
received presentations and updates from City management pertaining to the
following (to which the BAC provide comments and suggestions):
§
City of Ottawa annual Small Business Forum
§
BiZPaL Initiative
§
Homelessness and the Safe Streets Act
§
Visitor and Cultural Services Multi-Channel Marketing
Initiative
§
New Comprehensive Zoning By-law for the City of Ottawa
§
BIA Sustainability Program.
document 2
City
of Ottawa 
Business Advisory Committee
2007 Work Plan
Established in June 2005, the mandate of the
Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is to ‘provide a local perspective and advice
to City Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee, on City services and communications affecting Ottawa’s business
community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and the overall
business climate.’
The BAC is composed of representatives of business
organizations and of business persons-at-large who have an interest in working
collaboratively with the City to improve Ottawa’s business climate. The BAC recognizes that improvements to the
City’s communications, transparency and accountability will benefit all
businesses in both the City’s urban and rural areas.
To guide its work in 2007, the Business Advisory
Committee has identified a focussed set of activities based on three key
objectives:
OBJECTIVE 1:
COMMUNICATIONS
The BAC will provide recommendations on how the City
can enhance the lines of communication with the business community.
Action 1: Enhancement of Business Information on City Website
Represent
the BAC on an advisory committee which will work with City staff to review
existing content and presentation of business information on the City’s
Ottawa.ca business channel and provide advice for improvement.
Timelines: April – June 2007
Action 2: Presentations to Local Business Organizations
Led
by the BAC Chair, seek opportunities to meet with local business organizations
to keep them aware of what is going on within the City and to encourage two-way
dialogue with the BAC.
Timelines: March – December 2007
Action 3: Enhancement of Communication to Business Community
Provide
periodic outbound communications to keep urban and rural businesses apprised of
upcoming issues and consultations they may want to participate in, and to
provide information on key initiatives, milestones and accomplishments that
affect the business community.
Timelines: March – December 2007
OBJECTIVE 2:
ACCOUNTABILITY
The BAC will support the City’s commitment to
improving corporate accountability and demonstrating value for money by
providing input and advice, from a business perspective, on the following:
Action 4: 2007 and 2008 Budgets
Review the annual draft budget and provide input and advice to Council to ensure that the views of the business community are fully considered as part of the budget approval process. The BAC will also work with City staff to ensure that budget information is communicated to the business community effectively.
Timelines: Jan – Feb 2007 (2007 Budget) and late 2007 (2008 Budget)
Action 5: City Performance Measurement & Reporting
Framework
Review and provide advice to City staff on the
implementation and on-going refinement of the performance measurement and
reporting framework, which has been developed to provide indicator-based
performance measures and consistent reporting that meets the needs of staff,
management, Council, Citizens and taxpayers.
Timelines: March to December 2007
Action 6: Monitor Provincial and/or Federal Legislation
Affecting Ottawa Business
Monitor and assess proposed legislation and/or potential amendments to existing Provincial and/or Federal policies including:
· Ontario Arbitration Act
· Provincially Mandated Services
· Infrastructure Funding
Timeline: On-going
OBJECTIVE 3: TRANSPARENCY
The BAC
will advise City Council and staff on policies, programs and by-laws that
affect local businesses, and on the overall business climate of the city.
Action 7: Policy Proposals And Program
Review
Monitor and review by-laws & policies affecting business and provide input to City staff on same. This could include by-laws related to Development Approvals, By-law Services, Building Services, Purchasing and other City departments.
The
BAC will also be available to assume any follow up actions required as an
outcome of the City’s Red Tape Task Force.
Timelines: To be conducted on an “as needed” basis.
Action 8: Ottawa
20/20 Economic Development Strategy Refresh
Monitor and provide advice City staff on refining the Ottawa 20/20 Economic Development Strategy established in 2003.
Timeslines: Throughout 2007 and 2008
Action 9: 2007/2008 Ottawa Small Business Forum
Provide advice to City
staff on the development and format of the 2007 Small Business Forum, scheduled
for February 16, 2007 and 2008 Forum, which is tentatively scheduled for
February 2008.
Timelines: January – February 2007 (planning for 2007 Forum)
November - December 2007 (planning for 2008 Forum)
OTHER INITIATIVES
Action 10: BAC Recruitment
Annual review and selection process for new Business Advisory Committee members.
Timelines: Fall 2007