TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE & TRANSIT COMMITTEE

COMITÉ DES TRANSPORTS & COMITÉ DU TRANSPORT EN COMMUN

1. MOVING OTTAWA: THE MAYOR OF OTTAWA’S TASK FORCE ON TRANSPORTATION REPORT

EN AVANT OTTAWA : RAPPORT DU GROUPE DE TRAVAIL DU MAIRE SUR LES TRANSPORTS

ACS2007-CCS-TRC-0007 CITY-WIDE/A L’ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

The Joint Transportation Committee and Transit Committee Chair, Councillor Maria McRae, convened the Joint Meeting of the Transportation Committee and the Transit Committee for considering the Final Report of the Mayor of Ottawa’s Task Force on Transportation, dated June 1, 2007. Chair McRae invited Mayor Larry O’Brien to introduce the item.

Mayor O’Brien began by saying that, in January 2007, he was fortunate to be able to assemble seven local residents with varied backgrounds to work towards developing a transit vision for the future of Ottawa. The report is a baseline model upon which this committee and other organizations can build. Mayor O’Brien said he is proud of the work of these seven individuals and he looks forward to discussing as a Council what needs to be done to build on Ottawa’s solid bus/rapid transit system. He noted that the group’s vision is not perfect, nevertheless it is compelling, because it gives Council principles and benchmarks on which it can build its transit system. The principles include:

· Grade separation;

· Use of existing rail corridors; and

· A world-class bus/rapid transit infrastructure and rights of way.

Mayor O’Brien went on to say that solving the downtown congestion and attendant pollution is the backbone of a domino effect to solve problems throughout the rest of the region. He believes that in the long term, there must be an integrated, metropolitan solution that gives Gatineau and Ottawa’s neighbours to the east, west and south an opportunity to participate in the region’s success. He also believes that the governance of the transit system must also be addressed, in order to have an arms-length, politically accountable authority to run transit as a private company. Mayor O’Brien said the scalability of this project is key. He feels that the Task Force recommendations provide a roadmap showing how to use the existing infrastructure to improve transit options in the short term, while moving forward with some of the more ambitious proposals, such as the downtown tunnel. The Mayor also indicated there have been discussions about inter-city rail from Smiths Falls and Alexandria. The City of Ottawa should work on developing a form of transit from these outlying areas, integrate its system with their plans and work with them to secure funding from other levels of government.

Mayor O’Brien concluded by encouraging Joint Committee members to ask questions from the Task Force members present, and to listen intently to what the delegations have to say. He called the work of the Task Force outstanding, and pointed out that, for a nominal fee, the City of Ottawa has received substantial value for its investment.

At this point, Chair McRae called on the Task Force members to introduce themselves. Present were Mr. Hume Rogers, General Manager, Capital Hill Hotel and Suites, Mr. Hanif Patni, Chief Executive Officer, Coventry Connections and Mr. Roger Beauchesne, Professional Engineer, a retired public servant.

Councillor Alex Cullen advised he would be putting forward a Motion asking Council to direct staff to extract the fundamental principles of the Task Force recommendations for consideration as part of the Rapid Transit Expansion Study (RTES) and the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) review in the fall of 2007, and that they be part of a report on Near Term Transportation Investment to be considered in August 2007.

The Councillor wanted to know whether, in terms of providing transit services outside the City of Ottawa’s borders, the Task Force members expected the City taxpayer to pay the cost. Mr. Rogers stated this was not the case, and that any expansion outside the City’s borders would have to be negotiated and be paid for on a cost-shared basis. Councillor Cullen asked whether the assumption was that the costs would be covered through a one-third contribution from all levels of government. Mr Rogers said the only costing the Task Force had undertaken was for the downtown portion on the basis of the 2005 costs of drilling a tunnel and that the costing had subsequently been confirmed with the Edmonton Transit and seemed to be inline with recent costs in Montreal.

Mr. Patni stated that what was being lost, and was very important, was that by using the existing rail bed, refurbishing them and using diesel/electric bi-modes, the incremental costs for these investments are signalling and updating the rail beds, which is not very much. Mr. Beauchesne pointed out that, according to the Paquet Report on the National Capital Commission, the federal government has had a “free ride” at the expense of Ottawa taxpayers, and that there should be a bonus towards contributing to the country’s Capital.

Councillor Cullen wanted to know whether the Task Force believes development would follow the transit corridors it is recommending, as opposed to bringing transit to the communities presently being built. Mr. Rogers said this was correct. He stated that every station along the network would be a hub being fed by buses. Mr. Patni added that the major cities around the world that have taken on the challenge of bringing rail back encounter huge battles as they attempt to go through existing neighbourhoods and huge costs when trying to purchase and expropriate land. When opting to go through industrial sites that are decrepit and unused, a revitalisation usually takes place.

Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, introduced two Motions calling for the reinstatement of the Environmental Assessment (EA) processes that were put on hold, one for a downtown tunnel and one for the Transitway from Woodroffe to Pinecrest, and the EA for the extension of the Transitway from Terry Fox to Fernbank. She added that the last Motion was simply to ensure that this was not left out as the City moves forward.

Councillor Wilkinson asked whether the railway lines were evaluated for speed, as this is an important consideration. Mr. Rogers admitted that some rehabilitation of tracks would be required throughout the system, but he understood that this would cost one-tenth of the cost of installing new tracks, and seen as a minor cost in the big picture. The Councillor also asked whether the timing identified takes into account the studies required. Mr. Rogers said the Task Force tried to build the system incrementally but there will be concerns about financing and about completing the studies. He indicated this was why the extension to Armstrong Road was being recommended almost immediately, because the EA for this would need modifications. Mr. Rogers reiterated that one of the virtues of this plan is that it is flexible and depends on demand and funding.

Councillor Wilkinson inquired about recommending the completion of the western Transitway by 2010, and whether this should be done before the trains start running, as this is the most direct route downtown from the west. Mr. Rogers said he was not sure that the completion of the Western Transitway is directly linked to running the train through the Kanata Line. He added that there is a glaring gap in the existing Bus Transitway and the Task Force is recommending that, eventually, it be converted to Light Rail. He stated that the longer the gap exists, the harder it will be to fill it and to get the ridership.

Councillor Jacques Legendre thanked the Members of the Mayor’s Task Force for their volunteer work and for completing, in a short timeframe, a visionary document. The Councillor posited that the Task Force has absolutely identified what went wrong with the former process, in that the downtown problem was not addressed. He said the bi-modal approach would allow the system to expand and he is pleased with the suggestion about using the former Union Station to better effect.

At this point, the Joint Committee adjourned for a twenty-minute lunch period, after which Chair McRae reconvened the meeting to order.

Councillor Clive Doucet introduced the following motion:

Whereas the City’s Transit plans and Transit Environmental Assessments have been frozen for six months until the Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation has had sufficient time to study and make recommendations concerning the future of transit in Ottawa.

Whereas the Mayor’s Task Force has now completed its work and submitted its report to Council for consideration.

Whereas the reports recommendations compliment the city’s intra-city electric light rail plans with a regional GO-Train service, similar to Toronto’s southern Ontario service.

Whereas a GO-Train service for Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec will create more customers for the city’s intra-city service by providing a new rider base and reduce the need for costly, provincial road expansions as we are experiencing along highway 7 to Carleton Place and on the Quebec side of the river.

Be It Resolved That City Council accept the report’s regional GO-Train recommendations and petition the province of Ontario for the establishment of this system based on the Mayor’s Task Force recommended lines, Alexandria, Smith’s Falls, Kanata North, Stittsville/Carp/ Cumberland etc. and that this investment be made in a timely way as has been accomplished for Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Be It Further Resolved That City Council immediately re-instate all of its frozen environmental assessments and this include the tunnel environmental assessment for the downtown as recommended in the Mayor’s Task Force report.

Be It Further Resolved That negotiations be immediately undertaken between the city and the Siemens/PCL consortium to begin construction on the part of the North-South line which was not opposed by any interest group i.e. the section from Riverside South to Bayview to serve the north-south commuter flow, reduce the need for road expansion and will result in substantial private sector investment.

Be It Further Resolved That Phase II, the tunnel connection be undertaken once the Environmental Assessment is completed for the city centre.

In his Motion, Councillor Doucet calls for the acceptance of the “GO-Train” recommendations and petitioning the Province of Ontario for the establishment of this system, the reinstatement of the EAs and the inclusion of the downtown tunnel EA and negotiating with Siemens to immediately begin construction from Riverside South to Bayview. Speaking to his Motion, the Councillor said it provides balance to the report by making a GO-Train series of recommendations which the City needs but which the Province should pay for, in the same manner as Toronto. The Councillor went on to say that the proposed model would provide no service to 90% of the people in Ottawa who actually live where the urban streetscape is built. He called the idea of using old rail lines and old shunt line to create an urban transit system ridiculous. He said that most cities in Canada, in North America and elsewhere spend money putting tracks on streets where people live.

Commenting on the third part of his Motion, Councillor Doucet said it re-establishes what City Council has already approved t twice, the delivery of north-south urban transit within the term of this Council. He noted Toronto has 17 street lines going in: they are double-tracked, electric and on streets that people use. The City of Toronto is putting in $6 billion of their own money and receiving $11.5 billion from the Province. Montreal is putting congestion charges on its bridges, and will bring light rail to the street. Councillor Doucet said Ottawa should be doing the same thing. He further added that the 2007 Capital Budget foresees spending $167 million on just 10 new road projects.

At that point, the City Solicitor, Rick O’Connor, cautioned that, procedurally, the third “Be It Further Resolved” clause in Councillor Doucet’s Motion was an attempt to revisit a decision, which Council has already made in this term. Further, on February 23, 2007, the Mayor ruled Out of Order a Motion dealing with the settlement of all claims and the ruling went unchallenged. Mr. O’Connor added that Council received an In-Camera briefing in 2006 on claims launched against the City, and no new information is being provided.

Chair McRae, in light of the advice from the City Solicitor, ruled that the third “Be It Further Resolved” clause in Councillor Doucet’s Motion was Out of Order and that it would be prudent to take the Solicitor’s advice to be cautious about this matter.

Councillor Doucet challenged the ruling of the Chair.

The Committee then voted on the following:

Shall the Ruling of the Chair be sustained?

CARRIED

YEAS (8): R. Bloess, M. Wilkinson, A. Cullen, G. Bédard, J. Legendre, C. Leadman, Mayor L. O’Brien, Chair M. McRae

NAYS (1): C. Doucet

At this point, Chair McRae opened the floor to the public delegations.

The Committee heard from the following public delegations:

Charles Akben-Marchand, President, Citizens for Safe Cycling, began by congratulating the volunteer Task Force for its report. He focused his comments on cycling as part of the Transportation Master Plan because he believes cycling is an important part of the big picture. Mr. Akben-Marchand said it was clear that the Task Force supports the pedestrian and cycling recommendations. He averred that the City needs to act now on walking and cycling by providing funds to promote these modes of transportation. He pointed out that the Ottawa Cycling Plan has been in draft form for over four years, and that the community would like to see it approved this year.

The speaker then addressed the contrast in road funding with that of cycling, noting that a record amount of new roads are being built this year with a record low being spent on road maintenance. He pointed out that the Committee, at a previous meeting, took three hours to decide whether $50,000 for cycling provided value for money. Mr. Akben‑Marchand expressed the view that it does not and that the City should be spending more. He also expressed the hope that OC Transpo would take the lead by increasing the Rack and Roll Program and by having this feature available year round. He concluded by expressing the hope that, whatever the City does for transit, it should put the Cycling Plan into effect.

Responding to a question from Councillor Cullen, the Deputy City Manager, Planning, Transit and the Environment, Ms. Nancy Schepers stated that the Cycling Master Plan is on the legislative agenda for submission in 2007.

David Jeanes, Transport 2000 said there was a lot of negativity about the value of volunteers getting involved in something as important as transit planning. He pointed out that without the work of volunteers, the City would not have Light Rail. Mr. Jeanes called the report recommendations balanced because they deal with issues across the City as well as in the metropolitan area. He pointed out that no other city has built a transit system already approaching one billion dollars in investment and put so little money in the downtown infrastructure. The capacity limits are reached, the impact on the quality of the downtown is disastrous and the Task Force report addresses those issues. Mr. Jeanes pointed out that the rejected North/South LRT Project was going to have 14 stations on Albert and Slater Streets between Bronson and Elgin, and he called this ludicrous. He said he was not entirely convinced that a tunnel was required but a proper study is required to establish whether it is needed. Mr. Jeanes stated that the present, high quality bus and light rail system is doing what it was designed to do, but only once the buses are on the Transitway outside the downtown core. He expressed the belief that the network shown in the map in the report comes close to what works in cities around Europe.

Klaus Beltzner, Friends of the O-Train (FOTO), reading from a prepared statement, (Copy on file with the City Clerk) described the Task Force’s vision as powerful, seamlessly interconnecting the transit systems of Ottawa and Gatineau through the Prince of Wales Bridge. He said this offers new and equitable, high capacity rapid transit services into the downtown from Ottawa’s western, eastern and southern communities without having to go through the centre of town. He believes that it is affordable and easy to implement because it efficiently builds on existing, under-utilized rail corridors that go where people live and work. The vision optimizes the City’s existing investment in buses by re-deploying a large number of them into shorter, more frequent hub-and-spoke routes, to improve service to every community. Finally, it calls for immediately extending rapid rail services south to Leitrim and Earl Armstrong Roads, with frequent, connecting bus services to Riverside South and Findlay Creek. For these reasons, Mr. Beltzner urged the Committee to fully support the vision and the report of the Task Force.

David Gladstone, Founder, Friends of the O-Train (FOTO), said that, over the past year, it has been stated that the O-Train must stay, that Ottawa’s future transit needs should be met through an incremental expansion of the service on existing railway lines, through re-deployment of buses to increased service outside the downtown and building an electric, light rail loop to replace the downtown Transitway. He believes that the Task Force report has the same foundation elements, which are sufficiently close for FOTO to support the report. He stated that the fundamental difference is between the Task Force’s recommendations and last year’s LRT project; and these are incompatible. Mr. Gladstone said there are no technical, financial and legal impediments to extending O-Train service to the north and south, and between the Fallowfields and O-Train Station now. He suggested that ordering additional trains and building stations should start this year. Ottawa must show its commitment to green, cost-effective transit in the context of the Ontario government’s proposal to widen the Queensway and the study of Interprovincial Crossings. A central message of the report is that the downtown portion of the Transitway has reached capacity. He feels that adding more buses in just not feasible. Mr. Gladstone recommended that staff cease studying double-decker buses since these are not suitable for frequent stops. Finally, he stated that the volunteer members should be thanked for their fine work and honoured by action being taken now on their well-considered recommendations. A copy of Mr. Gladstone’s comments is on file with the City Clerk.

Mark Cuhaci, representing the Albert/Slater Coalition, said its members have over 6.5 million square feet of office space and over 2,000 hotel rooms in the core, or 90% of the commercial property on Albert/Slater. Over the last two years, the Coalition has been very involved in the discussions on the North-South LRT, especially as it related to the downtown core. The Coalition retained its own traffic consultants, amongst others, and spent many hours with City Staff on the downtown portion. Mr. Cuhaci expressed the view that the Task Force report has taken a right step towards resolving the situation in downtown Ottawa. He believes, if implemented by Council, there is the potential to not only deal with the congestion of today, but to provide capacity for future growth, in a cost-effective manner. The report integrates the downtown into a larger system that works, to get people into and around it. He noted that throughout the LRT process, the Coalition always expressed support for a downtown tunnel and the removal of all buses from Albert/Slater Streets. Mr. Cuhaci said the Coalition is offering its support to Council and to City Staff, and looks forward to working with the City as part of the ongoing debate. He added that, as a group with the interest and the expertise to participate, the Coalition wants to be there in the early stages. He congratulated the Task Force for its report.

Bernie Geiger expressed the view that the Task Force vision is achievable because it builds on what exists with minimal disruption, and is incremental. He feels that some actions are immediately feasible, such as upgrading the tracks, buying more trains, and negotiating with VIA Rail for a GO-Train service. Mr. Geiger stated there are things to avoid, including unfocused EAs and system breakdown. He suggested getting back the Bayview lands and trying to avoid the decay of the centre core. He noted that there must be fast service to the Gatineau federal government complexes. He concluded his presentation by emphasizing the City needs to act quickly.

Councillor Jan Harder said she did not see the link between Fallowfield and Confederation as being a gain for people. She felt the only way the Task Force report works for Barrhaven residents is by having the Strandherd/Armstrong Bridge, and having the LRT come into corridors that already exist. Mr. Geiger pointed out that he could take either the O-Train or the bus. He stated that the O-Train is faster, smoother and can reach good, high speeds. He suggested there could be a direct connection without having to transfer, because not everybody is going downtown.

Cheryl Doran, Save Our Greenspace, described two opportunities that are being missed, and these are the link with the Airport and the recognition of the Airport Parkway as an eco-passage. She pointed out that, last year, over 3.8 million passengers passed through the Terminal doors. She feels that the current proposal to build an LRT line within two kilometers of the Airport, but not go there, leaves Ottawa as the only G8 Capital without a direct link to the Airport. Ms. Doran pointed out that the Airport Authority has always supported the LRT into the Airport Terminal. With regard to the second missed opportunity, Ms. Doran said the proposed alignment cuts through the habitat of the Blanding’s Turtle, a species at risk under the Endangered Species Act. She stated that the only mitigating measure is to avoid the turtles’ habitat by using the Airport Parkway. Ms. Doran urged Committee members to consider these two opportunities, by taking the LRT directly to the Airport.

Stephen Fanjoy, expressed his support for the Task Force report, saying its recommendations are consistent with those of the Friends of the O-Train and the solution it proposes to the downtown problem. He said another reason relates to the toxic levels of diesel particulate matter air contamination resulting from bus congestion. Mr. Fanjoy supported his comments by reading excerpts from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Laboratory for Energy and the Environment – (Copy on file with the City Clerk.).

Using a slide presentation (also on file with the City Clerk), he proposed the recommendations:

1. That diesel particulate matter microenvironment measurement studies be undertaken, including the following sites:

a. Albert & Slater, King Edward & Rideau sidewalk stations

b. St. Laurent tunnel station & recessed Transitway stations

c. In-bus measurements

d. In-car measurement sharing road traffic with buses.

2. That OC Transpo bus fleet upgrades be implemented as soon as possible, including:

a. Retrofitting the entire fleet with diesel particulate filters

b. All new buses should have hybrids drive trains and diesel particulate filters.

3. Whereas an LRT tunnel delays removal of buses downtown by at least 3 years; and whereas its cost premium comes at the expense of options that include e-LRT conversion of the Transitway; and whereas the need for implementation of electric light rail downtown as soon as possible:

a. Feasibility study should be initiated immediately and completed by September 2007. This focused study is to provide the key financial and transit costs/benefit information necessary for Council to make a definitive decision for or against a downtown tunnel no later than October 2007. The work of this study could be conducted in parallel with tunnel environmental assessment process and its results incorporated into the EA if appropriate.

Mr. Fanjoy concluded his presentation by stating that the cost of delay in taking these actions includes significant public risks and consequences to the 5,700 people who live in the Albert-Slater Corridor as well as to the 30,000 daily commuters and 86,000 workers in the Corridor.

Jonathan Neri, Ottawa Amphibian and Reptile Association, said he was not against expanding the O-Train, but he pointed out the City is sacrificing one “green” for another. He echoed the comments of the previous speaker about the habitat of the Blandings’ Turtles. He posited that increasing activity on the tracks would put a lot of pressure on the remaining turtles, and it could certainly exterminate them. He also suggested the alternative of using the Airport Parkway and to try to avoid the area altogether.

Art Tallis, Morguard Investments Ltd., called Morguard the largest private landlord to the Federal Government in Ottawa. He spoke in support of the downtown system being proposed by the Task Force, noting it would be beneficial from a business point of view, and could help revitalize the downtown especially on week-ends.

Having heard from the delegations, the Committee proceeded with questions and discussion.

Councillor Diane Deans asked what weight was given to the fundamental principles adopted by City Council relative to the under-served south end. Mr. Rogers said the Task Force studied all the background documents, including the EA for the North-South Light Rail. The Councillor pointed out that the RTES document determined that existing rail corridors would not be used, since they are not located where people live. She wondered how the Task Force could be so sure of its network recommendations without having done the analysis for this. Mr. Beauchesne pointed to the Origin-Destination Survey on Page 41 of the report and to visits the Task Force made to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver as the sources of their network recommendations. He added that the report builds on the experiences in these cities.

Councillor Rainer Bloess asked whether there had been discussions with the Federal Government about reviving the old Union Station as a transit hub. Mr. Rogers responded by saying that the Task Force did not feel it could have direct discussions with the government on this issue but there were some casual discussions about there being some willingness on the part of the Federal Government. Councillor Bloess referred to using Hurdman as a hub and extending it to the VIA Rail Station, and about retaining the existing O-Train, improving it and expanding it. He pointed out that, when looking at the corridor in the east as it starts to veer away from the population, and even considering future growth, it barely touches it. Mr. Rogers said it was his understanding that the old rail corridor would be used when it start to veer south, and then the Hydro right-of-way and from there onto an existing, protected corridor that would come out at the south end of Orléans, an area of significant growth.

Councillor Georges Bédard began by thanking the Task Force. He stated the Task Force had indicated it would explore private sector financing and he inquired whether discussions were held with the Albert/Slater Coalition about whether they would be willing to contribute financially. Mr. Rogers stated that several business owners had expressed an interest in contributing, especially if a station was part of their building. He emphasized the importance of including these persons from the outset, to ascertain their level of participation. Mr. Rogers said one place where the Task Force would anticipate substantial private sector investment was the Bayview area, which, assuming all the recommendations are accepted, would become the hub of a number of different lines, thus contributing to major redevelopment in the area.

Councillor Bédard asked the suggestion being made was to establish a committee of business people to see what their interest would be. Mr. Patni replied that the Task Force is not suggesting the Provincial and Federal Governments limit the financing to what has already been committed. He believes that, if a solid plan is presented, additional funding can be secured. He also believes that, if the City is rolling out a cost-effective solution, and not spending a lot of money, then the operating costs on a per trip, per person basis can drop substantially. These returns can pay for rolling out other parts of the system in the future. Mr. Patni referred to the Union Station, noting that one could easily spend a few million dollars to refurbish this building so that many people would use it. It can become a central hub with some of the costs being paid by the private sector especially if they are allowed to become long-term lessees of the building. As well, if people are coming out of the tunnel into a downtown building, the owner of that building will benefit.

Councillor Diane Holmes asked whether the Task Force had time to analyse the capacity of converting the Transitway to rail. Mr. Rogers said there had been no detailed study but a comparison was made of Ottawa’s Busway with volumes in other cities. The result was one and one-half times or twice the current capacity. The Councillor asked the same question to staff. Ms. Schepers indicated that the answer would be provided. As to Councillor Holmes’ question about the length of time required to purchase new trains, Mr. Rogers stated that a number of different companies manufacture the vehicle the Task Force recommends but that ordering times were not examined.

Councillor Doucet asked if anyone on the Task Force had experience in building or planning an urban transit system. Having heard a negative response, the Councillor pointed out that all transit systems share three characteristics: they are electric, are double-tracked, and go where people live, work and play. He posited that what is being recommended is the exact opposite of this. He wanted to know how the Task Force had arrived at the conclusion that Ottawa is different from all the other cities.

Mr. Patni expressed the view that the Councillor had not properly reviewed the report. He said the Task Force has come up with a practical, viable solution that does not agree with the Councillor’s views, however members feel their recommendations are right. Mr. Beauchesne added that, even though he does not have urban experience, he worked for forty years on many systems. The accepted wisdom called for visiting other cities and countries to see what they were doing. The Task Force members visited Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver and reviewed the detailed expertise there. Mr. Rogers added that building a fully electric system was the long-term goal. Task Force members felt there had to be a realistic trade-off between getting as extensive a system as soon as possible at as a reasonable price as possible as opposed to making a much heavier investment in a fully electric system over a short period of time.

Councillor Deans inquired about the business case for connections to outlying areas such as Alexandria and Smiths Falls, and who would pay the capital and operating costs. Mr. Rogers advised that over 6,000 people commute to Ottawa from Smiths Falls every day, and the funding would have to be cooperative in nature.

Responding to comments from both Councillor Doucet and Mr. Patni about the kind of technology to be utilised, Ms. Schepers reminded committee members there is a spectrum of technologies and the need to understand the pros and cons of each one. She said staff envisioned that Council would have this debate by means of a White Paper in the fall.

Councillor Deans asked how the Task Force members expect Council to analyse the recommendation put forward with no regard for either cost or benefit. Mr. Rogers disagreed with the Councillor’s assessment, saying what needs to be understood is that the report’s “vision” needs to be costed by professional staff. Councillor Deans suggested that the basic principles of the former North/South LRT be applied to this exercise.

Councillor Bédard said he supports the establishment of a new transit authority responsible for OC Transpo and he signified his intent to move a Motion to that effect. He asked whether Task Force members could elaborate on what they saw for this commission. Mr. Patni confessed to being a bit concerned about this recommendation, as Task Force members did not want to give the impression that Council was not doing a good job or was not capable of running OC Transpo. He cited the example of the Ottawa International Airport Authority and said he would like to see transit running more like a business. Politicians would set the guiding principles and the operational criteria, but the Managers would be left to deal with the day-to-day operations of the company.

Chair McRae thanked the Members of the Task Force and the public who attended the meeting to discuss this very thoughtful report.

Councillor Cullen introduced his Motion and asked for a comment from Ms. Schepers. She stated that continuous improvement of the transit system is a commitment for City staff. In reviewing the report, staff would examine all operational requirements and report back to see whether they merit further review. She advised that to achieve transit goals, there needs to be continued investment, and staff will report back with a transit improvement program that would include approaching the Federal and Provincial Governments. Ms. Schepers also stated that, in terms of the RTES and the TMP, a White Paper approach would be used, where staff presents information without making recommendations to Committee and Council, for debate. She stated that listening to the delegations confirmed for her the importance of key principles and these have to be part of the discussion. She asked that Council confirm whether it wants a common transit solution through the core: if this is the case, it will make it clear that staff must work with the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) on an interprovincial solution. Ms Schepers referred to the showcase transportation hub that seems to have captured the imagination of many people, and asked whether this was a topic Council wanted to discuss. She suggests that Council must also determine whether it wants a hub and spoke approach, with no express service. Ms Schepers concluded by saying that evaluating all these principles would ensure a better starting point for the RTES and the TMP.

Councillor Bloess inquired about the timing for the downtown tunnel. Ms. Schepers responded by saying that, if there was a clear direction, Council might be able to re-initiate the EA for the downtown solution in the fall. She also confirmed for Councillor Wilkinson that staff would try to provide as much information as it can to the Long Range Financial Plan Sub-Committee before the August 15th meeting of the Transit Committee.

The Committee then considered the following motions:

Moved by Councillor A. Cullen:

WHEREAS the Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation has submitted its recommendations on the future of transportation in Ottawa to the Mayor in its report “Moving Ottawa: The Mayor of Ottawa’s Task Force on Transportation”;

AND WHEREAS Council has approved the scope and timing of the review of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), including an update of the rapid transit network by November 2008;

AND WHEREAS Council recognizes that while the necessary transportation planning studies are undertaken, there is a need to move forward with interim transit investments within this Term of Council;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Committee direct staff to extract the fundamental principles underlying the Task Force recommendations, including service speed, attracting new ridership, environmental impact, alleviating pressure on the downtown core, and network integration, to be included as part of the visioning discussion at Committee in Fall 2007 as part of the RTES and TMP review;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Task Force’s short-term and Term of Council priority capital projects be considered for inclusion as part of a Near-Term Transportation Investment report and that this report be considered by Committee on 15 August 2007;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to review the operational recommendations of the Task Force report, including the evaluation of existing bus routes, security improvements at transit stations, system safety, and the greening of the transit fleet, and report back to Committee by October 2007.

CARRIED

Moved by Councillor M. Wilkinson:

WHEREAS the Environment Assessment’s for transit routes were put on hold pending the release of the Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation; and

WHEREAS the Task Force has confirmed the need to complete the transitway; and

WHEREAS the E-W environmental assessment could provide the necessary recommendations for the east and west ends of the transitway;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the staff report at the August meeting on:

a) the reinstatement of Environmental Assessments that were put on hold and,

b) a program to undertake an environmental assessment of a downtown tunnel

c) an update on the EA for the transitway from Woodroffe to Pinecrest to find a more cost-effective corridor.

CARRIED

Speaking to her second Motion, Councillor Wilkinson advised that the Task Force report ends the Transitway at the Terry Fox Station and members were not aware that the Kanata West Development Plan Study had taken it out past Scotiabank Place to Hazeldean Road. In addition, the Fernbank Community Design Plan is looking at how this could extend to Fernbank, including Stittsville. The Councillor wanted this to be part of the discussion in the fall.

Councillor Legendre advised against this, noting it may not be the only omission in the report and he did not believe this was the way to repair those errors. Councillor Wilkinson clarified the intent is to get this on the record, and not to change the report.

Councillor Cullen suggested a change in the wording as a friendly amendment and it was accepted by the mover.

Moved by Councillor M. Wilkinson:

WHEREAS the Mayor’s Task Force has recommended completion of the transitway to the Terry Fox station;

WHEREAS the Task Force was not aware of the extension of the transitway to the Kanata West lands, including Scotiabank Place, with a further extension being considered an integral part of the Fernbank lands that were added into the urban area by the OMB;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the extension of the transitway from Terry Fox to Fernbank be added to the consideration of the Task Force recommendations.

CARRIED

Councillor Cullen asked for clarification on the last substantive clause of Councillor Doucet’s Motion. Ms. Schepers said she understood this to mean that, once the EA is completed, the construction of the tunnel would rise in priority. Councillor Doucet indicated he was prepared to withdraw this from his Motion.

Moved by Councillor C. Doucet:

Whereas the Mayor’s Task Force has now completed its work and submitted its report to Council for consideration.

Whereas the reports recommendations compliment the city’s intra-city electric light rail plans with a regional GO-Train service, similar to Toronto’s southern Ontario service.

Be It Resolved that City Council accept the report’s regional GO-Train recommendations and petition the province of Ontario for the establishment of this system based on the Mayor’s Task Force recommended lines, Alexandria, Smith’s Falls, Kanata North, Stittsville, Carp, Cumberland, etc. and that this investment be made in a timely way as has been accomplished for Toronto and Southern Ontario.

CARRIED

Speaking to Councillor Bédard’s Motion, Councillor Cullen signified his dissent, as he felt there still needs to be accountability for safety, the frequency of service, timetables, bus pass programs and many other aspects. He felt this was the wrong way to go in terms of governance.

Mayor O’Brien expressed the view it was time to separate OC Transpo from the City, and he asked that the report be presented to a joint meeting of the Corporate Services and Economic Development and the Transit Committees. He also asked Councillor Cullen to withdraw his dissent, since this also has to do with staff morale.

Both Councillors Legendre and Wilkinson said they were members of the Transit Commission in the past, and it was brought into the City for cost efficiencies. Councillor Legendre received assurances from Ms. Schepers that the issue of agreements between OC Transpo and other City services would be part of the discussion. Councillor Wilkinson expressed the view this had to be set up as a cooperative mechanism and that, at times, it may be better for OC Transpo to purchase some services from the City.

Councillor Doucet called for a recorded vote on the Motion. He stated that transit and transportation were the number one concern of the population and his belief that one of the jobs of a City Councillor is to be the ombudsman for transit service.

Councillor Bédard pointed out that the Motion calls for staff to report back and then Council can debate whether it wants an independent body. City Council can still give direction but not have to deal with the day-to-day operations.

Moved by Councillor G. Bédard:

That the Task Force Recommendation concerning separating OC Transpo from the City bureaucracy and setting up an arm’s-length operating entity with an appointed board fully accountable to City Council be the subject of a report to a joint meeting of the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, and the Transit Committee within six months.

CARRIED

YEAS (8): R. Bloess, M. Wilkinson, G. Bédard, J. Legendre, D. Thompson, C. Leadman, Mayor L. O’Brien, Chair M. McRae

NAYS (2): A. Cullen, C. Doucet

Councillor Legendre put forward a Motion calling for the tunnel connection to be undertaken once the EA for the City Centre is completed. The Councillor said this is such a crucial component of the Task Force report and it should be undertaken if the EA says it can be done. Councillor Legendre also said it is important to make it clear that the tunnel is needed. Ms. Schepers commented that the Motion would pre-suppose a tunnel is built, and she felt this was premature.

Councillor Cullen agreed about the importance of this piece, but it has to be done right, with information on costs and how to secure funding. He added that the City does not have the financial capacity to do this through a Local Improvement. Additional reports will help Council to determine how to proceed.

Councillor Wilkinson said that, while she generally supports the idea of a tunnel, she would really like to know how much it will cost, and whether it will affect the timing of other phases.

Mayor O’Brien expressed concern that this might be used as a bureaucratic tool to delay. He thought it was important to send a message to all concerned that the City is serious. Mayor O’Brien also pointed out that it would be quite a while before the final decision to proceed is made.

Councillor Bédard wanted to know what Council would have to do if it wanted to “undo” the solution. Legal Counsel, Mr. Ernest McArthur cautioned that there should be no pre-supposition about the outcome of the EA, and this is what he would recommend.

The Committee then considered the following motion:

Moved by Councillor J. Legendre:

That the downtown solution be undertaken once the Environmental Assessment is completed for the City Centre.

CARRIED

Chair McRae advised that no other Motions remained.

Mayor O’Brien then thanked the joint committees for their hard work.

Councillor Cullen presented a Motion calling for this item to rise to Council on June 27, 2007. The Deputy City Clerk, Ms. Leslie Donnelly, advised that the Council meeting of 27 June had an extremely heavy agenda, including reports from Hydro Ottawa and the Housing Authority, along with the regular business. She cautioned members to expect two days or more of deliberations at that Council meeting.

After some discussion, the Motion was approved unanimously.

That the Transportation Committee and Transit Committee consider the report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation.

CONSIDERED with the approval of the aforementioned Motions.