1. PEDESTRIAN AND TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2008 WORKPLAN, 2007 ANNUAL REPORT, AND AMENDED TERMS OF REFERENCE

COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR LES PIÉTONS ET LES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN – RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2007, PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2008 ET MANDAT RÉVISÉ

Committee recommendations

That Council:

a) Receive the 2007 Annual Report for the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1;

b) Approve the objectives contained in the 2008 workplan, as detailed in Document 2; and

c) Approve the revised Terms of Reference, as detailed in Attachment 3.

recommandations du comité

Que le Conseil :

a) reçoive le Rapport annuel de 2007 du Comité consultatif sur les piétons et les transports en commun, tel que décrit dans le document 1;

b) approuve les objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2008, tel que décrit dans le document 2; et

c) approuve le mandate révisé, tel que décrit dans le document 3

Documentation

1. Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee report dated 29 April 2008 (ACS2008-CCV-PTA-0001).

.

Report to/Rapport au :

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

and Council / et au Conseil

29 April 2008/ le 29 avril 2008

Submitted by/Soumis par : Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee/Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Stephanie Brown Bellefeuille, Advisory Committee Coordinator

City Clerk’s Branch/Direction du greffe

(613) 580-2424 x 16760, stephanie.brown@ottawa.ca

Ref N°: ACS2008-CCV-PTA-0001

SUBJECT:	PEDESTRIAN AND TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2008 WORKPLAN, 2007 ANNUAL REPORT, and amended terms of reference
OBJET :	COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR LES PIÉTONS ET LES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN – RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2007, PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2008 ET MANDAT RÉVISÉ

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee recommend that the Transportation Committee recommend that Council:

a) Receive the 2007 Annual Report for the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1; and

b) Approve the objectives contained in the 2008 workplan, as detailed in Document 2; and

c) Approve the revised Terms of Reference, as detailed in Attachment 3.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité consultatif sur les piétons et les transports en commun recommande au Comité du transport de recommander à son tour au Conseil :

a) De recevoir le Rapport annuel de 2007 du Comité consultatif sur les piétons et les transports en commun, tel que décrit dans le document 1;

b) D’approuver les objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2008, tel que décrit dans le document 2; et

c) D’approuver le mandate révisé, tel que décrit dans le document 3.

BACKGROUND

City Council, on 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. Each item should be identified with a brief description of the project or activity.

The Lead Department Representatives are 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 Representatives 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 2008 workplans.

DISCUSSION

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) originally designed its workplan in two parts, produced at meetings of two sub-committees (Transit, and Pedestrian), to fully encompass the PTAC mandate of both pedestrian and transit issues. The Committee approved its 2008 workplans, 2007 annual report and amended terms of reference at its March 2008 special meeting for that purpose.

The rationale for the proposed amended terms of reference amendments is to:

· allow the Committee the flexibility of determining its own meeting schedule.

v Following Council’s Governance 2003 decision to reduce PTAC’s twelve annual meetings to six, the committee’s terms of reference were amended to specify that the committee meet on opposite months. However, to serve the City and Council more efficiently, PTAC prefers to arrange their meeting schedule to suit Council initiatives, staff reports requiring their input, and emerging issues.

· propose to Council to re-establish PTAC as a full committee status, meaning it would be permitted to typically hold about 9 meetings a year.

v Considering how important transportation matters have always been to the City of Ottawa, larger in area than the City of Toronto, not to mention the prominence of transit/intensification/sprawl issues to the City of Ottawa, the Committee has found that 6 meetings per year do not adequately equip it to function as an advisor on all of the necessary matters to Council.

The mandate of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee is to provide advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council and its Departments, on policies and programs, which reflect the City’s commitment to a variety of travel modes, including walking and transit and that, achieve the appropriate balance in a way that contributes to our City’s overall quality of life. The goal of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall be to increase the modal share of walking and transit. The Committee will specifically advise on transportation issues related to pedestrian movement, pedestrian safety, transit, light-rail and other transportation-related policies and programs. The complete (amended) Terms of Reference can be found at Document 3 of this report.

CONSULTATION

PUBLIC WORKS AND SERVICES (Lead Department) and PLANNING, TRANSIT AND ENVIRONMENT

The Departments concur with the Annual Report prepared by the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee and acknowledge the value provided to the Departments in terms of providing comment and advice from the citizens' perspective on various projects. The Departments acknowledges the dedication and commitment of the members and values the achievement of this Committee.

Public Works and Services, as well as Planning, Transit and the Environment, will continue to attend Advisory Committee meetings to inform the committee of departmental priorities and work plan items related to activities being undertaken by the Committee. Staff will provide technical advice and guidance to the Committee as required.

FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

There are no funds available in the City’s 2008 Operating Budget for PTAC’s 2008 Work Plan items.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 – Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee 2007 Annual Report

Document 2 – Proposed Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee 2008 Workplan

Document 3 – Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee amended Terms of Reference

DISPOSITION

The Advisory Committee will work to complete the workplan tasks approved by City Council.

Document 1

2007 PTAC Annual Report

During 2007 the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee considered and provided advice on a number of issues. This was done through discussion of items at PTAC meetings and sub-committee meetings, meetings with staff members, participation in focus and consultation groups and public open house sessions, media interviews, liaison with other advisory committees and presentations to the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee.

Topics of discussion in 2007 included:

· Budget

· Light Rail Transit Response

· Pedestrian Hot Zones

· City Pedestrian Plan

· Street Design Policy

· Mayor’s Transportation Task Force Report

· 2008 Official Plan Review

· Transportation Master Plan

· Collector Road Corridor Design Guidelines

· Smart Growth

· City White Papers

· 2008 Transit Service Plan

Much thought and discussion was directed towards pedestrian safety concerns, and transit matters, in 2007.

Once again it is important to stress how the work of PTAC is hampered by having only half the number of meetings of most advisory committees. It is extremely difficult to provide timely and in-depth advice, to maintain momentum when considering issues, and to manage an agenda to include value-added input for staff reports, in months when PTAC cannot meet, with only 6 meetings a year.

It was very difficult, at the very least, to watch the committee deteriorate this past year; not only was the lack of recruitment a factor, but as mentioned, it is harder to maintain momentum, excitement, and passion knowing that your committee is only a “half” committee, in terms of its allowable meeting schedule. Ironically, PTAC was one of the most-applied-for committees in the 2007-2008 recruitment process, receiving just under 60 applications for only 13 voting positions on the committee.

Public transit is a priority for the municipal, provincial and federal governments and to the citizens of Ottawa, which is reflected in the overwhelming response from the public to sit on the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. Given this, and based on the oft-repeated request of current and outgoing members, not to mention the many issues relating to the matters of pedestrian and transit coming to Committee and Council, we request that Council restore the PTAC to full advisory committee status.

Document 2

Pedestrian sub-committee, PTAC

Workplan goal proposals

2008

-Encourage the promotion of walking as a mode of transport.

-Actively participate in the development of the city's pedestrian plan.

-Provide input and advice to the City's Transportation and Transit Committees.

-Share and discuss information with city officials, and other relevant bodies, regarding pedestrian issues and related plans, policy and programs, infrastructure (sidewalk construction, maintenance, etc.), etc. Where relevant, communicate concerns and provide advice related to

these issues.

-Participate in, and where appropriate provide advice on, issues where pedestrians intersect with: other non-pedestrian users, infrastructure and modes of transport (i.e. bicycles, transit, vehicles, roadways, paths, sidewalks, etc.); sectors (tourism, local businesses); events and festivals; safety and security concerns, etc.

-Monitor and participate in stakeholder consultations concerning pedestrian issues.

-Monitor and provide input with respect to seasonal pedestrian mobility activities (sidewalk cleaning, sweeping, ploughing, etc) to ensure accessibility and safety).

-Share and discuss information on sidewalk construction and maintenance.

· Efficient routes and schedules · Connecting Communities (schools, shopping, neighbourhoods) · Commuting work routes · Hub and spoke, with increased routes to the hub · Service to major institutions (hospitals, universities, museums, inter-city trains, buses, planes)

· Review use of differential fares (express, O-train) · Use of smart card, eco-pass · Timing of increases · Quantum of increases · Reduced fares to students, seniors, etc. · Revenue protection · Value for money · Transplan · Eco-friendly (types of bus purchases, idling control, etc)

· Accessibility concerns of physically and mentally disabled users (e.g. bus access, station/hub access) · User safety · Signage (e.g. transit stops) · Route information · Accessible sales of tickets, passes · Cleanliness of buses and facilities

Available

Affordable

Accessible

Advise and assist council members, city staff, other advisory committees

· Be informed of working priorities and timelines of Council, city government and other Advisory Committees

· Participate in budget process to advise on its impact on the availability, affordability and accessibility of public transit

· Study and provide advice on issues impacting public transit, through the lens of enhancing the availability, affordability and accessibility of transit service (e.g. Transplan, smart card…)

Study of Key Issues

· Identify and study key issues pertaining to the availability, affordability or accessibility of public transit, and present findings, options or recommendations to city government and council. (e.g. options for outreach, improved transit signage, connecting communities, fare increases)

Forward Planning

· Work with city government and councillors to establish a three-year planning framework, with short, medium, and long-term objectives and activities.

· Status report on work plan would be given annually

· Work plan would be revised annually

Document 3

Approved by City Council on

09 May 2001 and amended 11 July 2001

Amended December 2003

(As per Council approved Governance Report)

Terms of Reference

MANDATE

The mandate of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee is to provide advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council and its departments, on policies and programs, which reflect the City’s commitment to a variety of travel modes, including walking and transit and that, achieve the appropriate balance in a way that contributes to our City’s overall quality of life. The goal of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall be to increase the modal share of walking and transit. The Committee will specifically advise on transportation issues related to pedestrian movement, pedestrian safety, transit and other transportation-related policies and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:

• Providing a forum for citizens and community associations to raise issues and concerns related to pedestrian and transit issues in the City, and reviewing suggestions and concerns from citizens.
• Providing advice and guidance on matters pertaining to education on pedestrian and transit related issues, and the development of policies and programs in accordance with its mandate.
• Advising on transportation issues (pedestrian, transit issues and transportation related matters) as they affect the City of Ottawa Official Plan, Secondary Plans, programs, budget, and overall policy development, including monitoring the implementation of said plans and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Providing advice on physical infrastructure related to the pedestrian network and transit system, including planning, design standards, operations and maintenance.
• Providing advice on environment and air quality issues, as well as emergency preparedness, relating to walking and transit.
• Providing advice on by-laws, legislation and regulations that impact on pedestrian and transit issues.
• Making suggestions and recommendations to improve the transit system.
• Reviewing and providing advice and guidance on the development of walking and transit policies and programs, including land/property development and re-development for the purposes of creating pedestrian and transit-friendly environments.
• Examining ways to increase the modal share of walking and transit.
• Proposing improvements to winter walking.
• Providing advice and guidance on other transportation-related issues within the Committee’s mandate, as required.
• Working with the Planning, Transit and the Environment and Public Works Departments and outside agencies that have contracts with the City on pedestrian and transit related issues.
• Liaising with other community-based groups, such as community associations and other advocacy groups on transportation issues within the Committee’s mandate.
• Liaising with outside agencies on issues of mutual interest (e.g. National Capital Commission, local school boards and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation).

ORGANIZATION

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall have a citizen membership of 9-15, with a minimum of one citizen appointment representing the rural community.

The process for choosing membership for the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall be in accordance with the approved Appointments Policy. Both the Transportation Committee and Ottawa City Council shall approve all appointments to the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee.

In addition, the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

· 1 staff representative each from the Planning, Transit and the Environment, and Public Works Departments (non-voting), who will attend the formal advertised Committee meeting held every second month.

The Committee shall hold meetings formally every second month for a total of no more than at least six formal meetings per year. City support, an advertised agenda and public delegations will be provided/permitted at the formal Committee meetings. The Committee may choose to informally meet on the alternate month otherwise, however, will not receive City support, an advertised agenda or receive public delegations.

The Chair of the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee will provide a concise summary of meeting proceedings to the Chair of the Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee. In addition, meeting notes, if any, deriving from the alternate informal meeting will be provided to the Advisory Committee Coordinator.

Staff items related to the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee that may require urgent and timely consideration in regard to processing to the Standing Committee, may be facilitated through any one of the following options dependent on the subject matter and timing involved:

1. With the consent of both Advisory Committee Chairs, the item may be placed on, and advertised through, the public agendas of the next Roads and Cycling and Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee monthly meetings. The item would be considered in the context of processing and approval for submission to the Standing Committee. Should the item not receive a majority consensus from the Advisory Committee, after public delegations, it will be withdrawn from the agenda.

2. With the consent of both Advisory Committee Chairs, the standard schedule may be adjusted to permit back-to-back Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee meetings during the “off month” time frame (i.e. two formal meetings over a two month period). This option is subject to staff availability as well as time remaining within the six month meeting allocation and shall not increase the standard number of meetings per year (i.e. six).

2. Staff may consult with Members of the Advisory Committee in accordance with the City’s Public Participation Policy in the absence of a formal meeting being held.

LEAD DEPARTMENT/REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Public Works and Services Department shall be the lead department for the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee shall report to the Transportation Committee and City Council.

WORKPLANS AND ANNUAL REPORTS

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee must report annually to City Council through the Transportation Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and the City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on the Committee’s workplan for the following year.