An Executive Summary Report will be available at the public meeting or can be obtained by calling my office. It contains an overview of both the operating and capital budgets, a debt management strategy, implications of the new Fair Municipal Finance Act , a description of major variances over 1997 and, most importantly, expenditure reduction alternatives and budget decisions required to achieve a zero percent tax increase.
Regional Committees will review sections of the budget as follows:
2. Update on Citizens' Panel for Local Governance
The "Discussion Paper" released by the Citizens' Panel is tabled tonight, with copies available for interested Community Organization members. It contains three governance options which will be subject to public review and amendment. For dates of opportunities to participate in community workshops or public hearings refer to last month's Regional Report or call the Panel at 560-1323.
The Regional Auditor has recently completed consultation of the handling of events and process with regard to coordinating the Emergency Measures response to the ice storm so we can improve our strategy in the future. Thanks to all constituents who took time to contact my office to relate their experiences and offer suggestions.
A special edition of the corporate newsletter "the Phoenix", dedicated to this event is also tabled with the Community Organization, for information.
The RMOC is also looking at developing a Forest Renewal Plan. Ice loading damaged up to 80 % of certain tree species. Findings also indicate that approximately 10% of the forest cover was either completely destroyed by the storm or will require removal due to safety concerns. More than 250 Regional employees working with arboricultural crews from 15 Ontario municipalities outside the Ottawa-Carleton area and 39 contracted crews completed all of the visible hazardous pruning work by the end of February. Many trees that bent but did not break sustained internal cracking of the wood, which, when combined with the weight of leaves, wind and rain, may still pose a hazard. It is expected to take several months to assess this structural damage.
More information on opportunities to get involved will be forthcoming once a funding source has been secured.
4. Draft Municipal Act released for consultation
This new legislation, aimed at giving municipalities more flexibility to run their affairs as effectively as possible was released for 3 months of consultation on February 11th. The underlying principle of the current Municipal Act is that municipalities may only undertake activities that have been expressly authorized in the legislation, requiring legislative approval for virtually every action. The proposed legislation would grant municipalities a general authority called "natural person powers", similar to those given to corporations under the Business Corporation Act. This will eliminate a large mass of very prescriptive legislation.
The draft legislation can be seen at municipal offices, libraries, or the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website -- http://www.mmah.gov.on.ca The province intends to introduce the new Act for first reading this spring.
5. Police Request public to report "swarming" type robberies
The Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service has terminated a one-month project where 35 people were arrested for "swarming" type robberies. Swarming is a term used where a number of suspects identify a lone victim and target him/her for a robbery, usually involving minor theft but often the potential for violence is high. Victims of these crimes ranged from 12 to 15 years of age while the perpetrators ranged in age from 14 to 19 years. Many of these incidents involved the transit way system and areas where large groups of youths congregate.
Ottawa-Carleton Police Service encourages victims who have not reported this type of crime to come forward and identify themselves. Some of these robberies may appear trivial in nature (i.e. theft of bus card, clothing or small amount of money) but the Service is dedicated to the safety and security of the community. This one-month project has had an impact by decreasing the robberies which affected the Region.
6. Region Protects the Water Environment
The RMOC uses the Ottawa River as a source for the production of safe, high quality drinking water. We draw water from the centre core of the river which is considered a fresher source for treatment. The river is routinely monitored for 184 different test parameters, including trace levels of heavy metals, organic pollutants and pesticides.
The Region also has a comprehensive Industrial Waste Program which protects the sewer infrastructure, and the health and safety of the water environment. A team of 6 is responsible for ensuring the Region's sewer use by-law is adhered to by local industries. To date the Region has checked over 2,500 restaurants, up to 5,000 companies, and has detailed reports on 2,000 businesses. About 70 companies are monitored more closely on a regular basis to ensure compliance because of the nature of their work.
The public is reminded to do their part in protecting our drinking, ground and surface water quality by not disposing of hazardous materials in storm or sanitary sewers.
7. Light Rail Transit Pilot Project
Councillors Doucet and Davis have been appointed to the Steering Committee for the above-mentioned project. David Jeanes, a long-standing member of Transport 2000 (a public transportation advocacy group) and Barbara Ramsay, member of the Public Advisory Committee of Commuter Rail National Capital Transportation Task Force, have been approved as community representatives.
8. Take It Back! Product Stewardship Program - new partnership
The Ottawa-Carleton Pharmacists' Association has joined the Region's "Take It Back!" program to take back unused and expired medication to local pharmacies for proper disposal. All forms of medication from liquids to pills can be returned to local pharmacies to reduce waste going to our Household Hazardous Waste depots or down our drains and sewers.
The main goal of this program is to let industry and consumers take responsibility for the waste they produce. The Region continues to support its local program partners by advertising and promoting them as environmentally committed companies.
The Canadian Museum of Nature in partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RMOC's watershed resource manager) is planning the most thorough environmental checkup ever undertaken on the Rideau from Smiths Falls to downtown Ottawa.
The three-year Biodiversity Project brings together a team of scientists, communities along the river and the agencies involved in water quality to study water chemistry, phytoplankton, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic insects and fish.
Results will be beneficial to the museum, the Region, Environment Canada, the MNR, and the RVCA in assisting them to meet their respective mandates. Encouraging multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder involvement in the management of environmental change should allow us to strive for cleaner, more biologically diverse waterways.
10. For information: Commercial Signage on McCarthy
Inquiries following public concern about new billboards on the hydro right-of-way on McCarthy Road has determined that Ontario Hydro is planning to generate revenue from the leasing of space on this property.
Applications were received for 2 signs on each side of the roadway and this has been approved under the existing by-law. (The current by-law requires a 100 ft setback, however a new by-law is being written and it is expected to require a minimum 500 ft setback.) For more information please contact City Councillor K. Howard or Don Brousseau at 244-5300 ext 3118.
11. Councillor's Office Budget 1997
In order to fulfill my election promise of being absolutely accountable to the public for all expenditures of public funds from my office, a detailed account of my office budget for the last calendar year is tabled with the HCCO for information. A copy will also be provided to local media.
Questions or comments on this information are welcomed.
12. Update on Airport Parkway Extended Traffic Impact Study
-verbal update on Steering Committee Meeting, Feb. 10.98