City of Ottawa City Council met Feb. 1
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to order and moment of reflection
The Council of the City of Ottawa met at Andrew S. Haydon Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, presided over the meeting from Council Chambers with some Members attending in person and the remaining Members participating remotely by Zoom.
Mayor Sutcliffe led Council in a moment of reflection.
2. Public notices and meeting information
Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.
Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.
This draft Minutes document contains a summary of the disposition of items and actions taken at the meeting. This document does not include all of the text that will be included in the final Minutes, such as the record of written submissions. Recorded votes and dissents contained in this draft Minutes document are draft until the Minutes of the meeting are confirmed by the Committee. The final draft Minutes will be published with the agenda for the next regular Council meeting and, once confirmed, will replace this document.
3. Roll Call
All Members of Council were present.
4. Declarations of Interest Including Those Originally Arising from Prior Meetings
No Declarations of Interest were filed.
5. Regrets
No regrets were filed.
6. Mayor's Budget Address
7. Motion to Introduce Reports
Moved by L. Dudas
Seconded by G. Darouze
Carried
8. Finance and Corporate Services Department
8.1 2023 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets
Report recommendation
That City Council:
Receive and table the Draft 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets at its meeting of February 1, 2023 for subsequent consideration by Council sitting in Committee of the Whole to be held March 1, 2023.
Refer the relevant portions of the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets to each Standing Committee of Council and the Transit Commission for their consideration and recommendation to Council sitting in Committee of the Whole to be held March 1, 2023.
Receive the service review framework as outlined in this report for subsequent consideration by Council sitting in Committee of the whole to be held March 1, 2023
Received and Tabled
9. Committee of Adjustment
9.1 Committee of Adjustment - 2023 Draft Operating Budget
Report Recommendations
That City Council receive and table the Committee of Adjustment 2023 Draft Operating Budget at its meeting on February 1, 2023, for subsequent consideration by Council in Committee of the whole to be held March 1, 2023.
Received and Tabled
10. Crime Prevention Ottawa
10.1 2023 Draft Operating Budget - Crime Prevention Ottawa
Citywide
Report Recommendation(s)
That City Council receive and table the Crime Prevention Ottawa Draft 2023 Operating Budget at its meeting of February 1, 2023 for subsequent consideration by Council in Committee of the Whole to be held March 1, 2023.
Received and Tabled
11. Ottawa Police Services Board
11.1 Ottawa Police Service Board - 2023 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets
Report Recommendation
That City Council receive and table the Ottawa Police Service 2023 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets at its meeting on February 1, 2023 for subsequent consideration by Council in Committee of the Whole to be held on March 1, 2023.
Received and Tabled
12. Ottawa Public Library
12.1 Ottawa Public Library : 2023 Draft Budget Estimates
Report Recommendation
That City Council receive and table the Draft 2023 Ottawa Public Library Board Operating and Capital Budget on February 1, 2023 and for further consideration by Council in Committee of the Whole on March 1, 2023.
Received and Tabled
13. Ottawa Board of Health
13.1 2023 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health
Board of Health Recommendations
That City Council receive and table the 2023 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health at its meeting on February 1, 2023, for subsequent consideration by Council in Committee of the Whole on March 1, 2023.
Received and Tabled
14. Finance and Corporate Services Department
14.1 2023 Fleet Vehicle and Equipment Plans - Information Supplemental to the Budget Estimates
Report Recommendation
That Council receive the 2023 Municipal Fleet Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Plan and the 2023 Municipal Vehicle and Equipment Growth Plan as described in this report as supplemental information to the Draft Budget 2023 Received
14.2 2022 FTE Analysis Report - Information Supplemental to the budget estimates
Report Recommendation
That Council receive the FTE Analysis Report as supplemental information to the 2023 draft budget.
Received
15. Transit Commission Report #1
15.1 Financial Update for Zero-Emission Bus Program Funding
Commission Recommendations
That Council approve:
Additional budget authority for the Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Program in the amount of $425 million; $350 million from the Infrastructure Canada (INFC) grant and $75 million drawdown on the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) credit facility.
The budget adjustment of $55,015,000 transferring funding from the existing 2022 approved Bus Replacement budget to the ZEB Program Budget.
That the General Manager, Transit Services, as part of the annual budget process, request the City’s share of the ZEB funding requirements and accompanying CIB financing amount for each subsequent tranche of the ZEB purchases required from 2024 to 2025.
That the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer be authorized to establish a ZEB Program Reserve, as described in this report, to facilitate the repayment of the CIB loan and replacement batteries from accrued savings, as required by the CIB loan agreement.
Carried as amended (19 to 6)
Motion No.2023 - 06/xx
Moved by G. Gower
Seconded by S. Menard
WHEREAS at its meeting on February 1, 2023, Council will consider a report titled, “Financial Update for Zero-Emission Bus Program Funding”; and
WHEREAS information pertaining to accessibility was inadvertently omitted from the report’s Accessibility Impacts section;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report’s Accessibility Impacts section be amended to include the following:
Accessibility has been integral to the procurement process for zero-emission vehicles. Staff have considered the concerns expressed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee and other accessibility stakeholders about the low levels of noise produced by electric vehicles and the increased risk this poses to pedestrians, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted. Staff mitigated this risk by outfitting the City’s first four pilot battery-electric buses with sound-emission technology. This technology emits a sound from an exterior speaker at the front of the bus, which is intended to mimic that of an internal combustion engine. The sound is generated when the bus is idling, and when it is moving at 32 km/hour or less, for example, when it is leaving or approaching a bus stop or intersection. In addition, the battery-electric buses included the same accessibility features as the fleet's newer bus models, including allocated spaces for customers using mobility devices equipped with “theatre-style” flip-down seats; an additional visual next-stop-announcement sign mounted at the rear entrance; and interior and exterior speakers with improved sound quality. Once the pilot buses entered service in early 2022, two orientation sessions were coordinated by OC Transpo staff to familiarize accessibility stakeholders with the buses’ sound-emission technology and other accessibility features. Representatives of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, CNIB, Alliance for the Equality of Blind Canadians, Canadian Council of the Blind, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, CNIB Guide Dogs and the City's Accessibility Office participated in the 1.5-hour sessions, which included testing the sound-emission technology on-street in different locations and under different scenarios. The feedback from participants was positive: indicating that the sound generated by the bus's sound emission system was clearly audible, distinct and identifiable, and was useful to customers in identifying that a bus was passing or approaching a stop or intersection. In addition, stakeholders were supportive of the existing on-board accessibility features. Based on the feedback received, OC Transpo will: equip all future zero-emission buses with the equivalent sound-emission technology; ensure consistent sound, where possible, and volume of sound emission across all zero-emission buses; continue to equip all new battery-electric buses with the same on-board accessibility features; and, monitor new developments in legislation, regulations and emerging technology in sound-emission. OC Transpo will also continue to monitor and respond to feedback from accessibility stakeholders and customers with disabilities as the buses enter service.
The item was CARRIED as amended on a division 19 Yeas to 6 Nays:
| For (19) | L. Dudas, G. Gower, T. Kavanagh, T. Tierney, R. King, J. Leiper, R. Brockington, C. Kitts, S. Menard, C. Curry, D. Hill, L. Johnson, S. Devine, J. Bradley, S. Plante, A. Troster, M. Carr, S. Desroches, and M. Sutcliffe |
| Against (6) | M. Luloff, G. Darouze, A. Hubley, C. Kelly, D. Brown, and W. Lo |
Carried (19 to 6)
Direction to Staff (Councillor Hill)
That staff be directed as follows:
That staff report to Transit Commission annually, with timing to be determined in consultation between the Transit Commission Chair and the General Manager of Transit Services, on the use, reliability, and cost savings of the City’s fleet of zero emissions buses (ZEBs), with a recommendations as to whether the plan Council has approved should be maintained or adjusted;
That staff provide explanatory information to Transit Commission annually, in the context of the annual capital budget approval process, to outline the numbers and types of buses that are planned for acquisition in the upcoming year; and,
That staff continuously review industry trends, available technologies and energy supply options for zero emission buses, and that staff report to the Transit Commission as soon as is practical when there are major changes in the marketplace, along with recommendations as to whether the plan Council has approved should be revised.
Carried
16. In Camera Items
There were no in camera items.
17. Motion to Adopt Reports
Moved by L. Dudas
Seconded by G. Darouze
18. Notices of Motion (for Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)
18.1 Councillor S. Devine
Moved by S. Devine
Seconded by R. Brockington
WHEREAS Ottawa has been hit with destructive weather events, including the tornados in 2018 and the derecho in 2022, causing extensive and lengthy power outages; and
WHEREAS weather experts, as confirmed in the Official Plan, project that Ottawa will continue to experience severe, destructive weather events on a more frequent and basis; and
WHEREAS in the 36 hours following the derecho of May 2022, approximately 150,000 Hydro Ottawa customers were without power, and many Ottawa residents went without power for over 10 days; and
WHEREAS many Ottawa residents living in apartment buildings and condominium buildings were without power for over 10 days, without access to basic necessities such as elevators, emergency hallway lighting, and running water; nor access to emergency resources the city had set up for residents; and
WHEREAS access to an elevator is essential to the personal autonomy, dignity, and safety of persons with disabilities and persons with mobility challenges living in apartment buildings and condominium buildings; and
WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada has said that “one must be wary of putting too low a value on accommodating the disabled. It is all too easy to cite increased cost as a reason for refusing to afford the disabled equal treatment.”; and
WHEREAS the Accessible Housing Network urges that the Government of Ontario require that every apartment building have a generator capable of powering elevators and emergency lighting; and
WHEREAS Ottawa Fire Services has stated a need to shift priorities in their post-storm response to attend to residents living in apartment buildings; and
WHEREAS Toronto City Council has recommended that such residential apartment and condominium buildings have backup generators; and
WHEREAS the Protecting Human Rights in an Emergency Act, 2022, as brought forward by Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Chandra Pasma, seeks to amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and the Condominium Act, 1998, to ensure that all apartment and condominium buildings have a back-up emergency generator capable of running an elevator, emergency hallway lighting, and water pumps for a period of two weeks;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Ottawa City Council request that the Mayor write a letter addressed to the Premier of Ontario and all Ottawa MPPs expressing City Council’s support of Bill 47, Protecting Human Rights in an Emergency Act (Emergency Power Generators), 2022, and asking the Government of Ontario to approve this legislation, and that this letter of support be sent to local MPPs, the Premier, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
18.2 Councillor D. Brown
Moved by D. Brown
Seconded by C. Kelly
WHEREAS the Independent Electricity System Operator has released an Expedited Procurement Process to procure 1.5 gigawatts of electrical capacity by mid-decade and has been engaging with municipalities with respect to Requests for Proposals for a significant number of new projects for energy generation, storage, and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS the Expedited Procurement Process (the E-LT1 RFP) closing February 16, 2023 includes three (3) of thirteen (13) Rated Criteria Points for municipal council support resolutions; and
WHEREAS after February 16, 2023 the Independent Electricity System Operator is planning two more procurement phases totalling 2.8 gigawatts of capacity to be available mid decade; and
WHEREAS the Independent Electricity System Operator requires a Municipal Support Resolution from the municipal council no later than sixty (60) days after the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Contract Date; and
WHEREAS some Independent Electricity System Operator resources participate in the Ontario electricity market without contracts; and
WHEREAS it is not clear that the inability for a project to receive a “Municipal Support Resolution” will necessarily lead to the revocation of a proponent’s contract; and
WHEREAS Ottawa must decrease its reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting sources of energy, including by increasing local renewable energy generation and battery storage, to achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets; and
WHEREAS the City has received a request for a Municipal Support Resolution for a 5-megawatt/20-megawatt hour battery energy storage system using lithium-ion battery technology at 650 Upper Dwyer Hill Road, Ottawa that is expected to occupy approximately 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) of land, including all required setbacks and spacing; and
WHEREAS municipalities, namely through land use policies in the Official Plan and provisions in the Zoning By-law, set their own priorities with respect to where energy generation, storage, and infrastructure may be permitted; and
WHEREAS increased energy generation, storage, and infrastructure can have significant impacts on local residents that are worth due consideration by Council under a framework in the Zoning By-law that reflects the City’s Official Plan; and
WHEREAS staff will bring forward an amendment to the City of Ottawa’s Zoning By-law that implements the intent of the policies in the Official Plan with respect to renewable energy generation facilities and storage by Q4 2023 that is in advance of the municipal Comprehensive Zoning By-law update;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write a letter to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electricity System Operator to formally request confirmation that projects approved through the E-LT1 RFP and future procurements shall not proceed without a Municipal Support Resolution from municipal council in the form of an approved motion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff be directed to come forward with a complete set of regulations in advance of the new Zoning By-law to regulate energy generation, storage and infrastructure as a deliverable project in the 2023 Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department Workplan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate Standing Committees evaluate current and future requests for Municipal Support Resolutions, including for the proposed battery energy storage system at 650 Upper Dwyer Hill Road, using current Official Plan renewable energy generation and storage policies until amendments have been made to Zoning By-law 2008-250 in Q4 2023; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that until such time as amendments have been made to Zoning By-law 2008-250 in Q4 2023, staff be directed to advise any proponents seeking a Municipal Support Resolution through the E-LT1 RFP and future procurements that staff will not bring such requests to Council unless such requests were made prior to February 8th, 2023, or are considered through the relevant Standing Committee as described in this Motion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Energy, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
18.3 Councillor C. Kelly
Moved by C. Kelly
Seconded by D. Brown
WHEREAS Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is undertaking a competitive procurement process for Long-term Reliability Projects to ensure reliability in Ontario’s electricity grid; and
WHEREAS Solar Flow-Through Funds (SFF) is proposing to add a 5-megawatt/20-megawatt hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) using lithium-ion battery technology at 650 Upper Dwyer Hill Road in Ward 5 – West Carleton-March; and
WHEREAS the BESS supports the intent of the policies in the Official Plan with respect to renewable energy generation facilities and storage; and
WHEREAS the BESS is expected to occupy approximately 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) of land, including all required setbacks and spacing; and
WHEREAS the BESS will be charged by the local grid overnight when there is low electricity demand and will supply power to the grid at times of high demand, providing benefits to grid reliability; and
WHEREAS a rated criteria of the IESO procurement process is formal support from the municipality in which the Long-Term Reliability Project is proposed to be located; and
WHEREAS the deadline to submit proposals to the IESOP is February 16, 2023;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council provide a Municipal Support Resolution for the Solar Flow-Through Funds’ proposal to the Independent Electricity System Operator to develop a Battery Energy Storage System at 650 Upper Dwyer Hill Road.
19. Motion to Introduce By-laws
Motion No.2023 - 06/xx
Moved by L. Dudas
Seconded by G. Darouze
That the by-laws listed on the Agenda under Motion to Introduce By-laws, Three Readings, be read and passed.
Carried
19.1 Three Readings
A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at croissant Wabikon Crescent on Plan 4M-1618 as being exempt from Part Lot Control.
20. Confirmation By-law
Motion No.2023 - 06/xx
Moved by L. Dudas
Seconded by G. Darouze
That the following by-law be read and passed: To confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting of February 1, 2023.
Carried
21. Inquiries
There were no Inquiries.
22. Adjournment
Motion No.2023 - 06/xx
Moved by L. Dudas
Seconded by G. Darouze
Carried
https://pub-ottawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=1964995b-5b0d-4a6c-bf14-1b3decbbcadf&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English
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