25 October, 2006City Council Meeting HighlightsMaking Ottawa more accessibleOn the recommendation of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Council today approved the application of an “accessibility lens” to all of its reports, motions, policies, procedures and decisions. This means that all submissions to Council would include a description of the impact of the submission on all persons, ensuring that accessibility and inclusion issues or potential barriers have been identified and precluded. The City is already taking great strides towards a barrier-free city for residents and visitors. City services are constantly being reviewed and enhanced so they are easier to access and flexible enough to accommodate individual needs. Initiatives that have been already introduced to improve accessibility include:
Municipal Act amendmentsCity Council has approved, in principle, the proposed amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 included in Bill 130. Bill 130, the Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006, includes a number of proposed amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 that will provide Ontario’s 444 municipalities with many of the same broad powers and duties given to Toronto in the City of Toronto Act, 2006, with the exception of new financial tools. The overall intent of this reform legislation is to provide municipalities with the flexibility and autonomy to respond to local matters and fulfill responsibilities within their jurisdiction. Bill 130 provides that the powers afforded to a municipality are to be interpreted broadly and gives municipalities more authority to pass bylaws with respect to local services and programs. One of the key changes in Bill 130 for Ottawa will be the ability of Council to pass a by-law that may “differentiate in any way and on any basis as the municipality considers appropriate” [s. 8(4)]. This new clause appears to correspond directly to City Council’s earlier request for “authority to license businesses based on geographic locations.” It is possible that Bill 130 could receive Royal Assent in time for implementation early in the 2006-2010 municipal term. Biodiversity Task ForceCouncil has approved a request from the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) that EAC create a Biodiversity Task Force to develop the first draft and implementation plan of a Biodiversity Strategy for the City. Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources (terrestrial and aquatic); this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity supports human societies ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually. The threat to biodiversity stems from habitat loss and fragmentation as well as impacts by toxic substances, commercial and recreational use, non-native species, and climate change. Key to the success of managing biodiversity is limiting the loss of natural features. While the City does not yet have a Biodiversity Strategy document, staff is already implementing policies to protect natural features and habitat. Currently, work is ongoing in the areas of climate change and stormwater management. This task force will be composed of members of the Environmental Advisory Committee, a staff person from the Environmental Sustainability Division, and representatives from the community, the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee, the Rural Issues Advisory Committee and the Conservation Authorities. Other items of interestStatus of major transportation Environmental Assessments (EAs)Council was provided with an update on the status of the major transportation EAs that are currently underway or about to begin this year. An Environmental Assessment assesses the potential effects and benefits of certain activities on natural, social and economic environments, and must be completed before any construction work can begin. Each of these transportation projects is part of the citywide integrated transportation network in Ottawa that includes Light Rail, regular and express buses, cars, cycling and walking. Environmental Assessments are currently underway in many corners of the city, including:
Council approved that work on the East-West Light Rail Transit EA be suspended until January 2007 when staff will present a report on the work carried out to date. This update will include information on the various corridors that were considered for East-West transit and how the recommendation for the current alignment came to be. New Deputy City Manager appointedCouncil approved the appointment of Ms. Nancy Schepers as the Deputy City Manager of Planning, Transit and the Environment. Ms. Schepers brings over 25 years of experience with all three levels of government, including the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. As the new Deputy City Manager of Planning, Transit and the Environment, Ms Schepers' experience and leadership will improve the City’s ability to increase transit use, develop transit-friendly communities and further the development of “work, live, play” neighbourhoods. Ms. Schepers assumes her duties on Monday November 6, 2006. Leachate pipeline and discharge agreement for Navan LandfillCouncil granted approval to Waste Services (CA) Inc. to construct, operate and maintain a leachate forcemain from the Waste Services (CA) Inc. landfill site located on Navan Road. The approval will permit disposal of landfill leachate into City’s sanitary sewer system for treatment at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC). Waste Services (CA) Inc. will be responsible for monitoring and reporting all gathered information on quantity and quality of the leachate and chemical analysis to City Council and the public through interim and annual reports. The Navan landfill site has been in operation since the 1960's and receives solid non-hazardous industrial, commercial, institutional and dry domestic waste from within the City of Ottawa, recycling from eastern Ontario/Outaouais and composting from Ontario/Quebec.
Leachate from the Navan Landfill site has been transported by tanker trucks to ROPEC for wastewater treatment since 1997. This approval will remove the need for trucking the leachate from the landfill site to ROPEC. Every Child is Sacred Day proclaimedToday, Mayor Bob Chiarelli proclaimed November 20, 2006, as Every Child is Sacred Day, in recognition of Ottawa’s children. The Mayor recognized June Girvin and David Newing from the Every Child is Sacred Honouring and Celebration Organization, who are collaborating with UNICEF Canada to assist the City of Ottawa in being designated a UNICEF Child Friendly City. City staff member honouredMayor Bob Chiarelli and Greg Geddes, the City’s Chief Corporate Service Officer recognized the professional accomplishments of Kim Hunton, Account Manager in the field of Risk Management with the City’s Financial Planning Division. On September 20, 2006, at the 31st Annual Risk and Insurance Management Society Conference, Kim was presented with the prestigious Donald M. Stuart Award for her contributions and dedication to the practice of risk management. For more information: City of Ottawa Corporate Communications 613-580-2450 Sign up now to receive your City Council Update via e-mail, within days of every Council meeting. It's simple to register for this free service, and just as easy to unregister if you so choose.
|
WC018791