Memoranda issued by Strategic Initiatives Department

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Sheilagh Doherty, Interim Director, Economic Development Services 
Object: Nightlife Commissioner Announcement
Date: June 11, 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this memo is to notify Council that the City of Ottawa’s first Nightlife Commissioner was announced by Mayor Sutcliffe at a media event this morning.

Background

In May 2023, Council approved the Nightlife Economy Action Plan. The Plan addresses the economic opportunities and challenges of Ottawa’s nightlife through a series of ten recommended actions that support the development and delivery of nightlife infrastructure, amenities, and experiences. The Plan is based on an analysis of Ottawa’s current nightlife economy, best practice research, and input from internal and external stakeholders. It also builds on the Ottawa Music Strategy (2018-2020), a cross-departmental collaboration aimed at supporting the growth of the local music industry and establishing Ottawa as a global music city.

Recommendation 1 of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan is to establish the framework for a Nightlife Commissioner Office for implementation in 2024. The creation of a Nightlife Commissioner role is a best practice in nightlife development around the world

Working with key nightlife sectors and stakeholders, the Nightlife Commissioner will lead the implementation of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan and deliver the City’s vision of a more vibrant, diverse, inclusive, viable, safe, and well managed nightlife.

New Nightlife Commissioner

After an extensive recruitment process, the City has selected Mathieu Grondin for the position of Nightlife Commissioner effective June 10, 2024. Born and raised in Montreal, Mathieu is widely recognized as a global leader in nightlife advocacy with more than 10 years of experience focusing on issues and opportunities related to nighttime governance and the nightlife economy. Since 2017, he has worked as the founder and director general of MTL 24/24, a non-profit organization that advocates for improved nightlife in Montreal. Mathieu is fluently bilingual and has recently relocated from Montreal to the National Capital Region. A brief biography of Mathieu is available at the end of this memo.

Next steps

Mathieu’s first few weeks will be spent completing his City of Ottawa employee onboarding and meeting key partners and stakeholders within the community. He will work closely with the Economic Development Services team responsible for delivering the Nightlife Economy Action Plan to prioritize the Plan’s recommendations and develop a detailed work plan to advance implementation.

The Nightlife Commissioner will report to Council by the end of 2024 and advise on the status of the City of Ottawa’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan implementation and 2025 priority activities.

Any questions related to the announcement of the Nightlife Commissioner can be directed to Cindy VanBuskirk, Program Manager, Economic Development Services at Cindy.VanBuskirk@ottawa.ca.

Sincerely,
Sheilagh Doherty

Interim Director, Economic Development Services, Strategic Initiatives Department
 
cc.     Senior leadership team 
Ryan Perrault, Interim General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department 
Strategic Initiatives departmental leadership team
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information and Media Relations

Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner

Biography

Born and raised in Montreal, Mathieu Grondin has enjoyed a varied career in creative industries and economic development. At the age of five, Mathieu began a 20-year acting career in television, film and theatre with roles including programs such as ZAP! (1993), Une Grenade avec ça? (2002) and October 1970 (2006).

Mathieu completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University in 2004, specializing in film production. He worked for 15 years as a director and editor of music videos for artists including Céline Dion, Mes Aïeux, and Radio Radio and for commercial clients including Ford, McDonald’s, and Bell. He also directed a short film which won the critics' prize at the Rendez-vous du Cinéma québécois in 2006.

In 2017, Mathieu founded MTL 24/24, an organization that supports nightlife development in Montreal. The organization's main objectives are to destigmatize nightlife activities, enable a dialogue between nightlife stakeholders, the community, municipal authorities and elected officials, and enhance economic prosperity by promoting nightlife culture, experiences and attractions.

In 2020, MTL 24/24 established the Night Council, a consultation table for Montreal night owls. Mathieu led the publication of two significant studies that informed the ongoing development of the City of Montreal’s nightlife policy: Montreal, 24-hour City (2021), an economic impact study, and Creative Footprint Montreal (2022), an international analysis of the cultural impact of local venues. In 2021, Mathieu launched MTL au Sommet de la nuit, a global forum dedicated to nighttime governance. Between 2021 and 2023, the annual event attracted more than 600 people, including speakers from more than 30 cities worldwide. The objective of the summit is to identify best practices for managing urban nighttime activities and propose solutions to challenging issues.

Mathieu has been a featured presenter at several international conferences for prestigious organizations such as UN-Habitat (World Urban Forum Katowice, 2022), the German Center for Research and Innovation (SXSW, 2023), and the Government of New South Wales (Sydney OPEN Forum, 2023). He is widely recognized as a global leader in nightlife advocacy.

Music has always been a passion for Mathieu. Like his late father, Denis Grondin (1950-2017), pioneer and host of Montreal FM radio, Mathieu is also a deejay. He began deejaying electronic music at sixteen and still performs today in his free time under the name Grondini. He is also the brother of well-known Quebec actor Marc-André Grondin.
 

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Sheilagh Doherty, Interim Director, Economic Development Services
Subject: Release of the Downtown Action Plan by the Ottawa Board of Trade
Date: May 22, 2024

The purpose of this memo is to advise of the release of the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Downtown Action Plan titled “A Living Capital: Investing in Downtown Ottawa for a Dynamic Future - An Agenda for Aligned Action” (the “Plan”). Please view the full document and a shorter summary.

Background

In September 2023, the Ottawa Board of Trade engaged the Canadian Urban Institute to deliver a Downtown Action Plan. The Plan was developed to address post-pandemic challenges creating barriers to economic growth, prosperity, and livability in downtown Ottawa. 

The City, through Economic Development Services, supported the project as a funding partner and member of the project Advisory Group to ensure the City had a lead role in the development of the Plan, particularly as it relates to proposed actions requiring City leadership or collaboration. Other partners included the National Capital Commission, Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, and the Building Owners and Managers Association Ottawa. 

As an input to the Plan, approximately 30 internal stakeholders across various City departments who were either already working on programs and initiatives in the downtown area, or who may be implicated by one or more of the actions contained in the Plan, participated in a meeting with the Canadian Urban Institute in January 2024. The Institute provided an overview of the Plan development process, reviewed some preliminary actions, and received feedback from staff on potential implementation barriers. City staff provided context and updates on initiatives and projects already underway downtown to ensure the final Plan accurately reflected the City’s ongoing investments in the area and desire to capitalize on new opportunities and best practices to reimagine and reinvigorate Ottawa’s downtown.

Overview

The Downtown Action Plan delivers a series of actions and steps to implementation to bring renewed vibrancy and economic activity to the downtown area. The Plan includes a strategic vision statement, desired outcomes and a strategic framework that includes 16 actions, 60 steps to implementation, 10 best practices to inspire new approaches and a five-year timeframe to initiate actions. The Plan reflects the Canadian Urban Institute’s considerable subject-matter expertise, best practice research and local consultation, and an in-depth review of existing City and partner strategic plans and reports to ensure alignment and acknowledge work already underway.

The Plan is built around four themes: 

• Affordable, walkable, amenity rich communities
• Public and private investment in infrastructure, public realm and place making
• Employment growth and economic diversification
• Safety and security for workers, residents, visitors, and vulnerable people

Recommended actions contained in the Plan with implications for the City, whether those actions are proposed to be led by the City, or actions where the City is a partner or collaborator, will be subject to review by staff and the senior leadership team, and – where warranted - brought to Council for consideration, direction or approval. Any funding needs identified following staff and senior leadership team review will be accommodated within existing resources or brought forward for review through the annual budget process with the required supporting rationale.

Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan alignment

A new Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan was approved by Council on April 3, 2024 (ACS2024-PRE-EDP-0027). It includes seven key priorities with associated actions. One priority is the revitalization of downtown and the ByWard Market and an associated action includes the development of a Downtown Action Plan in collaboration with the Ottawa Board of Trade and other partners.

A second associated action contemplates the establishment of an internal Downtown Tactical Team, facilitated by Economic Development Services, to coordinate City-led initiatives in the core and evaluate and advance, where feasible, the recommendations contained in the Downtown Action Plan that require leadership, examination and potential implementation by the City. Initial steps include developing a working group framework, identifying work already underway and prioritizing quick wins.

Next steps

Now that the Plan has been released, and recognizing the need to maintain momentum, create accountabilities and celebrate successes, the Ottawa Board of Trade and the project Advisory Group, including the City, will finalize the structure and establishment of a steering committee and secretariat (stewardship model) to coordinate broader Plan implementation amongst the partners.

Other considerations for the City following today’s release of the Plan, include identifying areas of intersection with the Ontario-Ottawa Agreement and its associated funding for downtown revitalization and the ByWard Market.

Any questions related to the Downtown Action Plan and the City’s engagement with the Ottawa Board of Trade on this project, can be directed to Cindy VanBuskirk, program manager, Economic Development Services at Cindy.VanBuskirk@ottawa.ca.

Sincerely,

Sheilagh Doherty
Interim Director, Economic Development Services, Strategic Initiatives Department

cc. Senior leadership team 
Ryan Perrault, Interim General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department 
Strategic Initiatives departmental leadership team
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, chief communications officer, Public Information and Media Relations

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Ryan Perrault, Interim General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department
Object: Independent Electricity Systems Operator long-term 1 request for proposal - results and next steps
Date: May 21, 2024

On December 6, 2023, City Council directed staff to provide a Memorandum to Council with an update on the long-term 1 request for proposal procurement results as soon as they become available (ACS2023-PRE-EDP-0051). This memo serves as the update that was requested. 

On May 9, 2024, the Independent Electricity Systems Operator announced that the evaluation of proposals under the “long-term 1 request for proposals” had yielded 10 battery energy storage system projects, two of which are proposed to be located in the rural area of Ottawa. 

The long-term 1 request for proposal has been labeled the largest battery storage procurement in Canada’s history. In response to the increasing demand for electricity associated with economic growth, a battery energy storage system is an emerging technology that is seen as important to fulfill the reliability needs of the electricity system. Battery energy storage systems are charged during off-peak hours and used to inject electricity back into the system at times of peak demand, helping to build grid resiliency and lower costs to the end user.

Brookfield Renewable Power Inc., branded under the name Evolugen, was the successful proponent for both projects.  The projects are described as follows:

1.“Fitzroy Battery Energy Storage System” is to be located at the intersection of Homesteaders Road and Galetta Side Road (West-Carleton-March – Ward 5); and

2.“Trail Battery Energy Storage System” is to be located at 4186 William McEwen Drive (Rideau-Jock – Ward 21). 

On December 6, 2023, City Council granted a Municipal Support Resolution to the Trail Battery Energy Storage System facility. The request for an Municipal Support Resolution for the Fitzroy Battery Energy Storage System project was refused in response to concerns raised by the community during the public engagement. 

The Municipal Support Resolution is a mandatory requirement set out by the Independent Electricity Systems Operator which was used to grant rated criteria points as part of the long-term 1 process in order to evaluate proposals. The Municipal Support Resolution is general in nature and does not preclude projects from having to meet municipal regulatory requirements or obtain any municipal development approvals or permits before they can be built.

Next steps:

As per the Independent Electricity Systems Operator’s long-term 1 contract documents, the Fitzroy Battery Energy Storage System has up to 18 months to obtain a Municipal Support Resolution otherwise the project will be considered in default of its contract. As per Council direction, all future requests for Municipal Support Resolutions will continue to rise through Committee and Council, and staff will lead and report back on public engagement and consultation. Staff intend to bring recommendations for managing the Municipal Support Resolution process as part of an upcoming report later this year. 

In addition to the Municipal Support Resolution requirement, both battery energy storage system projects will be required to meet all municipal planning approvals and by-laws (zoning, noise, fire, building code, etc.) that are currently in place and which may be approved as part of the report, which intends to outline specific requirements for battery energy storage systems in the development approvals process. 

Strategic Initiatives staff will continue to engage with Councillor Kelly and Councillor Brown’s office on any updates related to these long-term 1 request for proposals projects. 

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Jort-Conway, Planner III, at melissa.jort-conway@ottawa.ca. 

Ryan Perrault
Interim General Manager
Strategic Initiatives Department
ryan.perrault@ottawa.ca

CC: Senior leadership team    
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Public Information and Media Relations

Supporting documentation 

Long-Term 1 Request for Proposals Updates)

Long-Term 1 Request for Proposals Results Table
 

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Will McDonald, Interim Director, Climate Change and Resiliency
Subject: Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDM)
Date: July 8, 2024

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise Members of Council that the City of Ottawa’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan has now been posted on Ottawa.ca and can be accessed here: Strategies and action plans | City of Ottawa.

Background

Ontario regulation O.Reg 25/23, made under the Electricity Act, requires all public agencies, including municipalities, to develop Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plans every five years. Per this regulation, the City of Ottawa is required to post plans on ottawa.ca by July 1, 2024. ECDM plans must outline corporate energy initiatives implemented in the previous five years and the initiatives planned for the upcoming five years. The legislation also requires annual reporting of natural gas and electricity consumption for the City’s facilities.

The City’s plan aligns with the energy conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures outlined in the Climate Change Master Plan, and specifically identifies measures in City facilities, streetlighting, wastewater, solid waste, fleet, and transit portfolios.

The City of Ottawa’s energy portfolio consists of over 1,800 electricity and natural gas accounts across over 1,000 facilities and outdoor lighting sites, amounting to approximately 310M kWh of electricity and 19.4 million m3 of natural gas consumption in 2023. In addition, the City purchases approximately 48.2 million liters of fuel annually for its fleet of over 2,800 pieces of equipment and vehicles and 750 OC Transpo buses.

From 2018 to 2023, the City saw an overall reduction in energy usage of 9.6 per cent. This reduction is a result of multiple projects and initiatives including Phase 1 of the electric Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, facility retrofits, and the LED streetlight conversion.

The plan is limited to projects that have already been included in Council-approved budgets. Beyond 2024, energy conservation projects will be subject to Council approval via the budget process, prioritized through enhanced project selection, or through approval of long-range financial plans and other Council reports. These projects will be reported on in future ECDM plans or other departmental reports to Council.

To meet the requirements of the Regulation, the 2024 ECDM plan was approved by the Director of Climate Change and Resiliency as the point of accountability for the City’s Climate Change portfolio.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Alyssa Lancefield, Program Manager of Green and Resilient Buildings.

Sincerely,

Will McDonald
Interim Director, Climate Change and Resiliency
Strategic Initiatives Department

Cc: Wendy Stephanson, City Manager
Senior Leadership Team
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information and Media Relations

To: Mayor and Council
From: Ryan Perrault, Interim GM, Strategic Initiatives Department
Subject: By-law Authorizing the Making of an Application to Expropriate Property Interests Required for the Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project, including the Richmond Road Complete Street improvements
Date: August 30, 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to detail the requirement for a by-law authorizing the making of an application to expropriate property interests required for the Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project (the “Stage 2 LRT Project”).

On March 8, 2017, City Council directed what was then the Corporate Real Estate Office to proceed with the acquisition of property interests required to facilitate the construction, use and maintenance of the Stage 2 LRT Project and related works. The majority of the required property interests have now been secured, with a small number remaining.

Additional property interests are required in connection with the Richmond Complete Street initiative which is being undertaken as part of the Stage 2 LRT Project. The reconstruction of Richmond Road as a "complete street" aims to support active transportation by incorporating essential road modifications, such as dedicated lanes and enhanced pedestrian amenities. These improvements are required to ensure a safer and more efficient transportation corridor that aligns with the goals of the Stage 2 LRT Project.

The Property Acquisition team for the Stage 2 LRT Project, is working towards achieving negotiated agreements with owners of property required for the State 2 LRT Project consistent with the City’s Real Property Acquisition Policy; however, in order to ensure that certain required property interests are secured in time to meet current timelines established for the delivery of the Project, the commencement of expropriation proceedings is recommended.

Staff are recommending that council adopt the by-law which is attached in draft as Document 1 to this memorandum for the purpose of authorizing the making of an application for approval to expropriate property interests identified in Schedules “A” and “B” to the draft by-law.

The purpose of by-law attached as Document 1 is to initiate the expropriation process to acquire certain property interests, generally described in the sketches included in Schedule “B” to the draft by-law, which have been identified as being required for the purposes of the Stage 2 LRT Project including the Richmond Road Complete Street improvements.

In accordance with Section 4 of the Expropriations Act, Council, acting as the approving authority, must authorize the making of an application to expropriate. Once this approval is granted, notice of the City’s intent to seek approval to proceed with an expropriation will be served in accordance with the legislation and will also be published once a week, for three consecutive weeks in English and French newspapers having general circulation in the Ottawa Region.

It is important to note that initiating expropriation proceedings or even completing the expropriation of property does not mean the City will cease negotiations. Staff will continue efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution to all property acquisition matters.

The concurrence of the Mayor and Ward Councillor for every Ward which includes any of the property interests described in Schedule “A” to the draft by-law has been obtained prior to including the draft by-law in the Council Agenda.
The concurrence of Councillor Kavanagh (Ward 7) has been obtained prior to including the draft by-law in the Council Agenda.

The current approved capital authority for the Stage 2 LRT Project (Capital Project #907926) includes an allocation for property acquisition and related expenditures. Staff have estimated costs associated with the property interests described in Schedules “A” and “B” to the Draft By-law included in Document 1, including costs associated with expropriation, and have concluded that such costs can be met within the approved budget allocation.

If you require further information with respect to the information in this memorandum, please feel free to contact Geraldine Wildman, Director, Housing Solutions and Investments, extension 27815.

Ryan Perrault
Interim General Manager
Strategic Initiatives Department
cc: Senior Leadership Team
Enc. Document 1 – Draft By-law (attached)

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Ryan Perrault, Interim General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department
Subject: Building Faster Fund
Date: September 5, 2024

The purpose of this memo is to update Council on the Province’s Building Faster Fund.

On June 24, 2024, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing confirmed that Ottawa met 80 per cent of the 2023 housing targets set by the Province. As a result, the City was eligible to receive an additional $37.5 million from the Building Faster Fund to support housing-enabling infrastructure. The City was given until July 19 to submit an investment plan to the Province detailing projects and amounts to be funded by the fund.

On August 13, the City received notice that its investment plan was approved. Below is a summary of eligible expenses, criteria used to select projects, and the investment plan submitted by the City and approved by the Province, which includes core infrastructure needed to build more homes, advances the construction of almost 200 affordable housing units, and the disposal of City lands that can accommodate up to 300 new homes, including affordable housing units.

Eligible Expenses
The following expenses are eligible for funding through the Building Faster Fund:

• Capital expenditures on housing-enabling core infrastructure and site servicing (e.g., roads, bridges, water, and wastewater, including sanitary and stormwater facilities) to accommodate future residential development (e.g., through new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation/repair, or expansion of existing infrastructure). Eligible expenditures could also include capital maintenance for the renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of core infrastructure owned by the municipality to preserve existing housing supply, as well as site servicing / preparation expenses to support the direct creation of more housing (e.g., preparing a site for disposition for the purposes of housing development).
   
• Operating or capital expenditures that support the creation of new affordable housing. Affordable housing will be defined as a unit that meets the definition of an affordable residential unit set out in section 4.1 of the Development Charges Act, 1997 or is a unit also supported by stacking with funds through a provincial affordable housing program (e.g., Homelessness Prevention Program). Eligible expenses must create a net increase in affordable housing stock.
   
• Operating or capital expenditures that support the creation of attainable ownership housing, including through modular construction.
   
  • Attainable housing will be defined as a unit that meets the definition of attainable ownership housing set out by the ministry through an attainable housing program or agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing or meets the definition of an attainable residential unit as defined in section 4.1 of the Development Charges Act, 1997.
     
  • Modular is defined as a home that is built using one or more prefabricated components or modules. It is constructed partially or completely off-site in a manufacturing facility then transported to a property and assembled there, like building blocks.
     
• Capital expenditures for homelessness services centers. This could include capital expenses for shelter space or municipal homelessness service hubs.

Project Selection Process

The Housing Solutions and Investment Service Area, within the Strategic Initiatives Department identified eligible projects through specific criteria. Given the Building Faster Fund’s broad eligibility criteria, various departments were asked to identify potential projects.

The criteria used by Housing Solutions and Investment Services to select projects included:

1. Ability to meet provincial deadlines; funds must be spent by March 31, 2026 (limits scope to in-stream or shovel-ready projects).
2. Alignment with the Ontario-Ottawa Agreement.
3. Results in the creation of new affordable and/or attainable housing units.
4. Unlocks City lands for residential development (Build Ottawa).
5. A mix of infrastructure and housing projects across the City.
6. Delivered using existing resources (staffing and administration expenses are not eligible).

All projects included on the investment plan have received Council approval except for the two modular attainable home ownership sites. A report recommending surplus lands for disposal will be brought to committee and Council later this year. Although staff do not foresee any issues meeting the payment deadline, the program is flexible, and funds can be reallocated as needed.

The following table includes the investment plan submitted by the City and approved by the Province.

Payment Schedule
The Province will release 70 per cent of the funds ($26 million) to the City within 30 business days of approving the investment plan. The remainder of the funds will be released after the City submits the required yearend report, due by February 4, 2025.

Communications
Following the release of this memo, news about the funding will be shared with project leads. It will also be communicated on the City’s website and through social media, where staff will recognize and thank the Province for its ongoing support.

Should you have any questions about the Building Faster Fund please reach out to Geraldine.Wildman@ottawa.ca.

Ryan Perrault
Interim General Manager
Strategic Initiatives Department

cc: Senior Leadership Team
Geraldine Wildman, Acting Director, Housing Solutions and Investment Service
Lauren Reeves, Manager, Affordable Housing
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Sheilagh Doherty, Interim Director, Economic Development Services
Subject: Ottawa Nightlife Council Recruitment
Date: September 23, 2024

The purpose of this memo is to notify Council of a public process to recruit up to 12 at-large members to the Ottawa Nightlife Council.

Background
In May 2023, Council approved the Nightlife Economy Action Plan. The Plan addresses the economic opportunities and challenges of Ottawa’s nightlife through a series of 10 recommended actions that support the development and delivery of nightlife infrastructure, amenities, and experiences.

The Nightlife Commissioner Office was established on June 10, 2024, with the selection of Mathieu Grondin as the City’s first Nightlife Commissioner. Working with key nightlife sectors and stakeholders, the Nightlife Commissioner is leading the implementation of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan with a goal of delivering the City’s vision of a more vibrant, diverse, inclusive, viable, safe, and well managed nightlife.

Recommendation 4 of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan is to establish a Nightlife Council composed of industry and community representatives to provide feedback and support to the Nightlife Commissioner Office.

Ottawa Nightlife Council
As a department-led working group, the Nightlife Council will provide feedback on the commercial and cultural vibrancy of Ottawa’s nightlife economy and the advancement of nightlife management best practices, policies, safety programs, and promotion.

The Nightlife Council will be composed of a minimum of 12 members and a maximum of 18 members and will be led by the Nightlife Commissioner. Participation on the Nightlife Council is voluntary (no remuneration provided).

Six seats will be allocated to economic development and cultural industries organizations engaged in the nightlife economy. The remaining Nightlife Council at-large members (minimum 6 seats to a maximum 12 seats) will be appointed by the Nightlife Commissioner for a two-year term. At-large members must be engaged in/interact with the nightlife economy as a resident, business owner, or worker.

Recruitment of at-large members is through an open call for applications. Eligibility information and an application form is now available on ottawa.ca. The application period will be open until October 11, 2024.

Applications received within the application period will be reviewed against standard eligibility requirements, community profiles and themes, and applicant experience and background. Recognizing the diversity within Ottawa’s nightlife sector, recruitment of Nightlife Council at-large members will occur in accordance with equal opportunity best practices and the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Following the evaluation and selection process, a list of Nightlife Council members (including both the economic development/cultural industries organizations and at-large members), will be available publicly on ottawa.ca at the beginning of November. A memo to Council will also be provided.

Any questions related to the establishment of the Nightlife Council can be directed to Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner at Mathieu.Grondin@ottawa.ca.

Sincerely,
Sheilagh Doherty
Interim Director, Economic Development Services, Strategic Initiatives Department

cc. Senior Leadership Team
Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department
Strategic Initiatives Departmental Leadership Team
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information and Media
Relations

To: Mayor and Council
From: Sheilagh Doherty, Interim Director, Economic Development Services
Subject: Ottawa Nightlife Council Update
Date: November 4, 2024

The purpose of this memo is to notify Council that the process to form the Ottawa Nightlife Council has concluded.

Background
Recommendation 4 of the Nightlife Economy Action Plan is to establish a Nightlife Council composed of industry and community representatives who will provide feedback to the Nightlife Commissioner Office on the commercial and cultural vibrancy of Ottawa’s nightlife economy and the advancement of nightlife management best practices, policies, safety programs, and promotion.

As a department-led working group, the Nightlife Council is composed of up to 18 members and is led by the Nightlife Commissioner. Participation on the Nightlife Council is voluntary (no remuneration provided). The Nightlife Council will meet a minimum of four times per year.

Six seats on the Nightlife Council are allocated to economic development and cultural industries organizations engaged in the nightlife economy. The remaining at-large members are selected for a two-year term through an application process. At-large members must be engaged in/interact with the nightlife economy as a participant, business owner, or worker.

As outlined in the memo to Council of September 23, recruitment of at-large members was undertaken through an online call for applications. The application period closed October 11, 2024. Over 500 applications were received.

Applications were reviewed against standard eligibility requirements, community profiles and themes, applicant experience and background, and with consideration given to the diversity within Ottawa’s nightlife sector. The Nightlife Commissioner conducted virtual meetings with several short-listed applicants to assist with the final selection. Given the high number and quality of applicants, the Nightlife Commissioner will explore additional opportunities to maintain a connection with this engaged group of nightlife participants, business owners, and workers.

Nightlife Council
A complete list of Nightlife Council members is now available on ottawa.ca and below for your convenience. The first meeting of the Nightlife Council will take place before the end of the year and will focus on orienting members to their role, reviewing the Nightlife Economy Action Plan, and previewing Nightlife Commissioner Office priorities for 2025.

At-Large Members:
1. Aidan Kallioinen – Associate Vice-President, University and Government Relations, Carleton University Student Association
2. Alex Sirois – Managing Partner, Ottawa Venues
3. Christopher Wong – Co-Director, Asinabka Film & Media Festival
4. Claudia Balladelli – Co-Founder & Executive Director, Axé Worldfest
5. Eric Vance – Drag Performer and Co-Owner, Glittershaker Events
6. Feza Lugoma – DJ and Co-founder, Pass the Vibes
7. Lisa Zbitnew – Owner & Operator, Bronson Centre Music Theater
8. Mat Beausoleil – Critic and consultant for the food, beverage, and travel industry
9. Michaela Domenico – Founder & Project Manager, Safe Raving
10. Patrick McCormack – Founder, Cranium Festival, Capital Rap Battles
11. Rachel Weldon – Director, Debaser and Pique
12. Richard Laplante – Owner & CEO of White Rabbit Events

Economic Development and Cultural Industries Organizations Members:
13. Arts Ottawa – Cassandra Olsthoorn, Co-Executive Director
14. ByWard Market District Authority – Zach Dayler, Executive Director
15. Ottawa Coalition of BIAs – Brad Fougere, Executive Director
16. Ottawa Festival Network – Tara Shannon, Executive Director
17. Ottawa Music Industry Coalition – Melanie Brulée, Executive Director
18. Ottawa Tourism – Kelleagh Alexander, Director of Experience Development

Any questions related to the Nightlife Council or the Nightlife Economy Action Plan, can be directed to Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner at Mathieu.Grondin@ottawa.ca.

Sincerely,

Sheilagh Doherty
Interim Director, Economic Development Services
Strategic Initiatives Department

cc. Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department
Strategic Initiatives Departmental Leadership Team (DLT)
Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Chief Communications Officer, Public Information and Media Relations

To: Mayor and Members of Council
From: Debbie Stewart, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives Department
Subject: Staffing Announcement: Directors of Climate Change and Resiliency and Economic Development
Date: November 8, 2024
 

The purpose of this memo is to inform Council that after an extensive search I am pleased to announce the appointment of two Director positions within the Strategic Initiatives Department.

Sheilagh Doherty, who has been serving as Acting Director, Economic Development since April 2024, will assume the position permanently, effective November 12 and Nichole Hoover-Bienasz, Program Manager, Long Term Planning, Solid Waste Services will be joining the Strategic Initiatives Department as Director, Climate Change and Resiliency, effective February 3, 2025. In the interim, Will McDonald, will continue to provide leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Climate Change Team until February 3, 2025.

Sheilagh has 20 years of progressive municipal experience, including close to 15 years in economic development at the City of Ottawa. Sheilagh is known for building strong relationships with internal and external partners and leveraging funding opportunities. As the Acting Director, Economic Development Sheilagh oversaw the new Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, completed the Service & Asset Management Agreement between City and the ByWard Market District Authority, implemented an Integrated Operations Teams, welcomed the City’s first Nightlife Commissioner, and launched the Nightlife Council. I look forward to continuing working with Sheilagh to build a city with a more diversified and prosperous economy.

Nichole brings with her over 17 years of experience in strategic planning, policy development, and program management, including over six years’ experience in environmental sustainability and more than 15 years of leadership experience in multiple departments. Nichole recently led the development of the City’s Solid Waste Master Plan, designed to foster a culture of sustainability and innovation, while balancing social, environmental, technical, business, and financial considerations. I am confident that Nichole’s experience and expertise will be an asset to the Climate Change and Resiliency Team.

I would like to thank Will McDonald for his leadership of the Climate Change and Resiliency Team since the creation of the Strategic Initiatives Department in April of this year. In that time, Will has worked collaboratively with partners across the organization and in the community to build the team, respond to the Audit of the Climate Change Master Plan and move forward key files, such as the Rain Ready Program and the Wildlife Strategy and Action Plan, including the creation of a Wildlife Resource Coordinator position and the City’s Tree Equity analysis methodology.

To ensure continuity on these files and facilitate a smooth transition Will has agreed to remain with the Strategic Initiatives Department for the next several months before returning to his role as Chief Procurement Officer.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Debbie Stewart
General Manager
Strategic Initiatives Department

CC: Senior Leadership Team
Strategic Initiatives Departmental Leadership Team
Chief Communications Officer