Community Services Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

13

Date:

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 3:30 P.m.

Location:

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair Laura Dudas, 
• Vice-Chair Jessica Bradley, 
• Councillor David Brown, 
• Councillor Marty Carr, 
• Councillor Steve Desroches, 
• Councillor David Hill, 
• Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, 
• Councillor Rawlson King, 
• Councillor Wilson Lo, 
• Councillor Stéphanie Plante, 
• and Councillor Ariel Troster 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

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 and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and hybrid participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Community Services Committee Report 13.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024, and the deadline to register to speak by email is 8:30 am on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

These “Summary Minutes” indicate 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 full Minutes, such as the record of written and oral submissions. Recorded votes and dissents contained in the Summary Minutes are draft until the full Minutes of the meeting are confirmed by the Committee. The draft of the full Minutes (for confirmation) will be published with the agenda for the next regular Committee meeting and, once confirmed, will replace this document.

2.

Declarations of Interest

2.1

D. Hill – Draft 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets – Community Services Committee

In accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50:

I, Councillor David Hill, declare a potential, deemed indirect pecuniary interest on the following portions of the Community Services Committee (CSC) 2025 Draft Operating Budget:

Community Services Department, Children’s Services Operating Resource Requirement, “Wage Enhancement” and “Canada Wide Early Learning” line items (Page 10 of the CSC Budget Book), as my wife is employed by an organization that will receive funding from, or would be eligible to receive funding from, these budget line items; and

Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services, Complexes, Aquatics and Specialized Services Operating Budget and User Fees (pages 32-35 of the CSC Budget Book), as my daughter is employed as a lifeguard in the service that receives funding from this area of the budget.

2.2

R. King - Draft 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets – Community Services Committee

In accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50:

I, Councillor Rawlson King, declare a potential, deemed indirect pecuniary interest on the following portions of the Community Services Committee (CSC) 2025 Draft Operating Budget:

Community Services Department, Community Safety, Well-Being, Policy and Analytics Operating Resource Requirement, “Material & Services” line item (Page 5 of the CSC Budget Book), as my spouse is on the Board of Governors of Carleton University, and the City is completing a project on shelter data with Carleton University.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

CSC Minutes 12 – Tuesday, October 22, 2024

• Carried

4.

Responses to Inquiries

4.1

CSC-2024-06 – Funding for food security in 2025

5.

Postponements and Deferrals

5.1

OCC 2024-07 – Seasonal Recruitment of Lifeguards

6.

Finance and Corporate Services Department

6.1

Draft 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets – Community Services Committee

File No. ACS2024-FCS-FSP-0017 – City Wide 

The draft budget was tabled at the Council meeting of November 13, 2024. The Community Services Committee’s report on the draft budget will be considered by Council at its meeting of December 11, 2024.

• D. Hill declared a conflict on this item. (In accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50: I, Councillor David Hill, declare a potential, deemed indirect pecuniary interest on the following portions of the Community Services Committee (CSC) 2025 Draft Operating Budget: Community Services Department, Children’s Services Operating Resource Requirement, “Wage Enhancement” and “Canada Wide Early Learning” line items (Page 10 of the CSC Budget Book), as my wife is employed by an organization that will receive funding from, or would be eligible to receive funding from, these budget line items; and Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services, Complexes, Aquatics and Specialized Services Operating Budget and User Fees (pages 32-35 of the CSC Budget Book), as my daughter is employed as a lifeguard in the service that receives funding from this area of the budget.)
• R. King declared a conflict on this item. (In accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50: I, Councillor Rawlson King, declare a potential, deemed indirect pecuniary interest on the following portions of the Community Services Committee (CSC) 2025 Draft Operating Budget: Community Services Department, Community Safety, Well-Being, Policy and Analytics Operating Resource Requirement, “Material & Services” line item (Page 5 of the CSC Budget Book), as my spouse is on the Board of Governors of Carleton University, and the City is completing a project on shelter data with Carleton University.)

Direction to staff (Vice-Chair J. Bradley)

That the General Manager, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department, review the potential resource and funding requirements for the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation Consultative Circle, in order to ensure that we can meaningfully and expeditiously implement the action items in the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation Civic Cultural Protocol, and to report back via memo no later than Q2 2025.

Direction to staff (Councillor D. Hill)

That staff be directed to review comparable municipalities on their sports field and grass maintenance procedures and best practices and provide an update to Council on actions management can take to improve the City of Ottawa’s own practices as part of the 2026 budget.

• Recommendation 

  That the Community Services Committee consider the relevant portions of the 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets and make recommendations to Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, to be held December 11, 2024. 
• Motion No. CSC 2024-13-01
  Moved by J. Bradley

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Community Services Committee recommend that Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole on December 11, 2024, approve the Community Services Committee portion of the 2025 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets, as follows:

  1. Community and Social Services Operating Budget, as follows: 
     
     1. General Manager’s Office and Business Support Services Operating Resource Requirement (page 2) 
     2. Community Safety, Well-being, Policy and Analytics: 
        
        1. “Material & Services” line item of the Operating Resource Requirement (Page 5)
        2. Remaining Operating Resource Requirement (page 5)
     3. Employment and Social Services Operating Resource Requirement (pages 7-8)
     4. Children’s Services:
        
        1. User fees (page 12)
        2. “Wage Enhancement” and “Canada Wide Early Learning” line items of the Operating Resource Requirement (Page 10)
        3. Remaining Operating Resource Requirement (pages 10 -11)
     5. Housing and Homelessness Services Operating Resource Requirement (page 14-15)
     6. Long-Term Care Services Operating Resource Requirement (page 17)
     7. Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development Services Operating Resource Requirement (page 20)
  2. Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Operating Budget, as follows:
     
     1. General Manager’s Office and Business Support Services:
        
        1. User fees (page 23);
        2. Operating Resource Requirement (page 22);
     2. Community Recreation, Cultural and Sport Services:
        
        1. User Fees (pages 27-29);
        2. Operating Resource Requirement (page 26);
     3. Complexes, Aquatics and Specialized Services:
        
        1. User Fees (pages 33-35);
        2. Operating Resource Requirement (page 32);
     4. Parks and Facility Planning:
        
        1. User Fees (page 39);
        2. Operating Resource Requirement (page 38);
     5. Facility Operations Service
        
        1. User Fees (page 42);
        2. Operating Resource Requirement (page 41).
  3. Public Works Department Operating Budget, Parks Maintenance Services Operating Resource Requirement (page 44); and
  4. Community Services Committee’s portion of the Capital Budget (pages 45-48, individual projects listed on pages 84-176).  

  Councillor S. Plante dissenting on items 1.B, and 4.

  Councillor R. King did not participate in discussion, nor vote, on recommendation 1.B.i) of motion no. CSC 2024-13-01.

  Councillor D. Hill did not participate in discussion, nor vote, on recommendations 1.D.ii) or 2C. of motion no. CSC 2024-13-01.

  Carried

7.

Office of the City Clerk

7.1

Status Update – Community Services Committee Inquiries and Motions for the period ending November 13, 2024

File no.  ACS2024-OCC-CCS-0106 - City-wide

• Report recommendation(s)

  That the Community Services Committee receive this report for information.

  Received

8.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

9.

Information Previously Distributed

9.1

Use of Delegated Authority During 2023 by the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department, As Set Out in Schedule “E” of By-Law 2023-67

File No. ACS2024-RCF-GEN-0010

• Motion No. CSC 2024-13-02
  Moved by D. Hill

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Community Services Committee allow discussion of this item for consideration by the committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to subsection 89(4) of the Procedure By-law (being by-law no. 2022-410) to allow for questions to staff.

  For (7)	L. Dudas, R. King, D. Hill, J. Bradley, D. Brown, S. Desroches, and W. Lo
  Against (4)	T. Kavanagh, S. Plante, A. Troster, and M. Carr

  Lost (7 to 4)

9.2

Use of Delegated Authority during 2023 by the Community and Social Services Department under Schedule “D” City of Ottawa By-law 2023-067

File No. ACS2024-CSS-GEN-015

10.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

10.1

Councillor T. Kavanagh – Bay Ward Accessible Recreational Facility Project Development

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa's Parks and Recreation Master Plan sets a Citywide target for ice surfaces at 1:20,000 residents and considers the redevelopment or expansion of arenas to create six new indoor ice surfaces in the 2021-2031 period; and

WHEREAS Bay Ward's current population is 51,600 residents residing within the inner urban transect and expected to grow; and

WHEREAS Bay Ward's only indoor artificial ice pad – the Belltown Dome – has reached the end of its operational life after 44 years of service; and

WHEREAS due to site restrictions and current City policies, it is not possible to rehabilitate the Belltown Dome as an indoor artificial ice pad; and

WHEREAS the loss of this facility not only deprives Bay Ward residents of services found elsewhere in the City, but overloads the remaining City arenas to accommodate the hockey leagues and other ice-pad users displaced by this loss; and

WHEREAS the proposed Queensview Recreation Complex project is included in the Development Charges (DCs) at a value of $112 million, with the collection of these charges projected to commence in 2026 and extend beyond the current 10-year planning horizon, ending in 2033;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City staff consider the needs of Bay Ward and the Inner Urban Transect as soon as possible when opportunities for new multiuse facilities with arena ice pads arise.

10.2

Councillor T. Kavanagh – Belltown Dome replacement

WHEREAS the Belltown Dome, a geodesic ice rink built in 1979, has served as a beloved community facility for over 40 years, providing a unique recreational space and fostering a strong sense of community in Bay Ward;

WHEREAS city staff have confirmed that the Dome’s ice-making infrastructure, mechanical systems, and building structure are at the end of their lifecycle, requiring $3.2 million in critical repairs, and that it will operate as a natural ice surface for the foreseeable future due to the prohibitive costs of replacing the refrigeration system;

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa's Official Plan prioritizes the creation and maintenance of 15-minute neighborhoods, emphasizing access to local amenities such as recreational facilities within walking distance, which the Belltown Dome has long provided to the Bay Ward community;

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa's Parks and Recreation Master Plan Community Centres, Community Buildings, and Fieldhouses map recognizes this area of Bay Ward as a neighbourhood identified in the Ottawa Neighbourhood Equity Index as having disparities resulting in strong equity concerns; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to engage with the community to determine their priorities and preferences for the replacement of the Belltown Dome, ensuring a thorough and inclusive public consultation process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff provide a report to the Community Services Committee by Q4 2025 detailing a timeline for the funding strategy and construction of a new community building at the Belltown Dome site to ensure the timely replacement of the Belltown Dome with a facility that meets the long-term needs of the community.

11.

Inquiries

11.1

CSC-2024-07 – Request for Information on Cash-in Lieu Projects

Submitted by Vice-Chair J. Bradley:

Cash-in-Lieu projects play a crucial role in enhancing parks and recreation amenities across our city, addressing the evolving needs of our growing communities. As these initiatives are integral to our efforts in managing development pressures and ensuring equitable access to public spaces, understanding their progress and outcomes is essential.

While I understand that the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Facilities Department is currently undertaking a review of the City’s Cash-in-Lieu policy, I would appreciate your assistance in providing the following information. This data will help inform both the ongoing policy review and our broader efforts to improve the effectiveness and impact of Cash-in-Lieu projects across the city.

Could staff kindly provide the following information:

1. Project Overview: How many Cash-in-Lieu projects have been successfully initiated and completed during the 2022-2026 term of Council to date? Please specify the respective ward for each project.
2. Current Projects: How many Cash-in-Lieu projects are currently ongoing?  Please include the relevant ward for each project.
3. Staff Allocation: How many staff members within the Parks Planning Department are currently assigned to Cash-in-Lieu projects?
4. Project Duration: What is the average duration for the completion of Cash-in-Lieu projects, specifically those involving the addition or renewal of park amenities?
5. Process and Prioritization: Could you outline the process and prioritization framework followed by the Parks Planning Department for handling Cash-in-Lieu project requests?
6. Financial Summary: What is the total expenditure on ward-specific Cash-in-Lieu projects for the current term of Council?

12.

Other Business

There was no other business.

13.

Adjournment

Next Meeting: February 25, 2025

The meeting adjourned at 4:28 pm.