Prior to moving In
Camera, the
Board heard from the following delegation:
Ms. Emilie Taman,
Bookmark the Core, Citizens for a Central Library in Downtown Ottawa expressed concerns over
how the agenda item was drafted, and over the reason for going In Camera.
Ms. Taiman said the Board should disclose the top sites that are in
contention without the ranking, and that the matter should be fully public.
Ms. Taiman said of the 12 sites, only five are in the downtown core; Bookmark
the Core analyzed the sites within the core, and all five in their opinion
ranked quite high. She said it was unacceptable not to disclose the
short-list sites, especially if they are located in Lebreton Flats. She said
it would be disappointing if only the final site is released, and asked the
Board to show the public that sites in the downtown core were serious
contenders. Ms. Taiman urged the Board not to have a closed doors approach as
it is not consistent with federal government processes with respect to
transparency, and she cited examples. Given the city’s importance on federal
funding, and given the importance on Minister McKenna’s belief in public
consultation, she asked the Board to re-think the approach and reconsider their
stance.
Trustee Wilkinson understood
the frustration of the public, however advised that this is an internal step for
the Board, and cannot provide details in advance as it would undermine the
ability to negotiate and hinder the process.
Trustee McKenney mentioned
that she has struggled with this; going back and forth with respect to the
fairest process. She said six months ago, a lot of stock was put into public
input, and the criteria, and although some of criteria is subjective it will
be incumbent upon the Board to ask the questions and go back to ‘what is
fair’. Trustee McKenney mentioned that the Board heard from the Fairness
Commissioner advising he had no objection with releasing the short-list
sites, however, she understood the need for due process.
In response to a question
from Trustee McKenney as to why the Board cannot release some of the sites
from the list, Carey Thomson, Deputy City Solicitor, City Clerk and
Solicitor’s Office, advised, that staff is not asking the Board to make any
decisions, it is an interim update; and until such time as the site is
identified or recommended, and public debate is held, and a binding legal
agreement is in place, all 12 sites are in play. Mr. Thomson said the Board
cannot say any site is no longer in contention as it is premature. In
response to a further question from Trustee McKenney, Mr. Thomson mentioned that
staff will proceed with due diligence, and the Board will receive a fulsome
report for consideration in December where a site will be chosen.
There being no further
discussion, the Board proceeded to closed session.
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