Ottawa City Council

Agenda

Meeting #:

50

Date:

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Time:

10:00 A.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Location:

Andrew S. Haydon Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Melinda Aston, Council Coordinator,

613-580-2424 ext. 21838, [e-mail]

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1.

Call to order and 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.

3.

National Anthem

Councillor M. Luloff

4.

Roll Call

5.

Confirmation of Minutes

5.1

Minutes of the Council meeting of 22 January 2025

6.

Declarations of Interest Including Those Originally Arising from Prior Meetings

7.

Communications

8.

Regrets

No regrets were filed. 

9.

Motion to Introduce Reports

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by D. Brown

10.

City Clerk

10.1

2022-2026 Mid-term Governance Review

ACS2025-OCC-GEN-0001 - Citywide

• Report recommendation(s)

  That at its meeting of January 29, 2025, Council consider and approve the following recommendations related to the Council and committee structure, policies, procedures and other related matters:

  PART I – COUNCIL, STANDING COMMITTEES AND RELATED MATTERS

  COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND RELATED MATTERS

  1. Approve the mid-term renewal measures for standing committees as described in this report, including:

  1. 1. The following Council committee structure for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council, effective immediately and including that the Light Rail Sub-Committee be dissolved and the Transit Commission be renamed as the Transit Committee, as described in this report:

  1. 1. 1. Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee;
        2. Audit Committee;
        3. Built Heritage Committee;
        4. Community Services Committee;
        5. Debenture Committee;
        6. Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee;
        7. Environment and Climate Change Committee;
        8. Finance and Corporate Services Committee;
        9. Planning and Housing Committee;
        10. Transit Committee; and
        11. Transportation Committee;
     2. The revised meeting frequency for standing committees as outlined in this report; and
     3. The amendments and process to revise the 2025 meeting schedule, as described in this report;

  COMMITTEE MANDATES AND RELATED MATTERS

  2. That committee Terms of Reference, governance-related documents, and report routing processes be amended to provide for the following in relation to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, as described in this report:

  1. 1. That the Finance and Corporate Services Committee has the responsibility to review and make recommendations to Council on all matters and reports associated with all current and future Long Range Financial Plans;
     2. That the Finance and Corporate Services Committee has the responsibility to review and approve, as applicable, the following finance-related reports that shall be consolidated with existing reports from other City departments:
        1. Quarterly transit operating and capital status reports, and annual transit capital budget adjustments and closure reports;
        2. Semi-annual transit procurement reports; and
        3. Annual Revenue Services reports regarding the exercise of delegated authority with respect to write-offs of uncollectible OC Transpo customer accounts and uncollectible water utility customer accounts; and
     3. That the Finance and Corporate Services Committee’s role with respect to cybersecurity be formalized, with staff to provide training to ensure the committee has knowledge to receive and address reports relating to cybersecurity;

  3. That responsibilities under the 2022-2024 Light Rail Sub-Committee’s mandate be added to the Transit Commission/Committee’s Terms of Reference, as described in this report;

  4. That revised Terms of Reference for the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Finance and Corporate Services Committee be submitted in draft form to the respective committees as soon as practicable but no later than June 30, 2025, for consideration and recommendation to Council for approval;

  ADVISORY BODIES

  5. Approve the mandate and membership of the Agile Government Efficiency Review Working Group as described in this report;

  6. Direct each advisory committee to adopt and provide to the Office of the City Clerk by no later than June 30, 2025, the mandatory revised procedure by-law minimum provisions attached in Document 3;

  7. Receive for information the Department-led Working Groups Policy attached as Document 4, and the inventory of department-led working groups attached as Document 5; and

  8. Confirm the appointment of members of the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee as set out in Document 6, further to the Terms of Reference approved on October 2, 2024, and approve the process and composition of the selection panel to be used for future appointments, as described in this report.

  PART II – ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

  1. Receive the 2024 Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner, attached as Document 7;
  2. Approve the proposed Ethical Framework for Members’ Staff with implementation for the beginning of the 2026-2030 Term of Council, as described in this report and in Document 8; and
  3. Approve amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members of Council [By-law No. 2018-400] and the Code of Conduct for Citizen Members of the Built Heritage Committee [By-law No. 2022-413] as described in this report and in Document 9;

  PART III – LOCAL BOARDS

  1. Approve the following with respect to the ByWard Market District Authority Municipal Services Corporation:
     1. Direct staff to work with the ByWard Market District Authority to review and implement any procedural changes that would align the Annual Meeting of Members with established Council procedures, as described in this report; and
     2. Approve that the ByWard Market District Authority is eligible to participate in the Parking Initiatives Grant Program, as described in this report;
  2. Approve the Committee of Adjustment Terms of Reference attached in Document 12;
  3. Amend By-law No. 199-81 (being a by-law to establish a Board of Management for the Rideau Area Improvement Area), as amended, to provide that City Council shall appoint one Member of Council to the Board of Management for the Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Area (BIA), and rescind the appointment of the Ward 14 Councillor to the BIA board in accordance with the amended board composition; and
  4. Approve the following matters related to the Ottawa Police Service Board in accordance with statutory requirements under the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, as described in this report:
     1. That the Ottawa Police Service Board shall continue to be composed of seven members; and
     2. The Diversity Plan set out in Document 14 to ensure that the members of the Ottawa Police Service Board appointed by Council are representative of the diversity of the population in the municipality, and delegate authority to the City Clerk to amend the Diversity Plan pursuant to any relevant statutory requirements or policy changes.

  PART IV – AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS BY-LAWS, POLICIES AND RELATED MATTERS

  BY-LAWS

  1. Approve amendments to the City Manager By-law as described in this report and in Document 15;
  2. Approve amendments to the Delegation of Authority By-law as described in this report and in Document 16;
  3. Approve the revised Procedure By-law as described in this report and attached in Document 17;
  4. Approve amendments to the Procurement By-law as described in this report and in Document 18;

  POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

  5. Approve amendments to the Accountability and Transparency Policy, and the repeal of By-law No. 2014-442, as described in this report and in Document 19;

  6. Approve amendments to the Appointment Policy as described in this report and in Document 20;

  7. Approve the revised Council Expense Policy as described in this report and attached in Document 21;

  8. Approve amendments to the Council-Staff Relations Policy as described in this report and in Document 22;

  9. Approve amendments to the Delegation of Powers Policy as described in this report and in Document 23;

  10. Approve amendments to the Election-Related Resources Policy and Election-Related Blackout Period Procedures as described in this report and in Documents 24 and 25;

  11. Approve amendments to the Petition Policy as described in this report and in Document 26;

  12. Approve amendments to the Public Conduct Policy, and the revised Trespass to Property Procedures, as described in this report and in Documents 27 and 28;

  13. Approve amendments to the Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy as described in this report and in Document 29; and

  14. Approve amendments to the Statutory Officer Recruitment, Appointment and Contract Administration Policy and Procedures as described in this report and in Documents 30 and 31.

  PART V – OTHER MATTERS

  1. Direct the City Clerk and City Treasurer to bring forward for committee and Council consideration no later than June 30, 2025, options to address the recommendations from the independent third-party reviewer (MNP Business Consulting and Advisory Services LLP) regarding the funding allocation for Members’ Constituency Services Budgets, as described in this report;
  2. Approve the revised Councillors’ Office Manual attached as Document 33;
  3. Approve the Elected Officials Records Management Policy attached as Document 34; and
  4. Approve that the City Clerk be delegated the authority to implement changes to all related processes, procedures, policies and Terms of Reference, and to bring forward by-laws as required to implement Council’s decisions further to the approval of this report and to reflect the current organizational alignment.

11.

Nominating Committee Report 2

Rising from the Nominating Committee meeting of January 28, 2025.

11.1

Appointments to Standing Committees

• Nominating Committee recommendation(s) as amended

  That Council:

  1. Approve the following changes to Memberships of Standing Committees:
     1. Councillor Riley Brockington to be appointed to Community Services Committee and Councillor Steve Desroches to be removed from Community Services Committee;
     2. Councillor Laine Johnson and Wilson Lo to be appointed to the Environment and Climate Change Committee and Councillor Riley Brockington to be removed from Environment and Climate Change Committee;
     3. Councillor Steve Desroches to be appointed to Transit Commission and Councillor Cathy Curry be removed from Transit Commission;
     4. Councillor Wilson Lo to be removed from Audit Committee.
  2. Approve the following new Standing Committee Chairs and Vice-Chair appointments:
     1. Councillor David Brown as Chair of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee;
     2. Councillor Allan Hubley as Vice-Chair of Audit Committee;
     3. Councillor Steve Desroches as Vice-Chair of Transit Commission.
  3. Approve that the term of all other Standing Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs be extended to the end of the 2022-2026 Term of Council.

11.2

Appointments to Boards, External Agencies, Municipal Organizations, Council Liaisons and/or Selection Panels

• Nominating Committee recommendation(s), as amended

  That Council approve the following with respect to appointments to Boards and External Agencies:

  1. That Councillor Steve Desroches be appointed to the Police Services Board, in place of the Mayor;
  2. That Councillor Jessica Bradley be appointed to the Ottawa Board of Health, in place of Councillor Theresa Kavanagh;
  3. That Councillor Allan Hubley be appointed to the Hydro Ottawa Board, in place of Councillor Cathy Curry.

12.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Report 20

12.1

Acquisition of property at 5689 Ferry Road

File No.  ACS2024-SI-HSI-0028 - West Carleton-March (5)

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommendation(s)

  That Council direct:

  1. That the General Manager, Strategic Initiatives bring forward to City Council, no later than the end of Q2 2025, a supplementary report that includes a list of lands both outside and inside the urban boundary that could benefit from additional protections and conservation under the City of Ottawa’s land purchase and stewardship program/funding; and
  2. Consult with all rural Councillors and bring forward a report to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Council no later than the end of Q2 2025 that clarifies and updates the criteria for acquiring natural lands in the rural area to ensure that the City’s goals of natural system preservation are met.

  Finance and Corporate Services Committee recommendation(s)

  That Council: 

  1. Approve the fee simple acquisition of a 223-acre parcel of land, including structures, legally described as Pt Lt B, C, D Con Gore on Chaudiere Lake Fitzroy as in N773438 except Pt 1 4R23277; West Carleton, (PIN 04559-1843) and shown on Document 1 and 2 attached hereto, from Marion Elizabeth Badham for the total consideration of $1,950,000 plus applicable taxes and closing costs. 
  2. Delegate authority to the Director, Housing Solutions and Investment Services to enter into a Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of 5689 Ferry Road as described in this report. 

12.2

Zoning By-law Amendment – 6980 Mansfield Road (6985 Bleeks Road)

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0007 - Rideau-Jock (21)

• Committee recommendation(s) as amended
  

  That Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 6980 Mansfield Road (6985 Bleeks Road), as shown in Document 1 (revised), to prohibit residential development on part of the portion of the retained lands currently zoned AG (Agricultural) as detailed in Document 2 (revised).

12.3

All Way Stop Control – Parkway and Sale Barn

Councillor Darouze

File No. ACS2025-OCC-CCS-0001 - Osgoode (20)

• Committee recommendation(s)

  That Council approve the installation of all-way stop control (AWSC) at the intersection of Parkway Road and Sale Barn Road.

13.

Bulk Consent Agenda

13.1

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Report 20

13.1.1

Zoning By-law Amendment 3057 (3031) Greenland Road

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0008 - West Carleton-March (5)

• Committee recommendation(s)

  That Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 3057 (3031) Greenland, as shown in Document 1, to permit the retention of existing buildings, as detailed in Document 2.

13.1.2

Zoning By-law Amendment – 1450-1468 Bankfield Road and 5479, 5485 Elijah Court

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PSX-0011 - Rideau-Jock (21)

• Committee Recommandation(s)

  That Council approve an amendment to Zoning By-law 2008-250 for 1450-1468 (even numbers only) Bankfield Road and 5479 and 5485 Elijah Court, as shown in Document 1, to permit a two-storey automobile dealership and accessory automobile service garage, as detailed in Document 2.

13.2

City Clerk – Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions

13.2.1

Summary of Oral and Written Public Submissions for Items Subject to the Planning Act ‘Explanation Requirements’ at the City Council Meeting of January 22, 2025

File No. ACS2025-OCC-CCS-0006 - Citywide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That Council approve the Summaries of Oral and Written Public Submissions for items considered at the City Council Meeting of January 22, 2025, that are subject to the ‘Explanation Requirements’ being the Planning Act, subsections 17(23.1), 22(6.7), 34(10.10) and 34(18.1), as applicable, as described in this report and attached as Document 1-2.

14.

In Camera Items

14.1

Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) Pilot Project – 665 Albert Street

To be considered in camera pursuant to Procedure By-law 2022-410, Subsection 13(1)(f) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. 
 

15.

Motion to Adopt Reports

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by D. Brown

16.

Motions of Which Notice Has Been Previously Given

16.1

Kanata Theatre

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by G. Gower

  WHEREAS Kanata Theatre has operated from the Ron Maslin Playhouse at 1 Ron Maslin Way in Kanata, Ontario since its construction in 1996; and

  WHEREAS the City of Ottawa is the landlord for the Ron Maslin Playhouse; and, 

  WHEREAS Kanata Theatre entered a long-term lease agreement with the City as a tenant of the Ron Maslin Playhouse that remains in effect; and

  WHEREAS Section 14.1(e) of the Lease agreement entitles the City to have one representative on the Tenant’s (Kanata Theatre) board of management;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Ottawa, as the Landlord, exercise its entitlement of Section 14.1(3) of the Lease agreement to have a city representative appointed to Kanata Theatre’s Board of Management; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Councillor for Ward 23 – Kanata South serve as the City’s appointee to the Kanata Theatre Board until a successor is appointed; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Councillor for Ward 23 – Kanata South and the General Manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services be delegated the authority to identify an appropriate City staff representative to the board long term, with the appointment and notification to take place by way of memo to Council.

16.2

Housing Process

• Moved by J. Leiper
  Seconded by M. Sutcliffe

  WHEREAS the City of Ottawa’s Provincial Housing Pledge commits to the building of 151,000 new homes in Ottawa by 2031; and

  WHEREAS the City does not construct homes but does provide a planning and regulatory environment that enables the construction of new homes; and

  WHEREAS the City has taken steps to improve applications timelines and reduce red tape for homebuilders, but there is continued opportunity to improve our processes and to innovate to achieve the goals of the Housing Pledge; and

  WHEREAS between January 2023 and September 2024, the City approved 50,191 new units in the development pipeline.  Of those 50,191 units only 8,300 have had building permits pulled, 24,732 are pending further approvals, and 17,159 are fully approved units waiting for development; and

  WHEREAS Council has approved the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (Affordable Housing CIP) Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) program, which will increase the stock of new affordable rental units for a minimum of 20 years; and

  WHEREAS municipalities need to consider tools outside of the development review process that could help advance housing development and additional tools would be useful in order to incentivize the growth we need where we need it most.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to set up a specialized, staff-led Task Force to discuss and evaluate ideas that would help the City advance housing projects and decrease application approval times and report to a joint meeting of Planning & Housing and Finance & Corporate Services Committees with the results of their research, recommendations and opportunities for early adoption at the earliest opportunity; and
   
  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff to develop a new dashboard that will show the following to the public:

  • Average time it takes to get an application approved
  • Number of approvals so far this year
  • Number of homes being built by builders

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the review conducted by staff, with the assistance and guidance of the Task Force, include within its scope, but not limited to:

  1. Reviewing and enhancing the role of Build Ottawa mandate vis-à-vis housing innovation (e.g., in site planning and preparation, etc)
  2. The accelerated disposal of City land for innovative housing models such as “tiny homes”, modular housing, opportunities for conversions of City facilities and other structures or other innovations
  3. Long-term leases on city-owned lands (e.g., discounted lease with option to purchase down the road)
  4. Exploring the viability and legislative authority to consider lease to own models for attainable housing, vendor take back mortgages, issuance of bonds, including the community bond and other potential financial tools for developments on city land
  5. A streamlined urban design review process with an affordability lens
  6. Accelerated escalation and resolution for development approvals disputes
  7. Emerging technologies to streamline and accelerate Building Code reviews
  8. Looking at ways to fast-track non-profit affordable housing providers and pre-zone city land for affordable housing to speed up development
  9. Introducing a plan to speed up development approvals for federal surplus lands now in the Canada Public Land Bank or that is close to existing servicing and could be developed quickly
  10. A development charge deferral program
  11. Innovation around Transit Oriented Development 
  12. Reiterating the importance of working with the federal and provincial governments at ways to replace growth revenue with alternative funding

16.3

Motion Regarding Future Use of the Newcomer Reception Centre

• Moved by S. Devine
  Seconded by L. Dudas

  WHEREAS on November 7th, 2024, Community & Social Services staff, acting on Council’s delegated authority, recommended 1645 Woodroffe Avenue in Ward 9 (Knoxdale-Merivale) to be the location of the first Newcomer Reception Centre for the temporary housing of asylum seekers; and 

  WHEREAS the Newcomer Reception Centre system will help take pressure off Ottawa’s conventional shelter system and address the immediate increasing need for appropriate support for asylum seekers; and

  WHEREAS the recommended site at 1645 Woodroffe is immediately adjacent to the Nepean Sportsplex, one of Ottawa’s most heavily used recreational facilities; and

  WHEREAS the specific location of the Newcomer Reception Centre will result in the long-term loss of a sports field; and  

  WHEREAS the Newcomer Reception Centre is to be built in the form of a modular, pre-fabricated building structure, which has a potential life span of 25 years; and

  WHEREAS residents across Ward 9 have expressed concerns about uncertainty over the long-term future use of the pre-fabricated building structure, and the impact that the Newcomer Reception Centre may have on the Nepean Sportsplex and its capacity to provide recreational programming in the area; and 

  WHEREAS the costs to procure, build and operate the Newcomer Reception Centre would be paid for through federal funding from IRCC’s IHAP program but the City of Ottawa will be permanent owner of the facility; and 

  WHEREAS the proposed development of a pre-fabricated building structure offers a unique opportunity to integrate a multi-purpose facility that can be easily reconfigured and repurposed to support community and/or recreational activities once its initial use as a Newcomer Reception Centre is concluded; and

  WHEREAS other municipalities and jurisdictions already use pre-fabricated building structures for a wide range of community, recreational, and other public uses;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT city staff update Council and Committee on the Newcomer Reception Centre system, including the purchase and development of the pre-fabricated building structure, as part of the next Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy update report in 2025; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT within two years of the opening of the Newcomer Reception Centre at 1645 Woodroffe, city staff provide a review to Committee and Council on the results of the program, as well as a re-evaluation of the need to continue using the structure as part of the Newcomer Reception Centre system; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any future use of the pre-fabricated building structure once the needs of the Newcomer Reception Centre are fulfilled prioritize recreational uses (e.g. pickleball courts, basketball courts, art studios, etc); and 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any future use of the pre-fabricated building structure be determined only after comprehensive engagement and consultation with local communities and the local Ward Councillor.

17.

Motions Requiring Suspension of the Rules of Procedure

18.

Notices of Motion (for Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

19.

Motion to Introduce By-laws

19.1

Three Readings

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by D. Brown

  That the by-laws listed on the Agenda under Motion to Introduce By-laws, Three Readings, be read and passed.

  a.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa amending By-law No. 50 of 2000 respecting the procurement of goods, services and construction for the City of Ottawa.
  b.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa certain lands at voie Hepatica Way on Plan 4M-1526 as being exempt from Part Lot Control.
  c.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2017-180 respecting the appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers in accordance with private property parking enforcement.
  d.    A bylaw of the city of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2003-499 respecting the designation of fire routes.
  e.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate 152 Metcalfe Street to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
  f.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate McPhail Memorial Baptist Church, 249 Bronson Avenue, to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
  g.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate the 66 Queen Street, to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
  h.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate 8 Robert Kemp Street to be of cultural heritage value or interest.
  i.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 1450, 1454, 1458, 1464, and 1468 Bankfield Road and 5479 and 5485 Elijah Court. 
  j.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 6980 Mansfield Road. 
  k.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to amend By-law No. 2008-250 to change the zoning of lands known municipally as 3057 Greenland Road. 
  l.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at 315 Chapel Street as being exempt from Part Lot Control.
  m.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at place 315 Miwate Private and 505 Chaudiere Private as being exempt from Part Lot Control.
  n.    A by-law of the City of Ottawa to close part of a realigned road allowance between Lots 20 and 21, Concession 9, (former Township of Cumberland).

20.

Confirmation By-law

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by D. Brown

  That the following by-law be read and passed:

  To confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting of 29 January 2025.

21.

Inquiries

22.

Adjournment

• Moved by C. Curry
  Seconded by D. Brown

  That the proceedings of the City Council meeting of 29 January 2025 be adjourned.