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The Board heard from the
following delegations:
John D. Reid*, spoke to Riverside and
Uplands, in River Ward 16, not having a branch resulting in residents having
poor access to library services. He spoke of deficiencies in funding compared
to other Ontario Municipalities, which are resulting in gaps in local
service. Mr. Reid said that gap is $20 per household below the average, based
on the 2017 Ontario Public Library Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism,
Culture, and Sport that includes coverage of nine Ontario communities with
population over 250K. He stated the average local operating support per
household was $126. He encouraged the Board to advocate to bring funding for
library services up to the average, and to explore creative approaches for
“library experiences” to fill the gap in local service. He touched on
climate change requesting that the new Central Library be designed to be
carbon neutral, and to monitor performance to ensure that the library is
doing its part in fulfilling the City’s commitment to greenhouse gas emission
reduction.
Prior to questions to the
delegation, Chair Tierney indicated that Mr. Schmitt, from Diamond Schmitt
Architects stated he would strive for a carbon neutral design. (It should be
noted the project target is LEED Gold).
Trustee Brockington
reminded the Board that with the lack of a branch in River Ward, residents
have to travel to other branches. He asked the delegate on whether, during
his research, he found any projects that other municipalities offer that OPL
does not. Mr. Reid said his personal interest is in digitization of materials;
having local materials available online. He mentioned that OPL is working with
Ontario Genealogy and the Ottawa Room has some local history, however, it is
not staffed appropriately and materials disappear. He stated that the
underlying issue is the aforementioned $20.00 deficit.
Christine Johnson, Hunt
Club Community Association (HCCA)*, explained where the HCCA is
located, that River Ward is one of only two wards in the City of Ottawa that
does not have a branch, and described the community demographics. Ms. Johnson
urged the Board ensure adequate resources be given to support and maintain
the library materials dispensing kiosk and hold locker system for the
foreseeable future at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre. She also
requested that staff review options to expand library services available to
the Hunt Club neighbourhood for inclusion in the 2020 Draft Budget. The HCCA
will continue to work cooperatively with staff to increase awareness of
current services and to provide feedback on future service options.
Chair Tierney said that
River Ward has very strong representation in their local councillor and
appreciates the advance realistic planning request of the delegation for the
2020 budget. He asked Danielle McDonald, CEO, to comment with respect to
HCCA’s two requests.
Ms. McDonald said staff
continue to work with the community and HCCA. She asked Monique Désormeaux,
Deputy CEO, to speak to growth planning initiatives.
Ms. Désormeaux mentioned
that once per term, a facility renewal and growth study framework is brought
forward to the Board. The bulk of the funds for growth are funded through the
City’s Development Charges (DC) By-law; projects and initiatives are paid for
through DC reserves that are supported by corresponding historical levels of
service, background studies, and listed the latest updated DC project
listing. Based on the current study, there is insufficient growth in River
Ward to support a branch. She said that in the 2016 Library Facilities
Framework and Investment and Growth Planning Study, the priorities were
Riverside South, East Urban, and Barrhaven South. Ms. Désormeaux said the
next growth study is planned for 2021 for the subsequent Development Charges
By-law review. Staff will continue to explore alternative services, dialogue
with HCCA, and support programming offered by the Greenboro branch staff.
In response to a question
from Vice-Chair Fisher regarding the type of ideas raised in the HCCA’s
outreach, and how this information will be utilized, Ms. Johnson said they
have undertaken two surveys: 1) asking residents if they are using OPL’s
service; and, 2) asking what customers would find most useful in terms of
library services in the future. Responses varied with some residents not
knowing what services are currently offered to others providing ideas of
services the community would want beyond the kiosk. She said HCCA is very
progressive and educated, and will continue to keep communication open.
[ *Individuals / groups marked with
an asterisk above either provided comments in writing or by email; all
submissions are held on file with the CEO.]
Trustee Brockington asked
a series of questions regarding development charges: are they transferable,
do they go where the need exists, and could OPL use them to address capital
needs in existing areas, understanding that the decision is left with staff
to determine how DC funds are used. Brenda Gorton, Account Manager, Financial
Services Unit, City of Ottawa, reported that DCs are collected by the City
overall, and the library has its own specific portion. She said based on the
library’s planning and growth studies, the results are brought to the Board
once per term and can be reviewed to address projects. She said the DC By-law
provides a funding formula for future new library facilities, and/or
expansion of current facilities, based on a quantity standard calculated on
ten-year averages. OPL cannot use DCs for anything other than what is listed
once the ten-year plan is set, and cannot go into debt by spending more DCs
than what is collected. Ms. Gorton said it is difficult to balance growth versus
collected DCs versus priorities.
Trustee Brockington
followed with a question on how to access DCs for River Ward. Ms. Gorton
replied the library cannot spend on an area that does not collect DCs. When
significant growth exists, a new facility can be approved. She said based on
provincial DC legislation, the library cannot spend DCs from outside the
Greenbelt, for areas within the Greenbelt. That is, funds must go where they
are generated.
Chair Tierney said
Trustee Brockington could consider a separate levy. Ms. Gorton said that
discussion would have to include the City of Ottawa Treasurer.
Further to a question
from Trustee Brockington regarding the library relying on fines as revenue,
and what other jurisdictions do to maximize revenues, Ms. McDonald mentioned
that the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC) has explored ideas but there
are limited avenues. The library’s alternate revenue streams are fines,
service fees, room rentals, and grants. She said the library receives $1.4M
from the province, however relies primarily on local taxes.
Trustee Brockington
referenced page four of the budget book where it appeared that no fine
revenue was received in 2017. He asked what the fine revenue target is for
2019, and if the library will meet its target. Ms. Désormeaux mentioned that
the target of $1.32M is a solid estimate. She noted the zero figure was an
error.
In response to a question
from Trustee Brockington regarding non-resident and visitor fees, Ms.
Désormeaux confirmed that the $80 non-resident fee is annual and the 2019
budget requests an increase to the visitor fee. Ms. McDonald said the library
did not want non-residents or visitors paying less than taxpayers.
Further to Trustee
Brockington’s question on the biggest risk to the budget, Ms. Désormeaux
responded cuts to the provincial grant. Given her role on the Federation of
Public Libraries (FOPL), Vice-Chair Fisher mentioned that FOPL advocated for
more funding with outreach to the Province. She referenced active lobbying at
Queen’s Park. Ms. McDonald added that OPL sent a letter to the Standing
Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs regarding the 2019 provincial
budget.
Trustee Brockington said
he is in support of the 2019 budget.
Trustee Luloff asked a
question following up on the public delegation’s statement regarding
digitization, specifically on OPL’s plans in this area for 2019 specifically
for teens. Ms. Désormeaux said in 2019 the library will tap into a city-wide
fund DC fund for collections, for high demand items, eBooks, audiobooks,
world language materials, and digitization.
Trustee Begg asked staff
to elaborate on the modest increase for the empathy-driven, community-focused
security services. Ms. Désormeaux said that some libraries (mostly American)
have hired social workers to serve vulnerable communities frequenting the
library. She said given our different social structure, OPL works very
closely with service providers to help the homeless and other vulnerable
populations. OPL’s approach is to continue that work and hire the empathy-driven
community-focused security services. She said that rather than perceived as
law enforcement, the guards are trained in de-escalation tactics and
relationship building. The guards are also fully trained in the
administration of Naloxone, should there ever be opioid-related overdose and
is meant as a prevention measure, given incidents at other public library
systems in Ontario.
Trustee Begg mentioned
that the Innovation Model is a very exciting idea and asked if the Board
would hear back from staff on this project. Ms. Désormeaux indicated that
staff would likely report back within a year’s time. The fund was proposed as
part of a project aimed at furthering OPL’s creation-based activities and
spaces, and will serve to engage employees and provide for innovative service
development and offerings at all OPL locations. Ms. McDonald said that this
model for innovation was used to build the new Central branch of the Calgary
Public Library and allows the library to test drive ideas before implementation.
She said staff would be happy to report back to the Board after sufficient
time has passed to roll out both programs.
In response to a question
from Trustee Higdon on the reduction in revenue of $70K resulting from the
cessation of the multi-year Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program
(ISAP) grant, Ms. Désormeaux stated the cancellation was likely due to leaner
times at the Federal government. She said the costs for newcomer programs has
been absorbed within OPL’s base operating budget and ongoing programs are
also partially funded through other means. Trustee Higdon asked if the
library has approached the federal government regarding the reduction. Ms.
Désormeaux indicated that they had not.
Further to a question
from Trustee Higdon on “proof-of-concept” with respect to one-time funding
for the Innovation Model, Ms. Désormeaux said “proof-of-concept” is a test to
ensure an idea makes sense and provided an example.
In response to question
from Trustee Higdon on the lifecycle expectancy for Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) technology, Ms. Désormeaux said the lifecycle
expectancy is seven years. She said the replacement was anticipated as it a
cost of doing business.
Further to a question
from Trustee Higdon regarding an update on progress with publishers on
digital content issues and advocacy, Ms. Brûlé, Division Manager, Programs
and Services, said that as per the report approved earlier, the library has
two initiatives:1) to work with the CULC Digital Content Taskforce to
implement the digital reading program; and, 2) to write a letter to
multinational publishers. She said publishers are hearing the message, in
fact, one publisher contacted CULC to discuss flexible approaches to existing
purchasing models.
In response to a question
by Trustee Higdon on the status of the Musical Instrument Lending Library
program, Ms. Désormeaux said the program is thriving with sufficient funding
to expand to the east and perhaps in the south.
Trustee Higdon thanked
staff and was delighted to see some imaginative initiatives such as the
circulating telescopes available to customers to borrow.
In response to a question
from Vice-Chair Fisher on whether the current budget reserve is above or
below the median reserve for the last four years and whether the current reserve
is sufficient to mitigate any unanticipated mandatory expenditures in 2019,
Ms. Désormeaux said the median reserve for the last five years is $2.7M. The
2019 reserve is projected to be $3.331M, a sufficient amount of funds to
mitigate any unanticipated mandatory expenditures.
In response to questions
from Trustee Meehan regarding the number of Pages in the system and whether
the Multi-Incumbent Job Reclassification will impact the 2019 budget, Ms.
Désormeaux said the library has 183 Pages. The Job Reclassification will have
a financial impact on the 2019 budget, and that staff have allocated $370K to
slightly offset this.
Further to a question
from Trustee Meehan on whether this Labour Relations matter is one-time
impact, Ms. Désormeaux responded in the affirmative.
In closing, Chair Tierney
thanked the CEO, the Deputy CEO, and staff for their tremendous work on the
budget.
There being no further
discussion, the OPL 2019 Draft Budget was CARRIED as presented.
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