MOBILITY ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE – 2001/2002 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2003 WORKPLAN
Report to/Rapport au:
Transportation and Transit Committee/
Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun
and Council/et au Conseil
7 October 2002/le 7 octobre 2002
Submitted by/Soumis par: Dr. David Bell, Chair/Président
Mobility Issues Advisory Committee/
Comité consultatif sur les questions de mobilité
Contact/Personne-ressource: Robbie Tremblay, Advisory Committee Coordinator/Coordonnateur de comité consultatif
580-2424, Ext./poste 28135, rob.tremblay@ottawa.ca
| Ref N°: ACS2002-CCV-MOI-0009 |
SUBJECT: MOBILITY ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE – 2001/2002 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2003 WORKPLAN
OBJET: COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR LES QUESTIONS DE MOBILITÉ – RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2001/2002 ET PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2003
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That the Transportation and Transit Committee recommend Council:
a) receive the 2001/2002 Annual Report of the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee, as detailed in Attachment 1; and
b) approve the objectives contained in the 2003 workplan, as detailed in Attachment 2.
2. That the Transportation and Transit Committee approve the provision of funds in the amount of $8,825 to implement the objectives contained in the workplan, subject to any amendments to the workplan approved by Council.
RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT
1. Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun recommande que le Conseil :
a) reçoive le Rapport annuel de 2001‑2002 du Comité consultatif sur les questions de mobilité, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 1;
b) approuve les objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2003, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2.
2. Que le Comité des transports et des services de transport en commun approuve la prestation de capitaux au montant de 8825$ pour mettre en œuvre les objectifs présentés dans le plan de travail, selon les modifications apportées au plan de travail et approuvées par le Conseil.
BACKGROUND
City Council, March 28, 2001, approved the creation of advisory committees, including the requirement for each to complete a workplan outlining proposed projects and activities for the upcoming year. The workplan should identify each and every activity the Committee plans to undertake in the upcoming year, whether they have a budgetary impact or not. The item should be identified, a brief description of the project or activity should be noted, and the anticipated timing of the item should be provided. The Committee Coordinator, Lead Department Representative and Financial Services will assist in determining the estimated budget associated with each activity.
In addition, the Lead Department Representatives are to provide the Committee with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can assist the Department. The Lead Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources are available as part of departmental priorities.
During the first year of advisory committee operation, the preparation of the workplan was a confusing process. Consequently, Council, on August 28, 2002, approved Advisory Committee Workplan Guidelines and Workplan Funding Criteria to facilitate a smoother process this year.
City Council, during the 2002 budget deliberations, approved an annual allocation of $150,000 to be divided among eligible advisory committees for their annual workplan projects and activities. The funds are to be allocated by the standing committee to which the advisory committee reports at the time of workplan review and approval, and then forwarded to Council for ratification.
ANALYSIS
The MIAC will continue the basic themes it has pursued from the 2001/2002 workplan. Therefore, we will continue to build knowledge and capacity, develop awareness of community transportation issues, provide advice on policies and programs (including budget recommendations) to City staff and to Transportation and Transit Committee of Council, work with other Advisory Committees and public interest groups and finally provide input into significant transportation policy, planning and implementation initiatives.
As this year the City will be developing the Official Plan and the Transportation Master Plan, the MIAC will focus much of their efforts on providing input to these two documents.
CONSULTATION
Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department
The MIAC consulted with the Department of Transportation, Utilities and Public Works in the development of this work plan. Staff concur with the direction of the workplan as set out by the MIAC.
Corporate Services Department, Communications and Marketing
Communications and Marketing understands that the implementation of advisory committee workplans is the responsibility of the advisory committees. Communications and Marketing will continue to provide advisory committees with their current level of service, including advertising public meetings, providing advice on materials and links from the City’s Web site to advisory committees’ Web sites.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
City Council in 2002 approved an annual allocation of $150,000 to be divided among eligible advisory committees for their annual workplan projects and activities. The funds are to be allocated by the standing committee to which the advisory committee reports at the time of workplan review and approval, and then forwarded to Council for ratification.
Assuming that the 2003 budget allocation for the Transportation and Transit Committee remains the same as 2002, the TTC has $17,646 to be allocated among the advisory committees reporting to it.
Financial Services Unit, Corporate Services Department
The proposed 2003 budget allocation for Advisory Committee Workplans is subject to Council approval as part of the 2003 budget process. Based on the relative merits of the workplans submitted by the Advisory Committees, the responsible Standing Committee will allocate the available funds. The proposed allocation of this funding to individual Advisory Committees is scheduled to take place in mid-November 2002.
For internal control purposes, all spending by Advisory Committees is subject to the limitations established by City Council on March 27, 2002. These guidelines stipulate that the following items will not be eligible for Workplan funding:
- requests for hiring of consultants;
- travel requests for Committee members;
- requests for attendance at conferences by committee members;
- cash advances for members;
- requests for provision of meals for committee members; and
- requests to hire additional staff to support the Committee’s work.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – 2001/2002 Annual Report of the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
Attachment 2 – Proposed 2003 Workplan of the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
Attachment 3 – Terms of Reference of the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
DISPOSITION
The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee will carry out the activities as listed in the workplan. Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department to consult with the Advisory Committee as required.
Attachment 1
Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
Annual Report 2001/2002
INTRODUCTION
The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee (MIAC) has had a productive first year. The Committee has created and held regular monthly meetings. MIAC established working relationships, both formal (joint sub-committees) and informal, with City staff, other advisory committees and community based interest groups. We worked on understanding the issues and gaining knowledge through receiving presentations from City staff and public delegations, participating in special transportation events, holding an open house, participation in major transportation initiative advisory groups, attending City Council and Transportation and Transit Committee meetings as well as personal research and learning. MIAC provided input and advice to City staff, major transportation projects, Transportation and Transit Committee of Council, other advisory committees and community based interest groups and associations.
MIAC developed an initial workplan and budget. There was little experience to draw upon and a short time frame to produce the workplan. MIAC has pursued and remained faithful to the items in the workplan. We have also stayed within the approved budget.
Our sub-committee structure was initially created around the workplan items. With some experience a couple of workplan items have been modified and consolidated into one sub-committee for more efficient and coordinated action.
Specific
The following is a brief report of the past years activities against each of the objectives in the workplan:
Objective 1: Monitoring
Familiarization:
- Two evening familiarization with OC Transpo operations (tour of facilities, garage, O-train operations).
- Presentations on transit priority measures, new fare structure, rural expansion.
- Discussion with City staff on a variety of transit issues.
- Creation of sub-committee that meets monthly to discuss issues and provide advice to MIAC on transit issues.
- Guided walk of Lebreton to Bayview, Guided Walk of Alta Vista Corridor.
- Receive updates on Light Rail, Rural Services, Ecopass (introduction to federal government), Urban Showcase Program, and Outdoor Patio Zoning Issues.
Input:
- Attend Transportation and Transit Committee of Council meetings on transit issues and provide input.
- Attend public community based meetings.
- Participate on specific transportation issue committees (i.e. Transportation Demand Management, Albion Road Exhibition Site, Rapid Transit and Expansion Study).
- Participate in: NCC Plans for Lebreton Flats, Community Transit Summit, Environmental Assessment of the Alta Vista Corridor, King Edward Avenue Renewal Project.
- Comment on Transportation issues arising from the G-20 Summit.
- Input into Transplan 2002.
- Input into Introduction of Rural Service
- Input into 2003 Budget Directions process.
Objective 2: Outreach
Familiarization:
- Citizen groups made presentations to MIAC.
- Public meeting held in Cumberland.
- Attended various public interest and City sponsored meetings.
- Presentations on Walking, Winter Walking.
- Public Meeting in Cumberland.
Input:
- Participation on major transportation issues advisory groups.
- Joint participation with other advisory groups (cycling, accessibility, etc.)
- Advice to City staff and Transportation and Transit Committee of Council.
- Sub-committee created and meets regularly.
- Participate on Accessibility Advisory Committee, Para TDM measures, Taxi Advisory Committee, School Board Liaison Committee, Education and Enforcement sub-committee of the Cycling Advisory Committee.
Objective 3: Short and Long Term Solutions; and,
Objective 4: Improving Safety and Efficiency of Multilane Roadways
Familiarization:
- Received briefings on current road situation (issue, plans, constraints, etc.).
- Monitored media, public interest group meetings, etc.
- Receive reports and briefings on budget process, official plan, transportation master plan, transportation demand management, traffic calming, Charting a Course, Capital forecast for Transportation Infrastructure.
- Public meeting held in Cumberland.
Input:
- Participation on various transportation corridor advisory committees or working groups (i.e. Alta Vista Corridor, 417 Widening, Castlefrank interchange, Laurier Bridge, King Edward Renewal, St. Joseph Blvd., etc.).
- Position paper created to outline major issues. This will be the basis for next years work program.
- Input into Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan.
- Sub-committee created and meets regularly.
- Position Papers created to outline basic concerns/visions/issues.
- Comment on Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Charting a Course.
- Participate with committee developing terms of reference for traffic calming.
- Comment on budget process for 2002 and 2003.
- 2003 Budget Directions process input.
Objective 5: Walking
Familiarization:
- Presentations from City staff.
- Attendance at various public meetings.
- Sub-committee discussions.
- Walking Security Index.
- Receive presentation on Adult Crossing Guards Pilot Project.
Input:
- Sub-committee created and meets regularly.
- Involvement in walking aspects of many major transportation projects (Laurier Bridge, Castlefrank interchange, 417 widening, sidewalk design standards, etc.).
- Work with other advisory committees on common issues (e.g. accessible pedestrian signals, sidewalk design standards, Laurier Bridge, walking security index, etc.
- Walking position paper of MIAC created and approved.
- Input into Transportation Master Plan and Official Plan
- Rideau Canal Pedestrian Crossing Study.
- Sidewalk Harmonization and Design Guidelines
- Patio zoning – impact on pedestrians.
- Joint Public Education programs i.e.: Gotta Walk Week.
- Input into 2003 Budget Directions process.
Objective 6: Indicators
Familiarization:
- Presentations by City staff.
- Review of documents.
Input:
- Discussion with City staff and input on TUPW Indicators project.
Other
The MIAC has also initiated a process of developing position papers on various transportation subjects. These will form the basis of MIAC input to major City transportation planning initiatives, joint committee work, responding to requests for advice, etc. The Committee is producing and approving one per month on an ongoing basis.
MIAC has developed good working relationships with the two TUPW staff that attend the monthly meetings. Their information, advice and patience are greatly appreciated.
Conclusion
The MIAC believe we have had a positive first year and achieved many of the objectives. We look forward to making a useful contribution over the coming years.
Attachment 2
Mobility Issues Advisory Committee
Workplan 2002/2003
The workplan will focus on 6 broad areas:
Transit
| Timing |
· Continue to monitor the activities of OC Transpo and transit in general. | Ongoing |
· Provide input to special transportation initiatives, or City staff. | Ongoing |
· Providing advice to Transportation Transit Committee as requested or when the Committee feels appropriate. | Ongoing |
· Continue familiarization with various transportation issues. | Ongoing |
· Work with other Advisory Committees or public interest groups as requested. | Ongoing |
· Meet regularly as a sub-committee. | Ongoing |
· Attend Transportation Transit Committee and local interest group meetings and presentations. | Ongoing |
Budget: $1,000.00
Outreach
| Timing |
· Organize and hold up to three public meetings in various parts of the City. | Over the year. |
· Research an approach to gauging OC Transpo riders’ opinions of the services provided. The work would be done with a view for a more specific proposal in 2003/2004. | Over the year. |
· Consider possible content and design for a MIAC website. | 2nd & 3rd quarter. |
· Provide input to special transportation initiatives, or City staff. | Ongoing |
· Providing advice to Transportation Transit Committee as requested or when the Committee feels appropriate. | Ongoing |
· Continue familiarization with various transportation issues. | Ongoing |
· Work with other Advisory Committees or public interest groups as requested. | Ongoing |
· Meet regularly as a sub-committee. | Ongoing |
· Attend Transportation Transit Committee and local interest group meetings and presentations. | Ongoing |
Budget: $5,000.00
Improving Safety and Efficiency of Multi-Lane Roadways
| Timing |
· Seek input from experts on the Position Paper created by the sub-committee. | 1st – 3rd quarter. |
· Then prepare an approach for recommendation to MIAC. | 3rd quarter |
· Provide input to special transportation initiatives, or City staff. | Ongoing |
· Providing advice to Transportation Transit Committee as requested or when the Committee feels appropriate. | Ongoing |
· Continue familiarization with various transportation issues. | Ongoing |
· Work with other Advisory Committees or public interest groups as requested. | Ongoing |
· Meet regularly as a sub-committee. | Ongoing |
· Attend Transportation Transit Committee and local interest group meetings and presentations. | Ongoing |
Budget: $1,000.00
Walking
| Timing |
· Provide input to special transportation initiatives, or City staff. | Ongoing |
· Providing advice to Transportation Transit Committee as requested or when the Committee feels appropriate. | Ongoing |
· Continue familiarization with various transportation issues. | Ongoing |
· Work with other Advisory Committees or public interest groups as requested. | Ongoing |
· Meet regularly as a sub-committee. | Ongoing |
· Attend Transportation Transit Committee and local interest group meetings and presentations. | Ongoing |
Budget: $1,000.00
Transportation System Indicators
Timing | |
· Work with City staff as they develop system indicators for the Transportation Master Plan. | Dependant on City staff. |
· Provide input on special transportation initiatives. | Ongoing |
Budget: $825.00
General
| Timing |
· Participate in Advisory Committee wide activities (Chair/Vice-Chair meetings, ad-hoc multi-committee meetings, etc.). | As required. |
· Attended community based meetings when requested by various organizations. | As required. |
· Respond to requests from Council or individual Council member. | As required. |
· Develop position papers on various transportation issues. | Monthly |
· Meet monthly. | Monthly |
· Receive delegations at meetings. | As required. |
Budget: nil
Attachment 3
Revised June 19, 2001 MOBILITY ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Terms of Reference
MANDATE
The mandate of the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee is to provide advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Transportation and Transit Committee, on policies and programs which reflect the City’s commitment to a variety of travel modes, including walking, cycling, transit and motor vehicles, and that achieve the appropriate balance in a way that contributes to our City’s overall quality of life. The Committee will specifically advise on mobility issues such as pedestrian, transit and light-rail, traffic-safety (including education, and area and neighbourhood traffic management including traffic-calming), and other transportation-related policies and programs.
(Other Advisory Committees will specifically address Cycling and Accessibility issues.)
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:
- Providing a forum for citizens and community associations to raise issues and concerns related to mobility issues in the City, and reviewing suggestions and complaints from citizens;
- Providing advice, and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Transportation and Transit Committee, on matters pertaining to education on transportation related issues, and the development of policies and programs in accordance with its mandate;
- Advising on mobility issues (pedestrian, transit and community traffic issues and related matters) as they affect programs, budget, and overall policy development;
- Liaising with other community-based groups, such as community associations and other advocacy groups on mobility issues;
- Providing advice on physical infrastructure related to mobility issues, including planning, design standards, operations and maintenance;
- Providing advice on by-laws, legislation and regulations that impact on mobility issues;
- Providing advice on neighbourhood, corridor and area traffic conditions (including traffic calming and traffic management);
- Making suggestions and recommendations to improve the transit system;
- Reviewing and providing advice and guidance on the development of walking policies and programs, including land/property development and re-development for the purposes of creating pedestrian-friendly environments;
- Examining ways to increase the modal share of walking, cycling and transit;
- Proposing improvements to winter walking;
- Providing advice and guidance on other transportation-related issues, as required.
ORGANIZATION
The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee shall have a maximum citizen membership of 11-15.
Both the Transportation and Transit Committee and Ottawa City Council shall approve all appointments to the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee.
In addition, the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:
· 1 staff representative
· 2 members of Ottawa City Council, appointed by Council to act as a liaison (non-voting)
The process for choosing membership for the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments Policy.
LEAD DEPARTMENT/REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Transportation, Utilities and Public Works Department shall be the lead department for the Mobility Issues Advisory Committee. The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee shall report through the Transportation and Transit Committee to City Council.
RESOURCES
The Mobility Issues Advisory Committee shall report annually to the Transportation and Transit Committee, (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk), on its work plan for the following year, outlining its resource requirements for each portion of the work plan.