This week the Finance and Corporate Services Committee approved establishing a City-managed administrative penalty system. An administrative penalty system allows municipalities to transition adjudication of certain infractions, such as parking by-law and automated enforcement infractions from the provincial courts system to a City-controlled dispute resolution authority.
The new approach aims to deliver a more efficient, streamlined process for resolving disputes over tickets. No new or tax funding would be required to run the program as all costs would be funded by gross revenues from parking, red-light camera, and automated speed enforcement tickets, including start-up costs to cover renovations, equipment, training and initial staffing. The new system would begin processing parking infractions in 2025 Q2. Processing of automated speed enforcement and red-light camera infractions would start later in 2025.
The Committee approved eight asset management plans, representing about 20 per cent of City-owned assets. The plans are organized by the services they support and include assets related to community and social services, emergency and protective services, government services and information technology, greenspace and forest services, library services, recreation and cultural services, solid waste services and transit. While the plans approved today indicate that City assets are in good to fair condition, they highlight the challenges that Ottawa and other Canadian municipalities face related to aging infrastructure, climate change and rising renewal and replacement costs.
The Committee received the annual update on the City’s Municipal Accessibility Plan. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City is mandated to establish and maintain a multi-year accessibility plan. The update received today shows the City continues to reduce accessibility barriers across services, programs, communications and public spaces. Efforts are also being made to address the significant, continued impacts of emergency situations on people with disabilities.
The Committee approved transferring the City-owned property at 250 Forestglade Crescent to the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, to develop transitional housing. The transfer aligns with City policies that encourage using surplus City-owned land for affordable housing. The disposal and transfer considered today also supports the goals of the City’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan and reflects a meaningful step towards reconciliation with Ottawa’s Indigenous communities.
Recommendations from today’s meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, May 15.
