Regional Councillor Report


Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4

Date: Nov. 22, 2004


Regional Council - Nov. 10, 2004

Regional Transit

The Business Case Analysis was presented by Doug Allingham, Totten Sims Hubicki. The challenges, costs and benefits as indicated in the analysis was presented. The analysis recommends the transfer of transit responsibilities from the Town of Ajax, City of Pickering, Town of Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington and Handi Transit to the Region. The consultants recommend that amalgamation of the transit services would be beneficial 
for Durham residents for improved transit service, access to provincial and federal monies for public transit, rationalizing and enhancement of service levels and economies of scale in the longer term.

The analysis also provides suggested organizational charts, tasks to be carried out as well as suggested service enhancements such as the subvention agreement with GO transit along Highway 2. 

Regional staff provided information as to the financial impact to the taxpayer using the cost estimates and financial data provided by TSH. Using a Regional average residential property taxpayer with a $250,000 current value sssessment the Region provided comparisons for each municipality with the current situation, the allocation based on 100% assessment, as well as, an allocation based on 50% cost and 50% based on service level received.

Numerous questions were asked regarding asset and liability transfer, impact on the taxpayer, the consultation process etc. The effective date suggested for the transfer of responsibility is January 1, 2006. A triple majority is required to transfer transit to the upper tier.  Regional Council must endorse the bylaw plus a majority of local councils representing a majority of the population in Durham Region is required to put the bylaw into effect. Councillors were advised that no amendments could be made to the bylaw once it was approved by the Region. Local Councils could only approve or not approve. Amendments would be counted as a no vote.

Regional Council deferred consideration of the transit bylaw until Dec.15th which will allow time for local Councils to review and discuss this issue.

The TSH Report and the Report #2004-RTIC-7, which were presented to the Regional Transit Implementation Committee on November 4, 2004 and to Regional Council, Committee of the Whole on Nov. 10th may be viewed at:

www.region.durham.on.ca/departments/planning/bca/bca_final.pdf

www.region.durham.on.ca/departments/planning/2004-RTIC-7.pdf

Photo Radar

Regional Council endorsed a motion that the Region and its 
municipalities be provided with the authority to utilize photo radar in their communities.

Parking - Regional Headquarters - Whitby

The site plan for the new headquarters assumed parking would be 
available for 1,171 vehicles once the current facility was demolished. A shortfall of 525 - 585 parking spaces at the new building occurs should the Provincial Courts remain and the existing building not be demolished in time for the planned move in of Regional staff. 

Three options were provided to Councillors. 

1. Phased move - in which could cost up to $11 million to extend leases 
in other facilities occupied by Regional staff while portions of the 
new building remained unoccupied. 

2. The building of a temporary lot across Rossland with a walkway 
provided at a cost of about $3.7 million. 

3. The third option being a parking garage at 14.5 million (if 
debentured 7.5 million in interest charges would be added or if upfront 
financed 2 million in interest revenue would be foregone)

Regional Councillors approved the parking garage.

All Ajax Councillors at the Region did not support approval of the 
parking garage citing the significant cost differential between option 2 and 3 and stating that these monies could be better utilized in other areas that need addressing. 

Composting Kitchen & Food Wastes

Regional Council approved the Region entering into a ten year contract with Miller Waste systems at a total first year cost (2006) cost of $3.6 million ($39.0 million over ten years) for the haulage and composting of residential food and yard waste. The target date for composting pick up to be made available for all Durham residents is July 1, 2006. 
Regional staff will continue to negotiate other options for composting as it is anticipated that additional capacity will be required beyond 2009.


AlPHA - Association of Local Public Health Agencies - Nov. 12, 2004

Operation Health Protection

 
Dr. Sheela Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health and Andrew Jackson, Director, Strategic Planning and Implementation Branch, Ministry of Health & Long Term Care were guest speakers at the Board of Health Section General Meeting. Public Health Renewal and the implementation of some of the recommendations stemming from the Walker, Naylor and Justice Campbell reports (ie. these reports reviewed the handling of the SARS  crisis) were reported on. The infusion of more dollars will be accompanied with increased accountability measures. A review of the Mandatory 
Programs that are to be delivered by public health units will be 
accompanied by a review of the capacity of local health units to deliver the mandatory programs. The expectation is that the increased funding and gradual return to 75% (55% effective Jan.1, 2005, 75% in 2007) of provincial funding is not to be accompanied by a withdrawal of municipal funding for public health. 

The Ontario Government's three-year action plan for the revitalization of Ontario's public health system includes the following initiatives:

* establishes a new Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Agency;
* would increase the independence of the Chief Medical Officer of 
Health;
* immediately establishes a Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory 
Committee;
* increases the number of medical and scientific personnel; and
* establishes a new surveillance, communications, and IT 
capability.

Bill 124 introduced in the legislature October 14, 2004;
* would transfer current powers of the Minister with respect to health emergencies to the CMOH
* implement a process around recruitment & appointment of the CMOH through the Legislature.
* CMOH would be required to report annually to the Legislature on the state of public health in Ontario
* CMOH would be appointed for a five year term by the Lieutenant 
Governor in Council
* CMOH would retain the position of Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care in order to play a leadership role in setting public policy and retain operational responsibility for public health programs & services.

Tobacco Control Legislation

Peter Fonseca, MPP Mississauga East & Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health spoke about the upcoming tobacco legislation that is expected to be introduced this fall. Members urged that legislation needs to be at the highest standard of any municipality that has already adopted tobacco control bylaws. Mr. Fonseca stated that the government's legislation would be at the forefront of what we see in the world.

Colleen Jordan
Regional Councillor
Wards 3 & 4
Res: (905) 427-5084 
Town: 
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