City of Ottawa

[rocketphish]

Coun. Jan Harder leaves planning committee in light of integrity probe

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jun 23, 2021 • 49 minutes ago • 2 minute read

Coun. Jan Harder stepped down from the planning committee on Wednesday as she faced integrity accusations involving her friendly connection to a local developer.

The longtime Barrhaven councillor, who has chaired the planning committee since 2014, announced her decision during a council meeting.

Harder said she has been receiving “online harassment” by an “agenda-driven lobby group.” She noted that the integrity investigation didn’t find a violation in hiring practices and a direct conflict of interest.

She also stepped down from the municipal lands development corporation and the planning advisory committee.

Integrity commissioner Robert Marleau’s investigation centred on Harder’s connection to consultant Jack Stirling. Harder had hired Stirling’s daughter and also issued contracts to Stirling’s company to help with Harder’s office work. The integrity commissioner also discovered that Harder received free services from Stirling’s company.

No one improperly benefitted financially from the relationship, according to the integrity investigation.

Harder and Stirling have known each other for more than 20 years. She was a councillor for the former city of Nepean when Stirling was planning commissioner. During the integrity investigation, Harder said she considers Stirling a friend and mentor.

The integrity commissioner recommended that council remove Harder from the planning committee, Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation board and the planning advisory committee, plus suspend her salary for 15 days. There was also a recommendation to make sure the city gets Harder to reimburse any legal fees charged to her office budget.

Harder appeared to be ready to fight the integrity report. Her Ottawa-based lawyer on the case, Michael Polowin, obtained another legal opinion by Toronto-based municipal law specialist John Mascarin, whose firm acts as integrity commissioner for about 45 municipal governments.

In a written opinion circulated to council members, Mascarin concluded that recommendations to remove Harder as planning chair and make her reimburse legal fees paid from her office budget “are not appropriate remedial measures” authorized by the Ontario Municipal Act. Those proposed penalties “are not reasonable and are not supported by the jurisprudence,” he said in his written opinion.

But the integrity investigation created too many questions about the credibility of the municipal planning process.

Harder — known at city hall as a straight-shooting, though sometimes brash, member of council — is among a small group of Ottawa councillors whose careers date back before amalgamation. Harder was first elected to Nepean council in 1997.

More to come.

jwilling@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JonathanWilling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...ntegrity-probe

[Truenorth00]

Her contempt and sense of entitlement is disgusting.

[rocketphish]

Jan Harder resigns from committee as gloves come off at city council
Some city councillors say mayor Jim Watson favours Harder as part of 'Watson Club'

Joanne Chianello, Kate Porter · CBC News
Posted: Jun 23, 2021 11:32 AM ET | Last Updated: 31 minutes ago

Coun. Jan Harder has stepped down from her influential role as chair of the committee responsible for urban planning and development in Ottawa, but that didn't quell harsh acrimony surrounding the integrity commissioner's report on the longtime councillor — a rare sight during this term of city council.

On Wednesday, Harder's council colleagues were set to vote on sanctions recommended in a damning 101-page report by integrity commissioner Robert Marleau, which found the Barrhaven councillor violated the councillor's code of conduct.

Among other things, Harder created a perceived conflict of interest by hiring registered lobbyist Jack Stirling and his daughter to work for her office, while Stirling represented private planning clients at city hall and even personally represented them at the committee Harder chaired.

Harder negated the suspense when she announced her immediate resignation from the committee before the vote, telling her colleagues "hyper-aggressive online attacks and libels directed at me and others since Friday threatens to curtail the city-building work that must continue at planning committee."

During city council, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson moved a motion to forego many of the recommendations in the integrity commissioner's report, which proposed no official acknowledgement Harder did anything wrong.

The mayor's motion included no reprimand for Harder, she wouldn't have to reimburse the city for her legal fees, she wouldn't be docked 15 days pay, and she wouldn't have to declare $12,000 of free services as a benefit on the city's gift registry.

Many councillors wanted no part of it. Councillors Catherine McKenney and Diane Deans went as far as to accuse the mayor of creating a different set of rules for different members of council reliant on whether they were part of his inner circle.

"So what you're asking council to do on behalf of the people that we represent in this city, essentially, is to say nothing — nothing went wrong here?" asked McKenney, who represents Somerset ward.

"The fact that we have a registered lobbyist for the city of Ottawa also working on contract in a councillor's office, who is also the chair of the planning committee is OK?"

Deans said approving Watson's motion would lead the public to lose faith in city council "and with good reason."

"Frankly, if you're a member of the Watson club, there are no consequences for your actions," said Deans.

"If it was a whole bunch of other councillors that don't take their direction from you on every single vote, there would be no question that the recommendations of this integrity commissioner would be applied to the full extent."

When it appeared Watson's motion would not pass, Coun. Jenna Sudds moved to add that Harder be reprimanded, which is a public acknowledgement the councillor did something wrong. The motion then passed 14 to 9.

Harder will not have to declare the $12,000 on the gift registry — significant because councillors are not allowed to accept gifts from registered lobbyists — nor would she lose 15 days of pay, as recommended in the report.

Harder, who has chaired planning committee since 2014, also doesn't have to reimburse her legal fees, which totalled $7,100 as of the end of April. The final tally will rise.

In her resignation, Harder stood by her assertion she did nothing wrong, but decided to step down due to harassment she has received since the report was released last Friday, adding the issue was distracting from the important work of the planning committee.

"There was no violation in hiring practices, no violation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and no evidence of any conflict of interest," she said.

Marleau stood by his report while appearing at city council, including the recommendations. He explained a perceived conflict of interest, which has been in the code of conduct since 2013, is the "most difficult situation to explain" as one needs to evaluate each situation on its own merit and within its own context.

Council agreed to Marleau's recommendations to review the code of conduct and provide guidance for councillors hiring consultants and registered lobbyists. However, council voted against a motion moved by Coun. Carol Anne Meehan to review all planning files involving The Stirling Group.

Coun. Shawn Menard also successfully moved a motion for staff to look at instituting a "cooling off" period during which members of council and city staff would be prohibited from lobbying the city.

These issues would be part of the governance review at the start of the next term of council in 2022.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ncil-1.6076668

[J.OT13]

Was yesterday's City Council not streamed on YouTube? Can't find it.

[Ottawa Champ]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Was yesterday's City Council not streamed on YouTube? Can't find it.

https://youtu.be/oPBSdatA4tg

[J.OT13]

I was listening to the Planning Committee while they were discussing three different amendments at the same time; the stacked cycling amendment, the Barrhaven flood plain and something else. They were jumping between the two subjects, Councillors were asking questions on the flood plain, then a speaker spoke about the bike parking before coming back to the flood plain. Very confusing and disorganized. Deal with one thing at a time please.

EDIT: so it's an omibus with a bunch of crap stacked on. Still no reason they can't discuss one thing at a time.

Side note, Gower seemed very frustrated and shaken by the whole Jan Harder thing. He seemed to have a short-fuse the entire meeting.

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I was listening to the Planning Committee while they were discussing three different amendments at the same time; the stacked cycling amendment, the Barrhaven flood plain and something else. They were jumping between the two subjects, Councillors were asking questions on the flood plain, then a speaker spoke about the bike parking before coming back to the flood plain. Very confusing and disorganized. Deal with one thing at a time please.

EDIT: so it's an omibus with a bunch of crap stacked on. Still no reason they can't discuss one thing at a time.

Side note, Gower seemed very frustrated and shaken by the whole Jan Harder thing. He seemed to have a short-fuse the entire meeting.

People actually watch these things

I've found Gower to be respectful, level headed and intelligent in the past. I know some people think he is a suburban bobble head but I'd rather have him steering the ship than Jan. Jenna Sudds would be another good one. You know that Watson isn't going to pick one of the inner city cabel. Maybe as an outside one, Rawlson King

[Lakeofthewood]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

Her contempt and sense of entitlement is disgusting.

Never even admitted to any wrongdoing, and Watson wouldn't go on the record on if he thought she did anything wrong. It's long been time for the whole Watson Club to get ushered out, but this is the cherry on top.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

People actually watch these things

I've found Gower to be respectful, level headed and intelligent in the past. I know some people think he is a suburban bobble head but I'd rather have him steering the ship than Jan. Jenna Sudds would be another good one. You know that Watson isn't going to pick one of the inner city cabel. Maybe as an outside one, Rawlson King

Gower is pretty good. He understands that intensification means the suburbs have to take some on as well and he tries to come up with compromises. Sudds is also not bad, being the one who added the reprimand to Watson's weak motion of "Harder was amazing, and that's why she's stepping down". Even at the debate on burying hydro lines on Hawthorne, she seemed to understand why Kanata 10 years ago is not Old Ottawa East today, though she still voted for the tax levy she proposed (I might be getting some details wrong).

I would still define them as Watson Club, but still have free-will to a certain extent.

The Harders, Hubleys, El-Chantiries and Darouzes of the world are just terrible all around. Bullies through and through. No movement on their positions no matter how much you try to reason with them.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by Lakeofthewood

Never even admitted to any wrongdoing, and Watson wouldn't go on the record on if he thought she did anything wrong. It's long been time for the whole Watson Club to get ushered out, but this is the cherry on top.

Only politicians who are confident of re-election can be this contemptuous.

That says a lot about the electorate.

[J.OT13]

So last year we were promised the cops would not receive a budget increase for 2021, and now we're giving them a 3% increase and let them try to not use it.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

So last year we were promised the cops would not receive a budget increase for 2021, and now we're giving them a 3% increase and let them try to not use it.

Yeah that seems likely. I, sure they give it back. The defund argument is complicated but unlike the US we pay police very well so have better argument to demand more from the budget.

[J.OT13]

Finance committee hears calls to curb police budget in approving 3% tax increase, endorses Lansdowne 'revitalization'

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jul 06, 2021 • 4 minutes ago • 4 minute read

Council’s de-facto cabinet is recommending that property taxes increase by three per cent in 2022, but several deputations on Tuesday urged the mayor and councillors to avoid delivering an increased cut of the property tax revenue to the Ottawa Police Service.

Municipal budgeting is a two-step approach in Ottawa, starting with council deciding how much tax revenue should be collected from landowners to pay for services over the next calendar year. City finance staff and executives then work with Mayor Jim Watson to develop a draft budget.

The finance and economic development committee, chaired by Watson and made up almost entirely of deputy mayors and other committee chairs, voted unanimously in favour of the three per cent tax increase in 2022. Council will consider the recommendation on July 21.

Where the annual budget directions don’t usually draw a large numbers of public delegates to the committee meeting, it was a different story on Tuesday, when 19 people signed up to address members, largely on the subject of the police budget.

Some had lengthy presentations for the committee, like university Prof. Irvin Waller, who offered an alternative approach to budgeting for community safety.

Other delegates offered quick advice to council members.

In his short deputation, Emerson Harkin observed that “no one is really clamouring for another increase in the police budget.”

The police force, the police services board and city council are under public pressure to freeze the police budget and place more resources into mental health programs.

Council ultimately approves the annual police budget, but the real legwork happens by the arm’s-length police services board to make sure the estimates will provide the “adequate and effective police services” required by the provincial Police Act.

Coun. Diane Deans, chair of the police services board, said the police force and board members were determined to find savings and reduce budget requirements in 2022. Deans said the larger city budget should also be scrutinized for possible savings.

City manager Steve Kanellakos said the city faced huge financial challenges in 2022. It’s not a new problem in municipal budgeting, but the COVID-19 pandemic has doubled the annual fiscal pressure. There are also important initiatives created during the pandemic that the city might continue, like respite centres, Kanellakos said.

Watson says council members who call for a tax increase of more than three per cent should consider the impact of the pandemic on the financial health of small businesses and many residents.

“I would strongly encourage people to look very closely at ways you want to spend dollars and (create) new programs and ways you want to save money so that you can pay for increased programs,” Watson told councillors.

While council will set the 2022 property tax increase and budget directions this month, the draft budget won’t be tabled until Nov. 3 with a final approval scheduled for Dec. 8.

The budget directions include a recommended 2.5 per cent increase to OC Transpo fares and 4.86 per cent increase to water and sewer bills.

--SNIP--

jwilling@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JonathanWilling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...revitalization

[J.OT13]

Suck and blow at the same time:

“I would strongly encourage people to look very closely at ways you want to spend dollars and (create) new programs and ways you want to save money so that you can pay for increased programs,” Watson told councillors.

The budget directions include a recommended 4.86 per cent increase to water and sewer bills.

So why is it not ok to increase property taxes by more than 3% but increasing water and sewers by well over 3% is fine? I get that property tax increases have an overall higher impact numbers wise, but those are only for property owners. Many renters, who generally have less money and may have been impacted by Covid at a higher level, pay for water.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

So why is it not ok to increase property taxes by more than 3% but increasing water and sewers by well over 3% is fine? I get that property tax increases have an overall higher impact numbers wise, but those are only for property owners. Many renters, who generally have less money and may have been impacted by Covid at a higher level, pay for water.

Unlike taxes, arguably you have some control over your water bill, as it is partially based on usage. It's a tough one, as obviously water is a necessity, but higher rates do have an impact on conservation.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by phil235

Unlike taxes, arguably you have some control over your water bill, as it is partially based on usage. It's a tough one, as obviously water is a necessity, but higher rates do have an impact on conservation.

Yeah but this conservation is a vicious cycle. We obviously have nearly unlimited water. We waste a bit of chlorine but if I run my two all day without contaminating it then it goes back to the river it came from. The cost of our water system is mostly fixed.

The tax number is the headline so they want to keep that lower which is understandable politically. The transit portion will become increasingly an issue with the commitments we have made.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

The tax number is the headline so they want to keep that lower which is understandable politically. The transit portion will become increasingly an issue with the commitments we have made.

That's how I see it. Easier to increase "side" charges than property taxes which is the big focus from the media and residents.

Fact is, Ottawa has done tons for water conservation over the last 30 years. Not much else we can do. At this point, we're just slowly pricing people out of a clean, accessible water supply.

Compare that to Gatineau that often has boil water advisories and bans on watering lawns, yet does not charge for water consumption. Gatineau is miles ahead of Ottawa on many environmental fronts, yet so far behind on water conservation (maybe it's a provincial thing )

[Williamoforange]

Ottawa policy when it comes to water is that the bills pay for both the processing and the infrastructure.

Which in the case of Ottawa means replacing old pipes, upgrading the treatment plants and dealing with the combined storm/septic system.

[rocketphish]

Menard only councillor seeking vacant spot on planning committee
Opening created when Coun. Jan Harder stepped down following damning report

Joseph Tunney · CBC News
Posted: Jul 19, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Only one Ottawa city councillor has put his name forward to fill a vacancy on the city's powerful planning committee, one created when Coun. Jan Harder stepped down as chair following a damning report by the integrity commissioner.

Although Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard is the sole councillor seeking Harder's seat, he's not guaranteed the position.

Menard, who ran for council in part on a platform that included reigning in developer influence, will need to be voted in by a majority of council at Wednesday's meeting.

Menard had expressed his interest in being part of the committee back in 2018, when he marked it as his first choice after he was elected.

"The recent revelations about Councillor Harder by an integrity official in Ottawa have only reinforced the need to see change to the planning process in Ottawa, and the close relationships developers have fostered for years with decision makers deciding on development projects worth billions over our four-year term," Menard said by email.

The report by integrity commissioner Robert Marleau detailed the relationship between Harder, planning consultant Jack Stirling and Stirling's daughter Alison Clarke.

It suggested that hiring the registered lobbyist and his daughter to work for Harder's office created a perceived conflict of interest.

While the report recommended Harder's removal, the long-time councillor announced she'd be stepping down as chair before that could take place.

While Menard is the sole councillor seeking Harder's spot at the committee table, councillors Glen Gower, Jeff Leiper and Scott Moffatt all hope to fill her role as chair.

Back in 2019, Menard recommended breaking the planning committee in two, in hopes of creating more representative decision-making.

If appointed, the councillor said he hopes to bring more "discussion, debate and needed constructive criticism" to the committee.

"It could use fairer representation based on geographic representation and where development applications occur," Menard told CBC Saturday night.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...nard-1.6107504

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Menard only councillor seeking vacant spot on planning committee
Opening created when Coun. Jan Harder stepped down following damning report

Joseph Tunney · CBC News
Posted: Jul 19, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Only one Ottawa city councillor has put his name forward to fill a vacancy on the city's powerful planning committee, one created when Coun. Jan Harder stepped down as chair following a damning report by the integrity commissioner.

Although Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard is the sole councillor seeking Harder's seat, he's not guaranteed the position.

Menard, who ran for council in part on a platform that included reigning in developer influence, will need to be voted in by a majority of council at Wednesday's meeting.

Menard had expressed his interest in being part of the committee back in 2018, when he marked it as his first choice after he was elected.

"The recent revelations about Councillor Harder by an integrity official in Ottawa have only reinforced the need to see change to the planning process in Ottawa, and the close relationships developers have fostered for years with decision makers deciding on development projects worth billions over our four-year term," Menard said by email.

The report by integrity commissioner Robert Marleau detailed the relationship between Harder, planning consultant Jack Stirling and Stirling's daughter Alison Clarke.

It suggested that hiring the registered lobbyist and his daughter to work for Harder's office created a perceived conflict of interest.

While the report recommended Harder's removal, the long-time councillor announced she'd be stepping down as chair before that could take place.

While Menard is the sole councillor seeking Harder's spot at the committee table, councillors Glen Gower, Jeff Leiper and Scott Moffatt all hope to fill her role as chair.

Back in 2019, Menard recommended breaking the planning committee in two, in hopes of creating more representative decision-making.

If appointed, the councillor said he hopes to bring more "discussion, debate and needed constructive criticism" to the committee.

"It could use fairer representation based on geographic representation and where development applications occur," Menard told CBC Saturday night.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...nard-1.6107504

I wouldn't be surprised if the number of Councillors on Planning Committee just gets reduced by 1. Lots of back room discussions I'm sure.

The Chairperson will be someone who the Mayor gets along with all of the time and who has been around a while. Draw your own conclusions.