Council debate turns bitter over $300,000 Capital Ward ‘windfall’

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Minutes after Mayor Mark Sutcliffe complimented councillors on the brand new “skilled and respectful tone” of Ottawa metropolis council, the controversy on the first assembly of the yr turned, properly, decidedly acrimonious.

The subject was a $300,000 voluntary contribution from developer Katasa Group that was supposed for use for site visitors calming and reasonably priced housing in Capital Ward, the place the corporate is constructing a highrise tower on the intersection of Carling and Bronson avenues. The funding is a part of a memorandum of understanding negotiated by Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard.

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However that deal didn’t sit properly with another councillors, who frightened the settlement seemed fishy, was unfair to different wards and would add bills to constructing initiatives.

Orléans East-Cumberland Coun. Matthew Luloff went even additional.

“This doesn’t cross the scent take a look at,” Luloff mentioned. “I’ve it on good authority that this developer felt pressured by this councillor to make this contribution and understood that that is merely the way in which we do issues in Ottawa. I actually don’t like that implication.”

Luloff famous that town had beforehand turned down a proposal from a developer to put in velocity boards on a busy stretch of east-end street.

“How can one councillor be instructed that town can’t settle for two velocity boards from one developer to extend security and safety on a road, however we are able to settle for a $300,000 slush fund.”

That had Menard bristling.

“I’d ask the member to withdraw these feedback that you’ve got it on some authority that there was stress there as a result of none of that was the case on this matter,” Menard replied. “Be at liberty to offer proof of that, councillor, however don’t say these issues until you will have some proof to again it up. As a result of it’s egregious.”

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However Luloff didn’t again down.

Kanata South Coun. Alan Hubley was one other who was frightened.

“I’m fighting this. More often than not, we’re instructed as politicians, ‘By no means contact the cash,’ ” Hubley mentioned. “However right here’s — and I hate to make use of the instance — however right here’s a bag of cash being placed on the desk.”

The memorandum of understanding had already been studied and authorised by town’s authorized division and its integrity commissioner earlier than coming to council.

In the long run, council nixxed Menard’s deal and voted to share the cash, with $200,000 going to Group and Social Companies to spend on reasonably priced housing because it sees match and $100,000 for use for site visitors calming throughout town.

It additionally ordered metropolis employees to give you a proper coverage to take care of comparable funds sooner or later.

Talking after the council assembly, Menard mentioned he was pleased to share the windfall city-wide supplied Katasa was nonetheless keen to make the donation.

“In the event you’re that developer and also you negotiated to say it’s going to that ward and it’ll profit the folks in these new items that you just’ve created — site visitors calming and reasonably priced housing — you’ve obtained to suppose that they may rethink,” Menard mentioned.

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Menard additionally mentioned he was disenchanted within the trade with Luloff, who has been named the Conservative celebration candidate for Orléans within the subsequent federal normal election.

“We’re simply making an attempt to do one of the best for our constituents,” Menard mentioned. “He doesn’t wish to work for his neighborhood as an area councillor anymore. These feedback he made had been unbecoming of a metropolis councillor.”

Sutcliffe opened the assembly by commenting on optimistic suggestions he’d heard in regards to the “skilled and respectful tone of council” throughout many troublesome points previously yr. Assembly with reporters after the assembly, he was requested in regards to the testy trade between Menard and Luloff.

He mentioned it confirmed why a proper coverage is required: “So councillors know what’s allowed and what’s not allowed, what’s acceptable and what isn’t,” Sutcliffe mentioned.

“Within the absence of a coverage, it might probably result in false impressions and it might probably result in folks casting aspersions on an settlement or a course of. It could result in discomfort.”

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