PUBLIC – Minutes of the Gatineau City Council committee of the whole meeting held in the committee room of the Maison du citoyen, 25 Laurier Street, Gatineau, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10:15 a.m., at which were present,
Major decisions
CP20241008-P2 #
Municipal investments for economic diversification and revitalization of the downtown area
The executive committee is proposing a multi-year investment plan for Gatineau's downtown, totaling several million dollars. The plan includes funding for economic diversification, cultural animation, the 'sentier culturel' (cultural trail), and infrastructure improvements such as the permanent development of Place Laval and the pedestrianization of rue Laval. These measures will be reviewed during the 2025 budget study week.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
- CE-BCCV-2024-01: The executive committee recommends proposing disbursements of $800,000 starting in 2025 dedicated to economic diversification efforts in the downtown area. These service improvements will be considered during the 2025 budget study week.
- CE-BCCV-2024-02: The executive committee recommends proposing disbursements of $3,050,000 for 2025, $3,175,000 for 2026, and finally a recurring sum of $2,475,000 starting in 2027 for revitalization efforts, four-season animation, implementation of the sentier culturel, and beautification in the downtown area. These service improvements will be considered during the 2025 budget study week.
- CE-BCCV-2024-03: The executive committee recommends proposing an amount of $75,000 starting in 2025 for the purpose of creating an annual portrait of the state of the downtown area. These service improvements will be considered during the 2025 budget study week.
- CE-BCCV-2024-04: The executive committee recommends proposing an amount of $5.2 million to be provided in block D for the purpose of sustaining and developing Place Laval as well as making the pedestrian zone of rue Laval permanent and safe.
- CE-BCCV-2024-05: The executive committee recommends modifying the organizational chart to ensure the coherence of municipal action in the downtown area and to optimize the roles and responsibilities of the concerned services. A proposal will be submitted to the council during the 2025 budget study.
- CE-SBI-2024-02: The executive committee recommends mandating the administration to acquire the land located at 173, rue Wellington as soon as the required budget is available.
- CE-SBI-2024-03: The executive committee recommends mandating the administration to deepen the various financial/real estate options possible for the subsequent acquisition of any property that could benefit the deployment and dynamism of Place Laval.
All items
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Review of the Gatineau Ombudsman's term length
The Gatineau Ombudsman (OG) is proposing to extend their term length from three to at least five years, with the possibility of one renewal. This change is intended to align with the 'Venice Principles' regarding the independence and stability of ombudsman offices.
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- Review the duration of the mandate of the Gatineau Ombudsman (OG);
- Propose legislative adjustments aimed at standardizing the practices and operations of ombudsman offices;
- Solicit various bodies, such as associations, the UMQ (Union des municipalités du Québec), and the government, to promote and encourage adherence to the 'Venice Principles'.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The OG recommends extending the Ombudsman's mandate from three to a minimum of five years, in order to comply with the 10th Venice Principle, which stipulates that the Ombudsman's mandate must be longer than that of the appointing body. This mandate should be renewable once.
- The OG requests that the municipal council promote the 'Venice Principles' and recommends mandating the administration to make representations to the UMQ and the Government of Quebec. The objective is to integrate these principles into the Loi sur les cités et villes (Cities and Towns Act) following consultation aimed at identifying the legislative adjustments necessary to strengthen and consolidate the institution of municipal ombudsmen.