Last night I posted links to the 2 Oshawa Downtown Business Improvement Area surveys and copied the questions and multiple choice answers for consideration.

I am hopeful that as many Oshawa residents and businesses as possible take a few minutes to send in their answers and comments to the survey questions. Much positive action can come from this BIA outreach. However, full disclosure, MY NUMBER ONE REASON for asking for the participation of as many Oshawa residents and business as possible concerns making Oshawa more barrier free, and here is why:

In both surveys there is mention of ACCESSIBILITY!
Question 7 in the Business survey "7. What do you think would improve a visitor's experience when visiting Downtown Oshawa? *
Select all that apply. ACCESSIBLE building..."; and
Question 11 in the Oshawa Residents Survey "11. Do you have any concerns about the condition of Downtown Oshawa? *
Select all that apply. Potholes; Parking Spots;. Safety of Cyclists, Pedestrian Safety, ACCESSIBILITY ..."

The CAPS are my emphasis because this is important! Yes, many of the selections apply, but if everyone answering the survey were to make a special comment about the need for Oshawa to be more ACCESSIBLE the message can get through! ...and especially right now is the time because....

It seems the diligent effort and message of the members of the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee is not getting through loud and clear enough, considering how 2 recent Oshawa staff reports unfortunately weaken a resolve on 2 fronts,
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1) when it comes to requesting changes to the Ontario Building code to support a portion of new building being constructed without steps to the front door and passageways wide enough for mobility devices, similar to what is already in place only with new apartments buildings...and

2) when it comes to the Downtown CIP (Community Improvement Plan) providing for 100% funding for accessible door openers, up to $3,000.

Weakening these clear and responsible asks during the COVID-19 electronic Council meetings this spring was imo regrettable. But keeping the pressure on is key.

Recently the Region of Durham's Director of Planning spoke at a Commercial Real Estate electronic meeting about the Region's plan for a Region Community Improvement Plan (Region CIP). I asked if ACCESSIBILTY will be included in the program. He said 'good question' and will look into it. (I know, 'good question' is a frequent response at these types of Q&A...but I am taking him at his word and will be following up.
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​Take a moment and make a pitch for a more 'barrier free' physical environment. PLEASE seriously express to others this summer that we need to make our places of business and new residential construction beyond apartments more ACCESSIBLE.
THANK YOU in advance for doing this!

Two surveys to check out! One for Oshawa downtown businesses! One for Oshawa residents!
🏬Business Survey Link: https://surveyhero.com/c/83846d48
🏘️Resident Survey Link: https://surveyhero.com/c/6a2ff1ad
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The Oshawa Business Improvement Area (BIA) invites you to participate in these surveys to gather important information in order to:

1. Assess the strengths and areas to improve Downtown Oshawa.
2. Identify existing or emerging opportunities for future growth (What do we already have that we can build upon?)
3. Determine specific priorities for how living, playing, and working in Downtown Oshawa could be enhanced.
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The timing of services reopening differs widely among Durham's lakeshore municipalities "...each city or town is at their own discretion in terms of what will open and when..."Ajax residents will have to wait for the town's three community centres to reopen. Mayor Collier says he doesn't expect that to take place until after Labour Day....While Ajax is holding back, Oshawa will be opening the ice at the Tribute Communities Centre on Aug. 4, as well as some community centres a week later."
"As for Pickering, City Hall will be open to the public on Monday, with cardio and weight rooms returning after the August long weekend."
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/weathertopstories/durham-municipalities-not-rushing-phase-3-reopening/ar-BB179OQN?fbclid=IwAR3L8oGSxbqogKluecQq2HzCaoJ4Jdx4qJwg6Gie0eSvtgPA6Mcr6hsnU_I

 Just 10 days left to take in Lakeview Park's old splash pad and playground equipment.

A $2 million redevelopment project of the playground equipment and splash pad that was approved in the 2019 Capital Budget will soon be underway.

(Below see map showing shaded area that is off limits to the public during construction, and budget details for the design and construction costs. Staff recommended redevelopment based on the significance of Lakeview Park to the community and the needs, given the playground equipment is no longer compliant with accessibility standards and "reached the end of its useful life cycle'. Also "the existing splash pad has limited play value... at the end of its life.")

Today the City issued a notice that starting August 4th the redevelopment of the splash pad and playground areas at Lakeview Park will begin - the project not only includes a redesigned splash and new playground equipment, but also new pathways with lighting, site furniture, and soft landscape elements such as tree plantings, lawn areas, and naturalized plantings. https://www.oshawa.ca/things-to-do/lakeview-park-playground-and-splash-pad.asp
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Picture below of the playground was taken last July, 2019 when the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee conducted an accessibility audit of the playground.

It's on-line now! Durham Region Report 2020-SS-09 titled: Expedited Supportive Housing Development -

The Region is planning 50 modular units for affordable rental housing to be installed at 133 Main St. Beaverton, together with a 5,000 sq.ft. structure for support services and 'congregate living'. It is a sole source project with Horizon North Inc. - cost estimated at $13.5 Million

What is uncanny about the upcoming July 29, 2020 Region Council meeting discussion about doing a Horizon North Inc. modular housing project is exactly one year ago, on July 29, 2019 I posted about Horizon North's modular housing as a potential option for our local affordable housing crisis! https://www.facebook.com/rosemary.mcconkey.5/posts/2409988109047066

The Agenda for the Region of Durham Wed. July 29th Council meeting was posted today. At the June Regional Council meeting there was talk that an affordable housing report would be brought forward this month. Although I'm not on Region Council, I was looking forward to learning  what is planned.

Here's a link to the full Report https://icreate7.esolutionsgroup.ca/…/Health-…/2020-SS-9.pdf

Here are its main points:

A) That, subject to a two-thirds majority vote, Council be requested to rescind its previous decision to issue a Request for Proposal for the purpose of soliciting affordable rental housing project proposals under the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, as adopted by Council on June 26, 2019 in Part (F) of Report #2019-COW-13 in order for the funds to be reallocated and
used directly by the Region for supportive housing development;

B) That 2021 pre-budget approval be granted for the development of a modular supportive housing project of approximately 50 units and the construction of an approximate 5,000 square foot ancillary structure to provide a combination of support services and congregate living, on Regional land located at 133 Main St., Beaverton, at an estimated cost of $13,552,990 to be funded from the reallocation of the proposed $5,620,900 in Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) and $7,932,090 from the Social Housing Reserve Fund, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) under Years 2 and 3 of the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) in the amounts of $2,137,535 and $3,483,365 respectively;

C) That a sole source agreement with Horizon North Inc. (or its affiliate NRB) for the design, delivery and installation of approximately 50 modular affordable supportive housing rental units at 133 Main St., Beaverton be approved subject to the terms and conditions being satisfactory to the Commissioner of Finance;

D) That 2021 pre-budget approval be granted for a “Microhome Pilot” project to provide temporary supportive housing on Regionally owned lands, that are available for a limited period of time at an estimated cost $880,000 to be funded from the Social Housing Reserve Fund and the procurement process, including potentially sole sourcing be delegated to the Commissioner of Finance and the Commissioner be authorized to award and execute any required agreements;

E) That staff be directed to pursue all available and eligible funding from senior levels of government related to the “Supportive Housing - Modular Homes” and “Supportive Housing – Microhomes” projects, and that the Commissioner of Finance be authorized to execute any subsequent agreements; and

​F) That the CAO be authorized to urgently request the Ontario Government to make available operating funding to support the Region’s modular supportive housing initiative and that the Commissioner of Finance be authorized to negotiate and enter into any agreements necessary to secure such funding.

sa;1. Following the delegation of Shailene Panylo from the Durham Black Accountability Coalition the Mayor brought forward a motion that was unanimously endorsed by Council - I've copied a picture of the two page motion  below, but it should  be posted soon on the City's website.

2. A request from the owners of the renovated (former Genosha) 70 King St. E. for an additional 10 leased parking spaces in the Mary St. parkade. Most people might think this a simple yes vote right? But recalling the discussion that took place after Council approved 35 leased parking spaces in the Mary St. parkade in October 2019 for the same owner, and another 15 leased parking spaces in the Mary St. parade for another downtown rental property owner at 14 1/2 King St. E in December 2019, I was curious how many actual spaces are in the parkade and how many are leased as the staff report didn't indicate.

On a review of the original agreement approving the 70 King St. E first 35 spaces, which was 1st before the Community Services Committee meeting in September before the Council approval in October ( linked here: http://app.oshawa.ca/agendas/Community_Services/2019/09-16/REPORT_CS-19-101.pdf ) it s interesting to note how very specific the approval was about not increasing the number of spaces.

Note the statements where it states that in the 1st 5 years of the term the owner "shall have no right to increase or decrease the number of spaces licensed to it for such year of the term;" and the owner..."shall notify the City in writing of the number of spaces (up to but not exceeding (35) that it elects to license from the City for the remaining twenty (20) years of the term;

and the owner..."shall have no right to increase or decrease the number of spaces licensed to it for the remainder of the term;

and the owner..."shall pay the City current market rate each year for each parking space"

Pretty clear that they weren't going to be permitted more than 35 leased spaces. But here it is 9 months later and the staff report about the request for an additional 10 says that the October "agreement wasn't finalized'.

So I asked staff why... the Mayor interrupted my questions saying isn't it a good thing, 70 King St. E is fully rented, and asked if I am against residential in the downtown.

At that point I asked the Mayor not to patronize me, that of course I want residential units downtown, but the issue was parking and I was interested in knowing how many spaces are in the Mary St. Parkade and how many are currently leased. I tried to clarify that my questions were about process...indicating that in my research over the weekend, in a 2017 Agenda I'd come across an email sent to the City from a business on King St. E. objecting to the City leasing more spaces in the Mary Street parkade...it mentioned that there were 654 spaces...I asked the Mayor if he recalled that objection as he was on Council at that time. The email included information that the City would be leasing 85 parking spaces to the new residential building at 100 Bond St. E. and another 140 to the to be completed building at 80 Bond St. E. I asked if that was correct.

That particular stakeholder on King St. and others in the downtown may be interested in this item on the Special Council meeting Agenda, especially considering the changes since 2017 with parking spaces now removed from the north side of King St. from Simcoe to Mary St. and from the south side of Athol St..

The previous Council ordered IBI consultants do a Parking Study and last December the Commissioner of Community Services stated that the Parking Study would be coming 'no later than the first quarter of 2020' and indicated that the Study would inform future parking decisions. Council  has now be told the Parking Study should be coming this fall or winter.

Leasing more of the Mary St. parkade spaces to residents in the downtown has its pluses and minuses. Yes, it is helpful to these new Oshawa residents, and provides solid revenue to the City. But consider parking leases to residential tenants can pose a competition between those taking parking spaces for weeks and months without moving them and those with in and out trips to businesses or events in the downtown....consider too both 80 and 100 Bond St. have underground parking, but obviously not enough, and the same owner submitted an application in 2018 for two 21 storey buildings on the corner of Richmond and Mary for 698 residential units and 559 parking spaces... Until autonomous vehicles are popular, parking will remain a problem, and new residential projects imo should include more underground spaces.

When finally I received my answer, that yes there are 654 spaces in the Mary St. parkade and currently 578 are leased...while my mouth was still open hearing that number :) the Mayor asked me to hold my questions as he needed to check something. When he came back a few minutes later, he recommended that the Item for the 70 King St. E. owner's request for 10 additional leased parking spaces be referred back to staff and it was.

3. The Oshawa General's general manager Roger Hunt and owner Rocco Tullio made a delegation regarding their request for support for the Memorial Cup. It was odd trying to question Mr. Hunt as the Mayor was not allowing questions to the Report on the Agenda. I pointed out that the Report included Attachment 4 which was Mr. Hunt's email and 'wish list' of items they were asking the City and Region to contribute towards so it was very constraining not to be allowed to refer to Attachment 4.. http://app.oshawa.ca/agendas/city_council/2020/07-13/report_cncl-20-146.pdf

I managed to ask just a few specific questions, although the Mayor cut a couple short. Mr. Tullio and Mr. Hunt answered a couple others. Mr. Tullio stated there should be a full 2021 playing season, albeit the arena will not reach full capacity with social distance seating. I will try to post a tape of the delegation for those interested. The recommendations in the report were approved: to provide $200K in kind services $50K cash for the street celebration and $110 for capital expenses to improve the video display room, install timers in the visiting team rooms and 11 metal detectors.

4. There were a couple items requiring additional funding for different reasons, but in the end both the expanded scope for the ROUNDABOUT Design for Conlin Rd. E and Grandview St. N. was approved and the additional funding required for the Radio Park redevelopment with the new tennis and PICKLEBALL courts due to specific geotechnical findings was also approved.

5. I had questions and expressed my dissatisfaction with the City Treasurer's report concerning the RENT ABATEMENT requests from two commercial tenants in city-owned facilities. One letter came in March the other in May for assistance as the federal government's Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program does not include leases for provincial or municipal premises.

With my first question I learned that staff had not contacted the two commercial tenants to let them know that this Report would be on yesterday's agenda and give them an opportunity to write or made a delegation. This in my opinion was unacceptable.

I can't understand how the staff recommendation was basically to say sorry, we can't do anything for you or any future city commercial tenants making similar requests. Imo the City should be more responsive. As one tenant is the GEMINI GYMNASTICS, a long term city tenant, that has contributed to sports in the community and had wonderful success in major competitions, doing the City proud, I was hoping for some response from the City that there is hope for additional relief measures coming from the Region, the Province or the Federal government considering Council approved a motion last month asking for financial support from all three levels of government  to " help local municipalities assist their local social cultural, service clubs, and children/youth minor sporting originations with clear and definitive relief funding programs directed to help http://app.oshawa.ca/agendas/city_council/2020/07-13/report_cncl-20-144.pdf

Also, I tried to mention that the City of Thunder Bay and the City of Brampton have attempted to provide rent relief for commercial tenants renting from the city. But for some reason the Mayor interrupted and said it was unfair to refer to this.

https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/business/rent-relief-for-city-tenants-covid-19.aspx#  
The City of Thunder Bay recognizes the financial hardships placed on the City’s commercial tenants due to ongoing closures and operating restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 22, 2020, council approved a rent relief program for commercial tenants that rent from the City. It is described as a "new program to help commercial tenants is applicable to businesses with a 50% drop in revenue. To measure revenue loss, applicants can compare revenues in April, May and June of 2020 to that of the same month of 2019. The City will waive 25% of rent during the period of April, May and June; tenants will pay 25% of rent during this period; and the remaining 50% will be amortized over the next 3 years of the lease (or lesser balance of the lease). Eligible tenants are invited to submit an application. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2020."

https://www.brampton.ca/EN/City-Hall/News/Pages/Media-Release.aspx/726
"June 24, Brampton City Council approved extending the rent relief program for non-profit and small for-profit tenants within City-owned buildings for an additional three months until September, 2020.... the City has 81 tenants across 41 facilities.
...collects $302,134.68 in rent monthly. The waiving of rent for three months for all non-profit organizations within City-owned buildings would cost the City $202K...Currently, the City has not restricted access to any tenanted space and has communicated to tenants that it is their business decision as to whether or not they want to shut down operations, as the City will continue to facilitate access if needed. However, in light of the current and unprecedented circumstances, some tenants have begun to inquire as to rent relief during the shutdown period."

Today Durham Regional Police Chief Paul Martin announced he will be retiring this September after 30 years with the force.

Below is a link to his statement on the DRPS website and excepts here:

"let’s remember three things: our police service is made up of men and women who have made a choice to put themselves and their lives at risk to serve and protect you and me. That is an awesome commitment, one that we should never fail to honour. It’s a pledge of commitment that not many people would be willing to make, and it is one from which we all benefit daily."


"Do some fail under pressure to live up to that commitment? Of course. Do some allow the strain of the situations they face daily to make them hard and less careful in their use of their enormous power, yes. But that is not an indictment of the thousands of their brothers and sisters who do not."

"...as I close the policing chapter of my career and move to another I’d ask you to also remember this: Every Canadian has a role to play in this journey to evolve communities and community safety in Canada. In policing and at the DRPS we need your support, your feedback, your counsel, and most of all your understanding as we climb this hill together towards a new future of policing in Canada."

https://members.drps.ca/upload_files/Message_from_Chief_Paul_Martin_20207915832.pdf