,After a 6 hour electronic Special Council meeting there were two decisions:: one that left me literally with a major headache and some question marks, and the other that gives me hope for the downtown:
1) New 2020 BIA levy rate is reduced from .00289% to .00145% (which is what the downtown BIA taxpayer multiplies their commercial property assessment value by to calculate their annual property tax bill) and the BIA budget is reduced from $536,750 to $268,375, vote 5 to 4 in favour Gray, Hurst, McConkey, Neal, Nicholson; against Chapman, Giberson, Kerr, Marks
2) City is hiring a new security company to address issues in the downtown, and the Council vote was unanimous...here is the complete motion and we have to thank Jeff Warford, CEO of Oshawa Clinic Group for his June 4, 2020 letter (on the Agenda) concerning the need to fix the downtown drug abuse, crime and litter problems. This motion is a follow-up to it, with
Additional Security Services Required for the Downtown:
Whereas the services that are provided in the downtown for those who are unsheltered include: meals; washrooms; showers; a safe place to sleep; medical, mental health and addiction support services; crisis counselling; and, housing navigation;
Whereas these are unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulting in many downtown business closures and consequently less traffic and less pedestrian activity to observe activities which has led to an increase in the number of unsheltered individuals in the downtown;
Whereas there has been increased criminal behaviour such as drug use and vandalism as well as undesirable behaviour such as graffiti and defecating on both private and public properties;
Whereas downtown residents, businesses and City staff have expressed concern for their safety due to the increased criminal behaviour that is occurring daily in the downtown;
Whereas the incidents that are occurring at Memorial Park have doubled in the past few weeks as per complaints from members of the public and businesses and range from defecation, drug use and violence as well as not adhering to the Ontario government emergency orders that prohibit social gatherings of more than five people and the requirement to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or 2 metres;
Whereas security guard requirements have changed due to recreation facility closures and the need to consolidate security resources from the C.O.D. to City Hall to address the numerous issues in the downtown and at Memorial Park, a cost avoidance of approximately $100,000 has been achieved in the Corporate Security budget;
Whereas various security contract providers provide a higher level of security enforcement with specially trained guards who are more able to address these types of situations occurring at Memorial Park and throughout the downtown;
Whereas due to increased complaints, staff have undertook a review of possible solutions to propose to Council to address the impact of the negative occurrences in the downtown and as such: a quote from two vendors G4S (the City’s security provider) and CDN Protection Limited) was obtained to ensure competitive pricing and high quality services;
Whereas CDN Protection Limited is the preferred vendor as they have established relationships with Oshawa’s unsheltered population, the City’s social services agencies and Durham Regional Police;
Therefore be it resolved that:
1. Council approve funding up to $100,000 to expand the scope of the City’s security services and retain CDN Protection Limited and that it be funded from the 2020 Council approved Corporate Security operating budget;
2. Council request that the Region of Durham contribute funds for the additional security services required as a result of the increased number of unsheltered individuals residing in Oshawa’s downtown;
3. The downtown businesses and residents be advised of the City’s course of action to address the issues.
1) New 2020 BIA levy rate is reduced from .00289% to .00145% (which is what the downtown BIA taxpayer multiplies their commercial property assessment value by to calculate their annual property tax bill) and the BIA budget is reduced from $536,750 to $268,375, vote 5 to 4 in favour Gray, Hurst, McConkey, Neal, Nicholson; against Chapman, Giberson, Kerr, Marks
2) City is hiring a new security company to address issues in the downtown, and the Council vote was unanimous...here is the complete motion and we have to thank Jeff Warford, CEO of Oshawa Clinic Group for his June 4, 2020 letter (on the Agenda) concerning the need to fix the downtown drug abuse, crime and litter problems. This motion is a follow-up to it, with
Additional Security Services Required for the Downtown:
Whereas the services that are provided in the downtown for those who are unsheltered include: meals; washrooms; showers; a safe place to sleep; medical, mental health and addiction support services; crisis counselling; and, housing navigation;
Whereas these are unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulting in many downtown business closures and consequently less traffic and less pedestrian activity to observe activities which has led to an increase in the number of unsheltered individuals in the downtown;
Whereas there has been increased criminal behaviour such as drug use and vandalism as well as undesirable behaviour such as graffiti and defecating on both private and public properties;
Whereas downtown residents, businesses and City staff have expressed concern for their safety due to the increased criminal behaviour that is occurring daily in the downtown;
Whereas the incidents that are occurring at Memorial Park have doubled in the past few weeks as per complaints from members of the public and businesses and range from defecation, drug use and violence as well as not adhering to the Ontario government emergency orders that prohibit social gatherings of more than five people and the requirement to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or 2 metres;
Whereas security guard requirements have changed due to recreation facility closures and the need to consolidate security resources from the C.O.D. to City Hall to address the numerous issues in the downtown and at Memorial Park, a cost avoidance of approximately $100,000 has been achieved in the Corporate Security budget;
Whereas various security contract providers provide a higher level of security enforcement with specially trained guards who are more able to address these types of situations occurring at Memorial Park and throughout the downtown;
Whereas due to increased complaints, staff have undertook a review of possible solutions to propose to Council to address the impact of the negative occurrences in the downtown and as such: a quote from two vendors G4S (the City’s security provider) and CDN Protection Limited) was obtained to ensure competitive pricing and high quality services;
Whereas CDN Protection Limited is the preferred vendor as they have established relationships with Oshawa’s unsheltered population, the City’s social services agencies and Durham Regional Police;
Therefore be it resolved that:
1. Council approve funding up to $100,000 to expand the scope of the City’s security services and retain CDN Protection Limited and that it be funded from the 2020 Council approved Corporate Security operating budget;
2. Council request that the Region of Durham contribute funds for the additional security services required as a result of the increased number of unsheltered individuals residing in Oshawa’s downtown;
3. The downtown businesses and residents be advised of the City’s course of action to address the issues.
