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2014-05-20_Agenda Packet--Dossier de l'ordre du jourr. City of Saint John Common Council Meeting AGENDA Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:00 pm Council Chamber Please use Chipman Hill entrance S'il vous plait utiliser 1'entree Chipman Hill Si vous avez besoin des services en francais pour une reunion de Conseil communal, veuillez contacter le bureau du greffier communal au 658 -2862. Pages 1. Call to Order - Prayer 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Minutes of May 5, 2014 2 - 3 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest 5. Consent Agenda 5.1 Terms of the May 2014 Debenture Issue (Recommendation: Receive for 4 - 5 Information) 6. Members Comments 7. Proclamation 7.1 EMS Week May 25 -31 6 - 6 8. Delegations / Presentations 8.1 Saint John Transit Presentation - Service Options 7-23 8.2 Saint John Police Commission - Sustainable Service Review (Report to follow) 24-43 9. Public Hearings - None scheduled 1 Powered By; $ &1BE' 10. Consideration of By -laws 11. Submissions by Council Members 11.1 Providing Line Painting Services to Outlying Communities (Councillor 44-44 Merrithew) 12. Business Matters - Municipal Officers 13. Committee Reports 14. Consideration of Issues Separated from Consent Agenda 15. General Correspondence 15.1 We Are Passengers- Request to Present 45-46 16. Supplemental Agenda 17. Committee of the Whole 18. Adjournment 1 City of Saint John Common Council Meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Committee of the Whole 1. Call to Order Si vous avez besoin des services en frangais pour une reunion de Conseil communal, veuillez contacter le bureau du greffier communal au 658 -2862. Each of the following items, either in whole or in part, is able to be discussed in private pursuant to the provisions of subsection 10.(2)(4) of the Municipalities Act and Council / Committee will make a decision(s) in that respect in Open Session: 4:30 p.m. Ludlow Room, 8t" Floor City Hall 1.1 Proposed Agreement 10.2(4)(c) The City of Saint John Seance du conseil communal Le mardi 20 mai 2014 CornW plenier 1. Ouverture de la seance Si vous avez besoin des services en frangais pour une reunion du Conseil communal, veuillez contacter le bureau du greffier communal au 658 -2862. Chacun des points suivants, en totalitd ou en partie, peut faire Pobjet d'une discussion en privd en vertu des dispositions pr6vues au paragraphe 10.2(4) de la Loi sur les municipalites. Le conseil/comit6 prendra une ou des decisions a cet 6gard au cours de la seance publique 16 h 30 — Salle de conference, 8e Rage, hotel de ville 1.1 Projet d'entente — alinda 10.2(4)c) Seance ordinaire Ouverture de la reunion, suivie de la priere 2. Approbation du proces- verbal 2.1 Proces- verbal du 5 mai 2014 3. Adoption de I'ordre du jour 4. Divulgations de conflits d'interets 5. Questions soumises a I'approbation du conseil 5.1 Modalit6s relatives a 1'6mission d'obligations de mai 2014 (recommandation : accepter a titre informatif) 6. Commentaires presentes par les membres 7. Proclamation 7.1 Semaine des services medicaux d'urgence du 25 au 31 mai 8. Delegations et presentations 8.1 Presentation de la Commission des transports de Saint John — Options en matiere de services 8.2 Bureau des commissaires de police — Examen relatif a la prestation des services durables (rapport a suivre) 9. Audiences publiques 10. Etude des arretes municipaux 11. Interventions des membres du Conseil 11.1 Prestation de services pour le tragage de lignes de signalisation aux collectivites peripheriques (conseiller Merrithew) 12. Affaires municipales evoquees par les fonctionnaires municipaux 13. Rapports deposes par les comites 14. Etude des sujets ecartes des questions soumises a I'approbation du conseil 15. Correspondance generale 15.1 Demande presentee par We Are Passengers visant a se presenter devant le conseil 16. Ordre du jour supplementaire 17. Comite plenier 18. Levee de la seance 98- COMMON COUNCILICONSEIL COMMUNAL MAY 5, 2014/LE 5 MAI 2014 COMMON COUNCIL MEETING — THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN CITY HALL — MAY 5, 2014 - 6:00 P.M. Present: Mel Norton, Mayor Deputy Mayor Rinehart and Councillors Farren, Fullerton, MacKenzie, McAlary, Merrithew, Norton, Reardon and Strowbridge Regrets: Councillor Lowe and - J. Hamilton, Commissioner of Growth and Community Development and Acting City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; C. Graham, Comptroller; N. Jacobsen, Commissioner Strategic Services; P. Ouellette, Executive Director: A. Poffenroth, Deputy Commissioner Growth and Community Development; J. Armstrong, Deputy Fire Chief; J. Taylor, Common Clerk; P Anglin, Acting Deputy Common Clerk. 1. Call To Order — Prayer Mayor Norton called the meeting to order and Deputy Mayor Rinehart offered the opening prayer. 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Agenda On motion of Councillor McAlary Seconded by Councillor MacKenzie RESOLVED that the agenda of this meeting be approved. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 4. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest Councillor Reardon mentioned that she was on the Board of Uptown Saint John for item 8.1, the public presentation on Pedestrian Streets. 5. Consent Agenda 6. Members Comments Council members commented on various community events. The Mayor commented on the successful energy delegation's trip to Texas. 7. Proclamation 8. Delegations /Presentations 8.1 Uptown Saint John - Pedestrian Street Pilot Anne McShane and the delegation from Uptown Saint John presented the Pedestrian Street Pilot findings and made the following recommendations: Market Square: Continue best practices in planning that encourage walkability, street animation, and place making at the current pedestrian street, Market Square Prince William Street: Explore the opportunity of a temporary event- driven pedestrian street, called a festival street, recommending Prince William Street as an appropriate location. On motion of Councillor Farren Seconded by Councillor McAlary I 98- COMMON COUNCIL /CONSEIL COMMUNAL MAY 5, 2014/LE 5 MAI 2014 RESOLVED that the report entitled, Uptown Saint John — Pedestrian Street Pilot, be referred to the City Manager for an action plan to be brought back to Council within a month. Question being taken, the motion was carried. The Mayor noted that the report should include an action plan which would allow one very simple pilot "festival street" event to be held in 2014. 8.2 Growth & Community Development Services - Presentation — Sustainable Review Jacqueline Hamilton, Commissioner of Growth and Community Development and staff provided an orientation to the service, including the following: ® a five year historical background, future service opportunities, such as the One -Stop Development Shop, and challenges, and service scenario impacts to maintain the service baseline, a service reduction: 2% increase in 2015 -2016 and a service reduction: 0% increase in 2015 -2016. On motion of Councillor McAlary Seconded by Deputy Mayor Rinehart RESOLVED that the report entitled, Sustainable Service Review — Growth and Community Planning Services, be referred to the City Manager as input into the 2015 budget process. Question being taken, the motion was carried. 9. Public Hearings 10. Consideration of By -laws 11. Submissions by Council Members 12. Business Matters - Municipal Officers 13. Committee Reports 14. Consideration of Issues Separated from Consent Agenda 15. General Correspondence 16. Supplemental Agenda 17. Committee of the Whole 18. Adjournment The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Mayor 1 maire Common Clerk 1 greffier communal 3 REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL M &C- 2014 -68 May 14, 2014 His Worship Mayor Mel Norton and Members of Common Council Your Worship and Councillors: SUBJECT: Terms of the May 2014 Debenture Issue BACKGROUND: .4 City of Saint John On May 1, 2014 the New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation negotiated the sale of a bond issue in the amount of $47,500,000 of which $11,000,000 related to the City of Saint John 2013 Capital Program. ANALYSIS: The terms of the issue as they relate to Saint John are as follows: Term: 15 serial form $11,000,000 Coupon Rate: Year 1 - 1.15% Year 11 - 3.55% Year 2 - 1.35% Year 12 - 3.65% Year 3 - 1.65% Year 13 - 3.70% Year 4 - 2.00% Year 14 - 3.80% Year 5 - 2.35% Year 15 - 3.90% Year 6 - 2.60% Year 7 - 2.90% Year 8 - 3.10% Year 9 - 3.30% Year 10 - 3.45% Price: $ 99.14 (Principal: $11,000,000) Average Yield: 3.337% Settlement Date: May 15, 2014 Il M &C- 2014 -68 May 14, 2014 -2- The interest rates and the discount factor were within the limits approved by Common Council at its meeting held on March 31 st, 2014. As such the Mayor and Common Clerk have signed the debentures between the City and the New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation for $11,000,000 at the terms listed above on May 6, 2014. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that this report be received and filed. Respectfully submitted, Gregory J. Yeomans, CGA, MBA Commissioner of Finance and Administrative Services J. Patrick Woods, CGA City Manager 5 PROCLAMATION WHEREAS: Emergency medical services is a vital public service; and WHEREAS: The members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and WHEREAS: Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and WHEREAS: The emergency medical services system consists of paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, critical care flight nurses; and WHEREAS: The members of emergency medical services teams engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and WHEREAS: It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week. NOW THEREFORE: I, Mayor Mel Norton- of Saint John do hereby proclaim the week of May 25th to May 31st, 2014 Emergency Medical Services Week in Saint John, New Brunswick. With the 2014 theme, Our family caring for yours, I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. In Witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed the official seal of the Mayor of the City of Saint John. 9 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT Service Options The Saint John Transit Commission has been asked to present to Common Council three service option levels for the years 2014 and 2015 7 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT �= Current Service Standards Model • 85% of population within 500 meters of service. • 20 min service on main lines from 6 am to 12 midnight. • 30 min peak, 60 min off peak on feeder routes from 6 am until 10 pm. • 3 morning, 3 evening, and suburban routes. 1 noon trip on CURRENT ROUTES 4 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT 1 Lancaster Mall via Rothesay Avenue 2 McAllister Place via Rothesay Avenue 3 Regional / UNB via Causeway 4 McAllister Place via Causeway 5 Regional / UNB via Churchill Blvd. 6 Lancaster Mall via Churchill Blvd. 10 Lomeville 11 Fundy Heights 12 Martinon 13 Milford / Greendale 14 Churchill Heights 15 Harbour Bridge A/B 20 Wright St. / Fort Howe 21 South End / St. Joseph's 23 Crescent Valley 25 Millidgeville / North 30 Champlain Heights 31 Forest Glen 33 Champlain Express 34 Silver Falls 35 Red Head 32 Loch Lomond SAINT JOHN TRANSIT Historical Perspective 2010 - 2013 Year Service Hours 2010 1171397 2011 1121148 2012 961318 2013 1021312 Passengers 216721919 2,685,520 2,406,193 2,275,609 *A 13% decline in Service Hours has led to 15 decline in passengers. The standard elasticity change between service hours and passengers is 1 to 1. 10 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT 44)-- New Service Design Standards • Focus service in the primary development areas outlined in Plan SJ. • Move from 3 main lines to improved frequency from minutes. 2 main lines with 20 minutes to 15 • Feed connections to the new main the various area within the development area. 11 lines from primary WIL - Option # jA • Reduce area coverage of service to the primary development area. • Increase frequency significantly on main lines by changing from 3 main lines to 2 main lines. • Provide improved frequency to connect with this new single main line. • 901,655 service hours. • Ridership in year 1 is estimated to be 2,150,000. • Budget for 2015 and 2016 not to exceed 2014 requirements. 12 112 '14 %-.11 , 516 i ��Mml%ff� 314 pp MAIN LINES: ROUTES 1 & 2 13 & 4 15 & 6 Or SAINT JOHN TRANSIT MAIN LINES MAIN LINES 1 Regional / UNB via Rothesay Avenue 2 McAllister Place via Rothesay Avenue 3 Regional / UNB via Causeway 4 McAllister Place via Causeway 0)� SAINT JOHN TRANSIT MAIN LINES I WEST SIDE ROUTES WEST SIDE ROUTES 11 Fundy Heights 13 Milford / Greendale 14 Churchill Heights SAINT JOHN TRANSIT 15 Harbour Bridge A/B � MAIN LINES I WEST SIDE ROUTES I CENTRAL ROUTES CENTRAL ROUTES 20 21 23 25 Wright St. / Fort Howe South End / St. Joseph's Crescent Valley Millidgeville / North SAINT JOHN TRANSIT MAIN LINES I WEST SIDE ROUTES I CENTRAL ROUTES I EAST SIDE ROUTES 15 +. L EAST SIDE ROUTES 30 Champlain Heights 31 Forest Glen 33 Champlain Express 34 Silver Falls U �& SAINT JOHN TRANSIT CURRENT ROUTES 4 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT 1 Lancaster Mall via Rothesay Avenue 2 McAllister Place via Rothesay Avenue 3 Regional / UNB via Causeway 4 McAllister Place via Causeway 5 Regional / UNB via Churchill Blvd. 6 Lancaster Mall via Churchill Blvd. 10 Lomeville 11 Fundy Heights 12 Martinon 13 Milford / Greendale 14 Churchill Heights 15 Harbour Bridge A/B 20 Wright St. / Fort Howe 21 South End / St. Joseph's 23 Crescent Valley 25 Millidgeville / North 30 Champlain Heights 31 Forest Glen 33 Champlain Express 34 Silver Falls 35 Red Head 32 Loch Lomond • Option # 1 with improved frequency and later coverage on some feeder lines. • 99,155 Service hours. • Ridership expectation would be 2,250,000 in 2015 and 2,350,000 in 2016. • Budgets would require an additional $175,000 for 2015 and a further $150,000 for 2016. 19 • A service designed to return ridership to pre 2010 levels would be based on Option # 2 with the addition of the suburban routes • 105,155 service hours. • Ridership expectations would be 2,485,000 in 2015 and 2,600,000 in 2016 • Budgets for 2015 would require an increase of $250,000 and an additional $200,000 for 2016 20 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT �'- 1)The bus stop on North King Square is currently not large enough and would be even more crowded if this new service design is implemented. Any change to enlarge the stop would result in a decrease of on street parking on the north side of North King Square which might be partially mitigated by angle parking continuing the full length of the south side. 2)The introduction of this new service design would require a lead time at least four months. 21 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT �'-- The following five areas are ongoing concerns: 1) Opportunities for cost savings have been realized and service reductions are the only remaining response. 2) Our aging fleet (Current average age 12 yrs) is resulting in major increases in maintenance costs. 3) Staffing reductions have significantly impacted cleanliness of buses and our ability to meet daily fleet requirements. 4) Revenue at 50% of costs results in a doubling of the impact of cost increases on subsidy. Would Council consider carrying transit on both revenue &expense lines. 5) Need for continued funding of bus stop signage program. (No funding for 2014) 22 SAINT JOHN TRANSIT �- Over the past few years Saint John Transit has been asked to constantly change service hour levels with a resulting inconsistency in the product being delivered to our passengers. It is important that a commitment be made to a basic level of service hours that will allow us to present a product to our passengers that they know will be consistent. 23 24 Budget Actual Approved Operating Budget Revenue Budget 'NET' Operating Expenses % Increase Audited 'NET' Expenses Variance Vs 'NET' O Ex p. +/- vs 'NET' Op Ex p. 2014 23,559,662 910,000 22,649,662 3.2% 2013 22,777,842 827,000 21,950,842 0.1% Not Available at this Time 2012 22,724,065 800,000 21,924,065 -3.6% 21,441,114 482,951 -2.20% 2011 22,899,426 150,000 22,749,426 1.0% 22,741,030 8,396 -0.04% 2010 22,672,700 150,000 22,522,700 3.1% 22,553,792 - 31,092 0.14% 2009 21,935,041 99,000 21,836,041 9.4% 21,875,847 - 39,806 0.18% 2008 20,063,849 99,000 19,964,849 6.3% 20,848,157 - 883,308 4.42% 2007 18,880,220 99,000 18,781,220 4.8% 18,860,639 - 79,419 0.42% 2006 18,014,630 99,000 17,915,630 6.2% 18,151,820 - 236,190 1.32% 2005 16,969,816 99,000 16,870,816 4.5% 16,841,100 29,716 -0.18% 2004 16,208,940 69,000 16,139,940 4.5% 16,126,193 13,747 -0.09% 2003 15,514,309 69,000 15,445,309 -1.8% 15,854,881 - 409,572 2.65% 2002 15,788,591 61,000 15,727,591 24 91:10MUGINIMM26 C Revenue Source Prisoner Lodging Accident reports Taxi Licenses Criminal Record Checks Pt. Lepreau Province of NB Customer Rothesay Regional Police Annual Amount $25,000 Various Insurance Companies $11,000 $50,000 $30,000 $50,000 Saint John Cab Drivers Criminal Record for Public ETS Contract Partial Cost Recovery for operating cost for Detention Facilities $84,000 Extra Duty Assignments Paid O/T for Various Events in SJ $30,000 Secondment —1 Officer 1. RCMP - NWEST $100,000 Secondment —1 Officer 1. RCMP — ICE $100,000 Secondment — 2 Officers & 1 Civilian 1. RCMP — CISNB $250,000 Secondment —1 Officer 1. RCMP /Public Safety - VICLAS $80,000 Secondment —1 Officer 1. Corrections Canada $100,000 $910,000 Sustainable Service Review May 20th, 2014 26 • OBJECTIVES: — A Brief History — `Downloading' — Intelligence -Led Policing — Core Businesses — AThumbnail View of police activity — Performance Measures — Aligning with Council's Priorities — Going Forward: Creating efficiencies — Budgets, Revenue & Resources, Service Options 2 Policing 27 �p'HN E • Saint John Police Force established • Byrne Report: Reinventing Local Government • Grant Report: Restructuring Policing in NB • Perivale- Taylor Report: Reinventing the SJPF • Policing Standards: Uniform policing • Intelligence -Led Policing: Business model • Finn Report: Restructuring Local Government 3 Police Service • Police Force Establishment Reductions: • `Downloading' is the practice of senior levels of government reassigning responsibility and cost for services to municipal governments ...for example: disclosure, mental health, access to information, addictions, case law. 4 Police Service 29 'o0, -,GCE . Status quo: status quo (kwo) n. The existing condition or state of affairs. Since the 1990s, there has effectively been no Status for the Saint John Police Force. To best satisfy our public safety obligations within the available resources, the Force has balanced strategic and evidence -based decision making with agile and responsive service. The results have been an effective and efficient service, without being simply reactive. We are strategically focused and stable, but operationally responsive and situational. 5 Police Service 30 • 1990s: Mental Health care 'deinstitutionalized' • Since 2000: community -based care &services • Well intentioned; doesn't serve mentally ill in crisis • Since 2001, SJPF has experienced: — A 183% increase in Mental Health Act (MHA) files — A 400% increase in the number of officer hours spent "at scene" dealing with Mental Health Act related calls — A 331% increase after - incident follow -up for MHA files • SJPF solution includes early intervention partnerships • This is a policing problem across Canada 6 Police Service 31 • SJPF Business model; adopted 2009 A `Big Tent' model that integrates many policing best practices • Key focus /performance measure is `crime reduction' • A paradigm shift in our approach to policing • Significant &sustained crime reduction 7 Police Service 32 SAIiyT'1I +�pNN ` • 2007 Strategic Plan 17.7% • New business model 17.2% • Intelligence -Led 16.7% °o Policing 16.2 15.7% • Crime reduction 115.2% • Reduce SJPF budget as % of City budget • Effectiveness & efficiency 8 Police Service 33 Police Budget as % of City Budget SAIiyT'1I +�pNN ` fpgcE • In 2013 the PSAC (911 Centre) had 64,000 police dispatch entries • Of these, 48,000 are police 'calls for service' • That means 131 public facing service responses daily, each of which require some measure of additional follow -up, investigation, reports and possibly court processes. • A lot of police work is not initiated by a call for service, or does not result in a standard incident report. These are in the nature of relationship /community building, intelligence gathering or crime reduction. 9 Police Service 34 • Legislated /Regulatory requirements: — Adequate policing — Policing Standards • Saint John Police Force Performance Measures: — Crime Reduction (Crime Severity Index) — Public Satisfaction (Public Opinion Survey) 10 Police Service 35 �p'HN E 11 Direct Revenue: $100,000,000 — Revenue based on agreements with the Saint John Police Force, or similar services provided by the Force. The revenue is returned to the Force, and is applied against the Operating Budget (i.e., it reduces the Force Budget to be raised by taxation.) Indirect Revenue: $330,450 — Revenue based on some part of the value of funds generated by Police Force activity (e.g., traffic tickets) and paid to the City by the Province. Not applied against Operating Budget. Average Annual Police Revenue returned to City: $1,330,450 Policing 36 Council's Priorities (2012 -2016) • Economic Health • Community of Choice • Sustainable Infrastructure Police Commission's Priorities • Efficiency • Citizens feel safe • Citizens are safe • Citizen /public safety partners • Policing mandate — Police Act: 12 Police Service 37 • Adequate policing, as required by legislation Security of investment is essential to economic development and community of choice. Unsafe communities are considered a significant investment risk. �p'HN 'op4 \Gc F0 CE • 2014 Strategic Plan Process: Strategic Directions ? ?? — Technologies — Partnerships and cooperation — Revenue generation — Civilianization — Process improvement — Best practices • Implementation of Strategies: schedule &resources? 13 Police Service • �p'HN E Saint John Police Force Operating Budget Total Wages & Benefits Total Goods & Services TOTAL Revenue Net Operating Costs 2013 -2015 Settlement 14 Policing 19,136,697 4,422,966 20,576,492 4,447,348 20,576,492 4,536,295 $23,559,663 $25,023,840 $25,112,787 9101000 110001000 110001000 $22,649,662 39 $24,023,840 (1,506,840) $24,112,787 (1,506,840) �p'HN 'op4 \Gc FpgCE • Police service has four non-optional drivers: — Crime Reduction — Calls for Service (911 calls), on an assigned priority basis — The Police role in the Criminal Justice process (Courts) — Community Policing • Expenditure Control not by reducing these services; but by improved effectiveness, efficiencies and economy 15 Policing I ' �p'HN E • A CMA (Census Metropolitan Area) consists of one or more neighboring municipalities situated around and dependent upon a major urban core. The Saint John CMA Police- to- Population (P2P) ratio is one of the lowest of all CMAs in Canada. 16 Policing 41 CMA Police -to- Population Ratio Winnipeg (Man.) Thunder Bay (Ont.) Regina (Sask.) Montreal (Que.) Windsor (Ont.) Brantford (Ont.) Saskatoon (Sask.) Toronto (Ont.) Halifax (N.S.) St. Catharines - Niagara (Ont.) Calgary (Alta.) Edmonton (Alta.) Greater Sudbury (Ont.) Barrie (Ont.) London (Ont.) Peterborough (Ont.) Victoria (B.C.) Guelph (Ont.) Hamilton (Ont.) Kitchener-Ca mbridge -... Vancouver (B.C.) Ottawa - Gatineau (Ont. -Que.) Abbotsford - Mission (B.C.) Kingston (Ont.) Saint John (N.B.) Quebec (Que.) Sherbrooke (Que.) Kelowna (B.C.) Trois- Rivieres (Que.) Saguenay (Que.) Moncton (N.B.) • Non - Discretionary Programs: — Calls for Service (911) — Criminal Justice System (Courts) — Adequate Policing (Police Act) — Policing Standards (PNB Regulations) — Community Policing (PNB Regulations) • Discretionary Programs: — Crime Reduction — Priority Communities (CPOs) — Community Connections (DARE, MADD, TADD, Schools, etc.) • Maintaining Value... the few discretionary police functions where we have authority to reduce service, are the very functions that our communities identify as the most important — the greatest value to individuals and community. 17 Policing 42 Non - Discretionary /Discretionary 18 Policing 43 Discretionary, by Category �p'HN CE j wv, May 13, 2014 His Worship Mel Norton and Members of Common Council Your Worship and Councillors: Subject: Providing Line Painting Services to Outlying Communities Motion: That Council direct the City Manager to investigate the possibility of the City of Saint John providing line painting services to the outlying communities. Respectfully Submitted, (Received via email) David Merrithew Councillor City of Saint John l� - VU SAINT JOHN P.O. Box 1971 Saint John, NB Canada E2L 41-1 1 www.saintjohn.ca I C.P. 1971 Saint John, N. -B. Canada E21- 41-1 ii S. 1 �. May 8th, 2014 Good morning, Mayor Norton and Councillors We Are Passengers is a citizen's advocacy group formed to oppose the Saint John Transit Commission's decision of February 20th, 2014 to discontinue its long held practice of municipal bus fare exemption for those in possession of CNIB Client Photo Identification Cards. Our advocacy group, along with representatives from the CNIB, the Canadian Council for the Blind, and other relevant community stakeholders, would appreciate an opportunity to present a short Power Point presentation, and speak briefly to this unfortunate decision. If implemented on July 1, 2014 as planned, this decision would see legally blind citizens and visitors to Saint John further marginalized. Indeed the move would erect yet another barrier to access. Those struggling with vision loss in Canada suffer with the highest rate of unemployment, coupled with the lowest mean income of any disability group in Canada. As a community, many of us use the city's municipal transit system to go about our daily lives. We travel by bus to and from work, doctor's appointments, to do our shopping, visit with our friends and loved ones, attend cultural events, and enjoy the best our community has to offer. All on a municipal transit system which, while it meets the accessibility needs of other disability groups via kneeling buses and wheelchair lifts and restraints, sadly remains inaccessible to the blind and visually impaired. In the Staff Report to the Saint John Transit Commission (that is, Staff Report #4), the report claimed that the practice of fare exemptions was on the decline across Canada. Indeed, when CNIB addressed this very issue in their response to the Transit Commission, it was shown that the practice was in fact not on the decline, and in fact removing the concession would constitute yet another barrier to accessible safe reliable transportation for the blind. Without affordable access to the bus service, we must rely on existing Para - Transit services, taxis, or the charity of family and friends. These options do not offer the same level of independence. While the Handi -Bus service is an integral part of the city's Para - Transit services, it does not provide the same level of accessibility or independence offered through the city's municipal bus service. For the following reasons: Cost: The Handi -bus service charges a one -way fare of $5 per passenger. This is comparable to a taxi fare equivalent for travelling through one municipal zone. Saint John 45 Transit charges $2.75 per passenger. Accessibility: Use of the Handi -Bus Service requires booking the services 24 -48 hrs in advance. This renders the service unsuitable as a reliable day to day transit option for the blind. When we look at other similar municipal transit systems, we see that such fare concessions have become a cornerstone of accessible transit for the blind. We have provided the following for inclusion in agenda packages for the Mayor and Council: We would appreciate an opportunity to speak to the Mayor and Common Council at the May 26th, 2014 regular Council Meeting. Thank you. Gerry Harris