Terms of Reference
INTRODUCTION
The City of Victoria Council is undertaking an engineering assessment of the Johnson Street Bridge to determine whether to replace or refurbish the bridge. In June 2010 Council will receive engineering reports that compare the costs and feasibility of either:
- Rehabilitation the existing Johnson Street Bridge; or
- Replacing the bridge with a new structure.
Once Council selects one of the two projects the City will draft a bylaw to enable borrowing for that project. The bylaw must first be approved through a referendum planned for November 2010 before the project can begin.
To assist City staff at various stages of this process a Citizen Advisory Panel comprised of members of the community with various expertise is being convened by the City Manager.
The guiding principles and role for the Citizen Advisory Panel are established as follows:
1. PURPOSE OF THE PANEL
To work with City staff in providing advice to the City regarding the Johnson Street Bridge Project, including advice on the socio-cultural, economic, and environment sustainability of the project, through to its completion.
2. GOAL
To support Council’s vision to be the most liveable city in Canada by replacing or rehabilitation the Johnson Street Bridge and providing alternative transportation infrastructure that supports not only the City’s needs, but that of the entire Region, for both today and future generations.
3. OBJECTIVES
The project will:
- be completed on-time and on-budget
- comply with all City, Provincial, and Federal guidelines, regulatory and legislative requirements
- will provide sustainable alternative transportation options with a primary focus on accessibility, pedestrians, cyclists and supporting transit and passenger rail service into the downtown
- be considerate and respectful of all City guiding documents and plans, in particular the Old Town Guidelines and Harbour Pathway Plan
- will compliment and enhance the urban form and design elements of the surrounding area and integration of those elements
- will enhance safety, aesthetics and accessibility
- minimize impact and disruptions to the immediate area and beyond during construction
- use a Triple-Bottom Line framework considering social, environmental, and economics values in selecting the successful project
- be informed by the public and will benefit from the respectful and informed exchange of ideas from the community
- meet the Community’s needs for both today and future generations
4. COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL
The Citizen Advisory Panel will be comprised of seven members of the community with various expertise along with City staff, including the City Manager who serves as the Chair of the Panel. The Members of the Panel are as follows;
Community Members:
- Community Representative – 2
- Cycling/Pedestrian Representative – 1
- Architect/Urban Designer – 2
- Sustainability Representative – 1
- Heritage Representative – 1
- Business Representative – 1
City Staff Members and Chair of the Panel:
- City Manager – Chair
- General Manager, Corporate Services
- General Manager, Operations
- Director, Engineering
- Director, Communications
5. TERM OF APPOINTMENT
The Citizens Advisory Panel will be appointed for the duration of the project (18 to 24 months). If vacancies should arise during the term, the Chair of the Committee will select new members, as required.
6. MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
Meetings will be convened by the City Manager (Chair) as required. Meeting frequency may vary during the course of the project. It is expected to have more meetings in the beginning of the project leading up to Council’s selection of the preferred project. The meetings would then taper to a monthly basis or as required based on achieving key milestones.
In order to be a Member in good standing, regular attendance at the meetings is required. A member who is absent from the meeting for three consecutive meetings without notification will be removed from the Panel.
7. COMPENSATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Members of the Citizen Advisory Panel serve on a voluntary basis. No compensation will be made to Members for their participation.
However, Members of the Panel will be recognized and acknowledged for their contribution to the project.
8. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
All Panel Members will be asked to confirm and declare any conflict of interest at each meeting given that individual’s circumstances may change from time-to-time.
9. COMMUNICATIONS
The Chair of the Panel is the spokesperson for the Panel. Panel members will be expected to communicate as a team. All external communication will be managed through the Director of Communications’ office regarding the progress of the project, key milestones and major decisions made by the Panel. The Director of Communications may from time-to-time request the Panel and/or individual Members to provide comments and/or interviews with the media.
