Re-Opening and Amending Item 2023.IE7.4 on Updates on Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives to Allow Optional Polling for Traffic - by Councillor Stephen Holyday, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie

Among the changes were a reduction to the warranted speed threshold which would now qualify more streets, using the posted speed as a basis, the deletion of the requirement of a petition to gauge support at the outset of the process, and the deletion of the mandatory requirement of a formal Clerk's Poll of households to formalize support at the final stage of approval. Members of the public who contact 311 to request a traffic calming investigation are no longer able to do so, and are now directed to their local Councillor to place their request. The new policy places a significant onus with the local Councillor to select and advance traffic calming projects. It now requires that Transportation Services staff liaise with a Councillor to understand community support, based on the Councillor's discretion, before staff prepare a report to Community Council to authorize a road alteration by-law for locations where the Councillor has indicated support. This new process which gives the Councillor discretionary authority for the initiation process leaves very little transparency for the public. It is essential to maintain accountability to the public and support confidence in the integrity government, since some traffic calming projects can be controversial and they affect the rights, safety and wellbeing of residents. The Clerk does not directly notify the local residents when a Traffic Calming report is placed on the agenda, and a Clerk's Poll could be the only form of notice in some instances. Community Councils always had ad-hoc discretion to modify the process or approve a traffic calming installation for any reason at any time. In the recent changes to the Traffic Calming Policy, members of Council were advised that the mandatory Clerk's Polling requirement of the policy would be removed. I have recently learned that the availability of a Clerk's Poll is now expressly prohibited, even in instances where the local Councillor or Community Council desires one to be held. The purpose of this motion is to seek City Council approval to modify the 2023 Traffic Calming Policy to allow the flexibility of the option of directing that a Clerk's Poll be conducted upon approval from the Community Council on a case by case basis. This motion does not propose any other amendments to the Traffic Calming Policy. Requires Re-opening Item 2023.IE7.4 (November 8 and 9, 2023 City Council Meeting)

Traffic Calming Policy to delegate to Community Council the authority to request a poll for traffic calming measures in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 190, Polling and Notifications, with the specific requirements as set out in Chapter 190 or as otherwise set by Community Council.