City continues search for ward review expert

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

A consultant to complete a review of the City of Oshawa’s ward boundaries and recommend a new system has not yet been pinned down.

According to a timeline approved by council in June, city staff are meant to have the contract for the sole-sourced consultant negotiated and issued by this week.

However, city staff are mum on the details regarding the process.

“We don’t have anything at this point to share,” said Jason McWilliam the city’s manager of records and information systems.

“Certainly, we’re still working through the process, but we hope to have that wrapped up in the next week or two I would anticipate.”

Under the city’s new timeline, this is the process residents can expect over the next year:

– August 8, 2016 – Approval of sole-sourced contract

– September 6, 2016 – Special meeting of council to receive a presentation prior to the project commencing

– September 7, 2017 – October 21, 2016 – First round of community engagement regarding principles for review

– September 21, 2016 – Approval of new Regional Council Composition bylaw

– October 24, 2016 – November 23, 2016 – Staff development of report from first round of community engagement

– November 28, 2016 – Report presented to council

– November 28, 2016 – January 16, 2017 – Second round of community engagement, this time regarding proposed boundaries

– January 23, 2017 – February 17, 2017 – Development of report with final recommendations

– February 21, 2017 – Final report presented to council

– February 22, 2017 -March 8, 2017 – Public notice period, public meeting and consideration of new bylaw by council

– March 8, 2017 – Public meeting regarding proposed bylaw

– March 20, 2017 – Adoption of new ward boundary bylaw

– March 21 – May 4, 2017 – 45 day period for public to appeal bylaw

– May 5, 2017 – December 29, 2017 – Period to deal with any appeals to Ontario Municipal Board