Governance of Sparks Street boards to be reviewed

Ottawa's city clerk and solicitor has recommended a "comprehensive review" of two separate Sparks Street boards that "essentially act as one" despite distinct mandates and governing bylaws.

The recommendation comes after Les Gagne, the former head of the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area, was quietly cut loose from his duties earlier this month.

Rick O'Connor's governance report was tabled Wednesday morning at the final meeting for the outgoing Ottawa city council.

Currently, the Sparks Street Mall Authority is responsible for controlling, operating and managing the pedestrian mall while the Sparks Street BIA has a mandate to promote business and shopping.

Though the boards have developed a practice to work together and have joint meetings, they are governed by separate bylaws because they "were originally intended to operate distinctly from one another as their governing mandates are unique," according to the report.  

"Given the different legislative mandate and origins of these two bodies, along with their current practice to essentially act as one board, it is recommended that city staff undertakes a detailed governance review to ensure that the powers and duties of the BIA and Mall Authority align with council’s intention for these boards," the report said.

The review is expected to include an analysis about whether the boards should be merged. Sparks Street business owners and property owners, as well as the National Capital Commission and Public Works and Government Services Canada are expected to be consulted.

Ongoing construction, the unauthorized removal of city-owned art and tension between permanent business owners and temporary farmer's market vendors have been recent issues on Sparks Street.

A "detailed governance review" is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2015.