CITY HALL – The city’s Audit committee received the Auditor General’s report on the Fraud and Waste Hotline and three new audit reports during today’s (Oct. 27) regular meeting. 

According to the hotline report, there was an 18-per-cent increase in reports of concerns in 2019 compared with the year before. Of the 224 reports received, 46 per cent came from the public and 54 per cent came from city staff. Most of the reports, 79 per cent, were made online. 

“The report includes the results of two investigations into employee resignations and one into an employee retirement,” city staff released in a statement today. “Disciplinary actions reported include discussions, demotions, letters of warning or expectations and suspensions.”

The committee also received three new audit reports.

“Management agrees with all 53 recommendations made by the auditor general,” staff said.

The report on the investigation of the lease cancellation for 300 Coventry Rd. between the City of Ottawa and Independent Baseball of Ottawa recommends further clarification to the Delegation of Authority Bylaw, to provide more explicit language when terminating or adjusting a lease agreement. The 2018-2022 Mid-Term Governance Review report will include these changes.  

“Since this audit was undertaken, the city has signed a new 10-year lease with a new leaseholder that has accepted the Ottawa Baseball Stadium as is, with no additional maintenance or investment required from the city,” staff said. “The leaseholder will pay arrears owed to the city by the previous baseball operator, totaling $473,000.

The report on the Review of OC Transpo Bus Maintenance found OC Transpo demonstrated a high level of compliance in completing its annual and semi-annual safety inspections, mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. OC Transpo inspects its fleet of approximately 1,000 buses using a 60-day inspection schedule for preventive maintenance. 

“OC Transpo will continue to look for opportunities to improve operations while ensuring safe and reliable bus transit service,” staff said.

The report on the Review of OC Transpo Driver Training included recommendations to help OC Transpo improve training delivery, assess new and existing bus operators against consistent standards and measure the effectiveness of bus operator training. The audit identified opportunities to improve administration of the Bus Operator Training Program, specifically documentation, records management and data analytics.

“OC Transpo agrees and is acting on the recommendations,” staff said.

 These reports will rise to city council on Wednesday, Nov. 25. 

For more information on city programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401).