Report to / Rapport au:
Health, Recreation and
Social Services Committee
Comité de la Santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux
12 June 2003 / le 12 juin 2003
Submitted by / Soumis par : Ottawa Youth Cabinet /
Cabinet des jeunes d’Ottawa
Contact
/ Personne-ressource: Tania Richard / Advisory Committee Coordinator
Coordinatrice des comités
consultatifs
580-2424 Ext / poste, 29081 / Tania.Richard@ottawa.ca
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Ref. N°:
ACS2003-CCV-OYC-0005 |
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SUBJECT: |
skateboard park sub-committee RECOMMENDATIONS |
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OBJET: |
RECOMMANDATIONS DU
SOUS-COMITÉ SUR LES TERRAINS DE PLANCHES À ROULETTES
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REPORT RECOMMENDATION
Que le Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux prenne connaissance des recommendations du Sous-comité sur les terrains de planche à roulette, telles que décrites à l’annex A, à fin de discussion.
The issue of skateboard
parks has been raised repeatedly since the inception of the Ottawa Youth
Cabinet in 2001. Youth within the City
of Ottawa have approached members of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet, both directly and
indirectly, requesting assistance with improving the skateboarding facilities
in their wards and to lobby for a year-round skateboarding facility in the
city.
The following resolution was
approved at the Ottawa Youth Cabinet meeting of 10 June 2003.
WHEREAS through amalgamation, the population of the
City of Ottawa has grown to over 800,000 people with
close to 15% of the population being youth between the ages of 10 and 19;
WHEREAS youth in the City of Ottawa feel that their
voice is not being listened to by City Council;
WHEREAS background Information obtained during the
creation of Vision 2012- The future of the relationship between youth and
municipal government in the City of Ottawa, and the role of the Ottawa Youth
Cabinet suggested that low voter participation among youth in the 18-25
category is due in part to a feeling that youth do not have a voice in the
democratic system and they have a mistrust in government and elected officials;
WHEREAS Vision 2012- The future of the relationship
between youth and the municipal government in the City of Ottawa, and the role
of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet recommends as one of its five visions, Vision 2:
Develop a seamless relationship with City Council and its committees to help
the Cabinet provide the best advice possible to City Council to better serve
the youth of Ottawa;
WHEREAS youth attending the 2002 Mayor’s Youth
Symposium identified that sports foster community involvement and interaction
and are a good way of maintaining and promoting health as well as a sense of
belonging;
WHEREAS skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX biking
all have significant health benefits including: burning excess calories,
increasing co-ordination, and increasing joint and ligament strength in youth;
(http://www.thefitmap.com/mens_health/features/street_sports.htm)
WHEREAS skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX biking
are sports that are especially popular with youth in the City of Ottawa but are
not being made readily available to youth across the city and these individuals
do not have a venue to practice their sport year-round;
WHEREAS at the 2002 Mayor’s Youth Symposium, youth
indicated that skateboard parks and youth centres were seen as ideal places for
youth to frequent and that combining a youth centre with a skateboard park would
be best because it would keep skateboarders off of the busy streets and it
would give them more to do than just skateboard;
WHEREAS the Ottawa Youth Cabinet in its response to
the City of Ottawa’s 2003 Draft Budget noted that the deferral of skateboard
park capital spending is indicative of a broader trend to defer until 2007
spending on many other recreational facilities that greatly impact youth such
as ice pads, community centres, and parks;
WHEREAS skateboarders and BMX bikers who attended
Ottawa Youth Cabinet meetings and the facilitated youth consultation on the
Facility Needs Study Report indicated that city staff should be organizing more
“working committees” with youth and not assume what youth want or need prior to
consulting with them;
WHEREAS skateboarders have
repeatedly stated that they would like to be invited to participate in the
"staff steering committee on skateboard parks" and be a part of the
ongoing consultative process;
WHEREAS Vision 2012- The future of the relationship
between youth and the municipal government in the City of Ottawa, and the role
of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet recommends as one of its five visions, Vision 5:
Use technology as an enabler to create a government that is relevant for this
knowledge age;
WHEREAS the Environment Sub-Committee of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet
identified that development plans for skateboard parks need to maintain the
beauty of the City and fit into the environmental community;
WHEREAS the ad-hoc Graffiti sub-committee of the Ottawa Youth
Cabinet recommended the creation of more youth-centred areas, such as
skateboard parks, where graffiti art is encouraged and where youth are given
ownership in order to reduce the likelihood of graffiti vandalism;
WHEREAS the participants involved in the youth consultation
session on the Skateboard Park issue and Facility Needs Study Review identified
a need for one year round indoor multi-purpose youth friendly facility in the
city for skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ottawa Youth
Cabinet Environmental Sub-Committee provide input to the City Skateboard
Strategy Staff Working Group on ways to integrate skate parks within green
spaces in an environmentally friendly manner; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ottawa Youth
Cabinet web site be updated as information becomes available so that youth in
the City of Ottawa remain informed on the progress of the City Skateboard
Planning Strategy Committee and are encouraged to get involved in this issue.
DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTS
City Council has yet to
discuss and approve the 2004 budget directions that will inform City
departments on their capital budget allocations. Consequently, it would be difficult to establish the 2004 budget
priorities or commitments in the absence of the larger context. However, in preparing the 2003 capital
budget, the Department was aware of the outstanding need for additional
skateboard parks that, if at all possible, should not be delayed until the
capital allocation of $150,000 in the year 2007. As a result, within the Department’s 2003 Park Improvements
budgets, $100,000 was allocated for a new park in Kanata and one in Goulbourn,
in addition to the $250,000 new skateboard park being funded by the Nepean
Legacy Fund.
The Department fully
supports the concept of a Public Private Partnership for the establishment of
an indoor facility, which has been added to the Department’s Facility Study as
a project that should be investigated.
As with all P3s, the City contribution must be available in its budget
in order to initiate and at this time, it is not identified as a priority in
the five-year forecast. As part of the
investigation, the financial viability of such a facility must be closely examined
as past experiences have seen at least two private operators close their doors
within a year of opening.
All tendering of City
projects follow the City’s Purchasing By-law and Procurement Policy that among
other evaluation criteria, includes contractors’ area of expertise and past
experiences. The Youth Cabinet could
assist the City in identifying known experts, ensuring that such companies are
made aware of potential projects. If
however the project follows a Public Private Partnership process, it is likely
that the onus will be placed on the partner to meet the standards established
by the City.
The assistance received from
both the Youth Cabinet and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee over the
last few months have been most helpful in directing individual and group input
into the Skateboard Planning Strategy Group.
It is staff’s intention to host a consultation forum this fall in order
to provide input into the development of the Report, in addition to a posting
on the City’s web site that could continuously track comments and ideas.
And lastly, the project
manager for this initiative has been working with the Cabinet and has committed
to a continued dialogue and status reporting.
We have been informed of the contact person who will represent the
Cabinet in ongoing communications between the City and the Youth Cabinet.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial
implications as a result of this report.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Annex A – Skateboard Parks
Sub-Committee Recommendations.
Appendix 2 Ottawa Youth Cabinet: Extract of Minutes
from 11 February 2003
Appendix 3 Ottawa Youth Cabinet: Extract of Minutes
from 8 April 2003
The Committee Coordinator will inform the Ottawa Youth Cabinet and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee of the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee’s decision on the recommendations.
ANNEX A
SKATEBOARD PARK SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Ottawa plan, through a Public
Private Partnership Proposal for at least one city-wide level indoor, permanent
skateboarding facility in a central location in the City of Ottawa; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any planning and design of indoor, outdoor, district and
neighbourhood parks be done in conjunction with youth users of the parks; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT contracts for building city skate parks go to experienced
contractors with expertise in the field of skateboard parks; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED THAT skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers be consulted, not
only as part of the review process of the City Skateboard Strategy Staff
Working Group, but also during the development of the Report; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Ottawa Youth Cabinet continue to be updated on the
City Skateboard Planning Strategy by Ottawa City Staff and that one Ottawa
Youth Cabinet member be identified as a contact person on this issue.
IL
EST PAR CONSÉQUENT RÉSOLU QUE la Ville d’Ottawa prévoie aménager au moins une
installation intérieure pour planchistes pour l’ensemble de la ville, et ce,
dans un endroit central d’Ottawa par le biais d’une proposition de partenariat
public-privé;
IL
EST PAR CONSÉQUENT RÉSOLU QUE toute conception et tout aménagement de terrains
intérieurs, extérieurs, de secteurs et de quartiers soit effectué en collaboration
avec les jeunes usagers de ces terrains;
IL EST
PAR CONSÉQUENT RÉSOLU QUE les contrats de construction des terrains de planches
à roulettes de la Ville soient confiés à des entrepreneurs chevronnés et
spécialisés dans le domaine des terrains de planches à roulettes;
IL EST
PAR CONSÉQUENT RÉSOLU QUE les planchistes, les patineurs et les cyclistes en
BMX soient consultés, non seulement au cours du processus d’examen du Groupe de
stratégie sur l’aménagement des terrains de planches à roulettes de la Ville,
mais également au cours de l’élaboration du Rapport;
APPENDIX 1
Report to / Rapport au:
Submitted by/Soumis par :
Tania Richard, Coordinator / Coordinatrice
Ottawa Youth Cabinet / Cabinet des jeunes d’Ottawa
Contact/Personne-ressource : Tania Richard, Advisory Committee
Coordinator
Tania.Richard@ottawa.ca
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Ref N°:
ACS2003-CCV-OYC-0003 |
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SUBJECT: |
UPDATE: SKATEBOARD PARK SUB-COMMITTEE |
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OBJET
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MISE
À JOUR : SOUS-COMITÉ – TERRAIN DE PLANCHE À ROULETTES |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Ottawa Youth Cabinet receive this
report for discussion.
Que le Cabinet des jeunes d’Ottawa prenne
connaissance du présent rapport à fin de discussion.
At the 8 April 2003 Ottawa Youth Cabinet meeting,
the following recommendation was approved by Cabinet members:
That the Ottawa Youth Cabinet combine a review of the Minor Facilities
Study with the mandate of the Skateboard Park Sub-Committee. Members of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet and the
community are invited to make recommendations regarding inadequacies in the report.
On 24 April 2003, a meeting was held in conjunction
of the approved recommendation.
Approximately twenty people of all ages were present to voice their
opinions on the current status of skateboard parks and their ideas for the
future. Also present were three members
of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet (Shauna Denis, Courtney Payne, and Tyler Meredith),
and four facilitators who helped guide the meeting.
Participants were asked to provide their thoughts on
the following topics/questions:
Ø
Why an Indoor Facility
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What do you believe is the future of skateboarding/BMX/rollerblading?
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What do you see are the advantages and disadvantages of an indoor
facility vs. an outdoor facility?
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What do you see as the current strengths and weaknesses in terms of
services to youth in the Ottawa area?
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Should all regions in Ottawa have better access to outdoor parks before
planning an indoor year round facility?
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Facility Use
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Should BMXers, skateboarders and rollerbladers have a shared facility?
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Should there be user fees for the facilities? If yes, how should fees
be structured?
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Who would sponsor and/or run the facility? What kind of supervision /
management would be needed?
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How should safety and insurance issues be dealt with?
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The Facility
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Where would you situate such a facility and what are its primary
features?
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Should all facilities be standardized in terms of size, levels of
difficulty and types of materials?
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What kind of costs do you think will be involved in creating an indoor
facility?
Ø
Other
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What might the relationship of skateboard parks (or an indoor facility)
be to Youth Centres?
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How does your current public image/community relations impact on your
quest for an indoor facility?
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What do you know about what other cities and communities have done in
terms of an indoor facility?
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Do you see any creative partnership potential?
The following is a summary of information/comments
that were provided in relation to the above topics:
Those present said they felt ignored by the City of
Ottawa and expressed major concerns that there are limited processes for youth
to be heard to improve the facility situation relating to youth. There was a perception that city staff
should be organizing more “working committees” with youth and not assume what
youth want or need prior to consulting with them.
More research is necessary to ensure tenders go to
experienced contractors/companies with expertise in skateboard park design and
equipment. Participants voiced their
concern with the equipment currently being used (i.e., asphalt) and the design
of the facilities. It was also
mentioned that the City should look into ASTM International, formerly known as
the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that provides
a global forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus
standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
The participants said they were thankful for the
current outdoor skateboard parks, however, they are not fulfilling the current
need. They agreed that the sports of
skateboarding, BMX, and rollerblading keep growing and evolving, and people of
all ages are joining these sports. An
indoor, year round facility would better meet the needs and interests of this
ever growing activity and would benefit the City of Ottawa.
Everyone was aware of the high costs that would be
implicated with building such a facility, as well as other aspects such as
insurance costs and legal issues, however, they added that it could promote
year round training, generate revenues (i.e., user fees, memberships), minimize
the replacement of equipment, promote tourism, possible sponsorships, organized
sporting events/competitions and “jam sessions”. It would also allow participants to play their sport in their
hometown all year. Many people drive to
other cities such as Montreal, Toronto, and Trois-Rivières to play their sport
during the fall and winter months where year round indoor facilities already
exist.
Participants noted that an indoor facility should at
least have washrooms, a repair station, a first-aid station, visible lockers,
water fountains, and payphones. The
exterior look of the building does not hold much importance. It would also be an asset to have a
centrally located facility and for it to be in close proximity to public
transportation. The size of the
facility should be similar to that of a general hockey rink arena or large gym
and it should be divided into two main areas of use: novice and
expert/intermediate users.
The participants agreed that the skateboard park
budget within the Facility Needs Study should be moved forward from 2007. Funding could be re-directed to one quality
facility. A temporary solution would be
to relocate the equipment from the outdoor skateboard parks to an indoor
facility during the winter months, and provide better and safer equipment to
current outdoor skateboard parks, following consultation with users.
DISPOSITION
The Committee Coordinator
will reflect the Cabinet’s comments in the 13 May 2003 meeting Minutes.
APPENDIX 2
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Ottawa Youth Cabinet Extract of
Minute 18 11 February 2003 |
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SKATEBOARD PARKS
TERRAIN DE PLANCHE À ROULETTES
Ms. Diane
Emmerson of the City’s People Services Department, provided an overview of the
current skateboard parks within the City of Ottawa, as well various projects
which funding has been approved for in 2003, and proposals that have been
received for future projects. She
explained that proposals are usually forwarded by youth groups and various
community associations. The People
Services Department looks at how feasible the proposals are in terms of
location, funding, possible partnerships with the community, and fundraising by
the actual groups proposing the skateboard parks.
In 2001, an
inspection was done by the Transportation, Utilities and Public Works
Department (TUPW) of all existing skateboard parks throughout the City of
Ottawa in terms of safety, the type of construction, components, and
location. Over the next year, they will
be creating a Skateboard Park Policy/Criteria Report that will consist of:
·
proposed service levels for skateboard parks;
·
acceptable locations;
·
acceptable design standards and types of components;
·
acceptable level of community support;
·
inspection and maintenance standards and procedures;
·
insurance and liability issues; and
·
procedures to deal with proposals from youth groups and/or
community groups.
The current City
service levels for skateboard facilities has generated funding for four new
skateboard parks over the next 10-15 years.
These would be larger district scale facilities that could range in
price anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 and may go through the process of the
Facility Needs Study that is currently being finalized. The issue of smaller neighbourhood
skateboard parks and how they will be funded and distributed will be identified
in the Criteria Report.
Member N. Hauch
referred to the skateboard park at the McNabb Facility, and said he had been
informed it would be moved to the Sandy Hill Community Centre between June and
August 2003. Ms. Emmerson replied the
skateboard park will be moved to the Sandy Hill Arena for the summer because of
renovations that will be done at the McNabb Facility.
Member S. Denis
asked if it was possible for the City to purchase bulk equipment for skateboard
parks. Ms. Emmerson replied they are
currently reviewing a number of
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Ottawa Youth Cabinet Extract of
Minute 18 11 February 2003 |
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companies that
produce skateboard equipment and if possible, they will purchase equipment in
bulk. She added her department hopes to
work with a youth or community group that is familiar with skateboard parks to
determine what components should be purchased depending on the type of
facility. They will not plan designs
for skateboard parks prior to consulting with youth. Ms. Emmerson encouraged anyone with ideas or comments to contact
her.
Member I. Skalski
noted that none of the proposals listed were for the East end area of the
City. Ms. Emmerson replied there are
currently three outdoor skateboard parks located in the East end and no
proposals were brought forward.
PUBLIC
DELEGATIONS
Ryan McCaig feels
that the BMX community of Ottawa is not being represented properly and said
that BMX bikes should be allowed in skateboard parks since it would not create
extra requests for funding or maintenance.
He asked if there are measures being taken to allow BMX bikes in
skateboard parks. Ms. Emmerson replied
they haven’t looked at the BMX facilities on their own at this point, but will
bring the information to the department for their consideration.
Frank Krul,
representative of Capital BMX, spoke about the importance and the growing
popularity of the sport. In the late
1980’s, both skateboarders and BMX riders were allowed in the skateboard parks
and facilities were in better conditions than they are now. World Champion skateboarder Tony Hawk,
International Freestyle skateboard champion Kevin Harris, and other famous
people visited Ottawa in the late 1980’s because of this sport. Unfortunately, the facilities have not
continued to evolve with the sport in the National Capital Region.
Chris Campbell
noted the existing skateboard parks located in the East End of the City are old
and very dangerous. He added the
facilities should be constructed by experienced builders and with material
designed especially for the sport. He
referred to a skateboard park located in the town of Hawkesbury that was
constructed by a company that specializes in building ramps.
Kevin Hughes
stated that what is needed by skateboarders, roller bladders, and bikers, is an
indoor skateboard park where everyone could practice the sport they enjoy all
year. He had previously organized a
petition for an indoor facility and received positive feedback and support from
hundreds of people of all ages. During
last year’s March Break, skateboarders convinced the manager of the Place
d’Orléans shopping centre to build a temporary indoor skateboard park. It was a very successful and popular
event. There was a one-dollar admission
fee to skate for the day and all monies raised went to the Children and Youth
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Ottawa Youth Cabinet Extract of
Minute 18 11 February 2003 |
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Friendly Ottawa
(CAYFO) and provided over 40 supplied school backpacks for kids. After doing some research, he found that
skateboarding has become one of North America’s fastest growing sports. He will be one of many students that will be
spending this year’s March Break in either Montreal or Toronto because there
are indoor skateboard parks that Ottawa doesn’t have.
Other members of
the public also voiced their comments and concerns on this issue. It was noted that some skateboarders are
very talented, however, are limited to practising their sport only during the
summer months. Having a year-round
facility would allow skateboarders to better themselves and could pursue this
sport even further. It would also
provide an inexpensive meeting place for youth compared to movie theatres and
shopping malls.
Councillor Janet
Stavinga noted the importance for youth to speak collectively and voice their
ideas to their Ward Councillors.
That the Ottawa Youth Cabinet receive an
update on the above-noted item.
RECEIVED
APPENDIX 3
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Ottawa Youth Cabinet Extract of
Minute 19 8 April 2003 |
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FACILITY NEEDS STUDY
ÉTUDE SUR LES BESOINS EN INSTALLATIONS
Ms. Josée Hélie,
People Services Department, provided an overview of the draft Facility Needs
Study Report, particularly the Minor Facilities section of the report, and how
it would impact skateboard parks. There
are currently no recommendations for an indoor skateboard facility in the draft
report, only outdoor facilities. She
noted that the entire Facility Needs Study was based on master plans, legacy
projects, and existing standards.
Ms. Hélie
encouraged everyone to provide their comments to the People Services
Department. A staff report including
recommendations, and the draft Facility Needs Study Report, will both be
forwarded to the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee early in June
2003.
Other issues
related to skateboard parks such as locations, equipment costs, youth
population, BMX users, and indoor vs. outdoor facilities were also discussed.
Moved by Shauna
Denis
That the
Ottawa Youth Cabinet combine a review of the Minor Facilities Study with the
mandate of the Skateboard Park Sub-Committee.
Members of the Ottawa Youth Cabinet and the community are invited to
make recommendations regarding inadequacies in the report.
CARRIED
SKATEBOARD PARK – TASK FORCE
TERRAIN DE PLANCHE À ROULETTES – GROUPE DE TRAVAIL
Ms. Francine
Riopelle, People Services Department, stated that a City staff advisory
committee is currently being established to look at a number of aspects
regarding skateboard parks, such as: operation; maintenance; design; planning;
programming; health and safety; and risk management issues. Various departments of the City will be
involved.
Ms. Riopelle said
she would provide further information to the Cabinet once the parameters for
the staff advisory committee have been established.
That the Ottawa Youth Cabinet receive an
update on the above-noted item.
RECEIVED