Plastic bags in Toronto
City Council decided to rescind, effective July 1, the Toronto bylaw that currently requires retailers to charge five cents for a plastic bag. Council adopted a motion to establish a new bylaw prohibiting all retail stores in Toronto from providing customers with single-use, plastic carryout shopping bags, including those advertised as compostable, biodegradable, photodegradable or similar, effective January 1, 2013.
Honouring Jack Layton
Council decided unanimously to rename Toronto Island Ferry Terminal the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. In honouring the former City Councillor, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and leader of the federal New Democratic Party this way, Council waived the two-year waiting period usually required for a renaming. The Toronto Ferry Docks were chosen for the renaming because of Mr. Layton’s long-time personal connection to the Toronto Islands.
City funding of 2012 Pride festival
Council agreed to reaffirm its recognition of Pride Toronto as a major cultural event that promotes the ideals of tolerance and diversity. At the same time, Council supported a motion to condemn the use of the term “Israeli Apartheid” used by a group that has marched in some past Pride parades. Council reaffirmed that it does not endorse the political positions of any single group or organization participating in the Pride Festival and Parade. This action was taken as Council approved the allocation of a total of $6 million in grants to 10 major cultural organizations, including Pride, for 2012.
Feasibility of hosting 2024 Olympic Games or World Expo 2025
Council decided to ask staff to obtain input from the provincial and federal governments, as well as relevant agencies, on the pros and cons of creating a bid to host World Expo 2025 and/or the 2024 Olympic Games in Toronto.
Funding to combat bed bug infestations
Council authorized the expenditure of $250,000 this year to reinstate the Toronto Public Health Bed Bug Team to continue its efforts to control bed bugs. Council agreed to ask the provincial government to match that funding for 2012 – and to commit to funding for Toronto’s efforts in 2013 and beyond. The one-time provincial Bed Bug Support Fund ended March 31. Toronto Public Health reported that failure to control bed bug infestations increases the risk of bed bugs spreading within multi-unit buildings and moving into other community settings such as hospitals, movie theatres and community centres.
Expansion of bikeway trails
Council adopted a multi-year Bikeway Trails Implementation Plan and new trail connection priorities. The City’s consultation with the public and agencies such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority identified opportunities for new bikeway trail connections to expand and improve Toronto’s bikeway network. New trail construction projects scheduled in the next few years will add to the existing network of 286 kilometres of bikeway trails.
Working with gang-involved youth
Council authorized the City’s use of federal funding to help address youth gang violence in Toronto through policy and program responses to support young people, families and communities affected by gang activity. This effort will build on the experience of a recently concluded pilot project on diverting youth from involvement with gangs.
Accessible meetings
At Council’s request, staff will make changes to the City’s meeting procedures and provide video-conferencing as an option. The intention is to make it feasible for people with disabilities to participate and provide input without attending in person.
Water bill adjustments
Council approved municipal code amendments that will allow for the one-time adjustment of the dollar amount on a residential water customer’s utility bill when warranted. A high water bill can result from situations such as a malfunctioning water meter or a leak. The City of Toronto issues 1.5 million water bills annually and receives relatively few complaints about the billings.
Police checks on prospective City employees
Council supported a motion calling for a review of current procedures for police record checks and other hiring practices involving City of Toronto staff who work with vulnerable residents, including children and youth.
Site plan control for development projects
Council enacted a city-wide Site Plan Control Bylaw that establishes the entire city as an area of site plan control while allowing for the exemption of small developments from the site plan approval process. The new bylaw will replace the existing site plan bylaws of the six pre-amalgamation municipalities. Having a single bylaw will improve the administration of matters regulated by site plans. Site plan approval is a tool that helps the City achieve its development objectives.
Rebuilding the playground at High Park
Council took steps to allocate financial donations received to fund efforts at the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in High Park. Staff have worked with the local councillor, community and donors to design a new castle playground structure to replace the structure that was destroyed by fire in March, and to make other improvements to the playground.
Far Enough Farm and High Park Zoo
Council gave the Parks, Forestry and Recreation division authority to continue operating the High Park Zoo and Centre Island’s Far Enough Farm this year, financed by donations collected in recent months through community fundraising efforts. Funding to support the farm and the zoo was not provided in the City’s 2012 operating budget.
____________________________________________________________________
Volume 15 Issue 5
Council Highlights, a summary of selected decisions made by Toronto City Council, is produced by Strategic Communications.
Formal documentation of Council’s decisions: http://www.toronto.ca/council
Further information about Council meetings and decisions:
[email protected] or 416-392-8016
Information about distribution of this summary: [email protected]
Previous editions of Council Highlights: www.toronto.ca/council_highlights
]]>Last week, City Council passed the 2012 Capital and Operating Budget. This budget came as a result of a long process of consulting with residents and stakeholders across the entire city and represents the great efforts to preserve and maintain what we love about Toronto. Throughout last year’s Core Service Review consultations and Budget deputations I heard from thousands of residents who expressed in incredible ways, how much they value our city services and how these services play a key role in making Toronto a liveable city.
What I heard was that libraries, child care, bus routes, recreation programs, emergency shelters, EMS, zoos, grants for HIV-AIDS and grants for community programs, environmental programs are what make our city safer, cleaner, engaged, and make it possible for many people to engage in the economic, social and political life of Toronto.
A budget puts a dollar value on the city’s core values. The City of Toronto Municipal and Operating Budgets must find a liveable balance between the City’s revenue sources and the cost of running the City. As our City grows and costs increase, as a City Councillor, I know it is my role to ensure that living in Toronto continues to be affordable and accessible. I take this responsibility very seriously and I feel confident that through the 2012 Budget that was passed by City Council, this was achieved. I wish to commend our Budget Committee and City Staff who worked very hard over the past year to find efficiencies and savings.
The 2012 approved Capital and Operating Budget was achieved by a modest 2.5% property tax increase for residents and a 10-cent fair increase for TTC customers. The 2.5% residential tax rate increase translates to an increase of $60 for the average residential household assessed at $447,090 in 2012. City Council has also approved a 0.83 per cent tax increase on the non-residential class in order to support businesses by bringing the non-residential tax rates closer to the target of 2.5 times the residential rate by 2020. Overall, Toronto’s 2012 Operating Budget was balanced through a combination of $271 million in budget reductions and efficiencies, $56 million in service level adjustments, $327 million in increased revenue.
The 2012 budget has captured through budget line items the services that Toronto cherishes and relies on and has also demonstrated that we will not sit quietly when these services are threatened. What we saw through this budget process was that city councillors across the city, and across political stripes, listened to their residents and worked together to ensure that valued services were maintained and the services that impacted the most vulnerable were preserved.
Below is a summary of some of the services that were protected in the 2012 Budget
- Library hours and service
- School -Based Childcare Rent Subsidy
- Priority Centre programming for children, youth, and older adults
- Ice rink funding
- Pool funding
- Community Partnership Investment Program (CPIP) grants to community organizations
- TTC service cuts
- 3 Homeless Shelters
- Mechanical Leaf Collection
- Funding for the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre’s sexual health bus
- Toronto Environment Office Corporate Environment Support positions
- An increase to the Preschool Speech and Language Program to reduce the waitlist by 700 children.
- Live Green Toronto Community Animator Program
I regret to say that not everything was saved through this budget process. In the search to find savings and service efficiencies there has been a combined loss of over 1,000 good jobs. The loss of these jobs will be felt not only by the individuals leaving the Toronto Public Service, but throughout the City of Toronto as our city divisions struggle with the challenge of maintaining excellent service with less support staff. Over the past year I have met and worked with hundreds of City of Toronto staff and I know that they care deeply about the City of Toronto and work very hard to keep our city safe, beautiful and liveable. Despite this loss, I will continue to advocate and fight for good jobs in the City of Toronto.
I must also thank every individual who took the time to write to me and who came out to make a deputation. Your words of concern and the love that you showed for your city has truly made a difference.
Respectfully yours,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
]]>Today a motion by Councillor Wong-Tam and seconded by Councillor Matlow, to remove Toronto from the jurisdiction of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and ask the Province of Ontario to abolish the OMB was considered and adopted by the Planning and Growth Committee (PGM) with amendments.
The OMB is a provincially-appointed tribunal that has final decision-making authority over appeals of municipal legislation in several areas including land-use development. As an unelected entity, the OMB poses substantial challenges in the ability for communities to decide democratically the course of planning and development within the city.
City Councillors’ and City Planning’s ability to plan is undermined if applicants calculate that it is in their interests to treat City processes as a mere formality en route to an OMB hearing. Although many applicants are fair and reasonable in their dealings with the City, the OMB appeal process is not conducive to fostering good-faith negotiations and efforts.
This motion will be considered by City Council on November 29, 2011. Through this initiative, Councillor Wong-Tam hopes that Toronto’s communities can get a much stronger say in processes of change and development.
For more information, please see: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.PG9.11
Glass Balcony Guards
Another motion by Councillor Wong-Tam and seconded by Councillor Vaughan that was considered and referred by City Council in September to the Planning and Growth Committee is a request for a review of incidents of falling glass from balconies in Toronto.
On November 2nd, The Planning and Growth Management Committee supported a motion requesting City Council to direct the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to advise the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing from the Province of the results of the City’s review of the use of glass panels in balcony guards and request that they consider emergency amendment to the Ontario Building Code to better address concerns for public safety.
In 2011, there were several incidents of falling glass in Toronto, many of which occurred in Ward 27 . Councillor Wong-Tam has been working with City officials and industry professionals to address these serious concerns for public safety. This motion will be considered by City Council on November 29, 2011. For more information, please see: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.PG9.6
]]>Daytime curbside collection west of Yonge Street
Council approved the selection of GFL Environmental East Corporation – which responded to the City’s Request For Quotations with the lowest bid – to handle daytime curbside waste collection for the 165,000 households in District 2 west of Yonge Street. The contract covers seven years starting August 7, 2012, with the potential of two one-year extensions. The $186-million contract is expected to save the City $11.9 million in the first year and then $11.1 million annually. Council approved several related motions, such as directing staff to report back on a monitoring plan with performance targets, and to track and report on customer satisfaction with collection services.
Ban on shark-fin products in Toronto
Council voted in favour of a new City of Toronto bylaw that will make the possession, sale and consumption of shark fin and shark fin food products illegal in Toronto effective September 2012. A ban on bringing new supplies of shark fin and shark fin food products into Toronto takes effect immediately, but existing supplies may be used until September 1, 2012. Staff will encourage voluntary compliance with Toronto’s bylaw by working with restaurant and food services associations, local Business Improvement Areas and business owners.
Keeping traffic moving on arterial roads
Council directed staff to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on ways to alleviate traffic congestion on arterial roads during rush-hour periods that is caused by drivers stopping/parking on the roads and in bicycle lanes. One approach to be considered is the deterrent of increasing fines for blocking traffic. In addition, Council asked the City Manager to work with the Toronto Police Service to increase enforcement of existing bylaws that prohibit blocking traffic on arterial roads, including bike lanes.
Use of expressways for events
Council endorsed a guideline designed to minimize and manage the closure of sections of the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway for privately sponsored events. In a related decision, Council approved a request to use the eastbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway and the northbound lanes of the Don Valley Parkway on a Sunday morning next July for the bicycle leg of an international Ironman triathlon competition.
Licensing household movers
Council directed the City Manager to ask the Province of Ontario to give Toronto the authority to license and regulate household movers. Recent police investigations have found that some companies and individuals claiming to be household movers have been using unfair and fraudulent business practices in Toronto. The licensing of moving companies in Toronto will help to protect consumers by setting out standards of practice and a framework for dealing with complaints.
Downspout disconnection and drain grants
Council approved the elimination of the Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program and the Drain Grant Program effective January 1, 2012. Moratoriums were placed on the two programs earlier this year. Work performed on drains after February 28, 2011 is not eligible for consideration under the Drain Grant Program.
Council’s 2012 meeting schedule
Council adopted a schedule for next year’s City Council and standing committee meetings. The schedule includes a special meeting of Council on January 17, 18 and 19 devoted to the 2012 capital and operating budgets.
At this meeting, Council adopted a series of recommendations pertaining to the final report on the Core Service Review, the User Fee Policy and the Voluntary Separation Program.
Core Service Review: Council adopted a series of recommendations and amendments involving the Core Service Review that was conducted this spring and summer with extensive public consultation. Council also adopted a motion directing the City Manager to report on options available on the revenue side that could help balance the 2012 operating and capital budgets.
User Fee Policy: Council authorized a user fee policy, designed to ensure consistency in establishing and administering City user fees. The fundamental principle guiding the policy is that user fees should pay for City services that provide a direct benefit to specific users, while services that benefit the entire community should be funded by property taxes. In implementing the policy, staff are to take into consideration access and equity for Toronto’s diverse communities.
Voluntary Separation Program: Council approved a voluntary separation program for City of Toronto staff designed to reduce the City’s annual expenditures on salaries and benefits. The program offers a payment to participants based on salary and years of service, not to exceed 26 weeks’ salary. About 1,100 staff applied to be considered for the program. Senior management will assess each of the applications and decide on approvals, taking into account operational needs.
]]>Council Highlights summarizes a selection of decisions made by Toronto City Council. The City Clerk’s Office provides the full, authoritative documentation of all Council business matters and decisions.
Port Lands revitalization
Council unanimously endorsed a protocol providing a framework for collaboration by the City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto, the Toronto Port Lands Company and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – together responsible for the Port Lands. The protocol incorporates two pieces of work the City views as vital to a review of the Port Lands – specifically, further examination of the Don Mouth Environmental Assessment, and completion of an economic analysis and a business and implementation plan for the Port Lands. The City Manager is expected to report back on the results of the review in six to eight months.
Civic appointments for current term of Council
Council approved citizen appointments to a number of boards including, among others, the Toronto Police Services Board, Exhibition Place Board of Governors, Toronto Public Library Board and Toronto Port Authority Board. In addition, Council asked the Integrity Commissioner to investigate alleged breaches of confidentiality regarding the earlier shortlisting of candidates and subsequent discussion of appointments at the September meeting of Council. Documentation regarding the appointments: see City Council meeting of September 21 and 22.
Sale of dogs and cats in Toronto
Council decided to require retailers and anyone who sells more than 10 dogs a year to obtain their animals from municipal animal shelters, registered humane societies, registered shelters or rescue groups, or people who have surrendered their pets at no charge. The City will take action to find and shut down any puppy/kitty mills operating in Toronto, and wants to encourage residents to report their knowledge of any operating puppy/kitty mills in Toronto.
Fixed fines for parking tickets
Council adopted a recommendation to implement a fixed fine system in Toronto for all parking ticket offences, other than accessible-parking offences, where a parking ticket proceeding results in the conviction after a defendant in court either pleads guilty or is found guilty. Fixed fine amounts will be set equal to the dollar amount that appears on the parking ticket, meaning that a fine amount can no longer by reduced in court. This system is expected to reduce the costs incurred by the City for trial requests made by recipients of parking tickets. Council also supported a motion to explore the feasibility of offering the option of paying for municipal parking by cell phone.
Downtown transportation study
Council gave staff the authority to issue a Request for Proposals for a study of traffic management downtown. The study is to address congestion concerns and assist with the assessment of transportation options that are already at various stages of development. The study will focus on shorter term operational solutions for the safe, efficient movement of people and goods downtown, optimizing use of existing infrastructure. In addition to dealing with movement downtown, the study will address getting in and out of the downtown area.
Wet weather plan and basement flood protection
Council approved an updated Wet Weather Flow Master Plan, identifying the Basement Flooding Protection Program, the Don River & Central Waterfront Project and the Stream Restoration Program as the main funding priorities in the master plan over the next five to 10 years. Council’s approval also endorses a method for prioritizing basement flooding projects and co-ordinating them with City construction projects in the neighbourhoods involved.
Canadian Air and Space Museum
Council urged the federal government to grant the Canadian Air and Space Museum on the site of the former military base in Downsview a long-term reprieve and to keep it on the Downsview lands. On September 20, the federal Downsview Park organization announced the eviction of the museum. Last year, City Council recognized the museum as a cultural asset that provides a valuable education service by preserving Canadian aerospace and aviation history.
Council Highlights summarizes a selection of decisions made by Toronto City Council. The City Clerk’s Office provides the full, authoritative documentation of all Council business matters and decisions.
Bike lanes
Council adopted a plan to begin creating a network of separated bike lanes and voted to remove the existing bike lanes that are painted on Jarvis Street, Pharmacy Avenue and Birchmount Road. The first project for bike lanes that are physically separated from vehicle lanes will take place on the Bloor viaduct, and design work will begin for separated lanes on Sherbourne, Wellesley, Harbord and Beverley Streets. The Jarvis Street bike lanes will remain in place for about a year until bike lanes are established on a resurfaced Sherbourne Street as an alternative north-south route for bicycle traffic in the east downtown area. Council also adopted changes affecting the planned installation of bike lanes on certain sections of Bloor Street West.
Managing graffiti
Council adopted a graffiti management plan that aims to eliminate graffiti vandalism while supporting graffiti art and other street art that adds vibrancy to Toronto’s streets. The plan includes efforts to work with stakeholders including youth, agencies and corporations such as Canada Post on ways to reduce graffiti vandalism. Council also requested a report on a strategy for removing, and recovering cleanup costs for, corporate graffiti/advertising marked on sidewalks.
Pedestrian tunnel to the island airport
Council authorized the City of Toronto to enter into an agreement with the Toronto Port Authority for the construction of a pedestrian tunnel between the Toronto mainland and the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. A watermain and sanitary sewer lines serving Toronto Islands residents and businesses are expected to be incorporated into the tunnel project at a much lower cost than installing the water and sewer lines on their own apart from the tunnel.
Management of Lakeshore Lions Arena
Council decided to take over the operation of Lakeshore Lions Arena by setting up a new Lakeshore Arena Corporation to run the four-pad arena at 400 Kipling Ave. The Lakeshore Lions Club, which opened the arena in 2009 to replace a single-pad arena, faced difficulties paying off a loan that the City had guaranteed. Council’s plan calls for the arena’s financial affairs to be put in order, then the City will seek a private operator to take over.
City services benefit card
Council gave its support in principle to a project to introduce a City services benefit card for public business transactions with the City. The first phase of the project will focus on the Employment and Social Services division’s issuance of Ontario Works payments to residents.
Taxi fare payment by debit/credit card
Council agreed to amend the code governing taxi cab owners and drivers by adding the requirement that cabs equipped for payment by debit or credit card must display a sign on the passenger doors informing riders of any service charge applied to payment by debit or credit card.
Redevelopment of Lawrence Heights
Council adopted a plan for the redevelopment of the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood. The plan, which originally proposed 4,800 new market rent/condominium units, has been trimmed to 4,100 units in addition to about 1,200 replacement social-housing units. Council wants construction to proceed at a manageable pace, ensuring that financing is in place for the infrastructure needed to support the growing community.
Toronto Prosperity Initiative
Council expressed its support in principle for the recommendations contained in the Toronto Prosperity Initiative: Establishing the Path the Growth (PDF) report. The report was produced by an advisory committee of City officials, business leaders and labour leaders, with additional recommendations from the Economic Development Committee. Council gave several directives for follow-up, including a report on the financial implications of implementation.
Consultation for parks plan
Council approved a consultation plan to help in the preparation of a five-year Parks Plan to guide decision-making about parkland in Toronto. The consultations this fall will seek public input with the intention of producing a final report early in the new year.
Local food procurement
Council adopted a policy supporting the purchase of locally-grown food. Under the policy, staff will try to increase the proportion of locally-grown food in purchases of food for City of Toronto operations when cost, quality and availability make it feasible. The City will take steps to support local economic activity in the food sector.
Financing the TTC
Council adopted a member’s motion for the City to urge Ontario’s political parties to make public commitments to reinstate the “fair share” funding arrangement for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). From the 1970s until the late 1990s, Ontario funded 50 per cent of the TTC’s operating costs and 75 per cent of its capital expenditures – known as the “fair share” formula. At present, the TTC faces capital and operating budget shortfalls as well as unpredictable future funding.
Appointment of two senior managers
Council appointed Brenda Patterson and John Livey deputy city managers to fill vacancies in the Toronto Public Service’s senior management. Brenda Patterson is currently Toronto’s general manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation. John Livey will join the City of Toronto from the Town of Markham, where he is chief administrative officer. There are three deputy city manager positions in the Toronto Public Service. Each oversees a cluster of municipal services.