City Council meetings of May 9, 2000
City of Toronto's legal status
Members of Council debated a motion about holding a public referendum as part of the municipal election in November to determine the extent of public support for Toronto's possible separation from the Province of Ontario. Council referred that motion and related motions to the City's chief administrative officer for preparation of a comprehensive strategy addressing matters involving the legal relationship between the City Toronto and the Province of Ontario.
Suspension of raves at City sites
Council decided after a four-hour debate to temporarily suspend the practice of allowing rave dance events on City-owned property. A decision for the longer term will come after Council receives and reviews a report from the Toronto Police concerning the policing of raves and from the Board of Health regarding drug use at the popular events. The ban on raves overrides a City of Toronto protocol for holding rave events at City venues, but the protocol remains in effect for raves at sites not owned by the City.
Policy for urban forest
Council adopted a city-wide policy and bylaw for the planting, maintenance, protection and removal of trees on City-owned land. The objective is to sustain and enhance Toronto's urban forest. Under the policy, Forestry Services will plant bare-root trees on the street allowance along residential streets at no fee. There is a fee when the homeowner wants a larger tree planted. Council also adopted a commemorative tree and bench program for Toronto parks, replacing the former municipalities' commemorative programs.
Promotion of rooftop gardens
Council approved a demonstration project to promote the green roofs concept and technology. Rooftop gardens on large buildings offer environmental and practical benefits, such as reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling the buildings. Council also sees the project as a way to help create a green roofs infrastructure industry in Toronto. The demonstration project is planned for the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre in east Toronto. The City is also considering setting up a demonstration project on the podium of City Hall.
Use of closed schools
Council approved principles for the use of Toronto schools that have been closed as a result of funding cuts. The two Toronto school boards have stated that they intend to close a total of 45 schools over the next few years. The school closures will affect City recreation, health and child-care programs in the schools. The principles, or guidelines, address the City's concerns and are intended to assist the school boards in securing other tenants for the school sites.
Crackdown on fire-alarm pranksters
The City will offer a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of anyone who wilfully causes a false fire alarm. Council approved the policy in response to a staff report documenting almost 7,000 malicious false alarms last year involving 25,146 emergency vehicle runs. Fire Services dispatches more than one vehicle to the scene of most fire calls. Thousands of other false alarms were non-malicious in nature, most of them caused by equipment malfunctions.
Investigation of port-lands lease
Council decided to ask the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate a controversial lease negotiated earlier this year for property in the downtown port area. TEDCO (Toronto Economic Development Corporation) approved a long-term lease for a site that might be needed for Olympic facilities if Toronto is chosen to host the summer Olympics in 2008.
Labour relations settlement
Council ratified a labour settlement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, which represents about 20,000 City employees. The three-year settlement consists of four separate agreements covering different employment categories in the union local. The new agreements replace 24 previous collective agreements.
City construction projects
Council agreed that the City and its agencies should establish liaison committees when they are likely to be useful to help manage municipal construction projects that affect local business activity. The liaison committees will work with the construction contractors hired by the City, solving problems and reducing the need to use the formal claims process to deal with issues such as loss of business during major road work or other construction activity.
Bottling of municipal water
Council approved a strategy for the bottling of City of Toronto tap water. Distribution of bottled city water at special events will promote public awareness of the high quality and convenience of municipal water. Several American cities have implemented similar projects.
Preparing to combat hardwood pest
Council directed City officials to prepare a strategy to help the City identify and take action against the predicted arrival of the Asian long-horned beetle in Toronto. New York and Chicago have lost thousands of hardwood trees to the word-boring insect. The species is believed to have come to North America inside the wood of crates carrying goods from China.
On-street parking for motorcycles
Council approved a pilot project to designate parking spaces for motorcycles this summer in a part of the city where there are pay-and-display machines. The spaces designated for motorcycles will not displace car parking. Where traditional parking meters are still in place, a maximum of three motorcycles will be allowed to park in a single on-street space in order to make efficient use of parking spots.
People-powered island transit
Council authorized a pilot project involving pedicabs (rickshaws) as a transportation option on the 230 hectares of Toronto Island parkland this summer. The pedicab runners will rent their cabs from Orient Express Rickshaws, the company licensed for the one-year pilot project.
Previous Council Highlights
For inquiries about the official documentation of Council decisions, contact the City Clerk by e-mail, clerk@toronto.ca
Council Highlights, produced for your convenience, is a summary of Council's recent decisions. Council Highlights is not intended to serve as an official record of the meeting. If you have questions about this summary, please contact Strategic Communications at 416-392-8937.
