City Council meeting of April 23 - May 2, 2001

City's 2001 operating budget
Council concluded the 2001 budget process, approving a $6.1-billion operating budget and a $1.12-billion capital budget. The operating budget, an increase of 2.5 per cent over the 2000 budget, requires a tax increase of five per cent for homeowners. During the budget review process, an initial operating budget shortfall of $305 million was reduced to $203 million. Provincial regulation changes and one-time funding resulted in a further reduction to $48 million, which the five per cent tax increase will cover. Provincial regulations limit any 2001 property tax increases to the residential sector.

Assessment-related tax changes
Council approved a three-year phase-in of tax increases and decreases resulting from the most recent assessment of property values conducted by the Province of Ontario. Those whose residential taxes increase more than $300 will have the increase spread over more than one year. The majority of the increases are less than $300. In addition, the City offers a deferral option to senior and disabled homeowners facing tax increases.

Transitional housing
Council endorsed the concept of encouraging the development of manufactured housing for people who are homeless. The housing will be transitional, functioning as a stepping stone between homelessness and permanent housing. Under the Let's Build program, the City will invite proposals from architects, developers and social agencies to build and manage the transitional housing. The development and operation of the housing will not add new costs to the City budget. Proponents will be encouraged to provide their own site for the housing; however, the City may provide a site for the housing as well.

Solid waste collection bylaw
Council approved a residential solid waste collection bylaw that harmonizes collection policies and enforcement procedures across the city. The new bylaw sets a weekly limit of six items from each household and makes recycling mandatory for materials such as bottles, cans and newspapers. Owners of apartments and other multi-unit residential buildings are required to post signs with recycling instructions for residents.

Reuse of wine bottles
The City, as directed by Council, will reiterate an earlier request to the Government of Ontario to establish a province-wide deposit/return system for wine and liquor bottles, or else to permit the City to institute one in Toronto. The City no longer has a buyer for coloured glass (mostly consisting of green wine bottles) collected locally through the Ontario blue box recycling program. City staff continue to seek markets for green glass.

Culture plan for Toronto
Council agreed to establish a steering committee to guide the creation of a culture plan for Toronto. The Culture Division of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism has been working with an outside reference group to perform preliminary work on the plan. The goal is to foster investment in Toronto's arts and culture sector.

Response plan for West Nile virus
Council endorsed the preparation of a co-ordinated response plan for the prevention and control of West Nile virus, a potentially fatal disease spread by wild birds and mosquitoes. The virus, which has caused several deaths in the United States in the past two years, is expected to spread into Ontario if it has not already done so. The City will ask the Province of Ontario to cover the costs of the City's response plan and related measures to prevent and control the disease in affected Ontario communities. The plan places an emphasis on eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

Appointment of Toronto Poet Laureate
Council approved the appointment of Dennis Lee as Toronto's Poet Laureate for three years (2001 to 2003). The role, administered by the Toronto Culture Division, involves serving as Toronto's literary ambassador at events that promote the literary arts, and helping to create a poetry legacy for the city.

Municipal alcohol policy
Council adopted a municipal alcohol policy to manage the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks at events held under permit on City property. The policy, which harmonizes the alcohol policies of the former municipalities, is intended to promote health and safety, and to help prevent alcohol-related incidents that could lead to liability claims against the City.

Policy on internal fraud
Council adopted a policy that gives City management direction in dealing with suspected incidents of fraudulent activity in the organization. The policy states that all City staff have a responsibility to report any suspected fraudulent activity, and provides whistle-blower protection for those who report suspected fraud.

Tracking absenteeism
Council supported a recommendation of the Audit Committee to develop a corporate policy on City of Toronto employee absenteeism, based on the best practices of City departments and other large organizations. The policy is to include guidelines for the meaningful comparison of absenteeism among City departments, agencies, boards and commissions.

Powerboat race in the harbour
A proposal to hold a Formula One powerboat race in Toronto harbour this summer won Council's approval. Organizers expect about 30,000 spectators at the event, scheduled to take place August 10, 11 and 12.

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 e-mail Strategic Communications at stratcom@toronto.ca.