City Council meeting of December 4, 5 and 6, 2001

Fiscal principles and priorities
Council adopted a series of fiscal sustainability principles as the fiscal component of Council's Strategic Plan to assist the City in ensuring its long-term financial viability. In a related decision, Council approved a priority setting guide for use in assessing changes to program service levels and in determining financial priorities.

Social development strategy
A social development strategy for the City received Council's approval. The strategy, which provides a concise statement of the City's social principles, provides direction for decision making about the social services system. Eleven strategic directions are grouped under three headings: strengthening communities, investing in social infrastructure, and expanding civic leadership and partnerships.

Culture and heritage plan for waterfront
Council approved a Waterfront Culture and Heritage Infrastructure Plan as part of the major initiative to revitalize Toronto's waterfront. The plan recommends that public and private investment bring to life a vision of the 46-kilometre waterfront as a cultural asset, one that enhances residents' quality of life and attracts tourists to Toronto. The plan offers eight principles to guide decision making on future cultural and heritage-related projects.

Senior staff appointments
Council approved the appointment of Joseph Pennachetti as Toronto's new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective January 21, 2002. Margaret Fischer was appointed Acting City Solicitor effective February 6, 2002, until the appointment of a new City Solicitor. The current City Solicitor, Ossie Doyle, will retire on February 5.

Disclosure of confidential information
Council endorsed (in principle) a draft bylaw prohibiting members of Council from disclosing confidential information about the City. The proposed bylaw was introduced when Council called for a review of actions associated with a sensitive contract issue.

Principles for Toronto Arts Council
Council approved changes to the operation of the Toronto Arts Council that will strengthen financial accountability and enable the arts council to engage in longer-term planning than at present.

Strategy for financial services sector
Council endorsed terms of reference for a Financial Services Alliance of local leaders in the public and private sectors to further the Toronto financial services sector's interests at a time of significant competitive challenges. In another decision pertaining to the local economy, Council approved the establishment of an International Alliance Program that will make use of city-to-city relationships around the world to foster Toronto's economic development.

Plans for Metro Hall
Council decided to take Metro Hall off the market at this time after the City received several offers of purchase, all of which were below the minimum price acceptable to the City. The Commissioner of Corporate Services will report on implications for the Master Accommodation Plan.

Impact of service changes
Council is asking City departments to use the results of a City-commissioned study of ethno-racial inequality to evaluate the impact of any proposed changes in municipal programs and services used by vulnerable communities. Council also asked the chief administrative officer to initiate an inter-governmental process to identify actions to include in the City's new plan of action for the elimination of racism and related intolerance. The plan is expected to be ready for Council's consideration in April.

Changes to Fleet operations
Council approved closing three of Fleet Services' 13 maintenance garages. The closures, which will be co-ordinated with a yards rationalization program, are part of Fleet Services' plan for the efficient servicing of the City's fleet of 5,000 vehicles and heavy equipment. Other features include the implementation of two-shift operations at major maintenance garages, a revitalized apprenticeship program, and initiatives to green the fleet with low-emission vehicles.

Bus bays on city streets
Council gave its approval to a study of 28 mid-block bus bays to determine whether they should be widened or eliminated. The decision followed Council's rejection of a proposal by the Toronto Transit Commission to study all 1,802 bus bays across the city to consider eliminating some of them in order to improve bus operations.

Disposal of solid waste
Council acted on the option it has under the contract with Republic Services, adding residual solid waste for disposal at the Carleton Farms Landfill (operated by Republic) in Michigan. Currently, the City delivers only private sector waste to Republic. The addition of residual municipal solid waste will begin on January 1, 2003, following the closure of the City's Keele Valley Landfill scheduled for next December. The contract gives the City flexibility to re-direct waste from disposal to recycling and composting as Toronto's waste diversion strategy is phased in.

Firefighter charity calendar
Council endorsed the Toronto firefighters' production of a calendar for charitable purposes and commended firefighters who are involved in community fundraising activities. An associated code of conduct permits such fundraising projects that assist worthy causes.

Pilot program for newspaper boxes
Staff will work with stakeholders to establish the criteria for a pilot project involving the assessment of prototypes of a consolidated news vending box for sidewalks. Council approved the project in response to concerns expressed to the City about sidewalk congestion and related aesthetic issues.

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.