City Council meeting of June 18, 2002
Alternative service delivery reviews
Council decided that work should proceed on comprehensive reviews of four City services in 2003 and 2004 as part of the Service Improvement and Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) program. The four services in the ASD study are custodial services (City buildings); urban forestry field services (planting, maintenance and removal of trees on City property); purchasing (partnering and contracting alternatives and technological innovations in the City's purchasing practices); and building plan reviews and associated inspections (subject to provincial legislation). In addition, 19 smaller scale service improvement studies were authorized for 2003 and 2004. They are to include opportunities for input from staff, bargaining units and other stakeholders.
City grant allocations for 2002
Council approved a wide variety of grants in support of local organizations and programs, such as arts groups, major cultural organizations, community festivals, recreation groups and economic development projects. In the health field, Council approved grants supporting 50 local projects for AIDS prevention and 58 projects for drug-use prevention (mainly aimed at young people). A city-wide student nutrition program will receive almost $2 million from the City.
Sale of surplus property
Council adopted a policy to govern the use of proceeds from the sale of City property and to govern land transactions between City departments, agencies, boards and commissions. The policy states that net proceeds of a land sale may not be directed to specific initiatives or programs, but instead will be held in capital reserve funds in the name of the agency, board, commission or department declaring the property no longer needed for operational purposes. The capital reserve funds are to be used for future land purchases or capital acquisitions.
Regional growth strategy
Council adopted components of a strategy to help guide growth in the Toronto region. The strategy identifies actions required by Toronto and other municipalities in the region as well as by the provincial and federal governments, such as directing future population growth to existing city centres. Broadening the municipal revenue base is deemed essential for addressing quality-of-life issues and increasing the region's ability to compete in the global economy.
Toronto memorial to Pierre Trudeau
Council approved plans for a Toronto competition to select an artist and design for a public memorial in honour of former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. The memorial will be located on parkland in the central waterfront area.
Addressing violence against women
Council adopted recommendations in response to a recent coroner's inquest into the death of former Pickering resident Gillian Hadley. Included is a recommendation that the City's Task Force on Community Safety create a work group addressing woman abuse issues in Toronto.
Advisory group representing seniors
The Toronto Senior Citizens Assembly, which the City established in 2000, will have a new structure. Council approved changes such as setting up an executive committee and lowering the minimum age for membership to 55. The changes are intended to make the group more effective as an advisory body that helps the City advance the interests of seniors in Toronto.
Administering the fair wage policy
Council approved a series of actions to improve the effectiveness of the Fair Wage Office, which administers the City's fair wage policy. The policy prohibits the City from doing business with contractors and suppliers that exploit their workers by not meeting established standards regarding pay and working conditions. Among the changes, a new clause disqualifies bidders that are found in non-compliance with the City's fair wage policy more than once in a three years.
New structure for TEDCO
Council approved a new mandate and board structure for Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO). The focus of the new TEDCO will be city-wide acquisition of brownfields lands for the purpose of revitalization for employment purposes. TEDCO will be more strategically aligned with the City's economic development program and the Council-approved economic development strategy.
'Watch for bikes' sticker for cabs
Toronto taxicabs will be required to display stickers saying "Watch for bikes" to remind cab drivers and their passengers to be careful when opening the car doors. Council's approval of the initiative came in response to a report about the frequency of car-bike collisions caused by the opening of doors in front of cyclists. One sticker is to be posted on the driver's side mirror, others on the inside of the rear windows. The taxicab and cycling committees worked together on the initiative.
Commercial solid waste collection
Council approved policies and procedures for the City's collection of commercial waste (that is, waste from businesses such as restaurants). The new city-wide bylaw, effective September 1, will make participation in the City's recycling collection program mandatory. The bylaw will include a new fee schedule and enforcement mechanisms to ensure clean streets, increased diversion of waste, and safety of workers and the public.
Establishment of reuse centre
Council expressed its support for the establishment of a City facility where people can drop off reusable household items such as renovation waste, appliances, electronics and furniture. The centre, to be operated by the Solid Waste Management Services division, may also serve as a drop-off facility for household hazardous waste and a sales venue for products such as blue boxes. The reuse centre will not accept items such as clothing that would place it in competition with non-profit organizations such as Goodwill and Salvation Army.
Agreement with Milan
With Council's endorsement, the City of Toronto will proceed with plans to sign an international co-operation agreement with the City of Milan, Italy. The agreement is intended to promote business, trade, sporting and cultural relations between Toronto and Milan.
Previous Council Highlights
Council Highlights is an informal summary of Council's recent decisions, produced for readers' convenience. Any questions about this summary can be emailed to Strategic Communications at stratcom@toronto.ca
The formal documentation of Council's decisions is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/index.do
Questions about the formal documentation can be emailed to the City Clerk's Office at clerk@toronto.ca
