City Council meeting of November 26, 2002
Bridge to City Centre Airport
Council approved the construction of a bridge linking the mainland and the island location of the City Centre Airport. Approval of the fixed link is considered necessary for private-sector plans to upgrade and expand business at the island airport.
Settlement with Toronto Port Authority
Council approved terms for a proposed out-of-court resolution of a Toronto Port Authority lawsuit against the City concerning the earlier transfer of lands from the former Toronto Harbour Commission to the City and the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO). Details of the proposed settlement, which remain confidential, involve access to certain harbour lands and a time-limited City subsidy to the Port Authority.
Creation of Toronto water committe
Council approved the establishment of a standing committee of Council to oversee the operation of Toronto's water and wastewater systems and to award related capital contracts within the annual approved capital and operating budgets. The committee of seven Council members was favoured over the alternative of creating a municipal water board made up of councillors and citizen experts. Under the plan adopted, two advisory committees will provide additional technical expertise and citizen input. The chief administrative Officer will report in the new year on implementation of the new governance model.
Auditor General and internal audit functions
Council approved a plan for the implementation of the earlier decision to create an Auditor General position independent of the City administration in order to improve accountability and strengthen Council's role in overseeing the City's business. Council's approval will transfer internal audit functions to the Chief Administrator's Office in the form of a new internal audit division of the CAO's Office. The new division will provide service to departments and undertake corporate audit projects.
Fraud/waste hotline
A pilot project involving a telephone hotline for receiving tips about fraud or waste in Toronto's local government is now a permanent program. Council supported the Auditor General's continued use of the voicemail line [416-397-STOP(7867)] and publicity about it. The anonymous hotline is one of the tools the City is using to detect and deter fraudulent or wasteful activity. View the City's fraud policy.
Complaint protocol for code of conduct
Council approved a protocol, recommended by the Ethics Steering Committee, for handling complaints made about members of Council under the code of conduct governing Council. The "complaint protocol" includes provisions for informal and formal procedures, the latter employing external legal counsel to carry out investigations.
Implementation of new Municipal Act
Council approved actions necessary to prepare the City of Toronto for the Municipal Act, 2001, which comes into force January 1, 2003. The act retains most of the provisions of the old Municipal Act for day-to-day operations but introduces new measures to increase the transparency and accountability of municipal decisions.
Alternatives to gang membership
Council approved the awarding of $290,000 in grants to support eight projects that will provide services, including skills training, to youth involved in gangs and gang culture in specific communities. Two "gang intervention and exit strategy" projects, for example, will offer support to gang-involved youth in the Rexdale and Regent Park communities. The grants are provided from special Ontario Works incentive funding administered by the City. The projects will be implemented in 2003 and information about their progress will be considered by the Youth Gang Working Group.
Information technology at the City
Council supported the establishment of an Information and Technology Subcommittee of six councillors. The new subcommittee is intended to help Council make better informed decisions on information technology matters and to serve as the executive champion for IT initiatives such as eCity.
Measures to control geese
Council supported a proposal to intensify the City's efforts to deal with problems created by geese at Toronto parks, municipal golf courses and the waterfront. Subject to approval of funding in the proposed 2003 budget, the City will expand its current goose control methods, including habitat modification (to make sites less attractive to geese), the oiling of goose eggs (to prevent hatching) and the use of trained dogs and falcons (to chase away flocks), as well as public education.
Litter reduction strategy
The City will take steps to achieve the goal of reducing litter in Toronto by 50 per cent over the next five years. Council approved the litter reduction strategy brought forward by the Clean Streets Working Group of councillors and industry representatives. An education component will include the creation of a publicity campaign in co-operation with media, entertainment outlets, industry and retailers, in addition to expansion of the annual Mayor's Clean-Up Day challenge. An enforcement component will include a telephone hotline and increased prosecution of litter offenders.
Health of Toronto's trees
Council agreed that the City must counter the weakening and loss of trees that has resulted from several successive years of drought and extreme summer heat. A communication strategy will inform the public and businesses about the need to water trees on their properties during dry periods. Forestry staff report that several thousand trees in Toronto died last summer, weakened by a series of hot, dry summers. Council wants staff to report on additional strategies next spring.
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.
