City Council meeting of September 22, 2003
City's 2004 budget process
Council is recommending a 2004 budget process and preliminary schedule for consideration by the new Council in December. The approach that departments and agencies are taking in preparing their budget submissions this fall involves establishing a base budget, then preparing business cases for any changes to the base budget.
Attracting major events to Toronto
Council gave the City's Tourism division authority to pursue opportunities with partners for Toronto to host major international and national events. The City is placing a high priority on major events to stimulate the tourism sector. A new unit of the Tourism division, called Toronto International, will take the lead. Attracting international events is one component of a Tourism Development Action Plan that Council also approved at its September meeting.
Purchases of coal-fired electricity
Council endorsed, in principle, the objective of phasing out City purchases of coal-fired electricity. Council directed staff to prepare a report on a strategy to fully or partially phase out the City's purchase of electricity produced at coal-fired power plants, including the financial implications. The report is also to include an energy conservation plan.
Waste diversion in apartment buildings
Council endorsed plans for initiatives in recycling and organic material diversion for the City's residential highrise buildings. The City will take steps to ensure that all Toronto apartment buildings are complying with the City's recycling requirements, and will provide educational sessions at buildings where needed. Current projects involving source-separated organics will continue and the City will undertake studies on options for organics separation in multi-family dwellings.
Bylaw on ticket scalping
Council agreed to enact a bylaw designed to stop the selling of tickets on Toronto streets for concerts and sports events. The penalty of a $500 fine (up to $5,000 for persistent offenders) is proposed, subject to approval by the Ministry of the Attorney General. Municipal Licensing and Standards, working with the police, will co-ordinate prosecutions under the new bylaw. The City is also seeking provincial authority to seize tickets from scalpers.
Funding for homeless-related programs
Council approved the allocation of $6.4 million from the 2003 City of Toronto Homeless Initiative Fund to 78 community agencies for services that prevent or alleviate homelessness. In addition, Council approved service agreements and funding of $1 million provided by the Province of Ontario for the City's Off the Street, Into Shelter program. Eight community agencies will receive the funding to provide street outreach services. Council also approved the allocation of $53 million in federal funds to projects responding to homelessness in Toronto. This renewed Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative will cover the period 2003 to 2006, with a focus on housing, service facilities, employment and other support for people living on the streets and in shelters.
Cleaning services in selected City buildings
Council dealt with a proposal for contracting out cleaning services currently provided by members of CUPE Local 79 in selected City buildings occupied by Toronto Police Services. Council supported a motion to refer the matter back to City staff, and requested that appropriate staff meet with Local 79 to discuss opportunities for retaining current cleaning staff at the buildings while reducing costs.
City of Toronto Accessibility Plan
Council approved an Accessibility Plan as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and directed City officials to ensure that the plan is implemented. The plan addresses what the City has done and is doing to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities in order to optimize their access to City programs, services, employment and facilities. Plans and progress are to be reported in an annual report.
Access, equity, human rights awards
Eleven individuals and three community groups will be honoured as recipients of the City's 2003 access, equity and human rights awards. Council endorsed the choices, which include the inaugural Aboriginal Affairs Award and Pride Award in addition to the Access Award for disability issues, the Constance E. Hamilton Award for the status of women and the William P. Hubbard Award for race relations. The recipients will be honoured at a ceremony and reception at City Hall celebrating International Human Rights Day on December 10.
Temperature and lighting in City buildings
Council adopted a plan to improve its energy efficiency in City office buildings by making sure lights are turned off when the business day has concluded and by establishing a standard temperature range. The temperature is to be no lower than 21 degrees Celsius in summer (but may be up to three degrees higher during a smog alert) and no higher than 21 degrees in winter.
Yonge-Eglinton bus terminal
Council approved a process for the City's issuance of a request for proposals to develop the seven-acre bus terminal and bus garage site at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue West. The City, in partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission, intends to work with the private sector to construct a new bus terminal that is integrated with the Eglinton subway station.
Expanded hours at transfer stations
Council authorized expanded hours during which vehicles requiring manual unloading can use five of the City's seven waste transfer stations. The new hours, which provide night-time access, will be publicized (including on the Web at www.toronto.ca/garbage).
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.
