City Council meeting of March 1, 2004

Community safety plan
Council adopted Mayor David Miller's proposed community safety plan for at-risk neighbourhoods, with a focus on job training and employment opportunities for youth, among other services and support. Scarborough's Malvern neighbourhood will be the first community involved, followed by Jamestown in Etobicoke and North York's Jane-Finch area. The action plans will include efforts to combat the culture of gangs and guns that undermines communities' quality of life.

'Clean and Beautiful City' initiative
Council unanimously supported Mayor David Miller's plan - called the Clean and Beautiful City initiative - for making Toronto a cleaner, more attractive city. The initiative includes a boost to City services such as the provision of more recycling/litter bins, along with increased litter pick-up and roadway cleaning, in addition to a series of community activities. For example, planned this spring is a "20-Minute Toronto Makeover," which asks businesses, schools and residents to take 20 minutes on April 23 to clean up around their properties. That event will be followed by "Mayor Miller's Community Clean-up Day" on April 24, and by a "Clean City" public education campaign.

Establishment of an integrity commissioner
Council decided to establish the position of City Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner will deal with complaints related to the Code of Conduct for Council, and will provide advice respecting the code and other policies governing the ethical behaviour of Council members. The City hopes to have the Integrity Commissioner in place by this summer.

Roundtables on City issues
Council adopted terms of reference for six roundtable groups through which members of the public will contribute their voices to the City's decision-making process on key issues. Appointments will cover the current term of Council, ending in 2006. The roundtables will address access, equity and human rights; arts and culture; the "beautiful city" project; children, youth and education; environment; and seniors. Council also adopted terms of reference for a new Employee and Labour Relations Committee made up of seven members of Council.

Drug strategy for Toronto
Council supported a proposal for work on the establishment of a comprehensive drug policy framework/strategy for the City of Toronto. The City has various drug-related prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement programs, but no unifying strategy to guide and co-ordinate those efforts. Councillor Kyle Rae will be the political lead, working with a Council Reference Group and teams from Toronto Public Health and Community & Neighbourhood Services. The project will also involve community and institutional stakeholders.

Asian Long-Horned Beetle
Council approved further measures to deal with the local infestation and threat posed by the Asian Long-Horned Beetle. Issues of funding and the use of chemical pesticide are being worked out. Many of the City's forestry staff, in conjunction with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, are working full-time on the survey and eradication program. Crews are cutting down thousands of hardwood trees in the northern part of the city in an attempt to halt the pest, which has the potential to destroy 60 to 70 per cent of Toronto's trees and to spread throughout Ontario.

Development charges
Council approved plans to obtain public input at a meeting in May regarding a new development charges bylaw. The City's existing bylaw, which generated about $23 million in 2003, will expire on July 29, 2004. A new bylaw must be adopted before then if Council wants to continue using development charges as a source of funding for growth-related capital expenditures supporting a wide variety of municipal services.

Computer replacement strategy
Council decided to phase out the City's leasing arrangement for information technology and instead to buy new computer hardware, software and servers that are needed in 2004 and 2005 to replace outdated equipment. A "Blue Ribbon Panel" will be established to help advise the City on the process. The Technology End-of-Lease Strategy, which Council approved in principle, will ensure the continuity of business operations while improving services and support.

City's position on a transportation authority
Council decided to request the Ontario government to consult with the City of Toronto, the Toronto Transit Commission and other stakeholders regarding the government's anticipated creation of a transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area as early as this spring. A key concern is the possibility that the area transportation authority might use its financial resources to expand public transit outside the central city at the expense of the sustained funding needed for the maintenance, rehabilitation and renewal of existing TTC infrastructure.

2004 water rates
The City's billing rate for water and wastewater services will increase by six per cent this year. Council approved the increase, effective April 1 for metered customers and on the subsequent billing date for flat-rate customers. The rate hike is necessary to help pay for maintenance of the water and wastewater infrastructure.

Contract for litter/recycling bins
Council authorized staff to negotiate a new agreement for the provision of recycling/litter bins on city sidewalks. The supplier, formerly Olifas Marketing Group (OMG), now Urban Equipment of Canada Inc, is proposing re-designed bins. The City also wants additional bins to enhance its litter control program. Any changes recommended to the agreement will be reported to the Works Committee and City Council for consideration.

Metropolis Congress in Toronto
Council approved plans for Toronto to host the 2005 Metropolis Congress and cover some of its costs. Metropolis is a forum for policy-related research and networking on the effects of immigration and settlement in urban centres. The 2005 congress, expected to attract about 1,000 delegates from around the world, will mark the organization's tenth anniversary.

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.