City Council meeting of April 19 to 28, 2004 and special meeting April 15 and 16, 2004

Council approves 2004 budget
Council adopted operating and capital budgets for 2004 after seven days of discussion (April 19 to the early hours of April 28). The budget, consisting of $6.6 billion for operating costs and $908 million in tax-supported capital spending, requires a three per cent tax increase for homeowners and a 1.5 per cent tax increase for commercial/industrial taxpayers. In order to balance the budget, the City had to rely on several one-time sources of revenue that are not sustainable for future budgets - specifically a provincial loan deferral, revenues from Toronto Hydro, and access to the commercial/industrial tax base. Mayor David Miller is continuing his efforts to negotiate the details of a "New Deal" with the federal and provincial governments in order to meet the City's future budgetary requirements.

This year's City budget review process began with the "Listening to Toronto" public consultations in January. The budget that Council approved on April 28 responds to that input by protecting vital programs and providing modest enhancements where previous reductions have made reinvestment necessary to maintain specific services.

Budget highlights:

• increased funding for the three emergency services - police, fire and emergency medical services - including the largest increase in police spending in the history of the City of Toronto
• $2.6 million in funding for the "Clean City, Beautiful City" initiative (This program begins the process of cleaning up the city through the combined efforts of the City, residents and business to enhance the appearance of the city's public spaces and influence related public behaviour.)
• funding to avoid increasing Toronto Transit Commission fares, thus preserving the accessibility of public transit for city residents (and responding to the high priority Torontonians placed on transit during public consultation on the City's budget)
• a $2.3 million increase in grants to community, arts and culture organizations. (This funding assists those living in neighbourhoods at risk by leveraging the work of community workers and volunteers to deliver the programs and services that residents need most.)
• recreation funding to prevent the closure of any public swimming pools

Summary covering the special meeting April 15 and 16, 2004

Council dealt with the following two issues, among other items, at a special meeting of City Council on April 15 and 16 held to address business items held over from Council's March meeting.

Proposal for affordable housing
Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to establish a working group of all parties involved to discuss issues and provide input for a staff report that will recommend a course of action for a City-owned site in east Toronto (Manse Road, Scarborough community). Council affirmed its commitment to support the construction of affordable housing on the property, pending the successful resolution of issues under discussion.

Control of long grass and weeds
Council approved a city-wide bylaw concerning long grass and weeds. The bylaw, which consolidates and replaces related bylaws inherited from the pre-amalgamation municipalities, prescribes standards such as the maximum height of grass on private property (20 centimetres) and the requirement of weed removal. Enforcement is also addressed, and a procedure is provided so those cultivating "natural gardens" can request exemption.

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.