City Council meeting of April 23 and 24, 2007
City of Toronto 2007 Operating Budget
At a special meeting on April 20 and 23, Council approved the City's $7.8 billion 2007 Operating Budget that maintains important municipal services, including police, fire, emergency services, libraries, roads, transit, waste collection, recycling, and parks and recreation. To balance the 2007 Operating Budget, Council approved a property tax increase of 3.8 per cent for residents and 1.26 per cent for commercial and industrial properties. The City will also use $278 million from its reserve funds as a one-time solution to fill the budget gap. Toronto taxpayers continue to pay for provincially mandated social service programs that put a strain on the City's Operating Budget each year. For the 2008 budget and future years, the City's plan calls for the uploading of social services costs to the province, a share of new revenues that grow with the economy, such as one cent of the GST, the creation of a national transit strategy and using the revenue tools granted by the new City of Toronto Act.
No change to City ward numbers and names
Following debate, Council voted against a proposal that recommended replacing ward numbers with names, objecting to the difficulty in identifying a single name to represent the many different communities that exist in each ward. Names and numbers are currently used to identify the City's 44 wards, with names corresponding to the 22 provincial ridings. However, with two City Councillors for every one provincial riding, numbers were assigned to differentiate between wards with the same name.
2009 World Green Roof Congress
Council approved a motion to join with Toronto-based Green Roofs For Healthy Cities in a bid to host the 2009 World Green Roof Congress. The event is expected to attract approximately 1,000 participants from around the world, and is an opportunity to showcase the many green roof installations in Toronto, as well as other sustainable initiatives. Supporting green roofs is integral to several City environmental plans, and has been proposed as part of the Climate Change and Clean Air Action Plan.
A made-in-Toronto model for traffic calming
Council approved changes to Toronto's traffic calming policy that will allow the City to develop a Toronto model for public consultation and participation in traffic calming proposals. The new City of Toronto Act removes the onerous notification requirements mandated by the province, and allows the City to develop a made-in-Toronto model for service delivery that supports the City's long-standing record of public consultation. The City's new traffic calming policy streamlines the traffic calming approval application process and contributes to the safety of Toronto's neighbourhoods.
Battery recycling and public awareness programs
Council directed staff to report on a strategy to increase the safe disposal of batteries in Toronto, including the use of TTC locations, community centres and sports facilities as drop off points. City staff were also asked to explore the potential for a public awareness campaign informing residents of the benefits of the safe disposal of batteries, and to propose a plan for 100 per cent cost-recovery of battery recycling and disposal programs from battery manufacturers.
Design Review Panel Pilot Project
Council approved the 12 volunteer members to the City's Design Review Panel Pilot Project - a two-year pilot to help ensure a high level of urban design that fits well into the cityscape. Design review panels are used in other Canadian and international cities to raise the design quality of buildings and public spaces by enhancing the development approvals process. Design review panels provide advice to City staff on proposed private and municipal projects. In June 2006, City Council directed staff to implement the Design Review Panel Pilot Project to help achieve the goals of the City's Clean and Beautiful City initiative and Official Plan by improving the design of the public realm. The pilot project will also help determine the feasibility of a city-wide design review panel.
Equity for Toronto's taxi industry
Council voted to implement a new bylaw prohibiting airport-licensed taxis and limousines without a Toronto licence, from picking up passengers in the city of Toronto. The bylaw will take effect 30 days from the meeting to provide an opportunity for discussions with stakeholders about finding an equitable solution to the long-standing grievance between taxis and limousines licensed by the City of Toronto, and those licensed in other jurisdictions. Currently, Toronto-licensed taxis and limousines are prohibited from picking up passengers at the airport - unless requested by a passenger or the airport on a pre-arranged basis - while taxis and limousines licensed by other municipalities that hold a federal Government Airport Concession Operators Regulations permit are allowed to pick up passengers in Toronto.
New harmonized City fireworks bylaw and permit rules
Council approved a new harmonized fireworks bylaw, effective January 1, 2008, which will allow authorized vendors to sell family, display, and theatrical fireworks year-round. Permits will be issued to permanent fireworks vendors who meet the federal requirements. Temporary fireworks vendors, temporary lease fireworks vendors, and mobile fireworks vendors are required to obtain permits to sell only family fireworks on Canada Day and Victoria Day, including during the week leading up to those holidays. The new harmonized City fireworks bylaw replaces bylaws for the former cities of Toronto, Etobicoke, Scarborough, York, North York and Borough of East York.
2 for 1 Toronto Island Ferry tickets
City Council adopted a motion to introduce a pilot pricing project where 2 for 1 Toronto Island Ferry adult tickets will be offered from May 22 to September 2, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., excluding holiday weekends and special events.
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.
