City Council meeting of November 19 and 20, 2007
2008 Toronto Water budgets and Water & Wastewater
rate increase
Council adopted the 2008 Toronto Water budgets, including $375 million gross for operating expenditures and $410 million gross (2008 cash flow requirements) to fund capital projects. The 2008 Operating Budget revenues are $677 million. The plan also includes a 9.36 per cent residential water rate increase (for the average homeowner) effective January 1, 2008. Large volume water-users will benefit from a 13 per cent decrease in their water rates if they implement efficiency measures. Toronto Water revenues are generated from user fees charged for water consumption and sewage treatment, with no reliance on the property tax base to provide services. Programs include funding for infrastructure renewal, service delivery, water efficiency and programs to improve drinking water quality and the natural environment.
Municipal election reform
City Council endorsed a package of motions to seek amendments to the Municipal Elections Act to enact Toronto-specific election legislation that meets the unique needs of Toronto's electors and candidates. Under the proposed amendments, all candidates running for Toronto City Council will be required to use the City's Electronic Financial Filing System to file their financial statements, and will be able to correct errors before final statements are filed. Council also supported using Elections Ontario's Permanent Register of Electors, and supplementary information from any other relevant source, as the basis of Toronto's voters' list. The City will also explore allowing candidates to draw on campaign surpluses or a City-created fund to pay legal or audit expenses that are election-related after campaign accounts have been closed.
Stricter safety requirements for swimming pools
Council amended the City's fence bylaw making it mandatory to enclose swimming pools on all four sides; previously fences were only required around three sides of the pool with the residential building serving as the fourth side. The new provisions apply to new pool enclosures only. As per the bylaw's safety objectives, fences must allow reasonable visibility of the pool area from inside the building, and self-closing gates must meet strict safety standards and be locked at all times when the pool area is not in use. The new bylaw also prohibits the use of temporary fencing materials in the construction of permanent line fences, as these materials are not meant for long-term use and wear, and may result in unsafe conditions.
Mandatory Downspout Disconnection Program
Council voted to end the Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program and introduced a new mandatory program. Since its inception in 1998, the voluntary program had limited participation and would have taken the City more than 20 years to achieve its target disconnection rate. Downspout disconnection minimizes the burden on the City's sewer system and treatment facilities, reduces basement flooding and contributes to improved water quality for Toronto's lake and beaches. The new Mandatory Downspout Disconnection Program will initially target properties in the downtown area served by combined sewers (stormwater and sewage combined into a single pipe). Homeowners are expected to disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system within three years to avoid facing fines. Council also approved a motion making financial assistance available to low-income property owners.
Zerofootprint carbon calculator
City Council approved an interactive web-based carbon calculator that will improve awareness of the impact of individuals' actions on the environment, and help address climate change by allowing residents to calculate and share their ecological footprint with others. Zerofootprint, a Toronto-based not-for-profit firm that specializes in the development of dynamic Internet-based carbon calculators, will provide its carbon calculator to Toronto residents at no cost to the City or residents. The Mayor announced the City's intent to partner with Zerofootprint during the C40 Large Cities climate change summit in New York City in May 2007. Zerofootprint Toronto supports the City's Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan.
Revised Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy
Council amended the Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy to require that commercial dog walkers display a commercial dog walker permit when walking from four to a maximum of six dogs in a City park, green space or waterfront area (rather than two, as adopted by City Council at its meeting of July 16-19, 2007). Council also approved a permit fee of $200 for each commercial dog walker.
Design guidelines for "greening" parking lots
City Council approved draft design guidelines for "greening" surface parking lots for further consultation with stakeholders. Council also granted staff interim authority to apply the draft guidelines in the review and approval of new developments. The guidelines support the City's Official Plan and also provide design options and strategies to implement many environmental performance targets of the Council-endorsed Toronto Green Development Standard — a set of minimum thresholds to promote environmentally sustainable site and building design. "Greening" Toronto's parking lots involves planting trees, providing good quality soil and generous landscaped areas, enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, managing stormwater run-off, reducing the urban heat island effect, and using sustainable materials and technologies.
No alcohol tax for Toronto
After further consultations with Toronto-based liquor, wine and beer retailers about a potential alcohol tax on store sales to non-licensed consumers, Council voted not to pursue the implementation of the tax based on tax avoidance implications, complications due to uniform pricing issues and applicability of GST on an alcohol tax, and the cost and effort associated with the administration of the tax.
Leave of absence to run for provincial or federal office
City Council voted in favour of requesting the Province to amend the City of Toronto Act to require Members of Council running for provincial or federal office to take a leave of absence, without pay, during the writ period. At both the Provincial and Federal level, politicians who wish to run for another office must resign from their positions before filing their nomination papers.
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.
