City Council meeting of January 29 and 30, 2008
Agenda for Prosperity - a strong, vibrant and internationally competitive Toronto
Council endorsed the Agenda for Prosperity - A Prospectus for a Great City as the framework for major strategic policies impacting economic competitiveness and growth. The city-building agenda was prepared by the Mayor's Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee, which is comprised of business, labour and academic leaders, and members of Council. City Council also directed staff, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, to prepare an implementation plan and budget for priority actions, recommend targets for the success measures identified for the four pillars of the Prosperity Agenda, and to report back as soon as possible on next steps, and annually thereafter on the status of the report's implementation. The Mayor convened the Advisory Committee in June 2006 to provide advice on ways to improve the quality of life in Toronto, put creativity at the heart of the economic development strategy and create greater opportunity for all through enhanced economic competitiveness and growth, the creation of high quality jobs, retaining and attracting investment, and fostering a culture of partnership to sustain a vibrant economy.
Street Food Pilot for Toronto
Council approved a Toronto Street Food Pilot for the summer of 2008 to introduce the sale of safe, healthy, nutritious and ethnically-diverse foods at selected locations. Staff were instructed to seek expressions of interest from potential cart manufacturers and to explore the use of partnership opportunities to provide funding for the 15-cart pilot. The pilot is dependent on making an arrangement at no cost to the City. A staff report is expected in the spring. Council also approved a motion authorizing staff to take the necessary steps to secure the name "Toronto a la Carte" as the official name of the proposed street food program.
Protecting Toronto's trees
Council adopted amendments to the City's tree bylaws to better protect both City-owned trees and trees on private property. Under the approved new fee structure, a construction-related permit application to request the removal of a private tree will cost $300 per tree (with no maximum), instead of $200. The non-construction-related permit application fee to remove a private tree is still $100 per tree, but the previous maximum fee of $300 has been removed. Residents who wish to apply to remove a healthy City-owned tree are now required to pay $300 per tree (with no maximum). Previously, there were no fees associated with requests to remove healthy City-owned trees. The amendments will strengthen the bylaws and improve inspection of potential infractions. The city-wide Private Tree Bylaw has been in effect since September 30, 2004 and regulates trees on private property that have a diameter of 30 cm or greater measured at 1.4 metres off the ground. The City's Street Tree Bylaw protects all trees located on public streets, lanes and highways. The minimum fine for illegally injuring or removing a privately- or publicly-owned tree is $500 per tree up to a maximum fine of $100,000, as determined by the courts.
Decreasing the risk of rabies transmission
Council approved a motion asking staff to report back on strategies to decrease or eliminate the risk of rabies transmission when dogs and cats are sold to the public, including the requirement that all dogs and cats to be licensed and fully immunized against rabies at the point of sale. Council also approved a request to ask the provincial government to regulate the sale of dogs and cats to ensure that anyone who may come into contact with these animals is protected against the risk of rabies transmission.
Streamlining the City's bicycle lane approval process
City Council adopted a new approval process for bicycle lanes in the city. In an effort to streamline the bicycle lane approval and reporting process, all bicycle lane matters will now be routed to Council through the City's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. Rather than have bicycle lane matters considered by one of the City's four Community Councils, and the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee if the proposed bicycle lane crosses more than one Community Council area, the new method streamlines the approval process by ensuring all bicycle lane matters are routed through one committee. Simplifying the bicycle lane approval process is an important step in accelerating the implementation of the Bike Plan, which was approved by City Council in 2001.
Increasing the City's share of slot machine revenue from Woodbine Racetrack
Council directed the Mayor and staff to negotiate a larger percentage of the slot machine revenue the City receives from Woodbine Racetrack, which is owned by the Woodbine Entertainment Group but operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). The objective is to increase the City's share to 10 per cent - the amount currently awarded to non-government stakeholders. Under the current Racetrack Municipality Contribution Agreement with the OLG, the City receives 5 per cent of the gross gaming revenue on the first 450 slot machines and 2 per cent on the balance in excess of 450 machines. If the discussion to amend the existing agreement fails, staff will report back on the feasibility of negotiating a separate deal for new slots machines, and on the possibility of implementing a cap on the number of slot machines permitted in any establishment in the city. Council also voted in favour of a policy whereby any expansion of gaming in Toronto would be contingent on the City receiving a minimum share of 10 per cent of the gross gaming revenue.
New City Council meeting times
Council voted to conclude their meetings one hour earlier and to cancel their 30-minute dinner break. As per the approved new meeting times, City Council will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Council also approved a motion for the provision of refreshments when council extends the meeting session past 8 p.m.
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.
