WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

A G E N D A

Date of Meeting:Wednesday, November 4, 1998Enquiry:Ms. Trudy Perrin

2nd Floor, Metro Hall55 John Street

Toronto

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.

DEPUTATIONS.

List to be distributed at meeting.

DEPUTATION ITEMS.

1.UNIVERSAL WATER METERING PROGRAM

(ALL WARDS IN THE FORMER CITY OF TORONTO).

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 19, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)a policy of Universal Water Metering be adopted that provides for:

(a)the mandatory metering of all buildings in the City of Toronto and the phasing out of the existing flat rate charges for water and sewer services in the former City of Toronto; and

(b)a free of charge Universal Water Metering Program to retrofit approximately 85,000 existing residential buildings which are currently being charged for water and sewer services on a flat rate basis with water meters over a five-year period at a total estimated cost of $21.0 million;

(2)the flat rate water and sewer charges be increased 100 percent for customers who have received adequate notice (minimum three written notices) and have been provided with sufficient time to arrange for the mandatory installation of a water meter but continue to refuse to cooperate, and that the flat rate water charges be increased an additional 100 percent every three months thereafter;

(3)approval be given to issue a Request for Proposals to qualified companies for the complete implementation of the 1999 Universal Water Metering Program, including the necessary public relations and administration work, promotion of water conservation and the supply and installation of water meters, subject to funding for the 1999 Universal Water Metering Program being approved as part of the 1999Water and Wastewater Capital Budget;

(4)the City Treasurer and the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to report to the Works and Utilities Committee on the cost and staffing requirements for the reading of the additional water meters to be installed as part of the Universal Water Metering Program, including any opportunities to arrange for joint water meter reading and billing with Toronto Hydro and Consumers Gas or, alternatively, the use of phone-in meter readings by residents;

(5)this report be forwarded to the Toronto Community Council for its consideration; and

(6)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto, including the introduction of all necessary bills.

COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS.

2.COMPLIANCE PROGRAM WITH MONETARY CONCESSION -

NESTLE CANADA INC. (WARD 19).

(DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING)

Commissioner of Works and

Emergency Services

(September 22, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)a Compliance Program with Monetary Concession be granted to Nestlé Canada Inc. as described therein, to allow for payment of their reassessed surcharge less 50percent of the increase for 1998, subject to the company's investment of the avoided surcharge payment in the 1998 Phase 1 activities; and

(2)if the waste loading is not reduced by 50 percent after 1998 Phase 1 is completed, the remaining Phase 1, plus Phase 2 and Phase 3 be implemented to achieve this reduction, and staff be authorized to continue the monetary concession to Nestlé Canada Inc. for the remaining Phase 1 activities in 1999, Phase 2 in 1999, and Phase3 in 2000, if required, to reduce the waste loading by 50 percent.

3.WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM -

WATER EFFICIENCY KITS.

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 23, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)commencing in 1999 and continuing to the end of the Universal Metering Program (Year 2003), one indoor or outdoor water efficiency kit be provided at no cost to homeowners who receive a meter; further, homeowners will be required to purchase additional indoor and/or outdoor kits for their home at a reduced price of $15.00 per kit;

(2)all students who complete the Water Efficiency Curriculum Program in the public and separate schools throughout the new City will receive a water efficiency kit at no cost; and

(3)all other homeowners throughout the new City will be required to purchase indoor and outdoor water efficiency kits at a reduced price of $15.00 per kit.

4.SEWER CONNECTION BLOCKAGE/

TREE ROOT REMOVAL AND GRANTS POLICY.

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 21, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the proposed harmonized Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program be adopted as follows:

(a)a first response to sewer connection blockage inspection and emergency repair service will be provided by city staff 24 hours, seven days per week; after normal business hours, response will be limited to emergency situations where the drain(s) are completely blocked, all other service calls will be investigated the next business day;

(b)in lieu of a cash deposit, excavations within the road allowance to determine necessary connection works will proceed, subject to the owner agreeing to reimburse the City for costs incurred in the event that the drain damage is determined to be on private property, or if the problem is within the road allowance and is non-structural (i.e., contravention of the Sewer Use By-law, grease, etc.), by signing a standard agreement form prepared by the City;

(c)road allowance clean-outs will be installed where they do not exist, in conjunction with connection repairs undertaken by the City, at no cost to the owner; and

(d)that the Urban Planning and Development Services Department will be requested to investigate the actions necessary to require property owners to undertake the installation of clean-outs, if one does not exist, in conjunction with connection works on private property;

(2)the proposed harmonized Tree Root Removal and Grant Policy be adopted as follows:

(a)in all cases, the repair of drains within City property will continue to be carried out by the City at no cost to the property owner, whether the blockage is caused by roots from a City or private tree;

(b)assistance for the repair of private drains under the policy will only be provided where drain blockage is the result of roots from a City-owned tree, as verified by City staff;

(c)assistance will be provided on a no-fault or grant basis, to any property owner;

(d)assistance will be provided on a one time only basis per property; and

(e)assistance will be provided in the amount of 100 percent of the invoiced cost, to a limit of $500.00 per property, for a repair or partial renewal of a drain or drains, and to a limit of $1,500.00 per property for the complete renewal of a drain or drains between the City property line and the building;

(3)the existing "Drainman" Policy of the former City of North York be repealed;

(4)the Drain Grant Appeal Program of the former City of Toronto be terminated; and

(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized to give effect thereto.

5.RESIDENTIAL WATER SERVICE

CONNECTION REPAIR PROGRAM.

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 23, 1998)

Recommending that, within the following categories, the new service levels should be:

(1)Breaks/Leaks:

(i)Homeowners requesting the City to carry out a street line excavation to investigate a water service for breaks or leaks, which cannot be located using remote leak detection methods, will be required to enter into an agreement with the City. This agreement will state that, if the break or leak is found on the private side of the street line, the homeowner will pay the cost of the investigation.

(ii)The City will assume the cost of repairs within the street allowance and the investigation of the water service connection if the break or leak is on the public side of the street line.

(2)Standard Size for Water Service Connection:

(i)The standard Residential Single Family Dwelling water service connection shall be 19mm (3/4 inch) in diameter.

(ii)Where a water service connection is to be replaced under the proposed repair policy; and the homeowner requests a larger diameter connection than the standard size, then, if the request is approved by the City, the homeowner will be charged a $500 fee for the difference in cost between the standard size and the size requested by the owner.

(3)Minimum Acceptable Flow (MAF):

(i)The City adopt 14L/min (3.1 gal/min) as the minimum acceptable flow when measured at the water meter.

(ii)The City, at its expense, will carry out the necessary work on the portion of the water service within City property, when the flow within the water service is less than the MAF of 14 L/min (3.1 gal/min).

(4)Water Service Cleaning:

(i)The City clean copper water service connections, free of charge, in order to restore the flow capacity of the connection, where appropriate as determined by the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

(5)Water Service Connection Replacement/Upgrade Program:

(i)The City adopt a Water Service Connection Replacement/Upgrade Program to provide for the replacement of water service connections within the road allowance in accordance with current standards of size and material (19mm diameter, copper material), at the City's expense if the flow as measured at the water meter is found to be less than 14L/min (and all other alternatives have been assessed) or the existing connection is non-copper (lead or galvanized iron).

(ii)The City combine all the former municipalities water service connection replacement work (as described above) into the Water Service Connection Replacement/Upgrade Program with a total funding amount of $5,891,000.00 for the 1999 Capital Budget; this amount is to be reviewed and adjusted annually to meet demands in subsequent years until after the repairs of all sub-standard water services have been completed.

(iii)The City undertake the replacement of substandard services in conjunction with the capital pavement program, as determined by the Commissioner to be appropriate.

(iv)The City establish a Water Service Repair Request List for the replacement of water service connections within the road allowance on a first-come, first-serve basis, continuing each year until the funds for that year are exhausted.

(v)If any homeowner wishes to have the repair of the water service carried out in a year in which their name is not expected to come up on the Water Services Repair Request List until after the funds available for the year have been exhausted, and the City can accommodate the request within the current program, then the City will agree to the request provided the homeowner first pays, at their own risk, the actual cost for the repair. In such a case, the name of such homeowner shall remain on the Water Service Repair Request List and when their name reaches the top of the List in any following year in which funds have been authorized by City Council, the City will reimburse, in current dollars, the amount paid by that homeowner for the repair of the water service.

(vi)Any homeowner whose name "comes up" on the Water Service Repair Request List for a water service repair and requests that the repair of the water service be carried out prior to the scheduled time for repair in that year, shall be charged a non-reimbursable quick service repair fee of $500.00.

(vii)Homeowners who request the repair of their water service be advised that the repair of the service within the street allowance by itself may not effect a sufficient improvement in water supply and that, in order to gain the full benefit of the repaired water service within the street allowance, the internal plumbing system and the water service connection from the building wall to the street line should also be repaired; and

(viii)The homeowner be given an opportunity to obtain a quotation from the City contractor for the repair of the water service on private property concurrently with the repair of the City portion; however, homeowners shall be advised that disputes regarding work done on private property shall be resolved between the homeowner and the contractor.

6.DELIVERY OF 1998/99

DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION PROGRAM.

Commissioner of Works and

Emergency Services

(September 30, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)a free and voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program be provided to all eligible residents in the new City of Toronto commencing in January 1999 based on the program delivery model developed by the former City of Toronto;

(2)promotion of the Downspout Disconnection Program be targeted in areas of the new City that are serviced by combined sewers and/or are susceptible to basement flooding problems;

(3)approximately 4,000 property disconnections be budgeted for each year;

(4)an annual budget of $1,640,000.00 be allocated for the delivery of the program including marketing, staffing, property assessments and all materials and labour required to undertake the disconnection work;

(5)students be utilized to undertake canvasses, conduct property assessments and prepare disconnection plans; and

(6)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

7.WESTERN BEACHES STORAGE TUNNEL,

PROGRESS REPORT AND AWARD OF PHASE II

(TRINITY - NIAGARA, AND HIGH PARK).

Commissioner of Works and

Emergency Services

(October 15, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the report on the progress of the construction of Phase I of the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel (WBST) project, and on a revision to the alignment of the tunnel in the vicinity of Ontario Place from the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard West to the north side onto Exhibition Place lands, be received for information;

(2)subject to the necessary funding being approved by City Council as part of the 1999Water and Wastewater Capital Budget, approval be given to award Phase II of the WBST at a contract price of $17,259,100.00 to McNally-Frontier Joint Venture Inc. in accordance with the provision of the WBST Design-Build Agreement between the Joint Venture and the City of Toronto; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto, including preparation and execution of the necessary amendments of the Design-Build Agreement between McNally-Frontier Joint Venture Inc. on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Solicitor and the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

8.ENVIRONMENT DAYS.

General Manager,

Solid Waste Management Services

(October 15, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)the number of Environment Days to be held in 1999 be limited to 28, one per ward, in keeping with Council's directive for 1998, and that no exceptions be made to this policy;

(2)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be authorized to choose the date and location and host the Environment Day in any ward where the two Councillors cannot agree by March 12, 1999, to jointly host an event on an available date and at a suitable location; and

(3)no changes be made to dates and locations for the Environment Days after they have been publicized, unless deemed absolutely necessary by the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

9.ACQUISITION OF ONTARIO HYDRO CORRIDOR -

KENNEDY ROAD TO BIRCHMOUNT ROAD

(SCARBOROUGH CITY CENTRE).

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 22, 1998)

Recommending that:

(1)Council endorse the conclusions in the report prepared by XCG Consultants Ltd. and Hough Woodland Naylor Dance Leinster and Anthony Usher Planning Consultant entitled "Ontario Hydro Corridor (West Highland Creek) Investigation of Stormwater Management, Naturalization and Open Space Opportunities";

(2)Council authorize staff to negotiate the purchase of the highest priority area south of Highway No. 401 identified by the XCG report, Kennedy Road to Birchmount Road, and report back; and

(3)Council agree in principle to use the funds from the Water Reserve for the acquisition of the enhanced watercourse lands as part of the ongoing Watercourse Land Acquisition Program.

10.TENDER OF CONTRACT No. 358.

General Manager,

Solid Waste Management Services

(October 22, 1998)

Respecting the Tender for Contract No. 358, for refuse, bulky items and recyclable collection from multi-residential apartment buildings, multi-residential townhouse locations, municipal, institutional, and commercial establishments located in Districts 3 and 4; advising that the Tender does not close until October 28, 1998; and recommending that this report be received for information, pending the submission of a handout supplementary report at the Works and Utilities Committee which will contain specific recommendations respecting the Tender award.

11.BIOSOLIDS MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE -

PARKING LOT ISSUES.

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 22, 1998)

Respecting the summary of "Parking Lot Issues" prepared by the Biosolids Multi-Stakeholder Committee that was before the Committee at its meeting on October 7, 1998; advising that the majority of the issues identified by the Multi-Stakeholder Committee have been addressed in the Request for Proposal document and will be responded to in the proposal submissions; further advising that it is intended that the Sewer Use By-law to be brought before City Council later this year will include sewage discharge parameters that will enhance the quality of sludge for continued beneficial use of biosolids; noting that the department plans to further report on the opportunities for biosolids handling at other plant sites under a future report which will deal with a Biosolids Management Plan for the new City; and recommending that this report be received for information.

12.WATER SERVICING CHARGES -

118R CLINTON STREET (WARD 20, TRINITY - NIAGARA).

General Manager,

Water and Wastewater Services

(October 21, 1998)

Providing comment regarding the contribution of funds by the City of Toronto for the installation of water services for 118R Clinton Street, in response to the communication from Councillor Mario Silva that was before the Committee at its meeting on October 7, 1998; outlining the policy adopted by the Council of the former City of Toronto whereby the City assumes responsibility for the construction of sewers and water mains within existing public streets, provided that (1) the cost of this servicing is not significantly higher than the average servicing cost within the City, and (2) the need is not created by the severance of a parcel of land; noting that there is no provision under the cost-sharing policy to reimburse developers should future connections be made to infrastructure assumed by the City; advising that no changes to the cost-sharing policy are recommended at this time; and recommending that this report be received for information.

13.SUBMISSION BY TORONTO ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE

REGARDING FAST TRACKING OF WASTE DIVERSION.

General Manager,

Solid Waste Management Services

(October 21, 1998)

Responding to the submission by the Toronto Environmental Alliance regarding fast tracking of waste diversion that was before the Committee at its meeting on September 9, 1998; advising that organic waste diversion levels of 60 to 80 percent are feasible, but will require a system which includes organic food waste collection and centralized composting facilities, and/or mixed waste processing; further advising that staff are proceeding with a phased implementation approach, starting with a 20,000 tonne per year composting and mixed waste processing facility, and in the meantime, are continuing to increase the quantity of organic waste being diverted through leaf and yard waste composting, backyard composting and "grasscycling" programs; and recommending that this report be received for information.

14.VEHICLE EMISSIONS TESTING.

Councillor Ila Bossons,

Midtown

(October 6, 1998)

Respecting the status of the request by the former Metropolitan Council to the Province of Ontario to implement a stringent vehicle emissions testing programs, accompanied by procedures which would ensure that vehicles exceeding emission limits would be brought into conformance or taken out of operation; requesting that City of Toronto staff report on the technology, procedures and funding (user fees) that would be required to implement a vehicle emissions testing and enforcement program for automobiles and commercial vehicles in the City of Toronto and in the Greater Toronto Area with a minimum of delay; and suggesting that the City invite all municipalities in the GTA to participate in this exercise, in order that working proposals for a rigorous emissions testing/enforcement program for the GTA could be presented to the Province.

ANY OTHER MATTERS.