3.ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEE TO REVIEW YORK=S INFRASTRUCTURE.

Clause 12 (s) embodied in York Community Council Report No. 5, Meeting held on May 6, 1998.

 The York Community Council reports having:

(1)approved the following motion by Councillor Saundercook, regarding the establishment of a sub-committee with a mandate to identify areas of infrastructure in need of upgrading to similar standards in other areas of the City of Toronto;

(2)adopted the Terms of Reference as set out in the communication (May 5, 1998) from Councillor Bill Saundercook; and

(3)requested members of the Community Council to propose the names of citizen and business representatives to serve on the sub-committee, and that this information be submitted to the May 27, 1998 meeting of the Community Council.

(i)Motion by Councillor Saundercook:

WHEREAS the area known as the former City of York was unable for many years to generate enough revenue to maintain its physical, cultural and social infrastructure; and

WHEREAS with the amalgamation of area municipalities as the new City of Toronto, there is an opportunity to redress these historic inequities;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the York Community Council establish a sub-committee, chaired by the Community Council Chair, with a mandate to develop a plan to identify infrastructure areas in need of upgrading to standards established in other areas in the former municipalities;

THAT the purpose of the plan would be to revitalize the physical, cultural and social infrastructure of the former City of York;

THAT the sub-committee be comprised of:

-the four (4) Councillors from Wards 27 and 28;

-two (2) representatives each from ratepayers associations

in Wards 27 and 28;

-one (1) local representative from the Toronto Social and Community Council; and

-one (1) representative from the cultural sector in York; and

THAT the completed draft plan be distributed for community consultation and comment.

(ii)(May 5, 1998) from Councillor Bill Saundercook, Chair, recommending that the York Community Council approve the following Terms of Reference for the Infrastructure Sub-Committee, appoint community representatives, and direct staff to call the first meeting:

York Infrastructure Sub-Committee

Terms of Reference

Introduction:

As a separate municipality, York did not fare as well as the other members of the Toronto federation. York=s assessment base had the least non-residential assessment of all the municipalities. At the same time, the income level and property values of the residential population was the lowest in Metro.

As a result of funding difficulties, York did not have the resources to provide adequate recreational facilities and parkland; streets fell into disrepair and there was inadequate separation of storm and sanitary sewers.

At the same time that York has had less than average revenues, York=s social service needs have been higher than average. York has become an immigrant reception area due to the lower costs of its homes. York has similarly attracted a large share of other low income families, many with social service requirements. The inadequate tax base has meant that an adequate level of social service delivery has not been provided to York=s residents.

Now, with amalgamation, there is the opportunity for York to share the assessment base of the entire City. Not only can York look forward to an average level of funding, York can even look forward to a higher than average level of funding due to the higher than average needs of its citizens and its infrastructure.

It is now necessary to plan for this improved infrastructure and program funding and to ensure its delivery in a coordinated and consistent fashion so as to maximize the benefits to the citizens of the Community of York.

The proposed Infrastructure Committee will be the vehicle to ensure planning and delivery coordination.

Duration:

The Committee will meet and function as long as it is deemed necessary by York Community Council.

Composition:

The Committee should include the four York Councillors, a ratepayers representative from each ward, a representative from the Community and Social Planning Council, and a representative of York=s businesses.

Chair:

The Chair of the Community Council shall be the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee.

Mandate:

The Committee shall be responsible for the creation of a comprehensive infrastructure and social program delivery plan for the York Community.

The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that adequate research is undertaken to determine the nature and extent of York=s under service situation, including gaps and inequalities in comparison to city wide standards and levels of service, and to present both the problems and the proposed solutions to City Council and its departments and committees, and to the representatives of other levels of government.

The Committee shall work with representatives of City Departments, including but not necessarily restricted to the following functions:

-Works

-Parks

-Facilities

-Recreation

-Fire

-Planning Library

-Public Health

-Housing

-Children=s Services

-Senior Citizens Services

-Welfare

-Social Services

 Process and Workplan: 1.Terms of Reference approved by York Community Council.

2.Identify and Invite Community and Staff stakeholders to participate.

3.Schedule the First meeting.

4.Assemble and identify information and reports re existing situation.

5.Identify gaps in data.

6.Undertake the necessary studies.

7.Prepare recommendations.

8.Draft Report.

9.Consult the Community.

10.Receive Council approval and necessary budget.