Use of Former City of York Civic Service Centre

2700 Eglinton Avenue West, for Learning Enrichment

Centre (Ward 27 - York Humber)

The Corporate Services Committee recommends that:

(1)the Learning Enrichment Foundation be permitted to lease space at the York Civic Centre; and

(2)the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested:

 (a)to negotiate the terms of the aforementioned lease, such lease giving consideration to possible future office needs of the City; and

 (b)to assist the Learning Enrichment Foundation in obtaining alternative accommodation, if necessary.

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following report (May 7, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

To determine if there is any space available to lease to the Learning Enrichment Foundation at the former City of York Municipal Building as per the attached location map.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

N/A.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received by your Committee for information.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Corporate Services Committee on March 30, 1998, had before it a communication (March 5, 1998) addressed to York Community Council from Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor York-Humber, attaching a copy of a letter (January 29, 1998) from the Executive Director, The Learning Enrichment Foundation, addressed to members of the York Community Council, respecting the possibility of utilizing space in the municipal building at 2700 Eglinton Avenue West, for daycare purposes; and requesting that this item along with a motion by Councillor Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Mihevc requesting that the York Community Council support the request for appropriate daycare space within the York Civic Centre; and that the appropriate City staff responsible for the review of the utilization of space in the Civic Centres of the former Metro Toronto municipalities be directed to assist the Learning Enrichment Foundation in this matter.

The Corporate Services Committee endorsed the request from the Learning Enrichment Foundation for the appropriate City staff responsible for the review of the utilization of space in the Civic Centres of the former Metro Toronto municipalities being directed to assist the Learning Enrichment Foundation to identify space, if possible, at the York Civic Centre for a Daycare facility. Staff have now had the opportunity to communicate with the Foundation and it has identified that they require about 3000 sq.ft. of space.

A Space Rationalization Team is currently dealing with various Civic buildings brought into amalgamation and are in the process of identifying if there is any space available in these facilities that can accommodate various City of Toronto departments that are currently occupying leased premises as tenants. In addition, a report on request for use of City-owned space by non-profit corporations is also being finalized for submission to the next Corporate Services Committee meeting which is scheduled to be held on May 25, 1998.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The space rationalization study is ongoing at this time. The study is expected to be completed by late summer at which time a proper consolidation plan will be developed and forwarded for Council approval. Priority will be given to placing City of Toronto Departments whose leases with private Landlords are expiring into Municipal space as it becomes vacant. An example of this is, the current projected move of the Community Service - Children=s Services Division from leased space at 700 Lawrence Avenue West to 2700 Eglinton Avenue West.

Conclusions:

It is the priority of the new City to identify areas of cost savings associated with the amalgamation by relocating its own departments in whole or in part into vacated municipal space in order to save money. This process is expected to proceed for some time until the full impact of the amalgamation is realized. Consequently, the Learning Enrichment Foundation should be notified that space is not available at the former City of York Municipal Building at this time.

Contact Name:

Mr. Tony Pittiglio, Manager of Property Services; Telephone No.: (416)392-8155; Fax No.: (416) 392-4828; E-mail address: anthony_pittiglio@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

The Corporate Services Committee also submits the following communication (May 20, 1998) from Councillor Bill Saundercook, York Humber:

I would just like to address the issue of the Learning Enrichment Foundation=s request for daycare space in the York Civic Centre.

As Board Member of the Learning Enrichment Foundation, I am very familiar with the work done by the organization. I think they are highly deserving of space for their organization.

Another point that should be considered by the Committee is that while the space rationalization study is ongoing, and due to completed in the late summer at the earliest, the LEF cannot wait. As of August 1, their daycare is without a home. Unfortunately, they have been put into a situation through no fault of their own where the decision on available space will be made after they have already been evicted.

I urge you to recommend allowing the LEF to use the surplus space at the York Civic Centre for their daycare.

Ms. Pam Roberts, Representative, the Learning Enrichment Foundation, appeared before the Corporate Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

(A copy of the location map attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the May 25, 1998, Corporate Services Committee Agenda, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)