Signboard Locations on City-Owned Property,

(High Park, Davenport, Midtown, Downtown, Don River)

The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the report (July 2, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services.

The Corporate Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Corporate Services to provide a similar report to the meeting of the Corporate Services Committee scheduled to be held on September 14, 1998, respecting the tendering of signboards presently located on former Metropolitan Toronto properties.

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following report (July2, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

To report on a tendering process for 3 signboard locations and the termination of agreements for six signboard locations in the former City of Toronto arising from the recommendations made by the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services in Toronto Community Council Report No.5(45) as adopted by City Council on May 13 and 14, 1998.

Financial Implications:

For the three signboards at three locations recommended to be maintained and tendered, current revenues of $4,200.00 should be improved. For the eight signboards at six locations recommended to be terminated, there is a loss of revenue in the amount of $11,500.00 per annum.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the existing signboard agreements for the 8 signs located at 1873 Bloor Street West, 756Eastern Avenue, 307 MacPherson Avenue, 315 MacPherson Avenue, 325 MacPherson Avenue and 120 Harbour Street (Application Nos. 997111, 997113, 997114, 997115, 997116 and 997120 respectively) be terminated upon giving 90 days notice to the lessee and the signboards be removed;

(2)a tender be issued for the 3 signboard locations approved for variances requesting bids to lease the 3 signboards and maintain the signboards in compliance with Chapter 297 - Signs for the locations at 744 Dundas Street East, 423 Old Weston Road and 120 Harbour Street (Application Nos. 997112, 997117 and 997120 respectively). Upon the award of the tender, the existing leases are to be terminated and new lease(s) entered into with the successful tenderer; and

(3)the appropriate officials take whatever action is deemed necessary to give effect to this report.

Background:

At its meeting dated October 6 and 7, 1997, the former City of Toronto Council adopted ECR No.23(65) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services respecting existing signboard locations on City-owned properties. The report identified that there were 13 existing third party signs located on ten City-owned properties that currently generate revenue to the City. Eight of the locations are operated by Mediacom pursuant to a long standing blanket agreement. The other two locations were assigned to the City from the Toronto Harbour Commissioners and Queens Quay West Land Corporation. Two of the locations containing single signs were withdrawn. Recommendation No.(2) of this report provided that the Commissioner, Corporate Services be requested to issue a proposal call for those sign locations for which a variance is approved and take appropriate action to terminate the existing agreements.

Applications were made to the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services to determine if variances to bring the 11 signs at eight separate locations, as shown on the attached key maps, into conformity with Municipal Code, Chapter 297 - Signs should be approved.

At its meeting held on May 6 and 7, 1998, Toronto Community Council gave consideration to the recommendations made by the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services in Report No.5(45). The Toronto Community Council adopted the Clause without amendment and City Council also adopted the Clause on May 13 and 14, 1998. Set out below are the abbreviated recommendations:

Comments:

In accordance with the former City of Toronto Council direction, it is proposed that the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to issue a tender for those three signboard locations for which a variance is approved. In order for the City to maximize its revenue for the three signboards recommended for variance at 744 Dundas Street East, 120 Harbour Street and 423 Old Weston Road, a tender should be issued as soon as possible to prospective proponents requesting bids to maintain the signboards in compliance with Municipal Code, Chapter 297 - Signs and in accordance with Application Nos. 997112, 997117 and 997120. The successful proponent would of course be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits required from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services. These three locations currently generate annual revenue in the amount of $4,200.00 and this revenue should be improved as a result of the tender.

With respect to eight signboards which were not recommended for variance it is noted that, as the existing signs are legal non-conforming, they can remain on that property if the City so wishes as long as the existing structure remains in place. This effectively eliminates any tendering opportunity as the existing lessee has the right to remove the sign at the end of the lease and the sign cannot be replaced. The City could re-negotiate the rental rate with the current signboard companies to attempt to improve the revenues. The eight signboards currently generate annual revenue in the amount of $11,500.00.

Following the adoption of the foregoing report [TCC No.5(45)], each of the Ward Councillors were requested to provide their input as to whether or not the existing contract should be terminated and these eight signs removed or the signs maintained subject to revenue being maximized to the extent possible with the current lessee. Each of the Ward Councillors support that the variances not be granted and the signs removed.

Conclusion:

In view of the recommendations of the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services to refuse the variance applications and the positions of the Ward Councillors, it is concluded that the most appropriate action is to terminate the leases for the eight signboards and to issue a tender requesting bids to lease and maintain the 3 signboard locations in compliance with Municipal Code, Chapter 297 - Signs.

Contact Name:

Rhonda Anderson, Telephone - 392-1854, Fax - 392-1880, E-mail - randerso@city.toronto.on.ca (cs98091.wpd)

(A copy of the maps attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the July 20, 1998, meeting of the Corporate Services Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)