Basement Flooding Problems in the York Community

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation of the Budget Committee embodied in the following transmittal letter (September 16, 1998) from the City Clerk:

Recommendation:

The Budget Committee on September 15, 1998 recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the report (September 14, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

The Budget Committee reports having requested:

(a)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report back on a city-wide program in the 1999 - 2003 Capital Budget;

(b)the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to report back to the Budget Committee on a no fault grant program for sewer backups that can be created for the new City; and

(c)the City Solicitor to meet with staff of the Planning Division to review the reverse slope policy and its impact on basement flooding problems for a report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee.

Background:

The Budget Committee on September 15, 1998, had before it a report (September 14, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

Councillor Holyday, Markland-Centennial, appeared before the Budget Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

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(Report dated September 14, 1998, addressed to the

Budget Committee from the

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services)

Purpose:

This report identifies the need to transfer funds to a new 1998 capital project that will address some of the basement flooding problems in the York Community. The work can be constructed in 1998 if approval is granted at the next Council meeting. The funding has been found from within a capital project in the York Community that was approved in 1998 plus an allocation from the Water Reserve Account.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

A new capital project is proposed for 1998 in the York Community to start addressing the basement flooding that was experienced again this summer. Detention facilities are proposed on the combined sewers on both Commodore and Bowie Avenues. The estimated project funding is $300,000.00 and the design work has already been carried out in-house.

In the Council approved 1998-2002 Capital Works Program, funding in the amount of $200,000.00 is still available in the York Community Watermain Relining Project. The remainder of the funding in the amount of $100,000.00 is available in Water Reserve Account No. 901-542. The Watermain relining is funded from the water rate.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)funding in the amount of $300,000.00 be approved for construction of detention facilities on Commodore and Bowie Avenues in the York Community, and

(2)funds be transferred from an approved 1998 Capital Project in the York Community plus the Water Reserve, as follows:-

$200,000.00 from Capital Project - Watermain Relining, and

$100,000.00 from Water Reserve Account No. 901-542.

History:

Basement flooding has been a frequent occurrence in many municipalities. Various programs were instituted by the previous area Councils to address flooding as a result of combined sewers or separate sewers backing up. The rate of expenditure on these relief programs varied among the municipalities so that differing degrees of flood protection exist across the City .

Comments:

During the summer storms this year there were many reports of basement flooding in the York Community and some suspect that not all homeowners reported their flooding situation. In fact several properties experienced repeated floodings and, on Commodore Avenue, one owner reported his fourth flooding on September 6, and further, his insurance company will no longer cover his home.

During the heaviest storm event 134 flooding reports were received and covered streets served by both combined and separate systems. The previous York Council had embarked on a program of flood relief using detention facilities to store sewage as well as limit the entry of storm water into the sewer system. There are two areas that need detention facilities on combined sewers and staff have identified the work necessary to complete the installation this year on the two streets in question, Commodore and Bowie Avenues.

Further work is required in future years and this will be detailed in the 1999 Capital Works program. In the mean time it is proposed that work start as soon as possible on these two streets. In order to limit the impact of this funding impact, staff from the York community have identified an approved 1998 capital project in York from which some funds can be transferred.

The work under the watermain relining has been completed and the $200,000.00 represents the surplus due to lower than expected rates.

Conclusion:

Recognizing the impact of repeated floodings in certain areas of the York Community, we are proposing that work commence immediately on the construction of detention facilities on Commodore and Bowie Avenues. The work had been previously identified by York staff and a solution prepared. The funding has been found within work planned to be constructed from approved capital funds in the York Community, plus the Water Reserve Account.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Chi H. Ng, Director, Professional Services, Operations Services - York District,

Phone: (416) 394-2648, Fax: (416) 394-2888.