Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a)Sale of "Property Houses"

(Multiple Wards - Former City of Toronto).

The Corporate Services Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following reports and communications until its meeting scheduled to be held on November 9, 1998:

(i)(June 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, seeking City Council authority to declare the "property houses" in the former City of Toronto on attached Appendix I (save and except for those five properties currently leased to community based housing providers and also identified on attached Appendix I) as surplus to the City's requirements and authorize the sale of these properties on the open market; advising that the issue of allocation of funds will be addressed in a separate joint report from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Commissioner of Community Services recommending policies on the use of property assets to meet social objectives; that the total of the current value assessment for the 55 property houses recommended to be declared surplus in this report is $10,955,845.00; that pending sale of the properties, a loss in rental revenue will be incurred in the amount of approximately $10,000 per month as at July 1, 1998; and recommending that:

(1)subject to the Board of Cityhome passing a resolution to do so, the existing leases between Cityhome and the Corporation of the City of Toronto, for the property houses be terminated in the manner described in this report;

(2)City Council, by By-Law, declare that, upon the leases having been terminated, the 55 houses owned by the City of Toronto, as set out on the attached Appendix I are surplus;

(3)notice to the public of the proposed disposition of the lands declared surplus be given;

(4)prior to offering the properties for sale on the open market, the first right to purchase be given to the previous owners and/or current tenants, on the terms set out in the body of this report;

(5)the Commissioner, Corporate Services, be authorized to market those properties which the previous owners and/or tenants do not wish to purchase through a real estate broker for a listing price to be determined in consultation with the listing broker;

(6)the funds from the sale of the houses subject to the 25 year lease be deposited into an account to be used to satisfy the mortgage at maturity;

(7)the City Surveyor, in consultation with the Director, Development and Support, Parks and Recreation, be directed to prepare a survey of the north portion of 144 Balsam Avenue and that this portion of the property be retained by the City, in fee simple or by way of an easement, and placed under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Division for parks purposes;

(8)City Council endorse the tenant relocation plan as outlined in this report;

(9)the five properties currently being leased to community based housing providers, as identified within this report on Appendix I, be retained by the City to allow the current use of these properties to continue and the Commissioners of Corporate Services and Community and Neighbourhood Services determine the appropriate leasing arrangement for these five properties and report back thereon to the Corporate Services Committee;

(10)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services advise social housing providers and the non-profit housing sector of the City's intention to dispose of the 55 properties set out in Appendix I and to report back if any of these groups are interested in acquiring any of these properties at market rates;

(11)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, review any particular needy or hardship situations and report, in consultation with the Commissioner of Corporate Services, on these situations;

(12)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Commissioner of Corporate Services submit a joint report recommending policies governing the use of property assets to meet social objectives; and

(13)the appropriate Civic Officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing.

(ii)(May 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, seeking City Council authority to declare the "property houses" in the former City of Toronto on attached Appendix I (save and except for those four properties currently leased to community based housing providers and also identified on attached Appendix I) as surplus to the City's requirements, and authorize the sale of these properties on the open market; advising that the total of the current value assessment for the 56 property houses recommended to be declared surplus in this report is $11,134,845.00; and submitting recommendations in regard thereto.

(iii)(May 25, 1998) from the Corporate Secretary, Board of Directors of the City of Toronto, Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Cityhome) and the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited (MTHCL), advising that the Board of Directors of the City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Cityhome) and the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited (MTHCL) on May 25, 1998, during its consideration of a report (May 11, 1998) addressed to the Corporate Services Committee from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, headed "Sale of Property Houses", recommended to the Corporate Services Committee that it:

(1)defer consideration of the report (May 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services; and

(2)request the General Manager, Cityhome and the General Manager, MTHCL, to submit a joint report to the Corporate Services Committee, on alternative methods to retain these property houses for Social Housing purposes; and

that the Board of Directors also requested the General Managers to submit the aforementioned report to the Boards' Asset Management Committee for comment, prior to its submission to the Corporate Services Committee, if the Corporate Services Committee approves the foregoing Recommendations Nos. (1) and (2).

(vi)(June 18, 1998) from Ms. Peggy Birnberg, Executive Director, Houselink Community Homes, advising that as a housing provider in the City of Toronto, they are greatly disappointed to learn that the Corporate Services Committee will be considering a proposal to sell selected City-owned residential properties; and stating that it is not in the interest of the citizens of Toronto to have a municipal government that treats a precious few units of housing as a revenue generating commodity and that it is in everyones interest that the municipal government demonstrates a willingness to fight against the trend of simple, short-term, money saving solutions, and to work with groups and organizations struggling to make this city more humane.

(v)(September 18, 1998) from the Corporate Secretary, Board of Directors of the City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Cityhome) and the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Limited (MTHCL), advising that The Boards of Directors on September 14, 1998, recommended that the Corporate Services Committee recommend to Council the adoption of Recommendations Nos. (1) and (3) contained in the report (September 9, 1998) from the Acting Chief Operating Officer; and that The Boards of Directors also decided to advise the Corporate Services Committee that the Boards would appreciate the City's support of the request to have the ownership of these property houses transferred to the amalgamated Toronto Housing Company, and to allow staff to further explore the options for such housing stock in order to maximize its potential for social housing purposes, given:

(a)the extent of the current waiting lists for affordable family housing; and

(b)that City Council has previously advised the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Chairs of the Boards of the Ontario Housing Corporation (OHC) and the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority (MTHA) of its opposition to the sale of the scattered houses owned by OHC in the City of Toronto.

(vi)(September 9, 1998) from Councillor Sandra Bussin, East Toronto - Ward 26, requesting that the Committee consider the following:

"that existing tenants receive the right to purchase his/her own specific unit within any of the subject properties that are of the following type: a duplex, triplex or fourplex",

So that a tenant who wishes to purchase will have the option to purchase a single unit only.

(vii) (August 21, 1998) from Ms. Kimberly L. Beckman, Davies, Howe Partners, advising that she has been retained by Ms. Sharron Sayliss, a resident of 1 Hubbard Boulevard for a number of years; that her client and a number of her neighbours are interested in purchasing the building located at 1 Hubbard Boulevard; and forwarding a proposal respecting the use of the buildings located in the area.

(viii)(September 25, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, recommending that the Corporate Services Committee give serious consideration to the proposal of the Housing Company Board that would transfer ownership of the Property Houses to the Company for affordable housing purposes, prior to considering other options that would result in their sale to the tenants or others at market value.

(ix)(October 7, 1998) from Councillor Jack Layton, Don River, recommending that:

(1)all vacant units in the City's "Property Houses" portfolio be immediately rented to households in the emergency shelter system and/or families and individuals on the City's Housing Connections waiting list;

(2)the City retain the ownership of all houses in the portfolio and that the City Housing Company manage this stock in a manner that maximizes the number of affordable units available for low-income families;

or alternatively

(3)the City delay any decisions to sell units in the Property Houses portfolio for 12 months to facilitate the review of recommendations of the Mayor's Homelessness Action Task Force with regard to the use of municipal assets for the reduction of homelessness.

(b)Proposal from Homeplace Non-Profit Homes Inc.,

Requesting the City of Toronto to Donate

to Homeplace Vacant Residential Properties.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having endorsed the Recommendations embodied in the following joint report (October 5, 1998) from the Commissioners of Corporate Services and Community and Neighbourhood Services:

(i)(October 5, 1998) from the Commissioners of Corporate Services and Community and Neighbourhood Services, commenting on the proposal by Homeplace Non-Profit Homes that vacant residential properties earmarked for market value sale be donated to this group to provide affordable housing; advising that there are no financial implications in adopting this report; and recommending that:

(1)the proposal from Homeplace Non-Profit Homes be referred to the Commissioners of Community and Neighbourhood Services and Corporate Services who be requested to report through the Property Management Committee on a proposed policy for providing City-owned surplus property to community agencies for affordable housing purposes; and

(2)the proposal from Homeplace Non-Profit Homes be referred to the Council Strategy Committee for People Without Homes for information.

(ii)(September 18, 1998) from Mr. Mike Burns, Chairman, Homeplace Non-Profit Homes Inc., advising that Homeplace Non-profit Homes is a registered charity; that their mission is to provide low cost housing to financially disadvantaged and homeless persons; that they are a community response to a growing affordable housing and homeless problem in Toronto; attaching a proposal to the City of Toronto requesting donation to Homeplace of vacant residential properties that re presently earmarked for market value sale through the City of Toronto, Real Estate Division, which are located in the Parkdale area; and requesting an opportunity to appear before the Corporate Services Committee respecting the foregoing.

(iii)(September 18, 1998) from Mr. Mike Burns, Chairman, Homeplace Non-Profit Homes Inc., amongst other things, attaching letters of support from Mr. Tony Ruprecht, MPP (enclosed in individual envelopes for each member of the Corporate Services Committee) and from Mr.John Trainer, Manager of the Queen Street Mental Health Centre, Community Support and Research Unit.

(c)Proposed Installation of a Pole, Antenna and Monitoring Equipment

at the North East Corner of Bayview Avenue and Post Road

(Ward 9 - North York Centre South).

The Corporate Services Committee reports having received the following report:

(September 23, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, providing information on consultation with local councillors and a community meeting respecting the subject matter; advising that a public information meeting was held on Monday September 14, 1998, that in attendance was Councillor Joanne Flint, Carolyn Baxter, Councillor Berger's Executive Assistant, representatives from the two local ratepayer's groups, the zoning official from Cantel, and Glen Hamilton of the Facilities and Real Estate Division; that a broad range of issues were discussed including the intrusion of this installation on the aesthetics of the neighbourhood, the restrictive zoning covenants that do not allow antennae and dishes in the area which do not apply as the location is within the road allowance and the benefits to the business community who lived in the immediate area of having better reception for their cell phones; that Cantel advised that their engineer preferred this site for technical reasons and had not looked at alternative sites in the area; that as there was strong opposition to the Post Road and Bayview location from the neighbourhood representatives, it was agreed amongst all present, that Cantel should investigate other locations and present a landscaping plan that could mitigate the visual impact of the installation of the antennae and monitoring box; that when Cantel has completed this study and if the Company still wants to use municipal land in this community another public information meeting will be held and Committee will be provided with another report, if necessary; and recommending that this report be received as information.

(d)Feasibility of Exemptions from Fees for

False Fire Alarms for City Departments,

Agencies, Boards and Commissions.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having endorsed the Recommendation embodied in the following report:

(ii)(September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services Department, respecting the incidences of false alarms for City-owned buildings; and recommending that the Commissioner of Corporate Services bring forth a report before year end reporting on the incidences of false alarms in city-owned buildings and recommend the appropriate actions to be taken to reduce the number of calls to City-owned buildings.

(ii)(July 14, 1998) from the City Clerk, enclosing for information and any attention deemed necessary, Clause No. 4 contained in Report No. 6 of The Emergency and Protective Services Committee, headed "Feasibility of Exemptions from Fees for False Fire Alarms for City Departments, Agencies, Boards and Commissions", which was adopted, without amendment, by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting on July 8, 9 and 10, 1998, wherein it is recommended by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee that:

"(2)the Corporate Services Committee also become involved in this process and work with the Fire Chief and the Commissioner of Corporate Services to reduce the number of calls to City-owned buildings."

(e)Corporate Leasing Requirements and Strategy.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having concurred with the Recommendations embodied in the following report:

(September 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, providing an update on leasing requirements; and strategy and recommending that:

(1)the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to include in the report to be submitted by the end of November on office space rationalization, the detailed leasing strategy to implement the plan;

(2)the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to report, in consultation with the Commissioners responsible for locally delivered programs, on the future needs for leased space and opportunities for reduction of such needs and relocation to City owned space; and

(3)this report be referred to the Budget Committee for information.

(f)Signboards Presently Located on Former

Metropolitan Toronto Properties

(Wards: 1-East York; 13-Scarborough Bluffs;

15-Scarborough City Centre; and 25-Don River).

The Corporate Services Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its meeting scheduled to be held on November 9, 1998:

(ii)(September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, recommending that:

(1)Committee and Council provide direction on whether the existing signboard agreements for locations No. 1, 2 and 5 should be terminated and the signboards removed, or if these three existing signboards should remain;

(2)the existing signboard agreements for locations No. 3, 4 and 7 be terminated upon giving 90 days notice to the lessee and the signboards be removed;

(3)the existing signboard agreement at location No. 6 as identified in Appendix"A" be maintained and a rent review process be initiated with Mediacom in order to optimize the rent generated;

(4)a tender be issued for signboard location No. 8. and upon the award of the tender, the existing agreement is to be terminated and a new lease agreement is to be entered into with the successful tenderer; and

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

(ii)(October 8, 1998) from Mr. Blair Murdoch, Vice President, Real Estate, Mediacom, advising that they have not had the opportunity to prepare the necessary materials and meet with the ward councillors; that Mediacom would like to formally request a deferral of this item in order to discuss both the financial and physical aspects of each signboard location with the affected Ward Councillors; and that they believe that if not all locations, appropriate adjustments can be made that will make the financial terms and the aesthetic aspects more appealing.

(iii)(October 9, 1998) from Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti, Chair, Scarborough Community Council, requesting the Corporate Services Committee to defer consideration of the report (September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, specifically as it relates to Location No. 3.

(g)Status Report on Disposal of Surplus Real Estate.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having received the following report, noting the revision to Appendix A which relates to the allocation of reserve funds:

(September 28, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, providing the Corporate Services Committee with an update on sale proceeds; advising that the Real Estate Division have closed 41 transactions having a gross sale value of $19.8 million and a further $10.7 million of gross sales in progress for a total of $30.5 million; that a summary of the allocated and unallocated sale proceeds are set out on a net basis in the chart embodied in the report; attaching a list of Sold Properties (Appendix A) and a list of Sales in Progress (Appendix B); and recommending that this report be received for information.

(h)Status Report on the Council Legislative Process Review.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having endorsed the Recommendation embodied in the following report, viz:

"It is recommended that the Corporate Services Committee receive this report for information and forward a copy to the October16, 1998 meeting of the Special Committee to Review the Final Report on the Toronto Transition Team for its information and consideration in conjunction with the CAO's report on governance structure":

(September 30, 1998) from the City Clerk, providing an update on the City Clerk's legislative process review which responds to a number of issues raised by Council Members, staff and the public; advising that this report is submitted to the Corporate Services Committee for information, and to the Special Committee to Review the Final Report on the Toronto Transition Team to be considered with the CAO's report on governance structure; that this report outlines the steps underway to review and evaluate the legislative process and identifies some short, medium and long term initiatives under consideration; that there are no immediate financial implications; and recommending that the Corporate Services Committee receive this report for information and forward a copy to the October 16, 1998 meeting of the Special Committee to Review the Final Report on the Toronto Transition Team for its information and consideration in conjunction with the CAO's report on governance structure.

(i)Court Application by COTAPSAI to Quash

the Decision of Council Respecting

the Agreement with COTAPSAI.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having received the following report:

(September 28, 1998) from the City Solicitor, advising that by Application dated September15, 1998, to the Ontario Court (General Division) COTAPSAI (the "applicant") initiated legal proceedings against the City of Toronto; that the applicant seeks Orders:

(a)quashing City of Toronto By-Law No. 277-1998 dated June 3, 1998, to the extent that it adopted the recommendations in Clause No. 3 contained in Report No.7 of The Corporate Services Committee, headed "City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association, Incorporated (COTAPSAI)";

(b)quashing City of Toronto By-Law No. 554-1998, dated July 31, 1998; and

(c)directing specific performance of the Consolidated Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Toronto and COTAPSAI, adopted by the City of Toronto in Confirmation By-law No. 1997-0088 dated February 3, 1997;

that the grounds for the application are that By-law No. 277-1998, to the extent that it adopted the recommendations in Clause No. 3 of Report No. 7 of the Corporate Services Committee, and By-law No. 554-98, purport to annul the binding agreement between COTAPSAI and the City of Toronto as set out in the Consolidated Memorandum of Understanding and, therefore, should be quashed for illegality; that Christopher Riggs, Q.C., of the law firm of Hicks, Morley, Hamilton, Stewart, Storie, has been retained to act on behalf of the City of Toronto; that the Application will be heard on October 20, 1998; and recommending that this report be received and forwarded to Council for information.

(j)1998 Parking Tag Issuance - August.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having received the following report:

(September 16, 1998) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, advising that this report reflects parking enforcement and collection activities of the Corporation for the period ending August 31, 1998; attaching the following schedules:

Schedule 1Monthly Tag Issuance, Collection Rate and Revenue for 1998;

Schedule 2Collection Rate Activity for Tags Issued in Prior Years (1989-1997);

Schedule 3 Parking Tag Receivables (1989-1997);

Schedule 4Summary of Trial Request and Conviction Rates;

Schedule 5Summary of Expenditures for Parking Tag Operations; and

Schedule 6Parking Tags Issued by former Municipal By-law Group; and

recommending that this report be received for information.

(k)Harmonized Policy Regarding Workplace Harassment

The Corporate Services Committee reports having referred the following:

(i)report and communication to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Executive Director of Human Resources to gather comments from Councillors, senior City staff, the Unions, COTAPSAI, Agencies Boards and Commissions and Special Purpose Bodies, and report thereon to the meeting of the Corporate Services Committee scheduled to be held on November 9, 1998; and

(ii)motion to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Executive Director of Human Resources for consideration in their forthcoming report:

Moved by Councillor John Adams:

"(1)That the Corporate Services Committee recommend to Council that this not only be a policy of Council but also be enacted as a by-law; and

(2)that Agencies, Boards and Commissions and Special Purpose Bodies not only be required to implement the policy consistent with this, but also be requested to report back to the Corporate Services Committee on the implementation of this policy within six months time.":

(i)(October 9, 1998) from the Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director of Human Resources, providing a draft consolidated Human Rights and Harassment Policy for the new City of Toronto; advising that each of the former municipalities had policies which were established to ensure compliance with human rights legislation, to be pro-active and prevention oriented regarding discrimination and harassment, and to be a corporate leader; that the human rights policies and programs apply to employment, contracts, services, facilities, and accommodation; that the policy is currently in draft and requires circulation for comment and endorsement for senior city staff, unions and COTAPSAI; and recommending that:

(1)the draft Human Rights and Harassment Policy outlined in Appendix One be referred back to staff to gather comments from senior city staff, the unions and COTAPSAI, leading to endorsement of a revised, if necessary, Human Rights and Harassment Policy; and

(2)all Agencies, Boards and Commissions and Special Purpose Bodies be required to implement a Human Rights and Harassment Policy consistent with the provisions of this Policy; and

(3)the appropriate civic officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

(ii)(September 25, 1998) from the Committee Administrator, Committee on the Status of Women, advising that the Committee on the Status of Women on September 17, 1998, endorsed Councillor Sherene Shaw's call for the introduction of a harmonized policy regarding workplace harassment; that the Committee is familiar with the policy and process in place at the former City of Toronto, which applies to anyone associated with the City; and recommending that this particular approach be considered by the new City Council.

(l)UNION STATION NEGOTIATIONS.

The Corporate Services Committee reports having endorsed the recommendation embodied in the confidential report (October 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Planning and Urban Development Services respecting Union Station Negotiations.

Respectfully submitted,

COUNCILLOR DICK O'BRIEN,

Chair

Toronto, October 9, 1998

Patsy Morris

Tel. (416) 392-9151