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 recommends that:

(1)the existing signboard agreements for the locations identified in Appendix "A" embodied in the report (September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, continue until such time as the Commissioner of Corporate Services reports further to the Corporate Services Committee respecting this issue, and Council has adopted a City-wide policy in regard thereto; and

(2)the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to report to the Corporate Services Committee on a policy, process and criteria for tendering, such report to ensure that there will be more than one provider of these advertising services.

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following report (September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

To report on the signboard locations, as set out on Appendix "A" and locations shown on the attached maps, presently located on former Metropolitan Toronto properties arising from a request made by the Corporate Services Committee resulting from consideration of Clause No. 26 of Report No. 11 of The Corporate Services Committee, as adopted by Toronto City Council on July29, 30 and31, 1998.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Current annual revenue for the eight signboard locations is approximately $33,500.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended 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 90days 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.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting held on July 29, 30 and 31, 1998, Toronto City Council adopted Clause No.26 of Report No. 11 of The Corporate Services Committee respecting existing signboard locations on former City of Toronto owned properties. The report recommended that eight signboard agreements be terminated and the signboards be removed, and a tender be issued for three signboard locations. Council also requested that the Commissioner of Corporate Services provide a similar report to the meeting of the Corporate Services Committee scheduled to be held on September 14, 1998. An interim report was submitted advising that additional time was required to complete the consultation process with each affected Ward Councillor and a full report would be provided to the Corporate Services Committee meeting to be held on October 9, 1998.

At its meeting held on November 24 and 25, 1987, the former Metropolitan Toronto Council adopted Clause No.1 of Report No. 14 of The Parks, Recreation and Property Committee respecting signboard rentals. The report recommended that a new agreement be entered into with Mediacom Inc., commencing January1, 1988, for a term of one year and on an annual basis thereafter, with a 30-day termination clause and that the policy apply to all outdoor advertising companies as their leases expire.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The details of the existing signboard locations on former Metropolitan Toronto properties, are set out on the attached Appendix "A" and the financial return generated is:

(1)Seven Legal Non-Conforming signboards at Locations No. 1 to No. 7 currently generate revenue in the amount of approximately $29,000.00 per annum; and

(2)the Legal Conforming signboard at Location No. 8 generates approximately $4,500.00 in revenue per annum.

Each of the affected Ward Councillors were consulted concerning the future disposition of these signboards and their comments are also included in Appendix "A". Signboard Locations Nos. 1, 2 and5 are Legal Non-Conforming and are located in Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs. CouncillorBrianAshton believes that these three locations are revenue generators for the City and are non-intrusive on local residences so they should be allowed to remain. On the other hand, Councillor GerryAltobello wants all the Legal Non-Conforming signboards removed from his Ward.

Conclusion:

In view of the positions of the affected Ward Councillors, it is concluded that the most appropriate action is to:

(A)provide direction on Legal Non-Conforming signboard locations Nos. 1, 2 and 5;

(B)allow Legal Non-Conforming signboard location No. 6 to remain;

(C)terminate the agreements for Legal Non-Conforming signboard locations Nos. 3, 4 and 7; and

(D)issue a tender for Legal Conforming signboard location No. 8.

Contact Name:

Mr. Sal Dominicis, Telephone No. (416)397-0806; Fax No. (416)392-4828; E-Mail Address: sdominicis@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca.

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Appendix A

Third-Party Signs on Public Lands

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following communication (October 23, 1998) from Councillor Lorenz Berardinetti, Scarborough City Centre:

You will recall that I wrote to you on October 9, 1998, requesting that Item No. 15 respecting Signboards presently located on former Metropolitan Toronto Properties be deferred until the next meeting of the Corporate Services Committee.

When staff originally approached me and asked if I had any objection to the removal of some of these signboards in my Ward, I did not. Since these signs are legal non-conforming, once removed, they cannot be replaced. However, upon reflection, rather than simply remove the signs, I would suggest instead that staff should meet with the lessee(s) to determine if any financial enhancements or visual improvements could be achieved. An industry representative who agreed that such enhancements were possible and could easily be negotiated, has already approached me.

I would respectfully suggest that the Committee amend the report to give staff direction to meet with the principles involved to explore how changes, financial or otherwise, can be accomplished for the benefit of all parties.

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The following persons appeared before the Corporate Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Mr. Ron Barr, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations, Pattison Outdoor, and filed a brief in regard thereto;

-Mr. Blair Murdoch, Vice President, Real Estate, Mediacom Inc., and filed photographs of signboard locations presently occupied by Mediacom;

-Councillor Brian Ashton, Scarborough Bluffs; and

-Councillor Jack Layton, Don River.

(A copy of the maps attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the November9, 1998, agenda of the Corporate Services Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)