November 25, 1998

To:Economic Development Committee

From:City Clerk

Subject:Harmonization of User Fees

Recommendation:

The User Fee Committee, Chaired by Councillor George Mammoliti, at its meeting on November 24, 1998, recommended to the Economic Development Committee, and Council, the adoption of the following recommendations pertaining to Harmonization of User Fees for the City of Toronto, having completed a comprehensive consultation process in that regard:

(1)(a)Policy Principles

-Recreation programs are important municipal services which contribute significant personal, social, economic and environmental benefits which enhance the well-being of Toronto citizens, their neighbourhoods and the local economy

-The City of Toronto shall ensure all residents year-round accessibility to high quality community recreation and leisure programs regardless of their ability to pay

-The City of Toronto shall ensure equity and fairness to taxpayers and contribute to the long term vitality of public recreation services provided by the City and the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors

-The City of Toronto shall encourage maximum opportunity for the enjoyable, healthful, satisfying and creative use of leisure time

(b)Policy Elements

-Client and taxpayers at the forefront of pricing decisions

-Consistency City-wide

-Quality service standards not influenced by user fees

-Accessibility strategies

-Price based on benefits to user, benefits to community and operating costs

-Accountability

(c)Implementation Guidelines

-Establish list of services which do not charge a user fee and are available universally

-Where a user fee is to be charged, fees to be based on different levels of cost recovery (10% to over 100%)

-Harmonize January 1999, followed by stable price strategy to ensure future adjustments are gradual

-Establish effective measures to provide access to low income individuals and high need communities

-Monitor and adjust fees on an annual basis prior to the submission of the annual budget

-Utilize a variety of effective user fee methods, including current technologies to enhance customer service (e.g. access "smart" card and improved registration system);

(2)"WHEREAS recreational services in the City of Toronto are a key component in providing a healthy City and contributing to the quality of life in communities across Toronto;

AND WHEREAS Toronto should be committed to equal access to these services, regardless of income, age or geographic location;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee, after having now completed the public consultation process, recommend the harmonization of all user fees for recreational services by the City of Toronto effective January 1, 1999;

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee recommends the elimination of all user fees for drop in programs, subscriber programs and basic instructional programs.";

(3)that the surcharge for programs and activities for participants outside the City of Toronto area be retained;

(4)that 'high needs' communities be exempt from paying user fees for specialized programs;

(5)that an access policy be considered that would ensure low income families and individuals are not penalized;

(6)that the Budget Committee be requested to consider Parks and Recreation revenues being placed in general revenues and the Parks and Recreation budget being considered outside the framework of revenues generated;

(7)that Toronto Community Council's position (November 12, 1998) that there be no User Fees in the City of Toronto be reiterated; and

(8)that the mandate of the User Fee Committee be expanded to address the issue of recreational permits with a similar comprehensive consultation process as that undertaken for user fees for recreation programs.

The Committee further reports having requested that:

(a)prior to deputations being heard at Economic Development Committee and Council respecting user fees for recreation programs, the video 'Living Well - The Benefits of Recreation' be shown;

.(b)Ms. Monica Matel and Ms. Esther Afriat, Masaryk Cowan Community Centre, appear before the Economic Development Committee and Council respecting user fees and the video 'User Fee .....What' produced by the Parkdale Youth Video Group, be shown;

(c)the Chair of the User Fee Committee meet with the Mayor, Budget Chief, and Economic Development Department staff to advise same of the User Fee Committee's position pertaining to the harmonization of fees throughout the City, prior to the Economic Development Committee meeting of December 11, 1998.

(d)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report directly to the Economic Development Committee for its meeting of December 11, 1998, on the following matters:

(i)consolidated report incorporating:

-Community Council recommendations as presented to the User Fee Committee at its meeting of November 24, 1998

-possible partnerships with regard to passport cards, i.e. Library Board (priority) Toronto Transit Commission and related costs and security aspects pertaining to the usage of such a card

-list of 'high need' communities throughout the City

-financial implications to the City implementing Option 5

-use of street ad devices at recreation centres as a potential revenue source for the City

-total revenue that could be generated from advertising within City facilities

-public skating programs;

(ii)net projected revenues after having deducted the costs of collecting fees and the cost of establishing a revenue generating infrastructure in the former City of Toronto;

(iii)in consultation with Communications and Public Affairs staff, submit a campaign design to encourage voluntary contributions for recreation programs and the issuance of tax receipts for said contributions; seeking information from other jurisdictions in that regard;

(iv)level of services provided to the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority communities in the City, submitting recommendations on appropriate program funding required given the Province's withdrawal of funds; and

(e)upon the adoption of Recommendation (8), staff submit a 'Terms of Reference' for recreational permits for User Fee Committee's consideration at its meeting in January, 1999.

The Chair, on behalf of Committee members, wished to thank the residents of the City of Toronto for their participation in the process and staff who participated in this process providing valuable input and information in that regard.

The following persons appeared before the User Fee Committee at its November 24, 1998 meeting in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Councillor King, Seneca Heights (Ward 12)

-Ms. Patricia O'Connell, Toronto resident

-Mr. Julius Deutsch, Labour Council of Toronto and York Region

-Mr. Herb Pirk, Toronto resident

-Mr. Mike Zimmerman, Toronto resident

-Mr. Bill Ellecker, Toronto resident

-Ms. Anne Dubas, President, CUPE Local 79

-Mr. Cy Howes, Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, St. James United Church, Etobicoke

-Ms. Miriam Bensimon, Adventure Place, Early Years Action Group

-Ms. Heather John, City of Toronto Youth Cabinet

-Mr. Kevin King, City of Toronto Youth Cabinet

-Mr. Steven Wilson, City of Toronto Youth Cabinet

-Ms. Njeri Campbell, City of Toronto Youth Cabinet

-Ms. Caroline Cheung, City of Toronto Youth Cabinet

-Ms. Gloria Parkin, Toronto resident

-Mr. Howard Bernie, Toronto Baseball Association

-Ms. Monica Matel, Masaryk Cowan Community Centre (video presentation)

-Ms. Esther Afriat, Masaryk Cowan Community Centre