February 11, 1999
TO:Toronto Emergency & Protective Services Committee
FROM:Norman Gardner, Chairman
Toronto Police Services Board
SUBJECT:FEASIBILITY OF CONTRACTING CUSTODIAL &
MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR ALL TORONTO POLICE
FACILITIES
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1.That the Emergency & Protective Services Committee approve the Toronto Police
Services Board's request that the Chief Administrative Officer, City of Toronto, explore the
feasibility of contracting out custodial and maintenance services for all police facilities in the
context of short and long term cost savings; and
2.That the Emergency & Protective Services Committee forward this report to the CAO for
consideration.
Council Reference/Background History:
At its meeting on January 28, 1999 the Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the
following report JANUARY 6, 1999 from David J. Boothby, Chief of Police:
"RECOMMENDATION:That the Board request the City's CAO to explore the
feasibility of contracting out custodial and maintenance services for all police
facilities in the context of short and long term cost savings.
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting of February 26, 1998 (BM #57/98 refers) the Board had before it a summary of
the study undertaken by Daniels Associates on behalf of the Service on the issue of custodial
and maintenance of Police Service facilities. This study was conducted after the special '1997
Police Budget Task Force', chaired by Ms. Maureen Prinsloo (then Chair of the Board) and
Mr. Jeff Griffiths (Metro Auditor), requested the Service to continue pursuing this initiative to
reduce overall costs of custodial and maintenance charges. The study provided service
standards and evaluated various options available to reduce costs. Service staff agreed with
the consultant's recommendation that the optimal cost savings amounting to approximately
$2.5 million annually could be achieved if the custodial and maintenance services for all
police facilities were contracted out. The Board approved the Service's recommendation to
authorize Service staff to enter into discussions with the City of Toronto regarding the
contracting out of custodial and maintenance services and to report back to the Board on the
status of the discussions.
Service representatives and the City's Corporate Services staff met on several occasions to
discuss appropriate standards and estimated market costs for custodial and maintenance
services for all police facilities as outlined in the Daniels Associates Report. The City's Legal
and Human Resources departments were also consulted. The City's Facilities Management
staff agree that there is potential for significant cost reductions which will result in the
downsizing of the City's workforce. The City Legal Department staff acknowledges that there
are no legal impediments for the Board to have this service provided by a private organization
provided City Council agrees with the issue of contracting out.
It is recommended that the Board request the City's CAO to explore the feasibility of
contracting out custodial and maintenance services for all police facilities in the context of
short and long term cost savings.
Mr. Frank Chen, Director, Finance & Administration (local 8-7877), and Mr. Michael Ellis,
Manager, Facilities Management (local 8-7951), will be in attendance to answer any questions
the Board may have."
Conclusion:
The Board was also in receipt of the following correspondence:
- January 20, 1999 from Brian Cochrane, President, Toronto Civic Employees Union, Local
416
- January 27, 1999 from Anne Dubas, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees,
Local 79
The following persons were in attendance and made deputations to the Board:
- Bill Ross* and Johanna Brand, representing the caretakers, Toronto Civic Employees
Union, Local 416
- Anne Dubas, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 79
* written submission also provided and appended to this Minute.
In his deputation, Mr. Ross indicated that a discrepancy exists with regard to the total number
of staff providing custodial and maintenance services identified in the Daniels Associates
report (86 staff members) and the actual current number (64 staff members) performing these
services.
Frank Chen, Director of Finance & Administration, and Mike Ellis, Manager, Facilities
Management, were also in attendance and discussed this issue with the Board.
The Board approved the following Motions:
1.THAT the deputations and Mr. Ross' written submission be received;
2.THAT the correspondence from the TCEU Local 416 and CUPE Local 79 be received;
3.THAT the report from the Chief of Police be approved;
4.THAT the issue of contracting custodial and maintenance services for all police facilities
be referred to the Policy & Budget Subcommittee for further consideration;
5.THAT the Chief of Police submit a report to the Policy & Budget Subcommittee on the
following:
- actual current staffing levels
- benefits of retaining current staff
- identify any concerns related to security
issues if custodial & maintenance services were
contracted out
cost-saving benefits as well as any new costs that may arise as a result of
contracting out; and
Michael Ellis, Manager, Facitilies Management, Toronto Police Service, telephone no.
808-7951.
