August 26, 1999

To:Policy and Finance Committee

From:Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject:Emergency Repair of Exterior Brickwork at Kipling Acres Home for the Aged

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval for the Homes for the Aged Division to draw on funds available in the Homes for the Aged (HFA) Capital Reserve, so that emergency repairs to the exterior brickwork at Kipling Acres may be immediately completed.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Engineering consultants have determined that damaged and loose exterior brickwork at the Kipling Acres Home for the Aged presents a risk to the safety of individuals walking in the immediate area. There is particular concern, on staff's part, regarding the safety of residents and children from the on-site Child Care Centre. The consultants have estimated that it will cost between $250,000.00 to $300,000.00 to restore the brickwork. In addition to the safety implications, the consultants' report indicates that the cost to the City of Toronto is expected to increase substantially if the construction work does not proceed prior to the onset of winter.

The uncommitted balance in the HFA Capital Reserve Account at present is $6,424,600.00. The Finance Department has been consulted with respect to this request and agrees that funding for this project is available within the reserve.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)staff be directed to proceed immediately with the brickwork repairs at Kipling Acres using the HFA Capital Reserve. The cost of the project is not to exceed $300,000.00;

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

City Council, by adoption of Clause No. 13 of Report No. 18 of The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee on October 1, 1998, authorized the establishment of the HFA Capital Reserve. The Reserve is to be used by the Homes for the Aged Division to help fund health and safety related projects and/or minor capital upgrades that are no longer co-funded by the Province. The Ministry of Health introduced a new capital funding policy for long-term care facilities in May 1998 at the same time they published the new long-term care facility design standards.

Comments:

The Division has, for the past number of years, been repairing/replacing the brickwork at Kipling Acres and had planned on undertaking major repairs in 2000. To assist staff in determining the extent of the damaged/loose brickwork, the Division hired a consulting engineering company. Their mandate was to identify the extent of the damage, and prepare tender specifications and drawings. It was expected that this would allow the Division to plan to undertake the necessary capital repairs in the spring of 2000.

The engineering consultants have determined that the damaged and loose brickwork presents an immediate safety risk. Staff are particularly concerned about the risk, given the vulnerability of residents living at the Home and the children who play in the area, from the Child Care Centre. In addition, if the work is not completed prior to the onset of winter, the consultants believe that the problem will only exacerbate and result in a significant increase in cost to the City. The engineers have estimated that the total cost of the repair is between $250,000.00 to $300,000.00.

In order to proceed with these emergency repairs, the Homes for the Aged Division is requesting Council approval be given to use the HFA Capital Reserve. The Reserve was established by Council to provide a fund for the retrofitting required in a number of the Homes deemed ineligible by the Ministry of Health to receive construction funding. The Ministry of Health released a new capital funding policy for long-term care facilities in May 1998 at the same time they published the new long-term care facility design standards. The Division is presently working on a multi-year capital plan and staff have identified the need for a number of capital upgrades. The most critical project identified within this plan is the repair/replacement of the exterior brickwork at Kipling Acres.

Conclusion:

On reviewing the engineering consultants' report, the Division agrees that it is important to proceed with the exterior repairs and brick replacements as quickly as possible. The Division therefore recommends to Committee that the Kipling Acres brick repair/replacement project to proceed immediately, and that the cost of this capital project be funded from the HFA Capital Reserve.

Contact Name:

Sandra Pitters, General Manager, Homes for the Aged Division

Tel: 392-8907; Fax: 392-4180; E-mail: sandra_pitters@toronto.ca

Carl Hunter, Director, Support Services, Homes for the Aged Division

Tel: 392-8912; Fax: 392-4180; E-mail: carl_hunter@toronto.ca

General Manager, Homes for the Aged Division

Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services