March 10, 1999

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March 10, 1999

STRATEGIC POLICIES AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE:

City Council, at its meeting held on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, had before it Clause No.1 of Report No.4 of The Economic Development Committee, headed "Other Items Considered by the Committee".

Council directed, notwithstanding subsection 128(5) of the Council Procedural By-law, that the following Item (a), embodied in the aforementioned Clause, be referred to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee for further consideration at its meeting scheduled to be held on April6, 1999, and report thereon to the next meeting of City Council to be held on April 13, 1999:

"(a)Harmonization of User Fees.

The Economic Development Committee reports having forwarded the matter of selecting a preferred option for a new harmonization user fee policy to the Budget Committee without recommendation for consideration in the 1999 budget process, and also recommended that:

(1)recommendations (1), (3), (4) and (5) of the User Fee Committee contained in the communication (November 25, 1998) from the City Clerk be adopted, viz:

"(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; and

-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; and

-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; and

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

(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;"

(2)recommendation (8) of the User Fee Committee be deleted and replaced with:

"(8)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report to the Economic Development Committee on a process and means respecting recreational permits;"

and that the following motion placed by Councillor Silva be referred to the Commissioner for incorporation into the above-noted report:

"that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism examine the permit granting system to ensure that:

(a)all users are primarily residents of the City of Toronto;

(b)users from outside the City of Toronto pay higher fees to ensure that Toronto taxpayers are not subsidizing residents in the 905 area; and

(c)permit holders not operating on a strictly non-profit basis pay a higher fee;"

(d)additional revenues that can be gleaned from charging more money for out-of-town permit users, or for-profit permit users, be used to enhance the range of free programs in the City's recreation centres;

(e)alternative sources of funding, including sponsorships , are sought and that the revenues derived from those sources be applied to reducing user fees;

(3)recommendation (6) of the User Fee Committee be deleted and replaced with the following:

"(6)that net revenues accruing from user fees be placed in the department's budget for Parks and Recreation Division";

(4)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to report to the Economic Development Committee on:

(a)a review at the end of the first year of all the changes in demands and their impact on the capital and operating budget of his department as a consequence of harmonizing user fees;

(b)a review after the first year on the implementation of the program;

(c)the best practice delivery system for delivering services to high needs;

(d)all costs associated with the elimination of user fees for youth and seniors, such report to focus on increased demand and capital costs;

(5)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to submit to Council when this matter is being considered, a chart showing actual fees for some specific introductory instructional programs related to Option "E".

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(i)(February 10, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, recommending:

(1)that the Economic Development Committee provide direction on a preferred option for a new harmonization user fee policy as outlined in this staff report;

(2)that this report be forwarded to the Budget Committee with the Economic Development Committee recommendations for their consideration in the 1999 Budget Process; and

(3)that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism, be authorized to implement harmonized rates in keeping with the Council decision on this matter;

(ii)(November 25, 1998) from the City Clerk, forwarding to the Economic Development Committee the action of the User Fee Committee on November 24, 1998, with recommendations;

(iii)(December 10, 1998) from Anne Dubas, President, CUPE Local 79;

(iv)(December 10, 1998) from the City Clerk, North York Community Council, forwarding the action taken by the North York Community Council at its meeting on December 10, 1998;

(v)(January 12, 1999) from Maureen Boulter, Chairperson, Lakeshore Area Multi-Services Project Inc. (LAMP);

(vi)(January 12, 1999) from Jasmin Earle, Chair, The Etobicoke Brighter Futures Coalition;

(vii)(January 15, 1999) from Hordofa Guysa, President, Oromo Canadian Community Association in Ontario;

(viii)(February 2, 1999) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Chair, Youth Subcommittee of the Children and Youth Action Committee;

(ix)(February 10, 1999) from Cal Lorimer, Toronto;

(x)(February 11, 1999) from Councillor Tom Jakobek, Chair, Budget Committee, and Councillor George Mammoliti, Chair, User Fee Committee;

(xi)(February 11, 1999) from Councillor Norm Kelly, Scarborough Wexford;

(xii)(February 12, 1999) from Anne Dubas, President, CUPE Local 79;

(xiii)(February 12, 1999) from Joy Connelly, Toronto;

(xiv)(February 12, 1999) from Maureen P. Boulter, Lakeshore Area Multi-Services Project Inc. (LAMP);

(xv)presentation material (February 12, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism;

(xvi)(February 12, 1999) from Bill Worrell, on behalf of Karen Savage;

(xvii)(February 10, 1999) from Deany Peters, Community Health Worker, Regent Park Community Health Centre;

(xviii)(February 12, 1999) from Doreen Lalor, Toronto;

(xix)(February 7, 1999) from Mandy Mack on behalf of Lincoln Lopez, York Hispanic Centre, Toronto;

(xx)(Undated) from Mandy Mack, York Hispanic Centre, Toronto;

(xxi)(February 12, 1999) from Doug Hum, Children's Aid Society of Toronto;

(xxii)(February 12, 1999) from Donald J. Stewart, Toronto;

(xxiii)(February 12, 1999) from Myra Lewis, Toronto;

(xxiv)(February 12, 1999) from Karen Wirsig, Community Social Planning Council of Toronto;

(xxv)(February 17, 1999) from Darlene Varaleau; and

(xxvi)(February 18, 1999) from Councillor McConnell.

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The following persons addressed the Economic Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Councillor Chow;

-Councillor Jones;

-Councillor Korwin-Kuczynski;

-Councillor Mammoliti; and

-Councillor Nunziata."

for City Clerk

J. A. Abrams/gc

Encl.

c.Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

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