Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a)Harmonization of Service Levels for

Waste and Recycling Collection.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having:

(1)deferred consideration of Recommendations Nos (1) to (4) of the following report, with Recommendation No. (4) amended to read as follows, pending consideration of the harmonization of services by City Council and the proposed strategic planning session being arranged by the Chief Administrative Officer for Members of Council:

"(4)medium and high density residential buildings receiving municipal bulklift collection service be required to rent bulklift garbage bins from the City, as a condition of receiving garbage and recycling collection service from the City, and that a rental fee for the bulk lift garbage bins be established sufficient to offset the cost of both bulklift garbage bins and recycling containers, subject to a further report on implementation issues to be submitted within approximately six months;"

(2)adopted Recommendation No. (5), amended as follows, with the direction that the report requested therein be submitted to the Committee for consideration at that time:

"(5)staff undertake the evaluation of the options for service harmonization outlined in this report with respect to:

(a)frequency of garbage, recycling and yard waste collection for low density and medium density residential properties which receive curbside collection;

(b)the provision of blue bags and other recycling support services to high density residential properties which receive bulklift collection;

(c)the provision of waste management services to small commercial properties and institutional properties, including consideration of full cost recovery user fees; and requests for proposals to the waste-hauling industry regarding the collection of industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) waste;

(d)the number of industrial properties where municipal collection is proposed to be terminated and the method of phase out;

(e)an analysis of the 3Rs pilot projects which were conducted; and

(f)options concerning recycling, in consultation with the Toronto 3Rs Sub-Committee;

and that a report be brought forward in approximately six months"; and

(3)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a report to the Committee on a strategy to make replacement boxes available to those who are unable to pick them up at designated locations, with delivery on a cost-recovery basis:

(i)(November 27, 1998) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, recommending, based on the comments received at an informal meeting of the Works and Utilities Committee held on November 25, 1998, to review the issues and options discussed in this report, that:

(1)existing service levels for waste and recycling collection be continued into 1999, except for harmonization of the following services, which are to be referred to North York Community Council for comments before consideration by the Works and Utilities Committee:

(a)effective April 1, 1999, on an interim basis, the North York Community Council Area be provided with once-a-week garbage collection and bi-weekly recycling collection, with twice-a-week garbage collection retained from the last week of June to the last week of August at an estimated annual cost savings of $1.0 million; and

(b)effective April 1, 1999, optional rear and side yard collection service provided at an additional fee be terminated;

(2)effective January 2, 1999, rear and side yard collection service be provided at no direct charge to all residents in low density properties who, on the basis of a doctor's certificate, lack sufficient mobility to carry waste materials to curbside, and who do not live in a residence with a fully able person, at an estimated additional annual cost of $50,000.00;

(3)effective April 1, 1999, replacement blue and grey boxes be provided to residents at a charge of $5.00 per box for pick-up at service yard and Civic Centre locations, and that green boxes be replaced with grey boxes as required, at an estimated saving of $120,000.00 per year;

(4)medium and high density residential buildings receiving municipal bulklift collection service be required to rent bulklift garbage bins from the City, as a condition of receiving garbage and recycling collection service from the City, at a rental fee sufficient to offset the cost of both bulklift garbage bins and recycling containers, subject to a further report on implementation issues to be submitted within approximately six months; and

(5)staff undertake the evaluation of the options for service harmonization outlined in this report with respect to:

(a)frequency of garbage, recycling and yard waste collection for low density and medium density residential properties which receive curbside collection;

(b)the provision of blue bags and other recycling support services to high density residential properties which receive bulklift collection;

(c)the provision of waste management services to small commercial properties and institutional properties, including consideration of full cost recovery user fees; and

(d)the number of industrial properties where municipal collection is proposed to be terminated and the method of phase out;

and that a report be brought forward in approximately six months.

(ii)(January 13, 1999) from the Ontario Waste Management Association expressing concerns with respect to the harmonization of service levels for waste and recycling collection, and the suggestion that the City begin to provide services already adequately and economically provided by private sector waste haulers; and requesting that the Committee not approve this item at this time.

--------

The following persons appeared before the Works and Utilities Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Ms. Nancy Porteous-Koehle, Canadian Waste Services Inc.;

-Councillors John Adams, Midtown;

-Councillor Mario Giansante, Kingsway - Humber;

-Councillor Doug Holyday, Markland - Centennial;

-Councillor George Mammoliti, North York Humber; and

-Councillor Howard Moscoe, North York Spadina.

(b)Contamination of Recyclables at Multi-Unit Residential

Locations in the Scarborough Community Council Area.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having:

(1)recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the following report; and

(2)referred this issue to the Toronto 3Rs Sub-Committee for consideration:

(December 23, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services respecting ongoing contamination and noncompliance problems respecting recycling at multi-unit residential locations through the Scarborough Community Council area; and recommending that:

(1)staff be authorized to enforce Scarborough By-law No. 24478 with respect to the removal of waste collection services from multi-unit residential locations in the Scarborough Community Council area not fully participating in the City's recycling program;

(2)Councillors be appraised of the affected locations in their Ward; and

(3)the City of Toronto's new waste management by-law include a provision that any multi-unit residential location that does not establish, operate and maintain a valid recycling program be subject to the removal of all municipal waste management services.

(c)Lester B. Pearson International Airport -

Noise Monitoring Study -

Terms of Reference and Cost Estimate.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on February 10, 1999, for the hearing of deputations; noting the invitation from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for Members of the Works and Utilities Committee and City staff to tour their Noise Management Office to see what noise monitoring practices are being utilized:

(i)(December 22, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services respecting a study to address the concerns of Toronto residents within the Lester B. Pearson International Airport operating area with respect to the noise impact resulting from the airport operation; and recommending that:

(1)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be authorized to engage a consultant to carry out a study as outlined in the proposed terms of reference shown in this report at an estimated cost of $25,000.00, subject to approval of Council and the 1999 Budget process; and

(2)the Greater Toronto Airports Authority be requested to reimburse the City for this expense.

(ii)(January 13, 1998) from Ms. Lorrie McKee, Executive Manager, Government Relations, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, inviting Members of the Works and Utilities Committee and City staff to tour their Noise Management Office to see what noise monitoring practices are being utilized.

(d)Rebate of Sewage Surcharge on the Water Rate for

Toronto District Heating Corporation.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for a report thereon to the next meeting of the Committee, scheduled to be held on February 10, 1999:

(December 1, 1998) from Councillor Dennis Fotinos, Davenport, and Councillor Ila Bossons, Midtown, respecting the consumption of water by the Toronto District Heating Corporation and the program for the rebate of the sewer surcharge on the water rate, which provides an incentive to major water consumers not to send water for treatment that does not require treatment; and recommending that the Toronto District Heating Corporation be granted a rebate of the sewage surcharge on its water rate.

(e)Drinking Water Taste and Odour Control Options.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having received the following report:

(November 19, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services providing information on options to eliminate or reduce the occurrences of an unpleasant taste and odour in drinking water and a strategy to address this issue in the future, as requested by the Committee at its meeting on September 9, 1998; advising that a feasibility study will be undertaken to determine an effective interim solution, and that funding has been allocated in the 1999 Capital Works Program to implement an interim solution at an estimated cost of $7 million, pending confirmation by the feasibility study; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(f)Eastern Beaches Water Quality -

Effectiveness of the Kenilworth Avenue

and Maclean Avenue Detention Tanks (Ward 26).

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having:

(1)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a report to the Committee on the costs of completing the connection of the remaining storm sewers to the Eastern Beaches detention tank(s), in the event that the R.C. Harris Filtration Plant residue management Executive Assistantrecommends the construction of a forcemain from the water treatment plant, along the beach, to the sewage treatment plant:

(2)referred the report and additional communications to the Storm Water Group for information:

(i)(October 26, 1998) from the Executive Director, Technical Services, Works and Emergency Services, respecting the postings that occurred at the Eastern Beaches during the 1998 swimming season, and the effectiveness of the Kenilworth Avenue and Maclean Avenue detention tanks in improving the water quality at the Eastern Beaches; advising that by examining the conditions that existed prior to the construction of the two detention tanks, it can be seen that these facilities have had a profound impact on reducing the frequency the provincial guideline was exceeded at the Eastern Beaches, and thereby the need for the Medical Officer of Health to post these beaches; further advising that although other environmental factors can result in short-term impaired water quality, the detention tanks have provided a significant benefit to the Eastern Beaches, and that in comparison, from 1995 to 1998, the Western Beaches, which are still affected by sewer discharges, have been posted for more than 65 percent of the time during the swimming season; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(ii)(January 13, 1999) from Ms. Karey Shinn, Chair, Safe Sewage Committee, recommending that the City consider changes to the Sewer Use By-law to reduce 'Inlow/Infiltration' and enhance the current performance of the existing system; that non-structural projects to keep storm water out of the piped system be encouraged; and that the City's Wet Weather Master Plan Terms of Reference require a study of the City of Boston's Watershed planning model.

(iii)(January 13, 1999) from Ms. Karen Buck, Toronto, Ontario, recommending that the Works and Utilities Committee put in place a process that will accomplish a final implementable plan for wet weather; and that the new process structure put in place will make sure that Phase 2 of the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan will evolve into a final implementable plan that is endorsed by the current interests at the table.

(g)Hollick v. Toronto -

Keele Valley Landfill Class Action.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having received the following report:

(January 4, 1999) from the City Solicitor respecting legal proceedings commenced by the plaintiff in February 1997 alleging damage to a class of persons living near the Keele Valley Landfill Site as a result of the operation of the site; advising that the City of Toronto sought leave to appeal to the Divisional Court from the certification of the proceedings as a class action, which was granted and heard in September 1998; forwarding a copy of the decision handed down by the Ontario Divisional Court on December 17, 1998, and further advising that the Court was unanimous in setting aside the certification order, dismissing the plaintiff's cross appeal and awarding the City of Toronto $15,000.00 in legal costs; noting that the plaintiff is now seeking leave to appeal the decision, and that legal staff will continue to take such steps as may be required to defend against this lawsuit and will report back on future developments; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(h)Yards Rationalization Update.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on February 10, 1999:

(January 11, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services providing an update on the status of the yard rationalization study, and a listing of Works and Emergency Services locations that are surplus to the Department's operating requirements, in response to the request of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee for a report on the impact of the closure of the yard locations; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(i)Amendment to Consulting Services Agreement -

Implementation of 100 Percent Biosolids Beneficial

Use Program at the Main Treatment Plant.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the following report:

(January 12, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services recommending that, subject to approval of the necessary funding included in the 1999 Water and Wastewater Capital Works Program, authorization be given to amend the existing consulting services agreement with the engineering consulting firm of R. V. Anderson Associates Limited for predesign services pertaining to design/build assignment arising from the 100 Percent Biosolids Beneficial Use Program at the Main Treatment Plant, by an additional amount of $1,250,000.00, including Goods and Services Tax, and including a contingency allowance of $110,000.00 to cover additional work, if necessary, and as authorized by the Commissioner, all in accordance with the terms of the existing consulting services agreement.

(j)Request for Honorarium for Members of

Main Treatment Plant Environmental Assessment -

Mediation Sub-Committee.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Corporate Services for discussion on a policy for honorariums for sub-committees of Council, and to consider issues such as the provision of child care and transportation costs:

(January 12, 1999) from Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto, forwarding a communication from Mr. David S.H. Done, representing the public members of the Main Treatment Plant Environmental Assessment Mediation Sub-Committee of the Works and Utilities Committee, with respect to a request that the public participants of this sub-committee be provided with an honorarium for their services in resolving, through mediation, many outstanding issues.