Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant

Environmental Assessment Mediation Agreement -

Implementation of Mediators Report and Work Program

for Landscape Architectural Site Plan Project

The Works Committee reports having:

(1)received the following report;

(2)directed that such report be forwarded to Council for information; and

(3)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report back to the Committee as part of the 2000 Capital Budget process.

The Works Committee submits the following report (August 25, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the implementation of Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) Environmental Assessment Mediation Agreement (the mediators report), and to provide information on the Landscape Architectural Site Plan (Site Plan) project arising out of the mediators report.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The anticipated cost of the landscape architectural site plan project is approximately $500,000.00 over a two-year period. Funds will be included as part of the 2000-2004 Capital Works Program submission.

The anticipated cost for the implementation of the site plan is expected to be between five and ten million dollars. The total cost for the implementation of the new works identified in the mediators report (including landscaping), which are not currently in the Capital Works Program, is under development and will be included in the 2000-2004 Capital Works Program.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the Work Program for the Landscape Architectural Site Plan be approved.

Council Reference/Background/History:

By adoption of Clause No. 2 of Report No. 9 of The Works and Utilities Committee at its meeting of June 9, 10 and 11, 1999, Council ratified the Mediation Agreement and obligated the City to undertake the studies and works identified in the mediators report.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Following the ratification of the mediators report by Council, Works staff have commenced implementation of a number of the items contained in the mediators report. Implementation of any of the mediation items must proceed with a significant amount of public consultation and participation; thus, much of the initial work has focused on setting up forums for public input into the development of actual projects including:

-setting up of the Implementation and Compliance Monitoring Committee (ICMC) whose first meeting was held August 26, 1999;

-changing of the name of the Main Treatment Plant to the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant;

-facilitation of a meeting between the public and Trojan to review the terms of reference for the ultraviolet design optimization study underway at the ABTP;

-introduction of regular testing and posting of Ashbridges Bay as if it were a swimming beach;

-initiation of a series of meeting between works staff, public health staff and the public to discuss a possible community health study in the vicinity of the ABTP;

-commencement of the landscape architectural site plan project for the ABTP, including the creation of a landscaping subcommittee of the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant Neighbourhood Liaison Committee; and

-negotiations with Peel Region regarding enforcement of Toronto sewer use by-law for flows received from Peel Region.

The development of a budget to support the implementation of the over 40 new items contained in the mediation agreement is also underway, and will be included in the 2000-2004 Capital Works Program.

Work Program for the Landscape Architectural Site Plan:

The largest project initiated to date as a result of the mediation agreement is the Landscape Architectural Site Plan. The mediation agreement required that this task begin immediately upon ratification. The purpose of the site plan is to provide a long-term development strategy for the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) which addresses functionality of the plant, as well as aesthetic fit with the immediate neighbourhood and the City at large.

A community-based planning strategy is being employed and is expected to result in a comprehensive management tool for the capital program for landscape architectural improvements at the site. This may include trail and pedestrian connections with surrounding systems, as well as aesthetic and visual enhancement of the frontages along Leslie Street, Lakeshore Boulevard, and Lake Ontario. The Site Plan will also include architectural guidelines for the existing and future facilities, including the berm, and an interpretive component that will create opportunities for the public to better understand the functionality of the ABTP. An additional by-product of the planning and design activity will be educational and informative sessions for interested public and staff in various aspects of landscape architecture, site planning, ecology of the Lake and urban hydrology attached to the development of the Site Plan for the ABTP.

The capital program improvements identified in the Site Plan will be those improvements that address the aesthetic fit of the ABTP with the surrounding landscape and communities. These improvements may include new planting, earth works, storm water management facilities, pedestrian access in non-restricted areas, gateways, signage, trail linkages, demonstration gardens, interpretive facilities, recreational facilities for plant workers, streetscaping, and aesthetic treatment of the boundaries of the plant.

Schedule and Cost:

The Site Plan is scheduled to begin in January of 2000, following the approval of the 2000-2004 Capital Works Program. Preliminary site investigations, work program development and overall project process has been underway since April 1999 through the Neighbourhood Liaison Committee (NLC). In general terms, it is anticipated that a consultant team will be required to assist in the undertaking in order to complete the work within a two-year time frame. The schedule is derived from a series of concurrent activities on and adjacent to the ABTP. A summary of the major City of Toronto projects which are currently being considered or are underway are summarized in the table below.

The timing of the Site Plan will allow it to take information from the other concurrent planning exercises and yet be completed in time to allow it to direct the design of future capital works on the site such as the outfall and the R.C.Harris residual management facility.

The estimated cost of the consulting contract for the Site Plan is approximately $500,000.00 over a two-year period. The anticipated cost of the implementation of the Site Plan is expected to be between five and ten million dollars ($5,000,000.00 and $10,000,000.00). The first landscape construction contract is anticipated to be let during 2001-2002.

Next Steps :

A list of 21 consulting firms have been asked to respond to an Expression of Interest in undertaking the Landscape Architectural Site Plan for the project. In addition, the project was advertised on the City of Toronto's web site. 11 responses were received on August 23, 1999.

A selection committee comprised of three members of the public, three members of City of Toronto staff and the Project Manager will review the Expressions of Interest and develop a shortlist of consultants. A Request for Proposal will only be sent to the shortlist of consultants during September 1999. Award of the consulting contract is anticipated to be brought forward to Council for approval in January 2000.

Public Process:

Since April of 1999, a series of public meetings was held with the Neighbourhood Liaison Committee (NLC) to define the scope of the undertaking, its time schedule, and the process for developing the Site Plan. The NLC has provided the forum for these discussions.

The project will be consultative in nature, developing ideas in workshops with the public through focus groups, the NLC and special seminars. Ideas will be generated by the public as well as by the consultant in a "classroom" format during the special seminars. The intent of the seminars will be to raise awareness about issues relevant to a particular phase of the design before engaging in a workshop session. It is anticipated that this format will maximize informed input into the development of a unique Site Plan for the ABTP.

The public will play a significant role in developing how the contextual landscape of the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant will integrate with the surrounding ecological and human communities.

Conclusions:

The City is proceeding with the implementation of the mediation agreement and recommends that Council support this process by approving the Work Program for the Landscape Architectural Site Plan for the ABTP.

Contact Name:

R.M. Pickett, P.Eng.,

Director, Water Pollution Control

Telephone 392-8234