Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a)Water Harmonization and Universal Metering in the Former Cities of Toronto and Etobicoke.

The Works Committee reports having:

I.recommended to the Policy and Finance Committee the adoption of the following report with the exception of Recommendations Nos. (7) and (10) which were previously adopted by Council (Clause No. 10 of Report No. 2 of The Works Committee, adopted by Council on July 27, 28, 29 and 30, 1999), subject to:

(1)deleting the word "voluntary" in Recommendations Nos. (1), (2) and (6) and inserting in lieu thereof the word "mandatory";

(2)striking out Recommendations Nos. (1)(ii), (1)(iii) and (1)(iv) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"1(ii)the flat rate water and sewer service charge be increased by 100 percent for customers who have received adequate notice (minimum three written notices) and have been provided with sufficient time to arrange for the mandatory installation of a water meter but continue to refuse to co-operate, and that the flat rate water and sewer service charges be increased by an additional 100 percent every year thereafter";

(3)striking out Recommendations Nos. (2)(i) and (3);

(4)striking out the words "three years" and "November 1, 2002" in Recommendation No. (2)(ii) and inserting in lieu thereof the words "three and one-half years" and "April 1, 2003", respectively;

(5)striking out Recommendation No. (2)(iii) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"(iii)the anticipated new revenue from the former City of Toronto, in the amount of $20.5 million from the three and one-half year deferral of decreases respecting metered customers, be used to fund the Universal Metering Program"; and

(6)deleting the words "and the metering incentives," in Recommendation No. (8); and

 II.requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a report to the Works Committee on a strategy with respect to absentee landlords that would include the following:

(i)special notification procedures, given that the owner is not located at the property;

(ii)an investigation of the feasibility of placing the project cost on the tax bill rather than the water bill for such owners; and

(iii)in the event that the owner refused and an increase in the flat rate were brought about, the placement of such increase on the tax bill rather than the water bill:

(i)(June 30, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, recommending that:

(1)with respect to the implementation of the Universal Metering Program, a voluntary program be implemented over a four-year period to convert the remaining 85,000 flat-rate accounts in the former City of Toronto and 1,500 flat-rate accounts in the former City of Etobicoke, subject to the following conditions:

(i)the City install water meters free of charge to homeowners and provide one water efficiency kit per home;

(ii) as an incentive to installing a water meter, the flat-rate customers in the former City of Toronto and the former City of Etobicoke be eligible for a $60.00 subsidy towards the installation of a low-flow toilet;

(iii) on January 1, 2004, the rate charged to flat-rate customers in existence at that time be increased by 100 percent, and by a further 100 percent in each successive year; and

(iv) effective January 1, 2004, any flat-rate customers that have not voluntarily participated in the meter conversion program be required to pay for the cost of the water meter if the customer then so chooses to convert to a metered service;

(2)with respect to funding the Voluntary Meter Conversion Program:

(i) the rate charged to flat-rate customers in the former City of Toronto and the former City of Etobicoke be increased by:

-5.0 percent effective January 1, 2000;

-a further 10.0 percent effective January 1, 2001;

-a further 15.0 percent effective January 1, 2002;

-a further 20.0 percent effective January 1, 2003; and

-a further 100.0 percent effective January 1, 2004, and a further 100.0 percent in each subsequent year;

(ii) the rate decrease that would be realized by former City of Toronto's metered customers under the phased-in competitive rate structure be deferred for a period of three years, and effective November 1, 2002, the harmonized competitive rate structure be applied for metered customers in the former City of Toronto; and

(iii) the anticipated new revenue from the former City of Toronto, in the amount of $14.6 million from the three-year deferral of decreases respecting metered customers, and $11.6 million from the increases in flat-rate charges, be used to fund the Universal Metering Program ($21.0 million), and the balance be used to fund an incentive program directed at facilitating the conversion of residential flat-rate customers to metered service ($5.2 million or approximately $60.00 per residential flat-rate customer), and such an incentive program to include consideration of a subsidy towards low-flow toilets;

(3) a list of flat-rate customers requesting conversion to metered service be established on a first-come basis and tendered as a priority each year;

(4) the following be established as mandatory water meter installation criteria for the City to install a free of charge meter where no meter exists:

(i) homeowners who take out a plumbing permit to upgrade their household plumbing;

(ii)new home construction;

(iii) purchasers of properties which are on a flat-rate billing system agree, as a condition precedent to receiving a clearance letter from the City at the time of property ownership transfer, to having a water meter installed; and

(iv) as a condition of the City's Water Service Connection Repair Program, flat rate customers agree to having a water meter installed;

(5) Council redirect the provision of $21.0 million contained in the 1999-2003 Capital Works Plan of the Water and Wastewater Program respecting Universal Metering to providing funding to the City's water efficiency programs, and that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report to the Works Committee in the fall of 1999 on a Water Efficiency Plan for the new City and the use of these funds;

(6)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer prepare an annual report to the Works Committee and the Policy and Finance Committee on the annual progress and financial impact of the Voluntary Universal Metering Program, and recommend any modifications to the financing and/or implementation plan described herein;

(7)the effective date for the first year water and sewer rates (of the four-year phase-in plan) for the former Cities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York, be amended by changing the words "Effective September 1, 1999" to read "Effective November 1, 1999", to coincide with implementation of the new water billing system;

(8)a public awareness program be carried out over a four-year implementation period of the Universal Metering Program at an estimated cost of $100,000.00 to inform homeowners of the benefits of a metered water supply and the metering incentives, described herein;

(9)the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer report to the Works Committee in the fall of 1999 regarding joint meter reading and billing opportunities and financing options for automated meter reading technologies;

(10)due dates for water billing be set at the discretion of the Treasurer, at least 21 days after the billing dates; and

(11)the appropriate City officials be granted the authority necessary to give effect thereto.

(ii)(May 4, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that City Council, at its Special Meeting on April 26, 27 and 28, 1999, in adopting, as amended, Clause No. 1 of Report No. 8 of The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed "1999 Operating Budget", referred a motion by Councillor Prue with respect to a harmonized water rate structure to the Works Committee for further consideration and report thereon to Council.

(iii)(October 6, 1999) from Councillor Mario Silva, Trinity Niagara, submitting motions with respect to the joint report dated June 30, 1999, entitled "Water Harmonization and Universal Metering in the Former Cities of Toronto and Etobicoke."

(iv)(October 5, 1999) from the Toronto Environmental Alliance submitting a briefing note in support of the recommended Water Metering Program.

(b)Vehicle Emission Testing.

The Works Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following communication until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999:

(August 6, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that City Council at its meeting held on July 27, 28, 29 and 30, 1999, struck out and referred back to the Works Committee for further consideration Item (w), entitled "Vehicle Emission Testing (All Wards)" embodied in Clause No. 33 contained in Report No. 2 of The Works Committee, headed "Other Items Considered by the Committee", respecting a report dated June 15, 1999, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

(c)Response to Request for Information Relating to Parking Enforcement.

The Works Committee reports having:

(1)referred the following communications to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in consultation with the Chief of Police, for a report to the Works Committee which provides an overall enforcement, engineering and financial strategy relating to parking enforcement;

(2)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to convene a meeting of Transportation, Police and Parking officials to consider the issues brought forward by Mr. Gerald Parker, President, Beyond Ability International, in his deputation, with respect to disabled parking, and to submit a report thereon to the Works Committee for discussion and public comment;

(3)requested the City Solicitor to submit a report to the Works Committee on the specific human rights complaint referred to by Mr. Parker;

(4)referred the issue of accessibility to the judicial system to the Provincial Offences Act Transfer Task Force;

(5)requested the Chief of Police to submit a status report to the Works Committee on resolving the issue of abuse of disabled parking permits with the Province of Ontario; and

(6)requested the Toronto Police Services Board to provide to Members of the Works Committee, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the POA Transfer Task Force a copy of the full text of the Board motions with respect to this matter:

(i)(April 29, 1999) from Councillor Norman Gardner, Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board, responding to a request by the former Corporate Services Committee for information relating to parking enforcement; providing information with respect to current enforcement policies and suggested changes related to disabled parking permits, and with respect to the current method of evaluation of Parking Control Officers; and recommending that the report be received for information.

(ii)(September 7, 1999) from Councillor John Adams, Midtown, requesting that the communication from the Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board, respecting parking enforcement, be referred to the Administration Committee for consideration.

(iii)(October 1, 1999) from Mr. Gerald Parker, President, Beyond Ability International, requesting the opportunity to appear before the Committee in connection with the response from the Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board, on parking for persons with disabilities.

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

-Mr. Gerald Parker, President, Beyond Ability International, and submitted a copy of his presentation; and

-Councillor John Adams, Midtown.

(d)Summer Water Use By-law.

The Works Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following communication until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999:

(i)(July 26, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Environmental Task Force on July 20, 1999, endorsed the Motion dated July 13, 1999, by Councillor Saundercook wherein it is resolved that the Works Committee request that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report back to the Committee with regard to the implementation of a Summer Water Use By-law for the City of Toronto in the year 2000, as outlined therein; and directed that the Works Committee be advised accordingly.

(ii)(October 6, 1999) from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, submitting a briefing note respecting a Summer Water Use By-law.

(e)60 MM Standby Forcemain from Mimico-Superior Pumping Station to Mimico-Superior S.T.S. MH No. 24

at Burlington Street and Cavell Avenue - Contract No. MW9901WP, Tender Call No. 190-1999.

(Ward 2, Lakeshore Queensway)

The Works Committee reports having awarded the contract as recommended in the following report, in accordance with By-law No. 57-1998, the Interim Purchasing By-law, as amended:

(September 17, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, recommending that Contract No. MW9901WP for the construction of a 600 mm Standby Forcemain from Mimico-Superior Pumping Station to Mimico-Superior S.T.S. MH No. 24 at Burlington Street and Cavell Avenue be awarded to Clearway Construction Inc., for the total lump sum price of $1,230,771.00 including all taxes and charges, being the lowest Tender received.

(f)Harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program.

The Works Committee reports having received the following report:

(June 22, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services respecting the development of a strategy to upgrade the private portions of residential water service connections at no cost to homeowners, and an estimate of the cost to do so; advising that the City undertaking a private side water service repair program will be a significant increase in level of service at an annual cost of $10.96M, but that undertaking the complete water service repair from the water main to the meter at one time and by one contract would ensure the work is carried out in the most cost-effective and expedient manner; further advising that given the numerous demands on the water and wastewater capital budget, staff do not recommend this increased level of service, especially as it would involve working on private property; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(g)Road Resurfacing on Jane Street from Lawrence Avenue West to Wilson Avenue Intersection and Widening at Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue/Gordon Mackay Road - Contract No. NY9913RD, Tender Call No. 188-1999.

The Works Committee reports having awarded the contract as recommended in the following report, in accordance with By-law No. 57-1998, the Interim Purchasing By-law, as amended:

(September 16, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Director of Purchasing and Materials Management, recommending that Contract No. NY9913RD, Tender Call No. 188-1999, for the road resurfacing on Jane Street from Lawrence Avenue West to Wilson Avenue intersection and widening at Jane Street and Falstaff Avenue/Gordon Mackey Road, be awarded to D. Crupi & Sons Limited., in the total amount of $1,357,352.14 including all taxes and charges, being the lowest Tender received.

(h)Reconstruction of Prince Edward Drive - Phase 1 from Bloor Street West to South of Sunnylea Avenue West -

Contract No. EB9906RD, Tender Call No. 236-1999.

The Works Committee reports having awarded the contract as recommended in the following report, in accordance with By-law No. 57-1998, the Interim Purchasing By-law, as amended:

(September 15, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, recommending that Contract No. EB9906ARD for the reconstruction of Prince Edward Drive - Phase I from Bloor Street West to south of Sunnylea Avenue West be awarded to Osler Paving Ltd., in the total amount of $1,166,715.96 including all taxes and charges, being the lowest Tender received.

(i)Feasibility of Direct Purchasing as a Method of Purchasing Commodities.

The Works Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999:

(September 22, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer providing information requested by Council at its meeting of July 6, 7 and 8, 1999, respecting the feasibility of direct purchasing as a method of purchasing commodities; concluding that the current process of purchasing commodities which provides all interested suppliers, whether manufacturers or distributors, an opportunity to compete and provide bids for City requirements should be maintained; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(j)Wet Waste Collection from Businesses in City of Toronto.

The Works Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999:

(i)(August 24, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services responding to a request from City Council to research options for a pilot project and full implementation of a wet waste collection program for businesses in the City of Toronto; concluding that due to the logistical difficulties and high costs associated with developing a wet waste collection for businesses, it is not recommended to proceed with a pilot or full implementation at this time; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(ii)(October 6, 1999) from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, submitting a briefing note with respect to wet waste collection from businesses in Toronto.

(k)Relocation of Litter Bins.

The Works Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following report until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999:

(September 21, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services respecting the relocation of existing litter bins which will become available as a result of the placement of new bins with advertising, as requested by Council at its meeting of June 9, 10 and 11, 1999; advising that staff are planning to replace existing litter bins in the Community Council area of Scarborough and in the Midtown and High Park wards that are in poor condition, with better quality bins that will become available as the new OMG Media bins are placed in other areas of Toronto, but that staff do not recommend relocating surplus litter bins due to the increased costs that would be incurred to empty and maintain these additional bins; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(l)1999 Technical Study Tour of Community Energy Systems in Denmark and Sweden.

The Works Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for a report thereon to the Committee:

(August 20, 1999) from Councillor Jack Layton, Ph.D., Chair, FCM's Working Group on Community Energy Systems, forwarding a report on the 1999 Technical Study Tour of Community Energy Systems in Denmark and Sweden, organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Natural Resources Canada; and setting out recommendations for Toronto Hydro and the City with respect to energy initiatives.

(m)Proposal for City of Toronto Partnership in Water Information Network.

The Works Committee reports having referred the following communications to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for a report thereon to the Committee:

(i)(September 21, 1999) from Mr. Kevin Mercer, Riversides Stewardship Alliance, Ms. Lois Corbett, Toronto Environmental Alliance, and Ms. Anne Mitchell, Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, inviting the City of Toronto to become a founding institutional partner to help establish Toronto's Water Information Network (WIN); submitting a proposal with respect thereto; and requesting $75K per year for the three-year development phase beginning January 1, 2000, in both financial and in-kind support.

(ii)(October 4, 1999) from Mr. Tony O'Donohue, President, Environmental Probe Ltd., requesting that the communication respecting a contribution for the Water Information Network be deferred for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee as a deputation item.

(n)Works and Emergency Services Capital Budget Requirements.

The Works Committee reports having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to arrange a briefing session for interested members of the Committee on the Works and Emergency Services Capital Budget requirements.

(o)Speed Humps and Traffic Calming Devices.

The Works Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for a report thereon to the Committee:

(September 28, 1999) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission, forwarding a report entitled "Speed Humps and Traffic Calming Devices", which was considered by the Toronto Transit Commission at its meeting on September 22, 1999; and advising that the action taken by the Commission is forwarded to City of Toronto Council through the Works Committee for endorsement of the action taken by the Commission, and consideration of the request that where speed humps or other traffic calming is proposed for roads classified as "collectors", such reports be routed through Community Council and the Works Committee.

(p)Toronto's Water Efficiency Plan - Review Committee Membership.

The Works Committee reports having:

(1)appointed Councillors Bossons and Layton to the Water Efficiency Plan Review Committee; and

(2)requested that representatives of Toronto Civic Employees' Union Locals 416 and 79 be invited to be involved, if they so wish:

(October 1, 1999) from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, requesting that a member of the Works Committee be appointed as a representative to the Water Efficiency Plan Review Committee.

(q)Toronto Atmospheric Fund 1998 Annual Report.

The Works Committee reports having received the following communication and Annual Report:

(September 1999) from Mr. Philip Jessup, Executive Director, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, forwarding a copy of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund 1998 Annual Report; and noting some of the City-initiated projects supported by TAF in 1998.

(r)Changes to Yard Waste Collection.

The Works Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for a report thereon to the Committee, including the cost of increasing the level of service for yard waste collection to a weekly service instead of bi-weekly at peak demands in spring and fall, such report to be submitted to the Committee prior to submission of the Operating Budget to the Policy and Finance Committee and/or the Budget Advisory Committee:

(October 6, 1999) from Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, Kingsway Humber, requesting that the issue of the collection of yard waste once every two weeks from June to September be readdressed as soon as possible; and noting that complaints have been received from residents in Ward 3 regarding the elimination of the once-per-week service at the time when gardeners are at their busiest.

(s)Biosolids Advisory Group Pellet Marketing and Distribution Criteria.

The Works Committee reports having endorsed List A embodied in the following report for discussion with the contractor; and having deferred consideration of List B until its next meeting, scheduled to be held on November 3, 1999, on the understanding that the contract not be signed pending such further consideration of List B:

(i)(October 6, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services presenting criteria developed by the Biosolids Advisory Group for consideration by the City to assist in its negotiations with USF Canada on the biosolids pellet marketing contract, as requested by Council; submitting two lists of criteria, List A, for which there was unanimous agreement of the group, and List B, for which there was no unanimous agreement; noting that all criteria proposed by the group will be considered by the City in its negotiations with USF Canada; and recommending that the report be received for information.

(ii)(October 6, 1999) from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, submitting a briefing note with respect to the criteria to be applied to the contract with USF Canada.