COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

AGENDA

Date of Meeting: Thursday, January 13, 2000 Enquiry: Rosalind Dyers

Time: 9:30 a.m. Committee Administrator

Location: Committee Room 1 392-8018

City Hall

100 Queen Street West

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.

DEPUTATIONS. List to be Distributed at Meeting

COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS.

1. CRITICAL CARE TRANSPORT PROGRAM UPDATE.

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

(December 29, 1999)

Providing an update on the Critical Care Transport Program; and recommending that:

(1) this report be received for information;

(2) City Council endorse continuation of the existing adult Critical Care program;

(3) City Council endorse Toronto Ambulance's pursuit of expansion of the scope of the program to include critically ill babies, children and women with high-risk pregnancies, subject to the normal budget approval process; and

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

2. RESPONSE BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OVERCROWDING.

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

(December 22, 1999)

Advising of the ten-point plan recently announced by the Minister of Health to alleviate pressures on the health care system, inclusive of Toronto Ambulance within the City of Toronto; indicating that Toronto Ambulance will receive approximately $3.2 million of the $23 million announced by the Minister of Health on December 20, 1999, and will be targeted for program areas detailed within the body of the report; and recommending that:

(1) the Community Services Committee be advised that the 2000 gross Operating Budget for Ambulance Services will be increased by $3.2 million as offset by $3.2 million in revenues to be received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for a net zero impact;

(2) City Council endorse the initiatives proposed by Toronto Ambulance to assist the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in dealing with emergency departments and health care pressures within the City of Toronto; and

(3) the appropriate City officials be given the authority to give effect thereto.

3. TORONTO FIRE SERVICES - COMPUTER-AIDED

DISPATCH AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

and the Fire Chief

(December 29, 1999)

Recommending that the appropriate City officials be authorized to execute an agreement with Intergraph Public Safety Incorporated for the supply, delivery, installation, support and maintenance of a completely operational turnkey and centralized Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management System for the City's Fire Services at an estimated cost of $11 million; and noting that project funds are available in Account No. 11000031 of the City's Capital Budget.

4. TORONTO FIRE SERVICES - "WAR ON FIRE".

STAFF PRESENTATION

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

and the Fire Chief

(December 30, 1999)

Advising of the efforts being taken by staff of Toronto Fire Services to bring to the attention of the public the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code with respect to the provision of maintenance of smoke detectors in all dwellings; indicating that, due to the increased number of largely preventable fire-related deaths in the City, the Fire Chief has announced a "War on Fire" with a non-tolerance policy with respect to owners and occupants of buildings who have failed to provide and maintain working smoke alarms in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Fire Code; noting that charges have been pressed under the Act and shall be diligently prosecuted; and recommending that the report be received for information.

4a. Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

and the Fire Chief

(January 4, 2000)

Providing a response to the recent media coverage questioning the effectiveness of certain types of smoke alarms; noting that staff of Toronto Fire Services have taken a pro-active and aggressive approach to the issues raised in the television program and have requested the appropriate regulatory and standards-creating authorities to investigate the allegations contained in the television program; indicating that the results of these investigations will be made available to the public at the earliest opportunity; and recommending that the report be received for information.

5. QUOTATION FOR TEN TRIPLE COMBINATION

RESCUE/PUMPER TRUCKS.

Commissioner Works and Emergency Services

and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(January 5, 2000)

Recommending that the quotation submitted by Almonte Fire Trucks Company be accepted for the supply and delivery of ten Triple Combination Rescue/Pumper Trucks, in accordance with specifications, at a total price of $3,851,465.00 including all taxes and charges, being the lowest quotation received meeting specifications.

6. YORK COALITION ON HOMELESSNESS.

DEPUTATION

Reverend Dr. Paul D. Owen

(November 1, 1999)

Requesting the opportunity to appear before the Committee in order to address the problem of homelessness in Toronto and in particular in the area of West Toronto as this relates to the former City of York.

(NOTE: DEFERRED FROM LAST MEETING.)

7. MALVERN COMMUNITY GROUP.

DEPUTATION

Mr. Cledwyn Longe and Ms. Margaret Thomson,

Co-Chairs, Malvern Community Group

(November 29, 1999)

Requesting the opportunity to address the Committee regarding community priorities in Malvern.

8. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TENANT DEFENCE

FUND AND RENTAL HOUSING OFFICE.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 20, 1999)

Providing guidelines for funding under the Tenant Defence Fund and an update on the establishment of a Rental Housing Office; and recommending that:

(1) City Council approve the structure for the Tenant Defence Fund Program, within the total approved budget of $300,000.00, as outlined in Appendix A, and including:

(a) purchase of outreach and co-ordinating services at a cost of up to $150,000.00; and

(b) grants to tenants groups disputing applications for above-guideline rent increases using the remaining budget;

(2) City Council approve a Tenant Support Grants Program as set out in Appendix C and delegate the administration of Tenant Support Grants to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services;

(3) the Tenant Support Grants be deemed to be in the interest of the municipality;

(4) City Council authorize the introduction of any necessary bills to give effect thereto;

(5) the Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control be renamed as the "Tenant Support Sub-Committee" and its mandate be revised to provide direction to the Tenant Defence Fund initiative;

(6) the Chair of the Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control canvass existing members of the Sub-Committee, and report back on revised terms of reference and membership of the new Tenant Support Sub-Committee; and

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

9. SALE OF 341 SHUTER STREET TO TREFANN HOMES CORPORATION,

WARD 25, DON RIVER.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 13, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1) consent be granted, subject to the concurrence of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Ontario, to the sale of 341 Shuter Street by its owner to Trefann Homes Corporation at a price of $75,000.00 (or such other price as may be acceptable to the Vendor, CMHC, and Trefann Homes Corporation), subject to Trefann Homes Corporation obtaining mortgage financing;

(2) subject to receipt of concurrence from CMHC and the Province, the proceeds of sale be retained by the Vendor;

(3) authority to consent to future sales proposed at a price exceeding the formula set out in the 1975 Ground Lease between the City of Toronto and Trefann Homes Corporation be delegated to the General Manager, Shelter Housing and Support, on the terms and conditions outlined in the body of this report; and

(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take all steps necessary to give effect to the foregoing.

10. ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL STEERING COMMITTEE

TO DEVELOP POLITICAL STRATEGIES ON HOUSING ISSUES.

City Clerk

(December 1, 1999)

Advising that, during consideration of a report on the Federal/Ontario Housing Devolution Agreement, the Community Services Committee on December 1, 1999, tabled the following motion for consideration at its meeting on January 13, 2000:

"That a Political Steering Committee be established to develop political strategies on housing issues."

11. FEDERAL HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED

IN DECEMBER 1999.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 30, 1999)

Providing a summary of the Federal Government homelessness initiatives announced on December 17, 1999; identifying possible implications for the City and next steps; noting that financial implications for the City are unknown at this time; and recommending that:

(1) Council commend the Federal Government for its welcome announcements regarding homelessness initiatives and encourage the Federal Government to provide support for new affordable rental housing in the upcoming federal budget;

(2) the General Manager of the Shelter, Housing and Support Division, with support from the Mayor's Office, immediately initiate discussions with federal and provincial officials to begin implementing the new initiatives and to ensure that the City's needs are fully addressed; and

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

11a. Councillor Brian Ashton,

Scarborough Bluffs

(December 20, 1999)

Respecting the recent Federal Government announcement on funding for the homeless in Canada; and requesting that the Community Services Committee and staff report on the following matters:

(1) how the program monies allocated by the Federal Government will contribute to the City's stated goal of phasing out the use of motels along Kingston Road as hostels; and

(2) should there be money committed in the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department's Capital Program for the provision of new purpose built shelter space to meet the needs of the "motel" population in Toronto.

12. CITY OF TORONTO HOMELESS INITIATIVES FUND.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(January 4, 2000)

Providing an overview of activities funded through the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund in 1999; outlining plans to consolidate and streamline funding for homeless services in 2000; and recommending that:

(1) authority be delegated to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to allocate up to $350,000.00, available in the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund, for winter emergencies and emerging priorities;

(2) authority be delegated to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to allocate up to $100,000.00, available in the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund, for projects that address Aboriginal homelessness as described in this report; and

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

13. CITY OF TORONTO HOMELESS INITIATIVES FUND

FINAL REPORT (1998/1999) AND SECOND YEAR

GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(January 4, 2000)

Providing information on the projects funded through the City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund 1998/1999; and recommending that:

(1) Council approve 1999/2000 City of Toronto Homeless Initiatives Fund (CT-HIF) second year grants totalling $788,656.00 for 15 agencies, as described in Appendix "A" of this report; and

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

14. STANDARDS OF CARE IN RETIREMENT AND LODGING HOMES.

STAFF PRESENTATION

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 29, 1999)

Providing background information on the issue of standards of care in retirement and lodging homes; outlining the results to date of the short-term measures adopted by the City in the fall, the information received through consultations with key informants, and background research undertaken by staff, as well as analysis of the relationship of retirement and lodging homes to the regulated long-term care system; and recommending that:

(1) the provincial government be strongly urged to develop mandatory Province-wide standards of resident care in retirement and lodging homes;

(2) such standards be enforced by a body at arm's length from both government and the retirement home industry, consisting of representatives from the industry and appointments to represent consumers, advocates and government;

(3) the provincial government assume the full costs of the development and enforcement of resident standards of care;

(4) the provincial government be requested to respond to the City's recommendations for mandatory Province-wide standards of care by April 2000;

(5) notwithstanding provincial responsibility for standards of resident care, the City enhance its traditional inspection and enforcement activities in the areas of health, fire and buildings by considering the need for additional inspectors in each department for the purposes of inspecting retirement and lodging homes;

(6) the Retirement and Lodging Homes Action Team and Retirement Homes Hotline continue on an ongoing basis as effective tools for problem identification in those facilities most in need of regulatory oversight;

(7) as part of the 2000 budget process, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, report on any additional resources required and financial impacts of implementing Council's recommendations respecting retirement homes (inclusive of Recommendations Nos. (5) and (6));

(8) the above report be sent to Policy and Finance Committee for consideration; and

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

15. INTERIM APPROPRIATION FOR RETIREMENT

AND LODGING HOMES HOTLINE AND INSPECTION.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

and the Medical Officer of Health

(December 29, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1) the amount of up to $149,347.00 be pre-approved and added to the Public Health operating budget for the year 2000 to enable the Division to continue to operate the Retirement and Lodging Homes hotline and inspections from January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2000;

(2) this report be forwarded to the Policy and Finance Committee for their consideration, and to the Budget Advisory Committee administrator for the budget process pending file, in accordance with the Financial Control Protocols adopted by Council;

(3) this report be forwarded to the Board of Health for information; and

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

16. UPDATE ON THE CITY OF TORONTO

SQUEEGEE DIVERSION STRATEGY.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 22, 1999)

Providing an update on the recently enacted Provincial law prohibiting roadway solicitation and on the City's Squeegee Working Youth Mobilization (SWYM) program for street-involved homeless youth; and recommending that:

(1) Council support the continuation of the SWYM program as one vital component of the squeegee diversion strategy; and

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

17. UPDATE ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

RESTRUCTURING AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 23, 1999)

Providing an update on the youth employment programs restructuring and strategy, and on the development of the North York Toronto Youth Job Corps site; and recommending that the report be received for information.

18. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEARNING,

EARNING AND PARENTING PROGRAM.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(January 4, 2000)

Advising that the Province has confirmed funding in support of the City's implementation of the mandatory implementation of the mandatory provincial Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) Program; providing the assurance Council requested that the City and Province are discussing the impact of the Provincial Operational Review recommendations on Ontario Works and child care services; indicating that provincial subsidy in the amount of $3,290,000.00 for implementation of the mandatory LEAP program has been approved for the year 2000; and recommending that:

(1) this report be forwarded to the Budget Advisory Committee for inclusion in the year 2000 operating budget discussions; and

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

19. PATTERNS OF CHILD RESPIRATORY ILLNESS IN TORONTO.

City Clerk, Board of Health

(December 6, 1999)

Advising that the Board of Health on December 6, 1999, had before it a report (November 29, 1999) from the Medical Officer of Health respecting the approach being taken by Toronto Public Health to investigate the apparent elevation in respiratory hospitalizations among children in certain parts of the City, as indicated in the "Toronto Report Card on Children, 1999"; and that the Board recommended that the report be forwarded to the Community Services Committee for information.

20. CHILDREN'S GARDEN PROGRAM.

City Clerk

(December 7, 1999)

Advising that the Children and Youth Action Committee on November 30, 1999, recommended to the Community Services Committee that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to consider including a Children's Garden in:

(1) all future parks and parkettes;

(2) parks and parkettes which are being redeveloped; and

(3) City-owned housing projects.

21. "YOUNG VOICES FROM THE STREET" -

TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLICATION.

City Librarian

(December 23, 1999)

Providing background information on the Toronto Public Library publication "Young Voices from the Street," which reports on the number of street youth that took advantage of the "Reaching Out with Young Voices" program, as requested by the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on December 3, 1998; outlining future developments for the project; noting that the project "Reaching Out with Young Voices" and resulting publication "Young Voices from the Street" has been nominated for the Minister's Award for Innovation, which is awarded by the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation; and recommending that the report be received for information.

22. HOMES FOR THE AGED - UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNT.

Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

(December 9, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1) authority be given to the Homes for the Aged Division to write-off arrears of $11,551.63, which accumulated on behalf of B.S. while she was a resident at Cummer Lodge Home for the Aged; and

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

ANY OTHER MATTERS.