January 20, 2000
To: Etobicoke Community Council
From: John W. Thomas, P. Eng., MBA
Director, Transportation Services-District 2
Works and Emergency Services
Subject: Insurance Claim regarding a Demolished Community Identification Monument
Northeast Corner of Islington Avenue/Hilldowntree Road
Ward 2 Kingsway-Humber
Purpose:
To advise Etobicoke Community Council of an insurance claim concerning the "Humber Valley Village" community
monument at the northeast corner of Islington Avenue/Hilldowntree Road.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Adopting the recommendations described in this report will provide the City of Toronto with $6,089.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the "Humber Valley Village" community identification monument located at the northeast corner of Islington Avenue
and Hilldowntree Road, not be reconstructed;
(2) the $6,089.00 offered by the City of Toronto's insurance company to settle this claim be accepted;
(3) in consultation with Members of Etobicoke Community Council, the $6089.00 be spent on road-related improvements
authorized by the Director, Transportation Services Division, District 2; and,
(5) that the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
On March 14, 1999, the driver of a northbound passenger car lost control of the vehicle while being pursued by the police,
and collided with the "Humber Valley Village" community identification monument located at the northeast corner of
Islington Avenue and Hilldowntree Road. The monument was completely destroyed.
Comments:
This monument, one of a pair that for many years has identified the entrance to "Humber Valley Village," was located on
the municipal road allowance at the northeast corner of Islington Avenue and Hilldowntree Road. These monuments
appear to have existed since the date of the subdivision's original construction many years ago.
Since the monument was constructed on municipal property, and for all intents and purposes was City property, a damage
claim was filed with the City's insurance company (McLaren Toplis Canada Insurance Adjusters) in July 1999.
According to McLaren Toplis, the cost of rebuilding the monument is $7,818.96; however, due to age and weathering their
contractors cannot guarantee that it will match the companion monument on the opposite side of the road.
If the monument is not rebuilt, McLaren Toplis Canada Insurance Adjusters will settle the claim by providing the City with
a cheque for $6,089.00. This amount represents their estimated cost to rebuild the monument, less industry estimates for
contractor overhead and expenses. This amount can then be directed toward road-related improvement projects such as the
Humber Valley Village Residents Association's proposal for new community identification markers in the "Humber Valley
Village" area. These improvements would be authorized by the Director, in consultation with Members of Etobicoke
Community Council.
Conclusions:
It is extremely unlikely that the community monument can be rebuilt to match its companion monument located at the
southeast corner of the intersection. A more appropriate alternative is for the Director, in consultation with Members of
Etobicoke Community Council, to use the money from the insurance settlement to fund road-related improvement projects
in District 2.
Contact:
Allan Smithies, Manager, Traffic Planning/Right-of-Way Management, District 2
Ph: (416) 394-8412; Fax: (416) 394-8942.
e-mail: asmithies@toronto.ca
John W. Thomas, P. Eng., MBA
Director, Transportation Services-District 2
AS/c
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List of Attachments:
Attachment No.1
