September 28, 1998

To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

From:City Clerk

Subject:Lester B. Pearson International Airport - Noise Monitoring

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on September 28, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the following recommendation contained in the attached report (September15,1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services subject to amending Recommendation No. (1) to read as follows:

(1)the City's Noise Section of the Works and Emergency Services Department develop terms of reference and a cost estimate, with input from the Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers' and Residents' Associations, to conduct an assessment of noise impacts from Lester B. Pearson International Airport; and that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services submit such terms of reference and cost estimate to the Works and Utilities Committee before the end of 1998; and

(2)funds for this study be considered in the 1999 Operating Budget submission of the Works and Emergency Services Department.

Ms. Sylvia Giovanella, President, Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers' and Residents' Associations, appeared before the Municipal Grants Review Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

City Clerk

R. Dyers/tl

Item No. 6

Sent to:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services

Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

Ms. Sylvia Giovanella, EFRRA

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Ms. S. Prasad, Director of Budgets, Finance Department

(Report dated September 15, 1998, addressed to the

Municipal Grants Review Committee from the

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services)

Purpose:

To determine the most appropriate methodology to monitor and address the noise concerns in Etobicoke resulting from the Airport operation.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The ultimate amount of funding will depend on the scope and terms of reference of the project.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the City's Noise Section of the Works and Emergency Services Department develop terms of reference and a cost estimate, with input from the Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers' and Residents' Associations, to conduct an assessment of noise impacts from Lester B. Pearson International Airport; and

(2)funds for this study be considered in the 1999 Operating Budget submission of the Works and Emergency Services Department.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 11, 1998, had before it a report (June 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services advising that a grants contingency amount of $200,000.00 was included in the 1998 Corporate Grants Budget to respond to one time ad hoc grant requests; outlining the criteria for the use of these funds; attaching a list of the allocations from the Contingency Fund to date, as well as the proposed and outstanding requests; and recommending that:

(1)the allocation criteria as defined in this report be applied to all ad hoc requests for grants; and

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

Ms. Sylvia Giovanella and Mr. Anthony Cole, Etobicoke Federation of Ratepayers' and Residents' Associations (EFRRA), appeared before the Committee and answered questions in connection with their grant request.

The Committee, inter alia, directed that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, following consultation with EFRRA, be requested to report to the Municipal Grants Review Committee for its meeting on September 28, 1998, on the most appropriate way to monitor and address the noise problems in Etobicoke resulting from Lester B. Pearson International Airport, rather than providing a grant to EFRRA for noise monitoring equipment.

Comments:

The Co-ordinator of the City's Noise Section has consulted with Ms. Sylvia Giovanella, President of EFRRA. Ms. Giovanella is aware that noise from airport operations is not under the City's jurisdiction and, therefore, outside the City's mandate of enforcement. Although the City's Noise Section has the technical capability to provide assistance, there are insufficient resources available to assume this task as a full time responsibility. During 1998, the demand on resources has increased substantially, and due to the present severe backlog it would not be feasible for City staff to carry out this work in the immediate future.

Therefore, it would be necessary to hire an acoustical consultant to study the matter. The City's Noise Section could develop terms of reference and work with the consultant and the community to facilitate the process, should it be determined that this approach be adopted.

Conclusion:

If it is decided to conduct a study of the noise impact of the Lester B. Pearson International Airport, funds could be requested in the 1999 Budget.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Chris Andrew

Co-ordinator, Noise Section

Environmental Services Section

Works and Emergency Services

Toronto Community Council Area

Tel: (416) 392-0791/Fax: (416) 392-1456

e-mail "candrew@city.toronto.on.ca"