Allocation of Parks Levy Funds to Ed McLeverty Equal

Access Playground (Ward 26 - East Toronto)

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation in the following transmittal letter (June 26, 1998) from the Budget Committee:

Recommendation:

The Budget Committee on June 25, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the report (June 19, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Parks and Recreation, Toronto City Hall, subject to the monies being received by the developer and construction of the playground proceeding this summer.

Background:

The Budget Committee on June 25, 1998, had before it a report (June 19, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Parks and Recreation, Toronto City Hall, regarding the allocation of parks levy funds to Ed McLeverty Equal Access Playground.

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(Report dated June 19, 1998 addressed tothe Budget Committee from theDirector of Development and Support, Parks and Recreation,Toronto, City Hall Office)

Source of Funds:

Parks Levy payments to be submitted by Loblaw Development Properties for the development at 612 Victoria Park Avenue.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)City Council authorize the allocation of park levy funds in the amount of $55,000.00 to be paid in advance by Loblaw Development Properties for the development at 612 Victoria Park Avenue to Account 216409 40300 C1401 for the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism to implement Phase 2 of the project to construct the Ed McLeverty Equal Access Playground; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the foregoing.

Comments:

The 1998 Parks and Recreation Capital Budget included $100,000.00 in funds in 1998 for construction of Phase I of the Ed McLeverty Equal Access Playground and projected $55,000.00 in 1999 for Phase II. Phase II is contingent upon payment of the $55,000.00 in parks levy funds to be generated by the Loblaws store to be built at 612 Victoria Park Avenue. The Ed McLeverty Playground will be a unique facility for the disabled community. The Civitan Club has raised over $40,000.00 and donated it to the City for this project.

At its meeting of August 21, 1997, City Council adopted, as amended, Clause 42 of Executive Committee Report No. 19 respecting the Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning Application for 612 Victoria Park Avenue, including a recommendation that "the $55,000.00 parks levy from this site be applied to the East of Main parklands construction/reconstruction." The Ed McLeverty Equal Access Playground is to be established on a portion of the East Toronto Athletic Field, a park abutting the west edge of the proposed East of Main project.

Loblaw Development Properties has offered to submit the parks levy payment of $55,000.00 in advance of their application for a building permit. In light of Council's actions respecting the allocation of parks levy funds submitted in 1998, Council authority is necessary to allocate these funds submitted in 1998 to this project.

Contact Name:

Susan Richardson, Director, Development and Support, Tel: 392-1941, Fax: 392-0845, e-mail: srichard@city.toronto.on.ca.