To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

Subject:Parks Yard Revitalization Study

From:City Clerk, Economic Development Committee

Recommendation:

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (March 11, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and in accordance with Recommendation No. (8) therein, submits its recommendation in this respect to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee.

Background:

At its meeting on March 29, 1999 and April 6, 1999, the Economic Development Committee gave consideration to the report (March 11, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism providing an update on the status of the Yard Rationalization study, and advising that the following recommendations replace those stated in the report dated January 29, 1999, to the Economic Development Committee:

(1)that the Edenbridge Yard, located in the West District, be closed and staff relocated to other yard facilities in the District and that the property be declared surplus;

(2)that the staff working from the Bermondsey Yard, located in the East District, be relocated to Northline Road Yard and that the Bermondsey Yard be designated for Works Department staff only;

(3)that the staff working from the G. Ross Lord Park Yard, located in the North District, be relocated to the Alness Yard and the facility in G. Ross Lord Park be used as a seasonal location;

(4)that the staff working from the Morningside Yard located in Morningside Park, in the East District, be relocated to the Morningside Works/Parks yard located at 891 Morningside Avenue, and that the Morningside Parks Yard be used as a seasonal location;

(5)that Phase 2 of the Yard Study consider the consultant's report commissioned by the former City of Toronto to renovate the Chaplin Yard, located in the South District, which is currently vacant;

(6)that the staff working from the Humber Bay Yard, located in the West District, be relocated to the Kipling Yard and that the Humber Bay Yard be used as a seasonal location;

(7)that the Bathurst Street Yard, located in the South District, continue to be occupied by Toronto Forestry crews until construction of the fixed link bridge, at which time the yard would be closed and staff relocated to other yards; and

(8)that this report be submitted, with subsequent recommendations from the Economic Development Committee to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee.

The Committee also had before it the report (January 29, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism providing an update on the status of the yard rationalization study and a listing of Parks Yard locations that are surplus to the Department's operating requirements and recommending that this report be received for information.

The Committee's action is as noted.

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(Report dated March 11, 1999, addressed to the

Economic Development Committee from the

Commissioner of Economic Development,

Culture and Tourism entitled "Parks Yard Rationalization

- Update - Supplementary Report")

Purpose:

To provide an update on the status of the Yard Rationalization study.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Status:

The Department anticipates some efficiency gains and minor cost savings as a result of these recommendations, with further refinement of the financial implication being undertaken as part of Phase II of this study.

Recommendations:

The following recommendations replace those stated in the report dated January 29, 1999 to the Economic Development Committee that:

(1)the Edenbridge Yard, located in the West District, be closed and staff relocated to other yard facilities in the District and that the property be declared surplus;

(2)the staff working from the Bermondsey Yard, located in the East District, be relocated to Northline Road Yard and that the Bermondsey Yard be designated for Works Department staff only;

(3)the staff working from the G. Ross Lord Park Yard, located in the North District, be relocated to the Alness Yard and the facility in G. Ross Lord Park be used as a seasonal location;

(4)the staff working from the Morningside Yard located in Morningside Park, in the East District, be relocated to the Morningside Works/Parks yard located at 891 Morningside Avenue, and that the Morningside Parks Yard be used as a seasonal location;

(5)Phase 2 of the Yard Study consider the consultant's report commissioned by the former City of Toronto to renovate the Chaplin Yard, located in the South District, which is currently vacant;

(6)the staff working from the Humber Bay Yard, located in the West District, be relocated to the Kipling Yard and that the Humber Bay Yard be used as a seasonal location; and,

(7)the Bathurst Street Yard, located in the South District, continue to be occupied by Toronto Forestry crews until construction of the fixed link bridge, at which time the yard would be closed and staff relocated to other yards.

(8)this report be submitted, with subsequent recommendations from the Economic Development Committee to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee at its December 15, 1998, meeting, in considering the recommendations from the Budget Committee, contained in the report (November 19, 1998) from the City Clerk, requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department report to the Economic Development Committee on the impact of the closure of the yard locations and that these Committees report thereon to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee.

The Parks and Recreation Division, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department with the Works and Emergency Services Department in coordination with and Facilities and Real Estate, Corporate Services, has commenced a process to rationalize its yards and facilities. Given the complexities involved in the full rationalization of all yards and facilities, a two phased approach is planned. The first phase of the process has been to identify those yards and facilities where the activities can be moved to other locations without incurring significant operating or capital costs.

The second phase involves a more comprehensive study intended to examine opportunities for relocations and better utilization of existing facilities. The study will identify options which will result in longer term efficiencies, through a variety of mechanisms including, co-location of complementary operations, shared use of equipment, human resources and administrative support, standardized technology and more effective positioning of fleet operations, shops and stores.

At its December 15, 1998, meeting, the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee deferred the request for the approval of funds to hire a consultant for phase 2 and requested that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report on the impact of closures of the yards and facilities that are recommended as being surplus to the requirements of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department as part of Phase One.

Staff of the Parks and Recreation Division representing the five (5) districts have been reviewing the Parks yard sites in the City of Toronto. In Phase I, staff have recommended the closure and amalgamation of various sites as outlined in the recommendations contained in this report. In addition, each parks yard has been studied with data collected that describes the size of the yard facilities and the amenities that are available at each yard site. A mapping exercise has been completed that identifies yard locations using the following criteria:

After a complete review of the Parks Yard sites in the City of Toronto there are 39 locations mapped using the following categories:

Major Yards15

Minor Yards9

Seasonal Yards10

(in the park)

Golf Courses 5

Total39

Evaluation Criteria:

The first phase of the process has been to identify those yards and facilities where the activities can be moved to other locations without incurring significant operating or capital costs.

The criteria considered within this phase included yard utilization rates, travel time to work locations, available resources within yards, opportunities to integrate staff to achieve work efficiencies and seasonal workload requirements.

The following information relates to each yard site outlined in the recommendations:

Edenbridge Yard:

That the staff working from the Edenbridge Yard, located in the West District, be relocated to other yard facilities in the District and the property will be declared surplus. All costs associated with this yard closure will be absorbed within the current operating budget. The relocation of staff to other yards in the District will improve operational effectiveness and provide greater flexibility in the scheduling of work.

Bermondsey Yard:

That the staff working from the Bermondsey Yard, located in the East District, be relocated to the Northline Road Yard. The Parks Division currently occupies one indoor parking space for staff during the winter months and primarily uses this location for one flying crew for summer maintenance. This location is a Works site, however, the full-time staff working in the Parks Operation would benefit being relocated to a major parks yard facility.

G. Ross Lord Park:

That the staff working from G. Ross Lord Park, located in the North District, be relocated to the Alness Yard, and that the facility in G. Ross Lord be maintained as a seasonal yard location. During the summer months, approximately sixty (60) staff provide parks maintenance using the facilities in G. Ross Lord Park as a yard site. We would recommend that this practice continue during the summer months, however, the location be closed during the winter season.

Morningside Park Yard:

That the staff working from the Morningside Yard, located in Morningside Park, in the East District, be relocated to the yard that is shared between Works and Parks located at 891 Morningside Avenue. The yard located in Morningside Park become a seasonal location that will be used by the seasonal work force to do parks maintenance during the summer months. The "Morningside Park" yard location will be closed during the winter months.

Chaplin Yard:

The Chaplin Yard or Chaplin Stores, located in the South District, is currently vacant and should be evaluated as part of Phase 2 of the Yards Study. There has been a building condition assessment provided to Parks and Recreation Division from the Property Operations section of Corporate Services. It has been identified that there is $400,000.00 worth of capital work that is necessary to be done in the immediate future to provide such repairs as:

(i)structural repairs to the floor slap;

(ii)repair and maintain the existing boiler and roof-top air-conditioning unit;

(iii)minor roof repairs;

(iv)install CO detection system;

(v)upgrade and repair telephone system$ 372,300;

(vi)painting and drywall repair;

(vii)install fan in chemical storage room;

(viii)electrical circuits for office computers;

(ix)security lights; and

(x)repair to a retaining wall on site.

In addition, there were optional items suggested in Phase II that include:

(i)checking the chimney liner;

(ii)electrical upgrades in the garage and offices;

(iii)replace office carpets$ 27,700;

(iv)window repairs including security grills;

(v)painting of exterior steel windows; and

(vi)contingency.

The painting of the garage on two levels has an estimate of $18,000.00 and has not been included in this price estimate. Staff operating in the South District feel that this capital work would allow for the Chaplin Yard to be a Parks yard that would allow the closure of both the Sherwood and Rosehill Yards. The Rosehill Yard is overcrowded and not suitable for staff and/or vehicles stored in the congested parking lot. The Sherwood Yard has problems with vandalism, security and there is community support to close this site and relocate to another location. If the Chaplin Yard was renovated, the South District would use this site as a Parks Yard and would recommend closure of both the Sherwood and Rosehill Yard facilities. Total cost of renovation would be approximately $400,000.00.

Humber Bay Yard:

That the staff working from the Humber Bay Yard, located in the West District, be relocated to the Kipling Yard and this yard facility would be used as a seasonal park location that would accommodate crews during the summer months.

Bathurst Street Yard:

That the forestry staff working from Bathurst Street Yard, located in the South District, be relocated to other sites when construction of the fixed link bridge proceeds.

Conclusions:

In Phase I, recommendations and mapping exercise have been completed by Parks staff. The 39 locations have been inventoried and data has been gathered to include facility descriptions, square footage of indoor and outdoor storage for both equipment supplies and vehicles, workshop areas, greenhouses, size and type of trade shops available, staff facilities to include locker rooms, showers and lunchrooms, storage of equipment and supplies for recreation and concessions and hazardous materials, fuelling opportunities and parking for staff.

This data collection will allow staff to be better prepared for the second phase of the study that will allow for a more comprehensive look at utilizing the existing facilities. Decisions around longer term efficiencies, sharing of sites between various departments to include Works and Transportation, shared use of equipment, human resources and administrative support, with standardized technology and more effective use of fleet, shops and stores.

Contact Name:

Don Boyle, Director Parks and Recreation, West District; Tel: 394-5723.