Policy on Tendering Outdoor Advertising Signs on

Existing Locations and Proposed New Locations

The Corporate Services Committee recommends that all issues pertaining to the location of advertising signboards on City-owned properties be considered by the Corporate Services Committee; and that only the Corporate Services Committee give consideration to any recommendations in regard thereto; and that the Etobicoke Community Council be so advised.

The Corporate Services Committee submits the following communication (April 12, 1999) from Mr. Ronald G. Barr, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations, Pattison Outdoor Advertising:

During the past four years, Pattison Outdoor Advertising has requested the former City of Toronto, City of Etobicoke and Metropolitan Toronto, to tender properties that had billboards that had not been tendered for many years. We advised Council that the municipality was not receiving present market value on these sites.

Background:

The City of Etobicoke tendered their sites and realized an amazing 500 percent increase in revenue. The former City of Toronto instructed staff in 1998 to tender their sites and to date the sites have not been tendered. Metropolitan Toronto had no record of ever tendering their sites.

This matter was referred to the Corporate Services Committee and after several meetings regarding this matter, the Committee made the following recommendation contained in Clause No. 4 of Report No. 17, which was adopted by City Council at its meeting held on November25, 26 and 27, 1998, under the heading "Signboards Presently Located on Former Metropolitan Toronto Properties (Ward1 - East York)". The Committee recommended that:

(1)the existing signboard agreements for the locations identified in Appendix embodied in the report dated September24, 1998, from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, continue until such time as the Commissioner of Corporate Services reports further to the Corporate Services Committee respecting this issue, and Council has adopted a City-wide policy in regard thereto; and

(2)the Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to report to the Corporate Services Committee on policy, process and criteria for tendering such report to ensure that there will be more than one provider of these advertising services.

On March29, 1999, the Economic Development Committee had before it Item No. 29 (Proposed Billboard Advertising on City-Owned/Maintained Properties All Wards).

Forwarding action taken by City Council at its meeting on March2, 3, and 4, 1999, respecting Clause No. 6 of Report No. 3 of The Economic Development Committee, titled "Other Items Considered by the Committee", and referring Item (h) therein back to the Economic Development Committee for further consideration, Item (h) being a report (January29, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommending that:

(1)this report be received for information;

(2)the project team established to examine issues related to outdoor advertising at City parks and recreation facilities include in its scope of study the feasibility, planning criteria and revenue potential of billboard advertising on City-owned or maintained properties; and

(3)the appropriate City officials take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Conclusion:

Pattison Outdoor has applied to the City of Toronto Real Estate Department to lease City locations for billboard advertising. We have been advised that there is a freeze on all City properties until the new policy has been put in place. At the same time, one of our competitors has applied to be on City property and staff from the Transportation Services Division have prepared a report dated March30, 1999, recommending to Etobicoke Community Council that a third party Commercial Advertising Sign be permitted on the public road allowance at 63 Park Lawn Road.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to appear as a deputation before your Committee, to request staff through Committee, to explain how one company is permitted to lease City owned properties, while another is refused. Please advise me as to the time and date of your next meeting.

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The following persons appeared before the Corporate Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Mr. Ron Barr, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations, Pattison Outdoor Advertising; and

-Ms. Ingrid Brooks, OMNI.