Parks Yard Revitalization Study

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the Recommendation of the Economic Development Committee embodied in the following communication (April 7, 1999) from the City Clerk, subject to striking out Recommendation No. (1) embodied in the report (March 11, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"(1)that the Commissioner of Economic Development Culture and Tourism be requested to submit a report to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee on the practicality of retaining the Edenbridge Yard, West District, as park space."

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following communication (April7,1999) from the City Clerk:

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 January29,1999, 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;

(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; and

(8)this report be submitted, with subsequent recommendations from the Economic Development Committee to the Strategic Policies and Priorities 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 Policies and Priorities 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 to 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$ 372,300.00;

(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$ 27,700.00;

(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.

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(Report dated January 29, 1999, addressed to

the Economic Development Committee from the

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism)

Purpose:

To provide 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.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable at this time.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Council Reference/Background/History:

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 this Committee report thereon to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Parks and Recreation Division, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department with the Works and Emergency Services Department in coordination with 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 and requested that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report on the impact of closures of the yards and facilities that are surplus to the requirements of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department as part of Phase One.

There are currently thirty-one (31) Parks Yard Operations across the City of Toronto. These locations include full-time parks operations, offices, workshops, storage, garages, compounds and seasonal storage building or golf course operation facility.

In addition, seven (7) Yards are shared between the Works and Parks Operations. These Yards are used for fleet and equipment maintenance and storage, supply material inventory and sign shops.

Two (2) locations are shared between Parks/Works/Transportation.

District staff are currently evaluating the thirty-one (31) Parks Yards (the ones not located in parks) with respect to amenities, square footage of sites, users, features, technology and travel time to parks sites.

At present, the Edenbridge Yard located at Edenbridge and Scarlett Road is declared surplus to Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation Division. The Edenbridge Yard located in the West District includes a building with two mechanic bays, lunchroom, locker-room and office space. Currently the building has used capacity of 3,280 sq. ft. and the Yard compound for storage of equipment and vehicles - 27,514 sq. ft.

There are a limited number of staff that work at the site. They include one full-time mechanic, 4 forestry and 4 Parks Maintenance staff. As the Forestry and Maintenance staff work in the field, there is only one staff (mechanic) in the building working full-time.

Staff that currently work at the Edenbridge Yard will be redeployed to either the Kipling or Rockcliffe Parks Yard that are fully functioning operations. The closing of this location will not have an operating impact on Parks Services in the West District. The minimal costs required to move will be absorbed within the Department's operating budget. Corporate Services can now determine the future status of this site and whether they can be declared surplus, made available for sale, lease or incorporate into the general parks inventory.

The Corporate Services Department will be forwarding a report to the February, 1999 meeting of the Corporate Services Committee with recommendations on the completion of the second phase of the yard rationalization study.

Contact Name:

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

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee also submits the following communication (April 29, 1999) from the City Clerk, Etobicoke Community Council:

The Etobicoke Community Council at its meeting held on April 28, 1999, adopted the following Motion by Councillor Bruce Sinclair, Rexdale-Thistletown, respecting the Edenbridge Yard, West District:

"WHEREAS the Edenbridge Yard is an area of open space in proximity to James Gardens, the associated tennis club, and other park and trail amenities comprising the Humber Valley Parks system, and

WHEREAS there is increasing demand for open space and recreational facilities, particularly in light of changing demographics, and

WHEREAS any redevelopment, apart from parkland, is a remote possibility considering the fact that the area in question was a former disposal site,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Parks and Recreation, West District, be requested to submit a report to the Etobicoke Community Council on the possibility of retaining the property in the City park system as an integral part of the Humber Valley Park system; and

THAT the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee be requested to defer consideration of Recommendation No. (1) contained in Agenda Item No. 2, headed "Parks Yard Revitalization Study", on the agenda for the meeting of the Committee on May 4, 1999, pending receipt of the aforementioned report by the Etobicoke Community Council."

(Copies of the attachments respecting "Parks Yard Operations" (Listed by District") and maps identifying yard locations were forwarded to all Members of Council with the May 4, 1999, agenda of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee and copies thereof are also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)