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City of Toronto Council and Committees |
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All Council and Committee documents are available from the City of Toronto Clerk's office. Please e-mail clerk@toronto.ca.
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THE CITY OF TORONTO
City Clerk's Division
Minutes of the Budget Committee
Meeting No. 16
Thursday, April 8, 1999.
The Budget Committee met on Thursday, April 8, 1999, in Committee Room 1, 2nd Floor, City
Hall, Toronto, commencing at 9:10 a.m.
Attendance
Members were present for some or all of the time period indicated.
9:10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Councillor Tom Jakobek, Chair X
Councillor Bas Balkissoon X
Councillor Olivia Chow X
Councillor Blake Kinahan X
Councillor Case Ootes X
Councillor Jane Pitfield X
Councillor David Shiner X
Also Present:
Councillor Brian Ashton Councillor Filion
Councillor Ila Bossons Councillor Anne Johnston
Councillor Raymond Cho Councillor Kyle Rae
Councillor Gordon Chong
1999 OPERATING BUDGET
The Budget Committee continued its consideration of the 1999 Operating Budget, Summary of
Budget Review Programs - Wrap-up, for the various departments, Agencies, Boards and
Commissions of the City of Toronto.
16.1 Corporate Services
Facilities and Real Estate
Ms. Susanne Borup, Executive Director, Facilities and Real Estate Division, appeared
before the Budget Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the
Facilities and Real Estate Division and answered Members questions in that regard.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) the Recoveries Program be reduced by $1,062,362.00;
(2) Utility Expenditures be reduced by $1,200,000.00; and
(3) the budget be reduced by a further $400,000.00 for the
April 16, 1999 meeting.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Ootes moved that the request from Toronto Community
Council for an additional $32,000.00 for 1999 to obtain additional
space on the second floor of 160 Eglinton Avenue East for the
Central Eglinton Community Centre be received; and further that the
Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to instruct the
Community Centre to apply for a grant through the Municipal Grants
Committee to cover the costs.
(Carried)
16.2 Works and Emergency Services and Associated ABCs (Balance of)
Mr. Barry Gutteridge, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, appeared before the
Budget Committee in connection with the following 1999 Operating Budgets and answered
Members questions in that regard.
Ambulance
Mr. Ron Kelusky, General Manager, Ambulance Services Division, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Ambulance Services and answered
Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it a report (March 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of
Works and Emergency Services, informing the Budget Committee of the impact on the
Ambulance Services 1999 budget request of the Provincial Government announcement to fund
50 percent of the cost of land ambulance services and 100 percent of the Toronto
Centralized Ambulance Communications Centre (Toronto CACC).
The Budget Committee:
(1) received the aforementioned report;
(2) recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and
Council, the adoption of the Toronto Ambulance Budget as presented;
and
(3) requested the Chief Financial Officer to review the Provincial
Government funding for the wrap-up meeting on April 16, 1999.
(Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Commissioner of Works and Emergency
Services; c. Mr. Ron Kelusky, General Manager, Ambulance Services Division
- April 13, 1999)
Support Services
Mr. Bill Forrest, Director, Support Services Division, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Support Services and answered
Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities
Committee, and Council, the adoption of the Support Services Budget as
presented.
(Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; c. Mr. Bill Forrest,
Director, Support Services Division - April 13, 1999)
Technical Services
Mr. Tom Denes, Executive Director, Technical Services Division, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Technical Services and answered
Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities
Committee, and Council, the adoption of the Technical Services Budget as
presented.
(Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; c. Mr. Tom Denes, Executive
Director, Technical Services Division - April 13, 1999)
Toronto Parking Authority
Mr. Maurice Anderson, President, Toronto Parking Authority, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Toronto Parking Authority
and answered Members questions in that regard.
A. Councillor Kinahan moved that:
(1) an additional $2 million be added for on street parking;
and
(2) an additional $0.5 million be added for off street
parking.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
B. Councillor Jakobek moved that the Chief Administrative Officer, in
consultation with the General Manager of the Parking Authority,
ensure that the appropriate staff are made available to process
expeditiously whatever legal assistance is required to give effect
to changing the by-laws respecting a new rate policy for the City.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
(Chief Administrative Officer; Mr. Maurice Anderson, President, Toronto
Parking Authority - April 12, 1999)
Water Waste Water
Mr. Michael Price, General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services Division, appeared
before the Budget Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Water and
Wastewater Services and answered Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee also had before it the following reports:
(a) (March 22, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled
Financing the 1999 Water & Wastewater Capital and Operating Budgets , providing a
number of financing options for the 1999 Operating and 1999-2003 Capital request
of the water and wastewater program and recommending:
(1) in the absence of capital expenditure reductions in 2000 and 2001:
(i) the capital financing strategy as outlined in Option (C)(ii) and
Table 12 of this report, which provides for a combination of
debenture financing (in an amount projected at $65.0 million over
the 2000-2003 capital works plan) and an increase in the average
water rate (projected at 2.0 percent in the years 2000 and 2001),
be endorsed in principle; and
(ii) the combined water and sewer rate and the rate charged to flat-rate
customers, be increased by 2.0 percent effective January 1, 2000;
and
(2) the rate increases for 2001 and debenture financing proposed, as shown in
Recommendation No. (1) above for the years 2000 and 2001, be subject to a
review of the 2000-2004 Water and Wastewater Program requirements prior to
approval.
(b) (March 30, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, in
response to the Budget Committee s request for additional information with respect
to the 1999 Operating Budget of the Water and Wastewater Division.
(c) (March 31, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Water
Rate Harmonization - Addendum (1) , in response to the motions raised by the
Community Councils at their meetings of March 26-30, 1999, and providing
additional options respecting water rate harmonization.
(d) (April 7, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Impact
of Tax Rate Cost Transfer to Water Rate on Service Harmonization Impact Analysis ,
providing a recalculation of the financial impact, by former municipality, of
various service harmonization proposals, incorporating an adjustment for the $18.4
million transferred from the property tax levy to the water rate during 1998.
The Budget Committee received the aforementioned reports and directed that
they be forwarded to City Council for consideration at its special meeting
on April 26 and 27, 1999 of the 1999 Operating Budget.
The Budget Committee further reports having had before it a report (March 22, 1999) from
the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Harmonization of Water and Water
Pollution Control Rates , providing a Background Study, which presents a review of the
current practices and rate structure respecting the water and wastewater program and
recommends a strategy towards a harmonized rate structure across the new city.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Pitfield Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that the report (March 22, 1999) from the
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be adopted; and that the
Chief Financial Officer be requested to consider spreading the
water rate more evenly over five years.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Pitfield moved that:
(1) the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be required
to provide a defined list of policies upon which the water
rate can be based; and
(2) the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be requested to
submit a policy statement in this regard.
(Carried)
C. Councillor Ootes moved that the foregoing matter be referred to the
Works and Utilities Committee for further consideration.
(Lost)
(Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer; c. Mr. Michael Price, General Manager, Water and Wastewater
Services Division - April 13, 1999)
16.3 Urban Planning and Development Services
Toronto And Region Conservation Authority
Mr. J. Craig Mather, Chief Administrative Officer/ Secretary-Treasurer, Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority, appeared before the Budget Committee in connection with the
1999 Operating Budget for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and answered
Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it a report (February 26, 1999) from the City Solicitor
recommending that:
(1) if City Council so decides, the City Solicitor be authorized to apply for special
legislation to authorize City Council to disallow City Councillors who are members
of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority from being paid remuneration by
the Conservation Authority, notwithstanding the provisions of section 37 of the
Conservation Authorities Act and section 250 of the Municipal Act; and
(2) that the appropriate City officials be requested to take whatever action is
necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council
of any bills that are required.
The Budget Committee also had before it a communication (March 22, 1999) from Mr. J. Craig
Mather, Chief Administrative Officer/Secretary-Treasurer, Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority, giving notice that Toronto and Region Conservation Authority will be
considering its 1999 Budget including non-matching municipal levy on April 30, 1999.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority budget be
reduced by $16,000.00;
(2) the report (February 26, 1999) from the City
Solicitor, be adopted;
(3) the draft by-law respecting legislation to authorize City
Council to disallow City Councillors who are members of the
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority from being paid
remuneration by the Conservation Authority, notwithstanding
the provisions of section 37 of the Conservation Authorities
Act and section 250 of the Municipal Act, be prepared for
City Council with the recommendation that the effective
date be April 1, 1999;
(4) the Councillors salary budget be adjusted in the event that
the salary draw is reduced; and
(5) the communication (March 22, 1999) from Mr. J. Craig Mather,
Chief Administrative Officer/ Secretary-Treasurer, Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority, be received.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Kinahan moved that the by-law in respect to Councillors
salaries be changed to the normal set amount minus the amount
received from ABC s and the Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority.
(Carried)
C. Councillor Shiner moved that the Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority, through City Council, be requested to review their
policy of per diem and mileage allowance to its Board Members and
report back to the Budget Committee in that regard, prior to the
2000 Operating Budget process. (Carried)
Urban Planning and Development Services
Ms. Virginia West, Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, appeared
before the Budget Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Urban
Planning and Development Services 1999 Operating Budget and answered Members questions in
that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it the following:
(a) report (March 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development
Services, entitled 1999 Operating Budget - Outstanding Issues - Municipal
Licensing and Standards Division , identifying a number of matters in the Urban
Planning and Development Services Department to be reported on;
(b) report (March 29, 1999) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development
Services requesting the Budget Committee to provide direction with respect to:
(i) providing $40,000.00 in the 1999 Operating Budget to maintain the 1998 base
funding level; and
(ii) the service expansion request in the additional amount of $148,000.00;
(c) report (February 23, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that Etobicoke Community
Council on February 17, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that a review of
the Park Lawn Road/Lake Shore Boulevard West Secondary Plan be included in the
1999 Works Program for Urban Planning and Development Services, West District;
(d) memorandum (March 2, 1999) from Councillor Jack Layton, Don River, addressed to
the Director, Budget Services, regarding the Toronto Atmospheric Fund Granting
Budget; and
(e) report (January 27, 1999) from the Director of Budget Services, addressed to the
Board of Directors, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, outlining the recommendations of the
Budget Committee related to the Toronto Atmospheric Fund.
The Budget Committee received the aforementioned reports and directed that
they be forwarded to City Council for consideration at its special meeting
on April 26 and 27, 1999 of the 1999 Operating Budget.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) $40,000.00 be reinstated in the budget to maintain the base
level of funding for the Toronto Cycling Program;
(2) the Chief Administrative Officer, in conjunction with the
appropriate Commissioners, be requested to report back to
the Budget Committee, as soon as possible, on any necessary
changes in the staff complement in City departments that
review planning applications, site plan applications or
building permits to facilitate a reasonable turnaround for
all applications, including turnaround time for comments
from other departments; and
(3) the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services,
in conjunction with the Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority, the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services
and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, be requested
to report back to the Economic Development and Parks
Committee on the proposal to establish the Council of
Toronto Watershed no later than September 15, 1999.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Kinahan moved that up to $100,000.00 be placed in the
budget to assist in redoing the Secondary Plans in South Etobicoke;
and further that if additional staff is required to complete this
project, the Commissioner look at ways to do so by redeployment of
existing planning staff and if no staff are available, contract
staff be employed to complete the project.
(Carried)
(Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services;
c. Mr. Paul Bedford, Executive Director/Chief Planner, City Planning
Division - April 13, 1999)
Licencing
Mr. Harold Bratten, Executive, Director, Municipal Standards and Licencing, appeared
before the Budget Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Licencing
Division, and answered Members questions in that regard.
A. Councillor Kinahan moved that $457,700.00 be reinstated in the
Licencing budget.
(Carried)
B. Councillor Chow moved that the recommendation of the Budget
Committee during the preliminary reviews to flatline the 1999
gross expenditure budget of the Licence Administration Service be
rescinded, with the suggestion that the cost of legal services in
the amount of $211,100.00, which pertains to the Tribunal, should
come from the Legal Division s budget.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
C. Councillor Jakobek moved that the Executive Director of Municipal
Standards and Licencing, in conjunction with the Commissioner of
Urban Planning and Development Services, be requested to report
back to the Budget Advisory Committee, no later than the first week
in September 1999, on the proposed redirection of $0.458 million
from the Licence Administration budget to expenditures involving
front-line operations. (Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
(Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services;
Mr. Harold Bratten, Director, Municipal Standards Division;
Mr. Bruce Robertson, Director of Municipal Licensing - April 13, 1999)
510 Spadina Avenue - Installation of Permanent Barriers
The Budget Committee had before it a report (April 1, 1999) from the City Clerk advising
that the Urban Environment and Development Committee on March 31, 1999, recommended to the
Budget Committee that:
(1) an appropriate amount be allocated in the 1999 Capital or Operating Budget for the
design and installation of permanent barriers on Spadina Avenue by
December 1, 1999, and that, in the meantime, temporary barriers be installed on
Spadina Avenue to comply with the recommendation of the Toronto Transit Commission
and that they be removed upon the installation of the permanent barriers;
(2) the community be invited, with regards to streetscape, to comment on the design of
the barriers; and
(3) the streetscape design barriers be prepared at the same time as the design of the
lanes or edge lines for bicycles;
and requested that the Committee s action in this respect be submitted to the Budget
Committee for consideration during the 1999 Operating Budget process.
A. Councillor Chow moved that this matter be deferred and considered
at the Policy and Finance Committee meeting in June 24, 1999, with
the Capital Variance report and further that possible funding be
considered at that time.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
B. Councillor Jakobek moved that the Toronto Transit Commission be
advised of the aforementioned decision and be requested to do the
design work that is required in order to give effect thereto.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
(Chief General Manager, Toronto Transit Commission - April 12, 1999)
16.4 Other
Chief Administrative Officer
Mr. Michael Garrett, Chief Administrative Officer, appeared before the Budget Committee in
connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Chief Administrator s Office and
answered Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it the following reports:
(a) (March 5, 1999) from the Chief Administrative Officer, entitled Council-Initiated
Task Forces , addressing several questions raised by the Budget Committee
regarding Council-initiated Task Forces; and
(b) (March 25, 1999) from the Chief Administrative Officer, entitled CAO
Organizational Chart , in response to the Budget Committee s request for further
information on the staffing reductions in the Chief Administrator s Office.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Pitfield Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) the Chief Administrator s Office delete one FTE being a
vacant position.
(Lost)
(2) the reports (March 5 and March 25, 1999) from the Chief
Administrative Officer, be received.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Ootes moved that the Chief Administrator s Office budget
be adopted as presented.
(Carried)
Cost of Barricades for Larger Parades and Festivals
C. Councillor Jakobek moved that the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services be requested to provide a one page list of the
cost of providing barricades for some of our larger parades and
festivals, i.e., Santa Claus Parade, Caribana and the Gay Pride
Parade.
(Carried)
Council Services
Mr. Jim Hart, Director, Council Services, appeared before the Budget Committee in
connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Council Services and answered Members
questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it the following reports:
(a) (March 11, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that City Council, at its meeting
held on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, referred to the Budget Committee a Motion moved by
Councillor Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Holyday, recommending that the office
budget for Members of Council be immediately reduced from $70,000.00 to
$35,000.00; and that guidelines also be established for the use of City limousines
by Members of Council and that, in addition, a maximum of 10 trips be placed on
the use of a City limousine by a Member of Council in a calendar year; and
(b) (March 30, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer responding to the
Budget Committee s request for further information on savings to be achieved by
reduction of the Councillors Global Budget.
The Budget Committee received the aforementioned reports.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved:
(1) that the Councillors budget be reduced to $59,000.00 per
year; and
(2) that the Council budget be adjusted by $16,000.00 to reflect
recommended limitations to Toronto Region Conservation
Authority remuneration.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Pitfield moved that the Councillors budget be reduced
to $40,000.00 per year.
(Lost)
C. Councillor Kinahan moved that the Councillors budget be reduced to
$50,000.00 per year.
(Lost)
D. Councillor Shiner moved that:
(1) official vehicles used by Councillors that are representing
the City on official business be at no charge to the
Councillor s budget;
(2) official vehicles used for other purposes, be charged to the
Councillor s budget at $10.00 per trip;
(3) official vehicles pooled by Councillors to attend official
functions such as representing the City, be at no charge to
the Councillor s budget; and
(4) fifty percent of the usage of official vehicles be for the
delivery of courier services and the Commissioner of
Corporate Services be requested to report back on the
utilization and cost of same; and
(5) the courier costs be reduced by $200,000.00 and the
Commissioner of Corporate Services be requested to work out
the technical aspects of same.
(Carried)
(Commissioner of Corporate Services; c. Mr. Jim Hart, Director, Council
Services; Mr. Stan Burrows, Director, Fleet Management Services;
Ms. Annalisa Mignardi, Administrative Assistant - April 12, 1999)
Finance
Ms. Wanda Liczyk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Finance Department and
answered Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it the following reports:
(a) (March 29, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled
Assessment Appeals - Temporary Staff in Finance Department (Revenue Services
Division) , providing information and justification for the hiring of temporary
staff in the Finance Department (Revenue Services Division) for a period not to
exceed six months to assist in processing of assessment appeals; and recommending
that:
(1) the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be authorized to hire twenty
additional staff as casual employees for a period not to exceed six months
to assist in the processing of assessment appeals at a cost not to exceed
$325,000.00;
(2) funds in the amount of $325,000.00 be provided from the Transition Reserve
Fund; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized to carry out the actions
contained in Recommendations Nos. (1) and (2) of this report;
(b) (March 28, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Revenue
Services Call Centre , responding to a request from the Budget Committee for a
strategy for handling the high volume of telephone inquiries during peak periods
(tax billing) at the Revenue Services Call Centre and any additional costs
required in that regard, and recommending that:
(1) the Finance Department recruit 10 additional call centre operators on a
contracted basis for up to 12 months beginning April 1999 and that funds in
the amount of $323,000.00 be allocated from the Transition Reserve Fund for
this purpose;
(2) the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be directed to report back to the
Budget Committee in early 2000 on the status of call volumes in the Revenue
Call Centre;
(3) the Commissioner of Corporate Services be directed to allocate space and
procure suitable workstations for 40 call centre operators and that funds
in the amount of $220,000.00 be allocated from the Transition Reserve Fund
for this purpose; and
(4) the Commissioner of Corporate Services be directed to ensure that the
computers in the Revenue Call Centre are upgraded to allow quick access to
required tax and water systems by the end of April, 1999, prior to the
billing of 1999 final property taxes;
(c) (March 18, 1999) from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer providing a summary of the financial impact, by former
municipality, of the various service harmonization proposals, as well as the
proposed water and approved hydro rate harmonization initiatives, tax rate
harmonizations, Current Value Assessment (CVA) and the net financial and fixed
assets brought into the amalgamated City by each former municipality, as requested
by the Budget Committee, the Works and Utilities Committee and the Urban
Environment and Development Committee; and recommending that this report be
received for information;
(d) (March 29, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Tenant
Tax Notification - Reduction in 1999 Finance Department Operating Budget ;
(e) (April 1, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Assessment and Tax Policy
Task Force on April 1, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that:
(1) full notification of tax increases and decreases to all tenants and
landlords in the City of Toronto be undertaken again in 1999;
(2) the Province be requested to undertake the notification process and cost
for all tenants and landlords as it relates to the rent reduction
provisions of the Tenant Protection Act; and
(3) the Province of Ontario be requested to review and amend Ontario Regulation
455/98 which requires that a ratio of 20 percent of taxes to rental income
be used in the calculation of rent reductions and ensure it reflects a more
appropriate ratio for rental properties of less than seven units and that
it be completed prior to September 1999, which is the latest date for
notices to be mailed to landlords in 1999;
(4) the Assessment and Tax Policy Task Force refer this report to the Budget
Committee for its consideration; and
(5) required funding be provided to implement Recommendation No. (1).
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) the report (March 29, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer, entitled Assessment Appeals - Temporary
Staff in Finance Department Revenue Services Division , be
adopted;
(2) the report (March 28, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer, entitled Revenue Services Call Centre , be
adopted;
(3) the report (March 29, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer, entitled Tenant Tax Notification - Reduction
in 1999 Finance Department Operating Budget , be adopted;
(4) the report (March 18, 1999) from the Chief Administrative
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
providing a summary of the financial impact of the various
service harmonization proposals, be received; and
(5) the report (April 1, 1999) from the City Clerk forwarding
the recommendations of the Assessment and Tax Policy Task
Force, be received.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Pitfield moved that the Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer be requested to report back to the Corporate Services
Committee and the Budget Committee on the following matters:
(a) providing a methodology for the establishment of the account
code structure in the City;
(b) financial policies being implemented as part of the SAP
financial system implementation; and
(c) the foregoing request - (a) and (b) - be incorporated in the
status report to the Corporate Services Committee on the SAP
System implementation.
(Carried)
(Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer - April 11, 1999)
Parking Tag Operations
Mr. Doug Reynolds, Parking Tag Operations, appeared before the Budget Committee in
connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for Parking Tag Operations and answered Members
questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee also had before it a report (March 31, 1999) from the Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer, entitled Parking Tag Operation Program 1999 Operating Budget , in
response to a request for a report by the Budget Committee on March 5, 1999.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Pitfield Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
On motion by Councillor Jakobek, the Budget Committee:
(1) recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and
Council, that the Parking Enforcement expenditures as submitted on
the basis that the program improve productivity in parking tag
issuance so as to generate an additional $1 million in revenues,
pro-rated to result in a $500,000.00 increase in 1999 budgeted
revenues, be approved;
(2) directed the budget analyst to work with the Parking Enforcement
staff to ensure that this revenue target is met at year end and
provide an updated report to the Budget Committee in September 1999
in this regard; and
(3) received the report (March 31, 1999) from the Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer.
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
Receivables
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Pitfield Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
On motion by Councillor Jakobek, the Budget Committee referred the
following motion to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer with a
request that she report to the Corporate Services Committee in that regard:
That City Council request the Province to allow the City to
use collection agencies to collect parking fines.
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
Mayor s Office
Mr. Alan Slobodsky, Executive Assistant - Council Liaison, Mayor s Office, appeared
before the Budget Committee in connection with the 1999 Operating Budget for the Mayor s
Office and answered Members questions in that regard.
On motion by Councillor Shiner, the Budget Committee requested the Mayor s
Office, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism, to report back to Budget Committee at its meeting on
April 16, 1999, providing a review of monies spent for travel and whether
or not any additional money is required for same, noting that requests for
funding for travel will be at the call of the Mayor s Office.
(Mr. Alan Slobodsky, Executive Assistant - Council Liaison, Mayor s Office
- April 12, 1999)
Non Program Revenues and Expenditures
Ms. Wanda Liczyk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, appeared before the Budget
Committee in connection with the Non Program Revenues and Expenditure 1999 budget and
answered Members questions in that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it the following reports:
(a) (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer respecting the 1999
Capital Financing Plan - Tax Supported Program;
(b) (April 8, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Policy
on Interest Paid on Assessment Appeal Refunds - Financial Implications of Interest
Paid at Prime ;
(c) (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, entitled Annual
Sinking Fund Levies for 1999 , requesting Council s approval of the payment of the
annual sinking fund levies for 1999 in order to fulfil the legislative
requirements of the City of Toronto Act (No. 2) and the Municipal Act; and
recommending that:
(1) the 1999 sinking fund levies, as detailed in this report, be approved;
(2) no reduction of sinking fund deposits be approved for 1999; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary actions
to give effect thereto; and
(d) (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer proposing a capital
financing plan for the 1999 tax supported capital program that supersedes
Appendix B in the report (January 14, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer on the 1999-2003 Capital Works Program.
On motion by Councillor Ootes, the Budget Committee recommended to the
Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council:
(1) adoption of the report (April 8, 1999) from the Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer, entitled Policy on Interest Paid on
Assessment Appeal Refunds - Financial Implications of Interest Paid
at Prime ;
(2) adoption of the report (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer respecting Financing of the Capital Budget,
subject to the following:
(a) Recommendation No. (7) be amended by adding the words up
to after the word Provincial so that such Recommendation
now reads:
(7) the City request the second Provincial up to
$100 million interest free loan and that such loan
be used for the purposes of funding 1999
amalgamation and related capital costs;
subject to the resolve of the Budget Committee at its
meeting of April 16, 1999;
(3) adopted the report (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer, entitled Annual Sinking Fund Levies for 1999 ; and
(4) adopted the report (April 1, 1999) from the Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer respecting the 1999 Capital Financing Plan - Tax Supported
Program.
16.5 Community and Neighbourhood Services
Public Health
Dr. Sheila Brasur, Medical Officer of Health, appeared before the Budget Committee in
connection with the Public Health 1999 Operating Budget and answered Members questions in
that regard.
The Budget Committee had before it:
(a) communication (January 25, 1999) from the Secretary, Board of Health, advising
that the Board of Health on January 25, 1999, recommended the adoption of Option
(1) embodied in the report dated January 15, 1999, from the Medical Officer of
Health respecting options for the harmonization of dental services; and further
that:
(i) services be harmonized in the short term by extending the hours of some or
all of the current clinic facilities to 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., at an
additional annualized operating cost of $1.9 million for all sites in the
former City of Toronto;
(ii) the Board upgrade the current dental clinic facilities in Etobicoke to
allow the clinic to operate with extended hours as described in (a) above,
at an additional annualized operating cost of $200,000.00 plus one-time
costs of $100,000.00 to upgrade the equipment and facility; and
(iii) a dental clinic be opened in the east end of the City at a capital cost of
$100,000.00 and additional annualized operating cost of $350,000.00;
(b) report (March 11, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services providing an update on negotiations with the Ontario Dental Association
respecting the harmonization of dental treatment services across the City and
recommending that this report be received for information;
(c) communication (March 12, 1999) from Dr. Stephen Abrams, D.S., Chair, Ontario
Dental Association Dental Benefits Task Force, providing the Ontario Dental
Association s analysis of the City of Toronto s dental program, as requested by
the Budget Committee at its meeting held on February 19, 1999;
(d) communication (April 1, 1999) from the Ms. Sharon Bessette, President, Ontario
Dental Hygienists Association (ODHA), thanking the Budget Committee for including
a member of the ODHA as a member of the Dental Task Force, advising that Ms. Donna
Bowes, President of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association will represent the
ODHA on this task force; and recommending that the Dental Task Force also include
a representative from the Denturist Association of Ontario and a representative
from the community;
(e) communication (February 22, 1999) from the Secretary, Board of Health, advising
that the Board of Health on February 22, 1999, adopted the report
(February 16, 1999) from the Medical Officer of Health, wherein it is recommended
that:
(i) the Board of Health use the results of the analysis of the cost
effectiveness of different service delivery options to ensure that whatever
service delivery option is chosen for the provision of dental services, the
cost of that option is comparable to or less than the direct service
delivery model, and the level and quality of care is the same or higher
than the direct service delivery model; and
(ii) this report be forwarded to Budget Committee for consideration;
(f) (March 26, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and
the Medical Officer of Health, entitled Response to Budget Committee and Chief
Administrative Officer Requests Related to the 1999 Public Health Budget ;
(g) (March 26, 1999) from the Medical Officer of Health, entitled 1999 Public Health
Operating Budget , seeking approval to amend the 1999 Operating Budget for Public
Health incorporating enhanced funding for Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program
and extension of the existing agreement for the Provincial Food Service Program;
(h) (April 1, 1999) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and
the Medical Officer of Health, entitled The Chronology of Negotiations Between
the ODA and the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto , providing the
various approaches and cost analysis of the proposals to provide harmonized dental
services across the City of Toronto, the management structure of the dental
program and the establishment of a dental task force;
(i) (October 19, 1998) from the City Clerk, entitled Reinvestment of Animal Licensing
and Registration Fees , advising that the Board of Health on October 13, 1998,
recommended to the Budget Committee that:
(1) current licensing revenues continue to be utilized to defray operating
expenses; and
(2) any additional licensing and registration revenues be used to fund
retroactive program initiatives, subject to the review and resolution of
these and other amalgamation-related issues;
(j) (February 22, 1999) from the Secretary, Board of Health, advising that the Board
of Health on February 22, 1999, submitted to the Budget Committee, for
information, the report dated February 12, 1999, from the Medical Officer of
Health, entitled Partnership Agreement between Toronto Public Health and the
Ontario Chinese Restaurant and Food Services Association , respecting a
partnership agreement between Toronto Public Health and the Ontario Chinese
Restaurant and Food Services Association;
(k) (February 22, 1999) from the Secretary, Board of Health, entitled Anticipated
Revenues and Expenditures Resulting from By-law No. 28-1999, a By-law Respecting
Animals , advising that the Board of Health on February 22, 1999:
(1) submitted to the Budget Committee, for consideration when reviewing the
proposed 1999 Operating Budget for Public Health, the report dated
February 12, 1999, from the Medical Officer of Health respecting the impact
of the By-law Respecting Animals upon anticipated revenues and expenditures
within the 1999 Operating Budget; and
(2) referred the aforementioned report for consideration as part of the
strategic planning process being undertaken by the Board of Health and the
Public Health Division; and
(l) (March 26, 1999) from the Medical Officer of Health, recommending that the
1999 Operating Budget for Public Health be amended to include:
(1) additional funds in the amount of $2,867,000.00 gross and zero net budget
for the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program; and
(2) funds in the amount of $124,565.00 gross and zero net for the third phase
of the Provincial Food Service Program.
The Budget Committee received the aforementioned reports and communications
for information.
Councillor Jakobek appointed Councillor Ootes Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
A. Councillor Jakobek moved that:
(1) $100,000.00 be ear marked in the grants envelope for the
express purpose of providing capital funding, on a one time
only basis, for the purchase of refrigerators, ovens, etc.,
on an emergency basis for volunteers providing food to the
homeless, the said funding to be at the sole discretion of
the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services;
(2) $800,000.00 be added to the Public Health budget for the
expansion of the Dental Program for kids and seniors and the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be
requested to report back on whether, with this expansion,
the pilot program for dental services can be included,
providing the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
with a full review of the expanded program, including its
successes and failures, prior to year end; and
(3) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be
requested to report back to the Community and Neighbourhood
Services Committee on the new management structure for the
Dental Services Division in three months time.
(Carried)
Councillor Jakobek resumed the Chair.
B. Councillor Chow moved that:
(1) $400,000.00 be reinstated for the Food Safety Program;
(2) $500,000.00 be reinstated for the Tuberculosis Program; and
(3) $185,000.00 be reinstated for the Needle Exchange Program.
(Carried)
C. Councillor Pitfield moved that the previously approved Task Force
include the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association and a
representative from the Denturist Association of Ontario.
(Carried)
D. Councillor Shiner moved that the Ontario Dental Association be
requested to report back to the Budget Committee and advise whether
or not dentists who are members of the Association who acquire work
from the City, are prepared to do pro bono work for the City.
(Carried)
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; Dr. Stephen Abrams,
Chair, Ontario Dental Association; Ms. Sharon Bessette, President, Ontario
Dental Hygienists Association; c. Ms. Cora Isla, Administrative Assistant;
Mr. Eric Gam, Executive Director, Social Development Division; Ms. Marna
Ramsden-Urbanski, General Manager, Children s Services Division; Ms.
Heather McVicar, General Manager, Social Services Division; Ms. Sandra
Pitters, General Manager, Homes for the Aged; Medical Officer of Health -
April 12, 1999)
16.6 Communications
The Budget Committee had before it the following communications:
(a) (March 1, 1999) from Mr. Brian Mingo, Etobicoke, Ontario, suggesting that the
Parks and Recreation Guide not be distributed to every household, but rather be
made available on the City of Toronto Website for those who wish to access it;
(b) (March 29, 1999) from Mr. Terry Mundell, President, Ontario Restaurant
Association, expressing concern regarding the proposed implementation of user fees
for commercial garbage pick-up; and
(c) (March 30, 1999) from Mr. Ian M. Fraser, MD, FRCPC, Head, Division of Respirology
and Critical Care, The Respiratory Centre, Toronto East General Hospital, in
support of the expansion of the public health personnel in the management of
tuberculosis.
The Budget Committee received the aforementioned communications for
information.
(Note: All background reports and communications submitted to the Budget Committee during
the 1999 Operating Budget deliberations are on file in the Office of the City Clerk.)
The Budget Committee adjourned its meeting at 1:45 p.m.
_______________________________
Chair.
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