Item - 2013.EX35.11
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 13, 2013 with amendments.
- This item was considered by the Executive Committee on October 30, 2013 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on November 13, 2013.
EX35.11 - Future Options and Public Attitudes for Paying for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure and Services
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 13, 14, 15 and 18, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to identify the most appropriate way to generate additional revenue for Toronto Water to fund its substantial infrastructure requirements through the use of one or more of the following options, and to conduct further detailed studies including stakeholder input on such options:
a. water rate increases greater than the rate of inflation once the '9 percent for 9 years' increases end in 2014; and/or
b. a separate stormwater management charge on the water bill; and/or
c. debenture financing for large scale, long service period projects, with all debt service costs to be paid from water rate revenue.
2. City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, to report back to the Executive Committee, as part of Toronto Water’s 2015 Capital Budget submission, with a recommended financing strategy to support Toronto Water’s long term Capital Plan along with a detailed implementation plan.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to identify and advocate for Federal and Provincial funding for Toronto Water infrastructure.
4. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water to explore opportunities to expand energy measures which increase the generation and the use of renewable energy supplies such as methane gas, solar energy, and cogeneration to reduce financial costs while improving the ability of wastewater treatment plants to operate reliably during disruptions to the electrical grid, which will also enable significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-62753.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(October 29, 2013) E-mail from Ian W. Craig (EX.New.EX35.11.2)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council delete Executive Committee Recommendation 1.d:
Recommendation to be deleted:
1d. Local improvement charges for all or a portion of the Basement Flooding Protection Program.
Vote (Amend Item) Nov-14-2013 5:49 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX35.11 - Davis - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 26 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mike Layton, Peter Leon, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 13 | Members that voted No are Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Mike Del Grande, John Filion, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Norman Kelly, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Karen Stintz |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
That:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to identify and advocate for Federal funding for Toronto Water infrastructure.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water to explore opportunities to expand energy measures which increase the generation and the use of renewable energy supplies such as methane gas, solar energy, and cogeneration to reduce financial costs while improving the ability of wastewater treatment plants to operate reliably during disruptions to the electrical grid, which will also enable significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-14-2013 5:52 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX35.11 - Ainslie - motion 2 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 39 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
That City Council delete Executive Committee Recommendation 1c.
Recommendation to be deleted
c. Debenture financing for large scale, long service period projects, with all debt service costs to be paid from water rate revenue; and/or,
Vote (Amend Item) Nov-14-2013 5:50 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - EX35.11 - De Baeremaeker - motion 3 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 4 | Members that voted Yes are Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Ron Moeser, David Shiner |
| Total members that voted No: 35 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
That:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to identify and advocate for Provincial funding for Toronto Water infrastructure.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-14-2013 5:53 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX35.11 - Cho - motion 4 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 36 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Shelley Carroll, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Josh Matlow |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
That City Council delete Executive Committee Recommendation 1.a and instead adopt the following new Recommendation 1.a:
1.a. Water rate increases no greater than the rate of inflation.
Vote (Amend Item) Nov-14-2013 5:51 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - EX35.11 - Del Grande - motion 5 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 6 | Members that voted Yes are Vincent Crisanti, Mike Del Grande, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio |
| Total members that voted No: 33 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-14-2013 5:54 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX35.11 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 38 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Peter Leon, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are David Shiner |
| Total members that were Absent: 6 | Members that were absent are Ana Bailão, Mark Grimes, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, John Parker, Michael Thompson |
Councillor De Baeremaeker, rising on a Point of Order, stated that a Member has the right to complete an answer to a question to their own satisfaction and asked the Deputy Speaker to clarify this rule.
Challenged by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker
EX35.11 - Future Options and Public Attitudes for Paying for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure and Services
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to identify the most appropriate way to generate additional revenue for Toronto Water to fund its substantial infrastructure requirements through the use of one or more of the following options, and to conduct further detailed studies including stakeholder input on such options:
a. Water rate increases greater than the rate of inflation once the '9% for 9 years' increases end in 2014; and/or,
b. A separate stormwater management charge on the water bill; and/or,
c. Debenture financing for large scale, long service period projects, with all debt service costs to be paid from water rate revenue; and/or,
d. Local improvement charges for all or a portion of the Basement Flooding Protection Program.
2. City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, to report back to the Executive Committee, as part of Toronto Water’s 2015 Capital Budget submission, with a recommended financing strategy to support Toronto Water’s long term Capital Plan along with a detailed implementation plan.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to advise City Council about options to increase future capital funding for Toronto Water to continue with the renewal of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and to accelerate the implementation of priority projects for managing the impact of severe storm events.
Over the last eight years, Toronto Water has implemented a sustainable infrastructure renewal program ensuring the continued safe delivery of services. Originally, after reaching an adequate funding level to ensure that Toronto Water assets are in a state of good repair, the capital plan was designed to increase funding for projects to address pollution caused by the overflow from both storm and combined sewers into the environment. In 1987, the International Joint Commission identified Toronto Harbour as an Area of Concern largely due to poor water quality in the Don River and Inner Harbour. The City's Wet Weather Flow Master Plan is designed as the cornerstone to delist Toronto Harbour as an Area of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin.
However, changing customer priorities and declining water consumption has impacted Toronto Water's long term capital plans. An increase in extreme weather events leading to extensive basement flooding, damage to city infrastructure and stream erosion has resulted in a demand for greater investment and a refocusing of stormwater management priorities. In addition, the consumption of water is being reduced through a greater awareness of the environment and the trend to more efficient fixtures and appliances. Less water consumption results in less future revenue to fund capital projects.
This report recommends that City Council (i) agree in principle to increased investments for Toronto Water; (ii) approve a study to determine and consult on the best way to pay for the higher level of investment particularly for flood protection and stormwater management; and (iii) consider the preferred funding strategy as part of the 2015 Toronto Water Capital Budget submission.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-62753.pdf
Communications
(October 29, 2013) E-mail from Ian W. Craig (EX.New.EX35.11.2)
Speakers
Councillor Shelley Carroll
Motions
That recommendation 1c be deleted.
That:
1. Recommendation 1d be deleted.
2. Recommendation 2 be amended by deleting "as part of" and replacing it with "prior to"; to now read:
"2. City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, to report back to the Executive Committee, prior to Toronto Water’s 2015 Capital Budget submission, with a recommended financing strategy to support Toronto Water’s long term Capital Plan along with a detailed implementation plan."