Agenda

This report recommends amending the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 3, Accountability Officers to provide a non-renewable fixed seven (7) year term for the Ombudsman and Lobbyist Registrar function.  A non-renewable term is consistent with what is already in place for Toronto's Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner. 

The terms of the Ombudsman and Lobbyist Registrar are currently five (5) years, renewable once for an additional five (5) years.  The recommended term amendments will come into effect with future Ombudsman and Lobbyist Registrar appointments.

There are no financial implications resulting from the implementation of the recommendations in this report.

On February 6, 2015, the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place (the Board) approved amendments to the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto By-law No. 25-85 "Respecting the Management of Exhibition Place" (Metro By-law 25-85), attached in Appendix A, to remove a small strip of land south of Lake Shore Boulevard from the lands shown under its management, subject to City Council approval.

This report recommends that City Council amend Metro By-law 25-85 as requested by the Board, and further recommends that City Council place these lands within the jurisdiction of the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division (PFR) and subject to Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, to allow PFR to licence/permit the strip of land to the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) for the purpose of staging the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

This strip of land being removed from the management of the Board is highlighted in Appendix B to this report, and more specifically shown in the drawing attached to Metro By-law 25-85. The changes recommended in this report would allow PFR to manage and permit the land, as has been the recent practice, and to implement activities being prepared on the land for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

In accordance with subsection 12.1(2) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended (MEA), the City Clerk has prepared a report about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities.  The attached report identifies the various initiatives undertaken by the City Clerk for the 2014 election as well as the outcomes and actions moving forward.

Members of the accessibility community made extraordinary contributions to the 2014 Election.  Their willingness to share their time and expertise allowed the Clerk and staff to gain a far deeper understanding of the issues and barriers faced by persons with disabilities.  The Clerk will continue to work closely with the Accessibility Outreach Network, the Disability Issues Committee and persons with disabilities to identify, remove and prevent barriers for future elections.

There is no financial impact of receiving this report for information.  The cost of implementing the 2014 Election Accessibility Plan was $456,939.05.  The source of these funds was the Election Reserve, and the expenditures are detailed in the attached report.

This report clarifies the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) ten year plan for school closures and summarizes the implications of this plan in light of the City's fourfold interest in schools as community assets:

1.      schools as spaces for child care and early learning;

2.      school lands as green space;

3.      schools as sites for non-educational services and programming; and

4.      schools to serve growth areas.

The report recommends that the City pursue a new multilateral relationship with the School Boards and the Province of Ontario in relation to the disposition of school board properties in Toronto, in order to realize and retain the value of schools as community assets. The new City-School Boards Advisory Committee, approved by Toronto City Council at its February 2015 meeting, is the appropriate body to investigate and recommend options for this process.

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of the recommendations included in this report. The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The purpose of this report is to obtain authority and funding to acquire a minimum of 0.5 acres of the surplus school site at 12 Bannockburn Avenue (the "Property") from the Toronto District School Board ("TDSB") for parkland purposes.  The City of Toronto received an Offer to Sell from the Toronto Lands Corporation ("TLC") on behalf of the Toronto District School Board.  This report seeks City Council approval to proceed as outlined in Confidential Attachment 1.

This report seeks the approval of the Executive Committee and the Affordable Housing Committee to proceed with a strategic updating of Housing Opportunities Toronto – An Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010-2020 (HOT). This includes approval of the work plan outlined in this report, which provides for the release of a five-year report card on progress to date, a targeted public consultation process, and a report to Council in early 2016 on proposed changes to update the 10-year action plan.

City Council approved HOT and its 67 proposed actions in 2009. In its first five years the housing action plan has served the City well.  It has provided a City-wide blueprint for actions and guided the work of the many Divisions and agencies that have a role in delivering housing and homeless programs and policies. While federal/provincial investments in housing and homeless services have been made during the first five years of the Action Plan, they have fallen short of meeting needs.  In this regard, the Action Plan will require the federal and provincial governments to step up, rather than step back from, providing sufficient sustainable funding for the City's efforts to be successful.

The five-year review will incorporate work underway or planned in other divisions that have an impact on the City's housing and homelessness policies and programming.

The review and update of Housing Opportunities Toronto will also satisfy the provincial requirement under the Housing Services Act to conduct a five-year update and begin reporting annually on progress. The Province has also requested that the City look to identify actions to address housing issues affecting victims of domestic violence, as well work with the Province to develop additional performance measures.

An interdivisional steering committee, co-chaired by the Director, Affordable Housing Office and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, will direct the three phases of the review.

This report recommends that City Council approve a 15-year property tax exemption for a Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) property to be renovated into transitional housing for young women who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, (the "Transitional Home").

Recognizing the need to protect the safety and security of residents, the property's location is contained in the Confidential Attachment.

At its June 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2014 meeting, Council approved financial assistance of up to $0.850 million to Toronto Community Housing Corporation for capital repairs to the property. Renovations are expected to start in early 2015 with occupancy of the eight units in late 2015 or early 2016.

A property tax exemption is consistent with City policy. Toronto Community Housing Corporation will be leasing the property to a charitable service agency at a nominal cost. The agency will manage the property and provide support services to assist young women in recovering from their trauma and to move on to more independent housing. These are particularly vulnerable individuals whose housing and social service needs are not being met in Toronto.

The City of Toronto has partnered with the province to host the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Games. The City and its residents will benefit from a number of legacy initiatives, including affordable housing in the West Don Lands.

Construction is almost complete for two buildings which will house athletes during the games, this summer. After the games, the buildings will then be retrofitted to provide a total of 253 affordable housing units with occupancy scheduled for the spring of 2016.

Two non-profit organizations, Wigwamen Incorporated and Fred Victor Centre, were selected by Infrastructure Ontario in 2012 and received capital funding under a provincial Affordable Housing Program. They also received relief from City development fees and charges.

Consistent with City policy, this report recommends that City Council exempt Wigwamen Incorporated and Fred Victor Centre from property taxes for 25 years for the affordable rental housing developments at 745 Front Street East and 20 Palace Street in the West Don Lands. An exemption from property taxes will allow Wigwamen and Fred Victor to offer more affordable rents. Both buildings will have a range of one- to four-bedroom units and will be home to a mix of residents, including people of aboriginal heritage, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health issues, veterans, newcomers and Sports Canada carded athletes.

The Affordable Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City to enter into an agreement with Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area, Build Toronto, the developer and any other party deemed necessary, to secure the purchase and financing of the Habitat Units at below market value.

2. City Council authorize the City to be a party to the agreements of purchase and sale contemplated to be entered into for the Habitat Units as a contingent transferee, in order to ensure the benefit of the Habitat Units is secured for the intended purposes, in the event that Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area or its assignee is not able to complete the transactions.

3. City Council authorize the City to assign its interests in the Habitat Units to another not for profit housing provider, chosen by the Director, Affordable Housing Office to give effect to the intended purpose of the Habitat Units as affordable housing, or to an arm's length purchaser at fair market value if no agreement can be made with a suitable not for profit, on terms and conditions determined by him and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor prior to the closing date with the developer, with the intention that there are no financial consequences to the City having been a party to the agreements of purchase and sale for the Habitat Units.

4. City Council authorize the proceeds of the assignment of an agreement of purchase and sale for a Habitat Unit at fair market value to be paid to the Capital Revolving Reserve Fund for Affordable Housing (XR1058) after payment of all expenses incurred in making the assignment of any of the Habitat Units.

5. City Council approve up to $625,000.00 in financial assistance from the Development Charges Reserve Fund (2009) for Subsidized Housing (XR2116) for Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area, in the form of a grant by way of forgivable loan for the Habitat Units under the terms of the City's Home Ownership Assistance Program.

6. City Council authorize the Director, Affordable Housing Office to provide up to $1,250,000.00 from the federal/provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program Extension – Homeownership Component, in the form of grants by way of forgivable loans, for down payment assistance loans to lower-income purchasers, on the properties known as 10, 11, 25, and 30 Ordnance Street and 45 Strachan Avenue.

7. City Council authorize the Director, Affordable Housing Office to negotiate and execute, on behalf of the City, the agreement referred to Recommendation 1 above and the agreements with Habitat for Humanity, Greater Toronto Area to secure the funding referred to in Recommendations 5 and 6 above, as well as any documents, agreements, or security required to give effect to the foregoing on terms and conditions determined by the Director, Affordable Housing Office and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

8. City Council authorize and direct the City Solicitor to execute the agreements of purchase and sale for the Habitat Units, together with any documents or agreement relating to an assignment or a re-sale transaction that may occur as a result of entering into that agreement, and to amend and to waive any terms and conditions on behalf of the City, on such terms as she considers reasonable.

9. City Council grant authority to the City Solicitor to execute any documents required to register security for the funding referred to in Recommendations 5 and 6 above and to postpone, confirm the status of, and discharge security, as required by normal business practices.

10. City Council increase the 2015 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) by $1,250,000.00 gross, $0 net, fully funded from Investment in Affordable Housing Program (IAH), to provide funding for the affordable housing initiatives recommended in the report (February 19, 2015) from the Director, Affordable Housing Office.

At the February 6, 2015 Disability Issues Committee meeting, Helen Henderson, Disability Issues Committee member, advised that Wheel-Trans vehicles and accessible taxis are being ticketed by Parking Enforcement Officers when picking up and/or dropping off a person with a disability.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, seconded by Councillor Jim Karygiannis, recommends that:

1. City Council revisit the debate regarding transit plans on Finch Avenue West in order to provide residents and businesses with a more valuable solution than Light Rapid Transit.

2. City Council reconfirm its decision to support building the Scarborough Subway on Sheppard Avenue.

City Council on February 10 and 11, 2015, referred Motion MM3.2 to the Executive Committee.

Toronto is considered a World Class City and our current transit solutions do not fully reflect that status. In 2013, Council confirmed its support for the Scarborough Subway, thus proving there is a desire in this City for more subway lines. Finch Avenue West is an important corridor in Toronto's industrial pocket and the currently proposed LRT line for that corridor is not wanted by a majority of the residents and businesses in that area. This item is urgent as the debate on transit is ongoing amongst the residents of the City of Toronto and a resolution must be provided as soon as possible.

I am proposing the Executive Committee request a report examining options to align the Office of the Commissioner of Housing Equity (OCHE) with the City of Toronto's Independent Accountability Offices, and if possible, any benefits of having the OCHE report directly to City Council or a Committee of Council, and the actions required to achieve such a structure.

Councillor Josh Colle recommends that:

1.  As the City has a duty to its citizens to deliver major capital infrastructure projects efficiently and on schedule, and as a consequence of the contract management challenges experienced with the TYSSE project that have resulted in significant delays and cost over runs, Council direct the City Manager to report to the next meeting of Executive Committee on options for improved project delivery, including procurement and project management, for the Scarborough Subway Extension, such options to include the spectrum of procurement strategies known as Alternative Financing and Procurement and/or Public-Private-Partnerships and the role that Infrastructure Ontario can play in the delivery of such projects.

As you are aware, as part of the 2015 City Budget deliberations Council adopted my motion to have the City Manager seek a third party review of the TTC's major capital projects program. This review will assess the TTC’s delivery of major capital projects, including adherence to budget and scheduling targets, processes for reporting these results to the Commission and City, and any organizational changes that would enhance results, all for consideration by the Commission in the fall of 2015.

In addition, under my direction, the TTC has been aggressively reviewing the manner in which it is delivering the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) project. A report about the project delivery and budget implications will be considered by the Commission at its meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2015, and I anticipate that this report will be referred to Council for consideration at its March 31, 2015 meeting.

Both the TTC and City share a duty to Toronto residents to deliver major capital infrastructure projects efficiently and on schedule. In light of the challenges experienced with the TYSSE project, and the resulting delays and cost over runs, I would propose that Council direct the City Manager to submit to the next meeting of the Executive Committee a report dealing with options for improved project delivery, including procurement and project management, for the Scarborough Subway Extension.

The options should include the full spectrum of procurement strategies, including Alternative Financing and Procurement and/or Public-Private-Partnerships, and the role that Infrastructure Ontario can play in the delivery of such projects. This direction would align with the position of Toronto City Council and comply with Federal grant application requirements. At the time of project approval in October of 2013 (CC39.5, 6d)), Council directed staff to "aggressively pursue the Federal P3 screen process, so that any project cost savings arising from a P3 partnership with the City can be applied to reduce any dedicated tax rate increases needed to support the Scarborough Subway".

Accordingly, I would ask that Executive Committee consider and recommend the attached motion to Council for consideration at its meeting on March 31, 2015, in conjunction with the TTC report entitled Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Schedule and Budget Change.  

Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong recommends that:

1.  The Executive Committee request the Treasurer to report back for the September 21, 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee on the feasibility, options, and financial and other implications of providing an exemption from property taxation for the Ismaili Centre Toronto, the Aga Khan Museum and surrounding park.

On September 12, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan officially inaugurated the Ismaili Centre Toronto and Aga Khan Museum, both of which are situated within a 6.8 hectare landscaped park along Wynford Drive in Toronto's Don Mills neighbourhood. Construction of the $300 million development represents a significant addition in the landscape of Toronto's cultural institutions.

Along with five other Ismaili Centres located in Vancouver, London, Lisbon, Dubai and Dushanbe, the Ismaili Centre Toronto continues a tradition of hosting programs that stimulate the intellect, encourage dialogue, and celebrate cultural diversity. The Ismaili Centre Toronto is an 80,000 square foot, two-story building housing a prayer hall, social hall, library, exhibition areas, and meeting rooms. Through a variety of programs including lectures, seminars, exhibitions, cultural and social events, the Centre creates an understanding of the values, ethics, culture and heritage of Ismaili Muslims.

The Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Muslim arts and culture. A central feature of the new Museum is a state-of-the-art auditorium. Its mission is to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the contribution that Muslim civilizations have made to world heritage. Through education, research, and collaboration, the Museum will foster dialogue and promote tolerance and mutual understanding among people. In the brief time since its opening it has already received critical acclaim as a major cultural draw to the city of Toronto

The Province of Ontario has in the past exempted certain cultural properties, such as museums and cultural centres, from assessment and taxation by way of special legislation. Additionally, the City of Toronto provides property tax rebates for qualifying ethno-cultural centres.