Agenda

- O Canada
- Moment of Silence
- Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

City Council will confirm the Minutes from the meeting held on April 26, 27 and 28, 2017.

Deferred Committee Item:

Audit Committee Item AU8.4

Report of the Executive Committee from Meeting 25 on May 16, 2017

Submitted by Mayor John Tory, Chair

Report of the Board of Health from Meeting 19 on May 17, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Joe Mihevc

Report of the Civic Appointments Committee from Meeting 16 on May 9, 2017

Submitted by Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong

Report of the Community Development and Recreation Committee from Meeting 20 on May 10, 2017

Submitted by Councillor James Pasternak, Chair

Report of the Economic Development Committee from Meeting 21 on May 8, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Michael Thompson, Chair

Report of the Government Management Committee from Meeting 20 on May 1, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Paul Ainslie, Chair

Report of the Licensing and Standards Committee from Meeting 19 on May 5, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Cesar Palacio, Chair

Report of the Parks and Environment Committee from Meeting 19 on May 4, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, Chair

Report of the Planning and Growth Management Committee from Meeting 20 on May 3, 2017

Submitted by Councillor David Shiner, Chair

Report of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee from Meeting 21 on May 9, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Jaye Robinson, Chair

Report of the Etobicoke York Community Council from Meeting 22 on May 2, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Mark Grimes, Chair

Report of the North York Community Council from Meeting 22 on May 2, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Maria Augimeri, Chair

Report of the Scarborough Community Council from Meeting 22 on May 2, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Michelle Holland, Chair

Report of the Toronto and East York Community Council from Meeting 24 on May 2, 2017

Submitted by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Chair

New Business submitted by City Officials

Members of Council may file petitions.

Various presentations and announcements will be made at the City Council meeting.

City Council will review the Order Paper.

The Audit Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Treasurer to make a request to Manulife to input the provider information including the name of provider, location, and therapist registration number, for all City's health claims processed and reimbursed in the period 2013 to 2015 to enable proper analysis to be performed to confirm validity of claims.

2.  City Council request the Treasurer to ensure the plan administrator has adequate tools, controls and adjudication processes in place to identify unusual trends and patterns, and to detect and prevent fraud and abuse at both the provider and individual plan member level. This should include establishing predetermined criteria with the plan administrator for identification of unusual trends and patterns, and requesting periodic reports back from the plan administrator on actions taken.

3.  City Council request the Treasurer to ensure all key changes to the City's health benefits plan administration are clearly communicated and documented by City staff, and retained in accordance with the City record retention policy. When a major change to the benefit plan is made, the Treasurer should ensure the change is implemented by the benefits administrator according to the City's direction.

4.  City Council request the Treasurer to:

a. review the instances of benefit overpayments identified in the Auditor General’s Phase Two audit of extended health benefit claims;

b. where feasible identify other instances of overpayments; and

c. recover the overpayments from plan members or the Benefits Plan Administrator where feasible.

5.  City Council request the Treasurer to consider establishing a reasonable quantity limit for orthotics and orthopedic shoes benefits for dependents aged 18 or younger and for medical braces.

6.  City Council request the Treasurer to review and initiate changes to the City’s extended health benefits provisions to ensure benefit plans clearly articulate what expenses are eligible and covered by the City, including the coverage for modifications to orthopedic shoes.

7.  City Council request the Treasurer to ensure the City’s employee health benefit provisions are implemented in accordance with City's intentions and collective agreements, and that the plan administrator's interpretation of benefit provisions is in line with City intentions.

8.  City Council request the Treasurer to consider unifying, where possible, the employee health benefit provisions in various collective agreements such that both the City’s oversight of benefits and the benefit administrator’s claim adjudication can be performed in a more effective and efficient manner.

9.  City Council request the Treasurer to consider setting a reasonable contractual limit or unit cost on health benefits, particularly when the Plan Administrator does not have a Reasonable and Customary charge in place.

10.  City Council request the Treasurer to ensure that the current employee health benefit plan administrator's adjudication processes include an assessment on age reasonableness for health claims.

11.  City Council request the Treasurer to assess the reasonableness and appropriateness of the City's physiotherapy benefit provisions, taking into account the financial impact and the City's comparability to other jurisdictions.

12.  City Council request the Treasurer to put in place a written policy and procedure on granting of exception cases for employee health benefits. The reason, type of benefit, and period in effect should be documented and retained.

13.  City Council request the Treasurer to engage an external auditor to conduct an initial audit on the new plan administrator's adjudication system to ensure the coding aligns with benefit provisions. Periodic audits should also be performed on the effectiveness of the administrator's adjudication and monitoring processes.

14.  City Council request the Treasurer to conduct, on a regular basis, detailed reviews of health benefit claims history by high risk categories that are commonly subjected to misuse or abuse.

15.  City Council request the Treasurer to ensure emerging risks and issues in the employee health benefits program are identified and adequately addressed by the benefits administrator in a timely manner.

16.  City Council request the City Manager to forward this audit report to the respective Board of the Toronto Transit Commission and the Toronto Police Service for their review and consideration of the applicability of the audit recommendations in their own employee health benefit program.

17.  City Council adopt the confidential recommendations contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 20, 2017) from the Auditor General.

18.  City Council authorize the public release of the Confidential Recommendations and information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 20, 2017) from the Auditor General, at the discretion of the City Solicitor in consultation with the City Manager.

Beverly Romeo-Beehler, Auditor General, and Jane Ying, Assistant Auditor General, gave a presentation to the Audit Committee on this Item.

Mike St. Amant, Treasurer, and Michael Wiseman, Director, Pension, Payroll and Employee Benefits, gave a presentation to the Audit Committee on the Management Response to the Auditor General’s Report on Management of Employee Extended Health Benefits Phase Two.

This report presents the results of the Auditor General's Phase Two audit on the City's employee extended health care benefits.

In 2015 the City spent approximately $229 million to provide employee benefits including health, dental, long term disability and employee life insurance, of which approximately $56 million was for extended health care benefits (excluding drug benefits).

Overall, we found the controls and monitoring of the City's benefit claims ineffective in identifying unusual patterns or potential frauds. Potential benefit abuse or fraud might not have been detected due to the lack of critical claim information and administrator forgoing a standard audit process for the City's claims.

City management, who retains overall responsibility for the program, should further strengthen its oversight by establishing clear understanding of the benefit administrator's actual adjudication practices, as well as performing more effective claim data analysis and implementing periodic third-party audits.

To reduce annual benefit cost and the risk of benefit abuse, we recommend several changes to the City's benefit plan design. As well, the City should establish reasonable quantity or price limits for items such as compression stockings and medical braces.

The audit provided 16 recommendations to help improve controls and benefit plan design, prevent and detect misuse, and reduce yearly costs while providing a reasonable level of benefit coverage to employees.

The City has recently contracted a new benefits administrator and this presents an opportunity to strengthen its benefits program and reduce its risk exposure moving forward.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

Relief Line

1.  City Council approve the Carlaw alignment, as illustrated in Figure 6 in the report (May 8, 2017) from the City Manager, for the segment of the Relief Line South from immediately north of the GO tracks at Gerrard Avenue East south to Queen Street East and commence the Transit Project Assessment Process.

2.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission and Metrolinx, to advance the planning and design of the Relief Line South based on the recommended alignment and report to City Council, when a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule has been developed for the project, which is anticipated to be in the fourth quarter of 2019.

3.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to prepare a cost benefit analysis between the "downtown" relief line and the Sheppard Subway Extensions to Scarborough and the North York relief line between Yonge and Sheppard and Downsview Station.

4.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to report as soon as possible, and at the latest to the September 5, 2017 meeting of the Toronto Transit Commission Board, and the September 26, 2017 meeting of Executive Committee, on the requirement for and possible removal of the Bayview "Bus Ramp Easement" in the West Don Lands as it relates to City Council's consideration of the Relief Line Project and the build-out of the West Don Lands Precinct.

5.  City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Metrolinx and Toronto Transit Commission to define roles and responsibilities and the cost-sharing agreement between Metrolinx, the City of Toronto, and Toronto Transit Commission, as described in this report, to complete the planning and design work required to develop a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule for the Relief Line South.

6.  City Council authorize the Mayor and the City Manager to negotiate funding agreements with the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada for the capital construction of the Relief Line South and report back to City Council.

7.  City Council request the City Manager to work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, and Metrolinx to develop an initial business case for the Relief Line North, as an extension of the Relief Line South alignment described in Recommendation 1, and report to City Council in the first quarter of 2018 with a preferred alignment and station locations.

8.  City Council request the City Manager to consider the following in the preparation of the report to City Council on the business case for the Relief Line North:

a.  renaming the Downtown Relief Line North to the Don Mills Subway Line,

b.  building a subway as part of the Don Mills line,

c.  a robust community consultation plan developed as part of planning the Don Mills line, and

d.  extending the Don Mills line north to the Sheppard subway line.

Yonge Subway Extension

9.  City Council request the City Manager and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, in partnership with Metrolinx and York Region to advance the planning and design of the Yonge Subway Extension, and report to City Council at the next decision gate with a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule, anticipated to be in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to the following:

a.  City/Toronto Transit Commission will own, operate, and maintain the future Yonge Subway Extension, recognizing it is an extension of Line 1 service;

b.  Toronto Transit Commission will be responsible for project management of project planning and design;

c.  York Region and/or Metrolinx will be responsible for the costs associated with the planning and design of the project and provide funding to the Toronto Transit Commission;

d.  all parties will agree to a procurement options analysis to assess the best project delivery model for the Yonge Subway Extension project; and

e.  Toronto Transit Commission will be responsible for future delivery of the Yonge Subway Extension project.

10.  City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Toronto Transit Commission, Metrolinx and York Region, to define roles and responsibilities as described in Recommendation 6, and ensure the Toronto Transit Commission recovers the full costs from Metrolinx and York Region of undertaking work required to develop a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule for the Yonge Subway Extension.

11.  City Council authorize the Mayor and the City Manager to negotiate funding agreements with York Region, the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada for the capital construction of the Yonge Subway Extension and report back to City Council.

12.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission and Metrolinx to include in the reports on the Relief Line South, Relief Line North and the Yonge Subway Extension strategies to maximize the potential for mixed-income residential development as part of the planning and design of stations for the Relief Line South, Relief Line North and the Yonge Subway Extension.

Line 1 Capacity

13.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to undertake further analysis of forecasted Line 1 demand in 2031 and 2041, including the following:

a.  in consultation with Metrolinx, consider the potential impacts on Line 1 demand of different fare structure scenarios including but not limited to the concepts currently included in Metrolinx's ongoing Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Fare Integration Study;

b.  in consultation with York Region and Metrolinx, identify and evaluate other possible measures to address Line 1 demand; and

c.  report back to the Toronto Transit Commission Board and City Council at the next decision gate of the Yonge Subway Extension once a Class 3 cost estimate has been developed for the project, which is anticipated to be in the fourth quarter of 2019.

14.  City Council request the City Manager to forward this report to the Province of Ontario, Metrolinx and York Region for information.

This report was prepared in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

The purpose of this report is to recommend a final alignment for the Relief Line South, and advance planning and design for the Relief Line and Yonge Subway Extension (YSE) within the context of current demand forecasts for Line 1 (Yonge Subway).

Relief Line

The Relief Line South from Pape-Danforth to Downtown will be required by 2031 to reduce crowding on Line 1. This has been confirmed by several past studies including the Toronto Transit Commission's 2012 Downtown Rapid Transit Expansion Study (DRTES). Advancing work on the Relief Line South is a key priority for the City and Toronto Transit Commission.

The Relief Line Project Assessment was initiated in 2014 to identify an alignment and station locations for the Relief Line South. In July 2016, City Council approved a Pape-Eastern-Queen alignment subject to further assessment of a segment of the alignment between Queen Street and the area north of the GO tracks on Pape Avenue. Since July, the City and Toronto Transit Commission have undertaken further due diligence and extensive consultation with the local community to assess the alignment for the Relief Line South. As a result, this report recommends City Council approve a Carlaw alignment for the local segment of the Relief Line South in order for staff to complete the Environmental Assessment (EA)/Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). Finalizing the project concept and moving to complete the Environmental Assessment / Transit Project Assessment Process process is a significant milestone in advancing this important project.

The next phase of work for the Relief Line South is to accelerate the planning and design, including developing a project budget and schedule (Class 3 cost estimate), which is approximately 15 to 30 percent design. This report recommends the City and Toronto Transit Commission in partnership with Metrolinx advance work on the Relief Line South and report back to City Council at the next decision gate for the project which includes a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule in 2019.

The Relief Line North (Pape-Danforth to Sheppard) will provide another travel alternative, divert demand from Line 1, and provide greater transit capacity to downtown. Given the long lead time required to plan complex infrastructure projects, this report recommends initiating the planning studies including the development of the initial business case for the Relief Line North in partnership with Metrolinx.

There is currently no commitment by any order of government to fund the capital costs of building the Relief Line. This report recommends City Council authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into discussions with the Provincial and Federal governments to identify sources of capital funding for the Relief Line South.

Yonge Subway Extension

The Yonge Subway Extension (YSE) is currently more advanced in the project development process than the Relief Line. An Environmental Assessment for the Yonge Subway Extension project was approved by City Council, York Region Council and Toronto Transit Commission Board in 2009.

This report recommends City Council authorize City and Toronto Transit Commission staff to undertake the planning and design required to advance to the next decision gate of the project, which includes developing a Class 3 cost estimate and schedule. The Toronto Transit Commission will project manage and lead the planning and design of the Yonge Subway Extension, with York Region and Metrolinx represented in the project team. The costs will be fully funded by the Province/Metrolinx and York Region. There is currently no commitment by any order of government to fund the capital costs of building the Yonge Subway Extension.

Line 1 Demand Forecasts

Demand forecasting to-date indicates that Line 1 will be at capacity in 2031 and the Relief Line South will be required. These projections also indicate that a future extension of the Relief Line North to Sheppard Avenue would provide benefits over the longer-term. Current forecasts are based on a network of currently funded/committed projects including the Toronto-York-Spadina Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit, Scarborough Subway Extension, Sheppard East Light Rail Transit, Finch West Light Rail Transit, Regional Express Rail, and SmartTrack.

This report recommends advancing planning and design for the Relief Line South and Yonge Subway Extension in anticipation of both projects being in-service by 2031. Given the implications of the proposed Yonge Subway Extension on Line 1 demand, future project approvals for the Yonge Subway Extension beyond the current phase of work will continue to be considered within the context of Line 1 capacity analysis. City and Toronto Transit Commission will undertake further work to update modelling results in collaboration with Metrolinx and York Region.

The analysis will also assess the impacts of fare integration and local and regional service integration. This report also recommends the City and Toronto Transit Commission continue to work in partnership with Metrolinx and York Region to assess potential measures to address demand on Line 1. This analysis will be included in the report back to City Council and the Toronto Transit Commission Board at the next decision gate for the Yonge Subway Extension, anticipated in 2019.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 3, Accountability Officers substantially as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (April 21, 2017) from the City Manager, delegating authority to the Accountability Officers (Auditor General, Integrity Commissioner, Lobbyist Registrar and Ombudsman) to: 

a.  recommend directly to City Council the establishment of record retention schedules for records related to each Accountability Officers' exercise of the powers and duties under Part V of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, subject to the approval of the City auditor; and

b.  clarify the application of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 217, Records, Corporate (City) for the administrative and transitory records of Accountability Officers.

2.  City Council amend the definition of "division head" contained in Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 217, Records, Corporate (City) to delete the inclusion the Accountability Officers (Auditor General, Integrity Commissioner, Lobbyist Registrar and Ombudsman) in the definition.

This report responds to City Council's request to bring forward any required amendments to Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 3, Accountability Officers ("Chapter 3") to address the records of Accountability Officers in a manner that adequately addresses the principles of Toronto's accountability framework including independence and transparency.

This report recommends that City Council amend Chapter 3 to clarify the roles of the Accountability Officers in the establishment of the records retention schedules for those records associated with their actions under Part V of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 (COTA), referred to as 'Accountability Records'. 

It is proposed that Accountability Officers' recommend directly to City Council the establishment of records retention schedules for Accountability Records while administrative and transitory records kept by Accountability Officers continue to be subject to the comprehensive retention schedules that govern City Records, as contained in Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 217, Records, Corporate (City) ("Chapter 217"). 

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt the Multilingual Information Provisions Policy, attached as Attachment 1 to the report (April 27, 2017) from the City Manager.

2.  Subject to the adoption of Recommendation 1, City Council rescind the Multilingual Services Policy, effective August 2, 2017, when the Multilingual Information Provisions Policy comes into force.

3.  City Council direct the Director of 311 to report back to City Council in 2018, on a potential outreach strategy, including the resources required, and associated costs and benefits, to inform and educate the public about interpretation services offered through 311.

4.  City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with City Divisions, to develop the necessary procedures and communication materials in both print and digital to operationalize the Policy and adjust related City policies, practices and guidelines for consistency.

In 2015, City Council requested the City Manager to report back on an updated City of Toronto Multilingual Policy.  This report recommends an updated multilingual policy - The City of Toronto Multilingual Information Provisions Policy.

Respecting the linguistic diversity of Toronto's residents, the updated Policy helps to ensure that the City's information reaches residents, keeps them informed and engaged, and that City resources for translation and interpretation are used effectively. The City of Toronto Multilingual Information Provisions Policy establishes principles and criteria for translation and interpretation of information about City of Toronto's services, programs and engagement activities.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council, in its capacity as one of the Shareholders of Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated and for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) to conduct the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated, adopt and authorize the City Manager to sign the Resolution of Shareholders forming Attachment 1 to the report (May 4, 2017) from the City Manager on behalf of the City as a shareholder and receive the "Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated 2016 Annual Report", forming Attachment 2 to the report (May 4, 2017) from the City Manager.

2. City Council adopt and authorize the City Manager to sign the Resolution of Shareholders forming Attachment 3 to the report (May 4, 2017) from the City Manager, approving the "Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Budget for 2017" which forms Attachment 4 to the report (May 4, 2017) from the City Manager.

3. City Council direct the City Clerk to forward a copy of the "Financial Statements for Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated for year ended December 31, 2016", forming Attachment 5 to the report (May 4, 2017) from the City Manager, to the Audit Committee for information.

The purpose of this report is to present two shareholder resolutions for approval by City Council, on behalf of the City in its capacity as one of the two Shareholders of Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated ("TPASC Inc.").

The first resolution addresses the matters requiring Shareholder approval under the Business Corporations Act at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated. These matters include: the confirmation of the corporation's proceedings since the last annual meeting of the shareholders, the receipt of financial statements, and the appointment of the auditor. The second resolution provides the Shareholders' approval of the annual operating and capital budgets required under the unanimous shareholders' agreement between the two Shareholders of Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Incorporated.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council, in its capacity as Shareholder of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)

a.  pursuant to Section 7.4.1(a) of the City's Amended and Restated Shareholder Direction to Toronto Community Housing Corporation approve the term sheet substantially in the form attached as Attachment 1 to the report (April 26, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (the Term Sheet) between Toronto Community Housing Corporation as "Borrower" and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation as "Lender" for refinancing totalling $64.8 million in order to address the renewal of 22 Toronto Community Housing Corporation mortgages ("Mortgaged Properties") totalling $25.9 million, as well as obtaining incremental financing of $38.9 million (less transaction costs and legal fees);

b.  authorize the net amount of incremental financing be held in trust by the Lender invested for the Borrower within a separate account (the "Capital Expenditure Investment Account") for release to pay costs of major repairs and maintenance on the Mortgaged Properties as allocated by the Lender in Appendices 2 and 3 (the "Cap-Ex Reserve Funds") of the Term Sheet in the report (April 26, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration;

c.  authorize the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer or his delegate to execute on behalf of the shareholder an amendment to the agreement among the City, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation which will provide for an amended City guarantee for the repayment of all principal and interest payable by Toronto Community Housing Corporation to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation under the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017  financing agreements on conditions satisfactory to the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer or his delegate and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council deem the foregoing guarantee to be in the interests of the City.

3.  City Council, in its capacity as Service Manager under the Housing Services Act, 2011 (the HSA):

a.  grant Service Manager consent to Toronto Community Housing Corporation pursuant to section 162(2) of the HSA to mortgage those properties described in Appendix 1 of the Term Sheet in the report (April 26, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration that require Service Manager consent to secure the obligations of Toronto Community Housing Corporation to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation described in the Term Sheet;

b.  authorize the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer or his delegate to execute on behalf of the City as Service Manager an amendment to the agreement among the City, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation which will provide for an amended City consent to the lender security over all City subsidies payable with respect to the properties previously mortgaged to secure all loans to be advanced pursuant to the Term Sheet, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer or such delegate and in a form approved by the City Solicitor;

c. authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to:

-  request all necessary third party waivers, consents or other authorizations which the Service Manager is required to seek in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Term Sheet;

-  provide the necessary notice to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing pursuant to Section 163 of the HSA.

4.  City Council consent pursuant to subsection 453.1(6) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to any mortgage or charge given by Toronto Community Housing Corporation to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation with respect to any of the properties described in Appendix 1 to the Term Sheet in the report (April 26, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and that where required, the City Clerk provide a certificate, in registerable form, pursuant to subsection 453.1(9) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

5.  City Council authorize the City Manager or the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to execute and deliver such other notices, consents, authorizations, approvals and agreements on behalf of the City as shareholder or Service Manager in order to facilitate the refinancing of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation mortgages on the properties described in the Term Sheet in the report (April 26, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, including, without limitation, amendments to the Operating Agreement between the City and Toronto Community Housing Corporation.

There are currently a number of long-term Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ("CMHC") mortgages on Toronto Community Housing Corporation ("TCHC") properties that were established in periods when mortgage interest rates were considerably higher than they are today. Until now, Toronto Community Housing Corporation has not been able to refinance these mortgages without incurring substantial prepayment penalties.

However, in mid-July 2016, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation established the eligibility guidelines for a new program that will allow certain housing providers to pay out their long-term Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation mortgages without penalty.  Toronto Community Housing Corporation was able to take advantage of this program with a first group of ten mortgages that were refinanced in 2016.  Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff were recently informed that a second group of twenty-two Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation mortgages on Toronto Community Housing Corporation properties, with an outstanding principal amount approximately $25.9 million, have been approved for prepayment without penalty.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation has negotiated refinancing terms with Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation ("IO") that will result in a new 30-year term for these mortgages at the much lower interest rates that prevail today. By extending the repayment term, Toronto Community Housing Corporation will be able to raise the $25.9 million required to repay the existing Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation mortgages as well as a further $38.9 million in funding that will be used for capital maintenance work on the twenty-two refinanced properties.

These twenty-two properties do not currently receive mortgage subsidies from the City and Toronto Community Housing Corporation is not requesting that mortgage subsidies be provided as part of the refinancing. However, Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation has required that the City provide a guarantee for repayment of all principal and interest payable by Toronto Community Housing Corporation to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation under the proposed refinancing agreement.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council receive the report (May 2, 2017) from the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer for information.

2.  City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 3, 2017) from the City Solicitor remain confidential in its entirety, as it contains advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

The City of Toronto's stormwater management program is currently funded from the water rate. In December 2015, City Council directed staff to develop an implementation plan for a stormwater charge, dedicated to funding the City's stormwater management program, which would result in the removal of the portion from the water rate that currently funds the stormwater management program. After developing a detailed stormwater charge implementation plan, staff executed a substantial consultation campaign to solicit feedback on the model from stakeholders and the general public.

Several issues related to the implementation of a stormwater charge were identified during the development of the implementation plan and the consultation process, the most important of which relate to: potential exemptions from the stormwater charge; no assurance that any overall reduction in a utility bill resulting from the implementation of a stormwater charge would be passed on to a tenant; strong demand from stakeholders and the public for more individualized stormwater charge formulations; and requests for incentives for homeowners. As a result of these issues, staff do not recommend the implementation of a stormwater charge at this time.

The recommendations in this report, if adopted, would direct staff instead to review the water rate structure as it pertains to: identifying fixed-cost elements that would be appropriate to charge as fixed-charges; recovering costs of stormwater management from properties that do not have water accounts; incentivizing stormwater management on large properties; and attracting and retaining the manufacturing sector in Toronto.

The recommendations would also direct staff to assess the state of technology relevant to the viability of automated geographic information system (GIS) analysis of stormwater runoff contributions from properties across Toronto and to periodically report back during the annual budget process with findings of this assessment.

This report should be read in conjunction with the report from the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer entitled Proposed Stormwater Charge -- Results of Consultation and Next Steps dated May 2, 2017 (the "TW Report"). This report has been prepared at the request of the General Manager, Toronto Water, to ensure that Executive Committee and City Council have the related legal advice for consideration along with the Toronto Water Report.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Board of Directors of Toronto Hydro Corporation to issue 200 additional common shares of the Corporation, and authorize the City's purchase of all 200 shares for the aggregate subscription price of $250 million, to be held in the City's investment portfolio, and that this purchase be made by June 30, 2017.

2.  City Council amend section 1.7 of the Investment Policy to permit, as an authorized and suitable investment, the purchase of shares of Toronto Hydro Corporation pursuant to the authority of 142(5) of the Electricity Act, 1998.

3.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to include in the 2018 preliminary budget, a plan to use some portion of the Toronto Hydro dividends enabled by the equity contribution to pay an annual return and reimburse the investment portfolio.

4.  City Council adopt the confidential instructions in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 2, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

5.  City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 2, 2017) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer remain confidential until such time as the Clerk receives written confirmation by Toronto Hydro Corporation that it has met its requirements under the Ontario Securities Act pertaining to the disclosure of material change to the Corporation.

The purpose of this report is to outline the implementation details for the City's $250 million equity investment in Toronto Hydro Corporation (THC), and to restore and enhance Toronto Hydro Corporation's dividends payable to the City.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

New City-Wide Real Estate Service Delivery Model

1.  City Council approve a new real estate service delivery model for the City government that centralizes all real estate activities City-wide, including all real estate strategy and portfolio planning, major building projects, developments, real estate transactions and facilities management as outlined in Figure 1 to the report (May 8, 2017) from the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

2.  City Council dissolve the Real Estate Advisory Committee effective immediately and thank the members for their service.

Establishment of a New Real Estate Agency

3.  City Council establish a new City agency ("Toronto Realty Agency") and delegate its authority pursuant to section 143 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to manage the City's real estate portfolio, develop City buildings and lands for municipal purposes and deliver client focused real estate solutions to City divisions, agencies and corporations.

4.  City Council establish a separate Toronto Municipal Code Chapter for the Toronto Realty Agency which includes the board governance matters outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (May 8, 2017) from the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, with the following amendments:

a.  the remuneration for public Board members be an annual retainer of $10,000 and $500 per meeting up to a maximum of $20,000 in total annual retainer; and 

b. the remuneration for the Chair be an annual retainer of $50,000 and $500 per meeting up to a maximum of $70,000 in total annual retainer.

5.  City Council approve the following composition for a nine (9) member board for the new Toronto Realty Agency, effective the date of Council appointment, to occur before January 1, 2018:

-  The Mayor or designate appointed by the Mayor;

-  Two (2) Members of Council; and

-  Six (6) public members, one who shall serve as chair appointed by City Council.

6.  City Council direct that the City Manager and the Chief Corporate Officer or designates may attend all meetings of the Toronto Realty Agency, including closed sessions to provide advice to the board and support the implementation of the new City-wide real estate delivery model.

7.  City Council authorize the City Clerk to initiate a recruitment process for the Toronto Realty Agency's board for consideration by the Corporations Nominating Panel for recommendation of appointment to City Council and further, that the interim board of Toronto Realty Agency to provide input to the Corporations Nominating Panel on preferred applicants.  If a member of the interim board has applied to the permanent board, they will be excluded from reviewing and providing input on preferred applicants. 

8.  City Council direct the new Toronto Realty Agency to follow the procedures of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, as it applies to committees of Council, with any necessary modifications until such time that the procedures for the Toronto Realty Agency are approved by City Council.

9.  City Council request the new Toronto Realty Agency to develop a procedure by-law by spring 2018 for consideration by the Board and approval by City Council through its Executive Committee.

10.  City Council direct the Board of the Toronto Realty Agency, to bring forward the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer for ratification by City Council and delegate authority to the Board to renew or terminate the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer.

11.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to provide transition support to the interim board including support in the development of the new Toronto Realty Agency's 2018 operating and capital budget submission for Councils consideration as part of the 2018 Budget process.

Implementation of the New City-Wide Real Estate Service Delivery Model

12.  City Council appoint the following individuals as the interim board for the Toronto Realty Agency, effective upon adoption of this report for a term ending upon the effective date of the appointment of the new board (i.e., January 1, 2018), with a mandate solely to initiate a recruitment process for a Chief Executive Officer, provide leadership during the set-up of the new agency and provide direction on transition activities and to consider whether an interim Chief Executive Officer is a necessary part of the transition to the new model:

-  The Mayor or designate appointed by the Mayor;

-  The Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission board;

-  The Chair of Build Toronto board;

-  The Chair of the Toronto Public Library board;

-  Dino Chiesa, as Chair of the Interim Board;

-  Linda Robinson; and

-  Stephen Taylor.

13.  City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor and the Chief Corporate Officer, to report to Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2017 on a Delegation of Authority Framework for Real Estate Matters aligned with the new City-wide real estate model, including a recommendation to rescind or amend the current delegations of authority for real estate matters as required, including, but not limited to Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto Parking Authority, Exhibition Place, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Police Service, Affordable Housing Office, and Long Term Care Homes and Services.

14.  City Council request the boards of Build Toronto and Toronto Port Lands Company to develop transition plans resulting from the new City-wide real estate service delivery model, in consultation with the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the interim board of the Toronto Realty Agency, and report to City Council as the Shareholder in the fourth quarter of 2017, for any required authorities.

15.  City Council request affected City agencies and corporations undertaking real estate or facilities management activities to advise, consult and engage the interim board and/or the permanent board of the new Toronto Realty Agency on the status of their activities and provide such information as may be required in order to provide a full understanding of real estate assets and requirements across the City government, and that the interim board be directed to review any real estate projects that are being undertaken by any of the affected agencies and corporations.

16.  City Council request the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Realty Agency, in collaboration with the Chief Corporate Officer and affected City divisions, agencies, and corporations, and in consultation with the Executive Director Financial Planning, to develop a City-wide real estate strategy for City Council approval in the first quarter of 2019, and prepare an annual performance report to City Council.

17.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Executive Director, Financial Planning acting as a financial liaisons with the Toronto Realty Agency to provide advice on corporate financial planning, budgeting, financial management and financial control matters and services, specific to tax-supported and/or rate-supported operating and capital budgets, but excluding the commercial activities of Toronto Realty Agency and the real estate holding corporations.

18.  City Council appoint the City Clerk as Secretary to provide meeting management support to the interim board and the permanent board of the Toronto Realty Agency.

19.  City Council approve an increase of $0.492 gross and $0 net to the 2017 Operating Budget for Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy for the one-time transition costs of $0.882 million required over the next 12 months ($0.492 million in 2017 and $0.461 million in 2018), with funding provided from the Innovation Reserve Fund (XR1713) for the continuation of a transition team including the seven (7) temporary positions previously approved by Council for a cross-functional Program Management Office, for a 12 month period to support the City-wide Real Estate model implementation.

20.  City Council direct the City Manager and the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Realty Agency to develop the terms of an operational Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and the City, to be submitted to City Council for approval in the first quarter of 2018.

In July 2016, City Council approved, in principle, the direction to move to a centralized service delivery model for real estate. There are many City entities (over 24 divisions, agencies and corporations) involved in real estate activities with varying governance structures, program objectives, investment plans, processes, data and technology, skill and expertise. The current state of real estate management is made up of an entangled system of governance and service delivery, and when coupled with increasing real estate demands it poses considerable challenges to achieving desired city-building outcomes.

The City of Toronto owns one of the most expansive, diverse and valuable real estate portfolios in North America (8,446 properties and over 106.3 million square feet), with significant operational ($1.1 billion) and capital ($1 billion) expenditures per year, and an estimated assessed value of $27 billion.

There is now an opportunity to move forward with a new City-wide service delivery model, with centralized accountability for real estate stewardship, and a broader mandate to implement a strategic approach to real estate planning.  A model which applies a strategic city-wide lens and drives sophisticated management practices to ensure the most effective use of real estate assets and capital dollars to benefit the City.

This report sets out a new centralized model to manage the City's real estate assets through its lifecycle, deliver real estate services to City divisions, agencies and corporations, support city- building priorities through maximizing the use of City lands, pursue real estate opportunities to serve the public interest, and leverage surplus City lands to generate value for the City government.

The new model centralizes real estate activities across the City government and includes:

1.  The Real Estate Services and Facilities Management divisions under the current Chief Corporate Office, with an expanded city-wide scope and mandate to execute and coordinate day-to-day real estate transactions and facilities management; and

2.  A new realty agency (the "Toronto Realty Agency") to manage the City’s real estate portfolio, develop City buildings and lands for municipal purposes and deliver client‑focused real estate solutions to City divisions, agencies and corporations. In addition, the Toronto Realty Agency will leverage a real estate holding corporation with necessary real estate tools and instruments (e.g., to deliver joint ventures, manage environmentally sensitive properties, etc).

This is a transformational shift for the City. The key benefits of the new model include:

-  Coordinated stewardship of the City's real estate assets, and the ability to execute a mandate focused on supporting programs and enabling city-building (e.g., affordable housing);

-  A strong accountability and governance structure with the necessary Council oversight, and built in flexibility to operate in the changing marketplace;

-  Real estate expertise to modernize and harmonize operations, and to drive service delivery to programs while maintaining a presence at the local / community levels;

-  The capacity to maximize real estate value in pursuit of social, economic, environmental, and program benefits, while achieving new revenue and cost savings; and

-  The ability to evolve over time and adjust as required to meet the City’s changing and complex needs.

Business transformation of this scale and level of complexity will require a multi-year approach - a deliberate maturity model – that will incubate operational modernization, governance reform, and implement leading practices for asset management, real estate strategy and portfolio planning taking a whole of government approach.

If approved, the new model will launch on January 1, 2018, with the operating structures (i.e., Real Estate Services, Facilities Management, and the new Toronto Realty Agency) working collaboratively together.  The implementation will be phased over a 3 year period and evaluated to ensure it is working effectively.

This report presents the transition strategy and initial implementation plan. Set-up activities for the new model will take place during the third and fourth quarters of 2017. A follow-up report will be brought forward to committee and Council in the fourth quarter of 2017 with further implementation details, including  a recommendations on amendments to delegated authorities; a transition plan for divisions, agencies and corporations (e.g., activities and authorities); establishing financial processes; creating a formal name for the Toronto Realty Agency; and appointment of the Toronto Realty Agency Board of Directors.

It is anticipated that the full transformation to high-performing operations and using industry leading strategies, talent, processes, and technology is expected to take three to five years.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request that the Province of Ontario adopt regulations and make any other legislative amendments required to adjust the vacancy rebate program as follows:

a. for the period January 1 to June 30, 2017, the applicable rebate percentage for qualifying vacancies be set at 30 per cent for properties in any of the commercial tax classes, and 35 per cent for properties in any of the industrial tax classes;

b. for the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, the applicable rebate percentage for qualifying vacancies be set at 15 per cent for properties in any of the commercial tax classes, and 35 per cent for properties in any of the industrial tax classes;

c. effective July 1, 2018, the vacancy rebate program for commercial and industrial properties be discontinued; and

d. that the Minister of Finance prescribe a deadline date of February 28, 2018 for receipt of applications for vacancies occurring in 2017, and a deadline date of September 28, 2018 for receipt of applications for vacancies occurring in 2018.

2.  City Council approve that, for the 2018 taxation year, the final municipal tax rates for the industrial classes be reduced by an amount equivalent to half of the estimated municipal portion of industrial taxes to be rebated under the vacant unit program for 2017, with the other half to be reduced in 2019.

3.  City Council request that the Province of Ontario, in setting Toronto's education rates for 2018, reduce the commercial and industrial education tax rates by the estimated amount of the education portion of rebates that would have otherwise been rebated within each of the commercial and industrial property tax classes respectively, or alternatively, that these amounts be directed to the City of Toronto for reinvestment in accordance with Recommendations 5 and 6.

4.  City Council authorize the Treasurer to forward the report (May 5, 2017) from the Treasurer and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and Council's decision to the Ontario Minister of Finance and to provide any additional information required to clarify the intent of the adoption of Recommendations 1 and 3.

5.  City Council request that the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, report back within the context of the 2018 budget process on proposals that would see a portion of the reduction in rebate expenditures reinvested in programs or initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation by enhancing local retail areas that are challenged by high vacancy rates.

6.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer report within the context of the 2018 budget process on a plan to reinvest the remainder of the reduction in rebate expenditures, in programs or initiatives that support Toronto's poverty reduction strategy and to balance the tax-supported budget.

7.  City Council request the Treasurer and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report to the Budget Committee on the financial and other implications of changes to the tax rates for the Commercial and Industrial Vacant Land and Excess Land Subclasses as part of the 2018 budget process.

8.  City Council authorize the introduction of any necessary by-laws to give effect to the foregoing.

In 2016, the Ontario Ministry of Finance, as part of the Special Purpose Business Property Assessment Review (SPBPAR), conducted consultations on possible amendments to the Municipal Act/City of Toronto Act provisions surrounding vacancy rebates, both with a municipal reference group and a business reference group (commercial/industrial property owners and advocacy groups).

On November 14, 2016, the Province released its Fall Economic Statement that provided additional tax policy flexibility to municipalities. Municipalities may now tailor their business property tax programs such as the Vacant Commercial and Industrial Unit Rebate (VUR) and Vacant/Excess land subclass tax reductions to meet local municipal objectives.

On February 15, 2017, Toronto City Council adopted Motion 313. The motion proclaims Council's intention to request the Minister of Finance to allow the City to reduce the allowable rebate percentage for the vacant unit rebate program for commercial and industrial properties by 50 percent, effective July 2017 and to eliminate the program entirely in 2018. Motion 313 also directed staff to report back on possible re-investment opportunities. The Province requires municipalities to engage in consultations and to obtain a Council resolution before changes to the vacant unit rebate program are approved.

This report responds to the direction of City Council to eliminate the Vacant Unit Rebate (VUR) program and includes the findings of the stakeholder consultations undertaken by the City in accordance with Provincial requirements.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and the Director, Affordable Housing Office to report to the Affordable Housing Committee with recommendations to protect single room occupancy units.

2.  City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report on progress towards an affordable housing inclusionary zoning policy for Toronto, as part of the report back on PG5.10.

3.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee in 2017 on the impact on the City of Toronto and its residents, of the sixteen point "Ontario Fair Housing Plan", which was designed to help people find affordable homes, increase supply, protect buyers and renters, and bring stability to the real estate market.

4.  City Council direct the Director, Affordable Housing Office and the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing, in consultation with the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee, to incorporate measures to increase the stock of accessible housing units within the City's affordable housing programs delivered by non-profit and private sectors.

5.  City Council request the Mayor and City Officials to convene a group of private sector rental housing owners and developers and others as appropriate for the purpose of assessing the adequacy of the measures announced by the Government of Ontario concurrent with proposed rent control changes, with the objective of helping to ensure continued increased private sector investment in purpose built rental housing in the City of Toronto. 

6.  City Council write to the Premier to communicate its support for the discontinuation of the exemption pertaining to rent increases for rental housing built or occupied after November 1991 and to amend the rent control provisions so that rent control is tied to the unit not to the tenant.

7.  City Council request the Government of Ontario to amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 to provide for procedures to strengthen tenant awareness of their rights and impose additional responsibilities on landlords to assist with tenant awareness.

8.  City Council request the Government of Ontario to increase the Ontario Works Shelter Allowance to reflect the average market rent in Toronto. 

9.  City Council reaffirm its request to the Government of Ontario to institute an automatic rent freeze in rental buildings for non-compliance with work orders, as adopted by City Council as part of 2013.EX36.2.

10.  City Council request the Government of Ontario to expedite improvements to eligibility and increase funding for Legal Aid clinics to promote housing stability.

The Executive Committee:

1.  Requested the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to report to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2017 on additional housing market data which would assist in informing municipal, provincial and federal policy and program decisions.

2.  Requested the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to commission a Market Analysis on Housing in the City of Toronto, which will help to inform the creation of measures to improve the affordability of housing for Toronto residents, and to report to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2017 on the progress.

3.  Requested the City Manager to report to the Executive Committee in the second quarter 2017 on the number of vacant homes in Toronto, and in an effort to encourage the occupancy of these homes, the feasibility of the City implementing a vacant homes tax, including the feasibility of a tax on vacant residential lots.

4.  Requested the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster C to report to the Executive Committee by the end of 2017 on opportunities to expand the City's green energy programs through accessing green energy initiatives contained in the 2017 federal budget and to include a review of City incentives that would encourage building owners to invest in green energy programs/retrofits, including the use of recoverable debt to finance energy retrofits. Further, such report to include strategies to ensure that energy savings will be passed on to tenants.

5.  Requested the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A and the Director, Affordable Housing Office to report to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2017 on opportunities to maximize the creation of new rental housing through accessing affordable housing funding provided for in the 2017 federal budget.

6.  Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A to report to Executive Committee by the end of 2017 on recommended actions related to the creation of secondary residential units including laneway suites; further to include in such report strategies, tools, by-laws, and licensing requirements, to ensure long term affordability for prospective tenants.

7.  Requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Tenant Issues Committee prior to the 2018 Budget Process on the status of the Tenant Defence Fund review.

Toronto's rental housing market has become increasingly unaffordable for many people.

The challenges of finding and keeping a decent and affordable place to live are affecting people across the rental spectrum in all areas of the city.

Rents are rapidly rising beyond the rate of inflation and on the turnover from one tenant to the next the unit is frequently being rented to the highest bidder. Due to historically low vacancy rates and a lack of new purpose-built rental supply, more and more residents are finding themselves precariously housed by renting condominiums.

Despite the ongoing construction of new condominiums, there remains a critical shortage of homes that people can afford. As a result of market pressures and a lack of protection for any rental unit built after 1991, some tenants in condominiums have recently reported annual rent increases between 10 percent and 50 percent.

The situation has become critical as it is increasingly affecting the social and economic success of Toronto. Many residents are being priced out of the housing market, threatening the city's ability to attract investment, good jobs and maintain social cohesion.

The time has come for everyone involved including non-profit, community and private-sector organizations to work with all levels of government and governmental agencies to tackle the rental crisis that is threatening our livability and prosperity.

As a first step, we have asked the Affordable Housing Committee and the Tenant Issues Committee to meet to review rental housing in our city and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and Council. This will allow us to take stock of what is happening in Toronto's rental housing market and hear first-hand from the public and stakeholders most affected. We look forward to a productive meeting that will contribute to short and long-term solutions that will make Toronto a more affordable and livable city for renters.

Toronto's rental housing market has become increasingly unaffordable for many people.

The challenges of finding and keeping a decent and affordable place to live are affecting people across the rental spectrum in all areas of the city.

Rents are rapidly rising beyond the rate of inflation and on the turnover from one tenant to the next the unit is frequently being rented to the highest bidder. Due to historically low vacancy rates and a lack of new purpose-built rental supply, more and more residents are finding themselves precariously housed by renting condominiums.

Despite the ongoing construction of new condominiums, there remains a critical shortage of homes that people can afford. As a result of market pressures and a lack of protection for any rental unit built after 1991, some tenants in condominiums have recently reported annual rent increases between 10 percent and 50 percent.

The situation has become critical as it is increasingly affecting the social and economic success of Toronto. Many residents are being priced out of the housing market, threatening the city's ability to attract investment, good jobs and maintain social cohesion.

The time has come for everyone involved including non-profit, community and private-sector organizations to work with all levels of government and governmental agencies to tackle the rental crisis that is threatening our livability and prosperity.

As a first step, we have asked the Affordable Housing Committee and the Tenant Issues Committee to meet to review rental housing in our city and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and Council. This will allow us to take stock of what is happening in Toronto's rental housing market and hear first-hand from the public and stakeholders most affected. We look forward to a productive meeting that will contribute to short and long-term solutions that will make Toronto a more affordable and livable city for renters.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with the City of Toronto capital spending for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, as well as projected actual expenditures to December 31, 2017. Furthermore, this report seeks Council's approval for in-year budget adjustments to the 2017 Approved Capital Budget and changes to previously approved 2016 Carry Forward Funding.

The report also details the 36 completed capital projects with a combined budget of $322.090 million that are ready to be closed. They have been completed under budget, realizing a saving of $2.305 million. The savings which includes $0.030 million in debt funding, $0.940 million in reserves/reserve funds funding, $0.086 million in development charges funding and $1.249 million in recoverable debt funding will be returned to their original funding sources.

Table 1: Three Months and Year-End Projected Spending Rate

The spending pattern for the first three months of 2017 is consistent with prior years at a low spending rate of 5.4 percent reflecting the start-up of capital activities. As detailed by City Program and Agency in Appendix 1, expenditures to year-end are expected to reach $4.387 billion or 83.0 percent of the total 2017 Approved Capital Budget. Of these adjustments, 29 of the 33 City Programs and Agencies have year-end projected spending rate in excess of 70 percent: Tax Supported Programs project a spending rate of 81.9 percent while Rate Supported Programs project spending rate of 86.9 percent by year-end.

Figure 1 below shows that the City's capital spending at year-end is expected to reach $4.387 billion or 83.0 percent of 2017 Council Approved Capital Budget.

Figure 1: 2012 - 2017 Capital Spending Rate

(See Figure 1 titled "2012 - 2017 Capital Spending Rate"

in the Summary section of the report dated April 25, 2017

from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer)

Both the 2017 Approved Capital Budget (including carry forward funding) and actual spending have been trending upward at a relatively steady rate over the last 5 years. Namely, Toronto Transit Commission increased actual spending from 71.8 percent in 2015 and is projecting spend over 89.0 percent in 2017; Facilities Management increased spending from 47.8 percent in 2015 and is projecting to spend 65.5 percent in 2017; Transportation Services increased spending from 69.5 percent in 2015 to a projected spending rate of 74.6 percent in 2017 and Park, Forestry and Recreation increased spending from 50.5 percent in 2015 to a projected spending rate of 61.7 percent in 2017.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with the City of Toronto capital spending for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, as well as projected actual expenditures to December 31, 2017. Furthermore, this report seeks Council's approval for in-year budget adjustments to the 2017 Approved Capital Budget and changes to previously approved 2016 Carry Forward Funding.

The report also details the 36 completed capital projects with a combined budget of $322.090 million that are ready to be closed. They have been completed under budget, realizing a saving of $2.305 million. The savings which includes $0.030 million in debt funding, $0.940 million in reserves/reserve funds funding, $0.086 million in development charges funding and $1.249 million in recoverable debt funding will be returned to their original funding sources.

Table 1: Three Months and Year-End Projected Spending Rate

The spending pattern for the first three months of 2017 is consistent with prior years at a low spending rate of 5.4 percent reflecting the start-up of capital activities. As detailed by City Program and Agency in Appendix 1, expenditures to year-end are expected to reach $4.387 billion or 83.0 percent of the total 2017 Approved Capital Budget. Of these adjustments, 29 of the 33 City Programs and Agencies have year-end projected spending rate in excess of 70 percent: Tax Supported Programs project a spending rate of 81.9 percent while Rate Supported Programs project spending rate of 86.9 percent by year-end.

Figure 1 below shows that the City's capital spending at year-end is expected to reach $4.387 billion or 83.0 percent of 2017 Council Approved Capital Budget.

Figure 1: 2012 - 2017 Capital Spending Rate

(See Figure 1 titled "2012 - 2017 Capital Spending Rate"

in the Summary section of the report dated April 25, 2017

from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer)

Both the 2017 Approved Capital Budget (including carry forward funding) and actual spending have been trending upward at a relatively steady rate over the last 5 years. Namely, Toronto Transit Commission increased actual spending from 71.8 percent in 2015 and is projecting spend over 89.0 percent in 2017; Facilities Management increased spending from 47.8 percent in 2015 and is projecting to spend 65.5 percent in 2017; Transportation Services increased spending from 69.5 percent in 2015 to a projected spending rate of 74.6 percent in 2017 and Park, Forestry and Recreation increased spending from 50.5 percent in 2015 to a projected spending rate of 61.7 percent in 2017.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with the operating variance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 as well as year-end projections. This report also requests City Council's approval for amendments to the 2017 Approved Operating Budget between Programs that have no impact on the City's 2017 Approved Net Operating Budget.

Figure 1: Tax Supported Operating Net Variance Summary ($ Millions)

Year-to-Date Spending Results:

As noted in Figure 1 above, for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, Tax Supported Operations reported a favourable net variance or surplus of $26.567 million or 3.6 percent and year-end projected surplus of $36.926 million or 0.9 percent. It is important to note that the entire projected year-end City surplus is essentially the result of higher Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues.

The year-to-date net under-spending was primarily driven by:

- Over-achieved Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenue primarily attributed to higher sales and home prices ($32.482 million net).

- Under-expenditures by the Toronto Transit Commission - Conventional Service ($11.374 million net) for diesel consumption, depreciation, PRESTO fees and other expenses which were partially off-set by lower ridership revenue.

- Over-achieved revenue from the Third Party Sign Tax as invoices were generated earlier than planned ($11.070 million net) for the first quarter. Third Party Sign Tax is anticipated to be on budget at year-end.

As per Council's direction at its meeting of October 5, 6, and 7, 2016, City Planning and Toronto Building were separated from the summary section, in order to report directly to City Council on the fee - based portions of City Planning and Toronto Building's operating variances, separate from the tax-based operations.

- City Planning - The Program has reported favourable year-to-date net variance of $0.945 million and a year-end projected favourable net variance of $0.978 million. In accordance with City Council's direction, the surplus will be transferred to the Development Application Review Reserve Fund at year-end.

- Toronto Building - The Program has experienced a favourable year-to-date net variance of $1.133 million, and is projecting a year-end favourable net variance of $2.932 million to be contributed to the Building Code Act Service Improvement Reserve Fund, in accordance with the Building Code Act.

Under-spending in other Programs and Agencies is primarily due to vacant positions. A large number of the vacant positions are expected to be filled by year-end. More detailed explanations at the Program level can be found in the complement section of this report.

Year-End Spending Projections:

Based on this current trend, the City is projecting a net favourable year-end variance or surplus of $36.926 million or 0.9 percent. It is important to note that the projected entire City surplus is almost entirely the result of higher Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues. The key drivers for the expected year-end net position is largely due to the following:

- Higher than budgeted Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues due to higher than expected sales revenue achieved in the first quarter of 2017 ($32.482 million net).

- Under-spending in Debt Charges as a result of not issuing $150 million in debt for December of 2016 ($3.678 million net).

- Under-expenditures within Court Services are attributed to hiring delays for the Toronto Local Appeal Body and the Administrative Penalty System as well as from processing a lower volume of tickets written and filed by enforcement agencies, predominantly by Toronto Police Service which is expected to issue 31,956 fewer charges than planned ($3.084 million net).

The above favourable variance will be partially offset by projected over-expenditures in the following areas:

- Shelter, Support and Housing Administration forecasts an unfavourable net year-end position resulting from over-spending in Hostel Services as occupancy pressures in the Shelter system are expected to persist throughout 2017. Pressures in Hostel Services will be closely monitored and are expected to be partially offset by under-spending in Social Housing provider subsidies as well as a draw of $3 million from the Social Housing Stabilization Reserve being a one-time contribution approved by City Council on April 26th, 2017 when it adopted item CD19.11 "Service Level Impact of the 2017 Service Adjustments to Shelter, Support and Housing Administration".

- Under-achieved utility cut repair net revenue due to lower than expected volumes for Transportation Services. This over-expenditure will be mitigated partially by lower contract costs and decreased salt usage in the winter maintenance program due to mild winter conditions in the first quarter of 2017.

- Unfavourable year-end variance for Tax Deficiencies/Write-offs primarily due to a change in the timing for properties being eligible for TIEG grants ($1.526 million net).

Rate Supported Programs:

Figure 2: Rate Supported Net Variance Summary ($ Millions)

For rate supported services, the year-to-date favourable net variance of $5.809 million was driven by the following:

- A year-to-date favourable variance of $9.436 million net, in Toronto Water, comprised of lower expenditures of $4.0 million mainly due to under-spending in salaries and benefits as a result of vacancies, lower than anticipated demand for electricity, professional and technical services and lower than anticipated payments in-lieu of taxes. In addition, higher revenues of $5.4 million primarily from stronger than anticipated volume of water sold and fees for new service connections add to this variance.

- An unfavourable variance of $0.145 million net, in the Toronto Parking Authority, largely attributed to lower off-street revenues from downtown garages and surface carparks and higher rent expense for managed carparks. This was partially offset by lower utility costs, depreciation and pay and display network communication combined with stronger on-street revenues.

- An unfavourable variance within Solid Waste Management Services of $3.482 million net due primarily to under-achieved revenues attributed to lower collections from a delay in collecting 2016 accrued billings and lower realized sale of recyclable revenues due to lower volumes at the Arrow Road Mixed Recycle Facility.

Collectively, Rate Supported Programs are projecting a favourable year-end net variance of $17.733 million. It is primarily driven by Toronto Water ($14.150 million net) due to ongoing vacancies, lower than anticipated hydro rates and usage and under-spending for parts, materials, professional and technical services. Toronto Water revenues are also forecasted to be higher than budgeted from an increase in new water and sewer service connections. Solid Waste Management Services is anticipating net under-spending ($3.583 million) by year-end largely from lower salaries and benefits due to vacancies, offset by higher contracted processing service costs as a result of less than expected tonnages combined with higher inter-divisional charges for fleet maintenance. The Toronto Parking Authority is anticipated to be on budget at year-end.

Complement:

Figure 3: 2017 Year-To-Date Approved Complement by Vacancy Rate

*Corporate Accounts are largely driven by Parking Enforcement Unit vacancies.

Vacancy after Gapping % is based on operating positions only.

Figure 4: 2017 Year-End Approved Complement Projections by Vacancy Rate.

*Corporate Accounts are largely driven by Parking Enforcement Unit vacancies.

Vacancy after Gapping % is based on operating positions only.

- As of March 31, 2017, the City recorded an operating vacancy rate of 1.8 percent after gapping for an approved complement of 50,938.0 operating positions. The year-to-date vacancy rate for capital positions was 20.2 percent for an approved complement of 3,480.6 positions.

- The year-end operating vacancy rate after gapping is projected to be 0.1 percent for an approved complement of 50,801.0 operating positions. The forecasted vacancy rate for capital positions is projected to be 5.9 percent for an approved complement of 3,490.6 positions.

The detailed overview of the third fiscal quarter complement is provided in the Approved Complement Section of this report.

The purpose of this report is to provide City Council with the operating variance for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 as well as year-end projections. This report also requests City Council's approval for amendments to the 2017 Approved Operating Budget between Programs that have no impact on the City's 2017 Approved Net Operating Budget.

Figure 1: Tax Supported Operating Net Variance Summary ($ Millions)

Year-to-Date Spending Results:

As noted in Figure 1 above, for the three month period ended March 31, 2017, Tax Supported Operations reported a favourable net variance or surplus of $26.567 million or 3.6% and year-end projected surplus of $36.926 million or 0.9%. It is important to note that the entire projected year-end City surplus is essentially the result of higher Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues.

The year-to-date net under-spending was primarily driven by:

- Over-achieved Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenue primarily attributed to higher sales and home prices ($32.482 million net).

- Under-expenditures by the Toronto Transit Commission - Conventional Service ($11.374 million net) for diesel consumption, depreciation, PRESTO fees and other expenses which were partially off-set by lower ridership revenue.

- Over-achieved revenue from the Third Party Sign Tax as invoices were generated earlier than planned ($11.070 million net) for the first quarter. Third Party Sign Tax is anticipated to be on budget at year-end.

As per Council's direction at its meeting of October 5, 6, and 7, 2016, City Planning and Toronto Building were separated from the summary section, in order to report directly to City Council on the fee - based portions of City Planning and Toronto Building's operating variances, separate from the tax-based operations.

- City Planning - The Program has reported favourable year-to-date net variance of $0.945 million and a year-end projected favourable net variance of $0.978 million. In accordance with City Council's direction, the surplus will be transferred to the Development Application Review Reserve Fund at year-end.

- Toronto Building - The Program has experienced a favourable year-to-date net variance of $1.133 million, and is projecting a year-end favourable net variance of $2.932 million to be contributed to the Building Code Act Service Improvement Reserve Fund, in accordance with the Building Code Act.

Under-spending in other Programs and Agencies is primarily due to vacant positions. A large number of the vacant positions are expected to be filled by year-end. More detailed explanations at the Program level can be found in the complement section of this report.

Year-End Spending Projections:

Based on this current trend, the City is projecting a net favourable year-end variance or surplus of $36.926 million or 0.9 percent. It is important to note that the projected entire City surplus is almost entirely the result of higher Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues. The key drivers for the expected year-end net position is largely due to the following:

- Higher than budgeted Municipal Land Transfer Tax revenues due to higher than expected sales revenue achieved in the first quarter of 2017 ($32.482 million net).

- Under-spending in Debt Charges as a result of not issuing $150 million in debt for December of 2016 ($3.678 million net).

- Under-expenditures within Court Services are attributed to hiring delays for the Toronto Local Appeal Body and the Administrative Penalty System as well as from processing a lower volume of tickets written and filed by enforcement agencies, predominantly by Toronto Police Service which is expected to issue 31,956 fewer charges than planned ($3.084 million net).

The above favourable variance will be partially offset by projected over-expenditures in the following areas:

- Shelter, Support and Housing Administration forecasts an unfavourable net year-end position resulting from over-spending in Hostel Services as occupancy pressures in the Shelter system are expected to persist throughout 2017. Pressures in Hostel Services will be closely monitored and are expected to be partially offset by under-spending in Social Housing provider subsidies as well as a draw of $3 million from the Social Housing Stabilization Reserve being a one-time contribution approved by City Council on April 26th, 2017 when it adopted item CD19.11 "Service Level Impact of the 2017 Service Adjustments to Shelter, Support and Housing Administration".

- Under-achieved utility cut repair net revenue due to lower than expected volumes for Transportation Services. This over-expenditure will be mitigated partially by lower contract costs and decreased salt usage in the winter maintenance program due to mild winter conditions in the first quarter of 2017.

- Unfavourable year-end variance for Tax Deficiencies/Write-offs primarily due to a change in the timing for properties being eligible for TIEG grants ($1.526 million net).

Rate Supported Programs:

Figure 2: Rate Supported Net Variance Summary ($ Millions)

For rate supported services, the year-to-date favourable net variance of $5.809 million was driven by the following:

- A year-to-date favourable variance of $9.436 million net, in Toronto Water, comprised of lower expenditures of $4.0 million mainly due to under-spending in salaries and benefits as a result of vacancies, lower than anticipated demand for electricity, professional and technical services and lower than anticipated payments in-lieu of taxes. In addition, higher revenues of $5.4 million primarily from stronger than anticipated volume of water sold and fees for new service connections add to this variance.

- An unfavourable variance of $0.145 million net, in the Toronto Parking Authority, largely attributed to lower off-street revenues from downtown garages and surface carparks and higher rent expense for managed carparks. This was partially offset by lower utility costs, depreciation and pay and display network communication combined with stronger on-street revenues.

- An unfavourable variance within Solid Waste Management Services of $3.482 million net due primarily to under-achieved revenues attributed to lower collections from a delay in collecting 2016 accrued billings and lower realized sale of recyclable revenues due to lower volumes at the Arrow Road Mixed Recycle Facility.

Collectively, Rate Supported Programs are projecting a favourable year-end net variance of $17.733 million. It is primarily driven by Toronto Water ($14.150 million net) due to ongoing vacancies, lower than anticipated hydro rates and usage and under-spending for parts, materials, professional and technical services. Toronto Water revenues are also forecasted to be higher than budgeted from an increase in new water and sewer service connections. Solid Waste Management Services is anticipating net under-spending ($3.583 million) by year-end largely from lower salaries and benefits due to vacancies, offset by higher contracted processing service costs as a result of less than expected tonnages combined with higher inter-divisional charges for fleet maintenance. The Toronto Parking Authority is anticipated to be on budget at year-end.

Complement:

Figure 3: 2017 Year-To-Date Approved Complement by Vacancy Rate

*Corporate Accounts are largely driven by Parking Enforcement Unit vacancies.

Vacancy after Gapping % is based on operating positions only.

Figure 4: 2017 Year-End Approved Complement Projections by Vacancy Rate.

*Corporate Accounts are largely driven by Parking Enforcement Unit vacancies.

Vacancy after Gapping % is based on operating positions only.

- As of March 31, 2017, the City recorded an operating vacancy rate of 1.8 percent after gapping for an approved complement of 50,938.0 operating positions. The year-to-date vacancy rate for capital positions was 20.2 percent for an approved complement of 3,480.6 positions.

- The year-end operating vacancy rate after gapping is projected to be 0.1 percent for an approved complement of 50,801.0 operating positions. The forecasted vacancy rate for capital positions is projected to be 5.9 percent for an approved complement of 3,490.6 positions.

The detailed overview of the third fiscal quarter complement is provided in the Approved Complement Section of this report.

The purpose of this report is to amend the Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy (FREEE) 2017 Council Approved Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Capital Plan.  The amendments will have zero gross and net debt impact and will better align 2017 and future cash flows with Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy program requirements.

The purpose of this report is to amend the Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy (FREEE) 2017 Council Approved Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Capital Plan. The amendments will have zero gross and net debt impact and will better align 2017 and future cash flows with Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy program requirements.

This report requests City Council's authority to amend Toronto Water's Approved 2017 Capital Budget and  2018-2026 Capital Plan by adjusting project costs and cash flows contained within the Budget and Plan, respectively, to align the 2017 Capital Budget with changes made to the 2016 Capital Budget at year end.  Additional reallocations to project cashflows and project costs are requested where recent project bids exceed the current approved cashflow. These reallocations will allow Toronto Water to continue to deliver projects within its capital plan.  The adjustments will have a zero dollar impact on the 2017 Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Capital Budget and Plan and will align the budget and plan with Toronto Water's capital project delivery schedule and program requirements.

This report requests City Council's authority to amend Toronto Water's Approved 2017 Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Capital Plan by adjusting project costs and cash flows contained within the Budget and Plan, respectively, to align the 2017 Capital Budget with changes made to the 2016 Capital Budget at year end. Additional reallocations to project cashflows and project costs are requested where recent project bids exceed the current approved cashflow. These reallocations will allow Toronto Water to continue to deliver projects within its capital plan. The adjustments will have a zero dollar impact on the 2017 Capital Budget and 2018-2026 Capital Budget and Plan and will align the budget and plan with Toronto Water's capital project delivery schedule and program requirements.

City Council, at its special meeting on February 15, 2017, adopted as amended the Transportation Services 2017 Operating Budget.  In so doing, City Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to the Budget Committee on the details of the proposed application fee for the Utility Cut Repair Program that was included in the approved budget, following further consultation with the affected utility companies.

Cuts into the City of Toronto's estimated 5,600 kilometres of roads by utility companies has long been a concern.  When a utility approaches the City for a permit to undertake a utility cut, there are two paths that its application can take:

- "Short stream" applications - where limited or no conflicts with other planned capital works are identified.
- "Full stream" applications - where detailed engineering review and coordination must take place.
 

The City issues an average of approximately 50,000 "short stream" permits annually to utility companies. 

Inspection and permit fees have never been collected for "short stream" permit applications, despite a fee being charged for the review of "full stream" applications. Staff therefore included in the approved 2017 Operating Budget the introduction of an application fee, in accordance with the City's User Fee Policy, to recover the cost of reviewing and processing these permit applications. 

Although the utility companies were advised in 2016 of this possible fee, there was no opportunity to undertake a detailed analysis of the proposed fee and to conduct extensive consultation with the affected utility companies prior to the submission of the 2017 Operating Budget.

In the near future, a companion report will be complted that will outline new methods of permanent restoration that will have lesser impact on residential communities and minimize the need for temporary repairs.

City Council, at its special meeting on February 15, 2017, adopted as amended the Transportation Services 2017 Operating Budget. In so doing, City Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to the Budget Committee on the details of the proposed application fee for the Utility Cut Repair Program that was included in the approved budget, following further consultation with the affected utility companies.

Cuts into the City of Toronto's estimated 5,600 kilometres of roads by utility companies has long been a concern. When a utility approaches the City for a permit to undertake a utility cut, there are two paths that its application can take:

- "Short stream" applications - where limited or no conflicts with other planned capital works are identified.
- "Full stream" applications - where detailed engineering review and coordination must take place.

The City issues an average of approximately 50,000 "short stream" permits annually to utility companies.

Inspection and permit fees have never been collected for "short stream" permit applications, despite a fee being charged for the review of "full stream" applications. Staff therefore included in the approved 2017 Operating Budget the introduction of an application fee, in accordance with the City's User Fee Policy, to recover the cost of reviewing and processing these permit applications.

Although the utility companies were advised in 2016 of this possible fee, there was no opportunity to undertake a detailed analysis of the proposed fee and to conduct extensive consultation with the affected utility companies prior to the submission of the 2017 Operating Budget.

In the near future, a companion report will be complted that will outline new methods of permanent restoration that will have lesser impact on residential communities and minimize the need for temporary repairs.

The purpose of this report is to establish the 2018 Budget process and schedule to review and approve the Tax and Rate Supported 2018 Operating Budget and the 2018 to 2027 Tax and Rate Capital Budget and Plan for the City of Toronto.

The recommended 2018 Budget Process and Schedule is designed so that the Rate Supported Budgets are approved by December 7, 2017 and the Tax Supported Budgets are approved by February 13, 2018.

To ensure adequate time to review agency board budget submissions and to assess service and expense risks, it is recommended that City Council direct all City Agencies to submit their respective budget submissions in accordance with the submission timelines and requirements determined by the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and submit their final Board-approved budget submissions no later than October 1, 2017.

This report also lays out the 2018 operating revenue and expenditure projections which have been, in part, determined by decisions approved in the 2017 Budget process as well as anticipated costs and revenues associated with maintaining approved service levels. These projected pressures are presented to assist Budget Committee and Council in establishing recommended budget targets and directions for City Programs, Agencies, and Accountability Offices in order to address significant budget pressures forecasted for 2018. These estimates are projected based on current information and are not final. These estimates will change with the receipt of actual budget submissions.

A net tax supported expenditure increase of $343 million is projected for 2018. This estimate is driven by an assumed 2 percent residential tax rate increase. These estimates account for the reversal of $91 million in one-time bridging strategies approved in the 2017 Budget.

Operating expenses are forecasted to increase by $499 million with the City's key Agencies - TTC ($126 million); TCHC ($72 million); Toronto Police ($9 million) and Toronto Public Library and Public Health ($10 million) - and Capital Financing and other Non-Program expenses ($171 million), projected as the key service cost drivers. With revenues assumed to grow by $156 million, net budget pressures are estimated to be $343 million. Cost containment, service efficiency, modernization and service level changes as well as revenue strategies are required to offset net base pressures in order to balance the 2018 Operating Budget. These strategies will simply address current service costs and exclude any funding for new and enhanced service investments.

Given the limited funding for City services, there is little additional financial capacity to fund any new capital works in 2018. As a result, City Programs, Agencies and Accountability Officers must submit 2018 – 2027 Capital Budget and Plans on a status quo basis. This requires capital plan requests to adhere to the 2017 – 2026 Capital Plan’s annual debt funding approved by Council as part of the 2017 Budget process, and projects be added in the new tenth year, 2027, that can be accommodated within current debt targets to be provided by the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to 2017, the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer set targets for all City Programs and Agencies in advance of budget preparation. These targets were met with varying degrees of compliance and impact. Beginning with the 2017 Budget process, Budget Committee recommended budget targets for all City Programs, Agencies and Accountability Offices for approval by City Council.

This report recommends for Budget Committee's consideration an operating budget target that requires all Operating Budget (net) submissions to be equal to their 2017 Net Operating Budget, representing a 0 percent increase over the 2017 Net Operating Budget and a status quo 10-Year Capital Budget and Plan based on the City's current debt limits.

In addressing 2018 budgetary challenges, it will be necessary to ensure consistency between decisions to be taken in 2018 with the City's emerging longer-term priorities.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Government of Ontario to undertake a complete review of the process, conditions and other matters related to the issuance, renewal and use of Accessible Parking Permits and the legal and enforcement aspects of same, and that local city councils, police services and disability support and advocacy organizations (among others) be consulted on the present inadequacies and future improvements which could be made.

The purpose of this report is to request the Executive Committee's support of the Motions approved by the Toronto Police Services Board pertaining to the abuse and misuse of accessible parking permits.

At its meeting of February 23, 2017, the Toronto Police Services Board approved the following Motions:

1. THAT the Board refer the Chief’s report to the City’s Disability, Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAIAC) and any relevant TPS Disability Committees, and request further consultation, and that DAIAC provide a report to the Board following the consultation;

2. THAT the Board request that a complete review be undertaken by the Government of Ontario with respect to the process, conditions and other matters related to the issuance, renewal and use of Accessible Parking Permits and the legal and enforcement aspects of same, and that local councils, police services and disability support and advocacy organizations (among others) be consulted on the present inadequacies and future improvements which could be made;

3 THAT a copy of this Motion be forwarded to the City of Toronto Executive Committee with a request for support; and

4 THAT the Board receive Mr. Langenfeld's deputation.

The Board received the Chief's report and agreed to forward a copy to the Executive Committee with a request for support of the Motions contained in the report.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the City Manager to write and invite discussion with the major mobile phone service providers that service Toronto (Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom Mobile) and the major smartphone manufacturers to encourage them to work together to activate the FM radio receiver capability in smartphones sold in Canada, and to report on the outcomes of such discussions.

2.  City Council request the Government of Canada to take the requisite steps to require all smartphone manufacturers and mobile phone carriers to activate FM chips in smartphones sold in Canada and to provide technical support and education to foster the Canadian consumer's awareness and use of the FM radio capacity on their smartphone.

City Council on April 26, 27 and 28, 2017, referred Motion MM28.10 to the Executive Committee.

Many smartphones have a radio chip that could pick up an FM radio signal. Smartphones could operate as a radio using very little power and without internet connectivity. However, in Canada, too few smartphone users are able to take advantage of this. There is a campaign led by the National Campus and Community Radio (which represents 95 non-profit radio stations across the Canada) to change this. The cooperation of mobile phone carriers and smartphone manufacturers is needed to "switch on" these chips. In the United States, Sprint did so starting in 2013 and other American carriers have followed suit.

Unlocking FM radio on smartphones would support two important City of Toronto policy initiatives – enhancing our live music sector and strengthening our emergency preparedness.

Improving Torontonians access to FM radio will improve their connection to their local music industry. Many FM stations actively organize and promote live music events. They can also have, as part of their mandate, fostering local and emerging artists.

FM radio on smartphones would be a great help to many people during an emergency and could potentially save lives. In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has come out strongly in support of this initiative and point out that broadcast radio is, at times, the only way to receive emergency information during a disaster, when other services are jammed with overuse.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission requires all Canadian radio stations and TV stations, cable/satellite providers to have the capacity to provide emergency alert messages. Since approximately seventy-five percent of Canadians own a smartphone and people generally keep their smartphone close by, activating the FM chip on them would greatly enhance this Federal Government program. 

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize an amendment to the Parks, Forestry and Recreation's approved 2017 Capital Budget for the Wellesley Community Centre Pool Construction sub-project in the Pool project, to increase the project cost by $3.000 million from $16.000 million to $19.000 million, with the 2019 cash flow increasing from $1.000 million to $4.000 million, funded by $1.900 million from Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Development Charges (XR2114) and $1.100 million from the City-Wide Parkland Development Cash-in-lieu reserve fund (XR2211).

2. City Council authorize the following adjustments to the approved 2017 Capital Budget for the Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre and Child Care Centre Construction projects that is co-located with the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board:

a. Amend the 2017 Parks, Forestry and Recreation Capital Budget for the Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre sub-project in the Community Centre project, by increasing the project cost by $4.876 million from $28.692 million to $33.568 million, with the 2019 cash flow increasing from $3.863 million to $8.739 million, funded by Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Development Charges (XR2114).

b. Amend the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Capital Budget for the Canoe Landing TDSB and TCDSB Schools sub-project in the Community Centre project, by increasing the project cost by $3.509 million from $36.451 million to $39.960 million, with the 2019 cash flow increasing from $6.154 million to $9.663 million, with funding from the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

c. Amend the Children's Services Capital Budget for the Block 31 (Canoe Landing) Child Care Centre Construction project, by increasing the project cost by $1.092 million from $3.628 million to $4.720 million with the 2019 cash flow increasing from $0.426 million to $1.518 million with funding of $0.342 million from the Development Charges Reserve Fund - Child Care (XR2122) and $0.750 million from the Child Care Capital Reserve Fund (XR1103).

The purpose of this report is to obtain authority from City Council to amend the approved 2017 Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PF&R) and Children's Services (CS) Capital Budgets and future year commitments by adjusting project costs and cash flows included within the Budget for the Wellesley Community Centre Pool and Block 31. Block 31 is a co-located shared-use project that includes Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre and Child Care Centre with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Both projects were tendered and the bids exceeded the available funding. Additional funds are required in order to award the contracts to the lowest bidders.

The Board of Health recommends that:  

1. City Council grant authority to the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements totalling $12,235,979 with the Angel Foundation for Learning ($3,201,246.86) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($9,034,732.14) to administer the 2017 approved municipal funding to eligible student nutrition programs across the City of Toronto.

2. City Council grant authority to the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary action to give effect to Recommendation (1), including the execution of legal agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success on behalf of the City.

3. City Council request that the Province of Ontario increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match increased City investment.

4. City Council urge the Province of Ontario to provide annual adjustments to provincial Student Nutrition Program funding in consideration of the impact of food inflation.

5. City Council reiterate its request to the federal government to provide core funding for a national student nutrition program.

The Board of Health forwarded the report (May 3, 2017) from the Medical Officer of Health for information to the:

a. Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services;

b. Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care;

c. Ontario Ministry of Education;

d. Toronto District School Board;

e. Toronto Catholic District School Board;

f. le Conseil scolaire Viamonde;

g. le Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud;

h. Toronto Foundation for Student Success; and

i. Angel Foundation for Learning and FoodShare Toronto.

This report outlines recommendations for the 2017 Student Nutrition Program service subsidy allocations.  The proposed combined allocations to the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success total $12,235,979 including $100,000 held in reserve for appeals/late applications.

The Board of Health recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute and amend, on an ongoing annual basis, the purchase of service contracts for the Mobile Good Food Markets Program (in Appendix E as set out below) to the report (May 3, 2017) from the Medical Officer of Health, within the approved budget and in accordance with established provincial criteria and fee structures.

The Board of Health forwarded the report (May 3, 2017) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Executive Committee for information and consideration.

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the purchase of service contracts awarded and executed by the Medical Officer of Health for 2017, according to the delegation of authority by City Council and to request delegated authority from City Council to the Medical Officer of Health be extended to the purchase of service contract associated with the Mobile Good Food Markets Program.

The Board of Health recommends that:

1. City Council increase the 2017 Toronto Public Health operating budget by $177.9 thousand gross, $44.5 thousand net, fully funded from the first quarter Operating Variance, to fund three permanent positions to implement Toronto Public Health actions in Toronto's Overdose Action Plan.

There is an overdose crisis in Toronto as in other cities across Canada, in particular overdoses related to opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. There is broad agreement in the community and among all orders of government that urgent action is needed to reduce the number of people who are experiencing and dying from drug overdoses.

At its March 20, 2017 meeting, the Board of Health unanimously approved the report entitled Toronto Overdose Action Plan: Prevention and Response. Toronto Public Health (TPH) developed the Action Plan in consultation with the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel and its Overdose Coordinating Committee, and the broader community. The Action Plan provides a comprehensive set of actions to help address the overdose crisis in our city, most importantly, actions that we can take at the local level.

The Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat, which is a small staff team in Toronto Public Health that supports implementation of our City's drug strategy, has been dedicated as the coordination lead for implementing the Toronto Overdose Action Plan. This role is critical to ensuring the Action Plan is implemented. However, to take on this role the Secretariat has suspended work on drug strategy recommendations that fall outside the scope of the Action Plan, and some epidemiological work at TPH is delayed in order to direct staff resources to implementing the Action Plan. As supervisor is also needed for The Works harm reduction program to manage the overdose prevention and response training and policy/protocol development program for municipal and community services, which is a key component of the Action Plan.

In the staff report accompanying the Toronto Overdose Action Plan, the Acting Medical Officer of Health stated that a funding request for the additional resources required for the Action Plan would be included in the TPH 2018 Operating Budget request for consideration during the City's 2018 budget process.

At the March 20, 2017, the Board of Health passed a motion "requesting the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to fund three permanent positions at a cost of $374,709.95 gross/ $0 net in 2017 to implement TPH actions in Toronto's Overdose Action Plan; and, if the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care does not provide this funding, the Board of Health direct the Medical Officer of Health to assign the necessary staff to implement the TPH actions recommended in the Plan on an interim basis until the resource requirements to implement the Toronto's Overdose Action Plan can be considered by City Council as part of the 2018 TPH Operating Budget process." And further, "That the Medical Officer of Health report back to the May 17, 2017 meeting of the Board of Health with an update on the above funding request from the Province of Ontario."

At the March 23, 2017 meeting of the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel, members discussed the Action Plan and expressed serious concern about the lack of staff resources allocated to implement the Action Plan and the drug strategy, both of which are urgently needed. In response, the Panel passed the following motion:

If the Province of Ontario has not committed to fund the City of Toronto's portion of the Toronto Overdose Action Plan, the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel requests City Council to identify and allocate the necessary new funds immediately in order to conduct this work. Further, that the source of these new funds should not be found at the expense of any other critical public health or social services.

The Medical Officer of Health has informed me that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has indicated that they cannot confirm any funding for additional staff at this time as they are considering a provincial approach to these requests coming from local health units across Ontario.

Given the urgency of this issue, I request the Board of Health to consider the motion from the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel, as noted above. The overdose crisis continues to grow in Toronto, and the City needs to demonstrate leadership and commitment to this issue by ensuring the necessary resources in place to implement the Action Plan while also ensuring the important work of the drug strategy continues.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on May 24, 2021 and until successors are appointed:

Claudia Brabazon

Vanessa Choy

Matthew Cole

Cynthia Holmes

2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the report (April 25, 2017) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.

Claudia Brabazon

Claudia Brabazon holds a B.Sc. and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. Ms. Brabazon practices law as crown counsel and was an assistant crown attorney. Ms. Brabazon managed Disease Research and Policy at the WSIB. She has served on the Board of Directors of AIDS Vancouver and the BC Persons with AIDS Society. Claudia is passionate about wildlife conservation. She has rehabilitated sick and injured seal pups and is active in dog obedience training.

Vanessa Choy

Vanessa Choy has a diverse education background with experiences ranging from veterinary medicine to engineering. Vanessa currently works as a shelter veterinarian at the Toronto Humane Society, having previously worked at the Toronto and Bronx Zoos. Vanessa has participated in wildlife conservation programs including Envirovet and the Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar program.

Matthew Cole

Matthew Cole is currently a Manager with MNP’s Taxation Services Group. He holds a degree in Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from the University of Western Ontario and is a Designated Chartered Professional Accountant. Matthew is also the volunteer treasurer for the Yonge-Lawrence Village BIA and his favorite animal is the polar bear.

Cynthia Holmes

Dr. Cynthia Holmes is Associate Professor and the Founding Chair of the Real Estate Management department at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. She teaches courses in real estate finance and real estate development at the undergraduate and MBA level, and conducts research in the areas of real estate finance, economics and policy, in both the commercial and residential context.

City Council needs to appoint four public members to serve on the Toronto Zoo Board. The Interview Subcommittee for Toronto Zoo Board will interview candidates at its meeting on May 3, 2017, and recommend four public members to the Civic Appointments Committee to fill these positions.

That the Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 30, 2018, and until successors are appointed:

Melissa Bubb-Clarke

Jay Devonish

Amy Terrill

Peter Zakarow

2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the report (April 28, 2017) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council.

Melissa Bubb-Clarke

Melissa Bubb-Clarke is the Senior Director of Music Partnerships for MLSE, overseeing Live Nation Canada’s sponsorship portfolio including three award winning programs recognized by the Sponsorship & Marketing Council of Canada and the Canadian Marketing Awards. Melissa sits on the board for the Unison Benevolent Fund, serves on the Communications Committee for Music Canada Live as well as the Advisory Committee for MusiCounts. Melissa lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.

Jay Devonish

With over 13 years of experience, Jay Devonish holds the role as Label Manager / A&R / Licensing & Sync rep at eOne Music Canada. He also oversees the grant administration for eOne and several artists/entrepreneur through his efforts with DMC Grants. In 2015, he started his own boutique label and publishing company - Foreseen Entertainment. In addition, Jay is a teacher at Harris Institute for the arts and The Remix Project. Lastly, he is the Co-Chair of the CARAS Juno Rap Advisory Committee.

Amy Terrill

Amy Terrill is the Executive Vice President of Music Canada and lead author of "The Mastering of a Music City", a globally-acclaimed study that identifies the key elements and benefits of a music city along with effective strategies to build the sector at the local level. Amy regularly works with cities and regions in Canada and abroad to help them develop music strategies. She is a graduate of Queen's University.

Peter Zakarow

Peter is an entrepreneur who builds innovative businesses and advises many large corporate, political, entrepreneurial, charitable and government leaders in Canada. Peter also contributes as a member of numerous charitable, non-profit, advisory and corporate Boards in diverse sectors, and donates time to mentor young entrepreneurs. Peter loves being busy and has many passions, some of which include being a musician, golf, food/cooking and wine, politics, and laughing with friends and family.

City Council needs to appoint four public members to serve on the Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council to fill current vacancies. The Interview Subcommittee for the Toronto Music Industry Advisory Council will interview candidates at its meeting on May 5, 2017, and recommend four public members to the Civic Appointments Committee to fill these positions.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration to assist Boost Child Youth and Advocacy Centre to locate a suitable Below Market Rent property and if the organization is deemed eligible, to recommend a Below Market Rent lease between the City of Toronto and Boost Child Youth and Advocacy Centre.

2.  City Council urge the Province to provide appropriate and stable funding support for Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) deputed to Community Development and Recreation Committee on January 16, 2017. Boost CYAC provides a comprehensive response for child abuse investigations and interventions by bringing together teams of police, child protection, medical and mental health professionals who work under one roof to provide a coordinated response to children, youth and their families.

Boost CYAC is seeking to further build support, partner and work with the City of Toronto, particularly to secure additional space to expand their programs to respond to community needs in Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York.   

Boost CYAC is a centre of excellence and model for to child abuse response. It sets the benchmark for child abuse investigations and interventions across the country.  Boost as a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre networks with other CYAC across the province and these centres are seeking municipal support to advocate to the province to provide sustainable funding for CYACs. 

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that: 

1.  City Council approve the recommended bed capacities and annual funding allocation as set out in Appendix A to the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, which are in accordance with the service levels included in the 2017 Approved Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or his designate to:

a.  enter into purchase of service agreements with community agencies for the provision of shelter services up to the annual funding allocation as outlined in Appendix A to the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration;

b.  enter into agreements with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Mental Health Program Services of Metropolitan Toronto (Habitat Services) to issue payments up to $10.244 million gross and $2.056 million net for the provision of housing and supports for psychiatric consumer survivors living in Habitat Services contracted boarding or rooming houses as outlined in Appendix B to the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration;

c.  enter into an agreement with, and issue payments to the Toronto Hostels Training Centre for the administration and provision of training for shelter, drop-in and other agency staff up to a maximum amount of $0.134 million gross and $0.134 million net and to support systems necessary for E-Learning as outlined in Appendix B to the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration; and

d.  purchase up to $0.06 million gross and net in training for staff of the directly operated shelters from the Toronto Hostels Training Centre, as outlined in Appendix B to the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in order to meet the training requirements laid out in the Council-approved Toronto Shelter Standards.

3.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or his designate, to take the necessary actions required for the hotel services expansion to address the higher demand from homeless refugees:

a.  City Council approve an increase and extension of the existing purchase order with Quality Hotel and Suites (Purchase Order 6044837) by $2,000,000 until December 31, 2017 for the provision of hotel and food service;

b.  City Council approve an increase and extension of the existing contract with Alternative Living Solutions (Contract 47020406) by $700,000 until December 31, 2017 for the provision of hotel service;

c.  City Council approve an increase and extension of the existing contract with Alternative Living Solutions (Contract 47020322) by $1,000,000 until December 31, 2017 for the provision of food service; and

d.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or his designate, to enter into a purchase of service agreement with COSTI Reception Centre for $800,000 to staff and manage the shelter programs being run out of the Alternative Living Solutions Hotel and Quality Inn.

4.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to separate the information on flex capacity at each shelter, in all future shelter allocation funding reports.

5.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee, as part of the 2017-2018 winter season, on flex bed capacity.

6.  City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report on ways to address wage discrepancies between City-run and not-for-profit run shelters in any budget submissions to the Budget Committee and City Council.

The City of Toronto's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) Division provides funding to 52 shelter sites operated by 30 community not-for-profit agencies through purchase of service contracts.

This report provides recommendations on the 2017 funding allocations for the purchase of service shelter system and funding levels for other related operating contracts.

All programs must meet the operating requirements set out in both the Toronto Shelter Standards and the purchase of service contracts. All programs are also evaluated using a quality assurance review process.

SSHA has also contracted two hotels to provide food and shelter to homeless refugees. The demand for these services remains high and is likely to continue throughout the year. The target values for the contracts and/or purchase orders that were established for these services will be exceeded at some point this year. Given the dollar value, Council's approval is required to amend these purchasing vehicles.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the Chief Corporate Officer to consult with stakeholders (including the Toronto District School Board and community stakeholders such as South Asian Autism Awareness Centre, Canadian Tamil Youth Development, Urban Cats Relief, Turtlehouse, Tropicana Community Services, Vasanthan Tamil Seniors Organization, and Toronto Tool Library) to determine the feasibility of establishing a community hub as part of the new City Park to be created in 2018/2019 at 705 Progress Avenue and report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee.

As you may know, the Government Management Committee unanimously approved a Below Market Rent for the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre at 705 Progress Avenue in Scarborough. A number of other local community groups have expressed interest in using some of these old industrial, city-owned units for their charitable works. These groups include organizations such as the Vasanthan Tamil Seniors Organization, the Frontline Community Services, Tropicana Community Services, the Toronto Tool Library and Turtlehouse (a Syrian refugee integration program), in addition to existing groups such as the Canadian Tamil Youth Development and Urban Cats Relief.

The City Parks department is also in the planning stages of building a new City park on this 10 acre property that is jointly owned by the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services in partnership with the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration, to work with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) and Employment Ontario to expand the existing Employment Connections table by including appropriate city divisions, and select employers, educational institutions, training providers and residents to inform the development of a co-ordinated city approach to more effectively address the service needs of individuals with criminal records.

2.  City Council request the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Children and Youth Services, and the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to review their current reintegration and discharge program for youth aged 16-29 to ensure it better prepares them for re-entry into the community; such review would apply to those who are released directly from a provincial correctional facility, or those who are released from court after serving time in a provincial correctional facility.

The General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, the Director, Toronto Employment and Social Services and the Manager, Social Development, Finance and Administration gave a presentation on Improving Services to Youth with Experience in the Criminal Justice System.

Kofi Hope, Executive Director, Centre for Young Black Professionals and Evan Bonus, Project Director, Labour Education Centre gave a presentation on Trades Connex program.

A criminal record, or even an encounter with the criminal justice system, can make it increasingly difficult to secure employment.  For youth in general, and for certain populations such as racialized youth, who are over-represented in the criminal justice system, the challenges can be much greater. This report highlights a number of recent trends that are increasing the challenges facing individuals with criminal records who are seeking to re-enter the labour market, or upgrade their skills or participate in voluntary activities as a way to improve their employment prospects.  The report subsequently identifies steps the City is taking, or can take, to address the issues being faced by unemployed and underemployed residents who have experience with the criminal justice system to support their efforts to increased their employability and obtain employment.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council, in accordance with the City’s Public Appointments Policy, appoint the following nominees to the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management at the pleasure of City Council, and for a term expiring at the end of the term of Council or as soon thereafter as successors are appointed:

CJ Chiddy

Phillipa Croft

2.  City Council remove the following board member from the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area Board of Management:

Christopher Sears

3.  City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended to reflect the number of board members for the Junction Gardens BIA as nine (9), and quorum as three (3).

The purpose of this report is to recommend that City Council appoint two members and remove one member from the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to submit an application to designate Toronto as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Media Arts.  

Toronto is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally as a vibrant creative capital. The city's cultural assets are a key economic driver, contribute to social cohesion and strong neighbourhoods, and enhance Toronto's reputation as one of the best places in the world to live, work, and travel.

Toronto's arts and culture scene is particularly well-known for its accomplishments in the field of media arts - encompassing film, music, digital media, and other forms of cultural expression using technology. In recognition of the city's global achievements in the field, this report seeks City Council's endorsement of an application to designate Toronto as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Media Arts.

The designation of Toronto as a UNESCO Creative City will create opportunities for international partnerships with the Network's 116 member cities, encourage collaboration and innovation in the media arts sector, and celebrate the tremendous achievements of Toronto's artists and cultural organizations.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the allocations of Major Cultural Organizations program funding of $7,914,695 in 2017 to the following organizations:

2.  City Council approve the balance of the 2017 instalment payments to the Art Gallery of Ontario, Canadian Opera Company, Festival Management Committee, National Ballet of Canada, Toronto Artscape Inc., Toronto International Film Festival Group, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra be made as one payment following the adoption of the recommended allocations by City Council, and that monthly instalments to these organizations resume in January 2018.

This report recommends allocations to ten not-for-profit organizations that have applied for funding through the 2017 Major Cultural Organizations (MCO) program administered by the Economic Development and Culture Division (EDC). Recipient organizations deliver unique artistic programming that strengthens the richness and diversity of Toronto's cultural sector including significant contributions to its future through arts education programs. These organizations have significant social and economic impact: they attract visitors, drive tourism, lead community initiatives and are critical elements of Toronto's position as an international cultural tourism destination.

The total program funding available for these allocations is $7,914,695 as approved by City Council on February 15-16, 2017, as part of the 2017 Operating Budget. Allocation recommendations presented in this report are based on the review by Economic Development and Culture Division's Arts and Culture Services staff and an external peer advisory panel. All recipients are subject to the City of Toronto's Community Grants Policy. The recommended grant amounts for each organization are the same in 2017 as were granted in 2016.

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council receive the report (April 26, 2017) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture for information.

The attached Toronto Economic Bulletin summarizes the most recent data available for key economic indicators benchmarking the city's economic performance.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council pass a by-law pursuant to section 252 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, providing authority to:

a.  Enter into municipal capital facility agreements with the landlords of each of the sixteen properties listed in Attachment 1 to the report (April 3, 2017) from the Treasurer, with whom the Toronto Transit Commission has a lease (the "Leased Premises"), with respect to approximately 543,312 square feet of combined space, for the purposes of providing a municipal capital facility related to the provision of telecommunications, transit and transportation systems; and

b.  Exempt the Leased Premises from taxation for municipal and school purposes, which tax exemption is to be effective from the latest of (i) the commencement date of the Lease, (ii) the date the municipal capital facility agreement is signed and (iii) the date the tax exemption by-law is enacted.

2.  City Council direct the City Clerk to give written notice of the by-law to the Minister of Finance, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Conseil Scolaire de District du Centre-Sud-Ouest, and the Conseil Scolaire de District du Catholique Centre-Sud.

This report seeks Council's authority for the adoption of necessary by-laws to designate a portion of 16 properties leased and occupied by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) as municipal capital facilities, and to provide property tax exemptions for municipal and education purposes.  The municipal capital facility agreements will provide an exemption for approximately 543,312 square feet of combined space occupied for all 16 properties.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to enter into an amending retainer agreement with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP to increase the term of the existing retainer agreement for another three (3) years from April 1, 2017 to April 1, 2020.

The City Solicitor has currently retained the law firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Oslers) on April 2, 2012 for a period of 5 years, ending April 1, 2017, to provide services in connection with pension matters and in particular a possible merger of the City’s five pre-OMERS pension plans with the OMERS primary plan.

Initially it was anticipated that legal services would be required in 2012/2013; however, the merger discussions with OMERS were delayed until the Ontario Government filed the required regulations under the Pension Benefits Act to allow for mergers of public-sector pension plans.  These regulations finally came into effect in November, 2015.

The discussions with OMERS are entering a serious phase.  It is critical that the City has legal representation from a law firm that is fully familiar with the City's pension plans in order to ensure that the City is negotiating in the best interests of both itself and the pensioners.  It would not be prudent to go out to market to retain a new firm whose personnel will require significant time and expense to familiarize themselves with the original by-laws and the many subsequent by-law amendments.  As a result, staff are recommending that the agreement be extended for an additional three years, ending April 1, 2020.  The current value of the agreement will remain the same.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council declare Four Seasons Site Development Ltd. ("Four Seasons") ineligible to bid on or be awarded any City of Toronto tender calls as a General Contractor or Sub-Contractor, for a total period of three (3) years from the date Council approves these recommendations.

2.  City Council declare that any affiliated person of Four Seasons Site Development Ltd., as defined in Chapter 195, to be ineligible to bid on or be awarded City of Toronto tender calls for the same period as set out in Recommendation 1 as a General Contractor or Sub-Contractor.

The Government Management Committee recessed its public session to meet in closed session to consider this item as it relates to the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board and the security of the property belonging to the City or one of its agencies or corporations.

This report recommends that City Council declare Four Seasons Site Development Ltd. ("Four Seasons") ineligible to bid on or be awarded any City of Toronto tenders for a period of three (3) years. 

This recommendation is based on having had to terminate Contract 16ECS-TI-11SP Sidewalk Construction and Streetscape Improvements on College Street based on egregious breaches of the contract by Four Seasons; and unsatisfactory performance by Four Seasons on Contract 16ECS-TI-11SP, Tender 144-2016 and Contract 16ECS-TI-18SP, Tender 165-2016, Watermain Replacement and Water Service Upgrades, Minor Arterial Road Resurfacing and Watermain Trench Restoration.

Four Seasons’ contract performance was unsatisfactory because it failed to comply with the Terms and Conditions contained in the Contracts and, as a result, received unsatisfactory evaluations from City staff under the City’s Contractor Performance Evaluation Procedure. Four Seasons' actions on these contracts demonstrated inadequate Contract management, unsatisfactory work performance and administration, lack of responsiveness, little effort to minimize disruptions to the public or City operations, and on one of the contracts, a risk to public safety.

Based on the above, the Director of Purchasing and Materials Management Division, under the authority delegated by section 195-13.14 of Chapter 195, Purchasing, of the Toronto Municipal Code, suspended Four Seasons from bidding on or being awarded any tenders for a period of six (6) months starting February 9, 2017.  Only City Council may suspend a contractor from Contract awards for unsatisfactory performance for a period of more than six (6) months.

This report provides further information on Four Season's contract performance and the Contractor Performance Evaluations it received for the contracts mentioned above to support the recommendation for a three year suspension of Four Seasons Site Development Ltd., and a review of possible alternatives to the proposed length of suspension as requested by Government Management Committee at its meeting of April 3, 2017, while considering item GM19.12 Temporary Suspension of Four Seasons Site Development Ltd.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the sublease under the Below Market Rent (BMR) Policy relating to the space at 29 St. Dennis Drive (the "Premises") with Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office ("TNO") for a five (5) year term, based substantially on the terms set out in Appendix A to the report (April 12, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and on such other, or amended terms acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer, or his or her designate and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council, pursuant to section 83(1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, deem the grant of the sublease to be in the interests of the City.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the sublease and all related documentation as required.

4.  City Council authorize severally each of the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Real Estate Services to execute such documents required to complete the Sublease. 

5.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer or her designate to administer and manage the sublease, including the provision of any consents, approvals, notices and notices of termination provided that the Chief Corporate Officer may, at any time, refer consideration of such matters (including their content) to City Council for its determination and direction.

6.  City Council grant an exemption to the Below Market Rent Policy to allow Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office to become a subtenant at 29 St. Dennis Drive without the need to solicit a request for proposals as required by the Below Market Rent Policy.

7.  City Council grant an exemption from the Return on Investment requirement under the Below Market Rent Policy, as this tool is under development with Social Development, Finance and Administration Division.

The purpose of this report is to obtain City Council authority to enter into a Below Market Rent sublease with Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office for approximately 361 square feet of space located at 29 St. Dennis Drive in the Flemingdon Park Neighbourhood Improvement Area.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize a lease under the Below-Market Rent ("BMR") Policy relating to space located at 2467 Eglinton Avenue East (the "Premises") with African Canadian Community Services ("ACCS") for a five (5) year term (the "Lease"), based substantially on the terms set out in Appendix A to the report (April 12, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, with such revisions thereto, and on such other terms acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer, or his or her designate and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council, pursuant to section 83(1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, deem that the grant of the Lease is in the interests of the City.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the Lease and all related documentation as required, and to deliver any notices, pay expenses and amend the commencement, termination and other dates to such earlier or later date(s), on such terms as the City Solicitor, or his or her designate, may from time to time determine.

4.  City Council authorize severally each of the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Real Estate Services to execute such documents required to complete the Lease.

5.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer or her designate to administer and manage the Lease, including the provision of any consents, approvals, notices, and notices of termination provided that the Chief Corporate Officer may, at any time, refer consideration of such matters (including their content) to City Council for its determination and direction.

6.  City Council grant an exemption from the Below-Market Rent Policy to allow African Canadian Community Services to become a tenant at the Premises without the need to solicit a request for proposals as required by the Below-Market Rent Policy.

7.  City Council grant an exemption from the Return on Investment (ROI) under the Below-Market Rent Policy, as this tool is under development with Social Development, Finance and Administration Division.

The purpose of this report is to obtain City Council authority to enter into a Below-Market Rent lease with the African Canadian Community Services for approximately 718 square feet of space at the Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre located at 2467 Eglinton Avenue East.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize a new Below-Market Rent lease with South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC) for a five (5) year term, based substantially on the terms and conditions set out in Appendix A to the report (April 12, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, on such revised or other terms and conditions acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the lease, deliver any notices, pay expenses and amend the commencement and other dates to such earlier or later date(s), on such terms and conditions, as she may, from time to time, determine.

3.  City Council authorize severally each of the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Real Estate Services to execute such documents required to complete the new lease.

4.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer or her designate to administer and manage the lease, including the provision of any consents, approvals, notices, and notices of termination provided that the Chief Corporate Officer may, at any time, refer consideration of such matters (including their content) to City Council for its determination and direction.

5.  City Council grant an exemption from the Return on Investment (ROI) requirement, under the Below Market Rent Policy, as this tool is under development with Social Development, Finance and Administration Division.

The purpose of this report is to obtain City Council authority to enter into a new Below Market Rent lease agreement with South Asian Autism Awareness Centre for a five (5) year term for approximately 10,927 square feet of space located at 705 Progress Avenue, Unit 63.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the City to enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with 1240060 Ontario Limited (the "Owner") to acquire 1810 Markham Road (the "Property"), substantially on the terms outlined in Appendix B and Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (April 13, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer, and such other and amended terms as may be acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer, or her designate.

2.  City Council authorize severally each of the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Real Estate Services to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the transaction on behalf of the City, including paying any necessary expenses, amending the closing, due diligence and other dates and amending and waiving terms and conditions, on such terms as she considers reasonable.

4.  City Council authorize the public release of the confidential information in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (April 13, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer following the closing of any purchase transaction.

The purpose of this report is to seek authority to acquire the property at 1810 Markham Road from 1240060 Ontario Limited, for the expansion of the Toronto Transit Commission ("TTC") Malvern Maintenance & Storage Facility.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Director of Real Estate Services to negotiate to acquire and, if unsuccessful, to initiate expropriation proceedings for the property interests, set out in Appendix A and shown approximately in Appendix A2 to the report (April 12, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer for the purposes of the Project.

2.  City Council authorize the Director of Real Estate Services to serve and publish Notices of Application for approval to Expropriate the property interests, to forward to the Chief Inquiry Officer any requests for hearings that are received, to attend any hearings in order to present the City's position and to report the Inquiry Officer's recommendations back to City Council for its consideration.

As part of the Easier Access Phase III Project (the "Project"), the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is proposing to construct two (2) elevators at Sherbourne Subway Station providing accessibility to and from each of the eastbound and westbound platforms and street level.  This report seeks authority to acquire various property interests in the existing southeast entrance connection to Sherbourne Station located at 425 Bloor Street East.

Part of the new infrastructure is to be built on lands owned by the City of Toronto and leased to a third party under a long term ground lease.  Negotiations for the acquisition of the property interests have been ongoing with the third party tenant (the "Lease Holder"), however in order to protect the Project timeline this report seeks authority to acquire the property interests and if necessary initiate expropriation proceedings.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the acquisition by the City of the property known municipally as 21 Connell Court from The Beaton Group Inc. for the purchase price of $3,900,000, and substantially on the terms and conditions contained in Appendix A to the report (April 13, 2017) from the President, Toronto Parking Authority, plus the additional expenditure of approximately $175,000 for any associated costs such as land transfer tax, title insurance, appraisal fees, survey, environmental studies, and legal fees for a total acquisition cost estimate of $4,075,000.

2.  Upon acquisition, City Council designate the Property for municipal parking purposes and to support ancillary uses in the delivery of parking services, to be managed by the Toronto Parking Authority. 

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the purchase transaction, deliver any notices, pay any expenses and amend the closing and other dates to such earlier or later date(s), on such terms and conditions, as she may, from time to time, determine.

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council`s authorization to purchase the property municipally known as 21 Connell Court (the “Property”) from The Beaton Group Inc. (the "Vendor").  The Property has an existing single free-standing single-storey industrial building, which will serve to address an immediate Toronto Parking Authority (“TPA”) need to consolidate several existing maintenance, technical and service departments, to enhance efficiencies and service requirements.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 693, Signs, Article II, Election Signs as follows:

1.  The following definitions be added to § 693-5. Definitions, in the appropriate locations in accordance with an alphabetical order:

"CAMPAIGN OFFICE SIGN - any sign containing sign copy which solely identifies the name of a candidate in a federal, provincial or municipal election, and the location of a candidate's campaign office, and contains no other message.

ELECTION SIGN PERIOD - The time between the date established under § 693-9A. for the commencement of the erection or display of election signs and the time established for the removal of election signs established under § 693-9D.

OUTSIDER ELECTION SIGN - Any sign, advertising or promoting a candidate in a municipal election, including an election of a local board or commission; or intended to influence persons to vote for or against any candidate or any question or bylaw submitted to the electors under section 8 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, which has been erected and displayed without the authorization, direction or involvement of a candidate.

REGISTERED THIRD PARTY - In relation to an election in a municipality, an individual, corporation or trade union that is registered under section 88.6 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

STREET INSTALLATION DEDICATED ADVERTISING SPACE - An area approved and designated by the City for the purpose of displaying any colour, form, graphic, illumination, symbol or writing to convey information of any kind to the public, including but not limited to display of an advertisement, bill, handbill, leaflet, flyer or placard, located on a structure, including a bus shelter and a municipal garbage container located on a Highway, owned by or under the control of the City."

2. The existing definition of Election Sign contained in § 693-5. Definitions, be deleted and replaced with the following:

"ELECTION SIGN - Any sign, including an Outsider Election Sign:

A. Advertising or promoting a candidate in a federal, provincial or municipal election, including an election of a local board or commission; or

B. Intended to influence persons to vote for or against any candidate or any question or bylaw submitted to the electors under section 8 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996."

3. § 693-6. General requirements, is amended by deleting subsection 693-6.C and replacing the subsection with the following:

"C. No person shall pull down, move, remove, alter, deface or wilfully cause damage to a lawfully erected election sign except:

(1) In the case of an election sign erected or displayed in accordance with § 693-7B, with the consent of:

(a) The candidate to whom the sign relates or the owner or occupant of the abutting property; or

(b) The registered third party advertiser responsible for the outsider election sign.

(2) In the case of an election sign erected or displayed in accordance with § 693-7C, with the consent of:

(a) The candidate to whom the sign relates; or

(b) The Toronto Transit Commission.

(3) In the case of an election sign erected or displayed in accordance with § 693-7D, with the consent of:

(a) The candidate to whom the sign relates; or

(b) The City of Toronto.

(4) In the case of an election sign erected or displayed in accordance with § 693-8, with the consent of:

(a) The candidate to whom the sign relates; or

(b) The owner of the property upon which the sign is erected; or

(c) The occupant of the property upon which the sign is erected; or

(d) The registered third party advertiser responsible for the outsider election sign."

4. § 693-7. Election signs on public property, is amended by deleting section 693-7 and replacing the entire section with the following:

"§ 693-7. Election signs on public property.

A. Election signs are not permitted anywhere on public property other than on:

(1) A highway, or a public utility pole located on a highway, provided there is compliance with the requirements of Subsections B(1) and G, if applicable;

(2) A structure, including a bus shelter and a municipal garbage container, located on a highway, if permitted under the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the structure and the City or one of its agencies, boards or commissions, and provided there is compliance with the requirements of Subsections B(1)(e) to (g) and G, if applicable;

(3) A TTC dedicated advertising space, if permitted under the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the TTC dedicated advertising space and the Toronto Transit Commission, and provided there is compliance with the requirements of Subsections C(1) and G, if applicable;

(4) A Street Installation dedicated advertising space, if permitted and erected or displayed in accordance with the terms and conditions of any agreement between the City concerning operation of the street installation dedicated advertising space and in accordance with Subsections D and G, if applicable;

(5) A third party sign located on public property, provided there is compliance with the requirements of Subsections E and G, if applicable; or

(6) On the surface of vehicles or trailers located on public property, provided there is compliance with the requirements of Subsections F and G, if applicable.

B. Regulations for signs on highways

(1) Election signs may be erected or displayed on highways, except highways upon which pedestrians are prohibited, if:

(a) The signs are no larger than 1.2 square metres in area and no higher than two metres above ground level;

(b) The signs are not located within 1.5 metres of the curb or the edge of pavement;

(c) On highways with sidewalks, the signs are not located within 0.6 metres of either side of the sidewalk;

(d) The signs are not located within 15 metres of an intersection or pedestrian crossover;

(e) The signs are not located on a median or island installed within the highway;

(f) The signs do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines;

(g) The signs are not erected or displayed on or adjacent to a voting place, City park or a facility that is owned or operated by the City;

(h) The signs are erected with the consent of the owner or occupant of the abutting property.

C. Regulations for signs on TTC dedicated advertising spaces

(1) Election signs may be erected or displayed on TTC dedicated advertising spaces, if:

(a) The signs are located on station advertising space as permitted under the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the station advertising space and the Toronto Transit Commission and;

[1] The sign is not illuminated as required by § 693-6B(1), unless the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the station advertising space and the Toronto Transit Commission permits the erection or display of illuminated signs on the station advertising space;

[2] The signs are no larger than 2.3 square metres in area;

[3] The signs do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines;

[4] The signs are not erected or displayed on or adjacent to a voting place; and

[5] The signs are erected or displayed with the consent of the Toronto Transit Commission.

(b) The signs are located on vehicle advertising space as permitted under the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the vehicle advertising space and the Toronto Transit Commission and;

[1] The sign is not illuminated as required by § 693-6B(1), unless the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the vehicle advertising space and the Toronto Transit Commission permits the erection or display of illuminated signs on the vehicle advertising space;

[2] The signs are no larger than 2.7 square metres in area;

[3] The signs do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines;

[4] The signs are not erected or displayed on or adjacent to a voting place; and

[5] The signs are erected or displayed with the consent of the Toronto Transit Commission.

D. Regulations for signs on Street Installation dedicated advertising spaces.

(1) Election signs may be erected or displayed on Street Installation dedicated advertising space, if:

(a) The signs are located on advertising space as permitted under the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the Street Installation dedicated advertising space and the City and;

[1] The sign is not illuminated as required by § 693-6 B(1), unless the terms and conditions of any agreement between the owner or operator of the Street Installation dedicated advertising space and the City permits the erection or display of illuminated signs on the advertising space;

[2] The signs are no larger than the area of the Street Installation dedicated advertising space;

[3] The signs do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines;

[4] The signs are not erected or displayed on or adjacent to a voting place; and

[5] The signs are erected or displayed with the consent of the City and the owner of the street installation.

E. Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in §§ 693-6B(1) and 693-8A(1), an election sign may be erected or displayed as sign copy on a third party sign, provided:

(1) The sign is operating in accordance with the requirements of the applicable permit issued under Chapter 694, or under the authority of a sign by-law passed by the City, former area municipality, or the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, still in effect as of April 5, 2010; and

(2) The signs are not erected or displayed on or adjacent to a voting place.

F. Regulations for signs on Vehicles and Trailers.

(1) Election signs may be erected or displayed by being attached, affixed, painted or otherwise displayed on the surface of vehicles or trailers, located on public property provided:

(a) The signs erected or displayed on a vehicle or trailer do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines; and

(b) The signs are not erected or displayed on a vehicle or trailer that is parked, stopped or standing on or adjacent to a voting place, City park or facility that is owned or operated by the City.

G. Regulations for Outsider election signs on Public Property

(1) An outsider election sign may be erected on public property:

(a) The outsider election sign is erected in compliance with the provisions of § 693-6 otherwise applicable to the sign;

(b) The outsider election sign includes valid and up-to-date contact information for at least one individual responsible for the outsider election sign; and

(c) The third party advertiser responsible for the outsider election sign has registered with the City Clerk in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996."

5. § 693-8. Election signs on private property, is amended by deleting section 693-8 and replacing the entire section with the following:

"§ 693-8. Election signs on private property.

A. Election signs may be erected or displayed on private property if:

(1) The signs are no larger than 1.2 square metres in area and no higher than two metres above ground level, save and except signs on campaign offices;

(2) The signs do not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines;

(3) The signs are erected with the consent of the owner or occupant of the property; and

(4) If an outsider election sign, the sign complies with Subsection C

B. Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in §§ 693-6B(1) and 693-8A(1), but subject to the restrictions of Subsection C, an election sign may be erected or displayed as sign copy on a third party sign, in accordance with the requirements of the applicable permit issued under Chapter 694, or under the authority of a sign by-law passed by the City, former area municipality, or the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, still in effect as of April 5, 2010.

C. An outsider election sign may be erected on private property if:

(1) The outsider election sign includes valid and up-to-date contact information for at least one individual responsible for the outsider election sign; and

(2) The third party advertiser has registered with the City Clerk in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996."

6. § 693-9. Timing, is amended by deleting section 693-9 and replacing the entire section with the following:

"§ 693-9. Timing.

A. Election signs shall not be erected or displayed:

(1) For a federal election or provincial election until the day the writ of election is issued;

(2) For a municipal election until 21 days prior to voting day.

B. Notwithstanding Subsection A, where the day the writ of election is issued, or the 21st day prior to voting day or polling day as applicable, is a date of cultural or religious significance as indicated in the annual schedule of meetings adopted by Council and published by the City Clerk as required by §27-25 of Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, election signs shall not be erected or displayed until the first day after the date indicated in Subsection A, that is not is a date of cultural or religious significance indicated in Council's adopted annual schedule of meetings.

C. Election signs may be erected on campaign offices from the day the writ of election is issued for a federal election or provincial election, and up to 21 days prior to voting day for a municipal election, provided that:

(1) In the case of a candidate for the position of Councillor or Trustee, that right shall extend to no more than one campaign office in the ward where the candidate is running for election;

(2) In the case of a candidate for the position of Mayor, that right shall extend to no more than four campaign offices.

D. Election signs shall be removed within 72 hours after the completion of voting on voting day."

7. § 693-10. Removal of unlawful election signs, is amended by deleting section 693-10 and replacing the entire section with the following:

"§ 693-10. Removal of unlawful election signs.

A. Removal of signs by City; storage; retrieval.

(1) If an election sign or a campaign office sign is erected or displayed in violation of this article, the appropriate City officials may cause the sign to be removed immediately without notice.

(2) Notwithstanding 693-6C, the appropriate City officials or persons acting under their direction may, on reasonable ground are of the belief that an election sign or a campaign office sign is erected or displayed in violation of this article cause the sign to be removed immediately without notice.

(3) Signs that have been removed under Subsection A(1) and (2) shall be stored by the City for 72 hours after the Election Sign Period.

(4) During the time the sign is stored under Subsection A(3), the owner of the sign or the owner's agent may retrieve the sign by providing the City with a signed acknowledgement and release in a form acceptable to the City.

(5) Any sign that has been removed by the City and stored in accordance with Subsection A(1),(2), and (3), may be recycled, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of by the City without notice and without compensation to the owner of the sign.

(6) Despite Subsection A(3), the City shall not be obliged to store signs made entirely of paper or other lightweight material and may destroy these signs immediately upon removal.

B. Notice for signs removed.

(1) Notice shall be given by means of email, registered mail, personal delivery, or facsimile transmission, to the candidate, within 24 hours of the removal of the sign.

(2) Notice provided in accordance with Subsection C(1) shall be deemed to be received the next business day."

8. § 693-11. Payment methods, is deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

"§ 693-11. Campaign office signs.

A. Campaign office signs may be erected or displayed if:

(1) The campaign office sign is erected on a campaign office;

(2) No more than one campaign office sign is erected on a campaign office;

(3) The campaign office sign does not interfere with the safe operation of motor vehicular traffic, cyclists, and with the safety of pedestrians, and must not obstruct visibility or block sightlines; and

(4) The campaign office sign is erected or displayed:

(a) On a sign structure in accordance with the requirements of the applicable permit issued under Chapter 694, or under the authority of a sign by-law passed by the City, former area municipality, or the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, still in effect as of April 5, 2010; or

(b) The campaign office sign

i. is no larger than 2.5 square metres in area;

ii. has no more than one sign face; and

iii. the highest point of the sign is no higher than 4.0 metres above grade.

B. Campaign office signs shall not be erected or displayed:

(1) For a federal election or provincial election until the day the writ of election is issued.

(2) For a municipal election, the date the candidate files his or her nominations papers with the City Clerk.

C. Campaign office signs must be removed within 72 hours after the completion of voting on voting day."

2. City Council direct that the proposed changes come into force on January 1, 2018.

The Licensing and Standards Committee requested the City Solicitor to report directly to City Council on positive or negative impacts on the implementation of the third party advertising amendments resulting from the Modernized Municipal Elections Act.

The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards Division gave a presentation on Amendments to Chapter 693, Signs, Article II, Election Signs.

This report responds to direction from the Licensing and Standards Committee at its meetings of May 26 and August 18, 2014, which requested, among other things, a review of the current Election Signs Bylaw, as well as direction from City Council at its meeting of December 13-15, 2016, which requested staff to report on the impacts of the recently amended Municipal Elections Act on the Election Signs Bylaw, including provisions related to third party advertising.

Staff are proposing a series of amendments to Chapter 693, Signs, Article II, Election Signs to simplify and clarify bylaw requirements, address concerns previously raised by the Ombudsman and the Auditor General regarding a number of administrative challenges experienced with the current bylaw, and take into account and reflect changes to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, respecting third party advertising in elections.

The proposed amendments include:

- eliminating the current election sign deposit, waiver/affidavits process, and fee structure for the removal and storage of improperly displayed election signs;

- reducing the time period for which election signs for a municipal election may be displayed from 25 days to 21 days prior to voting day;

- reducing the timeframe for which the City retains seized election signs from 30 days to 72 hours after the completion of voting on election day;

- clarifying regulations for the display of "campaign office signs";

- new regulations, similar to existing regulations for TTC dedicated advertising space, that allow election signs on the dedicated advertising space on street furniture;

- new regulations to allow election signs on vehicles and trailers, provided that signage does not obstruct visibility/block sightlines, and is not located adjacent to a voting place, City park, or facility that is owned or operated by the City;

- eliminating regulation around the indoor display of election signs;

- additional clarification around requirements for election sign placement on public property to address public safety/sight line obstructions; and

- modifying definitions to capture third party advertising signs and introducing additional provisions; in line with changes to the Municipal Elections Act.
 

The City Solicitor is expected to report out separately on any issues arising from the amendments to the Municipal Elections Act and the broader implications of third party advertising in municipal elections.

City Clerk's Office and Legal Services were consulted in the preparation of this report.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council approve the list of grant applications for the 2017 StART Partnership program as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (April 11, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, as set out below:

2.  City Council extend the StreetARToronto Road Murals Pilot Project for up to four mid-block street murals on low volume, local streets during street event which include permitted road closures in 2017, and such material costs and artist honorarium to be covered through the StreetART program.

StreetARToronto (StART) is a partnership program launched in 2012 as a central feature of the City's Graffiti Management Plan. It is a proactive approach to eliminating graffiti vandalism, adding character and visual interest to city streets, showcasing professional artists, mentoring emerging artists and reinforcing Toronto's reputation as a centre of creativity and talent. Initiated as part of the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP), StART is administered by the Transportation Services, Public Realm Section, which is also responsible for coordinating and implementing all non-enforcement related components of the Graffiti Management Plan.

Over the past six years, StART has developed a suite of programs to respond appropriately to the needs and local conditions of the many diverse communities within the city. In delivering these programs, StART engages and links residents, business owner/operators, community groups, artists and arts organizations with each other, as well as with City staff and Councillors. To ensure broad geographical reach of street art projects across the city, Public Realm staff conducted Information Sessions in all four districts. At the Information Sessions, and in response to enquiries, StART staff encouraged potential applicants to develop projects for locations in all wards.

This report recommends funding for 14 mural projects to be delivered by community-based organizations under the 2017 StART Partnership Program, including installations in one ward which currently does not have a StART Partnership Program mural.

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve a 2017 grant allocation of $1.060 million to the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation funded from the 2017 Parks, Forestry and Recreation Operating Budget.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation enter into a delivery agreement with the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation to administer the program funding in 2017, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The Parks and Environment Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the October 16, 2017 Parks and Environment Committee meeting on the feasibility of expanding the existing partnership with LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) for private property plantings, tree maintenance and educational outreach.

This report seeks Council approval to provide a grant of $1.060 million to the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation as part of a strategy and plan to expand the City's tree canopy on private land. The 2017 Council Approved Operating Budget for Parks, Forestry and Recreation includes $1.060 million for the development of private partnerships for new tree planting and tree care on private lands. The $1.060 million allocation in 2017 will accelerate the launch of key recommended actions in the consultant's report, "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy", providing a pilot opportunity to test select programs and services this year.

Urban Forestry will work in partnership with Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation to deliver tree planting and tree care partnership programs on private properties. In 2017, program areas will include direct tree planting and tree care support and expansion of the Every Tree Counts marketing and communications campaign.

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with Toronto Hydro, to establish a plan to coordinate proactive tree maintenance where opportunities exist, improving operational efficiencies, consistency in work practices and public perception.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to establish a working group with Toronto Hydro to continue to refine pruning practices, guidelines, and alternatives that advance the ability of both sections to achieve their respective requirements.

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to ensure an updated list of heritage tree locations are included in all contracts/agreements with Toronto Hydro when pertaining to trees.

The purpose of this report is to respond to a motion directing Urban Forestry and Toronto Hydro to work together on establishing methods of collaboration to reduce service interruptions in response to the ice storm that took place in December 2013.

As a result of ongoing collaboration, Urban Forestry is proposing a multi-faceted, long-term, approach that will enable trees and overhead electrical service lines to co-exist, thereby providing both Toronto Hydro and Urban Forestry with equal opportunity to comply with their individual, Council-directed, program delivery targets.

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the following long-term goals and pursue necessary measures to realize a low-carbon Toronto in 2050 that achieves an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions against 1990 levels:

a.  65 percent reduction in community-wide GHG emissions by 2030 from 1990 levels as an interim target;

b.  100 percent of new buildings are designed and built to be near zero GHG emissions by 2030;

c.  100 percent of existing buildings are retrofitted to the highest emission reduction technically feasible, on average achieving a 40 percent energy performance improvement over 2017 levels, while limiting affordability impacts to residents, by 2050;

d.  75 percent of community-wide energy use is derived from renewable or low-carbon sources by 2050;

e.  30 percent of total floor space community-wide - residential and commercial - will be connected to low-carbon thermal energy by 2050;

 f.  100 percent of transportation options - including public transit and personal vehicles - use low or zero-carbon energy sources, and active transportation accounts for 75 percent of trips under 5 km city-wide by 2050; and

g.  95 percent of waste is diverted in all sectors - residential, institutional, commercial and industrial - by 2050.

2.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to lead cross-corporate implementation of City Council's approved "Leading by Example" TransformTO Report 1 Strategies (Item PE15.1), for which business cases will be brought through the annual budget process, towards achievement of the following low-carbon leadership goals:

a.  design and build all new City-owned facilities to be near zero GHG emissions by 2026;

b.  retrofit all City-owned buildings, including social housing, to the highest emission reduction technically feasible, on average achieving a 40% energy savings over 2017 building energy performance by 2040;

c.  install 24MW capacity of renewable energy on City-owned facilities and lands by 2020;

d.  establish a green fleet plan to transition 45% of City-owned fleet to low-carbon vehicles by 2030;

e.  achieve a net zero waste status at all City-owned facilities by 2030;

f.  generate and utilize 1.5 Million Giga-joules of energy annually from biogas by 2030; and

g.  earn designation as one of Canada's Top 100 Green Employers by 2020.

3.  City Council approve the long-term goal of transitioning to a low-carbon Toronto by 2050 in a way that maximizes public benefit and minimizes harms by using the following guiding principles when designing and delivering climate actions:

a.  advance social equity;

b.  improve affordability particularly for vulnerable populations;

c.  protect low-income residents

d.  contribute to poverty reduction 

e.  enhance and strengthen the local economy;

f.  maintain and create good quality local jobs;

g.  improve public health; and

h.  create resilient communities and infrastructure.

4.  City Council direct that the TransformTO low-carbon, long-term goals and implementation plans be integrated:

a.  by the Chief Resilience Officer into the development and implementation of Toronto's Resilience Strategy; and

b.  into all relevant City of Toronto strategies, policies and programs.

5.  City Council request all City Agencies and Corporations to align their business plans and strategies with the recommendations, goals, and principles presented in the report (April 20, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the strategies adopted by City Council on December 13, 14 and 15, 2016 (Item PE15.1 - TransformTO: Climate Action for a Healthy Equitable, and Prosperous Toronto) and direct the Chief Corporate Officer to include the status of such alignment in the 2019 report to the Parks and Environment Committee on the implementation status of Transform TO.

6.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to initiate three TransformTO Acceleration Campaigns, as described in the report (April 20, 2017) from the Chief Corporate Officer, to maximize the community benefit potential of low-carbon action, namely:

a.  Mobilizing Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods;

b.  Workforce Development for High-performance Buildings; and

c.  Exploring the Implications and Opportunities of Electric Mobility.

7.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to prepare and provide to City Council in the second quarter of each new term of Council, a report that identifies:

a.  Updates on TransformTO key performance indicators including:

i.  City-wide GHG emissions as measured by the City of Toronto GHG Inventory;

ii.  Co-benefits of low-carbon actions (indicators to be presented in first four year implementation plan update);

iii.  Public engagement (number of organizations/individuals engaged and their level of engagement); and

iv.  Amount of financial and other resources mobilized in support of low carbon action in Toronto;

b.  progress towards City of Toronto low-carbon leadership goals; and

c.  revisions and additions to the short-term strategies, and the implementation plan for that term of Council.

8.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to prepare and provide to Council a status update on the TransformTO key performance indicators in the third year of each Council term.

9.  City Council direct the City Manager to pursue all potentially applicable Federal and Provincial Government funding opportunities to assist in implementing Transform TO, including the promised Ontario Municipal Climate Challenge Fund, and to advocate to the Federal and Provincial Government for additional funding or financing opportunities to implement Transform TO.

10.  City Council direct the City Manager to advocate to the Federal and Provincial Governments for regulatory, policy, and co-delivery supports necessary to achieve the Transform TO long-term, low-carbon goals.

11.  City Council authorize the City Manager or designate to negotiate and enter into all necessary agreements, including funding agreements, to support the implementation of the TransformTO recommendations and strategies, in forms satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

12.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to report back on the relevance of consumption-based GHG emissions accounting in the Toronto context as part of the 2019 status update and renewed TransformTO implementation plan.

13.  City Council direct the Chief Corporate Officer to undertake appropriate consultation with the aboriginal community on the TransformTO plan and implementation, including any local traditional knowledge relevant to climate change and report to the Parks and Environment Committee in 2019 as part of the implementation report.

14.  City Council direct the City Clerk to forward Council's decision to the following Provincial and Federal ministries for information: Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (Ontario), Minister of Municipal Affairs (Ontario), Minister of Energy (Ontario), Minister of Infrastructure (Ontario), Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (Canada), and the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities (Canada).

The following gave a presentation on Climate Action for a Healthy, Equitable and Prosperous Toronto:

- Director, Environment and Energy

- Manager, Environmental Implementation and Support

- Project Lead, Environment and Energy

In July 2007, Toronto City Council recognized the far reaching impacts of climate change and unanimously made a commitment to see community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 80 percent against 1990 levels by the year 2050. The City's innovation and leadership is why Toronto has seen its greenhouse gas emissions drop by 24 percent, exceeding our 2012 goal of a 6 percent reduction.  However, our current pace of change is insufficient to achieve the emission reduction goal for 2050.

Analysis shows that the 2050 goal is achievable with existing technologies, but it means bold action is required to transform Toronto's urban systems - buildings, energy, transportation and waste. Where Toronto is already on the correct trajectory, we need to stay the course. In other areas, we need to increase the scale and pace of change.

The path to the 2050 goal is one where many of the low-carbon actions will pay for themselves over the long term. It is also a path that can facilitate achievement of a city that is more healthy, equitable and prosperous. The TransformTO Modelling Advisory Group, consisting of 35 community leaders and City staff have identified how low-carbon actions can drive significant co-benefits. Their report, Attachment A: TransformTO Modelling Advisory Group Summary Report, outlines ways to realize these co-benefits.

Initiated in 2015, TransformTO involved the engagement of over 2,000 residents, the input of an inter-divisional steering team and the Modelling Advisory Group, in combination with detailed technical modelling. Getting to Toronto's 2050 goal requires:

A. Maintaining and Implementing Toronto's Planned Climate Actions

B. Committing to the Vision - A Low-Carbon, Healthy, Equitable and Prosperous Toronto

C. Maximizing Community Benefit from Climate Action

D. Leadership through City Action

E. Urban System Transformation

i. Mobilizing Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods

ii. Expanding Mobility Options and Embracing Electrification

iii. Building Energy Performance

iv. Renewable and Community Energy Approaches

v. Towards Virtual Waste Elimination

F.  Monitoring and Reporting

In December 2016, City Council approved a package of TransformTO strategies to initiate transformation in Toronto's urban systems that must be funded and implemented to put Toronto on the needed long-term trajectory.  In addition to full implementation of these strategies, this report identifies three Acceleration Campaigns to ensure that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions also maximize potential community benefits:

1.  Mobilize Low-Carbon Neighbourhoods;

2.  Exploring the Implications and Opportunities of Electric Mobility; and

3.  Workforce Development for High-Performance Buildings

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council waive fees for park permits for July 1, 2 and 3, 2017 in the following categories:

- Fire Pit

- Outdoor Social Gathering 

- BBQ.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to refund or credit park permit fees already paid for July 1, 2 and 3, 2017 as outlined in Recommendation 1, in accordance with the existing process.

Traditionally many neighbourhood groups host Canada Day celebrations in their local parks on July 1st. 

There are also local organizations and neighbourhood groups who don't normally host a Canada Day celebration who may want to bring the neighbourhood together for the 150.

As well there will be many new families in our neighbourhoods who have never had the opportunity to attend a Canada Day before to celebrate our great country.

The city can encourage and support local 150 celebrations across Toronto by waiving the park permit fees.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council amend the Draft By-law Amendments 569-2013 – Accessible Parking, Section 200.15 in Attachment 1 to the report (January 23, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, by:

a.  reducing the length of the accessible parking space from 5.9 metres to 5.6 metres.

b.  including transitional regulations that:

i. ensure that existing applications for building permit, zoning certificate or complete site plan applications, need only comply with the accessible parking standards as they existed on May 3, 2017 for a period of 5 years.

ii. include the accessible parking standards that are to apply to existing applications protected in the transitional regulations and that these standards be repealed after a period of five years. 

2.  City Council enact zoning by-law amendments substantially in accordance with Attachments 1 and 2 to the report (January 23, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as amended by Recommendation 1 above.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to each zoning by-law amendment as may be required.

4.  City Council determine that no further notice is to be given in respect of the proposed by-law amendments.

5.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee if an application is submitted to reduce the number of parking spaces in existing applications protected by the transitional regulations.

City Council on March 28 and 29, 2017 referred Item PG18.5 back to the Planning and Growth Management Committee for further consideration.

_________________

Committee Recommendations

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1. City Council enact zoning by-law amendments substantially in accordance with Attachments 1 and 2 to the report January 23, 2017 from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to each zoning by-law amendment as may be required.

3. City Council determine that no further notice is to be given in respect of the proposed by-law amendments. 

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

 
1.  City Council request the Ontario Municipal Board to prioritize the scheduling of OMB cases related to the adoption of the City of Toronto’s legal and planning policy foundation documents such as municipally initiated official plan amendments and comprehensive zoning by-laws to advance the resolution of these outstanding matters.

 
2.  City Council forward this item to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Attorney General of Ontario.

On March 29, 2017, City Council passed Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 142 creating the Toronto Local Appeal Body with an effective date of May 3, 2017.  Accordingly, commencing May 3, 2017, appeals of Toronto Committee of Adjustment decisions (which do not include an associated appealed site plan application), will be heard by the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB) instead of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).  Decisions appealed before May 3, 2017 will continue to be heard by the Ontario Municipal Board.

As a result of the establishment of the TLAB the number of appeals heard by the OMB will be reduced.  A review of the OMB published statistics reveal that between 2014 and 2016 the OMB received a yearly average of 566 minor variance appealed files.  Over the same period, on average 321 minor variance appeals originated yearly from the City of Toronto.  Files involving the City accounted for approximately 57 percent of the OMB's minor variance hearings.  It is anticipated that with the establishment of the TLAB the Board’s capacity to schedule and hear other types of appeals in a more timely manner will occur. 

Under its current workload while the OMB continues to manage and adjudicate complex matters in a number of areas it has been the experience of City staff that comprehensive municipal documents, which set the foundational groundwork for how the City can and should grow, can take years to be heard.  For example, the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law (By-law 569-2013), approved by Council in May 2013 and appealed by a number of parties is having its first hearing in June of 2017.  The Development Permit System's Official Plan policies (OPA 258), also before the Ontario Municipal Board is scheduled to be heard in January 2018 and the Employment Lands Review (OPA 231) recently had its first hearing of matters adjudicated in April 2017.  Other policy matters more recently before the Ontario Municipal have yet to have hearing dates set such as the Healthy Neighbourhoods, Neighbourhoods and Apartment Neighbourhoods policies (OPA 320). 

These matters set the policy framework for how the City is to grow and the policies to direct this growth.  As such it is important to have these matters heard on a timely basis.  The lack of timely hearings on significant policy matters places the City in a position of having to address a variety of policy regimes when considering development applications resulting in multiple legal and policy frameworks under which matters are considered.  This also results in a patchwork of approvals that has the cumulative effect of destabilizing key new policies that are waiting to be heard and decided upon. 

In light of the increased capacity that the OMB will have resulting from the creation of the TLAB, it is requested that the province review its existing schedule of comprehensive municipal documents and prioritize policy appeals that have impacts on communities.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, to install the proposed sidewalk for Pinedale Road, Strathgowan Crescent and Glenallen Road on the north side of the street to ensure connectivity and safe pedestrian access to Blythwood Junior Public School.

 
2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to install the proposed sidewalk for Mildenhall Road on the east side of the street to connect to the existing sidewalk on Mildenhall north of Lawrence, provide safe pedestrian access to Cheltenham Park and the Toronto French School.

3.  City Council endorse the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Investigation of Basement Flooding (Area 20) and Road Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study Master Plan as summarized by the projects listed in Attachment 23 to the report (May 1, 2017) from the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, the General Manager, Toronto Water and the General Manager, Transportation Services, as amended by Recommendations 1 and 2 above.

4.  City Council authorize the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services to publish a Notice of Completion and file the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Investigation of Basement Flooding (Area 20) and Road Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study Master Plan report in the public record for a minimum 30 days, in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.

5.  City Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, to establish a Construction Liaison Committee, comprised of local residents and city staff and modelled on the Construction Liaison Committee as part of the Hogg's Hollow Stormwater Management and Roads Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study, to work in collaboration with city staff to determine construction mitigation measures, tree protection measures, and facilitate communication with neighbourhood residents, including communications on the potential by-law infractions for that can result for homeowners where sidewalks are being added. 

6.  City Council direct the appropriate City staff to follow the model of the Hogg's Hollow Stormwater Management and Roads Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study and retain as many trees as possible during the detailed design and construction phases by researching and reviewing international best practices with regard to tree protection and construction, consulting with the Construction Liaison Committee, and using measures, including but not limited to:

a.  Localized road narrowing and/or shifting;
b.  Pinching the road;
c.  On-site supervision by certified arborists;
d.  Excavation techniques such as hand digging, and pneumatic and hydraulic excavation techniques;
e.  Root pruning techniques;
f.  Backfill techniques; and,
g.  Tree care during construction.

7.  City Council request that the General Manager, Transportation Services to prioritize the installation of the proposed sidewalk on Mildenhall Road due to ongoing pedestrian safety concerns.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager of Toronto Water to investigate disconnection rates in the Lawrence Park neighbourhood and undertake education, communication and outreach with the goal to achieve higher rates of disconnection to reduce the risk of basement flooding in the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood.    

2.  Requested the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the Director, Urban Forestry to work to promote the City's Proactive Tree Planting Program to property owners within the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood, to help ensure that a compensatory number of trees are planted by the City, within the municipal right-of-way, in advance of the construction of works identified in the Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Investigation of Basement Flooding (Area 20) and Road Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study Master Plan.

The Lawrence Park Neighbourhood Investigation of Basement Flooding (Area 20) and Road Improvement Class Environmental Assessment Study was initiated in April 2012 to develop a Master Plan to address road infrastructure problems and mitigate the risk of basement flooding. 

The study was carried out in accordance with the requirements for a Master Plan, completing the first two phases of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process.  The recommended Plan contains a series of recommended infrastructure improvements which were selected from a broad range of alternatives, based on current City policies and standards, the unique characteristics of the neighbourhood, and input received through an extensive public consultation process. The alternatives were evaluated against a comprehensive set of criteria.

Broad public consultation, over a four year period, was used to confirm the study objectives, establish the evaluation criteria to select and assess alternatives, select the preferred solutions and provide input on the development of the Master Plan.

The Master Plan, as summarized in Attachment 23, contains the following recommended infrastructure improvements:

-   Reconstruction of a number of streets, in whole or in part as shown on Attachment 10, with pavement widths of 7.2 metres, curb and gutter road drainage and underground storm sewers;

-   New sidewalks on one side of five of these streets; and,

-   New storm sewers on three streets (as shown in Attachment 11) and sanitary sewer improvements on five streets (as shown in Attachment 12) to reduce the risk of surface and basement flooding.
 

In accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, a Notice of Completion must be issued and the Master Plan report, which documents the study process and decisions, must be filed in the public record for a minimum 30-day review period. If no concerns or objections are raised during the review period, the recommended projects may proceed to implementation.

While the exact timing of projects proceeding to implementation is subject to the availability of funding, prioritization and coordination with other projects, construction could begin in 2021.  Public consultation will continue through the implementation phases of these projects to provide input and ensure that potential impacts are minimized.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.   City Council approve the temporary closure to vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the westbound curb lane and adjacent sidewalk on Eglinton Avenue West, between Keele Street and the east side of Tretheway Drive, from June 1, 2017 to and including May 1, 2019, and require that alternative pedestrian access be provided.

2.   City Council approve the temporary closure to vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the westbound curb lane and adjacent sidewalk on Eglinton Avenue West, between the west side of Tretheway Drive and a point 105 metres west of Tretheway Drive to vehicular traffic, from June 1, 2017 to and including May 1, 2019, and require that alternative pedestrian access be provided.

3.   City Council rescind the existing southbound left-turn prohibition in effect from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays, on Hartley Avenue at Eglinton Avenue West, from June 1, 2017 to and including November 1, 2019.

4.   City Council rescind the existing southbound left-turn prohibition in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays, on Dufferin St at Keywest Avenue, from June 1, 2017 to and including November 1, 2019.

5.   City Council rescind the existing parking machine regulation in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum of 3 hours at a rate of $2.25 per hour on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Braemar Avenue and Oriole Parkway.

6.   City Council rescind the existing parking machine regulation in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum of 3 hours at a rate of $2.25 per hour on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Braemar Avenue and Russell Hill Road.

7.   City Council authorize the installation of parking machines on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Oriole Parkway and Avenue Road, to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum period of 3 hours at a rate of $2.25 per hour.

8.   City Council authorize the installation of parking machines on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between a between Avenue Road and Elmsthorpe Avenue, to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum period of 3 hours at a rate of $2.25 per hour.

9.   City Council authorize the installation of parking machines on the south side of Eglinton Avenue West, between a between Elmsthorpe Avenue and Russell Hill Road, to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum period of 3 hours at a rate of $2.25 per hour.

10.   City Council amend the existing parking machine regulation in effect from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun., for a maximum of 3 hours at a rate of $1.50 per hour on the west side of Bathurst Street, between Dewbourne Avenue and a point 49.0 metres south of Eglinton Avenue West to be in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sat. and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun.

11.   City Council direct that the traffic and parking regulations be reinstated, and traffic lanes be reopened when the project is complete.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for traffic lane and sidewalk closures, and the amendment of traffic and parking regulations at numerous locations for periods of up to five (5) years in order to support the construction of the Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown LRT (ECLRT):

-   The closure of the westbound curb lane on Eglinton Avenue West near Keele Street to support the construction of Keelesdale Station.

 
-   Removal of Left-Turn restrictions in order to equitably distribute the local traffic flow in the surrounding neighbourhoods:

-   Hartley Avenue/Eglinton Avenue West; and
-   Dufferin Street/Keywest Avenue.
 

-   Minor housekeeping modifications to existing pay and display parking regulations near Eglinton Avenue West and Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue West and Bathurst Street in an effort to increase consistency.
 

The proposed closures and amendments form elements of road occupancy permits and construction traffic management plans necessitated by the construction staging plans for this project. The proposed changes have been developed through consultation with the affected Ward Councillors.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Eglinton Avenue West, City Council approval of this report is required.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize a parking prohibition at all times on the south side of Northline Road, between Cranfield Road and a point 151 metres west.

Transportation Services is recommending a parking prohibition on the south side of Northline Road, between Cranfield Road and a point 151 metres west.  The implementation of this prohibition is intended to enhance sight lines for motorists using a driveway on the south side of the road.

This report is submitted to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee as Northline Road forms a shared boundary between the Toronto East York Community Council and the North York Community Council areas.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services, to continue to operate the 70 existing Phase 2 Red Light Cameras, (listed in Attachment 1 to the report), previously scheduled for decommissioning (as listed in Attachment 1 to the report (May 8, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services) until 2021.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services, to negotiate and execute amendments to the Phase 2 contract and Phase 3 contract with Traffipax, LLC such that the City can continue to operate and maintain an additional 70 existing Phase 2 red light camera sites for the period from June 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 and to increase the value of the current contract (and the associated Blanket Contract No.47020019) by no more than $9,498,184 net of all taxes ($9,665,353 net of HST recoveries), on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Transportation Services, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.  City Council authorize an increase to the Transportation Services' 2017 Operating Budget of $1,165,854 gross and net, to fund the 2017 portion of the purchase order amendment, licence plate information costs and the hiring of two (2) new temporary positions to process additional offences and manage the Red Light Camera contract on a temporary contract basis up to December 31, 2017. These temporary positions to be considered for conversion to permanent staff as part of the 2018 budget process.

4.  City Council authorize an increase to the Legal Services' 2017 Operating Budget of $244,125 gross and $0 net, fully recovered from Court Services, for the hiring of  five (5) new temporary positions to process additional offences and manage the expanded Red Light Camera program on a temporary contract basis up to December 31, 2017. These temporary positions to be considered for conversion to permanent staff as part of the 2018 budget process.

5.  City Council authorize an increase to the Court Services' 2017 Operating Budget of $739,375 gross and $1,905,229 revenue for a total net revenue increase of $1,165,854, which includes the hiring of six (6) new temporary positions and associated processing costs (Provincial cost recovery payments, Legal staff cost recovery) to support the expanded Red Light Camera program on a temporary contract basis up to December 31, 2017. These temporary positions to be considered for conversion to permanent staff as part of the 2018 budget process.

6.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services to negotiate, enter into and execute a new agreement with Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Transportation, for the access and use of licence plate registration information on terms and conditions generally as set out in this report and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Transportation Services and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on the statistics and challenges in the courts as they relate to Red Light Cameras.

In July 2016, City Council unanimously endorsed the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan (RSP). The Vision Zero approach to road safety is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries in our transportation system because no loss of life is acceptable. Where red light cameras have been installed in the City of Toronto they have reduced serious injuries by 23 percent and fatalities by 40 percent.

In light of these benefits, the purpose of this report is to request authority to continue to operate an additional 70 of the existing Phase 2 Red Light Cameras (RLC'S), for a total of 74 existing Phase 2 RLC's, which were previously scheduled for decommissioning in addition to the 75 new Phase 3 RLCs currently being constructed with activation in Q2 2017.  The proposed expansion of the RLC program will be revenue neutral, with all operational costs being recovered.

The ongoing operation of the additional existing 70 RLCs will continue to reduce occurrences of killed or seriously injured (KSI) collisions resulting from red light running, and responds to direction to staff to explore opportunities to expand, enhance, or accelerate RSP programs and initiatives.

Staff are recommending that the expansion of the RLC program be carried out via a purchase order amendment and/or contract amendments as:

-  there is urgency related to the Road Safety Plan in order to maintain these sites and continue to see reductions in angle KSI collisions;

-  the timeframe required between RFP tendering, evaluation and redeployment of the RLC sites when the existing contractor is already mobilized;

-  the currency of the existing contract which was market tested and illustrated that Traffipax, LLC offer best value to the City at the time of the last tender in Q4 2015; and

That cost savings are unlikely to be realized as a different vendor would:

- require a new central software and hardware processing system to be implemented which would require additional cost and time;

-  have to go through a proof of performance phase to validate that the technology meets the legislated requirements
 

Overall, this report reviews:

-  The alignment of the RLC program with the City's Vision Zero Road Safety Plan;

-  The required amendments to the Phase 2 Contract 47012243 awarded to Traffipax, Inc. (now known as Traffipax, LLC) and Phase 3 Contract No. 47020019 RLC awarded to Traffipax, LLC for the supply, installation, operation and maintenance of RLC's sites;

-  Implementation considerations, including the financial impacts and the impacts to the Joint Processing Centre and Court Services; and

-  The need to negotiate, enter into and execute a new agreement with the Ministry of Transportation for access and use of licence plate registration information

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the installation of bicycle lanes on Renforth Drive between Eglinton Avenue West and Rathburn Road, as described in Attachment 1 - Amendments to Bicycle Lane Designations, to the report (April 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

2.  City Council authorize the installation of contra-flow bicycle lanes on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 1 - Amendments to Bicycle Lane Designations, to the report (April 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a.  Bellevue Avenue, northbound, between Wales Avenue and a point 40 metres south of College Street;

b.  Denison Avenue, northbound, between Queen Street West and Wales Avenue; and

c.  Wolseley Street, westbound, between Augusta Avenue and Denison Avenue.  

3.  City Council authorize the installation of an eastbound bicycle lane on Davenport Road, between Spadina Avenue and Madison Avenue, as described in Attachment 1 - Amendments to Bicycle Lane Designations, to the report (April 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

4.  City Council amend the by-law to remove the westbound contra-flow bicycle lane and approve the installation of an eastbound contra-flow bicycle lane on Waterloo Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Gladstone Avenue, as described in Attachment 1 - Amendments to Bicycle Lane Designations, to the report (April 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

5.  City Council enact the traffic and parking regulation amendments associated with Recommendations 1 to 4, above, as described in Attachment 2 - Amendments to Traffic and Parking Regulations, to the report (April 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

The purpose of this report is to seek Council authority to install the following bicycle lanes that were identified as part of the Ten Year Cycling Network Plan adopted in principle by Council in June 2016:

-  Bicycle lanes on Renforth Avenue between Eglinton Avenue and Rathburn Drive and
-  Contra-flow bicycle lanes on Denison Avenue and Bellevue Avenue between College Street and Dundas Street West and Wolseley Street, between Augusta Avenue and Denison Avenue.
 

In addition, Council authority is sought to amend the following previous approvals for bicycle lanes:

-  Davenport Road to include an eastbound bicycle lane between Spadina Avenue and Madison Avenue, and
-  Waterloo Avenue between Dufferin Street to Gladstone Avenue to amend a westbound contra-flow bicycle lane to an eastbound contra-flow bicycle lane to reflect the recently approved conversion of this section of Waterloo Avenue from an eastbound one-way street to a westbound one-way street.
 

Subject to Council approval, Transportation Services proposes to install the above cycling facilities in 2017.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor, together with Planning staff and other appropriate staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board hearing to oppose the applicant's appeal respecting the Zoning By-law Amendment application for 2915-2917 Bloor Street West in its current form, and retain such experts as the City Solicitor may determine are needed in support of the position recommended in the report (April 21, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

2.  City Council direct the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board to defend The Bloor Kingsway Avenue Study and the six (6) storey height limit set out in the associated Zoning By-law (941-2003), and authorize the City Solicitor to retain any outside consultants as necessary.

3.  City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to continue negotiations with the applicant with the goal of developing a proposal that addresses the issues outlined in the report (April 21, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

4.  In the event that the OMB allows the appeal, in whole or in part, City Council direct the City Solicitor to request the OMB withhold its Order on the Zoning By-law Amendment until:

a.  A draft Zoning By-law Amendment is submitted to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

b.  The owner has entered into an Agreement under Section 37 of the Planning Act with the City for the purpose of securing community benefits to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor in consultation with City Planning staff and the Ward Councillor.

c.  The owner has submitted a Functional Engineering Report to the satisfaction of the Executive Director of Engineering and Construction Services. The report will determine whether the existing municipal water, sanitary and storm sewer systems can support the proposed development or upgrades are required.

d.  The owner has entered into a financially secured agreement for the construction of any improvements to the municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades are required to support the development, according to the Functional Servicing Report accepted by the Executive Director of Engineering and Construction Services.

e.  The owner has submitted a Hydrogeological Report to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Toronto Water.

f.  The owner has provided space within the development for installation of maintenance access holes and sampling ports on the private side, as close to the property line as possible, for both the storm and sanitary service connections, in accordance with the Sewers By-law Chapter 68-10.

5.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other City staff to take any necessary steps to implement the foregoing.

This application proposes a 9-storey mixed use development at 2915-2917 Bloor Street West, consisting of commercial uses at grade and 126 residential units above.

The applicant has appealed the Zoning By-law Amendment application to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and this report seeks direction regarding opposing the application at the OMB hearing and continuing negotiations with the applicant to resolve the issues identified in this report.

Planning staff oppose this application in its current form as it does not conform to the policies of the Official Plan. The proposed development does not fit within its existing and planned context or respect and reinforce the existing physical character of the area.

Staff are of the opinion the current proposal constitutes an over-development of the site. Planning staff have been in discussions with the applicant about revising the proposal in an effort to develop a proposal that is more appropriate to its context.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council request the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to bring forward to the July 5, 2017 meeting of City Council, the implementing bills for the Zoning By-law for the lands west of Blackthorn Avenue and Spring Grove Avenue.

Etobicoke York Community Council:

1.  Requested the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District, to form a Working Group, in consultation with Councillor Frances Nunziata and Councillor Cesar Palacio, comprised of City Planning staff, the appellants of OPA 144, industrial stakeholders, local ratepayers and community organizations that are interested in finding a land use solution for the area, and report to the Etobicoke York Community Council, as soon as possible.

The purpose of this report is to respond to the direction of Etobicoke York Community Council from its meeting of February 22, 2017 to report to the May 2, 2017 meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council with an update on the St. Clair Avenue Studies for the following:

-  The effect of the withdrawal of the appeal of OPA 84 by National Rubber Technologies Corporation (NRT) and what permissions are now in place for lands that fall within the area that was subject to the appeal.

 
-  What permissions stemming from the adoption of OPA 84 and OPA 144 are now in full force and effect, and to which lands they apply.

 
-  Which sections of OPA 84 and OPA 144 remain under appeal and when these appeals might be resolved.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council include the property at 1 Blue Goose Street on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in accordance with the Statement of Significance (Reasons for Inclusion): 1 Blue Good Street, attached as Attachment 3 to the report (April 6, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division.

This report recommends that City Council include the property at 1 Blue Goose Street on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register. 

At its meeting of November 16, 2016, the Etobicoke York Community Council adopted EY118.46, "Request to Include the Blue Goose Tavern at 1 Blue Goose Street on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register."

Located in the Etobicoke community of Mimico, the property at 1 Blue Goose Street contains a hotel that was built in 1909 as the Windsor Hotel, which has been known since the 1970s as the Blue Goose Tavern.  Following research and evaluation, it has been determined that the property meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, which the City also applies when considering properties for inclusion on its Heritage Register.

The property at 1 Blue Goose Street is the subject of a development application that proposes to retain the heritage building while adding residential buildings to the property.

Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan Heritage Policies.  Designation enables City Council to review alterations to the site, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

The Toronto Preservation Board on April 20, 2017, considered the following:

1.  Report (April 6, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning regarding Inclusion on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register - 1 Blue Goose Street.

2.  Communications:

a. (April 15, 2017) Letter from Michael Harrison (PB.Supp.PB22.6.1)

b. (April 12, 2017) E-mail from John Cary (PB.Supp.PB22.6.2)

c. (April 19, 2017) E-mail from Wendy Gamble, President, New Toronto Historical Society (PB.Supp.PB22.6.3)

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/pb/comm/communicationfile-68791.pdf)

d. (April 19, 2017) E-mail from Jaan Pill (PB.Supp.PB22.6.4)

e. (April 19, 2017) E-mail from Daryl Pantel (PB.Supp.PB22.6.5)

f. (April 19, 2017) E-mail from Greg Hughes (PB.Supp.PB22.6.6)

g. (April 19, 2017) E-mail from Werner Schwarz (PB.Supp.PB22.6.7)

h. (April 20, 2017) E-mail from Andy Ranachan (PB.Supp.PB22.6.8)

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council grant the request for a permit to remove one (1) privately-owned tree at 2 Saralou Court, with a condition that the owner provide five (5) replacement trees, which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash-in-lieu of planting.

This report requests that City Council deny request for a permit to remove one (1) privately-owned tree located at 2 Saralou Court. The application indicates the reasons for removal are due to concerns that the tree is growing too close to a fence, and is in declining health.

The subject tree is a Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), measuring 58 cm in diameter. The Private Tree By-law does not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:  

1.  City Council grant the request for a permit to remove two (2) privately-owned trees at 25 Thames Avenue, with a condition that the owner provide ten (10) replacement trees, which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash-in-lieu of planting.

This report requests that City Council deny the request for a permit to remove two (2) privately-owned trees located at 25 Thames Avenue. The application indicates the reasons for removal are to address concerns that falling walnuts and branches will cause damage to property and pose a potential injury to family members and pedestrians. 

The two subject trees are black walnuts (Juglans nigra) measuring 76 cm and 113 cm in diameter. The Private Tree By-law does not support the removal of these trees as they are healthy and maintainable.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the permanent closure to vehicular traffic of the portion of John Street extending over the rail corridor, south of Rosemount Avenue and north of South Station Street, designated as Part 1, on Reference Plan  66R-29247, and shown on Sketch No. PS-2017-142 (the "Highway"), attached to the report dated April 12, 2017, from the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke York District.

2.  City Council enact a by-law substantially in the form of the draft by-law attached to the report dated April 12, 2017, from the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke York District.

Etobicoke York Community Council held a public meeting on May 2, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006.  Notice of the proposed enactment of the draft by-law was posted on the Public Notice Page of the City's website.

Transportation Services recommends that the portion of the pubic highway known as John Street, extending over the rail corridor and south of Rosemount Street and north of South Station Street, be permanently closed to vehicular traffic.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the alterations and modifications to install centre streetcar platforms and widen the south curb on Lake Shore Boulevard West in the area approximately 200 metres east of Brookers Lane/Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, as indicated in Appendix “A” and generally as shown on Attachment 1 dated January 2017, attached to the report (April 7, 2017) from the Director, Transportation Services, Etobicoke York District.

The purpose of this report is to obtain authorization for a roadway alteration related to amendments to the TTC streetcar platforms located on Lake Shore Boulevard West, between Brookers Lane and Marine Parade Drive (east intersection). These platforms will be widened to be in compliance with accessibility guidelines and will be coordinated as part of the streetcar track replacement. A minor widening of the south curb is also required to accommodate the new streetcar platforms.

Since the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on Lake Shore Boulevard West, City Council approval of this report is required.

Etobicoke York Community Council, under its delegated authority, declared for liquor licensing purposes, the following events to be of municipal significance, and directed that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario be advised that the Community Council has no objection to their taking place:

1.  The Royal Mountain Records Summer Barbecue, taking place at 3365 Dundas Street West from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 24, 2017.

2.  The Nordstrom Sherway Gardens Store Opening event, at 25 The West Mall, on September 13, 2017. 

3.  The Franklin Horner Extravaganza XII to be held at 432 Horner Avenue on September 19, 2017.

Seeking endorsement of various events for liquor licensing purposes.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and NAV CANADA to use all resources and efforts available to complete as quickly as possible, runway construction works which produce negative aircraft noise impacts to communities in the Etobicoke York area.

2.  City Council express its opposition to any changes to preferential runways which have a negative noise impact on any communities in the Etobicoke York area.

3.  City Council request the City Clerk to forward a copy of this Item to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Helios, NAV CANADA, Transport Canada, and Members of Parliament for ridings in the Etobicoke York area.

In March 2017, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) commenced a major runway rehabilitation project on one of the East-West runways at Pearson International Airport. The construction work has resulted in variable runway closures and restrictions, and has required that many departing and arriving aircraft be re-routed to other runways including North-South runways over Central and South Etobicoke.

The additional air traffic activity represents nearly a tenfold increase in low-level flights over quiet Etobicoke neighbourhoods. This has had a marked detrimental impact to the quality of life and protection of sleep for Ward 3 residents and those of nearby communities.

In a recent public meeting at the airport, a number of residents expressed concerns over the changes to air traffic patterns, and frustration over the construction work. Responding to a question from a resident, the airport confirmed that the Toronto Airspace Review study conducted by Helios on behalf of NAV CANADA, is reviewing permanent changes to preferential runways. It was confirmed that if adopted, these changes could mean permanent increased air traffic for Central and South Etobicoke.

Etobicoke York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council waive the relevant sections of the Property Naming Policy.

2.  City Council approve the naming of the Connorvale Park Clubhouse as the "Steve 'Whitey' Breitner Clubhouse".

I am requesting City Council approve naming the clubhouse used by the Etobicoke Rangers players at Connorvale Park the “Steve "Whitey" Breitner Clubhouse”, in honour of Steve Breitner, legendary baseball pitcher, manager and volunteer in Etobicoke.

Steve, nicknamed “Whitey” after New York Yankees Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, began his storied baseball career in the Queensway Minor Baseball Association, played professionally for eleven years, and has coached players and managed teams successfully for the last 25 years. In 1976, he was selected the Most Valuable Player of the Leaside Junior League with a pitching record of 13-2, and he had over 100 wins and over 1,000 strikeouts over his eleven-year senior baseball career.

In recognition of his achievements and contributions to amateur baseball in Etobicoke, Toronto and Ontario, in 2013 Steve was inducted into the Ontario Baseball Association Hall of Fame.  He was also inducted into the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major Hall of Fame in 2010.

Over the past 25 years, Whitey has spent countless hours and days at the ballpark. His outgoing personality, tremendous knowledge and passion for baseball, along with his core values as a person, have positively impacted the players that have come up through the Rangers system.  He has been at the forefront of many fundraising initiatives over the years in an effort to help reduce overall team costs, making it affordable for players to play the game they love.

Etobicoke York  Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council concur with the following action taken by the Etobicoke York Community Council in authorizing the City Solicitor to:

a.  Appeal the November 3, 2016 decision of the Committee of Adjustment - Etobicoke York Panel, regarding Application No. A0712/16EYK respecting 34 Twenty Seventh Street, to the Ontario Municipal Board.

b.  Attend, along with appropriate City staff, the Ontario Municipal Board hearing scheduled for May 15, 2017, in order to oppose the variances requested in Application No. A0712/16EYK respecting 34 Twenty Seventh Street.

Etobicoke York  Community Council:

1.  Authorized the City Solicitor to appeal the November 3, 2016 decision of the Committee of Adjustment - Etobicoke York Panel, regarding Application No. A0712/16EYK respecting 34 Twenty Seventh Street, to the Ontario Municipal Board.

2.  Authorized the City Solicitor, along with appropriate City staff, to attend the Ontario Municipal Board hearing scheduled for May 15, 2017, in order to oppose the variances requested in Application No. A0712/16EYK respecting 34 Twenty Seventh Street.

The applicant applied to the Committee of Adjustment, Etobicoke York Panel, (the "Committee") for minor variances from the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 and the Etobicoke Zoning Code to construct a new detached dwelling with an attached garage on 34 Twenty Seventh Street (the "Application").  The Application is known as municipal file number A0712/16TEY.

On November 3, 2016, the Committee approved the Application with conditions (the "Decision"). 

City Planning prepared a staff report dated October 27, 2016, recommending refusal of the Application and the proposed variances.  Planning reviewed the proposal and concluded that the variances, particularly those for floor space index, setbacks, and building height do not satisfy the proposed intent of the applicable Zoning By-laws.  Planning concluded that the variances, if approved, would allow a development with massing that is not in character with the neighbourhood, and would have negative impacts on neighbouring properties.

In order to preserve the City's right of appeal, the City Solicitor appealed the Committee's Decision to the Ontario Municipal Board on November 23, 2016. 

This motion will give the City Solicitor retroactive authority to appeal the Committee's Decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. This motion will also authorize the City Solicitor, and appropriate City Staff, to attend the Ontario Municipal Board in order to oppose the proposed variances requested in the Application.

This matter is time sensitive and urgent as the City Solicitor has already appealed the Decision to the Ontario Municipal Board and requires instructions to attend the hearing for this matter which is scheduled for May 15, 2017. 

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the permanent closure to vehicular traffic of the east-west portion of the public lane at the rear of 179-181 Sheppard Avenue East, designated as Part 1 on Reference Plan 66R- 29245, and shown as Part 1 on Sketch No. PS-2017-021 (the "Lane"), attached to the report (March 19, 2017), from the Director, Transportation Services, North York District.

2. City Council enact a by-law substantially in the form of the draft by-law attached to the report (March 19, 2017), from the Director, Transportation Services, North York District.

North York Community Council held a public meeting in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and notice of the proposed enactment of the draft by-law was posted on the Public Notices Page of the City's website in accordance with the requirements of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 162. No one addressed the North York Community Council on May 2, 2017.

Transportation Services recommends that the east-west portion of the public lane at the rear of 179-181 Sheppard Avenue East, be permanently closed to vehicular traffic.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor, together with City Planning Staff and other appropriate staff, to attend any Ontario Municipal Board hearings, to oppose the Zoning By-law Amendment application, in its current form.

2. City Council authorize City staff to continue discussions with the applicant in order to try to come to an agreement on an appropriate development for 14-16 Elvina Gardens and 197 and 197R Erskine Avenue.

3. Should the Ontario Municipal Board approve the applications, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to request that the Ontario Municipal Board withholds its Order(s) approving the application until such time as:

a. the Board has been advised by the City Solicitor that the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment application is in a form satisfactory to the City; and

b. the applicant has submitted an application for Site Plan Control and pre-approval conditions have been met.

North York Community Council was advised by staff that since the writing of the Refusal Report and the report being included on the agenda for the North York Community Council meeting on May 2, 2017, the applicant's Solicitor has appealed the application for a Zoning Amendment Application to the Ontario Municipal Board due to Council's failure to make a decision on the application within the time frame prescribed by the Planning Act. 

This application proposes to amend the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86 and the new City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 to permit ten, three-storey townhouses at 14-16 Elvina Gardens and 197 & 197R Erskine Avenue. Vehicular access is proposed via a six metre driveway off Elvina Gardens, with underground parking consisting of one parking space for each townhouse unit. A three metre right-of-way access is also proposed from Erskine Avenue. Outdoor amenity space in the form of either a rear garden or terrace is proposed for each townhouse unit.

This report recommends refusal of the application to amend the Zoning By-law. The proposal does not conform to the Official Plan's Neighbourhood criteria policies and does not respect and reinforce the existing physical character of the neighbourhood, particularly in terms of the size and configuration of lots, prevailing building type, height, massing and scale.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council direct that the City Solicitor, together with City Planning staff and other appropriate staff, attend any Ontario Municipal Board hearings in opposition to the Official Plan amendment application in its current form based on the issues outlined in the report (April 21, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

2. Should the Ontario Municipal Board approve the application to amend the Official Plan, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to request that the Ontario Municipal Board withholds its Order(s) approving the applications until such time as:

a. the Board has been advised by the City Solicitor that the proposed Official Plan is in a form satisfactory to the City.

3. In the event that the Ontario Municipal Board allows the appeal of the applicant to amend the zoning by-law, in whole or in part, City Council direct staff to request that the Board withholds its Order(s) until such time as the City and the owner have presented a draft by-law to the Board that secured appropriate community benefits and a Section 37 agreement has been entered into.

4. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to continue discussions with the applicant to address the issues outlined in the report (April 21, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, North York District, and to report back to City Council on the outcome, including proposed Section 37 contributions related to any revised proposal, as appropriate.

The applicant has appealed the application for an Official Plan amendment (OPA) to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) due to Council's failure to make a decision on the application within the time frame prescribed by the Planning Act. A Preliminary Hearing was held January 30, 2017, a second Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for June 5, 2017 and the hearing is scheduled to begin December 4, 2017.

The appeal has been consolidated with a previous zoning by-law amendment appeal at 5959 Yonge Street to permit two fourteen storey mixed use buildings (file no. 10 304240 NNY 24 OZ).

This application proposes to change the Official Plan designation for a portion of the lands, including lands not owned by the applicant, from Neighbourhoods to Mixed Use Areas to provide for a number of mixed use buildings within the designation, including buildings of 25, 29, 31 and 43 storeys on the lands which they own.

This report recommends that the City Solicitor, together with City Planning and other appropriate staff, attend the OMB hearing in opposition to the current proposal. The report also recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate staff be authorized to continue discussions with the applicant to address the issues outlined in this report.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands at 17 and 19 Henning Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment No. 11 to the report (April 12, 2017), from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

2. City Council amend Zoning By-laws 569-2013 and 438-86, for the lands at 90 Eglinton Avenue West, and 17 and 19 Henning Avenue substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendments attached as Attachment Nos. 12 and 13 to the report (April 12, 2017), from the Director, Community Planning, North York District.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment and draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

4. Prior to the Bills going forward to City Council for enactment, City Council direct that the owner for 90 Eglinton Avenue West, and 17 and 19 Henning Avenue withdraw their appeal for the Eglinton Connects Official Plan Amendment 253 for the provision of a rear laneway.

5. Prior to the Bills going forward to City Council for enactment, City Council direct that the owner for 90 Eglinton Avenue West and 17 and 19 Henning Avenue withdraw their appeal to Official Plan Amendment 231.

6. City Council direct that, in order to lift the holding provision, the applicant will address the following condition:

a. the owner shall provide a revised functional servicing/storm water management study

and design plans in support of a Site Plan Application, which demonstrates that the development of the site will not result in an increase in post-development flows to the combined sewer system beyond pre-development levels, in accordance with Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Procedure F-5-5, and to the satisfaction of the Executive Director of Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager of Toronto Water.

7. Prior to the issuance of the first above-grade building permit, City Council require that the owner shall convey off-site parkland to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

8. Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, City Council require the owner of the lands at 90 Eglinton Avenue West, and 17 and 19 Henning Avenue to enter into one or more Agreement(s) pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act as follows to secure the following at the owner's expense:

a. a cash payment of $1,000,000 payable prior to the issuance of any above grade building

permit:

i. to be used by the City in its sole discretion for the  purpose of improvements to Eglinton Park in accordance with the Midtown in Focus Parks and Public Realm Plan;

b. require that the cash amount identified shall be indexed upwardly in accordance with the Statistics Canada Non-Residential Construction Price Index for Toronto for the period from the date of the execution of the Section 37 Agreement to the date of payment; and

c. the following matters to be secured in the Section 37 Agreement as a legal convenience to support development:

i. the conveyance of the off-site parkland dedication property at 61 Montgomery Avenue, prior to the issuance of the first building permit.

ii. a stratified easement on the east west driveway in favour of the City of Toronto to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, and Executive Director of Engineering and Construction Services.

North York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 2, 2017 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

These applications propose a 24-storey mixed-use residential and commercial development at 90 Eglinton Avenue West and 17 and 19 Henning Avenue consisting of 227 residential units in 15,998 square metres of residential use, 2,927 square metres of office use, and 677 square metres of commercial use for a total of 19,602 square metres.  The proposed density is 8.74 times the area of the lot and the proposed height is 92.15 metres including mechanical equipment.  Three levels of below grade parking would accommodate 125 vehicular spaces along with 251 bicycle parking spaces. 

This report reviews and recommends approval of the applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws.  The proposal represents an appropriate built form for a mixed use building with office replacement on site, and would provide a graduation of heights from the tall buildings within the Yonge-Eglinton Centre to the mid-rise form west along Eglinton Avenue West. The proposal provides an appropriate transition from Mixed Use Areas to Neighbourhoods. The proposal has limited shadow impacts on the Neighbourhoods to the north and west and no shadowing on Eglinton Park (including the parking lot) after early morning. The proposal implements the setback and landscaping anticipated as part of the Eglinton Green Line initiative and supports the redesign of the Eglinton Avenue right-of-way. As no part of the proposed building mass is to be situated upon the lands at 17 & 19 Henning Avenue, the existing Neighbourhood designation would be maintained.  A Site and Area Specific Policy would provide for the proposed driveway, underground parking, and landscaped buffer on these lands. 

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council direct Transportation Services staff to:

a. review the following locations for consideration as part of the 'Outside the box' program to paint murals on traffic control boxes and implement the murals as the opportunity arises:

1. Southwest corner of Fairlawn Avenue;                     

2. Northwest corner of Brooke Avenue;                                               

3. Southwest corner of Dunblaine Avenue;

4. Southwest corner of Carmichael Avenue; and           

b. in consultation with the local Councillor, explore opportunities for the conversion of commercial boulevard parking permits on flanking streets and assess the opportunities to repurpose spaces with pedestrian and cycling amenities, sidewalks, street trees and landscaping at the following locations along Avenue Road:

1. the southwest and southeast corners of Joicey Boulevard;

2. the northwest, southeast and northeast corners of Dunblaine Avenue;

3. the northwest corner of Haddington Avenue;

4. the northeast and southeast corners of Brooke Avenue;

5. the northwest and northeast corners of Melrose Avenue; and

6. the southeast and northeast corners of Felbrigg Avenue.

2. City Council direct Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff in consultation with Transportation Services, to assess the feasibility for:

a. planting street trees at 2175, 2177 and 2181 Avenue Road in the boulevard area between Avenue Road and the parallel private driveway;

b. planting street trees at 1997 Avenue Road in the right-of-way along the south side of Haddington Avenue;

c. continuing to schedule on-going improvements to the Cranbrooke Avenue entrance to Brookdale Park, and general park improvements including improved curbs and bollards, lighting and signage at the Cranbrooke Avenue park entrance; and

d. continuing to schedule on-going improvements and installation of a pedestrian trail in Brookdale Park between Grey Road and Fairlawn Avenue.

3. City Council direct Parks, Forestry & Recreation staff to continue to work with Forests Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to promote additional tree planting at the Highway 401 and Avenue Road interchange under the Highway of Heroes Tribute tree planting program to improve the character of the area as a landscape gateway.

As directed by City Council on May 12, 2015, staff initiated an amendment to the zoning bylaw provision relating to third floor building step-backs for all buildings or structures within a portion of the Avenue Road study area, from Joicey Boulevard to Lawrence Avenue West.

The City Initiated Zoning By-law amendment was the subject of a report dated February 16, 2016, and was approved by City Council at its meeting of March 10, 2016.

Staff were also directed to provide an update on the implementation status of the Council adopted recommendations from the City-initiated Avenue Study for Avenue Road from Lawrence Avenue West to Wilson Avenue.

This status report provides the requested update on the implementation status of the Avenue Road study recommendations.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council approve the continuation of the closure of the northbound curb lane on Yonge Street, from a point 23.4 metres north of Sheppard Avenue East to a point 30 metres south of Greenfield Avenue, until June 30, 2018.

2. City Council approve the continuation of the closure of the westbound curb lane on Sheppard Avenue East, from Yonge Street to a point 170 metres east, until June 30, 2018.

3. City Council direct that Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue East be returned to their pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

PCL Constructors Canada Inc. is currently renovating the retail/commercial building at 4841-4881 Yonge Street, on the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue East.  They are currently occupying the northbound curb lane on Yonge Street and the westbound curb lane on Sheppard Avenue East for construction staging purposes.   They have requested a time extension to these street occupations until June 30, 2018, when construction will be completed.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council approve the alteration of the intersection of Laird Drive and Millwood Road, including the removal of the eastbound right-turn channel and the designation of an eastbound right-turn lane, generally as shown on Drawing No. NYRD16-0050 dated November 2016, attached to the report (March 7, 2017) from the Director, Transportation Services, North York District, entitled "Road Alteration – Laird Drive and Millwood Road".

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates bus service on Laird Drive and Millwood Road, City Council approval of this report is required.

Transportation Service is requesting approval to alter the roadway at Laird Drive and Millwood Road by replacing the eastbound right-turn channel with a dedicated eastbound right-turn lane.

Removal of the right-turn channel will allow for the installation of audible pedestrian signals at the intersection and address a pattern of rear-end collisions within the channel. The dedicated eastbound right-turn lane will provide a comparable level of service to this movement.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council advise the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario that it has no objection, for liquor licensing purposes, to the following request noting that applicants are required to comply with other applicable by-laws and to obtain the necessary permits for any patio areas extending into the City's right of way:

a. Temporary Liquor Licence extension, from Marigolds and Onions, for the proposed extended outdoor fenced-in area that surrounds the licensed areas, for the Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament to be held at the Aviva Centre, 1 Shoreham Drive from Saturday, August 5, to Sunday, August 13, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily.

North York Community Council, for liquor licensing purposes, declared the following to be events of municipal significance:

1. Jab Jab J'Ouvert" event, with beer garden, to be held on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 7:00 p.m. to Saturday August 5, 2017, 2:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Azzurri Soccer Village, 4995 Keele Street.

2. Woman to Woman - Lunch in The Garden fundraising event to be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Toronto Botanical Gardens in the Garden Hall/2nd Hall; Garden Hall Courtyard; Westview Terrace; Front Lobby; Floral Hall; Studios 1,2, 3; Kitchen Garden and Perennial Border, 777 Lawrence Avenue East.

Seeking endorsement of events for Municipal Significance for liquor licensing purposes.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council deny the request for a permit to remove one (1) City-owned tree located on the right of way adjacent to 123 Sheldrake Boulevard.

This report requests that City Council deny the request for a permit to remove one (1) City-owned tree located on the right of way adjacent to 123 Sheldrake Boulevard. The application indicates the reason for removal is to allow for the realignment of an existing driveway access for a newly constructed dwelling. This follows a construction application in 2013 where the City and owner agreed to retain and protect the same tree.

The subject tree is a red oak (Quercus rubra) measuring 34 cm in diameter. Urban Forestry does not support removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board and to retain outside consultants as necessary to oppose the proposed consent and minor variances requested in Application Nos. B0015/16NY, B0016/16NY, A0272/16NY, A0273/16NY, A0274/16NY respecting 215 and 217 Elmhurst Avenue.

The applicant has applied to the Committee of Adjustment (Application Nos. B0015/16NY, B0016/16NY, A0272/16NY, A0273/16NY, A0274/16NY) to obtain consent to sever the properties at 215 and 217 Elmhurst Avenue into three undersized residential lots and for minor variances from Zoning By-laws 7625 and 569-2013 to permit the construction of a new two-storey dwelling on each of the proposed severed lots (the "Applications"). 

At its hearing on January 12, 2017, the Committee of Adjustment refused the applications for both the consent and minor variances.  In their report, Planning Staff were of the opinion that the proposal is not in keeping with the intent of the Official Plan or the intent of the Zoning By-laws and should be refused.  Copies of the Notices of Decision and Staff Report are attached.

The applicant has already appealed the Committee of Adjustment's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

No hearing date has been scheduled for this appeal.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board and to retain outside consultants as necessary to oppose the proposed consent and minor variances requested in Application Nos. B0037/16NY, A0504/16NY, A0507/16NY respecting 155 Drewry Avenue.

The applicant has applied to the Committee of Adjustment (Application Nos. B0037/16NY, A0504/16NY, A0507/16NY) to obtain consent to sever the property at 155 Drewry Avenue into two undersized residential lots and for minor variances from Zoning By-laws 7625 and 569-2013 to permit the construction of a new two-storey dwelling on each of the proposed severed lots (the "Applications"). 

At its hearing on February 23, 2017, the Committee of Adjustment refused the applications for both the consent and minor variances.  In their report, Planning Staff were of the opinion that the proposal is not in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood and should be refused.  Copies of the Notices of Decision and Staff Report are attached.

The applicant has already appealed the Committee of Adjustment's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

No hearing date has been scheduled for this appeal.

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board and to retain outside consultants as necessary to oppose the proposed consent and minor variances requested in Application Nos. B0071/15NY, B0014/16NY, A1129/15NY, A1130/15NY, A0260/16NY respecting 52 and 56 Norton Avenue.

The applicant has applied to the Committee of Adjustment (Application Nos. B0071/15NY, B0014/16NY, A1129/15NY, A1130/15NY, A0260/16NY) to obtain consent to sever the properties at 52 and 56 Norton Avenue into three undersized residential lots and for minor variances from Zoning By-laws 7625 and 569-2013 to permit the construction of a new two-storey dwelling on each of the proposed severed lots (the "Applications"). 

At its hearing on February 9, 2017, the Committee of Adjustment refused the applications for both the consent and minor variances.  In their report, Planning Staff were of the opinion that the proposal is not in keeping with the intent of the Official Plan or the intent of the Zoning By-laws and should be refused.  Copies of the Notices of Decision and Staff Report are attached.

The applicant has already appealed the Committee of Adjustment's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

No hearing date has been scheduled for this appeal.

Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council deny the request for a permit to remove one (1) privately-owned tree located at 44 Jade Street.

This report requests that City Council deny the request for a permit to remove one (1) privately-owned tree located at 44 Jade Street. The application indicates the reason for removal is to address the concern that the tree is situated too close to the dwelling, resulting in the potential for large branches to fall onto the house during severe weather events.

The subject tree is a honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) measuring 64 cm in diameter. The Private Tree By-law does not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable.

Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1.   City Council reduce the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h on Danforth Road, between Midland Avenue and Brimley Road.

This report provides the results of a speed limit review conducted on Danforth Road, between Midland Avenue and Brimley Road in response to a request for a reduction of the existing 60 km/h speed limit to 50 km/h. The analysis concludes that a 50 km/h speed limit is not technically justified on this section of Danforth Road which currently has a posted speed limit of 60 km/h along its entire length.

Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council amend the existing heavy vehicle prohibition in effect from 7:00 p.m. of one day to 7:00 a.m. of the next following day on Pharmacy Avenue, between Sheppard Avenue East and McNicoll Avenue, to be in effect at all times.

This report recommends the amendment of the existing Heavy Vehicles Prohibition to prohibit trucks at all times on Pharmacy Avenue between Sheppard Avenue East and Finch Avenue East. Currently, trucks are prohibited on this section of Pharmacy Avenue nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager of Transportation Services to design and install community signs within the public road allowance to identify the Guildwood Village Community.

2.  City Council direct that the Public Realm Section in Transportation Services be responsible for maintenance of the installed signs, including removal of graffiti and keeping the signs in a state of good repair.

The Guildwood Village is a beautiful community off of the Scarborough Bluffs on Lake Ontario.  The community is flourishing with local business, community involvement and with the Guild Park and Gardens renewal inclusive of the historical Guild Inn restoration which is a significant achievement for the City of Toronto and entire Scarborough Community.  

Residents are very proud to live in Guildwood Village and have requested through the Guildwood Village Community Association that I put forward this request for the design and installation of a series of community signs to identify and promote the neighbourhood of Guildwood Village. 

Similar community signs have been installed across the City enriching local pride, attracting visitors and having positive economic benefits to local business.

By virtue of my submission of this recommendation, I advise that I support this request from my constituents and commit to working with them and Transportation Services staff to ensure the design of the signs meet the criteria for the Installation of Neighbourhood and Community Signs within City of Toronto Road Allowances.

Scarborough Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council, for liquor licensing purposes, advise the Alcohol and Gaming Commission that it has no objection, for liquor licensing purposes, to the following requests noting that the applicants are required to comply with other applicable by-laws and to obtain the necessary permits for any patio areas extending into the City's right of way:

a.  A special occasion liquor license permit for The Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival, to be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 and Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on the grounds of the Guild Park and Gardens located at 201 Guildwood Parkway.

b.  The following restaurants temporarily extending their patios during the fourteenth annual Taste of Lawrence Festival to be held on Friday, July 7, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight and on Sunday, July 9, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., inclusive, on Lawrence Avenue East (between Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road):

  
Winner's Bar & Grill – 2181 Lawrence Avenue East; 
Diana's Oyster Bar & Grill – 2105 Lawrence Avenue East; and
The Wexford Restaurant - 2072 Lawrence Avenue East.

Scarborough Community Council, under its delegated authority, declared for liquor licensing purposes, the following events to be of municipal significance, and directed that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario be advised that the Community Council has no objection to their taking place:

a. The Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival on Saturday, July 29, 2017 and Sunday, July 30, 2017, inclusive, on the grounds of the Guild Park and Gardens located at 201 Guildwood Parkway.

b. The fourteenth annual Taste of Lawrence Festival on July 7, 8 and 9, 2017, on Lawrence Avenue East between Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road.

Seeking endorsement of events for liquor licensing purposes.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council amend the Official Plan, for the lands along College Street generally between McCaul Street and Bathurst Street substantially in accordance with the draft Official Plan Amendment attached as Attachment 1 to the report (April 25, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Official Plan Amendment as may be required.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor and any required staff to attend the Ontario Municipal Board to support the draft Site and Area Specific Official Plan Policy as may be required.

4.  City Council adopt the Urban Design Guidelines attached as Attachment 3 to the report (April 10, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

5.  City Council direct the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services to report to the Toronto Preservation Board and to the Toronto and East York Community Council on the possibility for inclusion on the City's Heritage Register of the potential heritage resources identified in the study area as illustrated in Attachment 4 to the report (April 10, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

6.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to review the appropriate size for retail units for the north side of College Street between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street and to report to City Council on any necessary amendments to the Zoning By-law to limit retail unit size in this area.

The Toronto and East York Community Council requested the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District to report directly to City Council regarding the matters raised by both the deputants and in the communications received at the Toronto and East York Community Council meeting on May 2, 2017.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 2, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

In February 2012, Toronto and East York Community Council requested Staff to review the policy context for College Street generally from University Avenue to Bathurst Street to address: land use and the inclusion of institutional uses within mixed-use buildings; building scale and height; and public realm, including special places and pedestrian improvements.  This was later amended to include analysis of the social value of buildings, in addition to built form and physical character. This report summarizes the outcome of the College Street Study, and recommends the adoption of a new Official Plan Site and Area Specific Policy (SASP)  and area-specific Urban Design Guidelines to guide development for the area of College Street generally from McCaul Street to Bathurst Street.

Planning Staff have held three Community Consultation meetings and four Stakeholder Advisory Committee meetings since beginning the Study in 2013.

This report discusses the methodology, considerations and community comments that informed the planning study and details the planning rationale associated with each component of the draft area-specific Official Plan policy.

The College Street Site and Specific Policy is intended to provide clear direction to stakeholders on the expectations of the City of Toronto and the community.  While a number of the policies in the draft Official Plan Amendment provide direction for the entire Study Area, the Study Area is divided into 6 distinct Character Areas and the draft Official Plan Amendment provides further direction specific to development in each Character Area to reflect the unique characteristics of each Character Area.

This supplementary report recommends amendments to the draft Official Plan Amendment attached to the April 10, 2017 "College Street Study – Official Plan Amendment – Final Report".  The key revisions include incorporation of a new policy relating to properties designated Neighbourhoods in the Study Area, providing for additional flexibility in setbacks adjacent to public streets, and minor modifications to some policies for the purposes of clarity.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council amend Zoning By-law 438-86, as amended, for the lands at 60 Shuter Street and 187-189 Church Street, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as Attachment 9 to the report (March 31, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.  City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 60 Shuter Street and 187-189 Church Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 10 to the report (March 31, 201 from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.   

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the Draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

4.  Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, City Council require confirmation from the Owner that the proposed building complies with the Minister's zoning order related to the helicopter flight path for St. Michael's Hospital.

5.  Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, require the Owner to enter into an Agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act as follows:

a.  The community benefits recommended to be secured in the Section 37 Agreement are as follows:

i.  An indexed cash payment of $2,500,000 payable prior to the issuance of the first above-grade building permit.  The amount is to be indexed upwardly in accordance with the Statistics Canada Non-Residential Building Construction Price Index for Toronto, calculated from the date of the Section 37 Agreement to the date the payment is made.  The funds shall be directed as follows:

a.  $1,600,000 to be allocated towards local area park or streetscape improvements, in consultation with the Ward Councillor;

b.  $500,000 toward public art, in accordance with the City of Toronto Public Art Program;
 

c.  $200,000 to be allocated towards existing community, recreation and/or cultural space improvements in the ward, in consultation with the Ward Councillor;

d.  $200,000 to be allocated towards new or existing Toronto Community Housing and/or affordable housing; and

b. The following matters are also recommended to be secured in Section 37 Agreement as a legal convenience to support the development:

i.  The Owner shall provide and maintain a pet relief facility; and

ii. The Owner shall provide 10 percent family sized units in the development, containing at least three bedrooms.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 2, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This application proposes to develop a 29-storey (86.25 metres to top of mechanical penthouse) mixed-use building at 60 Shuter Street and 187-189 Church Street.  The proposal includes 576 square metres of non-residential floor area and 23,718 square metres of residential floor area.  A total of 328 residential units, 99 vehicular parking spaces (76 resident and 33 visitor/commercial) and 328 bicycle parking spaces (295 resident and 33 visitor) are proposed.

The proposal is consistent with the relevant policies of the Official Plan and guidelines that apply to Mixed Use Areas and the Downtown.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council amend Zoning By-law 438-86, for the lands at 480-494 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 7 to the report (April 3, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.  City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands at 480-494 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 6 to the report (April 3, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

4.  Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, City Council require the Owner to enter into an Agreement pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act that is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, as follows:

a.  The community benefits recommended to be secured are as follows:

i.  $4,600,000 to be allocated towards local area park, streetscape improvements and/or public art in association with such streetscape improvements, within an area bounded by Wellesley Street, Church Street, Edward Street / Gould Street and University Avenue / Queen's Park;

 
ii.$1,000,000 to be allocated towards capital improvements for new or existing Toronto Community Housing and/or affordable housing in Ward 27;
 

iii.  $1,000,000 to be allocated towards capital improvements for new or existing cultural and/or community space in Ward 27;
 

iv.  Public art with a minimum value of $1,000,000 to be installed on the subject property in accordance with the City of Toronto Public Art Program;
 

v.  $100,000 to be allocated towards the expansion of Toronto Bike Share;
 

vi.  The cash contributions in Recommendation 4.a.i. to v. above are to be indexed upwardly in accordance with the Statistics Canada Non-Residential Building Construction Price Index for Toronto, calculated from the date that the Section 37 Agreement is entered into until the date such payment is made to the City; and
 

vii.  In the event the cash contributions described in Recommendations 4.a.i., ii., .iii. and v. above have not been used for the intended purpose within three (3) years of the by-law coming into full force and effect, the cash contribution may be directed to another purpose, at the discretion of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the local Councillor, provided that the purpose is identified in the Toronto Official Plan and will benefit the community in the vicinity of the lands; and

b.  The following matters are also recommended to be secured in the Section 37 Agreement to support the development:

 
i.  The Owner agrees to limit balcony projections behind the clock tower in accordance with provision 2 in Schedule A of the draft Zoning By-law Amendments in Attachments 6 and 7 to the report (April 3, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District;

 
ii.  The Owner agrees that despite any height permissions, height exemptions, encroachments, or projections permitted by By-law 569-2013, By-law 438-86, or the site-specific zoning by-laws, no portion of the building may extend beyond the building envelope defined by the heavy lines on Diagram 3 of the proposed zoning by-law to amend By-law 569-2013 in Attachment 6 to the report (April 3, 2017 from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, that would cause additional incremental shadow on the park at 11 Wellesley Street West beyond that illustrated in the Shadow Study in Schedule 2 of Attachment 5 of an Ontario Municipal Board decision issued on December 22, 2016 regarding Case No. PL131355;

iii.  The Owner shall provide replacement rental dwelling units in accordance with the conditions listed in Recommendation 6.a.-i. below;

iv.  Prior to the commencement of any excavation and shoring work, the Owner will submit a Construction Management Plan, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, in consultation with the Ward Councillor, and thereafter shall implement the plan during the course of construction.  The Construction Management Plan will include, but not be limited to, the size and location of construction staging areas, location and function of gates, information on concrete pouring, lighting details, construction vehicle parking and queuing locations, refuse storage, site security, site supervisor contact information, a communication strategy with the surrounding community, and any other matters requested by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Ward Councillor; and

v.  Prior to final Site Plan approval for the proposed development for the properties located at 480 - 494 Yonge Street, the owner shall: 

I.  provide final site plan drawings including drawings related to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.2. in the report (March 27, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;
 

II.  provide an Interpretation Plan for the subject properties, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;
 

III.  provide a Heritage Lighting Plan that describes how the heritage properties will be sensitively illuminated to enhance their heritage character to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager Heritage Preservation Services;
 

IV.  provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the subject property satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; and
 

V.  submit a Signage Plan for the proposed development to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services.

 
5.  Before introducing the necessary Bills to City Council for enactment, require the applicant and/or Owner to:

a.  provide an updated Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report and updated Hydrogeological Investigation Report to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services;

 
b.  enter into a financially secured agreement for the design and construction of any improvements to the municipal infrastructure, should it be determined that upgrades are required to support the development, according to the Site Servicing and Stormwater Management Report accepted by the Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services;
 

c.  enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the City for the properties at 480 Yonge Street and 484 Yonge Street in accordance with the plans and drawings dated February 7, 2017, prepared by Architects Alliance, and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, and the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and Addendum, prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated February 10, 2017 and March 16, 2017, and in accordance with the Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 5.d. below, as follows, all to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services including registration of such Agreement to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor prior to the by-laws coming into full force and effect; 
 

d.  provide a Conservation Plan, prepared by a qualified heritage consultant, that is consistent with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment and Addendum for 480 Yonge Street and 484 Yonge Street prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated February 10, 2017 and March 16, 2017, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; and
 

e.  Provide a written undertaking to the City Solicitor that their site-specific appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board on the North Downtown Yonge Area Specific Policy No. 382 (OPA 183) and the Historic Yonge Heritage Conservation District Plan will be withdrawn upon the site-specific zoning by-laws coming into force and effect and the City's issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions related to the Site Plan Control application for the subject property, subject to any technical amendments to the by-laws that implement OPA 183 and the Historic Yonge Heritage Conservation District Plan that may be necessary to reflect the site-specific zoning by-law amendments and site plan approval.
 

6.   City Council approve the application for a Section 111 permit in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 667 to allow the demolition of twenty-six (26) existing rental dwelling units located at 480-482 Yonge Street, 484-488 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street subject to the following conditions:

a.   the owner shall provide and maintain twenty-six (26) replacement rental dwelling units, comprised of eight (8) bachelor, twelve (12) one-bedroom, two (2) two-bedroom and four (4) three-bedroom units on the subject site for a period of at least twenty (20) years, as generally shown on the plans submitted to the City Planning Division dated February 7, 2017. Any revision to these plans must be to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

b.  the owner shall provide at least eight (8) bachelor and seven (7) one-bedroom replacement rental dwelling units at affordable rents as well as five (5) one-bedroom and one (1) two-bedroom replacement rental dwelling units at mid-range rents for a period of at least (ten) 10 years;

c.  the owner shall provide en-suite laundry facilities in all replacement rental dwelling units;

d.  the owner shall provide at least three (3) vehicle parking spaces to tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units for a predetermined monthly fee to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and, should any of the three (3) vehicle parking spaces not be required by any such tenants for any given month of the year, shall make the spaces available to residential visitors free of charge by request of a residential occupant, including tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units;

e.   the owner shall provide at least fourteen (14) storage lockers to the tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units for a predetermined monthly fee to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;    

f.   the owner shall provide tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units with access to all indoor and outdoor amenities, bicycle parking and visitor parking on the same terms and conditions as condominium residents;

g.  the owner shall provide tenant relocation and assistance to all eligible tenants, including the right to return to a replacement rental dwelling unit, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

h.  the owner shall enter into and register on title one or more Agreement(s) to secure the conditions outlined in 6.a.-g. above to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and

i.  the owner shall enter into and register on title, a Section 118 Restriction under the Land Titles Act, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor agreeing not to transfer or charge those parts of the lands, comprising the twenty-six (26) replacement rental dwelling units, without the written consent of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or designate, to assist with the securing of the Section 111 Agreement against future owners and encumbrances of the lands until such time as the City Solicitor determines that its registration on title is no longer required to secure the provisions of the Section 111 agreement.

7.  City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to issue Preliminary Approval for the Section 111 permit under Municipal Code Chapter 667 for the demolition of the twenty-six (26) existing rental dwelling units at 480-482 Yonge Street, 484-488 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street after all of the following has occurred:

a.  Satisfaction or securing of the conditions in Recommendation 6 above;

b.  The site-specific Zoning By-law Amendments have come into full force and effect;

c.  The issuance of the Notice of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006;

d.  The issuance of excavation and shoring permits for the approved structure on the site; and

e.  The execution and registration of a Section 37 Agreement pursuant to the Planning Act securing Recommendation 6.a.-g. above and any other requirements of the Zoning-Bylaw Amendment.

8.  City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Section 111 permit under Municipal Code Chapter 667 after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, has given Preliminary Approval referred to in Recommendation 7 above.

9.  City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a permit under Section 33 of the Planning Act no earlier than the issuance of the first building permit for excavation and shoring of the development, and after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given preliminary approval referred to in Recommendation 7 above, which may be included in the demolition permit for Chapter 667 under 363-11.1, of the Municipal Code, on condition that:

a.  The owner erect a residential building on site no later than three (3) years from the day demolition of the buildings is commenced; and

b.  Should the owner fail to complete the new building within the time specified in Recommendation 9.a. above, the City Clerk shall be entitled to enter on the collector’s roll, to be collected in a like manner as municipal taxes, the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) for each dwelling unit for which a demolition permit is issued, and that each sum shall, until payment, be a lien or charge upon the land for which the demolition permit is issued.

10.  City Council authorize the appropriate City officials to take such actions as are necessary to implement the Recommendations above, including execution of the Section 111 Agreement.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 2, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This rezoning application proposes to allow a 38-storey mixed-use building with 451 dwelling units and retail space on the ground and second floor at 480-494 Yonge Street.  The Rental Housing Demolition Application proposes to demolish 26 existing rental dwelling units and replace them in the new building.  The proposal also involves the preservation and restoration of the historic clock tower and the front portion of 480 Yonge Street, which are designated heritage buildings.

The proposed height and massing have been refined throughout the planning review process to adequately limit shadow impact on nearby parks, sufficiently preserve heritage resources and provide retail space that will complement the existing character of Yonge Street.  Staff find that the proposed development fits within its existing and planned context.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law and the Rental Housing Demolition application under Municipal Code Chapter 667, subject to the conditions outlined in this report.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the application for a Section 111 permit in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 667 to allow the demolition of 3 existing rental dwelling units at 50 Power Street and 12 existing rental dwelling units at 125 Parliament Street subject to the following conditions:

a. The owner shall provide and maintain 15 replacement rental dwelling units, comprised of 12 bachelor units and 3 two-bedroom units, on the subject site for a period of at least 20 years, as generally shown on the plans submitted to the City Planning Division dated December 2, 2016 (general floor plans) and November 17, 2016 and January 17, 2017 (unit layout plans). Any revision to these plans must be to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director City Planning;

b. The owner shall provide at least 12 bachelor replacement rental dwelling units at affordable rents and at least 3 two-bedroom replacement rental dwelling units at mid-range rents for a period of at least 10 years;

c. The owner shall provide ensuite laundry in all replacement rental dwelling units;

 
d. The owner shall provide an indoor amenity space on the second floor in the rental component of the building for the exclusive use of tenants of the rental component of the building, the size of which will be generated on the same basis as the condominium units;

e. The owner shall provide tenants of the replacement rental dwelling units with access to at least 15 bicycle parking spaces on the same terms and conditions as condominium residents, and vehicle parking spaces generated on the same basis as the condominium units;

f. The owner shall provide tenant relocation and assistance to all eligible tenants, including an extended notice period, financial compensation beyond the minimum requirements set out in the Residential Tenancies Act, and the right to return to a replacement rental dwelling unit, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

g. The owner shall enter into and register on title one or more Agreement(s) to secure the conditions outlined in Recommendation 1.a., b., c., d., e., and f. above to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning; and

h. The owner shall enter into and register on title, a Section 118 Restriction under the Land Titles Act, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor agreeing not to transfer or charge those parts of the lands, comprising the 15 replacement rental dwelling units, without the written consent of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or designate, to assist with the securing of the Section 111 Agreement against future owners and encumbrances of the lands until such time as the City Solicitor determines that its registration on title is no longer required to secure the provisions of the Section 111 agreement.

2. City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to issue the Preliminary Approval for the application under Municipal Code Chapter 667 for the demolition of the 15 existing rental dwelling units at 50 Power Street and 125 Parliament Street after all of the following have occurred:

a. Satisfaction or securing of the conditions in Recommendation 1 above;

b. The Zoning By-law amendments which were subject of a settlement hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board have come into full force and effect;

 c. The issuance of the Notice Of Approval Conditions for site plan approval by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning or designate, pursuant to Section 114 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or alternative arrangements have been made to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

d. The issuance of excavation and shoring permits for the approved structure on the site; and

e. The execution and registration of a Section 37 Agreement pursuant to the Planning Act securing Recommendation 1.a., b., c., d., e., and f. above and any other requirements of the Zoning-Bylaw Amendment.

3. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a Section 111 permit under Municipal Code Chapter 667 after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given preliminary approval referred to in Recommendation 2 above.

4. City Council authorize the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building to issue a permit under Section 33 of the Planning Act no earlier than the issuance of the first building permit for excavation and shoring of the development, and after the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning has given preliminary approval referred to in Recommendation 2 above, which permit may be included in the demolition permit for Chapter 667 under 363-11.1, of the Municipal Code, on condition that:

a. The owner erect a residential building on site no later than 4 years from the day demolition of the buildings is commenced; and

b. Should the owner fail to complete the new building within the time specified in Recommendation 4.a. above, the City Clerk shall be entitled to enter on the collector’s roll, to be collected in a like manner as municipal taxes, the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) for each dwelling unit for which a demolition permit is issued, and that each sum shall, until payment, be a lien or charge upon the land for which the demolition permit is issued.

5. Council authorize the appropriate City officials to take such actions as are necessary to implement the Recommendations above, including execution of the Section 111 Agreement.

The Toronto and East York Community Council held a statutory public meeting on May 2, 2017, and notice was given in accordance with the Municipal code Chapter 667 under City of Toronto Act, 2006.

An application for Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion under Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act (Chapter 667 of the Municipal Code) has been filed for residential properties at 50 Power Street and 125 Parliament Street (13 181698 STE 28 RH). This application seeks approval to demolish the rental dwelling units in the existing rental buildings at 50 Power Street (3 units) and 125 Parliament Street (12 units). The application also proposes to replace all 15 of these existing rental dwelling units within a new residential building as part of the proposed redevelopment of this site and provide tenant relocation and assistance to all eligible tenants.

The properties at 50 Power Street and 125 Parliament Street form portion of the lands at 113-135 Parliament Street and 46-54 Power Street that are subject to a Zoning By-law Amendment application and Site Plan Control application (File Nos. 13 181685 STE 28 OZ and 17 118464 STE 28 SA) for the development of a mixed-use building with two towers of 19-storeys and 22-storeys containing 520 dwelling units (including the 15 replacement rental dwelling units). The Zoning By-law Amendment application was the subject of a settlement hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board, with a final Order pending until all outstanding matters, including the final form of the amending zoning by-law, functional servicing matters, transportation matters and the necessary agreements with the City are secured.

This report recommends approval of the Section 111 permit application under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code and demolition permit under Chapter 363 of the Toronto Municipal Code, subject to conditions.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor, together with City Planning staff and any other appropriate staff to attend an Ontario Municipal Board hearing to oppose the appeal of the currently proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for 400 Front Street West and to support the position outlined in the report (April 11, 2017) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District.

2.  City Council authorize the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, in consultation with the Ward Councillor, to identify the matters, services and facilities pursuant to section 37 of the Planning Act to be secured in the event the Ontario Municipal Board approves the Zoning By-law amendment applications as proposed in whole or in part and direct the City Solicitor to request that any final order be withheld until such time as any such by-laws are in a final form acceptable to the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and that such by-laws include the requirement for appropriate matters, services and facilities to be provided by the owner at its expense pursuant to section 37 of the Planning Act and until the owner has entered into and registered on title a satisfactory Section 37 Agreement with the City to secure such matters all to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor. 

3.  In the event the Ontario Municipal Board approves the Zoning By-law Amendment application, in whole or in part, City Council require that on-site parkland dedication pursuant to Section 42 of the Planning Act be conveyed to the City to the satisfaction the General Manger, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and City Council agree to a development charge credit against the Parks and Recreation component of the Development Charges for the design and construction, by the owner, of Above Base Park Improvements for an on-site parkland dedication, all to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation. The development charge credit to be in an amount that is the lesser of the cost to the owner of designing and constructing the Above Base Park Improvements, as approved by the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, and the Parks and Recreation component of development charges payable for such development in accordance with the City's Development Charges By-law, as may be amended from time to time.

4.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor and any other City staff to take such actions as necessary to give effect to the Recommendations above.

City Council on March 9, 2017 referred Item TE22.12 back to the Toronto and East York Community Council for further consideration.

This application proposes to amend the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86 and the City's Comprehensive Zoning By-law 569-2013 to permit the development of four mixed-use towers, ranging from 24 to 60-storeys, including 2,291 residential units and 8,738 square metres of retail uses with 649 underground parking spaces at 400 Front Street West.

The owner of the site at 400 Front Street West has appealed its Zoning By-law Amendment application to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) citing Council's failure to make a decision within the time required by the Planning Act. 

This application proposes to amend the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law 438-86 and the City's Comprehensive Zoning By-law 569-2013 to permit the development of four mixed-use towers, ranging from 24 to 60-storeys, including 2,291 residential units and 8,738 square metres of retail uses with 649 underground parking spaces at 400 Front Street West.

The owner of the site at 400 Front Street West has appealed its Zoning By-law Amendment application to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) citing Council's failure to make a decision within the time required by the Planning Act.  A pre-hearing conference was held on January 24, 2017.  The Board was requested to provide an opportunity for mediation and has scheduled June 14, 15 and 23, 2017 for mediation.  A second pre-hearing conference has been scheduled for July 24, 2017.  To date a hearing has not been scheduled.

The proposed development represents an overdevelopment of the site, both in terms of built form and density and would create an unacceptable form of development.  The proposal does not conform with Official Plan built form policies nor does it satisfactorily respond to built form urban design guidelines. Issues specifically raised by the proposal include:

 
- The proposal creates an unacceptable shadow impact on Clarence Square Park, which is one of very few parks serving the area and is subject to an intention to designate under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

 
- The proposal does not respond appropriately to the heritage context of Clarence Square Park or to the scale of the significant heritage buildings which frame the park.   

 
- The proposed height of the towers and the podium on the north parcel are not in keeping with the planned context, including the heights established through the many planning approvals for tall buildings in the East Precinct of the King-Spadina Secondary Plan. 

  
- The proposal does not appropriately address a number of performance requirements set out in the general Zoning By-laws, such as amenity space and required parking.

 
The purpose of this report is to seek City Council's direction for the City Solicitor and other appropriate City Staff to attend an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in opposition to the applicant's current development proposal and appeal. 

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council refuse the application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for the properties at 280-290 Jarvis Street, 102-110 Gerrard Street and 189-193 Mutual Street.

 
2.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor, in the event the application is appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, to support the position that the development should not be approved without the provision of appropriate Section 37 community benefits.
 

3.  City Council defer making a decision on Application No. 16 271650 STE 27 RH under Chapter 667 of the Toronto Municipal Code pursuant to Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act to demolish the existing rental dwelling units at 288-290 Jarvis Street and 189-193 Mutual Street until such time as Zoning By-law and Official Plan amendment applications have been approved for the subject lands.

 
4.  City Council authorize City Planning in consultation with the Ward Councillor, to secure appropriate services, facilities or matters pursuant to Section 37 of the Planning Act, as may be required by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, should the application be appealed and approved in some form by the Ontario Municipal Board.
 

5.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor, in the event the application is approved, to enter into an agreement to secure replacements of the rental units on the property in any redevelopment of the lands.

This application proposes the construction of a 25-storey building and adjoining 10-storey building both connected by a 3-storey base building at 280-290 Jarvis Street, 102-110 Gerrard Street and 189-193 Mutual Street.  The development consists of 306 residential units including 8 rental replacement units, 1,774 square metres office space and 1,382 square metres of retail space.  Three levels of underground parking are proposed.  The heritage buildings on site are proposed to be moved and incorporated into the design of the new development. 189-193 Mutual Street are designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act whereas 280 and 290 Jarvis Street are listed on the City's Heritage Register.

An application for Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion under Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act (Chapter 667 of the Municipal Code) has been to permit the demolition of existing rental dwelling units located on the lands.

The proposal represents over-development of the site and would have a negative impact on a significant heritage resource, Allan Gardens, which is a significant cultural heritage landscape that is also designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.  The proposal would also have negative impacts on the nearby low density neighbourhood.  The proposal to re-designate Neighbourhoods lands does not achieve the Official Plan's objective of protecting and reinforcing the character of Neighbourhoods. Approving this development would undermine the objectives of applicable Official Plan policies.

This report reviews and recommends refusal of the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the alterations to the heritage property at 4 Avenue Road, substantially in accordance with plans and drawings dated March 20, 2017 prepared by KPMB Architects, date stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services March 28, 2017 and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; and the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), prepared by ERA Architects Inc. dated March 20, 2017, dated stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services March 28, 2017 and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, all subject to and in accordance with a Conservation Plan satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services and subject to the following additional conditions:

a.  That prior to final Site Plan approval for the proposed redevelopment of the heritage property located at 4 Avenue Road, the owner shall:

1.  Provide final Site Plan drawings including drawings related to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.3. below to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

2.  Provide an Interpretation Plan for the subject property, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

3.  Provide a Lighting Plan that describes how the heritage property at 4 Avenue Road will be sensitively illuminated to enhance its heritage character to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

4.  Provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the subject property, satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

b.  Prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the property at 4 Avenue Road, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the existing heritage buildings as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services:

1.  The property at 4 Avenue Road be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

2.  The owner shall enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the City for the property at 4 Avenue Road in accordance with the plans and drawings dated March 20, 2017 prepared by KPMB Architects, date-stamped received by Heritage Preservation Services March 28, 2017 and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services, the Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by ERA Architects Inc. dated March 20, 2017 and in accordance with the Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.3 below; 

3.  The owner shall provide a Conservation Plan, prepared by a qualified heritage consultant, that is consistent with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for the property at 4 Avenue Road, prepared by ERA Architects Inc. dated March 20, 2017 to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services; 

4.  The owner shall provide full building permit drawings for the subject property, including notes and specifications for the conservation and protective measures keyed to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.b.3 above, including a description of materials and finishes, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

5.  The owner shall provide a Letter of Credit, including provision for upwards indexing, in a form and amount and from a bank satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services to secure all work included in the approved Conservation Plan, Lighting Plan and Interpretation Plan;

c.  That prior to the release of the Letter of Credit required in Recommendation 1.b.5 above, the owner shall:

1.  Have obtained final Site Plan approval for such property issued by the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning;

2.  Provide a letter of substantial completion prepared and signed by a qualified heritage consultant confirming that the required conservation work, heritage lighting work, and the required interpretive work has been completed in accordance with the Conservation Plan, Heritage Lighting Plan, and Interpretation Plan and that an appropriate standard of conservation has been maintained, all to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services;

3.  Provide replacement Heritage Easement Agreement photographs to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Preservation Services.

2.  City Council authorize the entering into of a heritage easement agreement under Section 37 of the Ontario Heritage Act with the owner of 4 Avenue Road in a form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

3.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bill in Council authorizing the entering into of a heritage easement agreement for the property at 4 Avenue Road.

4.  City Council state its intention to designate the property at 4 Avenue Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with the Statement of Significance: 4 Avenue Road (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 4 to the report (April 3, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

5.  If there are no objections to the designation of the property at 4 Avenue Road in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bill in Council.

6.  If there are objections to the designation of the property at 4 Avenue Road in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council direct the City Clerk to refer the designation to the Conservation Review Board.

7.  If the designation of the property at 4 Avenue Road is referred to the Conservation Review Board, City Council authorize the City Solicitor and appropriate staff to attend any hearing held by the Conservation Review Board in support of Council's decision.

This report recommends that City Council approve the proposed alterations to the heritage property at 4 Avenue Road, state its intention to designate the subject property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act and authorize entering into a Heritage Easement Agreement.  The applicant proposes redevelopment of the property with retention and alteration of the south tower to convert existing hotel use to residential use with retail and office uses.

The Toronto Preservation Board on April 20, 2017, considered a report (April 3, 2017) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning regarding Alterations to a Heritage Property, Designation of a Heritage Property and Authority to Enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement- 4 Avenue Road (Park Plaza Hotel).

Communications

(April 19, 2017) Letter from Dan Eylon, ERA Architects Inc. 1 of 2 (PB.Supp.PB21.1.1)

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/pb/comm/communicationfile-68859.pdf)

(April 19, 2017) Letter from Dan Eylon, ERA Architects Inc. 2 of 2 (PB.Supp.PB21.1.1)

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/pb/comm/communicationfile-68860.pdf)

Speakers

Andrew Pruss, ERA Architects Inc.