Minutes Confirmed on February 22, 2016

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 a municipal capital facility agreement with KS Eglinton Square Inc, the current owner of Eglinton Square Shopping Centre at 1 Eglinton Square, in respect of approximately 4,716 square feet of the current leased space and 5,284 additional square feet of additional rentable area leased by the Toronto Public Library;

b.  Continue the exemption for the leased space currently occupied by the library of approximately 4,716 square feet; and

c.  Exempt the additional leased space of approximately 5,284 square feet from taxation for municipal and education purposes, for which the tax exemption is to be effective from the latest of the following dates: the commencement date of the lease; the date the municipal capital facility agreement is signed; or 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 Education, 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 as a municipal capital facility the premises occupied by the Eglinton Square Branch Library located at 1 Eglinton Square within the Eglinton Square Shopping Centre, and to provide a property tax exemption for municipal and education purposes.  The municipal capital facility agreement will provide for a continued exemption for the space currently occupied by the library of approximately 4,716 square feet, and a new exemption for an additional 5,284 square feet of new space that is being leased by the library for twenty years with an estimated effective date of October 1, 2015.

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 a municipal capital facility agreement with 994480 Ontario Limited, the current owner of the strip mall at 123 Rexdale Boulevard, in respect of approximately 3,078 square feet of the current leased space and 858 additional square feet of additional rentable area leased by the Toronto Public Library;

b.  Continue the exemption for the leased space currently occupied by the library of approximately 3,078 square feet; and

c.  Exempt the additional leased space of approximately 858 square feet from taxation for municipal and education purposes, for which the tax exemption is to be effective from the latest of the following dates: the commencement date of the lease; the date the municipal capital facility agreement is signed; or 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 Education, 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 as a municipal capital facility the premises occupied by the Northern Elms Branch Library located in a strip mall at 123 Rexdale Boulevard, and to provide a property tax exemption for municipal and education purposes.  The municipal capital facility agreement will provide for a continued exemption for the space currently occupied by the library of approximately 3,078 square feet and a new exemption for an additional 858 square feet of new space that is being leased by the library.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the City to enter into an Option agreement with Build Toronto, for nominal consideration, pursuant to which Build Toronto will have the right to acquire additional airspace located above that portion of the Property municipally known as 497 Richmond Street West, between the elevations of 47.5 and 55.5 metres above grade, shown as Part 7 on Sketch No. 2012-0307-4 in Appendix 3 and as more particularly described in Appendix 2 to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer, for the purpose of fire exits and a mechanical penthouse, substantially on the terms and conditions set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer, and on such other and amended terms and conditions as may be approved by the Chief Corporate Officer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize the City to enter into an agreement with Build Toronto, for nominal consideration, permitting Build Toronto to retain ownership of that portion of the Property known municipally as 60 Brant Street, shown as Part 2 on Sketch No. 2012-0307-4 in Appendix 3 to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer, as well as that portion of 60 Brant Street located to the west of the existing building structure, for the purpose of the future redevelopment of the adjoining lands, such agreement to otherwise be on terms and conditions as may be approved by the Chief Corporate Office, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.  City Council authorize the City to enter into a Limiting Distance Agreement with Build Toronto, for nominal consideration, which will prevent any structure from being constructed above an elevation of 16.7 metres above grade on that portion of the Property known municipally as 60 Brant Street, shown as Part 5 on Sketch No. 2012-0307-4 in Appendix 3 to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer, and on such other terms and conditions as may be approved by the Chief Corporate Officer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

4.  City Council authorize the City to enter into amending agreements in relation to the existing Reconveyance Agreement, Parking Space Conveyance Agreement and Reciprocal Agreement, or such other agreements respecting 60 Brant Street, substantially on the terms and conditions outlined in Appendix 4 to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer, and on such other and amended terms as may be approved by the Chief Corporate Officer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5.  City Council grant authority to fund the City’s outstanding expenses related to the property in this report from the Approved Operating Budget for Facilities, Real Estate, Environment and Energy (FREEE), in the year(s) that the expenses are incurred, as necessary, and, once these expenses are known, to transfer the funding for these expenses from the Land Acquisition Reserve Fund (LARF), with appropriate adjustments to Facilities and Real Estate’s Approved Operating Budget, as necessary, through subsequent Quarterly Variance Reports.

6.  City Council grant authority severally to each of the Chief Corporate Officer and the Director of Real Estate Services to execute the transaction documents and agreements required to implement the Recommendations in this report on behalf of the City, including the extension of any required consents, approvals or permissions.

7.  City Council authorize the City Solicitor to complete the transactions referenced in the above Recommendations on behalf of the City, including making payment of any necessary expenses, amending the closing and other dates to such earlier or later date(s), and amending or waiving the terms and conditions, as she may from time to time consider reasonable.

This report recommends terms of transfer to Build Toronto for an additional stratified portion of the property municipally known as 497 Richmond Street West and other property interests in relation to 497 Richmond Street West, including the buildings located around its perimeter having the following convenience addresses:  505 and 511 Richmond Street West, 60 Brant Street and 17 Maud Street (collectively the "Property").

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer to proceed with Phase 2, Demolition of the Existing North Market Building at 92 Front Street, of the Redevelopment of St. Lawrence Market North project, including demolition of the existing building and archaeological assessment of the site in advance of new construction.

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the impact of archaeological assessment on the Redevelopment of St. Lawrence Market North project timelines and to obtain approval to demolish the existing North Market Building at 92 Front Street. subject to confirmation by the Architect that the construction cost estimate for the new building is within budget.

Cost confirmation for the new building, by way of a bid price following the tender process, prior to demolition requires confirmation of a construction start date. This cannot be done at this time due to the uncertainty associated with the delay to complete the archaeological assessment in advance of new construction.  The archaeological assessment requires the demolition of the existing building to allow full site access before Stage 4 archaeological fieldwork can safely occur.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize an amendment to the 2009 Head Lease Agreement between the City of Toronto and Osmington (Union Station) Inc. ("Osmington"), and authorize any other necessary agreements, to implement the building enhancements for Union Station, any necessary upgrades required to allow for retail on the GO West Concourse, and the heritage interpretation plan, substantially on the terms set out in the Term Sheet - Attachment 1 to the report (December 24, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer and such other or amended terms as may be acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize an amendment to the retainer agreement with Davies Ward Phillips and Vineberg LLP (Purchase Order No. 6025203), in the additional amount of up to $350,000.00 (net of all applicable taxes), to provide continuing real estate legal advice and expertise for the on-going agreement updates associated with the revitalization project.

3.  City Council authorize an amendment to the retainer agreement with PwC (Purchase Order No. 6037971), in the additional amount of up to $150,000.00 (net of all applicable taxes), to provide continuing real estate advice and expertise for the on-going lease related matters associated with the revitalization project.

In 2013, City staff reported to Council that the City's Head Lessee at Union Station, Osmington (Union Station) Inc., was interested in developing a renewed vision for the commercial retail and event elements at the Station.  As the revitalization of Union Station has progressed, Osmington has further developed the design for the commercial retail and event spaces to create a 2015 vision for a dynamic, customer-focussed experience that includes engaging the top restauranteurs, retailers and cultural institutions of the City. The City shares this vision with Osmington to create a destination for commuters, local residents and visitors alike. In order to create a world class destination, base building and leasehold enhancements to the building are needed, including lighting, audio-visual equipment, furniture, amenities and other improvements to the retail and event offerings for Station users.

The enhancements are estimated to cost $32 million plus HST and contingency, and will be shared between Osmington (60%) and the City (40 percent). The City's 40 percent portion of the enhancement costs will be funded by Osmington and recovered with revenue that is generated from sponsorship and retail tenant percentage rent (as defined in the attached Term Sheet). The proposed enhancements do not require the City to use its own capital funding and presents no risk to the revenues that the City would receive in the absence of these enhancements.

This report recommends that City Council authorize an amendment to the 2009 Head Lease Agreement between the City and Osmington and authorize any necessary related agreements to allow Osmington to fund, design and construct enhancements to Union Station that will make it a City-wide destination for dining, retail, events and culture.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Extension Agreement of the Below Market Rent lease agreement with Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre for a five (5) year term, substantially based on the terms and conditions set out in Appendix A to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and on such other terms and conditions acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer, or her designate, and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer to administer and manage the Extension Agreement, including the provision of any consents, approvals, amendments, 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.

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

4.  City Council grant an exemption from the Return on Investment (ROI) requirement as the 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 (BMR) lease extension agreement with Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre for approximately 3,729 square feet of space within the basement of the property municipally known as 38-40 Regent Street in Ward 28 Toronto Centre Rosedale for a further (5) year period. Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre will extend its lease to January 6, 2021 commencing upon the expiry of the existing Below Market Rent lease.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the renewal of the Below Market Rent lease agreement with Flemo City Media for a five (5) year term, substantially based on the terms and conditions set out in Appendix A to the report (December 14, 2015) from the Chief Corporate Officer and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and on such other terms and conditions acceptable to the Chief Corporate Officer, or her successor or designate, and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize the Chief Corporate Officer to administer and manage the sub lease agreement 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 to City Council for its determination and direction.

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

The purpose of this report is to obtain City Council authority to renew the Below-Market Rent (BMR) lease agreement with Flemo City Media (FCM) for five (5) years starting March 1, 2016 for approximately 361 square feet of space located at 29 St. Dennis Drive in the Flemingdon Park priority neighbourhood in Ward 26 Don Valley West.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request that the Government of Ontario recognize the impact Social Assistance Management System has had on municipalities and provide necessary funding to offset the incremental costs of Social Assistance Management System for 2015 and 2016 (currently estimated at $7.25 million annually).

2.  City Council transmit this report to the Minister of Community and Social Services (MCSS).

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services to report back in the fall of 2016 on the status of the Social Assistance Management System implementation in Toronto.

As part of the provincial government’s initiative to modernize and improve social assistance, the Ministry of Community and Social Services implemented a new social assistance delivery technology in November 2014. This new technology – Social Assistance Management System (SAMS) – is a mandatory province-wide system used to deliver the Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) across Ontario.

As the organization primarily responsible for the successful delivery of social assistance in Toronto, TESS, on behalf of the City, made extensive preparations and major investments to ensure that the implementation of SAMS would cause minimal service disruptions to clients and that staff would be as prepared as possible to use the new system. This involved providing extensive feedback to the province through all stages of SAMS design and implementation, communicating the business needs of our operations and detailing business risks prior to implementation.

This report discusses the proactive steps TESS took to prepare for the implementation of SAMS. It specifically describes how TESS has worked to minimize service impacts through the initial implementation period and on an ongoing basis. Finally, the report addresses the major issues with SAMS at this point, the implications for TESS in terms of serving OW clients in Toronto, notably the requirement to refocus on service planning and the delivery of employment services, both of which were negatively affected by SAMS implementation, plus the steps TESS is taking with the province to improve system performance.

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the acquisition of the property known municipally as 592 and 598 Gerrard Street East (the "Property") from Sonnam Investments Inc. (the "Vendor") based on the terms and conditions contained in Schedule A to the report (December 15, 2015) from the President, Toronto Parking Authority, plus the additional expenditure of approximately $140,000 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 $2,458,000.

2.  City Council amend the 2016 Capital Budget and 2017-2025 Capital Plan for the Toronto Parking Authority by adding the capital project "592 and 598 Gerrard Street East Carpark Development" to be funded by reallocation of capital funds from the "Carpark Provisions 2016" project included in the 2016 Approved Capital Budget and 2017-2025 Capital Plan in the amount of $2,458,000 in order to facilitate the purchase of the Property.

3.  City Council direct that subsequent to acquisition, the Property be designated for municipal parking purposes, to be managed by the Toronto Parking Authority.

4.  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.

5.  City Council request the Toronto Parking Authority, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to undertake an economic development and planning analysis for East Chinatown for the Toronto Parking Authority lots and surrounding properties which addresses future mixed commercial residential development including affordable housing.

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council's authorization to purchase the property municipally known as 592 and 598 Gerrard Street East from Sonnam Investments Inc. to provide future municipal parking within the East Chinatown neighbourhood.  The intention is to maintain the commercial building on a fully leased basis which includes an ancillary parking area until such time as it is determined that the site is ready to be redeveloped into a new surface carpark.

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council's authorization to purchase the property municipally known as 838 Broadview Avenue from the owner, 2285566 Ontario Inc. in order to service the short term parking needs of the surrounding Danforth BIA neighbourhood.  The intention is to maintain the commercial building on a fully leased basis and operate the ancillary parking area as a municipal parking facility until such time as it is determined that the site is ready to be redeveloped into a new surface carpark.

The Government Management Committee:

1. Requested the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to make a presentation to the French Language Advisory Committee at its next meeting on the following areas, with an emphasis on Francophone newcomers and organizations:

a. services available to newcomers in French and the communications strategy for making residents aware of multilingual services;

b. economic integration of newcomers;

c. outreach work with other governments and organizations to support the integration of francophone newcomers;

d. updated recent demographic statistics for the Francophone population in Toronto; and

e. an analysis of the socio-economic impacts of the Francophone community in Toronto and any possible future projections given growth in the population

2. Requested staff to incorporate the following proposals into a draft work plan for the French Language Advisory Committee's consideration:

General

- Updated demographic information about the French population in Toronto

- Economic and social impact of francophone immigration to Toronto and the French population more broadly

- Education (all levels)

- Celebration of Glendon College's 50th anniversary

- Arts and culture

Services to Clients

- Front line service in French (i.e. forms of payment for City licensing services - cheque languages)

Aging Population

- Social housing and long term care for seniors

- Health care

- Mental health

- New (youth) generation from outside the province

Francophone Newcomers

- Service provision for a growing newcomer population

- Committee resources to support francophone newcomers.

Letter from the French Language Advisory Committee forwarding recommendations to the Government Management Committee on the Development of a Work Plan 2016-2018.

The Government Management Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report to the February 22, 2016 meeting of the Government Management Committee on:

a.  The possible benefits of introducing personalized - .TO web addresses to City of Toronto residents and businesses in an effort to boost our city image;

b.  The possibility of launching of Neighborhoods.TO for community groups/organizations to register for a neighborhood domain name like Guildwood.TO or Sevenoaks.TO; and

c.  Any anticipated costs to implement these initiatives.

In an effort to boost our City of Toronto image it would be beneficial to explore the installation of .TO personalized web addresses. The address would be available to residents and businesses that have a physical City of Toronto mailing address; providing an opportunity to highlight our City.

New York City initiated their own .nyc web address earlier this year and reported that 10,000 requests had been filed by October 2015, making the domain names available on a first come first serve basis.  The simple process has New Yorkers register their own personalized emails at www.OwnIt.nyc.  The site is exciting, vibrant and inviting everything Toronto is.

Ranked number one by The Economist as the best place to live, acquiring a .TO personalized web address would be desirable to Toronto businesses, organizations, and individuals. 

It would also be beneficial to explore the launching of a Neighourhood.To, as was also part of the New York City programme to celebrate all of the neighbourhoods that make our City a great one.   

The Government Management Committee:

1.  Requested the City Clerk and the Chief Information Officer to report to the Government Management Committee on February 22, 2016 on the City's Open Data Program, including:

a.  Achievements to date;

b.  Public engagement activities undertaken;

c.  Barriers to achieving the Mayor's pledge to double the number of open data sets, particularly barriers relating to technology, resources and organizational culture; and

d. Opportunities and directions for open data initiatives in 2016 and beyond.

In an effort to ensure that the City of Toronto is leading in information technology specifically in our open data platform to engage residents to participate in government while ensuring that our City website can be navigated clearly to create a positive experience while users access the information they require.

It would be beneficial for our Information Technology Officer and the City Clerk report on their work to date and strategic plan to move forward. 

The Government Management Committee:

1.  Requested the Chief Corporate Officer, the Chief Information Officer, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to review opportunities for the creation of a "Civic Hall", and report to the June 13, 2016 meeting of the Government Management Committee on:

a.  The concept of a "Civic Hall" based on the civic model which has been developed in New York City.  (http://civichall.org/about-civic-hall/);

b.  Civic Hall envisioned as a vibrant year-round community center, collaborative work and event space, where diverse civic innovators work, network, learn and organize to solve civic problems - and at scale. It will include, but not be exclusive for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government officials, organizers, philanthropy professionals, journalists, researchers, and is dedicated to cutting-edge problem solving;

c.  Opportunities for the space to be operated in either a government, or a private facility; and

d.  Opportunities for both government funding, as well as sponsorships from corporate entities.

The Government Management Committee request the City of Toronto's Chief Corporate Office, the Chief Information Officer, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, work together, and be requested to review opportunities for the creation of a "Civic Hall", and report to the June 13, 2016 meeting of the Government Management Committee.

Civic technology is at a moment of definition and growth, when a diverse set of actors is uniting around the idea of advancing the use of technology for the public good. These varied participants need a place to congregate, a daily home base in the heart of Toronto, whether they are based here or based elsewhere. This civic technology field needs a hub that is functionally more engaging than hackathons and less structured than an incubator.

When these elements are combined, with knowledgeable leadership, more civic start-ups and larger scale partnerships will develop and solve civic problems, known and so far unrecognized.

In an effort to productively plan for budget cycles it would be prudent for City Divisions to have in place a budgetary efficiencies review system built into their process as a guide when developing budgets and budget forecasts.  Efficiencies should play a role in every budget cycle creating for a more robust creative process initiated by the departments as a benchmark when preparing for budgets.

With the current budgetary restraints being faced by municipalities exploring opportunities and budgetary implications for implementing a departmental efficiency review system similar to the CitiStat approach utilized by Baltimore Maryland and other cities in the United States would be useful to determine if such a system could be utilized at the City of Toronto. CitiStat examines how data-driven government can increase efficiency and effectiveness.

CitiStat evaluates policies and procedures practiced by City departments for delivering all manners of services from municipal standards investigation to pothole repair. Staff analysts examine data and perform investigations in order to identify areas in need of improvement.

City Divisions are required to participate in a highly particularized presentation format designed to maximize accountability. Divisions would then prepare to report and answer any question raised by the Mayor and Committee at a bi-monthly CitiStat session. 

The Government Management Committee:

1.  Requested the City Manager and the Treasurer to report to the Government Management Committee on February 22, 2016, and in the future on an annual basis, on OMERS as it relates to the City's Employer Contributions.

I am writing to request the Government Management Committee to request the City Manager and the Treasurer to report to the Committee at its February 22, 2016 meeting. 

Both the City Manager and the Treasurer should be prepared to discuss OMERS as it relates to the City's Employer Contributions.  Further, a report of this nature should take place on an annual basis at the Government Management Committee.