Item - 2019.EX11.13

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.   City Council amend the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks Use of, Section 743-6 Part D to read as follows:

The applicant shall, prior to and during the performance of the work, provide the following methods of notification and information to the public in such manner as directed by the General Manager in the permit:

(1) The applicant shall issue a printed public notice to the occupants of property impacted by the work which shall provide information on the type of work to be undertaken, details on the type of road repairs, the expected duration of the work, the expected timing for permanent repair of the street, and an orthophoto clearly identifying the subject property, location of work and property line.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to revise the Municipal Consent Requirements for the Installation of Plant Within City of Toronto Streets to address large scale pole replacement projects and to amend Chapter 5 - Above Ground Plant: Notifications to read as follows:

 The Applicant shall provide written notification and/or concurrence to all adjacent properties, and all properties that will face or will have a line of sight to the proposed plant.  Such notification shall outline the nature of the work, describe the size and appearance of the proposed plant, and include an orthophoto clearly identifying the subject property, location of the proposed plant and property line.  The notice shall include the phone number of the contact person at the Applicant's office.

In March of 2019, the City Ombudsman reported to City Council with the results from an enquiry related to Toronto Hydro's "Project Carlaw" pole replacement project in former Ward 30.  This enquiry stemmed from six complaints from Toronto residents.  Among other concerns, all six residents complained that Toronto Hydro was installing new hydro poles in front of their homes without notice and some reported poor customer service, including delayed, incomplete or rude responses to their questions or complaints.  The Ombudsman's report made several recommendations to improve the fairness of Toronto Hydro's service to residents.

City Council adopted the Ombudsman's report and in doing so requested a report back to Executive Committee to determine whether Toronto Hydro's new constituent communications plan meets the current City of Toronto standard for neighbourhood communications and requested a review of the Enquiry Report (February 13, 2019) on Project Carlaw from the Ombudsman and the Municipal Consent Requirements to determine how overall compliance with current policies can be strengthened.

This report responds to City Council's request by commenting on Toronto Hydro's constituent communications plan, it identifies enhancements to the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 743, Use of Streets and Sidewalks, Municipal Consent Requirements for the Installation of Plant Within City of Toronto Streets, and existing procedures to strengthen current policies and enforce compliance of Toronto Hydro pole replacements.