Item - 2020.IE14.16

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on ways to improve the oversight of short stream utility permits including:

a.  A review of the permit fees associated with this type of work;

b.  Anticipated inspection resources and costs  required to provide full inspection of all short stream permits;

2. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back with an update on the One Stage Repair Initiative including:

a.  Any plans for the City to take back short stream permit restoration;

b.  Any permit fee increases with the associated work;

c.  Increases to staff resources and budget associated with this work.

Utility infrastructure upgrades are much needed as Toronto's population grows.  Among the streams of permits that can be issued in regards to utility permits are short stream permits.  These are issued for exploratory work, reconstruction or replacement of infrastructure in the same location, or construction of service drops.  When the work is completed the section of road is repaired by the utility company.  Over 40,000 short stream permits are issued by the City each year that are not proactively inspected in a timely manner following completion of the work.

The end result is often unfinished work or poor quality road surface and residents' complaints of hazards on their neighbourhood streets.  Improved oversight of these short stream permits is needed in order to provide safer streets for residents.