Item - 2022.EX29.15

That:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to include in the report to the March 29, 2022 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, the following:

a. quality of service delivery on sidewalks, roads, and cycling infrastructure;

b. timeliness of snow clearing and removal activities;

c. prioritizing Community Safety Zones, including School and Senior Safety Zones;

d. access to public transit and bus/streetcar shelters;

e. windrow clearing; and

f. improve data displayed on the PlowTO Map website.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to provide an immediate strategy for snow clearing and removal operations that addresses, but not limited to, the priorities listed in Part 1 above.

That:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to include in the report to the March 29, 2022 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, the following:

a. recommendations for improved reporting standards following major snow events;

b. identifying how much work remains to be done; and

c. the expected timelines which Councillors can communicate to residents. 

That:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to include in the report to the March 29, 2022 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, information on the following: 

a.  ensuring that clear language on the responsibility of the City of Toronto, homeowners, tenants, schools and other parties for:

1. clearing of snow from sidewalks; and

2. the salting of sidewalks after snow clearing has been completed;

is available on the City's website and in the City's communications;

b. the results of discussions with Toronto’s local school boards about their responsibility and support during large snowfall events;

c.  the feasibility of the City of Toronto's Transportation Services assuming responsibility of clearing sidewalk windrows as part of the City's snow clearing efforts;

d. the development of a Major Snow Fall Preparedness Plan, which would be activated upon a major snow fall event, allowing for the redeployment of City Staff for support of the clearing initiative; and

e. that, as part of the clearing process of large snow fall events, City staff ensure that Members of Council receive regular updates in order to better understand the on the ground needs of communities.

That

1. City Council request the City Manager to report on options for operationalizing the Emergency Office in cases of extraordinary weather events which includes in person Councillor briefings allowing for information exchange on critical matters and to add an adaptation lens response to extreme weather events; such report to also include the threshold at which the Emergency Operations Centre would be operationalized.

That:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to:

a. attend the February 22, 2022 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and to consult with members before finalizing the Major Snow Event Post-Operational Report to ensure Toronto remains an accessible city for all, including people living with disabilities;

b. review the current levels of winter service, snow and ice clearing for all public spaces including sidewalks and pathways connected to Toronto Transit Commission routes, schools, parks, areas, community centres, bike lanes, cycle tracks, Toronto Transit Commission stops, transit routes etc., and to ensure that the City can meet its obligations in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act; and

c. work with Strategic Communications to establish a plan to communicate more effectively and if relevant geographically with Toronto residents to establish realistic expectations after a major snowfall.

That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council end the debate on Item EX29.15 and take the vote immediately.

Councillor Matlow, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like guidance from the Speaker on when a Member of Council holds an Item as he had, whether that Member would be asked to ask questions of staff first and speak first.

Councillor Matlow, on a Point of Order, stated that he believed he was holding the item.

Mayor Tory, on a Point of Order, stated that he believed as Mayor, he has the right to speak first on an Item even if another Member holds it.

Councillor Ainslie, on a Point of Order, stated that there used to be a clock on the screen so that Members could see how much time was left to speak and that he was unclear how much time he had left to question staff.

Councillor Fletcher, on a Point of Order, stated that it is unclear why Members can't have a clock in the meeting and that the public may not be aware that Members have two screens, and it is very hard to go back and forth between those screens. Councillor Fletcher further stated that she would like the Speaker to look into the matter.

Councillor Perks, on a Point of Order, stated that the Speaker had asked Councillor Perruzza to stop asking questions.

Councillor Cressy, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like the Speaker to clarify that if Council has extended the meeting to complete this Item and given that it's 7:30 p.m. and there are nine Members on the list to speak and Council has not completed questions of staff, will Council continue until the item is done?

Mayor Tory, on a Point of Order, stated that the purpose of the request is to get a report that will answer Members' questions and that he is happy for the issues raised by Councillor Matlow to be incorporated.  Mayor Tory further stated that the same staff answering questions in the meeting will need to continue to work afterwards to prepare for the storm that's coming, and he too thought that Council would have a concise debate to ensure Council gets a report that answers all the questions.

Councillor Grimes, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to move a motion to stop meeting at  8:00 p.m.

Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor Grimes' motion is not in order as Members are asking questions of staff now and Council should finish those questions.

Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong, on a Point of Order, stated that Council should finish questions and that the Speaker should follow the rules.

Mayor Tory, on a Point of Order, stated that Council should continue asking questions to get information that will help guide the report and use some discipline in speaking so that Council can complete the item and that Councillor Grimes might consider withdrawing his motion.

Councillor Grimes, on a Point of Order, withdrew his motion.

Councillor Cressy, on a Point of Order stated that it is a Member's right to call the question and Council should vote on it without debate.

Councillor Carroll, on a Point of Order, stated that the Speaker should rule on there being no debate on a motion to call the question.