Item - 2022.IE28.11
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on April 6 and 7, 2022 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Infrastructure and Environment Committee on March 29, 2022 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on April 6 and 7, 2022.
IE28.11 - January 16 and 17, 2022 Major Snow Event, Post-Operational Report
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on April 6 and 7, 2022 adopted the following:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to consult with internal and external stakeholders and to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan in the first quarter of 2023.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to implement initiatives and service improvements as soon as feasible and in advance of the next winter season where possible.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to meet with Ward Councillors in advance of the next winter season, regarding improvements to snow services, including ward-specific contracts and measures.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222975.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(March 22, 2022) E-mail from Michael Holloway (IE.Supp)
(March 23, 2022) Letter from Councillor Josh Matlow, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-146570.pdf
(March 28, 2022) Letter from Shelagh Pizey-Allen, on behalf of TTCriders (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-147503.pdf
(March 28, 2022) Letter from Keagan Gartz, Executive Director, Cycle Toronto (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-147524.pdf
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the July 7, 2022 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on immediate first steps of an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan and to report in the first quarter of 2023 on the entire Response Plan.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Apr-07-2022 6:25 PM
Result: Lost | Majority Required - EC28.11 - Matlow - motion 1 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 4 | Members that voted Yes are John Filion, Josh Matlow, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 19 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak |
11a - January 2022 Major Snow Event Post-Operational Consultation for Accessibility Feedback
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222263.pdf
Presentation from the Director, Operations and Maintenance and the Senior Manager, Winter Operations and Emergency Services on Major Snow Event Post-Operational Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222264.pdf
IE28.11 - January 16 and 17, 2022 Major Snow Event, Post-Operational Report
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to consult with internal and external stakeholders and to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan in the first quarter of 2023.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to implement initiatives and service improvements as soon as feasible and in advance of the next winter season where possible.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to meet with Ward Councillors in advance of the next winter season, regarding improvements to snow services, including ward-specific contracts and measures.
Origin
Summary
On January 16-17, 2022, the City of Toronto experienced an extraordinary winter storm that involved extreme cold temperatures, very rapid snowfall, and an ultimate snow accumulation of 55 centimetres in just 15 hours. The below freezing temperatures that followed the storm and lasted for more than two weeks created a unique set of challenges for storm clean up. Responses to this winter weather event required additional efforts above and beyond typical salting and snow plowing activities, and included significant involvement from Transportation Services, Strategic Public and Employee Communications, 311, and Fleet Services.
Preparations for the January storm began with proactive communications and a pre-treatment of salt brine on expressways, select major arterial roads, hills and bridges. Salting and plowing operations commenced as the snow began to fall and continued with numerous rounds on all roads and sidewalks. A Significant Weather Event and Major Snow Storm Condition was declared from 18:00 on January 17 until 18:00 on February 16 to assist crews with snow clearing, including removal of 180,000 tonnes of snow from streets, sidewalks and bicycle paths. The removal alone cost more than $17 million, or almost 20 percent of the winter maintenance budget for Transportation Services.
None of the existing Council-approved service levels accounts for extreme weather events, and therefore the levels do not set a feasible response time for a storm of the magnitude experienced in January. In addition, a number of challenges were experienced as a result of the storm including supporting the immediate needs of emergency services, digging out Toronto Transit Commission vehicles, strain on equipment, manual clearing to avoid infrastructure and property damage, logistics of removing and relocating the volume of snow as quickly as possible, some contractor issues and communicating service levels and response times.
Following an external winter maintenance review in 2019 and a 2020 Winter Road Maintenance Program Audit, Transportation Services has implemented changes and improvements to existing and future service provision. Nonetheless, the January 16-17 winter storm highlighted the need for continuous improvement including the development of an Extreme Winter Weather Response Plan with new service levels.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222975.pdf
Communications
(March 22, 2022) E-mail from Michael Holloway (IE.Supp)
(March 23, 2022) Letter from Councillor Josh Matlow, Ward 12, Toronto - St. Paul's (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-146570.pdf
(March 28, 2022) Letter from Shelagh Pizey-Allen, on behalf of TTCriders (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-147503.pdf
(March 28, 2022) Letter from Keagan Gartz, Executive Director, Cycle Toronto (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/comm/communicationfile-147524.pdf
Speakers
Emily Daigle
Motions
That Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to implement initiatives and service improvements as soon as feasible and in advance of the next winter season where possible.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to meet with Ward Councillors in advance of the next winter season, regarding improvements to snow services, including ward-specific contracts and measures.
11a - January 2022 Major Snow Event Post-Operational Consultation for Accessibility Feedback
Origin
Summary
At its meeting on February 22, 2022, the Toronto Accessibility Committee considered Item DI19.3 and made recommendations to City Council.
Transportation Services staff was seeking input from the Committee prior to finalizing a report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222263.pdf
Presentation from the Director, Operations and Maintenance and the Senior Manager, Winter Operations and Emergency Services on Major Snow Event Post-Operational Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-222264.pdf