Item - 2022.MM45.26
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on June 15, 2022 with amendments.
MM45.26 - Modernizing Service in City Parks - by Mayor John Tory, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on June 15 and 16, 2022, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in coordination with other relevant divisions to adjust and modernize park operations and procedures to conduct service improvements at City parks earlier in the spring; these activities include but are not limited to:
a. grass cutting, particularly on sports fields, earlier and on a more frequent basis in keeping with the principles of the Biodiversity Strategy and Pollinator Strategy;
b. speeding up the activation of water assets such as drinking fountains, splash pads, and washrooms, and extending the length of the season, with a goal of opening facilities as soon as it is possible after the risk of frost has passed, but with a target of the end of May at the latest;
c. increasing litter pick up earlier in the spring; and
d. making any outstanding service activations in the interim.
2. City Council direct that, should any additional resources be required to meet any determined service standard changes related to the items in Part 1 above, a request be brought forward through the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets for Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to provide an update on plans to winterize parks washrooms during the 2023 Budget process.
City Council Decision Advice and Other Information
City Council considered Items MM45.10 and MM45.26 together.
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-226963.pdf
(June 15, 2022) Fiscal Impact Statement from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-227570.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM45.26 be referred to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.
That:
1. City Council amend Recommendations 1a and 1b so that they now read as follows:
a. grass cutting, particularly on sports fields, earlier and on a more frequent basis in keeping with the principles of the Biodiversity Strategy and Pollinator Strategy;
b. speeding up the activation of water assets such as drinking fountains, splash pads, and washrooms, and extending the length of the season, with a goal of opening facilities as soon as it is possible after the risk of frost has passed, but with a target of the end of May at the latest;
2. City Council add the following new Parts to Recommendation 1:
e. should any additional resources be required to meet any determined service standard changes related to these items, a request be brought forward through the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets for Parks, Forestry and Recreation; and
f. provide an update on plans to winterize parks washrooms during the 2023 Budget process.
The balance of motion 1 also carried.
Vote (Amend Item) Jun-16-2022 6:58 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM45.26 - Layton - motion 1 - Part 1a only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 15 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Robin Buxton Potts, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Nick Mantas |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Mike Colle, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Vote (Amend Item) Jun-16-2022 7:00 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM45.26 - Layton - motion 1 - Part 1a only - REVOTE |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 16 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Robin Buxton Potts, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Mike Colle, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, City Council reconsider the vote on motion 1 by Councillor Layton.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jun-16-2022 7:01 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM45.26 - Adopt the Item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 17 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Robin Buxton Potts, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday, Mike Layton, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Joe Mihevc, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 8 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Mike Colle, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Councillor Holyday, on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor Layton's comment about the Biodiversity Strategy and Pollinator Strategy means that you grow grass longer and cut it less; "No Mow May" is the statement that he heard and asked the Speaker to rule if Councillor Layton's motion is in order as Part 1a has two conflicting priorities in the same sentence.
Councillor Layton, on a Point of Order, stated that there is no need for the Speaker to check into it as his motion is absolutely in order.
Councillor Holyday, on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to vote on Part 1a of motion 1 separately.