Decisions

City Council on September 26 and 27, 2011, adopted the following:

1.         City Council approve the following actions and service level adjustments:

a.         311 -- Eliminate development capacity in 2013 when 311 is fully implemented;

b.         Child Care -- Recognizing the City's need for an increasing number of affordable child care spaces, balanced by the reality of its current financial constraints, City Council call on the provincial and federal government to work together with City staff to develop a strategy to expand the number of child care spaces in Toronto over the next two years;

c.         Parks, Forestry and Recreation -- Request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to:

i.          issue a Request for Expression of Interest, on terms and conditions satisfactory to staff, to operate the Park, Forestry and Recreation's zoos and farms, with the exception of the Riverdale Farm, such Request for Expression of Interest to stipulate that:

1.          any potential operator must comply with the Captive Wildlife Standards  under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; and

2.           preference will be given to potential operators that emphasize education, conservation and rehabilitation;

ii.         convene a focus group of experts to include, but not limited to, Toronto Tourism, Parks staff, Evergreen, park user groups and the local Councillor, to explore the potential to establish conservancy models; and

iii.         issue a separate Request for Expression of Interest to solicit proposals on conservancies for both High Park Zoo and Toronto Island Park, which would include the operation of the zoo and farm;

d.         Parks, Forestry and Recreation – Authorize the General Manager to negotiate the transfer of the operation of Black Creek urban farm from the City of Toronto to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) on such terms as may be agreed;

e.         Social Development, Finance and Administration, Cluster A -- Reduce community and neighbourhood development activities by suspending (1) staff supports to Council Advisory Bodies, (2) work on the development of community service hubs, and (3) work on the development of social development plans for communities undergoing revitalization, with the exception of the Toronto Youth  Cabinet and the Seniors Forum, where budget and staffing resources are to be retained and be further considered by the Budget Committee;

f.          Toronto Employment and Social Services -- Transfer operational and financial responsibility for the activities of the Christmas Bureau to an appropriate external agency or group and, once the transfer is completed, reduce the internal resources allocated within the division for this function; 

g.         Transportation Services – Eliminate the requirement for paid duty Police officers at construction sites where possible, and request the General Manager of Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee with any necessary changes to City by-laws, policies, and criteria to effect this change;

h.         To offset service level adjustments, City Council direct the City Manager to collect on Provincial Offences Act tickets from the Ontario government that are estimated to be $40 millon a year; and

i.            City Council eliminate the 4 free garbage tag program, notwithstanding the previous direction of the Executive Committee [Decision Advice 2:1l].

2.         City Council initiate the divestment of the following City agencies or bodies by taking the following actions and request the City Manager to report back to Executive Committee as required:

a.         Request the City Manager, in consultation with the General Manager of Exhibition Place, to negotiate, and report on an agreement for separation and governance arrangements between Exhibition Place and the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA);

b.         Authorize the City Manager to issue a Request for Expression of Interest, on terms satisfactory to the City Manager, to determine the options for sale, lease, operation or other arrangement in respect of the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts (the Sony Centre), and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts;

c.         Authorize the City Manager to issue a Request for Expression of Interest, on terms satisfactory to the City Manager, to determine options for sale, lease, operation or other arrangement in respect of the Toronto Zoo, provided that the City Manager shall work with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Provincial and Federal Governments to accommodate their interests; and direct that the Toronto Zoo Board of Management be included in any meetings regarding the future of the Toronto Zoo;

 d.         i.        The City Manager be requested to review the City's heritage assets to find operational efficiencies and strengthening fundraising ability, by considering public/private models adopted by other levels of government and by reviewing the partnership model adopted by the City's successful Bicentennial program;

ii.         Given the legislative responsibilities of the City in relation to its heritage assets, the City Manager ensure the review process is transparent and includes consideration of best practices, including those currently practiced by the City; and

iii.        Given the scale and significance of Fort York, and given that the City is three months from the start of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Fort York Foundation is in the midst of a capital campaign to effect the greatest transformation of the site ever, that any review of the Fort be considered after the Bicentennial and its impact can be assessed.

3.         City Council request the Exhibition Place Board of Governors to prepare a development plan for Exhibition Place to increase annual revenues, and report back to Executive Committee in early 2012.

4.         City Council request the City Manager to work with the Provincial Government on potential partnership opportunities related to the governance, and operations of the Exhibition Place and Ontario Place, and report back to Executive Committee as required.

5.         City Council request Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management to develop a plan to reduce their reliance on tax supported funding, and become financially self-sufficient, and report to the Executive Committee.

6.         City Council request the Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards to examine the City’s licensing system to assess the ongoing public benefit of licensing categories, and report to the Licensing and Standards Committee.

7.         City Council request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review the forestry service plan, and report to the Parks and Environment Committee with recommended changes to extend the timeframe to achieve the City's tree canopy goals.

8.         City Council request the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to review the establishment of a regional economic development agency, including initiating discussions with regional, and other key stakeholders, and report to the Economic Development Committee in early 2012.

9.         City Council request the Chief Planner to review options to cover the City's administrative costs for the Percent for Public Art Program, and report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee.

10.       City Council request the City Manager to undertake a study of community infrastructure provided through the City's libraries, community centres, community hubs, related agencies, and organizations, and report to Executive Committee on a plan that maximizes the use of the City's assets, and enhances service system coordination.

11.       City Council request the City Manager to review the remaining efficiency related opportunities as set out in Appendix E of the report (September 9, 2011) from the City Manager, to determine whether and in what manner implementation is appropriate through the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Operating Budget, subject to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71, Financial Control, City and agency collective agreements, and human resource policies.

12.       City Council refer the following motions from the special Standing Committee meetings to the City Manager for consideration, to determine whether and in what manner implementation is appropriate through the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Operating Budgets, subject to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71, Financial Control, City, and agency collective agreements, and human resource policies:

a.         Motion 2a from the July 18, 2001 meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee that requested the City Manager include in his report to the Executive Committee on September 19, 2011 comments on possible service adjustments to benefits, and efficiencies for snow ploughing, snow removal, and windrow clearing services, and street sweeping; and

b.         Motions 2a, e, f, g, and h from the July 26, 2011 meeting of the Government Management Committee that requested the City Manager to include in his report to the Executive Committee on September 19, 2011:

i.          the identification of which components of 311 could be outsourced – from the call centre to the technology – and the potential savings and timelines of outsourcing of the 311 call centre;

ii.         Total IT Capital and Operating Budgets for the City, and its agencies broken out by specific Division and Agency, and how this compares to large urban cities such as Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Chicago, and the Ontario government;

iii.        Identification of what the Province of Ontario has done, and where is there an opportunity for the City to save monies in the IT Division across all Agencies, Boards, Commissions, and Divisions;

iv.        The total IT headcount for the City, and its agencies broken out by specific Division, and Agency, and why some Divisions have their own IT staff, and how this compares to Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Chicago, and the Ontario Government; and

v.         Potential cost savings, and timelines if the City, and agencies outsourced all IT functions.

13.       City Council support the Riverdale Farm Coalition proposal to engage the community in developing a new partnership and that the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation be requested to participate in the discussions and report to City Council, through the Executive Committee, in the spring of 2012 on the results.

14.       City Council request the City Manager to report on options to add a voluntary contribution option to future property tax bills so taxpayers who are willing to make a larger contribution to fund City programs can easily do so, and the City Manager, in his consideration of voluntary donations by taxpayers, allow taxpayers to make donations to specific services rather than donations being directed solely to general revenue.

15.       City Council, together with the Toronto Transit Commission, the Toronto Amalgamated Transit Union and the citizens of Toronto, formulate a joint strategy to lobby the Provincial Government to reinstate TTC operating subsidies.

16.       City Council receive the following Recommendations in the report (September 9, 2011) from the City Manager for information:

"1g.      Parks, Forestry and Recreation -- Reduce the service level standard for snow clearing in City parks, and open spaces from 6 centimetres to 8 centimetres, and adjust crew size as required.

1h.         Parks, Forestry and Recreation -- Reduce the service level standard for grass cutting, except for sports fields, and adjust crew size as required.

1u.         Transportation Services -- Eliminate the current windrow clearing program, and request the General Manager of Transportation Services to implement a windrow, and sidewalk snow shovelling program for seniors and people with disabilities, operated by a third party.

1v.         Transportation Services -- Maintain service levels at minimum standard for snow removal, and snow ploughing on local streets as required by Ontario Regulation 612/06, and reduce service levels if required to meet the minimum standard.

1x.         Reduce the Community Partnership and Investment Program based on consideration of existing legal obligations, and the following criteria: eliminate allocations where City funding represents less than five percent of the program budget or is less than $10,000.

2f.          Municipal Licensing and Standards: Consider reducing the level of proactive investigation, and enforcement;

2l.          Toronto Public Library: Consider rationalizing the footprint of libraries to reduce service levels, closing some branches;

2m.        TTC: Consider rolling back some of the service improvements implemented under the Ridership Growth Strategy, including changes to the crowding standard. Also consider reducing/eliminating the Blue Night Network or making it a premium service by raising fares.

2n.         TTC: Review service levels of support activities to conventional transit.

2o.         TTC – Wheel Trans: With conventional transit becoming significantly more accessible, the role and service levels should be continuously reviewed. Consider potentially developing individual plans for riders to use conventional services for their needs, relying less on Wheel-Trans.

17.       City Council exempt the Toronto Parking Authority from privatization.

18.       City Council request the City Manager to ensure that any underperforming City venue, such as museums, be reviewed to allow them to be open to entrepreneurial opportunities, such as weddings and other events. 

19.       City Council request the City Manager to report to the Budget committee on a 5 percent net expenditure reduction to be compared to his current requested 10 percent cut.

20.       City Council request the City Manager to report at the Budget Launch on a full list of options on the revenue side to help balance the 2012 Operating and Capital Budgets.

21.       City Council request the City Manager to report the findings of the Service Efficiency Reviews to Council as part of the budget process. 

22.       City Council request the City Solicitor to report to the Executive Committee on the legal implications of the allocation, funding and downloading of Provincial responsibilities to municipalities including a comparison of how municipalities in other provinces have responded to provincial downloading pursuant to the British North America Act and the Constitution Act, 1982.

23.       City Council direct the City Manager not to consider a less proactive and detailed intents City Planning review process, as previously directed by the Executive Committee [Decision Advice Item 2:2a], and instead request the Chief Planner to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee on how to meet cost saving targets by modifying the detailed intents review process and fee structures, as part of the Official Plan Review.

24.       City Council direct the City Manager not to consider the following KPMG Opportunity for inclusion in broader service and organizational studies, as previously directed by the Executive Committee [Decision Advice Item 2:1m]:

Solid Waste Management - Eliminate Community Environment Days.

25.       City Council direct the City Manager, in his consideration of Affordable Housing in the 2012 and 2013 budget process, as previously directed by the Executive Committee [Decision Advice Item 2:1b], to ensure that affordable housing development activities are to be funded by the federal and provincial governments.

26.       City Council refer the following Executive Committee Recommendation to the City Manager for further consideration and the City Manager be directed to consult with Heritage Toronto:

Economic Development and Culture -- Reduce cultural services activities by closing museums with the least attendance, and revenues compared to costs

 27.      City Council direct the City Manager, in his review of the option of consolidating Museum Services (Culture) and Heritage Preservation Services (City Planning) as previously directed by the Executive Committee [Decision Advice Item 4], to examine the economic viability of Heritage Toronto as a not-for-profit organization with the new responsibility of operating City owned Museums, to allow greater opportunity for Federal and Provincial Capital grants and revenue generating opportunities.

28.       City Council refer the following Executive Committee Recommendation to the City Manager for consideration and identification of alternative strategies to streamline and coordinate the provision of building permit and zoning information by the Building and City Planning divisions for report through the 2012 budget process:

Toronto Building -- Eliminate building permit, and related zoning information provided to the public over the phone, and in written correspondence, and migrate to the web, and 311 to access this information, and continue to comply with the Toronto Building Routine Disclosure Policy.

29.       In order to see where the parties in the upcoming election stand on assisting the City meeting the demands of delivering transit service, City Council urge the organizers of the party leaders' debate on September 27, 2011 to ask all parties for their views on reinstatement of the TTC operating subsidies.

City Council on September 26 and 27, 2011, adopted the following:

1.         City Council adopt the User Fee Policy set out in Appendix 1 to the report (September 9, 2011) from the City Manager and Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer (the "User Fee Policy") and approve the requirement that all City Programs and local boards of the City, as defined in the User Fee Policy (a "Local Board"), comply with the principles, rules and procedures established therein.

2.         City Council direct the City Manager to update the User Fee Policy in Part 1 above using Toronto's adopted Equity Lens and gender and racial equity analysis, in order to ensure that, in the development and implementation of the Policy, City staff take into consideration access and equity issues that impact Toronto's diverse residents and in order to remove and prevent barriers faced by residents in Toronto's diverse communities.

3.         City Council amend the User Fee Policy – Guidelines and Procedures set out in Appendix 2 to the report (September 9, 2011) from the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer by adding to the second bullet point in the section headed "Waiving User Fees", the words "but not limited to", so that the bullet point now reads as follows:

            " Granting relief from full cost recovery promotes or advances economic or social benefits, specific City policy goals and objectives, including, but not limited to:

a.         Supporting non-profit organizations in the development of projects or activities with clear societal benefits; and,

b.         Intergovernmental events that benefits society as a whole."

4.         City Council adopt a by-law pursuant to section 263 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, providing that a user fee of a Local Board for a service or activity offered to the general public, with the exception of the Toronto Transit Commission (the "TTC"), not come into force until it is approved by City Council, a condition of such approval being compliance with the User Fee Policy.

5.         City Council direct that the relationship frameworks with each of the Local Boards be amended to reflect Part 4 above.

6.         City Council direct those Local Boards with market driven user fees that change frequently throughout the year so as to respond to market conditions, to report to the Executive Committee by December 31, 2011 with a list of such fees and seeking authority from Council to specifically exempt such fees from requiring Council approval.

7.         Authority be granted to the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to annually determine, in accordance with the User Fee Policy, the automatic annual inflationary adjustment to be applied to each user fee for which Council has approved an automatic annual inflationary adjustment, and that Chapters 441 and 442 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code be amended accordingly.

8.         City Council grant authority to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to this Council decision.