Minutes Confirmed on April 28, 2021

This meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee was held by electronic means and the proceedings of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee were conducted publicly. 

These measures were necessary to comply with physical distancing requirements and as civic buildings were closed to the public.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the confidential instructions to staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, the Chief Purchasing Officer and the City Solicitor.

2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, the Chief Purchasing Officer and the City Solicitor remain confidential in its entirety, as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege and pertains to litigation or potential litigation.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 71-11.1.C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control), authorized an amendment to Purchase Order Number 6031221 with Unit A Architecture Incorporated for professional services, contract administration and site inspection services during construction of the Process Control Building at Highland Creek Treatment Plant, Request for Proposal Number 9117-09-7264 and additional amount of $647,455 net of all taxes and charges ($658,850 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recovery), revising the current total value from $1,983,789 net of all taxes and charges ($2,018,704 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recovery) to $2,631,244 net of all taxes and charges ($2,677,554 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recovery) and to extend the delivery date to December 31, 2024.

The purpose of this report is to request authority to amend the value and extend the term of Purchase Order Number 6031221 issued to Unit A Architecture Incorporated for professional services during construction of the Process Control building project at Highland Creek Treatment Plant, awarded under Request for Proposal 9117-09-7264.

There have been significant delays in the completion of this project and remediation of deficiencies due to difficulties experienced with the general contractor together with mitigation measures that were required to be taken by the City as a result. An amendment to the purchase order is required to extend the professional services, contract administration and site inspection services provided by Unit A Architecture Incorporated to December 31, 2024 and to revise the value by $647,455 from $1,983,789 to $2,631,244 net of all taxes and charges.

The general contractor for this project, Aplus General Contractors Corporation commenced a legal action against the City for amounts invoiced by it and not paid by the City. The City has defended the action and commenced a counterclaim for damages it alleges are attributable to Aplus. Confidential Attachment 1 contains legal advice from the City Solicitor regarding the litigation that has arisen from this Project.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 195-8.4 of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195 (Purchasing), authorized the award of Contract 19-TW-CTS-21CWD, Tender Call Doc2666227009 for Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Seven (7) Sewage Pumping Stations, in the amount of $26,546,800 net of all taxes ($27,014,024 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to Maple Reinders Constructors Limited, having submitted the lowest compliant bid and meeting the specifications in conformance with the Request for Tender requirements.

The purpose of this report is to advise of the results of Request for Tenders Ariba Document Number Doc2666227009 issued for Contract Number 19-TW-CTS-21CWD issued for the Rehabilitation and Upgrades of Seven (7) Sewage Pumping Stations in various locations, in accordance with specifications as required by Toronto Water, and to request the authority to award the contract to Maple Reinders Constructors Limited, in the amount of $26,546,800 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($27,014,024 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 71-11.1.C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control), authorized an amendment to Purchase Order Number 6046731 with GHD Limited, to provide additional professional engineering services during detailed design for the D Building Phase 2 Upgrades at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant in the amount of $1,141,464 net of all applicable taxes and charges, ($1,161,554 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), revising the current Purchase Order value from $1,949,936 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($1,984,255 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to $3,091,400 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($3,145,808 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) and extend the delivery date from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2023.

The purpose of this report is to request authority to amend Purchase Order Number 6046731 with GHD Limited, to provide additional professional engineering services during detailed design for the D Building Phase 2 Upgrades at Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, in the amount of $1,141,464 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($1,161,554 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), revising the current Purchase Order value from $1,949,936 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($1,984,255 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to $3,091,400 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($3,145,808 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

This revises the total value of the work awarded to GHD Limited, from $3,654,900 to $4,816,454 net of Harmonized Sales Tax and all applicable charges.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 195-8.4A of the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195 (Purchasing), authorized the award of Request for Proposals Number Doc2561182391 (Contract Number Request for Proposals-20ECS-MI-02AB) to CH2M Hill Canada Limited, having submitted the highest scoring proposal meeting the requirements of the Request for Proposals to provide Professional Engineering Services for Design, Contract Administration and Post Construction Services for the New Pelletizer Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant in the amount of $27,708,606 net of all applicable taxes and charges, $28,196,277 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries, including disbursements, provisional allowances and contingency, where the agreements are established by major task categories as follows:

a. Preliminary Design and Detailed Design services of the New Pelletizer Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant in the amount of $14,908,858 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, including labour, disbursements, provisional allowances and contingency; this amount includes provisional allowances of $4,290,000 and a contingency allowance of $2,000,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, for additional services, if necessary and authorized by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services;

b. Contract Administration Services during construction of the New Pelletizer Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant in the amount of $12,101,364 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, including labour, disbursements and provisional allowances; this amount includes provisional allowances of $2,453,200 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, for additional services, if necessary and authorized by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services; and

c. Post-Construction Services of the New Pelletizer Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant in the amount of $698,384 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, including labour, disbursements and provisional allowances; this amount includes provisional allowances of $360,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax, for additional services, if necessary and authorized by the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services.

2. For each of Parts 1a, 1b, and 1c, above, all agreements are to be in accordance with the terms and conditions as set out in the Request for Proposals and any other terms and conditions satisfactory to the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and the services and dollar amounts set out to be executed as three (3) distinct consulting agreements and the issuance of three (3) Purchase Orders.

The purpose of this report is to advise of the results of Request for Proposals Number Doc2561182391 (Contract Request for Proposal-20ECS-MI-02AB) for the Provision of Professional Services for Design, Contract Administration and Post Construction Services for the New Pelletizer Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant and to request award of the Request for Proposals to CH2M Hill Canada Limited, in the amount of $27,708,606 net of all applicable taxes and charges, $28,196,277 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 71-11.1.C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control), authorized an amendment to Purchase Order Number 6048895 with Bridgecon Construction Limited, for the provision of construction services for the rehabilitation of Islington Avenue over the Humber River Bridge, in the amount of $165,321 net of all taxes and charges ($168,231 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) revising the current Purchase Order value from $4,089,681 ($4,161,659 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to $4,255,002 net of taxes and charges ($4,329,890 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The purpose of this report is to request authority to amend Purchase Order Number 6048895 issued to Bridgecon Construction Limited, as a result of Request for Tender Number 69-2018, for provision of construction services for the rehabilitation of the Islington Avenue over Humber River Bridge. The total Purchase Order Amendment being requested is for an additional amount of $165,321 net of all taxes and charges ($168,231 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), revising the current Purchase Order value from $4,089,681 ($4,161,659 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to $4,255,002 net of taxes and charges ($4,329,890 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

This amendment is required as a result of a negotiated agreement with the Contractor to resolve an outstanding claim related to the installation of temporary crosswalks required as per the City's new Vision Zero Road Safety Plan regarding the protection of pedestrians in and around construction work zones and for modification of expansion joints required to resolve conflicts with existing Bell Canada infrastructure.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 195-8.4 of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195 (Purchasing), authorized the award of Contract Number RFP-20ECS-TI-22BE, Ariba Document Number 2754972072 for the Bridge Program Management Assignment to Morrison Hershfield Limited, having submitted the highest scoring proposal meeting the requirements of the solicitation to provide Program Management, Data Collection, Engineering Design, Tender Preparation, Services During Construction, and Post Construction Services for a seven (7) year period from 2021 to 2027, in support of Transportation Services' Bridge Rehabilitation Program, for the total amount of $23,841,431  net of all applicable taxes and charges ($24,261,040 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), including contingencies.

The purpose of this report is advise of the results of Request for Proposal Ariba Document Number 2754972072 (9148-20-5077), issued for Contract Number RFP- 20ECS-TI-22BE, for Professional Engineering Services for the Bridge Program Management Assignment, in support of Transportation Services' Bridge Rehabilitation Program, and request authority to award the contract to Morrison Hershfield Limited, in the amount of $23,841,431 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($24,261,040 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. In accordance with Section 71-11.1.C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control), authorized an amendment to Purchase Order Number 6049196 with EBC Incorporated, for the provision of construction services for the replacement of the Albion Road Culvert over Albion Creek and the Islington Avenue Culvert over Berry Creek, and the rehabilitation of the Redwater Drive Culvert over Berry Creek and the Toledo Road Culvert over Elmcrest Creek, in the amount of $822,729 net of all taxes and charges ($837,209 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) revising the current purchase order value from $7,471647 ($7,603148 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) to $8,294,376 net of taxes and charges ($8,440,357 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The purpose of this report is to request authority to amend Purchase Order Number 6049196 issued to EBC Incorporated for the replacement of Albion Road Culvert over Albion Creek and Islington Avenue Culvert over Berry Creek, and the rehabilitation of Redwater Drive Culvert over Berry Creek and Toledo Road Culvert over Elmcrest Creek Culvert. This amendment is required to address the extra costs associated with the construction delays and additional work required to temporarily support unexpected Bell Canada and Toronto Hydro utilities at multiple culvert locations.

The total Purchase Order Amendment requested is for an additional amount of $822,729 net of all taxes and charges ($837,209 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), revising the current purchase order value from $7,471,647 to $8,294,376 net of all taxes and charges ($8,440,357 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee forwards the item to City Council without recommendation.

The purpose of this report is to request authority to amend Blanket Contract Number 47020198 issued to Municipal Maintenance Incorporated for an additional amount of $900,000 net of all taxes and charges, ($915,840 Net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries) increasing the contract value from $8,268,979 ($8,414,513 Net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries) to $9,168,979 net of all applicable taxes and changes ($9,330,353 Net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries). This amendment is required to address the underestimate in the overall contract value for the provision of winter service hours that was required for the duration of the five (5) years ending on December 31, 2021. The increase to the total contract target value is required to process the outstanding invoices for sidewalk and laneway cleaning through the continuation of the five (5) year contract.

Contract 47020198 was issued to Municipal Maintenance Incorporated as a result of Request for Quotation Number 6033-16-3118 for the provision of mechanical litter removal from City sidewalks, gutters, sodded/hard surfaced boulevards, laneways, tree planters and from around the perimeter of bus shelters, litter receptacles and other street fixtures and other areas as instructed by the Contract Administrator for the area defined as Area A and Area B, west of Bathurst St to the City of Toronto limits in the west and from Steels Ave in the north to the City of Toronto limits in the south.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to participate in the South London Air Monitoring Network, a regional pilot project of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

This report seeks Council direction for Solid Waste Management Services to join in the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, London District Office (Ministry) South London Air Monitoring Network (Network) pilot project, which will monitor odour and weather patterns at the City of Toronto's (City) Green Lane Landfill. The Network pilot project utilizes technology to monitor and visualize any odour emissions of surrounding participating facilities, in an effort to identify and distinguish between any sources of odour and better predict any odour trajectories.

The City's participation in the Network pilot project will enable staff to have access to real-time data and to log historical data related to any odours from Green Lane Landfill. Implementation will require procurement of air monitoring equipment and software, and installation of air monitors and a weather station on Green Lane Landfill property.

This report provides an overview of the Network pilot project and benefits of participation, the types of data collected and how it will be used and implementation details at Green Lane Landfill.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager Parks, Forestry and Recreation to:

a. consolidate existing opportunities and host a meeting with all Councillors with Wards along the waterfront (Wards 3, 4, 10, 14, 19, 24 and 25) to review findings, seek their input into potential storage and rental opportunities for non-motorized watercraft.

b. report back to the May 25, 2021 Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting on short-term and long-term opportunities in the East, Central and West waterfront.

The purpose of this report is to respond to the January 11, 2021 Infrastructure and Environment committee request that the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in collaboration with other divisions and agencies such the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Ports Toronto, identify any potential new locations across the Toronto waterfront where storage for non-motorized crafts like canoes and kayaks and paddle boards could be accommodated and operationalized in the short-term, and report back on their findings and recommendations at the March 23, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation recognizes the growth in waterfront recreation and increase in use of non-motorized water craft at the City's beaches and waterfront parks. This report provides a summary of current launch and storage options, as well as short term and long term strategies for improving access, rental and storage solutions for residents who enjoy these spaces and activities.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services, to work with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Waterfront Toronto, to finalize the Environmental Study Report and issue a Notice of Study Completion for the Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Project Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, to be placed on the public record for minimum 30 day review period in accordance with Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (2015) requirements for Schedule C projects.

2. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to initiate cost-sharing and implementation discussions with stakeholders based on the phased implementation options outlined in the Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Project Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in fourth quarter of 2021 with a funding and implementation strategy.

This report provides an update on the completion of the Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, with a Preferred Alternative for flood protection that achieves the goals of the project. The Preferred Alternative is a flood protection landform along the east side of the Don Valley Parkway and Don River. This environmental assessment is a joint project of the City of Toronto, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Waterfront Toronto.

This report also describes a phased implementation strategy where flood protection is realized for the bulk of the study area in Phase One while maintaining the existing business at 1-9 Sunlight Park Road. Phase Two could be completed at a later date by the landowner to achieve the full development potential of the property.

The project Study Area, shown in Attachment 1, is 8 hectares (20 acres) of land just east of the Don River, south of Eastern Avenue and north of the Metrolinx Lakeshore East rail embankment. The primary land-owners in the area, as identified in Attachment 2, are the City of Toronto (streets), Metrolinx (rail corridor) and the Talisker Corporation. Talisker owns a number of properties in the study area including 1-9 Sunlight Park Road, which houses a BMW dealership, and 10-20 Sunlight Park Road, where a Mini dealership is located. Additional properties at 341, 353 and 361 Eastern Avenue are held by other private landowners. The study area is regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as Flood Plain, meaning that in the case of a Hurricane Hazel-level Regulatory Flood, water would overflow the banks of the Don River and flood the study area. The lands are designated in the former City of Toronto Official Plan (1994) as Lower Don Special Policy Area, which limits intensified development and requires flood proofing. 

The Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Preferred Alternative would be the third and final component of flood protection in this area of Toronto. Previously, the Lower Don River West Remedial Flood Protection project was completed in 2012, protecting the West Don Lands neighbourhoods and parts of the city's downtown. The Port Lands Flood Protection project, currently underway, will eliminate the flood plain for lands to the south and east of the project site.

The 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in the Broadview and Eastern study area were not included in the Port Lands Flood Protection project because the land is primarily under private ownership and there was little development pressure in the area during the project's environmental assessment study process - a ten year process completed in 2015 as the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Environmental Assessment.

The vision for the future of the study area and adjacent lands has evolved considerably in recent years and flood protection is now a required piece of enabling infrastructure to support a regional employment and transit hub. This new vision has been developed through several initiatives, including the Unilever Precinct Planning Study, resulting in a Secondary Plan, East Harbour Zoning By-law, and related ongoing development approvals processes. Intersecting with these plans are those related to the future integrated SmartTrack and Ontario Line transit hub. 

The Preferred Alternative for the Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Environmental Assessment is one that would support the vision that has emerged for the area. A flood protection landform would extend from Eastern Avenue south along the east side of the Don Valley Parkway and Don River to the Metrolinx Lakeshore East rail embankment­ (see Attachment 7).  The flood protection landform has been designed to minimize the amount of land required, while meeting technical engineering design requirements. The northern portion of the landform would be located on public land, while the southern portion would be located on 1-9 Sunlight Park Road. Implementation of the full flood protection landform through this private land would ultimately require the removal of the existing commercial building on 1-9 Sunlight Park Road.

The environmental assessment report describes different implementation alternatives, including a phasing approach that would significantly reduce near-term land and business interruption costs by preserving the existing business at 1-9 Sunlight Park Road while providing immediate flood protection benefits. Phase One of this strategy is presented in Attachment 8. In this phase, the northern and southern portions of the flood protection landform would be fully constructed, while the land around the building at 1-9 Sunlight Park Road would be re-graded to ensure that flood waters would not flow east of the site's parking lot.  This could be implemented in the near-term and would facilitate the removal of the Special Policy Area designation for most of the study area while the existing business remains in place.

In Phase Two of implementation, the middle portion of the flood protection landform would be completed on privately-owned lands, consistent with the environmental assessment's Preferred Alternative. This work could be done by the owners of 1-9 Sunlight Park Road and would include the removal of the existing commercial building. There is currently no timeline for this phase. It could be implemented by the landowner as a component of a potential future development project. The landowner could also choose to leave the lands within the flood plain for the foreseeable future and operate businesses that are consistent with the property's existing development permissions.

The benefits of implementing the recommended environmental assessment Preferred Alternative are outlined below. Almost all of these benefits are realized in Phase One of the phased implementation strategy:

- Enabling future development of the East Harbour site consistent with the Unilever Precinct Secondary Plan, East Harbour Zoning Bylaw and ongoing development approval processes;

- Enabling a variety of potential design solutions for the integrated East Harbour SmartTrack and Ontario Line transit hub;

- Enabling future development on privately-owned lands north of the Metrolinx Lakeshore East rail embankment;

- Enabling the Broadview Extension and associated streetcar route to penetrate the rail embankment and move south into the Unilever Precinct;

- Protection of existing residents and businesses;

- Through the phased implementation approach, cost-savings through reduced near-term impact on the business operating at 1-9 Sunlight Park Road.
 

Staff are recommending that Council authorize staff to finalize the Broadview and Eastern Flood Protection Project Municipal Class Environmental Assessment report and place it on the public record for minimum 30 day review period in accordance with Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (2015) requirements for Schedule C projects.

The benefits of implementing the Preferred Alternative flood protection would accrue to multiple stakeholders, and, as such, there is the opportunity for project costs to be shared. Furthermore, detailed design and construction planning will require successful coordination across these projects and organizations. This report recommends that staff initiate cost-sharing negotiations with stakeholders and develop a funding and implementation strategy. Staff would also investigate opportunities to secure funding from the Federal and Provincial governments. Staff anticipate reporting back in fourth quarter of 2021.

City staff are proposing to advance work, beginning in the second quarter of 2021, on a 60 percent schematic design for the southern portion of the flood protection landform – the portion adjacent to the Metrolinx Lakeshore East rail embankment. The design process will be a joint design process with Metrolinx that includes the integrated East Harbour SmartTrack and Ontario Line transit hub. Accurate information for these pieces of infrastructure will allow them to be designed and delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. As noted below, the cost of this work is anticipated to be accommodated through existing budgets and, potentially, through funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Program.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to continue to pursue opportunities to provide, where possible and under the advice of Toronto Public Health and through the City-wide recovery planning process, more space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit riders to allow for better physical distancing through ActiveTO Major Road Closures and Cycling Network Expansion Projects.

2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2021 on the outcome and future recommendations regarding the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion Projects, following a period of monitoring and evaluation.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, as part of the design, installation, and monitoring process underway for ActiveTO projects, to continue to work in consultation with the local Councillors and stakeholders to identify and implement changes to the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion Projects as may be necessary to address operational and safety issues as they may arise, including modification or removal of the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion Projects if deemed necessary.

4. City Council delegate, despite any City of Toronto By-law to the contrary, to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until April 30, 2022, for the purposes of implementing and then addressing operational and safety issues that may arise in relation to the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion Projects, the authority to implement changes and process and submit directly to City Council any necessary Bills for By-law amendments to the schedules to City of Toronto Code Chapters on the streets and within the parameters as identified in Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, such regulation changes to be in effect no longer than April 30, 2022.

5. City Council authorize the appropriate City Officials to submit directly to City Council at the appropriate time any necessary Bills to amend the appropriate City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter, and any Schedules to the Code, to reinstate the traffic and parking regulations to what they were immediately prior to the By-law amendments made in connection with the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

6. City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect to City Council's decision, including the introduction in Council of any and all Bills that may be required. 

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to investigate, in consultation with local Councillors, and report directly to the April 7 and 8, 2021 City Council meeting on:

a. opportunities to accommodate Lake Shore Boulevard West ActiveTO partial or full closures on select weekends or consider alternate ActiveTO installations, similar to Bayview Avenue;

b. opportunities for additional ActiveTO locations, including on the Exhibition Place grounds; and

c. opportunities to accelerate traffic-calming in local neighbourhoods through the refocused efforts mentioned in the report, and creating enhanced Quiet Streets, based on lessons learned in 2020, as well as opportunities for a Quiet Neighbourhoods approach where appropriate.

2. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to work with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to identify any potential impacts to transit customers using shuttle buses during Toronto Transit Commission closures, the Automatic Train Control rollout and the proposed Yonge midtown complete street pilot, with attention paid to Yonge Street north of St. Clair Avenue, and to report directly to the April 7 and 8, 2021 City Council meeting on opportunities to mitigate the impact on transit customers.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a drastic and evolving change to the balance of demands on Toronto’s streets. Throughout 2020, the City of Toronto's Transportation Services Division introduced a variety of COVID-19 response programs in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health to accommodate the need for residents to be outside of their homes while physical distancing.

These programs, including ActiveTO, transformed Toronto's streets to support the city during the first summer of the pandemic. ActiveTO dedicated road space to facilitate active transportation for essential trips and physical activity and is highlighted in the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild's COVID-19 - Impacts and Opportunities Report. Transportation infrastructure and programs will be critical for Toronto's recovery and efforts to build back better and prioritize investments that support key priorities all through an equity and resilience lens. 

ActiveTO was composed of three main programs; Major Road Closures, Quiet Streets and Cycling Network Expansion. This set of programs enabled the largest expansion of cycling infrastructure in the City's history and supported thousands of safe cycling and walking trips to essential services and recreation for mental and physical health.

The Major Road Closures were short-term recurring closures (i.e. weekends and holidays) of major roadways adjacent to highly utilized trails to provide more space for walking and cycling, thus enabling physical distancing. This program launched in May 2020 and continued through October 2020. Thousands of people made use of the Major Road Closures with record numbers in May and then leveling off to over 36,000 people/weekend day utilizing the closures in June, July and August.

Transportation Services proposes that the ActiveTO Major Road Closures program continues in 2021 and beyond. This program aligns with the City Council approved COVID-19 - Impact and Opportunities Report Recommendation 59, which states "accelerate or make permanent transit initiatives the City undertook quickly to support crisis response and restart, such as instituting priority bus lanes, improved cycling infrastructure, expansion of bike share and weekend recreational street closures, among others."

The Quiet Streets program was introduced in May of 2020 and installed 65 kilometres of traffic calming in approximately 30 locations. The program utilized temporary signage and barricades to slow vehicular traffic and encourage a shared use of the roadway. This program reinforced Transportation Services understanding that neighbourhoods across Toronto are eager to see traffic managed on local streets to make walking and cycling easier and safer.

In 2021, Transportation Services recommends refocusing the approach to local street calming through existing programs including the Council-adopted Traffic Calming Policy and related programs, speed limit reductions on local roads, implementation of the School Safety Zones, Automated Speed Enforcement in Community Safety Zones, neighbourhood-scale mobility and traffic management planning, and localized improvements identified through 311 calls and requests from City Councillors and Ward Office staff.

Through the Cycling Network Expansion program, Transportation Services accelerated and installed new bikeways along eight key corridors in the Council-adopted 2019 Cycling Network Plan, with particular focus on routes that mirrored major transit routes and/or connected to trails and greenspace. The ActiveTO cycling projects coupled with Transportation Services' permanent on-street cycling network and trail project represents the largest, single year increase in new bikeways in the City of Toronto's history.

Through delegated authority, staff were able to consult, design, and install an unprecedented amount of new cycling infrastructure, which supported a significant growth in cycling this summer and enabled staff to make modifications to projects quickly in response to monitoring and stakeholder feedback. Transportation Services recommends building on the success of rapidly deploying new bikeways through the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion program, but through a more modest deployment to better match existing resources and enhanced public consultation in 2021.

The 2019 Council-adopted Cycling Network Near-Term Implementation Plan included a corridor comparison study of Avenue Road, Yonge Street, and Mount Pleasant Avenue between Bloor Street and Lawrence Avenue, which was programmed to be undertaken in 2021. In October 2020, City Council requested Transportation Services to consider the opportunity to install a complete street pilot (i.e. streetscape improvements and road safety measures, in conjunction with a protected bikeway) on Yonge Street between Bloor Street and Lawrence Avenue or parallel corridors by Second Quarter 2021.

As directed in the City Council adopted 2019 Cycling Network Plan, Transportation Services was preparing to undertake a corridor study of the three parallel midtown corridors, and based on the IE 15.11 request, also included a review of the feasibility of the delivery of a complete street pilot in 2021 as part of the ActiveTO program and COVID-19 pandemic response. 

In line with the objectives of the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion projects delivered in 2020, the Midtown corridor project would be intended to provide multi-modal capacity along the Line 1 subway through a temporary cycling connection between Midtown and the downtown core, as well as support economic recovery of the main street businesses through opportunities to expand on-street patios and streetscape improvements.  

Following a corridor comparison analysis and initial consultation with local stakeholders, Transportation Services is seeking City Council authority to undertake broader community consultation and installation of a temporary ActiveTO complete street pilot on Yonge Street between Bloor Street and Davisville Avenue / Chaplin Crescent, subject to further review of these limits and potential impact to surface transit operations as part of the detailed design process, using a similar approach to the Destination Danforth complete streets pilot project. Consistent with the approach to delegation for the ActiveTO Cycling Network Expansion projects approved by City Council in May 2020, the proposed delegation would be time-limited and would end on April 30, 2022. This delegation of authority would allow Transportation Services to consult, analyze, design and install a recommended complete street on Yonge Street after local consultation without delay.

Transportation Services also recommends that the ActiveTO Bayview Cycling Corridor installed in 2020 from Rosedale Valley Road to River Street be extended southerly from River Street to Mill Street on a temporary basis in order to provide a detour route during the 2021 Lower Don Trail Construction Closure.

Transportation Services plans to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2021 on the outcome and future recommendations regarding the ActiveTO cycling projects, following a period of monitoring and evaluation.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the installation of bicycle lanes, or bicycle lane by-law amendments, on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 2 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Gladstone Avenue from Minowan Miikan Lane to Peel Avenue.

2. City Council authorize the installation or adjustments of cycle tracks, or cycle track by-law on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 3 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Birmingham Street from Dwight Avenue to Kipling Avenue;

b. Brant Street from Richmond Street West to 15 metres south;

c. Crescent Town Road from Dawes Road to Victoria Park Avenue;

d. Cummer Avenue from Pineway Boulevard to Leslie Street;

e. Danforth Avenue from Broadview Avenue to 150 metres west;

f. Davenport Road from Dupont Street to Yonge Street;

g. Dundas Street West from The Kingsway (west intersection) to Wimbleton Road;

h. Harbord Street from Ossington Avenue to Huron Street;

i. Richmond Street West from Augusta Avenue to Brant Street;

j. The Kingsway from Canterbury Crescent (south intersection) to Dundas Street West; and

k. Thorncliffe Park Drive from Overlea Boulevard (west) to Overlea Boulevard (east).

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to continue with the planned delivery of sidewalks on Wimbleton Road between Dundas Street and the Humbertown Park driveway approximately 50 metres north of Wimbleton Road.

4. City Council authorize the installation or adjustments of bicycle lanes, or bicycle lane by-law amendments, on the following sections of roadway, as described in Attachment 4 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Brant Street from Richmond Street to Adelaide Street;

b. Gladstone Avenue from Peel Avenue to Argyle Street; and

c.  Ryding Avenue from 13 metres east of Cobalt Avenue to Cobalt Avenue.

5. City Council authorize the amendments to traffic and parking regulations associated with Recommendations 1, 2, and 4 above and as described in Attachment 5 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

6. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to include metrics and goals as part of the July 2021 update to the Cycling Network Plan that detail the implementation rate of new cycling infrastructure with targets outlined in City policies such as TransformTO, Vision Zero, or the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild’s COVID-19: Impacts and opportunities report.

The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near Term Implementation Plan (2019-2021), adopted by Council in July 2019 seeks to build on the existing network of cycling routes to connect gaps in the current network, grow the network into new parts of the city, and renew existing parts of the network to improve safety.

This report is a first quarter update on the initial group of cycling infrastructure projects that are proposed to be installed in 2021 for which design and consultation have been completed. Additional cycling infrastructure projects proposed for installation in 2021 will be included in upcoming reports.

This report seeks Council authority to install 2.39 lane kilometres of new cycling infrastructure on the following streets proposed in the Cycling Network near Term Implementation Plan (2019-2021):

- Cummer Avenue (cycle tracks, Ward 17)

- Davenport Road (cycle tracks, Ward 11)

- Gladstone Avenue (bike lane and contra-flow bike lane, Ward 9)

- The Kingsway (cycle tracks, Ward 2) and Dundas Street West at The Kingsway (intersection improvement with bi-directional cycle tracks, Ward 2)

This report also seeks Council authority to make improvements to 11.4 lane kilometres of existing cycling infrastructure on the following streets:

- Birmingham Street (bicycle lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 3)

- Brant Street (cycle track and contra-flow bike lane, Ward 10) and Richmond Street (by-law amendments associated with Brant Street contra-flow bike lane, Ward 10)

- Crescent Town Road (bicycle lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 19)

- Danforth Avenue at Royal Drive/Don Valley Parkway on-ramp (bicycle lane to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

- Davenport Road (bicycle lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 11)

Further, this report seeks to make amendments to existing bikeways and their associated traffic and parking by-laws on the following streets:

- Bloor Street West (traffic and parking amendments associated with the Bloor Street West bikeways, Ward 9)

- Harbord Street (cycle track by-law, Ward 11)

- Ryding Avenue (existing contra-flow bike lane by-law to be enacted, Ward 5)

- Shaw Street (existing stop sign by-law to be enacted, Ward 11)

- Thorncliffe Park Drive (traffic and parking amendments associated with the existing bike lanes, Ward 15)

A map of the projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1. The changes proposed would improve safety and mobility options by providing improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, event venues, businesses and residences.  Pedestrian improvements have also been included in the projects, wherever feasible, including curb extensions, shortened crossing distances, new sidewalk installations, and travel lane adjustments.

While there are varying impacts to traffic operations for motor vehicles, these impacts have been reviewed, analyzed and have been determined by Transportation Services to have acceptable impacts in order to improve safety and comfort of all road users.

All of the bikeways included in this report are proposed to be installed in 2021.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee received the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services for information.

On November 5, 2020, Infrastructure and Environment Committee endorsed IE17.3 - Reducing the State of Good Repair Backlog and Enhancing Cycling Lane Maintenance which would update the plan to reduce the backlog of road rehabilitation needs, discuss best practices in dealing with the management and repair of potholes, and define the plan for the maintenance and refresh of cycle tracks.

The purpose of this report is to respond to a request for the General Manager, Transportation Services to establish and implement a dedicated inspection, repair and maintenance program that is specific to bicycle lanes (bikeways) by leveraging existing in-house staff resources and newly acquired pavement repair equipment.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council establish and authorize the designation of areas within which designated areas a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour will apply to public lanes or public alleys and local roads, subject to listed exclusions, and delegate to Community Council the establishment of designated areas pursuant to subsection 128(2.1) of the Highway Traffic Act.

 
2. City Council delegate final decision-making authority to Community Councils with respect to public lanes or public alleys on the following matters and City Council amend Chapter 27, Council Procedures, accordingly:
 

a. where there is not an established Toronto Transit Commission route:

1. on-street parking, standing and stopping;

2. on-street permit parking;

3. on-street traffic regulation;

4. road alterations; and

5. traffic calming;

b. where the authority has not been delegated to the General Manager, Transportation Services under Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways:

1. temporary road closures; and

c. proposals for speed changes, restriction and reductions.

3. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking,  generally as outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

 
4. City Council amend the 30 kilometres per hour Speed Limit Policy by making local roads and public lanes or public alleys exempt from this Policy and limiting it to only collector roads.

 
5. City Council designate the area within the west side of Old Weston Road to the east, the south side of Rogers Road to the north, the east side of Weston Road to the west, and the north side of St. Clair Avenue West to the south, between Weston Road and Canadian Pacific Railway, and north side of Canadian Pacific Railway to the south between St. Clair Avenue West and Old Weston Road as a designated area with an associated speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour, with the exception of specified excluded highways or bridges, and amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, generally as outlined in Attachment 2 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

 
6. City Council establish and authorize a reserved lane with a speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rrail Transit segregated right-of-way on Eglinton Avenue East between Brentcliffe Road and Ionview Road.

 
7. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, to establish an offence for stopping a vehicle in the reserved lane during the times and/or days set out in Schedule XLVI, but that this shall not be deemed to prohibit a Metrolinx Light Rail Transit Vehicle from stopping while actively engaged in loading or unloading passengers, and establish an associated penalty amount of $150.00.

 
8. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 610, Penalties, Administration of, generally as outlined in Attachment 3 to the report (March 9, 2021) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

 
9. City Council designate a community safety zone to be in effect at all times on Dufferin Street, between Bloor Street West and College Street.

 
10. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor or General Manager, Transportation Services, in order to give effect to Parts 1 to 5, inclusive, above and the reasonable operation of the designated speed limit area approach, and in order to give effect to Parts 6 and 8 inclusive and the reasonable operation of a reserved lane for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit with an associated different speed limit than the other general purpose traffic lanes.

The Vision Zero 2.0 - Road Safety Plan Update report highlighted how higher speeds contribute to higher risk of serious injuries and fatalities, and that setting lower speed limits is a key  tool for reducing operating speeds on Toronto's roadways. The Vision Zero Speed Management Strategy includes a program for reducing speed limits on local roads and public lanes or public alleys, as defined in the City's Road Classification System, to 30 kilometres per hour on a neighbourhood basis. With this approach the City is no longer required to sign every individual street within that designated area but only the entry and exit points to/from the designated area where speed limits change and any internal roads with a different speed limit.

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for amendments required to the City of Toronto Municipal Code in order to set the speed limit for public lanes and local roads within a designated area below the provincial default of 50 kilometres per hour, as well as amendments required to enable a separate speed limit to be set for public transit vehicles along the Eglinton Avenue Light Rail Transit Segregated Right of Way.

This report also recommends that Community Council be delegated the authority to establish designated areas pursuant to section 128(2.1) of the Highway Traffic Act and further that certain current delegations to Community Council be expanded to include public lanes or public alleys.

This report also includes a staff recommendation for a new Community Safety Zone within Ward 9 (Davenport) to improve the safety of school children in this area.

It is important to note that speed limit reductions are just one part of the Speed Management Strategy. The holistic strategy also includes modifications to the design of roadways, automated and manual speed enforcement, proactive deployment of Watch Your Speed Signs, and revised speed limit setting practices as key tools in order to achieve more significant, sustained, and effective speed management.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that: 

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, to delegate to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2025, inclusive, the authority to temporarily close to vehicular and pedestrian traffic any highway or portion of highway for a period up to and including 365 consecutive days but ending no later than December 31, 2025, inclusive, with the exception of those highways listed in Section 937-4 of Code Chapter 937, as required for the purpose of construction of the Toronto Transit Commission's Easier Access Phase Three Projects, and City Council exempt the General Manager of Transportation Services, in carrying out this delegated authority from Section 937-5 of Chapter 937, that being the requirement to notify the local Ward Councillor of the pending closure and the requirement to report on the proposed closure if so requested by the local Ward Councillor.

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, to provide that the current delegation to Community Council to temporarily close local roads, collector roads, and minor arterial roads does not include closures delegated to the General Manager, Transportation Services, in carrying out the authority in Part 1 above.

The purpose of this report is to delegate authority to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2025, inclusive, to temporarily close to vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic any highway or portion of highway, with the exclusion of those highways listed in Section 937-4 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, up to and including 365 consecutive days, but ending no later than December 31, 2025, inclusive, as required for the purposes of the Toronto Transit Commission's Easier Access Phase Three Projects, in order to meet their intention to meet Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act requirements by making all transit stations accessible by 2025. This report seeks authority to make associated amendments to Code Chapter 937 and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures.

Without the extension of this authority, approximately 64 reports will be required seeking Council approval to grant road/lane closures lasting more than 30 days. The scope of the Toronto Transit Commission Easier Access Phase Three projects necessitates numerous concurrent and consecutive lane closures that will extend beyond thirty days during a multi-year construction period. Delegating this authority to the General Manager, Transportation Services, will significantly reduce the administrative burden on City of Toronto staff and enable them to focus on working with Toronto Transit Commission, the contractor, local ward councillors and the community to maximize the effectiveness of traffic management and construction scheduling, while minimizing the chance of project delay.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee received the report (March 9, 2021) from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards for information.

At its meeting on March 11, 2020, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee directed the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to report back on the feasibility of prohibiting snow clearing activity within commercial properties located 100 metres or less from residential areas between 12 am and 6 am. The Committee directive is a result of resident concerns about noise.

Staff do not support prohibiting overnight snow clearing activity within commercial properties near residential areas. Using the Noise Bylaw (Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 591, Noise) to regulate snow clearing activity and equipment may undermine what is intended to be a straight-forward exemption for safety and accessibility reasons. It is recommended that this report is received for information and that educational information and/or mediation services are offered to residents when there are continued complaints about noise made in connection with snow clearing. The report also provides an update on the review of the Noise Bylaw.

The Noise Bylaw exempts snow clearing activity and equipment to ensure it does not conflict with snow clearing requirements in Toronto Municipal Code Chapters 719, Snow and Ice Removal and Chapter 629, Property Standards. Both chapters require the removal of snow within specified time limits to ensure the safety and accessibility of the city after snow fall.

People have a right to safely and easily navigate their environment. A prohibition on overnight snow clearing may unintentionally create barriers for people with disabilities as it may impede their access to commercial properties as customers and employees. This is contrary to the intent of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the City's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.

Due to the potential accessibility implications of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee directive, staff presented at the February 10, 2021 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. The presentation outlined staff's recommendation against a prohibition of overnight snow clearing on commercial properties and sought input from Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members. Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee members expressed support for this recommendation and did not support a prohibition, as nuisance concerns should not outweigh concerns for safety and accessibility. To further demonstrate this, Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee adopted a motion to communicate their support of staff's recommendation to Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

The most practical time to clear snow and ice from property is generally overnight when areas are free of people and vehicles. Overnight snow clearing recognizes that Torontonians require safe passage at any time of day. For example, timely snow removal is critical for Toronto's frontline workers who are more likely to work outside of the 9 am to 5 pm work day. Prohibiting overnight snow clearing on commercial properties may present an equity challenge as it is well documented that racialized workers and women are over-represented in frontline industries, such as food handlers, grocery clerks and cleaners.

In addition, prohibiting snow clearing overnight for commercial properties located 100 metres or less from residential areas may effectively ban the activity due to the large number of commercial properties and the mixed use design of the city. Commercial properties include offices, medical facilities, retail establishments, hotels, commercial condominiums, etc., and are often located near residential areas for convenience and ease of access.

This report was written in consultation with the People and Equity Division, Transportation Services, City Planning and Legal Services.

Jessica Stanley, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Municipal Licensing and Standards will provide a presentation on a directive from the Infrastructure and Environment Committee to explore the feasibility of prohibiting overnight snow clearing within commercial properties that are located 100 metres or less from residential areas.  The presentation outlines relevant regulations and key issues for permitting overnight snow clearing, presents staff's preliminary recommendation and seeks Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee's input on accessibility for the staff report process.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager Parks, Forestry, and Recreation to report back to the April 28, 2021 Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting with a presentation outlining the immediate workplace health and safety plan, including any request for resources, to ensure the safety and wellbeing for frontline Parks, Forestry, and Recreation workers.

Over the past year, the pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for us as a City, but one of the biggest challenges that have presented themselves is the health, safety, and wellbeing of our public servants and those who are working on the frontlines.

Even prior to the pandemic, Parks, Forestry and Recreation had trouble filling vacancies because of the chronic issues in the Downtown East.

Frontline Parks, Forestry, and Recreation staff have expressed that on a daily basis, they experience workplace violence, witness drug overdoses, and are exposed to a significant amount of used needles, condoms, masks, and other biohazards and debris as they carry out their duties to clean city parks. As a result of these traumatic experiences on the job, their stress levels, mental health, and overall health, safety and wellbeing are greatly affected.

When staff apply for a career with the City they are expected to perform work duties that bring them pride and fulfillment by utilizing their specialized skills to beautify public parks and green spaces. They are arborists, horticulturalists and turf maintenance specialists. However, due to the conditions present in parks across the City, exacerbated by the mental health, affordable housing, and addiction crises that the City of Toronto faces and is actively working to address, frontline Parks, Forestry and Recreation  workers are in need of more support and new specialized training to address the crises.

As an employer, the City of Toronto is responsible for preventing workplace illness and injury, both physically and mentally. We need to ensure we are providing all frontline staff with the training, protective equipment, and mental health supports they need to work safely to ensure their personal health and wellbeing.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services report to the April 28, 2021 meeting of Infrastructure and Environment Committee with a review of current notification procedures and policies for work on the right-of-way as it relates to Work Zone Coordination, and evaluate the potential to introduce better requirements for notification, including but not limited to:

a.  creation of standard notices;

b.  electronic distribution of notices to Councillor, Business Improvement Area, and local residents; and

c.  physical distribution of notices to local residents.

The City of Toronto is still setting records for the number of active construction sites across the world, and in our short history. Along with this construction work comes the need for utilities and other contractors to access our public spaces to ensure we can upgrade, maintain and provide the services to our future and existing residents without interruption.

However, local residents often find themselves waking up to loud drilling or other industrial mechanical sounds outside their windows with limited notice from the contractor that work would be taking place near their homes. This happens on both our less dense residential streets, and areas with more density in areas with apartments and condominiums. Without notice, residents find themselves faced with potentially weeks, or months of planned work, having not learned about it until it has either just begun, or on the verge of beginning.

There is no statutory notice required for Work Zone Coordination, but the residents often look to their municipal government to address their concerns with noise, pollution, safety and cleanliness, many of which could have been resolved with a better notification period. Whether it is the responsibility of the City, or the contractor to deliver the notice, we must have better and enforceable guidelines to ensure residents are made aware of upcoming work in their neighbourhood and inform about concerns that will need to be met by the people doing the work.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, to report back to the April 28, 2021 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee with a safety plan for Environment Days, including the option for a drive-through format at City of Toronto Transfer Stations.

Environment Days are an essential part of the City of Toronto’s TransformTO policy and solid waste management plan.  These events embrace the participation of thousands of residents who donate and dispose of various household items that would not go into the weekly pick up.  The events promote recycling, reusing and diversion and gets potentially toxic an dangerous chemicals out of individual households.  The clothing and other donations help thousands of disadvantaged families and the whole event provides an important educational purpose in getting households to think about the environment on a very personal basis.  

In 2020,   the City of Toronto, along with Councillors hosted “drive through” Environment Days, at the city’s transfer stations.  These turned out to be a great success.  They were safe and effective.   However, recent correspondence has led many to believe that these will not be organized in 2021, or at least delayed.   In order to have a plan ready for late spring or early summer a strategy should be put in place.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, to report back to the April 28, 2021 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the safe opening and operating of the Earl Bales (Barry Zuckerman) amphitheatre for summer 2021.

The Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre is an iconic outdoor venue that has been the centre of arts and culture in North York for decades.  Although the facility can seat approximately 1,500 people, it is rarely filled with more than 20% capacity.   With a safety plan in place, it is felt by the community that this facility can operate in summer, 2021.  The facility allows for physical distancing in the seating, has a large stage that keeps musicians at a safe distance, and its outdoor setting provides for a low risk COVID transmission.   While staff have to keep an eye on the outdoor gathering limits between March and July, working on a safety plan now would ensure the quick opening of the amphitheatre if it is safe to do so.   Admittedly, musicians would have to be booked, and with an eye on safety, solo artists might be an option for summer 2021. 

Announcements

The Chair acknowledged that the Infrastructure and Environment Committee was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Chair also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

The Chair, during the morning session, recognized Erin Mierdel and Simran Hans, students at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and the Munk at City Hall program, who were shadowing the work in her office and observing the Committee meeting.

Where the Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee listed in the attendance for this meeting participated remotely, they were counted for quorum, as permitted by Section 189(4.2) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and City Council's Procedures.