Renewing Weston Village
On July 16, 2011, Councillor Nunziata and MPP Laura Albanese made a special announcement at the Weston Farmer’s Market regarding John Street. Metrolinx has given the City of Toronto $1.2 million to be used towards redeveloping land on John Street to create a Cultural Hub and year-round Farmer’s Market. The City of Toronto will be responsible for the planning, design and construction.
City News Summary
Mandatory downspout disconnection program
In 2007, Toronto City Council approved amendments to Chapter 681 of the Toronto Municipal Code making downspout disconnection mandatory in the combined sewer service are of the City and, in 2008, approved the amendment for all other areas of the City. Rollout of the program will be taking place in three phases, with Ward 11 in the first phase. The first phase will require property owners served by combined sewers (stormwater and sanitary sewers combined into a single pipe) to disconnect their home’s downspouts from the City’s sewer system, if feasible, by November 20, 2011. Please take a look at the attached documents, MDDP Brochure and MDDP Qs & As for information on what is required and how this may affect you.
Bike lanes
Council adopted a plan to begin creating a network of separated bike lanes and voted to remove the existing bike lanes that are painted on Jarvis Street, Pharmacy Avenue and Birchmount Road. The first project for bike lanes that are physically separated from vehicle lanes will take place on the Bloor viaduct, and design work will begin for separated lanes on Sherbourne, Wellesley, Harbord and Beverley Streets. The Jarvis Street bike lanes will remain in place for about a year until bike lanes are established on a resurfaced Sherbourne Street as an alternative north-south route for bicycle traffic in the east downtown area. Council also adopted changes affecting the planned installation of bike lanes on certain sections of Bloor Street West.
Water-use tips for the hot summer weather
During the hot weather, many Toronto residents are spending more time in the garden and around the home. Check out the attached document Toronto Water WaterSource – Summer Tips for tips to help you save time and water while protecting your home and the environment. You will find tips for gardening, the prevention of basement flooding and car washing. Additional information about Toronto Water’s programs and services is available at http://www.toronto.ca/water.
Lead pipes and drinking water: Toronto’s Lead in Drinking Water Mitigation Strategy
Check out the attached document WaterSource – Lead in Drinking Water Mitigation Strategy for an overview of the City’s program to mitigate lead in our drinking water, the various communication activities underway and information on the updated Toronto Water lead and drinking water web page: www.toronto.ca/leadpipes.
Managing graffiti
Council adopted a graffiti management plan that aims to eliminate graffiti vandalism while supporting graffiti art and other street art that adds vibrancy to Toronto’s streets. The plan includes efforts to work with stakeholders including youth, agencies and corporations such as Canada Post on ways to reduce graffiti vandalism. Council also requested a report on a strategy for removing, and recovering cleanup costs for, corporate graffiti/advertising marked on sidewalks.
Taxi fare payment by debit/credit card
Council agreed to amend the code governing taxi cab owners and drivers by adding the requirement that cabs equipped for payment by debit or credit card must display a sign on the passenger doors informing riders of any service charge applied to payment by debit or credit card.
Toronto Prosperity Initiative
Council expressed its support in principle for the recommendations contained in the Toronto Prosperity Initiative: Establishing the Path the Growth report. The report was produced by an advisory committee of City officials, business leaders and labour leaders, with additional recommendations from the Economic Development Committee. Council gave several directives for follow-up, including a report on the financial implications of implementation. Toronto Prosperity Initiative report: http://www.toronto.ca/business_publications/pdf/path_for_growth.pdf
Consultation for parks plan
Council approved a consultation plan to help in the preparation of a five-year Parks Plan to guide decision-making about parkland in Toronto. The consultations this fall will seek public input with the intention of producing a final report early in the new year.
Local food procurement
Council adopted a policy supporting the purchase of locally-grown food. Under the policy, staff will try to increase the proportion of locally-grown food in purchases of food for City of Toronto operations when cost, quality and availability make it feasible. The City will take steps to support local economic activity in the food sector.
Financing the TTC
Council adopted a member’s motion for the City to urge Ontario’s political parties to make public commitments to reinstate the “fair share” funding arrangement for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). From the 1970s until the late 1990s, Ontario funded 50 per cent of the TTC’s operating costs and 75 per cent of its capital expenditures – known as the “fair share” formula. At present, the TTC faces capital and operating budget shortfalls as well as unpredictable future funding.
Appointment of two senior managers
Council appointed Brenda Patterson and John Livey deputy city managers to fill vacancies in the Toronto Public Service’s senior management. Brenda Patterson is currently Toronto’s general manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation. John Livey will join the City of Toronto from the Town of Markham, where he is chief administrative officer. There are three deputy city manager positions in the Toronto Public Service. Each oversees a cluster of municipal services.
