12 Division – Toronto Police Service Community Survey
In an effort to serve the community in the most effective and efficient manner possible, 12 Division of the Toronto Police Service has created a survey intended to identify the crime disorder and public safety issues you believe should be given special attention by the Police. The results of the survey will be used by 12 Division to take steps to improve the quality of life in the community. The survey can be accessed at www.torontopolice.on.ca. Scroll down the home page and click on the box that says “Tell us what you think. Complete our survey and have your say.” Let’s help our local police division by letting them know what’s important to us!
Construction at Weston Rd./St. Clair Ave. W
Based on complaints from residents related to vibrations and a follow-up investigation and site inspections from Ministry of Environment officials, the Ministry has issued Trinity Development a “stop work order” on soil compaction. The Ministry is now working with Trinity to come-up with an alternative to compaction as a means of preparing the soil for building development. In addition, the Ministry has requested Trinity to develop a complaints procedure for dealing with and responding to complaints from local residents or concerns about possible residential damage.
City News Summary
Official Plan Review – Heritage Town Hall Meeting
The City is reviewing its Official Plan. As part of this review, staff are doing a full examination and updating of the Official Plan’s Heritage policies with the assistance of a team of consultants and a Citizen’s Heritage Advisory Committee. A City-wide Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for December 1, 2011 from 6 pm – 9 pm at Metro Hall, Room 308-309 (55 John Street). Attend to join the conversation on new heritage policies for Toronto’s Official Plan. For the full story of the Official Plan Review and our public consultation to date, please visit the website at: www.toronto.ca/opreview
Occupy Toronto
As has been reported in the news, on November 16th the City of Toronto issued a notice under the Trespass of Property Act to the Occupy Toronto protesters which have been occupying St. James Park since October 15, 2011. As has been reported in the media, many activities being carried out there are contrary to City bylaws, policies and practices with respect to the use of City parks and other public spaces. In preparation for cold weather, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation division winterizes underground sprinkler systems in all parks. This has now been completed in all parks, except for St. James Park, where staff have been unable to access the system because of the presence of tents and yurts. If the sprinkler system cannot be properly winterized before freezing weather arrives, the system could be damaged, incurring more unnecessary costs of about $40,000.
Area residents and business have been reasonable and patient with the protesters. A court ordered injunction stated no new structures can be erected and this matter will be heard on Friday November 18, 2011; however, the City was advised yesterday that the decision on this matter will be released on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 9 am.
City staff have been distributing flyers to people in St. James Park announcing that starting immediately from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily, Shelter, Support & Housing Administration staff will be available at the Adelaide Resource Centre for Women at 67 Adelaide St E to discuss individual needs of any interested individual.
Budget Committee Public Hearings
The 2012 Budget process is underway and on December 8, 2011, residents of the City of Toronto will have the opportunity to make deputations before the Budget Committee with any comments related to the tax-supported budgets (operating and capital). Full information on the budget process for 2012 can be accessed at http://www.toronto.ca/budget2012. Approximately 1 week before the meeting, you will be able to access the full agenda for this meeting at the following link: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&decisionBodyId=362#Meeting-2011.BU20
City of Toronto gears up for winter
Winter is on the way, and the City of Toronto’s fleet of snow plows, salt trucks and sidewalk plows are ready to tackle the winter season. Winter is also “high season” for watermain breaks. Cold weather with rapid swings between periods of thaw and freezing put aging pipes under stress. Crews are ready to respond to minor and severe breaks 24/7. As soon as the snow begins, Transportation Services sends out its salt trucks to the expressways and the main roads. After that, the salt trucks then move to the local roads. If the City receives five centimetres of snow, the plows are sent to the expressways and main roads and plowing will take place for the duration of the storm. When the snow stops and if the snow accumulation reaches eight centimetres, plows are sent to the local roads.
The City will clear snow from sidewalks on local roads where it is mechanically possible to do so after eight centimetres (five centimetres in January and February) of snow has fallen. In the central core of the city, property owners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow 12 hours after a storm has taken place. To learn more about sidewalk snow clearing in Toronto and to view a map of where the service takes place, click on http://www.toronto.ca/transportation/snow/sidewalks.htm.
Residents who have questions about snow clearing efforts or watermain breaks in their area can call the City at 311. Additionally, anyone who spots a watermain break is encouraged to call 311.
The public can help the City’s efforts in clearing snow by doing a few simple things such as not pushing snow back onto the road after clearing snow from their sidewalks and driveways, avoiding parking on city streets to help the ploughs do their work, and taking public transit whenever possible. The public is also reminded to clear snow from around hydrants after a snowfall.
In 2011/12, the City will again concentrate on an improved level of service for sidewalk snow clearing. That includes increasing service on main streets with high pedestrian volumes and frequent transit stops, streamlining the service so that it follows closely behind roadway plowing, and enhancing service to prevent ice build-up on sidewalks in prolonged cold periods.
First downspout disconnection deadline on November 20
The deadline for property owners in Ward 11 to disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system is this Sunday, November 20. Downspout disconnection is an important step to reduce the risk of basement flooding and release of polluted rainwater into local waterways.
During the summer, property owners received an information package notifying them of the need to comply with the bylaw. More information, including a map of the three implementation phases, disconnection tips, Frequently Asked Questions, a video, and the Exemption Application, is available on the Toronto Water website at http://www.toronto.ca/water.
Property owners who have considered all their options and find that disconnection is not technically feasible or could create a hazardous condition can apply to the City for an exemption by completing a Mandatory Downspout Disconnection Exemption Application.
Financial assistance is available to reimburse the costs of labour and/or materials for performing downspout disconnection work, up to a maximum of $500, for low-income seniors or low-income persons with a disability who meet the criteria.
Property owners can disconnect their downspouts on their own or hire a City-licensed and experienced eavestrough contractor to do the work. Overall, downspouts must be disconnected safely and properly.
Proposed 2012 Solid Waste and Water budgets
The 2012 proposed operating and capital budgets for Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water were presented on November 11th to the City’s Budget Committee.
-Solid Waste Management Services-
The proposed 2012 Solid Waste Management Services budget consists of:
. Operating Budget of $349 million
. Capital Budget of $103 million (includes a carry forward of $43.6M)
The 2012 Solid Waste Operating and Capital Budget submission recommends a 0% rate increase in 2012 for the majority of its residential customers and also proposes a variety of adjustments designed to improve billing systems and create fair, harmonized rates across the entire customer base.
-Toronto Water-
The proposed 2012 Toronto Water budget includes:
. Operating Budget of $381 million
. Capital Budget of $607 million
. Projected revenue of $893 million
The 2012 Toronto Water Budget submission recommends a 9% water rate increase in 2012. This is a planned increase and part of a multi-year budget and infrastructure renewal program that was approved by the previous Council. The plan, first implemented in 2006, endorsed annual 9% rate increases for nine years to tackle Toronto’s aging water infrastructure. The requested rate increase allows the City to protect public health, safety and property, in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner.
The proposed new rate is an increase of $62 (17 cents per day) for the average Toronto household using 300 cubic metres of water per year. The annual projected cost in 2012 is $747 per year ($2.04 per day) for the average household. This rate includes costs for all water services including drinking water, wastewater and stormwater treatment. Toronto’s water rates continue to remain lower than those of most neighbouring municipalities.
Executive Committee will consider these budgets on November 21 and Toronto City Council will consider the budgets for approval on November 29/30. Backgrounders, analyst notes and other materials are available at http://www.toronto.ca/budget2012.
City of Toronto seeking public input for a new five-year plan for parks, trails and natural areas
The City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division is seeking public input for the new five-year Parks Plan. As directed by Council, the plan will guide decision-making and investment in City parks in order to meet the diverse needs of Toronto residents, including: designing beautiful, unique and sustainable park spaces; protecting and expanding natural areas; balancing park uses to include play spaces, natural areas, sport activities, urban agriculture and cultural expression; engaging the community through stewardship, volunteering and partnerships and ensuring that the City’s parks and trails are available and accessible to all residents. I urge you to give your input into the City’s new parks plan by completing the online survey or attending one of four public consultation sessions being held throughout the City. For more information or to complete the online survey, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parksplan.
Powering up your neighbourhood
Toronto Hydro will be holding a series of town hall meetings to discuss the current state of the City’s electricity system and some of the improvements being made. Representatives from Toronto Hydro will be on hand to inform the public about work Toronto Hydro is doing in the community, and will also allow the opportunity to learn more about key construction projects in your area, power outages, smart meters, billing and more. The town hall meeting for our area of the City will be taking place on Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Etobicoke Civic Centre (399 The West Mall) from 6 pm – 8 pm. For more information, visit www.torontohydro.com/townhallsessions
