Ward 11 E-News Update
St. Clair Avenue West Widening, Cobalt Avenue to East of Mondovi Gate
The City of Toronto will e widening the pavement on St. Clair Ave. W. from Cobalt Avenue to 70 m east of Mondovi Gate. This work will include new concrete curb and sidewalk and concrete base roadway on the south side. Some widening on the north side is also planned to make space for left turn lanes at Mondovi Gate. This project is expected to be completed by November 11, 2011.
Police Boundary Changes
Effective Monday, September 26, 2011, the boundaries for the boundaries for some of the police divisions changed. 12 Division will now take over policing the area between the Humber River and the CNR line, from Highway 401 south to St. Clair Avenue West. The area of Ward 11 south of St. Clair Avenue West will now be policed by 11 Division. A map of the new Divisional boundaries can be accessed at:
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/media/text/20110919-new_divisional_boundaries.pdf
Georgetown South Project Construction Update
-Weston Road Lane Closure – September 27-30, 2011-
The southbound right lane on Weston Road between Oak Street and Humberview Crescent has been closed to traffic between the hours of 9:30 am and 3:30 pm for the past few days as a result of construction for the Georgetown South Project. Tomorrow is expected to be the last day for the lane closure.
-Access Routes for Denison Road Grade Separation-
To construct the next stages of the Denison Road Grade Separation, 3 points of entry have been designated for use by the contractor: Arthur Street, Denison Road East and Clouston Avenue. A secondary point of access, Lippincott Street East, will be used if needed. As work is taking place, you will see trucks and construction workers making use of these streets. At Clouston, removal of hedges and shrubbery will be done and a agate inserted. Overall, the work has been started and will continue until the project is completed in Spring 2013.
If you have any questions regarding the above notices or any other question related to the Georgetown South Project, you can contact GO’s Weston Community Office, located at 1631 Weston Road, at (416) 241-2300. You can also email gts@gotransit.com.
Improvements to Smythe Park Baseball Diamond
The Toronto Blue Jays Care Foundation has approved a grant for the York Baseball Association in the amount of $45,850 to make improvements to the Smythe Park baseball diamond. The work is to proceed next spring in order to be completed for the 2012 season. Congratulations to the York Baseball Association!
New Traffic Signal at Jane St/Wright Ave.
On September 28, 2011, the new traffic signals at the intersection of Jane Street and Wright Avenue were activated. Please keep this in mind when travelling on Jane Street and don’t forget to stop.
Yoga Classes at the Pelmo Park Community Centre
This fall, Parks & Recreation will be offering beginner yoga classes for adults at the Pelmo Park Community Centre located at 171 Pellatt Avenue. For information and to register, call (416) 394-2747.
Upcoming Events
October 6, 2011 – Provincial Elections
Don’t forget to vote!
October 15, 2011 – Mark DeMontis’ Return to Weston, Weston Lions Arena, 12 pm
24 year-old Mark DeMontis will be returning to his hometown of Weston after in-line skating from Halifax to Toronto to raise awareness for Courage Canada, an organization he founded, to raise money towards skating and hockey programs for visually impaired youth. Mark, who lost his sight at the age of 17, is an inspiration to all and deserves a hero’s welcome. Join us at Weston Lions Arena (2125 Lawrence Ave. W) to welcome this local hero back home.
October 16, 2011 – Weston Village Heritage House Tour, 12 pm – 4:30 pm
Tickets, which are $15.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door, may be purchased at the Weston Farmer’s Market (Saturdays, 8 am – noon), Squibb’s Stationers (1974 Weston Rd.) or by emailing Cherri Hurst of the Weston Historical Society at bobbackland@ica.net. Thank you to the Weston Historical Society for organizing what is sure to be a fascinating tour.
October 18, 2011 – Weston Station Master Plan Public Workshop, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
On October 11, 2011, Metrolinx will be hosting a public workshop to seek input on a number of initial design concepts for the Weston Station Master Plan. The plan is looking at the medium and long-term development for the station site located at Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West. This workshop will build on the work from the Weston 2021 Design Charrette and the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel which occurred earlier this year. The public workshop will be taking place at the York West Active Living Centre located at 1901 Weston Road.
City News Summary
Core Services Review
At the Special Meeting of City Council which took place on September 25 and 27, 2011, Council debated the results of the Core Services Review and had to make tough decisions on which changes to City services to approve that would result in savings to the City, while at the same time balancing the needs and expectations of Torontonians.
Council has voted AGAINST cuts to Child Care, AGAINST closing libraries, AGAINST reducing service level standards for snow clearing on City streets and in City parks, AGAINST reducing the service level standards for grass cutting in parks, AGAINST eliminating the windrow clearing program, AGAINST reducing the Community Partnership and Investment Program, and AGAINST ending Community Environment Days.
Some of the things Council voted in favour of were eliminating the 4 free garbage tag program, eliminating the requirement for paid duty Police officers at construction sites, and issuing an Expression of Interest to sell the Toronto Zoo.
In addition to the above, City Council has directed the City Manager to report at the Budget Launch on a full list of revenue options for the City to help balance the 2012 Operating and Capital Budgets. In addition, future property tax bills will have a voluntary contribution option so that taxpayers who are willing and able to make a larger contribution to fund City programs can easily do so.
The reports and decision document from the Council meeting can be accessed at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.EX10.1
Port Lands revitalization
Council unanimously endorsed a protocol providing a framework for collaboration by the City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto, the Toronto Port Lands Company and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – together responsible for the Port Lands. The protocol incorporates two pieces of work the City views as vital to a review of the Port Lands – specifically, further examination of the Don Mouth Environmental Assessment, and completion of an economic analysis and a business and implementation plan for the Port Lands. The City Manager is expected to report back on the results of the review in six to eight months.
Civic appointments for current term of Council
Council approved citizen appointments to a number of boards including, among others, the Toronto Police Services Board, Exhibition Place Board of Governors, Toronto Public Library Board and Toronto Port Authority Board. In addition, Council asked the Integrity Commissioner to investigate alleged breaches of confidentiality regarding the earlier shortlisting of candidates and subsequent discussion of appointments at the September meeting of Council. Documentation regarding the appointments: see City Council meeting of September 21 and 22 at http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/tmmis/welcome.htm
Sale of dogs and cats in Toronto
Council decided to require retailers and anyone who sells more than 10 dogs a year to obtain their animals from municipal animal shelters, registered humane societies, registered shelters or rescue groups, or people who have surrendered their pets at no charge. The City will take action to find and shut down any puppy/kitty mills operating in Toronto, and wants to encourage residents to report their knowledge of any operating puppy/kitty mills in Toronto.
Fixed fines for parking tickets
Council adopted a recommendation to implement a fixed fine system in Toronto for all parking ticket offences, other than accessible-parking offences, where a parking ticket proceeding results in the conviction after a defendant in court either pleads guilty or is found guilty. Fixed fine amounts will be calculated by adding $12.75 to the dollar amount that appears on the parking ticket. This system is expected to reduce the costs incurred by the City for trial requests made by recipients of parking tickets. Council also supported a motion to explore the feasibility of offering the option of paying for municipal parking by cell phone.
Downtown transportation study
Council gave staff the authority to issue a Request for Proposals for a study of traffic management downtown. The study is to address congestion concerns and assist with the assessment of transportation options that are already at various stages of development. The study will focus on shorter term operational solutions for the safe, efficient movement of people and goods downtown, optimizing use of existing infrastructure. In addition to dealing with movement downtown, the study will address getting in and out of the downtown area.
Wet weather plan and basement flood protection
Council approved an updated Wet Weather Flow Master Plan, identifying the Basement Flooding Protection Program, the Don River & Central Waterfront Project and the Stream Restoration Program as the main funding priorities in the master plan over the next five to 10 years. Council’s approval also endorses a method for prioritizing basement flooding projects and co-ordinating them with City construction projects in the neighbourhoods involved.
Canadian Air and Space Museum
Council urged the federal government to grant the Canadian Air and Space Museum on the site of the former military base in Downsview a long-term reprieve and to keep it on the Downsview lands. On September 20, the federal Downsview Park organization announced the eviction of the museum. Last year, City Council recognized the museum as a cultural asset that provides a valuable education service by preserving Canadian aerospace and aviation history.
User Fee Policy: Council authorized a user fee policy, designed to ensure consistency in establishing and administering City user fees. The fundamental principle guiding the policy is that user fees should pay for City services that provide a direct benefit to specific users, while services that benefit the entire community should be funded by property taxes. In implementing the policy, staff are to take into consideration access and equity for Toronto’s diverse communities.
Voluntary Separation Program: Council approved a voluntary separation program for City of Toronto staff designed to reduce the City’s annual expenditures on salaries and benefits. The program offers a payment to participants based on salary and years of service, not to exceed 26 weeks’ salary. About 1,100 staff applied to be considered for the program. Senior management will assess each of the applications and decide on approvals, taking into account operational needs.
Mayor’s Community Safety Awards
The nominations for the 10th annual Mayor’s Community Safety Awards are now open. Each year, the City recognizes five outstanding projects that help keep our city safe, such as projects that promote the safety of neighbourhoods and communities, help victims of crime and reduce violence within high-risk communities. This year’s award recipients will receive $1,000 to further the work of the community safety project (sponsored by Bell), a certificate of recognition and recognition at the awards ceremony on November 21, 2011. Information about the awards, including the application, eligibility requirements, background information and a sample completed application can be found at www.toronto.ca/safetyawards.
City of Toronto offers water tips for autumn
With autumn here, the Toronto Water division reminds residents of some requirements and practices that will help save water and money while benefiting the environment. Autumn rains can lead to wet basements, so there are also a few tips about preventing basement flooding.
-Swimming pools-
When emptying your chlorinated-water pool, be sure to de-chlorinate the water before disposing of it in the storm sewer system. Water from saltwater pools must be released carefully into a sanitary system connection on your property.
-Lawns-
Over-seed your lawn with ryes and fescues in the fall to thicken up your grass next spring. It will help reduce the amount of water your lawn needs next year.
-Household water consumption-
Toilet leaks can waste a lot of water and are a common cause of unexpectedly high water bills. Some leaks cannot be seen or heard. Check for a toilet leak by adding a few drops of food colouring to water in the toilet tank. If the water in the bowl changes colour a while later, your toilet has a leak that needs fixing.
Back to school means more laundry. Use a high-efficiency, front-loading clothes washer – and run only full loads.
In the kitchen – run dishwashers only when full. Avoid pouring kitchen grease or oil down the drain. Generally, kitchen grease/oil should go in the green bin with material that can absorb it.
-Basement flooding-
Help prevent basement flooding by clearing leaves and other debris from eavestroughs and downspouts. Be sure to seal window wells and fix any leaks in basement walls.
Disconnecting downspouts from the sewer system will also help prevent basement flooding and the release of polluted rainwater into local waterways. More information about mandatory downspout disconnection is available at http://www.toronto.ca/water/downspout.
Consider installing a backwater valve and a basement sump pump if you have experienced basement flooding. Be sure to maintain your equipment once it is installed.
More advice on preventing basement flooding can be found at http://www.toronto.ca/water/sewers/basement_flooding.htm.
More information about the City of Toronto’s programs and services from Toronto Water is available at http://www.toronto.ca/water.
City of Toronto to host the 2012 Ontario Summer Games, volunteers needed!
The countdown to the 2012 Ontario Summer Games began last week at Toronto City Hall with the official launch celebration of the year-away milestone. The City of Toronto will host the Games from August 16 to 19, 2012, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, the Sport Alliance of Ontario, the Toronto Sports Council and Tourism Toronto. Last week’s launch also served as a call for volunteers to register to assist in hosting the Games which will bring together almost 2,500 athletes competing in 28 sports in multiple venues across Toronto and surrounding regions, as well as coaches, managers and officials from across the Province. The Games are a unique opportunity for many young athletes, as the multi-sport competition serves as a stepping stone to many national and international competitions.
To register as a volunteer at the Ontario Summer Games, visit www.2012ontariosummergames.ca
City of Toronto’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2011
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is Toronto’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, the event has featured more than 600 official art installations created by nearly 2,500 artists and has generated more than $70 million in economic impact for Toronto. This year’s lineup for the sixth edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, taking place Saturday, October 1 from 6:59 pm until sunrise, includes 134 projects created by more than 500 local, national and international artists. For one sleepless night, the streets of the city will come alive with public art.
The City-produced component of the event will feature three curated exhibitions and a total of 46 projects. The centrepiece of this year’s event is “Flightpath Toronto” at City Hall. Nathan Phillips Square will be transformed by artists Natalie Jeremijenko and Usman Haque. The public is invited to participate in the possibilities and wonder of urban flight above the square.
Full programming details are available at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca.
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. You can find more information on the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/downspout.htm
