SPECIAL BUDGET COMMITTEE

A G E N D A

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT

(ALL OTHER RELEVANT MATERIAL PERTAINING TO THE 1999 OPERATING BUDGET WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT UNDER SEPARATE COVER.)

COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS

1999 OPERATING BUDGET

(1)STANDING COMMITTEES:

COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE

(a)City Clerk

(March 24, 1999)

Advising that the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on March 24, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the 1999 Operating Budgets under the purview of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, subject to the following amendments:

(i)Consolidated Grants:

That the 1999 Consolidated Grants Budget be approved at the 1998 level of $45,133,000.00 (gross) and $43,209,000.00 (net), as originally recommended by the Municipal Grants Review Committee, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services.

(ii)Social Services Division:

That the proposed cut to the WIACT (Worker's Information and Action Committee of Toronto) Program be deferred, pending an examination of this Program's role in relation to the City; that, as part of this review, the Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be requested to approach the Federal and Provincial Governments to request funding for the work of the WIACT Program; and further that the Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be requested to report back to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on this matter by the end of the summer.

(iii)Public Health:

That the service levels recommended by the Board of Health with respect to the Food Safety Program, the Tuberculosis Control Program, the Needle Exchange Program, and the Dental and Oral Health Program be supported in principle.

CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE

(b)City Clerk

(March 24, 1999)

Advising that the Corporate Services Committee on March 25, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee, and Council, that the original recommendations pertaining to those programs under the purview of the Corporate Services Committee, submitted to the Budget Committee by the Chief Administrative Officer on February 19, 1999, be adopted.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

(c)Councillor Brian Ashton, Chair

Economic Development Committee

(March 30, 1999)

Advising that the Economic Development Committee will be transmitting to the Budget Committee for its meeting on April 7, 1999, notification of action taken by the Economic Development Committee at its meeting on March 29 and April6,1999, on the following items which require consideration by the Budget Committee:

Item 1:Consideration of the 1999 Operating Budget;

Item 3:Toronto Arts Council's 1999 Budget Submission;

Item 4:Toronto Television Film Office Policy Direction and Update on Fees for Location Film Permit; and

Item 25:Financial Benefits of International Partnerships - City to City Alliances - 1999 Program and Resource Requirements.

EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE

(d)City Clerk

(March 24, 1999)

Advising that the Emergency and Protective Services Committee on March 23, 1999, received the following 1999 Operating Budgets:

-Ambulance Services;

-Fire Services;

-Toronto Police Services Board; and

-Licensing.

URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

(e)Report to follow.

WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

(f)City Clerk

(March 24, 1999)

Advising that the Works and Utilities Committee on March 24, 1999:

(1)recommended the adoption of the programs embodied in the 1999 Operating Budget under the purview of the Works and Utilities Committee; and

(2)requested that the Budget Committee review and reconsider the issue of public recycling igloos referred to in the synopsis of the recommendations of the Budget Committee under Solid Waste Management.

(2)COMMUNITY COUNCILS:

EAST YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(a)City Clerk

(March 31, 1999)

Advising that the East York Community Council on March 30, 1999, received the City of Toronto 1999 Operating Budget for information.

ETOBICOKE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(b)City Clerk

(March 30, 1999)

Advising that the Etobicoke Community Council on March 29, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that:

(1)Public Health programs be expanded in the following areas:

(i)Dental Treatment program;

(ii)Food Access program;

(iii)Food Safety program;

(iv)Tuberculosis program; and

(v)AIDS/HIV Needle Exchange program;

(2)the Montgomery's Inn budget be reinstated in the original amount of $399.00 thousand to provide for the continuation of the education component of the programs offered by Montgomery's Inn; and

(3)of the $1.3 million required to maintain a flat-line consolidated grants budget, the amount $898.6 thousand be retained and that this amount be applied on a pro rata basis across the City.

NORTH YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(c)City Clerk

(March 30, 1999)

Advising that the North York Community Council on March 29 and 30, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that:

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

(1)the flat-lining of the 1998 Grants Budget be supported and the resulting $1.378 million be re-allocated within the 1999 Grants Budget;

(2)the film permit fee be $100.00 the first day and $50.00 each additional day to a maximum of $300.00 and in addition, $75,000.00 for the film centre and the remainder be used to subsidize arts related programs for children in high needs areas;

(3)the current $11 million expenditure being proposed for the former City of Toronto for its commercial garbage pick-up be re-allocated;

(4)the parks and recreation portion of the budget of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department, as shown on page 19 embodied in Appendix B of the Current Operating Costs be reduced by $4.5 million, to bring it more in line with the per capita spending of the other former municipalities of Toronto; and

(5)(a)the City of Toronto re-affirm the policy of dedicating revenue generated by film permit fees to a reserve account, in order to fund on a 50 percent cost share basis with the Canadian Centre for Advanced Film Studies mutually agreed capital maintenance of the historical building on Bayview Avenue; and

(b)a maximum of $75,000.00 per year be set aside in this reserve fund;

Community and Neighbourhood Services

(1)the endorsement of the harmonized level recommended by the Board of Health, in the areas of tuberculosis, food safety, needle exchange and dental programs;

Works and Emergency Services:

(1)the compost funds for Environment Days remain at the same level as in 1998;

(2)the reinstatement of a $5.00 charge for blue boxes at Environment Day events;

(3)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services re-evaluate the current City of Toronto WES SWM 1998 Operational Summer Garbage Collection map with a view to incorporating other areas of the City through input with Councillors and communities;

(4)(a)the proposed elimination of twice-a-week garbage collection in the former City of North York be replaced by a program to provide twice-a-week garbage collection throughout the new City of Toronto during the summer months for a net savings of $0.2 million; and

(b)the resulting $1.4 million cost be offset by reducing the expenditure for the free commercial garbage collection offered to some businesses from $14 million to $12.6 million;

(5)the universal sidewalk clearing program be extended to the entire City and the additional costs be offset by reductions in other programs;

(6)(a)the boulevard parking fee be increased to $120.00 per year from $60.00 per year for an additional revenue of $1,069,400.00;

(b)the permit parking fee be increased to $120.00 per year from $60.00 per year for an additional revenue of $3,600,000.00;

(c)the commercial boulevard parking fee be increased to $290.00 per year from $220.00 per year for an additional revenue of $299,915.00;

(d)parking meter rates be increased approximately five percent and the additional funds collected be allocated to public transit; and

(e)a 25 cent surcharge be placed on all parking lot fees and the funds generated be allocated to public transit; and

(7)(a)the one staff person per truck policy for multi-residential garbage collection be reviewed and that the review include, but not be limited to: speed of pick-up; type and suitability of vehicles; employee morale; customer satisfaction; and

(b)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report back to the Community Councils by September of 1999;

Toronto Hydro

(1)the hydro rate be set at the weighted average of the five previous area municipalities except for the former City of Toronto;

(2)the costs of operation be reduced to the average of the five former area municipalities other than the former City of Toronto; and

(3)the former City of Toronto Hydro debt be restructured so as to allow for the rate reduction;

Toronto Police Service

(1)the acquisition of police helicopters be supported only if none of the operating costs accrue to the police budget.

The North York Community Council also recommended the adoption of the following motion:

"WHEREAS the 1999 Operating Budget does not benefit the former City of North York; and

WHEREAS the former Cities of Toronto, York and East York are the only areas that benefit from this Budget; and

WHEREAS garbage, snow removal and social programs are very important to the citizens of the former City of North York,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the North York Community Council Chair meet with the Mayor of the City of Toronto to get his intervention on achieving a better deal for the North York Taxpayer with respect to garbage pick up, snow removal and social programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT if the meeting with the Mayor of the City of Toronto does not satisfy the North York Community Council, that an emergency meeting be called by the Chair prior to the next Council meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the North York Community Councillors discuss the options being considered to legally stop the proposed budget from passing at the next scheduled City of Toronto Council meeting.

The North York Community Council also recommended that the Chair of the North York Community Council approach the Chairs and Members of the Scarborough and Etobicoke Community Councils in order to create a united front against unfair increases.

SCARBOROUGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(d)City Clerk

(March 30, 1999)

Advising that Scarborough Community Council on March 25, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that:

(1)Recreation Division insurance coverage of Permit Users be reinstated for the full year in 1999, and that the Director of Parks and Recreation, East District, be requested to report to Scarborough Community Council in the fall of 1999 on the impact of insurance cancellation, after consultation with all Scarborough area user groups;

(2)the Scarborough Quarter Century Club funding be retained in the Budget and funded at the same level as 1998, i.e., $13,000.00, from the Corporate Non-Departmental Account;

(3)the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be requested to report to Budget Committee on:

(a)the impact of phasing in the water rate increase over a five-year period, as was undertaken with the introduction of Current Value Assessment;

(b)capping the commercial users at 2.9 percent for three years; and

(c)the financing of water meter installation for flat rate users through a user fee on the water consumption of such users;

(4)water rate harmonization be initiated after all users within the City of Toronto are metered; and

(5)since the harmonization of water and sewer rates across the City is being recommended on a revenue neutral basis:

(a)implementation be deferred to allow a complete public consultation process by Ward Councillors on a Ward by Ward basis;

(b)an implementation policy be considered for the budget year 2000; and

(c)the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be directed to develop phase-in financial impacts, similar to the implementation of Current Value Assessment.

TORONTO COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(e)City Clerk

(March 31, 1999)

Advising that Toronto Community Council on March 30, 1999, recommended that:

(1)recognizing that user fees, particularly those that are compulsory, such as garbage pick-up, are simply an alternative tax, no new user fees be charged to residents or businesses for services currently provided by the City at no cost;

(2)as a general principle, services be harmonized up, not down, over time if necessary;

(3)harmonization of funding for snow clearing services be prioritized so that pedestrian and transit access are the first priorities;

(4)the funds of up to $76 million from the provincial government's announced reduction in downloading (public health and ambulance funding) be used to reduce the impact of harmonization through the proposed service reductions and the proposed increases in user fee charges;

(5)commercial garbage charges for small properties not be implemented until such time as an economic impact study has been done and only if such a study indicates no negative impact;

(6)as a clear message that Council's adoption of the Children's Charter has real substance, funding of Public Health programs directed at the health of children from conception onward, and which will give real effect to Clauses8 and 9 of the Charter, be enhanced;

(7)the $14 million revenue item gained from the City transferring to quarterly payments to the school boards be removed from the Budget pending a resolution to the negotiations with the school boards and the Province;

(8)the $5 million in rental costs for day care spaces in schools be maintained in Children's Services;

(9)the Board of Health report regarding the harmonizing of Tuberculosis, Needle and Methadone Therapy and Food Safety, be supported and approved;

(10)dental care for children and seniors in low-income families be provided throughout the City;

(11)the Cycling Budget's Ambassador program, and other cycling safety programs, be examined, so that the City can honour the recommendations respecting safety arising from investigations into cycling fatalities;

(12)sufficient funds be provided to enable the full implementation of the City's portion of the Golden Task Force report;

(13)in accordance with the original recommendations of the User Fee Committee respecting user fees for recreation:

(a)no user fees be charged for recreation; and

(b)fees be charged for specialized programs only;

(14)in event that Council does not adopt Recommendation No. (13) above, the recommendations of the Budget Committee respecting recreation user fees be adopted, with the additional elimination of user fees for all adult drop-in centres; and

(15)the heavy fee increases being imposed on residents of the former City of Toronto be rescinded.

YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

(f)City Clerk

(March 30, 1999)

Advising that York Community Council on March 30, 1999, recommended to the Budget Committee that:

(1)Option 'B' - Eliminating Basic Fees contained in the report (February 10, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development Culture and Tourism, be approved;

(2)Fifty percent of new provincial grants be allocated to funding capital programs and that 50 percent be allocated for operational needs in the City, including:

(a)child care - increases to move towards paying actual costs;

(b)Food Access Grants ($561,000.00) annualized at $1,652,000.00;

(c)Dental Treatment Program ($1,017,000.00) annualized at $2,450,000.00;

(d)Reinstating the Workers Information and Action Centre ($280,000.00);

(e)a three-year phase-in of all the consolidated grants budget;

(f)funding be maintained for the Cycling Ambassador Program and that this program be retained within Urban Planning and Development Services;

(g)$100,000.00 be allocated for a door-to-door campaign to promote composting, water efficiency, tree planting and household energy audits; and

(h)the maintenance of pavement markings be harmonized;

(3)(a)no reductions be made to the TTC and WheelTrans subsidies, and that the shortfall be financed by increases in parking meter rates and by Parking Authority surpluses;

(b)the York Community Council opposes any increase in TTC fares;

(c)funds be increased for WheelTrans to allow for an expansion of the eligibility criteria;

(4)the issue regarding Harmonization of User Fees for garbage collection for commercial establishments be deferred for eight months to allow for further debate and discussion;

(5)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to report on charging Film Permit Fees, based on a percentage of the value of the film;

(6)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to allocate up to $2,000.00 from within the existing budget, for the continuation of the Garden Contest in Wards 27 and 28;

(7)it endorse similar City special events as passed by Council last year, provided there are no changes in the budget;

(8)it endorse the Water Metering Program, to bring all flat rate customers onto the metering system across the City, within two years;

(9)it endorse a City-wide residential water rate harmonization over a period of one year;

(10)the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to create the following City-wide traffic flow models:

(a)Toronto before all traffic calming measures; and

(b)Toronto with the current level of traffic calming;

when funds are deemed to be available;

(11)Whereas in the performance of its mandate to oversee the consolidation of all municipal grant programs for the amalgamated City of Toronto, the Municipal Grants Review Committee concluded that the 1999 consolidated community grants budget should be flatlined at the 1998 level; and

Whereas within a flatlined community grants budget there is $1,378,000.00 available for allocation to begin leveling-up programs and services in under-resourced communities and areas; and

Whereas the Municipal Grants Review Committee recommended the flatlined grants budget for 1999 and the reallocation of the $1.3 million to the Grants Budget; and

Whereas the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee supported this recommendation at its meeting of March 24, 1999; and

Whereas the Scarborough Community Council supported this recommendation at its meeting of March 25, 1999;

Therefore be it resolved that the Budget Committee recommend to Council:

(a)endorsement of the position of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on the 1999 Consolidated Grants Budget, specifically that the 1999 Consolidated Grants Budget be minimally flatlined at the 1998 level, thus including the $1.3 million available for reallocation to the Grants Budget;

(b)that Council find additional resources of $1 million (the 1999 total being $2.3 million) in order to fund a three-year process of harmonization and equalization of the Consolidated Grants Budget; and

(c)that these new resources be focused on under-resourced communities.

(3)WORKS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AND ASSOCIATED ABC'S:

TRANSPORTATION

(a)SUMMARY OF WINTER OPERATIONS - JANUARY 1999

City Clerk

(February 15, 1999)

Forwarding the communication (February 3, 1999) from the City Clerk outlining the action taken by York Community Council on January 20, 1999, with respect to the Snow Link Program, to the Budget Committee for consideration.

(b)LESTER B. PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

- NOISE MONITORING

City Council on October 28, 29 and 30, 1998, adopted Clause No. 3 of Report No.21 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, without amendement.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

(c)SERVICE LEVEL HARMONIZATION

City Clerk

(March 16, 1999)

Advising that the Urban Environment and Development Committee and the Works and Utilities Committee at its joint meeting on March 16, 1999:

(1)adopted of the report dated March 11, 1999, from the General Manager, Transportation Services, headed "Winter Maintenance Activities - Harmonization of Service Levels", subject to adding to RecommendationNo.(1) the following:

"and that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be requested to review and report on new methods to clear windrows in areas where current mechanical methods cannot be utilized";

(2)adopted Recommendations Nos. (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) embodied in the report dated March 12, 1999, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, headed "Revised 1999 Solid Waste Management Service Harmonization Recommendations", subject to adding to Recommendation No.(3) the following:

"all leaves to be bagged, except in areas identified by Council"; and

(3)submitted, without recommendation, Recommendations Nos.(5), (7) and (8) embodied in the aforementioned report dated March 12, 1999, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

(4)COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES:

SHELTER HOUSING AND SUPPORT

(a)HOSTEL OMBUDSPERSON PILOT PROJECT

City Clerk

(September 10, 1998)

Advising that the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on September10, 1998, recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the report (August 20, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services respecting the Hostel Ombudsperson Pilot Project.

5.TORONTO POLICE SERVICES AND PARKING ENFORCEMENT

(a)TORONTO POLICE SERVICE - HUMAN RESOURCE

STRATEGY FOR THE YEARS 1999-2003

City Clerk

(February 10, 1999)

Advising that the Emergency and Protective Services Committee on February 9, 1999, received the communication (January 6, 1999) from the Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board, respecting the Toronto Police Service - Human Resource Strategy for the Years 1999-2003; and directed that it be forwarded to the Budget Committee for consideration during the 1999 Operating Budget.

(b)TORONTO POLICE SERVICE - AIR SERVICE BUSINESS CASE

City Clerk

(September 14, 1998)

Forwarding the recommendations of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee respecting the proposed establishment of an Air Service.

ANY OTHER MATTERS