ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

A G E N D A

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO

THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.

DEPUTATIONS. LIST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT MEETING

COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS

1.10:00 A.M.21^ST VIETNAMESE NORTH AMERICAN GAMES

DEPUTATIONS

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 29, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1)the Economic Development Committee acknowledge and endorse the City's hosting of the 21^st North American Vietnamese Games as being in the interest and well being of the City; and

(2)the Parks and Recreation Division provide appropriate logistic support for the 21st North American Vietnamese Games.

2.10:15 A.M. NEW MEDIA VILLAGE GROWTH CORPORATION, TORONTO ("NEW MEDIA VILLAGE")

PRESENTATION

DEPUTATIONS

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 29, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1)Toronto Council confirm its continued interest in supporting the efforts of the New Media Village to advance the growth of the new media sector in Toronto;

(2)in response to a request from the Board of Directors of the new Media Village:

(I)Councillor Michael Prue be reappointed as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors for a one year term commencing March 1999;

(ii)the Mayor or his designate; and one member from the Economic Development Committee be appointed as ex officio members of the Board for a one year term commencing March, 1999; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

3.10:30 A.M. RIVERDALE COMMUNITY BUSINESS CENTRE

DEPUTATIONS

(Material not yet received)

4.10.45 A.M. EMPLOYMENT AREA REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

PRESENTATION

(Deferred from last meeting)

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 4, 1999)

Introducing members of the Economic Development Committee to the Local Partnership Program which encompasses approaches to revitalizing retail and employment areas, and recommending this report be received for information.

5.11.15 A.M. HARMONIZATION OF USER FEES

PRESENTATION

DEPUTATIONS

Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(Reporting as requested - not yet available)

(A)City Clerk

(November 25, 1998)

Forwarding to the Economic Development Committee the action of the User Fee Committee on November 24, 1998, and recommending:

(1)(a)Policy Principles

-Recreation programs are important municipal services which contribute significant personal, social, economic and environmental benefits which enhance the well-being of Toronto citizens, their neighbourhoods and the local economy;

-the City of Toronto shall ensure all residents year-round accessibility to high quality community recreation and leisure programs regardless of their ability to pay;

-the City of Toronto shall ensure equity and fairness to taxpayers and contribute to the long term vitality of public recreation services provided by the City and the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors; and

-the City of Toronto shall encourage maximum opportunity for the enjoyable, healthful, satisfying and creative use of leisure time;

(b)Policy Elements

-Client and taxpayers at the forefront of pricing decisions ;

-consistency City-wide;

-quality service standards not influenced by user fees;

-accessibility strategies;

-price based on benefits to user, benefits to community and operating costs; and

-accountability;

(c)Implementation Guidelines

-Establish list of services which do not charge a user fee and are available universally;

-where a user fee is to be charged, fees to be based on different levels of cost recovery (10% to over 100%)

-harmonize January 1999, followed by stable price strategy to ensure future adjustments are gradual;

-establish effective measures to provide access to low income individuals and high need communities;

-monitor and adjust fees on an annual basis prior to the submission of the annual budget; and

-utilize a variety of effective user fee methods, including current technologies to enhance customer service (e.g. access "smart" card and improved registration system);

(2)"WHEREAS recreational services in the City of Toronto are a key component in providing a healthy City and contributing to the quality of life in communities across Toronto;

AND WHEREAS Toronto should be committed to equal access to these services, regardless of income, age or geographic location;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee, after having now completed the public consultation process, recommend the harmonization of all user fees for recreational services by the City of Toronto effective January 1, 1999;

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee recommends the elimination of all user fees for drop in programs, subscriber programs and basic instructional programs.";

(3)that the surcharge for programs and activities for participants outside the City of Toronto area be retained;

(4)that 'high needs' communities be exempt from paying user fees for specialized programs;

(5)that an access policy be considered that would ensure low income families and individuals are not penalized;

(6)that the Budget Committee be requested to consider Parks and Recreation revenues being placed in general revenues and the Parks and Recreation budget being considered outside the framework of revenues generated;

(7)that Toronto Community Council's position (November 12, 1998) that there be no User Fees in the City of Toronto be reiterated; and

(8)that the mandate of the User Fee Committee be expanded to address the issue of recreational permits with a similar comprehensive consultation process as that undertaken for user fees for recreation programs.

(B)Anne Dubas, President, CUPE Local 79

(December 10, 1998)

Opposing the introduction of user fees as it is felt that the principle of universal access will be destroyed forever with the introduction of even minimal user fees.

(C)City Clerk, North York Community Council

(December 10, 1998)

Reporting that North York Community Council, on December 10, 1998, referred the matter of Parks and Recreation User Fees and the following motions to the Chief Administrative Officer to establish a broad priority setting exercise including user fees and all other fees so that Council can collectively arrive at a decision on its priorities:

(1)Councillor Filion moved that Community Councils be allocated a per capita budget to set priorities on such areas as Parks and Recreation user fees, snow removal and garbage pick-up;

(2)Councillor King moved that:

(a)the North York Community Council supports in principle that the harmonization of user fees for Parks and Recreation programs should be revenue neutral; and

(b)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to develop a clear policy for the subsidization of programs;

(3)Councillor Shiner moved that the North York Community Council supports in principle the charging of user fees for Parks and Recreation programs, except for public skating and outdoor swimming pools, and that the user fee policy also facilitate the needs of those who cannot afford such programs.

(D)Ms. Maureen Boulter, Chairperson, Lakeshore Area Multi-Services Project Inc. (LAMP)

(January 12, 1999)

Requesting the Economic Development Committee to vote for Option #5 from the City's Consultation Guide.

(E)Ms. Jasmin Earle, Chair, The Etobicoke Brighter Futures Coalition

(January 12, 1999)

Requesting that the Economic Development Committee support the removal of most user fees for recreation services.

(F)Hordofa Guysa, President, Oromo Canadian Community Association in Ontario

(January 15, 1999)

Urging the Committee to eliminate user fees for public recreation programs in the City of Toronto because the association believes, in the long run, that it will pay off in the long run costs and will resul t in increased productivity and healthy community life.

6.2.00 P.M. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR HERITAGE SERVICES AND PLAN TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE COMPOSITION OF HERITAGE TORONTO

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(Report not yet available)

PRESENTATION

DEPUTATIONS

7.1999 - 2003 CAPITAL PROGRAM: PLAYGROUND INSPECTION PROGRAM AND COSTS

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 29, 1999)

Advising that this report is a referral from the Budget Committee and is presented for the information of the Economic Development Committee, and recommending that the Committee:

(1)receive the report for information;

(2)concur with the process outlined in the attachment including the consideration of a one time allocation of $60,000 in the Current Budget of the Parks & Recreation Division to allow the project to proceed in 1999; and

(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

8.EXTENSION OF CONCESSION STAND IN EARLSCOURT PARK (WARD 21 - DAVENPORT)

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 27, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1)the current agreement between the City and Mr. Luis Fernandez to operate the snack bar at Earlscourt Park on a seasonal basis be extended for the next two (2) seasons to October 31^st, 2000; and

(2)the operation of this snack bar continue subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this report in the form acceptable to the City Solicitor and the Commissioner of Corporate Services.

9.EXPANSION OF THE CELEBRATE TORONTO STREET FESTIVAL

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 28, 1999)

To address the feasibility of expanding the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival to include some activities along the waterfront, specifically in the former City of Etobicoke area of the City of Toronto, and recommending that this report be received for information.

10.CELEBRATE TORONTO STREET FESTIVAL - FAMILY PASS UPDATE

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 28, 1999)

To respond to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) request that the City Economic Development staff and the Event Organizing Committee seek corporate sponsors to subsidize the cost of the TTC Family Pass as was offered at the 1998 Toronto Street Festival, and recommending that this report be received for information and forwarded to the TTC for its information.

11.EXTENSION OF BOAT LIVERY CONCESSION - TORONTO ISLANDS

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 26, 1999)

Authorising the extenion of the contract for the Boat Livery Concessions at the Toronto Islands with the current proponent for a period of one year on the same terms and conditions as outlined in the current agreement, and recommending that:

(1)the current contract for Boat Livery Concessions with Jain and Company of Canada Limited be extended for a period of one operating season to expire on September 15, 1999;

(2)a comprehensive strategy for contractual and concession revenues for the department be developed and reported to the Economic Development Committee in 1999; and

(3)appropriate City staff be authorized to give effect thereto.

12.PROPOSED BILLBOARD ADVERTISING ON CITY-OWNED/MAINTAINED PROPERTIES

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 26, 1999)

Recommending that:

(1)this report be received for information;

(2)the project team established to examine issues related to outdoor advertising at City parks and recreation facilities include in its scope of study the feasibility, planning criteria and revenue potential of billboard advertising on city owned or maintained properties; and

(3)the appropriate City officials take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

13.YARDS RATIONALISATION STUDY

Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

(January 29, 1999)

Recommending that this report be received for information.

14.COMMUNITY BANNER PROGRAM

(City Clerk)

(January 29, 1999)

Forwarding action taken by the Millennium Task Force on January 29, 1999, which recommends that:

(1)the Millennium Community Banner Program initiative outlined in this report be endorsed;

(2)any administration and/or permit fees normally applicable for applications to install banners and/or pennants over City streets be waived for the Millennium Community Banner Program;

(3)authority be granted to enter into an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Toronto 2000 for the services outlined in this report; and

(4)that appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing.