Regrets:   Confirmation of Minutes:   On motion by Councillor Moscoe, the Executive Committee confirmed the Minutes of the Meeting held on April 7, 2009.

This report outlines improvements to the emergency management structure of the City, based on a review of the Emergency Management Program and recent emergency events of significance to the City.  While the City has demonstrated a commitment to emergency management, the current structure can be improved to help the City better prepare for, and respond to, events.

 

This report makes recommendations to revise the City’s Municipal Code, Chapter 59, Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Plan, that will strengthen the City’s ability to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies.

 

The revisions to Municipal Code, Chapter 59, Emergency Management include:

 

1.         delegating authority to the Mayor in an emergency, only to be exercised in accordance with specific criteria and reported to members of Council;

 

2.         delegating authority to the Toronto Emergency Management Program Committee (TEMPC) to make changes to the Emergency Management Program and report changes to Council;

 

3.         revised memberships of TEMPC, TEMPC Control Group, Emergency Management Working Group (EMWG) and Joint Operations Team; and

 

4.         addition of a protocol for members of TEMPC to notify the Mayor and Director, Office of Emergency Management upon becoming aware of an emergency.

 

Further improvements affecting operational and administrative elements of the Emergency Management Program will be phased in as resources are made available through the capital and operating budget process.

 

This report requests authority to issue a debenture of $600,000 to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to finance a loan provided by the City to Artscape for capital works at the Artscape Wychwood Barns.

The Executive Committee recommends that City Council approve the following:

 

1.        

a.         The City provide, to NYSA’s financial institution, a guarantee of NYSA’s line of credit in the amount of $250,000.00 (inclusive of all interest costs payable by NYSA), for a term commencing on May 1, 2009 until May 31, 2012.

 

b.         In accordance with the City’s Capital Loan and Line of Credit Guarantee Policy, the City enter into an agreement with NYSA, and a tri-party agreement with both NYSA and its financial institution, in respect of the recommended line of credit guarantee.

 

2.         Such guarantee and all related agreements be on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer as well as the General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and that the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer be requested to negotiate appropriate and adequate safeguards, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

 

3.         NYSA provide the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer with their 2009 to 2011 inclusive audited financial statements when they become available.

 

4.         The line of credit guarantee be deemed to be in the interest of the municipality.

 

This report seeks Council  approval for the City to renew a line of credit guarantee for the North York Symphony Association (NYSA) (operating as The Toronto Philharmonia) in the amount of $250,000.00.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

 

1.         City Council endorse the Principles of a Real Estate Strategy set out in Appendix 1 (the “Principles”) of the report (April 22, 2009) from the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Corporate Officer, subject to such exceptions and variations as may be authorized by the CCO in consultation with the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer (“DCM/CFO”).

 

2.        The following properties be declared surplus, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, subject to the retention of those areas and interests required to satisfy operational requirements and subject to the retention of any interests required by law as well as those City and other interests required to be protected (“Required Interests”), with the intended method of disposal to be by way of a Transfer to Build Toronto on an “as is” basis, for nominal consideration (with Build Toronto to pay any applicable Land Transfer Tax, GST,  registration and other costs):

 

a.         4050 Yonge Street (York Mills) (Appendix 2(a));

b.         154 Front Street East (Appendix 2(b));

c.         Part of 705 Warden Avenue (Warden North) (Appendix 2(c));

d.         30 Tippett Road (Southeast Wilson Commuter Lot) (Appendix 2(d));

e.         75 Billy Bishop Way (Southwest Wilson Commuter Lot) (Appendix 2(e));

f.          50 Wilson Heights Boulevard (Northeast Wilson Commuter Lot) (Appendix 2(f));

g.         64 and 70 Cordova Avenue (Appendix 2(g));

h.         120 and 130 Harbour Street (Appendix 2(h));

i.          2126 Kipling Avenue (Appendix 2(i));

j.          4620 Finch Avenue East (C.O.Bick College) (Appendix 2(j));

k.         150 Symes Road (Appendix 2(k));

l.          383 and 425 Old Weston Road (Appendix 2(l));

m.        297 Sixth Street (Appendix 2(m));

n.         Part of 120 Grangeway Avenue (McCowan/Progress) (Appendix 2(n));

o.         51 Power Street (Appendix 2(o)).

 

3.         The following properties be declared surplus, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, subject to the retention of Required Interests, with the intended method of disposal to be by way of Turnover to Build Toronto on an “as is” basis, for nominal consideration:

 

a.         Parts of 2200 Yonge Street (Yonge/Eglinton) (Appendix 3(a));

b.         Part of 777 Victoria Park Avenue (Victoria Park Station) (Appendix 3(b));

c.         40 St. Clair Avenue East (Appendix 3(c));

d.         1303 Queen Street West (Appendix 3(d));

e.         5151 Yonge Street, 10 Empress Avenue and the south side of Kingsdale Avenue (Appendix 3(e)).

 

4.         3326 Bloor Street West and part of 1226 Islington Avenue (Bloor/Islington) be declared surplus, as set out in Appendix 4 of the report, subject to the retention of Required Interests, with the intended method of disposal to be by way of a Transfer of Parts 1-8 on Sketch PS-2007-048  and Turnover of Part  1 on Sketch PS-2007-034 to Build Toronto, on an “as is” basis, for nominal consideration (with Build Toronto to pay any applicable land transfer tax, GST, registration and other costs).

 

5.         All operating costs for and revenues generated from properties transferred to Build Toronto will be assumed by Build Toronto and any ABCD budgets impacted by such arrangements will have appropriate adjustments made as part of the annual budget process.

 

6.         The proposed disposition of each property described in Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 of the report (individually, a “Property” and collectively, the “Properties”) be exempt from:

a.         the Property Management Committee (“PMC”) process; and

b.         the policy governing Proceeds from Sale of Surplus City Owned Real Property (“Proceeds Policy”).

 

7.         In lieu of applying the Housing First Policy, the Deputy City Manager responsible for the Affordable Housing Office negotiate with Build Toronto the number of affordable housing units and other opportunities for the delivery of affordable housing that Build Torontomay be required to provide on Properties with residential potential.

 

8.         All steps necessary to comply with the City’s real estate disposal process, as set out in Chapter 213 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code, be taken.

 

9.         The PMC process, the Proceeds Policy, the Housing First Policy and other affected City real estate policies and processes be amended to accord with the Principles, as same may be amended by Council from time to time.

 

10.       City Council approve, as the approving authority under the provisions of the Expropriations Act, the disposal to Build Toronto of any property that was acquired by expropriation without giving the original owner from whom the property was expropriated the first chance to repurchase the property.

 

11.       At such time as a property that is to be made available to Build Toronto is no longer being utilized by the Toronto Parking Authority for parking purposes, any prior designation of such property for parking by the Toronto Parking Authority, be rescinded.

 

12.       Toronto Transit Commission (“TTC”) be requested to concur that those properties registered in the name of TTC (having been identified by TTC as no longer required for its operations, and having been determined by the CCO to be appropriate for Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto) be made available to Build Toronto, in the same manner as properties registered in the name of the City.

 

13.       Toronto Public Library Board (“TPLB”) be requested to concur that those properties registered in the name of TPLB (having been identified by TPLB as no longer required for its operations, and having been determined by the CCO to be appropriate for Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto) be made available to Build Toronto, in the same manner as properties registered in the name of the City.

 

14.       the CCO be authorized to amend the method of disposal of any property that has been declared surplus for the purpose of Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto, and to rescind the declaration of surplus in respect of those properties determined not to be appropriate for Build Toronto.

 

15.       TEDCO be relieved of its obligation to pay to the City the Agreed Property Value of $13,000,000 provided for in the agreement between TEDCO and the City dated December, 2007 in respect of the transfer to TEDCO of the Midland/St. Clair property, TEDCO be requested to assign to Build Toronto all of its entitlements to and in respect of the Midland/St. Clair property and the relevant transaction documents be amended accordingly.

 

16.       The CCO be authorized to:

 

a.         provide Build Toronto with any existing documentation with respect to properties being considered for Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto;

b.         give Build Toronto, its consultants and agents access to such properties for pre-development/development work, including site inspection, testing, preparation and/or remediation, and to approve and execute any entry or similar agreement on behalf of the City; and

c.         give permission to Build Toronto to begin publicly marketing re-development of such properties.

 

17.       Authority be granted for the City, in its capacity as land owner only (and not in its capacity as a planning/regulatory authority) to consent to the submission by Build Toronto of applications and documents required in connection with any regulatory approvals in respect of properties that have been declared surplus for the purpose of Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto and each of the CCO and the Director of Real Estate Services be authorized severally to execute any documents required in this regard.

 

18.       Authority be granted for the City, in its capacity as land owner only (and not in its capacity as a regulatory authority) to consent to the submission by Build Toronto of any documents within the Ministry of Environment’s process under the Environmental Protection Act, including Pre-Submission Forms and Records of Site Conditions, in respect of properties that have been declared surplus for the purpose of Sale or Turnover to Build Toronto, and each of the CCO and the Director of Real Estate Services be authorized severally to execute any documents required in this regard.

 

19.       City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 213, Sale of Real Property, be amended as set out in the draft Bill in Appendix 5 of the report.

 

20.       Prior to the declaration of surplus of any additional property with the intended manner of disposal to be by way of turnover or sale to Build Toronto, there be prior consultation with the local Councillor(s) on local considerations.

 

21.       The Deputy City Manager prioritize the co-ordination of City Incentives and Federal/Provincial affordable housing funding to capitalize and maximize housing opportunities on Build Toronto residential sites. 

 

22.       The appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to introduce in Council any Bills necessary to give effect to the foregoing.

 

By its adoption of Item EX24.1, entitled “New Model to Enhance Toronto’s Economic Competitiveness”, at its meeting of October 29 and 30, 2008 (“the New Model Report”), City Council directed the Chief Corporate Officer (“CCO”) to develop a City-wide real estate strategy for all divisions of the City and its agencies, boards and commissions (“ABCDs”) and to begin an audit of corporate real estate assets to identify properties with potential for private development.  Those properties with development potential may be sold or turned over to Build Toronto. A “Sale” constitutes a conveyance of title to Build Toronto (a “Transfer”) or a long-term lease to Build Toronto, for a term of 21 years or more.  A “Turnover” does not transfer title, but can give Build Toronto the ability to manage, market and initiate the development process.

 

In this report, the basic principles of a real estate strategy are recommended for approval as the first phase in the development of a new real estate strategy for the City.  On-going policy review, in consultation with the ABCDs, will augment and further refine the City’s proposed new real estate strategy, which will be reported on later in 2009. 

 

This report recommends that an initial group of 22 properties be declared surplus for the purpose of Transfer or Turnover to Build Toronto.  In addition, City Council has already directed 3 City-owned properties that were to have been transferred to City of Toronto Economic Development Corporation (“TEDCO”) and 5 properties in TEDCO ownership be Transferred to Build Toronto.  Combined, the completion of these transactions will provide Build Toronto with a potential portfolio of 30 properties on which to focus its development activities.  The terms of the Transfer and Turnover agreements will be subject to negotiation with Build Toronto when it has appropriate staff resources in place and has defined its objectives and development criteria.  

 

Letter (undated) from Councillor John Filion expressing extreme concern with the recommendations related to 5151 Yonge Street, 10 Empress Avenue and South Side of Kingsdale Avenue.

The Executive Committee requested that staff, when reporting back in the Fall on the public (rather than City) use of small engine equipment, include the following:

 

1.  better metrics on two-stroke engine use and the potential environmental benefits to be gained by their reduction and possible elimination;

 

2.  consultation with environmental lawn care and landscape organizations;

 

3.  a public health review of the matter;

 

4.  review of possible seasonal restrictions on leaf blowers; and

 

5.  education and phased-in by-law options.

Small engine equipment, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chain saws and leaf blowers, is widely used in maintaining City parks, trees, landscaped areas of the road allowance and other City-owned sites.  The general public, businesses and other institutions (eg. school boards, universities and other levels of government) also rely upon this equipment to maintain their properties.  Emissions from older, inefficient two-stroke equipment contribute to poor air quality and the release of greenhouse gas.

 

As part of the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan, City Council directed staff to develop an emission reduction strategy for small engine equipment.  This report recommends an accelerated timeline to replace less efficient equipment used in City operations, along with changes to current business practices that will further reduce emissions.  The report also outlines an emission reduction strategy for equipment used by the broader public, businesses and other institutions.

 

The strategy for City operations is comprised of an accelerated equipment replacement schedule for the principal users of the equipment, Transportation Services and Parks, Forestry and Recreation Divisions.  The recommendations are based on a consultant’s independent review of greener alternative technologies and practices with consideration to emission reduction potential, the City’s operational imperatives and cost effectiveness. 

 

The strategy for the broader public, businesses and other institutions is to focus on public education and incentives, including the expansion of an existing buy-back incentive program for older equipment.  Staff will report back in 2009 on the success of the public education and incentive program and the results of further stakeholder consultation on options to accelerate the phase out of inefficient small engine equipment.

 

This report is related to the technical changes required to former Metro By-law No. 25-85, respecting the management of Exhibition Place, in order to facilitate an application to the Ministry of the Attorney-General for set fines.

The Executive Committee recommends that City Council receive the communication from the Toronto Transit Commission.

This item was withdrawn.

The Heritage Toronto Board is composed of up to 27 members.  The Board was appointed by Council in April 2007.  Recently, Dr. Phaedra Livingstone and Patricia Malcolmson have resigned due to relocation out of Toronto.  It has been determined that the skill set to be filled on the Board, at this time, is for an individual with fundraising abilities and an individual with financial expertise.

 

It is proposed to identify two suitable candidates through a selective search process including the Maytree Foundation DiverseCity on Board service, and bring those names forward to the Civic Appointments Committee for recommendation to Council.

 

To proceed with a selective search process requires City Council to waive the Public Appointments Policy requirements to use the list of alternates and the established advertised recruitment process.

 

The Executive Committee unanimously recommended that City Council:

 

1.        Authorize staff to proceed with the Bid process to secure the 2015 World Police and Fire Games for Toronto;

 

2.        Endorse Toronto’s bid to host the 2015 World Police and Fire Games and:

 

a.        if the bid is successful, authorize the City Manager to negotiate, approve and execute, on behalf of the City of Toronto, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, an Operating Games Agreement with the World Police and Fire Games Federation and any other relevant partners;

 

b.        that funding for the City of Toronto cash contribution toward the 2015 World Police and Fire Games be considered in the future operating budget processes;

 

c.        authorize the City Manager to pursue firm financial commitments from the Federal Government to invest in the 2015 WPFG; and

 

d.        authorize the City Manager to negotiate, approve and execute, on behalf of the City of Toronto, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, a contribution agreement with Provincial Government for their contribution to the 2015 World Police and Fire Games should the bid be successful.

 

Chief William Stewart, Toronto Fire Services and Deputy Chief Kim Derry, Toronto Police Services, gave a presentation to the Executive Committee on the 2015 World Police and Fire Games and filed a copy of their presentation.

The World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) are a multi-sport and recreation event for full-time and retired professional firefighters and sworn law enforcement officers (police, customs, and corrections). The Games are an international and community celebration of individuals and organizations involved in community safety, protection and engagement.  The WPFG happen every two years and hosts are chosen through a competitive bid process.  The WPFG generate significant positive economic and social impacts on host communities.

 

A Toronto WPFG Bid Committee was established in 2007 with an objective to bid to host the World Police and Fire Games in Toronto in 2015 and this report seeks Council agreement for the City of Toronto to be identified as host city and to submit a bid to host the Games.

Proposed motion on Economic Stimulus Funding.