City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council grant authority to the General Manager of Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Study Completion and to file the Project File for the St. Clair Avenue West Widening Class Environmental Assessment Study in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.         City Council direct that the approval of the St. Clair Avenue West Widening Environmental Assessment Study be conditional upon the protection for the future extension of the St. Clair Avenue LRT westerly to Jane Street.

3.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council grant authority to the General Manager of Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Study Completion and to file the Project File for the St. Clair Avenue West Widening Class Environmental Assessment Study in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.         City Council direct that the approval of the St. Clair Avenue West Widening Environmental Assessment Study be conditional upon the protection for the future extension of the St. Clair Avenue LRT westerly to Jane Street.

3.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to consider:

a.         the installation of a traffic light at Cobalt Avenue and St. Clair Avenue West;

b.         widening of the road on the north side of St. Clair Avenue West between Cobalt Avenue and approximately 300 metres to the east of Cobalt Avenue;

c.         adding a left-turn lane for westbound traffic turning south onto Cobalt Avenue; and

d.         adding a left-turn lane for westbound traffic turning south into Part Source and the Rexall Pharma Plus plaza at Mondovi Gate.

A Class Environmental Assessment Study was undertaken to address opportunities for improving the traffic and pedestrian conditions on St. Clair Avenue West between Cobalt Avenue and Mondovi Gate, located in the area between Runnymede Road and Keele Street / Weston Road. The evaluation of a reasonable range of alternative solutions, which included consultation with the public and review agencies, resulted in the following Recommended Design:

-           The widening of St. Clair Avenue West on the south side between Cobalt Avenue and approximately 300 metres east thereof, from one to two eastbound travel lanes.

-           The implementation of a sidewalk on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West between Cobalt Avenue and approximately 145 metres east thereof to connect with the existing sidewalk and provide pedestrians with a continuous sidewalk on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West.

A Notice of Study Completion must now be issued and the Project File placed in the public record for a 30-day review period in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council grant authority to the General Manager of Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Study Completion and to file the Environmental Study Report for the Legion Road Extension Class Environmental Assessment Study in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council grant authority to the General Manager of Transportation Services to issue a Notice of Study Completion and to file the Environmental Study Report for the Legion Road Extension Class Environmental Assessment Study in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The extension of Legion Road, from its northern limit to the Park Lawn Road exit ramp from the eastbound F.G Gardiner Expressway, is identified in the new Official Plan as a planned but unbuilt road.  The extension of Legion Road will satisfy transportation needs of the area, improve traffic safety, and improve the efficiency of the road network throughout the area.

A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study has been undertaken to develop alignment options for the extension for Legion Road while taking into consideration the planned stormwater facility being investigated by Toronto Water for Bonar Creek and the Mimico Creek watershed which would be situated immediately to the east of the extension.  The EA study included the identification and evaluation of a reasonable range of alternatives in consultation with the public and review agencies.  The resulting Recommended Design is to extend Legion Road from its current northern limit to the Park Lawn Road exit ramp from the eastbound F. G. Gardiner Expressway using a single portal tunnel under the CN rail corridor.

A Notice of Study Completion must now be issued and the Environmental Study Report filed in the public record for a minimum 30-day review period in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council grant authority to enter into an Offer to Connect Agreement with PowerStream, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, including, among other things, a commitment by the City to provide such easements as may be required for the installation of required electrical infrastructure on City land and a commitment by the City to enter into a further Connection Agreement with PowerStream if required at a later date.
 

2.         City Council grant authority to pay costs identified in and associated with the Offer to Connect Agreement to PowerStream, including connection charges for works required to connect the new pumping station to an electrical power source and system enhancement charges that may be levied by PowerStream as a result of the connection once the new pumping station is operational.
 

3.         City Council grant authority to enter into the Connection Agreement identified in paragraph 1 above on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, if such a Connection Agreement is later required by PowerStream, and to pay any charges incidental to and associated with the Connection Agreement.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:
 

1.         City Council grant authority to enter into an Offer to Connect Agreement with PowerStream, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, including, among other things, a commitment by the City to provide such easements as may be required for the installation of required electrical infrastructure on City land and a commitment by the City to enter into a further Connection Agreement with PowerStream if required at a later date.
 

2.         City Council grant authority to pay costs identified in and associated with the Offer to Connect Agreement to PowerStream, including connection charges for works required to connect the new pumping station to an electrical power source and system enhancement charges that may be levied by PowerStream as a result of the connection once the new pumping station is operational.
 

3.         City Council grant authority to enter into the Connection Agreement identified in paragraph 1 above on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the General Manager, Toronto Water, if such a Connection Agreement is later required by PowerStream, and to pay any charges incidental to and associated with the Connection Agreement.

This report seeks authority for the City to enter into an Offer to Connect Agreement, and, if required, a Connection Agreement, with the electricity utility, PowerStream Inc. (“PowerStream”), in order to proceed with development of the Milliken Reservoir and Pumping Station Expansion.

The Offer to Connect Agreement is required by PowerStream in order to connect new Reservoir facilities to the PowerStream electrical power grid.  The Offer to Connect Agreement requires a commitment to grant an easement to PowerStream on City lands for nominal consideration if required for the installation of electrical infrastructure, payment for the works required for connection to the electrical grid, as well as system enhancement charges which may be levied by PowerStream as a result of the connection.  The Offer to Connect Agreement also provides for an additional Connection Agreement, which may be required by PowerStream at a later date.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council approve the Biosolids Master Plan Update Environmental Assessment  in regards to the Ashbridges Bay, Humber and North Toronto Treatment Plant and direct staff to implement the biosolids management strategies contained in the Master Plan for each of the three wastewater treatment plants at Ashbridges Bay, Humber and North Toronto.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, to procure additional beneficial use and landfill disposal services for biosolids from the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) on a sole source basis and on such terms and conditions as he considers appropriate until such time as staff are able to secure competitively bid long term contracts and services to further beneficially use biosolids from ABTP as outlined in the Biosolids Master Plan Update.

3.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, to execute one or more contracts and/or agreements on terms and conditions satisfactory to him and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

4.         City Council authorize and direct staff to immediately relinquish the Ontario Ministry of Environment Certificate of Approval for incinerators at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.

5.         City Council approve the beneficial use options for the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant biosolids contained in the Biosolids Master Plan which do not include Thermal Technologies.

6.         City Council request that when the recommendations contained in the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, regarding the Highland Creek Treatment Plant are before the January 5, 2010, meeting of the Public Works and Infrastucture Committee, the Committee again defer the matter until its February 2, 2010 meeting.

7.         City Council request the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee to consider the following recommendation at such time as it considers the above-noted report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water:

“That the General Manager, Toronto Water, be directed to accelerate the implementation of the biosolids management strategies for the Highland Creek as detailed in the Biosolids Master Plan in order to realize capital and operating cost savings of approximately $15 million over the ten year period (2009 - 2019), and report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee at its meeting on February 2, 2010.”

8.         City Council forward this report to the Board of Health for information.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the Biosolids Master Plan Update Environmental Assessment  in regards to the Ashbridges Bay, Humber and North Toronto Treatment Plant and direct staff to implement the biosolids management strategies contained in the Master Plan for each of the three wastewater treatment plants at Ashbridges Bay, Humber and North Toronto.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, to procure additional beneficial use and landfill disposal services for biosolids from the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant (ABTP) on a sole source basis and on such terms and conditions as he considers appropriate until such time as staff are able to secure competitively bid long term contracts and services to further beneficially use biosolids from ABTP as outlined in the Biosolids Master Plan Update.

3.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, to execute one or more contracts and/or agreements on terms and conditions satisfactory to him and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

4.         City Council authorize and direct staff to immediately relinquish the Ontario Ministry of Environment Certificate of Approval for incinerators at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.

5.         City Council approve the beneficial use options for the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant biosolids contained in the Biosolids Master Plan which do not include Thermal Technologies.

6.         City Council forward this report to the Board of Health for information.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.         deferred the recommendations in the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, regarding the Highland Creek Treatment Plant until the January 5, 2010, meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee; and

2.          requested the General Manager, Toronto Water, to submit a report to Public Works and Infrastructure Committee for its meeting on January 5, 2010, on the Biosolids Master Plan Update relating to the Highland Creek Treatment Plant.

This report summarizes the findings contained in the Biosolids Master Plan (BMP) Update and recommends formal approval of the Plan.  The purpose of the BMP Update is to plan for the future management of biosolids from each of the City’s four wastewater treatment plants in a manner that is sustainable, reliable, environmentally sound, cost effective and flexible. Biosolids are the fully treated organic material generated from the biological treatment of wastewater solids.

The BMP Update was undertaken as a Class Environmental Assessment to fulfill the requirements of Phase 1 and 2 of the Municipal Engineers Association Class Environmental Assessment Master Planning process.  The BMP Update was released for a 30 day public review beginning on October 1, 2009 and ending on October 30, 2009.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager of Toronto Water to enter into an amending agreement with Republic Services, Inc., Republic Services of Canada, Inc., Republic Services of Michigan I, LLC, doing business as Carleton Farms, and Triwaste Services, to change the Alternate Disposal Site from the Brent Run Landfill in Genesee County Michigan, to the Sauk Trail Hills Landfill in Wayne County Michigan, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager of Toronto Water to enter into an amending agreement with Republic Services, Inc., Republic Services of Canada, Inc., Republic Services of Michigan I, LLC, doing business as Carleton Farms, and Triwaste Services, to change the Alternate Disposal Site from the Brent Run Landfill in Genesee County Michigan, to the Sauk Trail Hills Landfill in Wayne County Michigan, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to amend the Wastewater System By-Products Transportation and Disposal Agreement between the City of Toronto and Republic Services Inc., Republic Services of Canada Inc., Republic Services of Michigan I, LLC, doing business as Carleton Farms, and Triwaste Services, to change the Alternate Disposal Site from the Brent Run Landfill located in Genesee County, Michigan to the Sauk Trail Hills Landfill located in Wayne County Michigan.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council authorize a grant of $200,000 to the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to be funded from the approved Toronto Water 2009 Capital Budget under WBS Element CWW473-01 Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection in compliance with the Toronto Grants Policy.

2.         City Council authorize the full funding of all land securement costs (including costs such as legal fees, survey fees, appraisal costs, land securement negotiation costs, costs to issue an ECO-sensitivity report under the Federal Ecogift Program, etc.) required to secure the acquisitions with an upper limit being 1/3 of the appraised value of the secured property.

3.         City Council require the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to complete the acquisitions identified in the confidential list dated March 2, 2009, included as Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, according to the criteria set out in Executive Committee Report 14.1, adopted by City Council on November 19 and 20, 2007, in a form and manner acceptable to City officials.

4.         City Council authorize the public release of the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, after the acquisition of the properties by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust has been completed.

5.         City Council direct that the General Manager, Toronto Water, shall include properties acquired by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust in an annual report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee detailing land acquired through the Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection Project.

6.         City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to prepare a financial summary of all expenditures on City-funded projects which benefit the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in achieving its mandate, for example, water quality and environmental initiatives and parks and forestry programs, and provide a copy of the financial summary to each member of the TRCA.

7.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, remains confidential in its entirety at this time, in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it contains information related to proposed or pending land acquisitions for municipal or local board purposes.  The confidential information will be made public after the acquisition of the properties by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust has been completed.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize a grant of $200,000 to the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to be funded from the approved Toronto Water 2009 Capital Budget under WBS Element CWW473-01 Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection in compliance with the Toronto Grants Policy.

2.         City Council authorize the full funding of all land securement costs (including costs such as legal fees, survey fees, appraisal costs, land securement negotiation costs, costs to issue an ECO-sensitivity report under the Federal Ecogift Program, etc.) required to secure the acquisitions with an upper limit being 1/3 of the appraised value of the secured property.

3.         City Council require the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to complete the acquisitions identified in the confidential list dated March 2, 2009, included as Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, according to the criteria set out in Executive Committee Report 14.1, adopted by City Council on November 19 and 20, 2007, in a form and manner acceptable to City officials.

4.         City Council authorize the public release of the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 19, 2009) from the General Manager, Toronto Water, after the acquisition of the properties by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust has been completed.

5.         City Council direct that the General Manager, Toronto Water, shall include properties acquired by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust in an annual report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee detailing land acquired through the Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection Project.

6.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Approval is being sought to provide a grant to the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT) to facilitate the acquisition of properties located on the Oak Ridges Moraine, through land donations, to protect the integrity of the watersheds flowing through the City of Toronto.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council approve the following projects for funding in the amount of $204,242, net of GST including a 10% administrative fee for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) under the Community Program for Stormwater Management:

a.         Black Creek Project’s Riparian and Steep Slope Planting Program – Black Creek Conservation Project of Toronto (BCCP) - $25,000;

b.         Tiffany Gates Foods Rainwater Re-Use Irrigation Project – Partners in Project Green - $25,000;

c.          Stormwater Management; Wastewater, Drinking Water – Toronto Chinese for Ecological Living (TCEL) - $12,816.50;

d.          Stormwater Flow Atlas – Pollution Probe - $24,109;

e.         Managing Storm Water at Evergreen Brickworks – Evergreen - $23,750;

f.          The North Garden Expansion Project; IRC School Grounds Revitalization Project – Indian Road Crescent Junior Public School’s Greening Committee - $25,000;

g.         Residential Rainproofing – Citizens for a Safe Environment - $25,000; and

h.         St. Rita’s Catholic School Stormwater Management and Greening Project – Green Here - $25,000.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to take effect thereto.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the following projects for funding in the amount of $204,242, net of GST including a 10% administrative fee for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) under the Community Program for Stormwater Management:

a.         Black Creek Project’s Riparian and Steep Slope Planting Program – Black Creek Conservation Project of Toronto (BCCP) - $25,000;

b.         Tiffany Gates Foods Rainwater Re-Use Irrigation Project – Partners in Project Green - $25,000;

c.          Stormwater Management; Wastewater, Drinking Water – Toronto Chinese for Ecological Living (TCEL) - $12,816.50;

d.          Stormwater Flow Atlas – Pollution Probe - $24,109;

e.         Managing Storm Water at Evergreen Brickworks – Evergreen - $23,750;

f.          The North Garden Expansion Project; IRC School Grounds Revitalization Project – Indian Road Crescent Junior Public School’s Greening Committee - $25,000;

g.         Residential Rainproofing – Citizens for a Safe Environment - $25,000; and

h.         St. Rita’s Catholic School Stormwater Management and Greening Project – Green Here - $25,000.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City Officials to take the necessary action to take effect thereto.

This report recommends approval of grants to community organizations to carry out stormwater management projects that were submitted to the Community Program for Stormwater Management for the September 11, 2009 application deadline.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council delegate the authority to sign verification forms and applications required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment under the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program to managers and directors designated in writing by the General Manager, Toronto Water, or the Executive Director, Technical Services.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council delegate the authority to sign verification forms and applications required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment under the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program to managers and directors designated in writing by the General Manager, Toronto Water, or the Executive Director, Technical Services.

The purpose of this report is to seek a delegation of authority from City Council to the appropriate City staff to authorize them to sign various verification forms and applications required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (the “MOE”) under its new Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program. 

This report also provides an update on the licensing of the City’s drinking water system.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into sole source negotiations with AECOM Canada Ltd. for a contract to design, build and operate a new facility to process the City’s source separated organic material at the Disco Transfer Station site.

2.         City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back to City Council on the results of the negotiations.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into sole source negotiations with AECOM Canada Ltd. for a contract to design, build and operate a new facility to process the City’s source separated organic material at the Disco Transfer Station site.

2.         City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back to City Council on the results of the negotiations.

The purpose of this staff report is twofold:  First, to advise City Council on the results of the Request for Proposal (RFP) 3907-09-7053 to Design/Build/Operate New Source Separated Organic Material Processing Facility at the Disco Road Transfer Station.  Two (2) Proponents responded to the RFP; Integrated Municipal Services Inc. (IMS) who submitted a Base Proposal, and AECOM Canada Ltd. (AECOM) who submitted a Base Proposal and also an Alternative Proposal. The Alternative Proposal submitted by AECOM did not pass the technical evaluation and did not proceed to the next stage of evaluation and its cost of services proposal was not opened.  The other two (2) Proposals passed the technical evaluation and their cost of service proposals were opened.  The AECOM-Base Proposal had the highest technical score and the lowest cost and therefore also had the highest total score and was ranked first. 

The cost of service proposals for both Proponents exceeded the approved capital budget allocated for this project.  As a result, staff cancelled the RFP.

Second, given the importance of this project to the City’s waste diversion goals, the General Manager is requesting City Council authority for the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate with AECOM Canada Ltd. on a sole source basis for a contract to design, build and operate a new Source Separated Organic (SSO) material processing plant at the Disco Road Transfer Station and to subsequently report the outcome of the negotiations to City Council.

The RFP to purchase the required services failed to identify a successful Proponent with a cost of services proposal within the approved capital budget, therefore a request to enter into negotiations is being requested in this report.   Reissuing the RFP with a revised scope of work is not a recommended alternative as it is not known exactly what changes to the scope of work are required to resolve the difference between the cost of services and the approved capital budget.  Authority to negotiate with only AECOM Canada Ltd. on a sole source basis is being requested as they were the highest scoring proponent and the lowest cost.

In accordance with the Procurement Processes Policy approved by Council, section 3.0, item 2, a non-competitive procurement process (sole source) can be used if an attempt to purchase the required goods and services has been made in good faith using a competitive method and has failed to identify a successful supplier.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into sole source negotiations with Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. and Ontario Plants Propagation Ltd., in partnership, for a contract to design, build, own and operate a new cogeneration system to utilize the landfill gas from the Green Lane Landfill.

2.         City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back to City Council on the results of the negotiations.

3          City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into discussions with Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. regarding the development of biogas refining systems at the new SSO Facilities and to report back on a recommended course of action for the procurement of a contract to design, build, own and operate biogas refining systems at the SSO Facilities.

4.         Subject to the execution of an agreement for the design, construction and operation of the new SSO processing facility at the Disco Transfer Station site, City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to investigate options for funding the cost of biogas refining through cost savings resulting from displacing natural gas with refined biogas or some other means.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into sole source negotiations with Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. and Ontario Plants Propagation Ltd., in partnership, for a contract to design, build, own and operate a new cogeneration system to utilize the landfill gas from the Green Lane Landfill.

2.         City Council request the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report back to City Council on the results of the negotiations.

3.         Subject to the execution of an agreement for the design, construction and operation of the new SSO processing facility at the Disco Transfer Station site, City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Director, Purchasing and Materials Management, to:

a.         issue a Request for Expressions of Interest to pre-qualify proponents to design, build, own and operate biogas refining systems at the SSO Facilities; and

b.         issue a Request for Proposals to pre-qualified proponents for a contract to design, build, own and operate biogas refining projects at the SSO Facilities.

4.         Subject to the execution of an agreement for the design, construction and operation of the new SSO processing facility at the Disco Transfer Station site, City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to investigate options for funding the cost of biogas refining through cost savings resulting from displacing natural gas with refined biogas or some other means.

The purpose of this report is to convey the results of the biogas and landfill gas utilization study undertaken by Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) (the ‘Study’).  The objective of the Study was to comparatively assess options to utilize the biogas to be produced at the City’s new Source Separated Organic (SSO) Material processing facilities to be constructed at the Disco Transfer Station and Dufferin Waste Management Facility sites (the ‘SSO Facilities’), and the landfill gas collected from the Green Lane Landfill.

Based upon the results of the Study, SWMS proposes that the biogas to be produced at the SSO Facilities be refined to pipeline gas quality and supplied to the local gas distribution system for eventual use by the City as fuel for compressed natural gas (CNG) solid waste collection vehicles and to offset consumption of natural gas in City facilities.  This report seeks the authority, subject to execution of an agreement to develop the new SSO processing facility at the Disco Transfer Station site, to undertake Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) and Request for Proposals (RFP) processes to procure a contract to design, build, own and operate the pipeline gas refining systems at the SSO Facilities. 

Based upon the results of the Study, SWMS proposes that the landfill gas generated by the Green Lane Landfill be utilized in the cogeneration system proposed by Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. (THESI) on behalf of the partnership between THESI and Ontario Plants Propagation Ltd. (the ‘Partnership’). The report requests authority to negotiate with the Partnership on a sole-source basis for a contract to design, build, own and operate a new cogeneration system to utilize the landfill gas from the Green Lane Landfill and to subsequently report the outcome of the negotiations to City Council.  

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council establish a City policy that Solid Waste Management Services Collections staff, including contracted vendors, when collecting any of the bins (green, recycling or garbage), return the bin in an upright position to the location where the bin was originally placed by the resident.

The City of Toronto has invested considerable capital in its new three stream waste collection system.  It allows residents to fully participate in the city’s waste reduction program and has tidied up the appearance of our streets with one exception.   Some collectors toss the bins.  This rough handling results in additional costs by reducing the life expectancy of the equipment.  It also detracts from the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council grant authority to reallocate funds in the amount of $3,000,000 net of GST to CWW029-04 from CWW447-06 – WWFMP Implementation, CPW039-04 - Network Cable Lifecycle Replacement, CWW465-04 – Drain Lining, CWW050-01 – Odour Control Implementation and CWW030-06 – Headhouse Upgrades as indicated in the table contained in the Financial Impact section of the report (October 22, 2009) from the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the Director, Purchasing and Materials Management.

2.         City Council grant authority to amend Purchase Order 6027896 for the construction of Odour Control and HVAC Upgrades, M&T Buildings, with Comstock Canada Ltd. by an additional amount of $3,000,000.00 net of GST, revising the current contract value from $7,988,630.10 to $10,988,630.10 net of GST.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council grant authority to reallocate funds in the amount of $3,000,000 net of GST to CWW029-04 from CWW447-06 – WWFMP Implementation, CPW039-04 - Network Cable Lifecycle Replacement, CWW465-04 – Drain Lining, CWW050-01 – Odour Control Implementation and CWW030-06 – Headhouse Upgrades as indicated in the table contained in the Financial Impact section of the report (October 22, 2009) from the Executive Director, Technical Services, and the Director, Purchasing and Materials Management.

2.         Subject to approval of Recommendation No. 1, City Council grant authority to amend Purchase Order 6027896 for the construction of Odour Control and HVAC Upgrades, M&T Buildings, with Comstock Canada Ltd. by an additional amount of $3,000,000.00 net of GST, revising the current contract value from $7,988,630.10 to $10,988,630.10 net of GST.

The purpose of this report is to request the authority to amend Purchase Order 6027896 for the construction of Odour Control and HVAC Upgrades, M&T Buildings, at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant.  The total amount being requested is $3,000,000.00 net of GST.

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted the following:

1.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to defer any further work with respect to policies and by-law development related to plastic take-out food containers and hot drink cups until the changes to the Waste Diversion Act, 2002, and the Blue Box Program Plan are announced by the Minister of the Environment, and the General Manager can assess the impact on Toronto’s strategy for plastic take-out food containers and hot drink cups.

2.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report to City Council on the Minister of the Environment’s direction regarding changes to the Waste Diversion Act, 2002, and the Blue Box Program Plan and, if the Minister’s directions do not achieve City of Toronto’s goals related to in-store packaging, a local waste reduction and waste diversion plan be developed for hot drink cups and plastic take-out food containers.

3.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to continue to conduct research and pilot studies into effective means of promoting source reduction of hot drink cups at the retail level, consistent with City policies.

4.         City Council direct that City staff actively participate and provide the City of Toronto perspective and background research on Working Groups established by Waste Diversion Ontario or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to address barriers to the addition of problematic packaging to the recycling system.

5.         City Council direct that until the changes to the Waste Diversion Act 2002 are announced and assessed, the General Manager, Solid Waste Management continue to pursue discussions on the "leave behind" option as a means of reducing retail packaging.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to defer any further work with respect to policies and by-law development related to plastic take-out food containers and hot drink cups until the changes to the Waste Diversion Act, 2002, and the Blue Box Program Plan are announced by the Minister of the Environment, and the General Manager can assess the impact on Toronto’s strategy for plastic take-out food containers and hot drink cups.

2.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to report to City Council on the Minister of the Environment’s direction regarding changes to the Waste Diversion Act, 2002, and the Blue Box Program Plan and, if the Minister’s directions do not achieve City of Toronto’s goals related to in-store packaging, a local waste reduction and waste diversion plan be developed for hot drink cups and plastic take-out food containers.

3.         City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to continue to conduct research and pilot studies into effective means of promoting source reduction of hot drink cups at the retail level, consistent with City policies.

4.         City Council direct that City staff actively participate and provide the City of Toronto perspective and background research on Working Groups established by Waste Diversion Ontario or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to address barriers to the addition of problematic packaging to the recycling system.

As requested by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on November 12, 2008, the General Manager of Solid Waste Management Services met with hot drink retail stakeholders to seek a resolution that achieves the goals of waste reduction and compatibility of hot drink cups, with Toronto’s Blue Bin program.  This report provides the results of expert research, details of new Provincial direction on the Blue Box Program Plan and recommendations for ongoing direction on in-store packaging materials.