| 133681 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | ADOPTED | N | Mount Dennis "Community for All Action Plan": Update | 2024.EC11.1 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>The purpose of this report is to outline the proposed development, activation, and reporting timeline for the Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan.</p>
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<p>The Mount Dennis area is a residential and mixed-use community in Toronto. Mount Dennis is a welcoming community where long-time residents have welcomed new immigrants to Toronto, providing opportunity and affordable rental and ownership housing. </p>
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<p>At the same time Mount Dennis is set to become one of the most transit-connected neighbourhoods in Toronto. When the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is complete, Mount Dennis will be the western terminus station and a key interconnection point between the subway and commuter rail systems, providing access to the Kitchener GO Line and UP Express. Ultimately, the population of Mount Dennis is projected to more than double over the next 20 years.</p>
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<p>Transit expansion in the area is also expected to result in an increased number of development projects which will increase much needed housing supply but which has also been causing concerns among local residents and organizations regarding the future of their community and the potential residential, commercial, and employment displacement.</p>
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<p>In recent years, the City has completed a significant amount of study work including the Mount Dennis Secondary Plan, the Picture Mount Dennis Planning Framework, and the Mount Dennis Economic Development Study. The result has been the development of a comprehensive vision and planning framework based on the input from area residents, businesses, local services, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous partners.</p>
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<p>In 2022, City Council has requested staff to develop a responsive community focused plan for the Mount Dennis area. Building on the established planning framework, the "Community for All Action Plan" will propose specific actions, strategies and quantifiable targets for preserving and building new affordable housing, improving social and economic outcomes including upgraded infrastructure, enhanced community and social services, retaining and expanding local businesses, and cultivating high-quality parks and outdoor amenities.</p>
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<p>In addition, City Council also requested the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to provide biannual reports on the development and implementation of a Mount Dennis Community for All Action Plan. This report represents the inaugural update report to be considered by the Economic and Community Development Committee.</p> | 11 | 1 | CMMTTEE | EC | 5 - York South - Weston | N | 1713326400000 | … | Report | ACTION | Adopted | Main | Committee | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | ACTION | true | Adopted | — | — |
| 133704 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | POSTPONE | N | A Framework to Advance Inclusive Economic Development in Toronto | 2024.EC11.2 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>This report proposes the endorsement and application of a three-pillar framework to advance city-wide inclusive economic development (IED) and neighbourhood / area focused community economic development (CED) in Toronto. The three pillars of the proposed inclusive economic development framework are (a) inclusive workforce development and sector pathways; (b) inclusive entrepreneurship and asset ownership; and (c) research, monitoring and equity impact.</p>
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<p>This framework posits that inclusive economic development occurs when economic opportunities and outcomes improve across Toronto's population and neighbourhoods - including its Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving communities - in parallel to overall growth of the city and regional economy. Inclusive economic development refers specifically to municipal touchpoints with the labour market and Toronto business sectors, particularly focussed on supports for employment pathways, entrepreneurship and business development.</p>
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<p>This framework provides definitions of key terms that can be consistently used by City divisions and agencies. Further, it clarifies how existing initiatives being led by different divisions complement each other but also what gaps remain and what tools may not be available to municipal government. Finally, the report positions inclusive economic development as a necessary objective of the City's forthcoming Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy (APTE), where further inclusive economic development actions will be specified.</p> | 11 | 2 | CMMTTEE | EC | All | N |
| 133714 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | AMENDED | N | Large Multi-Passenger Pedalled Vehicles (Quadricycles) Pilot | 2024.EC11.3 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>In 2022, City Council adopted recommendations to opt-in to a Province of Ontario pilot project under the Highway Traffic Act, which allowed the operation of large quadricycles in Toronto under specific conditions. Among the conditions approved by City Council were the requirements that large quadricycle operators must have a valid pedicab licence, and that all routes must be approved by the General Manager, Transportation Services prior to commencing operations. Since 2022, a single company has operated a tour service using large quadricycles on a seasonal basis (May to October). The two operating seasons in 2022 and 2023 have provided valuable learning opportunities for both City staff and large quadricycle operators. This report serves as an update on the Large Quadricycle Pilot Project and provides a summary of feedback from internal and external stakeholders as well as local residents.</p>
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<p>It is recommended that the City continue to opt-in to the Province of Ontario's Large Quadricycle Pilot Project. This recommendation is based on findings that conclude large quadricycles did not have identifiable impacts on traffic congestion, transit operations, or public safety in the first two years of the pilot. Input received from local businesses confirms that large quadricycle tours present a small but visible economic development opportunity and support tourism. Further, results from a public survey found that the majority of Toronto resident respondents (77 percent) support the continued use of large quadricycles in Toronto.</p>
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<p>Many of the conditions under which large quadricycles were permitted to operate were key to the success of this pilot project in 2022-2023. Therefore, this report recommends that the same roadway restrictions continue to apply to large quadricycles, in addition to the requirement that operators submit proposed routes for approval prior to commencing operations. In addition to these requirements, staff recommend that the General Manager, Transportation Services, or their designate, be granted the authority to establish new route approval conditions for large quadricycles.</p>
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<p>Finally, this report recommends that the limit on the number of licences that may be issued to large quadricycles be lifted but that the City prohibit at all times the use of large quadricycles that are not licensed as pedicabs.</p> |
| 133703 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | AMENDED | N | Alcohol in Parks Pilot: Evaluation Findings | 2024.EC11.4 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>In response to City Council direction (<a href="https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EC5.1">2023.EC5.1</a>), this report presents the evaluation findings of the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program, as implemented from August 2, 2023 to October 9, 2023 in 27 parks.</p>
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<p>Overall, the Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program was implemented with a high level of satisfaction among park visitors, few issues arising, and minimal operational impacts.</p>
<p>The vast majority (92 percent) of those who visited a pilot park and responded to the experience survey shared that they were satisfied with their visit. Respondents felt safe, and people who chose to drink at the park were considerate.</p>
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<p>There were minimal increases in service requests to 311 for noise, behaviour or garbage/recycling bins at pilot parks, but not all of these are attributable to the pilot, given other activities taking place in the parks, including special events. Further, there was no increased need for police response at the vast majority of pilot parks, and no increase in hospital emergency department visits due to alcohol, compared to the preceding year (2022).</p>
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<p>The general public sentiment about alcohol in parks was assessed through a public opinion survey, representative of the Toronto population. The results indicate that 46 percent of respondents were supportive of allowing drinking in parks, 23 percent were neutral and 30 percent were opposed.</p>
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<p>Given the findings of the pilot evaluation and adhering to the guiding principles approved by City Council for the program, should Council wish to maintain the pilot parks and/or expand the program, this report provides a path forward for Council's consideration, including transitioning all pilot parks to permanent locations, and directing staff to work with local Councillors to expand the number of parks where drinking is permitted to include at least one park in every ward that meets Council-approved public health and safety criteria. If approved, staff will continue to monitor implementation and provide ongoing updates to local Councillors regarding issues arising in parks where alcohol consumption is allowed as well as report back with a status update in the second quarter of 2025. As part of implementation, this report also recommends implementing an administrative process to streamline the addition and removal of park locations where personal alcohol consumption is allowed through amendments to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks. </p>
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<p>In the development of this report, Parks, Forestry and Recreation consulted Legal Services, Municipal Licencing and Standards, Toronto Public Health, Solid Waste Management Services, Customer Experience - 311, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services, and Toronto Police Service.</p> |
| 133510 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | ADOPTED | N | St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area - Name Change | 2024.EC11.5 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>The purpose of this report is to recommend that the name of the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area (BIA) be changed to "Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area". The Business Improvement Area Board of Management voted to support the renaming process and request the City of Toronto to formally change the name of the Business Improvement Area. This name change request was also endorsed by the Business Improvement Area's general membership at its November 23, 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM).</p> | 11 | 5 | CMMTTEE | EC | 13 - Toronto Centre | N | 1713326400000 | … | Report | ACTION | Adopted | Main | Committee | … | … | … | … | … |
| 133548 | REPORT | N | N | MAIN | ACTION | ADOPTED | N | Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) - 2024 Operating Budgets - Report 2 | 2024.EC11.6 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>This report brings forward Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual Operating Budget for approval by City Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006. City Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through a special levy on the rateable commercial and industrial properties within the respective Business Improvement Area boundaries. Special levy rate reductions for the subclasses have been set out in Appendix C, for properties in the subclasses of the commercial and industrial property classes.</p>
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<p>The Business Improvement Area is an association, independently managed from the City and operated by local businesses and property owners, joining together to organize, finance, and deliver capital streetscape improvements, and to promote economic development in a district with its own governance structure as set out in Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.</p>
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<p>There are currently 84 established Business Improvement Areas in the City of Toronto. City Council previously approved the 2024 Operating Budgets for 60 Business Improvement Areas through Report 1 at its meeting on February 6, 2024 (Item <a href="https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EC9.2">EC9.2</a>). One Business Improvement Area, Historic Queen East, is inactive. Included in this Report 2 is the 2024 Operating Budgets for the remaining 23 Business Improvement Areas for City Council approval. No City funding is required since the financing of individual Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets is raised by a special levy on the rateable commercial and industrial properties within the respective Business Improvement Area boundaries.</p>
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<p>Under current Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code, the Business Improvement Areas By-law does not have specific provision requiring a Business Improvement Area maintain a certain amount in their accumulated surplus. Should a Business Improvement Area find itself in a deficit, be dissolved or becomes inactive, City Council has the authority to collect funds required and liabilities including interests, through the Business Improvement Area levy as stipulated under the By-law. If a board is dissolved and the liabilities exceed the assets assumed by the City, Council shall recover the difference. As directed by City Council at its meeting on July 19, 2022, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture will conduct additional review and consultation on other issues impacting Business Improvement Areas. To ensure prudent stewardship of public resources and further strengthen financial management and oversight, the issue of maintaining a minimum balance requirement in the Business Improvement Area accumulated surplus reserves will be part of the By-law review. Based on the outcome of the review, City staff will present recommendations including the potential for amendment to the current Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code, and report back to Council by the second quarter of 2024.</p>
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<p>The recommendation in this report reflects the board-adopted 2024 Operating Budgets by the respective Business Improvement Areas’ Boards of Management and General Membership. Complete budgets and supporting documentation have been reviewed by City staff to ensure that the 2024 Operating Budgets for Business Improvement Areas reflect Council’s approved policies and practices.</p> |
| 133897 | REPORT | N | N | NEW | ACTION | ADOPTED | N | Reimbursement for Churches and Community Organizations Supporting Refugee Claimants | 2024.EC11.7 | Y | Y | Y | Y | <p>The unexpected and unprecedented surge in the number of refugee claimants arriving in Toronto has placed significant strain on the City's shelter and other systems. These pressures spiked in late spring and summer 2023, resulting in groups of refugees staying outside the City’s assessment and referral centre on Peter Street, with no space available in the shelter system.</p>
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<p>In response, many Black-led churches and community organizations stepped up, opening their doors to provide emergency shelter and supports to hundreds of refugee claimants who were arriving in Toronto homeless.</p>
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<p>In late summer, the City provided $150,000 to three leading churches. Additionally, in September 2023, City Council authorized that up to $750,000 be provided to churches and community organizations for eligible expenses incurred by September 30.</p>
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<p>The recommendations in this report will ensure that Black-led churches and community organizations are fully reimbursed for costs previously determined eligible and that options for their further reimbursement are identified for City Council's consideration.</p> | 11 | 7 | CMMTTEE | EC | All | N | 1713326400000 | … | Report | ACTION |