Special Meeting Complete

City Council has completed its meeting and has adopted the 2009 Operating Budget with amendments.

Motions by the following Members were adopted.

• Councillor Mammoliti
• Councillor Thompson
• Councillor Perruzza
• Councillor Vaughan

All other amending motions did not carry.

This is an unofficial summary. The official decision will be posted by the City Clerk to http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2009/agendas/cc.htm within the next few days.

Motion by Councillor Michael Thompson

Councillor Michael Thompson has placed the following motion:

EX30.1 * 2009 OPERATING BUDGET - General

Moved by: Councillor Thompson

That the City Manager be requested to report to the Budget Committee
during 2010 as part of the 2010 Operating Budget process on:

1. the City*s current policy regarding the filling of vacant
(gapped) staff positions;

2. the rationale for retaining positions which have been vacant for
an extended period; and

3. the impact on the City of striking these gapped positions from
the City*s organizational structure.

Motion by Councillor Adam Vaughan

Councillor Adam Vaughan has placed the following motion:

EX30.1 2009 OPERATING BUDGET - Shelter, Support and Housing Administration
Recommendation 13

Moved by: Councillor Vaughan

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division be increased by $75,000.00 gross and $0 net, fully funded by the Section 45 agreement (Committee of Adjustment Application A0270/08TEY) related to 450 Lake Shore Boulevard West (XR3028-4500029) for capital improvements and capital maintenance of Toronto Community Housing Corporation properties at 168 John Street and the Atkinson Cooperative Housing, including a minimum $25,000.00 for the latter.

Motion by Councillor Anthony Perruzza

Councillor Anthony Perruzza has placed the following motion:

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Capital and Corporate Financing/Non-Program
(Recommendation 80)

Moved by:  Councillor Perruzza

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the Capital and Corporate Financing/Non-Program Budget be amended by deleting from Recommendation 80.12.ii, the amount of $30,000, and replacing it with the amount of $36,000, so that the recommendation now reads as follows:

80.12. With respect to enhancing the Citys programs that provide property tax assistance to low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons:

Tax Increase Cancellation Program;

ii. the household income criteria for eligibility in the Citys Tax Increase Cancellation Program be increased to equal to or less than $36,000 (from $26,000), effective commencing for the 2009 tax year;

and the necessary funds for this change be funded by a corresponding reduction in the advertising and promotion budget across all divisions, as determined by the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

Motions by Councillor Rob Ford

Councillor Rob Ford has placed the following motions:

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Transit Commission - Conventional
(Recommendations 59-65)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

1.The 2009 Operating Budget for the Toronto Transit Commission - Conventional, be reduced by $23,872,000, and the TTC be requested to offset the reduction by:

a.eliminating 267 base service positions, for a savings of $15,627,000.

b.eliminating 95 new positions, for a savings of $8,245,000.

2.The Toronto Transit Commission be requested to discontinue:

a.the Easier Access on the TTC brochure, for a savings of approximately $22,000.

b.The Coupler employee newsletter, for a savings of approximately $155,000.

c.the TTC Operating Stats newsletter, for a savings of $1,400.

d.complimentary Metro Passes for Councillors and the Mayor.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - 311 Customer Service Strategy
(Recommendation 1)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the 311 Customer Service Strategy be reduced by eliminating 21 new positions, for a savings of $1,194,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - City Council
(Recommendation 35)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for City Council be reduced by:

1.reducing the Councillors' Global budget to $30,000.00  [$53,100 30,000 = $23,100x 44 =$1,016, 400],  for a savings of approximately $1 million.

2.reducing Councillors' staff budget by one position [53k + benefits = $65,190 x 44 = $2,868,360], for a savings of approximately $2.8 million per year.

3.reducing the City Council food and beverage budget to $0.

4.reducing the Community Councils hospitality budgets to $0

5.eliminating the following items from the Councillors' Office budget:

a.conference travel, for a savings of approximately $18,000.

b.tickets for community events, concerts, etc., for a savings of approximately $18,000.

c.gas and mileage, for a savings of approximately $45,000.
  
d.transit passes and tokens for staff, for a savings of approximately $5,600.

e.taxis, for a savings of approximately $18,000.

f.business expenses, for a savings of approximately $20,849.

                                                                         
EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - City Managers Office
(Recommendation 33)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the City Managers Office be reduced by:

1.eliminating 6 new positions, for a savings of $321,000.

2.eliminating the Our Toronto newsletter, for a savings of $800,000.

Strategic Communications
3.discontinuing the Inside Toronto employee newsletter, for a savings of approximately $20,000.

4.eliminating the City news clipping service from Cision Canada Inc., for a savings of $40,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - City Planning
(Recommendations 18-19)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for City Planning be amended by:

-not implementing the 3.7 percent fee increase, for a total savings to the taxpayer of $715,800.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Community Partnership and Investment Program  (Recommendations 73-76)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the Community Partnership and Investment Program be reduced by $6.5 million.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
(Recommendations 5-6)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be reduced by eliminating 6.4 new positions, for a savings of $287,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Exhibition Place
(Recommendation 42)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place be requested to:

1.eliminate the provision of free admission and parking passes for Members of Council.

2.discontinue the Express newsletter.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Facilities and Real Estate
(Recommendation 28)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Facilities and Real Estate be reduced by:

-eliminating 73.5 new positions, for a savings of $5,530,000.

-eliminating plant watering services at City Hall, for a savings of $36,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - General

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That:

1.the City Manager be requested to reduce City staffing levels across all program areas, except Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services, by 2 percent, thereby reducing expenditures by approximately $40 million.

2.all Agencies, Boards and Commissions, except the Toronto Police Service, be requested to also reduce staffing levels by 2 percent, for a savings of approximately $40 million.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Information and Technology
(Recommendation 30)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Information and Technology be reduced by:

-eliminating 10 new positions, for a savings of $830,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Legal Services
(Recommendation 36)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Legal Services be reduced by:

-eliminating 16 new positions, for a savings of $878,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Long-Term Care Homes and Services
(Recommendations 8-10)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Long-Term Care Homes and Services be amended by discontinuing the Annual Report Card on Homes for the Aged, for a savings of $4,500.
                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Mayors Office
(Recommendation 37)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the Mayors Office be reduced:

1.to the 2007 amount of $2.4 million, for savings of approximately $200,000.

2.be eliminating the Mayors hospitality fund for a savings of $74,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Municipal Licensing and Standards
(Recommendation 21)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Municipal Licensing and Standards be amended by:

1.eliminating 15 new positions, for a savings of $931,000.

2.not implementing the 3.7 percent permit fee increase, for a total savings to the taxpayer of $952,200.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Office of the Treasurer
(Recommendation 32)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for the Office of the Treasurer be reduced by:

-eliminating 18 new positions, for a savings of approximately $885,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Parks, Forestry and Recreation
(Recommendations 11-12)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Parks, Forestry and Recreation be amended by:

1.not implementing the 3.7 percent fee increase in recreational programs, for a savings to the taxpayer of $1,126,272.13.

2.eliminating 70.7 new positions, for a savings of $3,436,000.

3.eliminating the Seniors Recreation Strategy brochure.

4.eliminating the Community Access and Equity brochure.

5.eliminating the provision of free golf passes for Members of Council and staff for potential savings of $15,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Policy, Planning, Finance and Administration
(Recommendation 22)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Policy, Planning, Finance and Administration be reduced by:

-eliminating 19 new positions, for a savings of $1,540,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Shelter, Support and Housing Administration
(Recommendation 13)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration be reduced by:

1.eliminating 15.3 new positions, for a savings of $995,000.

2.reducing the Streets to Homes program budget by 5 percent, for a savings of $667,710.

3.eliminating the free three bottles of wine a day program under the Harm Reduction Strategy in Shelter Services, for a savings of $34,800.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Building
(Recommendation 24)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Toronto Building be reduced by:

-eliminating 10 new positions, for a savings of $604,000.

EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Employment and Social Services
(Recommendations 15-17)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Toronto Employment and Social Services be reduced by:

1.eliminating 156 temporary positions, for a savings of $10,433,000.

2.eliminating 10 permanent positions, for a savings of $987,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Public Library
(Recommendations 57-58)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

1.The 2009 Operating Budget for the Toronto Public Library be amended by eliminating the proposed 4 percent increase, resulting in a savings of $6 million.

2.The Toronto Public Library Board be requested to:

a.eliminating 6.4 positions for savings of $548,000; and

b.discontinue the Whats On newsletter, for a savings of $87,595.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Parking Authority
(Recommendations 71-72)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

The Board of Directors of the Toronto Parking Authority be requested to discontinue the tradition of providing Green P parking passes to Members of City Council, Senior City staff, and the Mayor, for a savings of $15,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Toronto Zoo
(Recommendations 68-69)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

1.The 2009 Operating Budget for the Toronto Zoo be reduced by $455,000 and the Board of the Toronto Zoo be requested to eliminate 15.5 new positions.

2.The Board of the Toronto Zoo be requested to:

a.discontinue the practice of issuing passes to Council Members and the Mayor.

b.maintain admission fees to the Toronto Zoo at the current rates, for a reduction in revenue of approximately $213,000.


EX30.12009 OPERATING BUDGET - Transportation Services
(Recommendation 26)

Moved by:  Councillor Ford

That the 2009 Operating Budget for Transportation Services be amended by:

-not implementing the 3.7 percent fee increase, for a total savings to the taxpayer of $250,326.

Motion by Councillor Mammoliti

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti has placed the following motion:

EX30.1 2009 OPERATING BUDGET - General

Moved by: Councillor Mammoliti

That the City Manager and other appropriate City officials be requested to assist any Councillor who so requests, to determine the property tax increase or decrease per household in his/her Ward, after the 2009 tax rate is approved, and that this information be ready before the end of April.

Motion by Councillor Doug Holyday

Councillor Doug Holyday has placed the following motion:

 

EX30.1            2009 OPERATING BUDGET Toronto Transit Commission - Conventional

(Recommendations 59-65)

 

Moved by:  Councillor Holyday

 

That:

 

1.         the 2009 Operating Budget for the Toronto Transit Commission (Conventional) be reduced by an amount equivalent to the revenue which would be generated by a $0.25 fare increase, and that the Toronto Transit Commission be requested to implement such a fare increase, as soon as possible; and

 

2.         the proposed property tax increase be reduced accordingly.

 

Motion by Councillor David Shiner ruled out of order

Speaker Sandra Bussin ruled the following motion by Councillor David shiner out of order as the matter is a policy matter to be dealt with by the Executive Committee on April 7:

 

Moved by:  Councillor Shiner

 

That the 2009 Operating Budget for City Council be reduced by $102,000 Gross and $102,000 Net, by freezing Councillor salaries at the 2008 level, and that the saving be applied to replenish the Social Assistance Stabilization Reserve Fund.

 

Councillor Shiner challenged the Speaker's ruling.  The Speaker was upheld by a vote of 21-18:

 

          YES Ainslie
          YES Bussin [Chair]
          YES Carroll
          YES Cho
          YES Davis
          YES De Baeremaeker
          YES Di Giorgio
          YES Filion
          YES Fletcher
          YES Grimes
          YES Hall
          YES Heaps
          YES Kelly
          YES Lindsay Luby
          YES McConnell
          YES Moscoe
          YES Pantalone
          YES Perks
          YES Rae
          YES Saundercook
          YES Vaughan
          NO Ashton
          NO Del Grande
          NO Feldman
          NO Ford
          NO Holyday
          NO Jenkins
          NO Lee
          NO Milczyn
          NO Minnan-Wong
          NO Moeser
          NO Nunziata
          NO Ootes
          NO Palacio
          NO Parker
          NO Shiner
          NO Stintz
          NO Thompson
          NO Walker