City Council — December 2014

Fixed link! New Metrolinx presentation compares SmartTrack to Regional Express Rail plans. http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20141211/20141211_BoardMtg_RER_Update_EN.pdf (PDF)

Here's their "SmartTrack in Context" map. New track on Eglinton West still confuses me. http://t.co/wrGyM8dIsY

De Baeremaeker asks staff how many stops SmartTrack would have for Scarborough, then asks how many stops the DRL would have in Scarborough.

How to evaluate a transit plan: does it have stops in Scarborough? If yes, build it. If no, cancel it and build something in Scarborough.

Now Councillor Karygiannis is up to ask if the SmartTrack study will also look at other projects like the Sheppard Subway.

Karygiannis says Scarborough residents feel like "second-class citizens" because the Sheppard Subway hasn't been extended.

Now Mammoliti is asking staff questions about the Finch LRT. The speaker should shut this down.

Councillor Lee recounts details from his two-hour drive to work this morning, says this is why we need projects like SmartTrack.

"With subways come transfer payments!" says Mammoliti. Uh, transfer payments?

"Why shouldn't Jane & Finch have a subway like the downtown part of the city?" asks Mammoliti. This is the song that doesn't end.

Now Karygiannis wants to move a motion to study a Sheppard subway extension. Nunziata says that's likely out-of-order.

Matt Elliott rises to move a motion requesting a report studying the potential for a subway linking his house with the LCBO on Front Street.

Karygiannis says he personally supports the LRT but says 95% of his constituents want a Sheppard subway extension, so he's got to listen.

De Baeremaeker says the flaw with the DRL is that it didn't do anything for Scarborough residents.

Councillor Pasternak rises to speak on SmartTrack. I predict he'll bring up his "North York Relief Line" idea.

Tory's motion to have four deputy mayors -- three mostly ceremonial -- passes 37-1. Ford was against it.

I think council has a new bell that rings during votes. It's much more annoying than the previous bell.

And we're back to the SmartTrack debate at Toronto Council. Cho asks Wong-Tam to explain what a gender equity lens means.

Councillor Ford, without irony, says the election wasn't about just one issue. He says on transit he saw "a divided crowd."

Ford says the election was not a referendum on transit. Then he says the choice today is streetcars or subways.

Now Ford is saying SmartTrack means that Sheppard, Finch and Eglinton West will be dug up for these "fancy streetcars."

It seems plausible that Ford does not know what SmartTrack is.

SmartTrack is just fancy streetcars. Streetcars are just fancy buses. Buses are just fancy wagons. Wagons are just fancy rocks.

Councillor Perruzza stands up. "I don't know what SmartTrack is," he says. "And I'm not at all embarrassed to say that!"

Council now officially into call-the-question territory.

"Is it SMART?" asks Perruzza about SmartTrack. "HISTORY will determine whether it's SMART... or dumb."

Tory now points out Ford tried to cancel Transit City on day one. Tory says he's taking a more responsible approach with his transit plan.

Tory gave a speech, which means councillors are entitled to ask him questions. Perruzza goes first. Where does SmartTrack come from, he asks

Councillor Campbell (yes, there's a Councillor Campbell) now asks Tory if any part of SmartTrack could be underground.

Wong-Tam motion to apply gender equity lens to SmartTrack study PASSES 41-2. http://t.co/cQEJElwTKf

First three recommendations for the SmartTrack study pass 42-1. Only Ford opposes.

Same result for the 4th recommendation. First step toward SmartTrack is approved by council 42-1, with only ex-mayor Ford in opposition.

Variations I saw or heard today: SmartTrack, Smart Track, the SmartTrack, SmartTracks.

Councillor Shiner, who sometimes surprises, says city surpluses should go toward expanding subsidized childcare and building transit.

(Shiner also advances the way-too-simplistic idea that the city should simply build 1 km of subway per year. Pet peeve of mine.)

Councillor Davis has a great point. Yes, city stopped relying on surpluses for operating, but now relies on surpluses for the capital budget

Now that they're free from having to do Ford-mandated recorded votes, council is flying through what's left of the agenda.

Council now debating Mammoliti's legal costs. Fun fact: Mammoliti moved an amendment on this very policy in 2007. http://t.co/Ha05gI0El0

(Part A passed 20-10, Part B failed 14-17, Part C was referred to Integrity Commissioner 24-7.)

Minnan-Wong motion to pay $5,168.75 toward Mammoliti's legal costs -- and no more -- passes 32-6. http://t.co/3DecaOm1jB

Newbie Coun. Campbell gets up, points out council has debated foregone conclusions all day, notes the item before them is for just $11K.

Shiner just raised objection to a proposed development at Yonge & Eglinton. 560 units, 306 parking spots. Not enough parking, he says.

Pretty snazzy graphic for the Closed Session notice. Gothic vibe. Anyway, that'll be the end of this council meeting. http://t.co/OtY5MfPnbz