Toronto City Council meets today! Here’s @neville_park’s appropriately-angry preview: https://nevillepark.ca/2018/01/31/the-cheat-sheet-january-february-2018-city-council-extra-special-low-effort-edition/
With the meeting scheduled to continue through Friday, start workshopping your Groundhog Day/City Council jokes now.
In debate about the shelter crisis, Councillor Gord Perks’ motion requesting a report on making rooming houses a permitted use city-wide FAILS 14-26.
Coun. Stephen Holyday wants staff to continue studying a pedestrian walkway as the link between the Queens Quay LRT and Union Station. He says he recently walked the distance and didn’t find it far.
Coun. Holyday’s motion to keep a pedestrian walkway on the table as an option for the link between the Queens Quay LRT and Union Station FAILS 18-18. Loses on a tie.
Holyday motion to also consider impacts to motor vehicle travel time when planning the Waterfront transit right-of-way PASSES 21-15.
And the Waterfront transit plan as amended carries 35-2. A Ford and a Holyday against. Same as it ever was.
Thus concludes the “Waterfront Transit Reset”, the result of which was basically the same plan that was in place almost a decade ago. Great use of time.
Coun. Mike Layton wants you to be able to drink some beer during the Winter Olympic hockey finals.
Friendly amendments for @m_layton based on feedback: people also want to drink beers during curling and the luge.
Good news, everyone: you can drink during Olympic curling. https://x.com/m_layton/status/958852084924903424
Coun. Michelle Holland’s motion that the city support gender parity on the corporate boards of companies who do business with the city CARRIES 30-6.
Coun. John Campbell’s motion to increase the proposed Toronto hotel tax to 6% (from 4%) FAILS 5-33.
Council adopts a 4% accommodation tax, applicable to both hotels and short-term rentals (Airbnb). Vote was 36-2. Tax kicks in April 1.
Council finishes its business for tonight. Back again tomorrow. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And then again on February 2. And th