City Council — June 2016

Toronto City Council meets today! You can watch live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqdsu59Wr6w

But right now Council is doing boring stuff, so ignore the feed for a bit and read @neville_park's preview. http://torontoist.com/2016/06/city-council-preview-june-2016/

Don't really understand the purpose of this. No one rejects that city should continue to seek program efficiencies. http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/06/citys-finances-arent-black-and-white-tory

What people are saying is that those efficiencies, even in most absurd best case scenario, can't and won't solve systemic budget issues.

And ALSO: if you keep increasing property tax revenue at rate lower than inflation, any efficiencies you find will do nothing long-term.

Love this letter from @RiverdaleClean supporting bike lanes. "I know I will see an increase in sales revenue."

My crystal ball suggests this chart will be a major focus of today's council debate on the city's fiscal direction.

(I'd be surprised if we don't get a motion for a report on how council can get more oversight on agency budgets.)

Coun. Holyday cites removing parking spaces on Bloor street (for bike lane pilot) as recent decision that negatively affected city budget.

Math: city council's last and final resort. https://x.com/DavidNickle/status/740204196193042432

For the record, Toronto has property tax increase cancellation/deferral programs for low-income seniors.

(I've often wondered what the impact would be if these programs were extended to all low-income people.)

City Manager Peter Wallace on asset sales: "It would not be my advice that we sell the furniture to heat the house."

I am real mad about the Scarborough subway too but I am not sure this is helpful. https://x.com/jeffreybgray/status/740219256772677636

Tried to start my day by getting into an extended "Who's on first?" routine with a Toronto city councillor. Failed.

Tweeting councillor motions as they're introduced! This is great. https://x.com/TorontoCouncil/status/740249952580833280

This budget debate has veered toward corporate buzzwords. We'll solve this problem with INNOVATION, apparently.

Like most people, the thing I like best about Coun. Norm Kelly is his longstanding support for a municipal sales tax.

Toronto needs to start acting like a MATURE level of government, but also other levels of government are JERKS and this is ALL THEIR FAULT.

Tory's up now to speak on the city's long-term fiscal direction. Stream is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqdsu59Wr6w

Tory says again that he doesn't accept that there are no more efficiencies to be found at city hall. This straw man is thoroughly shamed.

Matlow's motion to refer the report on revenue tools back for further consideration fails 8-35.

Motion by Coun. Wong-Tam removing sale of Toronto Hydro from further consideration FAILS 19-24.

(Given that result, it sure doesn't look like council will vote to sell Toronto Hydro this term.)

Wong-Tam motion taking sale of Toronto Parking Authority off the table fails on a tie, 21-21.

Motion by Coun. Campbell to report on things that might be contracted out PASSES 28-15.

Motion by Coun. Carroll to create a blue ribbon panel to talk city finances fails 20-23. Maybe try green ribbon?

Fiscal plan report as amended passes 40-3. Back later this year for REVENUE TOOLS DEBATE II: THE RECKONING.

Big news from that jumble is the Toronto Hydro vote. With 19 likely votes already against it, Tory wouldn't be smart to pursue a sell-off.

Vote on adding Mammoliti's gun amnesty item to the council agenda is 22-18. Needed 2/3 to pass. Goes to Exec.

Council votes 33-6 to proceed with landlord licensing process.

Was kind of hoping late night council would debate the ten-year bike plan. They might have accidentally banned cars.