Toronto Council meets today! Virtually! Mayor John Tory has designated the ActiveTO bike plan as his first key matter, so it should be up for debate first, followed by the Housing Now item. Meeting will stream live here at 9:30 a.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddn46q6hfc
In contrast to Bloor-Yorkville BIA and Greektown BIA, the Danforth Mosaic BIA (@TheDannyBIA) has written in support of the bike plan. “Making it easy for people to get to businesses by bike will be a key component of our economic recovery” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102884.pdf (PDF)
Also in support: the Bloor Annex BIA. “Given our recent experience with bike lanes we hope you will consider our opinion that cycling has brought a net economic benefit and green future to our main street.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102876.pdf (PDF)
Sinai Health President & CEO Gary Newton has also written in support of the bike plan, which calls for lanes through Hospital Row on University Ave. He notes in 2017 Sinai surveyed their employees and found 63% (!!) said they cycle to work. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102809.pdf (PDF)
The Broadview Danforth BIA isn’t enthusiastic, on the other hand. They’re disappointed the bike plan was announced “without first consulting the BIAs being impacted.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102808.pdf (PDF)
“Vehemently opposed” to the Danforth installation: the Playter Area Residents’ Association, or PARA, who are worried about traffic impacts and losing parking spaces. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102780.pdf (PDF)
Notables offering letters of support: @CycleToronto, Bloor East Neighbourhood Association, @32Spokes, @CorktownTO, @baycloverhill, @the_workaround, Morning Parade Coffee Bar, @DECAdiaries, @ClimateFast, UofT student union & 1,169+ names on a form letter.
Council begins! It’s Mayor John Tory’s birthday, the speaker notes. He gets no cake, but he does to spend the entire day at this virtual meeting, which is almost as good.
Nunziata announces changes to the voting process! Hooray! Votes will be by a show of hands, unless someone requests a recorded vote, in which cases names will be read alphabetically and each councillor will state their vote.
Other observations: Paul Ainslie appears to be outside. Denzil Minnan-Wong seems to be letting us see his actual office background, instead of a virtual thing. There is now a speaker timer box, with the name “Timer Timer.”
Another Danforth business has written in support of Danforth bike lanes: @HollandaiseTO. “If there was more safe space to walk or bike, I do believe businesses like us will see an increase in walk in pick up orders.” https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102889.pdf (PDF)
Preliminaries out of the way, Council is on the ActiveTO cycling network plan. You can watch live with 405 others right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddn46q6hfc
Councillor Josh Matlow moves for a study on extending the University Avenue bike lane under the ActiveTO plan north, all the way to Eglinton Avenue.
Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to cancel the entire ActiveTO bike plan and instead allow free parking on Bloor and Danforth, with some expanded patio space.
“No matter what you say about the math and the numbers, there are going to be A LOT more drivers that are going to suffer enormously because of this, as opposed to any uptick in cycling,” argues Councillor Holyday.
Fletcher asks Holyday if he’s aware that the city isn’t really enforcing paid parking right now anyway. Holyday says declaring free parking would be “symbolism” that would encourage people to go to restaurants and businesses.
A series of subtle clues lead me to conclude that Councillor Brad Bradford enjoys cycling.
Councillor Mike Colle moves for a report on making free bikes available to people in low-income neighbourhoods, with a private sector partner picking up the cost.
Yeah, this feels like the easiest way to do it. Accelerate Bike Share station expansion, offer discounted/free memberships. (And extend the trip time from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.) https://x.com/benwedge/status/1266033878885597186
Councillor Paula Fletcher moves a bunch of motions. Wants the Danforth project to include patios/seating areas, space for loading zones, Green P parking and bike parking, etc.
Fletcher also moves to extend the area of the ActiveTO weekend road closure on Lake Shore East, so it goes from Coxwell to Leslie.
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie moves to request prov and fed funding for the Ravine Strategy and Meadoway project and speed up trail construction, recognizing that ravines and trails are important part of the active transportation network.
Councillor John Filion moves to have staff explore ways to make use of the curb lane on Yonge Street between Sheppard and Finch to create space for pedestrians and support local biz.
Yonge between Sheppard and Finch was part of the Transform Yonge plan, which would have added space for pedestrians and cyclists. Mayor John Tory opposed it back in 2018 and Council sent it back for more study. Filion says new TransformYonge report will come in the fall.
As is customary for these kinds of debates, Councillor Jim Karygiannis moves for a report on a bike registration system.
The City of Toronto maintains a webpage explaining why bike licensing and registration is a bad idea. https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/cycling-and-the-law/bicycle-licencing/
As some councillors struggle with virtual meeting procedure, Councillor Joe Cressy gives us a pretty epic facepalm.
Pasternak calls out Cressy’s facepalming. (“You have a headache there, Joe?”) Mayor John Tory finds this VERY funny. Virtual Council!
Council’s on break for lunch until 1:30. When we come back, we’ll hear from councillors Bailao, Ford and Perruzza. Get hyped.
Council is back! Join 307 very cool people and watch the afternoon stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddn46q6hfc
Pefko Management writes long letter opposing Danforth bike lanes. “Council appears to be favouring the strong bike lobby at the expense of the property owners – who are the ones paying the property taxes to fund the City.” (Cyclists pay property taxes.) https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-102800.pdf
This is the most unhinged anti-bike letter I’ve seen in a while. They employ ALL CAPS.
Councillor Michael Ford gives a thoughtful speech explaining his cautious support for the ActiveTO bike plan. He says he’ll be paying close attention to future reports on usage, etc.
Nunziata says Councillor Anthony Perruzza has used all of his speaking time. Perruzza says he’s been timing himself using his “new swanky iPhone iWatch” to time his speech, and still has time left. Nunziata disagrees, and we move on.
Councillor Cynthia Lai moves a request for Transportation Services to roll out a multilingual education campaign re: road safety.
Mayor John Tory is our final speaker on the bike item. He makes the pitch for these bike lanes as an alternative to transit during physically-distanced times. Says these bike lanes cost just $6 million, compared to the $290 million City will spend this year on road maintenance.
Holyday’s motion to cancel the ActiveTO bike plan and instead offer free parking FAILS 2-23. Holyday and Minnan-Wong in favour, everyone else opposed.
Fletcher’s motion to look at bigger patios, loading zones, Green P parking, bike parking, pedestrian safety in Danforth bike plan CARRIES 25-0.
Remainder of Fletcher’s motions, including requesting report on further bike lane expansion on Dundas East, carry 24-1. Holyday represents the opposition.
Matlow’s motion for a study on extending the University Avenue bike lane to Eglinton Avenue CARRIES 22-3. Ford, Holyday, Minnan-Wong are your opposition for this one.
Colle’s motion for a report on giving bikes to low-income residents, provided the City can find a private sector partner to shoulder the cost, CARRIES 24-1. Holyday opposed.
Fletcher motion to extend the ActiveTO weekend closure on Lake Shore East so it goes from Coxwell to Leslie CARRIES 23-2. Ford and Holyday against.
Councillor Karygiannis leaves his microphone on while making a phone call. More facepalms result.
McKelvie’s motion to request funding to accelerate trail construction for active transportation CARRIES 25-0.
Filion’s motion to look at ways to use the curb lane on Yonge between Sheppard & Finch to support pedestrians and small biz CARRIES 21-4 . Ford, Grimes, Holyday, Pasternak opposed.
Karygiannis’ motion for a report on a bike registration program FAILS 3-22. Ford, Holyday, Karygiannis in favour.
Councillor Lai’s motion for multilingual road safety campaign carries by show-of-hands.
And the ActiveTO bike plan as amended is ADOPTED 23-2. Holyday and Minnan-Wong opposed. Cycle Toronto says this is the largest roll-out of new cycling infrastructure in Toronto ever, and it’s now approved.
Councillor Karygiannis was caught on microphone taking ANOTHER phone call during the final bike plan vote. Councillor Joe Cressy’s reaction was pretty great. https://x.com/Kalvapalle/status/1266076564929773568
Up now: Phase two of the Housing Now strategy that uses public land to develop affordable rental housing. They’re debating these six sites. (via @HousingNowTO)
Tory calls on the feds and the province to put up some of the land they own for development as Housing Now sites. He says he knows the feds have done an inventory of their Toronto land-holdings, but have yet to contribute any land for the affordable housing program.
Councillor Brad Bradford moves to ensure the development of the Housing Now site on Danforth Ave maintains the existing plan to also include a new police division HQ, expansion of the Danforth library branch, adaptive reuse of TTC barns, etc.
Councillor Stephen Holyday wonders if it’s appropriate to be spending money on this affordable housing plan at a time when the city is facing high pandemic cost pressures. He says these sites could be sold for market housing, and the funds used to help balance the books.
Councillor Mike Layton moves to have staff explore opportunities to increase the percentage of affordable housing on these sites to 50%.
Mayor John Tory’s mic is briefly unmuted, and he’s overheard saying “SIU.”
Councillor Mike Layton has a second motion to consider Indigenous housing projects as part of Housing Now.
Bradford’s motion to make sure the Housing Now site on Danforth incorporates the other elements of the site plan carries via show of hands.
Layton’s motion to look at increasing the percentage of affordable housing on these sites to 50% CARRIES 22-2. Holyday, Minnan-Wong opposed.
Layton’s second motion to look at Indigenous housing projects as part of Housing Now carries on a show of hands.
Councillor Michael Thompson wants to vote against the inclusion of 158 Borough Drive in this phase of the Housing Now plan. Vote result on the item as it pertains to just that site is 23-2 with Thompson & Holyday opposed.
During that vote, Councillor Anthony Perruzza popped in suddenly and asked what Council was voting on. That prompted a facepalm.
Remainder of the Housing Now Phase 2 item CARRIES 24-1, with Holyday opposed. So that’s six sites approved, expected to bring between 530 and 620 affordable rental units, though some will be fighting for more units.
3 items left on the Council agenda. They’ll be dealing with a pair of items about the CIty’s COVID-19 response and recovery plan now.
Councillor Lai asks Dr. de Villa about the incorrect map data that was briefly posted last night before being corrected. de Villa says the glitch had something to do with processing postal codes — some were entered with spaces, and some weren’t. It’s always the little things.
Councillor Layton asks City Manager Chris Murray how much the federal government has given the TTC so far to offset COVID losses. Answer: zero dollars and zero cents.
Mayor John Tory moves to ask the Clerk to prepare for the next Council meeting to be held in-person, subject to public health conditions. A lot of councillors eager to ditch this virtual format.
The next scheduled Council meeting would be June 29.
Councillor Stephen Holyday wants 311 to figure out how to capture enforcement requests for things where enforcement has been suspended during the pandemic.
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie has a long motion about long-term care homes, including a request that the province conduct a full public inquiry re: the failures during the pandemic.
Both Minnan-Wong and Holyday have suggested the City should be looking to cut services now to save money and deal with the fiscal hit caused by the pandemic.
Councillor Michael Thompson has a motion calling for a report on making masks mandatory in certain businesses and public gathering places.
Councillor Shelley Carroll moves to ask the City Manager to consider prioritizing coming reports about youth services and community safety. Also: expediting the evaluation of the backyard chicken pilot.
Councillor Gord Perks has a long motion about COVID-19 recovery: looking at revenue tools, a process for consulting with diverse voices on economic recovery plan, including climate change mitigation in any stimulus plan, and adopting recs from Aboriginal Affairs Committee.
Councillor James Pasternak’s turn. Motion to keep food bank operating in North York community centres, plus request for a plan for bringing councillors & staff back to City Hall.
The motion parade continues! Here’s Councillor Mike Colle wants a report on a plan to protect us from a second wave of COVID-19.
Colle also wants Council to request the province “put a pause” on new pot shop licenses, because of the pandemic.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza moves to establish a process for consultation with marginalized people about COVID-19.
Councillor Jim Karygiannis should be the last motion on this item! He wants the provincial and federal governments to give Toronto enough funds so that Toronto doesn’t need to raise property taxes beyond the rate of inflation next year. Uh oh. He said the quiet part loud.
Voting time: a time to vote. So many motions. McKelvie’s motion on long-term care homes, including a request that province launch inquiry into pandemic failures, CARRIES 24-0.
Perruzza’s motion re: diverse consultation on pandemic challenges carries via the showing of hands.
The showing of hands also CARRIES Tory’s motion re: preparing to hold the next Council meeting in person.
The hands approve Holyday’s motion re: capturing 311 service requests.
Minnan-Wong’s motion for a report on Pearson’s screening practices also carries via people raising their hands.
Thompson’s motion calling for a report on making masks mandatory when accessing certain businesses and gathering spaces CARRIES 25-0.
Councillor Carroll’s motion calling for expediting reports on youth services, community safety and backyard chickens carries via hand showing.
Perks’ motion that emergency funding negotiations with prov/feds look at revenue tools, etc CARRIES 23-2. Holyday & Minnan-Wong opposed.
Perks’ motion that stimulus funding for Toronto be guided by climate change mitigation CARRIES 23-2. Ford & Minnan-Wong opposed. Someone’s dog barked in the middle of this vote.
Rest of Perks’ motion carries via hand showing.
Pasternak’s motion re: food banks and plans for bringing staff back to City Hall CARRIES via show of hands. Colle’s motions re: asking the province to stop issuing pot shop licenses during the pandemic and coming up with a plan for potential second wave also carry via hands.
Karygiannis’ motion re: asking the prov/feds for enough money to keep property tax increases next year at rate of inflation FAILS 7-18. In favour: Ford, Holyday, Karygiannis, Lai, Minnan-Wong, Nunziata, Pasternak. All others opposed.
Tory was overheard on mic saying, I believe, “this is going down like a hard arse” during the middle of that vote.
Last item is about giving live music venues a property tax break by classifying them as creative co-location facilities. Should be pretty quick.
Maybe not! Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to NOT give property tax breaks to live music venues, and instead request a report on a grant program.
Holyday has a second motion in the event his first motion fails, requesting a report on all the locations that end up benefitting from this tax break for music venues.
It should be noted that staff think only about 60 venues would qualify for this tax break — it’s limited to small venues with capacity less than 1,500. Giving them a 50% commercial property tax break is expected to cost City Hall $1.06 million in 2020.
Holyday’s motion to not give tax breaks to live music venues but instead request a report on a grant program FAILS 2-23. Holyday, Ford only ones in favour.
Holyday’s second motion asking for reports on who gets the music venue tax break carries on a show of hands. Property tax break for music venues adopted by Council. Music to some ears, I am sure.
And that’s the end of Council’s second-ever virtual meeting. And maybe the last one! Nunziata seems pretty confident they’ll be back at City Hall for the meeting at the end of June.
Thanks to everyone who signed up for a @CityHallWatcher subscription during today’s coverage! It’s a very good way to show your support for this kind of thread. If you want a subscription, it’s just five bucks a month. https://graphicmatt.substack.com
