Report

The Capital Budget component of the $11.5
Billion total budget is $2.5 Billion – an
amount that has increased by 157% since
2003 when it was just $965 million. While it
is essential that the City invest in its future,
it seems to me that transit is receiving a
disproportionate share to the detriment
of areas such as capital maintenance (i.e.
heritage structures; road reconstruction),
community centres, ice rinks, homes for
the aged, social housing, parks and forestry
services. The TTC received at least half of the
total Capital Budget in 2007, 2008, 2009
and 2010.
This year, the City decided to sell off
the last $600 million of the Toronto Hydro
bond that paid us $60 million in interest per
year. This was a short sighted decision that
I opposed. I also opposed the City taking
on even more debt; we have committed
Montclair Parkette (Northeast corner of
Montclair Avenue and Spadina Road)
Over the past 2 years, my Executive Assistant, Chris Sellors, has been
working with the Forest Hill Business Improvement Area (BIA) and
City staff to renew this well used parkette. The public consultation
meeting held October 6 th was well attended and everyone voiced
their strong support for the project while giving suggestions on how
to make it even better. The parkette will keep its trees and new
“graffiti-proof” benches and tables, and sitting areas will be made
along a wider pathway through the park; low-level accent lighting will
be solar powered by panels on the site; and a new “Forest Hill Village”
sign will adorn the corner. Construction will start in spring of 2010.
B U D G E T
CITY BUDGET: PILE ON THE DEBT
future City Councils to additional interest ••
Whether Departments have reduced their
payments of $1.6 Billion, by now amortizing budgets by the requested 5%; (the Police
our debt over 30 years instead of 10 years. Budget is proposed to rise by 6%)
Today, the City owes almost $4 Billion and ••
Whether user fees increase and whether
cannot borrow more.
new user fees are implemented;
••
Whether sufficient funding is targeted
The proposed City Budget toward Forestry to better maintain our trees;
for 2010 totals
••
Whether Licensing & Standards receives
approximately $11.5 Billion funding to conduct more property
inspections;
••
Whether Transportation Services is
adequately funded to better deal with the
snow or adequately enforce the Anti-
Idling Bylaw (we have no staff devoted to
enforcing the Anti-Idling Bylaw)
The Operating Budget component
of the overall budget for 2010 totals $9
Billion. That proposed Operating Budget will
be presented to the public by the Mayor
and Budget Chief on February 16th. One
of the largest single costs in the Operating
Budget is the City’s debt servicing payment
which is expected to be approximately $500
million. On your behalf, I will be focused on
a number of important questions:
G r e e N S P a c e S
••
Whether we can fix the inherent conflict
in the funding of the Community Planning
Division since it is funded entirely by fees
collected from development applications
and permits.
LOCAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS
The more development we get, the more quality open spaces we will need.
NEW: Dunfield Parkette (Northeast corner of
Soudan Avenue and Dunfield Avenue)
This 10,000 sq.ft. parkette will be a welcome addition to South
Eglinton, which is park-deficient. The City was given the new land
as part of the development approval of the new seniors residence on
Dunfield Ave. City staff generated concepts that residents chose from
at the public consultation meeting I held on February 8. Currently,
the concept includes an accessible playground structure for children
2-6 years old; benches and sitting areas; a new retaining wall feature;
security lighting; and a water fountain. The existing trees will be kept
and more will be added. Since this is a new green space, we will be
holding a public contest for its naming at a later date.
P a r k i N G F O R L O c a l S H O P S
Added Parking for Mt. Pleasant and
Bayview Avenue
October 2009 – Official Opening of the new underground public
parking lot on Mt. Pleasant Rd. at Manor Rd. E. Since 2003, we have
worked with the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) to add well over 100
parking spaces to Mt. Pleasant Road and Bayview Avenue to sustain
the business community and keep the customer parking off our
neighbourhood streets as much as possible.
(L-R: Mrs. Yolanda Abbey, Brian Abbey (Pres. of South Eglinton Residents’
Association), Chris Sellors, Michael Walker, Lorne Persiko (TPA), Ron Y. Tsin
(Chair of TPA), Sheldon Rosen, Corey Lawrence (of the newly formed Mt.
Pleasant Business Association (BIA)).
MICHAEL WALKER REPORT www.MichaelWalker.ca FEBRUARY 2010 – PAGE 4