TORONTO – There are a number of high-profile and controversial topics on the agenda at this week’s Toronto city council meeting. Below is a list of some of the items.
FOOD TRUCKS:
Bylaws currently restrict food trucks from being within 50 metres of any of the city’s restaurants — and they’re only permitted to set up for three hours at a time.
Mayor John Tory is promising reforms to the current food truck system, to make it easier for businesses to cut through the city’s regulatory red tape.
TTC COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS:
The Toronto Transit Commission board is under fire for selecting four men and no women for its citizen appointment positions.
Mayor John Tory raised concerns about the selection process and had asked the board to come back with a revised list that “meet both diversity and gender representation.”
The four people chosen were Rick Byers, Alan Heisey, Ron Lalonde and Kevin Marshman.
TAXI REFORMS:
Council last year introduced a streamlined licensing process for Toronto’s taxis and made it a one tier-system for owner-operated cabs.
However, opponents and standard plate owners, those who buy the license and effectively rent the cabs they drive, want the decision reversed.
After much lobbying, the city’s licensing committee is bringing back the debate to council which Mayor Tory said he will not support.
Meanwhile, a report in the Toronto Star says Uber Canada is willing to be licensed as a taxi company.
The ride-sharing app will make a formal application for a brokerage licence on Tuesday only for its taxi operations.
The city sought a court injunction last year to stop Uber from operating in Toronto citing numerous bylaw infractions as well as safety concerns.
NEW CITY MANAGER:
Council will appoint a new city manager to replace outgoing Joe Pennachetti.
Mayor Tory has reportedly asked former Queen’s Park cabinet secretary Peter Wallace to fill that role.
RACCOON-PROOF GREEN BINS:
New and improved green bins are up for approval. Last month, the new raccoon-proof bins were introduced to fend off those pesky critters.
The new bins have a capacity of approximately 100 litres, feature a rodent-resistant locking lid and larger wheels for better mobility.
A 10-year contract for the new bins would cost roughly $31 million and distribution could begin by late 2015 or early 2016.
SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY EXTENSION:
More money is needed to build the Scarborough subway extension and city staff is recommending an increase in development charges.
The proposed by-law amendment would increase the 2013 calculated residential and non-residential development charge rates by 10 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.
The additional charges is expected to bring in $20 to $25-million annually.
You can view the full council agenda here.
Follow a liveblog at city council from Urban Issues reporter Mark McAllister below:
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