General Member's Meeting Highlights Monday March 18, 2024

Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual meeting.

Toronto Centre Councillor Chris Moise confirmed that three projects selected as part of 2023 Participatory Budgeting would be presented at City Council on March 20th for approval.  The projects are the curbside bump outs on St. Joseph Street at Bay Street and Yonge Street scheduled for installation Summer 2024 and two murals on St. Luke Lane that will be complete by September 2024.  The motion for up to 10 new tree planters on St. Nicholas Street at a cost of $10k each will be deferred to the April 17th to 19th City Council meeting.  Timeline and details will be posted on www.torontocentreprojects.ca.  The adjacent Norman Jewison Park and George Hislop Park will be closed during construction from March to August 2024.  The TPA lot at 13 Isabella will not be converted to parkland, but the TPA lot at 15 Wellesley Street East will become a new park.  Laneway lighting improvements requested for St. Vincent Lane, St. Luke Lane, Cottage Lane, Bistro Lane, Inkerman Street and Phipps Street will be investigated with Toronto Hydro.  It costs about $15k for each freestanding light pole and $20k to $30k for a new light pole.  Section 37 development funds working with private property owners.  There will be two Community Environment Days: Allan Gardens on Saturday May 18th from 10 am to 2 pm with free loose compost; Regent Park on Saturday July 13th from 10 a to 2 pm with free bagged compost.  Councillor Moise encouraged residents to complete the survey by March 25th for the renaming of the Green Loop.  The names under consideration are Clock Tower Trail, Clock Tower Green Loop, Historic Yonge Green Loop and Historic Yonge Parks Trail. Request for traffic control box artwork of $1,600 each (half going to the artist) has to be submitted as proposals on Toronto Centre Projects.  Section 37 development funds negotiated by Kyle Rae in 2003 and 2004 for almost $550k will be used to improve Yonge Dundas Square and renaming costs for Sankofa Square.  In response to a complaint about noise at Yonge and Dundas, Councillor Moise confirmed that new signage banning amplified noise was installed in the area and MLS bylaw enforcement was monitoring noise levels.  Construction for the first phase of YongeTOMorrow should start next year, and is complicated by the Metrolinx construction at Yonge and Queen.  Design and planning for the second phase is scheduled in two to three years.

Al R. reported that he had installed some plastic signs discouraging dogs from using the community gardens as a toilet, but metal signs seem to be more durable and visible.  Residents were encouraged to look out for suitable signs in local stores.

Christine D. introduced the Membership Guide which details responsibilities for building representatives.  All are encouraged to participate regularly in meetings and share information with fellow residents and their building board directors.  The opportunity to volunteer to help out on projects or committees, or serve on the BCCA board was emphasized.

The history of the Great White Oak Bench was given by Katherine H.  The location is close to where the original tree was, near the walkway to Victoria College.  The Parks Department installed a concrete pad base in February.  Installation will happen later this Spring.  We will look into a plaque or QR code to document the history of the tree and the community's efforts to reclaim parts of the tree for a bench.

Cathy C. summarized the February 7th CPLC meeting.  A member of the Sidewalk Safety Committee sent an email expressing concerns about bicycles riding on sidewalks to Mayor Chow, as well as Councillors Saxe and Moise.  There was a break and entry at Five Condos involving theft.  Local stores Rabba and Shoppers Drug Mart requested periodic police patrols in the Phipps Street and St. Nicholas Street area.
 
There will be a hearing on April 3rd related to the proposed development at 646 to 664 Yonge Street and 2 to 4 Irwin Avenue.  The Official Plan and Zoning Amendment will be presented, as well as Rental Replacement matters.
The plaque for 'Primrose' the donkey sculpture in Clover Hill Park is still in the procurement process by Toronto Parks.

The Federation of South Toronto Residents' Associations (FoSTRA) holds monthly meetings where issues of interest are discussed.  Regent Park operates a successful Social Development Plan that builds community.  Most residents' association were in favour of keeping Billy Bishop Airport on the islands rather than converting to parkland. The province overruled an Ontario Energy Board decision to have developers pay the cost of new connections, instead the charges will be allocated to all gas customers as outlined in Bill 165.  FoSTRA is in need of a webmaster if anyone is interested.  The frequency of MPAC property tax assessments are being reviewed, as are individual classifications such as Toronto Island homes that are on land leased from the City.

On February 22nd, Cathy C. attending a meeting regarding the city's approach to responding to encampments.  Third Party Public visited encampments and interviewed encampment residents, city staff and Toronto Police Services.  The main concerns were safety, waste management and loss of the use of green spaces.  Encampment residents have no other housing options and feel a sense of community in the tenter's group.  Solutions include swift response time for investigations and providing housing options.  A new City policy will be released in mid-March.

Michael noted that Canada Post is responsible for mailbox maintenance and issues can be reported through 311, who will connect complaints with Canada Post.

Al R. introduced the Neighbourhood Streets Plan introduced last year by City Councillors to encourage a holistic neighbourhood safety approach.  Any interested individuals can attend a session on March 20th and submit desired projects by June 30th. 

The Sidewalk Safety Committee noted that Sergeant Gall has been replaced by Office Kelly Munroe.  A meeting will likely be convened to review neighbourhood concerns.

Al R. talked about microgrants available for programming in City parks.  He also suggested that someone may want to organize a 1 to 1 1/2 hour neighbourhood tour for Jane's Walk on May 3rd to 5th.

Upcoming events and seminars were reviewed.  The next meeting will be held virtually on Monday May 27th at 7 pm.