May General Members' Meeting Highlights

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our virtual General Members' Meeting on Monday May 17th.

There was an informative presentation by Scott Mckean, Associate Director, Violence Prevention and SafeTO.  SafeTO is a ten year plan with the intent is to focus on well being, as crime is an inequity.  There are in the first phase of implementation.  The Toronto Community Crisis Service is free, confidential, in-person mental health support for people at least 16 years old by mobile crisis teams.  This program diverts calls from Toronto Police Services and is available in Bay Cloverhill on a 24/7 basis.  It will be expanded citywide by the end of the year.  Preventative community work is provided through the Community Crisis Response Program.  FOCUS Toronto works with multiple service providers for escalated and complicated situations and connects locally with the Downtown East Focus Table.  They also work with local Business Improvement Areas with the SafeTObia progam.  The SafeTO Collaborative Analytics and Learning Environment uses data/analytics in an accountable manner to build evidence to innovate services.  In the event of a mental health crisis, residents are encouraged to call 211 for access to city services, 311 for general information and to request the assistance of Streets to Homes and 911 for urgent situations like trespassing.

The signage that was used to discourage dog urine and excrement in the community gardens was not found to be effective and more permanent signage is being sourced.

The dedicated volunteers who participated in the Mayor's Clean Up Day on Saturday April 20th were acknowledged.  About 30 participants enjoyed the 3 hour 'Clock Tower Trail in Downtown Toronto' tour of the pedestrian walking route as part of Jane's Walk on Sunday May 5th.  The 'Clock Tower Trail' name is the former 'Green Loop' that goes through the Bay Cloverhill, Church Wellesley and McGill Granby neighbourhoods, as selected by individuals who voted in the City of Toronto's survey.  It is still in the planning stages, and work on signage and wayfinding is underway.  The Great White Oak bench was installed in Queen's Park on May 1st.  Toronto Star is writing an article about it, and a plaque and/or official opening ceremony is planned.

Two new traffic lights will be installed as part of Toronto Centre Projects Traffic Review 2023 at Breadalbane/Maitland and Yonge, and Grenville/Wood and Yonge.  Submissions for Traffic Review 2024 include crosswalks midblock on Wellesley between Yonge and Bay to Dr. Lillian McGregor Park; Yonge from St. Joseph to Dundonald, where the TTC station entrance is; and Yonge between College Park and Aura to Granby.  Residents are encouraged to submit any proposals that would contribute towards Vision Zero goals.

Three projects were chosen in Toronto Centre Projects Participatory Budgeting process for 2023.  Murals will be installed this year on the west facades of two buildings on St. Luke Lane with frontages at 530 Yonge and 556 Yonge.  Tree wells will be expanded and metal planter surrounds installed in front of the cottages on St. Nicholas and the townhouses on St. Nicholas and Irwin next year.  Bumpouts will be installed next year on St. Joseph, perhaps combined with traffic flow changes.  The right turn lane at Dr. Emily Stowe Way and Grenville is being removed as part of road resurfacing that will start this fall.  The improvements include seating, a new Bike Share station and a 3 oak tree bioswale with permeable pavers.

The status of area developments at 1075 Bay Street, 25 St. Mary Street, 646 Yonge Street, 95 St. Joseph Street, 510 Yonge Street, 8 Wellesley Street West and 10 St. Mary Street were reviewed.

Highlights from the April and May meetings of the Federation of South Toronto Residents' Associations, Councillor Dianne Saxe. 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee and Sidewalk Safety Committee were discussed.  The preferred information sign for restaurants including the pictures of a bicycle, escooter and ebike was selected.  The idea of converting St. Joseph Street between Yonge and St. Nicholas from one way to two way to facilitate vehicle traffic from Five Condos was discussed.

Letters of Support/Opinion regarding the funding of renaming Sankofa Square, the City's Micromobility Strategy and Avenue Road Study were presented.

A police complaint was made about the weekly Saturday anti-government protests on Yonge Street, as southbound vehicles were observed driving into northbound lanes to drive around the obstruction caused by the small group of protestors walking on the road.

An animated discussion about excessive barking and dogs using the park that do not meet city requirements ensued. The City advised that all parks have standard operating hours of 5:30 am to 12 midnight.  The Ramsden dog park is open from 7:30 am to 11 pm and it is located in a densely residential neighbourhood similar to Breadalbane dog park.  Councillor Moise's office will coordinate bylaw enforcement including confirming dog licences and will review operating hours with Parks staff.

There is an inventory of existing trees that scored the neighbourhood with tree equity scores from 93 for the Queen's Park with low priority for improvements, south Bay Street corridor score of 82 with moderate priority, and 88 score with moderate priorit for the north Bay Street corridor.  There is also an interactive tool to increase tree coverage for specific areas. More information is available at  www.treeequityscore.org/analyzer/toronto.

Participants were asked if they wanted to participate in a Neighbourhood Streets Plan project to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

We are looking for volunteers interested in participating in a Yonge Street tour for Councillor Moise organized by the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association and Bay Cloverhill Community Association.  Buildings that are part of the Yonge Street Character Area, Historic Yonge Heritage Conservation District, owned by KingSett and approved/pending rezoning applications would be highlighted.
 
Community and special events for the next 3 months were summarized, with details available on the Special Events page on the website.  Councillor Dianne Saxe is holding a virtual Town Hall on Thursday May 30th where parking issues with Toronto Police Services and City staff.  A webinar on non-profit home opportunities is being hosted by FoSTRA on Thursday June 6th.  The 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee is hosting a community event featuring various police divisions and sale of barbecued hot dogs/hamburgers, fundraising for Beverley House.  Pride parades will be happening on the last weekend of June.

The speaker's and meeting presentations are available on the Minutes of Meeting page.