City Manager's report on new casino and convention development in Toronto

Toronto City Manager Joe Pennachetti recently released his report, New Casino and Convention Development in Toronto, available by clicking here.

The Executive Committee will consider the report at a special meeting commencing on Monday, April 15.

Decision on Subways for Scarborough

A November 1st City Council Meeting decided to support the TTC/Metrolinx contract. This contract will not put any subways in Scarborough.

A motion to discuss the contract in private was opposed by the following Scarborough Councillors: Berardinetti, Cho, De Baeremaeker, Lee, Moeser (Thompson- absent).

The following Scarborough Councillors voted against any faint hope for subways: Berardinetti, Cho, Crawford, De Baeremaeker, Lee and Moeser.

Budget Issues in Brief

Excerpted from the Fall 2011 Newsletter:

Budget Issues in Brief
I have outlined a few points below to help you understand the City's financial situation:

• Each year the City's costs rise by $200 million, just to cover inflation and payroll costs
• Each 1% increase in your property tax brings in $21 million in revenue for the City. To cover the above $200 million alone would require a 9.5% property tax increase.
• Even if Council did not spend a single cent this year, our debt - caused by the previous mayor's spending - would climb from $2.5 billion to $4.3 billion.
• By 2014, the annual cost to service this debt will rise from $430 million to $620 million.
• Half of our $9.3 billion Operating Budget is comprised of wage costs (totaling $4.7 billion). We currently have 53,000 people on the City's payroll.
• The City's Budget for 2012 has an opening shortfall of $774 million which is a significant amount. If we were to use tax increases alone to account for this, we would have to increase property taxes by 36.8%.
• Unfortunately, businesses are moving out of the City of Toronto into the 905 areas (Markham, Mississauga, etc.) as it is cheaper for them to operate outside of the 416 area. This also puts pressure on our budget.

Toronto City Council Attendance and Voting Records

Ever wanted to know whom voted on what in Toronto City Council? In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the City of Toronto has recently begun to record all votes taken in council. Now, members of the public can view the results of all of these votes for specific members of council using the website below.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/news/2011-01-06-news-votes-attendance.htm

Finch Warden Area Study status report

Item SC31.20 (Finch Warden Area Revitalization Study & 2900 Warden Avenue Official Plan and Zoning By-law Ammendment - Status Report) was presented this week in Scarborough Community Council. The item contained a status report (link) concerning both the Finch-Warden Revitalization Study and the building application.

Staff have been directed to finalize the report and continue to evaluate the proposed development in accordance with the report. A meeting will also be convened between the developer and myself concerning Section 37 monies. The finalized report will be presented at a future Scarborough Community Council meeting before heading to council.

Useful links:
Scarborough Community Council decision document
Staff status report
Finch-Warden Area Revitalization Study Report

Toronto on strike: Council approves deal with both unions to end strike (The National Post)

Reprinted from The National Post Blog, July 31st, 2009:

"Councillor Mike Del Grande (Scarborough Agincourt) said he got 500 emails from angry constituents saying vote no.

'I have to represent them,' he said."

See full article for a list of how councillors voted.
Read more...

Councillors to vote on CUPE settlement this Friday

Update from Councillor Del Grande:
I received over 500 e-mail responses and also from door knocking feedback. The vast majority told me to vote NO.

As I represent the majority's desire I did as you instructed me to do.

Dear Neighbour:
Based on recent Media Reports:
1) What are your views on the City settlement between the Mayor and the Unions?
2) Would you entertain more taxes and costs to all Toronto residents to pay for this settlement?
I look forward to your reply by July 30th as Council will be voting on the settlement on July 31st.

Thank you.

Mike Del Grande
Councillor - Ward 39 - Scarborough-Agincourt
City of Toronto
councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca

Pending ratification by CUPE members, council will be meeting this Friday, July 31st, to vote on the labour deal which was reached on Monday. The councillor would like to know your opinion, so please take your time to leave your comments under this post.