Councillor Matlow's May 2011 Update: Northern Field, Garbage Debate, Works Projects, Etc.

1. Funding for Northern School Field Approved By Community Council

2. Garbage Debate Far From Over

3. Avenue Road Watermain Update.

4. Toronto Service Review

5. Doors open Toronto

1. Funding for Northern School Field Approved By Community Council

I'm happy to report that today at City Hall, Toronto East York Community Council approved a development on Roehampton Avenue that will result in $500,000 toward a new field at Northern Secondary School, along with an additional $500,000 toward a new local park. The funding will be secured through a section 37 agreement between the City of Toronto and K & G Construction, owner of 299 Roehampton.

The Clarke Pulford Field, named after a former Northern physical education teacher, has long been in need of revitalization. The playing surface is patchy, full of holes and can be unusable at times. While working with the Northern community as a School Trustee, I saw first -hand the passion and dedication that students, alumni and parents have for this project. Through countless fundraising events including a "taste of the town" evening, raffles for Maple Leafs tickets and a 24 hour camp out on the field, the Northern Secondary School Foundation has remarkably raised over $1 million.

The new field will consist of a 400-metre, four-lane running track and a full football and soccer field built to professional standards. The grass will be replaced by high-quality artificial turf while bike racks and fencing will also be installed. The playing area will be used by physical education classes, Northern's many successful athletic teams and will provide recreational opportunities for the wider community. Through hard work, a consensus was reached on a Community Use Agreement at a recent meeting at City Hall with the support of Shelley Laskin, our School Trustee, the Sherwood Park Residents' Association as well as Northern students, staff, parents and alumni. When not in use for school activities, the field will be available for neighbourhood residents to play soccer, frisbee, running and many other activities.

I am honoured to be in the position to complete this project through City Council next month where I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the remaining $500,000 needed for the field is approved.

We're nearing the end of a long journey to create a field that will merit the excellence of Northern's athletes and will be accessible to local residents. Thank you to our entire school and residential community for your support.

2. Garbage Debate Far From Over

Despite media reports that have suggested otherwise, garbage pick-up has not been privatized. Council voted to allow staff to issue a Request for Quotations (RFQ) from private bidders. Once those bids are received Council will vote on whether to accept, reject or amend the contracts.

Please read my column from Monday's Toronto Star for further information:

http://joshmatlow.ca/josh-in-the-news/city-hall-diary.html

During last week's debate on whether to accept private bids for waste collection, all four of my amendments were supported by Council. They helped to ensure that the environment, public service and taxpayer protection would be paramount if we choose to go down this path. I believe these amendments reflected much of the feedback I've received from residents.

Please click this link to view the amendments:

Motions by Councillor Matlow

3. Avenue Road Watermain Update.

I have some good news with regards to the Avenue Road Watermain reconstruction project.  While this is a necessary project for our city's infrastructure, it has also greatly impacted the amount of gridlock in the area and has understandably frustrated many local residents – including myself.

I can report that as of last week several lanes were re-opened to traffic including:

1) Along Avenue Rd. from Poplar Plains to just south of Balmoral

2) Along Avenue Rd. from just north of St. Clair to Lonsdale

3) Along Lonsdale from Avenue Rd. to Oriole Parkway

4) Along Oriole Parkway from Lonsdale to just north of Wilberton

There are lanes that are still closed along Avenue Road across the intersection of St. Clair.  These should be re-opened until work is completed in that area by the end of June.

I have been informed by Water that the City was considering replacing watermains on Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton West

I have requested that the construction be finished on Avenue before either one of the other projects begins and, if possible, to wait for the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown before moving ahead with that project so the work can be done at the same time.

City staff has confirmed that those projects will be delayed.

4. Toronto Service Review

To address Toronto's 2012 budget gap of $774 million, City Council has launched a review of all of its services and implemented a multi-year financial planning process.The City of Toronto is reviewing the services it provides and looking at how they can best be delivered to Toronto residents.

As part of the review, a public consultation process has been launched called the Toronto Service Review.  This is your chance to send a strong signal to City Councillors and the Mayor about the kind of Toronto we want to live in and pass on to our children.  To find summary and detailed information on each service, facts and figures about the City's budget and decision-making processes, please go to:  http://www.toronto.ca/torontoservicereview/.  You can also fill in the online feedback form to directly provide your input.

5. Doors open Toronto

Finally I would encourage you to participate in Doors Open Toronto on Saturday and Sunday May 28th and 29th.  This is one of the city's most popular annual events, which provides free access to buildings of architectural, historic, social and cultural significance.

Some of the buildings you can visit in Ward 22 include;

City of Toronto Archives at 255 Spadina Road

Empress Building -  at 124 Merton Street

Fire Station 311 -  at 20 Balmoral Avenue

Frontier College -- Gzowski House at 35 Jackes Avenue

Grace Church on-the-Hill at 300 Lonsdale Road

Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens at 285 Spadina Road

Most buildings will be open from 10:00am – 5:00pm on both days – but some building hours do vary so please visit the Doors Open website at www.toronto.ca/doorsopen/buildings.htm

I particularly would like you to join me at Fire Station 311 at 20 Balmoral.  The station is celebrating its 100th Anniversary – and I will be there for a special ceremony at 1pm.

I hope you found this informative. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (416) 392-7906 or email [email protected].

Best Wishes,

Josh