Board Meeting - December 15, 2004

H. Moscoe (Chair), J. Mihevc (Vice-Chair), B. Ashton, B. Balkissoon, Mayor D. Miller, P. Li Preti, D. Shiner and S. Bussin (Commissioners), R. Ducharme (Chief General Manager), V. Rodo (General Manager – Executive & General Secretary), G. Webster (General Manager – Operations), J. Sepulis (General Manager - Engineering & Construction), S. Blakey (Executive Director – Human Resources), B. Leck (General Counsel), A. Chocorlan (Manager - Materials & Procurement), M. Roche (Chief Financial Officer), A. Smith (Acting Chief Marketing Officer), T. Andrews (Chief Special Constable), M. Stambler (Manager – Service Planning), W. Buffett (Assistant General Secretary) and F. Stanois (Co-ordinator - Secretariat Services) were present.

Mazin Aribi, Vice-Chair, Carol Anne Monet and Sam Savona, TTC Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation were also present.

H. Moscoe was in the Chair.

J. Cannon, Chief Information Officer was present for Item No. 10.

G. Carr, Chief Engineer, Operations Planning was present for Item No. 17.

Nil

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That The Commission Approve The Minutes From Meeting Nos. 1848 And 1849, And That The Chair And General Secretary Be Authorized To Sign The Same.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

a)  Union Station – New Platform Project – Conceptual Design Approval

J. Sepulis, General Manager, Engineering and Construction advised that the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation had given unanimous approval for the Union Station Platform project.  He also noted that earlier in the week a Declaration Order had been received from the Province.  The only matter remaining prior to commencing with the project is the issue of funding from the three levels of government.

The Commission Received The Update For Information.

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That The Commission Meet As The Committee Of The Whole At 10:00 A.M., Or Later, On Wednesday, January 12, 2005, To Deal With Litigation Or Potential Litigation Matters, Labour Relations Or Employee Negotiations And To Receive Advice Which Is Subject To Solicitor-Client Privilege.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

a) Noise and Vibrations – Bloor-Danforth  Subway between Broadview and Chester Stations

Andrew Muirhead
(Submitted communication and Petition)

The Commission Received The Deputation.

(See Correspondence C-1 For Minute) 

b) Urban Transit Design – Purchase of Buses

Peter MacLeod

The Commission Received The Deputation.

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That Staff Be Requested To Report Back On Ways And Means To Incorporate Design Changes To Future TTC Bus Purchases.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

c) Report No. 17 - Bus-Only Lanes Downsview Subway Station to York University – Keele Street Corridor

Dr. Ted Spence
York University
(Submitted presentation)

The Commission Received The Deputation.

(See Report No. 17 For Minute)

d) Photo Identification/Customer Service

Kathleen McLaughlin
(Submitted communication)

The Commission Received The Deputation.

Commissioner Bussin Moved That The Matter Be Referred To Staff With A Request That They Report Back On The Requirement For Id Use By Patrons, Including A Review Of Possible Policy Changes Relating To Acceptable Forms Of Id; How Operators Respond To Patrons Using Passes; And Collectors Having Enough Passes To Sell.

The Motion By Commissioner Bussin Carried.

CC-1 Vice-Chair Mihevc – Developing Our Ridership Growth Strategy

The Commission had before it a communication dated November 15, 2004 from Vice-Chair Mihevc entitled, “Developing Our Ridership Growth Strategy.”

Chair Moscoe Moved That The Commission Defer Consideration Of The Communication Until Its Next Meeting, And In The Interim, Vice-Chair Mihevc Be Requested To Meet With The Chief General Manager To Discuss The Contents Of His Communication.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

1. CUTA Lifetime Achievement Award – Ray Corley (Posthumously)

M. Roschlau, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) advised that on November 10, 2004, during their Fall Conference and Trans-Expo, CUTA presented its Employee Recognition Awards in various categories.  At that time, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented, posthumously, to Raymond Corley for his extraordinary contributions to public transit in Canada on a sustained basis.  This also included making Ray a 2004 CUTA Hall of Fame inductee.

On behalf of CUTA, M. Roschlau and Chair Moscoe then presented the Award to Ray’s son and daughter Frank and Jane Corley.

2. M. Roschlau, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) advised that on November 10, 2004, during their Fall Conference and Trans-Expo, CUTA presented its Employee Recognition Awards in various categories.  The Employee Excellence Award was presented to Kurt Bowman, Bus Operator, Wilson Division for coming to the assistance of two males that were being pursued by other males carrying weapons.

On behalf of CUTA, M. Roschlau and Chair Moscoe then presented the award to Operator Bowman.

3. Chief General Manager's Report Period 10 – October 3 to October 30, 2004

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Receive for information the attached Executive Summary of the Chief General Manager's (CGM's) report covering the period October 3 to October 30, 2004; and

2. Forward a copy of this cover report and the Executive Summary to each City Councillor for information (noting that the detailed CGM's report is available on request from the Office of the General Secretary of the Commission).

Approved

Commissioner Shiner Moved That Future CGM Reports Incorporate Information Concerning Work Related Injuries, Including Annual Statistical Comparisons And Actions Being Undertaken To Reduce Occurrences.

The Motion By Commissioner Shiner Carried.

3a. Changes in TTC Workforce – 1998 to 2004

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information.

Received

4. Procurement Authorization Key Station Accessibility Osgoode Station Contract U45-2

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the acceptance of the tender submitted by Dineen Construction Corporation (Dineen) in the amount of $1,770,000.00 for Contract U45-2, Key Station Accessibility – Osgoode Station.

Approved

5. Mount Dennis Bus Garage Building Demolition and Site Remediation Contract X1-2

It is recommended that the Commission approve the award of Contract X1-2, in the amount of $5,487,721.00, to Aim Waste Management Inc. (Aim) for building demolition and site remediation work associated with the Mount Dennis Bus Garage Project.

Approved

6. Procurement Authorization – Supply of H-6 Subway Car Door System Components

It is recommended that the Commission approve the award of a contract to Vapor Rail Inc. (Vapor), for the supply of H-6 subway car door system components in the amount of $699,062.00, including applicable taxes.       

Approved

7. Procurement Authorization – Installation and Removal of  Steel Poles for the TTC Overhead System – RFP No. P31PK04891
 
It is recommended that the Commission authorize acceptance of the proposal submitted by Marley Line Construction Inc. for the installation and removal of steel poles for the TTC Overhead System and the award of a two-year contract from December 20, 2004 to December 19, 2006 in the upset limit amount of $800,000.00.

Approved

8. Procurement Authorization – Supply of Crew Cab Pickup Trucks

Chair Moscoe Moved That The Report Be Referred Back To Staff, With A Request That They Bring Forward The Previous Five Commission Reports Submitted On The Purchase Of Trucks.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried. 

9. Procurement Authorization – Supply of Cab-Over Front-Axle Tractors

Commissioner Balkissoon Moved That The Report Be Referred Back To Staff, With A Request That Further Information Be Provided On These Vehicles, Including Cost, Life Expectancy, The Number Of Manufacturers Of Foam Filled Tires And Why Foam Filled Tires Are A Necessary Option.

The Motion By Commissioner Balkissoon Carried.

10. Procurement Authorization – Communications and Information System (CIS) Cellular Services

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the issuance of a purchase order in the amount of $576,000 for a three-year contract with Bell Mobility to continue with the existing cellular services relating to the Communications Information system (CIS) for the period January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007.

Approved

11. Procurement Authorization – Supply of Hilti Tools and Materials

It is recommended that the Commission approve the issuance of a purchase order to Hilti (Canada) Corporation (Hilti) for the supply of Hilti tools and equipment in the upset limit amount of $1,200,000 for a three year period from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007.

Approved

12. Sale of Beresford Substation

It is recommended that:

1. This report be received for information; and

2. The Solotex Corporation offer to purchase 586 Annette Avenue for the amount of $680,000.00 be accepted.

Approved

13. Purchase Order – Secondment from the Toronto Police Service

It is recommended that the Commission adopt the recommendation to issue a Purchase Order to the Toronto Police Service in the amount of $270,824.66 to compensate Acting Inspector Reynolds, who has been seconded to the Toronto Transit Commission for a two-year period. 

Approved

14. Purchase of Wheel-Trans Bus Tires

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the blanket order purchase of 760 tires for inventory from Tirecraft Commercial Ont. Incorporated in the amount of $221,926.08 including applicable taxes.

Approved

15. Summary of Authorized Expenditures for the Period October 3, 2004 to October 30, 2004

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information.  It lists expenditures ($100,000 up to $200,000) for the period October 3, 2004 to October 30, 2004, which were approved by Senior Management.

Received

16. TTC/GTA Farecard Project

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That The Recommendation Be Amended By Deleting The Words “Receive” And “For Information” And Replacing In Lieu Thereof The Word “Endorse”, So Such Recommendation Reads As Follows:

“It Is Recommended That The Commission Endorse This Report, Noting That:

• The TTC Is Working With The Province Of Ontario, And The Other GTA Transit Agencies, On A Project To Implement A Smartcard-Based Automatic Fare Collection System Throughout The Entire GTA;

• Two Fully-Dedicated TTC Staff Have Been Assigned To The TTC/GTA Farecard Project, For A Minimum Six Month Period, And Their Existing Positions Will Be Back-Filled, Resulting In An Unbudgeted Workforce Increase Of Two Positions;

• The Initial Phase Of This Project Involves A Review Of The TTC’s Business Requirements Which Will Determine How A GTA Farecard (Smartcard) Would Work At The TTC, And The Estimated TTC Capital And Operating Cost Impacts Associated With This Initiative Will Be Updated Accordingly;

• A TTC Business Plan Will Be Developed And Presented To The Commission, And The City, Before A Decision Is Made To Proceed With Full Implementation; And

• Throughout The Course Of The Project, Both The Commission, And The Commission’s Newly Formed E-System Sub-Committee, Will Be Kept Informed Accordingly.”

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

17. Bus-Only Lanes (Bus Rapid Transit) Downsview  Subway Station to York University – Keele Street Corridor

Commissioner Shiner Moved That Staff Be Directed To Proceed With Two Options, But Advise The Ministry Of The Environment That The Preferred Option Of The TTC And York University Is The Design Concept Illustrated In Exhibit 6 Of The Staff Report; And Further That The Second Option Is There Only In The Event That Funding Is Not In Place From The Province Of Ontario For Construction Of The Subway And, As Such, The TTC Would Require Default To A Second Option Which Is Keele Street.

The Motion By Commissioner Shiner Lost.

Commissioner Li Preti Moved That The Commission Receive The Staff Report For Information.

The Motion By Commissioner Li Preti Carried.

Commissioner Li Preti Moved The Following Motions:

1. That The Commission Re-Affirm Its Original Approval Of The Concept Of A Bus-Only Roadway On York University Lands, Between Murray Ross Parkway And York Boulevard, Originally Presented At The July 14, 2004 Commission Meeting;

2. That The Commission Endorse The Design Concept, Illustrated In Exhibit 6 Of Report #17 Of Today’s Agenda, Which Mitigates The Concerns Expressed By York University Pertaining To The Effects Of A Bus-Only Roadway On The Woodlot And The Schulich School Of Business;

3. That The Commission Request Toronto City Council To Request York University To Approve This Concept, In Principle, Conditional On The City Of Toronto And The Toronto Transit Commission Entering Into A Binding Agreement With York University Which Would Result In The Removal Of The Bus-Only Roadway Within Ten Years; And

4. That The Commission Request Toronto City Council To Re-Affirm That The Extension Of The Spadina/University Subway To Steeles Avenue Is The City’s Top Priority For Subway Expansion And That The Minister Of Finance And The Government Of Ontario Be So Advised.

The Motion By Commissioner Li Preti Carried.
  
18. Amendment to the Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation

Commissioner Ashton Moved That The Recommendation Contained In The Staff Report Be Struck Out And That The Report Be Received.

The Motion By Commissioner Ashton Carried.

a)  Procurement of Parts for New Buses

The Commission had before it a communication dated December 15, 2004 from R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager entitled, “Staff Response to Commission Inquiry – Procurement of Parts for New Buses.”

The Commission Received The Memorandum For Information.

b) Long Term Maintenance Plans for Linear Induction Motors

The Commission had before it a memorandum dated December 15, 2004 from R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager entitled, “Staff Response to Commission Inquiry – Long Term Maintenance Plans for Linear Induction Motors.”

The Commission Received The Memorandum For Information.

c) Operators Picking Up Debris in Vehicles

The Commission had before it a memorandum dated December 15, 2004 from R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager entitled, “Staff Response to Commission Inquiry – Operators Picking Up Debris in Vehicles.”

Chair Moscoe Moved That Consideration Of The Memorandum Be Deferred Sine Die To Permit The Chair To Have Discussions With Staff Concerning This Matter.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried. 

C-1 Andrew Muirhead, dated November 3, 2004 requesting a commitment from the TTC to develop a plan of action to reduce the unreasonable noise and vibration levels that residents are experiencing from the subway between Broadview and Chester Stations.

Chair Moscoe Moved The Following:

1. Refer Mr. Muirhead’s Communication To Staff;

2. That Staff Be Requested To Develop Both A Short And Long Term Noise And Vibration Abatement Program For Consideration By The Commission; And

3. That Prior To Consideration By The Commission The Proposed Program Be Presented To A Neighbourhood Meeting Sponsored By The Local Area Councillor.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

(Also See Deputation ‘A’ For Minute)

C-2 Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration dated November 19, 2004 congratulating the Commission and its Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation on its continued leadership in planning for an accessible transportation system.

Chair Moscoe Moved That The Commission Receive The Communication, And That A Copy Be Forwarded To The TTC’s Advisory Committee On Accessible Transportation For Information.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

C-3 Lauren Bates, Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario Human Rights Commission dated November 22, 2004 expressing thanks to the Commission for providing a copy of its Accessible Transit Service Plan and noting that the Ontario Human Rights Commission is pleased to see the positive steps taken toward fully accessible services.

Chair Moscoe Moved That The Commission Receive The Communication, And That A Copy Be Forwarded To The TTC’s Advisory Committee On Accessible Transportation For Information.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

C-4 Councillor Cesar Palacio, City of Toronto dated November 19, 2004 requesting staff to review the extension of the Parkdale Community Bus to the North, taking into account the potential impact on current ridership.

Chair Moscoe Moved That The Commission Refer The Communication To Staff For Report Back At Its Meeting On April 6, 2005.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

Chair Moscoe Also Moved That Councillor Palacio Be Advised To Consider Approaching The Galleria Mall Or Galleria Merchants Association To Consider Providing Tickets To Customers Or Picking Up A Part Of The Operating Losses.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

C-5 Councillor Pam McConnell, Chair, Toronto Police Services Board requesting the Toronto Transit Commission to support the  Board in requesting the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General to amend Part II of the Provincial Offences Act to provide for an additional form of service of Parking Infraction Notices, preferably by first-class mail.

Mayor Miller Moved That The Commission Endorse The Recommendation Of The Toronto Police Services Board And That A Communication Be Forwarded To The Ministry Of The Attorney General Indicting The Commission’s Support For The Above Legislative Amendment.

The Motion By Mayor Miller Carried.

a) CUTA Presentation – Public Transit  Funding and the Impact of Revenue/Cost Ratios

Michael Roschlau, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Association gave a PowerPoint presentation entitled, “Public Transit Funding and the Impact of Revenue/Cost Ratios.”

The Commission Received The Presentation For Information.

b) City Budget Advisory Committee Motions Re: TTC Operating, Capital and Wheel-Trans Budgets

R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager and V. Rodo, General Manager, Executive & General Secretary reviewed for the Commission the following motions which were approved by the City Budget Advisory Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2004:

1. deferred consideration of the following 2005 budgets until its meetings in January 2005:

(a) Toronto Transit Commission (Capital and Operating); and

(b) Wheel-Trans (Operating);

2. requested the Chair, Toronto Transit Commission, to report to the Budget Advisory Committee at its meetings in January 2005:

(a) on a revised capital program that maximized the funding from the other Orders of Government;

(b) providing options and impacts to limit the debt financing for the 2005 Toronto Transit Commission capital program to a maximum amount of $200 million, exclusive of any federal gas tax revenue received in 2005 and subsequent years;

(c) on the service impact of a 2005 net operating budget increase of one percent plus the 2005 Ridership Growth Strategy requirements; and

(d) providing a breakdown of staff requirements for the Ridership Growth Strategy;

3. deferred consideration of the following communications until its meetings in January 2005:

(a) (September 23, 2004) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission entitled, “Toronto Transit Commission – Procurement Authorization Design and Supply of Low Voltage Power Supply and Inverter for CLRV Fleet as Part of the CLRV Life Extension Program”;

(b) (October 26, 2004) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission entitled, “Implementing the Ridership Growth Strategy”;

(c) (November 19, 2004) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission entitled, “2005 TTC Operating Budget”;

(d) (November 19, 2004) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission entitled, “2005-2009 TTC Capital Program and 10-Year Capital Forecast”;

(e) (November 22, 2004) from the General Secretary, Toronto Transit Commission entitled, “2005 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget”;

(f) (November 2, 2004) from the City Clerk, entitled, “Property Tax Exemption for Toronto Transit Commission Properties”; and

4. Received the presentation from the Chief General Manager and the General Manager, Executive & General Secretary of the Toronto Transit Commission.

Commissioner Ashton Moved That The Chair And Interested Commissioners Meet With Staff To Prepare A Response To The Budget Advisory Committee Motions And The Development Of A Communications Strategy, Including Consideration Of A Dedicated Tax Increase For A One Or Two Year Timeframe Committed To Financing The TTC’s Interest On The Debt Which Could Be Put In Place While Negotiations With The Federal And Provincial Governments Continue For An Appropriate Funding Mechanism.

The Motion By Commissioner Ashton Carried.

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Nil