Board Meeting - February 18, 2009

• Meeting No. 1905 - January 21, 2009

Friday, April 3, 2009

Presentations will be heard at 2:00 p.m. Requests to speak must be registered in writing by 12:00 Noon of day preceding meeting day.

1. Reports with Confidential Attachments (Committee of the Whole)

NIL

2. Presentations
   • Transit City Light Rail Plan: Status Update for February 2009 (For Action)  
3. Budget matters

NIL

4. Procurement Authorizations
• Procurement Authorization -Construction Management Contract G85-213 (FOR ACTION) 
• Procurement Authorization - Project Management Contract G85-211 (FOR ACTION) 
• Procurement Authorization - Purchase of Electrical Power (FOR ACTION) 
• Scope Changes- Inclusion of T1 Motor Casting Replacement in T1 Subway Car Overhaul (FOR ACTION) 
• Summary of Authorized Expenditures - Between $200,000 to $500,000 for the period of December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 (FOR INFORMATION) 
5. Procurement Authorization Amendments

NIL

6. Notice of Awards

NIL

7. Service Matters
• Trolley Bus Service Review (FOR ACTION) 
• 501 Queen Streetcar Route Status Update (FOR ACTION) 
• 39 Finch East -Post Implementation Review of Express Bus Changes (FOR ACTION) 
• Accessible Transit Services Plan - 2008 Status Report and Status of Accessibility Standards (FOR ACTION)  
8. Other Business
• Commuter Parking Lots - Security Plan (FOR ACTION) 
• Toronto Green Development Standard - Status Report (FOR INFORMATION)  
9. New Business

NIL

10. Correspondence

NIL

A correspondence summary will be distributed at the meeting.

A. Giambrone (Chair), J. Mihevc (Vice-Chair), B. Saundercook, S. Hall, P. Milczyn, S. Bussin, M. Augimeri, R. Moeser  and A. Perruzza (Commissioners), G. Webster (Chief General Manager), V. Rodo (General Manager – Executive & General Secretary), R. Cornacchia (General Manager – Operations), J. Sepulis (General Manager – Engineering & Construction), B. Leck (General Counsel), M. Roche (Chief Financial Officer), J. Lee (Chief – Project Procurement), A. Smith (Chief Marketing Officer), M. Stambler (Manager – Service Planning), S. Ghaly (Program Manager – Transit City), B. Ross (Director – Corporate Communications), W. Buffett (Assistant General Secretary) and F. Stanois (Coordinator – Secretariat Services) were  present.

A. Giambrone was in the Chair.

Prior to proceeding with the agenda, Chair Giambrone presented Bill Buffett, Assistant General Secretary with a certificate in recognition of his retirement from the TTC.

Commissioner Moeser moved that the Commission approve the minutes from meeting NO. 1905 and that the Chair and General Secretary be authorized to sign the same.

The motion by Commissioner Moeser carried.

a) Committee of the Whole – Friday, April 3, 2009

Commissioner Perruzza moved that the Commission approve a resolution to meet as the Committee of the Whole at 9:00 a.m. or later on Friday, April 3, 2009 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 Commissioner Perruzza carried.

a) Attendance – 2009 UITP World Congress

Chair Giambrone, seconded by Vice-Chair Mihevc moved:

1. That the Commission authorize the attendance of the Chief General Manager to attend the 2009 UITP World Congress in Vienna, Austria at a cost not to exceed $7,000.00.

2. That the Chair and Vice-Chair be permitted to use the Chair’s existing Commission Meeting Budget to cover miscellaneous travel requirements that arise for them in fulfilling the responsibilities of their positions as long as they are within TTC expense and City of Toronto travel guidelines.

3. That the Commission authorize travel for TTC Staff as long as it is within previously allocated budgets.

The motions by Chair Giambrone carried.

NIL

1. Reports with Confidential Attachments (Committee of the Whole)
NIL
2. Presentations

a) Transit City Light Rail Plan: Status Update for February 2009

M. Stambler, Manager – Service Planning and S. Ghaly, Program Manager, Transit City gave a PowerPoint presentation with respect to this matter.

The Commission received the Presentation for information.

The Commission also approved the recommendation contained in the Staff Report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that The Commission forward this report to the City of Toronto, Metrolinx, The Ontario Ministries of Transportation and Energy and Infrastructure, and Transport Canada, noting that:

• significant progress is being made on accelerated environmental assessments for all seven Transit City Light Rail Lines, and the Scarborough RT, as described in this report;

• detailed engineering and design work is proceeding to allow the start of construction this fall on the first of the Transit city Light Rail Lines – The Sheppard East LRT;

• preliminary engineering work is also underway for the Etobicoke-Finch West Light Rail Line and for the maintenance and storage facilities needed for the line;

• as with all major capital projects, Transit City needs committed and predictable funding to allow continuous and uninterrupted progress, to avoid project delays which would affect planned construction and start dates and associated cost;

• TTC, City, and Metrolinx Staff are meeting on a continuous and regular basis in order to complete “benefit case analysis” studies for each of the Transit City Light Rail Lines and for the Scarborough RT, in support of Metrolinx’s consideration of these lines for funding; and

• there have been a number of requests to extend or modify the original Transit City Light Rail Lines, and all such requests will be undertaken as follow-up phases of the original EA-related work, subject to Commission- or Council- endorsement, and subject to provision of the required funding for the expanded scope of work, as explained in this report.”

Vice-Chair Mihevc moved that Staff be requested to submit a separate report on finishing the St. Clair LRT to Jane Street, with such report to include comment on the following matters:

• EA work;
• timing of construction; and
• inclusion in upcoming capital budgets.

The motion by Vice-Chair Mihevc carried.

(also see minute for item NO. 10, correspondence C-2 and C-5)

3. Budget Matters
NIL
4. Procurement Authorizations

a) Procurement Authorization – Construction Management Contract G85-213

 It is recommended that the Commission authorize the release of $5,000,000 for the period of March 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010 bringing the total released amount to $14,800,000 for Contract G85-213, Construction Management with MMR Managers, a Joint Venture with MMM Group Ltd. and McCormick Rankin Corporation.
 
Approved

b) Procurement Authorization – Project Management Contract G85-211

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the release of $6,700,000 for the period of March 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010, bringing the total released amount to $21,467,000 for Contract G85-211, Project Management with Delcan Corporation, Hatch Mott MacDonald Ltd., UMA Engineering Ltd. (DHU) Joint Venture.

Approved

c) Procurement Authorization – Purchase of Electrical Power

It is recommended that the Commission approve:

a) Staff entering into the required Agency Agreements to permit the City of Toronto to continue processing purchases for the supply of electrical power from a pool of electricity suppliers on behalf of the Commission in the upset limit amount of $290 million for an additional 5 year period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.

b) Staff entering into a contract with Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. (THESI) for the supply of consolidated billing services related to the supply of electrical power in the upset limit price of $375,000 for an additional 5 year period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 subject to successful negotiations by the City of Toronto for satisfactory terms and conditions and at a cost that is commercially reasonable.

Approved

d) Scope Change: Inclusion of T1 Motor Casting
 Replacement in T1 Subway Car Overhaul

It is recommended that the Commission approve:

1. Additional project approval in the amount of $2,000,000.00, to cover unanticipated costs to replace T1 motor castings within TTC Project 4.16 – Subway Car Overhaul, bringing the current estimated final cost to $47,017,000.00 and the required project approval to $23,739,000.00;

2. Forwarding this report to the City of Toronto Council requesting additional budget and project cost approval in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for City Project #CTT 051 – Subway Car Overhaul, bringing the total project cost approval to $23,739,000.00; and

3. Authorization of eight additional capital workforce required for a period of twenty-four months that will be required to replace the T1 motor castings.

Approved

e) Summary of Authorized Expenditures Between $200,000
to $500,000 for the Period December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information.  It lists expenditures ($200,000 up to $500,000) for the period December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 which were approved by the Chief General Manager.

Received

5. Procurement Authorization Amendments
NIL
6. Notice of Awards
NIL
7. Service Matters

a) Trolley Bus Service Review

It is recommended that the Commission forward this report to the City of Toronto and to Metrolinx, noting that:

• this report discusses the potential for re-introducing electric trolley bus service in Toronto, primarily as a means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;

• trolley buses consume less energy, and produce lower emissions, than either diesel or hybrid buses;

• locally, at street level, GHG emissions from trolley bus services are essentially zero, and there are GHG-free sources of electrical energy (wind, solar, etc.) to power trolley buses, so trolley bus services could, in theory, operate with zero GHG emissions;

• trolley buses are more attractive from the standpoint of air quality, noise, ride quality, the ability to negotiate steep grades, and their ability to accelerate in heavy traffic;

• trolley buses are less attractive because they have less flexibility or adaptability for route alterations or extensions or longer-term diversionary operation due to road disruptions;

• the high cost of investment in infrastructure, including both electrical sub-stations for converting high-voltage alternating current (AC) to low-voltage direct current (DC), as well as the overhead traction power system, results in the unit costs of service delivery being much higher for trolleys than for either diesel or hybrid buses;

• the implied value (cost) per tonne of GHG emissions achievable through the operation of trolley buses (about $1,840 per tonne) is considerably higher than values currently assumed for GHG reductions in most benefits case analyses (as, for example, Metrolinx studies, which use $40 per tonne);

• if trolley bus service were to become more attractive, as a result of situations such as the doubling of diesel fuel costs and a matching increase in ridership on trolley bus routes, then the incremental cost of converting current TTC services to trolley bus operation, and the implied value per tonne of GHG emissions, would still be very high relative to hybrid and diesel buses; and

• there would be a large capital investment requirement to re-introduce electric trolley buses in Toronto, but such an investment could be considered by the City as a means of advancing the environmental objectives of the City’s Climate Change Action Plan and Sustainable Transportation Initiative.

Approved

b) 501 Queen Streetcar Route: Status Update

R. Cornacchia, General Manager – Operations gave an overhead slide presentation with respect to this matter.

The Commission received the presentation for information.

The Commission also approved the recommendation contained in the Staff Report, as listed below:

 “it is recommended that The Commission support the actions as described in this report and summarized as follows:

1. Staff to continue developing and implementing new route management strategies to determine their impact and sustainability prior to considering with any split route scenarios;

2. Detailed CGM report references pertaining to the 501 Queen Streetcar Route status updates continue to be sent to Commissioner Bussin’s attention;

3. Staff has completed an analysis of customer trip origin/destination points and will include a specific origin/destination analysis in the next 501 Queen Customer Survey;

4. Staff continues to work with City of Toronto regarding a Transit Supportive Traffic Management Plan; and

5. Winter weather conditions (extreme cold; frequent and extended snowfalls) have impeded our ability to determine the full benefit of some strategies tested to date.”

(also see minute for item no. 10 – correspondence c-4)

c) 39 Finch East – Post-Implementation Review of Express Bus Changes

 It is recommended that the Commission forward this report to Councillors Carroll, Cho, Del Grande, Filion, Lee, Kelly, and Shiner, noting that:

1. The February, 2008, change to the stopping pattern of the 39 FINCH EAST express bus services has improved service overall for TTC customers;

2. Express bus service will be restored to the bus stops at Wayside Avenue/Adirondack Gate, effective March 30, 2009, because a review of recent ridership shows that this will improve service overall for TTC customers.

Approved

d) Accessible Transit Services Plan:
  2008 Status Report, and Status of Accessibility Standards

It is recommended that the Commission forward this report to the City of Toronto, the Ontario Ministries of Community and Social Services, Transportation, Energy and Infrastructure, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and Metrolinx, noting that:

• this report fulfils the provincially-legislated requirement in the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 for an annual documentation of the TTC’s accessibility plan;

• the TTC is making steady progress in the implementation of its Accessible Transit Services Plan, with accessibility initiatives underway on bus, streetcar, and rapid transit modes;

• the status of the TTC’s current activities to improve the accessibility of its facilities and services are described in more detail in the attached Appendix 1, entitled, TTC Accessible Transit Services Plan – 2008 Status Report;

• the TTC could accelerate the rate at which its accessibility plan can be implemented if senior levels of government or Metrolinx were to provide additional funds for station accessibility and for the TTC’s Wheel-Trans to-the-door services;

• Provincial regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities, 2005 (AODA) are expected to be enacted, and these will apply to all public sector agencies, including the TTC;

• regulations regarding customer service have been finalised and will come into effect January 2010.  These regulations are not expected to have a significant effect on the TTC;

• regulations for accessible transportation, the built environment, employment, and communications are expected to be finalised in 2009;

• TTC staff have participated extensively in consultation meetings regarding the regulations, however, there remain many unanswered questions about the proposed regulations at this point in time;

• the Province has not yet made a commitment to assist with any operating and/or capital cost increases which might result from the AODA regulations; and

• when the finalised regulations are available, TTC Staff will report on the costs and operational implications of the regulations for the TTC.

Approved

Commissioner Moeser moved:

1. That the TTC supports the objectives of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and continues to make improvements to TTC services and facilities to overcome access impediments and increase the quantity and quality of services available to persons with disabilities, including those which may be addressed in the transportation standard;

2. That the Commission request that the Minister of Community and Social Services allow the TTC and other organizations representing the Ontario Transit Industry to review and comment on the planned regulations to implement the transportation standard, before they are enacted, so that the minister is aware of the impact the standards will have on the TTC, in advance of their implementation; and

3. Furthermore, the Minister of Community and Social Services be requested to meet with TTC Chair Giambrone to discuss issues and opportunities that may be associated with the standard.

The motions by Commissioner Moeser carried on a unanimous vote.

8. Other Business
NIL
9. New Business

a) Corporate Policy Review – 1.1.2 TTC Policy and Instructional Manual

It is recommended that the Commission approve the following TTC Corporate Policy, as amended, which is attached hereto as Appendix ‘A’:

• Policy 1.1.2 TTC Policy and Instruction Manual

Approved
   
b) Commuter Parking Lots – Security Plan

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Approve the recommended commuter parking security plan, as outlined in this report.

2. Authorize an unbudgeted Operating Budget expenditure of $382,200 (plus GST) in 2009 to fund a “pilot” project from April 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 associated with the external security program.

Approved

c) Toronto Green Development Standard Status Report

 It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information purposes on the status of the implementation of the Toronto Green Development Standard.

Received

10. Correspondence

C-1 Councillor Frances Nunziata, City of Toronto, dated January 15, 2009, regarding Toronto Transit Commission interest in Metrus Properties’ site for a light rail transit maintenance and storage facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.

C-2 Councillor Frances Nunziata, City of Toronto, dated January 25, 2009, regarding extension of the St. Clair Streetcar line to Jane Street.

The Commission received the communication for information.

(Also see minute for item No. 2A)

C-3 Marlon Greene, Youth Advisor, T-DOT West Peer Leaders, dated January 23, 2009, requesting opportunity to meet with officials of the TTC to discuss opportunities to partner with the TTC in support of a cleaner and greener TTC.

 The Commission referred the communication to staff for attention.C-4 Dr. Philip Webb, Cities Centre, University of Toronto, dated February 15, 2009, forwarding comments concerning a lack of serviceable vehicles on the Queen Streetcar line.

The Commission received the communication for information.

(Also see minute for item NO. 7B)

C-5 Councillor Mark Grimes, City of Toronto, dated February 17, 2009, requesting that the Commission hold two additional community meetings in Ward 6 concerning the Lake Shore portion of the proposed Waterfront West LRT, and that TTC staff work with his office to coordinate the arrangements for these meetings.

The Commission received the communication for information.

Commissioner Milczyn moved:

1. That in consideration of Councillor Grimes’ concerns about inadequate community consultation, staff, working with the local Councillor’s Office, coordinate two additional community meetings.  one meeting focusing on the Humber Bay Shores and Mimico neighbourhoods, and one meeting focusing on the Long Branch, Alderwood and New Toronto neighbourhoods; and
  
2. No further planning on the Lakeshore portion of the Waterfront LRT be undertaken until such time as the consultations have been held.

 The motions by Commissioner Milczyn carried.

 (Also see minute for item NO. 2A) 

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.     

The Commission received an update on the Transit City project. Significant progress is being made for all seven Transit City Light Rail lines and the Scarborough RT.  Design and engineering work is proceeding to allow for the start of construction on the Sheppard East LRT this fall. Preliminary work is also underway for the Etobicoke-Finch West line and for the maintenance and storage facilities need for the line.

Commissioners received a status update on the 501 Queen streetcar route. TTC staff will continue developing and implementing new route management strategies aimed at improving the overall performance of the 501 Queen line.

The Commission approved a plan to improve security at TTC commuter parking lots. The plan will utilize the Toronto Parking Authority and Intelligarde. Uniformed Intelligarde security personnel, in marked vehicles, will patrol the subway commuter lot locations with the highest number of criminal offences. Many other initiatives will take place including crime prevention signage and pamphlets.

The Commission received a report discussing the potential for re-introducing electric trolley bus service in Toronto. It was noted that trolley buses are attractive from the standpoint of air quality, noise and the ability to negotiate steep grades. However, the trolley buses are less attractive because they have less flexibility for route diversions. The substantial capital investment required for a new trolley service would be difficult to afford from the TTC alone. The report has been referred to the City of Toronto and Metrolinx for consideration.