Board Meeting - December 16, 2009

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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)
• Fire Ventilation Upgrade Project – Second Exit Conceptual Layouts and Property Requirements - Donlands and Greenwood Stations (FOR ACTION)(This report is about a proposed or pending land acquisition by the Commission) 
• St. Clair West (Easier Access Phase III) (FOR ACTION)(This report is about a proposed or pending land acquisition by the Commission) 
• Replacement Fleet Maintenance Facility – Property Acquisition (FOR ACTION) This report is about a proposed or pending land acquisition by the Commission) 
• Consulting Services (FOR ACTION)(This report involves the security of property belonging to the Commission)  
2. Presentations
• Appointment of Members to the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation (FOR ACTION) 
• Subway Station Appearance Improvement Update (FOR INFORMATION) (Deferred from November 17, 2009) 
• Request for Approval of the Etobicoke-Finch West Environmental Assessment Study (FOR ACTION) 
• Transit City Update – Project Approach (FOR ACTION)  
3. Budget matters
• Chief General Manager’s Report – Periods 9 & 10 (August 30 to October 31, 2009) (FOR ACTION)  
4. Procurement Authorizations
• Procurement Authorization – Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Supply of Precast Concrete Tunnel Lining – Contract A35-18 (FOR ACTION) 
• Procurement Authorization – Supply of Daimler Hybrid Bus Parts (FOR ACTION) 
• Summary of Authorized Expenditures between $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for the Period October 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 (FOR INFORMATION)  
5. Procurement Authorization Amendments

NIL

6. Notice of Awards

NIL

7. Service Matters

NIL

8. Other Business
• Yonge-University Spadina Line – Subway Rail Yard Needs Strategy (FOR ACTION) (Presentation Available)
• Dupont Subway Station and Casa Loma (FOR ACTION) (Deferred from November 17, 2009) 
• Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project – Vaughan Corporate Centre Station – Approval of Conceptual Design (FOR ACTION) (Presentation Available) 
• TTC Corporate Policy – Recognition for Employees (FOR ACTION) 
• Proxy to Vote Toronto Transit Commission Shares in Toronto Transit Consultants Limited (FOR ACTION)
• Proxy to Vote Toronto Transit Commission Shares in Toronto Coach Terminal Inc. (FOR ACTION) 
• 2010 Commission Meeting Schedule – Update (FOR ACTION) 
• 2008 APTA Rail Audit Updates (FOR INFORMATION)  
9. 9. New Business 
10. 10. Correspondence

A correspondence summary will be distributed at the meeting.

11. Notice of Motions - Commissioner Bill Saundercook
12. TTC Head Office Plan Study - Update (FOR ACTION)(This report is about a proposed or pending land acquisition by the Commission)
13. 2010 Operating Budget (FOR ACTION)(Presentation Available)
14. 2010 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget (FOR ACTION) (Presentation Available)
15. Canadian Content - Bus Procurements (FOR ACTION)
16. Station Modernization Program Prioritization (FOR ACTION)
17. Passenger Flow at Bloor-Yonge Station (FOR INFORMATION) – Presentation

A. Giambrone (Chair), J. Mihevc (Vice-Chair), M. Augimeri, S. Bussin, S. Hall, P. Milczyn, R. Moeser, A. Perruzza, B. Saundercook (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 - Legal), B. Ross (Director – Corporate Communications), S. Blakey (Executive Director –  Human Resources), M. Roche (Chief Financial Officer), A. Smith (Chief Marketing Officer), S. MacDonald (Manager – Materials & Procurement), S. Ghaly (Program Manager – Transit City), M. Stambler (Manager – Service Planning), K. Lee (Assistant General Secretary) and F. Stanois (Co-ordinator – Corporate Secretariat Services) were present.

A. Giambrone was in the Chair.

G. Shortt, General Superintendent – Plant Maintenance Department, was present for Item No. 2(b).

R. Holli, Project Manager – Finch – Transit City was present for Item No. 2(c).

C. Wheeler, Chief Project Manager – Yonge Subway Extension Department was present for Item No. 8(a).

B. Grizzard, Manager – Safety Audit Programs APTA was present for Item No. 8(h).

W. Frost, General Superintendent, Wheel-Trans Operations was present for Item No. 13.

Commissioner Saundercook moved that the Commission approve the minutes from meeting no. 1914 and that the Chair and General Secretary be authorized to sign the same.

The motion by Commissioner Saundercook carried.

a) Committee of the Whole – Wednesday January 20, 2010

Vice-Chair Mihevc moved that the Commission approve a resolution to meet as the Committee of the Whole at 9:00 a.m. or later on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 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) Report No. 1(c) – Replacement Fleet Maintenance Facility – Property Acquisition

Trevor Cuddy 
(not present)

b) Report No. 2(d) – Transit City Update – Project Approach

Mark Bozian
Chair, Sheppard East Village BIA
(Submitted brief)

Darwin O’Connor

The Commission received the deputations.

(See item no. 2(d) for minute)

c) Report No. 12 – 2010 TTC Operating Budget

Jamie Kirkpatrick, Campaigner
Toronto Environmental Alliance

John Cartwright, President
Toronto-York Region Labour Council

Bob Brent
(Submitted brief)

The Commission received the deputations.

(See report no. 12 for minute).

d) Report No. 14 – Canadian Content – Bus Procurements

Jenny Ahn, Director-Membership Mobilization
& Political Action
CAW Canada

Bill Murnighan, National Representative –
Pensions & Benefits Department
CAW Canada

The Commission received the deputations.

(See report no. 14 for minute).

NIL

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

(a) Fire Ventilation Upgrade Project – Second Exit Conceptual Layouts and Property Requirements – Donlands and Greenwood Stations

The Commission:

1. Approved the recommendations as set out in the confidential attachment; and

2. Authorized the public release of the confidential information and recommendations set out in the confidential attachment when the appropriate form of city authorization for the transaction is submitted for approval. 
 
(b) St. Clair West (Easier Access Phase III)

The Commission:

1. Approved the recommendations as set out in the confidential attachment; and
 
2. Authorized the release of the confidential information and recommendation, as set out in the confidential attachment when the appropriate form of City of Toronto authorization for the transaction is submitted for approval.

(c) Replacement Fleet Maintenance Facility – Property Acquisition 

Chair Giambrone moved adoption of the recommendation contained in the report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Approve the replacement fleet light rail vehicle maintenance and storage facility to be located on the property at the southeast corner of Lakeshore Boulevard East and Leslie Street (Ashbridges Bay site) adjacent to the Ashbridges Bay wastewater treatment facility subject to the transit project assessment study.
 
2. Approve the confidential recommendation contained in the confidential attachment, as amended.

3. Authorize the public release of the confidential information and recommendations in the confidential attachment upon the completion and approval of the transit project assessment study.

4. Direct staff to work with local councillors and designated community groups throughout the transit project assessment study, design and construction process of the facility”.
 
The motion by Chair Giambrone carried.

Commissioner Bussin moved the following:

Whereas the Ashbridge’s Bay LRT Facility will take away major green space along the waterfront, parts of which were to be used for park development, therefore be it resolved that the TTC, in the budgeting of the facility, provide a compensatory contribution equivalent to a section 37 benefit under the planning act, to the Ashbridge’s Bay Skateboard Park Project and including a Public Art component, to be determined in conjunction with the City of Toronto/Waterfront Toronto in relation to the Leslie/Lakeshore gateway.

The Motion by Commissioner Bussin carried.

Chair Giambrone further moved the following:
 
1. In recognition of the importance of establishing a Toronto Interpretation Centre/Museum, the Commission direct staff to proceed to quantify the requirements for a Transit Interpretation Centre/Museum; and  

2. That space be included for the Transit Interpretation Centre/Museum in the ongoing design of the site for the Ashbridge’s Carhouse and that the cost for the project be included for consideration in the budget envelope. 
 
The motion by Chair Giambrone carried.

(d) Consulting Services

The Commission:

1. Approved the recommendation contained in the confidential attachment.
 
2. Authorized release of the information contained in the confidential attachment upon issuance of the final report by the consultants.

2. Presentations

a) Appointment of Members to the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation

Chair Giambrone and Bill Frost, General Superintendent - Wheel Trans, presented retiring ACAT members Howard Wax, Richard Greco and Valdo Tammark with in-appreciation plaques and Metropasses for their contributions. Chair Giambrone extended his appreciation on behalf of the Commission to retiring ACAT members Linda Napier and Fadumo Dirie who were unable to attend.

The Commission adopted the recommendation contained in the presentation report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Approve the appointment of five (5) candidates to the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation, commencing their term on January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2012 (see appendix a);

2. Approve the appointment of three (3) candidates to re-establish a pool to draw from in the event a member does not accept or complete their term and, if not used, to be short listed automatically for 2009 new vacancies; and

3. Present the retiring (5) members with in-appreciation plaques and a Transit pass in line with the number of years served in their term as recognition of their contribution (see appendix a)”.

b) Subway Station Appearance Improvement Update   

Gary Shortt, General Superintendent – Plant Maintenance Department, gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information. 
 
c) Request for Approval of the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT Environmental Assessment Study

Rick Holli, Project Manager - Finch – Transit City, gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item. 

The Commission received the presentation for information. 
 
The Commission adopted the recommendation contained in the presentation report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Approve the recommendation of the Joint City/Ttc Etobicoke-Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) Transit Project Assessment Study, for a LRT line from Finch Station to Humber College including the alignment, stops,    stations (and related surface facilities), and Traffic Management, as described in the attached “Etobicoke-Finch West Light Rail Transit, Environmental Project Report, Draft Executive Summary”;

2. Note that eleven formal public consultation meetings and six community meetings were held;

3. Forward this report to the Toronto Executive Committee for its meeting on January 4, 2010 and subsequently submit it to the January 26, 2010 meeting of Toronto City Council recommending that City Council approve the recommendations of the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT Transit Project Assessment Study and authorize staff to submit the Environmental Project Report (EPR) to the Ministry of Environment; and

4. Forward this report to Metrolinx, Humber College, City of Mississauga, City of Brampton, York Region, GO Transit, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for Information”.

Commissioner Hall moved that staff report to the January 2010 meeting on actions required to have construction start in 2010 on the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT and that staff request a response on the subject from Metrolinx.

The motion by Commissioner Hall carried.

d) Transit City Update – Project Approach

Sameh Ghaly, Program Manager, Transit City, gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information. 
 
The Commission adopted the recommendation contained in the presentation report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Concur that staff proceed as quickly as possible with the delivery of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and will be reporting back on any delays or impediments to proceeding.
 
2. Concur that staff report on the schedule for the Scarborough RT construction so that it can be completed in time for the Pan Am Games in the summer of 2015 and

3. Note that significant milestones have been met by the Transit City program:

• Metrolinx and TTC are successfully transitioning to the Province of Ontario’s new Transit Delivery Framework while continuing progress and momentum on the Transit City projects.
• Construction commenced on the Sheppard East LRT in November 2009, and two sections of LRT right-of-way, road, and utilities will start in mid 2010, along with the major GO Rail grade-separation. 
• The Eglinton Crosstown LRT Transit Project Assessment Study Recommendations were approved by the Commission on November 16, 2009, and by Toronto Council on December 3, 2009, and preparatory construction is scheduled to start in mid 2010. 
• The Etobicoke-Finch West LRT Transit Project Assessment Study recommendations are at this Commission Meeting for approval and will be submitted to Toronto Council in January 2010.
• The Scarborough RT Transit Project Assessment Study recommendations will be submitted to the Commission in early 2010.
• The Scarborough-Malvern LRT Transit Project Assessment Study is expected to receive Ministry of the Environmental approval by the end of 2009.
• Environmental Assessments have commenced for three LRV maintenance and storage facilities to support Transit City lines.
• Transit City resources are expanding to provide engineering, design and construction including a dedicated consultation and communications unit”.

Commissioner Moeser moved that staff be directed to recognize the ongoing relationship with the Sheppard East Village BIA.

The motion by Commissioner Moeser carried.

3. Budget Matters

a) Chief General Manager’s Report Periods 9 & 10 – August 30 to October 31, 2009

It is recommended that the Commission forward a copy of this report to (1) each City of Toronto Councillor and (2) the City Deputy Manager and Chief Financial Officer, for information, noting that the detailed CGM’s Report is available upon request from the Office of the General Secretary of the Commission.

Approved

4. Procurement Authorizations

a) Procurement Authorization – Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension - Supply of Precast Concrete Tunnel Lining – Contract A35-18

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the award of a contract to Armtec Holdings Ltd. in the amount of $43,632,163 for Contract A35-18, Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Supply of Precast Concrete Tunnel Lining.

Approved

b) Procurement Authorization – Supply of Daimler Hybrid Bus Parts 

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the award of a three-year inventory supply contract to Daimler Buses North America Limited for the supply of various Orion hybrid bus parts for the period from January 2010 to January 2013 for an upset limit contract of $5,716,000, including applicable taxes.

Approved
     
c) Summary of Authorized Expenditures Between $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for the Period October 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information.  It lists Expenditures ($1,000,000 up to $5,000,000) for the period October 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 which were approved by the Chief General Manager.

Received

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

a) Yonge-University Spadina Line – Subway Rail Yard Needs Strategy
 
Charles Wheeler, Chief Project Manager – Yonge Subway Extension Department gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information and approved the recommendation contained in the staff report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the Commission approve the following recommendations noting that the attached report Yonge-University Spadina Line – Subway Rail Yard Needs Strategy was deferred at its meeting of November 17, 2009:

(1) Approve the Subway Rail Yard Needs Strategy (SRYNS) to provide sufficient yard capacity to 2030 (based on option 2a) for the Yonge-University-Spadina (YUS) line noting that the functional planning/scope definition to implement the strategy is currently underway and will be reflected in the future TTC Capital Program;

(2) Forward this report to York Region and the Town of Richmond Hill for their information concerning the implementation of the Richmond Hill Extended Tail Track (14 trains) and post 2030 Yonge Subway yard requirements, noting that the Richmond Hill Extended Tail Track is a key component of implementing recommended option 2a;

(3) Forward this report to Metrolinx and the City of Toronto for their information, noting that the full implementation of the SRYNS will impact the TTC capital budget and the budget for the Yonge Subway Northern Extension Project;

(4) Authorize staff to take the necessary steps to identify a suitable     property that could be purchased within the next 10 years to protect for the design and construction of a future storage and maintenance yard on the Yonge Subway side of the YUS line in order to protect the long term/strategic rail yard needs of the TTC beyond 2030 and approve, in principle, the inclusion of funds in the outlying years of the 2011-2020 Capital Program for the purchase of a new yard on the Yonge Subway side of the YUS line to provide staff with the flexibility to purchase a suitable property should one become available for sale; and

(5) Endorse staff’s inclusion of a subway rail yard needs analysis for the Bloor-Danforth Subway Line to identify long term yard requirements to 2030 and beyond as part of the 2011-2015 Capital Program”.
 
Vice-Chair Mihevc moved that staff re-evaluate the assumptions before any detailed work is done on an additional YUS rail yard and after the property acquisition with a view to including in the analysis the ridership potential in connecting Sheppard and Downsview Stations and further expanding the Wilson yard.

The motion by Vice-Chair Mihevc carried.

b) Dupont Subway Station and Casa Loma
 
The Commission adopted the recommendation contained in the report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Not change the name of Dupont Subway Station, or the routing of the 33 Forest Hill bus route, noting that:

• The current name of Dupont Station provides the best possible travel and orientation information to ttc customers;
• An extension of the 33 Forest Hill bus route south to Casa Loma and Spadina Station would attract very few new customers to the TTC and, therefore, would not satisfy the TTC’S Ridership or Financial Performance Standards;
• There is signage in place at Dupont Subway Station, and in TTC customer information material, to assist TTC customers travelling to Casa Loma;
• An improved “Station and Vicinity” map will soon be installed at Dupont station, and this map will clearly display the location of Casa Loma relative to the station; and

2. Forward this report to the Board of Trustees of Casa Loma for their information”. 
 
Vice-Chair Mihevc moved that, recognizing and accepting that the name of Dupont station is too problematic to change, staff be requested to meet with the local councillor to explore what can be done to enhance the linkage of Dupont Station to Casa Loma for TTC passengers, exclusive of a name change, but inclusive of other ideas.

The motion by Vice-Chair Mihevc carried.

c) Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Project – Vaughan Corporate Centre Station – Approval of Conceptual Design

It is recommended that the Commission approve the conceptual design for Vaughan Corporate Centre Station which will be presented through the public consultation process.

Approved
 
d) TTC Corporate Policy – Recognition for Employees

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

• Policy 11.8.5  Recognition for Employees

Approved

e) Proxy to Vote Toronto Transit Commission Shares in Toronto Transit Consultants Limited

It is recommended that the Commission approve the attached proxy to exercise the 1,000 Toronto Transit Commission shares in Toronto Transit Consultants Limited for any Toronto Transit Consultants Limited Shareholders Meeting that is held during the year 2010.

Approved
       
f) Proxy to Vote Toronto Transit Commission Shares in Toronto Coach Terminal Inc.

It is recommended that the Commission approve the attached proxy to exercise the 10,000 Toronto Transit Commission shares in Toronto Coach Terminal Inc. for any Toronto Coach Terminal Inc. Shareholders Meeting that is held during the year 2010.

Approved

g) 2010 Commission Meeting Schedule - Revisions

It is recommended that the Commission approve the following revisions to the 2010 Commission meeting schedule:

• replace March 25, 2010 with March 24, 2010
• replace May 5, 2010 with May 6, 2010
• replace August 25, 2010 with August 23, 2010; and
• that the published schedule serve as notice of these changes.

Approved

h) 2008 APTA Rail Audit Updates

Bill Grizzard, Manager – Safety Audit Programs, APTA gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information and approved the recommendation contained in the staff report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

I) Receive for information, the 2008 APTA Rail Safety Audit plus Toronto Transit Commission Management Actions; and

II) Forward this update to the Minister of Transportation, Province of Ontario and clerk of the City of Toronto for Information”.

9. New Business
NIL
10. Correspondence

C-1 Jim Neff, Ashbridge’s Neighbourhood Resident, regarding the Replacement Fleet Maintenance Facility – Property Acquisition. 

The Commission received the communication for information. 

C-2 Robert Miller, Ashbridge’s Neighbourhood Resident, regarding the Replacement Fleet Maintenance Facility – Property Acquisition. 

The Commission received the communication for information. 

C-3 Councillor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto, regarding the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT.

The Commission received the communication for information and referred the correspondence to staff for consideration. 

C-4 Councillor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto, regarding the Subway Rail Yards Needs Strategy.

The Commission received the communication for information and referred the correspondence to staff for consideration. 

C-5 Councillor Frances Nunziata, City of Toronto, regarding the bus stop at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue West and Little Avenue.

The Commission received the communication and referred the correspondence to staff for appropriate action. 

C-6 Karen Sun, Executive Director Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto Chapter, regarding inclusion of Seniors on the Family Day Pass.

The Commission received the communication and referred the correspondence to staff for report back to the commission. 

Vice-Chair Mihevc moved that staff also report back to the Commission on the matter of allowing the Weekly Pass to start a 7-day validity period on any day of the week as opposed to just the current Monday to Sunday period.

The motion by Vice-Chair Mihevc carried.

C-7 Chair Giambrone regarding a Transit City Project Labour Agreement.

Commissioner Milczyn moved that the communication be referred to staff and Metrolinx without recommendation.

Commissioner Milczyn requested a recorded vote.

In favour:  Commissioners m. Augimeri, P. Milczyn, R. Moeser and B. Saundercook.

opposed:  Chair A. Giambrone, Vice-Chair J. Mihevc, Commissioners S. Bussin, S. Hall and A. Perruzza.

The motion lost on a 4-5 vote.

Chair Giambrone moved that the communication be adopted in principle and referred to staff for appropriate action. 

Commissioner Milczyn requested a recorded vote.

In favour:  Chair A. Giambrone, Vice-Chair J. Mihevc, Commissioners M. Augimeri, S. Bussin, S. Hall, R. Moeser, A. Perruzza.

Opposed: Commissioners P. Milczyn and B. Saundercook.
 
The motion carried on a 7-2 vote.

Notice of Motions

a) Commissioner Saundercook – Subway Suicide Rates

Commissioner Saundercook amended his motion as follows:

“That as a result of the recent media coverage of suicide rates on the TTC Subway System, it is requested that staff investigate possible ways of reducing suicides on the TTC, and further that the report back to the Commission include information on cities that have installed platform edge barriers and the success or failure of these installations”.

The motion by Commissioner Saundercook carried.

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

a) TTC Office Space Plan Study - Update 

Chair Giambrone moved that the Commission:

1. “Approve the recommendations, as set out in the confidential attachment, as amended; and

2. Note that the information in the confidential attachment remains confidential until such time as the transaction which is the subject of the report closes”.
 
The motion by Chair Giambrone carried. 

2. 2010 TTC Operating Budget 

Michael Roche, Chief Financial Officer gave an overhead presentation entitled “2010 TTC Operating Budget”.

The Commission received the presentation for information and approved the recommendation contained in the staff report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the Commission:

1) Approve the 2010 TTC Operating Budget (summarized in exhibit 1) as described in this report and as set out in the 2010 TTC Operating Budget Overview Document, and

2) Note that based on current City of Toronto operating subsidy levels and the new fare structure approved by the Commission on November 17, 2009, the TTC 2010 operating budget includes a requirement for additional subsidy of about $46 million as summarized below:

Expenditures - $1,380 million
Revenues - 940 million
Subsidy Needed - 440 million
2009 City Operating Subsidy - 394 million

Additional Subsidy Required - $46 million

3)  Note that staff will be working to develop a multi-year plan, in consultation with City of Toronto staff, to establish a fare/subsidy strategy taking into consideration appropriate targets for ridership levels, service initiatives and revenue/cost ratios.

4) Forward this report to the City of Toronto requesting approval of:

a) The required 2010 Transit Operating Subsidy to the TTC;

b) Confirmation of the establishment of an additional long-term subsidy receivable in the amount of $17.6 million to cover post-retirement benefit non-cash expenses for 2010 consistent with previous accounting treatment approved by council, and;

c) Confirmation of the establishment of an additional long-term subsidy receivable in the amount of $25.8 million to cover accident claims non-cash expenses for 2010 consistent with previous accounting treatment approved by council as noted in (b) above, and;

5) Forward this report to the Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and to the Ontario Minister of Finance, for information.

6) Forward this report to the Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, for information.

7) Forward this report to Metrolinx for information”.

Commissioner Saundercook moved:

Whereas the preparation of the TTC’s 2010 Operating Budget for the conventional system has been underway for several months and has already undergone considerable review and scrutiny; and

Whereas, at present, there remains a $46 million funding shortfall; and

Whereas the 2010 Transit Operating Subsidy to be provided by the City of Toronto has not as yet been confirmed,

That staff continue to work with the City in an effort to resolve the shortfall and report back to the Commission as soon as possible.

The motion by Commissioner Saundercook Carried.

3. 2010 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget 

B. Frost, General Superintendent – Wheel Trans Operations gave a PowerPoint presentation entitled “2010 TTC Operating Budget”.

The Commission received the presentation for information and approved the recommendation contained in the staff report, as listed below:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Approve the 2010 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget (summarized in appendix a) as described in this report and as set out in the 2010 Wheel-Trans Operating Budget Overview Document.

2. Note that based on current City of Toronto Operating Subsidy levels and the new fare structure approved by the Commission on November 17, 2009, the 2010 Wheel Trans Operating Budget includes an increased subsidy requirement of $7,334.5k as summarized below:

Expenditures - $88,433.2
Revenues - (4,757.3)
Subsidy Required - $83,675.9
2009 Approved City Operating Subsidy - 76,341.4

Additional Subsidy Required -  $ 7,334.5
 
3. Approve the contribution of any 2009 Net Operating Surplus to the Ttc Stabilization Reserve Fund for utilization against the 2010 Operating Budget subsidy required.
 
4. The Wheel-Trans Service Plan which encompasses the following key factors:

• Eligibility criteria and application process remain unchanged
• Active registrant base increasing by 12% to 40,000
• Trip demand increasing by 5.2% to 2,445,700
• Accommodating 98% of trips
• Increasing modal split to buses to 47% of all trips in keeping with the 2008 collective bargaining agreement
• Further integration with the conventional transit system
• Community bus routes remain at five (5)
• Implementing scheduling enhancements
• Operating budget workforce increasing by 69 to a year-end complement of 531
• The service area does not increase beyond the city of toronto boundaries
• No impact from aoda transportation standards until 2011

5. Forward this report to the City of Toronto requesting approval of:
 
(A) The City’s required 2010 Operating Subsidy for Wheel-Trans; 
(B) Confirmation of the establishment of an additional long-term subsidy receivable in the amount of $0.83 million to cover post-retirement benefit non-cash expenses for 2010 consistent with previous accounting treatment approved by council;
(C) Confirmation of the establishment of an additional long-term subsidy receivable in the amount of $325,000 to cover accident claims non-cash expenses for 2010 consistent with previous accounting treatment approved by council; and
(D) The contribution of any 2009 net operating surplus to the ttc stabilization reserve fund for utilization against the 2010 operating budget shortfall.

6. Forward this report to the TTC’s Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation (ACAT) for information;

7. Forward this report to the Ontario Minister of Transportation, the Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Ontario Minister of Finance, for information;

8. Forward this report to the Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities, for information; and

9. Forward this report to Metrolinx for information”.

4. Canadian Content – Bus Procurements

Chair Giambrone moved that the recommendation contained in the staff report be struck out and replaced with the following:

“It is recommended that the commission:

1. Establish a requirement for a minimum of 50% Canadian direct assembly labour for future bus procurements, and the following overall Canadian content requirements for future bus purchases based on the consultants’ analysis report:

a. 40-foot diesel 40%
b. 40-foot hybrid 30%
c. 60-foot diesel 35%
d. 60-foot hybrid 30%

2. Direct staff to commence the vendor pre-qualification process;

3. Direct staff to meet with the City and provincial officials to review funding implications and report back to the commission;

4. This report and the background report be forwarded to CUTA, OPTA and the Province of Ontario”.

The motion by Chair Giambrone carried unanimously.
   
Station Modernization Program Prioritization

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Approve implementing the Station Modernization Program based on the priority list (Appendix 1) of stations subject to funding availability;

2. Forward this report to area Councillors on the Bloor-Danforth Line (B-D Line) for information.

Approved

5. Passenger Flow at Bloor-Yonge Station

R. Cornacchia, General Manager – Operations Branch, gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information.

The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Commissioners received the Rail Safety Audit Report prepared by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). A presentation made by APTA’s Director of Safety, Bill Grizard, concluded that the TTC has achieved a significant level of success in developing and implementing its System Safety Program. 
He noted that “Although APTA does not promote the comparative ranking of safety among transit systems, we do take great pleasure in acknowledging those transit systems that are fully engaged in their pursuit of safety excellence. Toronto Transit Commission is one system that deserves such recognition, and we are proud to be associated with an organization of your calibre.”

APTA, a non-profit, international association of more than 1,500 public- and private-member organizations in the transportation sector, conducts a Rail Safety Audit at the TTC every three years and examines 24 separate safety elements ranging from employee training to incident management to workplace safety initiatives. The Final Audit Report presented to Commissioners was prepared in September 2008.

Commissioners approved the 2010 TTC Operating Budget worth almost $1.4 billion. The majority of the budget is devoted to maintaining and improving service standards (largely unchanged from 2009) and accommodating a ridership projection of 462 million. TTC staff will be working with City staff to develop a multi-year plan to establish a fare/subsidy strategy for the future.

Commissioners also approved the Wheel-Trans Operating Budget worth $83.7 million to accommodate a five-per-cent increase in ridership to 2.5 million.

Commissioners approved the Environmental Assessment study for the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT project.

The study recommends the preferred alignment for the 17.2-km route from Finch Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway to Hwy. 27 (Humber College). The LRT includes 30 stops, including two subway connections.

The report will be sent to the City of Toronto for approval and subsequently to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Full funding for the Etobicoke-Finch West LRT was announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty on April 1.

Commissioners unanimously approved that TTC staff establish a requirement for a minimum of 50-per-cent Canadian direct assembly labour for future bus procurements, based on overall Canadian content levels of 30 per cent for 40- and 60-foot hybrids and 35 per cent and 40 per cent for 60-foot and 40-foot diesels respectively, and that TTC staff begin the vendor pre-qualification process. Staff will meet with officials from the City and the Province to review funding implications and report back to the Commission. The TTC already has minimum standards for Canadian content for future bus purchases.

Commissioners approved a revised meeting schedule at Toronto City Hall for 2010 as follows (new dates are boldfaced): Wednesday, January 20; Wednesday, February 17; Wednesday, March 24; Thursday, May 6; Wednesday, June 2; Wednesday, July 14; Monday, August 23; Thursday, September 30; and Wednesday, December 15.