Board Meeting - July 6, 2011

(Public meeting to commence at 10:00 a.m. to deal with Declarations of Interest and a resolution to conduct a portion of the meeting in the absence of the public. The Commission will immediately meet in the absence of the public (referred to as “Committee of the Whole”) to deal with Confidential Items and will reconvene the portion of the meeting open to the public at approximately 1:00 p.m.)

1. Union Negotiations Update (Verbal)
   (This report is about labour relations or employee negotiations)
2. 1577 Danforth - Martap
   (This report contains advice or communications that are subject to solicitor- client privilege)
3. Toronto Coach Terminal - Property
   (This report is about a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land for municipal or local board purposes)

Resolution to conduct a portion of the meeting in the absence of the public (Committee of the Whole) in accordance with Section 29 of the Ttc By-Law to Govern Commission Proceedings and Section 190 of the City of Toronto Act

1. Station Collector Safety & Security Update
2. Budget Update

Meeting (Open to the public) – 1:00 P.M.
Committee Room 2, 2nd Floor, City Hall

• Meeting No. 1937 - June 8, 2011

Nil

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.

Nil

Nil

Nil

1. Reports with Confidential Attachments (Committee of the Whole)
• Union Negotiations Update (Verbal) (This report is about labour relations or employee negotiations)
• 1577 Danforth – Martap (FOR ACTION)
• Toronto Coach Terminal – Property (FOR ACTION)
2. Presentations
• Canadian Urban Transit Association National Transit Corporate Recognition Award (FOR INFORMATION)
• Special Acknowledgement by Commission to Coach Technician, Mr.Phil Horgan (TTC Reservist) (FOR INFORMATION)
• Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension - Project Update and Schedule Status (FOR INFORMATION)
3. Budget matters
• Chief General Manager’s Report – Periods 3 & 4 (February 27 to April 30,2011) (FOR ACTION)
4. Procurement Authorizations
• Procurement Authorization – Advertising on the TTC (FOR ACTION)
• Purchase Authorization – Information Technology Placement Firms for Technical Service Assistance (FOR ACTION)
• Summary of Authorized Expenditures between $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for the Period April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011 (FOR INFORMATION)
5. Procurement Authorization Amendments
• Transit Expansion - Procurement Authorization Amendment Design Services – Kennedy Station Redevelopment Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) Contract J85-22 (FOR ACTION)
6. Notice of Awards
• Notice of Award – Procurement Authorization – Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Vaughan Corporate Centre Station – Contract A37-1 (FOR INFORMATION)
7. Service Matters
• TTC Replacement of Streetcar Tracks on Queen’s Quay West (FOR ACTION) (Deferred from June 8, 2011 meeting)
8. Other Business
• Wheel-Trans Taxi Contracts – Procurement Timelines (FOR INFORMATION)
• Transit Expansion - Ashbridges Bay Streetcar Maintenance and Storage Facility Review of Alternate Storage and Connecting Track Route Options (FOR ACTION)
• Lease Extension – Dundas West Subway (McDonald’s Restaurants) (FOR ACTION)
• Outstanding Commission Items (FOR INFORMATION)
• Next Vehicle Arrival System – Text Messaging (FOR ACTION)
• Electronic Fare Collection Update (FOR ACTION)
9. New Business
10. Correspondence

A correspondence summary will be distributed at the meeting.

11. Procurement Authorization Amendment – Payment Card Processing Services (FOR ACTION)
12. Heritage Streetcar Charter Rates - (FOR ACTION)
13. Office Lease – 1835 Yonge Street, 7th Floor (FOR ACTION)
14. Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited President and CEO Report (FOR INFORMATION)

K. Stintz (Chair), P. Milczyn (Vice-Chair), M. Augimeri, V. Crisanti, F. Di Giorgio, N. Kelly, D. Minnan-Wong, C. Palacio, and J. Parker (Commissioners), G. Webster (Chief General Manager), V. Rodo (General Manager – Executive & General Secretary), J. Sepulis (General Manager – Engineering & Construction), D. Dixon (Acting General Manager – Operations), B. Leck (General Counsel - Legal), B. Ross (Director – Corporate Communications), A. Iannucci (Chief Information Officer), A. Bertolo (Chief Project Manager – TYSSE), B. Hughes (Chief Project Manager – Farecard), D. Bryant (Project Manager – Farecard), S. Ghaly (Program Manager – Transit Expansion), A. Pace (Director – Strategic Partnerships - Transit Expansion), R. Thompson (Chief Project Manager – Finch/Sheppard/Yards), G. Carr (Chief Engineer – Service Planning), J. Sinikas (Senior Project Engineer – Service Planning), G. Waddell (Superintendent – Purchasing & Sales - Green Procurement), K. Lee (Assistant General Secretary) and F. Stanois (Co-ordinator – Corporate Secretariat Services) were present.

K. Stintz was in the Chair.

Nil

Commissioner Crisanti moved that the Commission approve the minutes from meeting no. 1936 and meeting no. 1937 and that the Chair and General Secretary be authorized to sign the same.

The motion by Commissioner Crisanti carried.

Nil

Chair Stintz moved that the commission recess to meet as the Committee of the Whole to deal with litigation or potential litigation matters, labour relations, employee negotiations, and to receive advice which is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

The motion by Chair Stintz carried.

Reconvened

Meeting (open to the public) – 1:05 p.m.
Committee room 2, 2nd floor, City Hall

a) Procurement Authorization – Advertising on the TTC
 
Councillor Janet Davis
City of Toronto
(Submitted brief)

Steve Munro

Jamie Kirkpatrick
Toronto Environmental Alliance

The Commission received the deputations for information
(see item no. 4(a) for minute)

b) Transit Expansion:  Procurement Authorization Amendment Design Services – Kennedy Station Redevelopment Scarborough Rapid Transit SRT Contract J85-22

Brian Boehlert

The Commission received the deputation for information.
(see item no. 5(a) for minute).

c) Transit Expansion – Ashbridges Bay Streetcar Maintenance and Storage Facility Review of Alternate Storage and Connecting Track Route Options

Karl Junkin

Stephen Wickens

Ed Levy

Steve Munro

Christopher Yates and Joseph Ryan
Canada Post

Timothy Webster
Tim Horton’s Franchisee

Karen Buck
(Submitted brief)

Alan Yule

Jamie Kirkpatrick
Toronto Environmental Alliance

Councillor Paula Fletcher
City of Toronto
(Submitted brief)

The Commission received the deputations for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute).

d) Next Vehicle Arrival System – Text Messaging

Steve Munro

Alan Yule

Jamie Kirkpatrick
Toronto Environmental Alliance

The Commission received the deputations for information.
(see item no. 8(e) for minute).

e) Electronic Fare Collection Update

Steve Munro

The commission received the deputation for information.
(see item no. 8(f) for minute).

Nil

Nil

NIL

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

a) Union Negotiations Update

The Commission:

1. Received a confidential verbal update regarding labour negotiations.

2. Authorized release of the information provided following ratification of the agreements by all parties.

b) 1577 Danforth Avenue - Martap

The Commission:

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

2. That the information in the confidential attachment remain confidential until such time as the litigation is resolved.

c) Toronto Coach Terminal – Property

The Commission:

1. Adopted the recommendation contained in the confidential attachment; and

2. Authorized the release of information in the confidential attachment following completion of any activities forming the subject of the report.

2. Presentations

a) Canadian Urban Transit Association National Transit Corporate Recognition Award

Christopher Norris, Director of Technical Services, Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) presented TTC Chair Karen Stintz and Grant Waddell, Superintendent – Purchasing & Sales – Green Procurement, with the CUTA National Transit Corporate Recognition Award for the TTC’s Green Procurement Policy.

Chair Stintz received the award on behalf of the Commission and extended her appreciation to TTC staff for their excellent work in this important area.  Chair Stintz also took the opportunity to thank Mr. Norris for CUTA’s recognition of the TTC’s work on Green Procurement Initiatives and for attending the meeting for the presentation.

 b) Special Acknowledgement by Commission to Coach Technician, Mr. Phil Horgan,   (TTC Reservist)

On behalf of the Commission Chair Stintz paid tribute to Mr. Phil Horgan, Coach Technician, Wheel-Trans, for his volunteer service with the Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan during 2010.  Chair Stintz extended the Commission’s appreciation to Mr. Horgan for his personal sacrifice and commitment during his 7-month tour.  Joining Mr. Horgan for the presentation were his wife Kathryn, daughter Kellina and from the 32nd Service Battalion of Toronto Honourary Colonel Gerry Nudd; Honourary Lieutenant Colonel Hari Panday; Commanding Officer – Lieutenant Colonel John Conrad; Deputy Commanding Officer – Major Charles Jansen and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Patterson.
 
c) Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Project Update and Schedule Status 

Andy Bertolo, Chief Project Manager, TYSSE, gave a PowerPoint presentation on this item.

The Commission received the presentation for information.

3. Budget Matters

a) Chief General Manager’s Report – Periods 3 & 4 (February 27 to April 30, 2011)

Chair Stintz moved adoption of the recommendation contained in the staff report, as follows:

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.

The motion by Chair Stintz carried.

Chair Stintz also moved that, on behalf of the large number of seniors in the area of Keele subway station, staff review the feasiblity of expediting the installation of elevator service at Keele station noting that 2018 is the current implementation date for this project.

The motion by Chair Stintz carried.

Before concluding with this item, Chair Stintz also took the opportunity to read a number of communications that she has received from customers providing specific examples of good customer service they have received from TTC staff.  Chair Stintz thanked the customers for taking the time to pass along the details of their positive experiences and also extended her appreciation to the TTC employees who are providing this kind of excellent customer service on a daily basis.
   
4. Procurement Authorizations

a) Procurement Authorization – Advertising on the TTC

Commissioner Augimeri took carriage of the following motions on behalf of Councillor Janet Davis and requested that each item be voted on seperately.

i) That the right to advertise on vehicle ceilings not be included in the contract.

The motion by Commissioner Augimeri lost.

II) That the right to advertise on stair risers not be included in the contract.

The motion by Commissioner Augimeri lost.
 
III) Ensure that all advertising must meet current and future Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act guidelines.

The motion by Commissioner Augimeri carried.

IV) Consult with the advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) and other appropriate stakeholder groups on advertising in “station domination” subway stations, and other subway stations, to seek input on types and location of advertising to ensure accessiblity for patrons who have disabilities, particularly those who are sight-impaired.

The motion by Commissioner Augimeri carried.
  
V) That all proposals for subway line naming rights and subway station naming rights be forwarded to city council for approval.

The motion by Commissioner Augimeri lost.

Chair Stintz then moved adoption of the recommendation contained in the staff report, as follows.

It is recommended that the commission approve the award of a contract to Pattison Outdoor Advertising for the right to sell and display advertising on Commission owned or occupied property based on a minimum total guaranteed cash revenue return to the Commission of $324,000,000 over a period of twelve years from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2023.

The motion by Chair Stintz carried.

b) Procurement Authorization – Information Technology Placement Firms for Technical Service Assistance

It is recommended that the Commission approve the issuance of contracts to the following seventeen companies for the period from September 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, in the upset limit amounts indicated:

1. Adga IT Systems Inc. (formerly IT/Net – Toronto Inc.). / $1,350,000
2. Bevertec CST Inc. / $1,582,000
3. Calian Ltd. / $1,275,000
4. Deloitte Inc. / $    182,000
5. Eagle Professional Resources Inc. / $1,350,000
6. ESRI Canada Limited / $    125,000
7. GSI International Consulting Group / $1,275,000
8. Ian Martin I.T. / $1,582,000
9. Imex Systems Inc. / $       75,000
10. iVedha Inc. / $    125,000
11. KPMG / $    182,000
12. Open Text / $    107,000
13. ProCom / $1,350,000
14. Sani International Technology Advisors Inc. / $   125,000
15. S.I. Systems Partnership / $1,275,000
16. Sierra Systems Group Inc. / $1,582,000
17. T.E.S. Contract Services Inc. / $1,457,000

Total Upset Limit Amount all contracts / $15,000,000

Approved 

c) Summary of Authorized Expenditures between $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for the Period April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information.  It lists Expenditures ($1,000,000 to $5,000,000) for the period April 1, 2011to April 30, 2011 which were approved by Senior Management.

Received

5. Procurement Authorization Amendments

a) Transit Expansion:  Procurement Authorization Amendment Design Services – Kennedy Station Redevelopment Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) Contract J85-22

It is recommended that the Commission authorize a Contract Amendment to AECOM Canada Ltd (AECOM) in the upset limit amount of $6,600,000, in order to complete the preliminary design for the Kennedy Station Redevelopment.

Approved

6. Notice of Awards

a) Notice of Award - Procurement Authorization – Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension – Vaughan Corporate Centre Station – Contract A37-1

It is recommended that the Commission receive the notice of award of Chair Stintz, Vice-Chair Milczyn and the Chief General Manager authorizing the award of a contract to CARILLION CONSTRUCTION INC. in the amount of $197,821,000.00 for Contract A37-1, Vaughan Corporate Centre Station. 

Received
 
7. Service Matters

a) TTC Replacement of Streetcar Tracks on Queen’s Quay West

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Endorse the TTC staff recommendation, as described in this report that, unless Waterfront Toronto can confirm they have approval for full funding for their Central Waterfront Revitalization project by the end of June, TTC staff be authorized to rebuild the streetcar tracks on Queens Quay West, in 2012, in their current location, to modern and safe conditions, noting that:

• Waterfront Toronto’s Central Waterfront Revitalization project calls for a multi faceted rebuilding of Queens Quay West, including a slight relocation of the TTC’s streetcar tracks to the south of their current location;
• the TTC’s streetcar tracks on Queens Quay West have reached a critical  state of deterioration which has already resulted in one streetcar derailment, making it urgent that these tracks be rebuilt;
• Waterfront Toronto does not currently have sufficient approved funding to undertake their Central Waterfront Revitalization project, and they are in the process of trying to get approval to transfer already-approved funding from East Bayfront-related projects to, instead, the Central Waterfront Revitalization project, in order to be able to coordinate that work with the TTC’s time critical track reconstruction work, but may not have confirmation of this approval until October or November, 2011;
• waiting for Waterfront Toronto’s confirmation this late would cause very significant problems with respect to the currently scheduled rebuilding of the tracks on Queens Quay, including missing the 2012 construction season; and

2. Forward this report to Waterfront Toronto, the City of Toronto, and Metrolinx.

Approved

(also see item no. 10/c-1 and item no. 10/c-1(a))

8. Other Business

a) Wheel-Trans Taxi Contracts – Procurement Timelines

Commissioner Minnan-Wong moved that this report be deferred to the September 20, 2011 Commission Meeting to permit debate and/or public presentations.

The motion by commissioner Minnan-Wong carried.

b)    Transit Expansion – Ashbridges Bay Streetcar Maintenance and Storage Facility Review of Alternate Storage and Connecting Track Route Options

S. Ghaly (Program Manager – Transit Expansion), R. Thompson (Chief Project Manager – Finch/Sheppard/Yards) and J. Sinikas (Senior Project Engineer – Service Planning) provided PowerPoint and traffic simulation presentations on this item.

The commission received the presentations for information.

Chair Stintz moved adoption of the recommendation contained in the staff report, as follows:

“It is recommended that the commission receive this report noting the following:

1. Leslie Street is the preferred routing option for the connecting track for streetcars from the New Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) to the existing streetcar network at Queen Street.

2. The storage and servicing of New Streetcars will be provided at the new Ashbridges Bay MSF, and the existing Roncesvalles and Russell yards.  However, staff have identified streetcar storage allocation that will potentially reduce the number of vehicles using the Leslie Street connecting route by 13 vehicles a day.
 
 3. This report be forwarded to Councillor Fletcher and Councillor Mcmahon”.

The motion by chair Stintz carried.

Chair Stintz further moved that access to Tim Hortons be maintained during construction.

The motion by Chair Stintz carried.

Chair Stintz also took carriage of the following ancillary motions on behalf of Councillor Paula Fletcher:

That the following measures be in place leading up to construction:

1. A) A neighbourhood traffic management plan
 b) A construction management plan including benchmarks
 c) A mitigation plan for businesses
 d) A communication plan for residents and businesses

2. A local community liaison office be considered for this project.

3. Should Leslie Street be finalized as the route that the streetscape design be extended to include the areas north on Leslie Street to the first houses north of Queen, east on Queen Street to Hastings Avenue, west on Queen Street to Jones Avenue.
 
The motions by Chair Stintz carried. 

c) Lease Extension – Dundas West Subway (McDonald’s Restaurants)

It is recommended that the Commission: 
  
1. Approve granting a five-year lease extension for the period from October 20, 2011 to October 19, 2016  for the lease of premises at the Dundas West subway station with McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited (McDonald’s) resulting in annual rent of $210,000 and;
 
2. Granting a second extension option for a further five years (2016 - 2021) under the terms outlined in this report.

Approved

d) Outstanding Commission Items

It is recommended that the Commission receive for information, the updated list of outstanding Commission items for the period up to and including the meeting of June 8, 2011.

Received

e) Next Vehicle Arrival System – Text Messaging

Vice-Chair Milczyn moved that the recommendation in the staff report be struck out and that staff be directed to proceed with the roll-out of the text messaging service to include all bus stops, but the matter of charging for the text service be deferred until the September 20, 2011 Commission meeting to allow the Chief Customer Service Officer to report back with customer research findings, public opinion about fees for text messages and alternative means of obtaining vehicle arrival time information.

The motion by Vice-Chair Milczyn carried.

 f) Electronic Fare Collection Update

Commissioner Minnan-Wong moved deferral of this report until such time as the Chief General manager reports back on the details of the operating, governance and financial agreements.

The deferral motion by Commission Minnan-Wong lost.

Chair Stintz moved adoption of the recommendation contained in the staff report, as follows:

 “It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Approve the Presto-TTC financial approach for implementing Presto at TTC as outlined in this report noting that:

• The Province of Ontario and Metrolinx have approved the proposed financial approach which provides predictability for TTC on Presto Fare System costs over a 10-year period, and caps the TTC’s upfront capital costs to implement Presto at the previously budgeted amount of $47 million;
• TTC staff will continue to meet with representatives of the provincial government, Metrolinx and the City of Toronto to develop operating and governance agreements based on the framework for addressing key principles outlined in attachment a; and
• TTC staff will report back to the Commission for approval of the operating, governance and financial agreements once they have been developed with the Province of Ontario, Metrolinx and the City of Toronto”.

Commissioner Minnan-Wong requested a recorded vote.

In favour:  Chair Stintz, Vice-Chair Milczyn, Commissioner Crisanti, Commissioner Di Giorgio, Commissioner Kelly, Commissioner Palacio and Commissioner Parker.

Opposed:  Commissioner Minnan-Wong

Not present during the recorded vote:  Commissioner Augimeri

The motion carried on a vote of 7 to 1.

9. New Business

NIL

10.  Correspondence

C1 – City Manager, J. Pennachetti, regarding Queens Quay Revitalization.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 7(a))

C1(a) – John W. Campbell, Waterfront Toronto, regarding Queens Quay Revitalization.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 7(a))

C2 – Christopher E. Yates, General Manager Plant Operations Central, Canada Post, regarding the connecting track route for the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)
 
C3 – Karl Junkin, Stephen Wickens and Ed Levy regarding the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
 (see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C4 – Karl Junkin regarding Hillcrest/Exhibition vs Ashbridges Bay – A Transparent Calculation and Comparison of deadhead costs.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C5 – Jon and Karen Voss in opposition to the Leslie Street connecting track route to the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C6 – Gilbert Demers in opposition to the Leslie Street connecting track route to the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C7 – Timothy Webster, Tim Hortons Franchisee, in opposition to the Leslie Street connecting track route to the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C8 – Angela Pool in opposition to the Leslie Street connecting track route to the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C9 – Janet MacDonald regarding the connecting track route for the Ashbridges Bay LRV storage and maintenance facility.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 8(b) for minute)

C10 – Councillor Janet Davis requesting deferral of Report No. 14, Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited President & CEO Report, to the next meeting of the Commission to allow for debate and public presentations.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 14 for minute)

C11 – Councillor Joe Mihevc requesting deferral of Report No. 14, Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited President & CEO Report, to the next meeting of the Commission to allow for debate and public presentations.

The Commission received the communication for information.
(see item no. 14 for minute)

C12 – Almis Ledas, Vice President of Corporate Development, Bell Mobility Inc. regarding a consortium approach to the provision of a cellular network in the subway system.

The Commission received the communication and referred the correspondence to staff for report back at the September 20, 2011 commission meeting.
 
C13 – Nicholas Volk, Chair – AT HOME, regarding the potential transfer of the TTC property at 777 Victoria Park Avenue to Build Toronto.

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

 11. Procurement Authorization Amendment – Payment Card Processing Services

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the issuance of a contract amendment to Global Payments Canada Inc. for payment card processing services, to extend the contract to July 15, 2013 with an increase of $810,000.00 in the total upset limit amount to $2,111,102.87.

Approved
 
12. Heritage Streetcar Charter Rates

It is recommended that the Commission endorse the TTC staff recommendations:

1. To charge full rate for all Heritage Streetcar charters; and

2. To continue operating Heritage Streetcars on the Harbourfront line on Sundays, during the summer.

Approved

13. Office Lease – 1835 Yonge Street, 7th Floor

It is recommended that the Commission approve the offer to lease office space at 1835 Yonge Street with LPF Realty Office Inc. under the terms detailed in this report to meet the needs of the Rail Vehicle Engineering (RVE) section of the Rail Cars & Shops department at a total maximum cost of $2,016,659.00, plus applicable taxes.

Approved
 
14. Toronto Transit Infrastructure Limited President and CEO Report

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

Received

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Commissioners officially welcomed back TTC employee and reservist Phil Horgan from voluntary military service in Afghanistan. Horgan served with the 32nd Service Battalion of Toronto, and is safely back at work as a Coach Technician at Wheel-Trans.

Commissioners approved the award of a contract worth a minimum guaranteed $324 million for a 12-year period to Pattison Outdoor Advertising. The contract starts on Jan. 1, 2012, and will identify new revenue-generating ideas, such as station naming rights. The board also agreed to ensure that all advertising meets all current and future Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities guidelines, and that the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation and other appropriate stakeholders be consulted with regards to station domination and its impact on people with visual impairments.

Commissioners re-affirmed Leslie Street as the best option for a track connection between the future Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility and the existing streetcar network at Queen Street. TTC staff identified opportunities to reduce streetcar use of the Leslie Street connecting track by about 15 per cent, and was directed to prepare plans to reduce the disruption of the Leslie Street construction. The new carhouse and connecting track are scheduled for completion in 2014.

Commissioners approved the award of a contract worth $197.2 million to Carillion Construction Inc. for the construction of the subway station at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. The terminal station will be located north of Highway 7 to the west side of the relocated Millway Avenue.

Commissioners approved a contract amendment worth $6.6 million to AECOM Canada to complete the preliminary design for the Kennedy Station Redevelopment for the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown LRT. Kennedy is a multi-modal, interchange station linking the Bloor-Danforth Subway with the Scarborough Rapid Transit line. Kennedy is to be redesigned to accommodate a future continuous light rail line connecting the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the SRT.

Commissioners received for information a TTC staff presentation on the status of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) confirming the project is on time and on budget. The 8.6-km extension is fully funded, and physical construction is scheduled to be completed in 2015. The TYSSE is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto and The Regional Municipality of York.

With Waterfront Toronto’s recently confirmed funding for the Queens Quay Revitalization Project, Commissioners approved plans to proceed with a realignment of the tracks required for the ambitious makeover of Queens Quay. As a result, TTC staff can immediately begin the engineering work required in preparation for the start of construction in the spring of 2012. More than four million customer trips are made on these tracks annually. They are used by 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcars.

Commissioners approved the rollout of the Next Vehicle Arrival System to all TTC bus stops. Commissioners also decided to defer charging for text messaging until the board’s September meeting to allow time for the TTC’s new Chief Customer Service Officer to conduct customer research, gauge public opinion about possible fees for text messages and communicate alternative means of getting vehicle arrival information. Currently, TTC customers can send SMS text messages to the TTC for a specific streetcar stop and receive a real-time reply with the expected arrival time of the next several vehicles at that stop.

Note: The Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20 (revised from Sept. 21). The previously scheduled August date was cancelled.