311
Majority of these calls are expected to be about pot holes, business hours, graffiti cleanup or garbage removal requests.
It is a step in the right direction. Lets hope the city will keep the costs low and continue to improve the quality of service.
Toronto – City Renumeration and Expenses
Here is some interesting data from city of Toronto remuneration and expenses report:
Toronto Mayor has an Office budget of $2,599,400 that includes $2,306,345.54 for staff salaries and benefits (equivalent to 23 full time staff).
That would mean ~$100,000 per staff member !
Pam McConnell, ward No. 28 has spend over $11,873 on travel
Adam Giamborone, ward 18 has $94,995 paid expense by ABCCs
Kyle Rae, ward 27 has $19,006 in expenses
Wow! They will likely want a few percent increase in pay this year.
Lets close some pools so we can build a library ..
Brentwood Branch Renovation and Expansion
This project includes a partial demolition/reconstruction, renovation and expansion (3,885 sq. ft.) of this 52 year old building, which will result in approximately 17,500 sq. ft. of floor space for the branch to respond to the needs of existing and increased population from major residential development taking place west of the library. The renovation will address structural and mechanical issues as well as provide barrier free access on all floors including access to washrooms and the community room, and the installation of an elevator. This branch will feature a Le@rning Centre, a KidsStop, a Teen Zone, express check-out and wireless high speed internet access. The gross cost for the project is $8.3 million.
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/pdfs/board/09sep21/10_2.pdf
Our Tax Dollars at Work …..
One industrious Toronto Transit Commission ticket collector earned $125,000 and change last year working overtime, doubling his original salary.
He was among 21 token collectors and 62 bus, streetcar and subway drivers who earned over $100,000 last year, according to a list of public sector salaries. Some 1,500 people in the employ of the city made the so-called “sunshine list” unveiled coincidentally as Toronto council considered its $8.7-billion operating budget where soaring labour costs a hot topic of discussion.
About half the city budget goes to pay roll.
Toronto Green Development Standard Does Not Apply to Toronto Public Library ?
The City of Toronto is proposing a Green Development Standard
“Making a Sustainable City Happen: The Toronto Green Development Standard 2006” is available for public comment. If you would like to read the report, the link is http://www.toronto.ca/environment/greendevelopment.htm
The current building is also not meeting the zoning by-law. The new one will be much larger.
I really don’t understand why our city is wasting tax payers money when it unwilling to set a precedence. I’ll start referring to my truck as a vehicle that is almost ‘green’ !
Brentwood Library will be hiring additional staff
Additional staff will be hired at Brentwood Library.
“…the operating impact from capital projects from the reopening of Brentwood Library (5.4 positions)”
Who is paying for these additional staff ?
Are we spending our tax dollars wisely?
“…Brentwood Library Renovation/Expansion project required an increase of $1.739 million ($1.739 million debt) to reflect rising construction costs estimates.”
“TORONTO, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Ontario’s government said on Thursday it will run a record budget deficit of C$24.7 billion …”
What do you think, are we spending our tax dollars wisely?
What is the point of zoning by-law ?
Brentwood Library is located at 36 Brentwood Rd. N.
The maximum permitted gross floor area for on this lot is 368 meter sq.
The altered building will have a gross floor area equal to 1,697 meter sq.
This is almost 5 times the permitted floor area.
The new building will cover 71% of the lot area, while the maximum permitted coverage would be 33% !
What is the point of zoning by-law and municipal institutions if as tax payers we are not protected !
Brentwood Heavy Traffic and Lack of Parking
There is insufficient number of parking spaces around Brentwood library. The new library has doubled the conference room size to 100 seats and increased the floor space to 4000 sq. meters. This will definitely attract significantly larger number of users from outside the neighborhood.
Cheryl Skovronek, Bloor, Brentwood, and Richview area manager of the Toronto Public Library said, “…the expansion and renovations will help increase traffic in the library.
Toronto Public Library also plans to completely eliminate the 6 available parking spaces on its property. A building this size must have at least 12 parking spaces to comply with our zoning by-law.
Read the rest of this entry »
Toronto Public Library – New Brentwood Library
Renovations and expansion are in the works for Toronto Public Library’s Brentwood Branch. The plan is to add an additional 3,200 sq. ft. flooring with the addition of a third floor and elimination of all parking spaces.
An application was made to the City Planning committee with “Minor Variance Adjustment Permission”. The Toronto Library requested exception from a number of zoning by-laws that are intended to keep the building sizes reasonable in relation to the lot.
During the hearing numerous area residents aired their concerns, which included an increase in road traffic, lack of parking, pollution and privacy of local residents. The current building already has a parking shortage and does not comply with the zoning by-laws.
