Davenport Community Briefing - September 9th 2021

Dear neighbours,

As I am sure you have also noted, there has been over the last few weeks an increase in the number of Covid 19 cases in our City and across the province. This is consistent with what we have heard from public health officials as we move through what they have identified is the fourth wave of the pandemic. As I have done for some time now, I would strongly encourage you to get your vaccination, either first or second, as the path out of this pandemic is clearly linked to vaccinations, and as has been demonstrated vaccinated people are much less likely to to have serious health impacts that could result in hospitalization. Please get vaccinated if you have not already done so.

If you still require your first or second dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine, my office is assisting the Abrigo Centre in hosting another pop-up clinic focusing on Portuguese-speaking communities tomorrow (September 10th) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. You can book an appointment with our office prior to the start of the clinic, however walk-in appointments will also be available. Your health card will not be required in order to receive a vaccination, and all are welcome to attend!

To this end, the City of Toronto is continuing to move forward with new strategies to ensure very easy access to vaccination clinics. Every Tuesday through Saturday, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm, City-run vaccine clinics are open to those eligible to receive either their first or second dose. Additionally, the City has expanded our Mobile Vaccine Strategy to bring vaccines directly to residents. This includes a partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission, with mobile clinics expected at various TTC stations over the coming weeks. These changes to the vaccine strategy will help break down barriers for accessibility, and continue the trend of increasing vaccinations.

In addition to changes at the City, the Provincial Government has announced that Ontario's vaccine certificate will be mandatory as of September 22nd. Fully vaccinated individuals will be required to show their vaccine receipt alongside a piece of government-issue Photo ID in order to enter non-essential spaces where the policy is in effect. Ontarians can download their vaccine receipts through Ontario's provincial booking portal. If you require assistance, or do not have access to your health card, you can contact the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.

As of September 22nd, you will be required to show proof of vaccination at the following locations:

Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
Sporting events;
Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments;
Concerts, music festivals, theatres, and cinemas;
Strip clubs, bathhouses, and sex clubs;
Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).

At today's Toronto and East York Community Council – among other local matters, I have introduced a number of important traffic-calming motions to reduce local traffic speeds, as well as implement speed humps along identified residential streets. These changes will continue to make our community streets safer and more accessible – not only for pedestrians, but for cyclists and drivers as well.

I am also looking forward to seeing many of you at our pop-up community consultation & ice cream social regarding our new park at 261 Nairn Avenue. It is happening this Saturday, September 11th. The new park at 261 Nairn Avenue is an exciting addition to our ward's green spaces, and your feedback is greatly appreciated by myself and the City's staff. Join me from 2:00-5:00pm this Saturday to have your say!

This week we are also seeing our kids returning to school after what was a very difficult year for them. Please be extra careful keeping in mind that many more children will be out and about especially during the morning, lunchtime and afternoons when school ends for the day. I want to express my deep gratitude for the work that educators and other educational staff have done, and continue to do. I also want to send my best wishes to all parents and students -- whether you or your children are entering a new year in elementary, high school, or university, I wish you all great success in the coming year!

If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 416.392.7012.

In community,

Ana

Table of Contents

Local Updates
1. Toronto and East York Community Council - Today's Agenda
2. Mary McCormick Community Centre Renovations - Complete!
3. TOMORROW - Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic at Casa Das Beiras Community Centre (34 Caledonia Rd), 6:00-9:00pm
4. Earlscourt Park Dog Off-Leash Area
5. 261 Nairn Park Pop-Up Event - Saturday September 11th, 2:00-5:00pm
6. Osler Playground Park Improvements
7. Davenport Community Movie Night - September 23rd
8. Waste Management Guide & 2022 Collection Schedule
9. City of Toronto Notices
  1. 1423-1437 Bloor Street West & 278 Sterling Road (Public Meeting on September 14)
  2. 1500-1536 St Clair Avenue West & 20-36 Caledonia Road Virtual Community Consultation Meeting (Public Meeting on September 28th)
  3. Innes Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation
10. Metrolinx Notices
  1. Geotechnical Investigation North of St. Clair Avenue W. Rail Crossing - Weekend, Day & Night Work
Other Updates
1. Bloordale BIA Inaugural Magazine
2. Community Environment Days at City Drop-Off Depots
3. The Longest Way Round is the Shortest Way Home @ Lisgar Park
4. "Be Safe" Vision Zero Campaign
Recent Municipal Announcements

Local Updates

Toronto and East York Community Council - Today's Agenda

Today's Toronto and East York Community Council has a number of items that I have brought forward to continue my work on improving pedestrian and road safety across the ward. Speedhumps and other traffic calming measures ensure that our streets are safer and more welcoming to members of our community. These changes happen because of feedback from, and consultation with the community -- your input is critical to advancing these changes, and I am happy to continue supporting safer streets within our community and across the city. From today's meeting, the following changes will be made:

- Speed Hump Installation on Brock Avenue (From Croatia Street to Bloor Street)

- Speed Hump Installation on Hepbourne Street (From Dovercourt Road to Ossington Avenue)

- Speed Hump Installation and designation of a 30 km/h speed limit on Roseneath Gardens (From Earlsdale Avenue to Glenhurst Avenue)

- Speed Hump Installation and designation of a 30 km/h speed limit on St. Clair Gardens (From Ascot Avenue to St. Clair Avenue West)

- Speed Hump Installation and designation of a 30 km/h speed limit on on St. Clarens Avenue (From St. Clarens Avenue from Davenport Road to St. Clair Avenue West)

Additionally, today's agenda sees the introduction of two preliminary development reports for the applications at 1500-1536 St Clair Avenue West & 20-36 Caledonia Road, as well as 221, 225 and 227 Sterling Road. These two applications are approaching their first virtual public consultations in the coming weeks. The notice for the September 28th Virtual Community Consultation Meeting can be found below, and the notice for the 221-227 Sterling Road site will be released within the next week.

Mary McCormick Community Centre Renovations - Complete!

Renovations on the Mary McCormick Community Centre have been completed! Since September 2019, the City has been improving the space for future community use. These have been major renovations to a well-used community centre, and their completion allows for greater usability, accessibility, and enjoyment for the entire community going forward.

Renovations include:

- Pool upgrades including pool tank, pool deck, walls and ceiling

- Mechanical and HVAC system upgrades

- Main elevator repair and pool elevator upgrade

- Upgraded lights and exit signs

- Change room upgrades including refinished walls, floors, ceilings, new lockers, partitions and new plumbing fixtures.

- Accessibility improvements including accessible change room, washroom, pool elevator and pool lift

TOMORROW - Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic at Casa Das Beiras Community Centre (34 Caledonia Rd), 6:00-9:00pm

TOMORROW (September 10th) from 6-9pm, the Abrigo Centre with support from my office will be hosting a vaccine clinic at the Casa Das Beiras Community Centre (34 Caledonia Rd). Clinics have been quick & efficient, book your appointment early -- but walk-in appointments are available. No health card is required and all are welcome!

Earlscourt Park Dog Off-Leash Area

I am happy to announce that the Earlscourt Park Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) has been refurbished with new Fibertop engineered wood fibre chips.

Dog Parks are well used in our community, and as a result my office as well as the City of Toronto are committed to ensuring that these spaces are well maintained and improved. This project is a great improvement for our furry friends/companions in the community -- and I can't wait to see this space being used! For DOLA locations in parks across Davenport and Toronto, visit here.

261 Nairn Park Pop-Up Event - Saturday September 11th, 2:00-5:00pm

This Saturday (September 11th) from 2:00-5:00pm, join me and City of Toronto staff for a pop-up community consultation regarding the new park at 261 Nairn Avenue. Join us in-person to share your thoughts and suggestions on the future of this new park -- as well as for some delicious ice cream!

This project is located at the southwest corner of Rogers Road and Nairn Avenue, wiht the City having recently acquired the property. The new park will be designed using feedback from the community and may include the following features:

A playground with accessible play equipment
Accessible pathways and seating
A social gathering space
Shade features
Plantings and/or a small garden
Fencing

Construction on this park will begin in Summer 2022, with a completion date in the Fall of 2022.

If you can't make it to our community consultation, a virtual survey will be available for your feedback at www.toronto.ca/261NairnPark

Osler Playground Park Improvements

City of Toronto staff will be hosting a variety of public meetings to get your feedback on the refresh of the Osler Playground! These meetings will include presentations on concept designs that were developed by community members in collaboration with staff for further feedback. The scope of this project's improvements include:

A new Dogs off-leash area
Playground enhancement
Waterplay area enhancement
Greenspace improvements
Pathways improvements
New Seating
Improvements to the adjacent school grounds are also being considered

Construction on this park will begin in Summer 2022, with a completion date in the Spring of 2023.

Virtual Public Meeting
September 13^th, 2021 7pm – 8:30
Register or join

Online Survey
Monday Sept 13 to 26^th.
Survey link will be posted on the project webpage once it becomes available.

Pop-Up Consultation in the Park
Saturday Sept 18^th, 2021, 12pm – 2pm.
Join us at the park (Osler Playground, 123 Argyle St)

For more information, including proposed community visions, please visit www.toronto.ca/OslerPlayground

Davenport Community Movie Night - September 23rd

I am inviting you to join me and members of our community for my first in-person Movie Night since the beginning of the pandemic! This is a family friendly, all-ages, and COVID-safe event taking place in Earlscourt Park. I encourage you to RSVP as soon as you can - space is limited in order to follow current health and safety protocols.

I am looking forward to seeing you there! Make sure to bring your own snacks, blankets, and lawn chairs for when you come.

RSVP here: https://www.anabailao.com/earlscourt_movie_night

Waste Management Guide & 2022 Collection Schedule

The way that residents receive their collection schedules and certain waste management information is changing. The City will not be producing and mailing the traditional Waste Management Calendar/Guide this year. Instead, residents in single-family homes will receive their 2022 collection schedule as part of an upcoming utility bill and a separate condensed Waste Management Guide will be mailed to single-family and multi-residential households by the end of this year. These changes were approved by City Council as part of the 2021 Rate-Supported Budget and will allow the City to reduce the amount of waste it produces and save money on postage and printing, while still providing important waste information in a printed format.
The City is asking residents to look out for these items and to hold on to them for reference. The collection schedule will be on the last page of the utility bill and will include information about proper waste disposal on the back. Those who do not receive utility bills to their homes will have their collection schedule mailed to them separately. The majority of residents will receive their schedules sometime between September and the end of December with a small percentage receiving their schedules in January. All mailings that include a collection schedule will have a note on the back of the envelope to indicate that the schedule is inside.

In addition to being provided in print, collection schedules and information about proper waste disposal and sorting, waste reduction and Drop-Off Depots is available online at http://www.toronto.ca/waste or by calling 311.

Residents can also access their collection schedules and get reminders about what waste to set out when with the TOwaste app, which is free to download and available for iOs and Android devices. The easy-to-use app also features the Waste Wizard as well as where to find the closest City Drop-Off Depot and locations to donate items for reuse.

The City will monitor the impact of the new education resources on the City’s waste management programs and feedback from residents to help inform future decisions around how this information is distributed and report back to City Council as part of the 2023 Rate-Supported Budget Process.

More information is available at toronto.ca/waste-guide-schedules.

City of Toronto Notices

1423-1437 Bloor Street West & 278 Sterling Road (Public Meeting on September 14th)

Following the approval of the preliminary development report at the June 4th Toronto and East York Community Council, the first Virtual Community Consultation Meeting for this site will take place next week. The application proposes to redevelop the lands at 1423-1437 Bloor Street West and 278 Sterling Road with an 18-storey mixed-use building comprised of 204 residential units, including 189 condominium dwelling units and 15 replacement rental units, and retail uses at-grade. This proposal also includes 208 bicycle parking spaces, and a total of 63 vehicular parking spaces.

I encourage you to attend the Virtual Community Consultation Meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 14th between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

Please visit the Application Information Centre at www.toronto.ca/1423BloorStW for further information.

1500-1536 St Clair Avenue West & 20-36 Caledonia Road Virtual Community Consultation Meeting (Public Meeting on September 28th)

At today's Toronto and East York Community Council, City of Toronto staff presented the preliminary development report for this site. The application proposes to permit a mixed use development that would include two three-winged towers atop a shared podium (16 and 18-storey residential towers inclusive of a 2-storey mixed-use podium and mechanical penthouse), a courtyard fronting St Clair and a rail trail. The proposal includes 753 residential units, 332 vehicular parking spaces, and 754 bicycle parking spaces.

I encourage you to attend the first Virtual Community Consultation Meeting for this site, which will take place on Wednesday, September 28th between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Please visit the Application Information Centre at www.toronto.ca/1500StClairAveW for further information.

Innes Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation

Starting September 20th, the City of Toronto will rehabilitate the Innes Avenue pedestrian bridge over the Metrolinx track. This work will ensure that the bridge meets today’s standards and remains safe for pedestrians. The pedestrian bridge will remain closed during construction

Metrolinx Notices

Geotechnical Investigation North of St. Clair Avenue W. Rail Crossing - Weekend, Day & Night Work

Metrolinx will be conducting geotechnical investigation on the Kitchener rail corridor, north of St. Clair Avenue West. This work will include the drilling of a total of seven boreholes and the installation of monitoring wells. Please see the map for approximate locations of each borehole. Work will take place between September 10th and 17th, with both daytime and nighttime work.

Other Updates

Bloordale BIA Inaugural Magazine

The Bloordale BIA just recently released the inaugeral edition of their Magazine! If you weren't able to get a physical copy - they have released an electronic copy for us all to flip through. Congratulations on this first edition, I look forward to future versions!

The Bloordale BIA Magazine can be found on their ISSUU here.

Community Environment Days at City Drop-Off Depots

Do your part to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal at Community Environment Days. The City of Toronto will be hosting 14 events at Drop-Off Depots on Sundays beginning September 12 until October 31. At the events, you will be to drive to different stations to drop off unwanted items for donation and to dispose of batteries, old paint and other household hazardous waste. Free bagged compost will be available with a limit of two bags per vehicle while supplies last. A list of event dates and more information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/environment_days.

The Longest Way Round is the Shortest Way Home @ Lisgar Park

The Longest Way Round is the Shortest Way Home, curated by Arts Assembly. Free performances on Saturday, September 11, 18 and 25 at 1 p.m. at Lisgar Park (60 Lisgar Street).

Arts Assembly invites four Toronto-based dance artists, b solomon, Amelia Ehrhardt, jes sachse and Danah Rosales, to consider ideas of home as they relate to interconnected ideas of the body, transiency and the other. As part of Toronto Sculpture Garden offsite programming and ArtworxTO, this series of call and response outdoor performances at Lisgar Park explores the theme of home, which deeply resonates with the social and economic conditions attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit: artsassembly.ca for full performance schedule.

"Be Safe" Vision Zero Campaign

The City of Toronto’s “Be Safe” public education campaign was launched in July 2021 to remind all road users – people walking, cycling, riding motorcycles and driving – to exercise caution, stay alert and obey the rules of the road as car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic volumes continue to rise.

The campaign, which advances the education component of the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, is intended to promote awareness of the rules of the road especially as they relate to cycling safety. It features a set of messages and creatives that remind the public of how to safely interact with the different types of cycling infrastructure, encourage all road users to share the road and alert people driving or cycling to stay vigilant, slow down and obey traffic and speed signs.

The campaign will run until September 31 and will be featured on the advertising faces of Toronto’s Bike Share stations, transit shelters, bus backs, billboards, parking garages in addition to radio, print and social media ads.

Recent Municipal Announcements (August 26 - September 9)

August 26 - City of Toronto releases its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees
August 27 - City of Toronto expands pilot to capture dog waste in street litter bins
August 30 - Toronto Public Health expands programs to support a safe return to school
August 31 - City of Toronto announces new Team Toronto Mobile Strategy to bring vaccines directly to residents
September 2 - City of Toronto working with partners to roll out TTC bus vaccine clinics
September 3 - City of Toronto extends summer pool season for nine outdoor pools to help residents cool off
September 7 - Mayor Tory unveils the City of Toronto’s action plan to safely manage congestion as schools open and workers return to offices
September 7 - City of Toronto encourages residents to drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal at Community Environment Days
September 8 - Data shows unvaccinated residents seven times more likely to become infected with COVID-19, City of Toronto sees increase in doses administered following Province’s proof of vaccination announcement
September 9 - City of Toronto continuing to take action to reduce speeding and improve road safety as students return to school

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