Highlights from the Toronto City Council meeting of September 30 and October 1, 2009

Towers proposal in Don Mills

Council decided not to approve a proposal by developer Cadillac Fairview that included a series of residential towers as tall as 26 storeys on a Don Mills site that is zoned for a maximum height of eight storeys. City staff were instructed to continue discussions with the developer. On the related subject of a future community centre for that Don Mills neighbourhood, Council indicated that its preference is a combined community centre and twin-pad arena rather than a stand-alone community centre. more »

The Taylor Massey Project is looking for new members to join its Board and list of volunteers!

Developed by a group of volunteers throughout 2003 and early 2004, the Taylor Massey Project has three over-arching objectives: more »

The Toronto City update e-newsletter (Volume 3, Issue 3) is now available!

Topics covered include:

• Enhancing customer service
• A global City in a global economy
• Award-winning performance
• Championing the environment
• On the Waterfront

The e-newsletter can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/city-update/archive/cu2009-q3.htm.

This year is a different flu season. Two flu vaccines will be available, one against seasonal flu and the other against H1N1 flu. Ontario is adopting a phased approach in rolling out two flu immunization programs this year. There will be enough H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine for all Ontarians who need and want to be vaccinated.

The seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the H1N1 flu virus. Talk to your health care provider about flu vaccinations and what’s best for you and your family.

Toronto Public Health will be conducting innoculations at the Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Dr.) at the following times: more »

The City of Toronto has just launched Home Energy Assistance Toronto (HEAT), a new incentive program offering homeowners up to $1,000 when they upgrade the insulation in their ceiling, walls or foundation.

HEAT is open to residents of low-rise residential properties, such as detached, semi-detached and townhomes, and is designed to encourage Torontonians to undertake more substantive measures to increase their home’s energy efficiency and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions. more »

The 2010 proposed rates for Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water, made public today through the notification process that precedes the introduction of the 2010 proposed capital and operating budgets, will maintain critical progress toward waste diversion and infrastructure renewal priorities set by City Council while demonstrating sound fiscal management.

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On September 24th, at 12:30pm, 311 Toronto officially launched to the public.

Offering one easy-to-remember phone number, residents, businesses, and visitors can now access non-emergency City services, programs and information 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

Customer service representatives at 311 Toronto will be able to answer most questions and resolve the majority of enquiries within that one call and can provide callers with the status of their service requests within the Transportation, Water, and Solid Waste divisions through a tracking number issued at the time of the request. In future, this tracking feature will be expanded to include all City divisions and services.

311 Toronto customer service is provided in up to 170 languages via telephone interpretation service and TTY service for the hearing impaired. Callers from outside of the city can reach 311 by dialing 416-392-CITY (2489).

First Church, located at 793 Pharmacy Ave, and the Divinely Orchestrated Music Group are pleased to announce the formation of a Community Gospel Choir.

Directed by Ms. Cassandra Sommers – an accomplished vocalist and musician – and another recording artist, the choir seeks community members with an interest in developing their vocal skills in the distinctive gospel music style.

Ms. Sommers encourages those in the community who are interested in becoming more familiar with gospel as a musical style, as well as those who are already familiar with gospel music, to join in sharing their gifts and talents. It is hoped that the experience will be not only uplifting to those involved but eventually inspirational to our future audiences.

Rehearsals for the Community Gospel Choir will be held on Wednesday nights from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at First Church — 793 Pharmacy Ave.

Contact Information:

Cassandra Sommers
416-995-5520
info@cassandrasommers.com

The environmental non-profit group LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), runs a Backyard Tree Planting program that provides subsidized tree planting … (more) services to City of Toronto residents.

LEAF is currently booking consultations for spring plantings and encouraging Toronto residents to take part.

To learn more about this great service, please visit: www.leaftoronto.org

Mayor David Miller and Councillor Adrian Heaps (Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest), Chair of the Disabilities Issues Committee, today launched the Adapted Programs & Integrated Services guides, a new … (more) resource that will better inform residents of City recreation programs and services, making it easier for people with disabilities to participate.

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