Gord Perks City Councillor, Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park

As some of you are aware, the kick-off meeting for the above noted Avenue Study was held on Tuesday July 8th, 2008, 630pm at Saint Joan of Arc Gymnasium. A big thank you to those who braved the storm in order to participate in this very important meeting.

I encourage all of you to check out the city’s dedicated website, www.toronto.ca/planning/bloordundas.htm to find detailed background information on the Avenue Study as well as information about the lead consultant, Brook McIlroy http://www.brookmcilroy.com/ Senior Planner lead Corwin Cambray will be posting information shortly after each meeting to keep those of you who are unable to attend updates as we move forward. If you have any questions, please contact Corwin at ccambra@toronto.ca or feel free to contact my office.

As many of you know by now, Budapest Park has suffered some damage as a result of Tuesday night’s major storm. It’s my understanding that a pipe carrying both storm water and sewage has been compromised and enough pressure built up to blow a 14″ slab of concrete off the water pipe system. The concrete slab was located in the west end of Budapest Park, east of Sunnyside Pool.

Please be advised that I have been in constant communication with Toronto Water and Parks and have been informed that Public Health as well as the Ministry of the Environment are present along side Toronto Water and Parks personnel. The site has been roped off to prevent public access.

Currently they are conducting soil tests and pumping the standing water to help expedite the clean up process. Toronto Water, Parks and the Ministry are doing everything they can to ensure public safety.

Budapest Park, the public washrooms, wading pool and boardwalk are expected to be closed for the next week or so. The beach has also been washed away however the Martin Goodman Trail remains open.

The City’s preliminary analysis suggests that this storm had an extremely unusual intensity of rainfall. In our changed climate unusual is the new normal. Recently the City passed a plan to adapt our systems including the water system to this new climate. To see the adaptation plan please see: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2008/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-12951.pdf

I also understand that Parks has installed fencing around the site to repair the damages and move forward with maintenance and construction work. I would like to ask that all of you, for your own safety, respect this and not pass beyond the fenced off area as this work continues.

I will keep you updated as information becomes available.

This is just a reminder that the community consultation meeting for the above noted property has been scheduled for Thursday July 17th, 630pm at the Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West.

Please see attached flyer for details.

1638-bloor-community-consultation.pdf

The Ontario Municipal Board has supported the City’s decision to approve a rooming house at 1510 King Street West (otherwise known as the “Pope Squat”. I’ve attached the OMB’s written decision for your information.

This process has been difficult for the community, some of us strongly supported the project, and some others have been opposed. I think it is important to remember the things we all agree about: vacant properties should be upgraded and used; the City should work to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing; and, rooming houses should be licensed and inspected. With the 1510 King Street decision behind us I look forward to working together to achieve these goals.

I want to thank everyone who was involved in this issue. Whatever we felt about the project, we were all taking the time to get involved. In the end involvement is what makes a bunch of buildings into a neighbourhood.

omb-decision-july-9-08.pdf

Junction Summer Concerts are happening every Saturday at the Junction City Square at around Noon.

July 12 performers are: RITMO FLAMENCO SPANISH DANCE COMPANY.

July 19 performers are: THE IMBAYAKUNAS

July 26 performers are: MARIACHI GUADALAJARA

Aug. 2 performers are: THE RAWLICIOUS TRIO

Please be advised that the community consultation meeting for the above noted property has been scheduled for Thursday July 17th, 630pm at the Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West.

Please see attached flyer for details. If you have any question, please contact Kevin Edwards, Community Planner at kedward@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-392-1306. Please also feel free to contact my office.

1638-bloor-community-consultation.pdf

This is a reminder that the City is hosting a public meeting on July 9th at 6:30 pm as part of the schedule B Environmental Assessment process.

Staff have prepared a series of cross sections to seek approval for this reconstruction project at a conceptual level.

My office, along with Urban Design staff, will be hosting a community meeting to discuss detailed design elements at a later date.

Please see attached notice:

roncesvalles_metroland-ad_1.pdf

Since November, staff have received an overwhelming response for street furniture elements for installation this year.

As a result of the feedback, staff have prioritize the requests to ensure the City may continue to meet the needs of the residents, while at the same time, dispersing the street furniture elements as fairly as possible throughout the Wards. The first year’s rollout will primarily focus on:

· addressing structural and safety concerns with existing older style transit shelters;

· replacement of litter receptacles and benches due to expiring legacy contracts; and

· installation of new street furniture elements requested from the general public, BIAs, Ward Councillors and other City Divisions.

Over the past 4 months, staff have worked vigorously conducting feasibility studies for over 3000 locations and continue to follow-up with any outstanding requests or problematic locations from previous years. The installation of the newly designed street furniture elements is commencing this month and will continue throughout the remainder of the year. Any requests unsatisfied this year will be carried over to 2009, when staff will again request your feedback on additional street furniture locations. This information gathering and assessment cycle will continue on an annual basis to ensure the varying needs of the residents of this City are being addressed over the 20 year term of this project.

Accompanying is a list, which identifies the street furniture elements that are scheduled to be installed this year within Ward 14.

2008-ward-14.pdf

The Friendly Spike Theatre Band has MAD PRIDE!

And hopes that you do, too!

Monday July 14th to Sunday July 20th is MAD Pride Week in the City of Toronto. A complete events listing is on the attached poster, all events are free and accessible.

mad-pride-poster-letter-240608.pdf

Also; Two Services in celebration of MAD Pride Week at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church, 214 Wright Ave., (Roncesvalles and Wright) at 10:30am and 5:15pm Sunday 13th July.

E-HP is a church dedicated to “radical hospitality”and principles of social justice and anti oppression. There will be a community supper after the 5:15 service, to which everyone is invited and welcome.

The services will be conducted by Cindy Bourgeois, a transwoman and psychiatric survivor who is a candidate for ministry in the United Church and called to working with people experiencing social exclusion.