Parkdale Roncesvalles Village Garage restoration

This garage is undergoing a wonderful restoration. Part of the work appears to be an effort to retain its original character.  Presently the roof load on the south wall has been lifted up to allow the brick and additional repairs to be made to the top oft he south wall.

This effort is admirable as it will definitely assist with the character retention on the avenue where the building is. Also it’s probably is costing a lot more than a simple rework – adding a patch here and there and stuccoing over the building. Yea for the building owner.

This garage is undergoing a wonderful restoration. Part of the work appears to be an effort to retain its original character.  Presently the roof load on the south wall has been lifted up to allow the brick and additional repairs to be made to the top oft he south wall.

This effort is admirable as it will definitely assist with the character retention on the avenue where the building is. Also it’s probably is costing a lot more than a simple rework – adding a patch here and there and stuccoing over the building. Yea for the building owner.

New Clothing Store on the Horizon

3097 Dundas Street West is scheduled to reopen on Sept 1 as a clothing store called the Black Dafodil.

Cyclists licensing and mandatory helmets on the horizon?

Councillor Walker,

seconded by Councillor Hall

•

Councillors Walker, and Hall have put forth motions to will require licensing and mandatory helmets in the City of  Toronto is they are approved.

Excepts from the motions....

Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Hall, recommends that:

1. City Council enact a by-law to mandate that all cyclists must wear helmets on roads

and sidewalks in the City of Toronto.

Summary

Recently, City Council has prioritized the user groups in public space and public roads within

the City of Toronto. The four groups are prioritized as follows: 1) pedestrians; 2) cyclists; 3)

transit riders; and lastly, 4) vehicle drivers.

Since cyclists are now considered as priority #2 on the public highway, it is being modified to

accommodate these cyclists. Accordingly, with more space on our roads being given over to

cyclists, more rights are being given over to cyclists, and with increased rights come increased

responsibility. Cyclists need to be made aware of this increased responsibility for safe use of

our roads.

Safe use of our roads must include the safety of the cyclists themselves; cyclists must be

protected against the foreseeable dangers on our roads. Conflict between cyclists, cars and most

particularly trucks, and as well conflict between cyclists themselves, create potentially

dangerous conditions. A collision between a cyclist and a car or truck can result in life-altering

injuries or death, particularly for the cyclist involved. A collision between a cyclist and another

cyclist can also result in a serious outcome, if not from the impact itself, then because of the

cyclists falling into oncoming vehicular traffic which results in another collision. It is not at all

rare for a cyclist to experience a disabling head injury from a collision and for that cyclist to

become incapacitated and not be able to provide for his or her family.

2

Cyclists have equipment at their disposal to increase their safety, such as sounding bells,

reflectors, lights and helmets. By far, the most important safety equipment to the cyclist is the helmet.

Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Hall, recommends that:

1. The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards develop a cyclist licensing

program, in consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, to be brought

forward to City Council.

Recently, City Council prioritized the user groups in public space and public roads within the

City of Toronto. The four groups are prioritized as follows: 1) pedestrians; 2) cyclists;

3) transit riders; and lastly, 4) vehicle drivers.

Accordingly, with more space on roads being shared with cyclists, there is an increased

responsibility to ensure public safety for cyclists. Cyclists need to be made aware of this

increased responsibility for safe use of our roads. Also, City Council needs to put in place a

system to adequately regulate cyclists in a manner commensurate with their increased rights

and responsibilities.

Bicycle Operator/Cyclist licensing is a method of increasing awareness of the existing rules and

regulations applicable to cyclists, such as the Highway Traffic Act. Also, licensing provides for

a formalized relationship between the City and cyclists which the City can use to promote safe

use of bicycles, highlighting requirements for mandatory bicycle equipment such as soundingbells,

reflectors and lights. Furthermore, licensing would provide for more effective

enforcement of the applicable laws and clarify collision situations. Currently, there is not a

requirement for a cyclist to carry personal identification so it is difficult for Police or citizens to

manage collisions between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers due to the fact that a cyclist can just

walk away from the incident; this is particularly troubling if the cyclist is at fault. Also, it is

difficult for a Police officer to give a ticket for a moving violation of the Highway Traffic Act

to a cyclist who is not required to have personal identification on their person and therefore few

tickets are issued.

Member Motion full report helmets

Member Motion full report Licensing

Puppets in the Park - Junk Mammas Presents Cyclops at Vine Parkette

Hey Junction families...
Dufferin Grove's resident theatre troupe is coming to the Junction!

Join your community

Sunday, August 16th from 4-7pm

in Vine Parkette

to enjoy Cyclops, Clay and Paper Theatre's puppet show on wheels.

Enjoy an afternoon of face painting, bicycle decorating (kids!  bring your bikes!) and more.

Be sure to bring your loonies for our post-show BBQ.

This event is brought to you by the Junk Mommas - if you have any questions, or want to be on our email list for future events simply email junkmommas@gmail.com

Click here for the Cyclops Poster

Litigation or potential litigation by the city Re:Metrolinx Rail-to-Rail Diamond Grade Separation Project

From the city staff report

This report is about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City

and contains advice or communications that are subject to solicitor-client

privilege.

This report is about litigation or potential litigation that affects the City and contains advice or communications that are subject to solicitor-client privilege. (which the city redacted)

This report has been prepared for submission directly to City Council as requested by Council at its meeting of May 25, 26 and 27, 2009 to provide Council with information respecting the status of the formal noise/vibration complaint made by the West Toronto Diamond Residents Group to the Canadian Transportation Agency (“CTA”) and recommendations as to the City’s possible involvement in the process to support the local residents’ concerns.

Legal Services staff has been advised by CTA representatives that this is the first time that a complaint respecting an “urban transit authority” such as Metrolinx (formerly GO Transit) has been considered under the Canada Transportation Act process.

The City Solicitor recommends that City Council:

1. Authorize the City Solicitor to prepare submissions for the City of Toronto in the proceeding before the Canadian Transportation Agency (“CTA”) to consider the complaint (included as Attachment 2 to this report) made by the West Toronto

Diamond Community Group with respect to the noise and vibration caused by the rail-to-rail West Toronto Diamond grade separation project currently being undertaken by Metrolinx (formerly GO Transit).

2. Direct that the City Solicitor and other City staff, as directed by the City Manager, consult with the local residents in the preparation of submissions to the CTA.

3. Consider and receive Confidential Attachment 1 for information, and that the contents of Confidential Attachment 1 not be made public to avoid prejudicing the City and the residents’ case before the Canadian Transportation Agency.

full staff report link

The summer of facade restoration continues

The Forever Interiors building Located at 2903 Dundas Street is getting a makeover.  Another Junction favourite joins the long list of buildings being revamped this summer.

Presumably the landlords have utilized of the Dundas Street West Junction/Malta Village Community Improvement Plan which offers 50/50 grants for facade restoration.  The grants values run from $2500 to $12,500 and they are available to most Junction commercial buildings.

For more details on this great program follow this link

Strike rebates motioned by Councillor Palacio, seconded by Councillor Nunziata

Two Toronto Councillors are proposing refunds for Toronto residents for the loss of city services during the strike. Full motion below

Recommendations

Councillor Palacio, seconded by Councillor Nunziata, recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager to report to the next meeting of City Council on:

a. the feasibility of rebating garbage charges, and other appropriate fees and

charges for services not delivered but directly billed for, during the strike;

b. the feasibility of rebating, crediting, or otherwise compensating non-profit

organizations who the City supports with grants, and that can demonstrate

significant financial loss as a result of the strike;

c. a detailed report of the site conditions, including remediation plans where

necessary and the possibility of long-term soil and groundwater contamination at

all of the temporary garbage storage sites; and

d. a comprehensive accounting of the additional costs and savings to the City as a

result of the Strike.

Summary

Following the conclusion of the labour disruption organized by Local 416 and 79, Council

should explore the feasibility of several measures that could help to correct some of the

problems created by the strike and rebuild the trust and confidence of the public.

The citizens and non-profit organizations of Toronto suffered through the strike, therefore they

should be compensated where it is possible and reasonable for the City to do so.

(Submitted to City Council on August 5, 2009 as MM38.7)

Recommendations

Councillor Palacio, seconded by Councillor Nunziata, recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager to report to the next meeting of City Council on:

a. the feasibility of rebating garbage charges, and other appropriate fees and charges for services not delivered but directly billed for, during the strike;

b. the feasibility of rebating, crediting, or otherwise compensating non-profit organizations who the City supports with grants, and that can demonstrate significant financial loss as a result of the strike;

c. a detailed report of the site conditions, including remediation plans where necessary and the possibility of long-term soil and groundwater contamination at all of the temporary garbage storage sites; and

d. a comprehensive accounting of the additional costs and savings to the City as a result of the Strike.

Summary

Following the conclusion of the labour disruption organized by Local 416 and 79, Council should explore the feasibility of several measures that could help to correct some of the problems created by the strike and rebuild the trust and confidence of the public.

The citizens and non-profit organizations of Toronto suffered through the strike, therefore theyshould be compensated where it is possible and reasonable for the City to do so.

(Submitted to City Council on August 5, 2009 as MM38.7)

Glenlake Ave. & Glendenan Ave construction

What appears to be a road diversion outcrop which also may be a traffic calming devise at Glenlake Ave. & Glendenan Ave. is being built. The depth of the construct indicates appears as it may also be used as a planter.

Designing the planter into the project, is going to be a much prettier sight than the sometimes used concrete paving blocks.

What appears to be a road diversion outcrop which also may be a traffic calming devise at Glenlake Ave. & Glendenan Ave. is being built. The depth of the construct indicates appears as it may also be used as a planter.

Designing the planter into the project, is going to be a much prettier sight than the sometimes used concrete paving blocks.

Reminder that Tues, Aug 4 at 7:30 the JRA Cultural Committee at Wise Daughters

Hello all, from the JRA Cultural Committee

A reminder that Tues, Aug 4 at 7:30 the JRA Cultural Committee is meeting at Wise Daughters to discuss plans for the spring fling (which need to go into grant applications this month).

And this just confirmed - Madeleine McDowell will speak and answer questions about the potential of Heritage Conservation status for the Junction.  Read more about Madeleine here [link] .  Learning from Madeleine’s experience is a great way to start down to this path!