General Government Committee Approves Water, Traffic and Services Contracts

The General Government Committee approved contract awards and amendments for water, traffic, paramedic and children's services projects, while holding several items for further review. Members also examined delays at the administrative penalty tribunal, discussed workplace health and safety trends, and backed a request for staff to study additional seating at civic squares.

Topics Discussed

1. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRACTS

The committee approved several water and wastewater items, including: - GG 30.10: award to Alberici Constructors Ltd. for a new ultraviolet disinfection and residuals management facility at the Island Water Treatment Plant - GG 30.18: construction management for the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant integrated pumping station - GG 30.3, GG 30.4, GG 30.6: amendments and contract actions tied to Highland Creek and Ashbridges Bay treatment plant work

Staff said the Island Water Treatment Plant project came in 32.7 per cent above earlier estimates. They attributed the increase to higher costs for specialized equipment, electrical upgrades, island construction logistics and market pressure on switchgear. As one staff member put it, "We are seeing worldwide demand on switchgear. A lot of that driven by data centers where that are being built all over the place. They're buying up all that equipment. So there's been price escalations in in key components."

Councillor Michael Thompson said the increase was significant but said committee members had pressed staff on the reasons: "32.7% variance is quite significant and I just wanted to bring it to the attention of this committee that obviously we've looked at it and giving the public the confidence that we are actually doing our job in looking and assessing and asking questions."

2. TRAFFIC OPERATIONS, SIGNALS AND CONTRACT OVERSIGHT

The committee considered contracts related to traffic operations, congestion management and traffic electrical services: - GG 30.11: congestion management centre operations was held - GG 30.14: non-competitive contracts for traffic electrical maintenance and emergency services were approved

Staff said the city's traffic operations centre actively monitors and adjusts signals across the network, with heavier effort concentrated downtown. Neethan Shan said, "The other 2,300 we were actively monitoring and changing. I would say that the most of the effort is spent I would say maybe about 80% in the downtown core versus the suburbs."

On staffing flexibility in the traffic operations centre, Rachel Chernos Lin said the contracted model allows the city to scale up during busier periods: "things are typically busier in the in the summertime because of uh construction and and maintenance related operations... when we have special events, we always staff up."

Committee members also questioned procurement timing and contract extensions. Thompson asked why a non-competitive extension became necessary instead of being addressed earlier, saying, "I'm just curious as to why we didn't have sort of an advanced plan."

3. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY TRIBUNAL AND TICKET APPEALS

Members discussed the tribunal's expanded role after automated speed enforcement and red light camera cases were added in February 2025. Staff described the appeal path from screening officer to tribunal and emphasized that the tribunal is independent.

Reported average wait times were: - 6.5 months for red light camera hearings - 4.5 months for parking violation hearings - 3.5 to 4 months for automated speed enforcement hearings

Thompson said those timelines remain long for residents seeking a hearing: "So what's the plan then to address this issue? Because waiting for 6 and 1/2 months for a red light camera, almost 4 1/2 months for parking... it's a long period of time."

Members also discussed fairness and hardship decisions. Josh Matlow said, "having tickets canceled or reduced is central to the justice component," while Thompson noted that most red light camera decisions were upheld: "The vast majority of the 2,300 red light tickets, like the vast vast majority, were affirmed... only five were cancelled."

4. ST. LAWRENCE CENTRE / TO LIVE RENOVATION

Item GG 30.5, an amendment to a purchase order with Hariri Pontarini Architects for accessibility and net-zero upgrades at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, was held for further discussion.

Lily Cheng said the project had shifted substantially from its earlier concept: "We went from a basically redevelopment an entire build to a renovation of the site." She said the revised scope now focuses on renovations, state-of-good-repair work, accessibility and net-zero improvements.

Members also raised questions about planning and procurement timing on major projects more broadly, especially with major city events approaching.

5. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND CIVIC SQUARE SEATING

The committee held: - GG 30.23: Occupational Health and Safety 2025 Report - GG 30.24: Non-union Separation Costs for 2025

In the health and safety discussion, staff said WSIB costs are driven in part by presumptive cancers in firefighters and presumptive PTSD in first responders. Toby Matthew said, "Primarily we have two major components. One is presumptive cancers in firefighters and the second is presumptive PTSD in first responders." Jon Burnside added that the trend has been rising since the legislation was introduced: "It's it's consistently an upward trend."

The committee also approved GG 30.25, asking staff to study additional seating at civic squares including Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, Scarborough Civic Centre, North York Civic Centre and the future Etobicoke Civic Centre. During debate, one councillor questioned expanding the request without identified funding, saying, "let's all just add our little pet project for money we don't have."

Motions

Passed

• GG 30.2 - Amendment to blanket contract with Wintergreen Learning Materials for children's furniture, toys, and manipulatives for children's services locations
• GG 30.3 - Amendment to purchase order with Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. for Highland Creek Treatment Plant upgrades
• GG 30.4 - Amendment to purchase order with AECOM Canada ULC for engineering services at Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant
• GG 30.6 - Award and amendment for Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant digester gas compressors, dryers, and chillers installation
• GG 30.8 - Purchase order amendment with Palmer Lo Incorporated for Toronto Paramedic Services multifunction station at 300 Progress Avenue
• GG 30.10 - Award to Alberici Constructors Ltd. for the Island Water Treatment Plant ultraviolet disinfection and residuals management facility
• GG 30.14 - Non-competitive contracts for traffic electrical maintenance and emergency services
• GG 30.25 - Request for staff to examine additional seating at civic squares and report back

Held / Deferred

• GG 30.5 - Amendment to purchase order with Hariri Pontarini Architects for St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts upgrades
• GG 30.11 - Congestion management centre operations contract
• GG 30.23 - Occupational Health and Safety 2025 Report
• GG 30.24 - Non-union Separation Costs for 2025

Incomplete / Not fully captured in transcript

• GG 30.9 - Item regarding Veolia Water Canada
• GG 30.17 - Litigation matter regarding replacement of the water main at the Kipling Avenue bridge over the Humber River
• GG 30.18
• GG 30.21 / GG 30.22 - Community space lease agreements

Attendees

• Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (Chair)

Councillors specifically referenced in discussion

• Lily Cheng
• Rachel Chernos Lin
• Stephen Holyday
• Josh Matlow
• Neethan Shan
• Michael Thompson

The provided notes do not include a full attendance list beyond members referenced in the discussion.