Support Taking Action on the Roots of Youth Violence at City Hall: Please Save the Date!

When: Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 9:30 am

Where: Toronto City Hall, 2nd Floor, Committee Room 1

Dear friends,

It is time for the City of Toronto to take thoughtful and proactive measures to deal with youth violence no matter what neighbourhood it is found in. We cannot wait for another tragedy to spur more calls for blue ribbon panels and simplistic reactions. There have been many good reports that have already provided us with recommendations on how to move forward including The Review of the Roots of Youth Violence by Dr. Alvin Curling and The Honourable Roy McMurtry. Genuine, evidence-based action is needed now and without delay.

Earlier this year, with City Council's unanimous support, I asked City staff to develop a plan to take immediate action. I am writing to confirm that the Youth Outcomes Framework Report will be considered by the Community Development and Recreation Committee on Wednesday, June 26, beginning at 9:30 am. This is the first step of an action plan to reduce youth violence in our city.

Please save this date, as this is the only official opportunity for public feedback before a vote at City Council in July. It is vitally important that Mayor Ford, the rest of City Council, and the wider community hear your voice and understand how important it is for us to finally take real action to stop youth violence. We can't do this without you.

It is also important to share this message. We can't let this opportunity quietly pass us by. In addition to contacting your local councillor and Mayor Ford, please reach out to your neighbours, co-workers, and colleagues who are working to address the many roots of youth violence or are troubled by its impacts in our community.

I'll be sure to follow up with you once the committee agenda is posted online with a copy of the Framework Report. I would appreciate your insights and feedback once it is published. I will also post any additional information on my website.

Sincerely,

Josh Matlow

Toronto City Councillor

Ward 22 – St. Paul's

Tel: 416-392-7906

www.joshmatlow.ca

Dear residents,

This week there are a lot of important and substantive decisions being debated at City Hall. We are looking at voting reforms, ward boundaries, my initiative to look at Traffic Signal Synchronization (see below) and many others.

I have also been busy in our neighbourhoods, visiting Rathnelly Day on Saturday and discussing a Communtiy Use Agreement for the new field at Maurice Cody on Monday evening. This Saturday I look forward to seeing you at the Davisville PS Fun Fair.

I do hope you find my latest update to you interesting and informative.

Josh

Traffic Signal Synchronization Motion Passes Council

Earlier today, my colleagues passed a motion to improve traffic signal synchronization at City Council. I am pleased that the Mayor and the Chair of Public Works made this a priority in response to my letter of September 2011.

Traffic congestion is a significant problem for Toronto's motorists, public transit users and cyclists. This congestion costs the region's economy an estimated $3.3 billion per year while negatively impacting on the quality of life of our residents. The long-term solution to this problem is building a more accessible, extensive and efficient public transportation system.

In the meantime, we can take significant steps such as this to improve traffic flow in the short-term.

Public Meeting: Townhouse Proposal for 17, 23 & 25 Lascelles Blvd (Brentwood Towers)

I would like to invite you and your neighbours to an important community information meeting regarding a complex and challenging development application for 17, 23 & 25 Lascelles Blvd. – the western portion of the Brentwood Towers. Keeping residents engaged and informed is a priority for me. The meeting will be held Tuesday, June 18, 7 pm to 9 pm at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (1585 Yonge Street) in Cameron Hall. For more information, please visit my website.

Meeting: Development Proposal for the Corner of Redpath Ave. and Roehampton Ave.

Toronto City Planning is hosting a community consultation meeting regarding the proposed development of a 36 storey residential tower at 183-195 Roehampton Avenue & 139-145 Redpath Avenue. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20, 7 pm to 9 pm at St. Monica Catholic School in the multi-purpose room (14 Broadway Avenue). Please note that you may have received a notice in the mail with the wrong meeting location. Please click here for more information.

Help Decide the Future of the Gardiner Expressway East

The City of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto have resumed the public consultation process to help determine the future of the eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Avenue East, from approximately Jarvis Street to Leslie Street. An Environmental Assessment will study four possible outcomes: maintaining, improving, replacing, or removing the elevated expressway.

You are invited to the first public forum on Thursday, June 13th from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (222 Bremner Blvd., Room 701, south building). You will be able to learn more about the project, understand the alternatives being considered, and what other jurisdictions have done with elevated expressways. You will also be able to ask questions and speak with members of the project team. Please register at http://gardinerconsultation.eventbrite.com. To find more information on this project, or to watch the meeting online, please visit www.gardinereast.ca.

Feedback on Future Streetscape of Eglinton Avenue

Toronto City Planning is seeking your feedback on the future streetscape of Eglinton Avenue as part of the Eglinton Connets planning study. Please take 15 minutes to fill out their survey at https://www.research.net/s/Eglinton3. The survey asks questions about the future streetscape and built form of Eglinton and includes images and diagrams of the options City Planning is developing. The survey is open until this Friday, June 14.

Reminder: Community Environment Day

On Saturday, June 22nd from 10 am to 2 pm I will be hosting my annual Community Environment Day. The location is the North Toronto Memorial Arena at 174 Orchard View Blvd. Please bring any unwanted art supplies, books, toys, and used sports equipment. Cycle Toronto Midtown will be there to donate your used bikes to the non-profit organization Charlie's Freewheels. Facilities will be available to dispose of computers and other hazardous household waste. You can also replace your damaged green bin.

National Aboriginal Day Outdoor Pow Wow

On Saturday, June 22nd, in honour of our First Nations' involvement in the Battle of Fort York, a traditional outdoor Pow Wow will be taking place at Well's Hill Park (south side of St. Clair Ave. W. between Bathurst St. and Spadina Ave.). The grand entry starts at 12:00 noon and the event will feature traditional dancing, a feast, a silent auction, an area for kids, crafts, and information booths.

Ping Pong Table for June Rowlands Park

I would deeply appreciate hearing your thoughts on the possibility of having an outdoor ping pong table in June Rowlands (Davisville) Park. A similar ping pong table was recently installed at St. Michael's College on the University of Toronto campus and the City of Toronto is initiating a pilot project to install a few tables in public spaces across the city. As our parks belong to the community, any changes or additions must have your support.

Dear Residents,

The City of Toronto, through the public works chair, announced that they are scheduling to commence extensive road and sidewalk repairs to the following streets to complete the Avenue Road Watermain Replacement project. The following streets will be affected:

Avenue Road from Bloor Street to Lonsdale
Lonsdale Road from Avenue Road to Oriole Parkway
Oriole Parkway from Lonsdale to Chaplin Crescent
Chaplin Crescent from Oriole Parkway to Avenue Road
Avenue Road from Oxton Avenue to Eglinton Ave West.

While I recognize that this work is necessary, I share the frustration that many residents experienced during the watermain replacement project. And, although this final stage is scheduled to be completed by mid September, I know that there are many residents who understandably are concerned about the potential impact this will have, not just locally, but for those who rely on Avenue road as an arterial route to get to and from the downtown core.

As the local Councillor for one of the wards affected by this work, I have told City staff that I am not satisfied by the level of specific detail that has been provided to the public by the City of Toronto to date. And along with advocating that this work be done quickly, on time and on budget I have formally requested that the City provide more timely information to residents, with updates as this project progresses.

To date, I've been advised that they are starting with sidewalk reconstruction which will be making its way north, reaching Ward 22 just north of Dupont Avenue within the next week and a half. By July they anticipate the actual repaving will begin.

Like you I rely on Toronto's major arteries everyday and expect that the City provides appropriate public notice and plans and budgets responsibly. I intend to be in frequent contact with City staff, throughout the duration of this project, to ensure that they address residents concerns and provide them with the information they need to plan their lives. If you have any concerns or questions that you would like me to relay directly to the staff responsible for this project, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,

Josh

Dear Residents,

Please note that the community consultation meeting hosted by Toronto City Planning will be held at St. Monica Catholic School, 14 Broadway Avenue. You may have received a notice in the mail from City Planning that contained incorrect information about the meeting location.

Sincerely,

Josh

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Dear residents,

Keeping you informed and engaged is a priority for me. For your review please see the following agendas for the upcoming City Council and Toronto/East York Community Council meetings. If you have any feedback or questions about items of interest to you, please feel very welcome to contact me by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 416 392 7906.

Sincerely,

Josh

P.S. It's been a great pleasure seeing so many of you at recent community meetings and events.  Melissa, Molly and I hope to see you this afternoon at the Deer Park PS Spring Fair and on Saturday at the Maurice Cody PS Spring Fair and the Rathnelly Day celebration!

City Council Meeting: Tuesday June 11 & Wednesday June 12

The agenda for the next City Council meeting has been published. You can view all the items up for consideration here. City Council meetings are open to the public and held in the council chambers at City Hall starting at 9:30 am each day. Meetings are also broadcast live online.

Toronto & East York Community Council Meeting: Tuesday June 18

The agenda for our next Community Council meeting has also been published. There are four community councils in Toronto and each is responsible for local or neighbourhood matters. You can view all the items up for consideration here. Community Council meetings are open to the public and are held in Committee Room 1 on the second floor of City Hall starting at 9:30 am.

For a reminder of upcoming public meetings, events and other information I've sent you recently, please click here to read my May 31st e-newsletter.