Tenant and Community Services Committee (TCSC) Meeting - January 25, 2013

Public Agenda

Approval of Agenda and Review of Agenda Order (all items not held will be voted together without discussion)

Chair’s Poll re: Conflict of Interest 

Confirmation of Tenant and Community Services Committee Minutes –  November 8, 2012

Business Arising from the Minutes and Committee Action Item List

For Information

1. Tenant Engagement Strategy Update (verbal)

2. Framework for Review of RGI Decisions

3. Annual Inspections and Unit Condition Follow-up

Closed Meeting Agenda Items

Approval of Agenda and Review of Agenda Order (all items not held will be voted together without discussion)

Chair’s Poll re: Conflict of Interest

A) Confirmation of Tenant and Community Services Committee Minutes – November 8, 2012

Business Arising from the Closed Meeting Minutes and Committee Action Item List

For Approval

B) Confidential item respecting the business of the corporation

For Information

Confidential item respecting the business of the corporation

Public Meeting Minutes

The Tenant and Community Services Committee of Toronto Community Housing Corporation met on January 25, 2013, in the Main Floor Conference Room, 931 Yonge Street, commencing at 9:08 a.m.

Committee Directors present:

Councillor Cesar Palacio, Chair

Councillor Frances Nunziata

Regrets:

Munira Abukar, Vice Chair

Additional Directors present:

Catherine Wilkinson

Also present:

Marta Asturi, Legal Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary

Mary Boushel, Director (Interim), Resident Access and Support

Chuck Dowdall, Vice President- Operations (Interim)

Jason Gorel, Chief Financial Officer

Michelle Haney-Kileeg, Vice President (Interim), Resident  and Community Services

Ismail Ibrahim, Legal Counsel

Hugh Lawson, Director – Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Relations

Janice Lewkoski, Board Secretary

Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Committee Chair, called the meeting to order and Mirela Bolentiru served as recording secretary.

Confirmation of Agenda

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee approved the agenda, and approved two additional items to the agenda with respect to the following: Task Force with the Police Services Board and 101 Humber Boulevard Building.

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

The Chair requested members of the Tenant and Community Services Committee to indicate any agenda item in which they had a conflict of interest, together with the nature of the interest. None were declared.

Deputations

The Committee Chair polled for any deputations to be heard at the meeting and explained the deputation process. The Chair noted that no written deputations and one request for verbal deputation were received prior to the meeting. One deputant attended and provided a verbal deputation with respect to agenda item 3 “Annual Inspections and Unit Condition Follow-up.”

Minutes - Confirmation of Tenant and Community Services Committee Minutes – November 8, 2012

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee confirmed the above-captioned minutes.

Item 1 - Tenant Engagement Strategy Update (verbal)

The Vice President (Interim), Resident  and Community Services presented the Committee with a verbal update, including the following:

• The new division “Resident and Community Services” will focus on three functional pillars:
  • Resident Program Coordination and Community Services. Tenant engagement services, focusing on empowering youth, families and adults.  There will be a Youth Forum in spring 2013, under the President and CEO’s championship.
  • Economic Opportunities and Workforce Development – pursing opportunities that will support access to job skills, training and employment opportunities for TCHC’s residents.
  • Resident Support and Outreach.  Continuing development of the Successful Tenancies Strategy.
• Canvassing partnerships with other agencies/organizations over the City to expand opportunities for engagement and representation for all residents, especially around safety, education and employment.
• Resident elections anticipated to be held in fall 2013.
• In 2012, staff conducted research around resident associations that will be introduced in 2013 to offer local leadership opportunities to the residents.
• Child And Youth Recreational Services – in 2013, TCHC will receive approximately $190,000 in direct funding from external sources and an additional $319,000 in kind support such as: staffing, food, equipment and transportation.
• Participatory Budgeting – the capital allocation program will continue in 2013, but the total amount is not yet available.
• Revitalization and Resident Animation – while the new division will continue to lead the animation programs already established in the communities that are currently undergoing revitalization, animator opportunities will be also introduced in 35 new communities.
• Social Investment Fund (“SIF”) and Scholarships – the new division will continue to administer and guide SIF 2013 by continuing to work with youth, facilitating their access to grants and scholarships across the City.
• The Committee requested that staff bring forward a policy on emergency response and that the residents be properly informed of such policy.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee received the verbal report for information.

Item 2 - Framework for Review of RGI Decisions, TCSC:2013-1

The Tenant and Community Services Committee had before it the above-captioned report (TCSC:2013-1) from the President and Chief Executive Officer.  

The Committee and management discussed the report and questions were raised for clarification of the following matters:

• Guidelines for reviews – the Committee noted that the Service Manager (City of Toronto) issued a guideline to TCHC to establish its own system and review body to conduct reviews of decision relating to annual reviews of rent-geared-to-income assistance   Management presented a proposed framework that incorporates best practices from other organizations that have already implemented similar panel frameworks, such as City of Ottawa and Housing Connections, and that is in compliance with the current legislation as well as Justice LeSage’s recommendations related to eviction prevention practices.
• Conducting the reviews, panel membership, timelines and communication to residents. An annual review will be heard by a panel of three members selected from a roster of decision makers from the public (independent of TCHC). TCHC employees, members of the Board of Directors and TCHC residents are not eligible to be appointed as panel members. Once appointed, the panel membership and the outcomes of the review(s) will be brought forward to the Committee. A TCHC staff member will sit on the review panel as a resource to the panel members, providing his/her expertise when needed.  Timelines with respect to the duration of reviewing the files are not mentioned in the framework as they are prescribed in legislation. There is a standard form that has to be completed that provides all necessary timelines.
• The framework requires the Committee’s endorsement and the Board’s approval, and TCHC staff will develop and provide detailed guidelines and procedures.
• Remuneration of the panel members. The panel members must exhibit high professionalism, commitment and good judgment skills in carrying out their duties as reviewers. As a compensation for their time and skills, $20 per session per person is intended to cover the costs associated with attending the reviews, such as travelling expenses.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee adopted the report and recommended that the Framework for Review of RGI Decisions be forwarded to the Board of Directors for approval.

Item 3 - Annual Inspections and Unit Condition Follow-up, TCSC:2013-2

The Tenant and Community Services Committee had before it the above-captioned report (TCSC:2013-2) from the President and Chief Executive Officer.  

Miguel Avila-Velarde made a verbal deputation on this matter.

A discussion ensued, and the Committee and management addressed the following matters:

• The check list of unit condition and inspection - is being revised.
  • Residents will be engaged to be part of the process of revising the structure of the check list.
• Pest control and treatments related to the most vulnerable residents.
  • The Committee recommended that:
    • TCHC enter into partnerships with and expand the range of services offered by different agencies that are funded by the province to deliver such services for helping vulnerable residents prepare for pest treatments.
    • Management expand the communication with the building superintendents who should have also a list with the most vulnerable residents in each building.
• Compliance with housing standards bylaw and engagement of MLS enforcement officers.
  • The Committee requested more detailed information with respect to the frequency of engaging MLS enforcement officers and statistics in reference to the number of orders issued and the number of non-compliance occurrences.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Cesar Palacio, seconded by Councillor Frances Nunziata, the Tenant and Community Services Committee received the report for information, and approved the following motion:

Request the Executive Director of MLS to attend an upcoming Board meeting to inform the Committee and housing staff on housing standards guidelines and compliance requirements and pending files and how the TCHC and the City MLS can partake in orientation and training on housing standards and building code guidelines and best practices.

There was a public session break at 10:17 a.m. The public session resumed at 10:27 a.m.

Item 4 - Motion from Councillor Frances Nunziata re: Joint Task Force with Police Services Board (New Agenda Item), Verbal

Councillor Frances Nunziata informed the Committee and management that at the August 2012 Toronto Police Services (TPS) Board meeting, a report on violence and crime was presented and she proposed a motion with respect to the establishment of a task force in this respect that was passed at the TPS Board meeting. 

Between 2009 and 2012, frequent cases of violence and criminal activity occurred on the TCHC properties and their proximity.   In the view of the benefits of TCHC and TPS working together, Councillor Frances Nunziata proposed that TCHC join the TPS Task Force on crime and violence to increase community safety on the TCHC properties and their proximity.

The Committee recommended that TCHC and TPS work together to articulate the Terms of Reference of the joint Task Force and to establish who will sit on the joint Task Force on behalf of TCHC.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE 

by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee received the motion from Councillor Nunziata and resolved to forward to the Board of Directors for approval the following:

1. recommend to the Board to authorize Councillor Frances Nunziata to establish a Task Force with membership from the Toronto Police Services Board, the Toronto Police Service, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, the City’s Employment and Social Services Unit, the Chair of the City’s MLS Problem Properties Subcommittee and two community and/or tenant representatives to look at options to improve overall security and community safety on and adjacent to TCHC properties; such review to include consideration of practices and partnerships to enhance security; and
2. that Councillor Nunziata provide a report to the Board upon the conclusion of the Task Force’s work.

Item 5 - Motion from Councillor Grances Nunziata re: 101 Humber Boulevard Building (New Agenda Item), Verbal

Councillor Frances Nunziata informed the Committee and management that four months ago, the mailman in charge with the mail delivery at 101 Humber Boulevard was harassed and attacked by one of the residents. Subsequent to this incident, the federal government stopped delivering the mail at that address. There are 184 units in the building that are affected by the consequences of the federal government’s decision.

Management explained that:

• Due to the altercation between the resident and the mail carrier, TCHC in consultation with Canada Post identified and agreed upon an independent mail box, outside the building, one block away, where the mail is currently delivered.
• TCHC staff had to comply with the format and design of a self-enclosed mail box as required by Canada Post.
• The scope and specifications to construct a safe, self-enclosed mail room, in accordance with Canada Post’s requirements, turned the initial job into a much larger project with an estimated cost of $30,000.
• An estimated 4-6 weeks construction project turned into a 6-month delay with a completion target date in February.
• Management discussed this matter with the Superintendent of Canada Post.
• TCHC proposed to Canada Post that TCHC security officers be assigned to escort the mail carrier from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for safe, door-to-door mail delivery to the residents. Canada Post rejected the proposal as its policy for the protection of its employees does not allow it.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services resolved to approve the motion proposed by Councillor Nunziata to address the interruption of mail delivery service at 101 Humber Boulevard building

The Tenant and Community Services Committee requested that the President and CEO write a letter to Canada Post and to the Minister in charge explaining the issue at 101 Humber Boulevard, highlighting the impact to residents and requesting a reimbursement of the costs incurred by TCHC with security on site and the construction of the safe, self-enclosed mail box. If no response is received, elevate to the Board’s attention on whether to hold a press conference.

PUBLIC MEETING PROCEEDINGS
Motion carried    ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee adjourned the public meeting at 10:58 a.m.

CLOSED MEETING PROCEEDINGS 
Motion carried    ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee resolved to meet in closed meeting at 11:00 a.m. to consider items A, B and C.

PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS

Motion carried

At 11:29 a.m., the Chair announced the resumption of the public proceedings and the public meeting reconvened at that time.

ON MOTION DULY MADE Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the Tenant and Community Services Committee ratified the actions authorized during the closed meeting.

TERMINATION

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Cesar Palacio, the meeting of the Tenant and Community Services Committee terminated at 11:29 a.m.