StreetARToronto

Second Submission Date for StreetARToronto Partnership Program

Can’t meet the submission deadline? Despite our extensive and co-ordinated effort, we recognize that in this transition year, some of you may not have been aware of the full scope of the program and the accompanying deadlines. As a result, we have decided to have a second cycle of submissions. Should you be unable to meet the April 30 deadline, a second grant deadline has been created. The deadline for the second cycle of submissions is 4:30pm, Wednesday, May 23. Please keep in mind that Council approval for the May 23 deadline takes place at the end of July meaning that should your project receive approval, you would be notified then. Completion of all projects remains the same – October 26, 2012.

StreetARToronto or StART (formally known as the Graffiti Transformation Program) is a new, pro-active program originating out of the Graffiti Management Plan and administered by the Public Realm Section of the Transportation Services Division.

Our overall mission is to counteract graffiti vandalism by developing, supporting, promoting and increasing awareness of street art and its indispensable role to add beauty and character to neighbourhoods across the city.

What is Street Art?

Street art is art, specifically visual art, developed for public spaces. It can be on a wall, pathway, road, trash-bin, streetlamp, etc. The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, murals, sculptures, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and street installations.

For the purposes of the StART program, “Street Art” can include traditional graffiti artwork, murals and stencil graffiti. Graffiti art is a legal and acceptable form of street art and is differentiated from “tagging” which is generally characterized by writing and with the act of vandalism. The City of Toronto defines Graffiti Art as “markings made or affixed to properties that are approved by the property owner or occupant, where the markings aesthetically enhance the surface they cover and the general surroundings, having regard to the community character and standards.” Click here to download the by-law (PDF).

For more information on the City’s Graffiti Management Plan visit toronto.ca/graffiti.

StART Partnership Program

StART’s mission is to revitalize and engage communities through street and mural art. StART provides up to $20,000 in funding for partnership projects that meet the following objectives:

• Enhance and promote Toronto’s vibrant street and graffiti art
• Revitalize communities
• Counteract graffiti vandalism
• Engage new and established local artists

For program guidelines and application information click here.

Learn from the best

CAN-Bike is the only accredited course of its kind. Courses are taught exclusively by instructors certified by the CAN-Bike program. Instructors are knowledgeable about the Highway Traffic Act and teach cycling skills such as anticipating traffic dynamics, recognizing road hazards, and collision-avoidance techniques. Our most advanced course, CAN-Bike 2, is required training for many people who cycle on the job. In fact, all Toronto Police bicycle patrol officers are required to take CAN-Bike 2.

2012 Can Bike Courses

2012 Learn to Ride Courses

2012 Can Bike Summer Camp Schedule

For more info: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/canbike/index.htm

The City needs people with a wide range of expertise in many fields such as public health, real estate development, law, business, environment, financial management, adjudication, market development, public policy, urban planning, trade shows, heritage, literacy, public safety, etc.

Our priority is to appoint boards that reflect the diversity of the community they serve. Women, young adults 18-30, people with disabilities, Aboriginal/First Nations people, and members of racial minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

If you’re ready to participate, we want to hear from you.

The first annual massive garage sale for all the residents of Liberty Village.

Saturday, June 2nd, from 11am to 2pm.

On Lynn Williams St., between Pirandello St. and Western Battery Road, next to Liberty Village Park.

Contact: To reserve a table or 1/2 table please email – lvrasocialcommittee@gmail.com

See my letter including recommendations to Budget Committee below and here:

May 6, 2012

Re: Solid Waste Management Service 2011 operating surplus and unfair waste fees for charities and religious organizations

Dear Budget Chief and Committee members,

In November 2011, with a vote of 21-20, City Council voted to charge for the first time 1,100 not-for-profit organizations for solid waste collection and tipping fees. Organizations are to be charged beginning July 1, 2012 at 25% of the total cost, with full implementation by 2015. Many organizations are only now receiving notice of the new fees.

Unfortunately, organizations were not informed of the proposed changes in time to speak at Budget Committee in November. They were not provided with the opportunity to calculate the financial impact or provide feedback to the City. They were also not provided the opportunity to incorporate these costs into their 2012 budgets and are now being forced to assume this unanticipated cost into their operating budgets.

These charges will have a significant impact on organizations’ abilities to continue to operate and provide vital services to Toronto’s vulnerable populations. Community organizations are indicating costs for 2012 ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. The full costs by 2015 in some cases are equivalent to the totals the same organizations receive from the City in support for their programs and in one case in the hundreds of thousands. On May 2, the Toronto Star reported that some charities are facing upwards of $20,000 in 2012. The Star also recently profiled the impact on St John The Compassionate, which feeds, clothes and employs low-income residents.

This new fee will only place another financial burden on organizations’ already stretched budgets. This impacts major organizations such as Good Will, Daily Bread Food Bank, women’s shelters, religious institutions, and many more.

Many of the 1,100 organizations help our city by delivering services to our communities by leveraging private sector support and funding from other levels of government. They serve youth, seniors, families, and other vulnerable communities in Toronto. They need our support, not a new fee. There are better ways to get these organizations to divert waste from landfill, which we must explore first.

The charities, institutions, and religious organizations do not know enough about how this will impact their budgets and therefore their ability to provide vital services. As Councillors, we also do not know enough about the impact. To ensure that these service-focused organizations are able to continue to support Toronto families, while finding savings through promotion of waste diversion, I recommend the following:

1. That City Council request the Acting General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to postpone implementation of the Waste Fee for Charities, Institutions & Religious Organizations until City Council has a better understanding of the impact on these organizations and the services they deliver to Toronto residents.

2. That the $258,000 anticipated revenue be offset by the Solid Waste Management Services’ 2011 operating surplus of $37.236 million.

3. That City Council instruct the Acting General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report during the 2013 Solid Waste Management Rates and Operating and Capital Budget approval process, with a proposed strategy to address implementation concerns regarding the solid waste management rates applied to charities, institutions and religious organizations. And that this report will include efforts Solid Waste Management Services staff will make to increase diversion rates of these organizations.

Sincerely,

Mike Layton
City Councillor
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina