Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Barrels and Baskets – 2009 Budget/Service Reduction
PREPARED BY: Mark Ingwersen, District Manager, West, Ext. 3000
RECOMMENDATION:
- That the report entitled ‘Barrels and Baskets – 2009 Budget/Service Reduction’ be received; and,
- That the reduction in barrels and baskets outlined in Option 2 of this report be implemented in 2009 to achieve an estimated 50% reduction in the program operating costs;
- That Community & Fire Services and Development Services Commissions work collectively (through the Markham Beautification Committee) on a public realm initiative that will undertake to identify and implement future beautification programs to supplement barrels and baskets;
- That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
Budget
Sub-Committee has requested staff to consider options for the Town wide
reduction in the
BACKGROUND:
The Barrel and basket streetscape program
was originally implemented starting in 1978 on the 3 Main Streets (Unionville,
Markham and Thornhill) due to the lack of boulevard area to plant traditional
flower beds. In recent years staff has received an increasing number of
requests for horticultural streetscape enhancements resulting in a total Town
wide inventory of 2,665 baskets/barrels/planters in 2008. Baskets and barrels are one of the most
expensive ways to improve the aesthetics of any area.
Prior to 2007,
the BIAs had traditionally paid for the
cost of the materials, although the fees charged to the BIAs had not increased
since the inception on a per unit basis. In May 2008, Council approved a
motion that the BIAs not be charged for streetscape services for 2007 and that
the BIAs receive the same service level for 2008 at no cost (see Appendix A -
2008 Streetscape Inventory).
As the program developed and expanded at
various times over the last 30 years inconsistent spacing of barrel and basket
displays developed within each service area.
o
Victoria Square
o
Markham/Unionville
BIAs – approx. 8.5m spacing
o
Denison/Middlefield
– approx 58m spacing on average
In addition,
there was no criteria for the overall program and there is a need to align to a
Town wide horticultural plan.
When driving
on Denison Street, the view of the baskets and barrels placed on the boulevard
areas is severely obstructed by maturing trees, thereby offering little
aesthetic enhancement to the area.
Alternative solutions to streetscape enhancements must be considered to
replace barrels and baskets through this area.
As trees on
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
The
The current inventory of barrels and baskets located
on
Option 1 – Budget Sub-Committee Direction to
Staff
Reduce total inventory from 2,652 to 1,232
(see Appendix B1 & B2)
- Look at options to enhance streetscapes fronting
Town owned parks and Facilities along
- Replace barrels and baskets with water-reservoir planters at Town Facilities.
- Provide Unionville and Markham BIAs with option to pay for enhanced service level to meet their respective requirements.
Option 2 – Maximize Town Wide Service Level & Visual Impact on Main
Streets
Reduce total inventory from 2,652 to 1,493 (see Appendix C1 & C2)
- Eliminate barrels and baskets at Town Facilities (maintain 4 planter boxes at Seniors’ Centre)
- 20% reduction in barrels and baskets for BIAs,
Yonge Street,
- Introduce pilot project for new water-reservoir planters at Town owned Facilities as well as day-lighting triangles at signalized intersections along Denison including; Eden/Aldergrove; Brimley; Hilcroft; McCowan (subject to Region approval); Coppard; Featherstone; Coxworth; and Markham Road.
- Investigate other options to enhance streetscapes
fronting Town owned parks and Facilities along
Option 3 – Return to the Original Intent of the Program Servicing only
Main Streets
Reduce total inventory from 2,652 to 878 (see Appendix D1&D2)
- Program to be implemented in areas where there is insufficient boulevard area to plant more traditional flower beds or other streetscape enhancements
- Eliminate barrels and baskets on
- 20% reduction in barrels and baskets for Markham and Unionville BIA areas
- East side of
- Town Facilities – status quo
- Re-invest any savings in excess of the $115,000 target to implement pilot planting projects utilizing water reservoir planters at major intersections in each of the previously serviced areas.
Consultation with Markham and Unionville BIAs
At the direction of General
Committee, staff met with Councillors Virgilio, Moretti and Webster, and
representatives from the Unionville and Markham BIA’s. Staff advised the BIA’s of the three options
and staff’s recommendation of Option 2.
Neither BIA expressed concerns regarding the implementation of Option 2
for the baskets and barrels program proposed within the BIA boundaries and
Markham BIA presented a deputation in support of Option 2 at the General
Committee Meeting on
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
Aligns with Municipal Services and Environmental strategic focus. The revised level of service proposal will reduce the cost of delivery while maintaining acceptable service levels.
DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________ ________________________
Paul Ingham,
General Manager,
________________________
Brenda Librecz
Commissioner, Community & Fire Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix A – Streetscape Inventory Proposal Summary
X:\Commission Share\Operations
and Asset Management\Reports\2009\Operations\Parks\Barrels and Baskets Service
Reduction\Barrels and Baskets - 2009 Budget Service Reduction.doc