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TORONTO -- Toronto Council Monday approved funds to back up the city's digital records and for ongoing beautification of Newburg Landing.
Council agreed to pay Software Solutions a $2,000 yearly fee to back up digital data for the city's various departments with "the cloud," a term referring to off-site servers that can be accessed with proper clearance through the Internet in the event something happens to their source.
As the city's software vendor, the Dayton-based business suggested the move to the city's finance committee, which recommended it to council.
Following the meeting, Council President Frank McEwen said in addition to complying with the state auditor's office, the backup would protect the city in the event its computer systems were affected by a virus or other problem.
Council also received a request from the River's Edge Garden Club for $2,000 for the volunteer group's continued care of the garden at Newburg Landing, a city park and marina.
Council agreed to provide $1,000 to the club following a recommendation by the finance committee that it cap contributions to community organizations at that amount.
McEwen said in the past council considered the amounts in such requests on a case by case basis. But he said in light of current and future financial obligations, "We've had a lot of conversations about limiting donations."
He said unspent funds from previous fiscal years are quickly absorbed by major projects.
McEwen noted in recent years the city invested about $200,000 for the Titanium Way bridge project and about $86,000 for slip repairs in the Wallace Heights area.
He added the city will be pursuing repairs to aging water lines in the Walton Acres area and contributing funds to repair the Alexander Street Bridge at the Robert Urich Interchange.
"It doesn't take too many projects to chew that up," he said.
Also on Monday, City Police Chief Randy Henry asked when council will return to collectively meeting at City Hall.
During the last several months, the panel has met by videoconference, with some gathered in council chambers and others participating from home, to comply with social distancing.
The meetings have been posted on the city's Facebook page.
McEwen said he and Mayor John Parker have discussed that. The council president said it will depend on Gov. Mike DeWine's recommendations, but he would like to wait until more people have been vaccinated.
Council's next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 8. The finance committee is set to meet, also by videoconference, at 6 p.m. March 22.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)