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TORONTO -- City Council approved steps to reduce the risk of children being struck by vehicles near an apartment complex and discussed several issues related to the city’s new recreation center.
During Monday's meeting, council agreed to reduce the speed limit on Madison Avenue between Wentworth Avenue and Valleyview Place from 25 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour.
The panel also agreed to prohibit parking from Madison Avenue to Franklin Street on Gilbert Avenue, a narrow street where parked vehicles are said to have hindered passage as well as visibility.
Third Ward Councilman Jason Fogle said the measures were among solutions considered last week at a meeting of council’s safety committee, which he chairs, and several city officials after hearing from parents of children who live in the apartment buildings known to many residents as Mill Row.
“I hope that remedies the problem and keeps the children safe,” said Fogle.
He added Street Superintendent Tim Miller is working on a solution to the problem of large trucks entering North Third Street.
Resident Russ Kuntz had reported the trucks often veer into his yard and one nearly struck his home at the intersection of North Third Street and Cleveland Avenue.
Council members and others noted though the area isn’t part of an official truck route, global positioning systems used by truck drivers often send them that way.
Also on Monday, council agreed to allow individuals or groups renting the Karaffa Recreation Center for private events to serve alcohol provided they have the appropriate liability insurance and security measures.
It also won’t be permitted during school hours since the Toronto Board of Education continues to use the former school building, which it donated to the city last year, for pre-school classes.
Plans were made to create a rental agreement detailing the requirements.
The move comes following questions from organizers of private events considering rental of the center and approval by a joint city-school district recreation board.
Council President Frank McEwen noted the provision doesn’t allow for the sale of alcohol at the center.
The question arose as to whether alcohol should be permitted in the shelter overlooking the swimming pool.
Councilman at large G.R. Dickinson said in light of the youth activities conducted nearby, he’d prefer council proceed with a policy for the recreation center only at this time.
Council also approved the employment of Maggie Tizziani as part-time assistant manager to City Recreation Director Rod Henry.
A long-time employee of the city’s recreation department, Tizziani will aid Henry in overseeing the recreation center and city swimming pool, which is slated to reopen this year.
McEwen said the city hopes to hire another supervisor for the center, which is open seven days a week.
Council also approved pavement of the center’s parking lot, by Carl Kelly Paving of Rayland at a cost of $6,345.
In other business:
● Council agreed to vacate a section of an alley between School Street and another alley that runs north-south of it at the request of Bernadette Romey, who lives adjacent to it.
McEwen said that section hasn’t been used in years and is “basically dirt and grass all the way through.”
The move was made pending consent by the Toronto school board, which also has an interest as a property owner.
● Council supported an agreement with the county engineer’s office to chip and seal city streets to be determined at a later date.
Following the meeting, McEwen said the city has benefited from the county’s ability to purchase materials at a bulk rate. He noted county crews also will do the work.