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TORONTO -- Toronto Council has approved funds to help a volunteer group extend a walking trail in the Mount Nebo area and raises for staff at the city's swimming pool and other summer help.
Council agreed to provide $1,000 to the volunteer Hike Toronto group for tools and other materials needed to develop the trails at the request of its president, J. David Core.
Core said there are plans to clear old logging roads in the hilltop area, where a trail loop already has been created between two boulders there.
Sandstone found in the boulders indicate Mount Nebo was under water 300 million years ago, and the group plans to share such geological information about the site through signs posted there.
Core said the scenic area includes a plateau where the group hopes to hold events in the future.
He said the trails can't be opened until crews complete an access road through the Mount Nebo area to TIMET in support of a major expansion of the local industry.
Core noted local developer Gene Calabrese donated property for devlopment of the trails.
Calabrese Property Management has been pursuing a housing development in the Mount Nebo area, which overlooks state Route 7 at the city's South End.
Core told council, "We believe our project has the potential to expand Toronto's desirability as a residential destination for young families seeking a new home in the valley. We also think our project offers recreational and educational opportunities for city residents, whether newly relocated or long-time citizens."
The group also is preparing to present an art display at the Periwinkle Trail it has created through a wooded area along the eastern edge of Toronto Union Cemetery.
Core said a handful of area artists, including a chainsaw sculptor, are slated to display multiple works of art there from Friday through May 29, and he welcomes others, who may contact the group though its website at https://hiketoronto.com/the-peri-winkle-gallery.
Because the art will be openly displayed, it should be made from weather-resistant materials, such as stone, wood, marble, glass or metal. Painted boards may be entered but should be sealed.
Core said all of the pieces will be available for purchase, and he plans to prepare a reference catalog for them after the display opens.
Council also has agreed to raise hourly wages for lifeguards at Toronto War Memorial Pool to $12 and for summer help involved in running the pool and its concession stand and engaged in cutting grass and maintaining city property in other ways to $8.
The raises were recommended by the city's finance committee, which is chaired by Councilman at large Michael Burkey, and at the request of Terry Cattrell, the pool's manager.
The city usually employs 35 to 40 summer workers, including about 20 at the pool, with a minimum of three lifeguards required to be on duty at any time.
City Service Director Linda Burkey said applications for the positions can be obtained at the City Building and at several local schools.
In related business, the Toronto recreation board, comprised of representatives of the city and local school board, is expected to consider admission, season passes and pool and shelter rental rates for this season at its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Karaffa Recreation Center.
Any changes to those rates must be approved by council.
Also at council's March 25 meeting:
• Council agreed to raise the excavation fee for companies doing work in the city from $50 to $75.
Linda Burkey said said city officials met last week with representatives of Columbia Gas, which is among utilities to be affected by it.
The fee is part of an existing ordinance that calls for excavators to pay $50 to the city for each trip made by city crews to work on related street work and flat fees of $500 or $250 for projects involving a block of 10 or more houses or blocks with fewer than 10 houses, respectively.
It calls for the city service director to be notified if a project won't be completed within 20 days.
• Council agreed to draft a resolution of sympathy to the family of Larry Mosti, a long-time city firefighter who also volunteered many hours for the TEMS Joint Ambulance District and Boy Scouts of America.
Mosti, who was 61, died on March 20 following a battle with cancer.
His family will be invited to accept the resolution at a future council meeting.
After a motion to draw up the resolution was made, Burkey, as city clerk, asked who had seconded it and someone replied, "Everybody."
• It was announced council's next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 8 at the City Building.