The motion directs senior city staff to look at options for improving program delivery and supporting businesses impacted by installation delays and other issues with CaféTO this year.
My motion calling for a comprehensive review of the CaféTO program was adopted today at City Council.
This comes after the city announced Wednesday significant progress on the installation of CaféTO patios. Approximately 90% of patios had been installed by mid week and the city expects the rest completed by Sunday.
My motion reflects the many issues that were identified over the last few weeks, such as moving up the application and permitting process to ensure patio installations are done for the start of patio season, improving communications to small businesses and BIAs and incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
Some other highlights of the motion include directing the City Manager to:
I also moved to have the City Manager report on creating a business model for CaféTO led by a single city division to ensure a coordinated, efficient and effective delivery of the program going forward.
I would like to thank city staff for working with me these last few weeks to address immediate issues with the program's roll-out and for their hard work to complete the patio installations over this last week.
You can read my full motion here.
I'll be sure to keep you updated on the review process and how small businesses can participate.
Key items at Council this month included the latest on Ford's waterfront takeover, motorized watercraft safety, RentSafeTO improvements and more.
Update on the city's plan to address poor road conditions on Unwin Avenue.
Busy City Council session features Ford's waterfront takeover, cracking down on bad landlords, pothole & road repair strategy, paid snow-shovelling program, a pilot program for city-owned public grocery stores & more.
