Money for Billboards! Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti: “If I can get some community support from billboard variances, that’s going to be my intention.”
Voluntary donations to the City, its agencies, and other organizations, can make important contributions to city building. It is equally important that donations occur in a manner that does not call municipal decision making processes into question. Donations should occur at arms length from decision making processes. Voluntary donations should not be sought or accepted if offered concurrent to a planning approval or a procurement process.
Policy on Donations to the City for Community Benefits
At the October 30, 2007 meeting of Etobicoke York Community Council, the co-ordinator of IllegalSigns.ca made a deputation concerning CBS Outdoor’s variance application for 360 Evans Ave in which he said: “There can be no community benefits associated with this variance application.” That statement is in line with the City of Toronto’s Policy on Community Benefits which was passed last year.
Unfortunately, Councillors at Etobicoke York Community Council don’t appear to be following the City’s own policy. In the first video you will see today, Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti asks Steve Wolowich if CBS Outdoor has “ever worked in deals with local Councillors and communities that bring benefits to local communities?”
Later in the meeting, Community Council considered Item 1.11 – Billboard Signs which was a request for staff to report on a list of IllegalSigns.ca research in Etobicoke York. By far the ward with the most illegal billboards in the west end is Ward 7. Councillor Mammoliti explained that he’s delighted that IllegalSigns.ca has located over 35 illegal billboards in Ward 7 because he will attempt to obtain community benefits from billboard variances on those signs. “If I can get some community support from them, that’s going to be my intention:”
