The Environment and Public Space Committee recommends that:
(1) the increase of seniors' golf fees for 1997 be capped at 15 per cent. of the 1996 rate, rounded to the nearest dollar; and
(2) the Council of the new City of Toronto be requested:
(i) to review the seniors' golf fees with a view to increasing the fees by 15 per cent. in each of 1998 and 1999; and
(ii) to review the differential between seniors' and regular adult fees;
and reports having directed that this matter be forwarded to Council for consideration at its meeting to be held on May 21, 1997.
The Environment and Public Space Committee further reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Acting Commissioner of Parks and Culture to submit a report:
(1) directly to Council for its meeting on May 21, 1997, on the revenue implications of the proposed reduction in seniors' golf fees; and
(2) to the Committee as part of the 1998 budget process outlining the times at which discount rates are applicable at Metro golf courses.
The Environment and Public Space Committee submits the following communication (May 9, 1997) from the Metropolitan Clerk:
The Metropolitan Council at its meeting held on May 7 and 8, 1997, had before it the following Motion:
Moved by: COUNCILLOR O'BRIEN
Seconded by: COUNCILLOR SALMON
"WHEREAS Metropolitan Council at its meeting held on February 12 and 13, 1997, adopted Clause No. 6 of Report No. 4 of The Financial Priorities Committee, headed `1997 Park Fees', without amendment; and
WHEREAS members of the public have raised concern that seniors' golf fees have been increased disproportionately to fees in other user categories; and
WHEREAS seniors' fees at Metropolitan Toronto golf courses have increased 43 per cent. at Humber Valley/Tam O'Shanter, 39 per cent. at Scarlett Woods, 41 per cent. at Dentonia, and 44 per cent. at Don Valley, compared to a nine per cent., five per cent., seven per cent. and 12 per cent. fee increase, respectively, for the adult user category;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in accordance with subsection 49(2) of the Council Procedural By-law, Clause No. 6 of Report No. 4 of The Financial Priorities Committee, headed `1997 Park Fees', be re-opened for further consideration, only insofar as it pertains to the golf fees for seniors;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this matter be referred back to the Environment and Public Space Committee for further consideration and report thereon to Council."
Council also had before it, during consideration of the foregoing Motion, the following:
(i) table dated April 21, 1997, entitled "1997 Green Fees - Golf Course Rate Comparison", prepared by the Metro Parks and Culture Department, for consideration with Notice of Motion by Councillor O'Brien, seconded by Councillor Salmon; and
(ii) communication dated May 2, 1997, from Mr. L. Gerace, Scarborough, Ontario, expressing concerns regarding the increase to seniors' golf fees and submitting the signatures of 116 persons opposed to the fee increase.
Council, in adopting the foregoing Motion, re-opened Clause No. 6 of Report No. 4 of The Financial Priorities Committee, headed "1997 Park Fees", insofar as it pertains to the golf fees for seniors only, and referred the matter of such fees back to the Environment and Public Space Committee for further consideration and report thereon to Council.
The Environment and Public Space Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter communications from the following in opposition to the increase in fees for seniors at Metro golf courses for 1997:
(i) (May 1, 1997) from Mr. George T. Johnstone, Scarborough Seniors Golf Association;
(ii) (May 14, 1997) from Mr. George McMorris, Etobicoke, Ontario;
(iii) (May 16, 1997) from Mr. Syd Todd, Vice President, Etobicoke Fairways Seniors Golf Group; and
(iv) (May 16, 1997) from Mr. J.D. Noble, Etobicoke Senior Games Committee.
The following persons appeared before the Environment and Public Space Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:
- Mr. George McMorris, Etobicoke, Ontario;
- Mr. James Roberts, Scarborough, Ontario;
- Mr. Bill Hendrie, Agincourt, Ontario;
- Mr. George T. Johnstone, Scarborough Seniors Golf Association; and
- Councillor Brian Ashton, Scarborough - Bluffs;
(A copy of the attachments referred to in the foregoing communication from the Metropolitan Clerk has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the supplementary agenda for the meeting of the Environment and Public Space Committee on May 20, 1997, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the Metropolitan Clerk.)
