Confirmation of Minutes

 

On motion by Councillor Karen Stintz, the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parks and Environment Committee held on February 5, 2009, were confirmed.

The Parks and Environment Committee:

 

1.         received the presentation by Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, for information;

 

2.         requested the Medical Officer of Health to conduct an environmental health impact assessment study in the Georgetown rail line with attention to the issue of diesel vs electric power and report back to the Parks and Environment Committee; and

 

3.         noted the presentation by Corporate Communications will be heard by the Committee at a future date.

Presentations from:

 

a.         Toronto Public Health by Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health; and

 

b.         Corporate Communications by Kevin Sack, Director, Strategic Communications, City Manager's Office.

 

(no written material)

The Parks and Environment Committee requested:

 

1.         the Executive Director, Facilities and Real Estate, to advise City Councillors if there are any changes to the list of surplus sites and that staff monitor these changes; and

 

2.         the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to report to the Parks and Environment Committee on the impact on community sports fields and any school pools with the potential closing of 39 Toronto District School Board schools and on community recreation with the sale of surplus sites.

Staff considered the Committee request to distribute lists of surplus sites to Councillors and to review the sites from an environmental and parks point of view and to report to the Parks and Environment Committee.

 

The existing process for the circulation of surplus city and school board lands includes agencies, boards, commissions and City divisions (the City ABCDs), as well as the affected Ward Councillor. Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division (PFR) reviews all such circulations in light of the Division’s mandate and service requirements.

 

This report to the Parks and Environment Committee is to provide this information as requested.

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

 

1.         City Council accept an in-kind donation from Fiskars Brands Canada Inc., valued at $100,000.00 US Dollars, for the development of a new community garden on an existing parks property located on the north side of Kingston Road, east of No. 3620, in the Scarborough Village community, proposed to be installed on May 27, 2009; and

 

2.         the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation be authorized to enter into an agreement with Fiskars Brands Canada Inc. for the development of the community garden on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The Parks and Environment Committee:

 

1.         requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to give priority to community gardening in the development of the Cornell Campbell House; and

 

2.         thanked Fiskars Brands Canada Inc. for their generous donation.

 

Chris Brillinger, Acting Executive Director of Social Development, Finance and Administration and Phyllis Berck, Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships addressed the Committee and submitted a written presentation.

This report seeks approval from City Council to accept an in-kind donation from Fiskars Brands Canada Inc. to construct a community garden in Toronto in accordance with the Policy on Donations to the City for Community Benefits.  Since the estimated value of this offer exceeds the $50,000.00 threshold for donation acceptance established in the policy, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division requires City Council consent before proceeding with the initiative.

 

The in-kind donation stems from the company’s “Project Orange Thumb” program, which has seen the development of over 100 community gardens in North America since its inception in 2003.  Fiskars has selected the priority neighbourhood of Scarborough Village (Ward 36 – Scarborough Southwest) for its inaugural Toronto project.  Construction of the garden, which will measure 50’ x 50’ at a minimum, is proposed to take place on May 27, 2009.

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends to City Council that:

 

1.         approval be granted to accept a donation of approximately $1,000,000.00 from Ms. Goldie Feldman for the purpose of constructing an accessible water-themed playground and sensory garden in Earl Bales Park in 2010.

 

2.         a new accessible water-themed playground and sensory garden project be created in the 2009 and 2010 Parks, Forestry and Recreation Capital Budget with revenues and expenses of approximately $1,000,000.00 funded from a donation received from Ms. Goldie Feldman and that approval be given to receive the funds into this project.

 

3.         the 2009 Parks, Forestry and Recreation Capital Budget be amended to include $1,000,000.00 for improvements to Earl Bales Park to be cash flowed $150,000.00 and $850,000.00 in 2009 and 2010, respectively; and

 

4.         authority be granted to the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to negotiate and enter into an Agreement with the donor to accept the donation, and to install a plaque on-site for the life of the water-themed playground and sensory garden in recognition of the donation, all in a form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The Parks and Environment Committee:

 

a.         requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to:

 

(i)         report to the October 15, 2009 meeting of the Committee regarding the City's strategy for making all existing City playgrounds fully accessible to all children, youth and adults, disabled or not, such report to contain a prioritized list of City playgrounds for implementation of this City strategy;

 

(ii)       develop a beautiful standard commemorative City marker for donations to Parks; and

 

b.         thanked the Feldman Family for their generous donation.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Council to accept a donation of approximately $1,000,000.00 cash from Ms. Goldie Feldman to facilitate building an accessible water-themed playground and sensory garden in Earl Bales Park. Ms. Feldman has offered this very generous donation in honour of her late parents, Morris and Sarah Feldman, in the hope that it would allow the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division to provide a new play facility for children and adults of all physical and cognitive skill and ability.

 

The project design would be finalized in cooperation between the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division and the donor. The Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division would provide oversight of the project through completion.

 

Once constructed, the City of Toronto would be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility.

 

This entire capital project would be fully funded by the donation from Ms. Feldman.