REPORT FOR ACTION WITH
CONFIDENTIAL ATTACHMENTS

 

Appointment of Public Members to the Toronto Zoo Board

Date: May 2, 2017

To: Civic Appointments Committee

From: City Clerk

Wards: All

 

Reason for Confidential Information

 

This report deals with personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.

Summary

 

City Council needs to appoint four public members to serve on the Toronto Zoo Board. The Interview Subcommittee for Toronto Zoo Board will interview candidates at its meeting on May 3, 2017, and recommend four public members to the Civic Appointments Committee to fill these positions.

Recommendations

 

The City Clerk recommends that:

 

1. The Civic Appointments Committee recommend four candidates to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on May 24, 2021, and until successors are appointed.

 

2. City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachments 1 and 2 remain confidential in its entirety as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.

Financial IMPACT

 

There are no financial implications arising from this report.

 

 

Decision History

 

At its meeting held July 7, 8 and 9, 2015, City Council appointed four public members to the Toronto Zoo Board for a term of office ending December 31, 2016, and four public members for a term of office ending November 30, 2018. All public members serve until successors are appointed:

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2015.CA9.3.

 

At its meeting held April 24, 2017, the Civic Appointments Committee selected nine candidates for interview by the Interview Subcommittee for Toronto Zoo Board at their May 3, 2017 meeting:

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2017.CA15.3.

 

Comments

 

Composition of the Toronto Zoo Board

The board has a total of 12 members including:

 

·         the Mayor or designate appointed by the Mayor

·         3 Council members

·         8 public members

 

City Council appoints the board's chair, and the board elects a vice chair from amongst its members.

 

There are currently four positions under consideration

Four positions on the board are currently held by members who were appointed in July 2015 for a term of office ending December 31, 2016, and until successors are appointed. The members are:

·         Vanessa Choy

·         Matthew Cole

·         Tisha Tan

·         Benjamin Wulffhart

 

The Civic Appointments Committee may choose to nominate eligible members currently serving on the board for re-appointment.

 

Term of office for public members is four years

Public members appointed to the Toronto Zoo Board will serve a four year term of office. Members serve until their successors are appointed.

 

Committee members must be eligible and meet certain qualifications

In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, public members should collectively bring the following skills and expertise to the Board:

 

·         financial management

·         tourism/attractions marketing

·         knowledge of zoos and the role they play in wildlife conservation and education

·         largescale fundraising or public-private partnerships, leadership, and partnership development

·         general public sector board experience

·         a youthful perspective, defined as an individual in the 18-30 age range, is a desired qualification for at least one public member

 

We have consulted with Toronto Zoo staff

The Public Appointments Secretariat consulted with Toronto Zoo staff in February 2017 to discuss current board needs and the appointments process. They indicated that appointees with knowledge of zoos and their programs and services, and skills in fundraising and partnership development would help support the Zoo's ability to effectively carry out its mandate and meet its strategic goals.

 

The Interview Subcommittee will recommend candidates to the Civic Appointments Committee

The Interview Subcommittee for Toronto Zoo Board will interview candidates at its meeting on May 3rd, 2017. The recommended candidates will be forwarded to the Civic Appointments Committee in a decision letter following the interviews.

 

Public release of names of recommended candidates

The name of the recommended candidates will be publicly reported once the Civic Appointments Committee forwards its recommendations to City Council.

 

Contact

 

Aretha Phillip, Manager, Public Appointments. City Clerk's Office, aphilli@toronto.ca, 416-392-8152

 

Signature

 

 

 

Ulli S. Watkiss

City Clerk

 

attachments

 

Confidential Attachment 1 – List of Candidates and Qualifications Summary, and Applications for Appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board (previously distributed with Item CA15.3)

Confidential Attachment 2 – Diversity Data for Current Public Members on the Toronto Zoo Board (previously distributed with Item CA15.3)