REPORT FOR ACTION WITH
CONFIDENTIAL ATTACHMENTS

 

Appointment of Public Members to The Atmospheric Fund Board

Date: May 1, 2017

To: Environmental Nominating Panel

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 board of The Atmospheric Fund.

Summary

 

City Council needs to appoint three public members to serve on the board of The Atmospheric Fund (TAF). The Environmental Nominating Panel will interview candidates at its meeting on May 8, 2017, and recommend three public members to fill these positions.

Recommendations

 

The City Clerk recommends that:

 

1. The Environmental Nominating Panel recommend three candidates to City Council for appointment to The Atmospheric Fund Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending May 24, 2021, and until successors are appointed.

 

2. City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachments 1, 2, 3 and 4 remain confidential in its entirety as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to The Atmospheric Fund Board.

Financial IMPACT

 

There are no financial implications arising from this report.

 

 

Decision History

 

At its meeting held May 5, 6 and 7, 2015, City Council appointed three public members to the TAF 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.CC6.3.

 

At its meeting held April 25, 2017, the Environmental Nominating Panel selected nine candidates for interview by the Panel at their May 8, 2017 meeting:

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2017.NE8.2.

Comments

 

Composition of The Atmospheric Fund Board

The TAF Board consists of at least 12 members and is composed of:

 

·         the Mayor or designate

·         4 members of Council

·         7 public members

 

There are currently three positions under consideration

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

 

·         Jacoline Loewen

·         Susan McLean

·         Ravi Seethapathy

 

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

 

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 TAF Board:

 

·         understanding of strategic energy efficiency and green energy market opportunities.

·         experience and knowledge of environmental affairs from an academic or non- governmental perspective, especially in the areas of air quality and climate change.

·         experience managing public charities, public or private foundations, community trusts, or other government grant programs.

·         marketing expertise, such as knowledge of demographic trends that affect consumer choice, in order to advise in community program design and delivery.

·         financial management and investment expertise, including experience in portfolio management and strategic investing.

·         legal expertise, in order to advise on legal problems and issues related to TAF's activities when they arise.

 

We have consulted with TAF staff

The Public Appointments Secretariat consulted with TAF staff in March 2017 to discuss current board needs and the appointments process. They indicated that appointees with a strong background in policy and public affairs, as well as financial and investing expertise, would help support TAF's ability to best carry out its mandate and meet its strategic goals.

 

Term of Office

Public members are appointed for a four-year term. Therefore, the public members appointed as part of this process would serve a term ending May 24, 2021, and until successors are appointed.

 

Public release of name of recommended candidate

The names of the recommended candidates will be publicly reported once the Environmental Nominating Panel 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 Atmospheric Fund Board (previously distributed with item NE8.2)

Confidential Attachment 2 – Diversity Data for Current Public Members on The Atmospheric Fund Board (previously distributed with item NE8.2)

Confidential Attachment 3 - Interview Schedule for The Atmospheric Fund Board Interviews on May 8, 2017 (to be circulated under separate cover)

Confidential Attachment 4 - Interview Questions for The Atmospheric Fund Board Interviews on May 8, 2017