Item - 2012.EX21.3
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 11, 2012 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on June 12, 2012 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 11, 2012.
EX21.3 - Riverdale Farm Business Plan
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 28 - Toronto Centre-Rosedale
City Council Decision
City Council on July 11, 12 and 13, 2012, adopted the following:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the Parks and Trees Foundation of funds raised by the Riverdale Farm Coalition through activities outlined in the attached business plan in the report (May 25, 2012) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and that all funds raised through fundraising initiatives (fundraising campaigns, membership drives, donation boxes, etc.) and revenue generation (farmers' market, venue bookings, gift shop, food facilities, etc.) be allocated as a first priority toward offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work with the Riverdale Farm Coalition to develop a terms of reference for the Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group, including defining roles and responsibilities for the City, organizations, and residents.
3. City Council support and encourage the Riverdale Farm Coalition's efforts to raise funds in support of the ongoing operation of the Farm, such as permitting the use of the Farm for fundraising events.
4. City Council direct Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff to include in the 2013 budget process any expected net operating budget impacts as a result of the fundraising activities.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-47815.pdf
Attachment 1 - Riverdale Farm Business Plan, submitted by the Riverdale Farm Coalition
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-47816.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(June 12, 2012) Submission from Riverdale Farm Coalition titled "Riverdale Farm Business Plan" (EX.New.EX21.3.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/comm/communicationfile-30856.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That City Council amend Executive Committee Recommendation 1 by replacing the words "for the purposes of first offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm before any funds are allocated for program expansion or capital improvements" with the words "and that all funds raised through fundraising initiatives (fundraising campaigns, membership drives, donation boxes, etc.) and revenue generation (farmers' market, venue bookings, gift shop, food facilities, etc.) be allocated as a first priority toward offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm", so that the recommendation now reads as follows:
Current Recommendation 1:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the Parks and Trees Foundation of funds raised by the Riverdale Farm Coalition through activities outlined in the attached business plan in the report (May 25, 2012) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, for the purposes of first offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm before any funds are allocated for program expansion or capital improvements.
New Recommendation 1:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the Parks and Trees Foundation of funds raised by the Riverdale Farm Coalition through activities outlined in the attached business plan in the report (May 25, 2012) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and that all funds raised through fundraising initiatives (fundraising campaigns, membership drives, donation boxes, etc.) and revenue generation (farmers' market, venue bookings, gift shop, food facilities, etc.) be allocated as a first priority toward offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-11-2012 10:48 AM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX21.3 - McConnell - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 28 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 17 | Members that were absent are Maria Augimeri, Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, John Filion, Doug Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-11-2012 10:49 AM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - EX21.3 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 28 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Rob Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Karen Stintz, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 17 | Members that were absent are Maria Augimeri, Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, John Filion, Doug Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Ron Moeser, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
EX21.3 - Riverdale Farm Business Plan
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Ward:
- 28 - Toronto Centre-Rosedale
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the Parks and Trees Foundation of funds raised by the Riverdale Farm Coalition through activities outlined in the attached business plan in the report (May 25, 2012) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, for the purposes of first offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm before any funds are allocated for program expansion or capital improvements.
2. City Council request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work with the Riverdale Farm Coalition to develop a terms of reference for the Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group, including defining roles and responsibilities for the City, organizations, and residents.
3. City Council support and encourage the Riverdale Farm Coalition's efforts to raise funds in support of the ongoing operation of the Farm, such as permitting the use of the Farm for fundraising events.
4. City Council direct Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff to include in the 2013 budget process any expected net operating budget impacts as a result of the fundraising activities.
Origin
Summary
This report highlights the work completed by the Riverdale Farm Coalition towards the development of alternative sources of funding and revenue for operation of the Farm, as requested by Council on September 26, 2011. Since that time, the Coalition has conducted extensive research and community consultations, including a community survey, town hall meeting and partner roundtable discussion, towards putting forward a business plan that outlines an alternative vision and funding model for the Farm.
The Riverdale Farm Coalition reported back to the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division with a business plan summarizing numerous opportunities for revenue generation, including fundraising, sponsorships, and on-site revenue opportunities (Attachment 1). In the context of the business plan, the Coalition also envisions the Farm as a centre of excellence in food and urban agriculture, a "rural embassy" in the City, a catalyst for social enterprise operations and venue for diverse programming.
In order to move forward with raising funds to offset the operating costs of Riverdale Farm as per the ideas presented in the Riverdale Farm Business Plan report, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division is recommending that City Council authorize the acceptance of donations from the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, request staff to develop a terms of reference for the new Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group, and support the community's fundraising efforts.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-47815.pdf
Attachment 1 - Riverdale Farm Business Plan, submitted by the Riverdale Farm Coalition
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-47816.pdf
Communications
(June 12, 2012) Submission from Riverdale Farm Coalition titled "Riverdale Farm Business Plan" (EX.New.EX21.3.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/comm/communicationfile-30856.pdf
Speakers
Dan Eldridge, Riverdale Farm Coalition
Bill Holy, Riverdale Farm Coalition
Councillor Sarah Doucette
Councillor Pam McConnell
Motions
That Councillor Mammoliti be allowed to speak on this item before questions of staff.
1. Amend Recommendation 1 by inserting the word "first" and adding "before any funds are allocated for program expansion or capital improvements." so that it now reads:
"1. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accept donations from the Parks and Trees Foundation of funds raised by the Riverdale Farm Coalition through activities outlined in the attached business plan in the report (May 25, 2012) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, for the purposes of first offsetting the operating costs of Riverdale Farm before any funds are allocated for program expansion or capital improvements."
2. Add new recommendation:
5. City Council direct that the Riverdale Farm become a self-financing operation by January 1, 2014.
3. Amend recommendation 2 to insert the words "with a mandate to make the Riverdale Farm self-financing by January 1, 2014." So that it now reads:
"2. City Council request the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to work with the Riverdale Farm Coalition to develop a terms of reference for the Riverdale Farm Stewardship Group, with a mandate to make the Riverdale Farm self-financing by January 1, 2014, and including defining roles and responsibilities for the City, organizations, and residents."