Item - 2014.PE25.3
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Parks and Environment Committee on January 16, 2014 and was adopted with amendments.
PE25.3 - Review of Permitting Procedures on Group Volunteer Activities
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Parks and Environment Committee:
1. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to review procedures to identify opportunities to streamline the issuance of park permits to volunteer groups, and report back to the Parks and Environment Committee by Spring, 2014.
2. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include in this report:
a. a definition of volunteers, volunteer group, volunteer activities which contribute to parks;
b. a review of the costs of the permits and insurance for volunteer groups;
c. the feasibility of implementing granting seasonal permits or bulk permits for volunteer groups with a simplified application system and lower permit and insurance fees to be implemented by the third quarter of 2014;
d. a plan to have all permit activities on-line implemented by the third quarter of 2014 where possible; and
e. detailed revenue information for revenue generated from parks permits by sub categories, including fire pits, pumpkin parades, movie nights, and bake ovens.
3. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in preparing this report, to consult with a working group, consisting of ward councillors, members of park volunteer groups, parks staff and other stakeholders.
4. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Parks and Environment Committee at the April 14, 2014 meeting on the implementation of a seamless, hassle-free pumpkin parade permitting process that covers fees and insurance for 2014.
5. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to recognize pumpkin parades as a community-led parks initiative that fulfills the goals of Toronto's new Parks plan.
Origin
Summary
Request by Councillor McMahon to review permitting procedures on group volunteer activities.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-65613.pdf
Communications
(January 13, 2014) E-mail from Jode Roberts (PE.New.PE25.3.2)
(January 16, 2014) Letter from Councillor Paula Fletcher (PE.New.PE25.3.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/pe/comm/communicationfile-44837.pdf
(January 16, 2014) Letter from Andrew MacDonald, Orchard Park Volunteers (PE.New.PE25.3.4)
Speakers
Anna Hill, Toronto Park People
John Mason, Friends of Guild Park & Gardens
Sabina Ali, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee
Julie Dabrusin, Friends of Withrow Park
Andrew Macdonald, Friends of Orchard Park (Submission Filed)
Paul Le Page, TCEU Local 416
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Motions
That:
1. The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation be requested to report to the Parks and Environment Committee at the April 14, 2014 meeting on the implementation of a seamless, hassle-free pumpkin parade permitting process that covers fees and insurance for 2014.
2. The General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation be requested to recognize pumpkin parades as a community-led parks initiative that fulfills the goals of Toronto's new Parks plan.
That the recommendation in the letter (January 6, 2014) from Councillor McMahon be amended to add the following Recommendations 2 and 3:
"2. That the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation be requested to include in this report:
a. a definition of volunteers, volunteer group, volunteer activities which contribute to parks;
b. a review of the costs of the permits and insurance for volunteer groups;
c. the feasibility of implementing granting seasonal permits or bulk permits for volunteer groups with a simplified application system and lower permit and insurance fees to be implemented by the third quarter of 2014;
d. a plan to have all permit activities on-line implemented by the third quarter of 2014 where possible; and
e. detailed revenue information for revenue generated from parks permits by sub categories, including fire pits, pumpkin parades, movie nights, and bake ovens.
3. That the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation be requested, in preparing this report, to consult with a working group, consisting of members of park volunteer groups, parks staff and other stakeholders."
That Part 3 of Councillor McMahon's motion be amended to add ward councillors to the consultation process.