Item - 2014.PE26.5
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Parks and Environment Committee on March 3, 2014 and was adopted with amendments.
PE26.5 - Allowing Flexibility in the Operating Budget for Municipal Skating Rinks
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Parks and Environment Committee:
1. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to consider including "cold weather" contingency funds, including the use of corporate and private sector partners, into the 2015 Operating Budget to extend the outdoor skating and skiing season when weather permits.
Origin
Summary
This year Toronto's winter has been much colder than in previous years, and many residents have expressed a desire to continue making use of City rinks into March. Unfortunately, the City's policy is to establish a firm closing date for our rinks with no flexibility for changing weather.
Given the unpredictable nature of the weather in March during budget planning in November and December, it would seem logical to build-in flexibility in the Parks, Forestry and Recreation budget to allow the staff to make a decision based on weather conditions.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-67236.pdf
Speakers
Councillor Josh Matlow
Councillor Peter Leon
Motions
That the Recommendation be amended by adding the words "and skiing" after "skating", so that the Parks and Environment Committee requests:
The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to consider including "cold weather" contingency funds into the 2015 Operating Budget to extend the outdoor skating and skiing season when weather permits.
That the Recommendation in the letter from Councillor Fletcher be amended by adding after "contingency funds" the words "including the use of corporate and private sector partners", so that the Parks and Environment Committee requests that:
1. The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, consider including "cold weather" contingency funds, including the use of corporate and private sector partners, into the 2015 Operating Budget to extend the outdoor skating season when weather permits.
That the Parks and Environment Committee request the City Manager to report to the appropriate committee on what procedural or legislative changes are required to allow the Mayor to make decisions to extend the skating season when weather permits.