Item - 2015.NQ2.1

The Tribunals Nominating Panel recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Sign Variance Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on December 31, 2016, and until successors are appointed:

- Allison Greene

- Nigel Waterman

2. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Sign Variance Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 30, 2018, and until successors are appointed:

- Raj Bharati

- Tracey Hamilton - Chair

- Nicole Treksler

2.  City Council replace Sections 694-35A and B of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, with the following:

"The members of the Sign Variance Committee shall be appointed for a term

specified by Council, and serve at pleasure of Council until their successors are

appointed."

3.  City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachments 1, 2, and 3 remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Sign Variance Committee.

Candidates' biographies:

Raj Bharati

Raj Bharati is a lawyer and former environmental engineer with a strong interest in urban issues and architecture. He has legal expertise in intellectual property, environmental issues, municipalities, and regulatory authorities. Raj is particularly interested in community building and has served on various boards, including the Toronto Cyclists Union (now Cycle Toronto), where he was a founding board member, and the Landlord's Self-Help Centre.

Allison Greene

Allison Greene is an employment and human rights lawyer who provides strategic legal advice and representation to employers and employees. After several years of working in-house with a digital agency, followed by a couple years with a Toronto law firm, she co-founded Karimjee Greene LLP, an employment law boutique firm on Bay Street. Allison also works as a third-party mediator and workplace investigator, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Assaulted Women's Helpline.

Tracey L. Hamilton

Tracey L. Hamilton is passionate about the City of Toronto. She is a lawyer who currently heads the In-House Legal department for the Toronto office of SSQ Financial Group. She was previously a Partner at a personal injury firm in downtown Toronto. Tracey has served as Chair of the Sign Variance Committee since February 2012, and brings more than 10 years of experience as a member of adjudicative boards and committees in various capacities.

Nicole Treksler

Nicole Treksler is a licensed lawyer with the Law Society of Upper Canada. She has worked for various regulatory bodies in their complaints/investigation departments. Nicole has served as the Chair of the Toronto and East York Panel of the Property Standards Committee/Fence Viewers. She is an ardent supporter of sexual and reproductive rights, and has been a Board member of Planned Parenthood since 2009.

Nigel Waterman

Nigel Waterman has 20 years of experience in adjudication and is currently employed with Legal Aid Ontario. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Brock University and a Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals from the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators and Osgoode Hall Law School. Nigel has served on the Sign Variance Committee since February 2012.

The Tribunals Nominating Panel will conduct interviews and recommend five candidates to City Council for appointment to the Sign Variance Committee.