Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond

20131205-Skating-Grenadier

all text COM

Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond
Confidential Attachment – The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
Committee Recommendations

The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to implement an Ice Monitoring Program that would provide testing of ice thickness and quality by an ice engineer and surveyor, within a designated area on Grenadier Pond, and necessary signage and a flagging system to inform the public of the risks associated with activities on frozen bodies of water, as outlined in “Option 2 – Ice Monitoring Program” in the report (November 3, 2015) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a new and enhanced funding request for $50,000 in the 2016 Recommended Operating Budget submission for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to fund the implementation of the Ice Monitoring Program.

3. City Council waive its client privilege respecting the confidentiality of Confidential Attachment 1 of the report (October 30, 2015) from the City Solicitor (Item PE8.7a) and direct that Confidential Attachment 1 be made public immediately after City Council has made its decision on this item.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Parks and Environment Committee recessed its public session and met in closed session to consider confidential information on this item as it relates to the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
Origin
(November 3, 2015) Report from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water
Summary
The Parks and Environment Committee, at its meeting on September 18, 2015, referred PE5.1 Skating on Grenadier Pond to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation with the request to consult with the General Manager, Toronto Water and report to the Parks and Environment Committee meeting on a less expensive method of providing public access to the ice at Grenadier Pond which includes the following critical elements:

a. ensuring the ice is of a safe thickness and density;

b. creating new signage and flagging to communicate when the ice is safe for public use; and

c. designating an area for both use and entrance onto the ice which does not impact the environmentally sensitive areas of the pond,

so that the program can be implemented in time for the 2015/2016 winter season.

This report outlines two options which would allow the public to have access to Grenadier Pond for winter activities.
Background Information
(November 3, 2015) Report from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water on Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-85531.pdf)
Speakers
Miroslav Glavic

Motions
1 – Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)
11:23 a.m. – That the Parks and Environment Committee recess its public session to meet in closed session to consider this item as it relates to the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

2 – Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Sarah Doucette (Carried)
That Recommendation 1 in the staff report be deleted and replaced with the following:

“1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to implement an Ice Monitoring Program that would provide testing of ice thickness and quality by an ice engineer and surveyor, within a designated area on Grenadier Pond, and necessary signage and a flagging system to inform the public of the risks associated with activities on frozen bodies of water, as outlined in “Option 2 – Ice Monitoring Program” in the report (November 3, 2015) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Toronto Water.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include a new and enhanced funding request for $50,000 in the 2016 Recommended Operating Budget submission for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to fund the implementation of the Ice Monitoring Program.”

3 – Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)
That City Council waive its client privilege respecting the confidentiality of Confidential Attachment 1 of the report (October 30, 2015) from the City Solicitor (Item PE8.7a), and direct that Confidential Attachment 1 be made public immediately after City Council has made its decision on this item.

4 – Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)

7a Supplemental Report – Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)
Confidential Attachment – The receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege
Origin
(October 30, 2015) Report from the City Solicitor
Summary
This report provides legal advice with respect to the legal risks of providing public access to the ice on Grenadier Pond. This report should be considered with the report from the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager of Toronto Water.
Background Information
(October 30, 2015) Report from the City Solicitor on Supplemental Report – Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-85474.pdf)
Confidential Attachment 1 – Confidential Information on Options for Winter Public Access to Grenadier Pond (Legal Risks)

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