Request to Authorize a Transfer of Funds to Friends of High Park Zoo and Amend the Licence Agreement (Parkdale-High Park) - by Councillor Gord Perks, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

The Friends of High Park Zoo, a registered charity, contributed $224,000 towards the project, plus an additional $20,000 in extra costs, all raised through community fundraising. The City contributed $543,000. A final piece is work is connecting hydro power. The hydro mast from the old building, which accepts the wires from a hydro pole across the street, is not able to be re-used as it was subsequently found not up to modern building codes. All the construction funds have been spent, including the extra $20,000 contributed by the Friends of High Park Zoo. This final amount will finish the work, including a new mast and related conduit, with funding available from the 2021-2030 Council Approved Capital Budget and Plan under the Parks Rehab (West District - Account CPR117-51-04) sub-project, in the Park Development project. The cost of the related work is $10,546. The payment will allow the Friends of High Park Zoo to pay its contractor, complete the work, and ensure the integrity of warranties provided by the contractor. This Motion requests authority for the expenditure. The work is urgent for the health and safety of the animals for the coming winter.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to amend the Construction and Licence Agreement dated January 1, 2017 between the City and the Friends of High Park Zoo, to allow for the transfer of up to an additional $10,546 from the City to the Friends of High Park Zoo, to be used for the purpose of the Llama and Capybara Building Project at the High Park Zoo, on terms and conditions acceptable to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City Solicitor.