Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds to Toronto District School Board for Hillcrest Community School Playground and Schoolyard Revitalization- by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Bravo

In the absence of a City playground nearby, the assist Hillcrest Community School grounds serve that purpose for the wider community. The Section 37 Implementation Guidelines (Section 5.7) approved by Council states: "Cash contributions toward the capital improvement of school board playgrounds are eligible Section 37 community benefits where the playground serves as a local park, where the public will continue to have reasonable access for the foreseeable future, and where there is no local City-owned parkland performing a similar function in the same community that could otherwise benefit from the cash contribution." The funds will be forwarded to the Toronto District School Board once the School Board has entered into a Community Access Agreement with the City, governing the purpose of the funds, the financial reporting requirements, and addressing community access to the improved facilities, to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the City Solicitor, prepared in consultation with the Ward Councillor. This Motion is urgent because the Toronto District School Board would like to move forward with the project as soon as possible. Their current playground was installed approximately 20 years ago, with much of the wood foundation rotting, and in dire need of replacement.

2. City Council request City staff from the Management Services Branch of Parks, Forestry and Recreation to participate in the preparation of the Community Access Agreement and City Council request the City Solicitor to draw up the Agreement, in consultation with the Ward Councillor and Community Planning staff, provided acceptable terms can be agreed upon. 3. City Council authorize the execution of a Community Access Agreement with the Toronto District School Board for the capital improvements to Hillcrest Community School, for a term of 20 years and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council direct that the funds be forwarded to the Toronto District School Board once the Toronto District School Board has signed an acceptable Community Access Agreement with the City governing the purpose of the funds, the financial reporting requirements and addressing community access to the playground facilities. 5. City Council direct that if a mutually acceptable Community Access Agreement cannot be agreed upon that the funds will not be transferred to the Toronto District School Board and shall be made available for other community facilities in the Community.