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HERITAGE TORONTO
MINUTES (approved June 18, 2014)
A meeting of the Heritage Toronto Board was held on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at Toronto City Hall,
100 Queen St. W., Committee Room 4
PRESENT:
Alexandria Pike, Chair
Ross Fair
Andrew Himel
Donald Loucks
Peter Ortved
Kevin Plummer
Councillor Sarah Doucette
John Belyea
Patrick Forster
Viviana Laperchia
Barbara McPhail
Brent Pearlman
Mark Warrack
Jeffrey Clayman
Tyler Greenleaf
Paul Litt
Marta O'Brien
Allan Penning
REGRETS:
Andrew Jeanrie
Tanzeel Merchant
Councillor Gary Crawford
Councillor Adam Vaughan
Deborah Lechter
Elizabeth Philbert
Councillor Mike Layton
Kate Marshall
Darren Wasylucha
ALSO PRESENT:
Karen Czaniecki, Administrator
Gary Miedema, Chief Historian and Associate Director
Stacey Fowler, Director of Marketing
Kaitlin Wainwright, Plaques and Markers Coordinator
Marta Keller, Intern
Alexandria Pike, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No conflict of interest was declared for the meeting on March 19, 2014
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
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ADOPTION OF MINUTES
John Belyea moved, seconded by Ross Fair that the minutes of the meeting of the Board
of Heritage Toronto on January 22, 2014, be adopted as circulated.
(carried)
CHAIR'S REMARKS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT COMBINED
2.1
Verbal Update from Executive Committee
The Board Retreat and Strategic Plan is item 2.3.
2.2
Mirvish Gehry Proposal
Alexandria Pike reviewed the process for participating at the OMB and suggested requesting participant
status. Ms Pike suggested the Board move in camera to discuss the project.
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IN CAMERA
Tyler Greenleaf moved, seconded by Patrick Forster that the Heritage Toronto Board
move In Camera, for their discussions regarding the Mirvish Gehry proposal for King
Street West for confidentiality.
(carried)
The Board moved out of the In Camera Session.
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Preamble to motion:
Whereas Ed Mirvish Enterprises Limited and Gehry Architects Int. have proposed redevelopment of an
area of King Street in Toronto’s theatre district spanning more than 1 city block (266-270 and 274-322
King Street West). This application is particularly significant from a heritage perspective as it involves
the demolition of four designated heritage buildings in a very prominent location. There has been
significant public interest and concern regarding the treatment of heritage assets in this proposal.
The development application was declined by the City and has been appealed by the applicant to the
Ontario Municipal Board. Prior to any OMB hearing, the City initiated the City-Community-MirvishGehry Working Group and HT was invited to, and has been actively participating in, this process. HT has
used the working group to make clear its position in support of heritage preservation generally and to
oppose the proposal to demolish the four subject buildings.
Notwithstanding that the working group's process has not been completed, the OMB proceeding is
scheduled to commence with a prehearing scheduled for March 28, 2014. Participant status at the OMB
hearing would provide HT with a further opportunity to express its opposition to the development,
emphasizing the significance of the current proposal to demolish the four designated heritage buildings.
The resources required for such participation are minimal as volunteers would seek status and make the
representation at the hearing. Cost consequences are not a risk of OMB participants and participants may
withdraw at any time from the hearing (with notice).
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HERITAGE TORONTO PARTICIPATION AT OMB HEARING FOR 266-322
KING STREET WEST (OMB file # PL130629)
Alexandria Pike moved, seconded by Paul Litt that the Heritage Toronto Board confirm
support for Heritage Toronto to seek Participant Status at the Ontario Municipal Board
hearing involving the Mirvish Gehry proposed development at 266-322 King Street West.
Heritage Toronto's response to any variation from the current development proposal will
be brought back to the Board for consideration, or if time does not permit, the Executive
Committee and the Conservation Committee on behalf of the Board.
(carried)
2.3
Strategic Plan – follow up from Board Retreat on March 1, 2014
Alexandria Pike thanked everyone who attended the March 1st retreat. The purpose of the Retreat was to
review the Strategic Plan and ground it in what the committees are doing and reporting. This will
coordinate the activities of the committees, board and staff.
Ryan Maund, VP, Customer Experience Strategy, Workforce Management & Client Insight, Bell Canada,
was invited to speak at the Retreat about the client experience. Mr. Maund spoke about the need to create
a consistently excellent product and fill in pot holes with good service.
Ms Pike said that the Board needs to focus on governance and oversight. We need to streamline what we
are doing to enhance our product. We also need to start planning early in the current year for the next
year.
This report was received for discussion and information.
3.
AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
John Belyea, Chair of the Audit and Finance committee changed the order of the reports to the Board.
3.3
Approval of 2013 Financial Statements to December 31, 2013 (pre-audit)
Mr. Belyea presented last year’s preliminary (pre-audit) results. Ms Pike pointed out that the Fund
Development Committee Chair is now participating on the Finance Committee.
The Board reviewed and discussed the statements prior to approval.
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Approval of the Heritage Toronto Financial Statements to December 31, 2013
(pre-audit)
John Belyea moved, seconded by Councillor Sarah Doucette that the Heritage Toronto
Board approve the 2013 pre-audit Financial Statements
(carried)
3.2
Approval of 2013 Yearend Transfers
Mr. Belyea presented the report recommending yearend transfers from the Balance Sheet to the Profit and
Loss.
The report was presented for information and discussion prior to approval.
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Approval of 2013 Pre-Audit Yearend Transfers
John Belyea moved, seconded by Andrew Himel that the Heritage Toronto Board
approve the following transfer of funds at the end of the 2013 fiscal year:
1. That the Board of Heritage Toronto authorize the transfer of $40,500.00 from the
Heritage Education Fund on the Balance Sheet to the Operating Account (Profit and
Loss Statement) to reduce the pre-audit 2013 year end operating deficit to $296.55,
subject to any possible adjustments resulting from the annual audit.
2. That the Board of Heritage Toronto authorize the transfer of $2,500.00 from
Community Research and Grants on the Balance Sheet to the Operating Account
(Profit and Loss Statement) to reimburse the Operating Account for the four
Community Heritage Awards presented at the Kilbourn/Awards Night on October 15,
2013, subject to any possible adjustments resulting from the annual audit.
(carried)
3.1
Approval of 2014 Budget
Mr. Belyea reviewed the final 2014 Budget with the Board informing them that the Finance Committee
has taken a conservative approach. The 2014 Budget was discussed prior to approval.
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Approval of Heritage Toronto Budget for 2014
John Belyea moved, seconded by Allan Penning that the Heritage Toronto Board
approve the 2014 Budget as circulated.
(carried)
3.4
Approval of Heritage Toronto Banking and Investment Policy
Mr. Belyea presented a banking and investment policy document to the Board.
Background:
In order to establish proper governance around the management of Heritage Toronto's finances, in
particular the designated and un-designated funds, the Finance Committee has researched and prepared a
formal policy which establishes: (1) permitted institutions Heritage Toronto may have bank accounts
with; and, (2) permitted investments.
The report was received for background and discussion prior to approval of the policy.
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Approval of Banking and Investment Policy
John Belyea moved, seconded by Andrew Himel, that the Heritage Toronto Board
approve the Banking and Investment Policy (March 18, 2014).
(carried)
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3.4
Minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting on January 15, 2014
Mr. Belyea presented the minutes from the Finance Committee meeting on January 15, 2014.
The minutes were presented for information and discussion.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
4.1
Update on the St. Lawrence Market Precinct meetings
Gary Miedema reported for Karen Carter who is absent from tonight’s Board meeting to attend a meeting
about the St. Lawrence Market Precinct. Dr. Miedema informed the Board that Heritage Toronto has
been invited to attend the precinct meetings to participate in discussions about the changes that will
happen to the entire St. Lawrence Market Complex with the redevelopment. Ms Carter plans to attend
these meetings in future as it affects the location of the Heritage Toronto offices in St. Lawrence Hall and
to maintain a relationship within the precinct.
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
Patrick Forster, Chair of the Programming Committee gave an overview of upcoming events including
Friday May 3rd presentation at the University of Toronto to commemorate Norman Bethune.
Mr. Forster also discussed the very successful Black History Month event - Tuning Up: Archie Alleyne,
Ada Lee, Brooke Blackburn and Saidah Baba Talibah. This event was supported by the Citizenship &
Immigration Canada (CIC).
5.1
2014 Tours Schedule
Mr. Forster gave an overview presentation of the 2014 Heritage Toronto Tours. An ambitious 106 tours
have been scheduled for this year. The tours schedule was then distributed. Board members were asked
to sign up as Board representative for as many as they would like at this time. The tour season starts on
April 26th.
5.2
Minutes from Program Committee meeting on February 4, 2014
Mr. Forster presented the minutes from the Program Committee meeting on February 4, 2014. The Board
discussed plans for this year’s Heritage Toronto Awards and the individuals who have been approached to
give the William Kilbourn Memorial lecture.
Mr. Forster also asked Board members to forward their recommendations for a Special Achievement
Award recipient for 2014.
Dr. Miedema introduced Marta Keller, an Intern from Centennial College, who is working with us until
the end of April. Ms Keller is researching and writing a Heritage Toronto tour for Doors Open and also
translating the Creating Toronto tour into Spanish.
This report was received for information and discussion.
PLAQUES AND MARKERS COMMITTEE
6.1
Approval of 14 Commemorative Plaques
Ross Fair, Chair of the Plaques and Markers Committee presented the Board with the Committee report
recommending fourteen new commemorative plaques and detailed staff reports for each project for
discussion and approval.
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APPROVAL OF COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE PROJECTS
Ross Fair moved, seconded by Barbara McPhail that the Heritage Toronto Board approve
the following 14 Commemorative Plaque projects:
 Cecil Street (Jewish Heritage Initiative)
 Gallow's Hill (1331 Yonge Street)
 68 Broadview Avenue
 Gallery Moos
 Dudley Laws
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General Motors and the Golden Mile
Yorkville Music Scene Series
The Lost Communities of Toronto Island
Manitou Road
Lake Simcoe Ice Company
North West Mounted Police
Dr. John Adams and Toronto's First Dental Hospital
Little Malta
Raymond Souster
(carried)
6.2
Minutes from Plaques and Markers Committee Meeting on March 6, 2014
Dr. Fair presented the minutes from the Plaques and Markers Committee meeting on March 6th.
Included with the minutes were reports detailing approvals which occurred at the Committee meeting for
the following;
2a
Two legacy plaque subjects: Harold Town and Joyce Wieland;
2b
An amendment to the Plaque Maintenance Policy to section 6.3.2. to identify Heritage Toronto as
responsible for the maintenance of the City of Toronto inventory plaques of larger size (14" x 9"
or larger). This amendment puts into policy what had been practice for the bronze plaques.
2c
An amendment to the application process of the Plaque Policy and Procedures that proposals will
be reviewed bimonthly (change from twice per year).
The minutes were received for information and discussion.
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS (MarComm) COMMITTEE
7.1
"User Profiles" - Tours
No report was given.
7.2
Minutes from MarComm Committee meeting on March 12, 2014
Mark Warrack reported for the MarComm Committee. The Committee now has a volunteer pool for press
releases, data analysis, social media and photography needs.
A tourism industry night is planned which will introduce the Tours program to hotel, destination
management companies and Tourism Toronto. A new tour offering has been geared to this market Creating Toronto: The Story of Toronto in 10 Stops, is being offered as a pre-register paid tour for eight
Thursday evenings in July and August.
Mr. Warrack showed the program cover for the 40th year of the Heritage Toronto Tours brochure. The
cover is an artist rendition of the Queen City Yacht Club (QCYC) circa 1910 by artist Darlene Kulig.
The minutes were received for information and discussion.
FUND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
8.1
2014 Fund Development Calendar
Allan Penning, Chair, Fund Development Committee presented the Fund Development calendar outlining
the schedule for grant application, sponsorship solicitation and member/donor mailings for 2014. Mr.
Penning will note the successes on the calendar at future meetings.
Mr. Penning also distributed Fund Development Committee notes from March 18th and highlighted the
"Elevator Pitch" for Heritage Toronto which will assist Board members to promote the organization when
they are asked questions.
The calendar and committee notes were received for information and discussion.
CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
9.1
Minutes from Conservation & Education Committee meeting on February 5, 2014
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Paul Litt, Chair, Conservation & Education Committee presented the Conservation Committee minutes
from the meeting on February 5th. Meetings have taken place with the Preservation Panels, with the
exception of Toronto East York. Plans are moving forward for the state of heritage report. The next
panel discussion is on archaeological heritage, titled Before Ontario: Archaeology and the Province’s
First Peoples and will be held on April 2nd at the Atrium in the Toronto reference library.
The minutes were received for information and discussion.
OTHER BUSINESS
MEMBERSHIP
Jeff Clayman was asked by Deborah Lechter, who was unable to attend this meeting to explain the new
reporting for the Membership Committee. Mr. Clayman advised that as part of the strategic plan
discussions it was decided that membership would become a subcommittee of programming.
LEGACY PROJECT TEAM
Peter Ortved informed the Board that he has been asked and agreed to join the Legacy project team.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm
Alexandria Pike, Chair
KC/