It is recommended that:

1.         The 2011-2020 Capital Works Program, attached as Schedule 1 to the report dated September 21, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer, be approved by the Board.

2.         Staff forward a request to the City to adjust the 2011 Capital Target for the Zoo to $4,500.0 thousand in 2011 and $6,000.0 thousand in subsequent years.

This report provides an outline and description of the 2011 Operating Plan and Budget and the recommendations of the Management Committee for consideration by the Board.

Approval of the “Requested Base” 2011 Operating Plan and Budget will require net expenditure funding from the City of Toronto in the amount of $11,390.6 thousand, consisting of gross expenditures of $45,993.1 thousand and revenues and recoveries in the amount of $34,602.4 thousand.

This report will outline the proposed amendments to the Financial Authorities Bylaw 1-97 and the recommendations of the Management Committee for approval of the new Financial Authorities By-law by the Board of Management.

This report outlines the purpose of the Giant Panda Conservation, Scientific Research, and Education Program, the current status and proposed next steps. The Toronto Zoo, Calgary Zoo, and Granby Zoo (consortium) are in negotiations with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens to bring a breeding pair of giant pandas to Canada. The Toronto Zoo seeks to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a partner(s) to design, build, and finance the giant panda exhibit and program. This arrangement would negate the need for significant City of Toronto funding for the giant panda initiative, while providing a legacy capital facility to be used by the Zoo for other species long after the giant pandas have returned to China.

The objective of the Public/Private Partnership process (Request For Proposals) is to seek a partner to provide the up-front investment for the Giant Panda Exhibit and Conservation, Scientific Research and Education Program and minimize costs to both the Toronto Zoo and City of Toronto. Consequently the $2,030.0 thousand funding previously requested for the design of the exhibit can be eliminated from the Capital Works Program.

It is recommended that:

1.         The CEO be authorized to proceed with negotiations and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo and Zoo Biogas Co. related to a partnership to build a 500KW biogas facility on Zoo managed land.

2.         Zoo staff report back to the Board of Management on the details of the project including the proposal terms and business model.

It is expected that the financial and business model negotiated with Zoo Biogas Co. will have a net benefit.

It is recommended that the attached project submissions 1 to 25 and E1 to E6, with net expenditures of $90,050 be approved for funding from the Endangered Species Reserve Fund.

The Endangered Species Reserve Fund Budget, funds research and education projects to benefit endangered species in Canada and around the world. The 2011 Endangered Species Reserve Fund Budget is attached for approval.

Approval of the budget will result in finalization of project plans and spending from the 2011 Endangered Species Reserve Fund (ESRF). Based on anticipated revenue and interest income of $91,150 the ESRF balance would increase by $1,100 in 2011, versus the prior year as projected (Appendix I).

Requesting the appointment of the Zoo Board’s representative to the CNEA for the term commencing October 21, 2010, until the date of the Annual Meeting in the fall of 2011 (October) or until such time that a successor is appointed.

It is recommended that the Financial Statements of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo for the year ended December 31, 2009, attached to the report dated November 23, 2010 from the Chief Operating Officer, be approved by the Board.

It is recommended that the Audit Results report prepared by Ernst & Young be received for information.

It is recommended that the report "The Toronto Zoo: A Major Asset, Economic Impact Analysis", attached to the report dated November 23, 2010, from the Chief Executive Officer, be received for information.

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

This report will brief the Board on the tender results for the high voltage equipment and cable replacement.

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

This report will brief the Board on the tender results for the penguin holding and exhibit project.

It is recommended that the Board receive for information the report dated  November 23, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer respecting the preliminary operating results for the period ending October 31, 2010.

This report will present the 2010 preliminary operating results for the period ending October 31, 2010.

This report will update the Board of Management on visitor statistics for the period ending

October 31, 2010. 

It is recommended that the Board receive this report for information.

This report will update the Board on filling the position of Business Development Officer.

It is recommended that the minutes of the following committee meetings, as attached, be received for information:

•           Management Committee 2010-05-13

•           Management Committee 2010-09-09

•           Fundraising & Sponsorship Committee 2010-06-28