The Board:

1.         Approved the 2011-2020 Capital Works Program (Revised Schedule 1 attached to the report dated November 24, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer), including the advancement of the Giraffe House Refurbishment.

2.         Directed staff to 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 is supplemental to the report on 2011–2020 Capital Works Program dated September 21, 2010. Since the Capital Budget was reviewed and recommended by the Management Committee, there have been developments in the Giant Panda Project (as outlined in a separate report on this agenda) that would facilitate a reallocation of funds in the Capital Works Program as outlined in this revised program.

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.

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

The Board received a power point presentation from the Chief Executive Officer respecting the Giant Panda Conservation, Scientific Research and Education Program.

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 Board:

1.         Authorized the Chief Executive Officer 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.         Requested Zoo staff to report back to the Board of Management on the details of the project including the proposal terms and business model.

The Board approved the project submissions 1 to 25 and E1 to E6, attached to the report dated November 10, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer, with net expenditures of $90,050 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.

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.

The Board received for information the Audit Results report prepared by Ernst & Young.

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

The Board received for information the report dated November 9, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer advising of the award of the tender for the High Voltage Equipment and Cable Replacement to the low bidder, B.G. High Voltage Systems Limited, in the amount of $507,645, plus a contingency allowance and taxes.

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

The Board received for information the report dated November 9, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer advising of the award of the tender for the Penguin Holding and Exhibit Project to the low bidder, Civil Underground & Excavation Company Limited, in the amount of $646,000, plus a contingency allowance and taxes.

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

The Board received 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. 

The Board received for information the report dated November 2, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer respecting the appointment of Mr. David Dusang to the position of Business Development Officer with the Marketing and Communications Division effective October 4, 2010.

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