Item - 2021.MM38.21

Tracking Status

City Council considered this item on December 15, 16 and 17, 2021 and postponed its consideration to a later date. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the deferral.

MM38.21 - Making Space to Save The Arts in Toronto - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

Decision Type:: ACTION

Status:: Deferred

Wards:: All

City Council Decision

City Council on December 15, 16 and 17, 2021, deferred consideration of Motion MM38.21 to the February 2 and 3, 2022 meeting of City Council.

Background Information (City Council)

Member Motion MM38.21
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-174222.pdf

Motions (City Council)

Motion to Waive Referral (Carried)

Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM38.21 be referred to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.

1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Redundant)

That

1. City Council amend Recommendation 1 by deleting the words "Toronto Arts Council" and adding the words "the Economic Development and Culture Division" and "supporting "so that it now reads:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Toronto Arts Council, to consider the feasibility of a grant which supports the promotion and preservation of independent live performance venues and art spaces in Toronto and to report back through the 2022 budget process, including but not limited to:

a. a new grant stream pilot, to be administered by Toronto Arts Council the Economic Development and Culture Division;

b. add-on to existing grant structures to direct operational funding toward obtaining, or maintaining a venue;

c. supporting scalable options for a variety of venue sizes, operational costs, and

d. estimated additional funding required to implement the recommended program.

2. City Council delete Recommendation 5:

Recommendation to be deleted

5. City Council direct the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to recommend a cost estimate for interim financial supports for arts and culture spaces through the 2022 budget process, and to consider a segregated fund to assist with the replacement of existing cultural space for artists and venue operators lost through the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and consistent with Part 18 of the Building Back Stronger Report adopted by Council December 7, 2020.

3. City Council amend Recommendation 6 by adding the words "the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO", and "and" so that it now reads:

6. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, the City Solicitor, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to determine recommendations for alternative location for the displaced arts organizations and vendors in the Distillery, including a review of the City's portfolio of available spaces in the Distillery District and the local community and opportunities to fill vacant storefronts and report to City Council on outcomes in 2022.

2 - Motion to Defer Item moved by Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Carried)

That Item MM38.21 be deferred until the February 2 and 3, 2022 meeting of City Council.

Point of Order by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

Councillor Wong-Tam, on a Point of Order, stated that she cannot find Member Motion MM38.21 on TMMIS or on the Clerk's Meeting Portal and asked the Speaker to clarify that it is still on the agenda.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata

Speaker Nunziata accepted the Point of Order and ruled that Member Motion MM38.21 was still on the agenda.