Item - 2025.GG22.13

The General Government Committee recommend that:

1. City Council receive the report (June 2, 2025) from the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and the Chief Procurement Officer, for information.

The purpose of this report is to inform Toronto City Council, pursuant to Chapter 195 of the Toronto Municipal Code (Purchasing By-Law, Section 195-7.4) of an emergency non-competitive purchase order with Joel Theatrical for the upgrade of rigging systems at the Meridian Arts Centre in the amount of $898,448 net of all taxes and charges ($914,261 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries). The Meridian Arts Centre is a performing arts venue owned by the City of Toronto and operated by TO Live.

In line with City Council’s direction via item EX19.20 St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts - Enhanced State of Good Repair Strategy, City staff representing Corporate Real Estate Management, Purchasing and Materials Management, and Legal Services have been working collaboratively with TO Live on a transition process to transfer the oversight of the implementation of TO Live’s 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan, as well as future capital plans, from TO Live to Corporate Real Estate Management.

While the work through the transitionary period continues, a non-competitive purchase was required on an emergency basis to ensure the completion of a critical upgrade to the rigging system at the Meridian Arts Centre. Prior to the adoption of EX19.20, TO Live conducted a procurement process to select a rigging services vendor (Joel Theatrical) to complete critical upgrades. However, with the adoption of EX19.20, oversight of capital projects, including the ability to award the rigging services contract, was transferred from TO Live to Corporate Real Estate Management, before the contract could be awarded. In consultation with Purchasing and Materials Management, it was determined that a non-competitive agreement between Corporate Real Estate and the vendor was the appropriate procurement tool to ensure the supply and installation of the rigging systems upgrades without further delay. This work mitigates potential health and safety risks and avoids business interruption.

Reporting back to City Council is required in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing, Article 7, Section 195-7.4(B) where a non-competitive contract over $500,000 is entered into on an emergency basis.