COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA REPORT

Transcription

1 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA REPORT TO: Mayor Murphy and Members of Committee of the Whole MEETING DATE: June 17, 2014 SUBJECT: MUSKOKA PRIDE COMMUNITY REQUEST RECOMMENDATION: That Committee of the Whole recommend to Township Council that Option be approved as per the recommendation outlined in the June 17, 2014 staff report regarding the request submitted by the Muskoka Pride Community with respect to the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21-to 27, APPROVALS: Date Signature Submitted By: Cheryl Mortimer, Clerk 16/06/14 Original signed by C. Mortimer SUMMARY: That direction is provided to staff with respect to the flag raising request. ORIGIN: At the regular meeting of Council held on April 17, 2014, a delegation was received from Heather Hay, Chair, Muskoka Pride Community, with respect to a flag raising request. Correspondence was subsequently received offering to donate to the Township an outrigger flagpole that can be affixed to the side of the Township office along with a Pride Flag. Direction was given to staff at the May 20, 2014 Committee of the Whole meeting to research the nature of this offer and return to Committee with the results. BACKGROUND: The Muskoka Pride Community Chair, Heather Hay has provided two outrigger flagpole options for Committee to consider. 1. A 6 foot Spinning Pole Kit. 2. An 8 foot Aluminum Outrigger Flagpole with welded aluminum mounting assembly, rotating ball and external halyard (rope) system. Further detail on these two options can be found at the end of this report. Maintenance staff has indicated that either pole can be installed to the exterior of the Township office building and would be satisfactory for the purposes of the flag raising request.

2 Page 2 Report Re: Muskoka Pride Community In light of the comments above, and those included in the May 20, 2014 Committee of the Whole report on this matter (attached), staff are seeking direction in this regard and have provided the following options: Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Committee of the Whole could deny the request. Committee of the Whole could recommend that Township Council re-budget for a new municipal office flag pole in 2015 to accommodate community flag raisings. This item was initially included in the 2014 however it was removed during budget deliberations. If approved, policy would require amendment at that time. Committee of the Whole could recommend that Township Council support the Muskoka Pride Community by raising the Pride Flag during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21 to 27 and accept the offer of a flag pole that can be affixed to the side of the municipal office to accommodate community flag raisings. If approved, policy would require amendment. Committee of the Whole could recommend that Township Council support the Muskoka Pride Community during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21 to 27 by having the Mayor and Members of Council participate in a media relations photo opportunity at the Municipal Office with the Pride Flag. FINANCIAL: Option 2 would have financial impacts in the 2015 Township Budget.

3 Page 1 of 2 5/28/2014 Specials Return Policy Shippin CANADIAN FLAGS Search PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL FLAGS AMERICAN FLAGS UNITED KINGDOM FLAGS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS INTERNATIONAL FLAGS OTHER POPULAR FLAGS NOVELTY FLAGS CAR FLAGS MARINE FLAGS STICK FLAGS ACTION / PLAIN FLAGS & BANNERS PENNANTS & PENNANT STRINGS OUTDOOR POLES & ACCESSORIES INDOOR POLES & ACCESSORIES PARADE ACCESSORIES GIFT IDEAS LIMITED TIME CLEARANCE 6' Spinning Pole Kit with Flag Click on image for larger viewing Overview 6' pole with a 1" diameter. Spinning section of pole prevents flag from wrapping around it by allowing th Ite P Q Includes: 2 White Coated Aluminum Pole Sections White Adjustable Bracket Gold Finial Flag Fastener 27" x 54" DuraKnit Series Canadian Flag

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5 Outrigger Flagpoles Outrigger style flagpoles are designed for use on buildings where it is desirable to place the flagpole on the face of the building. The mounting bracket is a welded aluminum assembly with stainless steel set screws to hold the flagpole. An aluminum shield is available that covers the bracket, fasteners, nuts & washers. This cover gives the flagpole a finished look by hiding the base. ($65 outrigger bracket shield) The bracket projects the flagpole at a 30 degree angle. The chrome cleat is mounted 12 from the bottom of the flagpole. Mount with stainless steel anchors (not included). Flagpoles can be mounted horizontally with a shoe base (Note: Anchor, Shoe, Shield Page), making the flagpole vertical. Standard equipment at no extra charge is our stationary ball made of 14 gauge silver anodized aluminum, optional revolving ball available ($110). The revolving trucking ball assembly is designed to rotate with the wind. 12' Cone Outrigger flagpole External halyard (rope) system are exposed on the outside of the flagpole, these are made up of high quality aluminum pulley, white nylon cleat, superior quality ¼ diameter white polyester rope. Installation: When installing brackets in concrete buildings we recommend stainless steel threaded rod with epoxy, our second choice is wedge anchors.

6 Wood & cinder block buildings we recommend thru bolts with large washer (5 wood washers) on the inside. Specifications: 8, 10, 12 Flagpole 6063 T- 6 Alum Butt Dia 3 4 Alum Ball 1 Alum Pulley 1/4 Rope 4.5 Chrome Cleat 2 year Warrant y (life) Options: Alum Shield is used to finish look Economy flagpole includes anodizing, Cone flagpoles extra Alum Bracket 8"x 8" Distance between hole centre 6" Item # Outrigger Flagpoles Size Price Bracket Shield Anodizing Rotating Ball Economy 'x 3"x 3"x.125" $160 $150 $65 included $ 'x 3"x 3"x.125" $200 $150 $65 included $ 'x 3"x 3"x.125" $240 $150 $65 included $110 Cone Tapered 8'x 3"x 1.875"x " $180 $150 $65 $36 $110 10'x 3"x 1.875"x " $220 $150 $65 $45 $ 'x 3"x 2"x.125" $270 $150 $65 $55 $110

7 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA REPORT TO: Mayor Murphy and Members of Committee of the Whole MEETING DATE: May 20, 2014 SUBJECT: MUSKOKA PRIDE COMMUNITY REQUEST RECOMMENDATION: The Committee of the Whole recommend to Township Council that the Township of Muskoka Lakes support the Muskoka Pride Community by raising the Pride Flag during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21-to 27 and accept the offer from the Muskoka Pride Community of a flag pole that can be affixed to the side of the municipal office to accommodate community flag raisings. APPROVALS: Date Signature Submitted By: Cheryl Mortimer, Clerk 16/05/14 Original signed by C. Mortimer Acknowledged: Chris Wray, CAO 16/05/14 Original signed by C. Wray SUMMARY: That direction be provided to staff with respect to the flag raising request. ORIGIN: At the regular meeting of Council held on April 17, 2014, a delegation was received from Heather Hay, Chair, Muskoka Pride Community, with respect to a flag raising request. A copy of the correspondence as submitted is attached. Also attached is a letter of support received from the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. BACKGROUND: At the April 17, 2014 Council meeting, Heather Hay, Chair, Muskoka Pride Community, delegated seeking Township of Muskoka Lakes support of its local LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community by raising the Pride Flag during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21 to 27, In the correspondence provided, Muskoka Pride Community indicated that should there be issues with the flag pole that prevent the raising of the Pride Flag, they offered a flag pole, along with the Pride Flag, that could be affixed to the municipal office for this purpose. They also requested that the Mayor and Members of Council participate in media relations and promotional activities for the event.

8 Page 2 Report Re: Muskoka Pride Community At the May 21, 2013 Committee of the Whole meeting, Committee received a report and reviewed Township Council Policies with respect to Directive on Fundraising Campaigns (Policy C-CAO-14) and Flag Protocol (Policy C-LS-02). At that time, no amendments were made to the polices. The current Flag Protocol Policy does not address community flag raisings. It deals specifically with protocol related to the lowering of flags for periods of mourning. Currently, the municipal office has one flagpole. According to Federal Government s flag etiquette, the National Flag of Canada should always be flown on its own mast - flag protocol dictating that it is improper to fly two or more flags on the same mast (eg. one beneath the other). In light of the comments above, staff are seeking direction in this regard and have provided the following options: Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Committee of the Whole could deny the request. Committee of the Whole could recommend that Township Council re-budget for a new municipal office flag pole in 2015 to accommodate community flag raisings. This item was initially included in the 2014 however it was removed during budget deliberations. If approved, policy would require amendment at that time. Committee of the Whole could recommend that Township Council support the Muskoka Pride Community by raising the Pride Flag during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week from July 21 to 27 and accept the offer of a flag pole that can be affixed to the side of the municipal office to accommodate community flag raisings. If approved, policy would require amendment. FINANCIAL: Option 2 would have financial impacts in 2015.

9 Thursday, April 17 th, 2014 Township of Muskoka Lakes 1 Bailey Street Port Carling, Ont. Dear Mayor Murphy and Township Councilors, In 1978, the first Pride Flag flew in San Francisco after the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician. Since then, being gay is no longer classified as a crime, mental illness or a barrier to adoption or marriage. LGBT rights are now discussed as human rights as there are still countless LGBT youth who suffer in silence; 30% of youth suicides are LGBT and 26% of LGBT youth are told to leave home. Muskoka Pride Community is asking that the Township of Muskoka Lakes show its support of its local LGBT community by raising the Pride Flag during Muskoka Pride Week (July 21-27, 2014). Should issues with the flag pole prevent the raising of the Pride Flag, we are prepared to offer a flag pole (and Pride Flag) that can be affixed to the side of the township office. This small token of acknowledgement not only demonstrates the Township of Muskoka Lakes support of its local LGBT community, it promotes diversity to LGBT travelers locally, provincially, nationally and even internationally. LGBT tourism is a lucrative market that has remained relatively untapped and is a market that is worth approximately $7 billion annually with LGBT travelers spending twice as much as the general population ($1,300 vs. $595.00) and take longer trips. Toronto is hosting World Pride in July of 2014, with an estimated attendance of 1.5 million. Muskoka Pride Community, along with Muskoka Chambers, will host a booth to promote our support of our local LGBT community as well as promoting tourism, with the hopes of attracting the LGBT community and their tourism dollars into the Township of Muskoka Lakes economy. We hope that you will consider raising the Pride Flag in Muskoka Lakes to show your support of your local LGBT community and tourists alike. Please let us know your decision by June 1 st, 2014 so we may take the appropriate steps to involve Mayor Murphy and Township Councilors in any media relations or promotional activities.

10 Thank you for your time and consideration. Please see the attachment for a letter of support from Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce. I welcome you to contact me at any time for further discussion. Kind regards, Heather Hay, Chair Muskoka Pride Community

11 Thursday, April 17 th, 2014 Township of Muskoka Lakes 1 Bailey Street Port Carling, Ont. Dear Mayor Murphy and Township Councilors, Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Muskoka Pride's delegation to raise the Pride Flag during the 2014 Muskoka Pride Week starting Monday, July 21 and culminating at the Muskoka Pride picnic on Sunday, July 27, MLCC hired FedNor intern, Jennifer Clute, in September 2013 with the mandate of tourism expansion, particularly diverse travel including LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual) tourism. Since her arrival, Jennifer has actively begun to promote Muskoka Lakes as an LGBT travel destination. Though a relatively untapped market, LGBT tourism is worth an estimated $7 billion annually with LGBT travelers spending approximately $1,300 compared to $ spent by the general population. LGBT travelers' trips are 4 nights or longer and they take approximately 4 trips per year., Toronto is hosting World Pride from July ~0-29, 2014 and is expected to draw 1.5 million participants. This event is an international celebration incorporating activism, education and the history and culture of global LGBT communities. This presents a lucrative opportunity that MLCC, along with the other Muskoka Chambers, Muskoka Pride, Muskoka Tourism and Explorer's Edge, will capitalize on and will promote tourism in Muskoka to the LGBT community. In order to reach this market however, LGBT travelers must know that the destination they are travelling to, supports the LGBT community. Raising the Pride Flag not only demonstrates that the Township of Muskoka Lakes welcomes LGBT travelers, it show the community's support of diversity and acknowledges a part of our own community that is often not recognized. We support Muskoka Pride in encouraging the Township of Muskoka Lakes to raise the Pride Flag during Muskoka Pride Week to show their support of the LGBTA residents and tourists in our community. Sillcerel M Walter Moon, President Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce ~ info@muskokalakeschamber.com ~ Twitter:@MuskokaLksCC Box 536, Bala, ON POC lao