WSPR STAFF REPORT: West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Governance Agreements

WSPR STAFF REPORT

RECOMMENDATION:

That the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Members approve the rollover of the Governance Agreements for an additional 5-year term from March 1st, 2025 to February 28th, 2030, with the understanding that amendments to the Governance Agreements may be considered due to the potential West Shore Regional Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan process.

BACKGROUND:

The West Shore Parks & Recreation Society (WSPRS) is governed by two operating agreements.

Firstly, the West Shore Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agreement governs the members’ obligations as participants in the WSPRS to provide parks and recreation services through a contract with the Society, as well as the joint ownership of the facilities and lands that can be contracted out to an owner’s representative.

Secondly, the Operating, Maintenance and Management Agreement outlines the expectation of the Society to operate, maintain, supervise and manage all aspects of the facilities and programs.

The terms of the current agreements are March 1st, 2020, to February 28th, 2025. Furthermore, the current 2021-2025 Strategic Priorities Plan identified a review of the current Governance Agreements by the board of directors to take place in 2024, which was completed. Discussions between the WSPR and WSPRS member CAOs have resulted in the recommendation to rollover the Governance Agreements.

At the June 13th, 2024 board of directors meeting, the Board moved THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUPPORT THE ROLLOVER OF THE OPERATING AGREEMENTS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5-YEAR TERM AND DIRECT STAFF TO SUBMIT THE AGREEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

DISCUSSION:

Significant alterations were made to the Governance Agreements prior to the current term following a consultant review in 2019. Significant changes included the reduction in the size of the board from 15 to 5 representatives and updated financial plan approval criteria, which considers individual member financial contributions and hardship implications.

The board review of the current Governance Agreements resulted in no concerns being raised and that the agreements were functioning as intended. The board directed the administrator to discuss with the member CAOs, who recommended the rollover of the agreements for an additional 5-year term.

The Governance Agreements have been updated to include the additional services and facilities offered by WSPR since 2020.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

There is no budgetary impact resulting from the rollover of the current Governance Agreements for an additional 5-year term.

Respectfully Submitted,

Grant Brown, Administrator

Encl.

1. West Shore Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agreement
2. Operating, Maintenance and Management Agreement