Report to: General Committee                                  Date Report Authored: November 5, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Celebrate Markham: Thornhill Festival 2009 Funding Increase and Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade 2009 Funding Request             

PREPARED BY:               Veronica Siu, Acting Manager of Financial Planning

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)                  That an additional Celebrate Markham grant in the amount of $500 be approved and allocated to the Thornhill Village Festival for 2009;

 

2)                  And that the request of the Unionville BIA for Celebrate Markham funding for the 2009 Unionville Old Tyme Christmas Parade be referred to General Committee.

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

PURPOSE:

To approve an additional $500 to the Thornhill Village Festival for 2009 and to seek resolution from General Committee on the funding request for the 2009 Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

The 2009 Thornhill Village Festival received $9,500 as part of the 2009 Celebrate Markham Grants allocation.  According to the event organizers, the event experienced financial difficulty due to the loss of anticipated revenue from previous sponsors and reduced gate attendance as a result of the Jewish holiday on September 19th (Thornhill Village Festival was held on two dates, with the craft festival on September 19th and Musicfest on 26th, 2009).  Please refer to appendix 1 for a copy of the request for additional funds of $500.  As per the profit and loss statement (appendix 2), the Thornhill Village Festival experienced a loss of $6,987 in 2009 versus its budgeted surplus of $2,150.

 

In October 2009, a request was received from the Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade for a financial contribution in the amount of $16,500, which is equal to the support granted to the Markham Rotary Club Santa Clause Parade held on Main Street, Markham.  The event will be held on December 4, 2009 and has historically been funded primarily by the Unionville BIA.  See appendix 3 for a copy of the request. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

At the November 2, 2009 Celebrate Markham Committee meeting, the Thornhill Festival additional funding of $500 was approved.

 

Also at the same meeting, the Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade funding request was presented.  At the time, the projected 2009 budget showed revenues equaling expenses and included a grant from the Town of Markham in the amount of $16,500.  The Committee requested additional information to be provided at the next Celebrate Markham Committee meeting.

 

At the November 5, 2009 Celebrate Markham Committee meeting, the Unionville BIA presented a revised 2009 budget with a shortfall of $6,500 (appendix 3a).  The total revenues were reduced by $11,500 (Town of Markham funding of $16,500 was removed and Community Sponsorship funding was added for $5,000) while total expenses were reduced by $5,000.  Should the Town approve funding, it will go towards police/ security and entertainment expense for characters and bands.  Committee members deferred the funding decision to the next General Committee.

 

It should be noted that the Markham Rotary Club Santa Clause Parade is a Committee of Council while the Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade is run by the Unionville BIA. 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

Celebrate Markham Grants Budget                                           $234,250

Balance Available                                                                     $    7,500

Additional Grant to the Thornhill Village Festival                        $       500

Unallocated Balance Remaining                                     $    7,000

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not Applicable

 

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Not Applicable

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not Applicable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Barb Cribbett, Treasurer                     Andy Taylor, Commissioner

                                                                                                Corporate Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix 1 – Thornhill Village Festival request for additional funds

Appendix 2 – Thornhill Village Festival 2009 Profit & Loss Statement

Appendix 3 – Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade Funding Request

Appendix 3a – Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Parade Revised Profit & Loss Statements

Appendix 4 – Celebrate Markham Grants and Sponsorship Guidelines