Richmond Hill takes ownership of DDO

A notice was issued by the RASC Toronto Centre president, Paul Mortfield, regarding the change in the ownership of the David Dunlap Observatory.

He outlined that Corsica Developments Inc., in 2012, offered the Town of Richmond Hill the observatory buildings. The Town refused them.

In April 2015, Corsica then made an agreement with RASC Toronto Centre. It allowed for continuing occupancy and eventual ownership of the David Dunlap Observatory administration building, main telescope and dome, and land immediately surrounding the buildings.

The Town’s position changed in recent months. Subsequently, Corsica offered the buildings to the Town. And on 22 February 2016, the Town Council of Richmond Hill voted to accept ownership of the David Dunlap Observatory buildings and lands offered to them by Corsica.

Town of Richmond Hill staff have been instructed to work with RASC Toronto Centre to create a long term lease agreement for us to continue to occupy the buildings, maintain the telescope, and provide outreach programs.

He closed indicating that the Centre will consider its options and will keep people updated.

§

See the full notice on the DDO home page. [ed. At the www.theddo.ca site. This site was appropriated by the YRA and the specific post since removed.]

The same words appear in a post on the DDO Facebook page. [ed. This page was appropriated by the YRA and the specific post since removed.]

§

Following are the motions as presented (copied from the verbal record with some omissions).

15.4 To consider matters related to a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the municipality (Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001).

Chan/Cilevitz.

Various subsections concerning arrangements with DG Group

Carried, recorded vote 7-1.

15.5 To consider matters related to a proposed or pending acquisition of land by the municipality related to a lease agreement (Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001).

Chan/Spatafora.

re: David Dunlap Observatory negotiations, to proceed with council's direction.

Recommendation is that the office of the CAO enter into negotiations with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Toronto Centre regarding the terms of a lease and/or other arrangements for the observatory dome and administrative building on the David Dunlap Observatory Lands and report back to Council.

Carried.

See the PDF copy of the 22 Feb minutes. Section 14 shows some of the particulars of the in-camera session.