TAMRMS#: B06
9.3
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Active Communities - Council Motion Follow Up
Presented by: Daniele Podlubny, Interim Director, Recreation & Parks
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RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
recommendation
1. That the report entitled “Administrative Review: Active Communities Alberta Funding Request”, dated July 26, 2022 be received as information
2. That Council does not provide funding to Active Communities Alberta as outlined for consideration in CM-22-001.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The report provides a review of work done by Administration and Active Communities Alberta with respect to CM 22-001, and a recommendation from Administration regarding potential funding.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On January 31, 2022 Council passed motion CM 22-00:
That the Active Communities Alberta (ACA) request for financial support to a maximum of $1,500,000, including services in kind from the City of St. Albert towards an Outdoor Recreation and Community Hub is considered within 60 days after the following conditions have been met:
The receipt of an Independent Financial Review of the proposal completed by a third party funded by the ACA and Public Engagement report, based on criteria mutually established by ACA and the City; and
The ACA has raised a minimum of $3 million from other sources towards the project.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Administration worked with ACA in March and April 2022 to establish mutually agreed terms for the financial review and public engagement, at which time ACA began implementation of both phases of work. Administration was included in all public engagement activities conducted by ACA through May and June 2022. On June 13, 2022, Administration confirmed that ACA had met all three conditions set out in CM-22-001:
• Commitments for over $3M in funding from other sources have been secured towards the Project.
• An independent review of the business case was conducted based on criteria agreed to by ACA and Administration.
• ACA conducted public engagement, based on criteria agreed to by ACA and Administration.
The Council motion does not direct the nature or terms of the contribution the City could make to the Project. ACA has indicated a preference for Council to approve the upper limit of funds allowed under CM 22-001 as a contribution towards Project construction.
In providing its recommendation, Administration has reviewed the information provided by ACA with respect to it meeting the conditions of CM 22-001, and considered corporate work related to community recreation needs, typical community partnerships and process, and project risks. Administration notes that this amenity is ranked as a lower priority in the recreation needs assessment, it ranked in the bottom 1/3 of current projects through the Capital Prioritization Model, the planned site does not align with our mandate to support access to recreation amenities in growth areas of the City, and there is insufficient information related to ACA’s capital construction assumptions for Administration to comment on the potential risk related the connection between the Project’s functional program, construction design, construction costs, and final capital asset. Details of this work is captured in the attached report.
In alignment with the findings of the review, Administration is recommending that Council does not provide funding to Active Communities Alberta as outlined for consideration in CM-22-001.
At the time of this report, ACA has not applied for any development permits and has not advanced development discussions with Administration. Administration has encouraged ACA to bring forward any proposed concepts sooner rather than later to allow timely review and comment on their proposal prior to final submission. The proposed site behind the St. Albert Public Schools Outreach building would be classified as an Outdoor Recreation Service under Part 1 of the Land Use Bylaw (LUB). The land is districted as Public & Private Service (PS), wherein an outdoor rink would then be deemed to be a discretionary land use under Section 10.2 of the LUB. As such, notice would go to neighbouring properties, and a development permit (or conditions placed on a development permit) would be appealable to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Administration worked with ACA to develop mutually agreeable terms for the financial review of ACA’s Business Case and for ACA led public engagement related to the project.
Administration had further discussion with ACA and MNP to establish a common understanding of the results of both activities.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
Financial:
None at this time.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
There are no alternatives being considered at this time.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Administrative Review - Active Communities Alberta Funding Request
Attachment 1.1 - ACA_COSA_Signed Terms
Attachment 1.2 - MNP Outdoor Recreation & Community Hub - Financial Review Report (May 27, 2022)
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Report Date: August 15, 2022
Author: Daniele Podlubny, Interim Director
Department: Recreation and Parks
Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Diane Enger
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher