TAMRMS#: B06
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Capital Project Charter DARP-016
Notice given by: Councillor Hansen
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
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That Capital Project Charter DARP-016 in the amount of $102,000 move from unfunded to funded in 2021.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
Administration’s understanding is that DARP-016, Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Project Prioritization, be funded in 2021.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
Moving DARP-016 from unfunded to funded will result in planning & development staff (and possibly staff from other departments in a supporting role) allocating time to the project, rather than on other potential projects.
Financial Implications of Motion:
Moving DARP-016 from unfunded to funded will result in an additional $102,000 being allocated from the Capital Reserve reducing the total available in future years; however, if deemed a priority of Council, there is adequate funding available.
Stakeholder Consultations:
Should the motion pass, engagement will need to occur with stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce and the general public to gain input on the merits of the various DARP projects.
Background:
The DARP was adopted in 2010, and identified a number of capital projects intended to improve the downtown built environment, and foster revitalization and investment within Downtown St. Albert. The plan; however, did not offer a true prioritization of the proposed projects. In addition, Council feedback over the course of the past several years called into question the merits of some of the recommended projects.
The DARP includes a number of capital projects, with estimated costs in the tens of millions of dollars. In recognition of limited dollars and capacity, the projects should be prioritized to ensure that limited resources are being applied in the most efficient way possible, and to reflect current corporate strategic direction.
Re-evaluation and prioritization of the proposed DARP projects is intended to enable future public investment to maximize benefits to costs, and to reflect the changing needs and strategic priorities of the City. It also creates an opportunity to investigate shared or leveraged investments (e.g. P3 relationships, etc.).
If not approved, the proposed implementation projects will continue to appear within the 10 Year Growth Municipal Capital Plan - absent more detailed prioritization or technical evaluation of merit. The resulting implementation of these identified projects may not be the most efficient or effective way to support the needs of the downtown.
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Report Date: December 1, 2020
Author: Adryan Slaght
Department: Planning & Development
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble
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