TAMRMS#: B06
9.3
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance - Alberta Community Partnership Grant Support
Presented by: Monty Killoh, Advisor, Government Relations & Melissa Logan, Environmental Coordinator, Sturgeon River and Natural Areas
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Council support the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance’s grant application to the Government of Alberta’s Alberta Community Partnership program.
2. That the Mayor be authorized to draft a letter in support of the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance’s grant application to the Government of Alberta’s Community Partnership program.
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SUMMARY
The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance is seeking the City of St. Albert’s support for their grant application to the Government of Alberta’s Alberta Community Partnership Program. Parkland County is the lead applicant who will be submitting the grant application.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Municipal Development Plan Policy 5.3.6: Support the work of the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) is a grant program administered by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and is intended to support intermunicipal and regional projects across Alberta. The Province has budgeted $15.4 Million for this program in 2024/25.
The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance (SRWA), of which the City of St. Albert is a member, intends to apply to this program for completion of an Intermunicipal Watershed Planning Project. This project is expected to further implement the SRWA’s Watershed Management Plan and is expected to include:
1) Sturgeon River Watershed Water Quality Evaluation
a. Further examination into trends, flow, and land-use influences (point source and non-point source pollutants)
2) Infrastructure Management Framework for Watershed Health
a. Highlight transportation infrastructure priority areas and provide guidance on rehabilitation solutions based on the 2019 watercourse crossing assessment completed in the Sturgeon River watershed
b. Workshops that delve into water quality (i.e. salts and sediment) and flooding concerning watercourse crossing infrastructure (culverts, bridges)
Council Motions from each participating municipality in support of the application are required as part of the grant application, due October 1st 2024. The SRWA intends to submit an application for $200,000.
It should be noted that although the ACP grant program limits the number of yearly ACP grants a municipality may apply for as a “managing partner.” Parkland County will be applying as the managing partner for this specific application; therefore, Council supporting this grant application will not impact the City’s ability to apply for future ACP grants.
Should this project receive funding from the Government of Alberta and proceed, the work is aligned with the City of St. Albert’s Municipal Development Plan as it pertains to Policy Area 5, Green Environment: St. Albert values and protects the natural environment, concerning and enhancing its features and functions for the wellbeing of our community and our planet.
The outputs of the SRWA’s project are likely to support MDP Principle 5.3: Water Quality and Quantity: Contribute to the protection of water quality and quantity in the Sturgeon River watershed, and implementation of the City’s Green Environment Strategy.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The SRWA determined this as their preferred 2024/25 project submission at their August 12, 2024 meeting. It is understood that Parkland County will be the managing partner for the ACP grant, should it be approved by the Government of Alberta.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
No impacts as Parkland County will receive and manage the grant.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
Should this project receive approval and proceed, staff time will be required to support the initiative.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Adapting to a Changing Natural Environment: Green Environment Strategy
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: Council could choose not to support the grant application, which would mean the SRWA would not meet the ACP grant requirements (supporting motions from member Councils) and could result in intermunicipal ramifications.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Stakeholders - failure to lend a motion of support to this grant proposal could have negative consequences with relationships amongst regional partners supporting this work. A clear articulation of why the City is not supporting the grant would be recommended if this is the case.
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Report Date: September 17, 2024
Author(s): Monty Killoh and Melissa Logan
Department: Office of the CAO - Government/Indigenous Relations and Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher